Since the municipal elections in September 2021, almost one in ten elected officials – or 741 elected municipal officials – have resigned from office, an “alarming and infinitely sad situation” for Martin Damphousse, president of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) and mayor of Varennes, who calls for strengthening support mechanisms for elected officials.
In early November, Quebec’s youngest mayor, Isabelle Lessard, reluctantly resigned. She has struggled with post-traumatic syndrome and severe anxiety since she was on the front lines managing the wildfires that devastated the northern Quebec community of Chapais last summer. At the end of October, Mayor Évelyne Beaudin took a break near Sherbooke on doctor’s orders due to professional exhaustion.
In an interview with Behind the Scenes of Power, the president of the Union of Municipalities of Quebec takes stock of the growing pressures affecting the municipal world and the possible solutions to prevent the exodus of people who, despite their passion have no choice but to take a step back.
A double-edged closeness
According to Mr. Damphousse, pressure has increased on local elected officials, those closest to the field and also the easiest to reach. This closeness has pushed many into the communal world, but it is a double-edged closeness.
We often say that we are the local government. There are positive elements, but also when things don’t go well […]it is complicated for us.
This pressure on elected officials becomes particularly acute as economic conditions become more complicated, placing strains on both local budgets and citizens alike, such as increases in inflation, interest rates, and spending.
There are new tasks ahead of us […] from higher governments and financial sums are not associated with it. If I add public transport into the mix, we find ourselves in a quandary.
In addition, local elected officials are on the front lines of crises every day and are on all fronts in the fight against housing shortages, homelessness or even the effects of climate change, as was the case with this year’s wildfires, emphasizes Mr. Damphousse.
Social media, guilty
Mayors and local councils often bear the brunt of citizen discontent expressed on social media. These networks allow easier and freer criticism, and the virtual world makes it possible to hide behind a profile, emphasizes the mayor of Varennes.
In reality, online attacks can seriously jeopardize the security of elected officials and undermine their trust and morale. Martin Damphousse is convinced that this phenomenon is fueled by social networks and, in his opinion, would affect elected officials more severely.
The pandemic phenomenon isolated people at home and increased this phenomenon. So it’s incredibly sad to see so many young, high-profile elected officials jump ship.
This week alone, the mayor of Longueuil received death threats in connection with the controversial slaughter of deer in Michel Chartrand Park. Therefore, security was increased around the mayor, a first for the city of Longueuil.
In his interview with Les Coulisses du Pouvoir, Martin Damphousse admits that he has a thick politician’s coat. However, he, who has been mayor of Varennes for 14 years, admits that this shell has become thinner and more fragile over the years.
Towards better access to support?
Martin Damphousse hopes for collaboration from Quebec to find solutions and safeguards, to support elected officials from a psychological perspective and in all ways [de façons].
When the UMQ establishes defamation, harassment and online hate insurance in 2022, more support will be needed alongside training on how to use social networks and combat online hate.
Mr. Damphousse cites in particular the expansion of Employee Assistance Programs (PAE) to all elected officials, programs to which, for example, the young mayor of Chapais, who was struggling with post-traumatic shock, did not have access to before he resigned.
Additionally, Isabelle Lessard said she believes the 90-day maximum vacation time that elected officials are entitled to is too short, compared to the private sector.
It’s not normal that it’s not for everyone. This is the first wave. But second: How can we successfully reduce the pressure? asks Martin Damphousse.
This interview with Martin Damphousse will be broadcast on the show Behind the scenes of power at 11 h on the airwaves of ICI RDI and ICI TV.