Could Councillors Pass This Aptitude Test? BENN

Bulldog columnist Ron Benn responds to a post by this publication’s contributor Howard Crerar about aptitude tests for councillors.

To read Crerar’s post click here.

Here’s Benn:

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Howard, I like the idea of an in person test, because online tests could allow the candidate to have a coach nearby. And not multiple choice. Multiple choice is an ease-of-marking technique, also known as lazy.

There should be a set of questions involving simple arithmetic, say at a Grade 9 level. Word problems that require the candidate to understand not-particularly-difficult concepts, the result of which is a numeric answer. Perhaps along the lines of being able to demonstrate that they understand what a balanced budget looks like. Add in a few questions that involve the concept of proportionality. How much funding should the city direct to the benefit of the very few (self-interest groups), to the detriment of the many (the general population)?

There should be a set of questions that requires the candidate to link important concepts. For example if the city wants to change its official plan, should council be provided with reasonably supported cost estimates, including where the funds will emanate, several weeks prior to the vote? Similarly, what should a councillor do when asked to make a decision which requires more or better-quality information than has been provided?

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Another section should address identifying incompatible concepts. For example, should the city schedule repairs on parallel arterials at the same time? Perhaps an advanced level question on whether the staff should be required to check with other departments that may be affected before making decisions. To further complicate matters, add to that list other levels of government.

Along the same lines, there should be a section on cause and effect. Questions about whether implementing actions that impede traffic flow will add to or alleviate congestion.

A section on using meaningful, measurable outcomes would be of interest. I am thinking along the lines of the utility of regulations that cannot or will not be enforced.

A final section should involve identifying matters that are the direct responsibility of the municipality and those that are outside the authority of the city.

Minimum passing grade should be 75 per cent. Why? Because being a councillor should be a serious endeavour, and being right less than three-quarters of the time is not good enough. Sadly, I suspect that a significant portion of this council would struggle to reach this level.

Ron Benn, a finance executive, has been a member of the Centrepointe Community Association for the better part of three decades.

For You:

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Raise Councillor Quality To Qualify For Job: CRERAR

Back To The Office For Councillors: PATTON

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