The issue of how much campaigning is allowed and when was raised when Brownsburg-Chatham council met on August 2.
During question period, resident Martin Charron, a frequent adversary of Mayor Catherine Trickey, asked her if she was canvassing homes and already campaigning for re-election. Municipal election day across Québec is November 7 and the official campaign period does not begin until the nomination deadline of October 1.
Trickey responded by saying there is nothing against the rules about canvassing door-to-door before the official campaign period, because she is not distributing brochures, signs, or other promotional materials – which are prohibited before the campaign period begins.
Councillor Gilles Galarneau, who is also running for mayor in October, interjected and agreed with Trickey, referring to the municipal election regulations. Galarneau has made two comments on Facebook about municipal issues since announcing his candidacy on June 15.
Councillor Stephen Rowland expressed concerns about early campaigning and referred to it as “jumping the gun.”
Trickey was suspended by the Commission municipal du Québec on August 4 for 45 days for a violation of the municipal code of conduct and ethics.
