A Study of the 2006 Municipal Elections in Ontario Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Campaign Period and Campaign Spending of Incumbent Mayors and Their Bids to be Re-Elected

Author

Wendell Graves, Western University

Date of Award

7-1-2010

Degree Type

Major Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration

Program

Political Science

Supervisor

Sancton, Andrew

Geographical Areas

Barrie, Belleville, Caledon, Innisfil, Milton, Oshawa, Quinte West, Sarnia, St. Thomas, Waterloo

Abstract

This paper examines the 2006 municipal elections in Ontario and the manner in which individual mayoral candidates, including incumbent mayors, exercised the length of their campaign period, as well as the amount of money that the candidates spent during their pursuit of office. A case study of municipal elections in 10 municipalities – Barrie, Belleville, Caledon, Innisfil, Milton, Oshawa, Quinte West, Sarnia, St. Thomas, and Waterloo – was undertaken, wherein five of the incumbent mayors were re-elected and five were defeated. The findings generally support the hypothesis that incumbent mayors who maximize the length of their campaign period while spending significant campaign funds are less likely to be re-elected.

Recommended Citation

Graves, Wendell, "A Study of the 2006 Municipal Elections in Ontario Analyzing the Effectiveness of the Campaign Period and Campaign Spending of Incumbent Mayors and Their Bids to be Re-Elected" (2010). MPA Major Research Papers. 83.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/83