The Power of Politics

We are all familiar with “Power and Politics”, a daily CBC production, but what about the power OF politics?

I just finished reading an exceptional piece in the Pointer by Joel Wittenbel, former award winning editor of the Oshawa Express relating to a situation in Pickering with overtones of political meddling.https://thepointer.com/article/2026-10-17/how-a-dispute-between-pickering-neighbours-exposed-ontario-s-broken-municipal-accountability-system

There is lots to unpack in the story, from meddling with by-law enforcement to the sordid rulings of municipally appointed Integrity Commissioners.  It’s becoming a common practice and concern in many municipalities.

Our municipal election process has changed in Oshawa for 2026.Council approved internet voting which is hoped to bring an increased turnout.They also amended the election sign by-law and reduced the period for sign advertising.While we await the results to determine the turnout, the sign change certainly favours the incumbents who already have name recognition.Multiple signs, grossly over signed properties and public corners, signs being damaged, huge billboards, and just signs in general…

The incumbents seem to have the inside track on signs, knowing all the key locations, employing huge teams to get those key locations controlled at the earliest possible time (midnight on October 1), and creating a sea of obstruction.

Do signs win a campaign?

Maybe.  Maybe not.

While campaigning across the Ward, I have seen numerous signs that have been removed by property owners from their front lawns and placed beside their house.  I have heard about signs being installed on private properties without consent.  I have heard the many questions about where a city boulevard ends and a private property begins.  I have heard the concerns about signs blocking sightlines and even the disgust of some candidates installing multiple connected signs to try and block a competitor’s access.  Signs connected to each other, like the candidates that are already locked together at the hip and working to maintain their status quo on Council.

I can’t imagine the sign budget of some of the Mayoral candidates…

But I also understand we don’t have local media to advertise so we need to be inventive to gain name recognition.

But when is enough truly enough?

I’ve blogged recently about restructuring future municipal elections in Oshawa, and signs will need to be a consideration in any future amendments to the process.

Aside from the sea of signs, Campaigns use other ‘power’.

Of course there are the endorsements.  Most often from special interest groups, unions and labour groups.  Occasionally personal endorsements shared on a groups’ letterhead that really aren’t the groups’ endorsement.  But seldom does anyone see through or question those.Recently the Durham Region Labour Congress had to retract two endorsements, claiming the candidates no longer represent their views.  That makes me question the original endorsement process and how they vetted their candidates in the first place.

It also makes me wonder about any of those endorsements and do they really represent the character of the candidate of just the alliance to the special interest group and their goals?  Are they any more than a beholden candidate with that public endorsement?

And then there are those endorsements by their peers – other or outgoing Councillors, Mayors, or people of influence.  Are these any more than protecting the status quo, controlling the power brokerage of affluent members of the community?

Once the elections are over, we will get to see who the donors were.  Historically they have been developer related donations but after a huge public outcry this spring, it will be interesting to see how many of them continue to be listed. 

After all, our developers claim to be heavily penalized by high interest rates, municipal development charges, bureaucratic red tape and building permit fees, not to mention rising costs due to tariffs, lagging construction trade workforces, and a slow down in presales.  Do they still have the money to ‘grease palms’ or the willingness to the public exposure?

All for the mighty dollar though!

And then there is the discreditable actions towards some candidates.  The introduction of false information, defamation, sometimes outright slander against their opponents.  Often, it is ‘once removed’ from the candidate and spread by some third party, often anonymously, through fake, anonymous or nickname accounts on social media platforms.  This is trolling at its finest: provoking a competitor into responding publicly and diverting time and effort from campaigning to defending against absurd claims.

Knowledgeable and aware citizens often see through these claims, others just pick up on a sound byte and with absolutely no research repeat the rumours, advance the false narrative, and have no idea where the claim originates from or why.  There’s definitely a madness to their means, and it is totally self serving with no regard for the potential damage to their opponent.

There are even rumours that some of these ‘trolls’ have been promised favours after the election.

Are these really the people that should be in power and making decisions for the good of our City and citizens?

Is it really a popularity contest over a commitment to public service?

Reading over the platforms that are publicly available, few go beyond the ‘buzz words’ of identifying an issue and a weak statement to improve with very little detail on how.  Many self-serving statements about who they are connected to, but very few details of how deep those connections go beyond a photo op.  Loads of experience listings but few details of accomplishments.  Reviving former promises that are ‘in progress’, yet to be fulfilled.  Promises to continue what they have not yet accomplished or make changes they have previously stood in the way of.  Avoiding the tough questions of their voting record in closed session but advocating for accountability and transparency they haven’t practiced.

A nucleus of incumbents vying to maintain control on a questionable record of success.  Endorsing each other like that opinion really matters.

This is a pivotal election where we know we will see at least four new faces on Council.  Maybe it should be more!

It’s time for Change. 

Let’s take advantage of the opportunity to make meaningful change.

Let’s take back the power and put it in the hands of the electorate.

VOTE!

Vote for CHANGE.

Jeff DavisCandidate for Regional and City Councillor, Ward 4

October 18, 2026