By seeking election to city council with his bid to represent the people of Cumberland Ward at city hall, Stephen Blais firmly believes he has an opportunity to bring new solutions to decade old problems. Candidate Blais’ first initiative is a pledge to self-impose term limits.

“I believe in term-limits because serving the greater good of our city is more important than anyone’s desire to become a career politician”, said Cumberland Ward candidate Stephen Blais. “By self-imposing term-limits, I will only be focused on doing my job rather than trying to keep my job."

In both the 2003 and 2006 City of Ottawa municipal elections, every single incumbent councillor seeking re-election was either acclaimed or won his or her contest. Challengers face virtually insurmountable obstacles in trying to unseat incumbent politicians. The inherent, built-in systemic advantages of incumbency are well known.

“Stephen Blais’ commitment to self-imposed term limits is real change to how our municipal government operates,” said Graham Fox, Orléans resident and Member of Ottawa’s Taskforce on Governance. “I applaud Stephen’s efforts to ensuring there is regular renewal around the Council table rather than getting stuck in old battles and old ways of thinking.”

When seeking elected office as a Catholic School Board Trustee, Stephen Blais was well-known for keeping his campaign promises. Blais fought against the 150% school trustee raise and once elected voluntarily donated every penny to a number of charitable groups.

“If councillors know they have only have two-terms, they will be driven to make a difference for their community and city”, added Cumberland Ward candidate Stephen Blais. “Commitments like this would ensure councillors focus their energy and time on making decisions rather than fruitless debates.”

There are currently only two city councillors who are committed to term-limits: Steve Desroches, Gloucester-South Nepean and Bob Monette, Orléans. These two councillors, both elected in 2006, have pledged to serve only two-terms on city council.