Training Local Elected Officials: Professionalization Amid Tensions Between
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4335/14.1.33-51(2016)Keywords:
municipal politics, local elected officials, professional training, professionalization, local democracy, CanadaAbstract
Over the last few decades, several administrations in Canada have organized programs for training local elected officials (LEOs). While improving LEOs’ competences is beneficial, this trend is developing amidst a persisting tension between democratic and technocratic approaches to governance. Indeed, training - and the professionalization it entails - disrupts the enduring principle holding that everyone is equally authorized to govern following the democratic election. Despite the significance of these transformations, training activities for LEOs have received limited scholarly attention until now. In this paper, we detail our conceptualization of the professionalization process and the role of training programs within it. We then review the existing Canadian training programs for LEOs. We also examine one case study: the main introductory training program for LEOs in Québec (Canada) since 2011. Accordingly, we advance our understanding of training’s effects on elected officials by emphasizing how they contribute to a long-term process of professionalization.
References
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Best, H. & Cotta, M. (2000) Parliamentary Representatives in Europe, 1848–2000: Legislative Recruitment and Careers in Eleven European Countries (Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press).
Dagenais, M. (2000) Des pouvoirs et des hommes (Montréal: McGill-Queen’s University Press).
Eidelman, G. & Taylor, Z. (2010) Canadian urban politics: Another ‘black hole’?, Journal of Urban Affairs, 32(3), pp. 305–320.
Elected Officials Education Program (EOEP) (2014) Elected Officials Education Program (Edmonton: Alberta Elected Officials Education Program), available at: http://eoep.ca/page/401 (June 30, 2014).
Fontaine, J. & Le Bart, C. (eds.) (1994) Le métier d'élu local (Paris: L’Harmattan).
Garrigou, A. (1992) Vivre de la politique. Les ‘quinze mille,’ le mandat et le métier, Politix, 5(20), pp. 7–34.
Gavan-Koop, D. & Smith, P. (2008) Gendering local governing: Canadian and comparative Lessons – the case of Metropolitan Vancouver, Canadian Political Science Review, 2(3), pp. 152–171.
Gaxie, D. (20019 Les enjeux citoyens de la professionnalisation politique, Mouvements, 5(18), pp. 21–27.
Guérin-Lavignotte, É. & Kerrouche, E. (2006) Les élus locaux en Europe. Un statut en mutation (Paris: La documentation française).
Greenwood, J. & Wilson, D. (1995) Councillor effectiveness: What Role for training?, Local Government Studies, 21(3), pp. 432-447.
Kinyondo, A. & Pelizzo, R. (2013) Strengthening Legislature: Some Lessons from the Pacific Region, Politics & Policy, 41(3), pp. 420–446.
Mamrot (2013a) Les obligations imposées par la Loi sur l’éthique et la déontologie en matière municipale en lien avec les élections municipales générales, Muni express 13(5), pp. 1-2.
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Sancton, A. & Young, R. (eds.) (2009) Foundations of Governance (Toronto: Toronto University Press).
Siegel, D., Kushner, J. & Stanwick, H. (2001) Canadian mayors: A profile and determinants of electoral success, Canadian Journal of Urban Research/Revue canadienne de recherche urbaine, 10(1), pp. 5-22.
Simpamba, E. (2012) Assessment of Levels of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Held by Parliamentarians and the Determination of Training and Professional Development Needs—The Zambian Case, Parliamentary Affairs, 65(3), pp. 608–627.
Steinack, K. (2012) Between Apathy and Enthusiasm: An International Comparison of MPs’ Attitudes Towards Parliamentary Training, Parliamentary Affairs, 65(3), 541-558, doi: 10.1093/pa/gss021.
Steyvers, K. & Verhelst, T. (2012) Between Layman and Professional? Political Recruitment and Career Development of Local Councillors in a Comparative Perspective, Lex Localis—Journal of Local Self-Government, 10(1), pp. 1–17.
Tindal, R. C. & Nobes Tindal, S. (2008) Local government in Canada (7th ed.) (Toronto: Nelson Education).
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Published
2016-01-02
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Section
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