Door-knocking is so old fashioned. The internet is where you want to be if you’re a candidate for Mayor, or anything else. It is inexpensive, has a wide reach, and can be an effective tool to engage voters.

How effective it is depends on how you use it. I have devised a scorecard based on bulletproof empirical methodologies to measure just how effective each of the current candidates have been thus far. I intend to look at each aspect of their internet and social media competency and grade them, starting with the most basic: email.

EMAIL SCORING SYSTEM:

4 pts – has an email address
-1 : has more than one email address
+1 : not a gmail/shaw/aol/etc domain
2 pts – responded to my email inquiry
+1 : responded in less than 1 week
..+2 : responded in less than 2 days
+1 : concise, free of unnecessary pandering

My email inquiry was as follows:

“Good day,

As an undecided voter, I have a few questions for you as a candidate for mayor in the upcoming civic election:
1. Would you consider annexing key areas around Winnipeg to better control the growth of the city?
2. Would you implement “zipper merge” at lane closures on busy streets to help manage traffic?
3. Do you support implementing a formal protocol for the renaming of streets and other city landmarks?

Thank you in advance for your answers, and good luck in the election.
Derick”

Max points: 10

Aslan, Hazem
email: hazem2014@shaw.ca    (4 pts)
response: none     (0 pts)
TOTAL: 4

Bowman, Brian Thomas Douglas
email: info@bowmanforwinnipeg.ca / BrianBowmanWpg@gmail.com  (4 pts)
response: none     (0 pts)
TOTAL: 4

Duchene, Buck
email: hounddog1@shaw.ca   (4 pts)
response: 1 day, concise   (5 pts)
“Hello Derick and thank you for your questions.
1. I would consider placing aside key areas inside Winnipeg to make sure residential areas aren’t clogged by high traffic, road construction, and commercial intrusion, so yes I would.
2. Zipper merge lanes are still in the beginner stage, but the idea is sound. There should be an attempt to try them in order to reduce traffic line ups. The situation with zipper lanes is the onus is on the individual drivers.
3.” A formal protocol for renaming streets and other city landmarks”, to rename a street or landmark is odd in my opinion, but if something must be renamed, there should be a particular protocol. In the keeping of democracy, the choice should be the public’s choice not City halls to rename.
I would like to thank you again for your questions, please feel free to email as many as you can, it not only helps with understanding what the public is interested in seeing changed, but also gives new ideas to the approach of current situations.”
TOTAL: 9

Fillion, Michel
email: superben@mts.net / michelfillion2@gmail.com (3 pts)
response: none   (0 pts)
TOTAL: 3

Havixbeck, Paula
email: info@paula4mayor.com   / paulaformayor@gmail.com (4 pts)
response: none (0 pts)
TOTAL: 4

Ouellette, Robert-Falcon
email: robert@falcon2014.com / info@falcon2014.com (4 pts)
response: 3 days, concise   (4 pts)
“1. That is a provincial issue I am proposing that people outside the city pay their fair share for city infrastructure that they often use.

2. Yes but it a form of education that is needed to be done. O believe it is already the law and permitted but the car culture in winnipeg does not do that.

3. City council should not be involved let a committee of citizen make the decisions using guidelines like other cities. City council should be looking at larger issues.

Robert falcon ouellette
Falcon2014.com

Thanks for the questions.”
TOTAL: 8

Sanders, David
email: davidmsanders2014@gmail.com  (4 pts)
response: 4 days, concise   (4 pts)
“Hi Derick:

TOTAL:  8

Steeves, Gord
email: steevesformayor@shaw.ca / vote@gordsteeves.ca    (4 pts)
response: none  (0 pts)
TOTAL: 4

Vogiatzakis, Michael
email: mikeforwpgmayor@gmail.com  / michaelvogiatzakis@gmail.com  (3 pts)
response: 1 day, concise  (5 pts)
“Good Morning,

I would love to answer your questions on my platform and anything else you need, I would love your vote so anything I can do to try and get you on my side,

Here are the answers to the questions,

1. Yes, we need to rebuild and restructure the city from the centre on outwards to better control the population of the city.

2. After a bit of research I think the zipper merge would be a great idea, I would definitely look at adding it to our roadways. If directions are followed properly it could be very efficient.

3. Yes, i think there should definitely be a protocol in place, not just random street renaming or landmarks.

Thank you for taking the time to ask the questions hope my answers are sufficient

Have a good day”
TOTAL:  8

Wasylycia-Leis, Judy
email: judy@judyformayor.ca    (5 pts)
response: 13 days  (2 pts)
“Hello Derek

Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the issues that is important to you. I believe strongly that it is only through the hard work of engaged and active Winnipeg residents that our city can continue to move forward in a way that benefits everyone.

I made a campaign promise early on that if I am elected mayor, city hall will be guided by Winnipeggers. I think it is incredibly important to open the doors of the mayor’s office, listen to people and make sure that at the end of the day, everyone has a voice in the decisions that affect our future.

I believe strongly in responsible development. The new mixed use developments that have been occurring in downtown Winnipeg are an excellent example of how a city can grow to provide an increased downtown population while adding new services to the existing population. Municipal amalgamations are a decision that is made provincially, however I would be a key stakeholder in any such discussions. I recognize the challenges that are caused by the large number of developments occurring right outside the Perimeter highway, as our municipal resources are used by those not paying Winnipeg taxes.  I don’t have all of the answers to questions such as this. I do not believe that Winnipeg families want toll booths on roads entering the city, as others have proposed.

On zipper merges, I would be very interested to read information you have on this topic. I haven’t yet been briefed by city engineers on the benefits of the current system of barricades and signs that they use, or alternative systems, but as mayor of course I would want to be fully knowledgeable and engaged in ensuring that the least disruption is caused by our infrastructure renewal.

I believe in an open city hall. That means that I would ensure that Winnipeg families have more input into more of city hall. I don’t want to add red tape to city hall, but I do want to make sure that Winnipeggers get input into the names of new streets and landmarks. I would ensure that a consultation process was in place so that local residents are given the opportunity to provide their input into naming new local streets or parks.

I hope that following this fall I can count on you to work with me to ensure that Winnipeg continues to grow and prosper in a responsible way.

Sincerely,

Judy”
TOTAL:  7

EMAIL SCORECARD

9 – Duchene, Buck
8 – Ouellette, Robert-Falcon
8 – Sanders, David
8 – Vogiatzakis, Michael
7 – Wasylycia-Leis, Judy
4 – Aslan, Hazem
4 – Bowman, Brian
4 – Havixbeck, Paula
4 – Steeves, Gord
3 – Fillion, Michel