These 3 councillors in Waterloo region share why they opted not to seek re-election this fall

There will be new faces sitting around council horseshoes later this fall after several current councillors in Waterloo region opted not to seek re-election.

On regional council, there are eight elected councillors. Six of them aren't running in the Oct. 24 municipal election. Sean Strickland is one of those not seeking re-election, despite being in local politics since 1994.

Strickland joined Waterloo Coun. Tenille Bonoguore and Woolwich Township Coun. Larry Shantz on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition to talk about their decisions not to run again.

Strickland said the work has changed over the years and what started out as a part-time job became a second full-time job.

"When I started to add it up in terms of 20 hours a week could spend at events and committee and council meetings, answering emails and phone calls and all the other duties related to being an elected official, including reading and staying on top of things, I realized I just couldn't adequately serve the good citizens of Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo in a part-time capacity," Strickland said.

Bonoguore, who is leaving her seat representing the uptown ward in Waterloo after one term, says she never planned on the role being long term. 

"I went in with a couple of direct goals in mind. I really wanted to centre climate change and equity work within city discussions and on this council, I think we all went in with that kind of vision so we were able to really move the needle for the city on those two essential things."

Bonoguore agreed with Strickland that the part-time job requires a lot more work than other part-time work. She said that during the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, she had to leave her other part-time job to be able to focus on her children's remote learning and her role as a councillor.

"I've loved being on council. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic, but it's a pretty heavy load," she said.

Shantz said he made a list of pros and cons for seeking re-election and talked to family and friends before making up his mind.

"I figured I was looking in the rearview mirror and I had to concentrate on the road ahead, and the real question I needed to ask myself was: Are you capable of offering the same commitment, dedication and time to your constituents for another four years?" he said.

"When I was not able to answer that question with a resounding yes, I felt that I wasn't being fair to the position or to the people I was representing."

All three councillors say politics has changed during their time, whether it's been four years or more than 25 years.

Strickland joked they didn't have email in 1994. Now, he says there's an "expectation for instantaneous communication" from constituents through email and social media.