LAURIE WEIR
As Rideau Lakes Township begins implementing Ontario’s strong mayor legislation, questions continue to surface at the council table — and not everyone is on board with the province’s direction.
During the May 5 council meeting, CAO Shellee Fournier delivered a report detailing how the township will move forward under O. Reg. 530/22, which came into effect May 1. The legislation grants Mayor Arie Hoogenboom expanded authority over key municipal functions, including hiring and firing the CAO, preparing the budget, and introducing or vetoing by-laws tied to housing and infrastructure.
“There has been a flurry of training sessions around all 169 municipalities,” Fournier said. “There are a lot of details, and they are in effect right now. The sooner we can get up to speed on it, the better.”
She noted that legal interpretations of the new rules remain inconsistent.
“We’re still receiving conflicting information,” she said. “We just ask council to be patient with us as we try to figure out the interpretation of the legislation.”
Under the regulation, the mayor can override council amendments to the budget, and a two-thirds majority is required to overturn a veto. All decisions must be issued in writing and posted publicly on a new section of the township’s website.
Coun. Jeff Banks expressed ongoing uncertainty about how the rules will apply. He has sent a flurry of emails trying to get answers.
“What constitutes two-thirds of council if two of nine are absent? What if someone resigns on a six-person council — do strong mayor powers still apply? I don’t know why we can’t get a clear answer from municipal affairs. It just frustrates everybody around the whole province.”
Fournier said implementing the legislation will demand staff time, legal advice and updates to municipal bylaws.
Hoogenboom has indicated he plans to use the powers only when necessary, particularly in addressing governance issues and long-term sustainability. At the April 28 municipal services committee meeting, he reassured staff and the public that it’s not his intent to misuse the authority.
“I have a great level of respect for all of our staff. I support them, as they have always supported me,” he said.
On Monday, he added that much remains to be clarified. “We’ll have to wait and see what additional information comes forward from the province or legal counsel,” Hoogenboom said. “There will be situations where they’re going to have to interpret the legislation.”
Coun. Banks raised the issue of voting delays, asking whether it would be prudent to postpone any council decisions that could be vetoed under the new structure.
Deputy Mayor Paula Banks suggested going a step further.
“We should support any legal action against the legislation from other municipalities — or encourage it ourselves,” she said. “This is a threat to democracy, and I will not support it.”
A motion by P. Banks later in the meeting requesting that Rideau Lakes Township formally oppose the implementation of strong mayor powers and consider supporting or launching a legal challenge. Council agreed to deal with the motion at a later date.
