LAURIE WEIR
CHANTRY — The controversy around the Chantry office renovation continues to spark division at Rideau Lakes council.
At the Aug. 5 regular meeting, Coun. Paula Banks introduced three notices of motion addressing strong mayor powers, Integrity Commissioner reports, and governance transparency, each prompting debate and revealing widening rifts.
Motion to Override Mayoral Veto Fails
Banks’ first motion attempted to override Mayor Arie Hoogenboom’s veto of By-Law 2025-94, which had affirmed council’s decision to retrofit the municipal office in Chantry. Hoogenboom had previously used strong mayor powers to halt the bylaw, citing financial concerns and a lack of public input.
Banks argued the veto undermined Section 224 of the Municipal Act and obstructed council’s ability to access taxpayer-funded information. “This veto is being used to withhold information taxpayers have already paid for,” she said.
The motion required six votes to pass but received only five. Coun. Jeff Banks denounced what he called an erosion of democratic process.
Coun. Dustin Bullock opposed the motion, noting the township has a Class A estimate of $4.5 million for the retrofit. “We already have that price,” he said, calling the push to tender premature. He and Coun. Ron Pollard backed the mayor. Coun. Marcia Maxwell, who has also supported stopping this project, was absent with prior notice.
Integrity Commissioner Motion Approved
Council approved P. Banks’ second motion, directing staff to provide a breakdown of costs related to 17 Integrity Commissioner complaints over the past two years. Banks also volunteered to summarize each complaint, outlining dates, outcomes, and providing commentary, for Rideau Lakes’ submission to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy reviewing Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025.
P. Banks said the deadline to submit the report is Aug. 18, with the draft to be reviewed by the Municipal Services Committee Aug. 11. That urgency, she said, is why she asked council to deal with the motion immediately.
Debate was heated. Deputy Mayor Debbie Hutchings, chairing this portion of the meeting, called the process “pathetic” and “a disgrace,” referencing her own experience with IC investigations. “This has been like nothing I ever experienced, even in school,” she said.
Banks argued some complaints were based on confidential closed-meeting statements and were politically motivated. “Taxpayers are footing the bill for what I believe is a vendetta,” she said.
Hoogenboom opposed the motion, stating it was inappropriate for a single councillor to prepare such a report. “Any submission should come from staff or be vetted by council,” he said.
Bullock suggested staff could provide a more neutral analysis but supported the motion. Council approved it.
Motion to Support Anti-Strong Mayor Coalition Passed
Banks’ third motion called on the township to endorse the V.O.I.C.E. (Voices of Integrity, Collaboration and Engagement) coalition, which is organizing an advocacy event against strong mayor powers at the upcoming AMO Conference in Ottawa on Aug. 18.
She said strong mayor legislation undermines the role of elected councils and erodes collaborative governance. “This is about defending the role of council,” Banks said.
The motion urges municipalities to pass similar resolutions and support potential legal challenges. Rideau Lakes will forward its resolution to Ontario municipalities, AMO, and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
This motion was also approved by the majority of council.
