At the recent Town of Gananoque Council meeting, a motion was passed requesting that the province allow the Town to opt out of the expansion of Strong Mayor Powers. The motion, moved by Councillor Osmond and seconded by Deputy Mayor Leakey, calls for the provincial government to exempt Gananoque from the new legislation that grants additional powers to mayors in larger municipalities.
The council expressed concerns about the potential impact on local governance and the democratic process in smaller municipalities. The motion was carried with 5 votes in favor, 1 against, and 1 abstention.
The expansion of Strong Mayor Powers is part of a broader initiative by the Ontario government to provide mayors with increased authority in decision-making, particularly around budgeting and planning. The Town of Gananoque’s council believes that opting out will ensure local governance remains effective and responsive to the needs of its residents.
(By: Tim Baltz)
