Town of Gananoque (File Photo)
Gananoque’s mayor says the town has learned a major lesson after Ontario refused to give council more time to revisit its 2026 budget.
Mayor John Beddows says the issue came after the town’s first budget process under Strong Mayor Powers. He says once he formally proposed the budget, a 30-day approval clock began under provincial rules.
Beddows says the town did not realize the timeline had been triggered.
The budget was deemed passed as it stood on Dec. 27, even though discussions continued into 2026.
Beddows says Council decided to ask Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Robert Flack for a break.
Beddows says the experience should change how the town handles budgets, especially in an election year.
He says with voting day set for Oct. 26 and the new council sworn in Nov. 15, a newly elected mayor should likely wait until January before formally proposing the next budget. That would allow new councillors time for training, review and debate.
Beddows is also holding a public budget session Monday, June 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion.
He says he wants residents to weigh in on service levels, tax pressures and the town’s long-term asset management plan.
Story by Tim Baltz and Bob Perreault
