Body: EOWC Type: Agenda Meeting: Regular Date: May 9, 2025 Collection: Council Agendas Municipality: Frontenac County
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EOWC Special Meeting Agenda Friday, May 9, 2025 – 8:30 AM a.m. Join Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84488821327?pwd=HZEQ12X9MCupaV81A4YinLkRJ5H1C 1.1
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Call to Order / Welcome / Land Acknowledgement On behalf of the members of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), I would like to formally recognize the traditional keepers of this land. The EOWC recognizes that our work and the work of municipal governments takes place on traditional Indigenous territories. We recognize and respect the history, languages, and cultures of all Indigenous peoples on this land whose presence continues to enrich our communities.
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Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
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Approval of Agenda 3.1 Recommended Motion: “That the Agenda of the May 9, 2025, Special Meeting be approved.”
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Approval of Minutes 4.1
Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Wardens’ Special Meeting Minutes January 17, 2025 Recommended Motion: “That the Minutes from the EOWC Special Meeting of January 17, 2025, be approved as presented.”
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Delegations 5.1
Strong Mayors Powers Presentation – John Mascarin, Legal Expert, Aird & Berlis • AMO Letter to MMAH Re: Strong Mayor Powers • Ontario News Release: Strong Mayor Powers Proposed for 169 Additional Municipalities April 9, 2025 Recommended Motion: “WHEREAS The Province of Ontario has been expanding Strong Mayor Powers through O. Reg. 530/22 of the Municipal Act, 2001. WHEREAS an additional 169 municipal Heads of Council were granted strong mayor powers effective May 1, 2025 (a total of 215 municipal Heads of Council granted); NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the EOWC sends a letter that endorses AMO’s request that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing establish a standardized guidance document and provide ministry training to guide and assist both municipal elected officials and staff with the interpretation and application of this legislation.”
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New Business / Other 6.1
Queen’s Park Advocacy Day Briefing - Meredith Staveley-Watson, Director of Government Relations and Policy, EOWC • If you have not done so already, please select your dinner choice for Monday, May 12 via: JOEY May 12 Dinner Selection Form • All Queen’s Park materials will be included in the May 12, 2025, EOWC Board of Directors agenda package.
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Confirmation By-Law # 2025-06 “That the Board of Directors of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus hereby enacts as follows:
- That the action of the Board of Directors at its meeting held the 9 day of May 2025 in respect of each motion, resolution, by-law and other action passed and taken by the Board of Directors at its said meeting, except where prior approval of any other body or agency is required, is hereby adopted, ratified, and confirmed.
- That the Chair and the proper officers of the Corporation of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc. are hereby authorized and directed to do all the things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain any approvals where required, and to execute all documents as may be necessary, and the Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to affix the Corporate Seal to all such documents.”
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Next Meeting May 12, 2025, Ontario Legislative Assembly, Floor 2, Room 247
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Adjournment Recommended Motion: “That the May 9, 2025, EOWC Special Meeting be adjourned."
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Minutes Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus 9:00 AM - Friday, January 17, 2025 Virtual Meeting - Zoom Present:
Chair Bonnie Clark, Vice-Chair Steve Ferguson, Warden Bob Mullin, Warden Gerry Lichty, Warden Nathan Townend, Mayor Doug Elmslie, Warden Martin Lang, Warden Peter Emon, Warden Toby Randell, Warden Dave Burton, Warden Corinna Smith-Gatcke
Regrets:
Warden Brian Ostrander, Warden Yves Laviolette
Staff Present:
Sheridan Graham, Marcia Wallace, Connor Dorey, Kevin Farrell, Brenda Orchard, Ron Taylor, Maureen Adams, Craig Kelley, Kurt Greaves, Alison Tutak, Jennifer Moore, Stephane Parisien, Gary Dyke, Meredith StaveleyWatson, Emmanuel Pinto
Call Meeting to Order / Welcome / Land Acknowledgement Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 9:02am and read the Land Acknowledgement.
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest There were no declarations of pecuniary interest.
Approval of Agenda 3.1
Motion 2025-26 “That the Special Meeting Agenda of January 17, 2025 for the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus be approved.” Moved by: Mayor Doug Elmslie Seconded by: Martin Lang Carried.
New Business / Announcements 4.1
EOWC at ROMA 2025 - Chair Bonnie Clark / Meredith Staveley-Watson, Director of Government Relations and Policy
Page 4 the of 8Minutes from the EOWC Wardens’ Special meet… Recommended Motion “That
2025 EOWC ROMA Conference Briefing Package EOWC - ROMA 2025 Conference Meeting Schedule Note: Any delegation updates will be made via calendar invitations. Please check prior to each delegation. Meredith Staveley-Watson reviewed the 2025 ROMA Briefing Package and answered questions about the process and agenda. c.
EOWC’s Regional Support ‘Fortress Can-Am’ to Keep United States and Canadian Economies Thriving – Chair Bonnie Clark / Sheridan Graham, Secretary-Treasurer / Meredith Staveley-Watson, Director of Government Relations and Policy DRAFT Letter - Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Call for Strengthening United States
- Canada Partnership to Keep Our Economies Thriving Ontario News Release - Ontario Building Fortress Am-Can to Power Economic Prosperity in Canada and the United States, January 8, 2025 Motion 2025-27 “That the Draft letter be sent to the New York Association of Counties and the Great Lakes Cities Initiative.” Moved by: Warden Nathan Townend Seconded by: Warden Gerry Lichty Carried.
Notice of Motions
Confirmation By-law a.
Motion 2025-28 By-law #2025-03 “That the Board of Directors of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus hereby enacts as follows:
- That the action of the Board of Directors at its meeting held the 17th day of January, 2025 in respect of each motion, resolution, by-law and other action passed and taken by the Board of Directors at its said meeting, except where prior approval of any other body or agency is required, is hereby adopted, ratified, and confirmed.
- That the Chair and the proper officers of the Corporation of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Inc. are hereby authorized and directed to do all the things necessary to give effect to the said action or to obtain any approvals where required, and to execute all documents as may be necessary, and the Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to affix the Corporate Seal to all such documents.”
Page 5 the of 8Minutes from the EOWC Wardens’ Special meet… Recommended Motion “That
Moved by: Warden Bob Mullin Seconded by: Warden Peter Emon Carried.
Next Meeting ROMA Conference, January 19-21, 2025
Adjournment Motion 2025-29 “That the January 17, 2025 EOWC Special Meeting be adjourned.” Moved by Mayor Doug Elmslie Seconded by Warden Bob Mullin Carried.
Page 6 the of 8Minutes from the EOWC Wardens’ Special meet… Recommended Motion “That
155 University Ave., Suite 800 Toll-free in Ontario: Toronto, Ontario M5H 3B7 1.877.426.6527 Telephone: 416.971.9856 Fax: 416.971.6191
May 2, 2025
Sent via e-mail to: minister.mah@ontario.ca
The Honourable Minister Rob Flack Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing College Park, 17th Floor 777 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J3 Dear Minister Flack, Local governments are a cornerstone of our democratic system: strong, effective and close to the people. The collaborative nature of municipal government has long been a strength of our system. The Government of Ontario has made significant changes to the municipal government framework, powers and processes in the last few years. In some circumstances, strong mayor powers can be a helpful tool to support progress on priorities, including increasing housing supply. AMO has highlighted concerns with two elements of the strong mayor framework: •
Majority Rule: Changes to the Municipal Act that enable mayors to make law with the support of just one third of Council runs counter to fundamental democratic principles.
•
Public Administration: Powers that enable the head of Council to hire and fire the heads of departments within municipalities and reorganize municipal administration are at odds with good corporate governance practice.
These elements are now law, and municipalities can be counted on to use these powers responsibly and in the public interest. We have heard from our members that additional resources to support the rollout of this framework are needed. We would encourage the Ministry to consider offering a suite of guidance tools and training opportunities for mayors, councillors, and municipal staff. Staff from AMO would be happy to meet with your ministry officials to discuss this important topic further. Sincerely,
Robin Jones AMO President
Page 7 of 8 - Jason Mascarin, Legal Expert, Aird &… Strong Mayors Powers Presentation
155 University Ave., Suite 800 Toll-free in Ontario: Toronto, Ontario M5H 3B7 1.877.426.6527 Telephone: 416.971.9856 Fax: 416.971.6191
cc.
The Honourable Graydon Smith, Associate Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing Martha Greenberg, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Page 8 of 8 - Jason Mascarin, Legal Expert, Aird &… Strong Mayors Powers Presentation
