There was plenty of interest in Renfrew council this week as Mayor Tom Sidney faced a non-confidence vote that passed in a recorded four-to-three vote.
But what does this really mean in terms of the mayor’s roles and duties?
Renfrew’s chief administrative officer Rob Tremblay explained that the municipal act specifies the role of the mayor.
“So just to be very clear this motion has no ability to remove the mayor, it’s simply an expression of an opinion or a position that the council would be making,” Tremblay told council and the crowd assembled at Tuesday evening’s meeting.
“I should note there is no mechanism in the municipal act to remove a member of council, whether it be the mayor or councillor,” said Tremblay. “The province can’t remove a council member, council can’t do it, residents can’t do a recall petition, there is no mechanism in the municipal act to remove a member or council.”
The only instance in which a member of council is removed is if they miss three consecutive months of meetings without a leave of absence and then they’re removed automatically.
“I should also note that the municipal conflict of interest act allows for the removal of a council member by a judge only based on a breach of the municipal conflict of interest act,” said Tremblay. “So, there are very limited tools either by the province, the town or the community to remove a member of council.”
The integrity commissioner, who enforces council’s code of conduct, can do an investigation within the limits established in law and in the code, but can only recommend sanctions that council will then impose.
Tuesday’s vote stems from Sidney’s involvement and responsibilities for the Ma-te-Way Expansion Project as the former chair of the parks and recreation committee and as mayor. The motion was brought forward by Coun. John McDonald and supported by Councillors Jason Legris, Clint McWhirter and Andrew Dick. Sidney, Reeve Peter Emon and Coun. Kyle Cybulski voted against the non-confidence motion.
The final report of a third-party review of the delayed and overbudget Ma-te-Way expansion project is expected this spring.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)