A relatively brief session of McNab-Braeside Council, chaired this evening (Tuesday April 2nd) by Deputy Mayor Lori Hoddinott in the absence of Mark MacKenzie, has ended when those assembled emerged from Closed Session at 7:09PM.
The Deputy Mayor relayed the report of in-camera discussions, indicating that Council has accepted correspondence from MacKenzie indicating he will, “suspend activities as Mayor until further notice.”
myFM asked Hoddinott whether the move by MacKenzie should be considered as a resignation.
Hoddinott says MacKenzie is suspending his duties as the Township’s Chief Executive.
The Deputy Mayor believes it is MacKenzie’s prerogative to make such a move.
Ontario’s Municipal Act does not directly limit the number of meetings a Mayor can miss, although a sitting councillor can be deemed to have vacated their position after being absent without permission for three consecutive sessions.
A possible difficulty arises in the calculation of quorum, but the Deputy Mayor wishes to assure McNab-Braeside residents that the business of the Township continues uninterrupted.
There has been some friction between personalities at the McNab-Braeside Council table which may be unrelated to present developments.
On December 19th of 2023, elected representatives received an Integrity Commissioner’s Report, the contents of which are posted to the Township website.
By Rick Stow