News

Copy by Will Pearson

The strong mayor powers were on the agenda at Council last night. Brenda Little has more:

Council received the report regarding Strong Mayor Powers that is being examined by the Clerk to clarify the legislation. The Clerk noted that there is no acceptance or refusal of the Strong Mayor Powers and that there is still considerable work to be done understanding the full scope of the document. Mayor Ferguson took the opportunity to state his position reassuring council that business would carry on as usual. There were several questions and points of discussion but councillors expressed their gratitude for the reassurance. – Brenda Little

Also at Council last night, Wellington Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer sought council support to oppose the strong mayor powers and encourage the provincial government to rescind the legislation. Councillor Englesdorfer questioned the effectiveness of the strong mayor powers to promote the construction of more housing, which was the original reason for the powers.
Engelsdorfer said his resolution was not about Mayor Steve Ferguson, but his concern that the legislation violates the principles and meaning of democracy, and could weaken council’s decision-making and concentrate power with the mayor. Council voted unanimously to send the resolution to Premier Ford, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, and all other Ontario Municipalities.

For the second time this month, Mayor Steve Ferguson has used his strong mayor powers.
About two weeks ago, Mayor Ferguson delegated the hiring and firing authority to the Chief Administrative Officer. Now, Ferguson has delegated to Council the power to establish or dissolve committees, appoint committee Chairs and Vice-chairs, and assign functions to committees.

In a deputation to Council last night, Jason St. Pierre from the Eastern Ontario Regional Network reviewed the progress of cell projects in the County. He noted that 82% of the projects for the County have been completed with the remainder to be finished by 2026. Because the cell network is Rogers-driven, several councillors voiced concern for what they saw as a monopoly, and wondered if other carriers could use the network. St. Pierre responded that other carriers just need to ask.

Council also voted to receive a report about the Municipal Accommodations Tax collected in the County. The Tax is a 4% charge on short-term accommodations. Last year, almost $1.3 million was collected. As per Ontario law, 50% of funds collected went to tourism marketing.
The other half was used by the municipality to fund the current U-Ride service agreement, to service portable toilets in parks and at boat launches, for the PEC Art Fund, and to fund the 2025 tourism management plan. About a third of the total collected will be held in a reserve fund.

Finally, the Committee of the Whole will be meeting tomorrow afternoon at 1 in Shire Hall. They will receive a presentation regarding the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and deputations on the Millenium Trail in Wellington and the Greater than County Youth Collective. The Committee will also move into closed session to consider a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land in the Picton Industrial Park, and labour relations or employee negotiations regarding ONA and CUPE Agreements.

Sports

In the NHL Western Conference finals last night, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Dallas Stars 4 – 1 to put the Oilers up three games to one. In the Eastern Conference tonight, the Florida Panthers are in Carolina to face the Hurricanes, also ahead three games to one.

In tennis, Toronto’s Victoria Mboko won her Grand Slam main-draw debut and a second-round match today, and is now the lone Canadian remaining in the women’s singles draw. Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime is out of the French Open following a first-round loss yesterday. Fellow Canadians Gabriel Diallo and Denis Shapovalov have moved on to the second round.

In MLB, the Toronto Blue Jays are on a six-game road trip. Last night, in their second of three games against the Texas Rangers, the Jays lost 2 – 0. The Jays have lost four of the five games so far on this road trip and have been out-scored 22 to 4. The Jays are two games below .500, but somehow remain in third place in the AL East. The rubber match against the Rangers goes tonight.

In MLS tonight, Toronto FC hosts the Philadelphia Union and CF Montreal visits Inter Miami, with Toronto and Montreal the last-place teams in the East Conference. The Vancouver Whitecaps sit in first place in the West, and host Minnesota United tonight.