Of note to all voters in Temagami:
Two motions will be brought forward by Councillor Harding for consideration at the Thursday, April 15, 2021 Regular Council meeting of the Municipality of Temagami that may impact your democratic representation.
(a) One seeks to reduce the size of the Municipal Council from 7 members (6 Councillors and a Mayor) to 5 members (4 Councillors and a Mayor) – prior to the next Municipal Election in 2022: Municipality of Temagami – Motion to Reduce the Size of Council
Item 16.2:
2021-M-055 Notice of Motion – Reduction of Council Members
Draft Motion:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council reduce the size of Council to a total of five (5) members, including the Mayor;
AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Staff to take the necessary steps to implement this reduction in the size of Council for the next Municipal Election.
(b) The other seeks to redefine Temagami’s representation through a Ward system – prior to the next Municipal Election in 2022: Municipality of Temagami – Motion to Implement a Ward System for Municipal Elections
Item 16.3
2021-M-056 Notice of Motion – Ward System
Draft Motion:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council implement a ward system for the purposes of Municipal Elections;
AND FURTHER THAT the wards be established as the Town (Urban) area, Lake Temagami Area and the Marten River Area;
AND FURTHER THAT one Councillor be elected from each ward with one additional Councillor and the Mayor elected ‘At Large’;
AND FURTHER THAT Council directs Staff to take the necessary steps to implement this change in place for the next Municipal Election.
Should either of these motions pass, they will determine not only how the next Municipal election will take shape, but will also change how your Municipality is governed for at least four years. Such a significant change in governance should take place only after a THOROUGH public consultation process. Yet, Municipal Council will be voting on these motions on Thursday, as a member put through a private notice of motion (which is within his power).
It is vital to the integrity of the governance process that Municipal Council represent YOUR interests and provide proper representation at a Municipal level on your behalf – but, Council needs to know what those interests are and what system best suits you before completely changing the system. Council should not act without asking what you would like them to do through a consultation process.
As always, the public is welcome to join Temagami Regular Council meetings.
Topic: REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 04-15-21 18:30
Time: April 15, 2021 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Link to Join Council Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96859317870
Council Meeting Agenda: https://pub-temagami.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=7ab95966-7b2e-4c71-9f40-4670ccc5c22f&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English