"Open Mic" meeting possibility deferred while town grasps "Strong Mayor" powers

Amherstburg Municipal Building.

A proposed meeting on the 2026 town budget has been put on hold as the town works through what the “Strong Mayor” powers exactly mean.

Councillor Diane Pouget put forth the motion to have a public meeting in September at the Libro Centre. However, as there are now “Strong Mayor” powers in Amherstburg as imposed by the Province of Ontario, there will further clarification on how to proceed.

“In terms of a budget under Strong Mayor powers, it is the mayor’s budget and what transpires and what direction is provided on the preparation of that budget or the consultation on the budget is at the discretion at the head of council based on that Act,” said clerk Kevin Fox.

Fox said a report will come back to council on budget timelines and what the Strong Mayor powers look like.

“If a budget is not tabled by Feb. 1, then it would revert to council’s ability to provide direction with regards to the budget,” said Fox.

Prue said the town has to wait to see how the Strong Mayor powers unfold, adding he attended a meeting that was “only 45 minutes long.” He said some items can be delegated to staff and some to council “but the budget was the tricky one.”

“I’m asking if this could possibly wait until we know what we’re supposed to do,” said Prue.

CAO Valerie Critchley stated a report could come back in July or August on the matter. Based on that information, Prue ruled Pouget’s motion out of order.

“I will say it is out of order at this time but after July or August when we have that report, we’ll try and make it in order,” Prue said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb asked if anything could stop an individual member of town council from hosting their own meeting. Fox said it wouldn’t be a meeting but “an information session,” noting they could not have a quorum of council members in attendance. He said similar methods of communications are already held through social media.

Councillor Peter Courtney said meetings were held in the past on the matter, stating there were questions asked and answers given. Fox said “open mic” sessions became “unsafe situations for members of administrations that were present” and that how the meetings were conducted would have to be reviewed.

“I personally never saw that and I attended a few of them,” responded Courtney.

"Open Mic" meeting possibility deferred while town grasps "Strong Mayor" powers

By Ron Giofu