“Strong mayor powers” have already been used in Quinte West to dismiss the city’s CAO, according to city documentation.
As previously reported, back on April 9, the Ontario government announced access to strong mayor powers coming for more municipalities, saying the expansion was aimed at helping municipalities with the tools to deliver on priorities such as housing, infrastructure, and more. The province has expanded the powers to 169 more municipalities, including in the Quinte and Northumberland areas.
Locally, some of the communities granted the powers include Brighton, Quinte West, the County of Prince Edward, Trent Hills, Cobourg, and Port Hope. As previously reported, the latest expansion was targeted at heads of council of single- and lower-tier municipalities with councils of six members or more.
In a press release issued by the city on Thursday, May 1, the city announced the “departure” of chief administrative officer (CAO) David Clazie, saying Clazie was no longer employed by the city.
“This decision was made pursuant to section 284.6 (2) of the Municipal Act,” reads the release.
The release doesn’t mention strong mayor powers.
Meanwhile, online via the city’s website, under the strong mayor powers section, there is a section for mayoral decisions, and one decision is listed – the subject matter line reads “dismissal of chief administrative officer.”
When clicking on documents, a link opens a PDF, which states in accordance with Part VI.1 (Special Powers and Duties of Head of Council) of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the “Act”) subsection 284.6 (2): The mayor hereby makes the following decision: 1. That the chief administrative officer be dismissed, effective immediately.
Mayor Jim Harrison’s signature is then attached.
In Quinte West’s release, it states the city’s personnel committee has appointed director of public works and environmental services Chris Angelo as the city’s interim CAO to ensure continuity in leadership and effective operations.
“More information about the city’s plans for filling the permanent CAO position will be provided as available,” reads the release.
Responsibilities previously managed by Angelo in his role as director of public works and environmental services will be reassigned within the department on an interim basis, the release further reads.
According to the city, Clazie was CAO since July 2020. Prior to the CAO role, Clazie held the position of director of corporate and financial services and city treasurer since 2003, the city stated.
“The city would like to express its appreciation to David for his contributions to the City of Quinte West,” reads the release, which provided no other details.
The city also issued a release about receiving strong mayor powers earlier in the day, recapping powers and duties extended to the mayor as part of the province’s expansion, highlighting the following:
- Choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
- Hiring certain municipal division heads and establishing and reorganizing divisions.
- Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
- Vetoing certain bylaws if they are of the opinion that all or part of the bylaw could potentially interfere with a prescribed provincial priority, such as housing, transit and infrastructure.
- Bringing forward matters for council consideration if they are of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a prescribed provincial priority.
- Proposing certain municipal bylaws if they are of the opinion that the proposed bylaw could potentially advance a prescribed provincial priority. Council can pass these bylaws if more than one-third of all council members vote in favour.
- Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate mayoral veto and council override process.
Quinte West has more information on the strong mayor powers online.
This story is still developing.
