Simcoe County council weighs in about by-law to reduce its size

Council weighing in once again, about the by-law to reduce its size... This comes on the heels of a rather dramatic meeting last month.

A protest against the County of Simcoe’s weighted vote system is still fresh in the minds of councillors.

The county’s composition bylaw which would see a reduction of the county’s size from 32 members to 16 plus one full-time warden — is returning to council’s agenda Tuesday.

Its vote was abruptly halted last month when 17 councillors opted not to return to council chambers, in protest.

Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin said, “The Municipal Act is very clear on not materially advancing the business of council other than in these council chambers.”

Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith added, “I was in the hallway two council meetings ago and I can tell you the material business of this council was not moved forward.”

Councillors in opposition to the county’s weighted vote system which bases votes on electorate size when called for — put forward a motion for the county’s governance committee to review that same system.

Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett stated, “I think we’re all in agreement that we’re going to move to 16, so if we’re going to do that, the weighted vote needs to be changed. It isn’t fair anymore.”

“If we want to go one for one and all our votes are heads-up, it’s one for one, then let’s split the county tax level one-sixteenth,” said New Tecumseth Deputy Mayor Stephanie MacLellan.

That motion passed, as council learned it wouldn’t interfere with the composition size bylaw.

A bylaw that was also passed by county council — in principle.

Simcoe County Warden Basil Clarke said, “Not only with the weighted vote, but it also passed seventeen to fifteen, so the majority of council was in favour of downsizing.”

The bylaw will need triple majority approval by all 16 of the county’s municipalities to be enacted.

That means a majority of those municipalities must consent to the bylaw and of those, they must represent the majority of the county’s total population.

A new factor, however, is the expansion of strong mayor powers. The province is granting 14 of the county’s 16 municipalities these powers, effective May 1.

Clarke added, “There are no strong mayor powers here at the County of Simcoe, so how that will affect the triple majority at the local council level, that’s something they’re going to have to research themselves.”