Timmins council overrules mayor, reinstates recreation budget items

Timmins city council overturns Mayor Michelle Boileau’s Strong Mayor veto of $740,000 for a pickleball centre and ballfield soil.

In a reversal of a recent decision, Timmins city council has voted to overturn Mayor Michelle Boileau’s veto of two recreation items in the 2026 municipal budget.

Council voted 7-2 on Tuesday night to proceed with the original plan to spend $597,000 for a pickleball centre at the McIntyre Community Centre and $140,000 for black muck for seven ballfields. The vote required a two-thirds majority to overrule the mayor’s use of strong mayor powers.

Mayor cited fiscal responsibility for veto

Boileau had exercised her authority under Ontario’s Strong Mayor framework on Jan. 12 to veto the two items after the budget’s adoption. At the time, she said her decision was fiscally based.

“Under Ontario’s strong mayor powers, I have the enhanced responsibility to present and maintain a municipal budget that is financially sound, sustainable and in the best long-term interests of the community,” Boileau said in a prior news release.

“The objective is to avoid duplication of spending and prioritize funding for projects that have undergone initial planning, while being mindful of rising costs and their impact on residents.”

She argued the pickleball centre funding was duplicative, as the 2026 budget already included money for new pickleball courts elsewhere. Regarding the black muck, an absorbent material for sports fields, she said the city had sufficient supply.

The veto decision had drawn criticism from at least one council member prior to the vote. Coun. Steve Black took to social media to voice his disappointment.

Council vote reinstates projects

Following the council vote to overrule her, Boileau expressed frustration, linking the decision to broader economic pressures.

“I was tasked, with the responsibility, the duty, according to the strong mayors framework, to try and bring in a responsible, balanced, sustainable budget and considering the state of the regional, provincial, federal economy, considering what everyone is feeling at home - cost pressures, rising costs, I say I’m at a loss for words,” she said during the council meeting.

“There were comments of overwhelming support for pickleball, and I believe it’s all relative – there is overwhelming utilization of our foodbanks.”

The mayor had previously said that with the two items removed, the municipal tax levy increase would have been 4.19 per cent.

On Wednesday, the city confirmed the 2026 budget would include an overall municipal levy increase of 4.95 per cent.

“This first Strong Mayor budget is about building Timmins for today while planning responsibly for tomorrow,” Boileau said in Wednesday’s news release.

“The goal was to deliver a forward-looking financial plan that not only reflects what we heard from residents, but delivers a budget that is sustainable and in the best interests of the community.”