#munipoli Matters - ISSUE 56 - The Dog Days of Summer
A few interesting stories I picked up on while everyone retreated to their respective summer getaways...
Welcome everyone, here I am back again with some interesting updates in the world of municipal politics and government that happened during these ‘dog days of summer’ in August, before we all get back into more reality in the fall.
Nova Scotia town elects new mayor, one year before regular elections
An officially UN designated World Heritage Site, the coastal Town of Lunenburg has a new mayor.
Mayor-elect Jamie Myra, the owner of a local clothing called Stan’s Dad and Lad Shop, won the August 12 by-election by securing 811 votes. Lunenburg Yacht Club General Manager Gale Fullerton was the runner up with 377 votes.
Voter turnout was 59%, compared to 64.1% during the 2020 municipal elections, according to a press release from the town’s website.
The need for the by-election was precipitated by the resignation of Mayor Matt Risser, who won the mayorship in 2020 and resigned less than three years later. Risser said he was resigning “due to a career opportunity that requires me to move elsewhere.”
Acting Mayor Peter Mosher will continue to serve in this capacity until Myra is sworn in at the next council meeting on September 12.
Ontario mayor under fire for Indigenous community remarks
UPDATE: Mayor Michi has resigned as mayor, effective Tuesday August 29, 2023, according to this press release from the town website.
In Southwestern Ontario, the head of the Town of South Bruce Pennisula is in trouble over remarks he made about a nearby Indigenous community.
Mayor Garry Michi is in hot water from community members, including his own municipality and fellow members of local and county council, over remarks he made in response to a $60 million water treatment plant and upgrades to existing systems.
The full remarks can be heard here. It lasts about 43 seconds before being cut off with the full transcript below:
“What I am saying is where is this all going to end? Twenty-five years ago they put a water treatment plant up at Cape Croker. It got ruined because they didn’t maintain it. Now we’ve spent $65 million up there to put hydrants and a new water treatment plant and 75 per cent of those houses, I mean they should be torn down. It’s like, why are we spending $65 million on a water treatment plant up there that’s going to last 20 years because they’re not going to look after it. Right? Just look at their home. I can understand to be poor, but you can be poor and clean.”
Cape Croker, know as Neyaashiinigmiing, is near Wiarton and is home to the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation.
The uproar is such that SBP’s Deputy Mayor issued this press release on behalf of the municipality.
“We know and sympathize that First Nations communities across Canada struggle with access to clean drinking water which is a basic human necessity. The Town supports federal efforts to fund capital projects that ensure all First Nations People across Canada have access to safe drinking water.”
“The Town of South Bruce Peninsula would like to apologize to the community of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and to all First Nations communities across our nation.”
Bruce County, where the town is located and Michi sits as a member of County Council, also issued their own apology. As for the Chippewas of Nawash FN, they are going one step further and calling for Michi’s immediate resignation.
Olivia Chow sitting pretty for now
One month and a half after she won a June by-election and took office as Toronto’s new mayor, Olivia Chow is sitting on very positive approval ratings thus far.
Liaison Strategies surveyed a random sample of 816 Torontonians between August 18 to 20th, margin of error for survey results is +/- 2.71%, 19 times out of 20. Chow has a 73% approval rating, with 18% disapprove. City Council received a 57% approval rating.
Chow has had to deal with a number of important files since becoming Toronto’s mayor. The refugee crisis landed square on her plate as one of those first big files, with Chow passing a motion to open more shelter spaces. Another major file is the city budget, with a $1 billion shortfall.
With Ottawa not likely lending a fiscal helping hand, the new mayor has been contemplating a slew of alternative revenue tools, always a tricky balancing act in Toronto municipal politics.
Follow me on LinkTree