The Ontario PC Party has announced that Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith has been named their candidate for the riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka for the 2022 provincial election.
“I am incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to represent the place I’ve always called home, and the many great people and communities of this riding at Queen’s Park,” says Smith. “I am proud to follow in the footsteps of Norm Miller, who dedicated over twenty years of his life to public service.”
Smith was first elected as Mayor of Bracebridge in 2010 and currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka. He is recognized for his leadership during devastating floods in 2013 and 2019, and throughout the pandemic as the President of the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).
“Graydon Smith has been an absolute champion for the people not only as Mayor of Bracebridge but also in his work representing Ontario’s 444 municipalities throughout the pandemic as President of the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO),” says Doug Ford, Leader of the Ontario PC Party. “Graydon will continue to be a strong voice for Parry Sound-Muskoka when he comes to Queen’s Park as your next
MPP.”
Graydon is the past President of the Ontario Small Urban Municipalities (OSUM) and also served as a District Councillor for Muskoka and Town Councillor for Bracebridge from 2006 to 2010.
In addition, Graydon spent over a decade with the Kinsmen Club of Bracebridge, where he served as President and Project Chair for a variety of community-focused events. In 2019, he was selected as the Bracebridge Rotary Club’s “Citizen of the Year” and made an honorary Paul Harris Fellow.
Graydon was also the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
“We are proud to have strong candidates like Graydon join our PC team ahead of the next provincial election,” said Brian Patterson, President of the Ontario PC Party. “Graydon has committed years of his life to public service and will make an excellent MPP.”
Town of Bracebridge Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Stephen Rettie, confirms it is business as usual at the Town of Bracebridge, regardless of the announcement.
Provincial Legislation, including the Ontario Municipal Act and the Legislative Assembly Act, do not restrict a sitting Mayor or any other Member of Council from candidacy in Provincial Elections. Only a candidate’s actual election to a seat in the Ontario Legislature would render a current Council Member ineligible for a seat on a Municipal Council.
Bracebridge Town Council is made up of 9 members, including the Mayor. Bracebridge Council can meet provided a quorum of at least any 5 members is present.
“The governance structure of the Town of Bracebridge requires decision making to occur based on a majority vote of its elected officials, not by any individual Member of Council. Council has approved various strategic documents, policies and by-laws that guide the Town’s activities and Council will continue to have the ability to make decisions for the Town, regardless of the Mayor’s status,” said CAO Rettie.
The Town recognizes the importance of the role of Mayor and has appointed a Deputy Mayor that is able to ensure continuity of business during periods when the Mayor is unavailable. Additionally, should the Mayor’s seat become vacant, the Town has a Council Vacancy Policy that will guide the process for filling the vacant position.
Measures are also in place to ensure that municipal resources are not expended to support a Provincial Candidate.