Kincardine council discussed a motion aimed at reducing the size of council ahead of the 2026 election, but it was eventually withdrawn.
Councillor Rory Cavanagh put the motion forward, where the ideal shape of council was a mayor and four councillors.
“Over a four-year council term, shedding four councillors would save $640,000 roughly to the municipal taxpayers,” he explained. “We also gain the clarity of a more unified vision amongst councillors.”
The proposed change would have a mayor elected at-large, along with two councillors representing Ward 1, one for Ward 2, and one for Ward 3.
While Cavanagh said that the move would be more fiscally responsible and efficient for decision making, and prevent the effect of Strong Mayor powers from being abused.
He also said that while it’s interesting to have nine members of council with nine different visions and perspectives, it makes it difficult to take decisive action on some topics because in his words, “You can’t pull a ship in nine different directions.”
Cavanagh continued by saying, “As much as everyone is trying to be aligned, everyone has their individual goals. I would rather give that power back to the electorate, and say ‘pick the people that you want their vision to represent you, and let those people move as efficiently and effectively at the council table.”
However, other members of council pointed out that in order for Strong Mayor powers to come into effect, the mayor would only need one councillor to agree with them in order to make decisions.
The proposed streamlining with fewer members on council, according to Deputy Mayor Clarke, would actually erode democracy, and actually allow Strong Mayor powers to be abused.
“I feel pretty uncomfortable about the motion as it is,” said Clarke. “Particularly in light of the Strong Mayor powers. You are really reducing democracy at that stage.”
Consulting with the municipality’s clerk and CAO, there wasn’t any money that could be budgeted for a consultant to be brought in for public consultation, and therefore a decision could not be made by the end of the calendar year in order to be in effect for the next municipal election.
Following input from the mayor and the rest of council, Cavanagh withdrew the motion.
