Local politics

Local politics


Does the N.W.T. need a child and youth advocate?

An MLA is calling for the creation of a child and youth advocate in the Northwest Territories to hear the concerns of those involved in the child welfare system. “In the Northwest Territories, the child and family services system holds extraordinary power over children in care with no real independent oversight,” said Range Lake MLA […]

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Town lays out updated policy for bylaw enforcement

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has laid out how bylaw complaints and inquiries will be reviewed, investigated and enforced under an updated enforcement policy. Council unanimously received the information report last Tuesday. Before the report, the town already enforced bylaws using an “engage, educate, then enforce” approach and accepted complaints through a public process outlined on […]

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‘There’s no heat, no hot water’: Tense exchange between Brampton councillor and corporate landlord underscores the plight of city’s renters

On December 10, Brampton Councillor Pat Fortini walked into the apartment building at 507 Balmoral Drive. He was disgusted by what he saw. He shared his experience with his fellow councillors during a meeting the next day, and confronted the representative of the building owner standing before him in the council chamber. “I was there […]

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Internal government records flag gaps in federal dam oversight

Hydroelectric dams on public lands are at growing risk of failure because the department responsible for them has no engineers, inadequate funding and no safety rules, an internal document warns. The document, obtained by Canada’s National Observer through an Access to Information and Privacy request, calls the state of affairs “unsustainable” at the Ministry for […]

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Southgate considers two new staff positions in budget

There are two new positions proposed in the 2026 budget: one in the Clerk’s department and one 30-hour/ week position in Recreation. Human Resources Kayla Best updated council on staffing levels. She showed numbers from the past three years, and also comparisons by department to two other unnamed municipalities. Southgate’s numbers were large, similar to […]

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Two Renfrew councillors face pay suspensions although lighter than recommendations

Renfrew – Two members of Renfrew Town council were handed 10 and seven-day suspensions without pay, respectively, after the release of an Integrity Commissioner’s report regarding a complaint about a Facebook post made by one councillor and supported by another. Council had the opportunity to discuss the Integrity Commissioner’s findings at last Tuesday’s special meeting […]

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Councillors question bringing Aurora’s Procedural Bylaw in line with Strong Mayor Powers

A recommendation for Council to adopt an updated Procedural Bylaw governing how meetings are run, bringing it in line with Strong Mayor powers, sparked a debate at last week’s Committee of the Whole meeting. Supporters of the recommended changes before lawmakers last week stated Council does not currently have a Procedural Bylaw in line with […]

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NHPL CEO presents draft budget to Faraday

Faraday Township council heard from Kate Harris, the head librarian and CEO of the North Hastings Public Library at their meeting on Nov. 5, who presented the library’s draft budget for 2026. Harris and CAO Bernice Crocker comment to The Bancroft Times about Harris’ library budget presentation. Harris presented her draft budget for the NHPL […]

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Amid rising user rates, Aurora Public Library could have to make tough decisions without inflationary boost

Amid a surge in users, the Aurora Public Library could have to make some tough decisions if they do not get a financial boost due to inflation in the Town’s 2026 Municipal Budget.  Jodi Marr, CAO of the Aurora Public Library (APL), made the Library’s case at last week’s Budget Meeting where she said the […]

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Springwater mayor defends integrity amid boundary map dispute

When Springwater Deputy Mayor George Cabral called for an investigation into how and when various parcels of township land were considered through the proposed City of Barrie boundary adjustment, he said he was doing so in an effort to “provide clarity and transparency” to local residents. He contended Springwater council had “absolutely no knowledge of, […]

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After integrity commissioner called public oversight of his work a ‘political circus’ Caledon stopped his ‘outrageous’ move to silence residents

When the Town of Caledon’s integrity commissioner, David G. Boghosian, referred to public delegations as a “political circus” following criticism of his most recent decision, it struck a nerve with residents and Charter experts. “Delegations simply add an unnecessary and quite frankly harmful political element to the Code of Conduct process when the decision-making that […]

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Promises and apologies from Premier as candidates duke it out at debate and forum

Representatives for the three official territorial parties endeavoured to woo the audiences at two forums held in Whitehorse over Oct. 8 and 9. Both events took place at the Gold Rush Inn in the downtown of the Yukon capital city: the first debate on Oct. 8 was organized by the Council of Yukon First Nations. […]

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