Jan 2026: Setting the record straight on the Mayor's Special Meetings

January 26, 2026: On Table Item from Councillor Abbott Statement in Response to Agenda Item 10.3.1, Special Council Meeting.

I am most disappointed to see this item yet again on the Agenda. Including such divisive items on the agenda for purely political reasons is a disservice to the Village.

There is no valid legal basis for this remuneration deduction. This is just an attempt to make a political statement.

In a recent case in Manitoba a council tried something similar but the councillor being targeted won in court with the judge ruling council did not provide sufficient opportunity for elected officials working fulltime to attend meetings. Two of the Councillors frequently lambasted by the Mayor for not attending his no-quorum non-meetings hold down fulltime jobs.

Also, Special Council Meetings are not regularly scheduled meetings which have rules for how many may be missed.

I find the Code of Conduct type statements made in the Mayor’s report interesting because they are the very principles he is breaking by his abuse of Special Council Meeting provisions.

While there is no definition of a “Duly Called Meeting” that I am aware of in our bylaws or related legislation, there are clear procedures in the Procedures Bylaw and Community Charter which stipulate what is required to call a meeting, a principal item being an Agenda. The Agenda must include a description of the items to be discussed and preferably a report on each item. This is frequently not included or the Mayor refuses to inform Council what is up for discussion, this is neither transparent, respectful or collaborative and is not in keeping with the bylaw or in some instances the Community Charter.

For the record, the Mayor did not have two items on the agenda for the December 17, 2025, meeting as he has claimed several times. He had one item listed on the agenda that was ongoing and would continue for some time, and a second item he refused to reveal to Council. It was only after Council refused to go into the closed meeting on January 6 that he advised what was on the agenda by sending us a report he’d had all along.

In small communities some decisions require all of Council to be in attendance. While this is not mandated in any laws, it is a practical reality. The tactical manipulation of Council’s direction by staging meetings in which some of Council cannot be present in order to “stack the vote” is a misuse of position. Worse still is using the situation to actively change the outcome of a prior resolution or Council decision. Respecting the “Will of Council” is the fundamental principle by which all on Council must abide.

The Mayor and Councillor Broughton go through the charade of showing up at these ad hoc meetings even when they have been informed there will be no quorum. Frequently they do so with speeches in hand after inviting legal counsel and Staff at taxpayers’ expense just to manufacture a political point. There is no intent to address urgent matters in the interest of the community - the increasing number of unnecessary special meetings is pure political expediency at its worst. Almost all matters can be dealt with in the two scheduled Council meetings each month unless there truly is an emergency.

The Mayor and Councillor Broughton’s accusations that by not holding these meetings we have cost the taxpayers money or delayed important decisions thus impacting resident health and safety are baseless. The item proposed for the meetings not held on December 17 and 19, 2024, was not urgent and unrelated to the disaster unfolding. The push to hold these meetings with what was going on was irresponsible and disrespectful. Council and staff said no.

Finally, vexatious accusations such as these become defamatory when they are unsupportable. The suggestion that I am neglecting my duty because I did not attend 7 questionable meetings is ludicrous. In addition to Council meetings, I also chair at least two committee meetings every month requiring preparation and work between those meetings. The work delivered through these committees is minuted and available for all to see on Council agenda packages as is required. The accusation that I am derelict in my duty to residents is slanderous and ends tonight.

I intend to propose an amendment to this recommendation but first would like to hear what other Councillors have to say.

That the suggested motion:

THAT Councillors adhere to the spirit of the Legislation and attend Duly Called Special Meetings to focus on the important business of the Community.

THAT Councillors renumeration be reduced on a pro-rata basis for meetings not attended.

Be amended as follows:

THAT Council Members adhere to Village bylaws and Legislation when calling for- and attending Special Meetings and focus on the important business of the Community rather than personal political agendas.

THAT the remuneration of Council Members participating in meetings knowing there will be no quorum be reduced to cover the unauthorised expenditure on staff time and legal fees.