With the fall municipal election on the horizon, Council has passed a by-law granting the CAO certain responsibilities and restricting the powers of Council if a lame duck scenario occurs.
More precisely, it is a by-law necessary under the Municipal Act to authorize the delegation of authority to the Chief Administrative Officer for certain acts during a “lame duck” period.
There are two ways Council would be considered a lame duck.
75 per cent of the current Council does not run for re-election, this is considered to be a lame duck situation and the powers of Council would be restricted.
A second lame duck scenario can occur on election day itself. If 75 per cent of the elected officials are not re-elected, the CAO would step into the role to incur expenditures over $50,000 and report back to Council. This would continue until the newly elected Council comes to power.