Glover calls for changes to way Kincardine deputy mayor is elected

Kincardine councillor Gerry Glover wants the municipality’s deputy mayor elected at-large, the same way the mayor is.

At the Dec. 14 council meeting, Glover brought forward a motion, requesting a staff report on options for electing the deputy mayor position.

Currently, of the nine-member council, four are elected at-large, meaning they represent the entire municipality; and the one with the most votes becomes deputy mayor. The mayor is also elected at-large.

Council also includes two councillors representing Ward 1 (former Town of Kincardine), one representing Ward 2 (former Kincardine Township) and one representing Ward 3 (former Bruce Township).

That composition was based on an Ontario Municipal Board order, dated Dec. 20, 2005.

Glover told council he would prefer to see the mayor and deputy mayor elected as at-large positions.

“People run for councillor-at-large, but the one with the most votes might not welcome the deputy mayor position,” he said.

Councillor Laura Haight said the only drawback is that qualified members of council may run for mayor and deputy mayor, and then you risk losing experienced councillors after the election, for a four-year term.

“I agree we need to discuss this,” she said. “I would also like to discuss reducing the number of councillors to seven. And I believe now is the time to have all members of council elected at-large.”

“I agree,” said councillor Maureen Couture. “Everyone should be elected at-large. We’re not a huge municipality. If Owen Sound can operate without wards, so can we.”

Councillor Bill Stewart said he agrees that it’s important for the public to vote for the deputy mayor position. However, he did not agree with getting rid of the ward system. “The people of Wards 2 and 3 need to feel they have a voice.”

Council gave direction to staff to bring back a report on the process for reviewing options relating to the election of the deputy mayor by the electorate, versus being elected from the candidate with the most votes in the councillor-at-large race, commencing with the 2022 municipal election.