24), and/or between election day to the end of the current term of council (Nov. “It’s more about money and liability disadvantaging the incoming council and major decisions that could impact a future budget,” said Deputy Clerk Becky Dahl.Ĭouncil can go into a lame duck period between nomination day (Aug. The main purpose of the provision is to prevent an outgoing council from operating in a manner that would unduly disadvantage the incoming council. 24) depending on how many incumbent council members are intending to run for council. Under the Municipal Act, lame duck provisions set out specific actions that council is not able to act on after nomination day (Aug. “There is miscommunication out there as to what can and can’t be done,” said Clerk Sara Almas during Monday’s meeting. The Municipal Act governs the lame duck provisions, which limit town spending and prevent hiring and firing of town employees.Īs part of Monday’s (July 4) strategic initiatives standing committee meeting, councillors were given a refresher on what lame duck means, and how it might play a part in the next few months of council business prior to and after the Oct. Both Yvonne Hamlin and Mariane McLeod are running for the mayor's seat, so only one could be elected. Lame duck is triggered when less than three-quarters of an outgoing council can be re-elected.Ĭollingwood council has nine members, so at least seven of the existing councillors would have to seek re-election without running against each other for a single seat (mayor or deputy mayor) if lame duck is to be avoided.Ĭurrently, four members of council have submitted applications to run again, with the potential for three to be elected: including Deb Doherty for councillor and Bob Madigan for deputy mayor.

As municipal election season approaches, Collingwood town staff are preparing for a possible situation with a funny name.Ĭouncil could enter what's called a 'lame duck' period once the nomination for municipal election candidates closes depending on how many of the existing council members are seeking re-election.

Lame duck period