A selection of municipal news from elsewhere, and other readings of interest.
Mayor’s cannot veto police capital spending: The Ontario Conservative government says mayors cannot use ‘strong mayor’ budget vetoes to block police board spending requests. In a letter dated January 12, they write “The Head of Council’s strong mayor budget powers do not include the power to limit police service board budget increases or veto estimates submitted by police service boards.”
The letter followed a decision by Sarnia’s mayor to veto a new $91-million headquarters for the Sarnia Police Service.
Peterborough Council approves banning themselves from using phones during meetings: Following up on a note from a few days ago, Peterborough Council passed changes to its procedural bylaw including a ban on councillors being distracted during meetings. One councillor is quoted stating they will have to be strip searched to stop them using their phone during meetings. Another claimed banning smartphone would violate the Ontario Human Rights Code.
London Ontario Homelessness Response – Lower threshold for warming centres, vote down ‘Good Neighbour’ requirement: London’s council is considering a new approach to warming centres to have them open more often and longer during winter months.
Hamilton has already made similar changes, with funding for warming centres to operate during the entirety of winter. This followed the decision of senior City of Hamilton staff to close warming centres on Christmas Eve in 2022.
The same Postmedia news report states the Council voted against implementing a good neighbour clause. [Something I noted in yesterday’s link blog].
Niagara Falls Council escaluates battle with resident: Following the issuance of $4,000 “invoice” in retaliaton for the resident filing integrity complaints, the council has now blocked the resident from speaking to the municipal budget.
Callander has a new mayor: their council appointed the deputy mayor, the previous mayor resigned suddenly in December.
Saint John NB looks at ‘nuisance behaviour’ bylaw: The bylaw is ‘ designed to deal with things like loitering, soliciting, vandalism, littering, and urination and defecation in public places.’ This includes no loitering ‘in a way that causes obstruction’. It does not appear the municipality has any means of actually enforcing this – issuing fines of $140 to $2100 against homeless individuals is not logical. CBC reports.
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Published: January 29, 2026
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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