Simcoe County to ask provincial government to settle composition question

 

Posted August 12, 2025

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Simcoe County councillors used a recorded vote this morning to keep alive the process to reduce the composition of council to 17 - including a full-time appointed Warden.

 

Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor James Leduc moved an amendment to a report that laid out how the triple majority failed in a tie vote of eight at the local council level, by requesting the Warden send a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to settle the matter.

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The for and against councillors fell along the same lines as their votes at the local level. Those opposed, including Essa, and Adjala Tosorontio, also voted against the provincial intervention.

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New Tecumseth Deputy Mayor Stephanie MacLellan, who'd lose her seat on a reconfigured County council if reelected in 2026 as a deputy mayor, told County councillors that while there was a tie by local councils, the third step of the triple majority was achieved by a wide margin as the total number of electors represented by municipalities that have provided consent was 173,442 out of the 290,341 total number of electors. The non-consent was145,171.​

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"One side of that tie vote had way more eligible votes attached to it," said MacLellan. "I absolutely agree sending this letter to the province because the overwhelming majority were represented."

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New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross, who also voted for the provincial government intervention, said he only supported last year's raise to council salaries said "because I assumed we were going from 32 to 17."

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Whatever happens going forward, all the various approvals have to be in place by Jan. 1, 2026 or the status quo continues.

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