Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Calling a meeting of Toronto City Council

Radio reports say a meeting of Toronto City Council is impossible since the Mayor refuses to call one. That seemed odd to me -- it would suggest a Mayor could simply stop City business at a whim.

I reviewed the City of Toronto Act (see below), the Regulations thereunder and the City bylaws and Code. Nowhere do I find the power to call a meeting is restricted to the Mayor.

Normal rules of order would allow a meeting to be called when sufficient members of the body (here Council) seek it.

Perhaps I am missing something a reader might steer me to.

Here's the only part of any Act, Regulation or bylaw I found that was even faintly relevant:

City of Toronto Act

Role of the mayor as head of council

133. (1) It is the role of the mayor of the City, as the head of council,
(a) to act as chief executive officer of the City;
(b) to preside over meetings of council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
(c) to provide leadership to council;
(d) to represent the City at official functions; and
(e) to carry out the duties of the head of council under this or any other Act. 2006, c. 11, Sched. A, s. 133 (1).

Same

(2) Without limiting clause (1) (c), the mayor’s role includes providing information and making recommendations to council with respect to council’s role under clauses 131 (d) and (e). 2006, c. 11, Sched. A, s. 133 (2).

Substitution

(3) The City may, with the consent of the head of council, appoint a member of council to act in the place of the head of council on any body, of which the head of council is a member by virtue of being head of council. 2006, c. 11, Sched. A, s. 133 (3).

Role of the mayor as chief executive officer

134. As chief executive officer of the City, the mayor shall,
(a) uphold and promote the purposes of the City;
(b) promote public involvement in the City’s activities;
(c) act as the representative of the City both within and outside the City, and promote the City locally, nationally and internationally; and
(d) participate in and foster activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of the City and its residents. 2006, c. 11, Sched. A, s. 134.

2 comments:

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Anonymous said...

The rules for calling a meeting are in the City's procedural by-law