By Pepper Parr
December 15th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette learned earlier today that Gary Carr’s wife Terea passed away earlier today.
At the start of each term of Council, an Acting Regional Chair by-law is adopted, which provides for the appointment of an Acting Regional Chair when the Regional Chair is absent. The monthly rotation is set in alphabetical order by members’ last names and addresses the entire term of Council. While a member is serving as Acting Regional Chair, they have and may exercise all the rights, powers and authority of the Regional Chair.
Regional Chair, Gary Carr was unable to serve on December 3rd; a replacement had to be found. The weather on the 3rd was such that many Regional Councillors chose to attend virtually.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward got to serve as the Regional Chair during a budget session. Might she find the Chair a comfortable seat and decide to run for the Office of Regional Chair next October?
A Regional Staff member explained what happened on December 3rd. “It is also important to note that if the member whose turn it is to serve as Acting Regional Chair is unable to act, then the next member in the rotation is to act in the place of the Regional Chair. If that member cannot act, then the next member is asked until someone is able to act.
“This was the case at the December 3 meeting when we asked Mayor Krantz (who is assigned Acting Regional Chair duties for the month of December), but he declined chairing since he was attending virtually (it’s difficult to chair a hybrid meeting virtually). We then asked Mayor Lawlor, but she was also attending virtually and declined, then Councillor Malboeuf (who declined) then Mayor Meed Ward (who accepted and chaired that meeting).
What would have happened, we wondered, if Meed Ward had not been available?
Whatever was ailing Chair Carr, we wish him a speedy recovery.
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