So who was doing what that they weren't supposed to be doing?

This is a potentially interesting situation. An item on the agenda:

Direct the City Clerk to report back to Council by May 2026 with an updated Staff Council relations policy to include a section  designed to guide the Mayor’s decision making when considering the use of Strong Mayor Powers., including that ”Strong Mayor Powers directions will only be delivered in writing in accordance with Ontario Regulation 530/22,” and

Direct the City Clerk, in consultation with the Integrity Commissioner, to draft an amendment to the Council Code of Good Governance that stipulates that an individual member of Council may only seek to direct staff and local boards/committees through a motion memo that is adopted by Council. Finally, that staff may only seek to direct the staff of independent boards as formerly directed by Council.

CAO Curt Benson

It isn’t immediately clear why this action is being taken.  Can one assume there are some kinks in the relationship between Council and City Staff?

One source told the Gazette that the problem was not at the Council level.

The City CAO, Curt Benson is in place to ensure that staff  use Council policy to direct the work they do.  We will hear what he has to say on whatever the issue is.

Council will discuss the direction at its meeting today.  The meeting might require two days.