By Pepper Parr
March 23, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Just what kind of power and authority does the Mayor have under the Declaration of Emergency Marianne Meed Ward put in place on Friday?
Here is what the statutes say:
4. (1) The head of council of a municipality may declare that an emergency exists in the municipality or in any part thereof and may take such action and make such orders as he or she considers necessary and are not contrary to law to implement the emergency plan of the municipality and to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the emergency area. R.S.O. 1990, c. E.9, s. 4 (1).
What this means is that a Mayor can take action just as long as she abides by the rules the Province has put in place.
Declaring a State of Emergency certainly captures the public’s attention – but there is more driving the message home needed. The lineup of cars outside the Rattlesnake Point Conservation park on Sunday (more than 60 cars) with enforcement officers on either side of the road writing up parking tickets.
