What we knew as the City Manager is now to be known as the CAO

By Pepper Parr

May 21^st, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

We’ve not heard much from the new City Manager other than he has chosen to be known as the CAO – Chief Administrative Officer.

There was no announcement but the photograph of Council in session this morning does say he is the Chief Administrative Officer.

When the Mayor uses the Strong Mayor powers given to her by the province she is required to have the City Clerk publish a notice each time the powers are used.

On February 16th, 2024 the Mayor advised that she had retained the power to dismiss the City Manager.  The notice read:

I, Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of The Corporation of the City of Burlington, hereby issue Mayoral Decision 04-2024 as follows:

1. 1. 2. 

         Hassaan Basit works well with audiences when he is fully briefed.

         Appoint Hassaan Basit to the position of Chief Administration Officer, to be known as the City Manager/Chief Administration Officer (“City Manager/CAO”) for The Corporation of the City of Burlington (the “City of Burlington” or the “City”) pursuant to sections 229 and 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the “Act”).

      3. The City Manager/CAO shall be responsible for:

• • • exercising general control and management of the affairs of the City of Burlington for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the City in accordance with section 229(a) of the Act; and
    • performing such other duties as have previously been assigned or delegated, and as may be assigned or delegated, to the City Manager by the Mayor and/or Council, and specifically, such duties as are described in By-law No. 132-1991.

1. 1. 3. The proper officers of the City of Burlington are authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this Mayoral Decision and the Acting Executive Director of Human Resources, or delegate, is authorized and directed to execute all documents necessary in that respect.

This Mayoral Decision comes into effect on April 22, 2024. Dated at Burlington, this 16th day of February, 2024.

Chief Administration Officer Hassaan Basit with Corporate Counsel Blake Hurley to his right