Bill 36 2003

An Act to amend the
Municipal Act, 2001
respecting the election of
the head of council for
The Regional Municipality of Niagara

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1.  The Municipal Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following section:

Head of council, The Regional Municipality of Niagara

218.1  (1)  Despite section 218 and despite anything contained in a by-law, the head of council for The Regional Municipality of Niagara shall be elected by general vote in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Transition

(2)  If, on the day subsection (1) comes into force, The Regional Municipality of Niagara has an appointed head of council, that person's tenure in office as an appointee may continue until the next regular election.

Commencement

2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3.  The short title of this Act is the Municipal Amendment Act, 2003.

______________

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill adds a section to the Municipal Act, 2001 that will require the head of council for The Regional Municipality of Niagara to be elected by general vote. Currently, under section 218 of the Act, the head of council may be elected by general vote or may be appointed by the members of council.

There is a transition period during which the current head of council, if he or she has been appointed, may continue in that office as an appointee until no longer than the next regular election.