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Who will be the next Richmond Hill Mayor and who will be Regional Councillor?

Will one side dangle a Regional Councillor carrot to persuade a council member to switch sides and support an appointment for Mayor or will it be a by-election?

Special Council Meeting Wednesday September 29 at 9:30am View Agenda Here and Livestream Here


The discussion continues by Council on options to fill the seat left vacant when Mayor Barrow retired. The discussion will also now include direction on the appointment of an Alternate Regional Councillor during the vacancy in the Office of Mayor.


Under Section 263(5) of the Municipal Act, 2001, within 60 days of having declared the Office

of the Mayor vacant, or by November 21, 2021, Council is required to:

  • appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy under; or

  • pass a by-law requiring a By-election be held to fill the vacancy.

The agenda includes two reports:

Options to fill the Vacancy in the Office of Mayor

To summarize Council’s options to fill the vacancy in the Office of Mayor and to seek direction on the appointment of an Alternate Regional Councillor during the vacancy in the Office of Mayor.

  • Options include:

  • Option 1 – By-election

  • Option 2 – Appoint a current Member of Council to fill the Vacancy

  • Option 3 – Appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy

  • Option 4 – Defer Decision on Filling the Vacancy

Regional Representation during Vacancy

  • Council can choose to appoint a current Ward Councillor as an alternate Member of Regional Council until such time as the vacancy in the Office of the Mayor is permanently filled.

Public Consultation Options for Vacancy in the Office of Mayor

At the September 22, 2021 meeting of Council, staff were directed to bring forward

options and costs for consulting the public regarding options for filling the vacancy in the

Office of the Mayor

  • Options include:

  • Option 1 – Online Survey: No additional cost

  • Option 2 – Live-call Telephone Survey: $8,000-$10,000

  • Option 3 – Automated Telephone Survey: $2,000

Note many residents have already responded directly to Council via email and surveys and overwhelmingly support a by-election.

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