In a move to strengthen local democracy, West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles announced today that he will delegate the strong mayor powers recently granted to him by the province back to the municipality’s elected council and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), wherever possible.
In a public statement, Eccles reaffirmed his commitment to the democratic process, saying that the council was elected by the people of West Grey to exercise these responsibilities.
“It is my firm belief that this is the way it should be,” said Eccles. “By entrusting these responsibilities to council and the CAO, we ensure that the voices of our community are heard and respected in every decision we make.”
The strong mayor system, introduced by the provincial government, provides enhanced authority to heads of council in certain municipalities. While some mayors have embraced these new powers, Eccles has taken a collaborative approach, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and teamwork are central to good governance.
The mayor expressed gratitude for the community’s continued trust and pledged to work alongside council and staff to build a brighter future for West Grey, guided by the collective wisdom and will of its residents.