Renfrew council calls on mayor to resign, removes him from committees
Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney is facing calls to resign from the town's top political position, two months after council voted non-confidence in the mayor.
Coun. Kyle Cybulski introduced a motion at Tuesday's Town of Renfrew council meeting, calling on Mayor Sidney to "resign immediately." It passed by a vote of 5-1, with Reeve Peter Emon the lone vote in opposition.
In January, members voted 4-3 in favour of a non-confidence motion against Sidney, expressing concerns over the mayor's handling of the expansion to Renfrew's Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre, now known as the myFM Centre. The price tag for the expansion has jumped from $18 million to $35 million.
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Before being elected mayor, Sidney spearheaded the expansion project for the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre as chair of the recreation committee.
Sidney vowed to stay on the job after the non-confidence vote, prompting Cybulski to introduce the motion calling on the mayor to resign.
"Renfrew Town Council call on Mayor Tim Sidney to resign immediately as a way for the Town to move forward and for accountability for the lack of oversight and leadership," Cybulski's motion says.
The motion calling on Sidney to resign came just days after the Town of Renfrew received the findings of a third-party review of the Ma-Te-Way Activity Centre expansion project.
The report from WSCS Consulting says there was a lack of accountability and transparency with the project, a failure to comply with the procedural bylaw, a lack of governance/oversight, "inadequate" financial and project reporting, a toxic work environment, and unrealistic budgets. The report also says there is "ample evidence that suggests" the Parks and Recreation Department engaged in sole/direct source contracts and "questionable tendering incentive practices."
Council directed staff to seek legal advice pertaining to the findings of the review and potential recourse to address matters in the report, according to a media release last week.
Coun. John McDonald also introduced a motion at the meeting to remove the mayor from all remaining committees, working groups and external boards, effective immediately. It also passed 5-1, with Emon voting against. Chief Administrative Officer Rob Tremblay says this means Sidney will be removed from the Renfrew Public Library Board and the internal staff engagement team. His statutory duties under the Municipal Act, including chairing council meetings and representing the municipality, will continue as long as he remains the mayor.
A separate motion recommended Reeve Peter Emon be removed from all committees, working groups, and external boards, noting Emon was a member of the Ma-Te-Way Expansion Project's ad hoc committee. It also passed by a vote of 5-1, with Sidney voting against. Emon will remain on all County of Renfrew associated bodies.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.