South Frontenac has circulated a resolution asking neighbouring councils to support their objections on three separate issues, bundled into one package: Strong Mayor Powers, Conservation Authority restructuring, and Bill 60 planning changes.
I am going to say it plainly. This is political bundling, and it is a game.
Bundling works the same way every time. You take one controversial issue, you attach it to two issues that are easier to agree with, and then you pressure other councils into endorsing the entire storyline as a package. It creates a lose-lose vote for anyone who wants a clean public record.
If North Frontenac votes yes, it looks like we endorse South Frontenac's full framing — including their position on strong mayor powers.
If North Frontenac votes no, it gets spun as refusing to defend local autonomy, even if we agree with parts of the package. That is packaging.
If South Frontenac believes strong mayor powers are harmful in South Frontenac, they should debate it openly in South Frontenac and own their own leadership issues there. Do not export it as a bundled pressure vote and try to drag other municipalities into endorsing a pre-written narrative.
In North Frontenac, strong mayor powers have been working. The system has checks. It does not create a dictator. What it does is give the municipality a way to move faster on priorities once decisions are made — especially around housing and development — without getting trapped in bureaucracy and delay.
So my position is simple.
I believe North Frontenac Council should reject the entire South Frontenac package as presented. Not because every concern in it is wrong, but because the method is wrong. If they want support, they can separate the issues and ask for support honestly, one at a time. Until then, this resolution deserves a clear no.
South Frontenac Council should be ashamed of playing games with how the public record is formed. If I am elected, I will not stand for this style of politics — not from neighbouring councils and not from our own.