THE NEWS RUSSELL TOWNSHIP PREPARES FOR POSSIBLE “LAME DUCK” COUNCIL PERIOD DURING 2026 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
If the certified nominations show that less than three-quarters of the current council members will return, restrictions automa- tically apply. The second possible restricted period occurs between October 27 and November 16, 2026, after election results are offi- cially declared. If fewer than 75 per cent of incumbent councillors are re-elected, the restrictions remain in effect until the new council is sworn in. During a “lame duck” period, council is prohibited from taking several major actions under Section 275 of the Municipal Act. Those restrictions include appointing or removing municipal officers, hiring or dismissing municipal employees, disposing of municipal property valued at more than $50,000, or approving expenditures or
any potential restricted period following the 2026 municipal election. According to the report, legislative changes introduced through Bill 218 shif- ted Nomination Day for regular municipal elections to the third Friday in August. As a result, a municipality could officially enter a “lame duck” position as early as August 24, 2026. Under provincial legislation, a council is considered to be in a restricted position if fewer than 75 per cent of incumbent council members are expected to return following the election process. The determination occurs twice during the election cycle. The first period runs from August 24 to October 25, 2026, after nomination papers have been certified by the municipal clerk.
liabilities exceeding $50,000. However, the legislation includes excep- tions for projects and contracts already approved within the municipality’s most recent budget before Nomination Day. Emer- gency actions are also permitted if required under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The proposed by-law would allow the CAO to exercise delegated authority during any restricted period to ensure municipal operations continue without interruption. The report also noted that the CAO already holds authority to hire and dismiss employees below the department head level. If approved, the delegated authority by-law would remain in effect until the inaugural and first regular meeting of the newly elected council, scheduled for November 16, 2026.
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
Russell Township council is preparing for the possibility of entering a restric- ted decision-making period, commonly referred to as a “lame duck” council, during the 2026 municipal election process. During its May 25 meeting, council received a report outlining proposed dele- gated authority measures that would allow the township’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to exercise certain powers if council becomes restricted under Ontario’s Muni- cipal Act, 2001. Council was also asked to approve a by-law delegating authority to the CAO during
Russell Township council is preparing for potential “lame duck” restrictions during the 2026 municipal election period. (File photo)
OPP OFFICERS SEIZE TASER, DRUGS DURING TRAFFIC STOP IN CLARENCE-ROCKLAND ANIL JHALLI anil.jhalli@eap.on.ca traffic stop in Clarence-Rockland earlier this week. cocaine, 24 pills off Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) and nine TEC (Codeine) pills.
The passenger of the vehicle was wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant and was arrested without incident. Officers searched the vehicle and seized $795 in Canadian currency, a taser, which has been classified as a prohibited weapon, approximately 17 grams of cocaine and eight grams of crack
One female has been charged with Pos- session of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking and Possession of a prohibited weapon. The driver was charged with speeding.
At roughly 3:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, officers with the Rockland Detachment of the OPP conducted a traffic stop after a driver was stopped for speeding on County Road 17.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers arrested an individual who was wanted on an outstanding warrant during a
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Police seized nearly 800 Canadian dollars, a taser, and drugs during a traffic stop earlier this week. (OPP, Facebook)
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