Council

“We respectfully acknowledge that the Township of Algonquin Highlands is located on Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory, and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which are Curve Lake, Rama, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Beausoleil and Georgina Island First Nations. We acknowledge a historical shared presence of Indigenous nations throughout the area, and recognize its original, Indigenous inhabitants as the stewards of its lands and waters since time immemorial.”

The role of Council is to represent the public and to consider the well-being and best interests of the Municipality as a whole, for the long term. 

Council is responsible for developing and evaluating policies and programs for the municipality; evaluating the services which the Municipality provides; and ensuring the maintainance of the financial integrity of the municipality.

Councillors are governors, not managers. They have no involvement in day-to-day operations and don't direct staff. They do, however, make decisions at Council meetings that provide direction to staff through the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), who is the manager of the corporation. Council ensures the administrative policies, practices and procedures of the corporation provide for accountability and transparency.

Councillors make decisons as a group in scheduled, public Council meetings. While the Mayor has additional duties under the Municipal Act, provides leadership, and acts as the Chair of Council meetings, he or she has only one of the votes at the Council table.

The Mayor is elected by voters across the entire municipality. The Deputy Mayor is elected from among Councillors at the first meeting of the term. 

There are three electoral wards in the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Ward 1 is comprised of the former Township of Sherborne, and includes part of Dorset. Ward 2 includes the former Township of Stanhope. Ward 3 is comprised of the former Townships of McClintock, Livingstone, Lawrence & Nightingale.