One of the things I’ve been hearing while talking with residents is how much people have appreciated and been learning from my Municipal Government 101 series. I've read some comments showing some confusion as to the role of a Councillor, and what they can actually involve themselves in with respect to issues residents have in the community - so, let’s talk about it.
What can a Councillor actually get involved in?
Your Councillor absolutely should listen to you. We are elected to represent you, bring your concerns forward, ask questions, and make sure issues are being addressed.
But there is an important line between representing a resident and interfering in the administration of a matter.
Council sets policy, makes decisions and provides direction for the municipality. Municipal staff then carry out those decisions and administer the programs, services, permits and enforcement processes of the Township.
That separation is an important part of good municipal governance. And it isn't just a matter of good practice.
Scugog's Council Code of Conduct specifically addresses the relationship between Council and municipal staff.
It requires members of Council to respect the role of staff to provide advice based on political neutrality and objectivity, without undue influence from members of Council. It also says that members must not use their authority or influence in a way that interferes with a staff member's duties or improperly influences a staff member.
Why does that matter?
Because municipal staff have specific jobs, responsibilities, and areas of professional expertise. Some staff also have duties and authorities established by provincial legislation.
For example, a resident may come to a Councillor with a concern about a by-law, building permit, planning application, road issue, municipal service, or another matter.
A Councillor can absolutely listen, help the resident find the right department, explain the process, ask questions and follow up where appropriate.
What a Councillor should not do is tell staff what outcome they should reach in an individual matter, direct an enforcement officer to take a particular action, interfere with an inspection or permit process, or otherwise use their position to influence how staff handle a specific case.
In fact, Ontario's own guidance for municipal Councillors recognizes that there are circumstances where designated municipal staff operate at arm's length from Council and where it would be inappropriate for elected officials to interfere - including statutory officers such as the Clerk, Treasurer, Fire Chief and Chief Building Official.
And this principle applies well beyond enforcement.
🔹 Building permits and inspections - Building officials have legislated responsibilities that must be carried out independently and professionally.
🔹 Planning applications - Council has an important role where legislation gives Council decision-making authority, but planning staff provide professional advice and administer the planning process.
🔹 Municipal employees - Councillors don't manage individual employees or direct their day-to-day work.
🔹 Procurement - There are rules designed to ensure municipal purchasing is fair, transparent, and free from inappropriate influence. Scugog's Procurement By-law specifically requires individual members of Council to remain at arm's length from staff and suppliers and refrain from intervening or interfering in procurement processes unless assigned a specific role.
🔹 Confidential matters - Councillors also have obligations around confidential information and matters discussed in closed session.
So if you contact your Councillor about a problem, you should absolutely expect them to listen.
You should expect them to take your concern seriously.
You should expect them to help you navigate the system.
You should expect them to ask questions when something doesn't make sense.
And when there is a broader problem with a policy, service or municipal decision, you should expect them to bring that issue forward and work toward a solution.
But good representation doesn't mean that an elected official gets to step into the shoes of municipal staff and decide how an individual complaint, permit, inspection or enforcement matter should be handled.
That separation protects residents, protects staff and protects the integrity of municipal decision-making.
And I think understanding those boundaries is just as important as understanding what Council can do. Because good government isn't about one person having the power to fix everything.
It's about having the right people doing the right jobs - and making sure the system works for the people it serves.