By Emily Stonehouse
The recent application of Strong Mayor Powers by Minden’s Mayor Bob Carter has some social media users spiraling.
On Jan. 16, Carter announced that he would be vetoing eight of the 25 amendments made by council on the 2026 draft budget. Not every amendment was an addition to the budget, rather, many were suggestions to cut services. “Part of the budgeting process is matching what is needed with what we can afford,” said Carter. “We have to maintain services, and it’s really nice if we can enhance services along the way.”
Under the regulations for Strong Mayor Powers – a legal requirement put in place by Premier Doug Ford in May of last year – municipal mayors are responsible for presenting the first round of the budget. “It’s a process,” said Carter. “A four-step process that is required by law. And the whole process isn’t about using powers, it’s about trying to decide what’s best for the people of Minden.”
To bring forward his initial budget, which was presented in mid-December and included a tax increase of 3.95 per cent, Carter worked closely with Minden Hills staff. “The staff are the professionals,” he said. “They know what’s needed in town.”
Following the initial presentation of the budget, council members picked through each item line by line, to which they presented their amendments. Carter then was able to counter amendments, where he selected eight to veto in an effort to keep the tax rate low. From the vetoing point of Jan. 16, council then has 15 days to decide if they want to override the veto, with the final date for discussion landing on Jan. 29.
If council overrides the vetoes, the budget will be passed with all amendments in place, resulting in a tax increase of over five per cent. “I’ll be disappointed if that’s what happens,” said Carter. “But all I can try to do is what’s best for the people. It is a democracy.”
When Carter announced his vetoes on the amendments, social media users were quick to jump on his decision. “This is a dangerous day for our municipality,” read one comment. “We did not vote for a king.”
As required by law, each veto Carter presented includes detailed reasoning, which can be accessed and read via the Township of Minden Hills’ website. Carter noted that he made an effort to not cut things from the budget that staff had requested, rather, his vetoes were made in an effort to support staff needs. The sole item that Carter vetoed was adding $50,000 to the tax levy in an effort to revitalize the property with the former fire hall off Milne Street. “That needs a complete study,” he said. “And there’s no one on staff who recommended that be changed this year.”
Carter said that despite backlash, he will continue to try to put the people of Minden first. “This isn’t a choice,” he said, regarding the Strong Mayor Powers, “this is the law. And I don’t sit back and enjoy the power. But I never have and I never will govern by social media.”
