Sarnia plans power transfer if election leaves council ‘lame duck’

Sarnia is preparing for a potential lame duck council by proposing a temporary delegation of authority to its Chief Administrative Officer.

The City of Sarnia is preparing for the possibility of a “lame duck” council following Nomination Day on August 21, 2026, with a new by-law that would temporarily transfer limited decision-making powers to the city’s Chief Administrative Officer.

Under Ontario’s Municipal Act, a council is considered “lame duck” if fewer than three-quarters of its members are set to return after an election. In that scenario, council is restricted from making certain significant decisions, including major hiring, property transactions, and financial commitments.

To address that gap, Sarnia council is set to consider a by-law that would delegate specific authority to the CAO between August 22 and November 14, 2026, if a lame duck period is triggered.

According to the proposed by-law, the determination of whether council has entered a lame duck period would be made by the city clerk. If confirmed, both council and the CAO would be notified in writing, activating the temporary delegation of authority.

The by-law would allow the CAO to carry out acts that are otherwise restricted under section 275 of the Municipal Act, where those powers have not already been delegated. The intent is to ensure the continued and efficient operation of municipal services during a period when council’s authority is limited.

The additional powers would expire automatically at 11:59 p.m. on November 14, 2026.

Council is scheduled to formally consider and pass the by-law at its April 27, 2026 meeting.