Ajax Officials Discuss Council Transition and Strategic Planning

Ajax officials discussed the transition to a new term of council, including the Nov. 16 inauguration, council orientation and public participation in the town's next four-year strategic plan. Residents were directed to ward meetings, public open houses, surveys and the town's online information channels.

Topics Discussed

Council inauguration and transition

The newly elected Ajax council will be sworn in during a formal council meeting on Nov. 16 at the Olde Town Recreation Center.

Jacqueline said the inauguration will include the official swearing-in of new council members:

"The beginning of inauguration will really be, uh, a formal council meeting. Um, it'll be held here at the, uh, Olde Town Recreation Center uh, November 16th. Um, and that will be a time where we see our new members of council come, they can do their official swearing in."

Current councillors remain in office until inauguration

The current council remains in office until the new council is sworn in on Nov. 16. Residents will continue to contact their existing ward representatives during the transition period.

Strategic planning and council orientation

The town is preparing for public consultation on its next four-year strategic plan following the conclusion of Action 26, the previous 2022–2026 plan.

Council orientation sessions are scheduled for late November and early December. The sessions will cover municipal operations and town services, including snowplowing, streetlight maintenance and local finances.

Public participation and ward meetings

Residents were encouraged to participate in town initiatives through surveys, public open houses, ward meetings and the IMO (In My Opinion) Hub. The hub provides information about projects, surveys and contacts for staff working on specific initiatives.

Devin said residents, community groups and businesses can remain involved outside election periods:

"I think there's so many ways that residents, community groups, businesses can stay involved consistently at the town outside of the election period. So, I absolutely recommend, like you said, Sam, that residents come out to things like our Town of Ajax hosted or partnered events."

Devin also recommended that residents participate in surveys, provide comments and attend public open houses. Council and committee agendas and minutes are available at ajax.ca/meetings.

Town information and events

Officials identified ajax.ca as the town's primary online information source. The town also provides updates through its Facebook, Instagram and X accounts.

Information about seasonal events, including Pumpkinville and the Santa Claus Parade, is available at ajax.ca/events. The town's voter information portal is available at ajax.ca/vote.

Motions

• No formal motions were identified as passed, rejected or deferred.
• The discussion referenced the Action 26 wrap-up report from a September council agenda. No legislative or bylaw file numbers were provided.

Attendees

• No councillors were identified by name as present.
• Jacqueline, the municipal clerk, was referenced in the discussion.
• Sam, the supervisor of government and council relations, was referenced in the discussion.
• Devin, from the town's communications team, was referenced in the discussion.

The town's council roster includes:

• Rob Tyler-Morin
• Lisa Bower
• Nancy Henry
• Shaun Collier
• Sterling Lee
• Joanne Dies
• Marilyn Crawford