Property owners in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula expect transparency from their local government. We expect that when we ask basic questions about how local laws are enforced, we will get straight answers. Unfortunately, a disturbing new precedent has been set by municipal administration that should worry every taxpayer in Lion’s Head and Tobermory.
Recently, I requested clarification from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) regarding the simultaneous operation of multiple commercial uses on a single residential lot under Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2002-54. Instead of pointing to the specific sections of the law that allow this, the CAO responded in writing that the Municipality is “not required to adopt your interpretation” and is “not required to address every possible combination of permitted uses.”
Furthermore, administration confirmed that their internal analyses, inspections, and enforcement files regarding these operations will remain locked away from public view.
This is not a simple dispute between neighbours; it is a fundamental breakdown of administrative accountability. When a municipality enforces rules on some properties while refusing to explain the legal basis for compliance on others, the integrity of our planning system collapses.
By-laws exist to provide predictability and fairness. If municipal staff can make sweeping compliance determinations behind closed doors—and then tell taxpayers they have no obligation to explain why—we no longer have a system governed by clear rules. We have a system governed by administrative whim.
Our elected Mayor and Council need to ask themselves if this “doors closed” approach to public inquiry represents the standard of open government they promised to uphold.
Sincerely,
James Kevin Carson
Lion’s Head, ON
