Tag Archives: Michael Prue

County Road 20 Speed Limit Reduction Approved

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Shocking. Councillor Prue actually praised Councillor Pouget during the April 16, 2025 Essex County Council meeting when council received a report on County Road 20 and Lowes Sideroad. Based on my observations, it’s easy for people to perceive some unfair treatment at the town council meetings where some behaviours are tolerated when they shouldn’t be and others are not tolerated when they should be.

The County Traffic Engineer explained that the intersection of County Road 20 and Lowes Sideroad is actually a county connecting link; therefore, the town of Amherstburg has jurisdiction, and any decision regarding the addition of a pedestrian facility would be theirs to make, and this was discussed with our local municipal partners, the engineering department. So therefore, the recommendation of this report is to reduce the speed limit on County Road 20 from 70 kilometers an hour to 50 kilometers an hour from just south of low side road to 50 meters south of Dalhousie Street. There is limited financial implications, as the signage changes would cost less than $2,000 and could be done by our maintenance staff in our roads crews, and the money would be taken from our 2025, road safety budget. Thank you.

Warden: Thank you, Jerry. Are there any questions? We’ll start with you. Councillor Prue. Listen to the audio; text transcript below.

Prue: first of all to thank you, because this is quite an issue. And Councillor Pouget, who occasionally comes when one of us is not here, this was one of her champion things. She has pushed this and pushed it, and I’m sure she’ll want to say thank you as well, just in terms, I just want to correct for the record, you said a hotel at one time, it was a motel, but it’s now the Blue Haven, and what it is, it’s it’s populated almost entirely by people in wheelchairs and people with some severe disabilities. So I just want that to be clear for the record, this is part of the reason we did this, not because people are driving in and out in a hotel, because they’re not. These are people who have very limited access, and their access is to go out onto the road and somehow get across to the pharmacy and everything that’s on the other side. So just for the record, that’s what it is. But we thank you for what you’ve done, and I guess the ball is now in our court.

The warden then read the recommendation, noting it’s quite lengthy, and it is that:

Essex County Council receive report 20250416, Intersection of County Road 20 and Lowes Sideroad as information, and that Essex County Council direct administration to reduce the speed limit on County Road 20, from 70 kilometers per hour to 50 kilometers per hour, between Lowes Sideroad and 50 meters south of Dalhousie Street. And that by law 202517, be adopted amending by law 262002, to regulate traffic and parking on highways within the Essex County road system, schedule H, to reduce the speed on County Road 20 between Lowes Sideroad and 50 meters south of Dalhousie Street. Moved by Councillor Gibb, seconded by Councillor Prue. Carried.

Windsor Police Contract Controversy: A Call for OPP Costing

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I emailed this to council: I am very concerned about Mayor Prue’s comments in the Windsor Star article re Windsor wanting to end the policing contract.

Prue is quoted as saying, “Council is going to have to look at all the options available to us,” he said. “We’re hoping that our CAO (chief administrative officer Valerie Critchley) can talk to the CAO (Joe Mancina) of Windsor and see if there’s anything that can be done. “And if not, then we have other options we’re going to have to explore.”

Council should first be exploring ALL options and then making a decision. Two previous council’s motions to obtain an OPP costing were never rescinded but also were not fulfilled which was a disservice to the taxpayers. Compared to savings of $1,742,205. over 5 years with Windsor, savings of around $10 million with the OPP would’ve been significant. 

Council’s December 5, 2022 recommendation and subsequent council motion was to extend the Windsor Police contract deadline to renew to March 31, 2023 so public consultations could be held.

No public consultations were held.

Then on February 8, 2023, council moved to direct the CAO to exercise the renewal clause in the contract for a five year period commencing January 1, 2024 to end December 31, 2028. 

During the February 8 meeting, Deputy Mayor Gibb stated there’s a significant cost difference to the OPP of around $2 million a year and he even provided me with the documents to support his statement.

I am requesting council to fulfill its fiduciary duty and obtain an OPP costing.

Michael Prue Then And Now – The AODA

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Almost twenty years ago Michael Prue voted in favour of the AODA. In 2022, one of Prue’s campaign priorities was, ‘Ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality.’ Then in 2023 he declared in this town we have not brought it into force, while he also was quoted as saying the first dog park opening in Amherstburg, ‘reflects our commitment to creating a vibrant and inclusive community for all residents, including our beloved canine companions.’

Then-MPP Michael Prue stood in the legislature on May 10, 2005 to vote in favour of Bill 118, the AODA. Watch the moment at 4:26 into the video.

Mayor Micheal Prue declared we have not brought it into force during a May 23, 2023 Amherstburg Council Meeting. Listen to the audio.

Unofficial transcript:

2025 we’re going to have to make everything accessible in this town, that’s the law. I was in the legislature 20 something years ago, and I spoke to this issue when the bill was presented in the legislature, and I scoffed at them. I scoffed at the liberals who were standing up waving this piece of paper around, saying we’re going to be accessible, because it could take 25 years to bring it into force. Well, in this town, we have not brought it into force. 

Related: Prue on the Gordon House inaccessibility.

Open Air Opinion

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The Windsor Star published my letter to the editor about Open Air on December 22, in response to a December 5 article, but it altered and deleted some content.

The article, Amherstburg keeps ‘controversial’ Open Air festival at 14 weekends mentioned that the administrative report “pointed to some businesses and demographics — particularly seniors and those with limited mobility — being heavily impacted by the festival, something highlighted by Pouget and Coun. Molly Allaire.”

The only impact I found mentioned in the report is the economic impact with a separate appendix that lists the economic impact; Total Visitors’ Spending $4,286,991

Comments deleted:

  • the part where I stated that I couldn’t find any mention in the report of seniors and ‘those with limited mobility’ being heavily impacted, nor could I find it being highlighted by Allaire; it was only Councillor Pouget that addressed the accessibility issue.
  • The number one complaint in the residents’ survey was accessibility so it’s pointless to tout closed streets as a family event if children with disabilities are excluded from accessing play areas.
  • Members of council that campaigned in favour of Open Air refuse to change their positions despite the negative impacts on some residents and businesses. I disagree with Mayor Prue that ‘this is a great thing that is happening in the town.’ Prue has bragged that he was in the legislature when the AODA was passed but declared last year that in this town we have not brought it into force. What are we waiting for?

Mayor Prue’s Response to Open Air Complaints and Lawsuit Inquiry

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I requested Mayor Prue’s comments about Open Air complaints and former CAO Peter Simmons’ lawsuit, which he answered below.

  • how many complaints about open air have you received?
    Prue: I have received less than 10 complaints including your own, since becoming Mayor.
  • how many complaints about open air has the town received?
    Prue: I do not have that statistic. We have a seven member Council and many paid staff.
  • what are your comments regarding peter simmons’ lawsuit against the town?
    Prue: I have no comment as this is a personnel matter.  This was clearly enunciated by the Town’s CAO to you, in the past few weeks.

Follow-up question:

Regarding answer 2: if you don’t have the statistics of complaints the town has received, do you feel you’d be making a well-informed decision about what is in the best interest of the town?

Regarding answer 3: I did not ask the CAO for a comment; I asked if she could confirm the claim against the town by former CAO Peter Simmons. I only asked you for comments about it since you’re the official spokesperson.

No New Town Hall Yet

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One of then-candidate Michael Prue’s 2022 campaign website priorities was, ‘Ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality.’

The JS Held Facility Condition Assessment Report stated, The building is non AODA compliant for, it is not possible to convert this building to make accessible due to the general construction of the building. This building was designed as a multilevel building with provision for accessibility in mind. Council considered the report in 2023 that also stated ‘the cost to convert the town hall to AODA compliant is $291,117.78.’

Dog Park = $165,000.
Libro Trail Over expenditure = $170,000
Total spent on two projects = $335,000.

Pickleball courts $450,000.

In the meantime, all goods and services provided to the public at Town Hall are able to be accommodated based upon the current design.’

CAO CRITCHLEY

According to Councillor Allaire, CAO Critchley advised her:

“The Corporation of the Town of Amherstburg is committed to fulfilling the requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and all regulations under that Act which require the Town of Amherstburg to establish policies, procedures and practices governing the provision of its goods and services to persons with disabilities.

To meet the goal of a fully accessible Town of Amherstburg on or before January 1, 2025, the establishment, implementation, maintenance and documentation of a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan outlines the Town of Amherstburg’s strategy to prevent and remove barriers.”

It should be further noted that the AODA requires that all newly built or significantly renovated structures from the date of adoption (2005) must comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Ontario Building Code requirements. Buildings which were constructed prior to that date are not required to conform to those standards when determining whether the Town is in compliance with the standards.

That said, the Town of Amherstburg has adopted the Facility Accessibility Design Standards (FADS) of the City of Windsor, which are utilized to provide guidance on projects that involve the redevelopment of, or construction of, new facilities, with higher than legislated standards for the built environment. The Town has also recently embarked on a Facility Condition Needs Assessment Study and will be completing a Space Needs Analysis, with the findings to be presented to Council on what should be done with aging facilities. 

Should a recommendation involve the significant renovation of, or construction of, a new Town Hall building, then the building would be required to comply with the AODA, and the design would also entail suggested areas of improvement based upon the Facility Accessibility Design Guidelines for Council’s consideration.

Delegation Request Denied

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Utterly ridiculous.

Do you remember when the Michael Prue working for YOU campaign website listed some of his priorities?

‘Municipal government affects us all. I am committed to ensuring all citizens to have a say on the issues affecting their lives in Amherstburg. To be fully informed. To participate in review processes. To provide and share their opinions. I believe in local democracy.’

‘Promote citizen participation in municipal affairs and allow full deputation rights at town meetings.’

During his November 28 inaugural speech, Prue mentioned some changes, including, publishing the agenda a week before the meeting so that would give everyone an opportunity to know what’s happening and to be part of the process. He hoped Council would agree to allow more public deputations without having to all put their hands up and waive the rules every single time; he thought people should have the right to make a deputation before Council when the item is on the agenda.

I wanted to speak to a January 29, 2024 agenda item, AMCTO Advocacy Update – Looking Ahead: A Proactive Submission to Modernize the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, so I completed the online delegation form and Deputy Clerk Sarah Sabihuddin emailed:

Thank you for your email expressing your intention to speak on agenda item 17.1 – “AMCTO Advocacy Update – Looking Ahead: A Proactive Submission to Modernize the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.” 

I would like to bring to your attention Section 9.4 of our Procedural By-Law. This section states that delegations during Council proceedings are permitted in relation to matters listed on the agenda stemming from all Administrative reports and by-laws. While your request is valid and important, it does not directly relate to a report or by-law, and therefore, it does not qualify as a delegation under the procedural framework.

In light of this, I would like to suggest an alternative method of civic participation for your concerns to be raised. You may submit written communication addressing your concerns and recommendations regarding the AMCTO correspondence you are advocating for to Members of Council. This written submission can be circulated among Council members for their knowledge and awareness. Should a member of Council wish to bring this up during New Business and make a request for an Administrative Report on this item then once this report comes back onto the public agenda then you would be able to delegate at that time as per the procedural by-law.

In relation to your other concerns noted, I want to assure you that we redact all personal information (except for names) on the delegation forms as a standard best practice before placing on the public agenda.

In relation to your other concern regarding the method for which someone wishes to delegate to Council, once their delegation request form is submitted and approved there is a process undertaken to reach out to that individual to discuss the method for which they are requesting their appearance to take place.

If you have any further questions please let me know.

I replied,

thank you for the information. the refusal to allow me to speak to an item on the agenda is duly noted and confirms my position that the procedural by-law council passed is very restrictive. members of council should recall that in june, following nancy atkinson’s delegation, council supported Councillor Pouget’s motion and passed a resolution directing administration ‘to bring back a report regarding a Routine Disclosure Policy.’ Admin has not yet provided a report as directed. The Unfinished Business list stated a report was coming to council in Q3, but it’s been 7 months and no report has materialized. if or when an admin report appears on a future agenda, i will be happy to speak to it.

Candidate Michael Prue On Budgets 2022

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During the 2022 mayoral portion of the Chamber of Commerce candidate night, Michelle Maluske of CTV reporter asked, The Town of Amherstburg has a $54 million budget and as mayor, you may hold a unique role as the chair of a council of six elected to govern and lead our town. What makes you uniquely qualified and the best person for the job? Why do you want to be mayor?

Michael Prue’s answer: (listen to the audio).

Thank you. And first of all, the mayor is an absolutely unique role in every municipality in Ontario and indeed in Canada. The mayor’s job is not only to lead, but the mayor’s job is also to try to seek consensus from amongst the seven individuals who sit around the table and also to listen very carefully to the staff and try to come together so that a common decision can be made so that the entire council can go out and support it. I have spent a lifetime working on budgets 17 years as as a municipal politician and 13 years in the province of Ontario, I’ve been on the budget committees, I’ve been on the audit committees in all of them. And I will tell you, it is a difficult task, but it’s made easier if you have a resolve. And my resolve has always been that we have to start every budget with no increase. And in the past this this town has come in and the CAO has said we want eight and nine and 10% and council’s had to beat it back. But I believe that we should be coming in at no increase or whatever inflation is and work from there. And if you do a zero based budget, you’re going to get far better results than if you do it the way that it’s been done in the past. And I believe my experience coming in with 17 budgets municipally with no tax increases, save and except the last one, no tax increases at all will will allow this town to go forward and assured that there will be that there will be sufficient money and we will make it we will make it work. I know that people are saying we’re broke, but we’re not really broke. There is enough money in in the in I’ll deal with that later. There is enough money in our budget and in our coffers to make sure that there is no necessity for a tax increase this year.

Open Air – If They Vote How Will They Vote?

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The Open Air Report is on tonight’s meeting agenda and I predict another majority vote in favour, not necessarily a 4-3 vote.

Everyone on council knows about the accessibility issues because everyone is aware of the number of times I complained, despite the rebuttals; but now the survey results indicate more people have noted the accessibility and parking concerns.

Councillor Crain: I’ll start with the sole opposition to this survey. In August, Crain said he can’t grasp why Open Air specifically; they’ve done an Open Air survey for residents and businesses so he felt a survey just on Open Air seems to be wasting staff time.

CAO Critchley confirmed in an email that they have surveyed visitors and the businesses inside and outside the footprint but not a resident wide survey.

On February 22, Crain asked staff, hasn’t the past Council already looked at ways to refine open air and that’s why some of the barricades were moved in closer? This feels a bit redundant to me if this has already been looked at by council. And from last night and from what we’ve been hearing, it’s pretty clear that the format is great. But based on my understanding, council’s already looked at this.

Crain was part of the team that created the THRIVE Open Air white paper; from the THRIVE website, ‘We believe that it should be a permanent summer feature.’ 

On March 13, Crain said he didn’t even think Open Air should have been a topic of discussion. He also thought they shouldn’t even be discussing this every year because eventually it’s going to be nothing.

On September 16, I asked Crain if he considered declaring a conflict of interest for Open Air discussions involving the event itself and the survey? No response.

As a candidate, in answer to one of the burg watch 2022 campaign questions to the candidates asking if they will remove barriers during Open Air weekends, Crain said yes. He voted in favour.

Councillor McArthur: has happily and consistently championed Open Air. As council’s rep to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, I expected he would advocate to remove barriers. He spewed out the statistics from an admin report on the number of parking spaces within a six-minute walking radius. ‘If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.’ But he’s on the committee. He voted in favour.

Deputy Mayor Gibb: wears a few hats: business owner, chamber of commerce member, family member, elected official but he publicly admitted he’s a huge fan. While he emailed, as Deputy Mayor, that he was ‘proud to say that I did complete the ADOA training that was offered to all members of council and I hope to put what I learned into practice not only in my “municipal life” but also in my personal life. And then he said, Open Air makes the downtown more accessible for people with in at least in wheelchairs because his mother-in-law and father-in-law both live at Richmond Terrace and he’s personally pushed a wheelchair from Richmond Terrace downtown. He voted in favour.

Mayor Prue: has given a few speeches at council meetings about being in the legislature when the AODA was introduced decades ago. He stated he has never seen any problem with access and cited his wife as Chair of the Accessibility Committee. I have discussed it with her, she has never once said that there was any accessibility problem brought to that committee or anyone on the committee. He acknowledged one complainant, but he doesn’t necessarily agree with what’s being said; so it is accessible.

Prue asked council to find it in their hearts to compromise with the other side; he broke the tie vote in favour.

Councillor Pouget: has consistently acknowledged the town’s obligation to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from equally participating in the community.

Councillor Courtney: has also acknowledged the importance of accessibility, removing barriers and considering the interests of the whole community.

Councillor Allaire: considered pros and cons and seemed to want to compromise in favour of a shorter time frame.

Comparing Procedural By-law Public Input

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It would have been so easy, but no public input was sought for the Town of Amherstburg’s newly adopted procedural bylaw, which seems more restrictive than our local comparator municipalities and more than it used to be, despite one of Mayor Prue’s campaign priorities to Promote citizen participation in municipal affairs and allow full deputation rights at town meetings.

The Town of Port Hope, population approximately 17,538, conducted a Procedural By-law Review and actually wanted input from its residents; from their website:

Through this review, we hope to:

  • Improve the meeting experience for all attendees, including public, delegates and Council Members
  • Ensure decision making is efficient
  • Reflect the changing demographics within the municipality
  • Account for changes in technology

Why is it important?

The Procedural By-law is important because it: 

  1. Ensures fairness and consistency in the decision making process
  2. Fosters respectful conduct and collaborative approaches to decision making
  3. Supports an open, accountable, transparent governance process so that the public, Council and staff understand how decisions are made and what to expect at the meetings.

CALL TO ACTION

Email Mayor Pure: mprue@amherstburg.ca to remind him one of his campaign priorities was to Promote citizen participation in municipal affairs and allow full deputation rights at town meetings.