INTER OFFICE MEMO

All Aldermen DATE: “oC
FROM: Mayor L.B. Scott “Cele

MAR 30 1972

: As requested, I contacted the Department of Municipal Affairs this morning re
our opposition to the proposed amendment of the Municipal Act to change the required

vote to pass.on zoning changes from two-thitds of the Council members to a straight

majority vote.

I spoke to Deputy Minister Jim Baird who told me that the legislation involved

was finally passed last (Monday) night and is now in effect.
Questioned as to why the change was made he stated that it was done to comply

with many requests received from smaller municipalities and villages where, in most

cases, there were. five members of Council.

In these cases, a majority of four out of five votes was needed and although

“the majority (3) were in accord, many zoning proposals of vital interest to the

community were lost.

He did admit that there were pros and cons to the change, but felt that the
revision ‘would be in the hest interests of most communities.

I also took the opportunity to ask him if the change re Council indemnities
was now in effect. He stated that it would be passed this session, but would not
become law until signed by the Lieutenant—Governor and would definitely not be
retroactive. .

Respectfully submitted,

Mayor L. B. Scott.