At the risk of suffering Royal watchers’ wrath, Otonabee-South Monaghan Mayor Joe Taylor is urging that allegiance to King Charles III not be included as part of the county municipal oath of office.
At the March 15th county council meeting, councillors voted that acknowledgement of the rights of Indigenous people should be added to the oath. That request will now go to the Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark for approval.
During the discussion around that, Mayor Taylor called for removal of the pledge allegiance to the new monarch, or at least allow municipalities the freedom to do so on their own.
Mayor Taylor adds it would be hypocritical of him to pledge allegiance to His Majesty as part of the oath administered every four years to the new council.
As for public reaction to his suggestion, Mayor Taylor anticipates a mixed reaction.
As directed by county CAO Sheridan Graham and approved by council, staff will report back on Mayor Taylor’s amendment.
(Written by: Paul Rellinger)
