On November 12, the public will have the opportunity to share their opinions on if future wardens of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) should serve a two-year term or if the term should remain at one year.

At the Wednesday, October 22 UCPR council meeting, council agreed to proceed with a public meeting where a motion introduced by Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski to change the term to two years will be considered with an opportunity for public comment.

Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth said he knows other counties have two-year terms for their warden, but he wants a better understanding of what the advantages could be for Prescott and Russell.

“What’s not working with the one-year terms?” Zanth asked.

Tarnowski said that when Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel ended up serving almost two full years as warden in 2023 and 2024, he believed it allowed him to have more time to accomplish objectives for the UCPR.

Former Russell Township Mayor Pierre Leroux was selected as 2024 warden but left elected municipal politics shortly after. Riopel was appointed as warden for 2024.

“I saw under Warden Riopel a person that was engaged and had gotten the regional level and provincial level being more interconnected,” Tarnowski said.

Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre expressed concern about the possibility of a mayor having to commit two years to being the head of the UCPR council while still serving as mayor of a municipality. He

“Will any mayor be willing to commit a two-year term basically out of a four-year term.”

Lefebvre said he would seriously have to consider applying for a two-year term as warden when realizing he still has other commitments as a mayor.

Casselman Mayor Genevieve Lajoie said that for her, municipal politics is not a part-time job.

“I’m a full-time mayor. I work every day for my municipality and constituents. I don’t do this on the side,” she commented.

Lajoie said she would rather see more transparency in how the UCPR warden is selected.

Currently, council conducts the selection process among themselves. Other regional governments use a more open balloting process.  

Lajoie also said there are challenges for women in politics. She alleged two previous female mayors have tried to be warden but were not chosen.

The Nation Mayor Francis Brière said he supported the idea based on easier administration. He thinks there could be greater accountability and familiarity with files if a warden was in the position for two years. He said it takes four to five months to just learn about the files and responsibilities.

“We need to choose someone who is really qualified to do it,” Brière said.

Zanth asked if it was possible to have a deputy warden.

Chief Administrative Officer Stéphane Parisien said there are jurisdictions which have a deputy warden, including Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.

Zanth said he likes idea of having a deputy warden.

Riopel said his second year as warden was easier than his first year.

Current UCPR Warden Yves Laviolette said it is a demanding role.

Riopel cautioned that a two-year term could eliminate some mayors from the opportunity to serve as warden.

The public meeting on November 12 will allow staff to return to council with recommendations on how to possibly change the term of the UCPR Warden to two years or modify the selection process.

The public meeting will take place at the UCPR Council Chamber in L’Orignal at 9 am on Wednesday, November 12.