Local Government Week

October 19-25, 2025

• MEDIA RELEASE - Local Government Week.pdf
• Proclamation - Local Government Week.pdf

---

What is Local Government Week?

Every year, Ontario celebrates Local Government Week during the third week of October to increase public awareness of local governments’ important roles in our communities.



Did you know that the Town offers services to Kirkland Lake and Swastika, with multiple departments serving each? They are:

🟢Administration
⚫Corporate Services
🟠Community Services
🟢Development & Enterprise Services
⚫Fire & Emergency Services
🟠Public Works
🟢Long Term Care

Each Department will be showcased this week - watch for our "Did You Know" series on the services offered by your local government.

#LocalGovWeek

---

Democracy & Me – Local Government Art Contest

📣 Calling local artists of all ages 📣

---

What Does Local Government Do?

Because its Local Government Week, we’re taking you behind the scenes to learn how the Town of Kirkland Lake works for you!

From clean water and safe roads to recreation programs and emergency response, your municipal government is the level closest to you — delivering services that shape everyday life.
Learn more about your Town Departments at www.kirklandlake.ca

Check out this quick video to learn about the service delivery responsibilities of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C8uDuhLqvg

Review "Our Services" drop down menu on the Town's Website Homepage www.kirklandlake.ca for additional details on the services offered by our municipality.

#LocalGovWeek

 

---

Why get involved with Local Government?

It’s a chance to collaborate with passionate individuals who share your vision for your community and strive for a better tomorrow.

Get involved, serve your community, and build a brighter future for all to enjoy!



#LocalGovWeek

---

Your Town Council – Your Democratic Representatives

Did You Know? Kirkland Lake’s first Town Council was formed in 1972!

Before that, Kirkland Lake grew as several smaller Townships around the gold-mining boom of the early 1900s. 

The 1972 Amalgamation brought them together under one municipal government. 


Photo: 2022-2026 Town Council:

Left to Right: Councillor Casey Owens, Janice Ranger, Lad Shaba, Mayor Stacy Wight, Councillor Dolly Dikens, Patrick Kiely, Rick Owen, Chief Administrative Officer Alan Smith

#LocalGovWeek

---

How Council Governs Themselves

Did you know that all Council members took an Oath of Office at the beginning of their Term to formally commit to public service, pledging to uphold the law, constitution, and the public trust. 

This oath is a public declaration of their allegiance and a promise to serve their community with integrity and diligence. It also signifies their willingness to be held to a higher standard of conduct.

In order to hold itself to that standard, Council creates formal rules governing their decisions made at meetings through a document called the Council Procedure By-Law.

This documents sets out, in very specific details, how Council manage their business,  how motions are made, rules of debate at meetings, and how votes are taken — ensuring transparency and fairness in every decision. Council Meeting agendas, decisions, policies, plans, and by-laws are published to ensure that the public remains informed and have the most recent information surrounding their local government.

How Council Governs Others

Council are elected to represent the community at large. In order to do so, it must follow Provincial/ Federal legislation and regulations. It also has the powers to create laws, also known as by-laws. Sometimes, those laws come recommended by local senior leaders through reports and plan, to regulate matters in the municipality, shape community well-being, and address local needs. Some of those by-laws address parking, noise, building standards, animal control, etc. They are used to enforce policies and create rules that affect the public from start to finish.

The Town hosts a digital databank available for public viewing:
 
By-Laws: https://kirklandlake.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/4038

Policies: Policies - Town of Kirkland Lake

Plans: Reports & Plans - Town of Kirkland Lake

Reports (within Agendas): https://kirklandlake.civicweb.net/filepro/documents/1009 

and much more!

#LocalGovWeek

---

How Council Officially Hears You

Any member of the community wishing to speak with a member of Council directly to discuss general local government services or issues, may do by contacting them directly. Either through correspondence with the Municipal Clerk, or digitally through a contact portal on the Town’s website: https://www.kirklandlake.ca/council/mayor___council.

Operational questions, concerns, comments and commendations are welcomed to be redirected to municipal employees at the various facilities during regular business hours. 

Council decisions/directions need to be voted on by a majority in order for something to happen or change, this can only happen at formal meetings. 

If a member of the public is looking to have Council make a policy change, or have a local law created or modified, this process needs to go through a formal process. This process includes welcoming those persons to circulate a Civic Petition, and/or delegate/present at a scheduled Council Meeting.

Stay tuned for a future post on how to make the most of the Town’s Service Request Portal and to receive a status update on those requests.

Please take a moment to view an informative video on Municipal Government in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKIGBcAtVfQ&t=155s



#LocalGovWeek

---

Have Your Cause Municipally Recognized!

Mayor’s Certificates

The Mayor is happy to coordinate a Certificate of Congratulations to residents and businesses in the Town upon request. Examples of those issued are:

• conventions, trade shows, festivals
• Town-wide sporting tournaments
• tourism events
• cultural celebrations
• charity fundraising galas/events
• significant awards programs
• business, institution and organizational anniversaries

☎️📧Contact the Mayor or Clerk’s Office to formalize your request.

⏳Please allow for 5 business days (1 week) between that date of the request and the date you require the Certificate in hand.

Proclamations, Flag Raisings and Commemorative Lighting

Proclamations are official announcement and ceremonial documents issued and signed by the Mayor to recognize the value and importance of a person, event, campaign, or organization for a certain day, week, or month. Acknowledgement is normally given to reward the efforts and commitment of individuals or organizations that enhance the community, and are significant to Kirkland Lake residents.

The Town offers Flag Raising ceremonies upon request on a first come first serve basis at Town Hall and at the Miners’ Memorial to recognize a special day or event subject to the Town’s Proclamations, Flag Raising Requests & Notices of Half Masting Guidelines. Once approved, the Town will fly the flags of:

• Other sovereign nations
• Non-profit societies
• Other local organizations

☎️📧Contact the Mayor or Clerk’s Office to formalize your request.

⏳Please allow for 10 business days (2 weeks) between that date of the request and the date you wish to raise a flag.

Commemorative Lighting

The Town accepts requests for commemorative lighting throughout the year from organizations or individuals The Gateway signs at both ends of Town and the Miners' Memorial site are showcased in the specified color recognizing important events and cultural celebrations in our community.

☎️📧Contact the Mayor or Clerk’s Office to formalize your request.

⏳Please allow for 10 business days (2 weeks) between that date of the request and the date you wish to have the commemorative lighting display showcased.



#LocalGovWeek

---

Why Mayor, Councillors and CAO Presence at Conferences is Vital to Kirkland Lake

Did you know that annually, certain members of Council and the CAO attend Conferences hosted by various organizations to help our Town grow?

These Conferences, such as Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA), Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) provide very specific opportunities for local political leaders to:

• Advocate for funding and infrastructure support directly with Ministers;
• Learn new ideas, best practices, and obtain real-time Provincial updates; and
• Connect with other politicians, municipal leaders and stakeholders for networking and collaboration.

Attending Conferences helps ensure Kirkland Lake’s voice is heard, and that the community gets the opportunity to lobby face-to- face for funding, and to gain additional exposure of local issues in an attempt to thrive and tackle our infrastructure challenges.

#LocalGovWeek

---

Development and Enterprise Services Department

These employees are helping to shape Kirkland Lake's future and present. This Department and its Divisions focus on:

🟠Reviewing and educating on development and building proposals
🟠Reviewing, managing and educating on land-use planning
🟠Supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs
🟠Strengthening the Town’s economic development footprint
🟠Encouraging tourism and investment in our community
🟠Managing the enforcement of Town By-Laws, regulations and standards
🟠Collaborating with Kirkland Lake Animal Control (Contracted Service)



In the photo: (Left to Right) Administrative Assistant Louise Trottier, Chief Building Official Courtney MacKenzie, Property Standards Officer Ryan Barrette Director Dan Laverdure, Planning Administrator Jenna McNaughton, and By-Law Enforcement Officer Katrina Laflair.
 
⚫Every project helps build a stronger and more sustainable Kirkland Lake -The Team is happy to serve your needs!⚫

#LocalGovWeek

---

The Town’s Official Plan

Did You Know❓ The Town has a plan that guides how our community grows and develops?

It’s called the Official Plan and it is the foundation for smart, sustainable growth — making sure today’s decisions still work for future generations.

The Official Plan is a long-term blueprint🗺️ for land use and development in Kirkland Lake. It sets out where🏠 homes, businesses, 🛝parks, and 🛣️roads can be built, and how we protect 🖼️ natural spaces, heritage, and community character.

It's a legally required Plan that sets the vision for the next 20-30 years with periods of review every 10 years or sooner to include changes to provincial plans or to address local priorities.

🟢How Does the Official Plan Affect You?🟢

An Official Plan is prepared with input from you to ensure it reflects the diverse needs of the community.

🏗️Every building permit, zoning change, and development proposal in Kirkland Lake must follow the Official Plan and the policies driven by the Plan.

🟠Have Your Say Now Through the Review!🟠

The Town is currently reviewing its Official Plan as the 10-year mark approaches since it was passed in 2016. 

In 2024, a number of legislative updates were made which impact the Plan. The Province also updated the Provincial Policy Statement to the now renamed Provincial Planning Statement, which is the guiding policy framework for all municipalities in Ontario.

Consultants will be presenting the review process to Council at its Special Meeting on Tuesday, October 28th at 4:50 PM.

View the Mayor’s Video Message on the 2025 Official Plan Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwFNFlIoWCs 

View the Meeting Notice and the many ways you can participate: https://kirklandlake.civicweb.net/document/28447/ 

The Town has created a “one-stop” content Page on its Website designated for the Official Plan Review: Official Plan Review - Town of Kirkland Lake

#LocalGovWeek

---

Mayor’s Message -  2025 Official Plan Review

To help the Town kick-off its public engagement campaign, Mayor Stacy Wight explains the importance of the Town’s Official Plan and invites the community to engage and participate in the 2025 Official Plan (OP) Review.

Reminder: The Public is encouraged to participate at the upcoming Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 28th at 4:50 PM View the Meeting Notice and the many ways you can participate: https://kirklandlake.civicweb.net/document/28447/



#LocalGovWeek