Ottawa Board of Control
Encyclopedia
The Ottawa Board of Control was an important part of the governance of Ottawa, Ontario from 1908 until 1978 when it was abolished. Through the 19th century Ottawa had been governed by a mayor and city council, but most councilors were only part time and could spend only a few hours per week on municipal issues. Mayor Arthur Ellis
found this problematic as there was little time for real scrutiny of important issues. He thus proposed creating a four member board of control consisting of the mayor and three members elected at large from across the city. At the same time the number of councillors would be reduced by a third.
City council rejected this plan, as it would reduce both their authority and their numbers. In the 1908 municipal election the question was brought to a referendum, and was approved and the new board was created. In 1910 city council held a second referendum on whether the board should be abolished, and the people of Ottawa overwhelmingly voted in favour of keeping the board.
The board was elected across the entire city of Ottawa with the three candidates receiving the most votes being added to the board. The member of the board of control who received the most votes was also made deputy mayor, and was the legal successor to the mayor should they resign or die in office. The board of control was abolished in 1978 by mayor Marion Dewar
, who returned full power to the Ottawa City Council
.
Arthur Ellis
Arthur Ellis may refer to:*Arthur Ayres Ellis* Arthur Edward Ellis, English football referee* Arthur Ellis , English rugby union player* Arthur Ellis , Canadian politician* Arthur B...
found this problematic as there was little time for real scrutiny of important issues. He thus proposed creating a four member board of control consisting of the mayor and three members elected at large from across the city. At the same time the number of councillors would be reduced by a third.
City council rejected this plan, as it would reduce both their authority and their numbers. In the 1908 municipal election the question was brought to a referendum, and was approved and the new board was created. In 1910 city council held a second referendum on whether the board should be abolished, and the people of Ottawa overwhelmingly voted in favour of keeping the board.
The board was elected across the entire city of Ottawa with the three candidates receiving the most votes being added to the board. The member of the board of control who received the most votes was also made deputy mayor, and was the legal successor to the mayor should they resign or die in office. The board of control was abolished in 1978 by mayor Marion Dewar
Marion Dewar
Marion Dewar, CM was a prominent member of the New Democratic Party , mayor of Ottawa from 1978 to 1985 and a member of the Parliament of Canada from 1986 to 1988.-Early life:...
, who returned full power to the Ottawa City Council
Ottawa City Council
The Ottawa City Council is the governing body of the City of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is composed of 23 city councillors and the mayor. The mayor is elected at large, while each of the councillors represent wards throughout the city. Council members are elected to four year terms with the...
.