His bullish approach created backlash, yet epitomized the rare quality needed to drive change against established interests, outdated institutions, and forces of political inertia. Visionary leaders doing the necessary deed invariably reap short-term unpopularity. Yet over a decade, or a century, history rewards them with due recognition as architects of significant transformation. Their accomplishments are honoured; their critics, forgotten.
However, after months of intensive study by Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling, the roaring pace of municipal change in Ontario had petered out. The refresh button still needed to be hit, but a premier traumatized by his unpopularity no longer had the stomach for it. He just switched around most members of his cabinet, as if his low standing was their fault. His big decision on Muskoka’s future, intended for June, petered out into a non-event by October.
Yet municipal government in both Parry Sound and Muskoka districts remains a product of provincial design. We did not get overdue restructuring from the Ford Government. We are thus fated to the status quo: continuing diffusion of municipal operations at the hands of provincial administrators with sectoral, not holistic, vision.
The 1976 review of Parry Sound local government found “few provincial programs use the District as a complete entity for administrative services, either as one area or part of a larger area. Most programs divide the District for administration from outside centres. Related ministries do not have common boundaries, even for very much related activities.” That’s the same plight afflicting Muskoka. Indeed, although still notionally named a “District,” Muskoka’s legal status as such was removed by the provincial government, to local financial detriment.
Governance structures of our twined districts have evolved plenty over since the 1970s. Only our representation in the national and provincial legislatures aligns with the boundaries of Parry Sound and Muskoka. Within that jurisdiction our municipal representatives are scattered across so many boundaries they resemble quicksilver splattered on a tabletop. Premier Ford’s much anticipated overhaul led to no change at all – to the east for education, to the south for justice, health, and community and social services. That’s not a full catalogue of trans-jurisdiction services and programs, just a reminder of one of the ways municipal government remains diffused.
The convoluted structure and shared county and district jurisdictions create a lack of democratic accountability, unnecessary projects, and heedless spending. Individuals in public positions – whether elected, hired, or appointed – no longer have the clear authority they once did, so decision-making sinks into a swamp of murky process.
