Moving Forward After Minister Calandra’s Response: Opportunities for Continued Engagement on the Administration Centre

In response to TinyTRA supported Stop the Build petition calling for a referendum on the construction of a new municipal administration centre, Minister Paul Calandra has issued a reply that, while not providing the outcome we had hoped for, offers several important points that we can continue to work with as we move forward in our efforts.

The Minister's response centers on the idea that municipalities, like Tiny, have the authority to make decisions about public assets and financial matters. Specifically, he highlights that decisions about the construction and financing of a new administrative building are well within the jurisdiction of the municipal council. The Minister also clarified that municipalities have the option to submit a question to electors through a by-law under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. In fact, municipalities are not bound to wait until the next regular election to allow electors to weigh in, as they could call a by-election to put a question directly to voters.

While the Minister does not agree with our request for a referendum, he encourages continued dialogue between the Tiny Township Council and its residents. He emphasized that municipal officials are accountable to the people they serve and that ongoing conversation is crucial for resolving local issues.

Though this response does not grant our petition outright, it does highlight the avenues still available for us to pursue our cause. The fact that the Minister acknowledges the possibility of a by-election in the future provides us with a potential path forward. The key takeaway here is that while the Minister believes the decision rests with the local council, there are still democratic processes available to us that can facilitate direct community involvement in critical decisions, such as the one regarding the new administration centre.

This also underscores the importance of continuing our efforts to hold the Township Council accountable and to ensure that they remain in active dialogue with the people they serve. The suggestion that municipal decisions should be guided by community engagement reinforces our mission and provides hope that we can continue to advocate for the will of the people.

In this light, while the response might not have been what we hoped for, it isn’t the end of the road. We still have opportunities to make our voices heard. Our collective action can continue to build momentum for this issue, and the path to a referendum, or other forms of community engagement, remains open. There is still hope—and we are far from giving up the fight.

As we move forward, TinyTRA remains committed to pushing for transparency, community involvement, and responsible decision-making. We will continue to engage with the Township Council and encourage dialogue to ensure that the decisions made reflect the best interests of Tiny’s residents.

Let’s keep the momentum going—this is not the end, but a new chapter in our collective fight for the future of Tiny.