The Role of Municipal Government:

By Maurice Brenner Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering Reflecting back 200 Years- Pickering/Durham Region Recently I accepted an invitation to speak to a High School Class on the history and role of Municipal Government (Local Government) and what better way to gather my content, I turned to “Google”. What I found was a journey into the history of Pickering/Durham and the role that those early settlers played to change history. A Citizen Revolt: In the mid-1800s, The Crown(England) appointed members of conservative local elites (Tories) who monopolized political power in settler colonies. These Colonies were situated in Upper and Lower Canada (present-day Ontario and Quebec) Initially political reformers led primarily by professionals (lawyers, journalists, and doctors) attempted to change the system through peaceful, constitutional means. When this failed, and with growing frustrations, a group referred to as the “Rebels” embarked in an armed rebellion in 1837/1838. Many of the leaders of these armed rebels lived in what we today refer to as Pickering and Durham. While the British Government forces were able to crush the uprisings, 1,500 people were arrested, 250 deported and 50 hung. One of the most known leaders of the rebels was Peter Mathews, a farmer who moved to Pickering Township in 1799. Mathews served along side Isaac Brock in the militia during the War of 1812. In 1837 with the British imposing their power on the settlers, Mathews became active in the Political Union movement hoping to pressure the British Government to grant reforms. When this failed Mathews lead a group from Pickering as part of the William Lyon Mackenzie upraising. As the battle unfolded Mathews and his group of 60 men from Pickering, took part in the Rebellion of 1837. It was a short battle that cost Mathews his life. He pleaded guilty of “Treason” hoping for mercy but was sentenced to hang, making the Pickering settler an example. Today in the small Hamlet of Brougham a short distance from the Mathews farm, a Heritage Plaque was erected recognizing the important role Mathews played and died for, fighting for Local Government and Local Decision making. Creation of Local Government and the Municipal Act: With the Rebellion over following the hanging of Mathews ,in 1838, the British government sent Lord Durham (Who Durham Region has been named after) to investigate the causes of the rebellions and to recommend reforms to prevent a similar up rising from re-occurring. Today we would call this a Public Inquiry. Acting on the Lord Durham Report, in 1841, the “District Councils Act was past creating Municipal Government in Ontario. This Act in 1849 gave birth to one of the first acts of the newly formed Government of Ontario, the creation of “local self government” the Municipal Act of 1849 which provided for the incorporation of local Municipalities. By1868, Ontario had local representation, 36 counties, 399 townships and 104 cities, towns and villages. All with duly elected leaders from a cross section of what we refer today as communities, to govern and make inclusive decisions with-in its legislated mandate. Flash Forward 2024: What has changed? While Municipalities were created out of an uprising of rebels from Pickering resulting in self governance, the role of Municipalities and their elected leaders continues to be threatened. Communities, Local leaders, and Councils alike are frustrated at being treated like children and told what is best for us. But Centuries later, it is not by the British Government of the 1800s but by the same body that was created through Confederation to protect self governance, the Provincial Government of Ontario. We as Municipal politicians are told we are the children of the Province. Through amendments of the Municipal Act and various pieces of Legislation, under protest boundaries have been realigned, forced amalgamations have been imposed. We have have been threaten of elimination if we do not co-operate. We have been stripped of important decision making in Planning, and now the introduction of Strong Mayor Powers. As Councillors we feel disrespected with our ability to govern as elected officials eroded. So ask your selves what has changed in 200 years. To be clear, I am not promoting civil unrest nor a rebellion. As Communities and as Municipal Councils by working together, we do have the power of the pen and the ability to pass resolutions for positive change. By working in partnership with communities, we can make a difference the same as a modern day Peter Mathews would through grass route local decision making something that should never be compromised.