Mayor Groves and Caledon’s new Council sworn in for 2022-2026 term

Family, friends, and community members attend November 15 Council meeting

By Zachary Roman

The 2022 – 2026 term of Caledon Council has begun.

At the November 15 Council meeting, Mayor Annette Groves; Regional Councillors Christina Early and Mario Russo; and Councillors Lynn Kiernan, Dave Sheen, Doug Maskell, Nick deBoer, Tony Rosa, and Cosimo Napoli were officially sworn into office.

The meeting took place in a packed room at the Caledon East Community Complex, and began with a procession, land acknowledgement, the singing of Canada's national anthem, and a prayer.

Town Clerk Laura Hall began the meeting and said it was an honour to introduce all the new members of Council. She joked that it was a Town Clerk's dream to see so many people in attendance at one Council meeting.

Caledon's Mayor and Council were sworn in by a Justice of the Peace, and a dedicatory address was given to the new Mayor and Council by Sara Clarkson, Downtown Bolton Task Force member and daughter of former Caledon mayor John Clarkson, who served from 1976 to 1985). 

Clarkson said she has a real passion for Caledon and that a lot has changed since her dad was Mayor — so much so that she noted where the November 15 meeting took place used to be the outdoor Caledon community pool.

“We all have something in common as we sit here today in this room: we call Caledon home,” said Clarkson. “Our newly-elected Council and Mayor will be facing many challenges. Protecting the environment, land development, infrastructure, housing, aggregate pits, meeting at the Region with less representation… we (the community) elected you to represent us and for you to do the best for our home. Let us be a voice in your journey, let us help you.”

Clarkson said when she looks at Caledon's new leadership, she feels very hopeful for the Town's future. She said if Council could take one thing away from her speech, it's that she wants them to work together for the people of Caledon, in the best interests of the people of Caledon.

Mayor Annette Groves then gave her inaugural address to the crowd, first acknowledging the former mayors in attendance at the meeting: Emil Kolb, Carol Seglins, and Allan Thompson.

Groves said it was an honour and privilege to be standing in front of the people of Caledon for the first time as Mayor.

She thanked her campaign team for their tireless effort during the election, and gave a special thanks to her son Tyler, who she said has been her rock.

“He has been an amazing son, I am truly blessed to have Tyler,” said Groves. “He kept our home going and he was a pillar of strength for me. I am truly blessed and grateful to be your mom.”

Groves went on to thank the residents of Caledon for placing their trust and confidence in her to lead the Town.

“You have my sincere assurance that together with the new council, we'll be committed to providing quality service that will move us forward. We will work together in the best interests of all our villages and hamlets across the Town,” said Groves. “We will put our personal interests aside and work in the spirit of collaboration, cooperation and integrity. The residents of Caledon deserve this.”

Groves welcomed back returning Councillors and said she's looking forward to the fresh perspective and input of new Councillors.

The Mayor said the next four years will be challenging, but with Council and Town staff working together great results will be achieved. Groves said growth must pay for growth, that Caledon must plan Caledon, and that protecting the environment and managing aggregate in Town is critical.

Another major priority will be working on road safety in Town, said Groves, adding she'd like to work with Town staff to create a Caledon-wide traffic calming strategy, alongside advocating for more traffic enforcement.

Mayor Groves said she's committed to transparency and that the doors to Caledon's Town Hall will be unlocked. She also stressed the importance of engaging Caledon residents in major decisions that will impact their quality of life. 

“Understanding the unique needs of each community that makes up Caledon will be my top priority; ending divisiveness and promoting a unified Caledon that focuses on fair share for all will ensure that no community is left behind,” said Groves. “Together, we will experience a much stronger and more prosperous Caledon. Together, we will build up Caledon for future generations. Together, we will make Caledon the crown jewel of the Greater Toronto Area.”

Following Groves' inaugural address, Caledon's new Council was also given a chance to address the crowd.

Regional Councillor, Wards 1, 2 and 3 Christina Early said it was great to see so many people in attendance to support Caledon's new Mayor and Council, and that she's honoured to have received the trust and faith of the residents who voted for her. She said she takes her position very seriously and is excited to work with Mayor Groves and Regional Councillor Mario Russo to advocate for Caledon at the Region of Peel table. Early gave a huge thank you to the many people who helped during her campaign knocking on doors and putting up signs.

Regional Councillor, Wards 4, 5 and 6 Mario Russo said he wanted to thank all of his family and friends for their support during his campaign, and for the support of his volunteers and voters too. He said he loved having conversations with Caledon residents at their door, and explained he told people he will never make a promise he can't keep. What Russo said he can promise is that he'll be there to answer Caledon residents' calls when they need him. Russo also said he was thinking of his dad, who passed away 11 years ago, as he was being sworn in. He said with his dad as a sounding board, he knows he'll make the best decisions for the people of Caledon.

Ward 1 Councillor Lynn Kiernan said she remembers how daunting it felt when she was a new councillor four years ago, and that she'll be there to help new councillors. Kiernan said she's excited to work with the new Mayor and Council and is very thankful for all the people who supported and believed in her. Kiernan said as someone who is loyal and duty-bound, she doesn't take her Councillor position lightly. She thanked Town of Caledon staff for putting a great event together, and said it felt a bit like New Year's Eve.

“Tomorrow is our new year… we now recommit to you and the community to work together for the betterment of Caledon, something that's very important to me,” said Kiernan. “I've lived here my whole life, and it is the people and the community and Caledon itself that has shaped who I am.”

Ward 2 Councillor Dave Sheen said it was an honour to be elected and that he's very excited to take on the challenge of being Councillor. Sheen was emotional during his speech, thanking all of his family and friends who were a great support to him on the long journey of election season, explaining he could not have done it without them. Sheen also thanked Town of Caledon staff for putting on a great event to celebrate the new Mayor and Council.

Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell said his journey to becoming a Councillor began 11 years ago when his mom was sick with cancer. She told him to follow his dreams because you never know when life will get in the way. That led Maskell to run for Councillor, and while he was unsuccessful the first time he ran, this year he was. Maskell thanked all of the voters who came out to support him, and all the people who took the time to have conversations with him when he was out door knocking. Maskell thanked his family, friends and campaign team too.

Ward 4 Councillor Nick deBoer said he wanted to thank his daughters and son-in-laws for keeping the farm going while he was out knocking on doors during the election. He said that's the part of campaigning he likes most, and that some days he didn't get many doors finished because he spent a long time at each one. deBoer said he's always humbled by the support he receives and congratulated Groves on becoming Mayor as they've worked together on Council for a long time.

Ward 5 Councillor Tony Rosa congratulated Groves and his new Council colleagues before saying he looks forward to another four years working in the best interests of Caledon residents. Rosa thanked his family for stepping up to support him, as well as his large campaign team of 45 volunteers.

Ward 6 Councillor Cosimo Napoli said he's looking forward to working with Caledon residents, Council, and Town staff to move Caledon in a positive and prosperous direction. He thanked his family and friends for attending the meeting and gave a special shoutout to his campaign manager, Terry Groves, for his hard work.

After the meeting concluded, all in attendance were invited to enjoy local food and drinks at a reception hosted by the Town. Caledon's new Mayor and Council will be participating in numerous workshops held by Town staff in the coming weeks to learn how the Town functions before official Council business begins.