Plain-language explanations for civic, legal, planning, and finance terms used across the digest.
City CouncilThe elected mayor and councillors who make major municipal decisions together.
MayorThe head of Council, elected city-wide, with leadership duties and, in Ontario strong-mayor municipalities, extra legal powers.
Councillor-at-largeA councillor elected by the whole city instead of one ward. They represent every resident city-wide.
Ward councillorA councillor elected by residents of one ward to represent that area on Council.
WardA geographic area of the city represented by a ward councillor.
City ClerkThe official responsible for meeting records, agendas, minutes, elections, notices, deputations, and many procedural rules.
AgendaThe official list of topics, reports, motions, and decisions scheduled for a meeting.
Standing CommitteeA permanent committee that reviews specific types of City business before items go to Council.
Finance and Administration Standing CommitteeA standing committee that reviews finance, budgets, administration, governance, and corporate-service items before they may go to Council.
Committee of AdjustmentA quasi-judicial local body that decides minor variances, consents, and some property-specific planning matters.
Official PlanThe City’s high-level land-use planning document. It sets broad policy for growth, housing, transportation, services, and land development.
ZoningLocal rules that control what can be built or used on a property, including use, height, setbacks, parking, and density.
VariancePermission to depart from a zoning rule, usually for a specific property.
Minor variancePermission to vary from a zoning rule in a way the approval body accepts as minor and appropriate.
ConsentA planning approval that allows certain property changes such as severing land, creating an easement, or adjusting lot boundaries.
SeveranceA planning approval that splits one property into two or more parcels or changes property boundaries.
EasementA legal right for one property or party to use part of another property for a specific purpose, such as access, drainage, or utilities.
SetbackThe required distance between a building and a lot line, street, or other feature.
RezoningChanging the zoning rules that apply to a property.
Public meetingA meeting where residents can hear about an issue and usually provide input before a decision.
DeputationA formal opportunity for a person or group to speak to Council or committee about an agenda item.
RatificationFinal confirmation or approval, often by Council after a committee recommends something.
RecommendationThe action staff or a committee asks Council to approve. It is not final until the proper decision-maker approves it.
Internal auditA review function that checks whether City systems, controls, spending, and processes are working properly.
By-lawA local law passed by Council that applies within the municipality.
By-law amendmentA change to an existing local law.
Tax ratioA number that helps decide how the tax burden is shared between property classes such as residential, commercial, and industrial.
Tax rateThe rate used to calculate property taxes, applied to assessed property value and property class.
Capital reserve fundMoney set aside for future capital repairs, replacements, or major projects.
NOHFCNorthern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, a provincial funding body that supports economic and infrastructure projects in Northern Ontario.
Signing authorityPermission for a named official to sign documents on behalf of the City.
Lifecycle costingEstimating the full cost of an asset over its life, including purchase, maintenance, repairs, operation, and replacement.
Under ReviewA status meaning staff are still reviewing an application and a final recommendation or decision has not yet been reached.