In a surprising turn of events, Trevor Lee, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City of Guelph, has lost a position he was set to begin in Orillia just a week before his official start date. Lee was slated to become the Chief Administrative Officer in Orillia on April 14, but on Monday, Mayor Don McIsaac announced that he would not be taking the role. Instead, the mayor appointed Orillia's current deputy CAO and legal advisor, Amanpreet Singh Sidhu, to the position.

In a statement, Mayor McIsaac emphasized the critical nature of the decision, saying, "We are truly at a pivotal moment in Orillia’s history. The decisions we make now will shape our community for years to come. Strong, stable, and proven leadership is not optional; it is essential.”

Sidhu has been in his role as deputy CAO since July 2020, indicating a preference for continuity amid the evolving landscape of local governance. This decision comes as Orillia faces complex challenges that require decisive and experienced leadership.

While efforts to obtain comments from Lee were unsuccessful, Guelph’s CAO Tara Baker refrained from commenting on his employment status, citing respect for Lee's situation. As of now, both the City of Guelph's website and Lee's LinkedIn profile still recognize him as the deputy CAO, suggesting that he remains in his current position for the time being.

Meanwhile, the decision has sparked controversy within Orillia’s City Council. A group of four city councillors, including David Campbell and Janet-Lynne Durnford, penned an open letter opposing the mayor’s decision. They criticized the use of newly granted strong mayor powers to reverse the council’s hiring decision, questioning the necessity of these powers for handling what they argue are routine administrative changes and not emergencies.

"We strongly oppose Mayor McIsaac’s request for 'strong mayor powers,' which he used to undermine the democratic process of our council," the letter stated, highlighting concerns about governance transparency and accountability.

Lee has served the City of Guelph since 2017, and his future within the organization remains uncertain as the council navigates the fallout from this decision.

As local councils continue to grapple with leadership decisions, residents may wonder how this shift will affect Orillia’s governance and what it means for Lee’s career trajectory in public administration. Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing story!