EP 9: What And Why is a CAO in St. Stephen? Understanding Staff, Council, and Accountability скачать в хорошем качестве

EP 9: What And Why is a CAO in St. Stephen? Understanding Staff, Council, and Accountability

Who actually runs the town, and why does the Chief Administrative Officer matter so much? Over the last several videos, I have talked about the role of council and the role of the mayor. Today, I turn to the third and often most misunderstood part of municipal government, the Chief Administrative Officer, or CAO. In this video, I explain why you elect council and the mayor, but you do not elect municipal staff, and why that distinction exists in the first place. This is not accidental. It is a deliberate model designed to protect good governance, continuity, and professionalism in how municipalities operate. In this episode, I cover: Why municipalities use a council CAO model How the CAO role developed as a response to patronage and political turnover Where the CAO’s authority comes from under the Local Governance Act How council legally creates and defines the CAO role through bylaws Why clear lines of responsibility matter for accountability and trust I read directly from the Local Governance Act to show how the province grants authority to municipalities, and how that authority is then structured locally in St. Stephen through a bylaw that sets out the powers and duties of the CAO. This video is intentionally foundational. It's about understanding the structure before debating outcomes. When roles are unclear, frustration grows and trust erodes. When roles are clear, council can govern, staff can administer, and residents can know where accountability actually sits. Tomorrow, I will build on this and dig into the practical implications of this model, including the questions I hear most often about power, responsibility, and who is actually directing what. 👉 Visit https://buildupststephen.ca for priorities, commitments, and the action plan. 🗳️ Election Day is May 11 — Let’s build a better St. Stephen together. 📌 Stay Informed. Stay Involved. 👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe for daily videos! #ststephen #LocalGovernment #MunicipalElection #MayorCampaign #PublicService #BuildUpStStephen