Local Government
| What Council Does | What it Means to be a Councillor in Callander | Code of Conduct for Council | Contacting Council | Meetings and Public Participation |
Mayor – Jordy Carr |
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Deputy Mayor – Mike Dell |
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Hi, I'm Mike Dell. I’m very excited to be representing you, as your new Councillor. I believe it’s a very exciting time for Callander, and I’m looking forward to our continued growth over the next few years. To my new role, I bring my experience as a business owner. My wife and I run our company from our home here in Callander. We provide marketing and branding services to luxury, eco-focused hotels in Costa Rica and Panama. These hotels are located in remote parts of the country, often in small towns and villages by the sea — not all that different from Callander. We’ve seen what’s possible when the right partners, businesses and resources come together with the community — all guided by a bright vision for thoughtful development and an appreciation for the natural environment. When not working — I love music & design, and I currently study Behavourial Science through online courses. |
Councillor – Grant McMartin |
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I am proud to call Callander home for the last 50 years. My wife and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. We enjoy all that our community has to offer through all four seasons. I am honoured to serve this beautiful community and its constituents as councillor. I bring a broad spectrum of experiences working for the Ontario Government and through being the local president of OPSEU and former Treasurer. I am looking forward to working with a dynamic municipal team. Working together with you the constituents, I will be your voice in negotiating your concerns and your hopes for the future. I believe in the current strategic plan that is creating our path forward as we continue to build our community identity making Callander a perfect place to live and do business in. |
Council is responsible for:
Councillors in the Municipality of Callander are elected to represent the community and help guide the direction of local government. Their role includes representing residents, considering the well‑being and interests of the municipality, working with staff to develop and evaluate policies and programs, determining which services the municipality will provide, maintaining financial integrity, and ensuring accountability and transparency in municipal operations.
Councillors serve as the voice of Callander’s residents, bringing local concerns, ideas, and priorities forward for discussion and decision‑making at the Council table.
They participate in developing and evaluating municipal policies, programs, and services in accordance with provincial legislation, including the Municipal Act, 2001.
Councillors help ensure the municipality’s financial integrity while maintaining transparency and accountability across all municipal operations.
As part of their duties, councillors attend all Council meetings and may be appointed to committees or boards. Effective participation requires reviewing reports, agenda packages, policies, and background information in advance of meetings.
Councillors must work within the governance–administration distinction set out in provincial guidance, understanding the separate but complementary roles of Council and staff.
While councils in Ontario are required to meet at least four times per year, most—including Callander—hold meetings far more frequently. Councillors should expect to dedicate time to:
Councillors must be familiar with and abide by key documents governing municipal conduct and decision‑making, including:
The Code of Conduct for Council establishes clear expectations for ethical behavior, integrity, and professionalism from all elected officials. Members of Council are expected to act in the public interest, avoid conflicts of interest, follow confidentiality requirements, and maintain respectful and accountable conduct in all municipal activities.
The Integrity Commissioner plays an essential role in upholding ethical governance within the Municipality of Callander. Their responsibilities include:
The Integrity Commissioner acts at arm’s length from Council and municipal staff, ensuring an impartial, fair, and unbiased process that supports good governance and strengthens public confidence. More information about the Integrity Commissioner is available on our Integrity Commissioner page.
If you want to speak to Council as a group, you can do it in one of two ways:
All requests, letters, and emails should be sent to the Municipal Clerk:
Mail:
Municipal Clerk
280 Main Street North, PO Box 100
Callander, Ontario
P0H 1H0
Email:
Important: Anything you send or say to Municipal staff or Council members may become public information and could be released under provincial access-to-information laws.
Callander does not use wards - every Councillor represents the entire municipality. You can contact any member of Council directly:
| Council Member | Phone | |
| Mayor Jordy Carr | jcarr@callander.ca | 705-752-1410 |
| Deputy Mayor Mike Dell | mdell@callander.ca | 705-752-1410 |
| Councill Grant McMartin | gmcmartin@callander.ca | 705-845-6640 |
Residents can access agendas, minutes, and meeting schedules through the municipal Meetings Portal.