Martin Ritsma
Mayor · seen 2022-08-29 to 2026-08-10 · served 2018–2022, 2022–2026
76substantive motions movedof 271 meetings the minutes record them at
28procedural motions movedcounted separately, and never added to the above
17substantive motions secondedseconding is often a seat convention, not agreement
5meetings recorded absentof 271 they were on the record for
0–9recorded votes, for–againstrecorded votes are rare and a skewed sample
Vote count and office as published by the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2022 municipal election results (Open Government Licence – Ontario). Everything else on this page is read from Stratford’s own minutes.
In their own words, via the Town
Stratford does not publish a description of this member on its council pages, or this record has not found one.
How they voted, where it was recorded (9)
Finance and Labour Relations Committee December 9, 2024
Against · 0–5 · DefeatedTHAT the Community Grants Program items in the amount of $250,000 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28) be eliminated with the exception of the support to…
Finance and Labour Relations Committee December 9, 2024
Against · 0–5 · DefeatedTHAT the Community Grants Program funding be reduced by $325,000, bringing the total amount available for the program to $871,870.00 with the following proposed reductions: reduction of $500,000 to $250,000 for…
Regular Council November 25, 2024
Against · 0–6 · DefeatedTHAT Joan Ayton and Susan L. Kummer be appointed as citizen representatives to the Stratfords of the World (Ontario) Advisory Committee to November 14, 2026, or until a successor is appointed by Council and that…
Regular Council July 22, 2024
Against · 0–4 · CarriedTHAT Council approves the investment into three additional full- time positions for the Human Resources Department; THAT the Director of Human Resources be authorized to proceed with recruitment of these positions;
Finance and Labour Relations Committee March 25, 2024
Against · 0–8 · DefeatedTHAT the request for property taxes for 4253 Perth Line 36 to be phased in over a four-year period in 25% increments, be approved. The Committee discussion continued regarding: concerns about setting a precedent;
Regular Council September 11, 2023
Against · 0–2 · DefeatedTHAT the rules of procedure be suspended to permit members of the gallery to present delegations related to the City's lease with Bingo Country.
Regular Council September 11, 2023
Against · 0–7 · DefeatedTHAT the motion be amended to include a term on the lease for a one year period or until an alternative location is found.
Regular Council September 11, 2023
Against · 0–7 · DefeatedTHAT the lease with Bingo Country be renewed for a four month period. Discussion continued with respect to: Bingo Country not being present at the meeting and the decision being made by staff under Council guidance;
Regular Council March 27, 2023
Against · 0–8 · DefeatedTHAT Stratford City Council send a letter to the Huron-Perth Healthcare Alliance expressing opposition to the demolition of Avon Crest and endorsing the preservation of the following features: 1.
Meetings the minutes record them as absent from (5)
Community Services CommitteeNovember 27, 2023
Social Services CommitteeNovember 27, 2023
Regular CouncilNovember 27, 2023
Committee of the Whole In-cameraOctober 24, 2023
Committee of the Whole Open SessionMarch 9, 2023
Substantive motions moved (showing the 40 most recent of 76)
Committee Recommendation: THAT Council approve the installation of Memorial Veterans Crosswalks at the Veterans Drive and York Street intersection.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, October 14, 2025 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the report titled Update on the Encroachment Application for 40 Daly Ave (ITS25-015) be
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, July 14, 2025 · Referred
Committee Recommendation: THAT the report titled, “Waive Facility Fees for the To Stratford With Love Banquet” (FIN25- 015), be received; AND THAT the facility rental fee waiver request in the amount of $3,627 for use of the Community Halls on December 13, 2025 be approved.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, July 14, 2025 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the request from the Communities in Bloom Advisory Committee to reallocate $5,000.00 from the Special Project budget line to the CiB Symposium Expenses line in the 2025 budget be approved.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, July 14, 2025 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT Council approve the Change in Scope to Contract T2019-18 Waste Collections Contract with Canada Waste Management to provide Recycling Services to Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee Minutes 3 February 10, 2025 Non-eligible Sources (NES) for the period from January 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, for a cost of up to $355,000, including HST.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, February 10, 2025 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Corporation of the City of Stratford enter into a three-year agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth Addictions and Mental Health Services for the provision of services defined in the Outreach Worker Service Agreement; THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to sign the Outreach Worker Service Agreement wit
Social Services Committee, January 27, 2025 · Carried
THAT the Council Remuneration increase be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, January 27, 2025 · Deferred
THAT all staff expansions which impact the tax levy, excluding the Backflow Prevention Officer and the Ontario Works Caseworker, be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, January 16, 2025 · Deferred
Committee Decision: THAT $700,000 be used from the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund to offset the tax levy increase. Members discussed the motion. The Vice-Chair called the question on the motion.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, January 16, 2025 · Carried
THAT Jane Marie Mitchell be heard.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, January 9, 2025 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT staff be directed to reach out to Mr. Brown to inquire about next steps for hosting a Home Care Services Symposium.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, January 9, 2025 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT the inclusion of one full time position split 50% between a Communication Coordinator and a Community Energy Liaison be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, December 9, 2024 · Referred
Committee Decision: THAT the Backflow Prevention Officer expansion request be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, December 9, 2024 · Referred
Committee Decision: THAT a review of the organizational structure of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division, including reviewing other municipal organization structures for this division, be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, December 3, 2024 · Referred
Committee Decision: THAT the Destination Stratford - Lights On Expansion be approved using $150,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, December 3, 2024 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT the investStratford - Grand Trunk Project Specialists/Support Expansion be approved and funded from the GTCH Reserve.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, December 3, 2024 · Carried
THAT the delegation by Robert Ritz be heard.
Ad-Hoc Grand Trunk Renewal Committee, November 18, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT approval be granted to the Downtown Stratford BIA, for an exemption to Noise Control By- law 113-79 for the Winter Wander-land event located in Market Square, Stratford, on Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from the following provisions: Unreasonable Noise [Schedule 1, clause 8]; The operation of loudspeakers and amplification of sound [Sched
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, November 12, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT a Free Transit Day be authorized by waiving transit fares for one (1) day on November 26, 2024; Community Services Committee Minutes 3 October 28, 2024 AND THAT the financial transaction be recorded as interfunctional as noted in Report COM24-007.
Community Services Committee, October 28, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the request from the Avon Trail to blaze the Stratford Side Trail from the Devon Street playground through the City to the TJ Dolan natural area be considered.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, October 15, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the City of Stratford issue a thank you to all businesses that provided their support and services during the Annual Community Income Tax Clinic.
Social Services Committee, September 23, 2024 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT Bill James-Abra and Ava Cappie from Climate Momentum be heard.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, August 12, 2024 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT Reg White, Chair of the Friends of the Shakespearean Gardens, be heard.
Community Services Committee, July 22, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT approval be granted to the event organizers from Memorial Baptist Church, located at 113 Bruce Street, Stratford for an exemption to Noise Control By-law 113-79 for a private event to be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. from the following provisions: Unreasonable noise [Schedule 1 clause 8] Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Com
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, July 8, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Fireworks By-law 73- 2006, as amended, be further amended by: Amending section 1.6 to remove sparklers from the definition of “family fireworks”. Amending section 5.1 to “No person shall set off Family Fireworks in the City, except on the designated days of Victoria Day, Canada Day, and on the first day of the Diwali Festival annually. In the event that weath
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, June 10, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the entering into of a lease agreement with the Stratford Municipal Golf Course Association for the lease of the municipal golf course on Norfolk Street, for a three-year term from 2024 to 2026, upon the same terms and conditions as the previous agreement, be authorized; THAT the Mayor and City Clerk, or their designates, be authorized to execute the lease agreement
Community Services Committee, June 3, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the expression of interest [EOI] from Vanmeurs Farms Ltd., be accepted for the lease of approximately 160 acres of land at the Stratford Municipal Airport for a five-year term; THAT a five (5) year lease agreement with Vanmeurs Farms Ltd. for the lease of 160 acres of land described as Part of Lots 39, 40, 41, Concession 5 and Parts of Lots 38, 39, 40 and 41 Concessi
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, May 13, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT a request for proposal be issued in 2024 for integrity commissioner services; AND THAT the following requirements be mandatory: the successful bidder will have at least ten (10) years of legal or quasi-judicial experience, or senior municipal management; and minimum of three (3) references for whom the proponent has satisfactorily provided Integrity Commissioner
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, April 8, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT Council receive the description of the proposed design for the Moderwell Street Reconstruction for information; THAT staff be authorized to proceed under the provisions of Section 6 of the Municipal Act, 2001, O. Reg. 586/06 to initiate the local improvement process, for installation of curb and gutter and road work as part of the Moderwell Street Reconstruction Proj
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, April 8, 2024 · Carried
Committee Decision: THAT the delegation by Judah Bootsma regarding the request for amendments to their property taxes be heard.
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, March 25, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT a by-law to authorize the borrowing in the form of a bank loan(s) in the principal amount Finance and Labour Relations Committee Minutes 6 March 25, 2024 of $9,230,915 towards the cost of the Queen Street Storm project be adopted; AND THAT the Chief Administrative Officer or City Clerk and the Treasurer (two signatures required) be authorized to sign all related docu
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, March 25, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Management Review Minutes 2023 and Summary Table of Action Items 2023 attached to Report ITS24-003, be received by Council to fulfil the requirement of the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Management Standard.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, March 25, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Reciprocal Agreement between The Corporation of the City of Stratford, YMCA of Three Community Services Committee Minutes 3 March 25, 2024 Rivers (Midwestern Ontario), Avon Maitland District School Board and The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board for the sharing of facility usage be renewed for a further two years, for 2024 and 2025; AND THAT the Mayor an
Community Services Committee, March 25, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Building Safer Communities in Stratford - Findings and Recommendations Report by Taneja Consulting Inc. be received; Social Services Committee Minutes 4 February 26, 2024 THAT staff be directed to develop a Safer Communities Targeted Task Force that works in collaboration with relevant community partners with a focus on youth; AND THAT staff be directed to look i
Social Services Committee, February 26, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute a purchase of service agreement with Shelterlink Youth Services for the delivery of emergency shelter programming for youth in the service area; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute a purchase of service agreement with Shelterlink Youth Servic
Social Services Committee, January 22, 2024 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT Staff be directed to undertake an application utilizing the Draft 2023 Consolidated Offences Form to the Ministry of the Attorney General, pursuant to the Provincial Offences Act, for Part II set fines in the City of Stratford. Discussion continued with respect to: staff not tracking the number of tickets issued to residents versus tourists; staff being able to b
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, November 14, 2023 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the purchase and installation of the Magnus Card application be approved; A vibrant city, leading the way in community-driven excellence. Community Services Committee Minutes 3 October 23, 2023 AND THAT Staff be directed to commence the project and implement for operations commencing in 2024.
Community Services Committee, October 23, 2023 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT Delegation of Authority By- law 135-2017, as amended, be further amended, to delegate authority to the City Clerk, or Deputy Clerk, or Director of Corporate Services to approve exemptions to No Parking On Specified Streets under the Traffic and Parking By-law.
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, October 10, 2023 · Carried
Committee Recommendation: THAT the following projects recommended by the Accessibility Advisory Committee be
Finance and Labour Relations Committee, August 14, 2023 · Referred
Committee Recommendation: THAT the Traffic and Parking By- law 159-2008, as amended, be further amended to add the following offences: Section 9(3) - No person shall park a vehicle or any part of a vehicle in an electric vehicle parking space where such vehicle is: 1. not an electric vehicle; 2. not connected to an electric vehicle charging station or actively charging. AND THAT staff be directed
Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee, July 10, 2023 · Carried
In the record
266meetings recorded presentthe minutes record presence, not a rate
0conflicts of interest declareda member saying they should not vote on a matter
4,350votes in 2022Mayor, incumbent
What this does not measure
- Motions moved is not a measure of effectiveness. Who moves a motion is often a seat convention or a committee role, and the member who does the work on a file is frequently not the one who reads it out.
- Nobody is ranked against anybody. These figures are counted against this member's own meetings and are never totalled or compared.
- Absence is not explained. The minutes record who was not there and almost never why. Illness, a declared conflict and a family emergency all appear the same way.
- What was said is not here. This record reads the minutes, which record decisions, not debate.
Something wrong here?
If anything on this page is wrong, say so and it will be corrected and the correction recorded. Everything here is read from Stratford’s own published documents — where those documents and this page disagree, the documents are right. How this record is made.