2025-001 - Powers Re: Chief Administrative Officer
2025-002 - Powers Re: Organizational Structure
Mayor
Mayor Sandy Shantz
Sandy Shantz is serving her third term as Mayor of the Township of Woolwich. Previously she held elected positions as Councillor for Ward 1 Elmira and the Waterloo Region District School Board where she also served as Chair.
As Mayor, Sandy is also Regional Councillor for the Township where she serves on many committees and boards including: Waterloo Region Police Services Board, Regional Library Board, Kiwanis Transit Board, Grand River Conservation Authority Board and the Airport Master Plan Committee.
After growing up in Kitchener, Sandy and her husband Brian have lived in Elmira for almost 40 years and raised their three boys here. Besides travelling and ballroom dancing, Sandy now enjoys time with her five (soon to be six) grandchildren.
The strength of the Township is its people, and Sandy understands the value of volunteers. She has actively volunteered at the local, area and national level of her church, and has held many volunteer leadership positions in education, child care, minor hockey and St. Mary's hospital governance committee. She also served as chair of the Woolwich Community Services capital fundraising campaign. As Mayor, Sandy wants to provide opportunities to tap into the talent of our local citizens, encourage service to residents and continue to develop a reputation for Woolwich as a healthy community.
We are at a cross road as the Township continues to grow. Maintaining the strengths of our rural roots while moving into the future is important to Sandy, and in this term of Council, she hopes to position the Township to deal with those challenges.
Mayor’s Powers and Duties
As of May 1, 2025, the mayor of Woolwich Township has been given special powers and duties under part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. These include powers and duties to:
- Bring matters to Woolwich Council that advance certain provincial priorities and veto any by-laws passed by Council that may interfere with the advancement of those priorities.
- Create committees of Council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice chairs of certain committees.
- Propose the Township’s budget subject to Council amendments, a mayoral veto and a council override process.
- Appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer as well as various leadership positions.
- Direct Township staff in writing for certain purposes.
There are certain powers and duties the Mayor may choose to delegate.
Mayor’s Decisions and Directions
The mayor is required to exercise the powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Below is a list of actions taken by the Mayor related to their powers and duties.
Mayor's State of the Township Address
Mayor Sandy Shantz delivers her State of the Township address every year on behalf of Council. It is a time to discuss Woolwich's opportunities and challenges in the coming year.
2024 State of the Township Address
Thank you for joining Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz's 2023 State of the Township Address. Mayor Shantz presented the address live from Lion's Hall in Elmira.
Watch the address:
2023 State of the Township Address
Thank you for joining Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz's 2023 State of the Township Address. Mayor Shantz presented the address live from Lion's Hall in Elmira.
Watch the address:
* Council is continually advocating through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and Association of Municipalities Ontario. Additionally, Council advocates to both the federal and provincial levels of government on behalf of organizations and groups, please contact Council if you have items that you wish Council to advocate for on your behalf.
Mayoral Event Photos
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