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Administration & Corporate Services

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

 
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is appointed by Council to manage the administration of the Corporation of the Municipality of French River. The CAO’s primary role is to lead all Municipal Departments in supporting and implementing Council's direction and providing advice to Council on policies and programs. The CAO is also responsible for establishing administrative policies and procedures to ensure that the municipal organization is run in an efficient and effective manner.
 
Municipal Clerk

The Clerk is appointed by Council to execute the legislative responsibilities under the Municipal Act and all other Acts relating to local government. The Clerk provides support and advice to the CAO and Council and assists with the overall governance of the Municipality’s policies, procedures and practices. The Clerk is responsible for maintaining official records and managing information, including the preparation and circulation of Meeting Agendas and recording Minutes of Meetings. The Clerk is also responsible for conducting municipal elections, providing Commissioner of Oath services and processing requests for information under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The Clerk also oversees the administration of the Municipal Office and is assisted by the Administrative Assistant and the Executive Assistant.
 
Commissioner of Oaths Services

A Commissioner is a person authorized by the Province of Ontario to take oaths or declarations when you sign an affidavit or statutory declaration.   The Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer are commissioners for taking affidavits in the Municipality of French River.   This authority is conferred by the Commissioners for Taking Affidavits Act.  The Commissioner is not responsible for the content of the affidavit.  It is the sole responsibility of the person whose signature is being commissioned (the "deponent") to ensure the content of the affidavit. The deponent must understand not only the details to which he or she will attest but also the fact that he or she is swearing an oath that the details are correct.

In order for an affidavit to be commissioned, the deponent must bring proper identification to prove their identity and the affidavit must be signed in the presence of the commissioner.  An affidavit that is presented with the signature already included will not be commissioned by Municipal Staff.

It is important to note that a Commissioner for taking Affidavits is not the same as a “Notary Public”.  A Notary Public is a person who is authorized under the Notaries Act to commission documents, certify documents as true copies and to verify signatures.   The requirements to become a Notary Public are more stringent than for a Commissioner and most are lawyers or judicial officers.  If you require a document to be "notarized" as opposed to "commissioned", the person administering the oath or affidavit generally is a lawyer.

The Fee for Commissioner For Taking Oaths And Affidavits is $10.00.