LAURIE WEIR

In a move reflecting the growing instability within Rideau Lakes council, Mayor Arie Hoogenboom speaks out after announcing he will step back from mayoral duties within the township. He will still, however, remain involved with the United Counties of Leeds Grenville on several committees. 

Hoogenboom said his decision comes just weeks after a councillor resigned, and with mounting frustration over a loss of confidence in his leadership, the escalating turmoil has made his position increasingly untenable.

The embattled mayor pointed to a series of troubling events that contributed to his decision, including a non-confidence vote and what he describes as a pattern of efforts to diminish and discredit the role of the mayor. “I’m a fairly patient person, but there comes a point where enough is enough. I need a break,” Hoogenboom told this publication in an exclusive interview on March 10, hours after his statement was released to the media. He acknowledged the toll that the mental stress has taken on him.

While his decision may come as a disappointment to his supporters, he emphasized that his health—both emotional and physical—must come first. Having suffered a heart attack two and a half years ago, he acknowledged that the ongoing strife within council has been more mentally exhausting than physically demanding. 

“I feel really bad stepping away from some of these duties because I’m passionate about public service. But I need to look after myself first,” he said. 

Hoogenboom said he can still make a difference at the county table and expressed a strong desire to see through several key projects, including those related to the long-term care expansion in Athens and other municipal improvements. 

When asked about the possibility of returning to his full mayoral duties, he was clear that improved accountability and a more functional working environment would be necessary for his return. 

“If I reach a point where I feel comfortable working with these people going forward, I may consider it. But as things stand, that’s a big ‘if’,” he said. 

Hoogenboom said the unrest within the Rideau Lakes council has not gone unnoticed by residents and municipal staff. Since the last by-election, at least seven key staff members have departed, including two treasurers, senior managers, and department directors. Their latest treasurer just quit this week, he said. 

Hoogenboom attributes much of this to the ongoing dysfunction within council, suggesting that the instability and infighting marred by several integrity commissioner investigations, have made the municipality an undesirable place to work. 

“I’ve never seen anything like this at the municipal level before,” he remarked, and he’s been involved with politics for 50 years. 

“People elected me to run the municipality and to lead it to good things. But if I can’t have an impact, then there’s no point in me being there,” he said. 

Hoogenboom suggested that, if he had his way, every seat on council—including his own—would be declared vacant, triggering a fresh election to reset the leadership of the municipality. He acknowledged that such a move would require provincial intervention, something he has spoken about with government officials. However, whether the province would take such drastic action remains uncertain.

Despite the challenges, Hoogenboom remains committed to seeing how the situation unfolds before making any final decisions about his political future. He could be out for two weeks, or until the next election in 2026. 

When asked whether he would consider running again in the 2026 municipal election, he was non-committal but left the door open. “I’ll never say never,” he said. “We’re still months away from an election. The public will sort things out. But for now, my priority is taking care of my health and ensuring that whatever role I play, I can actually make a difference.”

This publication has reached out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on this issue but has yet to get a response. MPP Steve Clark’s office has issued a ‘no comment’.

RELATED LINKS

MARCH 5, 2025: Tensions ran high at Rideau Lakes Township council on Monday, March 3, as a non-confidence motion against Mayor Arie Hoogenboom passed; 11 investigations by the integrity commissioner were debated, and a councillor resigned: https://www.hometownnews.ca/council-no-confidence-mayor-hoogenboom/

SEPT. 30: OPINION: Rideau Lakes Township finds itself embroiled in yet another round of Integrity Commissioner (IC) investigations, raising important questions: Are these probes now par for the course in township politics, or is something deeper going wrong? This time, Coun. Paula Banks—along with her husband, Coun. Jeff Banks, and Deputy Mayor Marci Maxwell—is under the microscope. Meanwhile, veteran Coun. Linda Carr’s previous investigation has been referred to the Ombudsman. https://www.hometownnews.ca/opinion-integrity-investigations-rideau-lakes/

SEPT. 28, 2024: Why are so many councillors under investigation in Rideau Lakes? https://www.hometownnews.ca/councillor-under-investigation-again/

AUG. 22, 2024: Following a closed-door meeting (in-camera) on Aug. 12 regarding a report by the Integrity Commissioner, Rideau Lakes councillors have decided to kick this one under the rug: https://www.hometownnews.ca/councillors-ignore-integrity-commissioners-report/