The Ajax library board chair dispute has intensified after library trustees declared that Piyali Correya remains a member in good standing and chair of the board, despite Ajax Town Council’s earlier decision to remove her appointment.
Correya was removed following a closed Ajax council meeting on May 21, 2026. The specific information considered during the private session has not been released publicly.
Following that meeting, Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier alleged that there had been repeated violations of the library board’s governance process policy.
Correya said at the time that she had not been given a clear explanation for the decision and argued that none of the statutory reasons for declaring a library trustee’s seat vacant applied to her.
Library Board Recognizes Correya as Chair
The Ajax Public Library Board considered the issue during a special meeting held on July 27.
After discussing the matter in a closed session, the board released a statement saying its position is that Correya is a member in good standing and chair of the board.
The board has not publicly disclosed the details of the private discussion or the legal advice, documents or other information considered before reaching that position.
Ajax Public Library is governed by a nine-member board appointed by town council. The board’s responsibilities include establishing policy, representing community needs, approving budgets and overseeing the library’s chief executive.
Town Rejects Board’s Decision
Mayor Shaun Collier said the Town of Ajax does not recognize what he described as the board’s purported reinstatement of Correya.
Collier maintains that municipal council has the authority to make and revoke appointments to the library board and said trustees acted without the required legal authority.
He said the town had previously communicated its position to the board and attempted to discuss the matter.
With only a few months remaining in the current municipal term, Collier said council does not intend to become involved in a lengthy dispute and will instead focus on other municipal priorities.
Ontario Law Assigns Different Governance Roles
Ontario’s Public Libraries Act states that municipal councils appoint the members of public library boards.
The legislation also says a library board must elect one of its members as chair at the first meeting of a new term.
Section 13 of the Act identifies circumstances that may cause a trustee’s seat to become vacant, including an indictable-offence conviction, incapacity, an extended unauthorized absence or loss of membership qualifications.
The opposing positions taken by the town and library board centre on whether council validly revoked Correya’s appointment and whether the board could continue recognizing her as a trustee and chair.
Neither side’s legal interpretation has been confirmed by a publicly reported court ruling.
Reasons for Removal Remain Private
The reasons behind council’s original decision remain largely undisclosed because the discussion occurred in a closed meeting.
A rumour circulated that the matter involved social-media activity, but a Town of Ajax spokesperson rejected one version of that claim and declined to provide further details.
Correya previously said the decision harmed her reputation. She has not provided an additional public comment beyond sharing the library board’s latest statement.
The Ajax library board chair dispute may remain unresolved unless the town and board reach an agreement or the matter receives an authoritative legal determination.
