Heather Wright/The Independent

Petrolia councillors have extended the medical leave of one of their own until at least November.

Ross O’Hara has been on medical leave since April, after attending only one meeting in 2026.

The Petrolia-born O’Hara was first elected as a councillor in 1986. He spent 18 years on town council, the last nine years as mayor, before deciding to take a break from politics in 2003.

When he stepped back from his plumbing business in 2014, O’Hara returned to politics, being elected to council in the 2022 vote.

In 2025, he was honoured by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for 20 years of service.

Monday, after an in camera session, Director of Legal Services, Mandi Pearson, told council “Councillor O’Hara continues to work towards the return to health and being able to return to his seat on council.

“At this time, unfortunately, that recovery is taking longer than anticipated.”

Under the Ontario Municipal Act, a seat on council becomes vacant if a member is not present for meetings for three months. Council can then grant a leave of absence, which Petrolia council did in April 2025.

At Monday’s meeting, councillors agreed to extend the medical leave of absence until the end of the term in 2026.

The municipal election will be held Oct. 26 and new councillors are generally not sworn in until late November or early December.

The move means O’Hara will continue to receive his councillor’s pay and benefits during his medical absence.