Housing and affordability ‘compel’ Guelph mayor to use ‘strong mayor’ powers
Global News
Cam Guthrie announced during the state of the city address that he will use the new powers immediately.
Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie has had a change of heart and will be using the ‘strong mayor’ powers that were given to him and the 27 other municipal leaders across Ontario.
He used the State of the City address on Thursday to announce that he will be using these special powers throughout the remainder of this term.
Ever since the strong mayor powers were expanded beyond Toronto and Ottawa last July, Guthrie had been mum on whether he intended to use these powers to push through motions that involve housing and the city’s budget.
In front of a packed audience at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Guelph, Guthrie said the decision to accept the new powers was not taken lightly.
“I’m starting to realize that the issues are so grave, of both affordability and housing, that it compels me to have to change my mind,” Guthrie said. “To use a tool, that’s sitting in a toolbox, it would be irresponsible for me to ignore the opportunity to go and use it.”
Guthrie’s first move with the new powers is to have staff work on the 2025 portion of the multi-year budget with a tax increase of no more than four per cent. The initial budget called for a 9.97 per cent increase in 2025.
Guthrie said this move is by no means a way to get around discussions with council members.
“That will come back to council and we’ll have a discussion on what the impacts are to achieve that goal.”
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