Ontario government expands strong mayor powers to 26 more cities
CTV
The Ford government is expanding strong mayor powers to nearly 30 more municipalities in just over two weeks.
The Ford government is expanding strong mayor powers to nearly 30 more municipalities in just over two weeks.
Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Barrie, Vaughan and Brampton are among the 26 municipalities that will be granted more power. A full list of the municipalities impacted is provided below.
Housing Minister Steve Clark said the expansion will take place on July 1.
“It's all around ensuring that those mayors have the tools to ensure that they meet their obligations,” Clark said, specifically pointing to the province’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2031, on Friday morning after a meeting with Ontario’s Big City Mayors.
The legislation will give mayors veto powers over bylaws that conflict with provincial priorities. Typically, the city council needs a majority vote.
They can also prepare and table their city's budget, instead of council, and hire and fire department heads.
Toronto and Ottawa were given strong mayor powers as part of Bill 39, also known as the Better Municipal Governance Act, late last year. Clark would not say if the 26 additional mayors were in support of their new powers.
