Ford expanding 'strong mayor' powers to more cities
Premier Doug Ford will expand his government's "strong mayor" legislation to other municipalities.
Addressing municipal leaders in Ottawa this morning, on the first full day of events at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, the premier said he would be expanding the new powers beyond just Toronto and Ottawa.
More than 1,700 officials representing municipalities and organizations from across the province are in Ottawa for the annual AMO conference, the first in-person gathering of municipal leaders in three years.
The premier was the first of several provincial and federal government officials scheduled to address delegates at the conference this week.
The "strong mayor" legislation would, when passed, give mayors of Toronto and Ottawa more power to advance provincial priorities, most specifically when it comes to housing development. Ford has pledged, for example, to build 1.5 million new homes in 10 years and the new powers are meant to help reach that goal.
Mayors would also be able to draft a budget themselves or veto certain council approvals that go against the province's priorities--though councillors can override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote.
Details on how other municipalities' mayors will be given the additional powers will be communicated in the coming months, Ford said.
Ford's speech to municipal leaders came six days after his Ontario government's new throne speech and the reintroduction of the budget, and 10 weeks before mayors and councillors across Ontario face voters in the municipal election.
In June, Ontario's Big City Mayors requested an emergency meeting with Premier Ford and his cabinet to address, "the crises of chronic homelessness, mental health, safety and addictions issues" facing municipalities across Ontario.
"Municipal governments have stepped up to tackle the urgent need for shelter and healthcare services, but this is the responsibility of the provincial government," OBCM Chair Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph, said. "The impacts of these issues are being faced by our downtown cores and communities, creating further devastating impacts on marginalized and vulnerable populations."
Last week, Ford and his newly elected Progressive Conservative government opened a new session at the Ontario Legislature with the throne speech and reintroduced the budget. The throne speech urged Ontarians to prepare for an economic slowdown due to rising inflation, a "growing sense of uncertainty" amid COVID-19 numbers and the war in Ukraine.
Ford and his Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister may face questions over the new "strong mayor" powers proposed for the mayors of Ottawa and Toronto. The legislation would give the mayors the responsibility for preparing and tabling a municipal budget each year for council's consideration, and a new veto power allowing the mayor to override council on matters of "provincial priority."
Federal Minister of Rural Economic Development of Canada Gudie Hutchings and the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario Helena Jaczek will also speak at the conference today.
On Tuesday, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark will address municipal leaders, while Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy will speak at the conference on Wednesday.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference will hold several sessions during the three-day event to discuss a number of municipal and provincial issues, including climate change, strengthening Indigenous relations, equitable and inclusive communities, housing affordability, modernizing the public health system, mental health and addictions and economic recovery.
--With files from The Canadian Press.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.