The province is extending offers of Strong Mayor Powers to several local communities including Bancroft, Hastings Highlands, South Algonquin and Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards.
That announcement came Wednesday, with 169 communities being invited to join a program which the province says will help deliver on priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure.
The province says the powers will work to ‘streamline local governance’ and help reduce ‘obstacles’ that stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development.
“By extending strong mayor powers to these additional municipalities,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, “We are providing mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster. Mayors know their municipalities best, and we support them in taking bold actions for their communities.”
Despite the promise of faster builds, some are expressing concern that Strong Mayor Powers have the potential to erode democracy.
Shortly after the announcement, Killaloe Councillor Maureen MacMillan shared her thoughts on social media with a post entitled Strong Mayor Powers – Not Right for Our Rural Community.
“What is the point in having councils? What is the point in having elections if the mayor can veto budgets, fire staff and just do whatever they feel is fit?”
Those who would like to share their thoughts with the province on Strong mayor Powers can do so here until April 16.
MooseFM will be reaching out to local mayors, CAO’s and councils for comment.
Strong mayor powers and duties include:
- Choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
- Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments.
- Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
- Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
- Proposing certain municipal by-laws if the mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-law could potentially advance a provincial priority identified in regulation. Council can pass these by-laws if more than one-third of all council members vote in favour.
- Vetoing certain by-laws if the head of council is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
- Bringing forward matters for council consideration if the head of council is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.
