By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
As I readied to head back to Queen’s Park with an optimistic attitude and hope for positive change for the taxpayer, my hope was somewhat dampened when I learned the Ford government will increase strong mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities. One of those municipalities is Norfolk County.
I didn’t agree with strong mayor powers in 2022, and I don’t believe in them now. They are undemocratic and a dangerous precedent. Let’s rewind to 2023 when both Haldimand and Norfolk mayors were offered strong mayor powers at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) – Haldimand County Mayor Shelley-Ann Bentley declined the powers while Norfolk Council was forced to vote on the matter after Mayor Amy Martin accepted them. Norfolk Council denied the mayor’s request.
These strong mayoral powers stem from the Ford government’s original legislation, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022. It was designed to ensure home building would be made easier in the face of the colossal housing crisis, which plagues us to this day. Okay, sounded good, but I hoped while the legislation filtered through committee, there would be amendments to prevent any abuse of power. Unfortunately, those did not happen.
I hoped the legislation would come back from committee specifically naming and limiting the municipalities that could receive such powers – it did not. Premier Ford left the door open to expanding capabilities to more cities and appointing strong mayors wherever he wishes. Case in point the powers just a few years ago were originally granted to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa and since then have expanded a few times, with the list currently at 47.
Strong mayor powers allow heads of council to propose by-laws and pass them with the support of one-third of councillors, veto bylaws and hire and fire department heads, as well as approve the annual budget. Premier Ford will only increase the abilities of his strong mayors when he wants them to get a job done for him.
Again, one of our mayors is becoming a strong mayor. If these powers are about building more houses, then why doesn’t the government just cut red tape so municipalities can get the job done?
One of my other concerns back in 2022 and still holds true, is in cities like Toronto and Ottawa with strong mayors, council meetings are lined with reporters who hold council to account. Around these parts where the small-town newspaper has faded away, transparency is minimal.
At press time my office was attempting to confirm whether or not these powers will need to be voted on by councils or if this time the mayor simply accepting them is good enough. I’m not the only one who believes this is a not good idea as councils across the province are speaking out. I am the girl who fights for democracy. Strong mayor powers are undemocratic, and I believe one step closer to centralized decision-making.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that strong mayor powers were given to Mayor Martin but not Mayor Bentley in Haldimand County. We can only assume the reason can be summed up in three words, Minister’s Zoning Order.
We’ve had a healthy contest for two byelections because people want change. How does a municipality attract top-drawer talent, people willing to spend all the time, money, blood, sweat, and tears running in an election for a council seat if they feel they’re going to have no voice around the county table?
Ford started a process in 2022 of creating all-powerful mayors when and where he likes, making municipalities accountable to the province instead of to the taxpayers they were elected to serve. There were a handful of mayors appointed as PC candidates in this winter’s snap election – interesting to say the least.
You can bet I will continue to stand up for democracy as I head back to Queen’s Park, and I will be speaking out against strong mayor powers.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk