The Ontario government has announced plans to expand ‘strong mayor powers’ to 169 additional municipalities across the province…including in our region.
The special designation is intended to speed up building initiatives by removing barriers that slow development. But critics say the powers are undemocratic.
The list of enhanced powers includes choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer,
Hiring and firing certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments, and the creation or vetoing of bylaws.
Wasaga Beach, Clearview, Collingwood, Orillia, and Town of the Blue Mountains are among 24 municipalities that will have a strong mayor – beginning May 1st.
