Ontario’s municipal affairs minister is proposing to appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them additional powers, as the government has done with so-called strong mayors.
Waterloo Regional Council Chair Karen Redman said in response to the legislation that she is focused on expanding key services for the municipality, like infrastructure, transit and community supports.
“I am proud to have been elected twice as Regional Chair by this community. We share the Province’s goals and my focus continues to be on these priorities, now and throughout the months ahead, as next steps are determined,” she said in a statement.
The move follows an unsuccessful push by Niagara Region’s now-former chair to consider amalgamating municipalities in the area, something Premier Doug Ford has said he personally supports. The mayors of the largest cities in Niagara have said they support amalgamation, but a majority of the 12 Niagara mayors did not, which was a bar Ford set for moving ahead.
Legislation tabled today by Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack would allow him to implement weighted voting at Niagara Regional council, cut the size of that council from 32 to 13 members, and directly appoint regional chairs in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York and Simcoe County.
The bill would also give those appointed chairs “strong chair” powers, including to appoint or fire the chief administrative officer and division heads, direct staff, veto certain bylaws and propose the municipal budget.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the province on the important services and policies that our community depends on,” Redman said on the issue.
The provincial government has already given strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 216 municipalities.