Ontario Government Grants Strong Mayor Powers to 26 Additional Cities
The Ontario government has recently announced that 26 more cities, including Mississauga, Brampton, and Hamilton, will be granted strong mayor powers. The decision was revealed by Steve Clark, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, during a meeting with the Ontario Big City Mayors on June 16. These new powers will be effective starting July 1 of this year.
In May, Minister Clark had hinted at the possibility of more cities receiving strong mayor powers, following in the footsteps of Toronto and Ottawa, which were the first cities to obtain these powers in the fall of 2022. The strong mayors will now possess expanded authority over city budgets, as well as the ability to hire and fire senior city staff. Furthermore, a two-thirds majority vote from the city council will be required to overrule strong mayors on decisions relating to affordable housing projects, public transit, highways, and other infrastructure initiatives.
Minister Clark emphasized that these 26 cities are among the largest and fastest-growing in the province. Additionally, they have committed to a housing pledge in line with the province’s objective of constructing 1.5 million homes by 2031. The new powers granted to the mayors aim to accelerate housing development in these areas.
Clark stated, “By adopting ambitious and absolutely necessary housing pledges, these 26 municipalities have demonstrated they understand the importance of that target, and we are ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.”
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