ACW Council roundly rejects Strong Mayor Powers from Provincial Government
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
At its April 22 meeting, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Council became the latest municipality to discuss the Strong Mayor Powers (SMP) that the provincial government is now bestowing upon mayors, reeves and council heads all over Ontario. Those tapped to join the ranks of the strong mayors are being given the power to make certain unilateral decisions in the name of expediting Premier Doug Ford’s accelerated housing goals, even without council approval.
One of the mayors having this power thrust upon them is ACW’s own mayor, Mayor Glen McNeil. As the matter is of some import, McNeil sought the opinions of his fellow lawmakers on the subject. “This is something that was directed by Minister Flack,” he explained, referring to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Rob Flack. “It’s a very broad-based power, and he is offering it to almost all municipalities - I think there are 169 of them. However, it would be up to the councils as to whether they exercised that right.”
Councillor Jennifer Miltenburg started things off with a hardline stance against the temptations of SMP. “I'm really against Strong Mayor Powers, and I’d like to opt out,” she said. Miltenburg also argued that giving a single member of council veto powers is against the wishes and best interests of ACW constituents. “I mean, at our last meeting, we had people who want the wards back so they can have more of a say,” she pointed out. “I think that no one would be surprised if I said we, as a council, don’t always agree, but we do come to a consensus. And to have one person override a consensus means… why are the rest of us here?” Miltenburg asked. “And I should also mention, I never want to be a mayor, and have those powers. I think that’s horrific, and I think that it, actually, is step one to getting rid of lower-tier municipalities, as far as I’m concerned. Beyond that, it’s so anti-democratic. I think it stops input, and causes division. It goes against collaboration. What does it matter if you and I agree on it, if he’s going to override it? Not that you would,” she added, referring to McNeil, who has resolutely denounced the mayoral use of unilateral powers. “I was under the impression we couldn’t opt out, but I’d love to opt out,” she concluded.
Clerk Florence Witherspoon articulated some additional details on Flack’s mayoral edict. “It is very specific to advancing provincial priorities,” she explained. “So, right now, the priorities have been articulated for housing, infrastructure, water - those kinds of things that are needed in order to move housing projects forward. In a real circumstance at council, it could be as simple as a subdivision agreement. If there’s a piece in there that is contentious and it could delay the start of construction, the mayor has the right to either veto or push a one-third majority with the mayor included in that vote. And council can’t opt out. It’s been made law. May 1, it’s effective, and it’s up to the mayor to decide whether or not to act on those.”
Witherspoon had her own thoughts on what the spread of SMP will mean for Huron County. “The provincial priorities can change,” she pointed out. “So those powers are in place for whatever the provincial priority is of the day.” She emphasized to council how atypical the whole situation feels to her. “Ontario is now the only province in Canada that has a strong mayor mandate, whereas historically, it’s always been weak mayors. Local government is known for collaboration and working together to get consensus. This defies that principle. So it's interesting times for sure.”
Witherspoon drew council’s attention to a few of the new powers that most concern her. “It’s not just about vetoing - it’s about appointing members of staff. It’s about rearranging staff members, and how they operate. Also to that end, now, if there was ever a vacancy in the position of mayor, council can no longer just appoint a mayor - it must be an election. It must be a by-election.”
She also questioned the veracity of the entire underlying concept behind SMP. “I don’t believe that the members of council that are sitting at this table are the ones that hold things up, in principle. It’s the broader agencies that are required to do their jobs as mandated by the province that hold things up.” McNeil thanked Witherspoon for bringing her knowledge of the matter to council’s attention for their consideration.
Councillor Curtis Blake also weighed in on the sticky subject. “I’ve read a lot of articles over the past few days about different municipalities reaching out to the MMAH, respectfully requesting an opt-out clause. I’d like us to join them in doing that,” he asked.
McNeil took a moment to clearly lay out his plans for his impending powers. “I have no intention of exercising this opportunity,” he stated. “I just have no interest. We have a great council that I value everyone’s input on, and when we have a difference of opinion, that’s when you get the best outcome. And when we make a decision, we support that decision.”
Council agreed that the only available recourse is for Witherspoon to draft a letter to the ministry explaining that ACW unanimously condemns Strong Mayor Powers, with the understanding that she will relay Flack’s response back to council, if she receives one.