Strong Mayor Power
Ontario has Municipal Strong Mayors legislation (Strong Mayors Building Homes Act 2022)
That means that Ontario Municipalities are the only jurisdiction subject to minority rule – a situation that exists nowhere else in Canada’s legislative world- not Federal- not Provincial.
The assumption seems to be that an elected Mayor is somehow more effective than the collective wisdom of the elected Council. Most know this not to be true.
Strong Mayor power has upended our time tested local democratic process.
Strong Mayor power has eliminated a Council’s administrative oversight.
Strong Mayor power has created minority rule through veto
Strong Mayor power has done absolutely nothing in regard to it’s stated goal – the housing issue. Since it’s inception housing starts have been steadily tracking downward.
Strong Mayor powers have created a budget process that makes no sense and serves no purpose. The process is awkward, inefficient and potentially will not represent the goals of the elected majority. Politically the process will produce one side trying to justify Strange Mayor Powers by playing ‘tax hero’ and the other side fighting minority rule to be good fiscal managers.
The City of Orillia needs a Council that will take back majority rule, reclaim administrative oversight and respect the collective wisdom of all elected officials.
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