Doug Ford in Brampton says ‘strong mayor’ powers no danger to democracy

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Published December 7, 2022 at 11:42 am

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Premier Doug Ford insists there will be no “trampling of democracy” as the Ontario PC Party looks to expand so-called “strong mayor” powers across the province.

Ford was in Brampton on Wednesday (Dec. 7) to announce $505 million in funding for municipal transit systems through the federal-provincial COVID-19 Safe Restart program, but the premier was questioned about the province’s Bill 39, which is set to pass tomorrow.

The legislation could give mayors in more Ontario cities expanded authority, and reduce “municipal duplication” in several two-tier municipalities including the Region of Peel, the Ontario government said in a press release. Only a two-thirds vote of city council could overrule a strong mayoral decision regarding affordable housing projects, public transit, highways and other infrastructure projects.

Critics and political opponents have called the changes anti-democratic, but Ford defended the bill in Brampton.

“That’s not trampling on democracy…having a councillor that scrapes in with 3,000 votes and has the same voting power as the mayor, that’s what’s trampling on democracy,” Ford said.

The bill tabled last month also aims to reduce “municipal duplication” in several two-tier municipalities, including the Region of Peel, and potentially extend so-called “strong mayor” powers beyond Toronto and Ottawa to cities like Mississauga and Brampton.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has committed not to use the powers, Toronto Mayor John Tory has made no such promise, and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie applauded the legislation saying it may “create a path for Mississauga’s independence” from the Region of Peel.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has said the end result of these changes could mean the dissolution of the region of Peel. Brown also voiced his support saying the bill would make municipalities “more efficient by removing duplication” and “help address the challenges of growth.”

Fifteen Toronto city councillors asked the Ontario government on Tuesday to scrap the bill that gives new powers to the mayor.

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