Ontario Councillors Resist Expanded Mayoral Powers in Municipalities

Sunday, June 1, 2025, 9:20 am

Local municipal leaders are pushing back against the provincial government’s decision to extend strong mayor powers to smaller towns. Councillors argue that centralizing authority undermines local control and democratic processes, with critics warning of unintended consequences from a one-size-fits-all approach.

nationalpost.com / Ontario strong mayor powers has some councils concerned about local governance

Some councillors feel Premier Doug Ford's housing goals can't override democracy

theglobeandmail.com / Ontario councillors push back as strong mayor powers reach small towns

Several municipalities are taking active steps to reject the powers now that the provincial government has granted access more widely

citynews.ca / ‘Crazy idea’: Ontario councillors push back as strong mayor powers reach small towns

TORONTO — A month after Ontario’s government extended strong mayor powers to a swath of new municipalities, some leaders are promising never to use the measures — but a chorus of small-town councillors warn that local democracy is under threat. As of May 1, another 169 mayors in the province can…

permalink / 3 stories from sources in 42 hours ago #politics #provincial #ontario

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