County council cautious on opposition to “Strong Mayor” powers

The County of Essex wants the Province of Ontario to know it is against the recently announced Strong Mayors Powers, however, some county councillors, and the Warden feel that their opposition should come with caution.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy referenced an October 2023 Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC) letter stating that it was against the powers and since there is now a new Minister of Housing and Rural Affairs (Rob Flack), that a letter voicing the opposition should be sent to him.

While all the mayors of the seven local municipalities have indicated they are against the powers, around the county table there were a few who wanted to make sure they don’t upset the provincial government.

“I don’t want to spit in the eye of the province,” said Warden Hilda MacDonald.

MacDonald, also the Mayor of Leamington, added that there are currently two funding requests from her municipality and she wants to make sure that they are not jeopardized.

“I am not going to endanger my municipality because of some words,” she said.

LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche also hinted during last Wednesday night’s meeting of Essex County council that some caution in the wording might be necessary.

“I think we’ve all been put in a very uncomfortable situation. We all want to work with the province.”

According to an April 9 directive from the province, 169 more mayors in the province were eligible to be granted Strong Mayors Powers in order to speed up much-needed housing and other provincial supports. The powers allow local mayors to have the final say on certain issues, regardless of the decision of their council.

“I spoke with the premier directly and it doesn’t sound like there is going to be any movement on this at all,” said Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley.

The county mayors were given just 10 days to voice their opinions. Director of legislative services David Sundin said in anticipation of the county’s response, a letter to the province had already been drafted and waiting for approval to be sent even though it was going out on Thursday morning which was past the deadline.

“If our solicitor has already written a letter, we might as well send it off and hope for the best,” said Amherstburg Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb.

“When they give you one week, they really don’t want to hear what you have to say. They are making their decision and it’s being forced on all the municipalities,” said Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue.

Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Kirk Walsted did not feel it was necessary to send a letter voicing the county’s opposition as it was well known that all seven municipalities are against the powers.

“It doesn’t give strong Warden’s powers. That may be the next step,” said Walstedt.

County council cautious on opposition to “Strong Mayor” powers

By Fred Groves