“Strong Mayor” powers to be discussed by town council

 “Strong Mayor” powers could be coming to all Essex County municipalities, including Amherstburg, but several mayors don’t really seem to want them.

That includes Mayor Michael Prue, though Prue had the matter put on the April 14 town council agenda for further discussion.

The letter from Minister of Municipal Affairs Rob Flack states he was pleased to inform heads of council “that our government intends to expand strong mayor powers to your municipality.”

“Our government's expectation is that you will make use of these powers in a similar way, supporting provincial priorities that will help our province and our communities grow,” Flack’s letter says.

According to Flack’s letter, heads of council in “strong mayor” municipalities can choose to appoint the municipality's chief administrative officer (CAO); hire certain municipal department heads, and establish and re-organize departments; create committees of council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice-Chairs of committees of council; propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate mayoral veto and council override process; veto certain bylaws if the mayor is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority, such as housing, transit and infrastructure; bring forward matters for council consideration if they are of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority; and to propose certain municipal bylaws if they are of the opinion that the proposed bylaw could potentially advance a provincial priority. Council can pass these by-laws if more than one-third of council members vote in favour.

Prue said the province is looking for an answer on where Amherstburg, and other municipalities, stand on the matter.

“I want council to weigh in,” he said.

Prue added the one item that is of interest is the budget preparation item, but didn’t seem to have much use for the rest.

“I’ve never seen the need for it in a small town,” he said of “strong mayor” powers. “I don’t see the need for it. I’ve never needed them in the past.”

The town has until April 19 to make its response known to the province, with Prue saying he is not sure what the Ontario government will do after that.

“I don’t know what they’re going to say,” he said.

Meetings have been held with other Essex County mayors, he added, and they have discussed their positions on it. When the province announced it is proposing to expand “strong mayor” powers to an additional 169 additional municipalities, including Amherstburg, Prue was surprised by it. “It came as a shock to me,” said Prue.

The province is looking to expand the proposed “strong mayor” powers May 1.

“It seems like a very strange time to do it,” said Prue. “It’s right in the middle of the term.”

Should such a measure be imposed, Prue suggested it come out during an election season when voters and candidates can consider it when they go to the polls.

By Ron Giofu