Five mayors in Durham Region are reacting to the new legislative powers that the province is granting them. The Ford government announced Friday that it woul
Five mayors in Durham Region are reacting to the new legislative powers that the province is granting them.expanding “strong mayor” powers to the mayors of 26 additional municipalitiesThe aim is to speed up the construction of housing units across Ontario. “There still is much more work for us to do,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark during the announcement. “It’s a joint effort that takes all levels of government, including our municipal partners.
“I have actually been asking my MP for this for the last year, since the strong mayor powers were given to Toronto and Ottawa,” said Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier, in an interview. “This is, I think, an important tool that will really help move things forward quickly, especially in areas like our downtown [and] unlocking that centre.”
“I’ve got a great council,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter, in an interview. “We work well together and I like the democratic process that we have. I will find that the strong mayor powers will only be used in extraordinary circumstances.” “This is also not just about housing,” said Roy. “It’s about affordable housing. And we are working with the region to look at locations [for] affordable housing as well, too. It has already been happening. [The ‘strong mayor’ powers allow] for other municipalities who are not in the same position to move forward, but I think Whitby is in a great stead that we have the numbers that we will be able to support the 18,000 we committed to.
“I don’t think that I will really even need strong mayor powers for 99 per cent of the things, because I think council will just support on all of those things,” he added. “There might be instances, for [example], in our downtown and Hunt Street and perhaps our MTSA [Major Transit Station Area] zones, where there might not be the support […] but it does fit within the provincial priorities. That’s where I would have the extra push to get things done.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video shows air pursuit of suspects in Durham Region after alleged theft, tractor-trailer carjack attemptTwo suspects were apprehended in Durham Region after a wild pursuit that included the deployment of a Durham Regional Police helicopter.
Read more »
Young people, family and allies invited to Youth Pride Durham on SaturdayDurham Region is inviting young people, allies and families to its annual Youth Pride celebration. The event kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday at regional headqua
Read more »
Ontario expands strong mayor powers to 26 municipalitiesMayors in Guelph, Burlington, London among leaders to be given ability to pass certain bylaws with just a third of council votes
Read more »
Ontario expanding 'strong mayor' powers to 26 more citiesTORONTO — Ontario is conferring so\u002Dcalled strong mayor powers — which critics have decried as undemocratic — upon 26 more cities in the name of building more…
Read more »