Mattawa opposed the recent grant of strong mayor powers by the province.
The council voted unanimously to ask the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to remove Mattawa from the list of municipalities granted strong mayor powers.
Mattawa is not alone. Various municipalities have asked to opt out of the strong mayor designation. Deep River, Cobalt, Parry Sound, Stratford, have all passed similar resolutions to what Mattawa’s council signed. On May 1, the province granted strong mayor powers to an additional 169 municipalities.
See: Nine local municipalities to get 'strong mayor' powers
“A growing number of municipalities and elected officials across Ontario are questioning the appropriateness of the strong mayor system and are calling for its reconsideration or appeal,” explained Mattawa’s Deputy Mayor, Mathew Gardiner.
Mayor Raymond Bélanger declared a conflict of interest on the topic and did not vote on the resolution. He left the council chamber during the discussion. The mayor did not provide comment to BayToday regarding the resolution.
See: Strong mayor powers coming to West Nipissing, mayor expresses caution
On the strong mayor powers, Mattawa’s resolution noted, “These powers allow mayors to unilaterally override council decisions, appoint senior municipal staff, and set budgets without majority council approval, undermining the principles of democratic governance.”
Further, “There is no evidence to suggest that strong mayor powers have increased housing starts, contrary to the provincial government’s stated justification for their implementation.”
Mattawa’s council will request the municipality’s strong mayor powers be revoked. Letters will be sent to Premiere Doug Ford, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all Ontario Municipalities.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
