These politicians strongly oppose Ontario's strong mayor powers for Essex County
Ontario is proposing to give enhanced political authority to 169 mayors, starting in May
Sherry Bondy isn't happy Premier Doug Ford is moving to extend strong mayor powers to the seven municipalities within Essex County.
"I'm enraged right now, and I'm livid that this is even a thing, because it takes away and erodes democracy," said the mayor of the Town of Essex in an online video post.
"What is the point in having councils? What is the point in having elections if the mayor can veto budgets, fire staff and just do whatever they feel is fit?"
Ontario is proposing to give enhanced political authority to 169 mayors, starting in May.
It's "to help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario," the province said in a statement.
Strong mayor powers were originally introduced in Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, and have gradually rolled out across the province — arriving in Windsor, Chatham-Kent and Sarnia in 2023.
WATCH | From 2023, how strong mayor powers work:
One highly publicized and scrutinized use of the powers came from Windsor's mayor.
Drew Dilkens used them to veto city council's decision to salvage the international tunnel bus — ending the transit link between the southwestern Ontario border city and Detroit.
Dilkens says the strong mayor powers have allowed him to support "key initiatives" in housing, transit and infrastructure to align with "provincial priorities."
"Windsor is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by large-scale infrastructure projects that are transforming our economy and community," he said.
The deputy mayor for the Town of Tecumseh says the expansion of powers weakens local democracy.
"I believe in collaborative governance and am strongly opposed to this legislation," said Joe Bachetti, who's also Essex County's deputy warden.
'Respectfully decline'
Leamington's mayor, Hilda MacDonald, says she'll "respectfully decline" the ministry's offer of strong mayor powers.
"I'm hoping that message gets through to the province and they will have a change of heart," she said.
MacDonald, who was a councillor earlier in her political career, says councils should represent all voices in the community — and decisions should be made together.
"I feel that I am part of a council that makes a collective decision, and I agree the majority is the way that the vote goes. I don't feel that it … should be within the parameters of a mayor's rights."
According to MacDonald, who also serves as Essex County council's warden, she chooses "not to be in the operations" of her municipality.
"I believe my chief administrative officer is the one that should be establishing and reorganizing departments, and he's the one that hires the department heads."
Councillor pushes for Windsor to be removed
Kieran McKenzie has introduced a notice of motion for an upcoming city council meeting to have Ford remove Windsor from its list of municipalities governed by strong mayor powers.
The Windsor Ward 9 councillor says it's meant to restore "democratic balance and accountability" at city hall.
"The strong mayor system is fundamentally at odds with how local government should function," he said.
McKenzie says there was no consultation with city council or the public prior to Windsor's mayor being included in the strong mayor framework.