Regional governance changes garner mixed reaction
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Reaction has been mixed to the latest governance changes enacted by Queen’s Park.
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On Thursday, the provincial government announced a plan to cut seats in some counties and regional municipalities, as well as appoint chairs in a number of regions, including Peel, Halton, York, Durham and Waterloo.
Introduced as part of the province’s Better Regional Governance Act, tabled Thursday at Queen’s Park by the Doug Ford Progressive Conservatives.
New measures give ‘strong mayor’ powers to regional chairs
The changes, the government said in a press release , would result in lower costs for municipal taxpayers and improve inter-regional decision-making and shared priorities between Queen’s Park and the regions.
“The proposed changes include giving the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power to appoint upper-tier council chairs in eight fast-growing regions and granting these council chairs ‘strong chair’ powers to help them deliver on government priorities, such as housing and infrastructure,” read a statement in the news release.
“The proposed legislation would also reduce the cost of government and support efficient decision-making in Niagara Region and Simcoe County by reducing the size of Simcoe County Council and Niagara Regional Council.”
The “strong chair” powers would be similar to the “strong mayor” powers — allowing mayors to act more independently from council and be more than just another council vote.
Strong mayor, or chair, powers allow the mayor, or chair, to hire and fire department heads including the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO,) as well as powers to veto bylaws and budget amendments, as well as the ability to create and appoint committees.
“To facilitate the transition to the new council structure and ensure appropriate and effective representation, the government would also work with local municipal leadership to develop a weighted voting framework, which is already in force in Simcoe County and would be applied in Niagara Region,” the press release read.
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Some municipal leaders aren’t happy
The legislation would require regions to review their council composition following this year’s municipal elections.
In a quote provided with the government’s press release, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati praised the move as long-overdue.
“Taxes are too high because of duplication and inefficiencies and we need to streamline,” he said. “No elected official will vote him or herself out of a job. We need this bold move from the Ontario government.”
In a statement, John Henry — Regional Chair and CEO for the Regional Municipality of Durham — said he was disappointed by the decision.
“Over the past eight years, the Region of Durham has effectively planned and delivered major regional services and coordinated growth and infrastructure across municipal boundaries in a what the reflects the needs of our diverse urban, suburban and rural communities,” he said.
“I believe the changes being implemented by the province are a disservice to our vibrant communities and our residents who deserve a direct voice in choosing their leadership.”