Doug Ford planning to give Toronto and Ottawa mayors 'veto' powers over councils
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he is planning to give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa 'veto' powers over proposals made by their respective councils, but John Tory says he has received no firm details of any new power yet.
Tory told CP24 that all he knows about a plan detailed in the Toronto Star to grant the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa new powers to more unilaterally control personnel appointments and financial matters, is what he read in that news report.
“At the moment there’s nothing written down or nothing has been done to my knowledge that you can comment on,” he said.
But during a June 27 meeting between Ford and Tory, the mayor said the suggestion of granting Toronto’s mayor stronger powers did come up.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
In video circulating online, Ford told reporters at Queen's Park Tuesday that his reforms would allow the mayors of Ottawa and Toronto to veto council decisions, with a second measure that would allow council to override a mayor's veto if two thirds of councillors agreed.
“It came up almost in passing in the context of getting housing built," Tory said of the idea. "There have been no detailed discussions between myself and the premier on this ever.”
Asked to elaborate on the substance of that conversation by reporters later, Tory said the discussion involved housing and the "leadership" needed to accelerate that process.
"In that meeting there was a passing reference to ‘we’ve got to find ways to get more housing built faster,’ and in the passing it was mentioned ‘you have to be able to show and exercise leadership in doing that,’ that was it," he said outside his city hall office.
Doug Ford has long admired the municipal system of governance employed by some U.S. cities, where a mayor can act on their own in financial matters and sometimes reject or “veto” proposals made by council.
Tory said he agrees there is a need for council to operate more quickly.
“There’s definitely need, we need to speed up the way we get things done at city hall. The bottom line is we need to get things done, more of them and faster, and that includes getting housing built.”
Asked about plans to alter the City of Toronto or Municipal acts to give mayors stronger powers, a spokesperson for Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark did not deny the Star’s report.
“We know that today in Ontario, too many families are frozen out of the housing market,” Chris Poulos said. “That’s why we have a plan to build 1.5 million homes over the next 10 years and continue to explore ways to help municipalities get more homes built faster.”
Tory said that whatever change is made, he doubted it would involve some sort of veto or override where he could decide something against the wishes of most of council.
“I would be very surprised if any proposal that came forward was one that involved me being able to have this veto that you mentioned where I could say this is my way and that’s it.”
If the Ford government is indeed pondering new powers for the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, it would mark the second municipal election season in a row where the province meddled in the affairs of Toronto.
But Tory downplayed the impact felt on city affairs from halving council in 2018.
“You can’t do these jobs by yourself, no matter what powers are given in some piece of paper, you have to work with colleagues across the city to get things done.”
“They changed the size of council the last time around, and I think if anything I have worked more closely with council after the change was done.”
Coun. Shelley Carroll said she was considered about the timing of the suggested changes and how the public is learning about them.
“Once again it’s coming during an election season and it’s coming at a time that’s not ideal to talk to the community about it,” she said, referring to the summer 2018 council cut.
“Put out the details, what exactly do you mean by ‘more power,” she said. “When you introduce it at this point, you really wonder if he wants (the community’s) opinion,” Carroll said of Ford.
NDP municipal affairs critic Jeff Burch asked why the premier did not campaign on a plan to give certain mayors more power.
"Why did Premier Doug Ford keep his Strong Mayor plan secret throughout the campaign," he asked in a statement. "Why won’t he consult municipalities or the people they represent."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.