The Provincial government, in a recent letter, advised 169 more municipalities that it may be expanding mayoral powers May 1st, 2025 in order to facilitate housing, economic development and infrastructure.
Under the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, several recommendations have been made:
Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau however has strongly disagreed with the province and submitted to Council on Monday, April 14th, for approval a letter to the Minister, setting out his reasons of objection to the proposal.
Saugeen Shores CAO, Kara Van Myall, pointed out that the Ministry directive was released quickly in the middle of last week leaving little time for discussion.
Mayor Charbonneau pointed out that, Deputy Mayor, Diane Huber, sitting in the Chair for the Monday Council meeting, demonstrated that the municipal government is a “team sport and involves every member of Council who is elected and everyone plays a vital role.”
“If the goal is to advance housing or infrastructure or any other provincial priorities,” said Mayor Charbonneau, “I think it is wrong to say that the problems that we have incurred in those areas is because we have elected officials, or that we somehow need to shove aside people who have an elected mandate from the people. It has never been my experience on this Council or any other council or body I have served on, when there are high priorities, that councils don’t act quickly and collaboratively to make the right decisions for the community.”
“I think this is not a very good idea and is a thing that comes from larger cities, typically American cities,” he added. “It may work for New York city, Chicago or even Toronto, but I don’t think having the powers to introduce the budget or hire or fire senior staff or reorganize the organization at a whim is something that makes sense in a small community like ours.”
He went on to say that the important thing to do is make that point to the Province and ask the Minister to not impose these powers in Saugeen Shores. “Between now and May 1st we have to push as hard as we can to not have these powers imposed but, if they are, I think I need to have some advice from solicitors to advise on how to appropriately delegate the authorities of the Mayor back to the CAO and to Council.”
“We’ll have more discussion on this but I want to be clear that if the powers-that-be delegate those authorities, it’s important to remember that if they’re given to an individual, nothing prevents that mayor from simply changing their mind at a whim, which is difficult about these powers. One can delegate once day and the next fire a senior administrator. The best thing is to never designate these powers so that this ever comes to pass. We hope that the Minister listens to us between now and May 1st.”
Councillor Cheryl Grace applauded the Mayor for this letter to the Ministry about how the legislation should be rejected. “Cutting red tape seems to be the catch-all that the provincial government uses for whatever changes it wants to push through. Several years ago it eradicated the Municipal Heritage Registry and now is giving 169 municipalities sweeping powers. Red tape may take a little longer but it’s the price of democracy. I’m not sure what the Provincial Government’s end game is but these powers are undemocratic and I’m proud that Mayor Charbonneau is not accepting this without protest.
Vice-Deputy Mike Myatt said that Council shared leadership and that the community needs to be consulted for such a major change. “Our approach to local government is working in my view. Other mayors may be taking the opportunity to seize the power to hire and fire but that’s not what our voters bargained for and they should have some say in this.
Councillor John Divinski also asked that the letter be sent to other municipalities across the Province to deter “this dangerous trend”.
Deputy Mayor Diane Huber, pointed out that she and then-councillor, Luke Charbonneau, got elected several years ago at the same time. “I have never questioned why he has been a member of Council. I think one of the questions about this strong-mayor situation is it sets up the potential for a different attitude in running for council. When we, Luke and I, first ran for council, we were here for the right reasons … it was to contribute to the success of Saugeen Shores and for all of us around this table, I believe it’s why we’re here.
When I first saw the letter from the province it seemed to discount the service from the rest of us around this table and … that is wrong. We are all here to contribute to the success of our community.”
Council Recommendation:
That Council direct the Mayor, with the support of staff, to research available options to delegate Strong Mayor authority should it come into effect May 1, 2025.
CARRIED
