In first meeting of new Toronto council, Mayor John Tory outlines conditions for using ‘strong mayor’ powers

In his address to the first meeting of council’s new term on Wednesday, the three-term mayor acknowledged there are concerns about legislation, which would allow him to pass certain measures at council with the support of just one-third of its members.

Thestar.com
Nov. 24, 2022
Ben Spurr

John Tory pledged Wednesday he would only use the most controversial of his new “strong-mayor” powers if it was necessary to advance housing and transit policies of “citywide importance,” and if he couldn’t reach consensus with council after receiving advice from city staff.

In his address to the first meeting of council’s new term on Wednesday, the three-term mayor acknowledged there are concerns about legislation, introduced by the Ontario PC government last week, which would allow him to pass certain measures at council with the support of just one-third of its members. Critics including five former Toronto mayors have described the bill as an attack on democracy.

Tory reiterated that the province’s introduction of that and other “strong-mayor” provisions won’t change his approach to governing during his eight years in office, which he said has been characterized by collaboration.

“I will continue to work with the council and those who want to work with me to get things done, as we have done together for two terms,” he said.

But even as he made what he called “meaningful commitments” to limit his use of the minority-rule provision -- swearing to only use it on important matters, seek consensus first, and get a written staff report the issue at play -- Tory argued he could be forced to use it because council has shown itself ineffective at tackling the biggest challenges facing the city, like the lack of affordable housing and an inadequate transit network.

“I think most people understand that to continue to do things exactly as we have been doing them and to expect a different result is not realistic,” he said.

The mayor, who won the Oct. 24 election with 62 per cent of the vote, said he had a strong mandate from the public to do what it takes to make progress on housing and transit.

“I am doing what people sent me here to do as the mayor,” he said.

He also argued that he could be trusted to not use his extraordinary new powers for political gain because he has promised not to run for office again in 2026.

“You will be able to see that my motives are pure because I am not seeking re-election,” he predicted.

The mayor’s assurances did little to quiet his harshest critics, however. The first meeting of council’s term is normally devoted to ceremonial matters and largely devoid of political debate, but in a remarkable moment Wednesday Coun. Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto--St. Paul’s) rose from his seat and alleged Tory had “impugned the privilege” of council.

Matlow said that without telling the public or councillors, the mayor had asked the premier to grant him “undemocratic minority rule powers that are unprecedented in any democratically elected body anywhere in the world.”

After the proceedings, Matlow said Tory’s self-imposed limits were meaningless. He argued that even if Tory could be trusted not to abuse the new powers, the provincial legislation will grant the same abilities to anyone who holds the office in the future, and “you also need guardrails against tyrants.”

Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, would enable the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa to pass some bylaws if they secure the support of one-third of fellow council members. The rule would only apply to bylaws the mayors believe would advance provincial priorities.

Tory has acknowledged he asked the province for the new power after he determined strong mayor legislation announced in July that gave him a veto over some council decisions didn’t go far enough. During the municipal election campaign he didn’t publicly disclose he had made the request.

The Ontario PC government, which is also facing criticism from the opposition at Queen’s Park over the bill, says the legislation will empower cities to tackle the housing crisis and expedite transit construction.

Toronto council is expected to debate a report on the strong mayor legislation at its December meeting.