Why did John Tory get more ‘strong-mayor’ powers? Because of his ‘city-wide mandate,’ Ford government argues (Thestar.com)

Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives are trying to go on the offensive after enduring days of blistering attacks for handing additional “strong mayor” powers to John Tory.

Thestar.com
Nov. 25, 2022
Robert Benzie

Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives are trying to go on the offensive after enduring days of blistering attacks for handing additional “strong mayor” powers to John Tory.

Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark fought back Thursday against charges it is anti-democratic to empower the Toronto mayor to pass bylaws with the support of just one-third of city council.

“John Tory won a city-wide mandate with over 342,000 votes -- 36,000 more votes than every city councillor combined,” Clark told the legislature during question period.

Indeed, on Oct. 24, Tory garnered 342,158 votes compared to the tally of 306,041 votes for the 25 councillors elected. That’s 36,117 more votes than the entire council.

The councillor with the most votes was Josh Matlow (Ward 12, Toronto-St. Paul’s) with 22,670 while rookie Jamaal Myers (Ward 23, Scarborough North) won with just 5,315 votes.

Clark said Tory “has a city-wide mandate to get shovels in the ground,” which is why Queen’s Park is granting him additional powers.

“We’re going to give him the tools to get it done,” the minister said.

The Conservatives insist the mayoral powers are needed to expedite housing construction and to help meet their campaign pledge to build 1.5 million homes in the next decade.

Interim NDP Leader Peter Tabuns said Clark is “trying to blow smoke” to deflect attention from his controversial Bill 39, which included the surprise one-third council support provision.

“I would say, don’t spend any time on his diversions, focus on what he’s doing. What he’s doing is jamming through a bill that undermines democracy,” said Tabuns.

Liberal MPP Stephanie Bowman (Don Valley West) said Clark is “trying to legitimize what they’re doing by saying that because Tory got more votes than councillors he somehow has the right to more power.”

“I certainly don’t agree and I’m disappointed in Mr. Tory,” said Bowman, noting the mayor appealed to Ford for the increased authority even as the original strong-mayor law, Bill 3, was being passed in September. That legislation says a two-thirds vote at council can overrule the mayor.

“He should have come clean about his request to the government,” she said.

Bowman said such “undemocratic moves really destabilize the duly elected city council” just as it is beginning its new term.

Green Leader Mike Schreiner said it is clear the Tories have been on the defensive since unveiling their plan to bolster the strong mayors in Toronto and Ottawa and are scrambling for positive spin.

“It’s a ridiculous statement for the minister to say that (Tory’s vote count) in any way justifies overturning centuries of democratic principle -- that majority rules within elected bodies,” said Schreiner.

“The mayor got a lot of votes and he certainly has a disproportionate influence on council, rightfully so,” he said.

“That still doesn’t justify minority rule. One time, the king had a lot of power and we decided to take it away, properly. Why are we bringing minority rule back into legislative bodies in this country?”