Vaughan to be granted strong-mayor powers after pledging to help province build 1.5 million more homes

City already on pace to build its commitment of 42,000 new homes by 2031

Yorkregion.com
June 23, 2023
Brian Capitao

The City of Vaughan is joining Toronto, Ottawa and an additional 25 other municipalities to be granted strong-mayor powers.

These new powers will grant mayors the ability to veto council decisions on bylaws, if they believe that it could interfere with provincial priorities. Council, however, will still have the power to override the veto if they get two-thirds majority vote, according to the Ontario news release.

News of the extended powers broke on June 16 and will come into effect July 1.

The province is justifying the move through explicitly saying this is a necessary measure to secure more housing in Ontario.

Housing development is the first and foremost priority for the provincial government, with transit, roads, utilities and services being ancillary to support housing.

“Today’s announcement by the provincial government providing strong-mayor powers for Ontario’s largest and fastest-growing cities comes at a time when mayors need every tool to advance work on housing pledges and meet new challenges,” said Cam Guthrie, mayor of Guelph and past chair of Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) in the news release.

When reached for comment, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca showed support for the initiative.

“I welcome news from the Ford government that Vaughan is one of many municipalities across Ontario getting strong-mayor responsibilities. Given this new authority, as mayor, I remain committed to working alongside Vaughan Council, city staff and our community on all matters to move our city forward together,” said Del Duca.

While Vaughan did commit to the housing pledge necessary to be granted these powers, it was already on pace to meet its commitment of 42,000 new homes by 2031 as of March of this year.

“Vaughan is undergoing significant and transformational city-building planning and infrastructure initiatives that will shape the community for decades to come. Like other major cities, Vaughan requires authority that reflects how it has evolved into a large, rapidly growing, prosperous and sophisticated city,” said Del Duca.

However, some feel the move will undermine the democratic process.

“I am concerned that it is a means to undermine our public institutions and administration,” said local resident and political activist Irene Ford.

Ford lauded Newmarket Mayor John Taylor for saying he would not use the powers, even if granted.
“I think anybody who would use these powers for good is unlikely to use them because they are an undemocratic tool,” said Ford.

Ford was concerned that these strong-mayor powers could introduce private businesses to “maybe lobby for their issues on the agenda” and exert undue influence.

Ford, like many others, is concerned about the development community having disproportionate leeway, referencing previous Minister Zoning Orders (MZOs).

“These were actions that were taken because of very influential people having (a) mayor's ear, not because he was necessarily in the broader public interest, even if it was portrayed in that way,” said Ford.