TORONTO — Ontario is set to introduce legislation today to give large municipal leaders so-called strong mayor powers as a way to get housing built more quickly.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark is set to table a bill that the government says will give municipalities more tools.
Premier Doug Ford has said he’s planning a “strong mayor” system for Toronto and Ottawa and is considering expanding that to other cities.
Ford indicated through his government’s throne speech Tuesday that strong-mayor systems will let municipal leaders reduce timelines for development, standardize processes and address local barriers to increasing housing supply.
The premier has previously said two-thirds of a council would be able to overrule a mayor under such a system.
Ford did not indicate during the recent election campaign that he was planning to introduce such legislation.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
