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Ontario’s NDP asks Toronto mayor to drop demand for stronger mayoral powers

Ontario’s official opposition is calling on the mayor of Toronto to withdraw his demands for new powers to pass certain ordinances with the support of just one-third of the legislature.

This power is set out in a state law known as Bill 39, or the Better Municipal Governance Act, which expands the powerful mayoral powers already granted to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa.

New powers allow mayors to propose and amend bylaws related to certain state authorities without a majority vote. The state argued that this would allow the government to build housing more quickly.

For Toronto, a third of the council means only 8 out of 25 need to vote for the mayor.

Mayor John Torrey confirmed last week that he had “proposed changes” with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and supported the bill.

In an open letter released late Wednesday night to the Conservatives, the New Democrats called the bill a “vicious attack on the democratic rights of the people of Toronto.”

“The people of Toronto have just participated in local elections to elect 25 city council members, assuming their votes will be respected,” the letter said. “It is a deep betrayal of people’s trust to learn that they have asked the prime minister to give them the power to govern the city with the support of only eight MPs (one-third of the MPs).”

“When we allow this so-called convenience to override the democratic process, we enter a slippery slope where democratic control continues to be invalidated. and create a scandalous scenario.”

The National Democratic Party called on the mayor to publicly withdraw his support for the bill.

A similar request was made at Toronto’s first city council of the new school year. City councilman Josh Matlow urged the mayor to allow the bill to be debated among city council members and withdraw his support.

“I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t have the ability to deal with the housing crisis or expedite transportation or all of our priorities, but it should be done through democracy and the minority. The rules of democracy are the antithesis of democracy,” argued Matlow.

Three other newly elected city councilors and five former Toronto mayors have also voiced their opposition to these new powers.

In Wednesday’s opening remarks, Conservative MPs are confident they can work with parliament “to get things done”, but are also committed to building housing and public transport faster. said.

“People want this work to be done, and I think most people understand that it’s not realistic to keep doing things the way they’ve always been and expect different results. “I didn’t hide the fact that I fought in the last election as a candidate,” he said.

“The battle now is not a political battle, it is a race against time.”

In September, the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa were also given veto powers, the power to control the city’s budget, and the power to hire and fire department heads and city council committee chairs.

On Wednesday, Tory pledged to veto only “substantial housing and transportation issues citywide.” Although he did not specify exactly what that entails. and to build and maintain the infrastructure that supports housing.

This includes items such as transportation, roads, and utilities.

“Such proposed uses are always preceded by staff reports,” Tory told the council.

“And I will, without exception, try to use the council process first to reach consensus.”

The council can use these powers to overturn decisions made by the mayor, but two-thirds of its members must agree.



Ontario’s NDP asks Toronto mayor to drop demand for stronger mayoral powers

Source link Ontario’s NDP asks Toronto mayor to drop demand for stronger mayoral powers

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