Councillors and the Mayor unanimously requested Premier Doug Ford and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack recommit to the meaning and spirit of democracy and rescind the Strong Mayor legislation.

Wellington Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer offered a resolution to stress the new powers undermine the role of Council in decision-making and weaken the fundamental democratic principle of majority rule.

The resolution notes Council didn’t formally request to be designated under the Strong Mayor framework.

And while the province justified the expansion as a tool to build more housing, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO) says there is no evidence the legislation is increasing  housing starts in municipalities with the powers.

Nothing Personal

The Councillor stressed his resolution was not about Mayor Ferguson. Councillor Engelsdorfer advanced a motion of non-confidence against the Mayor just days before he received the powers. 

“It’s about the proper role and purpose of this Council.
It’s about unilaterally changing the terms upon which local government was elected.
This is about democracy.
Doug Ford didn’t run on erasing democracy in 169 communities.
He won re-election by promising to protect Ontario from the scourge of U.S. President Donald Trump.
How does appointing 169 autocrats protect Ontario residents?”

—Councillor Corey Engelsdorfer

He noted Mayor Ferguson has demonstrated restraint and transparency since the powers were imposed. He has already delegated hiring authority in the CAO search to Council, for example, as well as responsibility for committee formation.

“But this issue is much bigger than one person — the challenges to local government have rarely been more intense.

“It’s about the proper role and purpose of this Council. It’s about unilaterally changing the terms upon which local government was elected. This is about democracy,” the Councillor continued. “Doug Ford didn’t run on erasing democracy in 169 communities. He won re-election by promising to protect Ontario from the scourge of U.S. President Donald Trump. How does appointing 169 autocrats protect Ontario residents?”

Council Resolved

Councillor Roy Pennell requested a recorded vote on the resolution, stating every taxpayer in Prince Edward County deserved to know the feelings of their elected representative regarding the Strong Mayor.

“The province is underestimating the rights of the people,” he said

Premier Ford, Minister Flack, Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association, and all other Ontario Municipalities will receive a copy of the resolution. 

Strong Mayor Powers were granted in Ottawa and Toronto in 2022, and were expanded to include other major Ontario cities in 2023. On May 1, 169 small and rural municipalities, including this one, received the powers. They grant mayors and wardens of lower tier municipalities special veto powers and the ability to push motions ahead with just one third of council’s support.