Waterloo mayor unlikely to use strong mayor powers

Strong mayor powers will not be used anytime soon in Waterloo.

Mayor Dorothy McCabe said that the new legislation may be helpful in other communities, but it is not necessary in Waterloo.

“I can’t foresee a situation Waterloo, with council and with staff, where I would need to do this.” McCabe stated.

On Friday morning, the provincial government announced that they will be expanding strong mayor powers to 26 cities, including Waterloo.

The new legislation will give mayors the power to override their own council votes, in an effort to expedite housing expansion.

McCabe stated that there is a good working relationship between Waterloo city council and staff, and there is no need to override decisions on housing development.

“There are a number of housing applications coming in and going through the rigorous process that we have,” McCabe explained. “There’s a number of them that are being approved.”

The province’s decision will have wide effects across the region, as strong mayor powers will also be coming to Kitchener mayor Berry Vrbanovic, Cambridge mayor Jan Liggett, and Guelph mayor Cam Guthrie.

“We need strong cities, and we need strong communities,” McCabe remarked. “Council also is an important role and has an important voice in the decision making process.”

The mayor of Waterloo added that she was not surprised by the province’s announcement, based on previous comments made by Premier Doug Ford and Ontario’s Housing Minister Steve Clark.

The new legislation will take effect on July 1st.