Cambridge mayor responds to strong mayor powers
Posted Jun 26, 2023 05:45:10 AM.
The mayor of Cambridge is getting strong mayor powers, but she said she never asked for them, and Cambridge council doesn’t need them.
Jan Liggett said in a statement about the new powers, “For me, this was not something I asked for…..This announcement doesn’t change my style or how I will continue to lead as mayor.”
Liggett went on to say she’s fortunate to have a council that works collectively and in the best interest of the city.
As she put it: “Community building as a team.”
Mayor Liggett says Cambridge council made a pledge to build 19,000 homes by 2031.
Premier Doug Ford recently extended strong mayor powers to 26 more cities that made pledges to build housing.
The powers allow mayors to override certain decisions of their council in the name of getting that housing built.
Liggett’s statement ended with, “Democracy is alive and well around our horseshoe and that will continue in the future.”
She said her council is “amazing” and they understand the responsibilities and the hope to steward Cambridge.
Liggett’s statement comes after Kitchener mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Waterloo mayor Dorothy McCabe shared similar sentiments about the powers.
