‘Strong mayor’ powers not needed locally suggests Jaworsky, Vrbanovic
Posted Aug 3, 2022 11:30:00 AM.
What is a 'strong mayor' and do we need them here in Waterloo Region?
The province has recently said it's looking into granting new, so-called 'strong mayor' powers to the cities of Toronto and Ottawa while the premier has also suggested these powers could be expanded elsewhere.
In Ontario, municipalities traditionally run on what's called a 'weak mayor' system, essentially meaning the mayor is more of a council manager. This does include some extra authority over things like council agendas but, otherwise, the city's top office holder also holds about the same amount of power as council colleagues.
By contrast, in a 'strong mayor' system, the mayor typically holds much more power than a traditional councillor — including veto power and a control over municipal administration typical of big cities in the U.S. where an incoming mayor can choose to clean house and bring with them an entirely new senior administration.
“To the best of my knowledge that's not a part of what's being proposed here which I'm certainly very glad to see because I think it's healthy to have a professional public service that's separate from the elected body,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
As for what is being proposed, it's still not exactly clear. At the time the proposal was announced on July 20, the premier said more details would be available later saying, “We'll do the trial and we'll look at the rest of the mayors of relatively large cities.”
Asked for their opinion, both the mayors of Kitchener and Waterloo seemed to suggest they do not think any new powers are needed.
“When you can work with a collaborative spirit, ultimately [that] leads to better results for our community and, arguably, I would say is part of the reason we've been as successful here as we are.” said Vrbanovic, acknowledging though that may not be the case everywhere.
“Well, as mayor of the City of Waterloo, I've never found any powers lacking,” said Waterloo mayor Dave Jaworsky.
“If you have an idea, you really [only] need half your fellow councillors to support it,” Jaworsky added. “[If] you can't get that then maybe it's not a good idea, so I'm not really sure what powers might be lacking.”
There is an Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference slated to be held later this month in Ottawa. Jaworsky said he believes more information may be shared then.
