Ontario proposes expanding strong mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities [Video]

Ontario is proposing to expand strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 169 additional municipalities starting in May.

The province said in a news release on Wednesday that the expansion would help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles to new housing and infrastructure developments.

The additional municipalities would include the City of Orillia, the Township of Uxbridge, the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Township of King, and the Town of Collingwood. The heads of those municipalities would get the new powers as of May 1.

“The powers would allow heads of council of single- and lower-tier municipalities with councils of six members or more to support shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including roads and transit,” said the release. 

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