Just days after Ontario’s Better Regional Governance Act reached royal assent, Council called on the province to recommit to local democracy.

In a recorded vote, almost everyone in attendance at Council May 26 endorsed Councillor Kate MacNaughton’s resolution in response to Bill 100 — save the Mayor. 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is advising its members that the Better Regional Governance Act is just the latest in a series of provincial actions that undermine municipal authority and centralize decision-making.

Bill 100 allows Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Brian Flack to appoint “regional chairs” in fast-growing areas, including Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York, and Simcoe. The Strong Chair powers are reminiscent of Strong Mayor powers.

Ms. MacNaughton’s resolution notes Bill 100 allows the Minister, without consultation, clear rationale, or democratic process, to appoint or vacate heads of council. It also allows an appointed head the voting rights of an elected mayor.

“In solidarity with the impacted municipalities, the County urges the province to allow Ontario’s municipalities to determine their own composition and restore the requirement that all local governments and regional council members, including regional chairs, be directly elected by their communities to ensure heads of council remain directly accountable to local voters,” Ms. MacNaughton stated.

“My fear is will this be extended to more municipalities in the near future,” she said. “I think it’s deeply concerning that unelected officials could be appointed to government in ways that are absolutely unaccountable to voters.”

Councillors MacNaughton, Braney, Pennell, Prinzen, Nieman, Engelsdorfer, Maynard, Hirsch, Harrison, and Grosso were in favour.

Mayor Steve Ferguson opposed the resolution, noting some of its language was “too strident,” and that the municipality relies on the province for critical funding.

“In principle, I understand where the motion is coming from, but I’m concerned with some of the language. I find some of it a little too strident, and it may come back to bite us. Significantly.”

The County’s reputation at Queen’s Park has only grown over the past number of years, he noted, leading to funding opportunities for vital infrastructure projects.

“I’m hopeful that more funding opportunities will be available in the future and I would not in any way, shape or form want to close that door, not just for the remainder of this council, but for the next council,” he said. “We need the province’s support.”

But Councillor Chris Braney said such an approach hollows out democratic standards. Council must be able to oppose provincial legislation that interferes with municipal rights without fear of retaliation.

“The thing that I don’t like to hear is that the province or the federal government is doing us a favour by giving us some funding. They were elected by the same people that elected us,” he said. “They should be supporting the County, it’s their job to do that. 

“They aren’t doing us a favour. It’s their job.” 

Mr. Ferguson also noted he would need to see a “clear business case” for the amalgamation of Hastings Prince Edward before he could support such a thing. “I’m not seeing or hearing anything about amalgamation coming here. But that doesn’t mean it might not be in the offing sometime down the line.”