Municipality of Sioux Lookout being considered for ‘strong mayor powers’

Tim Brody - Editor

The Provincial Government is proposing to expand strong mayor powers to an additional 169 municipalities, with Sioux Lookout being one of the communities being considered.
These strong mayor powers, according to the Provincial Government, are meant to, “help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario.”
Sioux Lookout and the other municipalities being considered will find out by May 1 if the Provincial Government will be giving them strong mayor powers.
The Provincial Government explained in an April 9 media release that strong mayor powers and duties include:
•    Choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
•    Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments.
•    Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
•    Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
•    Proposing certain municipal by-laws if the mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-law could potentially advance a provincial priority identified in regulation. Council can pass these by-laws if more than one-third of all council members vote in favour.
•    Vetoing certain by-laws if the head of council is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
•    Bringing forward matters for council consideration if the head of council is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.
Sioux Lookout Municipal Councillor Reece Van Breda said on his personal Facebook page that he has concerns, “While this does make sense for larger GTA cities, having such top-down control will sideline Council, erode community voice, and centralize power. Northern Ontario communities are unique, and “one-size-fits-all” policies imposed from Queen’s Park won’t work up here.
“I will be bringing a motion to Council at a later meeting.”
Van Breda gave The Bulletin permission to share his comments, clarifying that he was speaking on his own behalf, not that of Council or The Municipality.
Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance shared with The Bulletin, “On April 9th we received notice from the Province that it was their intent to bestow ‘Strong Mayor’ powers to an additional 169 municipalities across Ontario, including Sioux Lookout. We have not requested the ‘Strong Mayor powers’ and the notice of intent came as a surprise to us. We will be examining the impacts for the Municipality of Sioux Lookout with respect to the expansion of Strong Mayor Powers, and Council will be reviewing the matter once more information is obtained so that we better understand the impacts.”
Lawrance further stated, “It has always been my belief that in our Ontario system Mayors have influence, not power. As the elected Head of Council, Mayor’s have duties and responsibilities that place them in a leadership role.  That leadership includes chairing Council meetings, acting as the representative and spokesperson for the Municipality at events in and outside the Municipality, and acting as Council’s primary advocate for pursuit of Council’s goals for the Municipality. A Mayor’s effective leadership is largely based on the Mayor’s respect for Council and in return Council’s confidence in the Mayor. 
“In my view among the things that enable good leadership and make for a strong Mayor are: a commitment to good governance; fostering two-way confidence between Council and Mayor and the integrity of that relationship; respect for different opinions and beliefs; confidence in Municipal staff from senior administration through all ranks; earning the respect of Municipal counterparts regionally and elsewhere; earning the respect of Provincial and Federal Ministry politicians and staff; and, maintaining a firm line between the governance of the Municipality through Council and the operation of the Municipality through staff. The influence, power if there is any, of a Mayor is earned, not bestowed.”
He concluded, “We will be seeking clarity from the Province, other authoritative agencies, and colleagues in other municipalities related to this matter.”