Photo by B. Shakyaver
South Huron Mayor George Finch is sharing his thoughts on Ontario’s new “strong mayor” powers, a recent piece of legislation that gives mayors across the province more authority in certain situations.
The goal of this law, according to the province, is to help mayors take quicker action on major issues like housing and infrastructure.
It was introduced because some municipal councils were slow or unwilling to follow provincial priorities. With these new powers, mayors can now veto certain council decisions or move projects forward more easily, but only with some restrictions.
Mayor Finch says he doesn’t expect to use the powers often. He made it clear that decisions about staff, like hiring, will continue to be made through normal council processes.
He also plans to be transparent. Any time he considers using these powers, he will inform both the public and the council. Council meetings will continue as usual, and other members can still override the mayor’s decisions if they choose.
When it comes to the budget and spending, Finch says the most important safeguard is his own honesty and accountability.
Finch also believes the powers could help deal with tough issues like housing shortages. If council is ever divided or unable to make a decision, he could step in to keep things moving, but only with the support of at least two other council members.
He said he doesn’t think this law will change how South Huron Council works day-to-day, but it will raise the level of responsibility for everyone involved.
While he believes he can be trusted with these new powers, Finch is concerned about what might happen after he leaves office.
Mayor Finch added that the legislation has limits and mayors still cannot act freely in every situation. He plans to keep working closely with council and the public to make the best decisions for South Huron.
Written by: K. Milhomens