CBC NewsMinister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark says the move to extend mayor powers in Ontario is intended to help regions get shovels in the ground faster to help deliver on the province's goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
"The 26 municipalities that are set to receive these powers are among the largest and fastest growing in our province," Clark said. The announcement came after a meeting with Ontario's Big City Mayors , a group consisting of 29 mayors leading cities with populations of 100,000 or more.Chatham-Kent"It's pretty simple, we extended strong mayor powers to every community that enacted a housing pledge," Clark said when asked why those three cities were not included.Toronto, Ottawa first to receive powersas part of Bill 39, also known as the Better Municipal Governance Act.
Strong mayors also have responsibility for preparing and tabling their city's budget, instead of council, and hiring and firing department heads.