'Strong mayor' powers extended to Barrie's Nuttall by province

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall is now stronger.

The Ontario government announced this morning it is expanding so-called 'strong mayor' powers to the mayors of 26 large and fast-growing municipalities, including Barrie, that have committed to a housing pledge as part of the province’s goal to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.

“These 26 municipalities have demonstrated they understand the importance of that target, and we are ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed,” said Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, who made the announcement during Friday’s Ontario Big City Mayors meeting.

Strong mayor powers offer tools to help heads of council cut red tape and speed up the delivery of key shared municipal-provincial priorities such as housing, transit and infrastructure in their municipalities, the province says.

These enhanced powers will also bring increased accountability for local leaders, while checks and balances maintain the important oversight role of councillors, according to the province.

For example, council may override the mayor’s veto of bylaws or budget amendments with a two-thirds majority vote.

Strong mayor powers for Toronto and Ottawa took effect in the fall of 2022 and will be expanded to mayors in the 26 additional municipalities on July 1.

Earlier this year, Barrie city council made a pledge with a target of 23,000 new homes built by 2031, in addition to what’s already planned.

The pledge is a requirement of Bill 23, the province’s More Homes Built Faster Act of 2022 and its goal of 1.5 million new homes by 2031.

Council’s pledge divides Barrie’s housing target into five areas, the largest being 19,180 units based on demographic trends, from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs forecast for allocation of growth for this city.

Collaborating with development industry partners is expected to yield 3,900 housing units, second and third suites another 1,800 units, the New Foundations program (on church, place-of-worship, institutional properties) 1,500 units and 1,400 units by re-examining existing development approvals. Which totals 27,780 new homes, well above the 23,000 target.

More to come.