Opposition to Ontario Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, giving the Toronto’s John Tory “strong mayor” powers continues to grow. FoNTRA wrote a letter to Mayor John Tory on November 23, 2022 expressing strong objections to what is widely seen as an anti-democratic move by the provincial government. It was followed by another letter on November 28, urging the mayor to call an emergency session of council to discuss the matter; he refused, despite calls from many of his own councillors to do so.
On December 6, fifteen of the 25 city councillors, including Ward 15’s councillor, Jaye Robinson, sent a joint letter to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark, urging a halt to the legislation.
Bill 39, if passed, would allow the mayor to pass by-laws with the support of as few of eight of the councillors – less than 1/3 of the elected council.
- Read letters to Premier Ford & Mayor Tory at FoNTRA
- Majority of Toronto councillors reject minority-rule mayor (Toronto Star, Dec. 6, 2022)
- Majority of Toronto council condemns new strong mayor powers for John Tory (Global News, Dec. 6, 2022)
