In addition, a number of major upper tier governments will lose their planning responsibilities, with the province taking over the approval authority for the official plans and plans of subdivision of the lower tier municipalities in these areas. The province also released more than 100 amendments to municipal official plans in the Golden Horseshoe Area and Ottawa, adding thousands of hectares of land to their urban boundaries.
As noted in my two previous blogs, the recent municipal elections saw fewer candidates, with one-third of head of council positions filled by acclamation and nearly 20% of council seats. Only 33% of eligible voters cast a ballot, and the turnout was even lower in many municipalities – such as London (25%), Mississauga (21%), and Kitchener 20%. This apparent public apathy leaves the municipal level very vulnerable to the increasingly authoritarian actions of SuperMayor Doug. If the province can dictate such things as municipal boundaries and the official plans and plans of subdivision of lower tier municipalities, if designated mayors can implement provincial priorities with the backing of only 1/3 of council, why bother with local elections at all. The municipal staff can provide the programs and services and we won’t have to go through the pretense of electing councils to provide local government.
However, even Doug the Dictator has been known to back down when faced with sufficient public opposition. We saw that very recently with respect to the provincial battle with education support workers. After Ford imposed the nuclear option (the notwithstanding clause), the increasing public outcry prompted the province to withdraw its legislation and return to the bargaining table.
If any semblance of municipal democracy is to be preserved, we need a similar widespread public outcry. Municipal guru George Cuff received many positive responses to his recent blog (Post | Feed | LinkedIn} in which he emphasized the importance of a newly elected council reflecting on what members heard from their public encounters during the election campaign. Doug the SuperMayor doesn’t want councillors paying any attention to such considerations. They are supposed to do whatever is required to support the priorities that he establishes.
Municipal governments were established only after a long struggle. By the end of the 20th century, their importance was widely recognized and they were gaining more freedom to act on behalf of their constituents. All that progress is being undermined by Ford’s actions. Fortunately, opposition to this hostile takeover of municipal government is growing stronger. It needs to become even more intense and sustained. If you believe in the fundamental democratic concept that decisions are made by the majority – not by a minority, or by a head of council acting alone – then you need to make your voices heard. A widespread public outcry can be the kryptonite that reins in SuperMayor Doug.