Oxford says No to Strong Mayor Powers

Thursday, 10 August 2023 10:47

During yesterday's meeting, Oxford County Council passed a resolution that said they're against the province giving them Strong Mayor powers, unless they ask for it.

OXFORD COUNTY - Oxford County Council does not want any Strong Mayor powers or regional government restructuring done unless they ask for it.

Warden Marcus Ryan says this was all included in a resolution that was passed by council yesterday.

"We would like the province to respect our own local democracy and our own local councils. We're going to send a letter to the province outlining that we're happy to talk to them about that stuff, but any changes should come from Oxford. Not from Toronto, Queen's Park, or the provincial government telling us how to do our business."

The resolution was introduced by Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie and it reads as follows:

"Whereas Oxford is a responsible and accountable government with respect to matters within its jurisdiction; and,

Whereas powers being transferred from the whole of Council to the Head of Council should be viewed as a matter within its jurisdiction; and,

Whereas service delivery should be viewed as a matter within its jurisdiction;

Therefore be it resolved that Oxford does not wish to be considered for the implementation of either “Strong Mayor” powers per the “Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 18 - Bill 3”, or any restructuring that is not requested by Oxford with its area municipal partners; and,

That this resolution be forwarded to all Oxford area municipalities requesting resolutions of support so that the future governance of Oxford is in the hands of its residents; and,

That this resolution, and all resolutions of support from Oxford’s area municipal partners, be forwarded to the Oxford MPP, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Premier of Ontario."

You can find the agenda for yesterday's meeting and watch a video of the meeting online here.