Limiting Provincial Influence in Council Decision-Making - by Councillor Alejandra Bravo, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher

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The decision

2023-03-29 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council call on the incoming Mayor of Toronto to reject the authority for the Head of Council to veto Council decisions and By-laws as permitted under Bill 3, and to enshrine this commitment in formal procedures. 2. City Council call on the incoming Mayor of Toronto to commit to delegating the hiring and firing of department heads and the creation of new departments to the City Manager, and to enshrine this commitment in formal procedures.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 20-3

Against (3)Brad Bradford, Gary Crawford, Stephen Holyday

Absent (2)James Pasternak, Lily Cheng

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On the agenda

As the city filed it

In 2022, the Province of Ontario introduced Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022. The Bill received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022. This legislation concentrates power in the heads of council in Toronto and Ottawa with the purpose of advancing "provincial priorities". Under Bill 3, the Mayor of Toronto has the authority to perform functions that previously required whole of Council support. The Mayor is also granted a veto authority over decisions and bylaws approved by a majority of Council, provided that the Mayor is of the opinion that Council's decision could potentially interfere with the advancement of a "provincial priority" as defined by the Ontario Government.

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Bill 3 enables greater provincial control over local Councils and decision-making. The new powers provided to the Heads of Council in Ottawa and Toronto do not include sufficient checks and balances. It is critical that Toronto City Council reaffirm the legislative role of City Council and the fundamental principles of decision-making at City Hall.

Staff recommended

Councillor Alejandra Bravo, seconded by Councillor Paula Fletcher, recommends that: 1. City Council call on the incoming Mayor of Toronto to reject the authority for the Head of Council to veto Council decisions and bylaws as permitted under Bill 3, and to enshrine this commitment in formal procedures. 2. City Council call on the incoming Mayor of Toronto to commit to delegating the hiring and firing of department heads and the creation of new departments to the City Manager, and to enshrine this commitment in formal procedures.

On the record

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