St. Catharines mayor not accepting hiring authority under Strong Mayor powers
A sense of relief at St. Catharines city council over Strong Mayor powers.
Mayor Mat Siscoe is leaving power with council to the hiring and firing of various positions, such as Chief Administrative Officer. The new provincial rules give the mayor authority to hire and fire, as well as power over the budget.
Councillor Joe Kushner says staff hired by a mayor could be held or subject to the mayor's wishes. "I think this will be the demise of professionalism in our civil service, and that's very disturbing... because they could be replaced by political hacks who have very limited experience."
Strong Mayor power from the province is meant to enable Mayors to get more homes built, under the Build Homes Faster Act.
The mayor is also facing a decision when it comes to budget time.
The Strong Mayor power will give the mayor more power to make budget changes in January, essentially making it a mayor's budget.
Mat Siscoe says he wants to be fair to council. "There are parts of this we're still figuring out, and I want to make sure I'm being fair to council as well... because of the way the rules have changed, ensuring council has the maximum voice in this."
He adds public consultations and committee hearings will still take place before January.
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