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Province Passes Bill Extending 'Strong Mayor' Powers

Photo Credit: @fordnation

The bill allows the province to select regional chairs in Niagara, York and Peel

The Ontario government has passed a bill to give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa the authority to pass certain bylaws with support from just over a third of council. 

Under Bill 39, the two mayors will only need support from nine out of 25 councilors to pass new bylaws or change existing ones relating to provincial priorities.

Typically, a majority vote is required in order to pass anything in city council.

A provincial priority has been defined as anything associated with the building of housing and related infrastructure. 

The bill also allows the province to appoint regional chairs in Peel, York and Niagara. 

Last month, Niagara Regional Council elected Jim Bradley to serve another term as Chair. 

The government has also proposed removing land from 15 parts of the Greenbelt and adding acres elsewhere in order to build 50,000 more homes.

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