Ontario introduces ‘strong mayor’ legislation to quicken housing development

The Ontario government introduced legislation today to give large municipal leaders “strong mayor powers” in order to build housing more quickly.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark tabled the bill that the province has said will give municipalities more tools.

Ford indicated through his government’s throne speech Tuesday that strong-mayor systems will let municipal leaders decrease timelines for development, standardize processes and address local barriers to increasing housing supply.

Clark said today that two-thirds of a council would be able to overrule a mayor under such a system.