These big city mayors feel veto powers are not necessary. Here's why

Mayors from the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge are reacting to Ontario Premier Doug Ford's plans to expand so-called strong mayor powers to municipalities other than Toronto and Ottawa, introduced as a way to get more housing built.

The government tabled legislation last week, giving the mayors of Ontario's two largest cities veto powers over bylaws that conflict with provincial priorities, such as building housing. It allows mayors to override council approval of a bylaw, such as a zoning bylaw, that would hamper a set of provincial priorities to be set later. 

"In all of my 28 years on council, I have not seen an instance where strong mayor powers would have been necessary in our community," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.

Cambridge Mayor Kathryn McGarry said she also can't think of any past decisions where strong mayor powers would have been useful.

"I would never take [the powers] lightly... I think that it can serve to drive a wedge between the mayor and council. I don't think that's good for ongoing relationships," she said.

Speaking at the Association of Municipalities Ontario annual conference in Ottawa on Monday, Ford said building homes was top of his government's priorities list. 

"In the coming months, we'll have more information on how these tools will be expanded to other municipalities so more municipal leaders like yourselves can help build Ontario," he said. 

The legislation would also give the mayors the responsibility for preparing and tabling their city's budget, instead of council, appointing a chief administrative officer, and hiring and firing department heads, except for statutory appointments such as an auditor general, police chief or fire chief.

Vrbanovic said he values "good, healthy debate" with councillors, adding that strong mayor powers may have more use in municipalities outside of Kitchener.

"There are some councils in Ontario that have been dysfunctional and having this tool in the toolbox might be beneficial to them," he said, adding that instead of strong mayor powers, there should be more discussion about strong cities and strong communities.

"We really need to change the fiscal relationship, which is based on historical legislation that is more than 100 years old, in terms of how both the federal and provincial governments relate to cities and communities like Kitchener."

McGarry said she's currently waiting to hear more details before making up her mind.

"I will reserve judgment until the consultation is done, until it's moved through its committee process and until the final outcome is written and proposed after all of the consultation. At that point, I think I would have a better idea if I even want to see it or use it within our municipality."

She said based on what is known so far, there's no scenario where she would consider using veto powers over council.