September 9, 2022 – Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) Statement on the Passing of the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act
With the passing of the Strong Mayors, Building Home Act, 2022 Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) looks forward to further discussions with the province on the legislation and its impact on governance and decision making. We will be monitoring further announcements on what the legislation could entail for cities outside of Toronto and Ottawa as the regulatory process continues. Our municipalities are managing a growing list of responsibilities that include infrastructure, housing affordability, climate change, transit, and attracting business investments and see this as an opportunity to work collaboratively on other related priorities such as OLT reform and additional fiscal powers that property taxes were not designed to address for the pressures our cities face. We also urge the province to consult with municipalities and municipal experts to discuss the potential impact of the changes on municipal service delivery and leadership recruitment. Municipal governments are built on our professional public service and their independence.
About Ontario’s Big City Mayors
Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), formerly known as the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario, includes mayors of 29 single and lower-tier cities with a population of 100,000 or more, who collectively represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. OBCM advocates for issues and policies important to Ontario’s largest cities
Media Contacts:
Mayor Cam Guthrie, Chair
mayor@guelph.ca
519-829-6430
Michelle Baker, Executive Director
Michelle@ontariobigcitymayors.ca
647-308-6602