AMO Day 1: Strong mayors and beyond

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ABOVE THE FOLD

AMO DAY 1 — Strong mayors are coming to a city near you.

Beyond Ottawa and Toronto — the initial testing ground for the province-given mayoral veto powers — Premier DOUG FORD confirmed other cities will have strong mayors, too, with an eye to getting more housing built.

Ford dropped the news in a speech to municipal mayors, councillors, wardens and reeves, who are gathering in Ottawa for the Association of Municipalities Conference this week.

What we know so far: For now, details are scant. Ford promised more info in the coming months. Our sources say the strong-mayor system will be rolled out to cities and towns with a population over 100,000 — and there could be other municipal reforms on the table. Ministry officials at a technical briefing have suggested cities that can show a commitment to “growth” would be included.

The legislation covering Toronto and Ottawa, tabled last week, would give those mayors veto powers with an eye to advancing provincial priorities, su…