Strong mayors go under the microscope
Also: Ad-hoc Bill 7 hearings, coming to Chrystia's defence, Ford's fresh digs, LTC AC fines
ABOVE THE FOLD
FIREWORKS AT COMMITTEE, PART II — The NDP is making a long-shot attempt at hosting public hearings for the PCs hospital patient transfer bill — but first, stakeholders will have their say on another controversial proposal: the strong-mayor legislation.
Bill 3, which would give sweeping new authority over bylaws, the budget and hiring of top officials to the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa, is up for day one of public hearings at the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy this morning. Another day of stakeholder testimony is slated for Wednesday.
While some, like Toronto Mayor JOHN TORY, are on side with the move — something that’s the province says will spur housing builds — others, like outgoing Ottawa Mayor JIM WATSON, says it’s overkill.
So expect plenty of fireworks during today’s testimony.
The witness roster, in speaking order: the Ontario Home Builders’ Association, prominent civics expert MYER SIEMIATYCKI, the Building Industr…