Environmental Defence: "Proposal to Expand 'Strong Mayor' Powers for 169 Towns Raises Serious Concerns"

In an April 30, 2025 opinion piece by Phil Pothen published by Environmental Defence, the author outlines the dangers of strong mayor powers with respect to farmland in rural communities in Ontario, as well as the "unique risks" faced by small towns.

Mr. Pothen writes: "While the corruption risk from “Strong Mayor” powers is considerable in any context, the Ontario government’s proposed new regulation is especially concerning because it applies this regime to villages and towns with fewer than 5000 residents. Many of these communities have part-time mayors whose small stipends or honoraria pale in comparison with the incentives developers and land speculators could offer."

Click here to read the full article on the Environmental Defence website.