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= NEWS “EXTENSIVE POWERS GRANTED BY NEW LEGISLATION > Continued from page 1 Thursday, July 2 © mayor powers to the may- = ors of 26 large and fast- growing municipalities, in- & cluding Oakville. le powers came into ity to advance provincial to accept or to impose local wers granted by this legislation are exten- sive. Carr said that as long as the mayor is acting to ad- priorities related to the tiesofbuildinghousingand building of i re- related i the lated infrastructure. an: Ina presentation before + Propose bylaws and re- council Town Solicitor quire council to vote on the Douglas Carr noted the powers are not something the mayor can turn down. "The powers are there. The province has designat- ed that those powers now apply to the 26 identified municipalities,” said arr. "There is no jurisdic- tion for municipalities to decline or refuse to be des- . There is no discretion for | the mayor or any head of council or any municipal council to refuse passing of those bylaws (these bylaws pass if just six of 15 members of council vote in favour of them). would have to vote for this override). The province has also given the mayor the power to: direct town employees to carry out research; ap- Graham Paine/Metroland Mayor Rob Burton and councillors discussed the new strong-mayor powers during a July 11 council meeting. point or dismiss a town CAO; hire and dismiss oth- er senior towns staff, and establish or dissolve com- mittees made up of mem- bers of council. The strong-mayor pow- ers also require the mayor to prepare the annual town budget, which no longer re- quires a council vote to pass. Carr said council can propose amendments this budget, but the Mayen can veto these. Council again has the power to override such ve- toes, but only if 10 of 15 members support ne duty to prepare and adopt a budget passes to council only does not ny ose a a budget to council by February 1. 0 pointed out there is an immunity provi- sion in place that says that when exercised legally and in good faith the strong- mayor powers may not be quashed or opened to re- view by the courts because of the perceived unreason- mayors more responsi- ble, more transparent, and more accountable to the powers to match the pub- lic's expectation of mayors and their view of the role of aCEO. The role of CEO isa (ones standing role of may- in the Municipal Act.” With regard to budgets, Burton said he is commit- ableness of a decision. ted to achieving the most “It's kind of like it's not collaborative and el y ,atrue responsible democracy," said Ward 4 result possible for every- councillor Allan Elgar. "It's one. not one vote for every head. "I look forward to the It's weighted.’ committee meet- Burton said he would continue to work to make Oakville Canada's most liv- able and een healthy town whe! thrive. "Tm oud of my record of public c consultation and consensus seeking and be- cause council approaches our work similarly, not imagine strong- ng-mayor r voting and veto powers be- ing needed," he said. “I welcome the act mak- ut ing, "he said. "I think we are all going to have a good time and achieve a great re- ability to delegate some of se strong-mayor powers back to council. When asked about that by Ward 3 councillor Janet these LAKESHORE PARAMEDICAL HEARING Family Hearing Clinic since 1979 Summer Hearing Aid Sale! LIMITED TIME ONLY SERVICES Come vis scent of more at PICNICS, YOGA, HIGH TEA PACKAGES AVAILABLE* Lavender ice cream, popsicles & it & enjoy the iwi lavender & so much our small family run hidden gem. drinks sold in farm store * oat Offer ends August 31%, 2023 CALL FOR DETAILS “Retual cot of hearing sil) only The latest Hearing Aid Technology! 2317 Lakeshore Road W, Oakville ¢ 905-827-2902 6834 Hwy. 3, Canfield | 905-701- 1156 | Info @purplehaven. ca purplehaven.ca Hours: Monday, Friday, Sunday 10am - 5pm, Saturdays 2pm - 5pm Tayiel@re-1.<-ks alo) a-) y= 1e-Tant-vel(ers| exe) ta) insidehalton.com *Pre order Online