Strong-mayor powers and why some Halifax councillors are worried it could be coming
Council voted last week in favour of the motion to make the request for collaboration in a letter to Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr, with only Mayor Andy Fillmore voting against it.
Coun. Sam Austin presented the motion and told council that a move towards strong-mayor powers would undermine councillors' ability to adequately represent their constituents.
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In Ontario, so-called strong-mayor powers are in effect in 215 cities or municipalities, allowing their heads of council to propose bylaws and pass them with the support of one-third of councillors, veto bylaws and hire and fire department heads.
In Nova Scotia, all elected councillors, including the mayor, have a single vote on council issues.
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Austin says putting so much power into one person's hands is 'deeply problematic,' and Coun. Janet Steele says strong-mayor powers could 'mute' the other voices on council.
Fillmore has argued the strong-mayor model doesn't erode democracy, but instead sharpens its edge.
This vote follows Premier Tim Houston saying his government is looking at strengthening mayoral powers. It came after criticizing a recent Halifax council decision to move forward with a bike lane plan that involves turning a south-end city street into a one-way route.
Houston told reporters after Thursday's cabinet meeting this street change is evidence there's a disconnect between council's decisions and the needs of its residents.
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