Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma said he is not about to throw democracy to the wind.
The provincial government could add 169 municipalities in an expansion of strong mayor powers, including the City of Stratford, potentially starting May 1.
Ritsma said he will still go about his job the same way.
“Collaborating, you build relationships, that will never change,” he told MyStratfordNow.
The province said strong mayor powers would help streamline local governance and ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development.
The mayor has not ruled out using strong mayor powers, noting a colleague he spoke to said it could be another, “tool in the tool box”, for the betterment of the community.
But he said he is respectful of the role of city council and has built a career through public engagement and working with staff and elected officials to move the city forward.
Strong mayor powers can only be used to support prescribed provincial priorities, which include building new homes and constructing and maintaining infrastructure like roads that support new and existing housing developments.
According to the province, the head of council can choose to appoint their municipality’s chief administrative officer, hire division heads including clerks, hire an integrity commissioner and appoint chairs of committees.
Currently, there are 47 Ontario municipalities where the head of council has strong mayor powers and duties.
