Thunder Bay mayor officially asks province for 'strong mayor' powers, commits to build thousands of homes

Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff has filed the paperwork to commit to building 2,200 new housing units in the city by 2031 and as a result, gain 'strong mayor' powers from the Ontario government. 

Boshcoff has indicated for weeks he'd seek these powers since Ontario Premier Doug Ford included Thunder Bay and three other northern Ontario municipalities on the list of communities eligible in August, but he's maintained he'd prefer to do it with council's support. 

He'd hoped to get that support during a city council meeting earlier this week, but that didn't happen. Councillors voted 9-4 against a resolution supporting the mayor on this. Council members who spoke against it framed the issue around democracy and protecting the democratic process at city hall. 

The strong powers are being offered to municipalities and allow mayors to pass bylaws with the support of just one third of council, as well as veto bylaws passed by council on matters involving provincial priorities. Mayors will be able to propose the city budget, reorganize city departments and hire or fire the city manager and some department heads.

In exchange for taking on these powers and easy access to the province's $1.2 billion "building faster fund," the city must commit to the target set by the province to build 2,200 new homes by 2031.

At Monday's city council meeting, several councillors gave impassioned speeches saying the powers were not neccesary to build the homes the city needs and that the "strong mayor" powers are a threat to local democracy. 

City administrators will be meeting with Boschoff starting next week to discuss the implications of these new strong mayor powers and how he may choose to use them going forward. 

The earliest the powers would come into effect is Oct. 31.