The town of Fort Frances is setting up some mechanisms around the expanded mayoral powers.
Those powers were unexpectedly imposed on Fort Frances and several smaller communities by the Ford government last month.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas says he has no intention of using the powers unless directed by council, but supports the proposals offered by the clerk’s office.
“I like the fact that the clerk is going to track any use of those powers on our website,” says Hallikas.
“I like the fact that templates will be proposed or will be put in place to remind the mayor of when they have to do things, such as for the budget. Because I don’t want to bring forth a budget by myself and I want to be reminded that that I need to at a certain time return that to council.”
The clerk also intends to work with the Chief Administrative Office and staff in the treasury and human resources department on developing processes if the powers are used.
While Hallikas did not request the powers, council is taking no action to express its disappointment with the province’s decision.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta suggested the province take them back.
“Mayor Hallakis, because we all know you well, we know that you’re true to your word and you would not abuse the powers that are given,” says Brunetta.
“But in future elections and future councils, we don’t know that of the next incoming mayor. I think that’s my concern. I felt like the ministry went ahead and did this without consulting with municipalities. It feels like a real intrusion in our business.”
Under the Strong Mayors Act, the mayor has the power to make municipal appointments in certain positions, such as CAO and the heads of certain municipal departments.
It gives the mayor the ability to create council committees, propose a budget and veto certain by-laws.
A website tracking the use of Strong Mayor Powers indicates over 600 decisions since the legislation came into effect in 2022 for the province’s larger communities.
This includes decisions by some mayors not to exercise them.
