To the editor,
The Ford/Fedeli Conservative government is at it again, introducing the undemocratic Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
This government of the day never ceases to amaze us.
When they can’t get their way, they bully us by bringing in undemocratic bills. First, they used the notwithstanding clause three times and rightly rescinded the recent use to undermine fair bargaining. Now the Ford/Fedeli conservative government has introduced Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022.
Bill 39 will allow the mayor of Toronto or Ottawa to prioritize by-laws that favour Doug Ford’s agenda. The mayor may put forward selected by-laws, requiring the city council to debate and vote. City councils debate by-laws all the time. The problem with Bill 39 is that the city mayor can simply deem certain by-laws as a priority, requiring only one-third of votes to pass the by-law, as opposed to the standard majority.
Schedule 3 Municipal act.
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing could appoint, by order, for the term of office beginning in 2022, and could override the local decisions of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Peel, and York, by handpicking a regional chair.
Please read the bill. Don’t be fooled that it’s only for Toronto and Ottawa.
If I were a councillor in this riding, surrounding area, or across Ontario I would be nervous that this could easily happen right here in our own backyard.
We urge every councillor to write your MPP and voice the fact that democratic rights of votes are fifty per cent plus one (50% + 1) and not one-third (1/3).
We ask the public also to take a stand and call their MPP. We just had an election and we should be mad that this Bill 39 will silence the voice of councillors by introducing this anti-democratic bill.
Henri Giroux,
Powassan
Editor's note: Mr. Giroux is the president of the North Bay and District Labour Council.
