Pickering Councillor Lisa Robinson and city Mayor Kevin Ashe were expectedly again on opposing sides following Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s proposed grant of stong mayor powers to more municipalities in the province.
Pickering Mayor Ashe welcomed yesterday’s annoucement: “Good on the province for giving municipalities the tools to build more homes.”
However, Councillor Robinson saw it as a threat. “I’m reaching out to bring your attention to a growing concern in Pickering that should serve as a warning to communities across Ontario. As the Ontario government moves to expand ‘strong mayor’ powers to 169 more municipalities, we in Pickering are already living through the consequences — and they are deeply troubling.”
She issued a video statement, which she claimed exposes how these powers are weakening local democracy, concentrating authority in one office, and sidelining both councillors and the public from meaningful decision-making. “What was promised as a tool to solve the housing crisis has instead become a mechanism to fast-track development for the well-connected — without accountability, without consultation, and without proper infrastructure to support it.”
She said going by congested roads and overcrowded schools to vacant high-rises and political backroom deals, the reality on the ground tells a very different story than the one being pushed by those in power.
“I invite you to view the full video…it provides a firsthand look at how ‘strong mayor’ powers are impacting our city — and why Ontarians should be paying close attention,” she added.
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