Gananoque pushes back on strong mayor powers
In a town where each council voice still matters, Gananoque has sent a clear message to Queen's Park: keep your Strong Mayor Powers.
At its April 15 meeting, Gananoque council passed a motion asking the provincial government to exempt the town from the expansion of legislation that grants additional authority to mayors – powers that could allow them to veto council decisions, craft budgets independently, and fast-track provincial priorities.
The motion passed 5-1, with one councillor, Patrick Kirkby, abstaining. Only Mayor John Beddows stood in opposition.
These strong mayor powers, introduced under the Ontario Municipal Act and expanded by Premier Doug Ford's government, are part of a broader effort to streamline decision-making and accelerate housing development in Ontario's growing communities. But in Gananoque – a town of just over 5,000 – councillors say the move chips away at the essence of small-town governance: collaboration, conversation, and consensus.
'Knowing you run, you represent the public, we have conversations, make points, then the mayor turns around and vetoes it,' said Coun. Anne-Marie Koiner. 'I fear for the staff, with the anxiety that will be brought on by this.'
Deputy Mayor Vicki Leakey, who seconded the motion, was blunt: 'It's a mark against democracy when the province starts messing with the power of elected councils. I don't understand how this is going to help us.'
The motion, introduced by Coun. David Osmond, reflects a rising discomfort among smaller municipalities that fear being swept up in one-size-fits-all provincial policy. In Gananoque, where community decisions are made around a modest table in Town Hall, councillors are wary of a future where a single elected official could wield outsized authority.
But not everyone on council sees it that way.
'We all knew this was coming,' said Mayor John Beddows, the lone dissenting vote. 'The intent of the Conservative Party to extend strong mayor powers was clear and available to anyone.'
Beddows supports the powers, noting they reinforce the mayor's role under the Act as the CEO of the municipality and head of council.
'This is not something I oppose,' he said. 'But it's not something that should be taken lightly.'
Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.(Catch up on what is happening throughout Eastern Ontario with our Midday Roundup.
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