Prescott Mayor Gauri Shankar says he’s surprised that Prescott is on the list of areas that Ontario is extending offers of Strong Mayor Powers to.
The province announced on Wednesday that 169 more communities are being invited to get on board with the program that they say helps deliver on provincial priorities, like building more homes, transit and other infrastructure.
There has been some controversy around the powers, including in Orillia where council has voted to rescind the powers amid questions of how the recent ice storm was dealt with.
Shankar tells Moose FM that he wants a discussion at the council table before anything is agreed to.
“If it’s worthy of benefiting our town then it’s something we’ll consider, if it’s more for the big cities than so be it.”
Ontario says it’s a significant expansion that reflects the province’s commitment to streamline local governance and help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development.
***With files from Richard Coffin
