While Chatham-Kent’s mayor intends to meet the Ontario government’s housing target for the municipality, he intends to do so without the Strong Mayor Powers offered by the province.
During a meeting on Monday, Chatham-Kent Council voted in favour of having Mayor Darrin Canniff write a letter to the province accepting its housing targets, but declining the Strong Mayor Powers legislation.
“I don’t believe we need those powers here,” said Canniff. “We have a good council that can make decisions and I didn’t envision a time where we’d need it.”
Strong Mayor Powers give mayors the ability to propose housing-related bylaws and pass them with the support of one-third of councillors. As well, the legislation gives mayors the ability to override council approval of certain bylaws and prepare a municipal budget, instead of council.
“A lot of people were concerned about the democratic nature of giving me the powers,” said Canniff.
The Ontario government has set a specific housing target of 1,100 new homes to be constructed in Chatham-Kent by 2031. The municipality is also eligible for funding under the new Building Faster Fund, now that council has accepted the housing target.
“We will accept the money, thank you very much. We’ll accept the target. But we will not accept the mayor’s powers,” Canniff said. “I think it’s the best of both worlds.”
The municipality is also required to prepare and submit a Housing Pledge by December 15, which will showcase the strategies and actions that will be taken to achieve the assigned housing target.
In a report to council, municipal administration officials said they are confident Chatham-Kent will exceed the 1,100 housing target.
From 2021 through the end of August 2023, 1,649 permits have been issued for housing units in Chatham-Kent. So far this year, 290 permits have been issued.
