New 'proactive veto' to be used only for housing, transit, Mayor Tory says

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Toronto Mayor John Tory promised a new council that he would only use a “proactive veto” to override majority rule for housing or transit with city-wide importance.

In his first official speech of his third term, Tory said council will have a chance to discuss new “strong mayor” powers that will redefine his job.

“I think most people understand that to continue to do things exactly as we have been doing them and to expect a different result is not realistic,” the mayor said.

Tory said he will ensure that every action he takes under the “strong mayor” legislation will be public, that it will be addressed in a staff report and that it will be first discussed with all of council.

“On the subject of the so-called proactive veto, which is not yet passed into law, I will commit to this council that I would only utilize this measure on housing and transit matters of city-wide importance,” Tory said.

The Building Homes Act, which has now been proclaimed into law, gives the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa the authority to hire senior staff, create committees, propose a budget and veto some council decisions.

New Ford government legislation, currently winding through the Ontario Legislature, would give the mayors of both cities a new power to pass bylaws with their vote and the support of one-third of council instead of the traditional majority rule on issues of provincial priority such as housing.

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Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark has said that Tory requested this new voting regime.

Toronto Councillor Josh Matlow, on a point of privilege prior to the official swearing in Wednesday, said Tory never campaigned on an “unprecedented” and “undemocratic” change to majority rule.

“You impugned the privilege of this assembly,” Matlow said, calling on Tory to rescind his request.

In the Legislature on Wednesday, NDP Leader Peter Tabuns described the proactive veto as a backroom, undemocratic deal hidden from Ontarians.

Ford is on record as favouring a strong mayor system, Clark said.

“In the spirit of collaboration, we’re acting on the suggestion that Mayor Tory put forward … so that he has tools to get shovels in the ground faster,” Clark said. “We’re in the middle of a housing crisis.”

NDP MPP Chris Glover said Tory and Ford endorsed a combined nine municipal candidates for election, and this new legislation would allow the mayor to run council with just eight additional votes, out of 25 possible votes.

aartuso@postmedia.com