Ontario Passes Local Government Act
August 14, 2018
Bill 5, the
Better Local Government Act has
now passed in Ontario's legislature. The Act reduces the size of Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 Councillors, and reverses the mandated election of regional chairs in York, Peel, Niagara and Muskoka Regions, allowing regional governments to determine whether chairs are selected by election or appointment.
Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark has also signaled his intention to engage municipalities on a review of the future of regional government, beginning at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's annual conference next week.
September 11, 2018
Following a court challenge brought forward by the City of Toronto, Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba has
struck down the legislation on the grounds that it infringed on Charter of Rights-protected freedom of expression for both candidates and voters.
Premier Doug Ford has
since indicated that he plans to invoke the Section 33 "notwithstanding clause" of the Constitution to ensure the Better Local Government Act remains in effect, noting that the Province has exclusive responsibility over municipalities.