Several city councillors have come out against the announced upcoming use of strong mayor powers, referring to it as undemocratic, disrespectful of Guelphites and an example of “weak leadership.”
Cam Guthrie, however, stands by his decision, noting most of the feedback he’s received from the community has been supportive.
“People can like it or not like it, but that doesn’t matter anymore. … They have a right to have that position,” he said of strong mayor powers, explaining they were put in place in order to move things more quickly through council.
During the annual state of the city address on Thursday morning, Guthrie announced his intention to issue three orders to city staff – one to lessen the 2025 property tax increase to less than four per cent (currently set at 9.79 per cent), along with two related to housing and homelessness.
“If he’s going to use strong mayor powers, then he has to be the one prepared to get out the blade and make the cuts. This cannot be sent back to staff,” Coun. Leanne Caron said of the direction to reduce city spending and/or increase revenue by $17.6 million. “If he wants to use strong mayor powers, then he has to take accountability for the powers too.”
She referred to the announcement as “performative politics at its very worst,” suggesting Guthrie was “working the room,” which was largely filled with representatives of the local business community.
“To put council under the bus in such a disrespectful way is not being a strong mayor, it’s being a weak leader,” Caron said.
“Not advising council of this announcement (in advance) is the absence of leadership. It’s the opposite of everything we’ve been trying to build over the last year, which is to build a strong, cohesive team to do decision-making through democratic principles and to not ever use a ‘gotcha moment’ for political purposes.”
Strong mayor/weak leader. This breaking news was not shared with Council #Disrespecful #Unprofessional Sorry folks I won't mince words or be silent on this. To announce this in public & not give Council a heads up is an insult @CamGuthrie teambuilding means including your team.
— Leanne Caron - Ward 5 Guelph (@ward5leanne) February 8, 2024
None of the councillors GuelphToday spoke with had suggestions on how to bring down next year’s tax increase. Some noted that if they did, they would have brought the ideas forward when an 8.52 per cent tax increase was finalized for 2024 just a couple months ago.
Efforts to reach them all for comment weren’t successful.
Caron was not alone in criticizing the use of strong mayor powers, along with the way it was announced.
“The mayor has the right to use strong mayor powers, said Coun. Phil Allt, adding, “I don’t believe it furthers democracy.”
“I am concerned about the potential erosion of the democratic process,” Coun. Rodrigo Goller said.
When GuelphToday spoke with Coun. Cathy Downer, she was still trying to “absorb” the situation but noted, “That’s not teamwork.”
Though she didn't offer an opinion on the use of strong mayor powers, Coun. Christine Billings agrees with the mayor’s budget direction to staff.
“It needs to be done,” she said of lessening the tax increase. “I think everything should be looked at, every line item.
“Something’s got to give – 9.97 per cent is unacceptable.”
In the hours following his announcement, Guthrie said “99 per cent” of comments he’s received have been encouraging of his decision to begin using the powers bestowed upon the mayor by the provincial government last summer.
The budget direction, Guthrie said, “sets up really good discussions” during the budget confirmation process in November.
When it comes to his planned staff orders to investigate partnerships that could lead to housing above city-owned properties such as parking lots and a report outlining the logistics of establishing a temporary tiny homes community on city property, Guthrie believes the democratic process is safe.
Those reports will be put in front of council for consideration.
Though he has the ability to veto council-approved bylaws if they are contrary to provincial priorities (or the mayor believes they may be), council can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote, which in the case of Guelph means nine of 12 councillors.
