Ontario's "Strong Mayor" Policy: A Tipping Point for Minority Rule in Canada

Premier Doug Ford has sparked controversy with a new legislation that allows mayors in Toronto and Ottawa to pass bylaws with the support of just a third of their respective city councils. This move has prompted widespread criticism, with many arguing that it undermines the principles of democracy and majority rule. However, some see it as a necessary step to expose the flaws in Canada's electoral system, which often produces minority governments with the support of a small percentage of voters.

Key Takeaways:

The new legislation allows mayors in Toronto and Ottawa to pass bylaws with the support of just a third of their city councils, effectively giving them authoritarian powers.
This move is part of a broader trend in Ontario that prioritizes the power of the executive over the representative institutions of democracy.
The system of first-past-the-post voting in Canada often results in minority governments with the support of a small percentage of voters, rather than a genuine majority.
The number of voters participating in federal elections has declined in recent years, with turnout down to 60% in federal elections and 29% in the recent municipal election in Toronto.
Despite the concerns raised by critics, some argue that this move serves as a necessary step to expose the flaws in Canada's electoral system and promotes a more honest conversation about the nature of democracy in the country.

Statistics:

Turnout in the recent municipal election in Toronto was 29%, the lowest in the city's history.
Turnout in federal elections is down to 60%.
In the Ontario election, turnout was 43%.
40% or less of the electorate is often sufficient to elect a majority of the members of Parliament or a provincial legislature.
The number of voters participating in federal elections has declined by 10% in the past two decades.
Over two-thirds of the voters against the elected government's initiatives.

Sources:

Byline, ANDREW COYNE, Staff