accountability

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 30, 2026

Ford’s Strong Moves: Power Play or Democratic Delay?

Doug Ford’s government introduced strong mayor powers with the intent of overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and accelerating housing development across Ontario. While the premise of streamlining governance for progress holds potential, the execution has fallen short of its housing goals. Instead, these powers have been used for various administrative purposes, sometimes bordering on the trivial, such as funding pickleball courts and giant flagpoles.

More concerning is the Ford administration’s latest move to appoint unelected regional chairs with significant powers. This shift in governance raises serious democratic concerns. By concentrating power in appointees not directly accountable to voters, the government risks eroding local self-governance and transparency. The potential for cronyism is palpable, given Ontario’s recent history under Ford, where appointments have occasionally favoured party insiders over merit.

Analysis: How is your city using strong-mayor powers?

The Star’s investigation revealed that only a minuscule percentage of strong mayor actions directly addressed housing. Instead, these powers have facilitated actions like senior staff changes and pet projects, far removed from tackling the housing crisis. The academic study by Eidelman and colleagues confirms these findings, questioning the efficacy of this governance model.

The expansion of this model to include unelected regional chairs exacerbates the issue. As highlighted in recent articles and legislative debates, this approach centralizes authority and diminishes voter influence. Critics, including opposition MPPs and commentators, rightly point out the dangers of undermining democratic norms in the name of efficiency.

The spectre of cronyism looms large. Historical precedents, such as the controversial appointment of Bob Gale in Niagara and past patronage scandals, underscore the risk. The appointment process lacks transparency, fuelling fears that these positions will reward political loyalty over competence.

Analysis: Power grab or public good? Why Doug Ford’s ‘strong’ regional chair scheme is so controversial

To mitigate democratic erosion, several safeguards should be implemented. Appointments must be transparent and merit-based, possibly through independent panels. Appointees should face electoral validation at the next municipal elections, ensuring accountability. Clear limits on the scope of powers, along with robust oversight mechanisms, are essential to maintaining public trust.

While the intention behind Ford’s reforms may be to foster progress, the current trajectory threatens to sacrifice democratic principles for expediency. Without strict safeguards and transparency, these measures risk entrenching cronyism and weakening local governance. Ontario deserves governance that respects democratic accountability while effectively addressing its housing challenges.