How Doug Ford’s strong-mayor powers have been used to hire and fire staff: ‘A gross abuse of power’

After Orillia declared a state of emergency in the wake of a devastating ice storm last spring, Mayor Don McIsaac turned to the province for help.McIsaac asked Housing Minister Rob Flack for a package of unprecedented authorities introduced by Premier Doug Ford’s government: strong-mayor powers, which bestow the ability to veto council decisions, hire and fire staff, and approve bylaws with minority support.Flack quickly granted Orillia the powers on a temporary basis, “In response to your request as head of council for strong-mayor powers to help manage the significant impacts and power outages within your municipality resulting from recent ice storms,” he wrote.

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