About this episode
The episode discusses the implications of Ontario's Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 and the impact of strong mayor powers on housing construction and local governance.
What does Ontario’s Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 actually change, and who ends up with more power at the local level? TVO Today columnist and #onpoli cohost John Michael McGrath breaks down what’s in the legislation and what it is meant to fix. We then turn to the government’s claim that strong mayor powers are speeding up housing construction, examining what the evidence shows so far and whether it has come with democratic tradeoffs. Joining the conversation are David Arbuckle of the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Lindsay Jones of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and Natasha Salonen, mayor of the Township of Wilmot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: John Michael McGrath
Guests: David Arbuckle, Lindsay Jones, Natasha Salonen
Topics covered
- Ontario governance
- local power
- housing construction
- democratic tradeoffs
- municipal management
Keywords
- Ontario
- Better Regional Governance Act
- strong mayor powers
- housing construction
- local governance
- democracy
- municipalities
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
Books & works: Better Regional Governance Act, 2026
Places: Ontario
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