With less than a fortnight left until the municipal election, a candidate for Thunder Bay’s mayoral position is urging Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to cancel the city’s strong mayor powers.
Peter Diedrich, one of the ten mayoral contenders, emphasized the need for this change as the incumbent mayor, Ken Boshcoff, is exiting from the political arena. Strong mayor powers grant mayors control over budgets, appointments, staff decisions, veto authority over some council decisions, and the ability to pass certain bylaws with only one-third council support.
Originally introduced in 2022 in Toronto and Ottawa, strong mayor powers have been granted to 216 municipalities, including Thunder Bay, which committed to fulfilling provincial housing goals. Diedrich expressed his opposition to these powers, stating that they are unnecessary and potentially risky.
While Boshcoff was granted strong mayor powers in October 2023, he has never utilized them, citing effective collaboration within the council. However, he acknowledged the possibility of using them if faced with obstacles hindering informed decision-making.
City staff confirmed that any intent to exercise strong mayor powers must be formally submitted in writing by the incoming mayor. Diedrich also responded to social media criticisms regarding his past role as the president and CEO of Tbaytel but declined to elaborate on specific incidents.
Highlighting the need for fresh perspectives in city governance, Diedrich emphasized the importance of new leadership and innovative approaches over decades-old experiences. He stressed the urgency for change and collaboration to overcome challenges that previous councils struggled to address.
The municipal election, scheduled for October 26, is expected to bring significant changes to the City of Thunder Bay. Voters are encouraged to participate, and detailed information on voting procedures can be found online.
