Should we be worried about strong mayors?

Plus, contradictions at the "Freedom Convoy" inquiry and Ford's problematic housing bill [The Star] First Up [By Ashley Okwuosa] By Ashley Okwuosa Good morning. Here’s the latest on contradictions at the Emergencies Act inquiry, warnings over strong mayor powers, and backlash to Doug Ford’s housing bill. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld emergencies act inquiry [Justin Trudeau’s top security adviser contradicted the RCMP commissioner at the “Freedom Convoy” inquiry]( Jody Thomas, the prime minister’s senior national security aide, told the inquiry Thursday that RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki failed to inform the federal cabinet of her view that police hadn’t exhausted all legal tools to deal with last winter’s so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests, reports Tonda MacCharles and Alex Ballingall. Thomas says the RCMP boss had a duty to speak up — but didn’t — when the government was considering invoking the Emergencies Act to quell the protests. [Here’s how recent testimonies show “a deep fracturing of trust” in the country’s top Mountie](. - Go deeper: Thomas’ testimony refuted key elements of Lucki’s claims that she had communicated to the government “verbally” and “in writing” that there were existing legal tools for police to end the protests. - More: [Senior bureaucrats defended their decision to freeze protesters’ bank accounts](. The Emergencies Act allowed the government to freeze up to 280 accounts — a move finance officials justified by saying the protests posed a grave economic threat, including potentially jeopardizing Canada’s trade relations with the United States. - Watch for: A slate of officials from the Privy Council Office, including Canada’s top civil servant, are expected to testify today at the inquiry. [Here’s what to expect]( Canadian Press/Cole Burston strong mayors [John Tory’s unprecedented “strong mayor” powers could allow him to ignore any opposition]( Councillors of all political stripes are warning that Tory’s new “strong mayor” powers could allow him to run roughshod over communities opposing his agenda, reports David Rider. The new provincial legislation will allow Tory to make major changes to the city with the support of just eight of 25 councillors — rather than the majority 13 that he needs now. When questioned about how he will use his new authority, Tory said on Thursday that he expects to use the powers very rarely and suggested their main use would be to force councillors, including his primarily suburban allies, to accept increased housing density in neighbourhoods dominated by single-family homes. [Here’s how city councillors have responded to John Tory’s enhanced authority](. - ICYMI: Earlier this week, Doug Ford announced that he’s [giving mayors in Toronto and Ottawa “strong mayor” powers that will allow them to pass bylaws with only one-third of council support](. Ford said strong mayor powers will be extended to Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Vaughan and other large municipalities next year. - Why it matters: Toronto city councillors have expressed their displeasure with the “strong mayor” powers. Coun. Stephen Holyday (Ward 2, Etobicoke Centre), called it “very concerning because it sounds like a tool that could be used to implement politically unpopular policies.” - Edward Keenan’s take: [The strong mayor legislation is a shameful act committed by shameless people](. Steve Somerville/Metroland housing [“A housing initiative on steroids” — Here are eight key issues behind the backlash to Ford’s housing bill]( The Ontario government’s More Homes Built Faster Act aims to erect 1.5 million homes by 2031, but advocates and experts are sounding the alarm that the legislation could actually worsen the housing crisis. This week, 100 non-profit and housing group leaders wrote to Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark, pleading for an overhaul of the omnibus housing bill. From freezing and eliminating development funds paid to cities to capping inclusionary zoning and ignoring environmental issues, Tess Kalinowski, May Warren and Noor Javed break down the[key concerns raised since Ford’s Progressive Conservative government tabled their housing bill last month](. - By the numbers: One aspect of the bill eliminates or reduces development charges for new housing, including affordable housing. If implemented, Mayor John Tory warns it could take an estimated $200 million a year out of the city’s coffers. Civic leaders warn it could lead to local property tax hikes. - Wait, what? Many say the changes outlined in Bill 23 will severely narrow the scope of the province’s 36 conservation authorities in the development process and prohibit them from offering their expertise outside their “core mandate” of flooding and erosion hazards.  WHAT ELSE Ontario parents and students will [learn by 5 p.m. Sunday if CUPE will strike again](. If a strike does happen, [here’s what GTA school boards say they will do](. Toronto Public Health has issued an [alert as fatal opioid overdoses reach “higher than the historical average.” ]( Toronto police seized 671 kg of drugs worth $58 million in the [largest single-day drug bust in the service’s history](. A virtual gender-affirming clinic in Toronto says [Ontario’s new fee structure will eventually force it to close](. The TTC says it will start [rehiring some of the 367 workers it let go for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine](. Danielle Smith has booted the entire 11-person Alberta Health Services board. [Here’s who she’s replacing them with](. A new report found Canadian health care workers [put in more overtime hours last year than at any time in the last decade](. Here’s how rising interest rates and a “rapid escalation” in construction costs could [pose a risk to Toronto’s affordable housing program](. Rich Taylor grew up in a “normal household” in Dundas. [How did he become a liar, a thief and, eventually, a killer?]( POV Paige Taylor White/The Star [City shutdown? New taxes? Here’s what could happen to Toronto if there is no bailout.]( CLOSE-UP Aaron Favila/AP Photo TACLOBAN: Kids play in the rain at a relocation site for victims of 2013 super Typhoon Haiyan. About 40 per cent of the population of Tacloban was relocated to an inland community after the typhoon wiped out villages and killed thousands in central Philippines. [Here’s how families are still adjusting to relocation nearly a decade after the climate disaster.]( Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_154423). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 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