Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government proposed Thursday to directly appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them greater authority, which critics say is part of a trend of the government consolidating power.

Legislation tabled by Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack would allow him to appoint chairs in eight regions and counties and arm them with so-called “strong chair powers,” similar to strong mayor powers the government has doled out to more than 200 mayors and heads of council.

The bill is aimed at faster municipal decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and aligning municipalities with provincial ones, the government said. The rest of the regional councils will still consist of elected municipal officials, Flack said.

“By appointing a chair – and it’s worked in York, and it’s worked in Peel – what we’re seeing is making sure they’re in sync with what we’re trying to do in the province,” Flack said at a press conference. 

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