Burch: Unrealistic process in Bill 9 won’t protect communities

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario NDP Municipal Affairs critic Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre) is calling out the Ford government for refusing to fix the flaws in Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, after Conservative members voted down key NDP amendments at committee today.

“Today in committee, we saw again how unwilling this government is to listen, and to fix the serious flaws in Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability

“We put forward a simple, fair amendment: let an independent judge, not political colleagues, rightfully decide when a councillor’s behaviour is so egregious that removal is necessary. Government members voted it down. Expecting a council to reach a unanimous vote to expel one of their own is unrealistic, and leaves municipalities stuck with the same dysfunction Bill 9 is supposed to address.

“The Ford government claims to be listening, but it has ignored municipalities, integrity commissioners, and experts who all said the same thing: the process must be independent, evidence-based, and effective.

“Municipalities need real tools to deal with misconduct and create safer, healthier workplaces so more women and diverse candidates feel empowered to serve.

New Democrats will keep pressing for those changes.”