WELLAND — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs, Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre) released the following statement in response to the Ford government’s appointment of strong chairs:
“Doug Ford is handing over an unprecedented power to hand-selected individuals,” said Burch. “There is no reason to do this, other than to bulldoze over local voices and put Ford’s priorities over the people.
“Just last month, Ontarians went to the polls to elect their municipal representatives. Voters made their voice heard. Instead of respecting the democratic process, Ford is undermining local democracy.
“Doug Ford wants to have the last word. Not the voters, not locally elected councillors, or even mayors. Ontarians made themselves clear at the ballot box this past municipal election: they do not want Doug Ford calling the shots in their communities.
“It doesn’t take much brains or effort to set up a dictatorship.