City approves provincial housing targets, additional powers for mayor

In a unanimous vote, Kawartha Lakes council approved the building of an additional 6,500 housing units by 2031. This also includes a green light to a request by the province to give dozens of local mayors including Mayor Doug Elmslie “strong mayoral powers” to assist the Conservatives in meeting their target of building 1.5 million new homes in the next seven years.

The decision by council, which was taken after considerable debate and discussion by a number of councillors who fear the potential for abuse of these increased powers by mayors in the future, allows the city to access desperately needed provincial funding to assist in building infrastructure to support these new housing units.

Deputy Mayor Tracy Richardson made it clear in her preamble that “we have to endorse and follow through with the building of that 6,500 to be eligible for the provincial funding and we need that funding, so this is a step we need to take.”