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A motion has been tabled by Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah for Pembroke Council to debate the recently bestowed “Strong Mayor Powers” upon Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais.
The motion comes as a recent report says that over 160 municipalities that have been granted the additional powers have pushed back at the province saying that there is too much power bestowed on the recipient that can potentially be used to skirt around the input of other council members.
The change aims to reduce barriers to housing and infrastructure development by allowing mayors in single and lower-tier municipalities with at least six council members to help advance shared provincial and municipal goals. This includes approving new housing and building essential infrastructure like roads and transit.
Mayor Gervais has gone on record as saying that the City of Pembroke is already heavily invested in infrastructure growth and doesn’t necessarily require the Province to push this agenda any further at this point.
Abdallah says that he and some council members have expressed their concerns prompting the debate to be tabled at council on May 22.
(Written By: Richard Evans)