Punished for dissent: top municipal officials speak out about working with Ford government

Ontario municipalities are expressing frustration with the Ford government's approach to working with local governments, with senior officials alleging the province employs a "divide and conquer" strategy and uses municipalities as a political "shield." The Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) conference in Ottawa saw CAOs from various towns and cities sharing their concerns about the relationship between the province and lower-tier governments.

According to a survey conducted by government relations firm StrategyCorp, 32 CAOs anonymously shared their experiences. The CAOs describe a government filled with ambition but lacking in implementation, rushing through consultation processes, and being "thin-skinned and unforgiving" when faced with criticism. One CAO warned, "We have to tread very carefully in our response to anything that the province is doing. Our mayor is cognizant of that."

Another city administration stated bluntly, "The province doesn't accept dissent, and you are punished for it." The report's findings come as the Ford government focuses on artificial intelligence data centres and potential host cities for these projects, which have caused anxiety among municipalities over potential increases in electricity and water usage with little economic benefits.

Despite the Premier's promises to advance projects that offer infrastructure investments in community centers, parks, roads, and broadband infrastructure, CAOs indicate that the collaborative tone on stage is not reflective of their experiences. Some CAOs say the province "doesn't understand the municipal sector," leading to "far too many unintended consequences."

One CAO described the Progressive Conservatives as a "spaghetti government," stating that the government "just throws a bunch of stuff at the wall and sees what sticks." The report also found that formal and public disagreements with the Ford government can lead to retribution, leaving mayors seeking unofficial ways to exert influence. Critics argue this suggests a "culture of fear" around the Ford government.

CAOs have called on the government to consult for longer periods, deliberate on the impact of policies, and slow down the pace of change to allow municipalities to catch up. One CAO said, "There have been 8 years of constant change. I get nervous whenever Doug Ford steps up to a podium because I have three months' work ahead of me whenever he opens his mouth."