Strong Mayor Powers

The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 (Bill 3) introduced the Strong Mayor framework in Ontario. The legislation amended municipal legislation to provide additional powers and responsibilities to the heads of council of designated municipalities in support of provincial priorities, including housing and infrastructure.

The Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 expanded the Strong Mayor framework by amending the Municipal Act, 2001. Among other changes, it allows the Mayor to propose certain by-laws that the Mayor believes would advance prescribed provincial priorities.

Council is required to consider and vote on these by-laws. In certain circumstances, a by-law proposed under these provisions may be passed with the support of more than one-third of Council members, rather than a majority vote.

Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 establishes the special powers and duties of the Mayor in designated municipalities.

These powers include the authority to:

• Appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO);
• Hire and dismiss certain senior municipal staff, as prescribed by regulation;
• Establish prescribed committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs;
• Propose the municipal budget, subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process;
• Submit matters to Council for consideration that may advance prescribed provincial priorities;
• Veto certain by-laws that may interfere with prescribed provincial priorities; and
• Direct municipal staff in writing regarding matters related to the Mayor's statutory powers and duties.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make decisions and directives available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.