Strong Mayor Powers

Effective August 31, 2023, the Province announced that Strong Mayor Powers will be extended beyond Toronto and Ottawa to an additional 21 municipalities - Bradford West Gwillimbury included. These changes are being put in place to support the Province's priority and commitment to increasing the housing supply by 1.5 million homes by December 31, 2031.

Strong mayor powers offer resources to heads of council to accelerate the implementation of key shared municipal-provincial priorities such as housing, transit, and infrastructure.

As of October 31, 2023, the Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

Appoint municipal chief administrative officers (CAOs) and other non-statutory department heads and restructure departments unilaterally;*
Create new identified committees and appoint chairs and vice-chairs of identified committees and local boards, and to change the make-up of committees;*
Propose the municipal budget and veto changes proposed by council;
Veto certain bylaws if the mayor thinks all or part of the bylaw could potentially interfere with a provincial priority;
Bring forward matters for council consideration that can advance a provincial priority; and
Direct city staff in writing.

*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and give notice to the Clerk and/or Chief Administrative Officer.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Mayoral decisions are available for viewing in the table below.

Mayoral Decisions and Directives

Mayoral decisions and directives made pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001

Mayoral Decisions Registry
Date	Decision Number	Short Description
April 3, 2024	2024-A3	Approval of by-laws passed at the Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
March 18, 2024	2024-A2	To direct staff to implement the Mayor’s powers as they relate to appointment of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Town.
January 18, 2024	2024-B1	To give written notice to Members of Council and the Municipal Clerk to shorten the 10-day period where the Mayor can veto a budget amendment.
January 18, 2024	2024-A1	Approval of by-laws passed at the Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting on January 18, 2024
December 20, 2023	2023-A1	Approval of by-laws passed at the Regular Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting on December 19, 2023

The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires the Mayor to disclose any pecuniary interest when exercising any of the powers or duties assigned the head of Council under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Mayor shall disclose the interest by filing a written statement of interest, along with its general nature, to the City Clerk. The Mayor shall not use the power or exercise the duty with respect to the matter and not use their office to attempt to influence a decision that results from consideration of the matter.

Strong Mayor Legislation Framework

Strong Mayor Legislation

Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022

The Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

These include powers to:

Appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer;
Hire and dismiss various division heads (excluding the prescribed list);
Establish prescribed committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees of Council;
- A prescribed committee consists solely of members of Council;
Propose the Municipality’s annual budget subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process;
- Budget shall be prepared on or before February 1. If not, Council shall prepare and adopt the budget;
Submit matters for Council’s consideration, or veto by-laws, if the Mayor believes it will advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; and
Direct Municipal Staff in writing.

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

The powers and duties of the Mayor are further described in O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22.

Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022

To supplement the strong-mayor authorities in Bill 3, the province introduced Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, which also amends the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006. Regarding Mayoral powers, Bill 39 amends the Municipal Act, 2001, to allow the Mayor to propose a by-law, and requires the council to consider and vote on it if it could advance a provincial priority (O. Reg. 580/22: Provincial Priorities). The by-law is considered passed if more than one-third of the Members of Council vote in favour of the by-law.