Strong Mayor Powers

About Strong Mayor Powers

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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. 

What are strong Mayor powers?

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

• Appoint the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer;*

• Hire certain municipal department heads and establish and reorganize departments;*

• Create committees of Council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council;*

• Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments and a Mayoral veto and Council override process;

• Veto certain by-laws if the Mayor believes that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority; and

• Bring forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor believes that consideration of the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

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

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.

Key Authorities

• Propose and amend the municipal budget
• Appoint and remove the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
• Hire and dismiss certain senior Town staff
• Establish or reassign responsibilities within the organizational structure
• Advance matters that support provincial priorities

Council’s Role

• Reviews and considers recommendations
• Provides oversight and input
• Votes on matters brought forward under established processes

How These Powers Are Used

• Support efficient and effective decision‑making
• Align municipal actions with provincial priorities
• Enable timely response to key initiatives

Transparency & Accountability

• Public notice and documentation
• Reporting of decisions
• Legislative compliance

Legislative Framework

• The Municipal Act, 2001
• Related provincial regulations and guidance

Related Information

• Council & Committees – Learn about local governance
• Municipal Elections – How Council is elected
• Public Engagement Charter – How residents participate
• Navigating Local Government – Understanding how decisions are made