Ontario is proposing to increase the number of strong mayors.
As of May 1st, strong mayor powers will be expanded to 169 additional municipalities.
In northwestern Ontario that includes Kenora, Fort Frances, Rainy River, Atikokan, Sioux Lookout, Dryden and Neebing.
The aim of the strong mayor powers is to build homes faster, but it does give the elected heads of municipalities added responsibilities.
That includes vetoing the municipal budget and by-laws and proposing certain by-laws if they meet provincial priorities.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack says the province is providing mayors every tool at their disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster.
Strong mayor powers and duties include:
- Choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
- Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments.
- Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
- Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
- Proposing certain municipal by-laws if the mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-law could potentially advance a provincial priority identified in regulation. Council can pass these by-laws if more than one-third of all council members vote in favour.
- Vetoing certain by-laws if the head of council is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
- Bringing forward matters for council consideration if the head of council is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.
(Photo: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack)
