Effective May 1, 2025, the Province of Ontario announced that Strong Mayor Powers will be extended to the heads of council in 169 additional municipalities, including to the Municipality of Central Elgin. These changes are being put in place to help advance provincial priorities, such as building more homes, improving transit, and enhancing other infrastructure across Ontario. 

Ontario's strong mayor powers were initially introduced for Toronto and Ottawa in 2022 and have since been gradually rolled out across the province. 

The Mayor is required to exercise those powers and duties in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions will be posted below.

 What decisions can be made under this legislation?

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.
 What other municipalities received access to strong mayor powers? 

Locally, Malahide, Aylmer, St. Thomas and London have strong mayor powers.

The full list of municipalities that have received strong mayor powers is available on the Provincial website: Strong Mayor Powers Proposed for 169 Additional Municipalities 

Where can I learn more about strong mayor legislation? 

On May 1, 2025, Central Elgin Council met for an education session regarding Strong Mayor Legislation.

The session was led by Paula Lombardi, Partner, Siskinds LLP (Municipality's Legal Counsel). The video of the education session is available below.

 
Mayoral Decisions 2025
DateDecisionSubject Matter
June 2, 2025 MDE-2025-01  

Decision to Determine the Organizational Structure of the Municipality and Power to Hire, Dismiss, or Exercise Any Other Prescribed Employment Powers Delegated to Chief Administrative Officer
June 16, 2025 MDE-2025-02

Decision to give written approval of By-laws passed at the June 16, 2025 Council Meeting