Background
Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on Sept. 8, 2022, and came into force on Nov. 23, 2022. While the Act initially applied to the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa, it was then expanded to other large and growing cities across Ontario in 2023. The Province eventually extended Strong Mayor Powers to 169 additional municipalities effective May 1, 2025, including North Huron.
This legislation and associated regulations (O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg 580/22) provide the Mayor, or Reeve, with additional powers beyond those previously set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.
Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Reeve has special powers and duties including the power 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 Reeve believes it will advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; and
- Direct Municipal Staff in writing.
*The Reeve may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
The Reeve 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. Any decisions or directions made under the Act will be posted below.
Mayoral Decisions |
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The following is a list of decisions issued under the Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Under the Act, the Reeve may veto by-laws they feel could interfere with provincial priorities. If they choose to exercise the veto, there is a prescribed schedule for notification and override of a veto that can delay the passing of the by-law. To speed up the process, the Reeve may provide notice in writing as a mayoral decision that they do not intend to exercise their veto, allowing it to come into effect using the standard process.
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Mayoral Directions to Staff |
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The Reeve also has the ability to direct staff to undertake research and provide advice on policies and programs of the Township or implement decisions made by the Head of Council under the Act. Those directions must also be in writing and provided to the Clerk and CAO. These directions are listed below.
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Mayoral Declarations under section 5.3 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act |
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The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act requires the Mayor to disclose any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, when exercising any of the power or duties assigned to them in Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act. Specifically, the Mayor:
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