Ontario to Expand Strong Mayor Powers to 169 More Municipalities by May 1
TORONTO — In a move aimed at accelerating housing and infrastructure development across the province, the Ontario government has announced a proposal to expand strong mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities effective May 1, 2025.
The expansion would apply to heads of council in single- and lower-tier municipalities with six or more council members. It marks the most significant rollout of strong mayor powers since they were first introduced in Toronto and Ottawa in 2022. Currently, 47 municipalities have access to the enhanced powers.
According to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the expanded powers are designed to align municipal decision-making with provincial priorities, including the construction of new housing, transit lines, and supporting infrastructure.
“Heads of Council are key partners in our efforts to build homes and infrastructure across the province,” said Minister Rob Flack in a statement. “By extending strong mayor powers, we are providing mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster.”
The enhanced powers allow mayors to appoint a chief administrative officer, hire department heads, create and assign council committees, and propose or veto certain by-laws when aligned with provincial priorities. Mayors can also propose municipal budgets and bring key matters forward for council consideration.
While the powers grant heads of council more authority, the government says they come with built-in checks and balances through council oversight and limitations that restrict their use to provincial priorities such as housing and infrastructure.
Municipal leaders who have already received the powers say they are seeing results. Mayor Drew Dilkens of Windsor credited the authority with helping launch local housing and transit initiatives, including “Housing Solutions Made for Windsor” and the “Strengthen the Core Downtown Windsor” plan. Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe pointed to strong mayor powers as helping his city exceed its housing targets, resulting in over $5.2 million in provincial funding.
The proposal has been posted to Ontario’s Regulatory Registry for public comment until April 16, 2025.
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