Ontario Expanding ‘Strong Mayor’ Powers to 26 More Cities

Steve Clark, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, speaks to journalists at the Queens Park Legislature, in Toronto on Nov. 16, 2022. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)

Ontario’s municipal affairs and housing minister says he is expandingso-called strong mayor powers beyond Toronto and Ottawa to 26 more large and fast-growing municipalities.

Steve Clark says it will ensure the municipalities can deliver on housing commitments as the province works toward a goal of building 1.5 million homes in 10 years.

The heads of the 26 cities, including Mississauga, Waterloo and Barrie, are set to get the new powers as of July 1.

The strong mayor powers include allowing mayors to propose housing-related bylaws and pass them with the support of one-third of councillors, as well as override council approval of bylaws, such as a zoning bylaw, that would stymie the creation of more homes.

Strong mayors also have responsibility for preparing and tabling their city’s budget, instead of council, and hiring and firing department heads.

Clark wouldn’t say if all 26 mayors actually want to use the strong mayor powers; Ottawa’s mayor has said he doesn’t want them, and several Toronto mayoral candidates have vowed not to use them.