Strong Mayor Powers

Strong Mayor Authorities Effective May 1, 2025

As of May 1, 2025, enhanced authorities—commonly referred to as Strong Mayor Powers—are in effect for the Township of Black River-Matheson. These authorities are designed to support the achievement of key municipal and provincial objectives, including housing development, infrastructure delivery, and more efficient municipal governance.

Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended through the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, the Mayor of the Township of Black River-Matheson is granted additional powers and responsibilities. These authorities are intended to assist municipalities in advancing Provincial Priorities, including the Province’s target of constructing 1.5 million new homes by 2031.

Mayoral Powers and Responsibilities

The Strong Mayor framework provides the Mayor with the authority to:

• Appoint or remove the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

• Hire, dismiss, or reorganize Division or Department Heads (excluding those identified on the prescribed list), including restructuring municipal departments without Council approval

• Create Committees of Council composed exclusively of Council members, define their mandates, and appoint Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs

• Prepare and introduce the Municipality’s annual budget, which remains subject to:

  • Amendments by Council

  • A Mayoral veto

  • A Council override process

If the Mayor does not present a budget by February 1, Council is required to prepare and adopt the municipal budget.

In addition, the Mayor may:

• Exercise veto authority over by-laws if they are believed to conflict with a Provincial Priority

• Bring forward matters for Council consideration that the Mayor determines will advance a Prescribed Provincial Priority

• Issue formal written directions to municipal staff

These authorities are vested exclusively in the Mayor. However, certain powers may be delegated where permitted by legislation.

Accountability and Transparency

All Mayoral powers must be exercised in writing, with notice provided to the Town Clerk and/or the Chief Administrative Officer. Mayoral Decisions and Directions will be made publicly available in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).

Public Access to Information

A public record of Mayoral Decisions and Directions will be maintained on this page as they are issued. Residents are encouraged to review this page periodically for updates.

Council Oversight

Council continues to play an important oversight role, including:

• The ability to amend the municipal budget, subject to Mayoral veto and Council override provision.

• Participation in the passage of certain Mayoral by-laws intended to advance Provincial Priorities, which may be deemed passed if supported by more than one-third of Council members

Legislative References

• Ontario Regulation 530/22 – Strong Mayor Powers: Governance and Staff

• Ontario Regulation 580/22 – Provincial Priorities

Questions or Inquiries

For further information regarding Strong Mayor Powers or any specific Mayoral Decision or Direction, please contact:

Hongji Lei
Clerk
hlei@twpbrm.ca