Strong Mayor Powers

Effective May 1, 2025, the Province of Ontario extended Strong Mayor Powers to an additional 169 municipalities, including the Town of Hanover. These powers were first introduced by the Province in 2022 to accelerate the advancement of provincial priorities through streamlining decision-making processes particularly with respect to housing and infrastructure.  The legislation amended the Municipal Act, 2001 adding a new “Part VI.1 - Special Powers and Duties of the Head of Council” which are defined in Ontario Regulation 530/22. 

Mayoral Powers Under the Municipal Act, 2001

Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the head of Council:

  • Appoint and dismiss the municipality’s chief administrative officer.*
  • Hire and dismiss certain department heads, and establish/re-organize departments.*
  • Create committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.*
  • Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
  • Propose 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 – such as building more housing and constructing infrastructure to support housing. Council can pass these by-laws if more than 1/3 of all members vote in favour.
  • Veto 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.
  • Bring forward matters for council consideration if the head of council is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.

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