Ontario is expanding its “Strong Mayor” powers to different cities and municipalities – including right here in Norfolk County and Haldimand County.
The announcement was made at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference along with the Building Faster Fund.
Strong mayor powers give the head of council the ability to propose and amend bylaws related to provincial priorities.
If council wants to override a decision, they require a vote of more than two-thirds of its members.
The government has defined provincial priorities as being anything that relates to the building of housing, including the construction and maintenance of related infrastructure such as transit and roads.
Mayors can also prepare and table a budget instead of council, and hire and fire department heads.
Both Mayors will obtain this Strong Mayor status on October 31st.