Ontario Proposes Expansion of 'Strong Mayor' Powers to More Municipalities

The Ontario government has proposed an expansion of 'strong mayor' powers to include the heads of council in 169 more municipalities across the province. This expansion is scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2025.

The move is intended to assist in meeting provincial priorities, which include the development of housing, transit, and infrastructure. The initial rollout of such powers began in larger cities, and the current proposal aims to broaden the scope across Ontario, potentially affecting various regions in the Northeast.

Ontario officials state that these enhanced powers are designed to streamline decision-making processes and support the execution of significant public projects. The specific municipalities that will be impacted have yet to be disclosed.

This development reflects ongoing governmental strategies focused on enhancing municipal governance to support infrastructure projects throughout Ontario.