Strong mayor powers intend to streamline local governance for municipal leadership offering resources to the head of council to help advance shared municipal-provincial priorities, primarily around housing, infrastructure, and economic growth.
Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 the Mayor has the following powers and duties as the head of Council:
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Appointing the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), hiring select municipal department heads, and establishing or reorganizing municipal departments.
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Creating Council committees, assigning their responsibilities, and appointing committee chairs and vice-chairs.
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Proposing the annual municipal budget, subject to Council review, amendment, a potential Mayoral veto, and a subsequent Council override process.
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Vetoing specific bylaws if, in the Mayor’s opinion, they may interfere with a provincial priority.
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Introducing matters for Council consideration that, in the Mayor’s view, could help advance a provincial priority.