Perth Town Council Requests Removal from Strong Mayor Powers List

At a Special Council Meeting held at 9 a.m. on April 14, 2025, the Council of the Town of Perth voted unanimously to submit formal comments to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, requesting that the Town be removed from the list of municipalities scheduled to receive Strong Mayor Powers effective May 1, 2025.

Council expressed significant concern over the proposed governance model, citing the erosion of local democracy and the risk of concentrating decision-making authority in a single office. Members raised issues around reduced opportunities for staff and community input, the lack of consultation with residents, and the broader pattern of provincial legislation that has limited the ability of municipalities, conservation authorities, and the public to influence how development unfolds in their communities. Council also noted that Perth residents did not elect this Council under a system that includes Strong Mayor Powers, and introducing such a shift without thorough public input is cause for serious concern.

“I was shocked when this came forward—that a small town like ours would be given Strong Mayor capability,” said Mayor Judy Brown. “While there may be rare situations where this kind of authority could be useful, such as breaking a deadlock, the potential for abuse far outweighs any benefits. That’s already been seen in other communities. I would not support the idea of having these powers.”

This decision follows the Ontario government’s announcement that it intends to extend Strong Mayor Powers to 169 additional municipalities, including Perth, through a proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 530/22 under the Municipal Act, 2001. These expanded authorities were introduced through the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 and the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, which the Province states are intended to help municipalities more effectively address housing and infrastructure needs.

If implemented, these powers would allow the Mayor to:

• Choosing to appoint the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
• Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and re-organizing departments.
• Creating committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
• Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
• Proposing 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. Council can pass these by-laws if more than one-third of all council members vote in favour.
• Vetoing 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.
• Bringing 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 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is accepting public comments on the proposed regulatory amendment until Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Residents who wish to provide input are encouraged to do so via the Province’s Regulatory Registry at OntarioCanada.com/Registry.