Province to Grant Strong Mayor Powers to Town of Perth Effective May 1, 2025

The Province of Ontario has announced that the Town of Perth is among the 169 additional municipalities receiving Strong Mayor Powers effective May 1, 2025, through a proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 530/22 under the Municipal Act, 2001. Currently, the framework applies to 47 municipalities.

These powers are being implemented under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 and Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022. As stated by the Province, Strong Mayor Powers aim to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure development by giving heads of council increased executive authority in designated municipalities.

Scope of Strong Mayor Powers

Under the legislation, the Mayor of Perth will gain a range of authorities, including the ability to:

• Unilaterally prepare and propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to a limited amendment and veto process;
• Make decisions related to infrastructure such as roads, water, and wastewater without Council input;
• Veto by-laws passed by Council if they are deemed to interfere with provincial priorities;
• Propose certain by-laws directly, which may be adopted if more than one-third of Council votes in favour;
• Hire and dismiss senior municipal staff, including the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and most Directors;
• Reorganize the structure of the municipality, including departments and reporting lines;
• Create and dissolve Council committees and appoint committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

While these powers are intended to support provincial priorities, such as the goal of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031, the expanded authority marks a significant shift in the balance of local decision-making.

Potential Impacts

Although the change does not carry immediate financial implications, the removal of Council from decision-making on matters such as budgeting, staffing, and organizational structure could have wide-ranging and long-term financial and operational consequences for the municipality.

Opportunity for Public Feedback

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.

Special Council Meeting – Monday, April 14

The Council of the Town of Perth will hold a Special Council Meeting on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. to discuss the implications of the impending expansion of Strong Mayor Powers and to provide direction to staff in preparing the Town’s response to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at Town Hall, 80 Gore Street East, and will also be livestreamed on the Town’s Facebook page. Members of the public are welcome to attend either in-person or virtually.