Strong Mayor Powers

Effective May 1, 2025, the Province announced that Strong Mayor Powers will be extended to an additional 169 municipalities – Town of New Tecumseth included. These changes are being put in place to support the Province’s priority and commitment to increasing the housing supply by 1.5 million homes by December 31, 2031. 

Strong Mayor Powers Report

Strong Mayor Legislation Framework

 Strong Mayor Legislation
 

 Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022
The Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. These include powers to:
  • Appointing and dismissing the Chief Administrative Officer*
  • Hiring and dismissing certain municipal department heads, and establishing and reorganizing departments*
  • Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs*
  • Proposing the municipal annual budget, which would be subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto and a Council override process
  • Vetoing certain by-laws if the Mayor 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 Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority
  • Directing municipal staff in writing to undertake research, provide advice, or carry out duties related to the Mayoral special powers
*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions are available for viewing online. 

The powers and duties of the Mayor are further described in O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22.

 Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
To supplement the strong-mayor authorities in Bill 3, the province introduced Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, which also amends the Municipal Act, 2001 and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.  Regarding Mayoral powers, Bill 39 amends the Municipal Act, 2001, to allow the Mayor to propose a by-law, and requires the council to consider and vote on it if it could advance a provincial priority (O. Reg. 580/22: Provincial Priorities). The by-law is considered passed if more than one-third of the Members of Council vote in favour of the by-law. In the Town of New Tecumseth, four (4) members of Council would have to support the by-law for it to be deemed passed.

Mayoral Decisions and Directives

Mayoral Decisions and Directives made pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001

2026

Mayoral Decisions and Directives

DateNumber Subject
January 12, 2026                               MDE-2026-01                  Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the January 12, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council
January 26, 2026 MDE-2026-02 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the January 26, 2026 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
February 9, 2026 MDE-2026-03 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the February 9, 2026 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
February 23, 2026 MDE-2026-04 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the February 23, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council
March 9, 2026 MDE-2026-05 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the March 9, 2026 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
March 23, 2026 MDE-2026-06 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the March 23, 2026 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
April 27, 2026 MDE-2026-07 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the April 27, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council

 2025

 Mayoral Decisions and Directives

DateNumber Subject
May 12, 2025               MDE-2025-01                 Decision to delegate powers regarding the appointment of a Chief Administrative Officer
May 12, 2025 MDE-2025-02 Decision to delegate powers regarding organizational structure and employment matters
May 12, 2025 MDE-2025-03 Decision to delegate powers regarding Committees of Council
May 12, 2025 MDE-2025-04 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the May 12, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
May 26, 2025 MDE-2025-05 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the May 26, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
June 5, 2025 MDE-2025-06 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the June 5, 2025 Special Meeting of Council
June 16, 2025                     MDE-2025-07 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the June 16, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
June 17, 2025 MDI-2025-01 Direction to the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director Financial Services/Treasurer to prepare the proposed budget
July 14, 2025 MDE-2025-08 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the July 14, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
July 28, 2025 MDE-2025-09 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the July 28, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
August 25, 2025                        MDE-2025-10 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the August 25, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
September 8, 2025                        MDE-2025-11 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the September 8, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
September 22, 2025                                MDE-2025-12                       Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the September 22, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
October 6, 2025 MDE-2025-13 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the October 6, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
October 20, 2025 MDE-2025-14 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the October 20, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
October 22, 2025 MDE-2025-15 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the October 22, 2025 Special Meeting of Council
October 29, 2025 MDE-2025-16 Decision to shorten the 10-day period for the Mayor to veto an amendment resolution passed by Town Council to the proposed Budget
November 3, 2025 MDE-2025-17 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the November 3, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
November 17, 2025 MDE-2025-18 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the November 17, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council
December 1, 2025 MDE-2025-19 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the December 1, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council
December 8, 2025 MDE-2025-20 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the December 8, 2025 Special Closed Meeting of Council
December 15, 2025  MDE-2025-21 Decision to give written notice for the approval of by-law(s) prepared for the December 15, 2025 Regular and Closed Meetings of Council