The upcoming leader of Peel Regional Council will gain extra “strong chair” powers after Ontario Premier Doug Ford previously granted some municipal leaders “strong mayor” powers.
In 2023, Ford extended these powers to the mayors of various Ontario cities, including Mississauga and Brampton – allowing mayors to propose and approve a bylaw with support from just one-third of the council.
Additionally, mayors can veto any bylaw that pertains to housing construction or related infrastructure. They also have staff who can research, write reports, appoint chief administrative officers, and create or disband committees.
These updates were part of the province’s More Homes Built Faster and the Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes acts, aiming to construct 1.5 million homes in Ontario by 2031.
Now that mayors have had more influence over their councils for years, the province plans to extend similar authority to chairs of regional governments overseeing areas like Mississauga and Brampton.
The government has proposed legislation that will allow regional chairs and chief executive officers to be appointed rather than elected by councils. This will also include new “strong chair” powers.
: A look at one year of strong mayor powers in Mississauga and across Ontario
Regional chairs are already appointed in Peel and York, but this change will affect Niagara, Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Waterloo as well as the warden of Simcoe County. Those interested in the regional chair and CEO roles had until July 13 to apply.
This shift follows an unsuccessful attempt by Niagara Region’s former chair to explore merging municipalities within the area – a move Ford has publicly supported.
The bill aims for quicker decision-making at the municipal level while ensuring fiscal responsibility and better alignment between local governments and provincial regulations, according to government statements.
Initially granted only to Toronto and Ottawa mayors by Ford’s administration, these powers have since been expanded to over 160 municipalities across Ontario. This development followed the passing then reversal of the Hazel Mc Callion Act which would have divided Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon into separate municipalities effective January 1, 2025.
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