This week showcased two instances of how strong mayor powers are affecting the city of Peterborough. The first was the announcement that Northcrest Neighbours for Fair Process is ending their legal fight against the City of Peterborough, which they launched due to Mayor Jeff Leal’s use of strong mayor powers to speed up a transitional housing project by Brock Mission. The second involved the approval of the municipal budget during a heated council meeting that Coun. Keith Riel labeled “a complete affront to democracy.” The Ontario government granted strong mayor powers to Peterborough and 46 other municipalities in 2023 (with an expansion to 169 more municipalities planned for 2025). Through the Strong Mayor, Building Homes Act, Premier Doug Ford promoted this as a means to help local governments hasten housing developments, but it also grants mayors added control over hiring and firing city staff, committee assignments, and financial planning. Strong mayor powers are executed via a signed document from the mayor known as a Mayoral Decision, which is made public. The City of Peterborough has a webpage that archives these Mayoral Decisions. Regarding council matters, the strong mayor veto allows these Decisions to pass with just one-third support from council members. To clarify on the veto calculation: since the mayor has a vote in council too, in Peterborough-which consists of 10 councillors and 1 mayor-the mayor only needs backing from 3 more councillors (for a total of 4 votes out of 11) to exercise his veto. This article examines these two recent situations, how they were influenced by Mayoral Decisions and strong mayor authority, along with the wider changes in municipal governance they signify.
Community group ends legal battle over Brock Mission project
Back in February, Mayor Leal issued a Mayoral Decision (MDEC25-1) suggesting two new bylaws aimed at fast-tracking a six-storey, 52-unit transitional housing development proposed by Brock Mission.
Artist rendering of the proposed development at 738 Chemong Road. (Image courtesy Brock Mission)
Local residents raised objections against this development. They pointed out issues related to noise levels, safety concerns, obstructed views, and whether it’s suitable for an area dominated by single-family homes; however, they were also troubled by how quickly decisions were made without proper consultation or transparency.
“I guarantee you, nobody is against transitional housing,” says Sarah McNeilly, an area resident and chair of Northcrest Neighbours for Fair Process (NNFP). “We’re against the process that fast-tracked it.”
She highlights that the open house where residents got their first glimpse at development plans (a requirement under the Planning Act) happened just four days before city council cast its vote on February 24, 2025. When McNeilly reached out to city councillors prior to this vote, she reports that “everyone replied with essentially: it’s a done deal.”
As it turned out during voting time, while seven councillors opposed the bylaws, thanks to strong mayor veto power combined with four supportive votes (Couns. Baldwin, Duguay, Parnell plus the mayor himself), it was able to pass.
Sarah McNeilly speaks before General Committee at February’s meeting. (Image from video courtesy City of Peterborough)
McNeilly says NNFP came together soon after during a neighborhood town hall attended by around 80 people who chose to take legal action against city decisions. In response, Mayor Leal issued another Mayoral Decision (MDEC25-02), exercising his authority over staffing directing city’s legal division “to do such things considered advisable… to oppose any proceeding challenging” those bylaws’ validity.
The case was always going to be difficult. The wording within strong mayor legislation allows mayors leverage where they can use their veto whenever they think it “could potentially” help advance provincial housing priorities-allowing them wide discretion while limiting citizens’ ability to contest them.
The situation faced another hurdle when city officials asked courts requiring NNFP post security bonds initially reported at $10k but later raised $30k-to cover potential city legal fees if they lost their case.
McNeilly notes this far exceeded what could be managed by an all-volunteer organization already running crowdfunding efforts for legal expenses. She mentions most community members are “predominantly pensioners; many are single women or have backgrounds in caring professions.”
This week saw NNFP compelled to withdraw their lawsuit before presenting arguments in court; nevertheless McNeilly states they’ll keep advocating for accountability and fair processes moving forward-pointing towards redevelopment projects like Bonnerworth Park or General Electric buildings as similar actions taken without transparency: “No matter where we look or what issue arises; we cannot let our elected leaders operate behind closed doors insisting there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Peterborough passes what some call “the mayor’s budget”
This year’s municipal budgeting kicked off similarly as previous years did under strong mayor legislation-with processes reflecting those used during both prior budgets: MDEC23-2 for 2024 and MDEC24-6 for 2025 beginning with another Mayoral Decision (MDEC25-03) instructing staff prepare draft budgets ahead. However right away Mayor Leal set this apart mentioning specific criteria included within his Decision stating simply maintaining “current service levels,” except notably including anticipated increases-in particular noting police service costs would rise around ten percent due regulatory requirements existing currently! Soon enough resulting draft budget largely reflected these conditions called status quo providing minor increases across services barring substantial rise pertaining solely towards law enforcement adding up near nine-point-two-two percent accordingly!
The draft budget developed under direction from officeholder!(Photo credit: Gabe Pollock) The steps following presentation allowed citizens opportunities commenting publicly attending sessions discussing matters directly before councils deliberated over details through successive days creating amendments summarizing here alongside numerous unsuccessful attempts reigning police budget increase somehow down further than presented! Then came Monday evening’s gathering inside chambers when shortly ahead final votes regarding entire fiscal plans emerged – simply moments earlier-it’d been clarified formalities officially finalized unfolding via yet again issuing another additional latest round signature attached onto new distinct version calling final drafts entirely concerning Year Twenty-Twenty-Six being none other than designated – ultimately referred henceforth termed still recognized thereafter merely dubbed ‘mayor’s budget.’ After presentation occurred following usual timeline parameters stipulated under law allowing thirty-day window permitting amendment proposals given ultimatum-a situation designed circumvent disputes arising through possible reevaluations required employing necessary invoking said empowered authority system existing thereby enabling override decisions mandated within former processes ensured based rules firmly established beforehand; Coun Haacke promptly moved forward motion put forth urging swift resolution avoiding waiting period preceding immediate conclusions instead! This resulted contentious exchange occurring among those gathered together witnessing debates unfold room filled opinions expressed openly sharing varied perspectives discussing differences apparent evident toward approach taken recently amidst ongoing themes surrounding discussions held prior ultimately leading end result outcome reaching conclusion passing eleven-count tally indicating support behind motion led forth closely followed voting subsequent measure immediately finding favor eight-three ratio aligning Councils Bierk Lachica Riel opposing stated intentions previously discussed throughout session earlier held previously attended weeks meetings marked dialogue exchanged revealing contrasting viewpoints underscoring perceptions felt deeply amongst participants present today
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