May 10, 2025

Southgate Mayor turns down Strong Mayor Powers

Illustration: Fair Vote Canada

As of May 1, the Province of Ontario expanded Strong Mayor Powers to include the Township of Southgate. Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the head of Council:

• Appoint and dismiss the municipality’s chief administrative officer.
• Hire and dismiss certain department heads, and establish/re-organize departments.
• Create committees of council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of council.
• Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to council amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
• Propose 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 — such as building more housing and constructing infrastructure to support housing. Council can pass these by-laws if more than 1/3 of all members vote in favour.
• Veto 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.
• Bring forward matters for council consideration if the head of council is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

In response, Mayor Milne has chosen to delegate powers back to Council and the Township CAO through official Mayoral Decisions, which will be published to the Township’s website in the coming weeks.

“I believe the fundamental role of Council in good governance is the creation of policy direction and oversight. Nothing about Strong Mayor Powers changes my belief in this regard. Southgate Council is a high functioning team and we will continue to do so.” — Mayor Brian Milne

 

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