Perth joins list of Ontario municipalities granted Strong Mayor Powers

The Town of Perth is set to join a growing list of Ontario municipalities granted Strong Mayor Powers as of May 1, 2025. The move comes as part of a proposed amendment to Ontario Regulation 530/22 under the Municipal Act, 2001 where 169 provincial municipalities will receive expanded authority.

In a press release issued on April 10, 2025, the Town of Perth announced that they were selected as one of the 169 municipalities to receive expanded authority next month, increasing the total number from 47. According to the release, “Strong Mayor Powers aim to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure development by giving heads of council increased executive authority in designated municipalities.”

Once in effect, Mayor Judy Brown of Perth will have to embrace new responsibilities, including setting the municipal budget independently, albeit with some scope for Council amendments and potential vetoes. The mayor will also have unilateral decision-making power over key infrastructure projects involving roads, water, and wastewater services.

As of May 1, 2025, the mayor will also be able to:

• Veto Council-approved by-laws if they conflict with provincial priorities;
• Directly propose by-laws that could pass with the backing of at least one-third of Council members;
• Appoint or dismiss senior municipal staff, including the Chief Administrative Officer and departmental directors;
• Restructure municipal departments and reporting lines;
• Establish or disband Council committees, and assign committee leadership roles.

While the province maintains that these changes support Ontario’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2031, critics are concerned that this expanded authority will create a notable shift in the balance of power between mayors and municipal councils.

According to the release, “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.”

In terms of next steps, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is inviting public feedback on the proposed regulatory changes until Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Residents can share their views through the Province’s online Regulatory Registry at OntarioCanada.com/Registry.

Perth Town Council will convene a special meeting on Monday, April 14, at 9 a.m to discuss the looming changes and explore the potential impacts of the new powers and help guide the town’s official response to the Ministry.

The meeting will be open to the public both in-person and online via livestream on the Town’s Facebook page.