The province says granting the municipalities with the strong mayor powers will “help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario.”

Ottawa has had these powers since Nov. 23, 2022, and the province is now proposing expanding them to include municipalities in Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa area, including Aylmer, Que., Arnprior, Carleton Place, Brockville, Cornwall, North Glengarry, Perth, Prescott, Renfrew, Smiths Falls and the Whitewater Region. 

The province said the expansion reflects the Ontario government’s “commitment to streamline local governance and help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development.”

Strong mayors can veto some bylaws, appoint chief administrative officers and department managers, appoint chairs of committees, build committees and assign work to staff. 

In recent years, strong mayor powers have been used to support the province’s plans to build housing across Ontario. 

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