Regulation - Minister
Proposed Amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 to expand strong mayor powers and duties to additional municipalities and set out additional details related to two-tier municipalities.
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 530/22
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Municipal Act
Summary of Decision:
O. Reg. 530/22: Part VI.1 of the Act under the MA was amended by O. Reg. 180/23.
Proposed content for the regulation was posted on Ontario's Regulatory Registry on June 16, 2023. The Ministry received 2 submissions during this period from members of the public who were critical of the strong mayor framework and expansion to additional municipalities.
Amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 came into force on July 1, 2023.
Prior to these amendments, the strong mayor framework applied to two municipalities - the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa. These amendments expand the list of designated municipalities where the head of council (HOC) has strong mayor powers and duties to 26 single-tier and lower-tier municipalities that have committed to their provincially assigned housing target as part of the province's commitment to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. The expansion of strong mayor powers and duties impacts the following municipalities:
1.Town of Ajax
2.City of Barrie
3.City of Brampton
4.City of Brantford
5.City of Burlington
6.Town of Caledon
7.City of Cambridge
8.Municipality of Clarington
9.City of Guelph
10.City of Hamilton
11.City of Kingston
12.City of Kitchener
13.City of London
14.City of Markham
15.Town of Milton
16.City of Mississauga
17.City of Niagara Falls
18.Town of Oakville
19.City of Oshawa
20.City of Pickering
21.City of Richmond Hill
22.City of St. Catharines
23.City of Vaughan
24.City of Waterloo
25.Town of Whitby
26.City of Windsor
In addition, these amendments clarify that existing dual vacancies rules in the MA (i.e., the lower-tier municipality, not upper-tier, is required to fill the vacancy) also apply in municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
As of July 1, 2023, the strong mayor framework applies to 28 municipalities, including Toronto and Ottawa.
Proposed content for the regulation was posted on Ontario's Regulatory Registry on June 16, 2023. The Ministry received 2 submissions during this period from members of the public who were critical of the strong mayor framework and expansion to additional municipalities.
Amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 came into force on July 1, 2023.
Prior to these amendments, the strong mayor framework applied to two municipalities - the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa. These amendments expand the list of designated municipalities where the head of council (HOC) has strong mayor powers and duties to 26 single-tier and lower-tier municipalities that have committed to their provincially assigned housing target as part of the province's commitment to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. The expansion of strong mayor powers and duties impacts the following municipalities:
1.Town of Ajax
2.City of Barrie
3.City of Brampton
4.City of Brantford
5.City of Burlington
6.Town of Caledon
7.City of Cambridge
8.Municipality of Clarington
9.City of Guelph
10.City of Hamilton
11.City of Kingston
12.City of Kitchener
13.City of London
14.City of Markham
15.Town of Milton
16.City of Mississauga
17.City of Niagara Falls
18.Town of Oakville
19.City of Oshawa
20.City of Pickering
21.City of Richmond Hill
22.City of St. Catharines
23.City of Vaughan
24.City of Waterloo
25.Town of Whitby
26.City of Windsor
In addition, these amendments clarify that existing dual vacancies rules in the MA (i.e., the lower-tier municipality, not upper-tier, is required to fill the vacancy) also apply in municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
As of July 1, 2023, the strong mayor framework applies to 28 municipalities, including Toronto and Ottawa.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The amendments expand the strong mayor framework to 26 additional municipalities. As of July 1, 2023, the strong mayor framework applies to 28 municipalities.
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council (HOC) in designated municipalities choose to use these strong mayor powers and how the municipality will support the implementation of these powers and duties for the HOC. There are no requirements in the regulations that would result in new administrative costs for municipalities. Municipalities may choose to update local processes and policies at any time, based on their local needs and circumstances.
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council (HOC) in designated municipalities choose to use these strong mayor powers and how the municipality will support the implementation of these powers and duties for the HOC. There are no requirements in the regulations that would result in new administrative costs for municipalities. Municipalities may choose to update local processes and policies at any time, based on their local needs and circumstances.
Further Information:
Bill 3: Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022
Bill 39: Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
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ONTARIO REGULATION 180/23
O. Reg. 530/22
Proposal Number:
23-MMAH015
Posting Date:
June 16, 2023
Summary of Proposal:
The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, and associated regulations give the head of council (HOC) of certain municipalities strong mayor powers and duties. Currently, Toronto and Ottawa are the only municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 under the Municipal Act (MA) to expand the list of municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties, to include certain single-tier and lower-tier municipalities that have committed to the province to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities and support the provincial priority to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
In addition, the Ministry is proposing to clarify that existing dual vacancies rules in the Municipal Act (i.e., the lower-tier municipality, not upper-tier, is required to fill the vacancy) also apply in municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
Proposing that amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 would come into effect on July 1, 2023. Other amendments to designate additional municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties may be made in the future.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 under the Municipal Act (MA) to expand the list of municipalities where the HOC has strong mayor powers and duties, to include certain single-tier and lower-tier municipalities that have committed to the province to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities and support the provincial priority to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.
In addition, the Ministry is proposing to clarify that existing dual vacancies rules in the Municipal Act (i.e., the lower-tier municipality, not upper-tier, is required to fill the vacancy) also apply in municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties.
Proposing that amendments to O. Reg. 530/22 would come into effect on July 1, 2023. Other amendments to designate additional municipalities where HOC has strong mayor powers and duties may be made in the future.
Contact Address:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Local Government Policy Branch
777 Bay St., 13th Floor
Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3
Local Government Policy Branch
777 Bay St., 13th Floor
Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3
Effective Date:
July 1, 2023
Decision:
Approved