Act
Proclamation of the Better Municipal Governance, 2022
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Municipal Act, 2001 (MA), City of Toronto Act, 2006 (COTA).
Summary of Decision:
On December 8, 2022, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 received Royal Assent and came into force on December 20, 2022.
Building on the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, legislative amendments to the MA and COTA, along with associated regulations, give the head of council (HOC) of Toronto and Ottawa the ability to propose certain by-laws related to provincial priorities and enables council to pass these by-laws if more than one third of council members vote in favour. This gives the HOC of Toronto and Ottawa more authority to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities.
To support continuity and stability at the regional level, legislative changes give the Minister the power to appoint the regional chairs of Peel, Niagara, and York for the 2022-2026 term of council.
The legislative changes also establish new LGIC and Minister's regulation making authorities.
Building on the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, legislative amendments to the MA and COTA, along with associated regulations, give the head of council (HOC) of Toronto and Ottawa the ability to propose certain by-laws related to provincial priorities and enables council to pass these by-laws if more than one third of council members vote in favour. This gives the HOC of Toronto and Ottawa more authority to move forward on shared provincial-municipal priorities.
To support continuity and stability at the regional level, legislative changes give the Minister the power to appoint the regional chairs of Peel, Niagara, and York for the 2022-2026 term of council.
The legislative changes also establish new LGIC and Minister's regulation making authorities.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The portions of the Act related to strong mayor powers apply to two municipalities at this time - the City of Toronto and City of Ottawa.
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council in Toronto and Ottawa choose to use the strong mayor power and how the municipality will support the implementation of this power. There are no requirements in the legislation 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.
The Act includes accountability and transparency mechanisms to help hold heads of council accountable (e.g., written documentation requirements).
Local impacts will depend on how the heads of council in Toronto and Ottawa choose to use the strong mayor power and how the municipality will support the implementation of this power. There are no requirements in the legislation 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.
The Act includes accountability and transparency mechanisms to help hold heads of council accountable (e.g., written documentation requirements).
Further Information:
Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 
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O. Reg. 580/22: PROVINCIAL PRIORITIES
O. Reg. 530/22: PART VI.1 OF THE ACT
O. Reg. 582/22: PROVINCIAL PRIORITIES
O. Reg. 529/22: PART VI.1 OF THE ACT
Proposal Number:
23-MMAH012
Posting Date:
Summary of Proposal:
On November 16, 2022, the Ontario government introduced legislation which, if passed, would take decisive action to address the housing supply crisis by assessing how best to extend strong mayor powers and reduce municipal duplication to deliver on shared provincial-municipal priorities - primarily the building of 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years.
The proposed legislation would enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint the regional chairs of Niagara, Peel and York regions for the current term of council.
The proposed legislation would also implement additional changes to enable the HOC of Toronto and Ottawa to propose certain municipal by-laws related to provincial priorities and enable council to pass these by-laws if more than one-third of council members vote in favour.
The proposed legislation would enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint the regional chairs of Niagara, Peel and York regions for the current term of council.
The proposed legislation would also implement additional changes to enable the HOC of Toronto and Ottawa to propose certain municipal by-laws related to provincial priorities and enable council to pass these by-laws if more than one-third of council members vote in favour.
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 
Royal Assent Date:
December 20, 2022
Decision:
Approved