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, 2001 (MA)
Summary of Decision:
O. Reg. 530/22: Part VI.1 of the Act under the MA was amended by O. Reg. 331/23.

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 October 31, 2023.

Prior to these amendments, the strong mayor framework applied to 28 large and fast-growing municipalities. These amendments expand the list of designated municipalities where the head of council (HOC) has strong mayor powers and duties to 18 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 Aurora
2.City of Belleville
3.Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
4.Municipality of Chatham-Kent
5.Town of East Gwillimbury
6.Town of Georgina
7.City of Greater Sudbury
8.Town of Halton Hills
9.Town of Innisfil
10.City of Kawartha Lakes
11.City of North Bay
12.City of Peterborough
13.City of Sarnia
14.City of Sault Ste. Marie
15.City of Thunder Bay
16.City of Welland
17.Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
18.City of Woodstock

As of October 31, 2023, the strong mayor framework applies to 46 municipalities in Ontario, including the City of Toronto.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The amendments expand the strong mayor framework to 18 additional municipalities. As of October 31, 2023, the strong mayor framework applies to 46 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.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
24-MMAH016
Posting Date:
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.
Contact Address:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Local Government Policy Branch
777 Bay St., 13th Floor
Toronto, ON, M7A 2J3
Effective Date:
October 31, 2023
Decision:
Approved