Strong Mayor Powers

January 14th, 2026

_{Laws and Regulations:}

_{On April 9, 2025 the Ontario Government announced that the mayoral special powers and duties, as outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001, would be expanded to include 169 Mayors of municipalities, including the Town of Deep River, effective May 1, 2025.}

_{Strong Mayor Powers were assigned to the Town of Deep River Mayor on May 1, 2025 by O.Reg. 530/22.}

_{Mayoral Powers and Duties Under the Municipal Act, 2001:}

_{Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the Head of Town Council:}

_{Appoint / dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer*}
_{Hire / dismiss certain municipal department heads, establish and reorganize departments*}
_{Create Committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs*}
_{Propose the municipal budget, subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and Council over-ride process}
_{Veto certain By-Laws if the Mayor believes that all or part of the By-Law could interfere with a provincial priority}
_{Bring forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could advance a provincial priority}
_{Direct municipal staff in writing to undertake research, provide advice, or carry out duties related to the Mayoral Special Powers.}

*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing, give notice to the Municipal Clerk, and make decisions and directives available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

2026 Mayoral Decisions

2026 Mayor Directions