Strong Mayor Powers

As of May 1, 2025, the Ontario government has expanded strong mayor powers to 170 municipalities with councils of 6 or more members, including the Town of Hearst.

Strong mayor powers offer resources to Heads of Council to accelerate the implementation of provincial priorities, including:  

• Building 1.5 million new homes by December 31, 2031
• Constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including:
  • transit
  • roads
  • utilities
  • servicing

Summary of Special Duties and Powers 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 Council:

• Appoint and dismiss the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer. *
• Hire and dismiss certain department heads, and establish/reorganize the structure of the municipality. *
• Create and dissolve committees of Council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice-chairs. *
• Propose the municipal budget, subject to Council amendments, Mayoral veto and a Council override process.
• Propose certain municipal by-laws if the Mayor is of the opinion that the proposed by-law could potentially advance a provincial priority.  Council can pass these by-laws if more than 1/3 of all members vote in favour.
• Veto certain by-laws if the Mayor is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
• Bring forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that consideration of the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.
• Direct municipal staff, in writing, to do certain things related to the Mayor’s additional powers and duties.

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

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing to the Clerk and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). A public listing of Mayoral decisions and directions are available for viewing on this page in the table below.

The powers and duties of the Mayor are further described in Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, and  O. Reg. 530/22.

Mayoral decisions made by Mayor Roger Sigouin: