Strong Mayor Powers

Effective May 1, 2025, the Province of Ontario announced that Strong Mayor Powers would extend to 169 additional municipalities of which Lake of Bays was included. Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has special powers and duties as the head of Township Council.

All mayoral decisions and directives under these powers must be made in writing, notified to the Township Clerk, and made available to the public, in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

As set out in the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor may:

• Appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)∗
• Hire and dismiss certain municipal department heads, and establish and reorganize departments∗
• Create committees of Council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs∗
• Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto and a Council override process
• 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 considering the matter could potentially 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.