The Ontario government is moving ahead with plans to expand “strong mayor” powers to 169 additional municipalities starting May 1, in an effort to fast-track housing and infrastructure developments across the province.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said the expansion aligns with the province’s commitment to streamline local governance and support shared provincial-municipal priorities—most notably, the approval of urgently needed housing.
The new jurisdictions will join 47 municipalities that already have strong-mayor authority, including Toronto, Hamilton, Halton, Ottawa, and others.
“Heads of council are key partners in our efforts to build homes and infrastructure,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are giving mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to act boldly and deliver results faster for their communities.”
Strong-mayor powers provide municipal leaders with greater authority over local planning and budgeting, specifically where it aligns with provincial priorities such as:
- Building new housing
- Improving roads and transit
- Maintaining critical infrastructure tied to housing growth
These powers are applicable to single- and lower-tier municipalities with councils of six or more members.
Examples of strong-mayor powers in action include:
- Ajax: Used to approve a housing complex near a transit hub.
- Hamilton: Mayor Andrea Horwath used the powers in 2024 to advance an affordable housing project on city-owned land, despite local opposition.
Municipal leaders have voiced support:
- Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens: Praised the initiative for helping reduce red tape and fueling growth through programs like Housing Solutions Made for Windsor.
- Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe: Credited the approach for helping exceed housing targets and unlocking $5.2 million in provincial funding under Ontario’s Building Faster Fund.
Public Feedback Opportunity
The proposed expansion is open for public comment via Ontario’s Regulatory Registry until April 16, 2025.
For more information, visit: www.ontario.ca/municipalaffairs