Mayoral Powers, Decisions and Directions under the Municipal Act

Strong Mayor Powers

On May 1, 2025, the Province of Ontario extended strong mayor powers to a number of municipalities, including the City of Cornwall.

The strong mayor legislation provides the Mayor with additional powers to help accelerate the implementation of key priorities shared by both local and provincial governments. These priorities include building more homes, improving transit, expanding roads, and developing essential infrastructure.

These changes are detailed under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, and in O.Reg. 530/22 and O.Reg. 580/22.  

Overview of Powers and Duties

Strong mayor powers and duties include:

• Appointing the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer.*
• Hiring certain municipal department heads and establishing and reorganizing departments.*
• Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council.*
• Proposing the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments and a Mayoral veto and Council override process.
• Vetoing 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.
• Bringing forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

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

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. A public listing of Mayoral Decisions and Directions is available in the registry below.