Are Strong Mayor Powers about to disappear?

By Pepper Parr

May 14^th, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

Are we about to see the end of the Strong Mayor Powers that Dog Ford gave municipal Mayors?

City CAO Curt Benson is in place until the day before a new Council is sworn in in December of 2026. He was hurriedly put in place when Hassaan Basit left on pretty short notice to join the provincial government after serving the city for a mere 16 months.

At a Council Standing Committee earlier this week, City CAO Curt Benson said that changes were being made by the provincial government and that details were yet to arrive.

He undertook to brief Council at its formal meeting on May 19

The Staff report under discussion said:

This is a non-binding policy meant to guide the Mayor of the City of Burlington when exercising their powers under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2002, commonly referred to as Strong Mayor Powers.

The use of Strong Mayor Powers are at the sole discretion of the Mayor except with respect to the adoption of the City’s annual budget. This policy aims to support and guide the Mayor when making decisions using Strong Mayor Powers, however compliance with its provisions is not necessary for a Strong Mayor Power decision to be of full force and effect.

Principles:

When considering the use of Strong Mayor Powers, the Mayor should have regard to the following;

• • • Any previous decisions made by Council on the matter in question.
    • Advice from City Staff on the matter in question.
    • If the timelines or situation allow for Council to form a position on the matter.
    • Whether there are other, more inclusive, avenues for decision-making available.

References:

Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on Sept. 8, 2022, and came into force on Nov. 23, 2022. This bill created what is commonly referred to as Strong Mayor Powers in the province of Ontario.

There was considerable concern amongst members of Council on just what the Mayor could do – four of the six members of Council wanted major changes (the exceptions were Sharman and Bentivegna) to what Mayor Meed Ward could do.  Selecting the City CAO was one that Council members wanted in on.