By Pepper Parr
December 15th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
We knew that the Mayor had Strong Mayor powers (SMP) – they were given to her on July 1st.
What we were not fully aware was just how often she had used them. The Municipal Act requires that the Mayor publish a notice each time she uses the Strong Mayor power.
To date Mayor Meed Ward has used the SMP 13 times. We will publish the notice she placed on the city web site. Mayor Meed Ward makes a point of telling people who many ways she has of communicating with residents. We get all the photo ops along with her tweets but have yet to see her make public what she has done with the SMP on the several social media accounts she uses.
Decision # 1
Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022, and came into force on November 23, 2022.
This legislation and associated regulations (O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22) provide the Mayor with additional powers beyond those previously set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.
Under the new legislation, O. Reg 180/23 as of July 1, 2023, the Mayor’s powers include:
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City Manager Tim Commisso
The Strong Mayor Powers certainly changed the nature of the relationship between these two.
Appoint and dismiss the City Manager as well as the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure (except statutory municipal officers i.e. City Clerk or Deputy, Treasurer or Deputy, Chief Building Officer and Fire Chief); *
- Determining the organization structure of the City; *
- Create committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees of Council; *
- Propose the City’s budget subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process;
- Submit matters for Council’s consideration, or veto by-laws, if the Mayor believes it will advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; and
- Direct City staff in writing.
*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
Decision # 2
Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the
Municipal Act, 2001,
I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby approve the following by-laws passed at the Burlington City Council meeting of September 14, 2023 in
accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
- All by-laws enacted under Motion to Approve By-laws (NA)
- Confirmation By-law (Council Agenda Item 15)
Dated at Burlington, this 14th day of September 2023.
Decision # 3
Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the
Municipal Act, 2001,
I Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor of the City of Burlington, hereby approve the following by-laws passed at the Burlington City Council meeting of September 14, 2023 in
accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
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While the Mayor cannot dismiss the Treasurer the Strong Mayor powers the Mayor has change the nature of that relationship. Joan Ford advised Council that the budget that was passed was to be her last.
Prepare a draft City of Burlington 2024 Operating and Capital Budget and Forecast in accordance with the requirements of the Act;
- That the CFO provide the Mayor with periodic updates on the 2024 Draft Budget in order that those discussions may inform the budget; and;
- The draft budget be provided to each Member of Council and the public no later than October 19, 2023.
Dated at Burlington, this 14th day of September 2023.
The other 10 decisions made by the Mayor will be set out later today.
There is a concern with the specific Act the Mayor is choosing to use. We need a bit of time to check that out.
