Strong Mayor Powers Explained: What They Are and What They Mean for Innisfil

The Municipal Minute

Ontario’s Strong Mayor Powers were introduced to help the provincial government achieve one of its major housing goals: building 1.5 million new homes by December 31, 2031.

To support that objective, Ontario granted additional executive powers to the mayors of designated municipalities—including the Town of Innisfil—allowing them to bring forward certain by-laws that advance prescribed provincial priorities—including housing and the infrastructure needed to support it—and, in some circumstances, veto council-approved by-laws that they believe could interfere with those priorities.

As this is an election year, understanding how these powers work has become increasingly important.

Civic Decoder

Before Strong Mayor Powers

Before Strong Mayor Powers came into effect in 216 o f Ontario’s 444 municipalities (at the time of writing), town and city councils generally operated through collective decision-making.

Typically:

Every member of the council (including the mayor) had one vote.
Council collectively hired senior staff.
Council approved the municipal budget.
Council passed by-laws.
Council established most committees.
Municipal staff prepared the budget for council’s approval.
The mayor chaired meetings and provided leadership but generally could not govern alone.

After Strong Mayor Powers

Today, the distribution of executive authority has changed for certain matters.

The mayor may:

Prepare the proposed municipal budget (with assistance from municipal staff). Council may amend the proposed budget. The mayor may veto some amendments, and council may override certain vetoes with a two-thirds vote.
Hire or dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
Reorganize departments and determine the municipality’s organizational structure (subject to statutory protections for positions such as the Clerk, Treasurer and Police Chief).
Establish committees, appoint committee chairs and change committee structures.
Bring forward certain by-laws that advance prescribed provincial priorities.
Veto certain council-approved by-laws that may interfere with provincial priorities.
In prescribed circumstances, certain by-laws advancing provincial priorities may pass with support from more than one-third of council rather than a traditional majority.

The following table summarizes many of the most significant powers introduced under Ontario’s Strong Mayor legislation:

Let’s Dig Deeper

Do mayors have to use Strong Mayor Powers?

No.

Mayors are not required to exercise these powers. In fact, they may delegate certain powers back to council or municipal administration.

Whenever Strong Mayor Powers are exercised, written records must generally be created and published on a municipally maintained website, allowing residents to review how the powers have been used.

The Civic Lens

Beyond the Vote (or Veto)

Much of the public discussion surrounding Strong Mayor Powers focuses on voting.

However, the executive powers may prove just as significant.

Because the mayor prepares the first draft of the municipal budget, that individual determines where council begins deliberating one of the municipality’s most important policy documents.

For that reason, voters may wish to consider not only a mayoral candidate’s platform, but also their leadership style.

One question residents may wish to ask candidates is:

“If elected, would you keep these Strong Mayor Powers for yourself, or would you delegate some of them back to council or municipal staff? If so, which ones and why?”

Beyond Town Hall

Strong Mayor Powers may have changed the relationship between municipalities and the Province.

The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (at the time of writing, Hon. Rob Flack) may make regulations governing many aspects of how these powers operate.

That raises an interesting civic question:

Have Strong Mayor Powers changed not only the balance of power between mayors and councils, but also the relationship between municipalities and the provincial government?

Questions Worth Asking

Special consideration before and after an election

If it becomes apparent that a mayor will be leaving office, certain powers become unavailable.

For example, an outgoing mayor cannot:

Appoint a new CAO,
Reorganize the municipal administration, or
Introduce certain high-value by-laws involving property or expenditures exceeding $50,000.

These restrictions help ensure an outgoing mayor does not make significant organizational decisions after voters have elected new leadership.

What happens to the budget during an election year?

In most years, Ontario regulations require the mayor to propose a municipal budget by February 1.

However, Ontario recently amended the regulation to create an exception following a regular municipal election.

Instead, the incoming mayor may present the first budget during the year to which it applies.

Since Ontario is holding municipal elections in 2026, this exception will apply to the 2027 municipal budget.

The Discussion Close to Home

How have Strong Mayor Powers been used in Innisfil?

Strong Mayor Powers came into effect in Innisfil on October 31, 2023.

On November 2, 2023, Mayor Lynn Dollin delegated several Strong Mayor Powers to the Chief Administrative Officer and to the Innisfil Town Council rather than retaining those authorities personally.

The Town’s “Mayoral Powers and Decisions” webpage allows residents to review exactly how those powers have been exercised in Innisfil.

How have other Ontario municipalities used Strong Mayor Powers?

Different municipalities have chosen different approaches.

Markham

According to the City of Markham, Mayor Frank Scarpitti exercised the mayoral veto in March 2026 after concluding that permitting up to four residential units on certain properties could potentially interfere with provincial and municipal priorities.

Mississauga

In October 2023, Mayor Bonnie Crombi e issued a Mayoral Directive directing staff to move forward with permitting four residential units on low-rise residential lots.

Amber’s Final Thoughts

Strong Mayor Powers are often discussed as though every mayor uses them the same way. The legislation provides the same legal tools to every municipality with Strong Mayor Powers, but the public record shows that individual mayors have chosen to use those tools quite differently.

As voters prepare to elect municipal leaders this October, understanding not only what these powers are—but how individual candidates intend to use them—may prove just as important as understanding their campaign platforms.

Whether residents support or oppose Strong Mayor Powers, understanding how they work is an important part of participating in local democracy.

Sources:

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/s22018
https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/1002482/better-municipal-governance-act-2022
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/01m25
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22530
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r22580
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005752/ontario-proposing-to-expand-strong-mayor-powers-to-169-additional-municipalities

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1 July 20261 July 2026

What Does Canada Day Mean Close to Home?

The Municipal Minute

As Canadians celebrate the 159th anniversary of Confederation, it’s worth remembering that municipalities don’t receive their powers directly from the Constitution in the same way that the federal and provincial governments do. Instead, municipalities receive their authority from provincial legislation enacted under the Constitution.

Civic Decoder

Municipalities are sometimes described as “creatures of the province.” (Organizations such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) often use the expression, as on page 5 of this AMO document.)

That’s a legal expression—not a phrase found in the Constitution. It simply means municipalities exist because provincial governments create them through legislation. Unlike the federal and provincial governments, whose powers come directly from the Constitution, municipalities receive their authority from provincial law.

Community Connection

With the municipal election taking place in October, it’s a good time to remember that local decisions shape our daily lives. Every eligible voter has the opportunity to help choose the people they believe will best represent their interests on Town Council.

Unless you’re paying close attention, I understand that systems of government at any level can feel removed from day-to-day life, but consider this:

An Innisfil resident recently purchased eggs from a grocery store in town without noticing the label. He was surprised when he realized they were from the United States (U.S.), as he has been very intentional about purchasing Canadian-made products since President Trump levied tariffs on Canada.

Neither he nor his family could believe that a grocery store in Innisfil would carry U.S. eggs — especially since there are numerous local farms that sell not just Canadian eggs, but those produced right here in town. They were returned to the store, and the store’s employees were just as surprised as he was that U.S. eggs came from their store. Management explained that they don’t know where each product comes from; employees simply select the product they need to order by pressing a button—in this case, 18-count cartons of eggs.

The experience also raised questions for me. If Ontario produces millions of eggs each year—and communities like Innisfil are home to local egg producers—why are some grocery stores receiving eggs from the United States? Is it a supply issue, a distribution decision, a pricing decision, or something else?

Personally, I believe local farmers deserve our support whenever possible. If Canadian eggs are readily available, I think it’s worth asking why some grocery stores are receiving eggs from across the border.

Feel free to comment below, reach out to me via email (amber@ambergreen.ca), or share your thoughts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn.

So, which branch of government is responsible for managing international trade?

The federal government. (Specifically, section 91 of the Constitution Act, 1867)

Since municipal and provincial governments are not involved in setting Canada’s international trade policies that influence what we find in our grocery stores, “shop local” takes on a whole new meaning.

What to Watch

Tomorrow, AmberGreen.ca will be posting an explainer article about Strong Mayor Powers, which came into effect in Innisfil on October 31, 2023.

Canada Day celebrates the country, but many of the issues that affect us daily happen locally — on our roads, in our neighbourhoods, at council tables, and even in the choices we make at the grocery store.

Happy Canada Day, Innisfil. 🇨🇦

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25 June 202625 June 2026

Why Is Ontario Interested in Innisfil’s Water System?

Council has expressed interest in learning more about the Province’s proposed Water/Wastewater Public Corporation (WWPC) model—but no changes have been approved.

At Innisfil’s Town Council meeting on Wednesday, June 24, Council was asked to “endorse the decision made by the InnServices Board of Directors and authorize the submission of an expression of interest, indicating a conditional interest in exploring the WWPC model, subject to further provincial consultation.”

So, what does that mean?

Council unanimously agreed to indicate a “conditional interest.” Nothing is changing at this time. However, if the Town were to participate in a future WWPC, governance of the water and wastewater system would be subject to the framework established by the Province. Several members of Council raised questions about how much local control would remain.

Unlike most Ontario municipalities, which operate water and wastewater through a municipal department, Innisfil has delivered those services through the municipally owned InnServices Utilities Inc. since 2016. Mayor Lynn Dollin said that is one reason the Province is seeking the Town’s input as it explores a broader public corporation model.

How does Innisfil’s current system work?

The InnServices About Us page notes that “On January 1, 2016, the Town transferred the water and wastewater assets, including two water pollution control plants, one surface water treatment plant, municipal wells and the associated collection and distribution systems to InnServices.”

The same page notes that the Council continues to set water and wastewater rates, but the Municipal Services Corporation (MSC) is not constrained by the same regulations that limit how much a municipality can borrow (this was important, as the municipality was limited to borrowing no more than $60 million). This gave the Town greater flexibility to finance major water and wastewater infrastructure needed to support future growth.

What is a WWPC, and why is the Province of Ontario interested in Innisfil?

Mayor Lynn Dollin explained that “The Province is seeking us out… We are ahead of the curve…” since the Town of Innisfil operates InnServices Utilities Inc. as an MSC, while the vast majority of municipalities do not.

She further explained that other municipalities operate water and wastewater as a department of the municipality, but the Province is interested in learning about the Town’s challenges and experiences with InnServices, and Council wants to be able to share “experiences and our expertise.” (Watch Mayor Dollin’s comments here.)

Indeed, the provincial government published a proposal on April 15 (which will expire on August 13, 2026) that states, “…the Ministry is inviting municipalities with a potential interest in locally implementing a water and wastewater public corporation to make a submission expressing their interest in this model. This input will help the Ministry determine next steps and support potential future expansion.”

Deputy Mayor Kenneth Fowler expressed concerns, as the WWPC Act would give the Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing “broad powers.”

According to Fowler, “In simple terms, once in the model, the ability to exit and negotiate the fundamental governance, terms are limited. We’re actually going into something that the government can come and go, ‘This is now ours.'”

“I don’t like it,” he continued, noting among other things that the rates under a provincial framework may not align with the Innisfil taxpayers’ interests. (You can watch the full discussion here.)

What happens now?

Since the Province is asking municipalities whether they are interested in the model, CAO Oliver Jerschow said that although the Province would retain legislative authority under the proposed Act if the Town proceeds, participating in the conversation may help mitigate some of that risk. The Town can discuss how it would want to participate, which would “very likely” be brought to Council for their decision at a later date.

Jerschow reminded Council and community members that this is still just a consultation, but it’s best to be part of the conversation so the Town can influence what this proposed change may look like in Simcoe County.

“I like the idea of being informed of what we’re getting ourselves into with any potential exit strategies, or lack thereof,” Fowler said.

Coun. Alex Waters noted that the provincial government can come in and do what it wants at any time.

“We’re trying to be proactive… to be part of the solution,” he said. “It’s good to move forward, as long as there’s an opportunity for Council to vote on it later on,” Waters added.

Council voted unanimously to submit an expression of interest, allowing the Town to participate in provincial discussions while reserving the opportunity to decide later whether to pursue a WWPC if a formal proposal is developed.

The next regularly scheduled Council meeting in Innisfil, ON, is on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 7 pm.

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18 June 202619 June 2026

Why Did Innisfil Council Change Course on Development Charges?

Editor’s Note: AmberGreen.ca exists not as a news source, but as a publication intended to educate and promote civic engagement. I included some of my analysis of municipal matters, but I do so with great care and attention to detail. Any level of government can be difficult to understand, especially with so much going on. I appreciate you coming on this journey with me as we decode municipal politics together.

The Municipal Minute

Development Charges (DCs) remain up for debate. As a significant source of revenue for municipalities, a new provincial program called the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) offers municipalities the opportunity to apply for infrastructure funding if they reduce those charges. However, several unanswered questions initially gave members of Innisfil Town Council reason to pause.

Funding for municipal infrastructure is, of course, required to continue to develop, but based on the discussion at both meetings on June 10 and June 15, it appears that Council was being asked to make a significant decision before key details about funding allocations were known.

If the Town proceeds, how much funding will be provided to the municipality? No one knows (not yet, at least).

Though the guidelines note that municipalities offering larger development charge reductions may receive greater consideration for funding, municipalities that opt in to the program are expected to reduce DCs by at least 30%. The DCRP makes up to $8.8 billion in federal and provincial capital funding available through an application-based process.

However, funding is not guaranteed. Though municipalities are submitting applications, they are doing so without knowing how much the provincial government will provide to them. (Even where funding is available, municipalities must contribute at least 10% of eligible project costs.)

In fact, the Innisfil Town Council originally voted not to opt in to the program at the Special Planning Council meeting on June 10, 2026.

However, Innisfil’s Town Council decided to reconsider the decision when they met on Monday, June 15. By the end of the Special Council meeting, all but one member — Coun. Jennifer Richardson — voted to proceed with making an application for the Government of Ontario’s DCRP.

While concerns remain about reducing development charges and the lack of transparency regarding guaranteed funding, several members argued that submitting an application would preserve the Town’s options while more information was gathered.

Although Council ultimately voted to proceed with an application, many of the concerns raised on June 10 remained unresolved.

Councillors also discussed additional information regarding potential infrastructure projects, neighbouring municipalities, and the implications of not participating in the program.

During the June 15 Special Council meeting, staff identified the Lakeshore Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion and associated infrastructure works as projects that could be submitted under the program, with the potential to support approximately 15,000 housing units.

Council intends to revisit this matter on August 12, unless a special council meeting is scheduled beforehand. (The Town Council does not meet in July.)

On June 10, the Town of Innisfil’s CAO Oliver Jerschow noted that the wording in the application is “relatively strong.”

“It’s a little unusual the kinds of things that we’re being asked to commit to at the application stage,” he continued.

Jerschow also noted that he believed the Town could withdraw from the program this summer even after submitting an application because the analysis received by the Town states that the language is not legally binding, as “even the program guidelines we have available to us now say that it’s at the time of transfer payment agreement is signed that everything really kind of kicks in and gets real.”

Civic Decoder

Development Charges (DCs) are defined as fees collected by a municipality “to pay for increased capital costs required because of increased needs for services arising from development of the area…”

Development charges are paid by developers, but there is ongoing debate about how much of those costs are passed on to homebuyers as reflected in the purchase price of their home.

The DCRP asks municipalities to reduce those charges for residential development in exchange for the opportunity to apply for infrastructure funding.

DCs help to pay for growth-related infrastructure, such as roads, water, wastewater, and community facilities, but the DCRP explicitly says that housing-enabling infrastructure projects will be prioritized over community-building projects.

Community Connection

What does this mean for residents of Innisfil?

Residents may see the effects of this decision in future property taxes, infrastructure investments, housing construction, and growth-related planning decisions, as it could affect how infrastructure projects are funded.

Questions I’m Asking

If funding is not guaranteed, how much risk is the Town taking if they participate in the program? Will taxpayers be expected to cover the gap?
How much development would occur over the next three years if DCs remain unchanged? Would developers choose to build in neighbouring municipalities if Innisfil opts out?
Even if the Town withdraws from the DCRP after receiving more information, will its relationship with the provincial government change in meaningful ways? (Some members of council raised concerns about how a decision not to participate could affect future provincial support for major projects, including the RVH South Campus.)

What questions are on your mind? What do you think about the DCRP (discussed above)? Get in touch with me on social media or via email at amber@ambergreen.ca.

What to Watch

As the deadline to submit an application is tomorrow morning, attention will now turn to what is said about this matter at the Town Council meeting in August (unless special council meetings are arranged beforehand).

Several important issues remain unresolved

Will Council ultimately participate in this program?
Will neighbouring municipalities participate?
Will the province provide any additional information before the council meeting on August 12, as Transfer Payment Agreements (TPAs) must be executed by August 15, 2026 (as stated on page 15 of the program guidelines)?

The next regularly scheduled Council meeting in Innisfil, ON, is on Wednesday, June 24, at 7 p.m.

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11 June 202611 June 2026

Why Town Council Matters More Than You Think

Picture this:

You live in an area that lost its sense of community generations ago. (So much so that you’d never think to call it a ‘neighbourhood.’)

With sky-high taxes, it should be pristine, but your kids can’t possibly play in the park. Wading through knee-high grass is not your ideal version of cardio, and the last time your son played there, the ancient jungle gym — which hasn’t had a good day since Mr. Dressup’s death — was the cause of an emergency tetanus shot.

So what are your children going to do? You’ll see them off to college before waitlists at the local rec centre (better known as the “wreck” centre) clear, and welcome them to join.

Your patience is wearing thin, as are the tires on your car — for the third time — since the roads have gaping potholes that seem to threaten to swallow you whole. Construction starts, stops, then starts again with no warning or end in sight, but with so much happening, you can’t be bothered to try to fix things — it’s gone on for far too long.

Fortunately, most municipalities don’t look like this, but a well-run municipality depends on more than luck; it requires engaged residents and effective local government.

Responsible for making decisions that influence property taxes, roads, parks, recreation programs, libraries, development, transit, and infrastructure, effective local government doesn’t happen by accident.

In Ontario, one of the key components is the Town Council.

In Innisfil, Ontario, residents live in one of seven wards. An elected official represents the constituents of each ward for a four-year term and serves as a point of contact for residents who are encouraged to talk to their Town Councillor about their concerns, so their viewpoints can be represented. They also help residents navigate the system, in addition to balancing their ward’s interests with the municipality’s interests as a whole. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Innisfil also sit on the County Council, where they help represent the municipality at the county level alongside leaders from the county’s other municipalities.

In addition to serving as the chief executive officer of the municipality, while taking a leadership role on Town Council, the Mayor will “act as the representative of the municipality both within and outside the municipality, and promote the municipality locally, nationally and internationally,” according to the provincial government.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) explains that “Councils make decisions on behalf of the municipality by setting the budget, approving strategic plans, setting policies and procedures, and establishing programs and services. Municipal staff advise council and implement their decisions by implementing the policies and programs.”

How can you get involved?

Talk to your Town Councillor, as well as the Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Innisfil. Attend a council meeting, and sign up to speak if you’re passionate about a particular subject.

With so much riding on municipal politics, civic engagement is important, but with a reported voter turnout rate of only 24.26% in the 2022 municipal election, the opportunity for improvement is high. (Especially when you compare it to the 69% voter turnout reported in the last federal election in April 2025.)

While there will always be improvements to be made — and no system, especially a system of government, is perfect — have a say in who represents you by voting in the municipal election on October 26, 2026, because local decisions shape daily life.

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