Clerk Almas provided a detailed overview of Strong Mayor Powers that came into effect on May 1, 2025, with a focus on legislative powers including the roles of Council, the head of Council and Mayoral powers provided for under the newly implemented legislation, by-laws and veto powers; administrative and political structure powers, changes to the budget approval process, implementation processes and next steps.
Clerk Almas and Steve O'Melia, Miller Thomson LLP, addressed questions of Council and Staff that included clarification to the budget process and timelines to pass the budget; ability to amend the budget mid-term; the ability to change council composition to be removed from Strong Mayor Powers; implications of such powers during the lame duck period in an election year; concern with the broad definition of provincial priorities, who determines if a matter is applicable, the evaluation process and measurables to report on provincial priorities and potential impacts on funding approvals; if a housing target has been set for Collingwood; voting requirements and timelines associated with veto powers; inability of the Deputy Mayor to act on Strong Mayor Powers when the Mayor is absent; the purpose and role of the confirmatory by-law with these added powers; the role of the Integrity Commissioner; implementation of Council composition changes and how this will impact the workload of the Mayor with these added powers and responsibilities; posting of Strong Mayor Power documents publicly while protecting confidential or sensitive information; and, impacts to planning matters.
Next steps include Council and Staff to provide any further questions to the Clerk that require clarification and legal advice.