Strong Mayor Powers

HH Expands Mayoral Powers with Strong Mayor Designation

Hastings Highlands, Ontario – Effective May 1st, 2025, the Government of Ontario granted 169 municipalities, including the Municipality of Hastings Highlands, Strong Mayor Powers under the Municipal Act, 2001.

This designation empowers the Mayor of Hastings Highlands to take decisive action on key municipal priorities, with an emphasis on enhancing housing, infrastructure, and other provincial priorities in the community.

Under the Municipal Act’s Part VI.1, the Mayor of Hastings Highlands will have the following special powers and duties:

• Appointing the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and exercising authority over key municipal leadership roles.*

• Hiring municipal department heads and overseeing the creation and reorganization of municipal departments.*

• Creating and managing Council committees, including the ability to assign their functions and appoint committee chairs and vice-chairs.*

• Proposing the municipal budget, which will be subject to Council amendments, along with a veto and override process involving the Mayor.

• Exercising a veto power over certain bylaws if the Mayor believes they may interfere with provincial priorities.

• Bringing forward matters for Council’s consideration if it is determined that such matters align with provincial priorities and can accelerate progress in these areas.

The Mayor has the option to Delegate, decide or direct - and these specific powers and duties, ensuring flexibility in decision-making processes. 

- Hastings Highlands, Mayor Tony Fitzgerald has indicated a preference for delegating these powers back to Council and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), emphasizing a collaborative approach to governance. - Bancroft This Week