Laws and Regulations
On April 9, 2025, the Ontario Government announced that the mayoral special powers and duties, as outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001, would be expanded to include 169 Mayors of municipalities, including the city of Timmins, effective May 1, 2025.
Strong Mayor powers were assigned to Timmins' Mayor on May 1, 2025 by O.Reg 530/22.
Mayoral Powers and Duties under the Municipal Act, 2001.
Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the head of City Council:
- Appointing and dismissing the Chief Administrative Officer*
- Hiring and dismissing certain municipal department heads, and establishing and reorganizing departments*
- Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions, and appointing the chairs and vice-chairs*
- Proposing the municipal budget - subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and Council override process
- Vetoing certain by-laws if the Mayor believes that all or part of the by-law could interfere with a provincial priority
- Bringing forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could advance a provincial priority
- Directing municipal staff in writing to undertake research, provide advice, or carry out duties related to the Mayoral special powers.
*The Mayor can choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing, give notice to the Municipal Clerk, and make decisions and directives available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.