A number of local mayors have their concerns about the strong mayor powers bestowed on them by the province, but Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara is doing something about it.
McNamara took steps to formally delegate some of his strong mayor powers back to the Chief Administrative Officer and town council by signing two orders.
The first order allows the CAO to continue to oversee town staffing and organizational structure. The second allows councillors to appoint or dismiss the CAO, form or dissolve committees, and assign committees responsibilities.
McNamara retained his power to set the municipal budget and veto council decisions that contradict provincial priorities like housing.
The province extended strong mayor powers to 169 municipalities in April.
Windsor's Mayor has had strong mayor powers since the summer of 2023.
Other local mayors to have expressed concern about the impact of strong mayor powers on democracy include Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald.