On May 1, 2025, the Province of Ontario extended the use of Strong Mayor Powers to the City of Port Colborne under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25

The Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the head of City Council:

  • Appoint the Chief Administrative Officer.*
  • Hire and dismiss certain municipal department heads, and determine the organizational structure of the City of Port Colborne.*
  • Create committees of Council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council.*
  • Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments and a Mayoral veto and Council override process.
    • The Budget shall be prepared on or before February 1st. If not, Council shall prepare and adopt the budget.
  • Veto certain bylaws if the Mayor is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
  • Bring forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.
  • Direct municipal staff (in writing).

*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties to the CAO and / or Council.

The powers and duties of the Mayor are further described in O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 590/22.

The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protections of Privacy Act. A public listing of Mayoral Decisions and Directions will be available in a chart below.