Media Release - Strong Mayor Powers Effective May 1

May 1, 2025

(GREATER NAPANEE, ON) – The Town of Greater Napanee has received strong mayor powers that are effective as of May 1, 2025. 

Strong mayor powers are legislated by the provincial government and grant certain rights and obligations to the Town. These powers are mandated by the province and can be tailored to each municipality. As part of the legislation, the Town has received strong mayor powers to ensure the municipality has the tools needed to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure developments. The powers allow the Town’s mayor to support shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and construction and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including roads and transit.  

As part of the strong mayor powers, Mayor Richardson has delegated certain decisions to the Chief Administrative Officer and Council under the authority of Part VI.1 (Special Powers and Duties of Head of Council) of the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 284.5 (Chief Administrative Officer) and Section 284.6 (Organizational Structure) and pursuant to Section 6 of O. Reg. 530/22. 

As per the decision of Mayor Richardson, the following powers under strong mayor legislation will be delegated to Council:

• to assign the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Administrative Officer, which Council has provided for through By-law No. 2024-0045;
• to appoint or dismiss a Chief Administrative Officer;
• to appoint or dismiss department heads at the level of General Manager; and
• to approve changes to the organizational structure where there is a budgetary or service level impact. 

As per the decision of Mayor Richardson, the Mayor’s powers under strong mayor legislation will be delegated to Greater Napanee’s Chief Administrative Officer:  

• to hire, dismiss, or exercise any other prescribed employment powers within the existing confines of the Chief Administrative Officer Appointment By-law No. 2024-0045, noting that this by-law may be repealed and replaced or amended from time to time by Council; and
• to make changes within the organizational structure, provided there is no budgetary or service level impact, in accordance with By-law No. 2024-0045.  

The proposal to expand strong mayor powers is available by visiting the Province of Ontario’s newsroom.  

Media Contact: 

Kylie Huffman  

Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator  

Town of Greater Napanee 

T: 613-776-1116 

E: khuffman@greaternapanee.com  

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