The mayors of Grimsby, Lincoln, and West Lincoln are expressing strong support for the province’s decision to extend strong-mayor powers to their municipalities, effective May 1. The announcement is part of the Ontario government’s broader push to accelerate housing development and infrastructure delivery across the province.
“As our community grows, a strong mayor can act swiftly in crises, cut red tape, and streamline services,” said Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan, following the provincial announcement on Wednesday. “These powers help us focus on housing, transit, and infrastructure, aligning with provincial goals like building homes, supporting development, and enhancing the community.”
The Doug Ford government first introduced strong-mayor powers in 2022, beginning with Toronto and Ottawa. Since then, the list has expanded to include 47 other municipalities, with this latest move bringing the total to 169 municipalities across Ontario.
What Strong-Mayor Powers Include
Under the new framework, mayors will be granted a suite of enhanced authorities, including:
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Appointing the chief administrative officer
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Hiring key municipal department heads and restructuring departments
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Creating and assigning roles to council committees, including selecting their chairs and vice-chairs
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Proposing the municipal budget, subject to a council amendment and override process
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Putting forward or vetoing certain bylaws that align—or conflict—with provincial priorities
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Placing matters on the council agenda that are believed to advance provincial objectives
These powers are intended to reduce bureaucratic delays and enable municipalities to respond more effectively to local and provincial needs—particularly in the areas of housing and infrastructure.
Local Leaders React
Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton welcomed the added authority and emphasized a commitment to using the powers responsibly and strategically.
“These new tools will help accelerate the delivery of much-needed housing and critical infrastructure,” Easton said, adding that she has already asked Chief Administrative Officer Mike Kirkopoulos to prepare a comprehensive report for council outlining the full scope of the powers and how they can be implemented.
West Lincoln Mayor Cheryl Ganann called the move a “significant development” and sees it as a valuable step toward achieving the township’s long-term goals.
“I intend to exercise these powers thoughtfully, with a clear focus on the best interests of our residents,” Ganann said.
As the province grapples with a housing supply crisis and rising infrastructure demands, the strong-mayor model is emerging as a key instrument in Ontario’s municipal toolkit—one that West Niagara’s leaders say they are ready to wield, with care and purpose.
