Get out the popcorn, there are now 216 “strong mayors” in Ontario, following the decision of the Ontario Conservative government to expand the powers to 169 more municipalities on May 1.
Orilla’s Mayor Is The First to Create a Scandal
Some mayors didn’t have to wait to abuse their newfound powers. Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac was given strong mayor powers a few weeks early to be able to direct municipal staff responding to a devastating March 28 to 31 ice storm.
He promptly used the powers to fire the incoming CAO that Council had hired and installed his own person. The council forced a special meeting, and demanded the province take back the emergency powers. In the days that followed, the province announced the 169 municipality expansion.
(Orillia’s strong mayor reached a confidential settlement with the former incoming CAO – it’s not surprising the mayor wants to keep it secret, considering how much the settlement likely cost.)
Will It be Niagara Region, Stratford, or Elsewhere with the Next Scandal?
Niagara Region, long known for at least having one dysfunctional mayor each term, will have 11 strong mayors. [Lincoln’s mayor was quick to celebrate.]
Many of Niagara’s mayors struggle to contain their egos and already walked around with an air of arrogance.
However, this term’s top power–tripping Ontario mayor has been Stratford’s, who quickly stated he is ready to use the new powers. (He claims he’ll be respectful and collaborative.)
Many Councils Oppose the Powers, Many Mayors Want to Reject Them
Many municipal councils and mayors are speaking against strong mayor powers.
“It’s removing democracy, openness, transparency, and accountability for decision-making,” Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson is quoted as stating.
Which sums up how many people feel.
Strong Mayor Adds to Problems in Rideau Lakes: Maybe Ontario’s Most Dysfunctional Municipality
In late May, Rideau Lakes Mayor “vetoed a council decision to seek quotes for a plan to renovate the municipal offices of the township located about 100 kilometres southwest of downtown Ottawa.”
The town council members have been filing complaints against each other, with more than a dozen filed this term.
After the eleventh complaint, Council voted no confidence in Mayor Arie Hoogenboom.
Hoogenboom declined to resign.
Following this, in March, one of the councillors resigned rather than, as they expressed, continue to deal with the mayor.
Hoogenboom responded by stepping back from some duties, saying the ‘unacceptable behaviour’ of the five councillors was taking a toll on him.
The twelfth report came in early April, when the IC recommended a councillor lose 21 days pay for an outburst at a January meeting, followed by the profane emails. The council deadlocked on a tie-vote and no sanction was imposed.
In mid-April, the Council voted to reverse previous sanctions against two other councillors for past violations, then those councillors sought apologies.
The dysfunction will continue until morale improves.
More to Come for Sure
Ontario’s always had its share of problematic councils. For reasons beyond my understanding, the Ontario Conservatives have decided to give fuel to firestarters.
Buckle up, the stories have only begun.
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Published: June 9, 2025
Last updated: June 9, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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