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3mo ago

Rideau Lakes Mayor Employs New Veto Rights Under Ontario’s Strong Mayor System

Councillors in several municipalities are moving to reject or restrict the powers after the first veto highlights risks to local accountability

Brockville Mayor Matt Wren listens to discussion at the city's regular council meeting of May 27, 2025.
The mayor’s gavel sits on the desk of Brockville Mayor Matt Wren during the regular council meeting of Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Wren is among the 169 Ontario mayors granted strong mayor powers as of May 1. PHOTO BY RONALD ZAJAC/The Brockville Recorder and Times
Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack attends Question Period at Queen's Park in Toronto, Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom has used newly awarded strong mayor powers to veto a council decision to seek quotes for a plan to renovate municipal offices in the small township located about 100 kilometres southwest of Ottawa.

Overview

  • On June 1, Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom vetoed a council decision to seek renovation quotes for municipal offices, invoking his strong mayor authority.
  • Since May 1, 169 mayors across Ontario can unilaterally block bylaws, pass measures with one-third council support, and hire or fire department heads.
  • Stratford council passed a unanimous motion symbolically rejecting the expanded powers to protect majority-rule decision making.
  • Quinte West and Prince Edward County officials warn that concentrated authority could undermine collaborative governance and marginalize dissenting voices.
  • University of Toronto experts caution that smaller municipalities may lack sufficient media and administrative oversight to hold empowered mayors accountable.