LOB concerned about Strong Mayor legislation

Lake of Bays of one of 169 municipalities with the new powers

Lake of Bays Council expressed concern about the potential environmental impacts from the new strong mayor powers legislation, in the May 13, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report the provincial government expanded the legislation to an additional 169 municipalities, including Lake of Bays, effective May 1^st to assist with priorities, such as their goal to build 1.5 million new residential units by December 2031.

The initiative includes both developing and maintaining municipal infrastructure such as transit, roads, utilities and services to support the units.

Special powers of mayors include appointing or dismissing CAO’s and department heads, directing staff, creating committees, assigning functions, proposing the municipal budget, vetoing By-laws, bringing matters forward to Council, and/or delegating these duties.

Councillor, Nancy Tapley, expressed concern about mayors being able to override policies related to the environment and the impact to species at risk.

CAO, Geoff Carleton, advised that there are provincial regulations in place and mayor powers “doesn’t supersede the environmental Act and protections,” which are also provincial initiatives.

Mayor, Terry Glover, said the new legislation “puts a phenomenal amount of stress on whoever the mayor is,” especially in the age of social media which can be a difficult space to explain why decisions are being made.

He added, “There’s reason to be concerned. I’m not sure how this will benefit building houses in Muskoka and this area.”

He continued, “It’s extremely difficult for Council to navigate this thing,” adding that it can be exciting for some municipalities and not for others because it “can cause turbulence” for mayors and Councillors.

Glover recommended awareness and to “just put it in the back pocket and when it comes time we can deal with it then. It’s legislated [so] we have to deal with it.”

He expressed confidence with the Township’s ability to deal with the change. He said, “This is what it is, and I believe that this Township will certainly carry on fine. It may come up or not… It’s not something that will turn us upside down on our ears. See where it goes and carry on in the same way we have in the past.”

Councillor, Rick Brooks, referred to the new legislation as “scary.” He said that people at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) meeting have indicated they “don’t want it,” however, it’s legislation so, “we have to cross our t’s and dot our i’s and follow the path.”

He also concurred with concerns about the environment. He suggested “If we want to circumvent environmental issues, we can negate that because the environment is important in Muskoka.”

He expressed that what’s also concerning is how Council “can believe in a 10-year plan when in 6 months someone can change the plan and go a different direction.” He added, “It’s tough.”

Glover said, “It might create more conversation… I feel good that if we want discussions we can talk about them… It might create better communication. You’re going to have to talk things out… So, there might be some advantages to it. This is how Lake of Bays is dealing with it.”

Councillor, Jacqueline Godard, said, “Given our history and how we worked well together, I can’t see it different going forward.”