Effective May 1, 2025, the Mayor of the Town of Renfrew has assumed “strong mayor powers and duties” as outlined in Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act here. 

Strong Mayor Powers is a designation provided by the provincial government that gives the Mayor enhanced authority to help advance certain provincial priorities. These powers are intended to improve decision-making efficiency and accountability in local government, especially in areas critical to growth and housing.

Under these powers, the Mayor of Renfrew now has the ability to:

• Appoint the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
• Determine the Town’s organizational structure, including creating or dissolving divisions and departments.
• Hire, dismiss, or exercise other prescribed employment powers with respect to division heads or other key roles within the organization.
• Create committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint the chairs and vice-chairs.
• Propose the Town’s annual budget, which is subject to Council amendments, a possible Mayoral veto, and an override process by Council.
• Veto certain by-laws, if the Mayor believes all or part of the by-law would interfere with a prescribed Provincial Priority.
• Submit matters directly to Council for consideration, if the Mayor believes it will advance a Provincial Priority.
• Direct Town staff in writing to carry out certain actions aligned with Provincial Priorities.

These powers are designed to support more streamlined governance and faster action on critical local and provincial issues - especially housing construction and infrastructure development. However, they also come with responsibilities and limits, including transparency requirements and legislative safeguards to ensure local democracy is respected.

The Town remains committed to keeping residents informed and involved. As these powers are implemented, more details will be shared to explain how they are being used and how they impact municipal decision-making. Below you will find any Mayoral Direction or Mayoral Decisions that have been passed since May 1, 2025.