Mayoral special powers and duties under the Municipal Act, 2001
The Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. These include powers to:
- Appoint and dismiss the City Manager as well as various senior managers; *
- Create committees of Council, assign their functions, and appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees of Council; *
- Propose the City’s budget subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process;
- Submit matters for Council's consideration, or veto by-laws, if the Mayor believes it will advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; and
- Direct City staff in writing.
*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions are available online.
Legislative framework
The following provides a more detailed overview of the legislative framework governing the Mayor’s special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
Bill 3, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022
As explained in the 2022-2026 Council Governance Review, Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022, and came into force on November 23, 2022.
This legislation and associated regulations (O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22) provide the Mayor with additional powers beyond those previously set out in the Municipal Act, 2001.
Bill 3 provides the Mayor, as the head of Council, with the ability to veto certain by-laws approved by Council if the Mayor “is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a prescribed provincial priority.” The Mayor is required to provide written notice of intent to consider vetoing the by-law within a prescribed time period. Council may override the Mayor’s veto if two-thirds of Members vote in favour of such an override.
Bill 3 and the associated O. Reg. 530/22 also grant the Mayor, as head of Council, powers related to proposing the annual budget and initiating in-year budget amendments. Under O. Reg. 530/22 under the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor is required to propose the budget by February 1. After the Mayor proposes the budget, Council can pass resolutions to amend the budget within 30 days. The Mayor may veto a Council budget resolution and Council may then override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds majority vote. At the end of this process, the resulting budget is “deemed” to be adopted by the municipality.
Under the new legislation, the Mayor's powers include:
- appointing and dismissing the Chief Administrative Officer/City Manager as well as various senior managers;
- appointing Chairs/Vice-chairs for “prescribed committees, or committees within a prescribed class of committees,” and establishing or dissolving such prescribed committees;
- bringing matters forward for Council consideration if the Mayor “is of the opinion that considering a particular matter could potentially advance a prescribed provincial priority”;
- vetoing certain by-laws approved by Council if the Mayor “is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a prescribed provincial priority”;
- proposing and preparing the municipal budget; and
- directing City staff in writing.
As part of the 2022-2026 Council Governance Review, City Council approved staff-recommended amendments to the Procedure By-law to reflect Bill 3’s provisions.
Bill 39, Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022
Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on December 8, 2022. With respect to Mayoral powers, Bill 39 amends the Municipal Act, 2001, to allow the Mayor to propose, and require Council to consider and vote on, certain a by-law related to prescribed Provincial Priorities (e.g. O. Reg. 580/22: Provincial Priorities). The by-law is considered passed if more than one third of Members of Council vote in favour of the by-law.
Mayoral decisions
Date | Number | Subject Matter |
October 30, 2024 | 2024-23 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the October 30, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
October 16, 2024 | 2024-22 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the October 16, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
October 2, 2024 | 2024-21 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the October 2, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
September 27, 2024 | 2024-20 | To give written approval of debenture by-laws passed at the September 27, 2024, meeting of the Debenture Committee. |
September 18, 2024 | 2024-19 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the September 18, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
September 4, 2024 | 2024-18 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the September 4, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
August 22, 2024 | 2024-17 | To give written approval of By-law 2024-339 of the City of Ottawa designate certain lands at 2583 Carling Avenue and 2599 Carling Avenue as being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
August 8, 2024 | 2024-16 | To give written approval of By-law 2024-338 of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands known as rue Plank Street and rue Warrior Street on Plan 4M-1606 as being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
July 26, 2024 | 2024-15 | To give written approval of By-law 2024-337 of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands known as 108 and 110 Big Dipper Street as being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
July 25, 2024 | 2024-14 | To give written approval of By-law 2024-336 of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands known as 108 and 110 Big Dipper Street as being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
July 10, 2024 | 2024-13 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the July 10, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
June 25, 2024 | 2024-12 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the June 25, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
June 12, 2024 | 2024-11 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the June 12, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
May 29, 2024 | 2024-10 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the May 29, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
May 15, 2024 | 2024-09 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the May 15, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
May 1, 2024 | 2024-08 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the May 1, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
April 17, 2024 | 2024-07 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the April 17, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
April 3, 2024 | 2024-06 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the April 3, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
March 6, 2024 | 2024-05 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the March 6, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
February 21, 2024 | 2024-04 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the February 21, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
February 7, 2024 | 2024-03 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the February 7, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
January 24, 2024 | 2024-02 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the January 24, 2024, meeting of City Council. |
January 24, 2024 | 2024-01 |
Delegation to the City Manager regarding the organizational structure of the municipality.
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December 6, 2023 | 2023-28 | Decision to shorten the 10-day period for the Mayor to veto an amendment resolution passed by City Council to the proposed budget. |
December 6, 2023 | 2023-27 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the December 6, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
November 30, 2023 | 2023-26 | To give written approval of debenture by-laws passed at the November 30, 2023, meeting of the Debenture Committee. |
November 22, 2023 | 2023-25 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the November 22, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
November 8, 2023 | 2023-24 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the November 8, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
October 25, 2023 | 2023-23 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the October 25, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
October 11, 2023 | 2023-22 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the October 11, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
September 27, 2023 | 2023-21 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the September 27, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
September 13, 2023 | 2023-20 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the September 13, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
August 23, 2023 | 2023-19 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the August 23, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
August 1, 2023 | 2023-18 | To give written approval of by-law no. 2023-353, a by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at Prive Flycatcher Private, Prive Tussock Private, Prive Spikerush Private, Prive Corporal Private, and Prive Jewelwing Private as being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
July 12, 2023 | 2023-17 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the July 12, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
June 28, 2023 | 2023-16 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the June 28, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
June 14, 2023 | 2023-15 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the June 14, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
May 24, 2023 | 2023-14 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the May 24, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
May 10, 2023 | 2023-13 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the May 10, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
April 26, 2023 | 2023-12 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the April 26, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
April 21, 2023 | 2023-11 |
Delegation to City Council regarding the recruitment and hiring of a City Manager and a General Manager, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development.
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April 12, 2023 | 2023-10 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the April 12, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
March 22, 2023 | 2023-09 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the March 22, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
March 8, 2023 | 2023-08 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the March 8, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
March 1, 2023 | 2023-07 | Decision to shorten the 10-day period for the Mayor to veto an amendment resolution passed by City Council to the proposed budget. |
March 1, 2023 | 2023-06 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the March 1, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
February 22, 2023 | 2023-05 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the February 22, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
February 8, 2023 | 2023-04 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the February 8, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
February 1, 2023 | 2023-03 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the February 1, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
January 25, 2023 | 2023-02 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the January 25, 2023, meeting of City Council. |
January 13, 2023 | 2023-01 | To give written approval of by-law no. 2023-1, a by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at cercle Yearling Circle, terrasse Filly Terrace, rang Quilter Row, and placette Stitch Mews on Plan 4M-1711 are being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
December 15, 2022 | 2022-06 | To give written approval of by-law no. 2022-417, a by-law of the City of Ottawa to designate certain lands at 514, 516 and 518 Borbridge Avenue on Plan 4M-1641 are being exempt from Part Lot Control. |
December 21, 2022 | 2022-05 |
Delegation to City Council regarding the recruitment and hiring of a City Manager and a General Manager, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development.
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December 21, 2022 | 2022-04 |
Delegation to the City Manager regarding the organizational structure of the municipality.
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December 14, 2022 | 2022-03 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the December 14, 2022 meeting of City Council. |
December 7, 2022 | 2022-02 | To give written approval of by-laws passed at the December 7, 2022 meeting of City Council. |
November 30, 2022 | 2022-01 | Delegation to City Council regarding the appointment of an Interim City Manager and an Acting Chief Financial Officer. |