Ontario expanding strong mayor powers to include seven more Niagara municipalities

Photo: Town of Fort Erie

Ontario will expand strong mayor powers to leaders in 169 additional municipalities starting May 1, 2025.

Locally, the heads of council in Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Thorold, and West Lincoln will receive these enhanced authorities.

The expanded powers are intended to speed up the development of housing, transit, and infrastructure by allowing mayors to more directly support provincial priorities.

First introduced in Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, the powers are already in place in Welland, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls.

(Written by: Brandon Warby)