Mayor Paterson to delegate several strong mayor powers back to City Council and the Chief Administrative Officer

July 12, 2023

On July 1, 2023, mayors of 26 large and fast-growing municipalities received additional powers and responsibilities from the province under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. Under this legislation the Mayor of Kingston was given the following tools and authority:

  • Appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer as well as the heads of organizational units; 
  • Determine the administrative structure of the City;
  • Establish committees of Council (Standing Committees) and appoint chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council;
  • Bring to Council matters, or veto by-laws, to advance a prescribed Provincial Priority; 
  • Prepare and present the budget to Council, subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process; and to
  • Direct City staff in writing. 

“Our current structure of decision-making and oversight for the City is working,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “We have a professional, talented Council and staff team who are committed to addressing the challenges we face on housing, mental health and addictions and keeping life affordable—it only makes sense that much of this new authority go back to where it’s best used. I have no interest in politicizing the roles of staff and I look forward to continuing to work with my Council colleagues to tackle these tough issues.”

Mayor Paterson’s first Mayoral Decision under this new legislation is to delegate certain powers back to City Council and the Chief Administrative Officer. Effective July 12, 2023, the following powers are delegated as follows:

  1. The power of the Mayor to determine the organizational structure of the City is delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer. 
  2. The power of the Mayor to appoint and dismiss the Chief Administrative Officer is delegated to City Council. 
  3. The power of the Mayor to appoint and dismiss a head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure is delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer.
  4. The power of the Mayor to establish or dissolve committees that consist solely of members of City Council, to appoint chairs and vice-chairs of those committees, and to assign functions to those committees is delegated to City Council.

Details of Mayoral Decisions will be available on Open Data Kingston within 24 hours of signing. Additional information regarding Strong Mayor Powers can be found at www.CityofKingston.ca/city-hall/city-council/strong-mayor-powers.