Mayoral Decisions and Directions

Mayoral Decisions and Directions

On October 13, 2023, Mayor Virgina Hackson submitted a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing confirming the Town’s commitment to meet the provincially prescribed target of 4,300 new homes in our community by 2031. This demonstrates the Town’s commitment to working collaboratively with all partners to address Ontario’s housing crisis. The province determined that confirmation of the housing target comes with Strong Mayor Powers and enables the municipality to be eligible for funding as part of the Building Faster Fund. On October 31, 2023, the province granted the Town Strong Mayor Powers.  

What are Strong Mayor Powers?

Due to the passing of the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act (Bill 3) and Better Municipal Governance Act (Bill 39), the Mayor has additional legislative powers. These powers include the authority to:

• Direct Town staff to undertake research and provide advice to the Mayor and Council on policies and programs
• Require council to consider a matter if it could advance a prescribed provincial priority
• Require council to consider and vote on a by-law that might advance a prescribed provincial priority
• Veto certain by-laws if the Mayor believes it could interfere with a prescribed Provincial Priority
• Hire and dismiss certain Town officials and determine the organizational structure of the Town of East Gwillimbury

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 Protections of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. 

View the Housing Pledge here.

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