Strong Mayor Legislation

As of July 1, 2023, the Ontario government has expanded strong mayor powers to the mayors of 26 large and fast-growing municipalities, including the City of Cambridge, that have committed to a housing pledge as part of the province's work to build 1.5 million homes by 2031.

Strong mayor powers offer resources to heads of council to accelerate the implementation of key shared municipal-provincial priorities such as housing, transit, and infrastructure.

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 the municipality’s Chief Administrative Officer;*
  • Hire certain municipal department heads and establish and reorganize departments;*
  • Create committees of Council, assign their functions and appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of committees of Council;*
  • Propose the municipal budget, which would be subject to Council amendments and a Mayoral veto and Council override process;
  • Veto certain by-laws if the Mayor is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority; and
  • Bring forward matters for Council consideration if the Mayor is of the opinion that consideration of the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority.

*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 (MFIPPA). Mayoral decisions are available for viewing in the table below.

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, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022, and came into force on November 23, 2022. This power was extended by regulation on July 1, 2023 to 26 municipalities, including Cambridge.

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, 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 period of time. Council may override the Mayor's veto if two-thirds (6 out of 9) 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;
  • 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.

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 by-laws 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.

Record of Mayoral Decisions

The Mayor is required to exercise strong mayor powers and duties in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 

From July 2023 to March 2026, the City required the Mayor to issue a Mayoral Decision for any by-laws passed at a Council Meeting. This practice was discontinued in April 2026 following a review of legislation and best practices of other municipalities.  Now, only Mayoral Decisions required by legislation are posted. Earlier Decisions related to by-laws are still available on request by contacting clerks@cambridge.ca. 

Decision to Appoint the Chief Administrative Officer/ City Manager

WHEREAS section 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.0 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers under section 229, with respect to the chief administrative officer, are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS section 284.13 of the Act provides that the head of council may delegate their powers and duties with respect to section 284.5 of the Act;

NOW THEREFORE I, JAN LIGGETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE,
HEREBY DELEGATE:

  1. David Calder as the city manager of the City of Cambridge, for the duration of the
    current employment contract.
  2. This shall come into force and effect on July 4, 2023.
  3. This delegation takes effect on the date stated above and remains in effect until
    this delegation is modified or revoked in writing.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on July 4, 2023

Decision to Determine the Organizational Structure of the City and Power to Hire, Dismiss or Exercise Any Other Prescribed Employment Powers

WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.O 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers of the municipality with respect to determining the organizational structure of the municipality are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act provides the power to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS section 284.13 of the Act provides that the head of council may delegate their powers and duties with respect to section 284.6 of the Act;

NOW THEREFORE I, JAN LIGGETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE HEREBY DELEGATE:

  1. The powers listed under subsection 284.6 (1) of the Act, to the City Manager of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge.
  2. The power listed under subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the City Manager, with the understanding that this delegated authority will be carried out in consultation with the Mayor.
  3. This shall come into force and effect on July 4, 2023.
  4. This delegation takes effect on the date stated above and remains in effect until
    this delegation is modified or revoked in writing.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on July 4, 2023

DECISION TO ESTABLISH OR DISSOLVE COMMITTEES, APPOINT CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS OF COMMITTEES AND ASSIGN FUNCTIONS TO COMMITTEES

WHEREAS section 284.8 of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.O 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers to establish or dissolve committees, appoint chairs and vice-chairs of committees, and assign functions to committees are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS section 284.13 of the Act provides that the head of council may delegate their powers and duties with respect to section 284.8 of the Act;

AND WHEREAS the City of Cambridge established the Budget & Audit Committee and the Planning & Development Committee in November 2022 for the 2022-2026 term of Council;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of Nicholas Ermeta as Chair and Sheri Roberts as Vice Chair of the Budget & Audit Committee will remain for the 2022-2026 term of Council;

AND WHEREAS the appointment of Nicholas Ermeta as Chair of the Planning & Development Committee will remain for the 2022-2026 term of Council;

AND WHEREAS as Mayor, I, Jan Liggett; will determine the appointment of a Vice Chair of Planning & Development Committee at a future date

NOW THEREFORE I, JAN LIGGETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE, HEREBY CONFIRM:

  1. That the formerly established committees of Council will remain in place for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term, as will the appointed Chairs and Vice Chairs.
  2. This shall come into force and effect on July 4, 2023.
  3. This decision takes effect on the date stated above and remains in effect until this decision is modified or revoked in writing.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on July 4, 2023

In accordance with Part Vl.1 (Special Powers and Duties of Head of Council) of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the "Act"), subsection 284.11(4):

The Mayor hereby directs the following:

  1. THAT By-law 24-084 to adopt Amendment No. 65 of the City of Cambridge Official Plan (2012), as amended, with respect to the Main Street and Dundas Street South Secondary Plan be approved.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on September 17, 2024

In accordance with Part VI.1 (Special Powers and Duties of Head of Council) of the Municipal Act, 2001, subsections 284.16(4) power to veto a resolution passed under subsection 284.16(3);

The Mayor hereby directs the following:

  1. THAT the Mayor's veto power under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, be used to veto the following amendment that was adopted by Council at its Council Meeting on November 27th, 2024:
    • Amendment 006 - THAT the operating budget be amended to provide for a contribution in the amount of $100,000 to help Cambridge Memorial Hospital purchase new and replacement equipment to meet the demands of a growing patient care population; AND FURTHER THAT the contribution be funded from the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund.
  2. AND THAT in the years following COVID, the quantity of outstanding tax accounts have risen 30%, the cumulative tax arrears have risen 61% and the cumulative past due taxes have risen 56% with a YTD amount owing in past due taxes of
    $39,718,015.75;
  3. AND THAT being the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund exists to offset extraordinary one-time pressures or phase-in significant impacts affecting the general levy and not to be considered a long-term sustainable funding source for general operations;
  4. AND THAT, in the opinion of the Mayor, the amendment be vetoed as the funding request will be used towards general hospital operating expenses, including, but not limited to, bandages, replacements beds, mattresses, and other sundries that are costs covered by publicly funded services as authorized by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care;
  5. AND THAT I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge hereby decide to not exercise the power to veto the following budget amendments passed at the Council Meeting of November 27th, 2024, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 530/22 subsection 7(9) of the Municipal Act, 2001:
    • Amendment 001 - Accessible Ball Diamond
    • Amendment 002 - Greengate Park Basketball Court
    • Amendment 003 - Compass Trail Park Basketball Pad
    • Amendment 004 - Study Park Playground Replacement
    • Amendment 005 - Recreational Amenities in the Lena Crescent Neighbourhood
    • Amendment 007 - Lower Main Street Permanent Road Closure
  6. AND FURTHER THAT this Mayoral Decision provides written notice under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, and subsection 7(7) of Ontario Regulation 530/22 to shorten the 10-day period to veto an amendment resolution passed by City Council to the proposed budget, to the date of this Mayoral Decision.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on December 2, 2024

 

Mayoral decision Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001, I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, hereby give written approval that Plan of Subdivision 30T-21101, presented in Strong Mayor Powers Memorandum 25-038-CD, be draft plan approved, in accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on March 12, 2025

Mayoral decision Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001, I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, hereby give written approval for the City of Cambridge to enter into a Credit for Service Agreement for the design and reconstruction of Middle Block Road between Riverbank Drive and Fountain Street, in accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001.

 Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on April 24, 2025

To retain certain powers to determine the organizational structure of the City of Cambridge, to hire and dismiss certain City officials.

Under the authority granted by s. 284.6 of the Municipal Act, 2001, I, Jan Liggett Mayor of the City of Cambridge, hereby rescind Mayoral Decision 2023-02 to delegate powers to the City Manager to determine the organizational structure of the city and to hire and dismiss certain City officials.

This Mayoral Decision shall be effective as of May 26, 2025.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on May 26, 2025

WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.O 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers of the municipality with respect to determining the organizational structure of the municipality are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act provides the power to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the head of council;

Now therefore I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge:

Appoint Rob Axiak as City Manager of the City of Cambridge, effective November 4, 2025 to November 4, 2029

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on October 30, 2025

WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.O 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers of the municipality with respect to determining the organizational structure of the municipality are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act provides the power to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS section 284.13 of the Act provides that the head of council may delegate their powers and duties with respect to section 284.6 of the Act;

NOW THEREFORE I, JAN LIGGETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE HEREBY DELEGATE:

  1. The powers listed under subsection 284.6 (1) of the Act, to the City Manager of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge.
  2. The power listed under subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the City Manager, with the understanding that this delegated authority will be carried out in consultation with the Mayor.
  3. This shall come into force and effect on July 4, 2023.
  4. This delegation takes effect on the date stated above and remains in effect until this delegation is modified or revoked in writing.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on November 4, 2025

WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, R.S.O 2001 (the "Act") provides that the powers of the municipality with respect to determining the organizational structure of the municipality are assigned to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act provides the power to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the head of council;

AND WHEREAS section 284.13 of the Act provides that the head of council may delegate their powers and duties with respect to section 284.6 of the Act;

NOW THEREFORE I, JAN LIGGETT, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE HEREBY DELEGATE:

  1. The powers listed under subsection 284.6 (1) of the Act, to the City Manager of the Corporation of the City of Cambridge.
  2. The power listed under subsection 284.6 (2) of the Act to hire, dismiss or exercise any other prescribed employment powers with respect to the head of any division or the head of any other part of the organizational structure to the City Manager, with the understanding that this delegated authority will be carried out in consultation with the Mayor.
  3. This shall come into force and effect on November 4, 2025.
  4. This delegation takes effect on the date stated above and remains in effect until this delegation is modified or revoked in writing.

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on November 4, 2025

Mayor Decision Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which  amended the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, hereby give decision on the allocation of additional assessment growth, dated November 17, 2025, in accordance with subsection 284.11(4)(a)(i) of the Municipal Act, 2001:

  • Allocate half of additional assessment growth totaling $537,100 to the 2026 budget, effectively reducing the proposed levy from 4.86% to 4.36%
  • Allocate the other half of additional assessment growth as a contribution to the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on November 11, 2025

Under Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, which amended the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act) I, Jan Liggett, Mayor of the City of Cambridge, hereby decide that, with respect to the 2026 Budget: 

  1. I will not exercise the power to veto under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001.
  2. This Mayoral Decision provides written notice under subsection 284.16(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, and subsection 7(7) of O. Reg 530/22 to shorten the 10-day period to veto an amendment resolution passed by City Council to the proposed budget date of this Mayoral Decision. 

Signed by Mayor Jan Liggett on December 1, 2026