The Town of Petawawa was granted Strong Mayor Powers, as part of Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022 effective May 1, 2025.

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.

Some strong mayor powers are related to prescribed provincial priorities that are identified in Ontario Regulation 580/22:

• Building 1.5 million new residential units by December 31, 2021

• Constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing including:
  • Transit
  • Roads
  • Utilities
  • Servicing

Under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Mayor has the following special powers and duties as the head of Council:

• Appointing and dismissing the Chief Administrative Officer*

• Hiring and dismissing certain municipal department heads, and establishing and reorganizing departments* 
  • (does not include statutory positions such as Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Integrity Commissioner, Chief Building Official, Fire Chief etc.)

• Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions, and appointing the Chairs and Vice Chairs* 
  • (this only applies to committees that are solely made up of members of Council, i.e. Committee of Adjustment, Property Standards)

• Proposing the Town’s budget, which would be subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process
  • The Strong Mayor Budget shall be prepared on or before February 1st; if not, Council shall prepare and adopt the budget

• Vetoing certain by-laws, if the Mayor is of the opinion that all or part of a by-law could potentially interfere with a provincial priority

• Bringing forward matters for Council consideration, if the Mayor is of the opinion that considering the matter could potentially advance a provincial priority

• Directing municipal staff in writing to undertake research, provide advice, or carry out duties related to the Strong Mayor powers

*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties to the CAO and Council.

Strong Mayor Powers cannot be delegated to the Deputy Mayor; in the case of a vacancy or absence, Strong Mayor Powers do not transfer to an interim/acting mayor, a by-election must be conducted.