Mayoral decisions

Learn more about the Mayor's special powers and duties assigned by the province. Review mayoral decisions made under the Municipal Act. 


On this page

  1. Statement from Mayor Dorothy McCabe
  2. Strong mayor powers
  3. Review mayoral decisions
  4. Review mayoral direction

Statement from Mayor Dorothy McCabe

The provincial government extended Strong Mayor powers to municipalities that have committed to a housing pledge as part of the province’s work plan for ‘building more homes faster’. However, I have informed Council and staff that I do not intend to use these powers.

In July 2023, I delegated back to the CAO the authorities commonly and regularly provided to CAOs across municipalities in Ontario. 

In September 2023, I issued a direction to staff to prepare the budget for public engagement and council consideration after February 2, 2023 and informed the Finance Liaison and the internal budget committee  that I will not introduce my own budget. 

I have made these decisions because Strong Mayor powers are not necessary for me to utilize in order for the City of Waterloo to advance approvals for housing developments of all varieties. In addition, I am concerned that utilizing Strong Mayor powers will undermine the work of Council, staff and the input from our residents and community partners and does a disservice to local democracy.

"The work of our municipality and building a successful community requires the input and expertise of Council, staff and the community we collectively serve."

October 30, 2023


Strong mayor powers

The Mayor has special powers and duties under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, which took effect in July 2023. These include powers to:

  • appoint and dismiss senior managers (either by the Mayor or their delegate)
  • create committees of council, assign their functions, and appoint their chairs and vice-chairs (either by the Mayor or their delegate)
  • propose the city’s budget (subject to council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a council override process)
  • submit matters for council's consideration if the Mayor believes it supports a provincial priority
  • veto bylaws if the Mayor believes it supports a provincial priority
  • direct city staff in writing

The Mayor must exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.


Review mayoral decisions made under the Municipal Act, 2001

Decisions about the organizational structure of the city

Date Number Decision

July 1 2023

2023-001

Delegation for the appointment of a chief administrative officer (PDF)

July 1 2023

2023-002

Decision to assign the organizational structure and duties of the CAO to the CAO (PDF)

July 1 2023

2023-003

Delegation regarding committees of council (PDF)
Decisions about bylaws

Date Number Decision

 

 

 
Decisions about vetoes
2024 decisions about vetoes
Date Number Decision
January 15 2024

2024-001

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
January 22 2024

2024-002

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
January 29 2024

2024-003

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
February 5 2024

2024-004

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
February 12 2024

2024-005

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
February 26 2024

2024-006

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
March 4 2024

2024-007

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
March 18 2024

2024-008

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
March 25 2024

2024-009

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
April 15 2024

2024-010

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
April 22 2024

2024-011

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
April 29 2024

2024-012

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
May 6 2024

2024-013

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
May 13 2024

2024-014

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
May 27 2024

2024-015

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
June 3 2024

2024-016

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
June 17 2024

2024-017

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
June 24 2024

2024-018

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
September 9 2024

2024-019

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
September 16 2024

2024-020

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
September 23 2024

2024-021

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

2023 decisions about vetoes

Date Number Decision

September 11 2023

2023-004

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

September 18 2023

2023-005

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

October 2 2023

2023-006

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

October 16 2023

2023-007

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

October 30 2023

2023-008

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

November 6 2023

2023-009

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

November 27 2023

2023-010

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
December 4 2023

2023-011

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)
December 11 2023

2023-012

Decision not to veto bylaws (PDF)

Review mayoral direction made under the Municipal Act, 2001

Direction to municipal employees

Date Number Decision

September 11 2023

D2023-001

2024-2026 Operating and Capital Budget (PDF)