The Town of Lincoln 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.
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*
- Creating committees of Council, assigning their functions, and appointing the Chairs and Vice Chairs*
- Proposing the Town's budget, which would be subject to Council amendments, a Mayoral veto, and a Council override process
- 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 Mayoral special powers
*The Mayor may choose to delegate these specific powers and duties.
The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing, give notice to the Town Clerk, and make decisions and directives available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Mayoral decisions and directives to date are available below.
Mayoral decisions and directives made pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001
The Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, 1990, requires the Mayor to disclose any pecuniary interest when exercising any of the powers or duties assigned to the head of Council under Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001. The Mayor shall disclose the interest by filing a written statement of interest, along with its general nature, to the Town Clerk. The Mayor shall not use the power or exercise the duty with respect to the matter and not use their office to attempt to influence a decision that results from consideration of the matter.