Mayor Delegates Strong Mayor Powers Back to Council and CAO

Mayor Sue Carleton has formally delegated key strong mayor powers granted under the Municipal Act, returning authority over organizational structure, hiring decisions, and committee appointments to the appropriate municipal bodies.

Effective the date of signing on June 25, 2025, Mayor Carleton’s decisions include:

• Delegating hiring and dismissal powers related to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to Council
• Delegating authority over the Township’s organizational structure and employee decisions to the CAO, in consultation with the Mayor
• Returning responsibility for the creation and operation of committees to Council
• Directing staff to prepare the 2026 budget using established service levels, with full review and approval by Council later this year.

These decisions are consistent with the position Georgian Bluffs Council took in May 2025, when it publicly opposed the provincial expansion of strong mayor powers to smaller municipalities. Council expressed concern that the new powers undermined the collaborative nature of local government and the principles of representative decision-making.

“While the legislation gives heads of council increased authority, Georgian Bluffs remains committed to open, cooperative governance,” said Mayor Carleton. “These decisions ensure that major administrative and policy matters continue to reflect the collective voice of Council and the community.”

Residents can continue to expect transparency, thoughtful oversight, and inclusive planning as the Township prepares for the 2026 budget process and beyond.