With Cobourg council set to receive a presentation tonight on the 2026 Cobourg Police Services Board budget, Mayor Lucas Cleveland has issued a public reminder on the scope and limits of Strong Mayor powers in Ontario.
Cleveland says the term has often been misunderstood, and he believes a false narrative persists that overstates mayoral authority, especially related to the town budget.
Cleveland reiterates that Strong Mayor powers are designed to accelerate municipal alignment with provincial priorities such as housing, growth, infrastructure, and service delivery, not to centralize control or remove council oversight.
At the same time, the Police Services Board is defending its request for a 20.5 percent increase, saying the rise is being driven by non-discretionary obligations. Those include compliance with provincial legislation, specifically the Community Safety and Policing Act, as well as the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Cobourg, which prohibits subsidizing the police budget using business services revenue from the corporate services unit, a practice that Chief Paul VandeGraaf believes had led directly to the current situation. The Board argues these structural requirements leave very limited room for reduction without impacting core service and staffing.
The mayor provided a Strong Mayor 101 primer for those seeking clarity on just what he can and cannot do:
What Strong Mayor Powers Allow
The Strong Mayor framework gives the Mayor several tools:
• To prepare the draft municipal budget;
• To assign certain responsibilities to senior staff;
• To create or dissolve committees;
• And to veto council decisions only when they conflict with provincial priorities.
While these powers may sound broad, they are limited and highly structured by Provincial law.
Where Strong Mayor Powers Stop
Council Holds Final Authority
Council retains the ability to overrule the Mayor with a two-thirds vote. If a Mayor vetoes a council decision, council can overturn it. This ensures the Mayor leads – but does not rule.
Provincial Goals Must Be Followed
Every decision under Strong Mayor powers must support the province’s stated priorities.
If a Mayor acts outside these goals, decisions can be challenged – and potentially invalidated.
The Budget Is Still Decided by Council
The Mayor may draft the first version of the municipal budget. But council debates it, amends it, and ultimately decides whether it passes. The mayor may propose – it is council who ultimately decides.
Staff Management Has Clear Boundaries
The Mayor may hire or assign some senior staff members – but must still follow contracts, employment law, and administrative structure. Day-to-day staffing authority remains with municipal administration and CAO.
Bylaws Cannot Be Passed by the Mayor Alone
No Mayor can create a bylaw without council approval. Debate, vote, procedure, and transparency remain essential – and required.
Committees Are Still Accountable to Council
The Mayor can reshuffle or create committees, but their work is not binding. Council retains the authority to change recommendations, send matters back, or vote them down entirely.
Transparency and Process Still Apply
All Strong Mayor actions must comply with:
• Ontario’s Municipal Act
• Public notice rules
• Accountability and integrity procedures
• Open meeting requirements
Council meets in this evening, Wednesday November 26 at 6:00 pm and residents are invited to attend in person of via cobourg.ca.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)