The Mayor of Hawkesbury has decided that letting council and staff be a part of decision making is how he prefers to get things done.

At the Monday, May 12 council meeting, Robert Lefebvre told council he has decided to delegate the additional so-called “strong mayor” powers that the Ontario government is giving many mayors, to council and administrative staff.

On April 9, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack announced the government was expanding so-called strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 169 additional municipalities effective May 1, 2025. Locally, in addition to the Town of Hawkesbury, the powers have also been given to the mayors of Champlain Township, The Nation Municipality, The City of Clarence-Rockland, and the Township of North Glengarry.

The government believes extending the enhanced authority to more mayors will streamline local governance and help ensure municipalities have the tools they need to reduce obstacles that can stand in the way of new housing and infrastructure development. The powers would allow mayors of municipalities with councils of six members or more to support shared provincial-municipal priorities, such as encouraging the approval of new housing and constructing and maintaining infrastructure to support housing, including roads and transit.

Lefebvre said he discussed the issue with Chief Administrative Officer Sam Cardarelli and Clerk Sonia Girard. Lefebvre does not believe it is necessary to use these powers.

“We all represent the Town of Hawkesbury,” he said of council.

Even though Lefebvre has chosen to delegate the additional authority to council and staff, a future mayor could decide to retain them.

Councillor Julie Seguin appreciated the mayor’s decision to largely keep things as they are.

“Thank you for keeping the status quo,” she remarked.

Councillor Jeanne Charlebois was pleased to hear Lefebvre’s views. However, she is concerned what could happen if someone took the role of mayor without having the same knowledge or temperament.

“You are a reasonable person, and you know the importance of the six other members of council.”

Councillor Tony Tsourounakis said he was trying to think of situations where this sort of power could be used, such as if the mayor wanted a vote by council to go opposite to how it was likely to go.

“I can’t think of a situation where that would be good for the town,” he commented.

Tsourounakis is concerned about the possibility of one person having too much ability to make decisions in the future. As an example, he referred to “a place south of where we are right now.”

“I also understand what the Premier is trying to do, but I don’t know if this is the correct way to do it,” he added.

“I concur with your comments. That’s basically why I refuse to take these powers,” Lefebvre responded.

On May 12, Hawkesbury council also endorsed a resolution adopted by the council in the southern Ontario town of Aylmer opposing the expansion of strong mayor authority out of concern for the preservation of local democracy, transparency, and accountability.