OntarioPassed43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill 3 explained in plain English

Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022

Housing Democratic Institutions & Elections

Ontario legislature bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.

How This Type of Bill Becomes Law Official source

At a glance

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Legislature / Parliament

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Session

43rd Parliament, 1st Session

Bill number

Bill 3

Full title

Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022

Current status

Passed

Latest event

Royal Assent received

Last updated

Sep 8, 2022

Sponsor

Steve Clark

Official Legislative Assembly of Ontario snapshot for 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. Representative vote breakdowns appear when the Assembly publishes an Ayes and Nays page for the bill.

Chamber

Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Current Stage

Royal Assent received

Latest Activity

Sep 8, 2022

Sponsor

Steve Clark

Plain-language explanation

In plain English (our explanation)

Our plain-language take, written for civic education.

Source: By PoliticalData.ca

AI-assisted, reviewed before publishing

Short Version

The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, grants enhanced powers to the heads of council in certain municipalities, impacting their ability to direct staff, manage organizational structures, appoint committee members, veto by-laws, and influence budget decisions, while also modifying conflict of interest rules.

What It Means

The Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, gives heads of council (mayors) in certain municipalities new powers and duties. These changes affect the City of Toronto Act, 2006, the Municipal Act, 2001, and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. The Act allows mayors to direct municipal employees, influence the organizational structure and employment matters (with some exceptions), appoint chairs and vice-chairs of local boards and committees, and potentially call council meetings or veto by-laws if they believe it would advance provincial priorities. It also assigns the head of council powers and duties related to proposing and adopting the municipal budget, with provisions for council to override a mayoral veto. The Act also includes new rules for mayors with a pecuniary interest in a matter before the municipality.

What This Bill Does

Grants new powers to heads of council in specific municipalities to direct municipal employees for policy and program advice and implementation.
Assigns to heads of council the authority to determine the organizational structure of their municipality and manage employment matters for division heads, with specific exceptions (e.g., clerk, treasurer, auditor general).
Empowers heads of council to appoint chairs and vice-chairs of designated local boards and committees, and to assign functions to committees.
Allows heads of council to require council to consider matters they believe advance provincial priorities and to veto by-laws that they believe interfere with provincial priorities, with council having the ability to override the veto.
Assigns to heads of council the power to propose and adopt municipal budgets, with provisions for council to amend and override mayoral vetoes on budget amendments.
Introduces new rules for heads of council regarding pecuniary interests in municipal matters, requiring disclosure and prohibiting them from using their power or influencing decisions on such matters.
Amends the City of Toronto Act, 2006, and the Municipal Act, 2001, by adding new parts that outline these expanded powers and duties for heads of council.
Amends the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act to include specific provisions for heads of council with pecuniary interests.
Provides for regulations to be made by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Lieutenant Governor in Council to further define the scope and application of these new powers and duties.

Who Is Affected

Heads of council (mayors) in certain designated municipalities.
Municipal employees.
City council and municipal councils.
Members of local boards and committees in designated municipalities.
The public, in relation to municipal decision-making and information availability.
The Lieutenant Governor in Council.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Rights, Duties, Or Obligations

Heads of council have the right to direct city employees for research, advice, and implementation of decisions related to their powers.
Heads of council must exercise powers and perform duties in writing and in accordance with regulations.
Heads of council must make prescribed information and documents available to the public.
Heads of council have the power to appoint CAOs, division heads, chairs and vice-chairs of local boards and committees.
Heads of council may veto by-laws that interfere with provincial priorities, but council can override the veto.
Heads of council must prepare and propose a budget.
Heads of council with a pecuniary interest in a municipal matter must disclose it and refrain from using their power or influencing decisions.
Municipal councils have the right to override a head of council's veto of a by-law or budget amendment.
Municipal councils must consider matters called by the head of council that may advance provincial priorities.

Important Dates

The Act received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022.
Section 2(1) of the Act states that the Act (except as otherwise provided) comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Schedule 1 (City of Toronto Act, 2006 amendments) comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.
Schedule 2 (Municipal Act, 2001 amendments) comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.
Schedule 3 (Municipal Conflict of Interest Act amendments) comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.
A regulation made by the Minister may be retroactive to a date not earlier than six months before the regulation was made.

Financial Or Tax Impacts

The Act assigns powers and duties related to proposing and adopting municipal budgets to the head of council, which could have financial implications for municipalities.
The Act does not directly impose new taxes or fees.

Enforcement Or Penalties

The Act does not specify direct penalties for non-compliance but establishes procedures and powers that could lead to administrative or legal consequences if not followed.
The ability of a head of council to veto by-laws and the process for overriding such vetoes represent an enforcement mechanism within the legislative process.

Uncertainties Or Limits

The application of Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001, is subject to designation by the Minister through regulation, meaning these powers do not apply to all municipalities.
Many of the specific powers and duties are subject to regulations to be made by the Minister or Lieutenant Governor in Council, the details of which are not yet fully defined in the Act itself.
The Act mentions 'prescribed provincial priorities' and 'prescribed persons or classes of persons' which will be defined in regulations.
The extent to which the head of council can direct municipal employees and affect organizational structure is subject to 'prescribed employment powers' and 'prescribed limitations'.
The specific sections of certain Acts that are subject to or excluded from the veto powers are to be prescribed by regulation.
The exact timing for certain actions related to by-law approval, vetoes, and budget adoptions are subject to 'prescribed deadlines' or 'prescribed time periods'.
The commencement of Schedules 1, 2, and 3 depends on proclamation by the Lieutenant Governor, meaning their effective dates are not yet fixed.

Laws Or Regulations Affected

City of Toronto Act, 2006

amends

Adds a new Part VI.1 granting the head of council special powers and duties related to directing city employees, appointments, organizational structure, committees, meetings, budgets, and vetoing by-laws. Also repeals section 140.

Source: Schedule 1, Section 1 and 2

Municipal Act, 2001

amends

Adds a new Part VI.1 that grants the head of council special powers and duties in designated municipalities, similar to those in the City of Toronto Act, 2006, concerning directing employees, appointments, organizational structure, committees, meetings, budgets, and vetoing by-laws.

Source: Schedule 2, Section 1

Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

amends

Amends Section 4 and adds Section 5.3, which outlines the duties of a head of council when they have a pecuniary interest in a matter before the municipality, requiring disclosure and prohibiting them from exercising power or influencing decisions on that matter.

Source: Schedule 3, Section 1, 2, 3, and 4

City of Toronto Act, 2006

repeals

Repeals section 140 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

Source: Schedule 1, Section 1

Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.

Official text

Process Snapshot

Step 1

First reading

Aug 10, 2022

Step 2

Second reading

Aug 31, 2022

Step 3

Committee review

Aug 31, 2022

Step 4

Third reading

Sep 8, 2022

Step 5

Royal assent

Sep 8, 2022

Vote Summary

Yes

Abstain

Absent / Other

Final recorded vote

Sep 8, 2022

105 representative positions are recorded in this official snapshot for this vote.

Sponsor

Steve Clark

Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

Jurisdiction

Ontario Legislature

Representative Voting Breakdown

Vote badges include text labels so the table stays readable for everyone, even without color cues alone.

Representative	Role	Riding	Party	Vote	Notes
Andrew Dowie MPP	MPP	Windsor—Tecumseh	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Anthony Leardi MPP	MPP	Essex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Aris Babikian MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Agincourt	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Billy Pang MPP	MPP	Markham—Unionville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Riddell MPP	MPP	Cambridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Brian Saunderson MPP	MPP	Simcoe—Grey	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Christine Hogarth MPP	MPP	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Daisy Wai MPP	MPP	Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dave Smith MPP	MPP	Peterborough—Kawartha	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
David Smith MPP	MPP	Scarborough Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Dawn Gallagher Murphy MPP	MPP	Newmarket—Aurora	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Deepak Anand MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Malton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Effie J. Triantafilopoulos MPP	MPP	Oakville North—Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Goldie Ghamari MPP	MPP	Carleton	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Caroline Mulroney MPP	MPP	York—Simcoe	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Charmaine A. Williams MPP	MPP	Brampton Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. David Piccini MPP	MPP	Northumberland—Peterborough South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Donna Skelly MPP	MPP	Flamborough—Glanbrook	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Downey MPP	MPP	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Doug Ford MPP	MPP	Etobicoke North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Ernie Hardeman MPP	MPP	Oxford	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. George Pirie MPP	MPP	Timmins	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graham McGregor MPP	MPP	Brampton North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Graydon Smith MPP	MPP	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Greg Rickford MPP	MPP	Kenora—Rainy River	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Jill Dunlop MPP	MPP	Simcoe North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kevin Holland MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Atikokan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Kinga Surma MPP	MPP	Etobicoke Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Laurie Scott MPP	MPP	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Lisa M. Thompson MPP	MPP	Huron—Bruce	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael Parsa MPP	MPP	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Michael S. Kerzner MPP	MPP	York Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Mike Harris MPP	MPP	Kitchener—Conestoga	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Natalia Kusendova-Bashta MPP	MPP	Mississauga Centre	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Neil Lumsden MPP	MPP	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nina Tangri MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Streetsville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Nolan Quinn MPP	MPP	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Paul Calandra MPP	MPP	Markham—Stouffville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy MPP	MPP	Pickering—Uxbridge	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP	MPP	Brampton South	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Raymond Sung Joon Cho MPP	MPP	Scarborough North	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Rob Flack MPP	MPP	Elgin—Middlesex—London	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sam Oosterhoff MPP	MPP	Niagara West	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stan Cho MPP	MPP	Willowdale	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Crawford MPP	MPP	Oakville	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Stephen Lecce MPP	MPP	King—Vaughan	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Steve Clark MPP	MPP	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Sylvia Jones MPP	MPP	Dufferin—Caledon	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Todd J. McCarthy MPP	MPP	Durham	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Trevor Jones MPP	MPP	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Rouge Park	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Jess Dixon MPP	MPP	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Jordan MPP	MPP	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
John Yakabuski MPP	MPP	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Kaleed Rasheed MPP	MPP	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Laura Smith MPP	MPP	Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Logan Kanapathi MPP	MPP	Markham—Thornhill	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Lorne Coe MPP	MPP	Whitby	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Matthew Rae MPP	MPP	Perth—Wellington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Merrilee Fullerton MPP	MPP	Kanata—Carleton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Monte McNaughton MPP	MPP	Lambton—Kent—Middlesex	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Natalie Pierre MPP	MPP	Burlington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Patrice Barnes MPP	MPP	Ajax	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ric Bresee MPP	MPP	Hastings—Lennox and Addington	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rick Byers MPP	MPP	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robert Bailey MPP	MPP	Sarnia—Lambton	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Robin Martin MPP	MPP	Eglinton—Lawrence	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Ross Romano MPP	MPP	Sault Ste. Marie	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Rudy Cuzzetto MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Sheref Sabawy MPP	MPP	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Stéphane Sarrazin MPP	MPP	Glengarry—Prescott—Russell	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Todd Smith MPP	MPP	Bay of Quinte	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Vincent Ke MPP	MPP	Don Valley North	Independent	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Will Bouma MPP	MPP	Brantford—Brant	Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario	Yes	Recorded without an additional note.
Catherine Fife MPP	MPP	Waterloo	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chandra Pasma MPP	MPP	Ottawa West—Nepean	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Chris Glover MPP	MPP	Spadina—Fort York	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
France Gélinas MPP	MPP	Nickel Belt	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Guy Bourgouin MPP	MPP	Mushkegowuk—James Bay	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jamie West MPP	MPP	Sudbury	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jeff Burch MPP	MPP	Niagara Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens MPP	MPP	St. Catharines	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jennifer K. French MPP	MPP	Oshawa	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jessica Bell MPP	MPP	University—Rosedale	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Jill Andrew MPP	MPP	Toronto—St. Paul's	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Joel Harden MPP	MPP	Ottawa Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
John Vanthof MPP	MPP	Timiskaming—Cochrane	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Kristyn Wong-Tam MPP	MPP	Toronto Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lisa Gretzky MPP	MPP	Windsor West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lise Vaugeois MPP	MPP	Thunder Bay—Superior North	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Lucille Collard MPP	MPP	Ottawa—Vanier	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Marit Stiles MPP	MPP	Davenport	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mary-Margaret McMahon MPP	MPP	Beaches—East York	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mike Schreiner MPP	MPP	Guelph	Green Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Mitzie Hunter MPP	MPP	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Monique Taylor MPP	MPP	Hamilton Mountain	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Peggy Sattler MPP	MPP	London West	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Sandy Shaw MPP	MPP	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephanie Bowman MPP	MPP	Don Valley West	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Stephen Blais MPP	MPP	Orléans	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Ted Hsu MPP	MPP	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario Liberal Party	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Terence Kernaghan MPP	MPP	London North Centre	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Teresa J. Armstrong MPP	MPP	London—Fanshawe	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Tom Rakocevic MPP	MPP	Humber River—Black Creek	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.
Wayne Gates MPP	MPP	Niagara Falls	New Democratic Party of Ontario	No	Recorded without an additional note.

Official sources

Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.

How this data is sourced