The City of Stratford has filed a legal challenge related to the provincial government’s strong mayor legislation.
The city’s application to the court notes the legislation is inconsistent with the Charger of Rights and Freedoms.
At its May 27, 2025 meeting, city council directed staff to work with the city solicitor to examine the possibility of issuing a legal challenge.
Staff and legal counsel have completed the necessary preparatory work to initiate the legal process, according to a media release.
The release notes that the legislation was introduced by the province in 2022 and has expanded to municipalities across Ontario. It says the legislation is intended to support shared provincial priorities, including housing initiatives, and infrastructure to support housing, including transit, roads, utilities and servicing.
City council expressed concerns about the implications of the legislation for local decision-making and governance, and while it agrees with the province’s goal of building more housing, it rejects the notion that strong mayor powers are helpful in achieving that goal.
In April 2025, council adopted a resolution requesting that the province reconsider Stratford’s designation.
Mark Hunter, a city councillor and lawyer, said council has expressed concerns about how the strong mayor framework may affect municipal governance, including how elected officials participate in decision-making.
“The strong mayor legislation ends majority rule in many city council meetings. I believe that this is inconsistent with our constitution. Proceeding through the courts allows those questions to be examined through an established legal process.”
The application argues that the legislation undermines the ability for elected officials to have an equal voice and
effectively participate and violates the right to effective representation of the city’s residents.
Costs are being managed within the city’s approved operating budget.
