1. Lead Through Consensus
Good government is measured by the wisdom, transparency and accountability of its decisions — not only by how quickly decisions are made.
Why This Matters
Ontario has extended Strong Mayor powers to designated municipalities, including Collingwood. Those powers give the Mayor additional statutory authorities in defined areas. They do not remove Council, public debate or professional administration. The question for Collingwood is not whether the powers exist — it is how they should be exercised.
Our Vision
Strong leadership strengthens democracy; it does not replace it. Residents elect a Mayor, a Deputy Mayor and seven Councillors from diverse perspectives. The Mayor’s responsibility is to lead that team toward the community’s long-term interests — earning the confidence of Council and residents by building consensus.
2. Strengthen Democracy
Additional mayoral tools should support collaborative Council decision-making, open debate and accountable administration — not replace them.
3. Choose How Power Is Used
Where the law permits, authority should be shared and delegated. Leadership is choosing when to lead alone, and when to lead together.
First Edition — July 2026. Vision for Collingwood: Public Policy Paper No. 2.
Understanding the Issue
What Changed
The Province of Ontario has extended Strong Mayor powers based on population criteria, including for Collingwood. The framework provides the Mayor with additional authorities in defined areas while Council, debate and administration continue to matter.
The Principle
Where provincial legislation permits, available authorities should be delegated to Council or entrusted to the Chief Administrative Officer whenever doing so preserves balance, transparency and better outcomes for residents.
The Leadership Question
The question is not whether Strong Mayor tools exist. It is how — and when — they should be used so Collingwood continues to govern in a way that reflects its democratic character within that legislative framework.
Decision Areas Under Strong Mayor Powers
Budget Authority
How the municipal budget is proposed, advanced and ultimately approved within the legislative framework.
Planning, Housing & Infrastructure
How major planning, housing and infrastructure priorities move from proposal to Council decision.
Veto Power Over By-laws
When mayoral veto tools may apply, and how Council can respond under the Strong Mayor rules.
CAO & Senior Administration
How the Chief Administrative Officer and senior organizational leadership are appointed and directed.
Note: Most Strong Mayor powers relate to provincially prescribed priorities and should be used with clear public reasons whenever they are exercised.
The Plan
Collaboration First
Start with Council, staff, stakeholders and residents. Collective decision-making remains Collingwood’s greatest strength.
Respect for Council
Elected Councillors bring diverse perspectives that strengthen outcomes. Leadership means seeking and considering those views.
Respect for Every Resident
Every resident deserves a voice in local democracy. Decisions should reflect the long-term interests of the whole community.
Clear Communication
Explain the issue, the options and the reasons for a decision in plain language the public can follow.
Results That Matter
Use tools only when they advance durable, practical outcomes — with accountability for the choices that are made.
Use Powers Sparingly
Even when appropriate, Strong Mayor powers should be used with humility, restraint and a plan for ongoing engagement.
When May Using a Strong Mayor Power Be Appropriate?
Urgent Needs
Time-sensitive decisions where delay would clearly harm residents, services or statutory deadlines.
Provincial Priorities
Actions tied to prescribed provincial housing, infrastructure or growth priorities under the Strong Mayor framework.
Council Gridlock
Situations where genuine deadlock prevents progress on a matter that serves the broader community interest.
Community Benefit
When a measured use of the tool will clearly and accountably advance Collingwood’s long-term public interest.
Even when appropriate, these powers should be used sparingly, with humility, and always with a plan for ongoing engagement and accountability.
Decision Test Before Using a Strong Mayor Power
Community Interest
Will using this power clearly advance the long-term interests of Collingwood?
Consensus
Have I genuinely sought and considered the views of Council, staff, stakeholders and residents?
Necessity
Is using this power necessary — and is it the most proportionate response?
Transparency
Can I explain this decision clearly to the public — and be held accountable for it?
Community Benefit
Will residents clearly benefit — especially where action is urgent or Council is gridlocked?
If the answer is “no” to any of these tests, leadership means choosing not to use the power.
What This Means for Residents
- Collingwood elects nine independent representatives — not one.
- Strong Mayor tools should support collaboration, not replace Council judgement.
- Where the law allows, authorities should be shared and decisions explained openly.
- Any use of special powers should be rare, necessary and accountable to the public.
Policy Position
Where the Province gives authority, the Mayor still chooses how that authority is used. The right choice for Collingwood is to delegate what can be delegated, build consensus, and reserve Strong Mayor tools for moments when they clearly serve the community interest.
What Success Looks Like
Measuring Success
- Delegable authorities are shared with Council or entrusted to the CAO where the law permits
- Major decisions continue through open discussion and collective Council judgement
- Any Strong Mayor power that is used is explained publicly with clear reasons
- Residents see collaboration, transparency and accountability in practice
- Administrative leadership remains professional and clearly defined
- Collingwood’s democratic character is strengthened within the provincial framework
First Act / First 100 Days
At the first meeting of the new Council, bring a resolution affirming collaborative governance: delegate what can be delegated, entrust administrative authorities to the CAO, keep decision-making centred on Council, and commit to transparency whenever a Strong Mayor power is used.
Deliverable: A public Council resolution and governance statement setting out which authorities will be shared, how decisions will be explained, and how accountability will be maintained.
Closing Message
The Province determines what powers a Mayor possesses. A Mayor determines how those powers will be exercised. Collingwood’s future will be strongest when we combine the tools of the Strong Mayor framework with the timeless values of collaboration, respect and accountability.
Leadership is a choice. Consensus is a commitment.
— Norm
Selected Source Register
- Vision for Collingwood — Public Policy Paper No. 2: Leadership Through Consensus (First Edition, July 2026).
- Province of Ontario — Strong Mayor Powers legislative framework for designated municipalities.
- Municipal governance principles: transparency, accountability, collaborative leadership and respect for every resident.