New “Strong Mayor” powers raise the stakes for October election

In his recent column about the current and likely candidates for mayor, Nathan Colquhoun writes that “the mayor is still just one of nine votes on council…a symbolic figurehead role.

In his recent column about the current and likely candidates for mayor, Nathan Colquhoun writes that “the mayor is still just one of nine votes on council…a symbolic figurehead role.” But this is no longer true: under the new so-called “strong mayor” legislation, the office of the mayor holds significantly more power than it ever has before.

We miss this point at our peril: this October 26 will be the first municipal election since these new powers have come into force, and therefore the first time Sarnians have had to factor them into our decision about who we elect to lead Council.

Now, the mayor is not only the chair and official figurehead of our city; they alone have the power—and responsibility—to make committee appointments, hire and fire senior City staff, propose the annual budget, and veto decisions of council.

The centralizing of power in the mayor's office has been widely viewed as an erosion of democracy by those who study and measure it. Just this week, the City of Stratford launched a legal challenge against the legislation that forced strong mayor powers on the municipality.

Since 2022, many mayors across the province have conscientiously delegated, consulted, and often, declined to use these powers. They continue to legislate the old-fashioned way, arriving at official decisions through persuasion and consensus among their council colleagues.

Consensus-building is not only more democratic; it is healthier civic engagement for the whole community. It means explaining why an idea is good. It requires listening to a diversity of perspectives, and often finding a compromise or changing positions based on new information. Public discourse brings to light both challenges and opportunities. Without that friction, we lose out.

Since Sarnia’s mayoralty gained these new powers three years ago, Mayor Bradley has only exercised the veto once, with regard to the 2026 municipal budget. By and large, he has taken the traditional approach to building consensus across Council. And, despite what you may hear from some quarters, the 2022-2026 council has been functional more often than not.

We have not—yet—seen the effect of these powers in the hands of someone who is uninterested in consensus.

Good governance is more than speed or efficiency; it protects the integrity of our democracy. And leadership—especially our head of government—is more than power over; it's also power with.

When we cast our ballots for mayor and council this fall, I hope my fellow voters will consider what kind of leadership each candidate is offering. Who builds power through strong relationships and trust? Who takes their power by fostering division and harnessing fear? Who reaches across the aisle, who listens even if they disagree, and who has shown a willingness to change their mind?

A lot can happen in a four-year term. As the recent events have shown us, you never know when an emergency will strike. There is presently no recall; no way to remove an elected mayor.

We get one chance to move Sarnia into tomorrow. Choose the hand you want on the helm when things go sideways. Elect a mayor who’s willing and able to lead. Make sure it’s someone who gets it: a strong mayor makes decisions in community, not by force.

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Skylar Maharaj is a local community organizer and past political staffer who has worked at various levels of government, including for Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.