Windsor city council votes to ask Ontario to remove ‘strong mayor powers’

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, April 28, 2025. (Sanjay Maru/CTV News Windsor)

A majority of Windsor city councillors have voted to ask the provincial government to remove Windsor from the list of municipalities governed by “strong mayor powers” — a system critics say gives too much authority to the mayor and undermines democratic decision-making.

The motion, introduced by Ward 9 councillor Kieran McKenzie, called on council to formally request Premier Doug Ford pull back on Windsor’s designation.

McKenzie stressed the motion was not an attack on Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens personally, but a defence of collaborative governance.

“These powers were granted without consultation, without a local request, and without a democratic mandate,” McKenzie said. “This isn’t about leadership. It’s about principles. It’s about the kind of governance we believe in as a city.”

Strong mayor powers allow Windsor’s mayor to veto certain council decisions tied to provincial priorities, control the hiring and firing of senior staff and table the city budget.

Several delegates spoke in support of McKenzie’s motion during Monday’s meeting, urging council to oppose what they described as a threat to democratic accountability.

“Strong mayor legislation is not consistent with the democratic process we want in the city of Windsor,” said Ward 2 resident Janeen Auld. “Demonstrate your commitment to the City of Windsor residents by supporting this motion.”

Caroline Taylor, another delegate, criticized Mayor Dilkens’ use of a veto earlier this year to overturn council’s decision to keep the Windsor-Detroit tunnel bus service running.

“Seven out of 10 councillors voted to keep the tunnel bus. Their votes were dismissed,” Taylor said. “If my councillor’s vote does not count, then neither does mine.”

Councillors debated the motion at length, with several supporting McKenzie’s call to push back against the provincial legislation.

Ward 2 councillor Fabio Costante said he struggled to understand what local problem strong mayor powers were intended to solve.

“Every neighbourhood votes in their city councillor,” Costante said. “If that is somewhat lost, even partly, that’s a big problem.”

Ward 1 councillor Fred Francis said he, too, would support the motion, arguing strong mayor powers change the dynamic between councillors, administration, and the mayor’s office.

“My concern is not today — it’s about who comes next,” Francis said. “Affording too much power to one office without proper checks and balances can lead down a dangerous road.”

Other councillors, including Ward 6 councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, voted against the motion. Gignac said she shared concerns about strong mayor powers but doubted that asking the province to reverse course would accomplish anything.

“When we asked what the provincial priorities were, I still don’t think we have an exhaustive list,” Gignac said. “But I don’t see the benefit of this. I can’t support it.”

In Oct. 2023, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff tried to opt out of strong mayor powers, but the province granted them to him anyway. In response, council later voted to delegate the powers back to council and the chief administrative officer.

Dilkens defended his approach to governance since the powers were enacted last year. He said city administration continues to operate collaboratively and that he regularly consults councillors on major decisions.

“Nothing has changed in terms of my outreach to council,” Dilkens said. “I don’t take this personally. But the reality is the legislation is here. It’s law.”

Dilkens emphasized that he has only used his veto power once — to overturn council’s decision on the tunnel bus — and argued that the move was necessary to avoid further budget pressures.

“This legislation does not give one person all the power,” Dilkens said. “It’s a discrete set of powers with narrow application.”

In the end, council voted in favour of McKenzie’s motion by a vote of 8-3. Voting in opposition were Dilkens, Gignac and Coun. Ed Sleiman.

Starting May 1, strong mayor powers will be extended to 169 more municipalities — including Essex, Amherstburg, Kingsville, Tecumseh, and LaSalle — where councils have each taken steps to voice their opposition to the designation.