Windsor looks to formalize Auditor General’s independence under strong mayor system

Windsor’s Auditor General could soon have more power. CTV Windsor’s Travis Fortnum explains how.

Windsor could soon join other Ontario cities in enshrining legal protections for its Auditor General (AG) — a move aimed at strengthening oversight in the era of strong mayor powers.

On Monday, city council voted to have administration draft a bylaw that would clearly define the independence of the municipality’s top watchdog.

Currently, the Auditor General’s role in Windsor is governed largely by convention rather than law.

There is no existing local bylaw outlining how the AG is appointed, how their work plan is approved, or what level of funding is guaranteed for the office.

Still, the role comes with built-in provincial protections — the Auditor General is among a list of roles the mayor cannot unilaterally fire under Ontario’s strong mayor powers, a list that also includes the fire chief, chief of police, integrity commissioner and city clerk, among others.

No bylaw at the city level sets Windsor apart from other municipalities like Ottawa, Sudbury and Thunder Bay, which all have detailed ones in place to protect the autonomy and scope of their AG offices.

Council was presented Monday with a comparator report prepared by city administration, outlining how other cities structure and safeguard their AG functions.

While the Auditor General did not author the report, he provided input based on research and professional standards.

The proposed bylaw is expected to address several key areas, including structural safeguards around appointment and removal, rules for public reporting, the development of the AG’s work plan and a possible minimum funding threshold to ensure the office remains effective as the city grows.

The issue comes amid broader changes to Windsor’s governance model under Ontario’s strong mayor legislation, which grants expanded powers to the mayor, including control over budgeting and senior staffing decisions.

The AG’s office reports directly to council and is not addressed within the new Municipal Act provisions, making the role something of a grey area under the strong mayor framework.

A formal bylaw would clarify the position’s independence from both council and administration, regardless of who holds political power.

Council voted unanimously to direct staff to work with the AG and bring back a draft bylaw for future consideration.