Georgian Bluffs Mayor Sue Carleton is the latest in a long line of local mayors to delegate Strong Mayor Powers back to council and staff.
Carleton made her decision official at the June 25 Georgian Bluffs Council meeting.
The delegated powers include the hiring and dismissal powers related to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) back to council and authority over the township’s organizational structure and employee decisions to the CAO, in consultation with the mayor.
Also, responsibility for the creation and operation of committees was delegated back to council, as well as directing staff to prepare the 2026 budget, with a full review and approval by council later this year.
An official media release from the Township of Georgian Bluffs shares that these decisions "are consistent with the position Georgian Bluffs Council took in May 2025, when it publicly opposed the provincial expansion of strong mayor powers to smaller municipalities."
"While the legislation gives heads of council increased authority, Georgian Bluffs remains committed to open, cooperative governance," said Mayor Carleton. "These decisions ensure that major administrative and policy matters continue to reflect the collective voice of Council and the community."