Call for New Members

The Climate Change Advisory Panel (CCAP) is a group of residents and elected officials working together to help make Perth a more sustainable, climate-conscious community.
We’re currently looking to fill three positions:

1 citizen member (open to any adult resident or property owner in Perth)
1 student from St. John Catholic High School (must be a Perth resident)
1 student from Perth & District Collegiate Institute (must be a Perth resident)

If you're passionate about local climate action and want to contribute to a greener future for Perth, we encourage you to apply and help guide environmental initiatives for the remainder of the Council term.
To qualify, applicants must be a resident or property owner of Perth. We encourage those with experience in environmental science, sustainability, environmental engineering, urban planning, policy development, or data analysis.
Visit https://forms.perth.ca/Application-to-Serve-on-the-CCAP for more information and to apply. Applications must be submitted by 12 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Town Hall Exterior Washrooms Closed for Renovation

Alternative washrooms (including accessible facilities) are available at:

Crystal Palace
31 Basin Lane
Monday-Sunday | 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Terrace on the Tay
34 Mill St.
Monday-Sunday | 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Perth Museum/Visitor Information Centre
11 Gore St. E.
Wednesday-Sunday | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Town Hall (Interior)
80 Gore St. E.
Monday-Friday | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Strong Mayor Powers

In 2022, the Ontario government introduced legislation granting “strong mayor” powers to the heads of council in select municipalities. These powers are intended to help streamline local decision-making and support the implementation of provincial priorities.

As of May 1, 2025, the Town of Perth was granted strong mayor powers under this framework. This page provides an overview of how these powers apply in Perth and includes public records of mayoral decisions and directives made under the legislation.

Mayoral Special Powers and Duties

Below is an outline of the Mayor's special powers and duties under the Municipal Act, 2001 as well as other legislation. The Mayor is required to exercise these powers in writing and make them available to the public, subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. 

The Mayor’s powers and duties under the Municipal Act, 2001 are set out in Part VI.1 – Special Powers and Duties of Heads of Council.

Under the Strong Mayor framework, the Mayor has additional responsibilities and authority including:

  • Preparing and presenting the municipal budget
  • Appointing or dismissing certain senior municipal staff
  • Establishing prescribed committees of Council, assigning chairs, and determining committee mandates
    • A prescribed committee consists solely of members of Council
  • Bringing forward items that align with provincial priorities for Council consideration
  • Vetoing by-laws passed by Council that may conflict with prescribed provincial priorities (subject to a Council override with a two-thirds majority vote)

Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on September 8, 2022 and came into force on November 23, 2022. This legislation was later extended to and additional 169 municipalities, including the Town of Perth, as of May 1, 2025.

Bill 3 and associated regulations (O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 580/22) give mayors in designated municipalities additional powers beyond those outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001.

Key elements of the legislation include:

  • Veto power: The Mayor can veto a by-law passed by Council if they believe it could interfere with a prescribed provincial priority. Written notice must be provided, and Council may override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
  • Budget authority: The Mayor must propose the municipal budget by February 1 each year. Council may propose amendments, which the Mayor can veto. Council may override any veto with a two-thirds vote. The final budget is then considered adopted by the municipality.

Bill 39, the Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on December 8, 2022. This legislation introduced further amendments to the Municipal Act, 2001 in support of the Province’s prescribed priorities.

Under Bill 39, the Mayor may propose certain by-laws that relate to provincial priorities as defined in O. Reg. 580/22. Unlike typical municipal voting rules, these specific by-laws are considered passed if more than one-third of Council members vote in favour. This provision creates an exception to the usual majority voting requirement and is intended to accelerate decision-making in key areas.

Mayoral Decisions and Directives

Mayoral decisions and directives made pursuant to the Municipal Act, 2001.

Date Number Subject Matter
     

Contact Us

Town of Perth
Town Hall
80 Gore Street East
Perth, Ontario
K7H 1H9
Telephone: (613) 267-3311
Fax: (613) 267-5635
Email

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