Thunder Bay has an opportunity to gain strong mayor power.

Mayor Ken Boshcoff can secure strong mayor powers by committing in writing to meeting the provincially assigned housing target.

He has until October 15 2023, to submit written confirmation, and if he does so the new powers would go into effect on October 31st.

The mayor is presenting a memorandum to Council on Monday asking for their support although it is not required for him to move forward.

Below is a report written by City Clerk Krista Power highlighting the power Mayor Boshcoff would receive:

• Appoint, dismiss and assign “other duties” to the City Manager
• Determine the organizational structure of the City
• Hire or dismiss the “head of any other part of the organizational structure” of the City
• Direct municipal employees to undertake research, provide advice, as well as carry out duties and implement decisions
• Appoint chairs and vice-chairs of prescribed local boards
• Establish or dissolve Committees of Council, appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs and assign functions to Committees
• Require council to consider any matter that could advance a provincial priority
• Veto a By-law that could interfere with a provincial priority
• Propose, prepare and adopt the annual budget, and propose amendments to the budget throughout the year