Mayor's Office

If you would like to invite Mayor Preston to attend an upcoming event, please submit your request in writing and outline the occasion, date, time, location and expectations of the Mayor's role at the event. This information can be sent in one of the following ways:

By mail:

Mayor Joe Preston
City of St. Thomas
545 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON
N5P 3V7

By email: mayorsoffice@stthomas.ca

If you would like to request a certificate from the Mayor to recognize a special milestone, please call 519-631-1680 ext. 4196 or complete the Request a Certificate form. Generally, certificates are issued for birthdays of 75 years or more and anniversaries of 25 years or more. However, other special requests will be considered.

As a collector's item, souvenir or memento, city pins have become increasingly popular among residents and tourists alike. The St. Thomas lapel pin features our new logo with the train featuring a nod to Jumbo and The Railway City.

These pins are currently available without purchase at the Office of the Mayor who is authorized to distribute up to an amount of 50 pins as passed by Council resolution. Over and above this amount, a written request must be submitted to the City Clerk's office for Council approval.

Please submit your request to:
Office of the City Clerk - City of St. Thomas
P.O. Box 520, 545 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V7

Fax: 519-633-9019

Your request will be placed on a Council agenda for approval at the next Council meeting. If approved you will be contacted by the Office of the City Clerk and we will set aside the number of pins you have requested.

In your request please be sure to indicate the amount you require, a return address and telephone number where you can be contacted as well as the reason for your request.

It is advised to submit your request well in advance of when you will require the pins to ensure that the amount you have specified is in stock.

Requests for proclamations, flag-raisings, and for lighting of the Jumbo monument can be made to Council through the Proclamation, Flag-Raising and Jumbo Lighting Request Form. Please submit your request as far in advance as possible to ensure it can be placed on a Council agenda. 

Request forms can be submitted by e-mail to clerksoffice@stthomas.ca, dropped off in person to the City Clerk's Office, Level 2, City Hall, 545 Talbot Street from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or mailed to the following: 

City of St. Thomas
Attn: City Clerk's Office
545 Talbot Street
PO Box 520
St. Thomas, ON
N5P 3V7

Tour of City Hall for groups of five or more can be arranged by calling the Administrative and Communications Assistant at: 519-631-1680 ext. 4196 or emailing mayorsoffice@stthomas.ca. 

Yes, you may arrange an appointment with the Mayor by calling the Administrative and Communications Assistant at: 519-631-1680 ext. 4196 or by emailing mayorsoffice@stthomas.ca.

Strong Mayor powers are established through Ontario’s Municipal Act, 2001 and related provincial regulations.

These powers provide the Mayor with certain responsibilities and authorities that are different from the traditional role of a municipal mayor.

Depending on the circumstances, these authorities may include the ability to:

• Direct City staff to undertake certain work related to the Mayor’s additional responsibilities
• Create or reorganize certain committees of Council
• Appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of certain committees
• Propose the municipal budget for Council’s consideration
• Veto certain by-laws if the Mayor believes they could interfere with a prescribed provincial priority
• Bring forward matters for Council consideration that could advance prescribed provincial priorities

Some Strong Mayor decisions may be subject to Council amendment or override in accordance with provincial legislation.

Under the Strong Mayor framework, the Mayor is responsible for proposing the City’s annual budget.

Council continues to have an important role in the budget process and may propose amendments to the Mayor’s budget within timelines established by provincial legislation. The Mayor may also exercise specific authorities related to those amendments.

The final budget is adopted in accordance with the process established under the Municipal Act, 2001.

When the Mayor exercises a Strong Mayor power, a formal Mayoral Decision or Mayoral Direction may be issued.

These documents provide a public record of how the Mayor has exercised the authorities provided under provincial legislation.

Strong Mayor powers do not replace City Council.

Council continues to consider and make decisions on a wide range of municipal matters at public Council meetings, including policies, programs, services, planning matters, infrastructure investments and other community priorities.

The Mayor and members of Council continue to work together to represent residents and make decisions for the City of St. Thomas.

Strong Mayor powers are established and governed by the Province of Ontario. For additional information, please refer to the Municipal Act, 2001, the applicable regulations and information provided by the Province of Ontario.

10. Strong mayor powers and duties | The Ontario municipal councillor’s guide | ontario.ca