No, everything I've outlined is within the Mayor's powers as of December 2014 the province is not involved...Council does not have to approve the mayor's appointments to Standing Committees nor the appointment of a Deputy mayor (see Chapter 27-40 pages 31 and 32)...It is the mayor's perogative and as far as the 17 committes and ABC's go it is part of the the Mayor's powers as per CoTA...Shucks R Ford could go as far having Community Council Meetings convene on separate days just so that he could sit in and vote on all items throughout the City.....One more thing, the Mayor does not have to nominate a speaker it is his right to Chair all City Council meetings should he so desire....