North American Women Mayors News

Women Mayors from North America

> Mexico City to ban deadly bullfighting

> Toronto replies to Trump's aggression

> 'Black Lives Matter' reminder removed

> Ontario's women in local government

> Sanctuary city mayors before Congress

Mexico City will ban violent bullfighting and replace it with a bloodless sport. Swords and banderillas (brightly coloured darts) will be prohibited

MEXICO / MEXICO CITY

Mexico City to replace deadly bullfighting with bloodless combat between man and beast

March 2025: In a move strongly supported by Mayor Clara Brugada, Mexico City’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to ban violent bullfighting. Instead, the legislators approved ‘bloodless bullfighting’. With 61 votes in favour and one against, lawmakers in the Mexican capital, home of Plaza Mexico, the world's largest bullfighting venue, endorsed the initiative, which was also backed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was mayor of Mexico City from 2018 to 2023. New regulations on bullfighting will be drawn up to ensure that neither animals nor the bullfighters will come to serious harm.

These new regulations were proposed by Mayor Clara Brugada, who emphasised that Mexico City must not permit animals to suffer prolonged pain and death for entertainment. She stated, “This decision will help the city become a place that respects animal rights and does not tolerate animal abuse or violence.” The mayor’s advocacy for a bill promoting non-violent bullfighting aligns with a growing sentiment against the traditional practices associated with the sport.

The issue of violent bullfighting has remained controversial in Mexico, where it has long been viewed as a cultural tradition. Nevertheless, public opinion seems to be shifting. A recent survey revealed that around 75 per cent of residents in Mexico City are opposed to the practice, reflecting a growing concern for animal rights.

Critics of the new law, including members of the bullfighting community, complained that they were not sufficiently consulted in the process leading to the ban. They consider the law not only an attack on their cultural identity but potentially damaging to livelihoods across the country.

The new bullfighting regulation will only allow the use of the cape and the ‘muleta’, will reduce bullfights to 10 minutes, will prohibit swords and banderillas, and will cover the bull's horns to avoid injuries.

According to Agence France Presse (AFP), several of Mexico's 32 states have banned bullfighting, which was brought by the Spanish conquistadors centuries ago. Bullfighters point to the economic value of the industry, which generated 80,000 jobs and around $50 million in revenue in 2023, according to figures from the Mexico City legislature.

Colombia last year approved a ban on bullfights starting in 2027, while the killing of animals has been banned in the Ecuadoran capital Quito.

Countries that still allow bullfighting include Ecuador, Spain, France, Peru, Portugal and Venezuela.

Further reading: Mexico's women mayors |

CANADA / TORONTO

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow told Trump’s America we want friendship but are ready to fight back

March 2025: Appearing on US television, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow made it clear to her American audience that her administration would respond forcefully to any threat to her city’s prosperity. “We would like to remain the best of friends with our southern neighbours, but if Trump’s America chooses confrontation, Torontonians, together with all Canadians, will, as former prime minister Justin Trudeau put it, raise our elbows.”

Olivia Chow, the Mayor of North America’s fourth-largest city, outlined some of the measures Toronto had already taken to counter America’s aggressive tariffs towards her country. Her TV appearance on CNN coincided with the release of Toronto’s US-tariff response plan that includes no longer allowing US companies to bid on municipal contracts, something Chow said could cost American businesses $1 billion over the next decade. “We’re saying we will not allow any American companies to bid on our contracts anymore.”

Much like Ontario’s Premier Douglas Ford did during his appearances on US TV, Mayor Chow argued that the two nations should be working together instead of battling it out in a trade war that will hurt both economies.

On Monday (17 March 2025), the City of Toronto released the full details of its economic action plan in response to Trump’s tariffs.

Short term actions proposed by the City of Toronto

• Prioritizing Canadian suppliers in City procurement to support local businesses

• Deferring property taxes for industrial properties to provide cashflow relief

• Launching a ‘Love Local’ campaign to encourage residents and businesses to choose Canadian-made goods and services

• Providing dedicated support and promotional efforts for Toronto’s manufacturing and industrial sector

• Partnering with regional municipalities and the Province to reduce reliance on US-based suppliers

• Expanding global markets for Toronto businesses through industry and export development partnerships

• Supporting technology adoption for businesses to increase competitiveness.

• Increasing procurement opportunities for Indigenous, Black and diverse suppliers and social enterprises

• Helping businesses prepare for economic and technological disruptions related to tariffs

• Directing City staff spending toward Canadian-owned and local businesses.

Procurement policy amendments

• New City competitive contracts under $353,300 for goods/services and $8.8 million for construction will be awarded exclusively to Canadian suppliers, in line with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the terms to which the City is bound

• American-based suppliers may be deemed ineligible to bid on new competitive contracts when it is in the City’s best interest

• Increased supplier outreach programs to find local alternatives for key goods, such as construction materials, technology, municipal water equipment and paramedic supplies

• Expansion of procurement opportunities for Indigenous, Black and diverse suppliers to increase participation under the City’s Social Procurement Policy.

Sources: City of Toronto; CNN

Further reading: Canada's women mayors

USA / WASHINGTON DC

Washington DC Mayor orders removal of ‘Black Lives Matter’ tribute to improve relationship with the White House

March 2025: Back in June 2020, during Donald Trump’s first term as US President, Washington DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser decided to rename part of a road in central Washington ‘Black Lives Matter Plaza’. Her decision followed weeks of protests over the killing of George Floyd, a black man, by a white police officer in Minneapolis and that of Breonne Taylor, a black woman, who was shot dead in her home by three police officers in Louisville (Kentucky). At the unveiling of the new name almost five years ago, Mayor Bowser said she wanted to create a space where Black Americans could demonstrate peacefully without feeling threatened.

Now, five years later, Muriel Bowser has instructed city workers to remove the iconic 30-metre-long ‘Black Lives Matter’ street mural, an emblem of the 2020 racial injustice protest movement. The Mayor did so, allegedly to appease Donald Trump who has threatened to cut some US$ one billion from Washington DC’s government funding. According to the US TV network CNN, “the move reflects the immense influence Trump wields in his second term and the fear some local leaders have of antagonising him as they play defence on multiple fronts.”

Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, the Washington Mayor has been careful not to antagonise the President. She kept notably silent when Trump pardoned all the rioters who attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

But the Mayor’s softly-softly approach to the Trump administration has been criticised by members of her own Democratic Party. One council member said that history had shown that giving in to bullies emboldens them to bigger attacks. “Congress has been threatening to take away our funding since the start of Home Rule 50 years ago. We have always fought back. Let’s not give up the fight before it’s even started.” It has also been pointed out to the Mayor that capitulating to the President’s demands could provoke her 700,000 constituents, more than 93 per cent of whom voted against Trump in November 2024.

Bowser acknowledged the criticisms during a recent meeting with constituents. “While I recognise that there is frustration, and people want someone to blame or they want somebody to be mad at, I don’t think that’s where we are in DC,” Bowser said. “I think we’re in the place where we’re locking arms. They want us to be smart and strategic and get to the other side. And that’s my job. I’m going to navigate us to the other side.”

CANADA / ONTARIO

Women at the helm of Ontario’s local government organisations

March 2025: On International Women’s Day 2025 (8 March), Ontario celebrated a historic moment. For the first time in the Canadian province’s history, all major municipal organisations are chaired by women, demonstrating the strength, dedication, and leadership of women in Canadian local government. Representatives from across Ontario recognised the contributions of women in municipal leadership and the impact they continue to make in building strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities.

“This is a remarkable moment for municipal leadership in Ontario,” said Amy Martin, Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) and Mayor of Norfolk County. “Having women in these key leadership positions sends a strong message about the role women play in shaping our communities. It reflects the progress we’ve made while also inspiring future generations of women to step into leadership roles and contribute to the strength and success of our municipalities.”

“This moment is a testament to the incredible talent, expertise, and leadership of women in municipal government,” said AMO President and Mayor of Westport Robin Jones. “We are proud to work together to champion the needs of municipalities and residents across Ontario.”

Women presiding at Ontario’s municipal organisations

Marianne Meed, Mayor of Burlington

Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is comprised of mayors of Ontario cities with populations of 100,000 or more. Collectively, Ontario’s Big City Mayors represent nearly 70 per cent of Ontario’s population. OBCM provides a voice for big city mayors in policy debates that impact Ontario cities. Through policy development, advocacy, discussion and partnerships, Ontario’s Big City Mayors support strong and effective cities.

Amy Martin, Mayor of Norfolk County

The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) is a not-for-profit organisation representing 15 upper and single-tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, representing more than 1.6 million residents. The WOWC aims to enhance the prosperity and overall well-being of rural and small urban communities across the region. Caucus members work collectively to influence federal and provincial legislation and programs through advocacy, research, analysis and education.

Robin Jones, Mayor of Westport

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) aims to make municipal governments stronger and more effective through advocacy, training and events, and business services. Through AMO, Ontario’s 444 municipalities work together to achieve shared goals and meet common challenges.

Christa Lowry, Mayor of Mississippi Mills

Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) takes pride in promoting, supporting and enhancing strong and effective rural governments. About 270 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities have populations of less than 10,000, while scores more are rural. The rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, ROMA advocates for policies and programs that will help build thriving rural Ontario communities.

Wendy Landry, Mayor of Shuniah.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) was organized in 1946, incorporated on September 18th 2001, and is made up of four components: the Kenora District Municipal Association, the Rainy River District Municipal Association, the Thunder Bay District Municipal League and the City of Thunder Bay. Other than the City of Thunder Bay, membership is attained by being a member of the district organization. The area we represent extends from the City of Kenora in the west to the Town of Hearst in the east.

USA

Republican members of the Oversight Committee issue stark warnings to mayors of US sanctuary cities

March 2025: The mayors of four of the largest American ‘sanctuary cities’ faced a hostile grilling by Republican members of one of the most powerful investigative committees of the US House of Representatives. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, under the chairmanship of James Garner, practically accused the mayors of “protecting dangerous criminal aliens”.

New York Mayor Eric Adams, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, all Democrats, were questioned by Republican lawmakers critical of their cities’ policies that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some Republicans even accused the mayors of violating federal law and raised the possibility of criminal charges.

In the United States, several states and many municipalities and counties have declared themselves sanctuary entities and adopted policies intended to protect undocumented immigrants from federal government immigration enforcement. These states and cities often limit the extent to which state and local governments cooperate with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

Before the hearing, Committee Chairman Garner said in a statement that the four mayors were refusing to abide by US law and thus putting the lives of American citizens at risk. “The pro-illegal alien mayors of Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York City have implemented reckless, illegal policies that shield criminal aliens from federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety,” Garner stated.

In their prepared opening remarks, the mayors spoke about their general approach to immigration enforcement and rejected the argument that they were violating any federal law.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told the Committee that crime dropped when the city was faced with an influx of immigrants, many bused from border states governed by Republican administrations. “We city welcomed about 42,000 migrants over 18 months – the largest per capita influx of any US city – some unprepared for the cold weather. The city helped settle them, and there are now no migrant encampments or shelters open, and crime numbers still declined.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson explained to the committee that Chicago was safer due to its ‘Welcoming City Ordinance’ that ensures police are focused on law enforcement priorities rather than immigration laws. “Put simply, any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous.”

Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston, tried to explain to the Committee members that the Boston Police Department collaborated with state and federal law enforcement when there is a criminal warrant, but state law restricts law enforcement agencies from detaining people solely for alleged civil immigration violations. “This constant collaboration with state and federal law enforcement is a crucial part of making Boston the safest major city in the country,” she said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams received some praise from Republicans on the committee for his willingness to work with the Trump administration and his willingness to consider changes to the city’s sanctuary policies. However, some Democrats questioned the mayor about the controversy surrounding his federal corruption charges. It is alleged that the US Justice Department ordered federal prosecutors to drop federal corruption charges against Adams so he could better help the government’s immigration crackdown.

After the hearing, the Oversight Committee warned in a press release that federal funding for sanctuary cities could be cut or withdrawn. “Congress should begin evaluating federal funding allocated to sanctuary cities and ensure mayors who defy federal immigration law are held accountable.”

Further reading: American Sanctuary Cities and States

USA / WASHINGTON DC

Washington DC Mayor Bowser rebuts Trump and renews call for statehood

February 2025: Granting Washington DC statehood and thus making it and not Canada the 51st US state was suggested by the city’s Mayor Muriel Bowser in response to US President Trump’s remarks about taking over the US capital.

Speaking last week (19 February) to reporters aboard Air Force One, the President complained about crime and homelessness in the city, saying, "I think we should take over Washington DC and make it safe." He added, "I think that we should govern the District of Columbia." Trump added that he liked Mayor Bowser personally but criticised the city’s governance. "They’re not doing the job," he complained. "Too much crime, too many tents on the lawns - these magnificent lawns."

Two days after President Trump’s off-the-cuff remarks, Mayor Bowser rebutted him in front of journalists at the National Press Club. “Trump has described Washington as filthy and overrun with crime and homelessness. But the fact is that is violent crime came down 35 per cent in 2024, compared with 2023.” The Mayor also suggested that the President should spend more time in the nation’s capital rather than at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. “Trump's impression was formed in the COVID era during his first term. The capital is a very different city now.”

Referring to Trump’s suggestion of taking over Washington DC, the Mayor mused that the President seems to have developed an obsession with taking over entities that don’t belong to the Federal Government. "The question for us," Bowser said, "is how do we maintain the pathway to the 51st state? And why not? We're Americans. We pay taxes. We go to war. We have all of the responsibilities of citizenship, but we don't have all of the rights."

The District of Columbia, larger in population than Vermont and Wyoming, elects one non-voting delegate to Congress. Under a 1973 law, the city gained its first elected mayor and city council but has limited ‘home rule’. The US Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) can override its laws and budget.

MEXICO

Women mayors in Mexico ready to respond to President Trump’s threat of mass deportation of immigrants

January 2025: Three of Mexico’s most influential female politicians are preparing to deal with the scare tactics of the newly installed American President. A day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, the Mexican President and former Mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, the current Mayor of the capital city, Clara Brugada Molina, and the Mayor of Iztapalapa (a district of Mexico City), Aleida Alavez Ruiz, said that if the US should carry out its plan of mass deportations, the country, the State and City of Mexico are ready to provide humanitarian assistance. Aleida Alavez underlined that help would be offered to Mexican nationals and migrants from other countries. “We are prepared to receive our compatriots, guaranteeing them security and certainty during their transit through the capital.”

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, reassured the country’s municipalities that the federal government is ready to step in should the Trump administration make good on its threat to deport tens of thousands of immigrants. “Welfare staff will be deployed at the border.” The Mexican government has also encouraged municipal authorities to prepare shelters for vulnerable migrants and set up transit centres for people on the move.

Many of the country’s Churches have also offered to open their facilities to migrants. Mayor Alavez said the participation of Churches is vital in providing shelter and food. “We are united in our desire to help people who frankly have suffered enough.”

In a strongly worded reply to Trump’s threat of mass deportation, Mexico City’s Mayor Clara Brugada reminded the American President that walls do not stop migration but address the structural causes. “The fact that more than 120 million people in the world were on the move in 2024, shows that human mobility is a global phenomenon that requires comprehensive solutions”.

Meanwhile, President Sheinbaum dismissed Trump’s decree to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America. “For Mexico and the rest of the world, the Gulf will always be the Gulf of Mexico.” FULL REPORT

Further reading: Mexican Mayors versus Donald Trump | Mexico's women mayors

USA / ALEXANDRIA (VA)

High hopes for Alexandria’s first Black woman mayor

January 2025: Alyia Gaskins has been described as one of America’s new watch-out-for mayors. Sworn in on 2 January 2025, she is the first Black woman mayor in the City of Alexandria’s 275-year history. The Washington Business Journal named her as one of the under-40-year-old stars of 2025.

Alexandria, in Virginia, lies some 11 km south of Washington DC’s federal government quarters. The newly elected mayor promised to make education and housing one of her priorities. In 2024, as a city councillor, Alyia Gaskins supported a controversial move to abolish single-family-only zoning in the city. Instead, she insisted, the authorities should support tenants’ rights, stop displacement and help locals become homeowners.

Mayor Gaskins graduated from Vanderbilt University with a medical, health, and society degree. She subsequently obtained an MA in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA in Urban Planning from Georgetown University, and a Professional Certificate in Municipal Finance from the University of Chicago.

The new mayor has worked on hunger policy at DC Hunger Solutions, advanced health policy at the National League of Cities, and managed an affordable housing investment program at the Center for Community Investment. Before her election in November 2024, Gaskins was a senior officer at the Melville Charitable Trust, a national philanthropic organisation devoted to ending homelessness. She is also the founder of CitiesRX, a consulting firm specialising in cross-sector partnerships with cities to foster healthy, sustainable environments.

Alexandria needs more commercial growth to diversify its tax base and alleviate the burden placed on homeowners, a fact Gaskins acknowledges. The city’s most promising and potentially most valuable land for development is the Potomac Yard, once one of the busiest rail yards in the eastern USA. Since the 400-acre (1.6 sq km) piece of land was identified as a toxic waste site in 1987, several plans for re-development have come and gone. After the proposals to build a new arena for the professional basketball and hockey teams the Washington-based Capitals and Wizards were rejected by Virginia’s general assembly in March 2024, new solutions are sought. Mayor Gaskins has said she would support building a ‘bustling’ mixed-use venue incorporating homes, restaurants, retail, entertainment, and open spaces.

Further reading: American women in municipal government

USA / OAKLAND

Former Oakland mayor Sheng Thao is accused of taking bribes

January 2025: Sheng Thao, Oakland’s former Mayor, recalled by her fellow residents last November, has now been charged with maintaining a corrupt relationship with her boyfriend Andre Jones and David and Andy Duong, two of the Californian city’s best-known businessmen. After a lengthy investigation by the FBI, which included a search of the former mayor’s private residence, federal prosecutors allege that Sheng Thao promised the City of Oakland would extend its contract with the recycling company owned by the Duongs and purchase housing units from its politically connected owners in exchange for financial benefits.

The indictment alleges that Sheng Thao and Andre Jones accepted bribes from the Duongs in exchange for promising to extend their recycling services contract with the city and purchase modular housing units from a company the Duongs ran if Thao was elected in 2022. The Duongs own California Waste Solutions, which has a multi-million-dollar contract with Oakland to provide kerbside recycling services, and the company has a deal to take over part of the old Oakland Army Base to build a new recycling centre.

The Duongs allegedly paid $75,000 for leaflets attacking Thao’s opponents in the 2022 election, the government authorities say. Allegedly, father and son Duong also promised $300,000 to the mayor’s boyfriend for a ‘no-show’ job and allegedly paid him $95,000 in cash after the election.

At the time of the allegations, David Duong was – and is believed to still be – the president and CEO of Cal Waste Solutions. He is also co-owner of a housing company. His son, Andy, also works at Cal Waste Solutions and co-owns the same housing company.

Once Sheng Thao was elected mayor, prosecutors allege she used her influence to help appoint a high-level city official selected by the Duongs.

The evidence also alleges Thao, Jones and the Duongs tried to cover up the scheme. Thao allegedly directed the Duongs to make payments to Jones to avoid a paper trail leading back to her.

The former mayor’s attorney accused the authorities of putting forward allegations but not providing any evidence. "The case is built on allegations from an unknown co-conspirator that we believe, when evidence is revealed, will show my client has committed no crimes," Jeff Tsai said.

Attorneys representing David (the father) and Andy (the son) Duong released statements saying their clients were innocent. “We have kept quiet despite the media frenzy over the past months in the hope that the government would correctly come to see through objective investigation that the allegations are baseless and being fanned by nothing more than gossip and supposition stitched together by the fabrications and delusions of those who lack all fundamental credibility,” attorneys for Andy Duong wrote.

In court, on Friday, 17 January 2025, Thao, Jones and the Duongs pleaded not guilty.

“The public needs to know it can trust those in charge of City Hall to work for the public interest,” said First Assistant US Attorney Patrick Robbins at a press conference Friday (17 January). Robbins is in charge of this case because US Attorney for Northern California Ismael Ramsey had to recuse himself from the investigation. The office declined to answer questions about the reason for the recusal or when Ramsey was recused.

Since the June 2024 search of her home, former mayor Thao has adamantly maintained her innocence, even telling reporters that she was not the target of the FBI’s probe. Thao was recalled from office in November by voters frustrated with crime and the city’s flagging local economy, and the FBI raids may have played a role in turning the public against her.

Further reading: American women in municipal government

USA / LOS ANGELES

Angelenos and American media remind the LA Mayor of her election pledge to forego international travel

January 2025: Upon taking office as Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, who was a member of the US Congress from 2011 to 2022, told the New York Times that her international travel was behind her. As a member of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Bass spent years travelling and working on US-Africa relations.

Three years ago, Bass was candid enough to admit that she would miss meeting people in other countries and on other continents but promised Angelenos that she would not travel abroad. “The only places I will go to are Washington, Sacramento, San Francisco, and New York." After her trip to Ghana, while her city was burning, the media and her voters reminded her of those words.

The New York Times reported that the pledge had been spectacularly broken. Since Karen Bass became Mayor in 2022, she has travelled internationally five times, once to Mexico, three times to Paris for the Olympics and now to Ghana for the inauguration of the country’s new president.

Bass told reporters during a news conference on Wednesday that she was communicating with City Hall throughout her flight back to LA. "I was on the phone, on the plane, almost every hour of the flight back to the US," she said. "So, although I was not physically in Los Angeles, I was in contact with many of the officials from the fire and police departments. When my flight landed, I immediately went to the fire zone and saw what happened in Pacific Palisades."

Further reading: American women in municipal government

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