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Ontario to Build on ‘Strong Mayor’ System by Appointing ‘Strong’ Regional Chairs
The bill would also give appointees strong chair powers and cut Niagara and Simcoe council sizes as the province seeks faster regional decisions.
- On Thursday, Housing Minister Rob Flack introduced the Better Regional Governance Act, allowing Ontario to directly appoint regional chairs in eight municipalities including Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York, and Simcoe County.
- The legislation streamlines local government by reducing Niagara regional council from 32 to 13 members and Simcoe County from 32 to 17; appointees receive 'strong chair' powers to veto bylaws, propose budgets, and hire senior staff.
- Modeled after 'strong mayor' powers first granted to Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, these measures aim to increase efficiency; Flack stated the change is meant to save money and 'speed up decision-making.'
- Waterloo Chair Karen Redman said she remains 'focused' on her duties, while Doug Craig previously sought provincial assurance to 'affirm and support the continued election of the regional chair by the voters.'
- Green Party Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner denounced the move as 'another anti-democratic attack on local decision making,' warning the province will appoint 'PC puppets' to force urban boundary expansions benefiting wealthy insiders.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Region of Waterloo chair 'focused' even as province looks to make big changes to regional governance
Under its proposed new Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, the province would have the power to appoint regional chairs in the regions of Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Waterloo and York as well as the warden of Simcoe County, it announced Thursday. Those positions would also receive "strong chair" powers, similar to strong mayor powers.
The Toronto Star
Ontario to build on ‘strong mayor’ system by appointing ‘strong’ regional chairs
TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government proposed Thursday to directly appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them greater authority, which critics say is part of a
Waterloo Region's chair responds to Ford's new 'strong' powers bill
Ontario’s municipal affairs minister is proposing to appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them additional powers, as the government has done with so-called strong mayors. Waterloo Regional Council Chair Karen Redman said in response to the legislation that she is focused on expanding key services for the municipality, like infrastructure, transit and […]
Proposed legislation would see the Muskoka District Chair appointed by the province
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, which, if passed, would make several changes, including the appointment of the District of Muskoka Chair. Currently, the Muskoka District Chair is elected by District councillors. Instead, the proposed legislation would see the chair appointed by the province. “These changes would support lower costs for municipal taxpayers and better alignment between regional de…
Ontario Proposes Appointed ‘Strong Chair’ Regional Heads in Simcoe County and Muskoka
Ontario's municipal affairs minister is proposing to appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them additional powers, as the government has done with so-called strong mayors. The move follows an unsuccessful push by Niagara Region's now-former chair to consider amalgamating municipalities in the area, something Premier Doug Ford has said he personally supports. The mayors of the largest cities in Niagara have said they support amalgam…
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