The Ford government announcing major changes to governance in the region.
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing says there will no longer be any directly elected councillors at the regional level.
Instead the council will be made up of the 12 lower tier mayors and one appointed regional chair.
This means the size of council will be reduced to 13 from the previous 32.
Minister Rob Flack adding that the government will work with the region to create a weighted voting system to ensure appropriate representation.
The Regional Chair will also be granted ‘strong chair’ powers which includes the ability to appoint and dismiss the region’s Chief Administrative Officer and other division heads, as well as determine the organizational structure of the region.
All changes will take effect for the upcoming term of council.
To review the full changes visit: https://news.ontario.ca/assets/files/20260402/864cc93dbf25895e9ad5d1ca22ee6e5d.pdf
The new ‘Strong Chair’ powers include:
Appoint/dismiss the region/county’s Chief Administrative Officer.
Hire/dismiss division heads and determine the organizational structure of the region/county.
Create committees of council, assign their functions and appoint chairs and vice-chairs of
committees.
Bring forward matters tied to provincial priorities for council consideration.
Appoint the chairs and vice-chairs of prescribed local boards.
Direct staff in relation to the head of council’s exercise of powers and duties.
Veto certain by-laws if the head of council is of the opinion that all or part of the by-law could
potentially interfere with a provincial priority.
Propose the municipal budget and in-year budget amendments, which would be subject to council
amendments and a separate head of council veto and council override process.
Propose certain municipal by-laws if the head of council is of the opinion that the proposed by-law
could potentially advance a prescribed provincial priority. Council can pass these by-laws if more
than one third of council members vote in favor.
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