Ontario appoints 8 regional chairs with ‘strong mayor’ powers
The Ontario government has appointed the heads of council for eight upper-tier municipalities, handing them enhanced governance powers as part of the province’s ongoing push to accelerate housing construction and infrastructure development. On Tuesday, the Ford government announced appointments for regional chair positions in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York regions, as well as […]
Ontario has appointed eight regional chairs with enhanced governance powers to accelerate housing and infrastructure projects. These "strong mayor" roles grant the appointed leaders authority over budgets, staffing, and decision-making in regions like Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York, Muskoka, and Simcoe County. Prominent appointments include former Liberal Party leader Steven Del Duca as York Region chair and former Mississauga councillor Nando Iannicca re-appointed as Peel's regional chair.
Critics, including the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, argue these appointments could weaken local democracy by concentrating power in provincial appointees.
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