What to know
- Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack has appointed eight new regional chairs across six regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County.
- The appointments follow legislation giving the provincial government authority to select regional chairs and grant them expanded powers.
- Ontario NDP MPP Jeff Burch accused Premier Doug Ford of undermining local democracy and ignoring voters’ choices.
- Three of the appointees also serve as mayors: Kevin Ashe of Pickering, Steven Del Duca of Vaughan and Don McIsaac of Orillia
Ontario’s official opposition is accusing the Ford government of “undermining democracy” after the province appointed eight new heads of council across Ontario.
This week, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack appointed new heads of council for Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York regions, as well as Muskoka District and Simcoe County.
The appointments follow legislation passed by Premier Doug Ford’s government earlier this year that gives Flack the authority to appoint regional chairs.
Previously, the positions were filled through municipal elections, allowing voters to choose their regional representatives. The newly appointed chairs will also receive what the province calls “strong chair powers,” similar to Ontario’s strong mayor powers.
The powers are intended to help regional chairs advance provincial priorities, including housing and infrastructure projects.
However, the appointments have drawn criticism from the Ontario NDP, with the party’s Shadow Minister for Municipal Affairs, Jeff Burch, speaking out against the move.
In a statement, Burch accused Ford of giving unprecedented authority to individuals selected by the provincial government rather than local voters.
“Doug Ford is handing over an unprecedented power to hand-selected individuals,” said Burch. “There is no reason to do this, other than to bulldoze over local voices and put Ford’s priorities over the people.”
Burch also argued that the appointments disregard the results of last month’s municipal elections, saying voters had already made their preferences clear at the ballot box.
“Instead of respecting the democratic process, Ford is undermining local democracy,” he said. “Ontarians made themselves clear at the ballot box this past municipal election: they do not want Doug Ford calling the shots in their communities.”
The eight newly appointed heads of council are:
- Kevin Ashe: Durham Regional Chair
- Ann Mulvale: Halton Regional Chair
- Frank Campion: Niagara Regional Chair
- Nando Iannicca: Peel Regional Chair
- Scott Davey: Waterloo Regional Chair
- Steven Del Duca: York Regional Chair
- Scott Aitchison: Muskoka District Chair
- Don McIsaac: Simcoe County Chair
Among the newly appointed chairs, Kevin Ashe also serves as Mayor of Pickering, Steven Del Duca is the Mayor of Vaughan, and Don McIsaac is the Mayor of Orillia.
