Queen's Park introduces bill to make regional chairs elected

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 16, 2016
Lisa Queen

Wayne Emmerson will be York Region’s last non-elected chair.

The provincial Liberals introduced a bill Tuesday afternoon, which, if passed, means voters will elect regional chairs in York, Niagara and Peel in the next municipal election on Oct. 22, 2018.

Regional chairs in Durham, Halton and Waterloo are already elected.

“This is a great day for democracy in York Region,” Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard said in a statement.

The region accounts for about a third of the local municipal tax bill, has an annual operating budget of $2 billion dollars and a debt of almost $2.9 billion, Ballard said.

“Residents have told me for years direct election of the regional chair will mean they have more of a say on how their region grows,” he said, adding the regional chair is perhaps the most powerful political post in the region.

“An election will provide a great opportunity for regional chair candidates to put forward their vision for the region and explain past decisions.”

At the moment, York’s chair, who earns more than $210,000 a year, is selected by 20 mayors and regional councillors.

Emmerson, a former Whitchurch-Stouffville mayor who is serving his first term as regional chair, has long been opposed to making the job an elected position, but he said he will seek election in 2018.

“If the Government of Ontario believes electing regional chairs across the province is necessary, York Region will support this position,” he said in an email Tuesday afternoon.

“It is my intention to run for regional chair in the next municipal election if the legislation passes.”

The legislation is expected to be adopted by the Liberals, who have a majority government.

There have been three unsuccessful attempts by York MPPs to pass private member’s bills making York’s chair an elected position, the latest from Ballard.

His campaign died when he became a cabinet minister in June because private member’s bills must be put forward by backbenchers.

The other attempts came from Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi and Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Helena Jaczek.

Meanwhile, regional councillors have repeatedly said they have no appetite for making the regional chair an elected position.

While most mayors and councillors have said the current system is working well, some councillors have complained about the method of selecting the chair.

For example, Markham Councillor Joe Li has said the regional chair should be accountable to the region’s 1.1 million residents, not just 20 mayors and regional councillors.

Under the current system, candidates for the job have to curry favour with mayors and councillors behind the scenes to get their votes, he said last November.

“In order for the chairman to get his position, he has to make deals,” Li said, saying he was given a coveted position as vice-chair of the region’s planning and economic development committee, an important title on trade missions.

Ballard praised regional and local councillors and residents who fought for an elected chair, which he said accomplished “something very special in our province”.