Vaughan's deputy city manager of planning named new TRCA CEO
John MacKenzie will assume his new role in November.

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 3, 2017

Vaughan’s planning chief is taking over the top post at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

John MacKenzie, who has worked at the city since 2011 and was appointed deputy city manager of planning and growth management in 2015, moves into his new role as CEO for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in November, according to a news release.

MacKenzie is replacing longtime TRCA boss Brian Denney, who served with the conservation authority for 44 years.

During his time at the city, MacKenzie established higher standards for development, advanced major infrastructure projects such as Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, and helped deliver “high-quality projects” in Vaughan’s emerging downtown core, the Vaughan Enterprise Zone and elsewhere, a news release from the municipality stated.

Before coming to Vaughan, he held positions with the Ontario Realty Corporation/Infrastructure Ontario, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.

MacKenzie also recently served on an advisory panel carrying out a review of provincial land uses policies, including the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan.

The TRCA, one 36 conservation authorities across Ontario, has a mandate to ensure the conservation, restoration and management of water, land and natural habitats.