By the numbers: the regions under the Ford government’s review
Thestar.com
Jan 15, 2019
Alexandra Jones
The Ford government announced Tuesday it will be implementing a review of Ontario’s eight regional municipalities and Simcoe County to determine whether the municipal governments in these areas are efficient and accountable to their residents and businesses.
The review will cover Halton, York, Durham, Waterloo, Niagara, Peel, Muskoka District and Oxford County and their lower-tier municipalities. The province said Simcoe County and its lower-tier municipalities will also be included in the review because of its rapid growth and associated challenges.
According to the province, an advisory body comprised of two special advisers will consult with municipal councillors and leaders, as well as stakeholder organizations and the public throughout the spring of 2019.
In total, 82 upper- and lower-tier municipalities are included in the review.
We’re breaking down the municipalities covered under the review (numbers based on 2016 census) -- this file will be updated as we go.
Regions under review
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Durham Region
When region was created: Jan. 1, 1974
Regional chair: John Henry
Total population: 645,862
Number of regional council members: 29. Members include the regional chair, and mayors and regional councillors from the local area municipalities.
Lower-tier municipalities:
Ajax
Population: 119,677
Mayor: Shaun Collier
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 3
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 19,946
Geographic size: 67 square kilometres
Brock
Population: 11,642
Mayor: Debbie Bath-Hadden
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,940
Geographic size: 423.34 square kilometres
Clarington
Population: 92,013
Mayor: Adrian Foster
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 15,336
Geographic size: 611 square kilometres
Oshawa
Population: 159,458
Mayor: Dan Carter
Regional councillors: 5
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 15,945
Geographic size: 145.64 square kilometres
Pickering
Population: 91,771
Mayor: Dave Ryan
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 3
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 15,295
Geographic size: 231.55 square kilometres
Scugog
Population: 21,617
Mayor: Bobbie Drew
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,603
Geographic size: 414.71 square kilometres
Uxbridge
Population: 11,832
Mayor: Dave Barton
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,972
Geographic size: 15.45 square kilometres
Whitby
Population: 128,377
Mayor: Don Mitchell
Regional councillors: 4
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 16,047
Geographic size: 146.66 square kilometres
Halton Region
When region was created: Jan. 1, 1974
Regional chair: Gary Carr
Total population: 548, 435
Number of regional council members: 21
Lower-tier municipalities:
Burlington
Population: 183,314
Mayor: Marianne Meed Ward
Councillors: 6 (serve as both regional and ward)
Average number of constituents per councillor: 30,552
Geographic size: 185.66 square kilometres
Halton Hills
Population: 61,161
Mayor: Rick Bonnette
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 6,116
Geographic size: 276.27 square kilometres
Milton
Population: 101,715
Mayor: Gordon Krantz
Regional councillors: 4
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 12,714
Geographic size: 40.36 square kilometres
Oakville
Population: 193,832
Mayor: Rob Burton
Regional councillors: 7
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 13,845
Geographic size: 138.89 square kilometres
Muskoka District
When region was created: 1971
Regional Chair: John W. Klinck
Total population: 60,599
Number of regional councillors: 23
Lower-tier municipalities:
Bracebridge
Population: 16,010
Mayor: Graydon Smith
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,001
Geographic size: 628.22 square kilometres
Gravenhurst
Population: 12,311
Mayor: Paul Kelly
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1539
Geographic size: 518.06 square kilometres
Georgian Bay
Population: 2,499
Mayor: Peter Koetsier
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 417
Geographic size: 547.61 square kilometres
Huntsville
Population: 19,816
Mayor: Scott Aitchison
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,477
Geographic size: 710.01 square kilometres
Lake of Bays
Population: 3,167
Mayor: Terry Glover
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 528
Geographic size: 677.91 square kilometres
Muskoka Lakes
Population: 6,588
Mayor: Don Furniss
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 732
Geographic size: 794.26 square kilometres
Niagara Region
When region was created: Jan 1, 1970
Regional Chair: Jim Bradley
Total population: 447,888
Number of regional councillors: 31
Lower-tier municipalities:
Fort Erie
Population: 30,710
Mayor: Wayne Redekop
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,387
Geographic size: 166.27 square kilometres
Grimsby
Population: 27,314
Mayor: Jeff Jordan
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,035
Geographic size: 68.93 square kilometres
Lincoln
Population: 23,787
Mayor: Sandra Easton
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,643
Geographic size: 162.81 square kilometres
Niagara Falls
Population: 88,071
Mayor: Jim Diodati
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 8,006
Geographic size: 209.73 square kilometres
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Population: 17,511
Mayor: Betty Disero
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,946
Geographic size: 132.81 square kilometres
Pelham
Population: 17,110
Mayor: Marvin Junkin
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,444
Geographic size: 126.43 square kilometres
Port Colborne
Population: 18,306
Mayor: William C. Steele
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,034
Geographic size: 121.96 square kilometres
St. Catharines
Population: 133,115
Mayor: Walter Sendzik
Regional councillors: 6
Ward councillors: 12
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 7,395
Geographic size: 96.13 square kilometres
Thorold
Population: 18,801
Mayor: Terry Ugulini
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,089
Geographic size: 82.99 square kilometres
Wainfleet
Population: 6,372
Mayor: Kevin Gibson
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,593
Geographic size: 217.31 square kilometres
Welland
Population: 52,293
Mayor: Frank Campion
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 12
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,486
Geographic size: 81.04 square kilometres
West Lincoln
Population: 14,500
Mayor: Dave Bylsma
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 3
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,625
Geographic size: 387.81 square kilometres
York Region
When region was created: 1971
Regional Chair: Wayne Emmerson
Total population: 1.1 million
Number of regional councillors: 21
Lower-tier municipalities:
Aurora
Population: 55,445
Mayor: Tom Mrakas
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 9,241
Geographic size: 49.85 square kilometres
East Gwillimbury
Population: 24,000
Mayor: Virginia Hackson
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,000
Geographic size: 245 square kilometres
Georgina
Population: 45,418
Mayor: Margaret Quirk
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 7,570
Geographic size: 288 square kilometres
King
Population: 24,512
Mayor: Steve Pellegrini
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,085
Geographic size: 333 square kilometres
Markham
Population: 328,966
Mayor: Frank Scarpitti
Regional councillors: 4
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 27,416
Geographic size: 212.35 square kilometres
Newmarket
Population: 84,224
Mayor: John Taylor
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 10,528
Geographic size: 38.45 square kilometres
Richmond Hill
Population: 185,540
Mayor: Dave Barrow
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 23,193
Geographic size: 100.95 square kilometres
Vaughan
Population: 306,230
Mayor: Maurizio Bevilacqua
Regional councillors: 3
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 38,279
Geographic size: 273.52 square kilometres
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Population: 45,837
Mayor: Iain Lovatt
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 7,640
Geographic size: 206.41 square kilometres
Oxford County
When region was created: 2001
Warden: Larry Martin
Total Population: 110,862
Number of regional councillors: 8
Lower-tier municipalities:
Blandford-Blenheim
Population: 7,399
Mayor: Mark Peterson
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,850
Geographic size: 382.3 square kilometres
East Zorra-Tavistock
Population: 7,129
Mayor: Don McKay
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,426
Geographic size: 242.30 square kilometres
Ingersoll
Population: 12,757
Mayor: Ted Comiskey
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,126
Geographic size: 12.75 square kilometres
Norwich
Population: 11,001
Mayor: Larry Martin
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,750
Geographic size: 431.27 square kilometres
South-West Oxford
Population: 7,664
Mayor: David Mayberry
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,277
Geographic size: 370.73 square kilometres
Tillsonburg
Population: 15,872
Mayor: Stephen Molnar
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 6
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,645
Geographic size: 22.33 square kilometres
Woodstock
Population: 40,902
Mayor: Trevor Birtch
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 6,817
Geographic size: 48.97 square kilometres
Zorra
Population: 8,138
Mayor: Marcus Ryan
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,035
Geographic size: 528.94 square kilometres
Peel Region
When region was created: Jan 1, 1974
Regional Chair: Nando Iannicca
Total Population: 1.382 million
Number of regional councillors: 29
Lower-tier municipalities:
Brampton
Population: 593,638
Mayor: Patrick Brown
Regional councillors: 6
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 59,364
Geographic size: 266.36 square kilometres
Caledon
Population: 66,502
Mayor: Allan Thompson
Regional councillors: 4
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 8,313
Geographic size: 688.16 square kilometres
Mississauga
Population: 721,599
Mayor: Bonnie Crombie
Regional and ward councillors (all act in both roles): 11
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 65,600
Geographic size: 292.43 square kilometres
Waterloo Region
When region was created: 1973
Regional Chair: Karen Redman
Total Population: 535,154
Number of regional councillors: 15
Lower-tier municipalities:
Cambridge
Population: 129,920
Mayor: Kathryn McGarry
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 12,992
Geographic size: 113.01 square kilometres
Kitchener
Population: 233,222
Mayor: Berry Vrbanovic
Regional councillors: 4
Ward councillors: 10
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 16,659
Geographic size: 136.77 square kilometres
North Dumfries
Population: 10,215
Mayor: Susan Foxton
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,554
Geographic size: 187.43 square kilometres
Wilmot
Population: 20,545
Mayor: Les Armstrong
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,109
Geographic size: 263.78 square kilometres
Waterloo
Population: 104,986
Mayor: Dave Jaworsky
Regional councillors: 2
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 11,665
Geographic size: 64.02 square kilometres
Wellesley
Population: 11,260
Mayor: Joe Nowak
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 4
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,815
Geographic size: 277.76 square kilometres
Woolwich
Population: 25,006
Mayor: Sandy Shantz
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 5,001
Geographic size: 326.15 square kilometres
Simcoe County
When region created: 1843 (as Simcoe District)
Warden: George Cornell
Total population: 305,516
Number of regional councilors: 31
Lower-tier municipalities:
Adjala-Tosorontio
Population: 10,975
Mayor: Floyd Pinto
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,829
Geographic size: 372.3 square kilometres
Bradford West Gwillimbury
Population: 35,325
Mayor: Rob Keffer
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,416
Geographic size: 201 square kilometres
Clearview
Population: 14,151
Mayor: Doug Measures
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,022
Geographic size: 557.32 square kilometres
Collingwood
Population: 21,793
Mayor: Brian Saunderson
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,724
Geographic size: 33.46 square kilometres
Essa
Population: 21,083
Mayor: Sandie Macdonald
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 3
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 5,271
Geographic size: 280.07 square kilometres
Innisfil
Population: 36,566
Mayor: Lynn Dollin
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 4,571
Geographic size: 284.21 square kilometres
Midland
Population: 16,864
Mayor: Stewart Strathearn
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,108
Geographic size: 26.62 square kilometres
New Tecumseth
Population: 34,242
Mayor: Rick Milne
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 8
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,805
Geographic size: 274.21 square kilometres
Oro-Medonte
Population: 21,036
Mayor: Harry Hughes
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,506
Geographic size: 587.08 square kilometres
Penetanguishene
Population: 8,962
Mayor: Douglas Leroux
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 7
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,120
Geographic size: 25.36 square kilometres
Ramara
Population: 9,488
Mayor: Basil Clark
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 1,581
Geographic size: 418.2 square kilometres
Severn
Population: 13,477
Mayor: Mike Burkett
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,246
Geographic size: 549.75 square kilometres
Springwater
Population: 19,059
Mayor: Don Allen
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,177
Geographic size: 536.2 square kilometres
Tay
Population: 10,033
Mayor Ted Walker
Regional councillors: 0
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,007
Geographic size: 139.07 square kilometres
Tiny
Population: 11,787
Mayor: George Cornell
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 3
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 2,947
Geographic size: 336.93 square kilometres
Wasaga Beach
Population: 20,675
Mayor: Nina Bifolchi
Regional councillors: 1
Ward councillors: 5
Average number of constituents per councillor (ward and regional): 3,446
Geographic size: 24.68 square kilometres
