York Region CAO stepping down after 16 years

Bruce Macgregor calls decision to resign 'bittersweet'

Newmarkettoday.ca
July 4, 2023
Joseph Quigley

York Region is losing its chief administrative officer as Bruce Macgregor announced he will step down after more than 16 years.

The region announced June 29 that Macgregor had submitted his intention to depart, with his last day to be Sept. 29.

Macgregor said it is a “bittersweet moment."

“There is never a right or perfect time to step away from a progressive municipality,” Macgregor said in a news release. “It has been a privilege for me to serve council, our staff and the residents of York Region.”

Macgregor first got into the role in May 2007. Since then, he has overseen the regional municipality with an annual operating and capital budget approaching $4 billion. He has led the staff complement which currently has about 5,000 employees in total.

The region credited Macgregor with creating and maintaining multi-year budgeting, providing direction to inform council decisions on large infrastructure and advancing legislative and policy decisions.

York Region chair and CEO Wayne Emmerson said he has worked with Macgregor since becoming chair in 2014 and before that as a council member.

“It has been an honour to have him in the role of CAO, providing a steady hand and outstanding advice,” Emmerson said. “I thank Bruce for his service and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”

The region said succession planning is underway.

Before becoming CAO, Macgregor was previously a commissioner of transportation from 2005 to 2007. He served as public workers commissioner for Richmond Hill from 2000 to 2005, as well as director of water and wastewater at the region from 1995 to 2000. He has a bachelor of applied science degree from the University of Toronto and completed an executive program at Queen’s University.

The news release does not mention what role or job Macgregor might have following this one.

Still, Macgregor said York Region will carry on without him.

“I’m quite confident York Region’s great reputation will endure well beyond my time as CAO,” he said.