Newmarket-Aurora MPP wants bill to elect regional chairperson

YorkRegion.com
July 21, 2014
Sean Pearce

The role of York’s regional chairperson may yet become an elected position.

Liberal Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard says he’s mulling over the possibility of re-introducing legislation that would result in York’s chairperson and CEO being chosen via election rather than appointment.

It’s too early to say when such a bill might be tabled, Ballard

said, explaining he’s currently gathering information and asking questions.

“I am considering moving it ahead,” he said. “I did support it initially as a town councillor.”

If Ballard does proceed with a bill, it will mark the third push to make the chairperson position an elected one, fourth if you count former Liberal MPP David Caplan’s proposal to make the chairpersons of all regions elected, after Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi and Oak Ridges-Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek each tried introduced private members legislation intended to do just that.

Moridi’s attempt, Bill 60, was introduced in 2012, but died when then-premier Dalton McGuinty resigned and prorogued the legislature in October of that year.

Dr. Jaczek’s try, Bill 16, was tabled in February 2013, passing first and second reading, before being referred to the standing committee on the legislative assembly, where it, too, met its demise with the triggering of the spring election.

In any event, even if a law does come forward in the near future, it won’t have any impact on the next term of regional council.

To have become law in time to affect the 2014 municipal election, the bill would have needed to receive its third reading by Dec. 19, 2013.

As such, the status quo will remain and the next chairperson will be selected by members of regional council at the inaugural meeting of the new term.

For now, Ballard indicates he wants to discuss the subject with Moridi, Jaczek and the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ted McMeekin, before deciding how best to proceed.

“I want to take a look at what’s happening with this right across Ontario,” he said.