The Regional Council has overwhelmingly voted to look in to the “processes necessary to hire an Auditor-General starting in 2027”.
The Region of Durham has faced severe criticism over the consistently high rate of property, water and sewage taxes it collects year after year (see below). Property taxes alone garner more than $1 billion a year for the region. The region has also been criticized for spending on upgrades such as a million dollar revolving door and expensive kitchen equipment.
Durham Region has consistently announced among the highest increases over the past few years, at times, over and above the set ceiling (see below).
- 2026: 4.8% (against an announced cap of 3.5%)
- 2025: 7.4% (against an announced cap of 4.9%)
- 2024: 7.5%
- 2023: 5.2%
“Although some members of Regional Council will never admit it, the negative public reaction to the 2026 regional tax increase is certainly having an impact,” said Brian Nicholson, Oshawa Councillor Ward 5 and Durham Council.
“It appears that public pressure on regional expenditures has had a direct result and many members who opposed the previous motion on the Auditor-General have now switched their positions,” he added.
21:5 Vote
The councillor said yesterday, at the Regional Council, members voted 21-5 to direct regional staff to start working through the processes necessary to hire an Auditor-General starting in 2027.
Nicholson said those who opposed the direction to move towards an Auditory-General were Chair John Henry, Mayor Dan Carter (Oshawa), Mayor Shaun Collier (Ajax) and Councillors Bob Chapman (Oshawa) and Bruce Garrod (Uxbridge).
He said three members of council were absent: Mayor Michael Jubb (Brock), Mayor Dave Barton (Uxbridge) and Brock Councillor Cria Pettingill.
“The remaining 21 members of council, including myself, voted in favour of the motion (see the vote record below).
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