Changes coming to how Whitby elects regional representatives

Whitby council has voted to change the way the town elects its four regional councillors, moving from an at-large system to a ward-based model. Beginning with the 2026 municipal elections, one regional councillor will be elected from each of Whitby’s four existing wards.

The decision was made during a council meeting on May 26, following a directive in April for town staff to examine the advantages and disadvantages of both electoral models. The staff report noted that there is no universally right or wrong system—only what works best for Whitby’s specific circumstances.

The report considered how other Greater Toronto Area (GTA) municipalities elect their regional representatives and weighed factors such as representation, campaign logistics and finances, accessibility, accountability, and how constituent concerns are managed under each system.

The next step will be a council vote to update Whitby’s council composition by-law. If approved, the new ward-based election system will come into effect for the 2026 municipal election. Voters will cast ballots for mayor, local ward councillor, and regional ward councillor, with the newly structured council set to begin its term on November 15, 2026.

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