The process to appoint Durham’s next regional chair, if Premier Doug Ford’s legislation proceeds, should be conducted in a way that reflects the needs of the entire region, said a Durham mayor.
“Durham is a diverse community, made up of urban, suburban, and rural municipalities. It is essential that our regional leadership understands and represents this full spectrum and works collaboratively with local councils to guide us through this period of growth.” said Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy.
Mayor Roy expressed concern that the voice of Durham residents will be ignored, following the recent announcement from the province regarding the proposed Better Regional Governance Act. It would allow the province to directly appoint regional chairs and reduce the size of regional councils.
Mayor Roy is not the first person to express concerns over the new proposal. Regional Chair John Henry and others across the region have also expressed similar fears (see below).
Democratic Participation and Local Autonomy
“Removing the public’s ability to elect the regional chair raises important questions about democratic participation and local autonomy. At its core, this change moves decision-making further from the people it is meant to serve,” said Mayor Roy.
She accepted that the province has framed this legislation as a way of improving efficiency, accelerating housing and infrastructure delivery, and strengthening alignment across levels of government. “These are important goals, especially at a time when municipalities like Whitby are experiencing rapid growth and facing complex challenges.”
Mayor Roy pointed out that Whitby is currently navigating significant pressures to address housing affordability and availability, respond to needs related to homelessness, mental health and addictions, and advocate for a more sustainable municipal funding model that ensures that they can provide the infrastructure the residents rely on.
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