Durham Residents are being invited by the Regional Council to share their views on Bill 100, under which the Regional Chair and CEO will be appointed by Queens Park.
It is not yet announced if John Henry, who was elected as Region Chair and CEO, will be retained or will be replaced by a Ford government nominee.
“While my role as the elected chair is coming to an end, my commitment to this community is not. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Durham in a different capacity and contributing to the growth and success of our region in new ways,” Henry said in an earlier statement (see below).
Better Regional Governance Act.
On April 2, the Ontario government introduced the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 that would, if passed, give the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power to appoint upper-tier council chairs in eight fast-growing regions and granting these council chairs ‘strong chair’ powers.
The bill will allow the minister to appoint regional chairs in
- Durham,
- York,
- Halton,
- Muskoka,
- Niagara,
- Peel,
- Waterloo and
- The Warden of Simcoe County.
“I believe the changes being implemented by the province are a disservice to our vibrant communities and our residents who deserve a direct voice in choosing their leadership,” said Henry.
The Survey
Durham Region has launched a short public survey to gather resident feedback on Bill 100, including whether the Regional Chair should continue to be elected by residents.
The survey will be open from May 4 to 18. Residents are encouraged to complete the survey at the Durham website.
The region is asking for public input to help inform Regional Council’s understanding of community perspectives on Bill 100.
Survey results will be summarized in a public Council Information Package and forwarded to the Province of Ontario for consideration.
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