Government Will Appoint Regional Heads

Summary#

• Bill 100 changes how some regional and county governments in Ontario are run, starting after the 2026 municipal election.

• It shifts how regional heads of council (like regional chairs) are chosen, reshapes Niagara and Simcoe councils, and lets the Province set voting weights for regional council members.

• Key changes:

  • In eight upper-tier municipalities (Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, York), the head of council will be appointed, not directly elected by voters. The Minister can appoint or remove the head of council; if not, council members will appoint one at their first meeting.
  • The Minister may set rules to give some regional council members more than one vote on certain matters, after the 2026 election.
  • Niagara’s regional council will be reduced to 13 members: the appointed head of council plus the 12 local mayors. Simcoe County’s council will be 17 members: the appointed head plus the 16 local mayors.
  • For most regional municipalities, the required review of how many seats each local municipality has on regional council will next occur after the 2026 election; for Niagara, the review timing shifts to after the 2034 election and then every second election.
  • For the 2026 election (if the bill becomes law on or after May 1, 2026), any nominations already filed to run for head of council in the eight named upper-tier municipalities will be cancelled, and all nominations to run for Niagara regional council seats will be cancelled.

What it means for you#

• Residents and voters in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, York:

  • You will not vote directly for the regional head of council in 2026 and beyond. The head will be appointed by the Minister or by your regional/county council.
  • Your ballot will still include your local mayor and local councillors.

• Residents of Niagara:

  • You will no longer vote for separate Niagara regional councillors. Starting with the term after the 2026 election, your local mayor will automatically sit on Niagara Regional Council.
  • Niagara Regional Council will have 13 members: the 12 local mayors plus an appointed head of council.

• Residents of Simcoe County:

  • Simcoe County Council will consist of the 16 local mayors plus an appointed head of council. (This largely reflects current practice but is now set in law for the 2026 term.)

• Potential candidates in 2026:

  • If you filed to run for head of council in one of the eight listed regions or counties, your nomination will be withdrawn if this bill becomes law on or after May 1, 2026.
  • If you filed to run for a Niagara regional council seat (other than head of council), your nomination will be withdrawn under the same timing.

• Local mayors and councillors:

  • In the eight listed regions/counties, council members will appoint the head of council at the first meeting if the Minister has not already appointed one.
  • The Province may set temporary or ongoing rules that give some members more than one vote on certain issues.
  • Seat reviews for how many representatives each town or city has at the regional table will occur on the updated schedule (after 2026 for most regions, after 2034 for Niagara).

Expenses#

Estimated annual cost: No publicly available information.

• The bill does not include a fiscal estimate.
• It may shift some election administration tasks in 2026, but no clear cost data is provided.

Proponents' View#

• This will make regional councils smaller and more efficient, helping them make decisions faster.
• Appointing heads of council will align regional leadership with provincial priorities and reduce political gridlock.
• Weighted voting can better reflect differences among member municipalities (for example, size or impact) on key decisions.
• Niagara’s new council model is simpler for voters and avoids duplicate elections for regional seats.
• Clearer, consistent rules across regions will improve accountability for results.

Opponents' View#

• Voters lose a direct say in choosing regional heads of council, reducing local democratic input.
• Giving the Minister power to appoint or remove heads of council and set voting weights concentrates too much power at the provincial level.
• Cancelling 2026 nominations (especially in Niagara) could confuse voters and candidates and disrupt campaigns.
• Smaller councils and potential weighted votes may reduce representation for some communities.
• Allowing retroactive regulations and rules that override other laws may reduce transparency and predictability in local governance.