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Government Will Appoint Regional Heads

Full Title:
Bill 100, Better Regional Governance Act, 2026

Summary#

  • Bill 100 changes how some regional councils in Ontario are set up and how their leaders are chosen, starting with the 2026 municipal election.
  • It ends direct public elections for the regional chair in eight regions. The chair will be appointed by the Province or by the regional council.
  • It shrinks the size of Niagara Region and Simcoe County councils to include only the local mayors plus the chair. It also lets the Province set “weighted voting” rules on regional councils after 2026.

Key changes

  • Regional chair in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, and York will be appointed (by the Minister or by council) after each election, not elected by voters.
  • Niagara Region council becomes 13 members (12 local mayors plus the chair). Simcoe County council becomes 17 members (16 local mayors plus the chair).
  • The Minister may set rules so some regional council members have more than one vote on some matters, for set periods, after 2026.
  • For 2026 only, nominations already filed to run for regional chair in the eight regions, and for any seat on Niagara Region council, will be treated as withdrawn if the bill becomes law on or after May 1, 2026.
  • The Minister may change council size and ward maps for Thorold, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake for the 2026 term.
  • Regions must review how many seats each local municipality gets on regional council. Most start in 2026; Niagara starts in 2034. Reviews then repeat every two elections.

What it means for you#

  • Voters in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, York

    • You will not vote for the regional chair after 2026. The chair will be appointed by the Minister or by your regional council.
    • Ballots in 2026 will reflect this change.

  • Voters in Niagara Region

    • You will not vote for regional councillors in 2026. Only your local mayor will sit on regional council, plus the regional chair.
    • Expect a much smaller regional council. Your mayor will be your voice at the region.
    • The chair will be appointed, not elected by the public.

  • Voters in Simcoe County

    • Only your local mayor will sit on county council in 2026, plus the appointed chair. Deputy mayors and other positions will not sit at the county table under this bill.

  • Residents of Thorold, Port Colborne, Niagara-on-the-Lake

    • Your town or city council size or ward map may change for 2026 if the Minister sets new rules. Your mayor will still be elected at large (by all voters).
    • Watch for updated voter information before the 2026 election.

  • Candidates

    • If you filed to run in 2026 for regional chair in the eight listed regions, or for any Niagara regional council seat, your nomination will be treated as withdrawn if the bill becomes law on or after May 1, 2026. You may need to choose a different office.

  • Municipal councils and staff

    • Prepare for 2026 election changes (ballots, communications, council transitions).
    • Be aware the Minister can set weighted voting after 2026, which could change how council decisions are counted.
    • Plan for scheduled reviews of how many regional seats each local municipality has (most in 2026; Niagara in 2034).

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

  • Fewer councillors at Niagara Region and Simcoe County could reduce council pay and meeting costs.
  • Changing ballots, voter information, and ward maps for 2026 may add short-term administrative costs in affected places.

Proponents' View#

  • Smaller regional councils will be faster and more efficient, leading to quicker decisions on housing, transit, and growth.
  • Appointing the chair aligns local and provincial priorities and reduces politics around a separate region-wide campaign.
  • Weighted voting can better reflect population differences among member municipalities.
  • Standardized transition rules for 2026 aim to reduce voter confusion and ensure the election runs smoothly.
  • Fewer council seats at the regional level could lower ongoing costs.

Opponents' View#

  • Ending public elections for regional chairs reduces democratic choice and accountability.
  • Giving the Minister power to appoint or remove chairs, change council sizes, set voting weights, and issue retroactive rules weakens local control.
  • Weighted voting could sideline smaller towns and concentrate power in larger cities.
  • Last-minute nomination withdrawals and rule changes near the 2026 election could confuse voters and disadvantage candidates.
  • Shrinking Niagara and Simcoe councils may reduce local voices at the regional table, with more work funneled through mayors.