General News

Bill coming to elect Regional Chair?

November 16, 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Bill Rea
The notion of electing regional chairs at large has been discussed at some length in the past, but it now seems the Province might be ready to step in and settle the issue.
The Citizen learned early yesterday (Wednesday) from Mayor Allan Thompson that there was a plan to introduce legislation at Queen’s Park later that day that would call for the election of the chairs of all regions, and that would take effect for the start of the next term, due to commence late in 2018. There had been no confirmation of such a bill at press time.
“I have a very reliable source,” Thompson said.
The current practice in Peel is for Regional councillors to elect a chair at their first meeting after the municipal elections. December 2014 saw Mississauga Councillor Frank Dale emerge on top of a five-way race to take the job. This was after 23 years with former Caledon mayor Emil Kolb as Chair.
Thompson said there will be more details to come.
“It’s definitely going to change a few things,” he commented.
Thompson also observed there are some who are calling for the Region to be broken up, commenting that if the Province is going ahead with having chairs elected, it indicates to him Queen’s Park wants the Region to continue.
“That really tells it’s not really in the Province’s books right now,” he remarked.

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