Caledon Citizen
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Export date: Thu Jul 18 11:31:58 2024 / +0000 GMT

Much to consider if electing a Chair


Thank you for your Aug. 15 editorial which speaks against an elected chair for the Region of Peel.
As quoted at the end of your editorial, I believe everyone has to think very carefully about changing what has worked well for many years.
It is important to note that the Chair of the Region has no extraordinary powers. The Chair is the public face of the Region, chairs Regional council meetings and is a de facto member of all Regional committees. The only municipal leader in Ontario that has extra powers is the Mayor of Toronto and that power was granted through the specific legislation known as the City of Toronto Act. I have heard of no pending legislation to increase the power of mayors or chairs in other jurisdictions.
If the public does have an appetite for an elected chair, careful consideration and debate should occur, and the proponents should demonstrate why the directly-elected chair would be an improvement in democracy.
In Canada, we do not elect our premiers and prime ministers by popular vote. Would it be better if we did? Would we like to emulate the U.S., where they seem to elect their president by popular vote, but really don't, as everything is filtered through the electoral college? Do we have an appetite for electoral positions which cost huge dollars in campaign expenses? What is the expectation of an individual who raises a million dollars or more once he or she is elected?
These a just a few of the questions that need to be addressed before we consider a change.
Richard Paterak
Regional Councillor, Ward 1
Town of Caledon
Post date: 2013-09-13 17:19:21
Post date GMT: 2013-09-13 21:19:21

Post modified date: 2013-09-13 17:19:21
Post modified date GMT: 2013-09-13 21:19:21

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