Ontario's municipal affairs minister is proposing to appoint a slate of regional council chairs and give them additional powers, as the government has done with so-called strong mayors.
The move follows an unsuccessful push by Niagara Region's now-former chair to consider amalgamating municipalities in the area, something Premier Doug Ford has said he personally supports.
The mayors of the largest cities in Niagara have said they support amalgamation, but a majority of the 12 Niagara mayors did not, which was a bar Ford set for moving ahead.
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Legislation tabled today by Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack would allow him to implement weighted voting at Niagara Regional council, cut the size of that council from 32 to 13 members, and directly appoint regional chairs in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York and Simcoe County.
The bill would also give those appointed chairs "strong chair" powers, including to appoint or fire the chief administrative officer and division heads, direct staff, veto certain bylaws and propose the municipal budget.
"While our governance model has served the county effectively for many decades, there is recognition that further streamlining decision-making will better support the needs of our communities," said County of Simcoe Warden Basil Clarke in a statement. "This reduction in the size of council, which was previously recommended by county council, advances our ongoing efforts to be responsive and cost-efficient for residents, while continuing to ensure strong local decision-making at county council through the leadership of our 16 lower-tier mayors and representatives from the separated cities (Barrie/Orillia).
Clarke added that with growth in regional services, there is also a strong need for a full-time head of council to focus on the interests of our residents and communities every day.
"These changes will help strengthen our ability to service our growing region effectively," Clarke added.
The provincial government has already given strong mayor powers to the heads of council in 216 municipalities.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.
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