Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy is speaking out against new provincial legislation that would strip residents of their ability to elect the Durham Region chair. The proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, introduced by the provincial government on April 2, 2026, aims to replace the current elected position with an appointee chosen by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
In an open letter to residents dated April 7, 2026, Mayor Roy criticized the plan, stating that it ignores a clear democratic choice made by the community. In 2010, Durham Region residents held a referendum where voters overwhelmingly supported electing their regional chair directly, with support reaching 85 per cent in Ajax.
The proposed changes would also grant the provincial appointee significant authority, referred to as strong chair powers. These powers would allow the individual to hire or fire senior staff, direct staff, veto local government bylaws, and propose the annual regional budget without the same level of local oversight currently in place.
Regional Chair John Henry, who is serving his second elected term, also expressed disappointment regarding the change. In an official statement from the Region of Durham, he described the provincial move as a disservice to the region’s communities and the residents who expect to have a direct voice in choosing their local leadership.
The legislation remains a point of contention for local officials who argue that the shift undermines the democratic processes established by voters more than a decade ago. The provincial government has framed the proposed changes as a way to streamline regional governance and improve efficiency.
