Ontario has named leaders for eight upper-tier municipal governments, shifting chair selection to the province as expanded strong-mayor powers are due to begin Nov. 15.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack announced the appointments Nov. 10 under the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026. The law received royal assent May 7 and authorizes the minister to appoint heads of council in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County.
Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, who represents Parry Sound—Muskoka, was named to lead Muskoka District. Ontario said he intends to resign his federal seat by the end of November and is scheduled to be sworn in Dec. 1.
The other appointees are Kevin Ashe for Durham, Ann Mulvale for Halton, Frank Campion for Niagara, Nando Iannicca for Peel, Scott Davey for Waterloo, Steven Del Duca for York and Don McIsaac for Simcoe County.
Ontario says the chairs will be able to introduce upper-tier budgets, coordinate regional work with provincial goals and move decisions forward more quickly. The strong-mayor framework also gives heads of council powers over budgets and senior municipal staff, as well as veto authority over certain bylaws, according to provincial guidance. The rules are scheduled to apply to the eight municipalities Nov. 15.
The regional governments coordinate services that cross local boundaries, including roads, housing and social services. Their member municipalities generally handle local services such as fire protection, garbage collection and recreation.
Before the new system, the province appointed chairs in Niagara and York. Voters elected them in Durham, Halton and Waterloo, while councils chose them in Peel, Muskoka and Simcoe County. Ontario also said appointees who are lower-tier mayors can keep those roles while serving as regional chair; their municipalities will appoint another representative to the regional council.
Ontario says the changes are meant to advance housing and infrastructure work. In a statement responding to the appointments, Ontario New Democratic Party member of provincial Parliament Jeff Burch, who represents Niagara Centre, said Premier Doug Ford was handing over “an unprecedented power to hand-selected individuals.”
The strong-mayor rules are due to take effect Nov. 15, followed by Aitchison’s scheduled swearing-in on Dec. 1.
