Applications for Durham Region Chair position now open

The evolution of the regional chair position in Durham – the highest level of political office in the region – has gone from being elected by peers to being elected by the people to a position that as of November 15 will be appointed by the province.

Durham Chair John Henry, who will be out of a job this fall, called it a “deeply disappointing” decision when it was first announced in April.

“Strong and resilient communities are built on trust, accountability and the belief that the people who live there should have a voice in the decisions that shape their future,” he said. “By removing the public’s ability to elect the regional chair and replacing it with an appointment made by the province, a critical link between residents and regional leadership is broken.”

Durham Region Chair John Henry

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French took her own dissatisfaction to the legislature shortly before the new rules became law in May, called the soon-to-be new regional bosses “puppet chairs.”

French noted that Durham Region voted in a referendum in 2010 to have the people elect their regional chairs and the voters have done so since 2014, with that seat occupied by Henry since 2018.

“Now, this minister and premier have decided they don’t care what we voted for,” French said. “Their new law will allow them to hire and fire regional chairs and pick their own puppet chairs who will answer only to them. “

“This is taxation without representation.”

The Doug Ford government, with an eye on gaining more control of major decisions at the regional level (and getting more houses built faster), introduced legislation this spring allowing Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack to directly appoint chairs in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York and Muskoka regions, as well as in Simcoe County.

The bill would also give those appointed chairs “strong chair” powers – similar to the strong mayor powers already awarded to more than 2,000 municipalities in Ontario – giving them the ability to veto certain bylaws, appoint or fire the CAO and division heads and have a big say on the annual municipal budget.

French challenged Flack in the legislature to explain what Henry did to merit his pending dismissal.

“I wonder if Durham Regional Chair John Henry did something specific to be fired so publicly, or if he simply didn’t kiss the ring.”

Flack responded at Queen’s Park by saying “nobody was fired” and Henry is welcome to apply for the job, promising an “open process.”

“We want the brightest and the best,” he said, adding that regional chairs appointed by the province will bring “more accountability, more focus” to the job.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack

With Henry earning a base salary of $224,823, with a total compensation package (including payments for sitting on boards, per-diems and expenses) of more than $250,000, there are sure to be some qualified people out there willing to apply.

Previous elected political experience and a “strong understanding of regional and provincial priorities,” including those specific to the upper-tier municipality to which they are applying, is highly recommended, along with experience leading “major change initiatives” in large organizations.

The application period is unusually brief, with CVs being accepted from June 29 to July 13.

The term of office run from Nov. 15, 2026 to Nov. 14, 2020 – “or as determined by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing” – to align with the new regional council representatives, who will take office following the municipal elections on Oct. 26.

Henry was the second regional chair in Durham Region to be elected by voters after Roger Anderson in 2014, with the post formerly filled by an election among councillors.

Henry recognized his time in the Durham Chair seat is coming to an end but said his commitment to the community has not. “I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Durham in a different capacity and contributing to the growth and success of our region in new ways.”

“Democracy is strongest when leadership is earned through public trust, not granted by appointment. The people of Durham deserve the right to choose who represents them at the regional table – regardless of who that individual may be.”

To apply, have your resumé ready and visit https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Apply/1172 .