Simcoe County prepares to deal with legislated composition changes

 

Posted April 13, 2026

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Simcoe County councillors meet tomorrow for the first time since the Provincial government announced legislation to reduce its size and expand the authority of the warden in time for the next term of council in November.

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The Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, would reduce council from 32 members to 17, made up of the mayors of the county’s 16 lower-tier municipalities and the warden. Deputy mayors, who currently sit on county council, would no longer serve at the upper-tier level.

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Under the current system, the warden is appointed by council from among its members.  Under the proposed legislation, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has authority to appoint heads of council in several regions, including Simcoe County,  Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York, in addition to Simcoe.

 

Through associated regulatory changes, those heads of council — including Simcoe’s warden — would be granted “strong chair” powers, mirroring strong mayor authorities set out in Part VI.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

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The report outlines these authorities could include the ability to prepare and propose budgets, veto bylaws that conflict with provincial priorities, and direct municipal staff on key initiatives. The warden could also hire or dismiss the chief administrative officer and establish or assign council committees. Council would retain the ability to override certain decisions, including vetoes, through legislated voting thresholds.

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Weighted voting would remain in place, continuing to reflect the population of member municipalities.

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The report notes that previous attempts to change council composition did not proceed due to approval requirements involving both upper- and lower-tier municipalities. Any restructuring and new authorities would require provincial approval and would take effect in a future term.

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Story aided by AI