Simcoe County council grappling with Warden, weighted vote changes in downsized structure
Posted June 22, 2026
Simcoe County council's Governance committee has been tasked to incorporate changes the provincial government foisted on the upper tier by chopping its membership in half to 17, including a full-time Warden to be appointed by the Province.
The County, and its lower tier members, including New Tecumseth, have expressed opposition to a provincially appointed Warden, who will also have the equivalent of strong mayor powers. Traditionally the Warden is elected from amongst the County councillors in a secret ballot.
The Governance committee met on June 16 and has directed County staff to review and provide recommendations based on the following options:
Revised Option 1a: Pursue Warden appointment process with nominations and election at inaugural meeting for four-year term including:
•A process to request that voluntary expressions of interest from candidates be submitted in advance of the Inaugural meeting to potentially be published to the meeting agenda and County website; and
•That County Councillors only be permitted to move or second one nomination for a candidate to be included in the election for Head of Council;
Option 2a: Pursue reduction of Committees and/or appointments to address workload, as generally discussed during the June 16, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting;
Revised Option 2b: That staff review the feasibility of allowing Alternate Councillors to be appointed to Committees and Boards;
Option 2c: Pursue more remote or hybrid meeting participation for Committees and Boards;
Option 3b: Eliminate role of Deputy Warden and designate Business Section Chairs to act in the absence of Head;
\Option 4a: Increase Warden salary in 2027 to 60th market percentile using 2024 comparison data;
Revised Option 5a: Pursue a name change of the County of Simcoe Head of Council from Warden to County Chair should the Province appoint a Head of Council for the start of the 2026 to 2030 term of Council;
Option 6a: Pursue a reduction of City representation at Committee of the Whole consistent with reduced size of Council.
Additionally, there will be a review of the weighted voting system that currently is based on population formula.
County meets tomorrow morning, and then not again until August 11.
