A regional councillor says the Ontario government’s proposal to appoint the chair for the Region of Waterloo will “diminish local democracy” and give special treatment to certain groups.

“I wasn’t surprised, but I was hopeful it wouldn’t happen because what it does is diminishes local democracy and undermines councillors to reflect their jobs in terms of what the public wants,” Coun. Doug Craig told CBC News.

Craig, who represents the City of Cambridge on regional council and is a former mayor, raised concerns in February. That’s when he tabled a motion asking the province not to make changes to the role of regional chair.

Last Thursday, the province announced a proposal to appoint regional chairs in regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Waterloo and York as well as the warden of Simcoe County.

Regional of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman said in a statement to CBC News following Thursday’s announcement that she is “proud to have been elected twice” by the community and remains focused on her job.

“I remain focused on leading this regional council as we deliver key housing-enabling infrastructure, expand transit services and community supports, and work alongside all partners for a strong and affordable Waterloo region,” she said.

Appointing regional chair won’t move things faster

Part of the province’s legislation, if passed, would also give regional chairs “strong chair powers,” similar to strong mayor powers given to some cities.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said the move will save money and streamline decisions. He’s also asking regional councils to review their “council composition” after the municipal election in October.

“These changes would support lower costs for municipal taxpayers and better alignment between regional decision-making and shared provincial-regional priorities,” Flack said in a news release.

“This is not going to improve anything,” Craig argued.

Craig added that because strong mayor and chair powers only require one third of council votes to pass legislation that they approve, “it’s going to play into special interest groups and local municipalities, the people in our communities, are going to have less say in their elected officials.”

Other regional councillors weigh in

CBC K-W reached out to all regional councillors to hear their thoughts on the proposed changes to the regional chair role.

Many said they also worry that appointing a regional chair will hurt municipal democracy and the role should be elected by local residents.

“It removes the democratic process for the residents of Waterloo region in their ability to elect by ballot the chair of the municipality that supplies 60 per cent of the services residents use every day,” Coun. Jim Erb said in a statement.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said though it makes sense to her that the province wants to have one system in place to establish regional chairs, she was hoping the province would opt for chairs to be elected by the community.

“I think it’s always important for the provincial government to consult with certainly elected officials, but also residents, local residents of Waterloo and Waterloo region before they make decisions like this,” she said.

Wellesley Mayor Joe Nowak said the role of regional chair is “not easy” as they have to work with all levels of government. He said it’s a role that should remain elected by the people.

“To succeed in this role, I feel the chair should have the support of the electorate,” he said. “He or she will require a strong and over-arching perspective of the regional communities that they serve.”

Coun. Joe Gowing, who represents Kitchener on council, said he has seen the province appoint a chair in Niagara region and talks of amalgamation there and says it’s “anti-democracy.”

“I think this is one more thing that this government feels that they can step in and take over municipalities. I don’t think it’s going to be a bridge. I think it’s going to be the opposite of that,” Gowing said.

“I’m not going to let this stop me from doing the work that I’m going to be elected to do. I’m just going to put my head to the grind and and continue on my way,” he added.

“It’s heartbreaking to see that the government is taking away the decision-making of our region and putting in at Queens Park.”

Many questions ahead

Several councillors also have questions about what Thursday’s announcement means for regional municipalities moving forward.

Coun. Colleen James said she understands that change happens, but wonders whether it will be effective.

“You’ve got strong chairs, strong mayors and what does that mean when you’re sitting at this table in particular?” she told CBC News.

“I think there’s a lot of unknown and is this really being efficient in a way that centers the local communities?”

Coun. Matt Rodrigues said he worries about where the accountability of an appointed regional chair lies.

“With now both a strong chair and strong mayors, the collaboration that was a mark of our community remains uncertain and is untested for when diverging views come up,” he said in a statement to CBC News.

Erb said appointing a regional chair may also affect who runs for regional council in the fall.

“Those running for council have the opportunity to decide if they can work with a specific candidate if they are elected,” he said.

“Based on that, some candidates may decide not to run for council depending on who is running for chair. With the appointment of the chair by the province, this is not possible.”

It’s why councillors say the community should pay close attention to this year’s municipal election in the fall, where people will not only elect the chair for the region, but also elect mayors, city and regional councillors, as well as school board trustees.

“While we may or may not vote for the regional chair as the province may roll this decision back once they realize that it is a poor decision, we’ll still be able to vote for city councillors and regional councillors and so you’re democratic right is really important,” Coun. Chantal Huinink told CBC News.

“Your voice and your vote are both really important.”