Politics · Canada · 8 hrs ago
Ontario appoints eight regional chairs, including MP Scott Aitchison
Ontario’s government has appointed eight regional chairs for areas including Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo, York, Muskoka and Simcoe County.
The appointees include Conservative MP Scott Aitchison, who will lead Muskoka District after announcing he will leave his seat in Parliament.
He is due to be sworn in on Dec.
1; several other appointees are current or outgoing municipal leaders.
The province recently changed the law to let it appoint chairs in these regions and give them expanded powers over local administration, including directing staff and vetoing certain bylaws.
The government says the appointments will support coordination and efficient services, while opposition critics say the changes concentrate power at the provincial government.
The appointees are set to take up their roles, with Aitchison’s start date confirmed as Dec.
1.
Ontario’s government has appointed eight regional and county chairs, including outgoing Conservative MP Scott Aitchison.
The appointees will lead Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County.
The chairs will receive “strong chair powers,” including the ability to appoint or fire senior municipal officials and veto certain bylaws.
The government said the appointments would support collaboration and responsible growth, while opposition critics said the changes consolidate power at Queen’s Park.
Aitchison is to be sworn in as Muskoka District chair on Dec. 1.
- Who
- Ontario’s government appointed eight regional and county chairs, including Scott Aitchison.
- What
- It named chairs for six regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County, with “strong chair powers.
- When
- The appointments were announced on Nov. 10, 2026. Aitchison is to be sworn in on Dec. 1.
- Where
- Durham, Halton, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County, Ontario.
- Why
- The government said the appointments would support collaboration, responsible growth and efficient services. Opposition critics said the move consolidates power at Queen’s Park.
Ontario government
Opposition critics
Purpose of appointments
Ontario government
The government said the appointments would support collaboration, responsible growth and efficient services.
Opposition critics
Critics said the move consolidates power at Queen’s Park.
The Ford government made legislative changes allowing the minister to appoint chairs in eight regions and grant them “strong chair powers.
Ontario announced appointments to six regions, Muskoka District and Simcoe County.
Scott Aitchison is to be sworn in as Muskoka District chair.
- Number of appointees
- 8
- Regional chairs
- Durham: Kevin Ashe; Halton: Ann Mulvale; Niagara: Frank Campion; Peel: Nando Iannicca; Waterloo: Scott Davey; York: Steven Del Duca
- County and district chairs
- Muskoka District: Scott Aitchison; Simcoe County: Don McIsaac
- Aitchison’s swearing-in
- Dec. 1
- New powers
- Appoint or fire the chief administrative officer and division heads, direct staff, veto certain bylaws and propose the municipal budget
3 sources
What people are saying
These appointments reflect our confidence in local leaders who bring a deep understanding of their municipalities and a proven record of performance and public service.
As heads of council, they will foster collaboration across municipalities, support responsible growth and ensure services are delivered efficiently, so that these communities remain great places to live, work and raise a family.