Premier Ford's cancellation of the direct election of Regional Chairs in York, Peel, Niagara and Muskoka districts in Ontario was not only an affront to the democratic process by changing the rules in the middle of the game, but has also negated the possibility for residents to participate directly in the much needed debate on the role, purpose, and benefits of Regional Government.

As a Board member of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Chair of the Regional Caucus for AMO, I have spoken with my colleagues here and across Ontario and am very concerned about how municipalities will be viewed by this provincial government. Is it a mature partnership where we share the obligations of government, or will we be treated as a stakeholder along with other interest groups advocating for their cause? This distinction is important to all local governments in Ontario.

Regional Governments were created by the Ontario government beginning in the late 1960s that joined counties together to form a larger unit to deliver more affordable services to citizens.

Police, Public Health, Water/Sewer and all social services are examples of such services.

These departments are operated professionally and services are delivered universally and affordably.

Unfortunately all Regional Governments have become distant and disconnected from the public they serve. Most citizens don't understand its purpose or believe in its value.

A region-wide election for Chair would have provided a forum for debate on the future and role of Regional Government in all 4 communities, including such critical topics as:

• Rising to the challenge of providing affordable housing
• The coming demographic wave requiring Long-Term Care
• The changing nature of policing
• The infrastructure investments needed to sustain our quality of roads, water, and environmental services
• Intercity transit to connect our communities

These are all real questions about the role of government in our lives and the services we expect within the contract of paying property taxes in exchange of the kind of orderly society we desire.

Most residents identify more deeply with their local community. Rightly so. Regional Government, properly executed, allows and encourages local communities to flourish and thrive which in turn makes us greater together than apart.

A debate on how we can come together within our respective Regions to address the challenges before us is needed now more than ever. If we are going to be denied a region-wide election for our Chair, we can at least focus the debate for members of Regional Council on the core function of Regional Government and what future there can be under the current regime at Queen's Park. Properly lead and executed, all Regions can deliver on the promise of government and raise the quality of life throughout the Region. I believe the public deserves, needs, and wants this debate.
 

The views above are Councillor Grenier's and not intended to represent AMO or OSUM.