Town of Bracebridge council unanimously opposes the implementation of the Better Regional Governance Act, also known as Bill 100.
This follows the District unanimously opposing the legislation during an April 20 council meeting.
The new legislation aims to change how regional governments operate in several fast-growing Ontario regions, including Muskoka, to better align them with provincial goals.
If approved, the Act would allow the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint the District Chair, rather than have the Chair be elected locally.
During the May 5 general committee meeting, Bracebridge council members expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Bill.
Councillor Tatiana Sutherland said Muskoka is geographically different from other regions being considered, adding that its service delivery realities and development potential are unique in the province.
“It is very important that we have a chair that is locally responsive to the area municipalities, the lower-tier municipalities that all have to work together in coordination to respond to things like natural disasters and development and service delivery realities,” she said.
Sutherland said the role of the District Chair in Muskoka is distinct, requiring integration with lower-tier municipalities, community partners, and shared service delivery models. She said that this is especially important in both day-to-day governance and emergency response, and is best supported by a chair who is directly accountable to council and responsive to local conditions.
“We are delivering on provincial priorities right now. Better than we ever have before, primarily when it comes to housing. We’re delivering housing at a rate never seen before in this region,” said Sutherland “Part of that has to do with the fact that our district council is cooperative, functional, and has prioritized housing, which is in line with what the province wants us to do.”
Councillor Archie Buie said if the effort is not successful and the province appoints a chair with strong mayor powers, that person could override council resolutions if they disagree with them. He said that, in that case, any district council review would be conditional on decisions made by the appointed chair, who could ultimately change the outcome.
“This bill 100 really upsets me,” he said. “I’m sorry to see that we even have to deal with a resolution like this.”
After a lengthy discussion, council unanimously supported the motion, and it will now be forwarded to Parry Sound–Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and all Muskoka municipalities.
