Ontario Introduces Better Regional Governance Act to Streamline Decision-Making

The proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, tabled by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, would grant expanded authority to regional leadership and restructure council composition in select municipalities.

Strengthening Regional Leadership Across Ontario

If passed, the legislation would allow the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to appoint regional chairs in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York, as well as the warden of Simcoe County. These appointed leaders would also be granted “strong chair” powers—similar to existing “strong mayor” authorities—designed to streamline decision-making and advance provincial priorities.

Minister Rob Flack said the changes are intended to improve efficiency and better align municipal and provincial objectives.

“These changes provide the necessary tools for local leadership to advance our shared priorities and better serve our communities, including by expediting housing and infrastructure development,” Flack said in a statement.

Today, I introduced the Better Regional Governance Act to ensure provincial-municipal priorities are aligned and leaders are laser-focused on getting shovels in the ground, investing in essential infrastructure, and supporting the economic growth of our local communities.

In… pic.twitter.com/0apSoZSrJ3

— Rob Flack (@RobFlackEML) April 2, 2026

Reducing Council Sizes to Cut Costs

A central component of the proposed reforms includes reducing the size of councils in Niagara Region and Simcoe County, which the province says currently have disproportionately large governing bodies compared to other municipalities.

• Simcoe County Council would be reduced from 32 members to 17, consisting of the mayors of its 16 lower-tier municipalities and the warden.
• Niagara Regional Council would be reduced from 32 members to 13, including 12 local mayors and the regional chair.

The province argues that these changes would reduce duplication, lower governance costs and improve decision-making efficiency.

To ensure fair representation, the government would also implement a weighted voting system, allowing council members to carry votes proportional to population or other factors.

Preparing for Growth and Infrastructure Demands

Ontario says the proposed reforms are part of its broader strategy to manage rapid population growth and support economic development across the province. Regions like Niagara are expected to see significant increases in population over the coming decades, intensifying the need for coordinated planning and infrastructure investment.

The legislation is being introduced ahead of the May 1, 2026 municipal nomination deadline, giving municipalities and candidates time to prepare for potential structural changes ahead of the fall election.

Mixed Governance Models Across Regions

Currently, Ontario’s upper-tier municipalities use a mix of selection methods for regional leadership. Some chairs are directly elected, others are appointed by councils, and in certain cases, the province has exercised appointment authority.

The new legislation would standardize this approach across the identified regions while enhancing executive authority at the regional level.

Collaboration with Municipal Partners

The province says it will continue working with municipal governments to refine governance structures and ensure effective representation. Niagara Region would be temporarily exempt from required council composition reviews in 2026, with regular reviews resuming after the 2034 municipal election.

Officials emphasize that the changes are intended to strengthen collaboration between municipalities and the province, particularly in areas such as housing supply, infrastructure delivery and economic growth.

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