For Immediate Release
January 26, 2017
Peel Council Overwhelmingly Reaffirms Position on Regional Chair Selection: Mayor Crombie
I have repeatedly said the current election process for Peel Regional Chair works for Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, Mayor Bonnie Crombie commented today during a Region of Peel Council meeting.
“A Regional Chair, elected by Regional Council, is democratic,” Mayor Crombie added. “This is a solution to a problem we do not have.”
This democratic process should be respected, said Mayor Crombie, in light of the provincial government’s recent move to make the selection for Regional Chair a direct election. This is different from the current system where candidates for Chair are voted on by Regional Councillors.
In June 2016, Regional Councillors from each Peel municipality voted overwhelmingly to maintain the existing election process. Today, Regional Councillors reaffirmed this position in a vote of 23 to 1. Peel Council will issue correspondence to the Province reiterating its opposition to the changes.
“Should Regional Council decide to change the system – we will make the final decision – just as Durham Region did in the lead up to the 2014 election.”
“The surprise decision to make the Region of Peel Chair directly-elected was made without Regional Councillors knowing the full costs to our taxpayers.”
Mayor Crombie asked “Will there be a request to increase the Peel Chair’s office budget and hire more staff to support an official who represents nearly a million and a half people?”
Mayor Crombie concluded “We are currently debating Mississauga’s future in Peel Region. We need to ask ourselves: will a directly-elected chair advance the priorities of Mississauga residents, like building transit, affordable housing and safeguard frontline healthcare services?”
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