York Region chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson is putting himself forward for the position for the next term, for what he sees as possibly the last time under the current council structure.
The former mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville is seeking a third term, currently voted on by the elected members of regional council, which decided in 2020 to keep the current system versus putting up the role for an open vote by the public.
Emmerson said he enjoys the position and wants to see through some projects. But he added that he suspects the province could bring changes to the regional council structure in the next term.
“I believe that this probably could be the last time,” he said, adding that changes could include more powers for the chair role or a reduction in the number of councillors. “What regional government will look like four years from now, that’s an undertaking and we will work with the province going forward.”
The politician served as mayor of Whitchurch-Stouffville for 17 years, before becoming regional chairman in 2014, besting Newmarket Mayor John Taylor for the position. He was then unanimously re-appointed to the position again in 2018.
He said projects he would like to see completed include affordable housing and the Upper York Sewage Solution.
“I’m not that old yet,” he said. “I love my job. I love doing what I do and I love helping the residents of York Region.”
It was a “very challenging” term, he said, with council feeling the impact of the pandemic.
“It wasn’t a term I think we all signed up for,” he said. “I believe council really did what they had to do the best they could, and our staff are excellent."
But he presided over some contentiousness over pandemic restrictions, as well as during the official plan process. Although council passed the plan, it was often split over planning decisions related to rezoning previously protected areas and the amount of sprawl allowed.
“We always have debates,” Emmerson said. “There was some disagreement with the public, yes, but every official plan has that … It is a good plan. Do I agree with everything in it? No, but it’s a good plan going forward, and we will look at it again in the next three to five years.”
Another point of contention came with the chairman position itself. After the province scrapped making regional chairs elected by the general public in 2018, council voted 14-6 to reject a motion that would have done the same.
Taylor, who is acclaimed as mayor and will be on next term’s regional council, was one of the votes that attempted to make the chair elected, a position he still holds.
“There’s pros and cons to it. I just think there’s more pros than cons,” he said. “Having said that, I truly respect democracy ... That was a decision council made. It’s made, so I’ll support the process that’s in front of us and work with the chair that’s elected, and council elected.”
Emmerson, who dropped out of the 2018 chair race originally set to be elected by the general public only to rejoin when that was scrapped, said he still believes in the current system. He said campaigning across nine different municipalities would be difficult, noting there are nine MPs and MPPs in the riding.
“People feel it’s not democratic. But it is because every one of those (council members) — we have 21 now — have been elected,” he said, adding that he does not think someone from a less-populous northern municipality could win if challenged.
The province could take another look at the regional council structure this term after it scrapped general elections, Emmerson said. He noted the province’s recent decisions to give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa additional powers.
“I don’t really have all those answers yet, but I’m hoping there may be a task force or committee that will be set up to look at regional government and who does what,” he said. “That’s something we need to look at periodically.”
The chances of his re-election cannot be known until after the municipal election, Emmerson said. He added that once the council members are known, he will start contacting them and asking for their support.
“If I’m successful, then I appreciate their support. If I’m not successful, there is life after politics.”
