Durham regional chair says voters, not province, should decide who holds the position | CBC News

"I believe truly in my heart that the public deserves, our democracy deserves elections. The public should make that decision [about] who they want in this office, whether it's me or somebody else. In 2010, Durham Region residents voted in a referendum where 80 per cent of voters said they were in favour of an elected chair."

"If you've never been to Orono and understand what the residents out there are dealing with, you really shouldn't be a regional chair. Henry said he is also concerned about whether an appointed chair will be accessible to residents and understand the diverse needs of the 2,500-square kilometre region. On some Saturdays, he said he's driven up to 300 kilometres to attend meetings and events."

Durham Regional Chair John Henry opposes Ontario's Bill 100, which would allow the province to appoint chairs of regional governments in eight regions including Durham, Peel, and York. Henry argues that residents deserve elected leadership, citing a 2010 referendum where 80% of Durham voters supported an elected chair position. He expresses concerns that an appointed chair may lack accessibility to residents and understanding of the region's diverse needs across its 2,500 square kilometers. Henry emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and community engagement, noting he travels extensively to attend meetings and events. Durham Region council voted to reaffirm its preference for an elected chair and launched a survey to gather resident feedback on the issue.

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