Province expects to name a Durham Region facilitator this month

DAN CEARNS The Standard

DURHAM: The Region of Durham can expect a provincial facilitator to review the municipality and its services this month.

In a speech at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference on Tuesday, August 22nd, Steve Clark, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing provided an update on this initiative.

“The government will be unveiling a slate of Regional facilitators in Durham, Halton, Niagara, Simcoe County, Waterloo and York by September 11th of this year.”

He also explained what duties these facilitators will undertake as part of their role.

“These facilitators will be tasked with reviewing the structures, [which] are in place in these fast growing areas, to ensure they are up for the job in delivering efficient, effective and accountable government that residents both expect and deserve.”

In May, Durham Regional Chair John Henry released a statement following an announcement about the dissolution of Peel Region about the expectation of a facilitator visiting the Region.

“In 2019, the province announced a Regional government review; a process [which] concluded a short time later. In November 2022, the topic came up again- this time during a provincial announcement about appointing a facilitator to review the efficiency of regional governments. Today’s announcement about Peel made reference to the facilitators once again; noting someone will work with each of the eight upper tier levels of government. As Durham is an upper tier, we will likely be involved in this exercise. The Region and local municipalities continue to work together to help prepare for meetings with facilitators. We look forward to speaking with them about housing responsibilities within Durham Region, and all of the work that is done to ensure we remain a location of choice for residents and businesses.”