THE VOICE OF CANADA NEWS

TORONTO — The Ontario government is moving ahead with a review of regional government by appointing Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling as Special Advisors. The regional government model has been in place for almost 50 years in Ontario and we are taking steps to ensure that regional governments are working efficiently and effectively. These advisors will consult broadly over the coming months and provide recommendations to improve governance, decision-making and service delivery.

The review will examine Ontario’s eight regional municipalities (Halton, York, Durham, Waterloo, Niagara, Peel, Muskoka District, and Oxford County), the County of Simcoe, and their lower-tier municipalities.

“Our government committed to improving the way regional government works and we will be looking at ways to make better use of taxpayers’ dollars and make it easier for residents and businesses to access important municipal services,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling bring a wealth of experience that will help us examine if the way regions are governed is working for the people.”

The advisors will work with the province to explore:

• Opportunities to make it easier for residents and businesses to access municipal services;
• Processes to deliver efficient and effective local services that respects taxpayers’ money;
• Methods to make municipalities open for business; and,
• Possibilities to cut red tape and duplication, and save costs.

Local residents and businesses will be consulted in spring 2019.