The Ontario government has passed legislation that will see the province appoint heads of councils in 8 municipalities after the upcoming municipal election this fall. These appointees will have strong Chair powers to deliver on the provincial mandate letters they receive from the government.
The government has indicated they are open to hearing from individuals that think they have the skills and seek to be appointed. However, there is no set of criteria to guide these decisions.
So the Chamber has engaged with our members through a number of our committees and our Board of Directors as well as in community conversations to develop a set of skills and experiences that prospective applicants should be measured against and that meet broad community expectations.
Attached is a letter that outlines the results of these broad consultations that was sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and copied to our local MPP’s.
Dear Minister Flack,
On behalf of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, I am writing regarding the Government of Ontario’s proposed changes to regional governance and the appointment of Regional Chairs.
We appreciate the government’s commitment to modernizing municipal governance structures to ensure municipalities can deliver services efficiently, respond to growth pressures, and meet the needs of residents and businesses. Strong local governments are essential to Ontario’s economic competitiveness, housing objectives, infrastructure delivery, and quality of life.
To inform our perspective, the Chamber engaged with a broad cross-section of our membership who represent employers, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and stakeholders from across Waterloo Region. While views on the specifics of regional reform vary, there is strong consensus on the qualities that should guide future appointments.
We note with appreciation the service of current Regional Chair Karen Redman, and offer the following not as commentary on any individual, but as a forward-looking reflection of what our members believe the role will demand in the years ahead.
The business community would encourage the government to prioritize candidates who demonstrate the following:
Strong Local Experience and Understanding Regional Chairs should have a deep familiarity with the communities they serve — local economic drivers, growth pressures, infrastructure priorities, and the relationships between lower-tier municipalities and regional government. This grounding is essential to effective leadership.
Independence from Current Elected Office Many members expressed the view that appointed Regional Chairs should not simultaneously hold elected municipal office. Serving in both capacities can create real or perceived conflicts between local and regional interests. An independent Chair is better positioned to act on behalf of the region as a whole.
Senior Executive Leadership Experience Modern regional governments are large and complex organizations. Members consistently identified the importance of CEO-level experience — including strategic planning, financial oversight, organizational management, and the ability to lead through complexity and change.
A Proven Track Record of Driving Results Ontario’s regions face significant challenges in housing, infrastructure, transportation, and service delivery. Effective leadership will require individuals comfortable with change, skilled at building consensus, and experienced in implementing solutions in complex environments.
Sound Judgment on Large and Consequential Issues Regional governments manage some of the most significant public policy files in the province. The ideal Chair should have demonstrated experience balancing competing interests, making evidence-based decisions, and advancing long-term community outcomes over short-term considerations.
Pragmatic, Outcomes-Focused Leadership The business community values practical problem-solvers over ideologues — leaders who focus on results, apply sound judgment, and find workable solutions that serve the public interest.
Understanding of Municipal Governance and Public Administration Executive experience must be paired with literacy in how municipal governments operate — including relevant legislation, governance processes, and the realities of working within a multi-government environment. The understanding could come from being previously elected or knowledge developed from other experiences.
Minister, Waterloo Region is one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most economically dynamic communities. The leadership chosen to guide the regional government through its next chapter will shape our competitiveness, housing supply, infrastructure readiness, and quality of life for years to come.
We appreciate the government’s willingness to pursue meaningful governance reform and welcome the opportunity to discuss these perspectives further. Our intent is to support the appointment of leaders who can help regions function effectively, foster intergovernmental collaboration, and advance the long-term interests of residents and businesses across Ontario.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ian McLean
President and CEO
Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
Cc.
The Hon. Mike Harris, MPP for Kitchener Conestogo
Aislinn Clancy, MPP for Kitchener Centre
Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South Hespeler
Catherine Fife, MPP for Waterloo
MPP Brian Riddell, MPP for Cambridge
We look forward to working with all of our partners to ensure that the important work is underway at all three levels of government so that Waterloo Region will be a successful community as we grow to a community of one million.
