FRENCH: Ford's Puppet Chairs are no substitute for elected Regional Chairs

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP MPP Jennifer French (Oshawa) blasted the Ford government’s move to change the law to give sweeping powers to appointed Regional Chairs, while firing those who were democratically elected, like Durham Region’s John Henry.

“In 2010, Durham voters overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to stop appointing, and start electing our Regional Chair, and since 2014 Durham voters have elected our Regional Chair to be the head of Regional Council,” said French. “Now, this Minister and Premier have decided they don't care what we voted for. Their new law will allow them to hire and fire Regional Chairs and pick their own puppet chairs who will answer only to them.

“I wonder if Durham Regional Chair John Henry did something specific to be fired so publicly, or if he simply didn't kiss the ring.

“The future unelected puppet Chair is being given Strong Mayor powers to control the regional budget and have access to taxpayer pockets. They will have their hands in our pockets, and taxpayers will have no say. This is taxation without representation.

“The Minister is firing out the Regional Chair, yet he told us today he will allow him to apply for the job. Working for the Premier is not the same as working for the electorate. Changing the law to ensure that government appointees can control regional budgets really begs the question – what is this change actually about?”