The population of York Region is bigger than five Canadian Provinces: PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and it’s rapidly closing on Manitoba. Yet the person who leads York Region, Wayne Emmerson, is indirectly elected by 20 people.

He is now seeking a third term from his 20 strong electorate.

He steers policies and strategy. He can declare a state of emergency. 

And his vote has the same weight as the directly elected Mayors and Regional Councillors who serve on the Regional Council.

He should be elected by the voters at large not by a tiny group of his colleagues.

In March 2016 I made the argument to a Committee in Queen's Park. The case for direct election is as compelling as ever.

Here is my take on it all.

Gordon Prentice 19 October 2022