As province looks to split up Peel, what does the future hold for Region of Waterloo?
CBC
All eyes are on Peel region Thursday after the province announced plans to dissolve the regional municipality by 2025, but it raises the question of whether the same thing could happen to the Region of Waterloo.
A regional facilitator who will assess upper-tier municipalities in Ontario — including the Region of Waterloo — is expected to be named in the coming weeks.
In a press release, the province said the facilitators will look at six upper-tier municipalities:
"These facilitators will be tasked with reviewing whether the upper-tier government continues to be relevant to the needs of its communities or whether the lower-tier municipalities are mature enough to pursue dissolution," the release from the province said.
"Where they recommend that a two-tier government is still required, the facilitators will also make recommendations on how they can more effectively respond to the issues facing Ontario's fast-growing municipalities today, particularly when it comes to meeting municipal housing pledges and tackling the housing supply crisis."
The move is not a surprise. Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark introduced legislation in November called the Better Municipal Governance Act and said that the government would appoint facilitators to ensure the regions were ready to "deliver on the government's commitment to tackle the housing supply crisis."
Asked if the province ultimately plans to do away with regional levels of government, Clark responded in November that he was "not going to presuppose the discussions that take place by the facilitator."
Waterloo region politicians reacted to the news about Peel.
"My first reaction is that we do not want to be split like Peel," regional Chair Karen Redman told CBC News.
"We are looking forward to working with the province and the facilitator and I expect the facilitator will hear from all of the municipalities about the incredible services at municipal staff provide on a daily basis."
Redman said the region is "stronger together" and the area has a "strong history of collaboration."
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic agreed there's a "strong history locally" of collaborating between the cities, townships and region.
"As a city, we're going to continue doing the great work we do," he said. "I'm committed to working with both [the province] and my neighbours locally."
Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz said in an email that the local municipalities "have collaborated and worked together for 50 years. We will work with the facilitator when the time comes and remain committed to review potential efficiencies together."
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