Next regional chair will be appointed by the province

By Lee Griffi

If Karen Redman planned to seek re-election as chair for the Region of Waterloo, she no longer has the opportunity to do so.

Redman, serving her second term as the region’s top elected official, said she is proud to have been elected twice as regional chair.

“That public trust continues to guide my leadership. Waterloo Region has experienced significant growth and change in recent years, and my focus has always been on providing steady, collaborative leadership that delivers real results for residents.”

Redman said during the last few months of her tenure, her priorities are stability, continuity and ensuring the important work underway at the region continues without disruption.

“I remain focused on serving Waterloo Region in whatever capacity best supports our community as next steps are determined.”

She added throughout her time as chair, she believed deeply in the role of local government because of the real and lasting impact it has on people’s daily lives.

“Alongside council and our dedicated staff, I helped guide the region through an unprecedented pandemic, kept essential services running and laid the groundwork for longterm recovery and growth. Together, we advanced transformative, regionbuilding priorities in transit, housing and infrastructure while working to ensure growth was matched with environmental responsibility, community wellbeing and quality of life.”

Redman said she hopes her time as chair would be remembered as one where the region met significant challenges with stability, collaboration and confidence, and emerged stronger, more resilient and wellpositioned for the future.

“There is important work ahead, including addressing infrastructure and water-capacity needs and continuing to support housing and economic growth. Council and staff are actively focused on those priorities,” she added.

“I look forward to continuing to work constructively with the province and our municipal partners to deliver the services residents rely on and to keep building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous Waterloo Region.”

The Gazette asked Redman if she planned to run for council in another capacity, but she did not provide an answer.

The Ontario government, through the recently passed Better Regional Governance Act, has given the minister of municipal affairs and housing the authority to appoint regional chairs in several regions, including Waterloo, Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Peel and York, as well as the warden of Simcoe County. Appointed chairs would receive “strong chair” powers, similar to the strong mayor model, allowing them to direct staff, veto certain bylaws and propose budgets to streamline decision-making and advance provincial priorities such as housing and infrastructure.

“The province’s decision to appoint the Waterloo regional chair comes in the context of a broader conversation about regional governance across Ontario,” said Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen. “It is understandable that residents will have strong views about how regional leadership is selected because regional government makes decisions that directly affect people’s daily lives.”

Salonen explained the appointment process will be critical and must result in someone who understands the unique needs of this region, including the distinct realities of the cities, townships and rural communities.

“Local voices cannot be weakened through this process. Residents will continue to be represented at the regional table through their locally elected mayors and regional councillors, ensuring community voices remain central to the decision-making process.”

She added her focus, should she be re-elected as Wilmot mayor, is on ensuring this change supports stronger cooperation between the region and the province on shared issues that matter most to residents.

“In Waterloo Region, solving challenges related to infrastructure, financial sustainability, affordable housing, growth and water capacity will require a strong and productive relationship with the province. The responsibilities placed on local municipalities and regions continue to grow. I hope the change leads to stronger provincial support through sustainable funding and collaborative decision-making.”

The Gazette also reached out to Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris for his thoughts on the situation. He provided a statement saying the proposed Better Regional Governance Act will support better alignment between regional decision-making and shared provincial-regional priorities, expedite building housing and infrastructure, and lowering costs for municipal taxpayers.

“These changes will help advance housing and economic development, preparing the province as a whole for growth. Chairs will be appointed following the conclusion of the current council term, after the municipal election concludes,” he said.