Summary#

Bill 100 changes how some regional and county governments in Ontario are run, starting with the 2026 municipal election. It shifts how regional “heads of council” (regional chairs) are chosen, resets who sits on certain councils, and gives the Minister new powers to set voting rules and make election-related regulations. The stated goal is to make regional councils more efficient, better aligned with provincial priorities, and faster at making decisions.

Key changes:

• Heads of council in eight upper-tier municipalities (Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, York) will be appointed after the 2026 election, not elected by voters. Councils will appoint the head unless the Minister appoints one. The Minister can remove and replace a head of council.
• The Minister may set “weighted voting” rules for upper-tier councils after 2026 (some members could have more than one vote on some matters or for set periods; each member gets at least one vote).
• Niagara Region’s council will, from 2026, include only the 12 lower-tier mayors plus the appointed regional chair. Simcoe County’s council will include the 16 lower-tier mayors plus the appointed county head. Future councils can change their composition after 2026 using normal tools.
• For 2026 only, the Minister can set the size, ward map, and election method for the councils of Thorold, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake (the local head of council must still be elected at large).
• If Royal Assent is on or after May 1, 2026, any nominations filed to run for head of council in the eight listed upper-tier municipalities, and any nominations for Niagara Regional Council seats, are deemed withdrawn. The Minister can make transitional election rules, including retroactive ones that prevail over other laws.
• Regional representation review timelines are updated: most regions must review council representation on a set cycle starting in 2026; Niagara does this starting after the 2034 election and then every second election.

What it means for you#

• Voters in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Simcoe, Waterloo, York:

  • You will not vote for your regional/county head of council (regional chair) in 2026 or after. Your council will appoint the head at its first meeting, unless the Minister appoints one.
  • If the bill receives Royal Assent on or after May 1, 2026, any nomination you filed to run for head of council in 2026 will be automatically withdrawn.

• Voters in Niagara Region:

  • Starting with the 2026–2030 term, only the 12 local mayors plus the appointed regional chair will sit on Regional Council. You will not vote for separate regional councillors.
  • If Royal Assent is on or after May 1, 2026, any nomination you filed to run for a Niagara Regional Council seat (other than head of council) will be automatically withdrawn.

• Residents of Thorold, Port Colborne, Niagara-on-the-Lake:

  • For the 2026 term, the Minister may set your council size, ward boundaries, and whether councillors are elected at large, by ward, or a mix. Your local head of council will still be elected at large.

• Municipal councils and staff (upper-tier and affected lower-tier):

  • You must plan to appoint the head of council after the 2026 election unless the Minister appoints one.
  • You may need to adjust ballots, voter information, and post-election procedures for 2026. The Minister may issue regulations that change how the 2026 election is run in your municipality.
  • Simcoe and Niagara must prepare for the new council compositions in 2026.
  • Upper-tier councils could be subject to weighted voting rules set by the Minister after 2026.
  • Regional municipalities must review council representation on updated timelines (Niagara starts its cycle after the 2034 election).

• Candidates in the 2026 municipal election:

  • In the eight listed regions, the head of council position will not be on the ballot. In Niagara Region, regional councillor positions will not be on the ballot. If you already filed to run for those roles and Royal Assent is on or after May 1, 2026, your nomination will be deemed withdrawn.
  • The bill does not state how refunds or related candidate matters will be handled. The Minister may make transitional rules.

Expenses#

The bill may increase administrative costs, but no estimate is available.

• Municipalities may incur costs to change ballots, voter notices, staffing plans, and meeting procedures for 2026.
• Simcoe and Niagara may face transition costs to implement new council compositions.
• Thorold, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake may have costs for ward boundary work and election changes.
• The province may incur costs to develop and enforce new regulations and support transitions.
• No publicly available information on savings or net fiscal impact.

Proponents' View#

• The bill appears intended to make regional governance more efficient and effective by simplifying council structures and selection of heads of council.
• Appointing regional heads of council could speed up council organization and align leadership with council priorities.
• Smaller or streamlined councils in Niagara and Simcoe could make decisions faster.
• Allowing weighted voting could better match voting influence to agreed criteria (for example, by population or issue type), which supporters may see as fairer for larger communities.
• Centralized, time-limited powers to set election and transition rules for 2026 could reduce confusion and ensure a consistent shift to the new system.
• Updated review timelines aim to keep representation reviews regular while setting a clear cycle for Niagara.

Opponents' View#

• One concern is reduced direct voter choice: regional heads of council in eight areas will no longer be elected by the public, and Niagara will no longer elect regional councillors.
• The Minister’s ability to appoint and remove heads of council, set weighted voting, and issue retroactive regulations that override other laws may raise questions about local autonomy and checks and balances.
• Deeming 2026 nominations withdrawn (if Royal Assent is on or after May 1, 2026) could disrupt campaigns and create fairness concerns for candidates and voters.
• Weighted voting could lessen the influence of smaller municipalities on regional decisions, depending on how rules are set.
• Moving Niagara’s representation review to start after 2034 may delay adjustments if populations change significantly before then.
• The bill does not clearly explain certain operational details (for example, how candidate fees or campaign finances are handled after deemed withdrawals), which could create uncertainty for the 2026 election.