Vaughan's mayor explores split from York Region, saying 'status quo' must change

A week after the mayor of Markham called for York Region to become one city, the mayor of Vaughan is directing his city's staff to look into separating from the region.

In a special meeting held Tuesday, councillors passed a motion put forward by Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca directing city staff to explore a new government model that would allow the city and other municipalities in the region to become independent.

"I believe it's important for us to be in the driver's seat," Del Duca said at the meeting.

The province previously announced it will be naming regional facilitators for the municipalities of York, Durham, Halton, Niagara, Simcoe and Waterloo, who will explore whether those cities and towns could stand independently.

York Region consists of nine municipalities — Markham, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King Township, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville. It also has a regional government — the Regional Municipality of York.

Asked about Del Duca's motion at an unrelated announcement, Premier Doug Ford said consultation with mayors will be an important part of the facilitators process. 

"A lot of cities want their independence and I don't blame them," he added.

Motion notes some services should stay shared

Del Duca said this motion sends a clear signal to the municipalities and the province that Vaughan is a "partner that can help the province and help our counterparts across York Region with perhaps a new governance structure."

The motion says Vaughan contributes the highest share of property tax revenue to York Region and that the city will grow by 66 per cent by 2051.

"The status quo governance model in York Region should be changed and modernized so as to reflect the current and future needs of our residents," the motion reads. 

In an interview with CBC Toronto, Del Duca says he doesn't see the potential changes as a divorce from the region, but a modernization.

"This fundamental notion from 50 years ago that we need two levels of government is outdated and needs to be updated," he said.

He envisions a potentially larger body coordinating shared services like police, paramedic services and transit, but no separate layer of government.

Some York mayors agree governance model needs to change

The mayor of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville agrees the status quo of governance in York Region needs to be modernized, he said in an emailed statement. 

"But, Vaughan is in a very different financial position than Whitchurch-Stouffville. I am personally not certain that Whitchurch-Stouffville could financially exist as a single-tier municipality," said Iain Lovatt.

Lovatt said he'll welcome the provincial facilitator's input.

Tom Mrakas, mayor of the Town of Aurora, says there are multiple options for the municipalities to look at as a group when it comes to governance in the region.

"I think that the nine municipalities are strong and have a strong partnership," he said in an interview with CBC Toronto. "But at the same time, we do recognize that the status quo is not acceptable and and there is a better approach to this." 

Meanwhile, Virginia Hackson, mayor of the Town of East Gwillimbury, said in an email that it's premature to discuss the potential of independent municipalities in the region until the provincial review takes place.

Motion comes after Markham mayor asked for consolidation

Del Duca's motion comes a week after the mayor of Markham wrote a letter to the province calling on the provincial government to consolidate different municipalities in York Region into one city. 

"Consolidating into one city would result in significant savings in both operating and capital budgets," Frank Scarpitti said in his letter dated June 14. 

The following day, Premier Doug Ford rebuffed that call and said Scarpitti is the only mayor in the region who wants that to happen.

The discussion about changes to the governance structure in York Region comes after the province announced Peel Region will be dissolved at the start of 2025.

Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said in May that the move will allow the region's three municipalities — Mississauga, the Town of Caledon and Brampton — to more efficiently build the housing the region will need in the next two decades.