Toronto 
Today, Ontario introduced the Hazel McCallion Act, a ground-breaking legislation, if passed, would set in motion the dissolution of the Regional Municipality of Peel, leading to the independence of the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon.
Credit: WZMH Architects
Per the news release, the act is named in honour of the region’s longest-serving mayor, Hazel McCallion, to reflect her longstanding advocacy for increased autonomy for the cities under her charge.
The municipalities of the Region of Peel currently serve approximately 1.5 million residents, a number expected to rise to over 2 million by 2041.
Key points of the proposed legislation include:
- Improving Government Efficiency: The Act aims to enhance the effectiveness of local governments and help them prepare for future growth. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality services for taxpayers.
- Establishing a Transition Board: The government would create a transition board of up to five people to facilitate the change and oversee the financial affairs of Peel and its municipalities until dissolution to ensure prudent financial stewardship.
- Dissolution Date: If the Act passes, the municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon are expected to become single-tier municipalities on January 1, 2025.
- Preserving Frontline Services: The dissolution process, aided by the transition board, aims to maintain frontline services and workers, promote government efficiency, and uphold respect for taxpayers.
- Managing Shared Assets: Where assets and services are shared, the dissolution process would work towards an equitable outcome for all residents, preserving their access to municipal services.
- Addressing Growth and Housing: The facilitators will make recommendations regarding how municipalities can effectively respond to rapid growth, particularly with regard to meeting housing pledges and addressing the housing supply crisis.
“Our government is working with our municipal partners to provide the tools and autonomy required to deliver on our shared commitments to the people of Ontario, including addressing the housing supply crisis,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in a news release.
“The Region of Peel includes some of the largest and fastest-growing municipalities in Canada and is poised for significant growth over the next decade. Our government is supporting this growth by cutting red tape and improving efficiency while maintaining and improving the high level of local services Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon residents rightly expect.”
Ontario will also assign regional facilitators to assess upper-tier municipalities, including Durham, Halton, Niagara, Simcoe, Waterloo, and York.
Per the news release, their task will be to evaluate the relevance of the two-tier government system and propose improvements where needed, particularly addressing municipal housing pledges and the housing supply crisis.
