Office of the Regional Chair

Roles and responsibilities

In Ontario, the Municipal Act sets out the responsibilities of the Regional Chair. The Regional Chair is both the head of council and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Region.

The Regional Chair is responsible for:

• Providing leadership, information and recommendations to Council.
• Opening and chairing Durham Regional Council meetings.
• Serving as a member of all Regional Committees, and as Chief Executive Officer of the Durham Region Transit Commission.
• Serving as Chair of the Board for DONi (Durham OneNet Inc.), the Region of Durham’s Broadband Network.
• Introducing motions and voting on items during committee meetings (the Regional Chair has one vote, the same as all members of Durham Regional Council).
• Promoting Durham Region locally, nationally and internationally.
• Acting as the primary speaker on public issues, and acting as Durham Region's representative within and outside of the municipality.
• Fostering public interest and involvement in the Region and its activities.
• Participating in and fostering activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of Durham Region and its residents.
• Acting as the head of the institution under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).
• Declaring emergencies under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.

Current and Past Durham Region Proclamations