The top regional leadership post in York Region’s nine cities and towns is about to be revealed, as the province’s appointment process and the new chair’s powers draw attention
CC.NEWS York Region, November 4, 2026
Ontario’s 2026 municipal elections wrapped up on October 26, but for York Region a more closely watched selection — that of its regional leader — is still awaiting a final announcement.
According to YorkRegion.com, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca is seen as the front-runner to become the next York Region chair and CEO. The report has made the contest for the region’s top leadership post a focal point in local politics.
1. Vaughan’s mayor emerges as the front-runner
Steven Del Duca is a former leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and a former MPP. He was elected mayor of Vaughan in 2022 and won re-election in the municipal vote on October 26, 2026.
According to results published by NewmarketToday, Del Duca received 57,189 votes, ahead of the other mayoral candidates.
His political experience, his background in regional government and his political influence in York Region make him a central figure in the discussion over who should be chair.
Being described in the media as the front-runner, however, is not the same as being formally appointed. The final decision still rests with the Ontario government, which has yet to announce it.
2. Not an ordinary position: the top regional leadership post in York Region
York Region is made up of nine cities and towns:
- Vaughan
- Markham
- Richmond Hill
- Newmarket
- Aurora
- King Township
- Georgina
- East Gwillimbury
- Whitchurch-Stouffville
York Region has more than a million residents and is responsible for regional transit, water supply, wastewater treatment, public health, regional roads, policing and other key public services.
The regional chair not only presides over regional council but also serves as CEO of the regional government, shaping major policy coordination and resource allocation among the nine cities and towns.
The person who ultimately fills the post therefore matters not only to Vaughan but to the direction the entire region takes over the next four years.
3. The most contentious question: why is the province making the appointment?
Unlike mayors, who are elected directly by residents, the new York Region chair is not chosen by a region-wide vote.
The Ontario government has taken over the appointment process for regional chairs under the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, and opened a public application process in July 2026.
The new chair’s term runs from November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030.
The system has drawn differing views. Some local politicians argue that York Region’s top leader should be chosen by local residents or by elected regional councillors, not appointed directly by the province.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has also raised concerns about the province appointing regional chairs and expanding their powers, arguing that this weakens local democratic accountability.
The province, for its part, says candidates should have strong leadership ability, political experience, communication skills and experience advancing local issues.
4. The new chair’s powers will be expanded further
The appointment has drawn particular attention because the new regional chair will hold stronger executive powers.
Under the new legislation, the regional chair will have strengthened powers, including a veto and the ability to introduce certain bylaws, within the priorities set by the province.
That means the new chair will not be a ceremonial role but will play a larger part in the regional budget, in advancing policy and in running the administration.
York Region’s 2026 budget involves about $5.2 billion in spending, and the regional leader’s decisions will bear directly on public services, infrastructure and residents’ tax burden.
5. Who will take the helm at York Region?
Steven Del Duca is currently the front-runner in media coverage, but the final appointment has yet to be announced by the province.
The appointment also raises a question worth considering for York Region residents:
Who should decide the top leader of a major regional government with more than a million residents, control of billions of dollars in public spending and responsibility for nine cities and towns?
Should it be residents voting directly, elected regional councillors choosing, or continued appointment by the province?
With Ontario’s municipal elections over, York Region’s next political focus has shifted from the mayoral races to the choice of regional chair.
The municipal elections are over, but the contest for York Region chair is only now entering its final stage. The answer to who will lead York Region for the next four years is about to be revealed.
