Province Seeks Halton's Next Regional Chair, an Appointed Role

Ontario has begun recruiting for Halton Region's next chair, one of eight regional chair positions the province is now filling by appointment rather than election. Applications were due to the province in mid-July.

The role chairs Halton Regional Council, which has 24 elected representatives from Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills, and oversees water and wastewater, regional roads, waste, paramedics and social services for more than 650,000 residents. It is a four-year commitment starting November 15, with a salary set by Halton council. Current chair Gary Carr earned $269,561 in 2025.

Oakville mayor Rob Burton has taken himself out of the running. "I only ever wanted to be mayor of Oakville," he said in a May interview.

The move to appointed chairs has drawn opposition. Oakville council voted unanimously to reaffirm its preference for a directly elected chair, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario has called on the province to drop the plan, arguing voters, not Queen's Park, should decide who leads their region. The province plans to announce the eight appointments close to the October 26 municipal election.