BWG Calls on Legislature’s Standing Committee to Reform Simcoe County Governance: July 2024

Bradford West Gwillimbury Calls on Legislature’s Standing Committee to Reform Simcoe County Governance

"Reform to Simcoe County’s decades-old governance structure is required”: Mayor Leduc 

Today, Mayor James Leduc appeared for the third time in front of the Ontario Legislature’s Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy, advocating for change to the governance structure of Simcoe County.

“We are grateful for the committee’s work and hope they will work to ensure fair and effective governance at Simcoe County,” said Mayor James Leduc. “With a more effective and efficient governance structure in place, better decisions should be reached on key challenges – including delivering the infrastructure required to support housing production and employment growth.”

In its submission to the committee, Mayor Leduc stressed the need for:

1. ensuring there is fair democratic representation for all member municipalities;
2. structures and practices are in place that deliver efficient decision-making and good governance;
3. service area responsibilities are clearly defined, aligned and avoid duplicative or overly cumbersome processes; and,
4. lower-tier municipalities possess greater autonomy.

Mayor Leduc noted that it can be a challenge for the high-growth municipalities of south Simcoe County to ensure that County investment, program and service delivery meets the needs of the rapidly-urbanizing area that is planned to be home to a significant portion of the County’s housing and employment growth. 

“Just three municipalities, the towns of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Innisfil and New Tecumseth situated in south Simcoe County, — form one of the fastest growing regions in the country,” said Mayor Leduc.  “Together, taxpayers within these three municipalities contribute 37% of the County’s tax-base but are represented by just 19% of the faces around the council table – that’s nearly 40% of the budget represented by less than 20% of council.”

Mayor Leduc requested that the committee address this imbalance: “I ask that fair representation and financial balance be established for south Simcoe either through legislative changes imposed by the provincial government or through clearly articulated directives issued to County Council.”

“Reform to Simcoe County’s decades-old governance structure is required to best position this beautiful part of Ontario for success.  We look forward to working with your committee and the province to define and implement that optimum structure.” Mayor Leduc concluded.

Bradford West Gwillimbury is one of Canada’s fastest growing communities, located just north of Vaughan and just south of Barrie. The community is known for its prime agricultural land, including the Holland Marsh, “the soup and salad bowl of Canada”. Strategically situated along Highway 400 and the Barrie GO train line, the Town is seeing significant investments from major industrial and commercial enterprises and is implementing a sustainable plan as it grows to a population of over 80,000 in the coming years. 

A copy of Mayor Leduc's speaking notes can be found here.