Bill 20 2007

An Act to provide for the direct election of the Niagara Regional Council chair

Note: This Act amends the Municipal Act, 2001.  For the legislative history of the Act, see the Table of Consolidated Public Statutes – Detailed Legislative History on www.e-Laws.gov.on.ca.

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

   1.  The Municipal Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following section:

Head of council, The Regional Municipality of Niagara

   218.1  (1)  Despite section 218 and despite anything contained in a by-law, the head of council for The Regional Municipality of Niagara shall be elected by general vote in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996.

Transition

   (2)  If, on the day this section comes into force, The Regional Municipality of Niagara has an appointed head of council, that person's tenure in office as an appointee may continue until the next regular election.

Commencement

   2.  This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

   3.  The short title of this Act is the Direct Election of the Niagara Regional Chair Act, 2007.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill adds a section to the Municipal Act, 2001 that requires the head of council for The Regional Municipality of Niagara to be elected by general vote. Currently, under section 218 of the Act, the head of council may be elected by general vote or may be appointed by the members of council.

There is a transition period during which a person who has been appointed as the current head of council may continue in that office as an appointee until no longer than the next regular election.