WHEREAS electoral representation is the keystone of Canadian democracy; and, WHEREAS the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 (Act) received royal assent on May

WHEREAS electoral representation is the keystone of Canadian democracy; and, WHEREAS the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 (Act) received royal assent on May 7th; and, WHEREAS the Act allows the provincial government to interfere with shape and composition of certain local and regional governments in Ontario without consultation, clear rationale or democratic process; and, WHEREAS the Act allows the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, without consultation, clear rationale, or democratic process to appoint or vacate heads of council; and WHEREAS the Act allows any appointed, non-elected head of council to have the voting rights of an elected mayor which may include strong chair powers; and WHEREAS these changes are part of a series of anti-democratic decisions that undermine municipal authority and centralize local decision making at the province; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Prince Edward County Council, in solidarity with the impacted municipalities, urge the Province to recommit to local democracy, empower municipalities to determine their own composition, and restore the requirement that all local governments and regional council members including regional chairs be directly elected by their communities to ensure heads of council remain directly accountable to local voters; and, THAT Council urge the province to restrict any further changes or expansion of the Act in any way that could undermine the democratic vigour of any additional municipality; and, THAT this resolution be forwarded to Premier Doug Ford, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, and Member of Provincial Parliament, Tyler Allsop; and THAT this resolution be forwarded to all 444 Municipalities in Ontario, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for their endorsement and advocacy. Councillor Pennell recorded vote on Motion 2026-246. Councillor Roberts vacated the meeting at 9:59 p.m. Items for Consent