Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Regional Council
| Record Creator | Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Regional Council |
| Dates of Existence | 1972-present |
| Other Names | Council |
| Function | Regional Council is the policy-forming and decision-making body of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Council is responsible for the overall planning of the Region, including preparation of the Official Plan used to guide the pattern of development. It also looks after sewage treatment, garbage disposal, water supply, main roads, police, emergency measures, co-ordination of fire services, health and welfare services, Regional Library system, public transit, provincial offenses court, Regional licensing, Regional enforcement, conservation and all borrowing for capital expenditures.Regional Council exercises all the power vested in the Corporation of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo by the adoption of by-laws and resolutions, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Act outlines the specific powers of the Regional Corporation. |
| Administrative History or Biography |
The first Regional Council was elected in October 1972 for a two year term. The first Regional Chair, J. A. Young was appointed for a four year term by the Ontario government. During its first term, Regional Council met every second and fourth Thursday at 2 p.m. in the council chamber of the former County of Waterloo building located on Weber Street East in Kitchener. Regional Council is comprised of 16 members including the Chair. Each area municipality is represented by its Mayor, and a certain number of local councilors, with the exception of the Township of Wilmot, Woolwich, North Dumfries and Wellesley, which are represented by the Mayors only. The head of Regional Council is the Regional Chair who is elected by the people of Waterloo Region. Provincial legislation passed in the spring of 2000, reduced the number of Regional Councillors from 24 to 16 and mandated the direct election of Regional Councillors. The Region elected its first separated Council on November 13, 2000. Up until this election, Councillors were elected at the local level and either appointed to Regional Council or were directly elected but served both the area and the upper tier municipality. Newly elected Councillors hold office only at the Region and no longer hold office at the area municipality. The only exception to this is the seven Mayors. These individuals are directly elected. Council currently meets every three weeks, on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the council chamber in the Regional Administrative Building, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. All meetings are open to the public with the exception of those dealing with personnel, property acquisition or disposal, litigious or Municipal Freedom of information and Protection of Privacy Act matters. Staff of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer, is responsible for carrying out the policies and programs established by Regional Council. |
| Controlling Agency |
Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Regional Chair's Office 1972-present |
| Subordinate Agency | Click here to see a list of Subordinate Agencies |
| Key People | Click here to See Key People |
| Records created by this Authority: | Click here |
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