The Ontario government has officially begun the search for the next Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka, opening applications for what will become one of the most powerful municipal positions in the region.
At the July 6, 2026, special District of Muskoka Council meeting, councillors were advised of a letter dated June 29, addressed to District Clerk Amy Back by Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Robert J. Flack. The letter confirms he intends to appoint the next Muskoka District Chair under the authority of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, legislation that fundamentally changes how leadership at Ontario’s upper-tier municipalities is selected.
The letter also requests that the position be posted on the District of Muskoka website, which staff informed councillors has already been done.
Unlike previous District Chairs, who were selected by elected members of District Council after municipal elections, the next chair will be chosen directly by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The successful applicant will serve from Nov. 15, 2026, to Nov. 14, 2030.
Strong chair powers coming to Muskoka
Beginning in November, the appointed District Chair will also receive Ontario’s “strong chair” powers, granting expanded authority over municipal administration, budgeting and certain council decisions.
The province says the enhanced powers are intended to improve decision-making and better align municipal priorities with provincial objectives, particularly in areas such as housing development and infrastructure investment.
“The Act is intended to better align shared provincial-municipal priorities and strengthen the governance tools available to support growth in impacted regions,” Flack wrote.
Strong chair powers, first introduced for Toronto and Ottawa before being expanded to dozens of municipalities across Ontario, allow heads of council to propose municipal budgets, appoint senior administrative officials, establish council committees and, in some circumstances, veto bylaws that could interfere with provincial priorities.
According to the province’s job description, desired qualifications include previous elected political experience, knowledge of regional and provincial priorities, stakeholder engagement, experience leading organizational change, strong communication skills and strategic decision-making abilities.
The issue has been a contentious one for current District councillors. Many have accused the province of interfering with the democratic process.
Councillor Heidi Lorenz wanted to know whether the province will disclose who applies for the position and why they were chosen. “Is there going to be any transparency at all, or is it all going to be sort of done in a room like a frat party?”
At that point in the meeting, the current District Chair, Jeff Lehman, recused himself from discussions on the issue, and Councillor Rick Maloney took the chair.
District CAO Julie Stevens said staff has not received any further information on the process. She suggested that she could collect all the questions councillors have and submit them to the Ministry representative she said she had connected with, “who was very responsive,” and report to council with any responses.
Councillor Peter Koetsier said the province is placing an increasing amount of responsibility on the District and taking more and more authority away. “And it’s kind of unbelievable that they want to appoint a chair but are asking the District to actually do the advertising and try and find the candidates, and I think that’s yet another example of taking our authority away, but throwing more responsibility and expense at us,” he said.
Applications are being accepted through Ontario’s Public Appointments website until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 13. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with officials from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
You can find the Minister’s letter HERE. You can also find the job posting HERE.
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