The Ontario government has opened the application process for the appointment of the District of Muskoka Chair with just a two-week turnaround period.
The process marks the first time the role will be filled through a provincial appointment rather than by election.
The full-time position, posted yesterday and advertised through the province’s Public Appointments Secretariat, states the position will serve a four-year term beginning Nov. 15, 2026, and ending Nov. 14, 2030, unless otherwise determined by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Applications close July 13, 2026.
The appointment follows changes made by the province earlier this year that shifted the selection of heads of council in several upper-tier municipalities, including Muskoka, from local elections to provincial appointments.
According to the advertisement, as head of council under the Municipal Act, the District Chair serves as the municipality’s chief executive officer and is responsible for providing leadership to council, presiding over council meetings, and representing the municipality at official functions.
The chair is also tasked with promoting public involvement in municipal affairs, supporting the economic, social and environmental well-being of Muskoka residents, and acting as the municipality’s representative.
In addition to the legislative responsibilities outlined in the Municipal Act, the province says the successful candidate will be expected to build partnerships across all levels of government, collaborate with Muskoka’s lower-tier municipalities, align regional priorities with provincial objectives, identify governance and service delivery efficiencies, and support economic growth throughout the district and the province.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be Canadian citizens, and be eligible to vote in one of Muskoka’s lower-tier municipalities. They must also meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Municipal Act.
The province notes that municipal employees, judges, members of provincial or federal legislatures, and most provincial public servants are among those who are ineligible for appointment.
The advertisement indicates that candidates are expected to demonstrate prior elected political experience, a strong understanding of regional and provincial priorities, and skills in civic engagement, stakeholder relations, strategic leadership, change management, and consensus-building. The successful applicant should also have strong communication skills and a commitment to public service.
The position is classified as full-time and includes weekly meetings, as well as evening, weekend and statutory holiday commitments. The District Chair will be reimbursed for eligible expenses in accordance with the District Municipality of Muskoka’s council expense policy, and the province states that compensation will be paid by the District Municipality of Muskoka and determined by District Council.
It states applications must be submitted through the Ontario government’s Public Appointments Secretariat by July 13.
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Two weeks seems a bit short, now only about a week left to submit to the province. It makes me wonder if the “candidate” has already been “approved” and offered favourable terms.
Just like King Trump, Doug Ford believes democracy and transparency are just red tape preventing him from dictating and getting things done his way.
Ford prefers opaque government not transparent. He actually created legislation to keep his phone records secret. He obviously has a lot to hide.
Now along with the strong mayor powers Ford will also be able to override the multitude of elected councillors in Muskoka by appointing the new chair/Ford’s personal minion with strong chair powers.
Just like Trump hired many unqualified personal minions. And fired those qualified who could challenge Trump.
Might as well eliminate councillors and at least save taxpayers some wasted dollars since their vote can be overridden by Ford and his minons.
“These appointed chairs wield significant, unilateral authority, including the ability to:Draft and Propose Budgets: Bypass the typical council process to propose the regional municipal budget.Hire and Fire Senior Staff: Appoint or dismiss the chief administrative officer (CAO) and division heads.Direct Staff: Issue direct instructions to municipal employees without a council vote.Veto Bylaws: Override council decisions and bylaws.Pass Bylaws with Minority Support: Push through certain bylaws with the support of only one-third of the council.”
Way to go Muskoka/Parry Sound. We’ve supported a PC party through countless elections, doggedly intent on being PC or bust! To the point where it seems the party really does wonder if we are for real! Can we be trusted? Apparently the answer is NO because our need to vote is no longer necessary as far as todays provincial legislators are concerned. Tell me what form of ‘democracy’ denies the right of the people to vote their choice?
Today’s PC government seems to feel our opinion matters little. And our choice matters even less. Paul Whillans comment is easily swept aside with a ‘because we say so’ attitude, constitution be damned. For all those who comment in various forums on “my rights”, might I introduce you to our Ford PC government that says you really have none. Not only that you don’t need them. And as long as you can be placated by, every now and then, having a few bucks sprinkled on the wound, you’ll never get them back.
The scary part for me is whether we will get our voice back. I can’t see me wanting another PC government here in Ontario; of course I wasn’t real excited about this one, ‘nor the people who represent it. But once rights are lost, it’s tough to get them back. Will any future government give back what has been stolen away? After all they are all politicians and only need us for a day every few years.
But this lot want us silenced. A few bucks now and again to keep us quiet. There, there. It really won’t hurt. Just trying to save us from a lot of argument and discussion and making up our minds.
This bunch doesn’t even strike democracy a glancing blow. But do you care?
I am no constitutional scholar. But is clear to me that this notion of appointing the Chair of the District (Muskoka or and of the other 7 proposed appointments) is certainly unconstitutional
As evidence, I would note that a “municipality means a geographic area whose inhabitants are incorporated; (“municipalité”). This is the definition from the Municipal Act of Ontario. Further “Municipalities are created by the Province of Ontario to be responsible and accountable governments with respect to matters within their jurisdiction and each municipality is given powers and duties under this Act and many other Acts for the purpose of providing good government with respect to those matters” {Section 2 of the Municipal Act.)
In short, the entity of the District of Muskoka is the citizens incorporated within the boundaries defined by the Province. Its purpose then is for the citizens to manage a list (as defined by the Municipal Act) of responsibilities of largely local concern and “providing good government”
Now Section 3 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms constitutionally guarantees every Canadian citizen the right to vote in elections for the House of Commons and provincial/territorial legislative assemblies and municipalities, as well as the right to run for public office as a member of those bodies.
But what does that effectively mean? The principle of “effective representation” was set out by the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of Reference Re Provincial Electoral Boundaries (Sask.), [1991] 2
S.C.R. 158. In essence the ruling by the Supreme of Canada, defined the purpose and effect of voting. In writing for the majority opinion Madame Justice McLachlin provided the following comments in favour of “effective representation”:
“Ours is a representative democracy. Each citizen is entitled to
be represented in government. Representation comprehends the idea of having
a voice in the deliberations of government as well as the idea of the right to
bring one’s grievances and concerns to the attention of one’s government
representative”
Clearly the Chair of the District can not be appointed (especially if he/she is given “strong mayor’s powers’…which in itself is likely unconstitutional).. Under no circumstances under Section 3 can an appointed Chair either cast a deciding vote nor make decisions on behalf of the District.
Two final things of note:
First the notion of “effective representation has not been overturned.
And second, Section 3 is the only section of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which CAN NOT be vacated by the “notwithstanding clause” (i.e. it out of the Premier’s control)
Now the 7 upper tier municipalities need to challenge the Provincial Goverment’s plans!!!!
Susan Godfrey and Michael Lowe are absolutely right. This is not democracy!
To sum it up: this “process” of appointing, not electing, is just wrong. Another finger on the undemocratic behavioural fist of the Premiere and his minion MPs’. While DF is prancing around the States signing MOE’s (not contracts) and standing Canada Strong on CNN (great optics for the uneducated), ONTARIO and it’s institutional supports are crumbling. Wrong, wrong and damned wrong.
It’s interesting how a written criteria is posted on who can run as a District Chair candidate, however given citizen journalism, anyone can critique current or potential nominations without the need to understand what they are talking about.
Having said that, I do know what I’m talking about and it’s bad enough that Doug Ford has in this effort to modernize the process has by doing so negated any sense of democracy by allowing the appointment remotely from Queen’s Park of the most powerful person to now oversee the District of Muskoka.
IF we are in a position to nominate that person, I would start with Jeff Lehman. Jeff has shown over the past term that his heart and passion is “Muskoka” and yes, he is a resident of Barrie BUT also of Lake of Bays.
Muskoka is in his DNA, we deserve the continued support and leadership of Jeff Lehman, but I sense that’s not going to happen as Jeff is red, not blue -period. There should be no partisan politics at the local levels, we want and need members who are passionate about Muskoka, who are familiar with the players, and actually know their way around the District without GPS.
It is disgusting that public positions of power are appointed, and not elected.
Why just the District position. Let’s do Mayors, Premiers, and Prime Ministers.
That is better known as a form of dictatorship.
An anointed official dictating to a group of elected members.
Democracy at its finest?
Interesting how Mr. Lehman was able to qualify for nomination as District Chair.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/our-new-district-chair/