Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti is challenging the Ontario government’s appointment of Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca as York Region chair, arguing that holding both jobs creates competing obligations to one city and the wider region.

According to reporting by Colin D’Mello of Global News, the Progressive Conservative government announced Tuesday that Del Duca would serve in both positions for the next four years. He will receive new powers to accelerate decisions on provincial priorities, including housing and infrastructure, while setting the regional budget.

Del Duca already sits on the 22-member regional council as Vaughan’s mayor. The appointment gives him authority to overrule that council, which includes representatives from municipalities such as Markham, Aurora, Newmarket and Richmond Hill, Global News reported.

Scarpitti told the outlet the arrangement is a “blatant conflict of interest,” questioning how a mayor could advocate for his own city while also controlling regional decisions affecting other municipalities.

He also described the appointment as undemocratic, citing what he called overriding power over nine mayors and the scale of the region’s finances.

“That’s $5.2 billion budget at the region that you’re putting into the hands of one person,” Scarpitti said.

Del Duca, in a statement reported by Global News, said he would advocate for all nine municipalities and work closely with regional councillors.

“I firmly believe that, in York Region, we cannot allow any one of our nine local municipalities to be left behind,” he said, adding that collaboration and partnership had been central to the region’s success.

The appointment also follows a shift in Del Duca’s relationship with Premier Doug Ford. As Ontario Liberal leader, Del Duca sharply criticized Ford during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ford, in turn, attacked Del Duca’s record as transportation minister during the 2022 provincial election campaign.

Since Del Duca became Vaughan’s mayor, the two have reconciled politically. Global News reported that Del Duca supported provincial measures including the removal of speed cameras, while Ford has publicly praised him as a friend and one of Ontario’s best mayors.

Sources