Council

That, in accordance with subsection 2.4 of Niagara Region’s Procedural By-law, the rules of procedure, specifically subsection 24.5, which provides for the process to conduct the election of the Chair, BE SUSPENDED to permit Council to appoint the Regional Chair for the 2022-2026 term of Council. Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 21-2022 November 24, 2022 Page 3

Whereas the Provincial Government announced Bill 39, The Better Municipal Governance Act, 2022 on November 16, 2022; Whereas there is full agreement between the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the Provincial Government that a housing crisis exists in Ontario that requires a unique approach; Whereas Minister Clark has stated that the Provincial Government will be appointing municipal facilitators to work with six Regional Municipalities across Ontario to streamline upper- and lower-tier service delivery in the pursuit of efficiency and addressing the housing crisis; Whereas Bill 39 provides the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the authority to appoint Regional Chairs in the municipalities of Niagara, Peel and York; and Whereas the Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, has publicly announced his intention to reappoint St. Catharines Councillor Jim Bradley to the position of Regional Chair for the 2022 – 2026 term; Whereas Minister Clark has stated that his intent to reappoint the Regional Chairs in Niagara, Peel and York is predicated on the need for consistency, experience and local expertise; Whereas a letter from Minister Clark dated November 16, 2022, clearly articulates that Regional Councils are cautioned not to appoint an individual who is not his desired candidate; Whereas the Regional Municipalities of Peel and York proceeded with the appointment of the province’s identified candidates on November 17, 2022; and Regional Council Open

That this Inaugural Meeting of Regional Council BE ADJOURNED at 10:55 a.m. to RECONVENE at 4:00 p.m.