Huntsville Mayor Highlights District of Muskoka Push Back on Bill 100

The District also set aside a motion not to fund a "province-appointed" District Chair

Huntsville Mayor, Nancy Alcock, highlighted the District of Muskoka’s push back on Bill 100 (Better Regional Governance Act), in the June 22, 2026, Council meeting.

Alcock advised that in a special meeting on June 3^rd, District Council supported a motion put forward about next steps they will take.

According to the staff report, “Muskoka District Council demonstrates strong support for a District Chair who has prior elected municipal experience, a strong and ongoing connection to Muskoka, the ability to build consensus, understand Muskoka’s rural and northern realities, and provide strong leadership.”

A letter outlining these criteria will be sent to both Premier Doug Ford, Minister Flack, and Associate Minister Graydon Smith requesting that it be considered when appointing the District Chair for the upcoming 2026-2030 term. 

The report adds that Council’s effort is a result of Minister Rob Flack’s response to their original request for an exemption from the Bill for Muskoka, at which he “confirmed that he intends to utilize the authority granted to him with respect to the appointment of all eight heads of Council for the upper-tier municipalities outlined within the legislation.”

The report continues that Council expressed opposition to Flack’s response in the May 19^th meeting, along with a strong desire for the selection criteria to be considered.

Alcock indicated that a second motion was also presented in the special meeting. According to the staff report, the motion expressed that if the province proceeds with appointing a District Chair, “The District of Muskoka shall not fund, subsidize, or otherwise assume responsibility for the remuneration, benefits, or discretionary expenses of the appointed Chair, and that this position be formally communicated to the Province.”

Other considerations in the motion included committee and board appointments, committee leadership and governance structure, direction to staff, external government regulations and advocacy, and by-law amendments.

Alcock indicated that after much debate the decision for this motion was “set aside” for now.