Office of the Chairman and CEO

The Regional Chair attends events and meetings on behalf of The Regional Municipality of York. The Photo Gallery below contains some images from these meetings and events. View the Submit A Request area for more information on how to invite the Regional Chair to your event. 

Chairman Wayne Emmerson is a fifth generation resident of The Regional Municipality of York. He was re-elected to a second term as Chairman and CEO following the election at the Inaugural meeting of York Regional Council for the 2018 to 2022 term.

Chairman Emmerson has more than three decades of political experience, including his role as Mayor for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for 17 years. Focused on getting results, his experience and leadership is well-respected across York Region and all levels of government.

As Chairman and CEO of The Regional Municipality of York, he is committed to ensuring York Region remains a destination of choice for residents to live, work and play.

Chairman Emmerson also continues to support and advocate for Regional Council’s top transit priority, the Yonge North Subway Extension to the Richmond Hill/Langstaff Urban Growth Centre. An infrastructure project of this magnitude will bring thousands of jobs and additional housing options for more than 85,000 residents. At the same time, it will continue to support the economic recovery of our communities and residents who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

He is integral to creating the kind of communities across York Region that residents want to live in and businesses want to operate in.

The Chairman’s pledge to offer stronger broadband now and for the future brought on the establishment of YorkNet, and continues to strengthen broadband across York Region. This marks the first time the public has access to York Region’s dark fibre network.

His leadership provides a long-term outlook for York Region and aims to encourage and celebrate the efforts of residents and our local cities and towns. This includes York Region’s continued success with waste diversion programs diverting more than 90% from landfills and setting out a course of action to best support the aging population over the next 10 to 20 years with the vital Seniors Strategy.

In his capacity as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of York Region, he is an ex-officio member of all Regional Committees. Additionally, he is a member of the York Regional Police Services Board, CEO of the York Region Rapid Transit Board, Chair of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Co-Chair of Toronto Global and a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Chairman Emmerson has also served as a Board member for a number of organizations including Markham-Stouffville Hospital, GTA Mayors’ Committee and the Greater Toronto Services Board (2001).

Working with York Regional Police, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, various celebrities plus other community agencies and organizations, he was instrumental in the development of York Region’s Community Safety Village, a nationally recognized interactive educational facility where children learn about fire, traffic and personal safety.

In 2012, Chairman Emmerson was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This commemorative medal serves to honour his significant political contributions.

Prior to becoming Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Mayor in 1994, he was a Town Councillor from 1988 to 1994.

Chairman Emmerson is the sixth Chairman and CEO in the 48-year history of The Regional Municipality of York.

In the Province of Ontario, Regional Chairs are responsible for chairing Council for the province’s Regional municipalities. As head of Council, the Regional Chair acts as Chief Executive Officer of the municipal corporation, as legislated by section 225 of the Municipal Act.

In York Region, the Chair of Regional Council is elected by the 20 members of Regional Council every four years at the inaugural Council meeting.

Regional Council is comprised of 21 members, including the Regional Chair, Mayors from each of the nine local municipalities and eleven Regional Councillors:

• Markham: Four
• Vaughan: Three
• Richmond Hill: Two
• Newmarket: One
• Georgina: One

The Regional Chair is responsible for:

• Putting forth motions and voting on items during Committee of the Whole meetings (as is the case with all members of Regional Council, the Regional Chair has one vote as it relates to Regional issues)
• Opening and presiding over Regional Council meetings and may vote on issues in the event of a tie
• As Head of Council, can declare an emergency under section 4 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act
• Serving as an ex-officio member of all Regional Committees and acting as a member of the York Regional Police Services Board and Chief Executive Officer of the York Region Rapid Transit Board
• Under section 225 of the Municipal Act, as Head of Council, provide information and recommendations to Council on its roles to:
  • Ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement Council’s decisions
  • Ensure the accountability and transparency of the municipality’s operations, including the activities of its senior management
• Acting as the primary spokesperson on public issues and is York Region’s representative both within and outside the municipality
• Acting as the head of the institution for the purpose of access and privacy under the Municipal Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act
• Upholding and promoting the purposes of the municipality
• Promoting York Region locally, nationally and internationally
• Participate in and foster activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of York Region and its residents

A listing of Regional Chair Statements are archived on york.ca/newsroom

Individuals and organizations wishing to invite the Regional Chair to an event must submit a formal request using the online form below.

Separate requests are required for congratulatory letters and greetings.

Please note, due to a busy schedule and other obligations, the Chairman is not able to accept every invitation.

Event Request Form

To request a Letter of Greeting or Congratulatory Message, please use the request form below.

The request should be submitted a minimum of four weeks ahead of the deadline.

Letter and Greeting Request Form

Letters of Greeting are issued to institutions, organizations, businesses or individuals for the following events and milestones taking place in York Region:

• Birthdays, anniversaries, retirements
• Conventions and festivals
• Region-wide sports tournaments
• Cultural celebrations
• Charity fundraising galas/events
• Significant awards programs

Letters of Greetings from the Chair are issued at the discretion of The Regional Municipality of York.

They cannot be issued for:

• Matters of political controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual conviction
• Events or organizations that do not contribute to the economic, social and cultural vitality of York Region
• Anything that contravenes Regional policies or bylaws

Provincial and Federal Greetings

To request greetings from the Queen, the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Lieutenant Governor or the Premier of Ontario, contact their offices directly:

• Premier of Ontario
• Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
• Prime Minister of Canada