About Halton Regional Council

The Regional Municipality of Halton is made up of The City of Burlington, Town of Halton Hills, Town of Milton and Town of Oakville. Eligible voters in these communities elect individuals to sit on their local councils, and some of these local councillors also sit on Halton Regional Council. The Regional Chair is the only member of Regional Council who does not also sit on a local council. Regional Council has the following members:

• Halton Regional Chair
• 7 members from the City of Burlington (external link)
• 3 members from the Town of Halton Hills (external link)
• 5 members from the Town of Milton (external link)
• 8 members from the Town of Oakville (external link)

The 24 members of Regional Council include the Mayors of the four Local Municipalities.

Members of Regional Council

Find your Regional Councillor: Ward map

Roles of Regional Council and the Regional Chair

Halton Regional Council is the elected decision-making body for the over 600,000 residents of Halton region and the legislative body of the Regional Corporation. Council makes decisions on the programs and services that are within the jurisdiction of Regional governance as determined by the Provincial Government.

All Regional Councillors are elected for a 4-year term. The current Council (elected in October 2022) will hold office from November 15, 2022, until November 14, 2026.

The Municipal Act, 2001 (external link), defines the following responsibilities for Regional Council:

1. represent the public and consider the well-being and interests of the Region;
2. develop and evaluate the policies and programs of the Region;
3. determine which services the Region provides;
4. ensure that administrative and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council;
5. ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the Region, including the activities of the senior management of the Region;
6. maintain the financial integrity of the Region; and
7. carry out the duties of Council under the Municipal Act or any other Act.

The Municipal Act, 2001 (external link), defines responsibilities for the Regional Chair in two roles – the Head of Council and the Chief Executive Officer.

As the Head of Council, the Regional Chair is expected to:

1. act as the Chief Executive Officer of the Region;
2. preside over Regional Council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively;
3. provide leadership to Regional Council;
4. provide information and recommendations to Regional Council with respect to the role of Regional Council;
5. represent the Region at official functions; and
6. carry out the duties of the Head of Regional Council under the Municipal Act or any other Act.

As the Chief Executive Officer, the Regional Chair is expected to:

1. uphold and promote the purposes of the Region;
2. promote public involvement in the Region’s activities;
3. act as the Region’s representative within and outside the municipality, and promote the Region locally, nationally and internationally; and
4. participate in and foster activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Region and its residents.

Regional Council decision-making process

Regional Council makes decisions and conducts its business at meetings held monthly. In these meetings, decisions are determined through the consideration of motions, which typically arise out of Council’s consideration of reports prepared by Regional staff or presented directly by members of Council. A decision of Council comes into effect if a motion is adopted. The confirming by-law, presented at the end of each meeting of Regional Council, ratifies and confirms all of the decisions made at that meeting. Staff is responsible for implementing the decisions of Regional Council.

Regional Council meetings

Regional Council conducts its business at meetings held on a monthly schedule. In-person meetings are held in the Council Chambers at the Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville (Google Maps link). Electronic / hybrid meetings are held via Zoom with some attendees in-person and others online. Council proceedings are governed by the Procedure By-Law (PDF file).

Members of the public may make presentations to Council on their own behalf or on behalf of companies/organizations. To learn more, please visit our Guide for Delegates page.

Watch meetings of Regional Council  

Other elected officials

For your Federal and Provincial representatives:

• Find your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) (external link)
• Find your Member of Parliament (MP) (external link)

For information about Local Council, please visit your Local Municipality:

• City of Burlington (external link)
• Town of Oakville (external link)
• Town of Halton Hills (external link)
• Town of Milton (external link)