Following dissolution of Peel Region, there are questions about who’s next?

The Ford government’s decision to dissolve Peel Region has raised many questions about how this might impact other regions across the province.

The province tabled legislation on Thursday that will begin the process of turning Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon into independent cities and towns by Jan. 1, 2025. The new legislation will establish a transition board which the province says will oversee the process and ensure it is fair and balanced.

With Mississauga and Brampton being the third and fourth largest cities in Ontario, the government is confident they’ll work better independently. But what about regions that oversee much smaller communities?

The province says it is also appointing a facilitator to begin reviewing the community needs of Durham, Halton, Niagara, Simcoe, Waterloo and York and determine if it should pursue a similar-type dissolution for those regions.

“We’re the only government in the history of Ontario that’s actually giving people their independence,” said Premier Ford during an unrelated announcement in St. Catharines on Thursday, suggesting that dissolution is a good idea.

“I tell ya, the phone has been ringing off the hook with other mayors saying ‘Hey, I want my independence.'”

Ford declined when asked to elaborate, saying he wasn’t going to name names.

RELATED:

• What’s involved with separating Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon from the Region of Peel?

• Mayors react as Mississauga, Brampton set to become independent from Peel Region

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark stated on Thursday he’s not had any other requests to date but he is open to having conversations with anyone.

A number of people have pointed to Durham Region as a possible candidate, which has a total population of 714,000 and includes the cities of Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering and Ajax.

John Henry, the Chair of Durham Region, tells CityNews there’s been no conversation with the province about dissolving the region.

“The eight municipalities work very, very well together,” he said.

“In Durham, no one community can stand on its own. Not one of the municipalities has the population base to support EMS or policing or nursing homes located in their communities.”

The provincial government says if facilitators recommend keeping those other regions as is, they will be tasked with making recommendations on how they can work more effectively and efficiently.