On August 12, Simcoe County council received the municipal results of its composition’s triple majority process for review.

Following council’s endorsement in April 2025, municipalities were asked to consent to Council Composition By-law 7119-25, which proposed changing the current structure of council from 32 representatives (including the warden) to 16 representatives plus a full-time appointed warden.

The vote at the lower-tier level resulted in a tie, with eight member municipalities providing consent and eight providing non-consent. While the full triple majority requirement under the Municipal Act was not achieved, two of the three conditions were met (see Triple Majority Process below).

Given this outcome, council approved the following resolution through a weighted vote: That the warden write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to request the Province intervene to allow Council Composition By-law 7119-25 to be considered valid notwithstanding the “triple majority” requirements set out in Section 219 of the Municipal Act.

A letter from Warden Basil Clarke (pictured) will be sent to The Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, for consideration. Any outcomes or feedback will be presented to County Council once available.

Under the triple majority process, as defined in the provisions of Ontario’s Municipal Act, 2001:

• County council must pass the by-law;

• Majority of lower-tier municipalities must consent (there are 16 total Member Municipalities in the County of Simcoe); and

• The member municipalities that consent must represent a majority of Simcoe County electors.