Wayne Emmerson
Chair and CEO of the Regional Municipality of York
Chairman Wayne Emmerson is a fifth-generation resident of The Regional Municipality of York. He was re-elected to a third term as Chairman and CEO following the election at the Inaugural meeting of York Regional Council for the 2022 to 2026 term.
Chairman Emmerson has more than 25 years of political experience, including his role as Mayor for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for 17 years, before being first elected as Regional Chair in 2014. 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 building a strong, caring, safe York Region that remains a destination of choice for residents to live, work and play.
Throughout his tenure at the helm of Regional Council, Chairman Emmerson has continued to support and advocate for Regional Council’s top priorities, including safe and reliable transportation options, a vibrant and thriving local economy, broadband connectivity and affordable housing.
In 2021, Chairman Emmerson championed a historic 40% federal capital funding commitment for the Yonge North Subway Extension, paving the way for York Region to move forward on this top transportation priority. Through construction and completion, this infrastructure project will bring thousands of jobs and additional housing options for more than 85,000 residents. It will also continue to support the economic vitality of communities, help address gridlock and help achieve our commitment to achieving net zero green house gas emissions by 2051.
Chairman Emmerson’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. Bolstered by a $63 million federal investment, YorkNet will further expand the Region’s dark fibre network to more than 5,000 underserved homes and businesses during this term of Council.
Through strong leadership and advocacy for the residents and businesses of York Region, Chairman Emmerson is continuing to build the York Region residents want to live in, businesses want to invest in, and future generations want to call home.
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, meeting the highest standards’ for drinking water quality, setting out a course of action to best support the aging population over the next 10 to 20 years with the vital Seniors Strategy and putting the tools in place to enhance community safety and well-being.
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 Vice Chair of York Regional Police Services Board, member of the YorkNet 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.
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 51-year history of The Regional Municipality of York.