Cultural Landmarks of Hamilton-Wentworth

The History of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth

Regional Government is a form of government that combines the municipalities of a geographic area together to oversee certain aspects of managing those municipalities. This form of government can be one tier (with one central Regional Council managing all levels of government) or two tier (with a Regional Council managing certain aspects of government while the area municipalities still maintain their own distinct governments).  When Regional Government came to Ontario in the early 1970's the Councils that were formed across the province varied, with some becoming one tiered and others becoming two tiered entities.

In 1967 representatives from Wentworth County, Burlington and Hamilton formally asked the provincial government to start an official study of the possibility of having regional government in the area. In August of that year three men were appointed to carry out this study: Donald R. Steel, Q.C. (Chairman), Brian Morison, Q.C. and Edwin A. Jarrett. This study was officially called the Hamilton-Wentworth Local Government Review, but, unofficially, was known as the Steele Commission.

Before the hearings began, provincial researchers spent several months collecting data. This was Phase one, or the creation of the Data Book. Phase two began on March 11, 1969 when the six weeks of scheduled hearings began. The hearings continued until April 30, 1969 with briefs being presented to the Commission by all interested parties in the County and City and by other private individuals. When the hearings were completed the Commissioners wrote their final report. The Steele Commission Report was issued on November 24, 1969. The municipalities affected were then offered a chance to submit their response to the report.

On January 23, 1973 the provincial government offered Hamilton and Wentworth County the choice of two systems - one tier and two tier and on May 28, 1973 the announcement of the creation of the two tiered Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Government was made. The Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth was to come into existence on January 1, 1974. The legislation to change the government of the regional (Bill 155) was introduced into the House June 13, 1973, had its second reading June 19, 1973 and its third, and final, reading on June 22, 1973. On July 30, 1973 Anne Jones, a Controller of the City of Hamilton, was appointed the first Chairman of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth. On January 1, 1974 the Region came into being and had its inaugural meeting on January 7, 1974.

On August 4, 1977 the terms of reference were announced for a Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Study to be undertaken by Queen's Park. A three man commission was announced: Henry Stewart (Chairman), Dr. James Johnson and Harold Dixon. They were to examine every aspect of regional government, consider modifications to the two tier system, consider possible duplication of costs and even the possibility of returning to a one tier system. The municipalities affected were given the chance to submit their concerns to the commission and public meetings were held in each area municipality.

On May 10, 1978 the report is released from the Stewart Commission. It recommended that a new city of Wentworth replace the City of Hamilton and the surrounding communities in a one tier government with 27 aldermen, each representing one ward. On May 25, 1978, however, the province announced that the name Hamilton would remain and gave the municipalities until July 5, 1978 to submit their responses. Before this deadline was reached, however, on June 16, 1978 the Stewart Commission recommendations were shelved by the Ontario government.

During the years following the question of regional government never went away. The two tier structure was debated and discussed. Finally, on January 19, 1995 the formation of the Constituent Assembly was announced. It consisted of a 15 member volunteer group chaired by Chester Waxman and Don Granger. Their mandate was to come up with recommendations for restructuring municipal government.

They held their first meeting April 16, 1995 and released two interim reports in December and January before holding public meetings through February and March of 1996. On April 3, 1996 the final report of the Constituent Assembly was released. It recommended replacing the seven area councils with a single body of not more than thirty members. This report was then voted on by the area municipalities. Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Council voted down the recommendations by a vote of 20 to 7. On October 2, 1996 Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Council voted to end regional government by a vote of 17 to 10.

On October 24, 1996, the Ontario Government appointed Gardner Church to act as a facilitator in negotiations and on November 6, 1996 talks began. On November 9, 1996 an agreement was reached. The “Final Memorandum of Negotiations” recommended a one tier “Supercity” that would do away with local communities and would have a 33 member council. The suburban areas would have parity in number of members with the city of Hamilton. On December 11, 1996 Hamilton City Council voted against the Church recommendations. On December 16, 1996 Ernie Hardeman was appointed to negotiate. He held public hearings through January 1997. On February 8, 1997 the suburban communities held a referendum on the “Supercity” model. This referendum was unsanctioned by the province. The vote was overwhelming in its rejection of the concept with only 1,740 voting for the proposal while 29,814 voted against it.

On February 14, 1997 the Hardeman report is released recommending a nineteen member supercity council.

On February 24, 1997 area Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament Toni Skarica announces his own plan, the Skarica Plan. It recommended scrapping regional government altogether and keeping all six local governments. Though February and March of 1997 all area councils endorsed the Skarica plan, however, Hamilton-Wentworth Council only approved it subject to amendments.

On May 20, 1997 regional reform in Hamilton-Wentworth was “abandoned” by the Ontario government. Discussions on the format of government in Hamilton-Wentworth continued through the municipal election.

Clickable Historical Map of the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth

A Chronology of Changes Which Occurred in the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth

A History of the City of Hamilton