WAYNE EMMERSON, VICE CHAIR
REGIONAL CHAIRMAN & C.E.O.
Chairman Wayne Emmerson was elected Vice Chair of The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board in June 2021. Chairman Emmerson is currently serving his second term as Chief Executive Officer for The Regional Municipality of York. Head of Regional Council and an ex-officio member of all committees, Chairman Emmerson was elected by members of Regional Council to serve for the 2018-2022 term.
Chairman Wayne Emmerson is a fifth generation resident of The Regional Municipality of York. He has been re-elected as Chairman and CEO following the election at the Inaugural meeting of York Regional Council for the 2018 to 2022 term.
Chairman Emmerson has nearly three decades of political experience, including his role as Mayor for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville for 17 years. Focused on getting results, his experience and leadership is well-respected across York Region and all levels of government.
During his first four years as Chairman and CEO of The Regional Municipality of York, he has been committed to ensuring York Region remains a destination of choice for residents to live, work and play.
Chairman Emmerson is dedicated to making significant progress towards building the kind of communities we want future generations to inherit. Part of that progress has been through the historic launch of the new TTC Line 1 Subway extension into York Region, a monumental moment for York Region’s residents who welcomed the first subway network outside of the City of Toronto in 40 years.
He is integral to creating the kind of communities across York Region that residents want to live in and businesses want to operate in.
The Chairman’s pledge to offer stronger broadband now and for the future brought on the establishment of York Net, and continues to strengthen broadband across York Region. This marks the first time the public has access to York Region’s dark fibre network.
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 93 per cent from landfills and setting out a course of action to best support the aging population over the next 10 to 20 years with the vital Seniors Strategy.
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 a member of the York Regional Police Services Board, CEO of the York Region Rapid Transit Board and a member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Chairman Emmerson has also served as a Board member for a number of organizations including Markham-Stouffville Hospital, GTA Mayors’ Committee and the Greater Toronto Services Board.
Working with York Regional Police, the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, various celebrities plus other community agencies and organizations, he was instrumental in the development of York Region’s Community Safety Village, a nationally recognized interactive educational facility where children learn about fire, traffic and personal safety.
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 48-year history of The Regional Municipality of York.
Married for more than 40 years to his wife Debra, Chairman Emmerson is the proud father of two grown sons and a grandfather of one grandson.
Chairman Emmerson has played a large role in community safety. He was instrumental in the development of York Region’s Community Safety Village - a 10,000 square foot interactive, educational facility where children learn about fire, traffic and personal safety.
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