February 20, 2026 – Toronto, ON — Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) held its 69th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday, February 20. During the meeting, Mayor Dave Barton, representing the Township of Uxbridge, was elected by acclamation Chair, and Deputy Mayor and City of Toronto Councillor Paul Ainslie, representing Scarborough-Guildwood, was elected by acclamation Vice-Chair of TRCA’s Board of Directors.
The results reflect a transition in leadership roles at TRCA that builds on continuity and experience, with Mayor Barton moving from Vice-Chair to Chair and Deputy Mayor and Councillor Ainslie moving from Chair to Vice-Chair.
Mayor Barton has served on TRCA’s Board since January 2023. During his time on the Board, he has been a strong advocate for environmental conservation and access to greenspaces. He has played a key role in supporting Ontario’s first Urban Provincial Park in the Township of Uxbridge and previously served on the boards of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, and currently serves as the Chair of Conservation Ontario.
Deputy Mayor and Councillor Ainslie has been on TRCA’s Board since February 2006 and brings more than 25 years of experience in municipal government to his new role as Vice-Chair.
As outgoing Chair, he provided leadership during a period of significant and complex work at TRCA. Over the past three years, he helped advance major initiatives, including the Scarborough Waterfront Project, the Scarborough Bluffs West Environmental Assessment, the Meadoway, and the official opening of TRCA’s Administrative Office Building. He also strengthened strategic partnerships with municipalities, post-secondary institutions, and other key partners through supporting memoranda of understanding. TRCA extends its appreciation for his leadership and contributions during his term as Chair.
As Chair and Vice-Chair, Mayor Barton and Deputy Mayor and Councillor Ainslie, will lead TRCA’s Board of Directors and oversee meetings of the Executive Committee. They will guide TRCA’s priorities, balancing the protection of people and property with initiatives that enhance watershed health, while advancing the organization’s 12-Year Strategic Plan across TRCA’s jurisdiction.
The AGM also welcomed a new member to the 2026 Executive Committee following the election by acclamation of Councillor Dianne Saxe, representing University-Rosedale.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Board members with Years of Service Awards, acknowledging their contributions to TRCA’s Board of Directors. This year’s honourees included:
- Mayor Dave Barton, representing the Regional Municipality of Durham
- Regional Councillor Navjit Kaur Brar, representing the Regional Municipality of Peel
- Councillor Stephen Dasko, representing the Regional Municipality of Peel
- Deputy Mayor and Councillor Hugo Kroon, appointed to represent the Regional Municipality of York
- Regional Councillor Mario Russo, representing the Regional Municipality of Peel
- Mayor David West, representing the Regional Municipality of York
Each was acknowledged for three years of service on TRCA’s Board of Directors.
2026 TRCA’s Board Members
City of Toronto
| Deputy Mayor and Councillor Paul Ainslie, Scarborough-Guildwood | Joseph Ogilvie, Citizen Appointee |
| Councillor Vincent Crisanti, Etobicoke North | Councillor Anthony Perruzza, Humber River-Black Creek |
| Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto-Danforth | Councillor Dianne Saxe, University-Rosedale |
| Laura Isidean, Citizen Appointee | Councillor Neethan Shan, Scarborough-Rouge Park |
| Councillor Nick Mantas, Scarborough Agincourt | Barry Warner, Citizen Appointee |
Regional Municipality of Durham
| Mayor Kevin Ashe, City of Pickering | Regional Councillor Joanne Dies, Town of Ajax |
| Mayor Dave Barton, Township of Uxbridge |
Regional Municipality of Peel
| Regional Councillor Navjit Kaur Brar, City of Brampton | Regional Councillor Mario Russo, Town of Caledon |
| Councillor Stephen Dasko, City of Mississauga | Councillor Rowena Santos, City of Brampton |
| Councillor Chris Fonseca, City of Mississauga |
Regional Municipality of York
| Deputy Mayor, Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson, City of Vaughan | Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Township of King |
| Deputy Mayor and Councillor Hugo Kroon, Town of Stouffville | Mayor David West, City of Richmond Hill |
| Regional Councillor Joe Li, City of Markham |
Township of Adjala-Tosorontio and Town of Mono
| Councillor Anub Simson, Township of Adjala-Tosorontio |
TRCA’s 2026 Executive Committee Members
TRCA’s Executive Committee now comprises the following members:
City of Toronto
| Deputy Mayor and Councillor Paul Ainslie, Scarborough-Guildwood | Councillor Nick Mantas, Scarborough Agincourt |
| Councillor Paula Fletcher, Toronto-Danforth | Councillor Anthony Perruzza, Humber River-Black Creek |
| Laura Isidean, Citizen Appointee | Councillor Dianne Saxe, University-Rosedale |
Regional Municipality of Durham
| Mayor Dave Barton, Township of Uxbridge | Regional Councillor Joanne Dies, Town of Ajax |
Regional Municipality of Peel
| Councillor Rowena Santos, City of Brampton | Councillor Chris Fonseca, City of Mississauga |
Regional Municipality of York
| Deputy Mayor, Local and Regional Councillor Linda Jackson, City of Vaughan | Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Township of King |
Comprising representatives from the City of Toronto, the Regional Municipalities of Peel, Durham, and York, and the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio and Town of Mono, TRCA’s Board of Directors is responsible for the organization’s strategic direction and ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s dedication to its employees and sustainability has earned it recognition as both one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These distinctions highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and environmentally responsible workplace – dedicated to driving meaningful change and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
Media Contact:
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Afiya Jilani
Specialist, Communication and Media Relations
Communications, Marketing and Events
Afiya.Jilani@trca.ca
media@trca.ca