1. Background
To note: while the campaign name is Students for Democracy, the Civic Clarity Foundation encourages each and every single Ontarian to sign the petition, and join the movement.
Students for Democracy is a campaign started by the Civic Clarity Foundation in opposition to the Ford government’s undemocratic ‘Better Regional Governance Act.’ In May of 2026, the Ford government passed Bill 100 into law, widely known as the Better Regional Governance Act. As part of the act, residents have lost their right to vote for their head of regional council across 8 municipalities. These include Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Simcoe, Waterloo, and York. Instead, the Ford government directly appoints regional chairs from Queen’s Park. This act is similar to Bill 33, which allows for the Minister of Education to remove democratically-elected school board trustees from office, and instead appoint a supervisor to oversee the school board. The Civic Clarity Foundation believes democracy is imperative in all levels of government, and is firmly against appointments in all forms.
2. Primary Goal(s)
We urge the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to introduce legislation to repeal the provisions of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, that authorize the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, or a regional council, to appoint the head of council of an affected upper-tier municipality.
Further, we urge the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to enact replacement provisions under the Municipal Act, 2001, and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, requiring the head of council of each affected upper-tier municipality to be elected directly by voters in that municipality.
3. Secondary Goal(s)
Through the Students for Democracy movement, the Civic Clarity Foundation hopes to entrench the rights of municipalities within the Province of Ontario, encourage local decision-making, and protect the civil liberties of individuals in choosing their governments on all levels.
