Council: A Breakdown of Responsibilities

Role of Mayor and Council  

Newmarket Town Council is composed of a Mayor,  Regional Councillor and seven Ward Councillors who are elected by qualified electors every four years.

Town Council as a whole is responsible for the governance of the Town of Newmarket, guided by provincial legislation. It establishes policies affecting the Town by resolutions and by-laws. Town staff, under the leadership of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), is responsible for the implementation and administration of Council's policies.

.

The Mayor and Regional Councillor

Where there is a two-tiered municipal structure, such as with the Town of Newmarket and the Regional Municipality of York, the Mayor and Regional Councillor represent the interests of all Newmarket residents at the regional level in addition to the municipal level.  This means that the Mayor and Regional Councillor sit on Newmarket Town Council as well as the Council of the Regional Municipality of York.

The Mayor and Regional Councillor are available to address day-to-day concerns of Newmarket residents on regional or town-wide services and issues.

 Ward Councillors

Ward Councillors only sit on Town Council.  They represent the interests of residents living in their specific wards.  When Ward Councillors represent residents at Council Meetings, their vote is not limited to Ward-specific issues, however.  They vote on all issues affecting the Town of Newmarket.

Ward Councillors are available to address day-to-day concerns of Ward residents pertaining to services provided by the Town or issues affecting their respective Ward.