[edit]
The municipal council consists of a mayor elected at large and two councillors elected per ward, with the mayor also representing the town in York Regional Council. The current and recent mayors are:
Mayor
Overall Term
Virginia Hackson
2010 to present
James Young
2000 to 2010
Jim Mortson
1991 to 2000
Robert Featherstonhaugh
1985 to 1991
Angus Morton
1977 to 1985
Gladys Rolling
1970 to 1976
Virginia Hackson was elected mayor in the 2010 election, and re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
In the 2018 election, where council was elected for a four-year term, East Gwillimbury's council was elected on the basis of three wards, with two councillors from each ward. The elected councillors were Loralea Carruthers, Terry Foster, Joe Persechini, Tara Roy-Diclemente, Cathy Morton and Scott Crone.
The Federal Member of Parliament is Scot Davidson of the Conservative Party of Canada representing the riding of New Tecumseth—Gwillimbury, who was elected in a by-election on February 25, 2019. He replaced Peter Van Loan, who retired as of September 30, 2018.
The Member of Provincial Parliament is Caroline Mulroney, a member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, representing the provincial riding of York—Simcoe, who won the seat in the 2018 provincial election.
East Gwillimbury federal election results
Year
Liberal
Conservative
New Democratic
Green
2021
33%
4,704
48%
6,859
12%
1,728
0%
9
2019
30%
4,503
46%
7,063
11%
1,636
10%
1,468
East Gwillimbury provincial election results
Year
PC
New Democratic
Liberal
Green
2022
56%
5,898
10%
1,100
20%
2,083
8%
800
2018
56%
6,957
22%
2,703
16%
2,051
5%
609
Emergency services[edit]
There are three fire and emergency services locations, in Holland Landing, Mount Albert and Queensville. They are each staffed by a District Fire Chief and volunteer firefighters.
Police services are provided by the York Regional Police.
Planning[edit]
In March, 2006 the town council passed a policy during the Committee of the Whole Council Meeting which requires all residential developments of at least ten units to comply with Energy Star qualifications. The town's mayor described potential benefits of the program: "Energy efficient housing is the best way to ensure that East Gwillimbury's residents are insulated against rising energy costs and won't have to make costly energy efficiency upgrade retrofits in the future." The program was developed in conjunction with the development community, and stipulates "that homes in new subdivisions must — emphasis here on must — have some of the most efficient hot water, heating and air conditioning systems, be upgraded with top-rated insulation, and have draft-proof windows."
East Gwillimbury is the first jurisdiction in Canada to require Energy Star certification for residential units.
The 2010 Official Plan[edit]
In June 2010, town council passed the Official Plan for the Town of East Gwillimbury. The Official Plan was praised for its consultations
with the public, developers, and other stakeholders. Designated as a future growth area under the Places to Grow Act by the Province of Ontario, East Gwillimbury will see growth from 23,000 residents in 2010, to approximately 88,400 people and 34,000 jobs by the year 2031. Despite the large amount of growth, almost 75% of East Gwillimbury land will not be developed as it is part of both the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Rather than being spread out throughout the town, growth will be concentrated in the existing villages of Holland Landing, Sharon, Queensville and Mount Albert. Queensville will see the most growth, going from a population of 650 people in 2010, to over 30,000 residents. Much of the growth has been proposed since the early 1990s – however, growth in East Gwillimbury cannot occur until the York–Durham Sewage System is extended into the town, which has been postponed until 2012 or 2013, when costs are lowered. In October 2011, the Regional Municipality of York advised the Ontario Municipal Board, that they support the Official Plan for East Gwillimbury.
