Third Annual Regional CAOs’ Address
June 13 @ 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Community Building in Uncertain Times: Agility in Regional Government
Never have cities and regions faced such uncertainty. In these unprecedented times, regional governments are showing extraordinary agility in meeting the moment. On June 13, the CAOs of York, Peel, and Durham Regions will discuss how they are continuing to build communities while navigating the impact of tariffs, the influx of refugees and asylum seekers, and the nexus between development charges and housing affordability in the region.
Please join us for a frank discussion on Friday, June 13 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm at the Campbell Conference Facility, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
Speakers:
Elaine Baxter-Trahair is the Chief Administrative Officer for Durham Region, leading more than 5,000 staff within an efficient and highly collaborative work environment. With a focus on innovation and continuous improvement, Elaine works with other levels of government, public, private, and non-profit sector partners to ensure accountability and transparency in delivering Regional Council’s strategic direction. Located on the east side of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Durham Region is where the excitement of the city and the tranquility of the countryside meet. It is the largest municipal region within Ontario, home to 780,000+ residents within eight cities, towns, and townships. Elaine joined Durham Region in 2018, with more than 30 years of experience complemented by a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Business Administration.
Erin Mahoney is Chief Administrative Officer of The Regional Municipality of York. Erin oversees more than 5,000 staff delivering comprehensive services to York Region’s 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses. Prior to her appointment as CAO in 2023, Erin served as York Region’s Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of Environmental Services. Erin’s experience spans more than 35 years in operations and executive management in the private and public sectors. Erin holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Engineering from the University of Western Ontario.
Gary Kent is the Chief Administrative Officer of Peel Region, overseeing all staff, service delivery, social and infrastructure investments and delivering essential services and infrastructure to 1.5 million residents and 225,000 businesses. Through progressively senior roles, including CFO at Region of Peel and Mississauga, he was central to managing the community impacts of COVID-19, negotiated the very first Municipal Airport Authority Agreement with Toronto Pearson and Mississauga, and co-chaired the update of Mississauga’s Strategic Plan. Gary previously worked in the UK as the Finance Manager for a large private sector transit company and was also the CEO of Enersource Corporation. A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University, he is a Fellow with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA) currently sitting on their Global Council and a CPA.
Moderator:
Gabriel Eidelman is Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, where he serves as director of the Urban Policy Lab, with a joint appointment at the Institute for Management and Innovation (IMI). He teaches courses on urban politics, policy, and governance in the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy program as well as IMI’s Master of Urban Innovation program. He is also IMFG’s first Faculty Fellow and the series editor for the Institute’s Who Does What publications.