Regional Chair and CEO

View the latest speeches and remarks from the Regional Chair and CEO. 

About Regional Chair John Henry

Born and raised in Oshawa, John Henry was first elected as Regional Chair and CEO in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. A dedicated husband, father and grandfather, John has a vested interest in the future development, prosperity and quality of life for all Durham residents.

John is a graduate of R.S. McLaughlin C.V.I., Durham College, George Brown College and Panasonic’s Corporate School. He is also a trained Industrial Fire Fighter, Ice Rescue Specialist and Dive Rescue Specialist.

John and his wife Katherine, a retired Pharmacist, have two daughters, Danielle who is a Speech Pathologist and Jessica, who is an Officer and Dentist for the Canadian Armed Forces. John is also the proud grandfather of two grandchildren.

A message from John Henry, Durham Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer

COVID-19 is the single biggest challenge that we have faced as a Region. While the past few years have been difficult, it is thanks to the dedication of our staff and communities that we continue on the path forward to building the Durham of tomorrow.

We have been working hard at modernizing operations to create a more responsive municipal government—one that puts public interest at the forefront and adapts to meet the ever-changing needs of our communities. I am proud of the work we have accomplished and the work we continue to do to create a safe, equitable and sustainable future.

We have implemented initiatives and prioritized key advancements that position Durham as a globally recognized hub of innovation. We introduced the myDurham 311 Smart Home Device Service project during the pandemic to make information more accessible to residents, becoming the first regional municipality in Canada to bring Regional services to smart home devices—a huge accomplishment.

And, we have taken another step toward achieving our vision for a smart, connected and accessible Durham Region with the recent launch of the myDurham 311 phone service, transforming how our community connects with us and accesses the information they need.

Durham Region is a community that stands together—accepting people for who they are. A major milestone for the organization was establishing a Regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Division.

Working across the organization and with the community, this division is dedicated to addressing systemic racism, promoting community development and advocating for equity. Each and every resident deserves to feel a sense of belonging and we will continue this critical work in 2023 and beyond to ensure a more equitable tomorrow.

We remain focused on building a sustainable future that prioritizes the everyday quality of life for residents. Our climate action plan charts a path toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions over the next several decades.

We are taking important steps to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future through tree-planting programs, advancing low-carbon fleet transitions for Durham Region Transit vehicles, and implementing clean and smart technologies in the energy sector. 

We made positive strides in bringing the region up to speed with some of the best-connected communities in the world. Important work is underway to expand broadband infrastructure in north Durham so that all residents can participate, compete and thrive in the twenty-first century. We are also focused on connecting communities through continued work to make the GO Lakeshore East Extension a reality.

We continued to support our business community through initiatives like Shop In Durham—an annual campaign spotlighting the amazing local shops and business owners in Durham Region. Small and local businesses are at the heart of our communities and are essential to creating Durham’s vibrant neighbourhoods. I know that Durham Region residents will continue to support local and shop close to home in the new year.

While we have done tremendous work this past year, there is more to be done. I am confident that Regional Council will embrace its duty in service and work together to always do what’s best for the entire Region and its residents. I am looking forward to the next four years of modernization, innovation and service excellence, as we work to shape a better Durham Region—for everyone.

Speeches and statements

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