• Former York Regional Police (YRP) Chief Eric Jolliffe will be appointed by the Government of Ontario to serve as York Region’s Chairman and CEO.
  • Announced today by Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Paul Calandra, Jolliffe will take over the role following Wayne Emmerson’s departure on Nov. 29.
  • Jolliffe began his policing career in Edmonton in 1979 and joined YRP in 1981.
  • He became YRP’s Chief of Police in 2010 and retired in April 2020.
  • As occurred in 2022, the Provincial appointment replaces York Regional Council’s process of electing a chair.

 

Jolliffe was born and raised in York Region. Growing up in Thornhill, he knew early on that he wanted to become a police officer. His career began with a short stint in Edmonton in 1979, and he returned to York Region in 1981 after being hired as a YRP District #1 constable.

Over a YRP career spanning decades, Jolliffe served in investigative, research, support services, and planning and project management roles. He became Chief of Police in 2010, overseeing major capital projects like the #5 District headquarters and the Training and Education facility, as well as the development of YRP’s Marine Unit.

Jolliffe led YRP through a period of significant growth and committed himself and the department to cost-effective operations while ensuring York Region remained one of Canada’s safest communities. After nearly 40 years of service, Jolliffe retired in April 2020 as one of the longest-serving members of YRP.

“Over his long career in public service, Jolliffe has won numerous awards, including Officer of the Order of Merit for Police Forces, both the Queen Elizabeth II Gold and Diamond Jubilee Medals, the Order of the City of Vaughan, the Public Service Award from the Transformation Institute for Leadership and Innovation, and a Character Community of York Region Lifetime Achievement Award,” MPP Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said in a recent press release.

“His decades of strong executive leadership, strategic management, and focus on safety make him well-positioned to be the Region’s next Chair,” Calandra added. “Municipalities are critical partners in supporting the growth Ontario is seeing and making our communities the best place to live, work, and raise a family. That is why we need strong leadership in place to help deliver critical services that residents and businesses rely on every day.”

Calandra said he looks forward to working with Jolliffe on Regional and Provincial priorities, including increasing housing supply and enhancing community safety. He also thanked Emmerson for his commitment to the Region, saying, “His tremendous work will enable Jolliffe to build an even stronger York Region.”

“I wish Chair Jolliffe and York Regional Council great success in the balance of this term and future years ahead,” Emmerson said in comments to Bullet Point News. His seat will be declared vacant on December 5, and Jolliffe is expected to be sworn in soon after.

“Eric Jolliffe has a proven track record as a leader in York Region, most recently as the past Chief for YRP,” Stouffville Mayor and Regional Council representative Iain Lovatt said. “He is well respected in the region, and I look forward to working with Chairman Jolliffe to advance our local and regional priorities.”

Minister Calandra’s decision to appoint the Regional Chair relies on legislated powers established in 2022, which resulted in Emmerson’s acclamation. While procedure states Council should conduct an election to select York Region’s Chair and CEO, the powers granted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing allow them to select someone for the role instead.

York Regional Councillor Joe Li, who sought the position in 2022, has been outspoken about his concerns with the process. During a Nov. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting, Li called the Provincial appointments “a direct interference in our democratic process.” He also criticized the Ford government’s 2018 decision to end a Liberal-era policy change that would have allowed the Regional Chair to be selected through a general public election.

Bullet Point News requested additional comment from Minister Calandra regarding his decision to appoint Jolliffe over allowing Regional Council to elect its Chair. However, his office referred us to his released statement, quoted in part above.