Pickering's Kevin Ashe appointed Durham Regional Chair

Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy congratulated Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe on his appointment as Durham's Regional Chair, and thanked outgoing Chair John Henry for eight years of leadership.

By Daily Durham News

Nov 10, 2026, 11:05 a.m. ET1 min read

The Regional Municipality of Durham headquarters building in Whitby — File photo: the Regional Municipality of Durham headquarters in Whitby. This image shows the Region's headquarters building, not the people named in the story. (Photo: Dillan Payne / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0) · Credit: Dillan Payne / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe has been appointed Durham's next Regional Chair, Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy said in a statement congratulating him on the appointment.

Roy said Ashe brings decades of experience in municipal government, a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing Durham communities and a demonstrated commitment to public service.

As Durham grows, Roy said strong and collaborative leadership at the regional level will be essential to addressing the priorities that matter most to residents, including housing, health care, infrastructure, affordability and community safety.

Roy also thanked outgoing Regional Chair John Henry for his eight years of leadership, and for the collaborative approach he brought to working with all eight of Durham's municipalities.

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