Former Innisfil CAO out of a job after 'difficult decision' by Windsor city council

Less than a year after former Innisfil chief administrative officer Jason Reynar left town to take the same role with the City of Windsor, he finds himself out of a job.

The move from Innisfil to Windsor as the top municipal bureaucrat saw Reynar move from a town with an annual budget of about $45 million and a population of just over 43,000 to a city with a budget of $850 million and a population of well over 200,000.

A memo to city employees noted that council decided “to move in a different direction,” but contained no details as to why council opted to move on from Reynar.

The decision came during a special in-camera council meeting regarding a personnel issue with the announcement coming the next day. The city has noted that it is unable to comment on the situation because it is a human resources matter.

Reynar had served in the role of CAO with Windsor since April 2021. Prior to taking the role with the City of Windsor, he had worked for the Town of Innisfil since 2010, first as a clerk and solicitor and then as CAO from 2015 to 2021.

“It has been my honour and privilege to serve the residents of this community,” said Reynar. “I am very proud of the hard work and resiliency city staff have demonstrated over this last year.”

In the same memo to city employees, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens thanked Reynar for his time in Windsor.

"It was a difficult decision for council, but one we felt was right to help meet the future needs of our community," said Dilkens. "I appreciate the spirit that Jason Reynar brought to the City of Windsor, and I sincerely wish him well in everything he pursues moving forward.”

Over the last year with the City of Windsor, Reynar played a key role in several “milestone projects” for the city:

• Implementation of the Windsor Works economic diversification plan, including the realignment of City administration to focus on innovation and economic development.
• Assembling a successful municipal investment attraction package to help secure the LG-Stellantis joint-venture battery production facility.
• Meaningful investments in affordable housing, including a significant $170-million, 8-year repair and renewal program for all local CHC units.

“This past year has presented many challenges,” said Dilkens. “Under Jason’s leadership, administration rose to meet those challenges with professionalism and dedication. I wish Jason nothing but the best for his future endeavours.”

In his time as CAO for the Town of Innisfil, Reynar was responsible for overseeing some of the town's largest projects including the building of the Rizzardo Health Centre and the launch of Innisfil's Transit system.

To thank Reynar for his efforts in Innisfil, prior to leaving last year, Innisfil Community Foundation set up the Jason Reynar Community Innovation Fund, to help support local charities and non-profits with innovative initiatives. Donations can be made online here.