March 4, 2026
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
RE: Joint Letter from the Lower-Tier Municipalities of Niagara Region
The Honourable Premier Doug Ford,
We, the Mayors of Thorold, West Lincoln, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Pelham,
Wainfleet and the Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake, write with a unified voice to present
our agenda for modernizing governance in Niagara. We are taking decisive action to
address the number of politicians, strengthen efficiency, and eliminate duplication to
enable economic growth and long-term sustainability for our municipalities and the
taxpayers we serve.
We have heard the Province’s concerns clearly, and we are acting on them. We share
the goal of building a governance model that is streamlined, transparent to the public, and
results-driven, and are committed to implementing practical, evidence-based reforms that
align with provincial priorities while maintaining strong, responsive local representation and
preserving the integrity of our communities.
This is Niagara stepping up – not standing in the way.
At Niagara Regional Council on February 26, 2026, an overwhelming majority of Niagara’s
mayors and elected representatives passed a motion directing a comprehensive
governance and service delivery review be initiated. Niagara is positioning itself as a
provincial leader in responsible municipal reform – and we are moving forward with
purpose. The review will include focus on the following priority areas, with a firm
commitment to act where a clear fiscal business case supports doing so:
- Establishing one or more Water and Wastewater Public Corporation(s) under
the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025. - Subject to a financial review, reforming local and regional services to
drive savings and deliver better value for every tax dollar – such
as transitioning the Regional road network and remaining services such as Social
Services, Public Health and EMS to locally-governed Public Service Boards. - Reducing the number of politicians by streamlining councils to reflect the needs and
scale of each community.
These reforms reflect what our residents have told us directly: they want governance that
is efficient, affordable, locally accountable, and reflective of the unique character of
Niagara’s small and rural communities. We are delivering on that mandate.
We are committed to a made-in-Niagara local and regional governance reform that will be
reflected in the 2026 municipal election, as well as the ongoing support for the governance
and service delivery review passed by Regional Council in February 2026.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to
discuss this further and to outline how Niagara’s municipalities can work collaboratively
with the Province to advance these reforms. We are confident that, together, we can
deliver a governance model that reflects shared priorities and achieves meaningful, lasting
results for the people of Ontario.
Respectfully,
The Mayors of Fort Erie, Grimsby, Port Colborne, West Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold,
Wainfleet, and the Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Enclosure: Niagara Region Committee of the Whole Meeting Motion – February 26,
2026
cc:
Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP – Niagara West
Jeff Burch, MPP – Niagara Centre
Wayne Gates, MPP – Niagara Falls
Jennifer (Jennie) Stevens, MPP – St. Catharines
Robert Dodd, Chief of Staff, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Bob Gale, Regional Chair
Regional Councillors c/o Ann-Marie Norio, Regional Clerk
Niagara Region – Committee of the Whole Meeting
February 26, 2026
MOTION REGARDING GOVERNANCE REVIEW
That Correspondence Item COTW-C 1-2026, being correspondence from Regional
Chair Gale respecting Municipal Governance Reform BE RECEIVED; and
Whereas Regional Chair Gale has confirmed publicly that he has not engaged in any
discussion with or received any directive from the Premier of Ontario or the Minister of
Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding a governance review in Niagara or potential
municipal amalgamations;
Whereas there has been no data, business case or specific information presented that
would confirm any anticipated cost savings, efficiencies, enhanced services, or
improved outcomes for the residents of Niagara as a result of any proposed governance
changes;
Whereas significant decisions on local governance that will have a multi-generational
impact and should be informed by comprehensive public consultation with the Niagara
communities;
Whereas Premier Doug Ford has publicly reiterated on February 25, 2026 that “if it's
going to go [governance changes], then it has to be from Niagara by Niagara. It has to
have approvals from the majority of mayors, has to have approval for majority of the
elected officials.”, and further that, “And hopefully 70- 80% of the population agree.”,
which implies the necessity for public consultation and support on any proposed
governance changes;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
- That a governance review of Niagara BE INITIATED to address areas of
duplication and improve service efficiency based on data, a business case with
financial analysis and public consultation, including local area municipalities,
commencing this term of Council; - That Regional Council DIRECTS Regional Chair Gale to refrain from any further
action and utilization of any further Regional resources or staff time, with the
exception of the above, in connection with a review of Regional governance or
municipal amalgamation; and - That this resolution and amendment BE FORWARDED to the Premier and the
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
