Doug Ford signals plan to amalgamate Niagara's 12 municipalities

Premier Doug Ford said he wants to consolidate Niagara's 12 municipalities to streamline governance, and Niagara Region chair Bob Gale has asked the 12 mayors for input on proposed changes by March 3.

Premier Doug Ford has signalled he wants to amalgamate Niagara's 12 municipalities and streamline local governance. He made the comments in Niagara Falls and said the region has "too many politicians" for its size. The remarks follow a recent provincial plan to expand casinos and grow tourism in the region. Niagara Region chair Bob Gale wrote to the 12 mayors seeking input on governance changes with a March 3 deadline. Key facts: - Ford spoke in Niagara Falls and described the regional council structure as having "too many politicians." - The region is reported to have about 500,000 residents and roughly 126 local councillors, which the article notes is about 100 more than Toronto's 26. - Bob Gale, a recent Ford appointee as Niagara Region chair, asked the 12 mayors for feedback by March 3 and said he plans to approach Municipal Affairs Minister Rob Flack about governance reform. - Options discussed publicly include creating a single city or grouping municipalities into four cities, with suggested groupings named for Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Welland and Thorold. - Some mayors, including Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, said the current system needs better coordination on infrastructure, while smaller towns voiced concern about losing local control and identity. - Critics, including NDP MPP Wayne Gates, expressed concern the short timeframe and the upcoming municipal elections mean legislation to mandate amalgamations could be introduced this spring; at a Fort Erie council meeting, Mayor Wayne Redekop asked Gale for data and Gale replied he did not have that information. Summary: Any changes would reshape local governance across the Niagara region and could affect how municipal services and councils are organized. Replies from the mayors are due by March 3, and Premier Ford said he will await those inputs before a decision led by Niagara; whether or when legislation might follow is undetermined at this time.