US EditionNiagara Councillors Vote to Slow Regional Chair's Governance Consultations
Niagara Regional Council voted to launch a governance review and restrict Chair Bob Gale from unilateral amalgamation efforts amid concerns over consultation and council representation.
- On Thursday night, Niagara Regional Council voted to conduct a governance review and directed Gale to refrain from further amalgamation actions, sending resolutions to the provincial government.
- Citing governance and fiscal concerns, Gale, a provincial appointee, sent letters this month proposing one- or four-city amalgamation models to address 126 elected municipal politicians and a $2.9-billion backlog in infrastructure needs.
- During the meeting, nearly 20 councillors argued, with Redekop moving an amendment and calling a point of order that led to Gale's remarks being halted, and Bateman objected to communication only with the 12 mayors.
- Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati argued he doesn’t want future generations to inherit current issues, saying, `I don't want my kids and grandkids to inherit this mess because we're afraid to make tough decisions for the future.`
- Several mayors said the letter caught them off guard and want a more thorough process involving data and discussions rather than the two-week feedback window, with Redekop proposing a governance review this term.
21 Articles
21 Articles
The Toronto Star
The Hamilton SpectatorNiagara councillors vote to slow regional chair’s governance consultations
A move by the Niagara regional chair to review municipal governance with an eye to possible amalgamations appears to have hit a snag after an at-times testy council meeting.
NiagaraFallsReview.ca
St Catharines StandardNiagara Region council hands its amalgamation-minded chair a stinging rebuke
Councillors direct Bob Gale to end his amalgamation efforts, having overstepped his authority.
Niagara councillors vote to slow regional chair’s governance consultations – 105.9 The Region
A move by the Niagara regional chair to review municipal governance with an eye to possible amalgamations appears to have hit a snag after an at-times testy council meeting. A letter earlier this month from provincial appointee Bob Gale to mayors of the region said there are too many elected officials in Niagara — 126 — and tax increases are too high, so he is starting consultation on reforms including potential amalgamations or reducing the num…
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