Niagara regional chair backs away from proposal to explore amalgamations

A view of Niagara Falls, Ont. is shown on Friday, March 29, 2024 in a photo taken in Niagara Falls, N.Y. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Carlos Osorio

Niagara’s regional chair has backed away from a proposal that included possible amalgamations.

Bob Gale said in a letter last month that he was starting consultations on reforms including potential amalgamations and reducing the number of councillors, saying there are too many elected officials in Niagara — 126 — and tax increases are too high.

Several mayors said while they agreed local governance could be made more efficient, they were not behind the idea of forced amalgamations.

• READ MORE: Niagara councillors vote to slow regional chair’s governance consultations

Eight of the 12 Niagara region mayors have now sent a letter to the premier saying they will look at a number of governance reforms, including reducing the number of politicians on councils, but with no mention of support for amalgamations.

Premier Doug Ford has said he will respect whatever the majority of Niagara mayors decides.

A new letter from Gale to the province says he has heard “considerable feedback” on his earlier proposals, and now suggests reducing the size of regional council and some local councils, implementing weighted voting at regional council and exploring shared services.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.

Allison Jones, The Canadian Press