Ontario appoints Coun. Bob Gale as Niagara regional chair instead of holding vote

The Ontario government has named Niagara Falls Coun. Bob Gale as the new chair of Niagara Region effective today.

The appointment comes after the position became vacant when longtime chair Jim Bradley passed away on Sept. 26.

“[Gale’s] decades of experience in regional governance, executive leadership and public safety make him well-positioned to lead the advancement of provincial priorities in the region,” Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack wrote in a statement to CHCH News.

“His long-standing dedication to public service and community betterment has earned him deep respect across the region.”

In addition to serving as regional councillor for Niagara Falls, Gale is also the chair of the Niagara Parks Commission. He was a member of the Niagara Regional Police Services Board from 2014 to 2022, serving as chair from 2014 to 2018 as well.

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Earlier in his career, he worked as a Niagara Regional Police officer in the 1970s before taking the helm of his family’s oil company in 1980.

Traditionally, the regional council would select the regional chair.

But two months ago, Flack sent a letter to Niagara Region informing them of the Ford government’s decision to appoint Bradley’s replacement instead of holding a vote.

The move was met with criticism, including from Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates, who has said councillors — not the province — should choose who will sit as chair.

“His qualifications I don’t think are in question here. I think the issue for me is clear, this decision should be made locally. It should not be driven down from Premier Ford’s office, to the minister, to Niagara Region,” said Gates.

“We shouldn’t be told who our regional chairs should be, those decisions should be made locally. I think that’s fair, I think that’s reasonable and I firmly believe that’s what the residents of the Niagara Region would like to see happen.”

While other politicians, such as Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, are behind the decision.

“I mean, Jim Bradley was also appointed by the provincial government, by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. So it’s not uncommon, it’s happened around the province. It’s not like they’re taking somebody out of left field. Bob is one of the 32 regional councillors. So he’s got a lot of experience. I’m sure he’s going to come in [with a] measure twice and cut once kind of approach. But I think he’ll do a good job,” said Diodati.

Since Bradley’s death, the council has been rotating councillors to serve as interim chair on a monthly basis.

WATCH MORE: Niagara Region mourns passing of Chair Jim Bradley at 80

Bradley, one of Ontario’s longest-serving provincial legislators, died at age 80 following a brief illness.

He served at Queen’s Park from 1977 until 2018, when he returned to local politics.

Bradley was first elected to St. Catharines city council in 1970 at the age of 25 and was again elected to represent that city in Niagara Regional Council 48 years later.

Shortly after, council chose him as regional chair, and the provincial government renewed his appointment to that role in 2022.

While serving as a provincial legislator, he held multiple senior cabinet positions, including several terms as environment minister, initially from 1985 to 1990 and most recently from 2011 to 2014.

CHCH News did attempt to contact Gale Thursday afternoon for an interview regarding his appointment but have yet to hear from the new Niagara Regional Chair.

In an email to CHCH News, a spokesperson to Minister Flack said, “the 2022-2026 term of council ends on Nov. 14, 2026, and Bob Gale’s term will end at the conclusion of this term of council. He will be resigning as Chair of Niagara Parks.”

WATCH MORE: Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley passes away at 80