Niagara Region residents react to possible amalgamation

A big question is on the table in Niagara — should the region shrink from 12 municipalities to fewer, or even just one?

A governance review is now underway, and it’s sparking a lot of opinion about taxes, efficiency, and what it all means for local identity.

“I feel like if folks were interested in amalgamating, we wouldn’t have had 12 distinct municipalities for so long,” said one St. Catharines resident.

Regional Chair Bob Gale says Niagara’s two-tier system may not be sustainable — and that exploring options like a four-city model or a single city could improve efficiency.

“What is the right number of municipal politicians for Niagara Region? What is the right governance structure? I do not know.”

For one St. Catharines resident, that number, “should be 10.”

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In a letter sent to the province last month, Gale said Niagara has too many politicians — 126 elected officials — and that taxpayers are feeling the pinch from rising taxes.

In that letter, he says he’s launching consultations on possible reforms — including cutting the number of local politicians altogether or amalgamating the region’s 12 municipalities.

“Amalgamation could be a good thing, but I don’t think that forced amalgamation should be a thing at all,” said another resident.

“Being a smaller community that could be absorbed into this much larger amalgamation is a concern because we don’t know what kind of impact that’s gonna have on our community.”

“I am concerned for a lot of other smaller municipalities in the region. I know they already feel like their voices aren’t really heard, and I feel like this would only make things worse.”

During a state of the region event last Friday, West Lincoln Mayor Cheryl Ganann said she’s been hearing directly from residents about the idea of amalgamation — and she knows where many of them stand.

“I’ve heard from many of our residents that they’re also not in favour of any type of amalgamation. Looking at the governance model and looking at efficiencies, you know I just really think it needs to be done carefully. I agree it needs to be done.”

Residents tell me this isn’t just about budgets — it’s about belonging. People here identify strongly with their own towns, and many say they want to make sure that identity isn’t lost in a larger system.

“Each town has a quaint, unique feel. So each town you go to has its own personality,” says one resident.

Whether Niagara stays as it is — or becomes something new — residents say one thing is clear: They want a say in what their future looks like.

“I think they ought to really reach out to the residents and ask them what’s important to be kept in that town.”

For now, the governance review continues — Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati wants a financial briefing on Monday on what a four-city model could cost.

And St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe has called a special council meeting — also Monday night — to talk governance reform.

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