Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates wants a promise from Premier Doug Ford that he will keep his hands off Niagara.
Gates challenged Ford in Question Period today to rule out both forced amalgamation and other governance changes.
“First it was outright amalgamation. Now it looks like amalgamation lite, said Gates. If three bigger cities get more control and smaller Niagara communities get pushed aside, that is not reform that will save a dime for taxpayers. That’s just about control.”
Gates says he is getting hundreds of emails, saying the same thing: decisions about Niagara should be made in Niagara.
“Forcing through changes from Queen’s Park without real data, a real business case and real consultation with residents makes no sense.”
Gates says the Premier needs to commit to consulting Niagara residents, honour their wishes and rule out forced amalgamation.
“Seniors in Fort Erie, farmers in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and families across Niagara deserve to know their communities will still have a local voice.”
Before former Regional Chair, Bob Gale, resigned, he called on the province to eliminate dozens of councillor positions.
Premier Doug Ford has said he is still keen on governance reform in Niagara, but he will respect the will of the majority of Niagara mayors.
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