Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale will be appearing before Niagara-on-the-Lake council tonight.
Gale appeared before Fort Erie Council last night, where he was grilled over his call for governance reform in Niagara.
Click here to watch the heated exchange.
Gale, who was appointed to the Chair’s position two months ago, says Niagara is in urgent need of change, saying our current two-tier government structure is not working.
He says taxes are too high, and we have too many elected officials.
Gale says he is considering a one-city or four-city model, and has asked Niagara’s 12 mayors for feedback by next Tuesday.
It had been reported that Gale would appear at Welland City Council tonight, but his office confirms he will be speaking to Niagara-on-the-Lake council, and would not be able to make it in time.
The Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Gary Zalepa, has come out against amalgamation plans.
He says it could take away from the conversation of how to better Niagara as a whole, citing the need for local governance to protect and enhance the economy of smaller towns and their residents.
While Welland’s Mayor, Frank Campion, is in support of a four-city model.
He says it would make it easier for issues to get dealt with in a timely manner and it would be more simple at election time with fewer positions to elect.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s council meeting starts at 6 p.m.
Gale will also address hundreds of business and community leaders this Friday at the State of the Region in Niagara Falls.
Story credit: Bonnie Heslop
Image credit: Niagara Region
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