Governance Review in the Niagara Region

Coalition of Niagara Municipalities welcomes today's legislation and calls on the Province to work with all municipalities to get the details right.

For Immediate Release - April 2, 2026

The Mayors of Grimsby, Port Colborne, West Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold, Wainfleet, and the Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake today welcomed the Province of Ontario's introduction of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, as an important step forward, while calling on the Province to ensure that the final legislation reflects the made-in-Niagara principles this coalition has championed since February.

"We wrote to Premier Ford in February because we believed Niagara needed reform; locally led, evidence-based, and built around the principle that every community deserves a real voice," said Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake Gary Zalepa. "Today's announcement reflects that direction, and we welcome it. But the details matter, and we will be engaged every step of the way to make sure the final product serves all of Niagara's communities."

A Made-in-Niagara Agenda Already in Motion

This coalition has been acting on governance reform ahead of any provincial directive. Since issuing their joint letter to Premier Ford in February 2026, the municipalities have made tangible progress:

• Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, Grimsby, and Port Colborne have each passed formal resolutions to voluntarily reduce the size of their local councils, demonstrating that Niagara's municipalities can lead reform without waiting for direction from above
• The group is actively championing publicly-owned Water and Wastewater Service Corporations and the transition of services such as regional roads, Social Services, Public Health, and EMS to locally-governed Public Service Boards, delivering best value for money while keeping essential services close to the communities that depend on them
• A comprehensive governance and service delivery review was initiated by Niagara Regional Council on February 26, 2026, with overwhelming support, proof that the appetite for made-in-Niagara reform runs deep across the region's elected leadership

Getting the Details Right

On weighted voting, any framework must balance representation by population with fairness, ensuring every municipality retains a meaningful voice. The group welcomes the Province's commitment to develop this collaboratively and will be active partners in that process.

On strong chair powers, the group has serious questions. An appointed chair with authority to veto bylaws and override elected mayors sits in tension with local accountability and with the weighted voting model the Province is simultaneously proposing. The group will be seeking clarity from the Province before the legislation passes.

On Local Council Reductions: Act Now

The group renews its call on the Province to move quickly to provide the legislative authority needed to implement local council reductions in time for the 2026 municipal election. Any changes not approved before May 2026 will not take effect until 2030, a four-year delay Niagara's taxpayers should not have to wait for.

Recognizing Those Who Have Served

The group recognizes that many Regional Councillors have served Niagara with dedication and distinction. Today's changes will mean real transitions for people who have given much to public life, and it is in that spirit of service that this coalition will continue to advocate for reform that is locally led, delivers for taxpayers, and maintains the exceptional public services Niagara's communities depend on.

"Today is a moment to move forward together; province and municipalities, working in the same direction," said Mayor of Thorold Terry Ugulini. "Partnership means local communities have a real seat at the table, not just a ceremonial one. That is what we will continue to fight for."

On Thursday, March 26, Niagara Regional Council voted to move forward with a comprehensive service delivery review. We know that the residents of Niagara deserve better than the status quo. As Mayors of Niagara, with consensus of the Region, we support moving forward with meaningful change in Niagara. We are writing to you with a straightforward purpose: to update you on the concrete, made-in-Niagara solutions our municipalities have taken since that letter, and to make a specific request of the Province.

We have worked with our colleagues across Niagara to reflect the needs of each municipality; a shared vision we are accountable to is the one we sign together, and it is that shared vision we are writing to report progress on.

On the question of regional governance structure, we are united in our support for a weighted distribution voting model that balances representation by population with fairness and ensures every municipality has a meaningful voice. Municipal best practises support a weighted distribution system that supports a diverse geography and creates a system that meets the needs of major urban centres and the rural communities that make Niagara the thriving agricultural region it is today.

Since our last letter, our municipalities have made concrete steps forward. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, Grimsby, and Port Colborne have each passed formal resolutions to voluntarily reduce the size of their local councils. In 2025, Lincoln Council lowered its size by 2 representatives.

These steps are a real demonstration of Niagara's municipalities making difficult decisions without waiting for provincial direction.

Our reform agenda is focused on three things that matter to every taxpayer in Niagara: fewer politicians, less duplication, and better value for every tax dollar spent. That means, subject to financial review, transitioning services such as regional roads, Housing and Social Services, Public Health, and EMS to locally governed Public Service Boards. It means establishing publicly owned Water and Wastewater Service Corporations to deliver essential services more efficiently and accountably, driving efficiencies through eliminating overlap and providing better value for taxpayers. And it also means continuing to review and recalibrate the number of politicians across the region, which as the resolutions passed by our municipalities demonstrate, is already underway.

We have one specific request. For the council reductions passed recently by Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, Grimsby, and Port Colborne to take effect at the 2026 municipal election, the Province must act by May 2026. These municipalities have moved voluntarily and in good faith, and we are asking the Province to match that commitment with the legislative authority needed to make their decisions count.

We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss next steps.

The full letter can be found in the Documents tab on the right hand side of the page.

At a recent meeting, Council for the Town of Grimsby passed the following resolution:

• Whereas the majority of Mayors signed a joint letter stating a commitment to building a governance model that is streamlined and transparent to the public; and
• Whereas the provincial government has expressed a desire to reduce the number of municipal councillors in the Niagara Region; and
• Whereas the timeline for Council to enact a By-law regarding ward structures, in accordance with the Municipal Act, 2001, has passed for the 2026 election;

Therefore be it resolved:

1. That the Town of Grimsby supports the motion passed by Regional Council on February 26th, 2026, regarding the governance review;
2. Resolved that Council endorse a reduction in Council size from eight (8) Councillors to six (6) for the 2026 municipal election and implementing Option 2B or 3 from the 2021 Council Structure and Ward Boundary Review Final Report, and a peer-review be completed to confirm projections, boundary rationale, and effective representation principles remain valid, if mandated by the Province;
3. Resolved that the Town Clerk be directed to confirm with the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing that without provincial intervention, the above changes cannot take place until the 2030 election; and
4. That the Town Clerk be directed to circulate this motion to the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Premier of Ontario.

The report presented to Council is available here.

What This Means for Residents

By now, many residents may have seen or heard about recent discussions related to municipal governance in Niagara. We want to take a moment to address this directly.

First and foremost, these discussions are in the early stages. Only the Province can make a decision about municipal restructuring.

The Mayor and Town Staff are working collaboratively with municipal partners to ensure that any conversations reflect the best interests of our community. This includes a clear position that the Town does not support any forced amalgamation.

It is important not to draw conclusions about potential outcomes. There are many possibilities under consideration – including the possibility of no change at all. In the meantime, the Town continues to operate as usual.

Our focus remains on exploring opportunities to improve efficiency in service delivery at a regional level, as well as reviewing council composition both locally and regionally.

We recognize that discussions about governance can create uncertainty. The Town is committed to participating in constructive, good-faith dialogue and will continue to keep residents informed as more concrete information becomes available.

Your input matters. Complete the survey online (letstalkgrimsby.ca/governance-review) or send an email to governancereview@grimsby.ca by March 30, 2026. The results will be compiled and presented to Council at the next scheduled meeting on April 13, 2026.

The Town of Grimsby will host a Public Information Centre (PIC) on Wednesday, March 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers (located in Town Hall – 160 Livingston Avenue). The session will provide residents with an opportunity to learn more about the ongoing governance discussion, including information related to amalgamation, and to share their perspectives.

The PIC will be held in an informal drop-in format, allowing residents to review available materials, including correspondence sent to the Premier, ask questions, and learn how they can participate in the process.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed and contribute their input. Written feedback can be submitted to governancereview@grimsby.ca, and the community survey will remain open until March 30.