This article speaks to Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe and Welland Mayor Frank Campion supporting the Progressive Conservative leadership race for premier.
Some have suggested these mayors are violating ethics rules. During the provincial steering committee meeting in January 2024 the mayors of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls called for governance reform here in Niagara. These mayors, who have a vested interest in the outcome of any governance changes, spoke in favor of a 3 or 4 city model. Moving from 12 lower tier municipalities and an upper tier municipality to just 4 cities does not go far enough and will not generate the savings that have been projected.
In fact, the very reason the province reversed its decision with the Region of Peel dissolution was due to costs. And moving from the current governance structure in Niagara to 4 cities will likely meet the same fate .. ending up costing taxpayers more as a result of the changes.
In light of the endorsements being put forward by the mayors of our 3 largest cities, it is hard not to be concerned about bias and/or a conflict of interest. One can’t help but wonder if the 3 mayors were promised something in return by the premier for their endorsement. Is this a violation of ethics rules?
The current governance structure is not working for citizens in Niagara. Taxpayers feel as though they are being held hostage, with local politicians not open to considering different ways of operating government while approving some of the highest ever tax increases in Niagara’s history.
In my opinion, if the premier does decide to move forward with governance changes here in Niagara post election, any change outside of creating One Niagara is a political decision and not a decision that has the best interests of Niagara taxpayers. Niagara needs a paradigm shift in the way we look at governance. Niagara needs to eliminate this duplication and amalgamate to one city, generating millions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer.
Allen McKay, Manager Niagara Region, Ontario Property Taxpayers Alliance
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