Niagara-on-the-Lake took its top priorities directly to the province earlier this week, pressing for progress on the proposed Glendale Eco-Park, affordable housing and renewed municipal funding at the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference.
Council and staff met with several provincial ministries from Jan. 18 to 20 at Queen’s Park in Toronto, according to a Jan. 21 announcement from the town. The annual conference gives municipalities direct access to provincial decision-makers to advance local priorities.
The town was represented by Coun. Erwin Wiens, who is the deputy lord mayor, Couns. Maria Mavridis and Andrew Niven, chief administrative officer Nick Ruller, planning director Aimee Alderman and organizational performance director Lauren Kruitbosch.
A key focus was the proposed Glendale Eco-Park. Town representatives met with Tourism, Culture and Gaming Minister Stan Cho to confirm continued provincial interest in the long-term project. Discussions included land availability, the timing of planned highway improvements and next steps to move the project forward.
“The Eco-Park is envisioned as a destination that integrates natural spaces, active transportation, tourism, and community well-being,” the announcement said, with connections to regional trail networks and initiatives such as the Niagara GeoPark and Destination Niagara.
Housing affordability was also a central topic. The town said it met with Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack to explore partnerships that would use surplus government land for housing and advance “shovel-ready” projects offering a mix of housing types.
Council and staff also advocated for renewing and expanding the municipal modernization program, citing financial pressures and capacity challenges facing small municipalities.
Meetings with Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli focused on reducing interprovincial trade barriers to support expansion of NOTL’s wine, agri-food and tourism businesses into domestic markets.
Discussions with Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson included requests for funding to support feasibility studies for growth, housing and infrastructure planning and improve rural transit connectivity — including support for a potential Glendale transit hub and continued progress on the Upper Canada Heritage Trail.
The town also met with Manvir Hundal, director of strategy and stakeholder relations with the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, to seek support for heritage planning ahead of the 2027 designation deadline, raise the need of updating the Ontario Heritage Act and present concerns about insurance impacts tied to designation.
The town was also recognized with a 2026 Rural Inspiration Award from the rural affairs ministry for an equipment-sharing, cost-sharing and operationally-efficient partnership with the Town of Minto.
The town was “honoured” to receive the award, the announcement said, which “recognizes rural Ontario communities demonstrating leadership, collaboration, and innovation.”
Wiens said the conference allowed the town to clearly communicate its priorities directly to the province.
Ruller said the meetings were critical for small municipalities seeking practical, long-term solutions.
