A group of community activists plans to bring people from across the Niagara region together virtually to discuss and learn about the possibility of municipal amalgamation.
The group, A Better Niagara, is hosting the event on Wednesday, March 25. Chair Liz Benneian will introduce the session, while former Pelham mayor Dave Augustyn will facilitate the discussion.
Benneian said the event will begin with “how did we get here,” including “why this has become such a big issue.”
She said participants will also review proposals put forward by different groups, including the current Ontario government, former regional chair Jim Gale, eight Niagara mayors and residents.
On Feb. 19, Gale sent letters to Niagara’s mayors and to Minister of Municipal Affairs Rob Flack proposing amalgamation among the region’s 12 municipalities to address what he said were significant budget issues. He suggested restructuring the region into either one city or four cities.
On March 4, the mayors of eight municipalities signed a letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford proposing governance reforms for the municipalities and the region while opposing amalgamation.
Gale resigned as regional chair on March 11, which Benneian said only affected promotion of the event.
“Gale being gone doesn’t change the fact that governance change is on the table,” she said. “And that citizens need a voice in that.”
Benneian said she hopes people attend the event to become better informed about issues affecting their community.
She said organizers will gather feedback from participants and may hold another public meeting depending on the outcome of the discussion.
“This is not just talking into the air,” she said. “Something is going to come of this.”
Benneian said the Zoom event can host up to 100 people.
To get the link, people can email abetterniagara@gmail.com. The event begins at 7 p.m. on March 25.
