Dear editor:

Unfortunately, too many politicians mistake anecdotes, talking points and simple conclusions without providing any factual backup as expressing an argument. Luckily, regional council has decided to require an evidence-based approach to the amalgamation question.

What Mr. Bob Gale fails to recognize is that, from a taxation standpoint, Niagara Region generally operates as an amalgamated entity.  In looking at my 2025 municipal tax bill, 63 per cent went to the operations of the region and 12.5 per cent went to the regional educational levy. The remaining 24.5 per cent went to the operations of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Is he arguing that if the town operations were absorbed into the regional budget that there would be cost savings on the services provided to the residents of NOTL?

He and the premier keep harping on the overall number of local and regional politicians in Niagara. Surely it is up to the residents of NOTL to decide whether the number of local councillors is excessive since their remuneration comes from the town’s portion of the tax bill.

As well, the mayor of Niagara Falls has come out in support of the four municipality solution to governance. Is this because he anticipates that NOTL’s huge tax base could be looked to shore up the finances of Niagara Falls? Would he be as gung ho if NOTL was joined to St. Catharines, both being entities below the escarpment?

Although I don’t believe that the residents of NOTL get value for money through our present form of regional government, the present mix provides a middle position that respects the differences that the various municipalities making up the region now enjoy.