Wayne Gates
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report

The Ontario government’s decision to expand “strong mayor” powers to additional municipalities, including Niagara-on-the-Lake, is one that requires serious reflection. 

While I understand the intent may be to make decision-making easier and move projects along faster, we must be clear-eyed about the implications of this change — and particularly when it comes to democratic accountability and local control.

Recently, Niagara-on-the-Lake town council voted to accept these new powers. I respect the Lord Mayor and town council’s decision, and I know they are working with the best intentions for our community. 

But it’s precisely because I believe in our local leadership and in our residents that I think this conversation requires more scrutiny — and more caution.

At its core, the “strong mayor” system allows the head of council to unilaterally hire and fire senior staff, veto council decisions and push through budgets with only minority support, so long as they align with provincial priorities. 

These are substantial powers that shift the balance away from consensus-based decision-making — something that has long been a hallmark of good governance in small towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake.

We have a proud tradition in Niagara-on-the-Lake of thoughtful, community-based decision-making. 

Whether it’s planning for development, protecting our agricultural lands, or promoting tourism in a way that respects our heritage, residents have always played an active role in shaping the direction of their town. 

Strong mayor powers risk sidelining those voices. 

This is particularly concerning when we consider the broader context of regional governance. 

There has been renewed speculation about municipal amalgamations in Ontario — something that would have serious consequences for a town like Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Our residents have fought hard to preserve our local autonomy. The imposition of strong mayor powers raises red flags about what direction this government may be heading.

It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where a future amalgamation effort is made easier by mayors wielding unchecked power, supported by legislation that overrides local council consensus. 

I’ve always said that decisions about the structure and governance of our communities must come from the people who live there — not from top-down directives issued from Toronto.

This isn’t just a hypothetical concern. We’ve seen how previous rounds of amalgamation in Ontario often led to higher costs, reduced services, and a loss of local identity.

That’s not what the people of Niagara-on-the-Lake want — and it’s certainly not what they deserve.

I’m not saying that every decision made under the strong mayor framework will be wrong. I have confidence in the leadership of our local council. 

But governance systems matter. Structures that reduce checks and balances and concentrate power in a single office are, by their nature, less democratic. We should be strengthening democratic participation, not weakening it.

Instead of unilaterally imposing new powers, the province should be working collaboratively with municipalities to understand what they need to serve their communities better.

That means investing in infrastructure, supporting housing solutions tailored to local contexts, and ensuring stable funding for public services — not changing the rules of governance in a way that creates more questions than answers.

The people of Niagara-on-the-Lake are engaged, informed and passionate about their community. They deserve a system that reflects those values.

As your MPP, I’ll continue to stand up for transparency, local decision-making, and a government that listens to its people — not one that tells them what’s best.

Let’s not lose sight of what makes our town special. Local voices must continue to shape local decisions

Wayne Gates is the member of provincial parliament for the Niagara Falls riding, which includes Niagara-on-the-Lake.