Residents gather at town hall to oppose Gale’s amalgamation plan

Handmade signs were held high at Fort Erie Town Hall on Monday afternoon as residents gathered in response to the proposed amalgamation of Niagara’s municipalities instigated by letters sent February 19 by recently appointed regional chair Bob Gale.

The gathering was initially planned as a protest but was reframed to instead focused on demonstrating support for Mayor Wayne Redekop–who strongly opposes amalgamating Niagara into four or fewer cities–and encouraging civic participation.

Organizers described the event as a peaceful gathering and information session, offering letter templates for residents who want to contact local and provincial officials before further recommendations reach Queen’s Park.

Redekop introduced a motion to regional committee for Gale to refrain from any further review of regional governance, which passed last Thursday, but participants said the debate has moved beyond council chambers and into neighbourhoods across town.

Sarah Macdonald, a Fort Erie resident and co-organizer, told Fort Erie Radio she took action after watching Fort Erie council challenge Gale at a February 23 meeting, concluding the proposal lacked evidence and consultation.

“There is no evidence that really supports that amalgamation is a good idea for the taxpayer,” she said.

Redekop issued a written statement on Monday that the town “will not be responding to the regional chair’s letter,” and confirming the town will participate in governance review only if authorized by regional council.

He also noted the Town of Fort Erie will deal with Premier Doug Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack directly.

Jonah Dundas attended to show support for the mayor’s performance during council’s exchange with Gale.

“If you watch town council with him mop the floor with Bob Gale, that speaks toward who he is and how he operates,” said Dundas.

Dundas referred to Redekop’s questioning of Gale about data and cost analysis, during which Gale acknowledged he had no recent figures to present and had conducted no public consultation before sending letters to Flack and Niagara’s 12 mayors.

“Do you understand what data is?” asked Redekop, at the February 23 council meeting.

“Facts,” said Gale.

“So, you have nothing currently,” said Redekop.

“Nothing in the last year. That’s why I’m submitting it to the government for their decisions,” said Gale.

Several residents at Monday’s gathering raised concerns that amalgamation could transfer financial burdens from other municipalities to Fort Erie.

One participant estimated Niagara Falls’ debt at between $70 million and $100 million and warned that a merged city could require Fort Erie taxpayers to absorb those liabilities.

Maria Featherston said she fears the town would lose its character and environmental priorities under a larger municipal structure.

“We want Fort Erie to stay the way it is with the values we’ve always had, keeping it as a small town with valuing the environment,” said Featherston, adding that “amalgamation would ruin all that.”

Several residents believe the amalgamation is connected to the province’s Destination Niagara Strategy, which aims to position the region as a year-round tourism hub, and turn Niagara Falls into what Doug Ford calls “the Las Vegas of the north.”

“Observing the politics of our neighbors to the south, it’s clear that there are different tactics in how to approach things. And sometimes you make a smoke show over here while you’re doing something else over there,” said Les Lakewood, a Fort Erie business owner and co-organizer.

Referring to Ford’s remarks in Niagara Falls last week–the premier would be in favour of amalgamating the region if a majority of mayors and residents support it–Lakewood said the issue has prompted him to attend council meetings for the first time and to speak publicly about municipal structure.

Organizers hope the gathering signals to regional and provincial officials that residents are monitoring the process closely.

“This is the first time I have ever made a sign and asked people to show up and just put our voices together,” said Lakewood.

Residents also questioned how representation would change. Under the current system, councillors represent defined wards that include communities such as Ridgeway, Crystal Beach and Stevensville.

Attendee Marcy Jacklin believes that access to elected officials would shrink under amalgamation.

“You’re not going to meet them in the grocery store,” she said.

Jacklin values the ability to contact local representatives directly and receive prompt replies. Others at the gathering cited recent email exchanges with Redekop as examples of responsiveness they fear could diminish in a larger municipality.

Beyond taxation and representation, concerns surfaced about urgent care access after previous service reductions at the Douglas Memorial urgent care site with seemingly minimal provincial support, and waterfront lands potentially facing intensified development such as Miller’s Creek.

Niagara’s mayors were asked to submit written feedback on Gale’s review by March 3. Gale has indicated he intends to forward initial recommendations to the province in the first week of March, leaving open the possibility of further debate at both the regional and provincial levels in the coming weeks.

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