Owen Riel fills Fort Erie-Port Colborne seat after DSBN trustee resigns

Fort Erie and Port Colborne regained public school board representation Tuesday when the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) appointed Owen Riel to finish the trustee term.

Riel, the runner-up in the 2022 election, replaces Susan Jovanović, who resigned last month from the Fort Erie-Port Colborne seat after alleging her governance concerns led to threats of code-of-conduct proceedings and that other trustees failed to disclose potential conflicts of interest.

He enters the role until November 14, 2026, under pressure to rebuild public access to the trustee’s office and press the province for school expansion in two growing south Niagara municipalities.

The board agenda for April 28 called for Riel to be appointed immediately once he provided the required proof of eligibility. The seat returns to voters in the October municipal election.

The board declared the seat vacant March 24 and chose an appointment process that contacted the highest-ranked unsuccessful candidate from the 2022 race.

The appointment process led to Riel, a Fort Erie resident who finished second to Jovanović in the 2022 race and whose background includes local community organizing, board work with Advancing Crystal Beach and legislative affairs experience working for MPP Wayne Gates.

“The most important responsibility of every trustee is being responsive, open, and available for the concerns of parents and students,” said Riel.

Riel told Fort Erie Radio his first task is to make residents comfortable bringing school issues to him. He said parents and students need a trustee who will hear them, bring their matters forward and make the board’s work easier to follow.

He also identified school space and growth as key issues for families in Fort Erie and Port Colborne. Development pressure in both municipalities has put school capacity back into local focus.

“Fort Erie and Port Colborne have in the last number of years grown significantly, and the board does have a number of plans to propose to the government for expansions,” said Riel.

The board’s March 24 minutes show trustees received a multi-year capital plan that projects more than $135 million in total spending in 2026-27 across the DSBN. The same report says the plan covers school renewal, accessibility, program expansion and major construction projects.

Riel did not name specific school sites, project costs or timelines for the Fort Erie and Port Colborne expansion proposals. He said the board will seek provincial approval for the work.

Riel would not endorse Jovanović’s claims that she resigned after governance concerns led to what she called “punitive responses.”

“I am not aware of what those ethical concerns were. They haven’t been communicated to me,” said Riel, who added that he wishes Jovanović well in her future endeavours.

The DSBN has not publicly explained the circumstances of Jovanović’s resignation beyond the vacancy process. Board minutes from March 24 state there were no declarations of conflict of interest at that meeting.

Riel described the board climate in cautious terms because he is new to the role, but he plans to build confidence by being more available to residents.

“My goal over the next number of months is just going to be as present and visible as possible,” said Riel. “I have some more recent familiarity with those concerns that I experienced at school.”

Riel said he will share significant board updates publicly when they affect Fort Erie and Port Colborne.

The next regular DSBN board meeting is scheduled for May 26.

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