Acclaimed Fort Erie councillors focus on health care, amalgamation

Two Fort Erie town councillors have no need for re-election signs this fall, both having already secured their seats for the 2026-30 term.

George McDermott, Ward 1,  and Ann-Marie Noyes, Ward 6, were both acclaimed as being unchallenged.

Asked how it feels not having to campaign, Noyes wrote in an email response, in all-caps, “Wonderful.”

McDermott had a different point of view on the matter.

“Honestly, I would rather campaign against someone so there could be some honest dialogue with each other for the public’s sake of making a choice,” he said, also via email.

“Campaigning is something I have always liked because it’s your barometer on how you are doing with the citizens whom you represent,” said the three-term councillor.

Like McDermott, Noyes, who has been on council for 22 years, looks forward to continuing to serve.

“I am a strong advocate for residents of Fort Erie,” she said. “(It’s) a job I find rewarding, and I am looking forward to continuing over the next four years.”

Both councillors have set their sights on two big issues: improving health-care services and fighting municipal amalgamation.

Health care has been a hot topic in Fort Erie for many years. Last month, council deferred a motion seeking the resignation of Niagara Health officials and the appointment of a provincial supervisor for the organization.

The motion is in response to what council sees as a broken promise for 24-7 urgent care and maintaining those services after the new south Niagara Falls hospital opens in 2028. It will return to council during its regularly scheduled meeting this month.

“This council has continually advocated for this, and we need to continue our fight with the ongoing support from residents and organized groups,” said Noyes.

On amalgamation, and governance in general, McDermott calls it “the big unknown.”

“Will the province decide to have regional Niagara become one big city or will it be amalgamations with the smaller towns being eaten up by the big cities?” he wrote in his email.

The pair’s drive to stand up for Fort Erie and help residents solve problems is what prompted both to file for candidacy.

“I have appreciated every day I have served here and am looking forward to the upcoming term with the same vim and vigour on behalf of the residents of Ward 1,” McDermott said.

Fort Erie’s other four wards have a number of candidates.

In Ward 2, incumbent Nick Dubanow is challenged by Jon Nadeau.

Ward 3 incumbent Darren Flagg faces Jennifer Priestley and Andrew Holdsworth.

Ward 4 has four names on the ballot: incumbent Joan Christensen, Matt Paul, Daniel Turner and Tavis McGlashan.

Ward 5 also has four contenders: incumbent Tom Lewis, Thomas Mete, Scott Boumeester and Kassandra Ryerson.

The municipal elections are on October 26.

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