Ontario approves Fort Erie 25-year official plan after Bill 100 passes

Fort Erie became the first municipality in the Niagara region to get provincial approval of a new official plan on Wednesday, securing a growth blueprint to 2051 just as Queen’s Park prepares to reshape the regional council that previously held that approval power.

The official plan sets policy for land use, housing, employment, transportation, natural heritage, agriculture and infrastructure across the town. The province took over approval authority for local official plans from Niagara Region under Bill 100, the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, which received royal assent May 7.

That same legislation will replace Niagara’s 32-member regional council with a body of 12 lower-tier mayors and one provincially appointed chair after the October election, eliminating the dedicated regional councillor seat Fort Erie currently holds.

Mayor Wayne Redekop called the approval a milestone and said it confirms the province is paying attention to Fort Erie’s growth trajectory.

“This plan gives Fort Erie a clear path to manage growth, protect what makes our community special and prepare for our future,” said Redekop in a Wednesday news release.

Redekop led a push at regional council April 30 to oppose Bill 100’s governance changes, warning the legislation would give an unelected chair unchecked authority over decisions affecting smaller communities. That resolution passed 18-9 but did not stop the bill.

Under Bill 100, any nominations already filed for the Niagara regional council or for regional chair positions are deemed withdrawn as of royal assent. Candidates who had entered those races must now decide whether to seek a lower-tier seat in October’s election.

Edward Terry, manager of policy and community planning, said in the same release the plan reflects local needs while meeting provincial and regional planning direction.

“The new official plan provides a strong policy foundation that reflects Fort Erie’s local needs while aligning with provincial and regional planning direction,” said Terry.

The plan takes effect immediately, and the town says it will post the final consolidated version, including all provincial modifications, on its website in the coming weeks.

The October municipal election is the next major checkpoint for local governance, since Fort Erie’s mayor will become the town’s sole representative at a restructured Niagara regional table.

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