Governance discussions across Niagara have been evolving quickly since early 2026, with a focus on how municipal services are delivered, how decisions are made, and how to improve efficiency and affordability for residents.

The City of Port Colborne is actively monitoring these discussions, participating in regional conversations, and ensuring that local priorities and community input are clearly represented.

To support transparency, the City continues to update this page with key milestones, decisions, and opportunities for residents to stay informed and involved.

Timeline of Key Events

February 19, 2026: Letter from Former Regional Chair Bob Gale
Former Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale wrote to the Mayors of Niagara regarding the need to review governance in Niagara, including potential structural changes such as amalgamation. 
 February 26, 2026: Regional Council meeting
Niagara Regional Council directs staff to begin an evidence-based governance review, focused on data, financial analysis, and public consultation.
March 4, 2026: Joint Letter from eight local mayors to Premier Ford
Mayor Mayor Steele, along with Mayors from seven other lower-tier municipalities (Fort Erie, Grimsby, West Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold, Wainfleet and Niagara-on-the-Lake) wrote a joint letter to Premier Doug Ford. Their letter noted the lower tiers would take decisive action to address the number of politicians, strengthen efficiency, and eliminate duplication to enable economic growth and long-term sustainability for the municipalities and the taxpayers they serve.
March 5, 2026: Mayor Steele letter to Premier Ford
Mayor Steele sent a letter to Premier Ford, outlining that, while the City of Port Colborne does not support amalgamation, it recognizes there are legitimate challenges that deserve a thoughtful review. Mayor Steele’s letter noted that pressures related to infrastructure funding, water and wastewater costs, and regional roads remain significant and require innovative solutions. 
March 6, 2026: Community engagement campaign
The City of Port Colborne launches a community engagement campaign to gather input from residents on governance changes. Public open houses and an online survey collect feedback on governance discussions.
March 11, 2026: Chair Gale Resignation
Bob Gale resigns as Niagara Regional Chair, creating uncertainty around previously proposed governance changes.
March 12, 2026: Council size reduction and ward boundary changes

Port Colborne City Council votes to support a reduction in the size of City Council and updating the City’s ward boundaries ahead of the 2026 municipal election, based on the 2025 Ward Boundary and Council Composition Review. If authorized by the Province, Port Colborne voters would elect six City Councillors and a Mayor, instead of the current eight councillors and a mayor.

Under the proposed structure, the City would be divided into three wards, each represented by two councillors. Because the deadline under the Municipal Act for municipalities to make these changes independently before the 2026 municipal election has passed, any change to Council composition must be authorized by the Province of Ontario. At this time, the City is still waiting for authorization from the Province to move forward with these council and ward boundary changes.
 March 26, 2026: Niagara Region Council Meeting
Niagara Regional Council directed the CAO of Niagara Region to work with the local area municipalities to move forward with a comprehensive service delivery and governance review. This vote, which included amendments from the original motion on February 26, 2026, aimed to initiate a "made-in-Niagara" reform Report 2026-61 Page 5 of 15 focusing on reviewing regional services (roads, EMS, water) and reducing the number of local politicians.
March 31, 2026: Joint Letter from eight local mayors to Premier Ford
On March 31, 2026, Mayor Steele, along with Mayors from eight other lower-tier municipalities (Grimsby, West Lincoln, Pelham, Thorold, Wainfleet, St. Catharines, Lincoln and Niagara-on-the-Lake) wrote to Premier Doug Ford to update him on the concrete, made-in-Niagara solutions that the municipalities have advanced since the first letter on March 4, 2026. The letter reaffirmed a shared regional commitment to governance reform focused on reducing duplication, improving service delivery, and providing better value for taxpayers.
 April 2, 2026: Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing Introduces Legislation
The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing introduced proposed legislation in Bill 100, the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 would establish a Regional Council made up of 12 mayors, supported by a provincially appointed Regional Chair with “Strong Chair” powers and a weighted voting system, effective for the 2026–2030 term of Council. The Province is seeking public input on these proposed changes through the Ontario Regulatory Registry, with the consultation period open until May 2, 2026.
April 28, 2026: Report to Council re: Niagara Governance Discussions and Municipal Service Corporations – Community Input and Next Steps

Council considered report 2026-61, providing an update on Niagara Governance Discussions and Municipal Service Corporations – Community Input and Next Steps. 

At the meeting, City Council received an update on ongoing governance discussions across Niagara and approved a series of actions to further explore ways to reduce duplication and control costs for residents, including the potential creation of a City-owned municipal services corporation. 

More information here: Port Colborne Exploring Affordable Water, Wastewater Options - City of Port Colborne

We are committed to keeping the community informed as more information becomes available.

To ensure residents are actively involved in the conversation, we have launched a public engagement process. Residents are encouraged to share their feedback on potential changes to municipal governance in Niagara by completing: 

  1. Online survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/portcolbornegovernancereview
  2. Paper survey: A paper survey is available at City Hall, the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, and the Port Colborne Public Library

Two in-person open houses have already occurred (Thursday, March 12, 3 to 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers and Saturday, March 14, 12 to 4 p.m. at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre). 

Our Position 

Port Colborne does not support amalgamation. 

We believe that decisions that fundamentally change how communities are governed must be based on clear evidence, thoughtful analysis, and meaningful public consultation. At this time, no detailed proposal, business case, or supporting analysis has been presented. 

We are open to conversations about improving governance at the regional level – particularly where there are opportunities to improve accountability, reduce duplication, and strengthen service delivery – but any changes must be carefully considered and grounded in data. 
 

What This Means for Residents 

At this stage: 

  • No decisions have been made. 

  • There are no immediate changes to City services. 

  • Council and staff are actively monitoring developments. 

  • We are advocating for Port Colborne’s interests. 

  • Residents can continue to expect the same level of service and support. 

  • Opportunities for residents to get involved and provide feedback on governance in Niagara are coming soon. There will be multiple opportunities to participate in the months ahead, including City-led engagement activities. More information will be shared soon.

Why This Conversation Is Happening 

Across Niagara, there are ongoing discussions about: 

  • How services are delivered between the Region and local municipalities. 
  • Rising infrastructure costs, particularly for water, wastewater, and roads. 
  • Governance structures and decision– making processes. 
  • While these are important topics, any potential structural changes require careful study and community input. 

Port Colborne’s Strength as a Community 

Port Colborne is a strong, growing municipality with significant momentum. 

We continue to: 

  • Attract major investments and create local jobs. 

  • Advance housing and community infrastructure. 

  • Deliver services tailored to local needs. 

  • Pursue innovative solutions, including new approaches to infrastructure funding. 

  • Maintain a strong sense of community identity. 

  • Our focus remains on supporting residents and building a sustainable future. 

Our Approach Moving Forward 

The City is advocating for: 

  • A transparent and collaborative process. 

  • Clear data and evidence to inform decisions. 

  • Meaningful consultation with residents and municipalities. 

  • Thoughtful consideration of local impacts. 

  • Constructive dialogue across Niagara. 

If changes are considered, we expect to be fully involved in discussions that affect Port Colborne so we can help protect our community’s interests. 

Key Reference Documents 

For many years, researchers, universities, think tanks, and local experts have studied municipal governance and amalgamation in Niagara and across Ontario. Below is a selection of key studies, including peer-reviewed research, that helps inform this discussion. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

 Are we being amalgamated? 
No decision has been made. Discussions are ongoing at the regional level, but there is no formal proposal at this time. 
Will my taxes change? 
 There are no changes currently. Any future proposals would require detailed analysis and public discussion. 
Will City services change?  
 There are no changes currently. Any future governance changes could impact service levels and they would be communicated if required.
 What is the City doing? 
Council and staff are actively engaged, advocating for Port Colborne, and calling for a clear, evidence-based process. 

The City of Port Colborne does not support amalgamation. 
 Will residents have a say? 

We believe that residents must be part of any conversation about governance changes and will continue to advocate for meaningful public engagement. 

The City of Port Colborne has launched a comprehensive community engagement plan in order to ensure residents are actively involved in the conversation. 

This includes:

  1. An online survey, available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/portcolbornegovernancereview
  2. A paper survey, available at City Hall, the Vale Health & Wellness Centre, and the Port Colborne Public Library.
  3. In-person open houses on these dates and locations:
  • Thursday, March 12, 3 to 7 p.m. at City Hall Council Chambers
  • Saturday, March 14, 12 to 4 p.m. at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre