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MPP Oosterhoff Welcomes Legislation to Strengthen Regional Governance in Niagara

April 2, 2026

Beamsville – Today, the Ontario government introduced the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, that would, if passed, make important changes to the way regional governments function in some of Ontario’s fastest growing regions. These changes would support lower costs for municipal taxpayers and better alignment between regional decision-making and shared provincial-regional priorities. The proposed changes include giving the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the power to appoint upper-tier council chairs in eight fast-growing regions and granting these council chairs ‘strong chair’ powers to help them deliver on government priorities, such as housing and infrastructure. The proposed legislation would also reduce the cost of government and support efficient decision-making in Niagara and Simcoe County by reducing the size of Simcoe County Council and Niagara Regional Council.

“The population of Niagara is projected to increase to over 700,000 residents by 2051, a significant transformation which will require new and innovative approaches to municipal governance and long-term planning,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“In a growing region like ours, it’s important to plan for the well-being and success of future generations who will call Niagara home. With the changes proposed for our region through the Better Regional Governance Act, Niagara will be ready to lead the province as a preferred place to live, work and visit.”

“We will always support our municipal partners, both lower- and upper-tier, in delivering locally led solutions that offer better value for taxpayers and speed up decision-making,” said Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“These changes provide the necessary tools for local leadership to advance our shared priorities and better serve our communities, including by expediting housing and infrastructure development.”

The proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, and related regulatory changes would enable the following:

  • Allow the Minister to appoint regional chairs in Durham, Halton, Muskoka, Niagara, Peel, Waterloo and York, as well as the warden of Simcoe County. Under previous legislation, the Minister had the authority to appoint chairs in Niagara, Peel and York regions for the 2022-2026 council term only;

  • Regional chairs in the eight municipalities listed above would receive ‘strong chair’ powers which mirror ‘strong mayor’ powers, providing more efficient, streamlined local decision-making, enabling them to deliver faster results for residents and support efforts to advance shared provincial-municipal priorities;

  • The number of municipal elected officials in Simcoe (population 351,927) and Niagara (population 477,941) is significantly higher than many other comparable municipalities in the province. For example, Niagara has 126 local elected officials across its upper and lower-tier councils. By comparison, Toronto City Council has twenty-six members for a population of over three million and Queen’s Park has 124 MPPs representing over 16 million people across the province. This increases the cost of government for local taxpayers and creates dysfunction at council. Niagara Regional Council would be reduced from thirty-two to thirteen members. The new council would include the mayors of each of Niagara’s twelve lower-tier municipalities plus the regional chair.

To facilitate the transition to the new council structure and ensure appropriate and effective representation, the government would also work with local municipal leadership to develop a weighted voting framework, which is already in force in Simcoe County and would be applied to Niagara.

“Regional governance reform is a critical step toward ensuring fair, efficient and accountable decision making across our communities,” said Sandra Easton, Mayor of the Town of Lincoln.

“We look forward to working with the province to find the right balance of weighted voting representation that reflects both population and local voice.”

“Change is long overdue in Niagara, and the status quo is not an option,” said Jim Diodati, Mayor of the City of Niagara Falls.

“Taxes are too high because of duplication and inefficiencies and we need to streamline. No elected official will vote him or herself out of a job. We need this bold move from the Ontario government.”

“I would like to personally thank the Ford government for making governance changes here in Niagara,” said Frank Campion, Mayor of the City of Welland.

“I believe this will lead to a more effective and efficient system that will benefit communities, residents and businesses within our region.”

“Streamlining decision-making across Niagara is essential to delivering the Destination Niagara Strategy and supporting the region’s long-term growth,” said Graham Coveney, Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission.

All regions must review their council composition following the 2026 municipal election. Niagara would be exempt in 2026 and would return to regular reviews after the 2034 municipal election. The government will continue working with municipalities to identify ways to strengthen local governance in Niagara, Simcoe and beyond. Working together to advance shared provincial-municipal priorities helps advance housing and economic development, preparing both individual municipalities and the province for growth.