MPP Oosterhoff Welcomes Passage of Legislation Strengthening Regional Governance in Niagara

May 7, 2026

Beamsville – This week, the Ontario government passed the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, legislating important changes to the way regional governments function in some of Ontario’s fastest growing regions. These changes will help support lower costs for municipal taxpayers and better alignment between regional decision-making and shared provincial-regional priorities. The legislative changes provide 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 legislation also reduces the cost of government and supports efficient decision-making in Niagara and Simcoe County by reducing the size of Simcoe County Council and Niagara Regional Council.

“With the passage of the Better Regional Governance Act, our government is supporting future planning and growth for Niagara,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“The population of our region 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. With the passage of this critical legislation, 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 passage of the Better Regional Governance Act, 2026, and related regulatory changes enable the following:

Allowing 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.

Providing the regional chairs in the eight municipalities listed above with ‘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.

Reducing the size of Niagara Regional Council from thirty-two to thirteen members. The new upper-iter council will 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 will be working with local municipal leadership to develop a weighted voting framework, which is already in force in Simcoe County and would be applied in Niagara.

MPP Oosterhoff spoke in debate to the Better Regional Governance Act in the Legislative Assembly on April 13:

“The residents of Niagara – the residents of my riding – deserve the benefits that come with passage of the Better Regional Governance Act. Passing this legislation during the current legislative session ensures changes come into effect in time for the fall municipal election.”

“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.”

“I would like to personally thank the Ford government for making governance changes 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 Niagara.”

“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.