Letter to the editor
Re: Governance changes won't be imposed on Niagara, Oct. 25
Niagara should move to electing its regional chair in an at-large vote like many other regional municipalities in Ontario.
The majority of public opinion agrees in every poll ever conducted on the subject. Regional council should be populated with local councillors and mayors doing both jobs, double duty — with the emphasis on duty.
The region would behave more like a team of 12 with a captain supported by a popular vote decision.
The opportunity to put forward a Niagara vision, a Niagara strategy that has developed support of local councils, is much improved under this model. It is used by Durham, York, Peel and Halton regions. Waterloo Region at least elects its chair at large.
Niagara Region could apply for provincial funding to make the changes, or at the very least use the money to pay for a referendum on the subject.
Electing the regional chair at large and double-duty city/regional councillors are minimal changes that will improve regional government performance as change is always difficult, but change for the better is worth the effort.
D. Bruce Timms
St. Catharines