Governance Matters

Going in to this year’s municipal election, it’s really important for Niagara-on-the-Lake voters to be aware of the changes Premier Doug Ford, Queen’s Park and our current Town leaders have made to our local government.  

Municipalities are the oldest form of government in the entire world, and are the closest to the people who they serve.  Unfortunately, Doug Ford and local leaders here appear determined to weaken this foundation.

Ford has eliminated Regional Councillor roles, reducing Niagara-on-the-Lake’s voice at Niagara Region from two members to just one.  Whoever is the next Lord Mayor will also be our only voice at the Regional table.  The next Regional Chair will be hand-picked by Ford and will have new "Strong Chair" powers.

This current Town Council also held a vote with no public debate to cut our next Town Council from eight to six members.  Ron Simkus, vice-chair of the NOTL Residents Association, described this as “one of the most significant shifts in local governance in the Town’s history.”  Important decisions about growth, development, spending, infrastructure, and municipal administration could be driven by the Lord Mayor with the support of only two councillors in future. Ron's piece in the August 27 issue of the Lake Report is worth a read.

Are you happy with how Deputy Lord Mayor Mayor Erwin Weins supported reducing your voice, without asking you? Did you notice how Regional Councillor Andrea Kaiser, who now wants to take on the Lord Mayor’s position as a part-time job, failed to make a difference?  Regional taxes keep going up, a roundabout is still coming to ruin the centre of St. Davids, and services are not improving. 

Now more than ever, we need a leader who will speak up for YOU at Town Hall and the Region. We need a change for the better. That’s why I’m running to be your full-time Lord Mayor.

Learn more and get involved at vaughngoettlerforlordmayor.com