March 19, 2026
Mayor Wayne Redekop
The last three weeks have been dominated by a flurry of activity about governance in Niagara, including potential forced amalgamation of municipalities and the shocking, sudden resignation of the Regional Chair. As in the past, the issue consumes vast amounts of time, energy and cost as municipal staff and local elected officials spend many hours responding to claims, identifying issues, planning strategies for change and speaking with the media.
I want to personally thank all of those who have sent messages by email, mail and telephone to me, other members of Town Council and elected officials across Niagara expressing their views on the matter. Those messages, contrary to the public statements of some who favour large-scale governance change in Niagara, overwhelmingly reject the notion of forced municipal amalgamations. I also want to shout out a thank you to the organizers of a recent rally outside Town Hall in support of Fort Erie’s position on this issue, and to all of the individuals who took the time to attend the rally.
Despite the unexpected diversion of our attention to an issue that had not been on the radar until the Regional Chair decided to embark on his own personal crusade to change the administrative landscape in Niagara and circumvent the public and most elected officials in doing so, there have been other things happening in Fort Erie.
For example, the Town has been working with the Buffalo Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority and the Niagara Parks Commission on a number of projects that will leave a permanent legacy in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Peace Bridge in 1927. Those projects primarily focus on Fort Erie’s waterfront from the Old Fort to the coal docks and will enhance and create attractive destinations for residents and tourists alike while highlighting aspects of Fort Erie’s past.
The Town is also embarking on a program to bring our fascinating history to the public through more exhibits in public places, the use of digital technologies and a variety of story-telling events. The Niagara Parks Commission is taking the lead with speakers’ events at the Old Fort, particulars of which can be found on its website. Aside from our Indigenous history, which goes back over 9,000 years, our community has experienced the panorama of our nation’s history, including the first British fort on the Great Lakes following the conquest of New France, the migration of United Empire loyalists, the arrival of freedom seekers on the underground railroad, the Fenian raid which was a catalyst for our nation’s confederation, the impacts of advancing transportation technologies, the legacies left by our three generous 20th century benefactors (William Douglas, Alonzo Mather, E.J. Freeland) and much more.
As the snow cover melts and temperatures begin to rise, our thoughts turn to spring. That means a renewed focus by municipal staff on our parks, public spaces and tourist destinations. Each year, the Town hires a large number of students for the summer months. The students provide the Town with the additional labour necessary to manage the increased seasonal work load, while also providing those students with wages to assist them to pay for their post-secondary education.
Spring also means Earth Day (April 22nd) and the need to undertake spring cleaning in our town. More on that in my next article.
