Statement from the Mayor - Amalgamation

March 2, 2026

Since receiving correspondence dated February 5, 2026 and February 19, 2026, from Regional Chair Bob Gale, the City has been fully engaged in reviewing and addressing the matter of municipal governance raised in his letters.

Let me be clear: the City of Thorold is strongly opposed to amalgamation.

Chair Gale’s views on amalgamation are entirely inconsistent with, and do not represent, the position of the City of Thorold. We have consistently communicated our stance against amalgamation in previous governance reviews, and it is critical that any discussion or correspondence reflect actual positions of all the local area municipalities involved. The City of Thorold expects to be consulted and included in any dialogue that impacts our community and we will continue to advocate firmly for our interests.

It is also important to clarify that the tax increases and deferred capital backlog referenced in Chair Gale’s letters are occurring at the Regional level, not at the Local Municipal level. Deal with these issues at the appropriate level of government. That being said, we remain committed to being part of responsible, constructive solutions.

The City of Thorold operates efficiently, manages its finances responsibly, and remains steadfast in its commitment to fiscal discipline. We have available land to support both residential and commercial/industrial growth, are centrally located within Niagara, and are doing more than our part to contribute to the Province of Ontario’s housing targets.

At the same time, the City of Thorold remains open to productive dialogue on ways to reduce waste and save taxpayers money. We will continue to advocate firmly for the best interests of our residents and ensure their voices are heard.

I encourage residents to share their perspectives on governance within the Niagara Region. Your input matters, and we want every member of our community to have the opportunity to be heard.

Feedback can be submitted through our online form below.