Governance Changes in Niagara

Ontario's provincial government has made changes to how Niagara Region is governed. On May 7, 2026, the province passed the Better Regional Governance Act, which made changes to the composition of Regional Council and to the duties of the Regional Chair.

Composition of Council

Currently, Regional Council is made up of 31 members: the 12 mayors of Niagara's area municipalities, 19 Regional Councillors independently elected by residents, and the Regional Chair.

Starting with the October 2026 election, the independently elected Regional Councillors will be eliminated. Regional Council will be made up of the 12 mayors plus the Regional Chair. This means that starting with the October 2026 election, you will not be able to vote for Regional Councillors on your ballot.

The province has also shared that weighted voting could be introduced to reflect the population of each municipality.

Learn more about the 2026 municipal election.

Powers and duties of the Regional Chair

Previously, Regional Council elected a Chair from among its members following the municipal election. In special cases, the Chair has been directly appointed by the Province. Beginning with the October 2026 election, the Chair will be appointed by the province by default. The appointed Chair does not need to be an elected official.

The Regional Chair will also have expanded decision-making powers, known as 'Strong Chair' powers. This means that the Regional Chair can make certain decisions that, in the past, would have been the responsibility of all of Council, including the ability to:

Propose the Region's annual budget, subject to Council approval
Make staffing decisions about the Chief Administrative Officer and other senior staff
Veto by-laws that the Chair believes conflicts with Provincial priorities
Propose by-laws that advance Provincial priorities, which would require only one-third of Regional Council to approve

Ongoing discussions about governance in Niagara

The Better Regional Governance Act does not change the programs, services or responsibilities of the Region, and does not include the amalgamation or dissolution of any municipalities.

Senior staff at Niagara Region and the 12 area municipalities are working together to review municipal services and responsibilities throughout Niagara.

Role of Niagara Region in Niagara's governance system

As an upper-tier municipality, Niagara Region provides services that all or most municipalities need, but that would cost too much to deliver at the local level. This includes garbage collection, and the maintenance and operation of public infrastructure like Regional roads, bridges, water and wastewater plants and pumping stations.

The Region also delivers provincially mandated and funded services across Niagara, including long-term care homes, child care centres, social assistance, housing and homelessness supports, Public Health programs and ambulance services. The Region also funds agencies, boards and commissions like the Niagara Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Housing and Niagara Transit.

By consolidating services and debt across all municipalities, the Region is able to take advantage of stronger credit ratings and lower borrowing costs, saving money for everyone.

Finally, Niagara Region provides a unified voice for all of Niagara when advocating with provincial and federal governments and when attracting businesses to the area.