Region vote on chair implies support for provincial directive
Re: Done deal: Regional council re-appoints Bradley, Nov. 24
By Bruce Timms, Published in Niagara Dailies Nov. 29th, 2022
Why did regional council conduct a vote on the regional chair ?
The surprising vote to appoint St. Catharines regional Coun. Jim Bradley to the chair implies support for the provincial decision and implies a recognition of the need for improvement in Niagara’s municipal government.
Several elected councillors expressed outrage at the loss of democracy with the provincial directive regarding regional chair, but only two voted against it, and one refused to vote on principle. The rest of council voted for the provincial appointment, which implies support for change. Actions speak louder than words.
The next action of council should be the development of recommendations for the chair and the facilitator. Recommendations from council, local councils and individuals should be sent to Chair Bradley, the facilitator and your MPPs.
Premier Doug Ford gave municipalities the opportunity to makes changes, regional council refused two requests for change, but now seems to accept the need for improvements given their support for the provincial appointment of the chair.