The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the Ontario government’s proposed Better Regional Governance Act, 2026 and the significant changes it would introduce to regional governance in Niagara.

Governance reform is most meaningful when it enables Niagara to respond more effectively to the challenges facing residents, employers, and communities across the region.

This includes supporting the acceleration of housing development, addressing Niagara’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure gap, responding to growing pressures related to homelessness, mental health, and addiction, and enhancing the speed and responsiveness of government in planning, permitting, approvals, and day-to-day service delivery.

The focus now is on ensuring that any new governance model delivers tangible, positive outcomes. For Niagara, success will be reflected not only in structural change, but in the extent to which that change contributes to building the housing, infrastructure, services, and economic conditions the region needs to thrive.

The GNCC looks forward to continued engagement on how these changes can best support effective local governance and strong regional growth in Niagara.