Diodati hopeful for good relationship with Ford
With a week to digest the results of last Thursday’s provincial election, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati says he’s confident the city’s best interests will continue to be acknowledged at Queen’s Park.
Diodati said prior to the Progressive Conservative majority victory, he met with premierelect Doug Ford and some of the people he expects to be part of his decision-making team for the next four years.
He said Niagara Falls wants to see year-round GO train service as well as a new hospital and 5,000-seat entertainment theatre — three commitments made by the outgoing Liberal government — come to fruition under a Fordled administration.
“I did specifically talk with Ford … about those projects and he was supportive of all of them.
“We have his word, and he just publicly said he always keeps his word.
“I’m very hopeful that he is going to stick with his commitments, and that we’re going to build a good relationship over the next four years so that Niagara Falls can continue to benefit from Queen’s Park.”
Diodati said when the city goes to the province with asks, they support their requests with business cases.
For example, he said the case for a new hospital was made outlining how it will save about $20 million per year in operating costs, while at the same improving health-care services.
“There’s been years of work and research creating a business case showing this is the right thing to do.
“But at the same time, we don’t take anything for granted, that’s why I’ve been meeting with Ford and his team and I’ll continue to meet with them. I’ll also make sure that I meet with our local MPPs, that we’re all aligned with our goals and our objectives because it takes a team to get anything done and we need to all be rowing the boat in the same direction.”
Three of the four Niagara ridings elected NDP candidates to represent their interests in the provincial legislature.
The only riding to elect an
MPP who will be seated on the government side is Niagara
West, choosing Sam Oosterhoff.
“It’s a definite advantage when you have a member that’s part of the government, there’s no question about that, but the good news is I’ve been developing relationships myself and I’ll work closely with our MPPs to
make sure that our message is consistent, that we’re all on the same page, and that we can deliver it in a professional way,” said Diodati.
The mayor said he’s had a good, ongoing relationship with Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates, and he knows newly elected Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch and Oosterhoff.
Diodati said he plans to get to know newly elected St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens.
“I’ll use every tool in the tool box, and even if (the majority of ) our MPPs are opposition members, they can still help us get the message out.”
Diodati said “the most important thing” a mayor can do is develop positive and productive relationships with members of the government, their staffs, and the opposition.
“The way I’ve always tried to treat things is by developing relationships with everybody of all opinions, of all stripes and colours.
“I try to build good relationships with people everywhere — at the Region, at the province and federally.
“It’s amazing how important the relationship is and developing that because at the end of the day we’re all human beings and at the end of the day we’re all doing a job.”