Local politicians’ second wave plan a head-scratcher

Re: Niagara leaders draft plan to deal with

second wave of COVID-19, Jan. 9

This initiative is yet another example of local politicians working in silos.

The Region of Niagara has been around since 1970 and the pandemic has been here for the last nine to 10 months and municipal leaders in Niagara are just coming together now to develop some common principles. This is a real head scratcher.

Whether it be the garbage debate with Niagara Falls threatening to take the Region to court; COVID-19 mask policy; COVID-19 beach policy; or COVID-19 arena policy; politicians in Niagara have demonstrated time and time again their inability to work together for a better Niagara and continue to work in silos to the detriment of Niagara taxpayers.

Having 139 political positions, more than any other municipality in Ontario, is definitely a challenge when it comes to getting any work done and moving Niagara forward. In addition, Niagara offers numerous duplicate services such as 13 different CAO positions for upper and lower tier governments; 12 separate fire services; numerous transit services, planning departments, finance departments, HR departments, economic development officers and the list goes on and on.

Niagara politicians have demonstrated they do not have the capacity to work together for a better Niagara; it’s time for the province to step in and make the changes needed.

Al Mckay

St. Catharines