Regional reform story a disservice

Re: Niagara Region considered for dissolution, as province announces plans to scrap Peel, May 18

The above story prominently splashed across the May 19 front page was a disservice to casual readers of the Niagara daily newspapers.

The potential breakup of Peel Region is not a harbinger of what other regional municipalities in Ontario will face. Rather it is one possible outcome that will follow a review of services delivered through a facilitated process and, guess what, we don’t yet have a facilitator named by Queen’s Park.

The Peel split will be acrimonious at best.

Just listen to Mayor Patrick Brown in Brampton, a rapidly growing city boasting a population greater than all of Niagara without its own water or waste water treatment facilities. Economies of scale determine best efficiencies delivering these and a myriad list of other services.

Looking at Niagara, would citizens be better served by municipal health departments, local garbage and recycling, care homes for our aging population, and police, to name a small sample? Think about designated arterial routes throughout the Region. They are better handled well by the Region as are the other examples mentioned above.

Darcy McKeough, Minister of Municipal Affairs in the years John Robarts was premier, was the architect of regional governments. Niagara Region was first, eliminating two counties — Lincoln and Welland — in its formation.

Other regions followed.

The ultimate goal then was amalgamation of lower-tier municipalities. Niagara residents are best served by an open and transparent review.

For good reason we are also best served by a neutral press that differentiates local news from opinion.

Robert Romanuk Niagara Falls