Lococo urges review of how Niagara Falls elects council
Is current at-large system best or would a return to the ward system serve residents better?
Lori Lococo will ask her Niagara Falls city council colleagues to support a review of the municipality’s electoral system to better understand if the growing community would best be served under the current at-large system or by returning to a ward system.
During Tuesday night’s council meeting, the second-term councillor said she has listened to residents express concerns about the at-large system during the past 10 years.
Lococo hosted an open-house discussion with retired Brock University political science professor David Siegel in April, which was “well attended and had hundreds of views on social media.” Siegel outlined the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
“Regions are required to review their electoral system every two to three elections,” she said. “I believe that it’s time for Niagara Falls to review our electoral system. The population of Niagara Falls is almost 100,000. Generally, at-large systems are for smaller municipalities, and Niagara Falls is currently the largest municipality in Ontario with an at-large system.”
Lococo said Premier Doug Ford has floated the idea of amalgamation in Niagara, which, if that happens, could impact discussions about at-large versus ward systems.
“We do not know how long this is going to take or even if it’s ever going to happen, as there have been discussions for decades,” she said. “To prepare … and get everything in place for the 2026 election, we need to start now. And even if (there is governance reform in Niagara) then you will know what our residents want — ward or at-large system.”
Niagara Falls adopted an at-large system of electing city councillors about 20 years ago and after two decades, there remains a debate as to whether it has proven successful.
Supporters of the at-large system, which sees the top eight vote recipients, plus the successful mayoral candidate, win a seat around the council table to represent the
‘‘ Generally, at-large systems are for smaller municipalities, and Niagara Falls is currently the largest municipality in Ontario with an at-large system.
LORI LOCOCO NIAGARA FALLS CITY COUNCILLOR
entire city, say it attracts better candidates and avoids parochialism creeping into local politics.
Supporters of the ward system, which sees councillors elected in designated areas of the city, say it makes it easier for political newcomers to get their message across to voters come election time and allows for better connectivity with residents.
After April’s open house, Lococo, who supports the ward system, said in an interview she believes the majority of the eight city councillors, plus the mayor, are in favour of keeping things the way they are.
But on Tuesday night, she gave notice to her colleagues that she will be bringing a motion forward to the June 20 meeting that the city initiate a timeline for a process to review the electoral system.
The review would include looking at the current population of Niagara Falls, expected growth and in what areas of the city, numerous public consultations through in-person sessions and surveys, along with promotion of the consultation through social media, websites, and newspapers.
Lococo will also be calling on council to support the creation of an ad hoc committee and to appoint her as chair.