Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will leave the possibility of amalgamation of cities and towns in the Niagara region up to local mayors, though he believes something must be done.

A new provincial appointee of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Bob Gale, has told the province the region has far too many tax increases, a growing capital backlog in the billions and an inability to be fiscally prudent.

The regional municipality has a two-tier governance structure with an upper-tier government as well as 12 lower-tier municipalities with 126 councillors.

Ford says taxes in the region are too high, there are too many politicians and that amalgamation would save taxpayers money.

The possibility of amalgamation has divided the region’s 12 mayors.

Ford says he will ultimately side with whatever the majority of them decide.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2026.

Liam Casey and Allison Jones, The Canadian Press