“Democracy works best when councils are diverse. … every seat we maintain (at the municipal council level of government) is a seat for lived experience, which leads to better policies for our communities.”
St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman
A Commentary by St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman on Ford/Gale Plans To Force A Reduction In Elected Muncipal Representatives in Niagara
Posted March 9th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
A Brief Foreword by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – Haley Bateman’s commentary is a response to the push by Ford government appointed Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale to force a reduction in the number of elected municipal representatives at the regional and local government levels , if not a reduction in the number of municipalities across Niagara. If any other member of Niagara Regional Council wishes to share a commentary on this issue, Niagara At Large is wide open to posting it too.
Now here is the commentary by St. Catharines Regional Councillor Hailey Bateman –
ST. CATHARINES, ON - Proposed changes to Niagara Regional Government would concentrate decision-making power in the hands of just a few officials, giving mayors and a regional chair disproportionate authority.
This shift risks marginalizing women and equity-deserving communities who rely on multiple pathways to participate in regional governance and influence decisions affecting their daily lives.
Women make up roughly 50 per cent of Canada’s population but hold only 31 per cent of municipal elected positions, 33 per cent of councillor seats, and just 22 per cent of mayoral positions across Canada. 16 per cent of municipalities have no women on council.
At the provincial and federal levels, women represent roughly 35 per cent of legislators.
Women from racialized, Indigenous, immigrant, disabled, and other marginalized communities are even less represented. Concentrating power in a smaller group would remove many opportunities for these voices to be heard.
Haley Bateman, one of too few women holding a seat on Niagara Regional Council and even that seat may be gone if Ford Government appointed Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale drives through with the Gale/Ford plan to reduce the number of Regional Council seats to Niagara’s 12 local mayors and Gale as Chair.
Niagara Regional Council oversees long-term care, public health, childcare, transit, and water services. Diverse leadership ensures these programs meet the needs of all communities. Fewer decision-makers mean fewer perspectives advocating for vulnerable populations, including seniors, children, and marginalized residents.
The risk of privatizing these services means profit over quality, higher fees and loss of public input into operations.
My Statement on Proposed Changes at Niagara Regional Council
“Decisions about long-term care, childcare, and public health affect the daily lives of families and seniors. Concentrating power in the hands of a few risks losing these perspectives. Women and marginalized communities are already underrepresented. Reducing opportunities for diverse voices has real consequences for services Niagara families rely on.”
“Democracy works best when councils are diverse and these changes will make it more difficult to include diverse voices. Every seat we maintain is a seat for lived experience, which leads to better policies for our communities.”
On Council Size and Diversity
St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman, right, with some of the many Niagara residents who rallied at the Region’s headquarters this past February against Gale’s push for reducing municipal government. photo by Doug Draper.
“When power is concentrated, decision-making favours those with existing networks and privilege, leaving equity-deserving candidates on the outside.
“I know from personal experience that the challenges of campaigning, including fundraising and balancing work and family, are amplified when seats are limited – more seats mean more chances for diverse candidates to succeed.
“The idea that any member of Council would get more than one vote is absurd. Diversity is essential for making informed decisions about long-term care, public health, and childcare..”
“I urge the Province and Niagara Regional Council to prioritize governance reform by including residents in their decision-making and taking input from all members of Council, not just mayors.
“I requested a meeting with Mayor Siscoe, but my request went unanswered. Concentrating power may seem efficient, but it risks silencing voices we need around the table to guide public health, childcare, and long-term care decisions.”
“Our region deserves a council that reflects our diversity and ensures all residents have a say in shaping the services they depend on.”
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Haley Bateman, St. Catharines Regional Councillor
For a related post on this issue, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2026/03/05/in-new-letter-to-ford-gov-regions-chair-bob-gale-proposes-significant-cut-in-number-of-municipal-representatives-across-niagara/
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I emailed Haley to vote NO to amalgamation & I NEVER heard back from her. And she wants more input by the residents.
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