An Invite to all Niagara Voters from Brock University’s Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) in St. Catharines, Ontario
Posted September 24th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – As Niagara residents prepare to head to the polls for municipal elections on Monday, Oct. 26th, Brock University experts are hosting an event to demystify recent changes to regional governments and illuminate key local issues elected officials will need to address.
The Niagara Community Observatory (NCO) will host Niagara Elections 2026: Changes and Challenges, a free public event featuring municipal politics expert David Siegel and a panel discussion moderated by NCO Director Kyle Rich, on Monday, Oct. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Brock’s main campus.
Because the Ontario government’s recent changes to regional governance<https://www.niagararegion.ca/government/council/governance-changes.aspx> will take effect after the fall election, Rich says the NCO event is an opportune time for voters to learn what the changes could mean for them.
“By hosting a non-partisan event on campus, we hope to engage with community members who want to feel better equipped when making their choices at the ballot box,” says Rich.
Siegel, NCO founder and Professor Emeritus of Political Science, will speak to the upcoming changes in regional governance structures and the impacts of those changes on local residents.
Following that, Professor of Political Science and former NCO Director Charles Conteh and NCO Research Associate Joanne Heritz will speak to economic development and housing respectively, two key topics on the minds of voters.
Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Martha Barnes will be joined by Sarah Ane, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Parks and Recreation Ontario, to discuss issues in the parks and recreation sector. Public health, another key voting concern, will also be up for discussion.
The event will be accompanied by the publication of a series of fact sheets that will document key trends related to these issues in Niagara. Time will be allotted for questions from the audience, and light refreshments will be served. Paid parking is available. Those interested in attending are asked to register in advance.<https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/niagara-elections-2026-changes-and-challenges-tickets-1998426109289>
- What: Niagara Elections 2026: Changes and Challenges
- When: Monday, Oct. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Where: Pond Inlet, Brock University
Paid parking for those attending the otherwise event is $6.35. That is the evening flat rate and covers the entire duration of the event.
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