Could Niagara work better as four municipalities? What about one?
That's the question Regional Chair Bob Gale is asking, as he says Niagara needs a major overhaul to its municipal structure.
In a letter sent to Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs, Gale called the current structure 'outdated and unwieldy', with the number of municipally elected officials, 126, higher than the entire provincial legislature.
The recently appointed Chair says a difficult budget process this year has revealed several patterns that raise concerns about waste and abuse - ones made more serious by Ontario's current economic environment.
In a separate letter sent to Niagara mayors, Gale says he's deeply contemplating a 4, or even 1-city model to maximize efficiency and help save taxpayers money.
(Written by: DJ Blokzyl)