The Ontario government has selected outgoing Welland mayor Frank Campion as Niagara’s next regional chair, putting him at the head of a smaller council made up of the region’s 12 local mayors.
In a press release issued by Niagara Region following the announcement, Campion said he intends to bring municipalities together and work closely with regional council and the province.
“Our residents expect governments to work together,” Campion said, adding that cooperation and respect will guide his approach to the role.
Campion is wrapping up 12 years as Welland’s mayor. He did not seek a fourth term and confirmed in August that he had applied for the regional chair’s job. Pat Chiocchio, who won Welland’s mayoral race on Oct. 26, takes office Nov. 15 and will represent the city at the regional table.
The appointment comes as Niagara prepares for a major change in how it is governed. Under Ontario’s Better Regional Governance Act, the province eliminated 19 directly elected regional councillor positions. Starting Nov. 15, the 12 mayors and the provincially appointed chair will make up the new council.
Campion said the transition provides an opportunity to examine how Niagara’s municipalities work together, prepare for growth and deliver services to residents. He said his goal is to work collaboratively with regional council and local municipalities to ensure “every conversation is focused on what’s best for our communities.”
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Campion will also take on expanded authority under what the province calls “strong chair” powers. He will propose the Region’s annual budget, which is subject to council approval, and have authority over certain senior staffing decisions. He can also veto bylaws he believes conflict with provincial priorities and propose bylaws that advance those priorities with the support of as few as one-third of council members.
The chair’s position has been filled on a rotating basis since March, when Bob Gale resigned. Ontario appointed Gale in December following the death of longtime regional chair Jim Bradley.
The new council will oversee the same regional services, including garbage collection, regional roads, water and wastewater infrastructure, and public health. The governance changes also leave Niagara’s 12 local municipalities in place.