Councillor Mona Patel's motion, which passed easily by her colleagues, asks the province to also look at reducing number of politicians
A target has been put on the Niagara Regional government to reduce the number of politicians, put there by Niagara Falls city council.
Councillor Mona Patel's motion passed unanimously, which would also ask the provincial government to review the regional council, and try to save taxpayer money.
Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg noted the city is at 3.9% in taxes, the region at 9.6%. "No matter how hard we try, and nickel and diming here and there, the bigger issue is that we are inefficient, and ineffective, because we are structured based on something that was designed 50 years ago... our world has changed."
She adds Hamilton, Toronto and London got rid of their regional governments.
Resident Frank DeLuca says the region is costly, and it's time to stop talking about it, and do it.
He suggests merging existing cities. "That's where we get tax savings. That is ultimately at least a 25% tax savings. We've talked about it enough, the politicians at the other regions aren't going to do it, it's the province that can do it, let's get to them now, as apparently we have their ear."
Nieuwesteeg also pointed to the region's Summer Street shelter, saying the city pays for cleaning.
Mayor Jim Diodati has been a vocal critic of spending money on a regional government, saying there is no need for 126 politicians.
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