Category: Tom

On Monday, September 28th where Town of Fort Erie Municipal Council unanimously supported my motion calling for a review to explore the possibility of providing free seasonal Bay Beach passes to Fort Erie residents.

Town staff will now examine the current revenue from resident passes, the financial impact of removing the $10 seasonal fee, and potential options for maintaining Bay Beach operations and services.

Free resident passes have not yet been approved. The information gathered will be considered through the 2026–27 budget process, with the possibility of introducing free passes for the 2027 beach season.

This is an important step toward understanding what may be possible while ensuring Bay Beach remains accessible, well-managed, and financially sustainable.

“I’ve remained committed to keeping our waterfront accessible to residents. Exploring free resident passes is another step toward that goal while supporting tourism and responsible revenue growth.”

Tom Lewis, Councillor, Ward 5 Town of Fort Erie

Fort Erie’s Station 4 firefighters will soon have a new piece of equipment to support their work serving Ridgeway, Crystal Beach and the surrounding community.

At its September 14 meeting, Town Council approved the purchase of a new 2026 tanker for Fire Station 4 at a quoted price of $759,619.81.

The purchase represents an important investment in maintaining reliable emergency response equipment for the volunteer firefighters who serve our community.

Investing in Station 4

As part of the approval, Council also amended the Town’s 2026 Capital Budget to increase the Tanker 4 capital project budget by $332,000. The additional funding will come from the Town’s Fire Equipment Replacement Reserve and will account for the purchase price of the tanker along with related project costs.

Maintaining a planned replacement schedule for major fire equipment is important. Fire apparatus are significant long-term investments, but they are also essential tools that firefighters depend on when responding to fires, emergencies and other calls for assistance.

The new tanker will replace aging equipment at Station 4 and help ensure our local firefighters continue to have reliable equipment available when responding throughout Ridgeway, Crystal Beach and other parts of Fort Erie.

Supporting Our Volunteer Firefighters

Fort Erie is fortunate to have dedicated volunteer firefighters who give a tremendous amount of their time to our community.

Beyond responding to emergency calls, our firefighters dedicate countless hours to training, maintaining their skills, participating in public education and preparing to respond whenever they are needed.

Providing them with safe, modern and dependable equipment is an important part of supporting that commitment.

The purchase of the new Tanker 4 is one more step toward ensuring Station 4 has the resources necessary to continue providing dependable emergency response for the residents, businesses and visitors of Ridgeway and Crystal Beach.

Thank You, Station 4

I want to take this opportunity to thank the firefighters at Station 4 for everything they do for our community, as well as all of Fort Erie’s firefighters for their continued dedication and service.

Whether responding to a fire, collision, medical emergency or another call for assistance, these men and women are there when our community needs them.

I’ll continue to provide updates on this purchase and other municipal investments and services affecting Ward 5 as information becomes available.

For more Ward 5 news and constituency updates, visit www.tomlewis.ca.

Fort Erie Council-in-Committee meets Monday, September 14 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. This is a substantial agenda, with several items directly affecting Ward 5 as well as important Town-wide planning, financial and community matters.

Here are some of the items I’ll be watching closely:

Community Improvement Plans – Including Crystal Beach & Ridgeway

Council will consider final approval of the Town’s updated Core Area Community Improvement Plan (CIP) and Brownfield Community Improvement Plan. The Core Area plan includes Crystal Beach and Downtown Ridgeway, along with Bridgeburg, Stevensville, South End/Riverwalk and Gateway.

The updated CIP would provide several incentive programs designed to encourage private investment and improvements, including commercial building improvement grants, professional study grants, sustainability and climate improvement grants, and residential creation and intensification grants.

Of particular importance to Crystal Beach, approximately one-third of the existing $669,000 CIP reserve has been designated to support initiatives within Crystal Beach during the initial years of the program.

I have been supportive of ensuring Crystal Beach receives a fair share of these funds, and I look forward to seeing this updated program move forward and create opportunities for continued investment in both Crystal Beach and Ridgeway.

Erie Beach Park Improvements

Council will receive the Erie Beach Concept Landscape Plan, including a presentation from the project’s landscape architects. Staff are recommending that Council receive the concept and associated studies and authorize staff to move ahead with final design and construction drawings.

This represents another step toward improving our waterfront and public spaces, and I’ll continue to keep residents updated as the project progresses.

All-Way Stop – Michener Road & Point Abino Road

Another important Ward 5 traffic-safety item is moving forward. Council will consider a memorandum to amend the Traffic By-law to install an all-way stop at Michener Road and Point Abino Road.

Traffic calming and pedestrian safety continue to be significant concerns throughout Ward 5. I’m pleased to see this intersection coming forward following the concerns that have been raised about safety in this area.

272 Ridge Road South

Council will consider extending draft approval for the proposed vacant-land condominium at 272 Ridge Road South for another two years, to September 26, 2028. Staff are also recommending amendments to the conditions of approval.

I’ll continue to monitor development applications in Ridgeway and Crystal Beach with a focus on appropriate growth, infrastructure capacity and compatibility with our established communities.

Alliston Woods – Phase 2

Council will consider Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments and draft subdivision approval for Phase 2 of the Alliston Woods subdivision. The proposed plan includes 53 single-detached lots, 257 street townhouse units and 68 stacked townhouse units, along with stormwater management, servicing and roads.

Importantly, staff are recommending holding provisions requiring confirmation of adequate sanitary sewer capacity and, for later stages, sufficient transportation capacity before development can proceed.

Town Finances – Second Quarter Update

Council will also receive the 2026 Second Quarter Financial Report. The report includes several proposed amendments to the capital budget, including advancing the Stevensville Hall HVAC replacement and additional funding for the Idylewylde sanitary sewer replacement project.

Fire Department Tanker Replacement

Council is being asked to approve the purchase of a 2026 tanker for Fire Station 4 at a quoted price of approximately $759,620, along with a $332,000 increase to the existing capital budget funded through the Fire Equipment Replacement Reserve.

Other Items

Council will also consider naming the neighbourhood park at 761 Niagara Parkway “Burdett T. Sisler Park” and whether the Town should proceed with an application to Nature Canada for entry-level Bird Friendly City certification.

Staying Connected

There is a lot on this agenda, including several matters that will have a direct impact on Ward 5.

As your Ward 5 Councillor, I’ll continue to keep residents informed about the decisions being made at Town Hall and, most importantly, what those decisions mean for Crystal Beach, Ridgeway and our surrounding neighbourhoods.

Council-in-Committee begins at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026 in Council Chambers.

To view the complete package click here

For years, the future of health care in Fort Erie has been one of the most important issues facing our community. As your Ward 5 Councillor, I have consistently advocated for accessible, reliable health care close to home and for the continued delivery of Urgent Care services at the Douglas Memorial site.

At an upcoming Council meeting, a Notice of Motion that I originally brought forward and that was deferred from the April 27, 2026 Council meeting will return for consideration. The motion addresses not only the future of Urgent Care in Fort Erie, but also broader concerns surrounding the governance, accountability and transparency of Niagara Health.

Commitments to Fort Erie Matter

Niagara Health previously committed to a three-hospital system that included the continued operation of the Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre at the Douglas Memorial site.

Those plans have changed. Niagara Health has indicated that it does not intend to continue operating the Fort Erie Urgent Care Centre following the opening of the new South Niagara Hospital.

For Fort Erie, this is not simply about a change in a health care plan. It is about a commitment that was made to our community and the very real need for accessible health care services for our residents.

The Town of Fort Erie has continued to work toward a local solution. Council and Town staff have put considerable effort into reimagining the Douglas Memorial site, including a plan that maintains Urgent Care services while looking at how the property can better meet the long-term health and community needs of Fort Erie residents.

Unfortunately, I do not believe we have seen the level of collaboration from Niagara Health that our community deserves.

Concerns About Governance and Accountability

The motion also raises concerns that extend beyond Fort Erie.

Niagara Health is facing a significant $28-million operating deficit, while municipalities and taxpayers are being asked to contribute substantial funding toward the health care system.

At the same time, there are legitimate questions about governance, transparency and public accountability, including the limited ability of Niagara Health Board members to directly engage with residents and respond publicly to questions and concerns.

When an organization is responsible for delivering one of our most essential public services, the communities it serves deserve transparency and meaningful accountability.

What the Motion Calls For

If approved by Council, the resolution would formally request:

• The resignation of the Niagara Health Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.
• That Premier Doug Ford and Ontario’s Minister of Health appoint a provincial supervisor to oversee Niagara Health operations.
• That the Province ensure appropriate funding is available to continue Urgent Care services in Fort Erie and meet the health care needs of our community.
• That the resolution be shared with Niagara Region, all 12 Niagara municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

This is a significant request, and it is not one that I bring forward lightly.

However, after years of advocacy, changing commitments and continued uncertainty surrounding the future of health care in Fort Erie, I believe it is appropriate to ask whether the current governance structure is delivering the accountability, collaboration and results that Niagara residents deserve.

Fort Erie Deserves a Strong Voice

Our residents should not have to continually fight to maintain access to basic health care services in their own community.

Fort Erie is growing. Our population is aging. Our community is geographically separated from other major health care facilities, and transportation continues to be a challenge for many residents. Maintaining appropriate local Urgent Care services is not simply a matter of convenience — it is about ensuring residents have reasonable and timely access to care when they need it.

I will continue advocating for the future of Douglas Memorial and for a sustainable Urgent Care model that serves Fort Erie residents.

This motion is ultimately about accountability, transparency and ensuring Fort Erie’s voice is heard when decisions are being made about the future of health care in our community.

We have presented solutions. We have advocated. We have asked for collaboration.

Now we need accountability and a clear commitment to the future of Urgent Care in Fort Erie.

At this week’s Council meeting, an important report was presented regarding a newly announced funding opportunity that could help accelerate housing development in Fort Erie while securing additional infrastructure funding for our community.

Council supported a recommendation directing Town staff to further investigate and prepare an application for the newly launched Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), with applications due by June 19, 2026.

For those who may not be familiar with Development Charges (DCs), they are fees collected from developers to help municipalities fund infrastructure required to support growth, including roads, water and wastewater systems, parks, and other municipal services. Development Charges are often a topic of discussion when considering housing affordability and the cost of new residential construction.

The Canada-Ontario Development Charge Reduction Program offers municipalities a unique opportunity. Under the program, municipalities can access federal and provincial infrastructure funding in exchange for committing to meaningful reductions in residential development charges for a period of three years.

To be eligible, municipalities must commit to reducing residential Development Charges by at least 30%, with greater funding opportunities available for larger reductions of up to 50% or more. These reductions must be applied consistently across all residential development types and maintained throughout the three-year program period.

The report presented to Council outlined the potential financial opportunities available to the Town, while also identifying the work that must be undertaken before an application can be submitted. Town staff will now review eligible capital projects contained within the Town’s Development Charges Background Study and 10-Year Capital Plan to determine which projects may qualify for funding through the program.

Council’s support of this initial step does not automatically reduce Development Charges. Rather, it authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer and Town staff to conduct the necessary analysis, evaluate the potential impacts, and submit an application before the provincial deadline.

This review is important because it will help determine whether Fort Erie can leverage additional infrastructure funding while continuing to support responsible growth and housing development in our community.

As housing affordability and housing supply continue to be priorities across Ontario, programs such as the DCRP may provide municipalities with additional tools to encourage new residential construction while ensuring the infrastructure needed to support growth remains in place.

I will continue to follow this initiative closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Residents interested in reviewing the full report can find it within the June 8, 2026 Council Agenda package:

https://pub-forterie.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=10d22483-fee6-4f53-b050-72886088ac06&Agenda=Merged&lang=English

Are you looking for another great way to support the dedicated volunteers helping keep Crystal Beach beautiful?

The Crystal Beach Sponsor a Planter Program is a wonderful opportunity for residents, businesses, families, and community groups to show their community pride while helping brighten our streets and public spaces all season long.

These beautiful planters add so much charm and vibrancy to Crystal Beach, and they are made possible through the hard work of volunteers and the support of our community beautification committee.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back and support the ongoing beautification of Crystal Beach, consider sponsoring a planter this season!

Together, we continue to make Crystal Beach a welcoming and vibrant place for everyone to enjoy.

More details below

I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible women in our community.

To those who are moms, those who hope to become moms, and those who play a nurturing and supportive role in the lives of others this day is for you as well.

Thank you for the care, strength, compassion, and support you bring to your families, friends, workplaces, and community like #forterie every day.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and restful Mother’s Day!