Category: Uncategorized

  • Reflecting on AMO 2026 – From Learning to Leading

    While driving to Ottawa the other day for the Assocaiton of Municipalities Ontario conference, I found myself reflecting on my first few AMO conferences back in 2003-2006, when I was a “younger” community leader, newly elected to Council at just 19 years old.

    Back then, AMO was an incredible opportunity to learn. I attended sessions on everything from municipal governance, infrastructure and planning to community development. It was a place to network with other municipal leaders, exchange ideas and learn from communities across Ontario. For a new councillor, it provided me with a great foundation if you took advantage of the opportunity to listen and learn.

    Driving home from AMO this year, I reflected on how that experience has evolved for me.

    AMO is still an important place to learn, network and build relationships, but this term our focus has increasingly been on advocacy and getting results for Fort Erie.

    This year, our Fort Erie delegation participated in close to 1 dozen meetings, using every opportunity to advocate for our community, highlight the great things happening in Fort Erie, and be clear about where we need the Province’s partnership and support.

    Our delegations included meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism; Ministry of Red Tape Reduction; Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming; Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Ministry of Infrastructure; Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness; Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development; Ministry of the Solicitor General; and Ministry of Natural Resources.

    Just as important were the conversations outside the formal delegation rooms. Throughout the conference, we had opportunities to connect and network with members of the PC, NDP and Liberal caucuses, as well as municipal politicians and staff from communities across Ontario. Those relationships matter. They provide opportunities to share experiences, learn from one another and make sure Fort Erie’s priorities and successes are part of the conversation at Queen’s Park and across the province.

    There is something rewarding about looking back at those early AMO conferences and recognizing the progression from attending as a young councillor eager to learn how municipal government works, to now having sat on both sides of the table and again this week at the table with provincial decision-makers advocating for the community I am proud to represent.

    You never stop learning. But experience allows you to take what you’ve learned, the relationships you’ve built and the knowledge you’ve gained and put it to work for the community.

    Another productive AMO with lots of follow ups, and another opportunity to keep moving Fort Erie forward.

    Read the full detailed media release by the Town of Fort Erie here

  • Residential beach pass

    Exploring free Bay Beach passes for Fort Erie residents

    At Monday’s Council meeting, I brought forward an issue that I believe is worth exploring as we look ahead to the Town of Fort Erie’s 2026–27 budget: the possibility of providing free Bay Beach passes to Fort Erie residents.

    As part of the annual year-end Bay Beach report, I would like Council to better understand the proportion of revenue generated from resident passes compared with non-resident passes, and determine the financial impact if resident fees were eliminated.

    I also want staff to explore whether that lost revenue could be absorbed through the existing operation or offset through other revenue opportunities, including potential changes to non-resident fees.

    This was an initial discussion, and I will be following up with a Notice of Motion formally requesting that staff bring this scenario and the associated financial information back to Council for consideration during the upcoming 2026–27 budget deliberations.

    Start with the facts

    No decision has yet been made. The first step is getting the facts, understanding the financial implications and giving Council the information it needs to have an informed discussion.

    I believe it’s an option worth exploring. Bay Beach is one of our community’s greatest assets, and we should understand what opportunities exist to make it more accessible to the Fort Erie residents whose tax dollars help support it.

    Follow this web site for more information as Fort Erie explores this potential opportunity. 

  • 2026 Town of Fort Erie Fire Department Awards

    One of my favourite events each year is the Town of Fort Erie, Fort Erie Fire Department Awards Evening. It’s a meaningful opportunity to reflect and recognize the many contributions made by our largely volunteer fire department.

    Thank you to everyone who helped make tonight such a success and to those who couldn’t attend because they were on duty, ensuring our community remained protected while we gathered to celebrate you. Your dedication does not go unnoticed.

  • Volunteer Appreication Week

    Volunteer Appreciation Week was this week and provided a time to recognize the MANY people who make Fort Erie and Crystal Beach so special.

    From community events to everyday acts of support, volunteers help keep our Town of Fort Erie connected and thriving. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt everywhere.

    Thank you to all our volunteers for the time and care you give to our community.

    Hand sketched THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS phrase as ad, web banner. Lettering

  • Bob Gale, Regional Chair – Announces plans for Niagara Region Governance Reform with minimal public consultation.

    Newly appojnted Niagara Region Chair Bob Gale has indicated that he intends to move forward with recommendations to the Province regarding potential governance reform in Niagara.

    The Town of Fort Erie recently received correspondence advising that options under consideration include amalgamating Niagara’s municipalities into either a single city (1) or four (4) city’s. Feedback from local councils has been requested by March 3, 2026.

    This is an important conversation and one that should be approached thoughtfully, transparently, and with meaningful public input.

    In my opinion governance reform should focus on improving efficiency, reducing unnecessary spending, and delivering better value for taxpayers. It should also recognize and respect municipalities that have managed growth responsibly, carried low levels of debt, and worked diligently over decades to address infrastructure gaps with little Provincial support.

    For perspective, it’s true Ontario has 124 MPPs representing the entire province, yet across Niagara there are 126 municipal elected officials including the Region of Niagara represatives.

    If we are serious about affordability and accountability, a discussion about modernization and reform is overdue. At the same time, amalgamation is not the only possible path to savings and we need to look at all options. We should carefully examine whether there are ways to reduce costs and improve service delivery without fundamentally restructuring our local governments and communities losing local attonomy.

    Many questions remain unanswered such as but not limited to

    • What would a one-city (1) or four-city (4) model actually look like?

    • What are the verified, long-term cost savings?

    • How would local representation be maintained?

    • Would decisions affecting your neighbourhood be made further from the community?

    Before any recommendation is finalized by the Regional Chair, local municipalities including residents deserve clarity and the opportunity to weigh in.

    With all that said… I want to hear from you!

    What are your thoughts on potential amalgamation and its impact on Fort Erie?

    Your feedback will help me pass along information from the community!

    tlewis@forterie.ca or follow me on face book or linkedin

    “Governance reform is a conversation worth having, but it must be done thoughtfully, transparently, and with meaningful public input. While Regional Chair Bob Gale has signaled his intention to move quickly, residents of Fort Erie deserve more details than simply implying ‘one city or four?’ and “tell me what you think, but you dont need more than two weeks time” We need to clearly understand what the models look like, what the real cost savings are, and how local decision making will be protected. If our goal is affordability and accountability, then reducing unnecessary spending and improving efficiency should be the focus , not rushing toward a predetermined outcome. I encourage residents to share their feedback as this important discussion moves forward.”

    Councillor – Tom Lewis – Town of Fort Erie

    To view the official Town of Fort Erie current position on the recent letter received by Regional Chair Bob Gale click here

  • ‘Enough is enough:’ Local politicians decry Niagara Health’s decision to reduce urgent care hours

    Niagara Health has announced temporary closures and reduced hours at urgent care centres in Fort Erie and Port Colborne this summer due to a critical shortage of doctors, forcing the facilities to shut on some weekend days and holidays. The health-care provider says the changes are necessary to ensure full 24/7 staffing at major emergency departments in Niagara Falls, Welland and St. Catharines, and that physician staffing gaps remain severe despite recruitment efforts. The Pointer

    The service changes have drawn strong criticism from local leaders who say residents will face longer travel times and reduced access to care. Councillor Tom Lewis called the decision a “health care emergency and a threat to our health care” and has pushed for Niagara Health leadership changes in response.

    To read the CBC article click here