Wayne Redekop says the province has disregard for burden placed on taxpayers for services
The message is blunt from Niagara region's budget chair for 2026... the numbers are shocking and reflect a lack of provincial understanding of cost of services and burden on taxpayers.
Wayne Redekop began the budget season last week with that commentary as council seeks to maintain a 3.5% budget increase. It has directed regional staff to aim for that, after previous increases were all over 7%.
He added while staff provide recommendations, it's up to council to decide where money goes. "Those decisions will be informed by the data we receive, and will be a reflection of how we believe that sustainability of regional operations and capital needs can be accommodated within the financial envelope that our residents and taxpayers can afford."
He added some decisions will be very uncomfortable.
Commissioner of Community Services Henri Koning pinpointed much of the problems. "So, as Niagara's population grows, inflationary pressures increase, the cost of living rises, and poverty rates climb, the demand and complexity of support required by Niagara residents is greater than ever."
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