Port Colborne city council has passed a formal resolution to reduce the number of elected officials representing the community, joining three other municipalities in the Niagara region aiming to streamline local government before the municipal election in October 2026. The plan would shrink the size of the local council from eight councillors and a mayor to six councillors and a mayor.
Under this new structure, the city would be divided into three wards, with each ward represented by two councillors. Since the deadline under the Municipal Act for cities to make these changes independently has already passed, the proposal now requires authorization from the Province of Ontario to take effect. Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele supports the shift, noting that a seven-member council is a reasonable and efficient size for a population of 22,000 residents.
The proposed changes are part of a broader reform movement across the Niagara region. Currently, the region has 126 municipal elected officials, a number that Premier Doug Ford and his government have stated is too high. Municipalities are requesting that the provincial government act by May 2026 to ensure the new council structure is in place for the October 2026 vote.
This initiative is being led by a coalition of mayors from multiple municipalities, including Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, and Grimsby, who are prioritizing fewer politicians, less duplication, and better value for tax dollars. The effort follows a decision by the Niagara Regional Council on February 26, 2026, to conduct a comprehensive governance and service delivery review. The push for smaller councils follows a trend started by the Town of Lincoln, which successfully lowered its number of representatives in 2025.
