REGIONAL REFORM STORY A DISSERVICE

Re. Niagara Region considered for dissolution, as province announces plans to scrap Peel, May 18:

The potential breakup of Peel Region is not a harbinger of what other regional municipalities in Ontario will face. Rather it is one possible outcome that will follow a review of services delivered through a facilitated process and, guess what, we don't yet have a facilitator named by

Queen's Park.

The Peel split will be acrimonious at best.

Looking at Niagara, would citizens be better served by municipal health departments, local garbage and recycling, care homes for our aging population, and police, to name a small sample? Think about designated arterial routes throughout the Region. They are better handled by, well, the Region as are the other examples mentioned above.

Darcy McKeough, Minister of Municipal Affairs in the years John Robarts was premier, was the architect of regional governments. Niagara Region was first, eliminating two counties — Lincoln and Welland — in its formation. Other regions followed.

The ultimate goal then was amalgamation of lower tier municipalities. Niagara residents are best served by an open and transparent review.