Alan Caslin appeared on the TVO show last night to discuss the Ford government's decision to end the election for regional chair in Niagara and three other regions.
Caslin responded to comments, made by Chris Ballard, the former Liberal MPP For Newmarket Aurora, who believes it's all part of Doug Ford's plan to get rid of our two tiered municipal government system.
Niagara's Chair appears to be in favour of the move. saying "whether its eliminating regional or eliminating municipal, it's eliminating one level of government that simply isn't
necessary" because of the duplication of services and taxes.
He also notes "municipalities have some roads and some water service, but typically it's just parks and rec is left in the municipal purview, so making it , pulling it together, and fire by the way, pulling it together into one level of government makes a lot more sense."
Caslin adding the Ford government appears more receptive to Niagara, noting when he texts the premier he knows he will get a response within eight hours.
He says he has texted Ford three times and he has responded each time.
When asked by Paikin if the quick response is because Caslin is on Team Blue, the chair responded, " I am on Team Blue, I typically have voted in that capacity, but I have been a card carrying member of the Liberal Party since 1994."
Since the interview aired, St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik has responded on Twitter, saying "Cities do more than “just parks and rec” Cities are directly responsible for infrastructure (roads, water) planning, building, fire & emergency services, culture, economic development & working w/ business to bring in new jobs."
