Role of Regional Council and Councillor Responsibilities

Regional Council is the final decision-making body for the Regional Municipality of Niagara and is composed of the Regional Chair, 12 elected mayors and 19 elected officials from Niagara's local area municipalities.

Regional Council also functions as Niagara's Board of Health.

Council meetings are held once a month. Councillors are also required to be a member of at least one standing committee.

Standing and advisory committees

The Region's four standing committees are responsible for reviewing and discussing policy and issues related to the corporation's operating departments. Membership consists of Regional Councillors who elect to sit on that committee.

Standing committees meet the week before a Council meeting. They bring recommendations forward to Regional Council for approval or amendment.

Regional Councillors also participate on advisory or steering committees which provide direction and recommendations regarding specific programs, services and issues.

Committee of the Whole

All Regional Councillors also participate on Committees of the Whole to discuss complex, specific issues in-depth as the full council body. Past topics include the Region's budget and governance.

Agencies, boards and commissions

Niagara Region also funds (in-full or in-part) the Niagara Regional Police Service, Niagara Regional Housing, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Niagara Transit. Collectively these are know as the Region's Agencies, Board and Commissions.

Each of these organizations has Regional Councillor representation.

Salary

Regional Councillors are paid $45,309.18 per year, with an additional $2,000 paid to chairs of our Standing Committees.

Councillors' salary is adjusted each year on Dec. 1.