Modernizing Two-Tier Municipal Services

There is a strong legacy of Niagara's municipalities working together to deliver shared services. Through consultation we have received a clear mandate to continue to build a region with more shared services. Elected official across Niagara have a mutual interest in the potential benefits of shared services including:

Efficient customer service
Cost avoidance
Reduced duplication

There is a unified interest in Niagara to pursue shared service opportunities to optimize and maximize our resources while keeping property tax increases in check and continuing to meet growing service demands.

For the first time in Niagara Region's 53-year history, we have dedicated resources through a new Council approved office, with a mandate to accelerate shared services opportunities across the region.

While still in its preliminary stages, the Shared Services Team is developing a robust work plan that builds upon past successes that have produced tangible benefits for the people of Niagara. Some potential opportunities for shared service include:

Internal and administrative opportunities, such as human resources and payroll, financial management, IT and cybersecurity services, printing services and joint procurement
Public-facing opportunities, such as single water / wastewater utility, shared emergency dispatch and fire services

Niagara Region is asking that the Province reintroduce the Municipal Modernization Program with a focus on two-Tier shared services.

Let's continue to implement new and innovative services that improve the resident experience.

Let's grow better, together.

Niagara Week

During Niagara Week 2023, members of Regional Council discussed how our governments can continue to grow modernized, two-tier municipal services with:

The Premier's Office
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Ministry of Infrastructure
Ministry of Red Tape Reduction

Information on the Region's Shared Service Team was well received, with a number of Ministers expressing interest in learning more about the team's workplan in the coming months.

The Region looks forward to keeping the Province informed of ongoing successes related to shared services.

Highlights

Effective service

We know that streamlined services are better for our community. We have demonstrated through tangible examples that we can take significant leaps forward on shared service delivery.

What we've done so far

Efficient and effective government is a shared priority. Recent examples of shared services Niagara has delivered include:

Amalgamation of transit
Shared library services
Joint fire services
Shared animal control

Continuing forward

Our new Shared Services Office is developing a robust work plan to identify ways Niagara can work together to bring value to its residents and businesses.

Working together

While we are dedicating resources to accelerate shared service opportunities, a Provincial program (similar to the Municipal Modernization Fund) would help move forward many of these larger-scale opportunities that may not be feasible within our current resources.

More priorities and information

Growing infrastructure Growing housing Growing healthy communities Growing modern services Growing better, together