Niagara Region invites public to complete survey on the 2024 budget

November 13, 2023

As part of its commitment to transparency and community engagement, Niagara Region announced today the launch of a public survey to gather valuable input for the 2024 budget.

In an effort to ensure that next year’s budget reflects the diverse needs and priorities of the community, residents are invited to participate in this survey, providing a unique opportunity to shape the financial decisions that impact our region.

Residents can complete the online survey now to share their views with council on what should be considered a priority.

The results of the survey, as well as a series of randomly selected focus groups, will be presented to Regional Council on Dec. 7. These findings will inform council as to where the public would like to see property taxes directed in 2024.

Much like rising household costs, Niagara Region is grappling with the dramatic impacts of historic inflation, rising interest rates, increases in the price of materials and the legacy impacts of COVID-19. Additionally, the Region is also faced with a significant decline in revenue due to Provincial legislation (Bill 23). The impacts of this provincial policy decision are making it more difficult for Niagara Region to collect certain revenues, resulting in additional challenges to find a balance between taxpayer affordability and the need to maintain critical programs and infrastructure.

These factors, and others, have made decision for the 2024 budget exceptionally complex and challenging. The results of this public engagement will help councillors make informed decisions as to where residents feel they should be focusing resources.

Learn more about the Region’s budget by visiting Niagara Region’s 2024 Budget Website.

Niagara Region has retained the services of independent third-party Pollara Strategic Insights to complete the survey and focus groups.

“As Regional Chair, I am acutely aware of both the financial difficulties being experienced by Niagara’s residents and businesses, as well as the Region’s challenges to maintain services. Given the pressures on the 2024 budget, it is more important than ever that we hear from our constituents as to what they consider to be a priority. As we strive to build a budget that reflects some balance between affordability with our responsibility to maintain services and infrastructure, we will look to the results of this public engagement when we are making difficult decisions.”

Jim Bradley, Niagara Regional Chair

“We know that the higher cost of living continues to impact many residents and businesses in our community. That is why we need to hear your voices as we undertake the 2024 Budget process. Members of Council and Regional staff are committed to working together to find solutions and strike the necessary balance needed to ensure that we continue to support the delivery of high-quality services and necessary infrastructure while acknowledging the affordability realities many in Niagara face.”

Mayor Wayne Redekop, Budget Committee Chair

“Regional staff continues to work diligently to ensure we are finding efficiencies without impacting key capital investments that people depend upon, such as more affordable housing and continuing to build up our transit system and keeping our existing infrastructure, like roads and sidewalks, in a state of good repair. It is important that community members make their voices heard during this process.”

Todd Harrison, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Treasurer

Media contact

Peter Criscione
Niagara Region
289-668-7802
peter.criscione@niagararegion.ca