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Niagara Region advances key projects through Niagara Week at Queen's Park
October 29, 2025
Niagara Region continued to advocate for better transit, more infrastructure funding and solutions to the housing and homelessness crisis throughout three days of positive conversations with Ontario’s Provincial Government. From October 27-29, Regional Councillors and senior staff engaged directly with provincial leaders at Queen’s Park to advocate for core Regional priorities that will support large-scale, growth-related projects, while finding collaborative ways to support community need.
"I would like to thank the Provincial Government for three days of positive, productive conversations which marked a very successful Niagara Week," said Acting Regional Chair Pat Chiocchio. "Together, we explored innovative solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the Region, which were very well received, and we look forward to continued collaboration with our Provincial partners."
This year’s Niagara Week was focused on advancing several key projects that will enable future growth for our communities and better outcomes for residents struggling to find appropriate housing. In talks with the province, Niagara proposed creative ideas to fund a new, much-needed wastewater treatment plant in South Niagara and to unlock two-way, all-day GO train service.
"I have always said, I was elected to be the voice of Niagara at Queen’s Park, not the voice of Queen’s Park to Niagara," said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. "The province has made record investments in our region from new hospitals and critical water infrastructure, to funding for supportive housing and children’s services. But there is still more to do and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working with representatives from the Region and local municipalities to keep delivering for local families and workers."
Meetings also tackled Niagara’s housing and homelessness crisis, and explored new ways of addressing these issues by leveraging Niagara’s Consolidated Housing Master Plan and investing in Highly Supportive Housing, which pairs deeply affordable homes with onsite wraparound supports tailored to the needs of Niagara’s most vulnerable residents.
"Niagara Week showed what we can achieve when the province and Niagara pull in the same direction," said Ron Tripp, Chief Administrative Officer. "We advanced practical proposals that unlock capacity for future growth. With sustained provincial partnership, Niagara is ready to move from plans to projects that grow the economy, improve service and keep costs fair for taxpayers."
As part of the three-day advocacy event, the Region partnered with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce to host a networking reception with Members of Provincial Parliament, highlighting why Niagara is the best place for provincial investment. The reception profiled local businesses and institutions, including Niagara College, who catered the event with dishes prepared by culinary students paired with the college’s award-winning wine and craft beer.
In the coming weeks and months, the Region will be following up with Provincial ministries to continue the conversations begun at Niagara Week, as it works collaboratively with the Province to help Niagara Grow Better Together. Learn more about how our advocacy efforts are focused on supporting current residents and businesses while sustainably welcoming tomorrow’s future growth.
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Left to right: Acting Regional Chair Pat Chiocchio, Regional Councillor Joyce Morocco, Niagara Region Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Michelle Sergi, Niagara Region Commissioner of Corporate Services Tim Ellis, Chief of Staff Governance for the Office of the Regional Chair Andrew Korchok, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries and Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff.
Media contact
Andrew Korchok, APR
Chief of Staff Governance
Office of the Regional Chair
Niagara Region
905-329-1642
andrew.korchok@niagararegion.ca
