Residents Comments on 2014 Budget Survey - Niagara Region

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentCurrent budget is sufficient

Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Regional Police,

feel that they are already funded appropriately Note: living in a rural area, taxes are in excess of $5000 for no services (recieve garbage collection and road mtce in winter) , public transit not avialable, own water supply etc.

Current budget is sufficient

Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, There is already quite a bit of funding dedicated to these services. I'd like to see what cost saving measures have been introduced by these departments before additional tax money is provided.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Development Services, Leadership Governance, Economic Development, Regional Police, and Community Planning ‐ believe these are well funded, or do not see direct impact of these services as a local resident.


Leadership and Governance, keep wages frozen as is happening in other sectors


Leadership and Governance, Politicians have adequate financial support.


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing,

Don't use transit, and it's seems to be working well as it is. All these services seem to be working well at current levels. Also I think a regional fire department is a issue worth looking into!!


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadersh

Everyone wants more for less these days. At what point can we say enough..I do not wish to lower priorty services any where. This survey seems to make me feel that I should simply accept increases or live with the consequences. I work at a job where I have not had a raise in seven years. Everything costs more, and you want me to justify your planned increases or feel poorly for not feeling they are justified?


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Waste

Your survey did not provide a response that said, hold the line on spending. It was either more spending, the same spending plus 2%, or cut spending. What about a spending freeze at 2012 levels. No one is getting raises in pay or pensions for the foreseeable future. What makes the region feel it needs more at the expense of the local ratepayers?


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning,

I feel these services are fine at the funding they are now in 2013.


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Think they are already over funded


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police,

Services are overfunded or useless.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services,

If a decreaase in service is the result of the 'not a priority' vote, so be it! Municipal/regional taxes have increased most every year since 1949. It i passed due for your guys to live within your means ‐ period! No tax increases for 2014 and beyond!


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit,

These services are already over payed


Community Planning, Development Services, Rather than planning new or developing new, let's find ways to work with what we have and make it better


Community Planning, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

there is enough funding in place to support these services, I believe there is a fair amount of waste in these areas that could be cut. The funding could be better used with more oversight. There are far more important areas that require more funding.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Leadership is paid well at present level for what the;y do. Community planning is a luxury.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, i pay taxes i dont get a raise but the governing body does tell me why and why so many people to do so little tighten the belt


Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance, There fine the way they are.


Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Community planning could freeze for a year or two to offset another expense . Based on income some can help cover some of their own expenses.


Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Seemed to be funded more then well enough


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I think that these services are being paid enough as they are right now. They should stay this way and there should be more money put towards enforcing better service from the health care profession. Leadership and Governance ‐ paid too much as it is. Conservation ‐ way too much power given to them. Affordable housing is being taken advantage of by immigrants, and able bodies non‐working people. I believe they are being encouraged to live off the system instead of encouraged to work. Social assistance ‐ same as housing. I would like to see city workers earn their living by working as hard as the blue collar worker such as me. I am paying for overstaffed, lazy city employees. We should take a lesson from Hamilton, by making the city employees accountable for their time paid. Also, from experience ‐ the building and engineering system at city hall is ridiculous. Having spent many hours there to get permits for my building project, it is a waste of tax payers money to have people there making decisions and charging exuberant fees for permits.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Lea

The region needs to do a better job at spending at the current level and look for more efficiencies.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness

The current tax rate is already enough of a burden.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness

The current tax rate is already enough of a burden.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Develo

Throwing money at a problem is no way to address it.If people cannot look after them selves by working they should go to a part of canada that has jobs. That would take the burden off tax payers and the law as you can see most problems come from non productive people who have never worked.It's time for political correctness to be trashed and for us to be realistic as to how to deal with societies trash.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Roads, Infrastructure Funding,

The examples listed were my concern, not the overall service. Several programs need to be (public health) funded more by private sector, and some (CPR for children) should be included in school board programs. In my opinion a 2% increase will cover wage increases or poorly managed labor forces. An increase is not a problem but it needs more accountability..offer the same servery and show the 2 categories representing the bulk of current investment for each sector (labor, equipment, projects over budget) and see if the same opinions are reported


Hostels and Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

1. If we increase the amount of Niagara Regional Housing, the amount of homelessness should decrease. 2. Community planning is fine as it is. 3. Development services are select, if I were able to choose the area's for development, I'd be more inclined to think it was a priority. 4. We have already increased our regional transit and the cost of public transit keeps increasing. 5. I think leadership and governance is fine as it is.


Leadership and Governance, I'm sure they can manage with a little when there are other areas that need a bit more.


Leadership and Governance, They are a priority, however, I believe they are over‐paid.


Leadership and Governance, The same results could be achieved with less funding.


Leadership and Governance, having worked in a variety of government agencies there is always fat that can be trimmed.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Regional Police,

I think they are over funded already.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, I think Leadership and Governance is bloated enough and really should be decreased. We have too many politicians and bureaucrats very little to show for it. As far as Conservation Authority, we conserve a lot already and we have other governments and agencies looking after the areas. My worry is if we start trying to conserve everything, we will start to lose opportunity for reasonable economic development and go into the realm of absurdity with what we consider needing to be conserved.


Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Police ‐ already well funded for duties assigned to them.


Leadership and Governance, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

sense these are services that could have the same or better services for less cost


Leadership and Governance, Seniors Services, Seems like there are plenty of senior services already.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

I think this services currently are good enough


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

These are already over funded and the results have been less than stellar. I think the use of public funds should be done is a much more transparent way.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I believe they already get enough funding and a big enough chunk of the money.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Pay too much for them


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

They currently have enough funding and other areas should be more of a priority than those.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Govern

Most of these services are already bloated and need curt


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

it seems that they are adequately funded now


Public Health, Regional Police, Public Health is suffiecent and so is police services.


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority,

Public Health: already well funded and no need to expand, can use . Regional Police: also very well funded, with current work load and staff ration can safely maintained at this level. Community Planning: importance overemphasized, more of a stumbling block than help. Conservation Authority: similarly importance overemphasized, real work is load is manageable where it is now for sometime to come.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I think that any organization can benefit from implementing lean practices and that the cost saving without sacrificing staffing could be achieved in both of these services over and beyond the projected increase.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I think that these costs are much too high. You need to find a way to reduce them.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning,

Because I think that they get enough money already...it's not that they are not important, just that they already get enough and especially the leadership and governance....they do everything for the already rich and hotel owners who are actually gauging the tourists so badly that it is embarrassing to be a resident here, yet city counsel gives them whatever they want. They will eventually drive many of the tourists out of here and then we will have even LESS jobs...if that was at all possible seeing as we are the highest unemployment in CANADA!!! Do something about THAT with our tax money! We already pay too much...the rich get richer and pass less and the poor hard working, struggling stiffs like myself have to pay their bill.


Roads, Community Planning, These services are not a priority at this time. I believe that there has been adequate funding for these services and they should not need an increase in the budget. Perhaps there needs to be more efficant budgeting and planning with the resources they currently have.


Roads, Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Region needs to move further toward 21st century public transit and roads can be funded less by open‐bidding contractors for more in‐house work, replacing unionized workers who are paid on a funding model that can no longer be afforded. Cut public service employees by 2% every budget, or 2% plus any wage increase if somehow they actually get yet another one. Same goes for the other 3 items on my low list. I am not suggesting any item is a low priority, just which ones carry no acceptable reason for a cost increase. We are not adding regional roads, conservation areas, police in times of reduced crime rates, and certainly hopefully not more leadership and governance.


Roads, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

We pay enough


Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I believe they are doing well as is and an increase will not lower caseloads, increase inspections etc. The only increase in development I've seen are commercial plazas which will offer minimum wage jobs that cannot support a family and do not offer benefits.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Are adequate currently. Waste services could be done less frequently without great impact to me.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Are adequate currently. Waste services could be done less frequently without great impact to me.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Important but in need of better financial management


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, The price is way too high as it is.. the funding for this completely needs to be re thought out?


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Public Health, Regional Police,

it will not help me in anyway if they get more funding lower my house taxes and that will help me a lot more than any of the above


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

They are already funded adequately compared to other needs in the Niagara Region such as maintaining affordable housing and health care services.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

They are fine now without an increase


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

the existing services are just fine with me, and priority should be to reduce taxes and maintain services. Too much government not reflecting the people's need


Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

they are paid enough and there is no need for an increase


Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, I feel these services especially politicians are over paid. Persons in similar positions at regular jobs do the same work for less than half the wages.


Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe they can find internal ways to meet budget. If they are not happy because someone in another region makes more than move that region.


Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Find some ways to keep the cost neutral. Look for wasteful spending and different purchasing arrangements to help offset the decrease.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I feel that both of these services are funded adequately, I haven't seen any evidence that more money is required


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services,

I don't feel increases are warranted here. The services are already highly paid and the Police service in Fort Erie is a joke as is our leadership. Community Planning in an area that has no hospital, limited transit and a department that is over staffed.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Development Services,

All 3 have plenty of money afforded to their budgets currently. Service is quality, and does not require further moneys to improve in my opinion. Ceiling has been reached at current budget and cut backs can be made without notice to the average citizen of Niagara region.


Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that these sevices are adaquately funded. I have never used NRT. How much do you think people can afford. Taxes can't keep going up when some people on fixed incomes can't keep up. Maybe the funds need to be allocate/budgeted in better ways.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

In times of limited funds, we cannot continue to exceed the inflation rate on total taxes. Crime rates are falling, public health does not have a clearly defined focus, planning and governance are bad at best (governance is dysfunctional). the region need to get its act together before increasing spending (i.e. Council chambers refurbishment; really?!?)


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

We pay enough already for the crappy service!! Why don't you go out sometime and look at your workers joy riding in regional vehicles, or the roads staff smoking while resting on a shovel. Absolutely ridiculous to ask me to pay MORE for this crap!!


Roads, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's not that I value these services any less but I see many opportunities to provide these services at the same service level without the increases by operating the programs more efficiently. Lets face it by tightening up the sick leave policies for these workers alone you could easily find more than enough money to cover the increases. Make the programs more efficient before asking tax payers to continue to pay for these inefficient programs with outdated procedures and and lax policies.


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

My feeling is that if the money available for these services at this time were used properly with more people doing the jobs they were hired to do to the fullest of their abilities rather than whining and complaining about not being paid adequately that the increases would not be necessary. The taxpayer is becoming not only fed up with the constant cry for more funds but also jaded by the incompetence and/or unwillingness of those being paid to do a job not being invested in what they are being paid to do.


Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police,

Your sentences are each loaded with two parts: one is about priorities, and one is about funding ‐ although I feel they should be funded less, that doesn't mean they are not priorities. Simply, they are priorities, but they are overfunded now, so they are not 'funding' priorities. Your last sentence on this page, Explain why these services are not a priority ... is a departure from the first sentence re. not a funding priority. If you need help writing meaningful surveys in the future, please contact me.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

there is too much waste in most government services and services (like garbage) are cut back. It is too easy to simply raise taxes especially property taxes. Homes should be assessed only at point of purchase not at other times. Most people don't get raises every year to cover for inflation.I am fed up with excuses from politicians who only pretend to care at election. Cut taxes and cut waste and live within your means like we have to.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

They all already waste FAR TOO MUCH. They don't need more money they need better management of the funds they already have.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Public Health, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,

There are better ways to spend our monies. If there were more fiscal responsibility as far as following budgets, stopping spending for the sake of spending etc, there would be money left over to maintain these services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

pay enough taxes now.not to mention the sicking tax on gas and disel.start budgeting better instead of raising taxes .and your calculation at the start was lower than I pay already for property tax


Public Health, Regional Police, Development Services, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

Existing tax base needs to be utilized better.


Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Economic development ‐ The developers seem to pay them enough.


Development Services, Economic Development, enough is being spent, not sure perhaps how the econonomic development supports things but if jobs, poverty reduction and housing are supported here, I agree with increase here.


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, I guess I tend to think of funding leadership and governance as funding top corporate level employees that draw large salaries and therefore take up a lot of the funding, not sure this is effecient? there will always be a decrease in service if we don't fund something, it causes me a headache to think of a solution to funding issues,,,,,


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

these departments need to get their spending in order. I know there is a lot of money wasted. We all need to be fiscally responsible.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Efficiencies in current processes should be sought, and published. before additional funding is provided.


Leadership and Governance, I feel money not managed we'll enough.


Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Too much waste.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I have first hand experience dealing with these areas, and know them to be inefficient at best (and would go so far as to call them mis‐managed). If you want to see a waste of tax dollars, look into the redevelopment of the social housing complex at Jubilee Drive in Niagara Falls (formerly 'Broadoak Foundation'). Many at Regional Housing should be loosing their jobs over that fiasco!


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

We over spend here. The services are valuable but too many staff, benefits, high wages, etc. Need cutbacks. I feel that municipal divisions try too hard to keep their jobs by creating setbacks at every level. CUT BACK and save!There is also too much wasted spending!


Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

In my experience these are places that i have seen money used unwisely and i think we could do a better job more money wont fix bad management


Conservation Authority, Public Health, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

The issue is not prioritization it is about effectiveness and efficiency. This survey assumes added funding will improve services. That is an erroneous assumption. No one should received additional funding until it is clear they are operating at peak efficiency.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, too much wasted money... can be looked at more on a federal, provincial level...


Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

to much waste of money in these departments .mostley in social services department


Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

enough spent there with little to no improvement. Improve the service and then I would be ok with paying more.


Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Re

there is way to much waste. stop the waste the region wastes our money and I would like to see it done away with we don't need it let the cities take of it. they showed the waste with new chamber at $2m so some people can be 9 higher.


Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding,

These services have areas of wasteful spending. Upper management staff in Regional services make ridiculous wages. If the funding does not go into wage increases but instead is directed to hiring more staff, completing projects and providing more in existing programs, I would be happy to include these services.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's not so much that they are not a priority as that I feel putting more money in is not the answer. I feel that the region does a poor job managing certain services so I don't want to throw my money or anyone else's at the police for instance while I am struggling to pay my bills. FYI your method for calculating property tax was way off. We pay more than a $1, 000 more than your calculation.


Regional Police, Too much waste ‐ poorly managed and overly concentrated.


Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

The Niagara region wastes so much money...our Health and Education Dep'ts should be sacked and completely reorganized....they are a danger to the region


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, I see alot of funding being wasted on unimportant things


Emergency Medical Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

I have had direct experience with how inefficient these services are run. More money would only result in more waste.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

‐the Niagara region health just went through a major overhaul funded by us and the result was poorer services. Mismanagement.Proof that More money are not the solution. ‐if you invest in increasing the attractiveness of this region for business and create better paid jobs then you will need less services for the poor ‐people will pay for their own houses, day care, kids sports, etc. if Chicago story shows something the key is to attract people here to stay, buy houses,pay taxes before we are seen as a region beautiful to visit but with no jobs prospects, poor workforce quality , poor infrastructure for business and high business tax. Must attract the right type of people too ...and we could work at capturing graduates better, encouraging entrepreneurship around Brock and Niagara better.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that these areas need to work with higher efficiency and utilize there current budget.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and H

There is A LOT of waisted money by the region, look into cost savings BEFORE funding increases. Show the public how you are tightening YOUR belts before you ask us to do the same. If you can show you are doing everything in your power to be more efficient I would be ok with a 2% increase but you have not shown that at all.


Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

choosing some to increase, it's only natural to decrease some. these are services that I feel contain waste, redundancies, or are operating perfectly fine


Public Health, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

It is simply that I believe there can be superior service on a decreased budget; not that they are of less value. It is where I am most concerned about the benefit::dollar ratio.


Community Planning, I've seen alot of waste in the Queen Street upgrade...it never produced what it set out to do initially and draw business and visitors in that area.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Affordable Housing,

1. Would like to put more than one container of trash to the curb. 2. We pay too much for water. Watering the garden and plants, we pay for wastewater. Not fair. 3. Don't use the transit. 4. Conservation seems to be fine. 5. Police service is fine. What happens to the victim surcharge? I have not ever received money from the police service for when my vehicle gets broken into??? 6. I own a home.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

I believe that the cost of processing development permits and plans should be borne solely by the developers themselves, as they earn significant profits from the business and they are the only ones to benefit from it. No other sectors have subsidized permit processing and planning and this is the most lucrative of them all. I believe that the people hired and elected to govern in the Niagara Region are paid sufficiently for their qualifications and do not need to have any more resources allocated to them at this time. If they choose to work in leadership or governance roles in the region, it should be sufficient for them to be paid at a much higher rate than most of the other professionals in the region, as they are now. They should not require more at this time, when resources could be dedicated to more urgent matters. I believe that the social assistance programs (excluding Employment Help Centres) in the region have not proven effective in shifting people back into the workplace, instead they current programs seem to enable people to stay out of the work force for too long. People who are sick or injured receive disability payments. People who are too old to work should receive help if they are unable to live healthy lives on their savings or pensions. People that choose not work should not be enabled to stay out of the work force.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe there is way too much wasteful spending. I will never see the benefit of many of these items. My taxes are already WAY TOO HIGH!


Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

Leadership and Governance – I really don’t have much faith in local leaders and their accountability to budget the books. Having worked for a local firm that bid and won a grant from the Tourism Partnership of Niagara and the Government of Ontario, it was mind‐blowing how they wasted and threw around an initial $3 million dollar budget. The only bright decision that they made was deciding not to outsource the work to Toronto and to provide work to local jobs. Unfortunately, they called meetings after meetings and the board members could never make decisions and agree on a proper economical plan moving forward. For example, they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Google Adwords, their website, photography, multimedia, etc. to promote and draw tourism to Niagara, however their website has no capabilities of bringing in income or directly tracking end‐goals. There was no way of tracking if the money they spent had a trade‐off and resulted in more tourism and income to Niagara’s hotels, attractions, etc. In less than a year, they have already rebuilt their website on a totally different platform with no real significant improvement or benefit. Also, the bookkeeping was so fudged by our firm that it was ridiculous. One individual in upper management purchased a $200,000 boat out of the funds. This is why no more funds are needed towards leadership and governance.

Niagara Region Transit – Watching city buses go pass my residence on a daily basis with little to no passengers I do not see a point in dumping more funds into public transit. It actually appears that people are going away from public transit in Niagara Falls. I can see public transit being more popular in St. Catharines where they have university students using them. However, while attending Brock University, tuition was increased for all students to supplement bus passes for students that used this service. At the time, I didn’t find it fair since I never even used public transit and I paid for my own parking at the school. Increase the fees for public transit for people that use it. The only way I could see increasing funding for Niagara Region Transit is if they invested the money into cleaner technology. As a cyclist, I am very tired of being behind city buses that shoot out clouds of black smoke for me to inhale.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's Comment(Continued from the previous row)

Waste Management – This probably needs more funding but it’s too bad they keep taking more and more away. No longer collecting grass cuttings and limiting the number of garbage bags to such a few amount is a weekly challenge. Also, the few amount of days a year they collect large debris, such as, appliances, outdoor equipments, etc. is frustrating when you don’t have the ability to take it on your own to the dump.

Water and Wastewater – Being so close to a large body of water and having local power generation plants, one would think that we would reap the benefits and receive a lower water bill then cities we provide power. This does not appear to be the case anymore and over the years, things such as watering the lawn and changing out the water in the pool more often has become unpractical. The sewage and water‐pumping infrastructure in my neighbourhood has also not received a significant improvement in the last 10 years since our street was flooded. If it weren’t for our insurance mandating a sub‐pump system be installed, we surely would have a handful of floods by now. On more than a handful of occasions our sub‐pump has been under significant stress and neighbours have been scrounging for batteries to power their sub‐pump.

Public Health – As an insulin‐dependent Diabetic, these health clinics, classes, and workshops at one point in my life had their benefit but after awhile I begin to question how much money these doctors, nurses, etc. make off each one. I’d rather just pay a fee to attend. I guess it provides a nice cushy job for them. Some of these health clinics, classes, and workshops are mandatory by the government/doctor in order to receive prescriptions for supplies I need to live. People look at Canadians as being so lucky to have free health care, however, this isn’t totally the case. I can only speak for my disease but I’m sure there are a lot of other diseases and people in my boat. A bigger issue outside the realm of this survey is why medicine such as insulin isn’t free. Yet you can stroll downtown St. Catharines and walk by three methadone clinics in a small proximity that are providing free methadone. Then these users stand out there and trade the methadone for money. It’s an arguable debate whether or not these people need methadone to survive, unlike Type 1 Diabetics that need insulin! I wish local government would recognize this.


Regional Police – It’s nice to see police presence walking downtown St. Catharines on a Friday/Saturday night but other than that, I can’t justify more funds towards them. The age‐old belief that police need to make their ticket quota seems to be true, as they’re so quick these days to write you a ticket. I’m not talking about a legitimate speeding ticket. I’m talking about a ticket for your taillight being out. It’s hard to side with more police funds when dispatch can’t make the effort to send someone out to a minor fender bender.

Affordable Housing – With inflation these days and work salary not going up, everyone is in the same boat. Unless, of course, you work for municipal government.

Community Planning – I can’t justify more funds because the leadership is so poor. Over twelve years ago I was heavily involved in pushing for a skate park to be built in Niagara Falls and I was glad to finally see it come to fruition. However, now that it’s built, it seems like the city will sit back for another twelve years and not be pro‐active and plan for another facility like this to be built in another end of the city. The money spent on revitalizing downtown Niagara Falls went to waste and businesses received free rent for a year and couldn’t sustain. It’s good to see things like a Convention being built if it is actually needed. I have yet to see anything attract me to it and I go two to three times a year to Toronto for shows. It also seems like years in the making for Downtown Performing Arts Centre to be built in St. Catharines and I have my doubts that it will be sustainable. Especially with the traffic and parking nightmare down there.

Conservation Authority – As an avid cyclist, one would think that I would care about funds going to the conservation authority and maintenance for land. However, it seems like volunteers maintain the trails more then anyone. I’ve seen so many volunteers organize maintenance days for the Short Hill trails and trails in Port Colborne, not the Conservation Authority. If it was published and broken down how the funds would be allocated, perhaps it would shed some light to the public on why more funds are needed. I could see how the majority of the public can’t see and reap the benefits though. As a youth, I’ve built many trails on conservation land only to have them plowed and receive papers threatening lawsuits. Unfortunately, I don’t see eye‐to‐eye with what the conservation authority stands for in some cases. Recently, I read about how the City of Welland was no longer going to be renting land from the Seaway at minimal costs for off‐road vehicles to use. Although this does not impact me and I realize this isn’t the responsibility of the Conservation Authority, it had me scratching my head as to where people are suppose to use their off‐road vehicles.

(Continued from the previous row)

Development Services – Although not everything that should be supported needs to benefit me directly, I’m just not sure what is included in development services.

Economic Development – Like my points illustrated in Leadership and Governance, it seems like funds are wasted. All funds seem to go into Tourism in the Niagara region that for the most part, provide low‐end, student jobs. Yes, we received a new hospital that surely created jobs, but where has all the manufacturing jobs gone? Did they go the Steve Jobs route over to China?

Infrastructure/Road ‐ I'm so disappointed in road maintenance, planning, and work in the Niagara Region. Again, as an avid cyclist, this is how I notice how bad things are getting. They recently re‐paved the Niagara Parkway/Portage (probably due to tourism and pressure from the Niagara Parks Commission) and they never considered putting bike lanes in? I understand the costs to consider incorporating bike lanes and moving sewage line, electricity, etc., but in some parts that have been newly paved they barely had enough room to put the outer white line on the road before the gravel shoulder. People Movers have a hell of a time passing me even though I’m over as far as I can go. Then you have roads like York Road that is a disaster on a bike to ride. Kalar Road seems like it’s on a 10‐year program to get 4 lanes down it. Taylor Road out front of Niagara College has a crazy amount of spider web patch jobs. Do you know how hard it is to ride in those cracked, soft tar, patch jobs? Why is there a partial bike lane on mountain road but it wasn’t incorporated into the new roundabout put in?


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

These services are important ‐ the survey does not give opportunity to comment on each throughout. I believe that give more to these does not mean better management but more waste. I believe the leaders currently in charge of this have enough funds to do their jobs efficiently however they are not true leaders ‐ they are trying to maintain status quo with more money ‐ we cannot afford to pay more, we just need different leaders in charge ‐ real business people who are in touch with the poverty and lack of jobs in the region and the importance of agriculture from a growing and research perspective and how enterprise in this area will boost the economy for all resources, social, environmental, financial. Too many thinkers and not enough doers at the leadership level ‐ also too much policing and red tape ‐ again too many costs so it keeps the majority out of the game ‐ and they have lots to offer.


Leadership and Governance, After having seen the problems with federal government it seems that one year of no funding increase to regional government may give those with authority an opportunity to look at what they do for their funding dollar. May even get them to think outside the box so to speak and realize not everything can be fixed with more money that is usually spent unwisely. I have seen dollars lost to planning that did not take all the issues into consideration and end up spending more due to improper implementation of funds or ideas. Time is wasted trying to get the whole Niagara Region to agree on any one project. Someone please step in and tell everyone to stop behaving like kids in a school yard. Fighting and arguing only prolongs due process and costs us millions more in the long run. We need a voice that will look at the whole area and project what will happen in the next decade and start the new projects with speed and a region with co‐operation.


Hostels and Homelessness, Emergency Medical Services, they are important but when broken down in details i do not see the importance in the details. the examples of services cut seem like fair cuts. since with ambulance i already have to pay if i need to use. and as for hostels and homelessness. privatize them. that will make it affordable


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

Current levels of funding for these programs are adequate and the process should be streamlined to be more efficient. My opinion is the administrative level is too heavy and far too much money is wasted on consultations rather than doing. Utilizing Planners from each Municipality in a forum setting would be far more productive. Improving transportation services in rural areas and investing in their infrastructure to promote higher density growth will stabilize their micro economies and enhance revenues.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I believe these services are over funded at the administrative level. Salaries etc., should be frozen for 2 years. I also support the dissolution of the Regional level of government and support a municipal level only.


Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

I am new to the area and I am not familiar with the current political make‐up but am a proponent of less is more in politics. NOTL has other areas ripe for economic development and does not require increased funding.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable H

with much duplication of services with the municipalities, the region either has to take over everything or let the cities run their own.. The Region is spending far too much on new buildings for their staff(1.2 million for a council chambers), police taj mahal, works buildings etc. Look around the public sector and see what business are making do with. The Region feels the taxpayers can continue to fund their wish lists when the average citizen has no wage increases. The public service gravy train has to end. Just look at the sunshine list. This is one fed up taxpayer!


Regional Police, Community Planning, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

These services either receive excessive funding or should receive their funding from elsewhere.


Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

Leadership and Governance is not in line with what other public servants make ‐ hope you are not suggesting a raise or adding more staff. Economic Development ‐ the survey choices for answers are limited so no opportunity to say yes to different parts. Waste management ‐ seems like I have to pay to get rid of so much garbage ‐ shouldn't that take care of extra costs? Conservation ‐ what needs to be done? Need more adequate description before agreeing to be on board with an increase. Water ‐ could we increase it any more? Is this one year we could get a tax break?


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

No comment on transit... Roads need to be fixed in all areas, not just business areas. Development services n economic development help certain areas and a certain targeted groups.... Why invest when it doesn't support our local economy... Leadership n governance should not be a priority... They should focus on doing their job well before seeking more funds...


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Some should be eliminated (ie economic development). Decreased service is not the only option ‐ look at how these can be run more efficiently.


Roads, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

same roads are worked on every couple years while others abandoned (poor sections). We in the Niagara Region have the provinces most corrupt and poorly scanned police force (look it up, it's a statistical fact). The current community planning scheme is more than enough. lets focus on those left behind ‐ against their will, there are too many of them. Look at the fence behind main street. Economic Development? how many casinos do you need to build to realize that the city lost money ‐ and jobs. let the tourists make up their own minds and worry about the residents. infrastructure? you fixed a section on Mountain RD. it worse and more inconvenient, after a yearly visit. What are you doing? Leadership and Governance ‐ someone's lining the wrong person's pockets, we keep voting in the wrong person. All I hear is a lot of talk and I see the opposite action. It's nauseating. I'm sick of these officials representing the January Dr. crowd and their needs. It's not right.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel I am overpaying for these services already. I don't feel I should pay for regional transit since I do not use it at all. Users should pay for increases. I have not received an increase in pay for the work I perform so the people who do not go out to earn it should not automatically get a financial increase.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

I dont use transit I rarely see police doing positive = constructive work in my area Conservation authority‐ based on my area, i have heard nothing about it and we have property with a waterway however they have never been to see it nor did they know the condition of it when we moved in Development services, i think things could be done differently and more effectively/efficiently. I feel tht the money spent is not on the right things and there should be more support at this level for small businesses. If money was spent differently then i wouldnt mind paying more into this initiative Infrastructure‐ i feel if more focus was on preventative mntc then we wouldnt have to spend as much money on current reactive solutions


Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,

Too many levels of government. Affordable housing is going to too many immigrants who have not paid into the system. FACS is a disgrace. Too many empty or near empty busses. School nurses should be a requirement but they have been assigned ridiculous things like train safety. Police get too much overtime and are overpaid as it is. EMS dispatchers should not have expensive uniforms supplied at taxpayers expense. Winter coats and safety boots are not required for answering a phone. Sitting in an office has no need for safety strips on pants.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,

‐You have no where near the ridership to have Regional transit. Stop doing it! ‐You shouldn't have anything to do with affordable housing in the form of owning even one building. You administrate and assist in funding, but you shouldn't own buildings nor compete with private landlords. ‐Stop chasing away private businesses with anti‐business policy and your homeless problem will decrease dramatically. ‐Social assistance is a provincial matter. Stop it! ‐You have far to many staff in public health doing far to little. cut staff by 30% and no one will notice. ‐You should have gotten rid of the Regional police for the 30 million severance when you had the chance in 2002. Their corrupt, overpaid and useless. ‐close down at least one of your planning departments and neuter the other. they don't know what they are talking about and they are just there to make housing more expensive. ‐NPCA is finally on a better tract, but they should find a new funding source. They should be shrunk by 20%. ‐Economic development is a joke. This organization has been useless for it's entire lifespan. Stop it all together. ‐‐‐You don't know what your doing and you insult business at every turn. It's embarrassing!


Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,

I want to preface this by saying that although I have chosen the above as lower priority, I chose so because I don't like the route that is being taken with those services. I would to see improvement before increasing funding to these services. ‐Active Transportation is not a priority when maintaining and or building roads ‐Communities are not being planned in a walkable way and denser way ‐Economic focus should have a more sustainable focus ‐Too much privatization is being allowed into infrastructure ‐Leadership and governance programs need to be more progressive ‐Policing costs are going up but police presence is going down in my community


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Children s Services, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

They a‐r‐e a priority ..but..we're broke! Have we learned nothing from Greece, Spain, Italy, England? Or worse, our own province? We can NOT keep spending like fool$! Approx 40% of my regional tax $ goes to police and now we're building them a new Taj Mahal? Privatize writing traffic tickets and watch your costs go down. Freeze police and firefighter wages and watch how many leave. Zero will leave. Why? For the same reason teacher turnover is less than 25% of the private sector. They are overpaid ‐ and they know it. Come on people GOVERNment is supposed to govern. We have far too many administrators and levels of local government. Far too many police and firefighters with far too much down time. All of them are more than adequately paid. $tart to govern ‐ before it's too late. Elected officials brag about relatively minor tax increases. What nonsense. In the private sector, when a business is taking in less than it spends it goes broke ‐ unless it starts spending le$$. Show me some leadership and reduce the spending.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Leadership and Governance: When will I see true leadership by Regional Council and they recognize the need for reduced number of municipalities to serve 400,000 people; one City of Greater Niagara; reduced number of policitians (125 or so to 25); 1 CAO, 1 fire dept, 1 Treasurer, 1 commissioner PW on and on. Why do we need 13 region/city halls for just 400,000 people?? We do however still need front line staff to deliver the services ‐ as that is where the work gets done. There is too much waste in time, resources and money to coordiante 13 separate municipalites for the 1 taxpayer....too many games played with the tax dollars ‐ Region has maintained less than 1% increase over last number of years yet local area municipalities take up the room and raise my taxes well above inflation. Police Need to manage their costs increases within their own budget! ‐ if we need to pay officers such high wage increases compared to others in Niagara then what is being reduced in the budget to pay for wages by Police? Why do their civilian staff still get the same high increases as police officers when the work they do is comparable to many jobs in Niagara. The Homes had to lay off staff to pay for their wage increases when budget could not afford it? Police can reduce through attrition of police officers, lay off of civilians and other ways to manage their budgets. I'm sure my services as outlined in this survey (that I want to see maintained) have to somehow pay for police increases if the police budget is not and I am not happy about that.


Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning,

In most cases, i feel there is wasteful or unnecessary expenses at the present time. More efficiency could maintain the current services with less costs. In the case of seniors, i feel it should be covered by the local municipality rather than on a regional basis. In the case of Regional Police, I feel expenditures are out of control. Wholely adequate services could be provided for less money.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Police are paid very well, if you would hire more police instead of giving those already working more and more overtime, you could save many dollars. Leadership and governance are more than adequately paid for their services. If the hospital was not built where it has poor access, the neighbouring areas would not need to be transported by ambulance for patient transfer so often. Community planning, economic development do not need so many dollars spent on consultants if proper studies where done.


Public Health, Regional Police, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

I think the automatic increases to the police that are given annually need to be stopped. They need to learn to work with less just like everyone else has. I feel there is a lot of waste in the other departments (Public Health, Children's Services, Community Planning, Economic Development and Leadership and Governance) that could be eliminated to deliver those services more efficiently. As far as hostels and homelessness, I don't think that it something that should be handled at the regional level, it should be the responsibility of each municipality.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

As a rural resident, I see much waste of taxpayer funds in these areas, and do not benefit from several of the services in this listing. It should not be the regional governement's role to provide a social safety net for those who cannot help to fund the system through property tax payments. Perhaps instead of looking to increase the income, the focus should be on increasing efficiencies within the Region's operations to lower overall operating costs, including labour costs. That is how the private sector is forced to operate. Also, does the 9% mentioned in the video include transfer payments from the other levels of government? A gross inaccuracy if it does not.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit,

Crime rate is at an all time low and I believe policing resources are adequate and doing a great job at the current time. I believe our leaders make more than enough money as it is. I do not use Regional Transit and when I do see a bus it is usually less than half full.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater,

Generally, I see waste (e.g. public transportation with empty buses).


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, From what I read and hear there are not alot of individuals utilizing public transit. I work in an organization that has not seen an increase in 3 years, we still manage to function to assist individuals in the community within that budget. I feel that leadership can also run without an increase in funding


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

buses are running empty most of the time we spend too much planning and not enough time fixing what needs to be fixed like road or we do it wrong the first time and waste money to repave it (Ontario Street and 4th Ave)


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Transit: Go was just implemented this year. Roads: parkway was just re‐done. Community Planning: school in Queenston got closed and moved to St. David's. Don't understand why young kids were moved to be right on a busy road rather than renovating a building and keeping them safe off the road. Hostels: n/a in my area anyway.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go

This items are not priorties because of the waste that occurs in these area. You do not need increase, you need greater efficiency. Get out of Regional transit, it is a waste of money. Cut the police overtime budget. Quit giving money to organize who are already funded thru tax dollars ie hosiptal, niagara college, and non profit organizations. We already gave them tax dollars,why do you give them our property tax dollars


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,

Policing is not showing any creative leadership or fiscal restraint, plus latest increases show no regard for fiscal restraint. A retroactive 3.05% increase. Even the board chair indicated is was bs. Don't use transit. These last four services do nothing to provide value for my tax dollar. There is no economic development. Minimum wage retail jobs, with studies indicating there are a minimum of 100 applicants for every 1 job posted.


Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

waste management does not need to come every week. regional transit only helps people inside the town no all residents have access to it. leadership and governance is just over rated police maybe look into different policing such as OPP conservation people will conserve there property if they wish not all want this conserved affordable housing,hostels and homelessness, and social assistance there are no reason for as much as there is most of these people are just lazy there are a lot of jobs out there they just dont pay big money and these people want the tax payer to help them they should help themselves.


Children s Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

The daycares that are funded by the region do not use the funds properly in my opinion. They should not be given to staff to increase their wages or supply staff with their meals. They should be used to allow more children into the program. The social assistance programs are so abused it makes one wonder if they should even exist. Niagara Region Transit is not available where I live so it will naturally remain as a low priority to me. The fees charged for leadership governace administration fees should be reduced not increased.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara Transit is a joke and costs way too much for anyone to waste their money on. It is nothing but a cash grab. Most of the other services get too much money as it is. Instead of funding some of these items, fund methods to reduce the need for these programs. everyone can pay their own way. With taxes already so high, these are services that are not a priority and people should be expected to get off their back sides and try to improve themselves or just leave town. 98% of those that use these services don't even pay any taxes, why should we be expected to pay for them.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable housing should provided only for people who have paid into the system for at least 10 years. The conservation authority has made too many blunders‐‐houses on edge of escarpment, too many large hotels blocking view of Falls, etc. EMS dispatchers are grossly overpaid‐‐they sit in safety at a phone and read from a computer screen. They DO NOT need uniforms and work books that the public pay for. Too many extra large busses that are now twice as empty.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, in fact it could be that regional police and leadership and governance could result in doing the work more efficently with the same amount of funding like health care is obliged to do . Provide services with the current funds , just do it differently. Saying that services will be decreased is threatening and there is little evidence to say it should in fact decrease. Police services is a good place to start.I believe we are receiving value for our money with the dispersion of regional dollars except for these two areas where i think we could improve on with out spending more money


Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

we have enough police right now .they do a great job.i feel are leadership and community planning are doing fine and do not need more funds.our economic growth has decreased so these people are not doing there jobs or can not do them.are community planning is not in touch with the needs of todays people so why keep funding areas that are not doing or can not do there jobs.and the police are doing a tough job right and I believe we do not need more police right now.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

These areas are over funded as it is, police rates need to be cut back.


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Public Health is important but they already have enough inspectors. The police should not be earning the salaries they do through overtime. When they are making 100G a year plus, that is too much. As far as the rest of the services, jobs in government should be the first on the chopping block. These governing bodies have done nothing for the region! Our communities are shrinking! Where have the planners been. Our hospitals are all moving to the north end of the region, where have our leaders been? Why should any of these departments take more money. There are people in our region who are working but need to rely on food banks. People who can't pay rent from the few dollars they receive on welfare. They are not lazy. For every job posted in this region 99 people apply. It seems like our leaders don't see how dismal the region has become. It's a disgrace!


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

To many people employed as inspectors in the public health sector.The police should be walking the streets of Niagara instead of sitting in a parking lot waiting for one speeder.Community planning and Development Services should be able to maintain its services at the present budget.Leadership and Governance,to many politicians doing nothing,same people talking at council meetings same ones saying nothing.


Development Services, Economic Development, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Waste Management,

development services, whether it be new homes or business lets make what we got ( thats not being used up first) rather then building new homes for a cheap price in a tourism city. Emergency medical, other then what is needed at the moment, if its working why change it this year, those are funds that will be needed if the population grows here ( an when i say that, not in Old agers). regional police, again where is our police for majority of the time? tourism waste management, same thing those billions of tons garbage come from a good percent from the tourism, i know this cause i work in this sector, i see the bins fill up so fast.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

This wording of the survey is condescending and pretentious, not a priority or how about, not necessary to spend anymore of our money as the current money is being waste fully used. How about being more efficient, employing less lazy people (ever drive by a city worker crew? Four of them standing there while one guy shovels gravel into a pot hole?) or how about wasting $50,000 on a website for NRPS?!? How can a website possibly cost that much? How about all the mafia owned builders/construction companies with their ridiculous bids on construction? Ripping up 5 roads to collect the first installment and then dragging their heels to get them done? Or how about the abuses perpetrated by the NRP on its citizens, someone needs to remind them who pays their over the top salaries. Stop wasting our time and money, please, you have enough tax dollars I do not feel sorry for you. How about getting better at efficient spending and less waste?


Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Public Health,

Feel 2% is not a large increase; but how do we compare to our peers in each of the areas of service. Feel 2% is the outside for each area; for example if police come in at 4 or 5%, the savings MUST come the police themselves to get to 2%. It would be interesting to see the increase over the last 10 years with what has changed in service; has it increased/decreased or remained the same. I realize you have a tough job but at some point you have make cuts. The public will not like it but your costs can not keep increasing beyond the cost of living.



I think we already spend too much money on police salaries. The transit system is fine as well as government expesnses


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,

I think more work needs to be done to bring these in line with a more fiscally responsible approach. For example Police Service is spinning out of control we need to real it back in. We do not need a dual system of transit. If we could make a decision to have one transit then it would be a wiser move but to have municipal and upper municipal is too much. I do not think we spend wisely in community planning and Politicians are also spinning and spending out of control. No housing in my opinion is affordable. They all need an overhaul.


Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Regional police don't do much and continually abuse there power. Water = waste water funding is.fine.


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Police services always asking for more money and end up with lions share. This survey a great tool to break down where OUR monies are Actually going. Was shocked to see how much was spent on economic development.


Roads, Waste Management, Community Planning, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Roads ‐ I have no complaints about the roads. Waste Management ‐ I have no complaints in the service level. Community Planning ‐ Do more with less $. Economic Development ‐ I don't see the results of past investments in this area. Niagara is the worst place in the country to get a job. Regional Police ‐ The police always seem to get more money. My impression is that we there is a ton of waste in the police force. They're never happy. My suggestion is to freeze these public servants for the next 5 years. Leadership and Governance ‐ Your kidding right?


Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe that these are overfunded compared with other regions we are way to generous with social bennifits and low cost housing why not put the resources into job development skills and placement and start people paying into the system instead of taking out of it. As far as economic developement there have never been any results. Might as well just flush the money down the toilet. The police are wayyyy over paid. And I believe the regional government is over staffed. Just drive by any road repair or downed tree and you will see our tax dollars hard at work hahahahahha ha. Leaning against a truck smoking !!


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,

I do thank you for the opportunity to ask me to explain further. It is certainly not about the fact that I feel these services are not a priority, but rather our biggest areas of waste. Public health is important, but honestly.. how many outdated useless programs are out there. The staff are aging and in touch with 1980‐1990 materials for below high school aged students. The police are not a concern, they are typically spending countless hours on rural roads catching the average speeder doing 10kms over. This is costly to the public for insurance reasons simply to plump numbers and look needed. Maybe one day they will be more required but until then our dollars could be spent better elsewhere. Affordable housing... Needs a major overhaul. Too much need, no movement = waste. Social assistance is fine. It is the job finding programs = big money waster. This is coming from an employers perspective. Conservation Authority = To well funded, no public cohesion, arbitrary decision making for higher resource not the property owners. Uncredible in the Niagara region by majority of the population.


Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development,

Police services are grossly over resourced in areas other than direct policing. They can trim some of their budget and use the surplus for the absurd wages increases the Police are getting annually. There is an abundance of affordable housing available in the Niagara Region. The allotment and how it's determined should be re‐vamped before any additional funding should go to Social assistance. Community Planning and Economic Development are areas that can stand a decrease in service levels. As a taxpayer I don't see value in increasing this funding.


Development Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,

NRP and NRH are both bloated, top heavy organizations that could afford to re‐examine how their current funding could be better utilized.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

Waste management ‐ that's a lot of garbage going into dumps. Staying with the current budget will allow for more eduction for people to recycle. The city I grew up in, EVERY bag HAD to have a tag on it. Spending $2 a week, $104 annually will reflect in more people recycling. Public Health ‐ that's great that so many kids were trained in first aid and CPR, but it expires in 2 years. Then who pays for their re‐cert? Regional Police ‐ time for restructuring. With so much bad media on them right now, why do they deserve more of my money? They want it, they can raise it them selves. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for police officers, however, there needs to be more accountability for them. Affordable Housing ‐ I shouldn't have to pay for your house. It's really that simple. Often you see it's a scam. Try to call and report it, and it gets pushed over to someone else. No one wants to take responsibility for evicting the scammers out, and I don't feel we as tax payers should pay for that. You need affordable house? Plan better, work a second job. Then you can afford it Children's Services ‐ I don't feel it needs an increase over last year. Social Services ‐ needs to be cut off completely. Talk to someone who has rented to a person on social service, and they will tell you, they don't look for work. They do nothing at all. I understand people go through hard times, but the number of people on it, and the SMALL number that led to jobs is disgusting. Give them drug tests. Bet 60% or more would fail. That would save us tax payers, and the government a lot of money.


Roads, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police,

construction on roads is constant and appears to be inefficient; sick of being sent constant conservative flyers despite being asked not to receive them. Just who is paying for them? and what a waste of paper etc. People who don't work are living in nicer places than some of the people that do. Why should someone that works have to share accommodation while people who don't work get their own apartment. I don't have children so that is not a priority for me personally to pay more money for them. I am tired of seeing people get government assistance who don't work and could be and have $ for cigarettes and booze. It is not a priority for me to spend more on the police force because such a large proportion of money goes there and they try to intimidate the average person as opposed to being helpful.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

‐‐‐Regional police are over paid‐‐‐‐‐This is Niagara NOT Toronto. You want Toronto money ,go to Toronto! ‐‐‐I feel St Catharines is being unfairly charged re: the cost of transit. Other municipalities need to step up and carry their fair share. ‐‐‐Our present costs for Waste Management are out of line relative to the amount of money our contractor gets for the materials he is paid to pick up!( And garbage does enter Walkers site from Toronto!!) ‐‐‐We have a separate water bill. If that is what you are referring to then we are already paying way too much for water in St Catharines. Water should be samely supported across the Region. WATER PRESSURE REDUCTION (Half of what it used to be)CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. In 40 years my water bill has risen to 6 times what it was and my water press is less than half of what it was. That is NOT progress. ‐‐‐Does community planning include St Paul Street? I am truly embarrassed that anyone would let the main street of a 133,000 person, city go to this extent for this long. FOR PETE'S SAKE FIX IT.............


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, It's not that these services are not important to me, I just feel that the amount spent on high income salaries should not be increased, even by 2%. Our economy continues to endure tough times and we need to spend more helping those who are less fortunate and living on a low income. Basic needs like shelter, food and water should be our highest priority and equally accessible to all.


Emergency Medical Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

I feel Emergency Medical is sufficient. I feel social assistance is abused and fraught with cheaters. And Transit seems very efficient


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

there is not a button that give me the option of VERY important but should not increase the budget. some of these areas have already enough money being spent and the department leaders should figure out to make things work within the current budget‐ not increasing it. other areas should be more self funding. For example I would rather the police give out more fines and tickets to fund their department. it is not fair for ALL of the home owners to have to pay for what the bad people do. certainly there is enough money spent on administrative and political leadership. important but some of the salaries are ridiculously high. and many people I see are abusing the social assistance and affordable housing program. get a bit more tough and make people more accountable‐ and work for their food and shelter‐ such as farming. I know some of these folks are sickly but if they would have help to quite smoking and drinking, and learn to eat better they might be healthier and be able to contribute to the society. Love what NTEC is doing. Overall I am not saying to decrease services but to restructure some areas and change the focal point in other areas. want to hear more‐ just call me. I have lots of ideas in my head. :)


Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Waste Management ‐ we've got a working system right now. It's fine. And people also contribute by properly sorting their garbage. That's less labor for people working in that field. EMS‐ funds should be okay for medical transport. I just don't agree with CPR lessons for 5T kids, school board shld have enough staff trained in first aid. That's how it's supposed to be. Let the kids be kids.. Public Health ‐ should go federal funding Regional Health‐ they get calls? Well it's part of their job description, just like in any other employment, they have busy days and low days.. Their funds should. be fine as it is ‐ no increase Community planning‐ it's fine.. Stay as is. Affordable housing‐‐ stay as is for house funding.. What they need to do is help these people to be more proactive in their career, be trained and so they could afford what's normal. Social Assistance‐ again, job skills, employment places that will be willing to train and develop skills to stay in the workplace.. Just like the old days. But now, employment just bring complaisant and hire people out of the country, we we've got got enough people here that are so willing to be trained to do those jobs. Leadership ‐ we need a great leader who is willing to work for the betterment of the region whose able to work with what his current budget/funding. Not asking for increase to do the same kind of job!


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors S

they are already getting to much and there are way to many people on assistance that are only there because it is easier than working implement drug testing for those on social assistance and I will support that !!


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I think They are over funded now, and we cannot pay more for these, Community Planning ‐ STOP over planning and Build Already. Social Assistance ‐ most people on this do not require it and are only abusing the system buying drugs and alcohol. Leadership and Governance‐ Cut the middle overuse of government,bunch of over paid paper weights


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Social Assistance,

It's not that they aren't priorities..I just feel they could be better managed. I see people on assistance that get almost what I make (by working everyday) because they are addicts. This is an issue for me. I see governments loosing government property and I ask myself ‐ How? I could go one for paragraphs and am all for services that improve the quality everyone's lives, fortunate, less fortunate..but there's too much waste and lack of common sense.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go

Due to the cutbacks in most of the departments i do not understand the demand for increased funding. There needs to be economic growth but again what evidence is there to support that the current funding has been managed well when our region is consistently losing employment. Increasing social assistance is not beneficial the main focus should be independence from social assistance which again comes from economical growth. Infrastructure is a sham and all it is accomplishing is having us increase our taxes to pay for the temporary jobs so that there can be claims of economical growth. Infrastructure jobs are temporary and the focus should be on stable permanent jobs.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Money is mostly wasted in these areas, going into greedy hands, how about fixing roads that need to be fixed such as Stanley ave and not waste 2 million in a ridiculous round about on the outskirts of the falls. What a joke, there should be drug testing and work programs such as picking up garbage along the streets cleaning the weeds on public property for those checks. Public health services are fine in my eyes we have good Heath care services .


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

Waste management I feel the rise in recent years is enough to sustain a profit for these companies for future times Social assistance I feel funding needs to be dramatically reduced in this section, I personally know of families who are quite capable of supporting themselves but simply choose not to!! As a mother of 3 who is going to school full time and still working part time, it angers me to think that my tax dollars are supporting capable, lazy citizens who steal money from the system....Just my opinion of course


Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

I worked for the government at one point and I know how lazy and how much of a waste some funding is thus I dont think more money should be put into it. I think that we contribute far too much in society to those on welfare etc and we need to promote them going back to work rather than pay for things for them. We all work hard so reward those who have found a job and are still struggling.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police,

Some of the people working in these fields are making to much money. exam ‐ police, hospitals. Some of the people in the affordable housing, and on social assistance are better off than ordinary people trying to scrape together a living.


Social Assistance, social services are used by to many not wanting to work there are families that need it but alot others drive nicer cars then we do i think drug testing before cheques should be mandatory. garbage collection we pay after i bag of garbage 2 bucks a tag so no i dont feel its important the taxes we pay we should be able to put out 2 bags the a tag for a buck. put money into long term care more staff more money for seniors


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social A

These services already run fine on the budget we have, our helth care child care elderly care are constantly suffering and the funding should go there if there has to be a 2% increase WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH, because our taxes in Niagara region are already way too high for where we are!!!


Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

The police need to come to terms with the fact that in this economic situation raises and budget increases cannot be tolerated. They need to cut staff and equipment costs.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Seniors Services, Water and Wastewater,

Conservation, ems, police,w/ww are funded beyond their needs and should be scaled back to fund other priorities. If not they will absorb an increasing potion. They are unsustainable, and can afford to be cut. Development services should further raise fees. Seniors is upper government funded, but not a priority for me.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I feel that funding is sufficient through other avenues and should not be increased. There are not for profit organizations, charitable organizations and other tiers of government that are providing sufficiently in these areas at this time. Particularly in Conservation, Hostels and Homelessness, and Social Services. Within each municipality there are also sufficient resources allocated to community planning, infrastructure funding, and waste management. And during these next 2 to 3 years I feel that priorities should be elsewhere.


Waste Management, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

It's because I feel that some of these services (i.e. Children's Services) can be funded by themselves. Waste management can be reduced since it's fine what it is, it doesn't need to make it any better. Senior's Services should be decreased because as much as there are many seniors in the community, there are more services created for them. Therefore, more jobs are available to take care of them. However, they are missing the other piece of the puzzle, which is the young people, the newly graduates from Niagara College or Brock University. What about them? The money also doesn't go to the Leadership and Governance, Conversation Authority, and Development Services because I feel that they are fine from where they are now, and I would rather see the money go towards to services we need such as health care.


Infrastructure Funding, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that the current infastructure is fine regional head quaters is still a fairly new facility , over the years we have certainly put money into children services and feel that we should think about funding more money to the physical disabled and times are tough for everyone so we need to promote employment even if it is only and average paying job and only supplement benefits to encourage them to get off social assistance rather than increase it.


Regional Police, Waste Management, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

what is priority to me is jobs in fort erie, revenue in fort erie,all of the ones i indicated are lower becasue they get paid enough now and they arent doing anything for our area anyway


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s

I have lived in Fort Erie for the past 30 years and this town has not been a priority on any ones list. We have lost hundreds of jobs, a hospital and have seen significant increases in our property taxes and sewer charges over the past 10 years. I am sick and tired of paying more and getting fewer services. Learn to budget better, my husband recently lost his job after 34 years and now we have to make extreme cuts. The region should also learn to do with less. When does it end??? The Niagara Region has the highest unemployment rate and this is especially seen in Fort Erie. A 2% tax increase in unacceptable, go back to the drawing board people and figure it out! Stop using increases and making people feel guilty by using a survey. We should not have to justify why we don't want tax increases.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

A proper analysis of exactly what wages are and how much of that is wasted due to people in the positions not performing their jobs to the best of their ability. As for social assistance and affordable housing it is abused and those people need to get jobs they are out there especially when we have to import workers from other countries to work our farms it is way too easy for people to get assistance. I see too many people over paid and not working for their money and other people who work ten times harder and do t make near as much... Where does this make any sense ? The government needs to focus on where there are serious needs and apply money to better out society where it counts .


Public Health, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe these services are important but have my doubts on the fiscal management in these departments.i base my answers purely on what is basically the most urgent areas in need of addressing, Ie: we need clean air to breath ( environmental) clean water to drink, and although I also feel that our money is mismanaged when it comes to long term care facilities( p.s.w.'s paid pathetically low wages whereas administration is paid a disproportionally larger sum) I believe with the monetary issues we face we need to concentrate on what I believe are our basic priorities.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

While I feel the first three in this list has all it needs now, Leadership and Governance, this is one of the last things that needs more money, put it to one of the other prioritys.


Emergency Medical Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FUND EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME FOR EVERYONE ALL THE TIME CUTBACKS ARE REQUIRED


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Serv

They are not a priorityto me as we are over taxed and where is it all going to end. Every year all these services go up. I think all these services should be more frugal in their budgets, so we seniors can live on the small pensions we receive.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's time to start saying NO to the extras! We the tax payers are paying more and more, which does impact the economy...more money in taxes is less money for local restaurants and stores!!


Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

well for roads in my city they seem to spend more time fixing roads that has slight bumps over doing major repairs on the roads that have major problems, community planning only seems to help the very well of in this area while the low income families get left out. development services seem to cater more to the working class then trying to help social assistance people become part of the working class and the infrastructure funding and leadership and governance seem to be about the same


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

The waste, an water usage is so high because of our tourism not home owners. Affordable housing I feel is already here far cheaper then hamilton.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

Items 1 2...We already pay to much for these services. Item 3... A little less for the leadership may impart how difficult it is for lower income earners to pay for Items 1 , 2.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

wasted money in govt,never see change,never see progress,few above‐ people take advantage of system and its poorly monitored‐I don't see less cars on roads since transit has came to area,bumper to bumper every day to burlington


Community Planning, Roads, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

current projects are already underway and fund should have \een planned for. I feel government officials make too much in annual salary and retirement packages and should be scaled back, not frozen, reduced. A full pension after 4 years of service is ridiculous.


Leadership and Governance, There needs to be a wage freeze, the salaries have gotten out of hand


Leadership and Governance, I feel government officials get paid more than enough to do the jobs they are doing.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services,

polititians get more than enough


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Because how much of the actual increases would be going to the end user or to the people doing the work.


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, The wages of those who collect the waste is over board,have you seen what is earned each week by just the drivers alone? I have and its too much.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness

First of all is police services. Salaries are way to high for the amount they sit around doing nothing Then wash police cars almost every day luxury wash at that ! on tax payers money $13 X 50 X 7 X 365 Wow As for the rest I most defiantly will make a list. Garbage removal WOW again. It's a bloody Joke in Niagara. Our public health is fine. More people should stop going to Doctors for very minor things like a long nail or tiny cough Homeless hmmm I believe the federal government should be kicking in on this It is a Canadian problem not just Niagara Affordable housing for who ? How about affordable bills for this of us in a house alone. I pay more in some usage charges than I pay for USE ? Transit. Well I think on lost routes a mini bus will be fine. I have two bus routes at front door and never have I seen more than six people on a bus !!! As for the rest. Help me get a job making at least half as Much as I made 20 years ago and I can help with all.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Servi

Our taxes are high enough. It's time for our local governments to start sharpening there pencils and cut taxes not increase them. Police Officers are getting paid too much, too much is spent on social assistance. We are just spending too much all all of these services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Honestly i've worked hard to pay my rent,pay for my children ect...I don't think its fair to ask us working people to put social assistance as a priority....they need to get off their butts and go find a job,people on assistance most of the time are lazy,they don't want to work because they get money free from ME paying my taxes because i work! They feed their children hotdogs and macaroni all month because they blow the rest at the bar or drugs,i see it and i hear about it ALL the time,the kids(whom the parent is getting money for) are neglected,so they can spend their money elsewhere! I have 0 faith in our government TBH,and if the cops would actually do something about speeding,domestic violence,and ect instead of fluffing people off then i can see the priority but if we are getting nothing in return why do we want to support this? Our roads are falling apart,our old people are not getting properly cared for,you have mental patients beating up seniors because they are all mixed together and not enough workers to protect and take care of them,they are who and where we came from, why are we not protecting our seniors,our retired military people that fought for us to be Canadians! And our public schools are in dire need of remodeling ect. I see all the catholic schools getting millions of dollars of work done but the public schools get nothing,and that's the saddest of all,is all those kids in public schools not getting a fair go because we are giving money to welfare people...wheres the priority??!! I don't work for the government,i'm just 1 small person in this big country,i don't know how hard it is to be a government worker and have to make the call on where the money is to go....but if this 1 small person can figure out whats wrong and right about all of it then im sure the big guys can. Please take no offence in what i say,its just my opinion on whats wrong with the priority level.I rather travel 100 miles then go to this hospital where the nurses and staff are just plain rude and mean....they should be a little more passionate to people that are in pain rather then being ignorant.Maybe if they paid for classes on how to be nice it would be a priority. I want my money to go to support places such as heart Niagara where they actually care and help you through whatever you need.Or habitat for humanity where they help people who lost their home due to fire,or flooding ect.We as Canadians should be thinking about that because Canada is known for our good nature and kindness,so why not show it to OUR own people. Thank you for listening


Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Although I know it's not politically correct in today's world, I think we pay out WAY too much to keep the least productive members of society in relative comfort instead of finding ways to motivate them to get out of the system and to start taking care of themselves which would make them happier and healthier in the long run. Also having had some experience in government employment there is lots of waste that could be cut in the administrative end of every level of government, spending more is not the path to efficiency.


Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance,

‐ The internet has a wealth of knowledge today ‐ How about more time less pay... eg two town council meetings a month... it takes too long for permits.. power corrupts.. ‐ I understand conservation to a point... but come on.. there comes a point where you can't stop evolution ‐ Too many capable individuals take advantage of social assistance... if more money is to be put into it.. how about hiring people to do follow ups on these people who so called can't work... too many people are abusing the system... should be more difficult for people to access it


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Roads, Community Planning, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Roads, Com Plan, Public health, and leadership I do not find important because I believe this $ is being mismanaged and people are becoming wealthy off of public dollars creating more high paying positions that are unnecessary while working class people are losing their houses as they can no longer afford their taxes. And social assistance and affordable housing are important to me but taxes are so high that a minority are now housing a majority and it is an unsustainable system.


Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

roads‐ the millions of dollars that is currently spent on road repair and they are not done correctly. eastchester in st.catharines has recently has construction and been repaved. I have never seen such an inadequate, unprofessional, chaotic, asinine job. i have had to have my tire repaired twice due to debris left on the road not to mention the shocks on my car about to be destroyed because apparently its a requirement of road repair workers to not know how to pave a flat road. I loath the idea of more money being wasted to get the same piss poor service. Social assistance is being abused by many and the government is doing nothing to fix it. when someone who is over the age of 30 has never had a job a day in their life and continue to collect welfare is a disgrace. I am not opposed to welfare to help those who are deserving of assistance, those who do not abuse the system. Governance and leadership‐ do you really need to ask!


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe our services levels are fine where they are standing now. There are other things in this region that should be prioritized . Such as the honest hard working people who pay their taxes and get nothing in return but tax increases that fund our politicians for campaigning . That's all I ever see. There is little funds that accually go to the real sources that our tax dollars are suppose to fund.


Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Government already gets paid FAR too much for what they do. Essential services like EMS, police, and health care deserve and NEED more funding in the region.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

‐Affordable housing, hostels and social assistance do not need increased funding in my opinion. Niagara Region should be more focused on creating jobs for those in need of these services and therefore contribute positively towards allowing them to sustain their own needs instead of further burdening taxpayers who are experiencing increased taxes, costs of living and in many cases no salary increases, or perhaps even decreased work hours. Leadership and governance does not require additional funding as there is too much administrative staff already at Niagara Region. Administration should conduct an audit and identify ways to trim the fat and use taxpayer money for investments that are actually required. Council chambers are fine the way they are now, yet we're spending money to upgrade them so councilors have all the gizmos they want


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Transit costs should be at the cost of people using it not those who don't. Public health in most regards is a joke, public health should be around to keep businesses up to standards not offer free good formula diapers bus passes and so on to anyone. The police are important but should not receive an increase. They don't fully do their job. Community planning is important but should not get an increase, same goes for the rest. Housing should be cut as someone who lived in housing, the politics are wrong, people who work hard but make little money pay more then those on assistance who actually make more then the one working.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe there is a considerable amount of waste and fraud in many of these services, they should be investigated, and I'm sure there is room for savings. I did not see anything about educational services.


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

Police services need to be scaled back the spending is out of control and the service is not worth the cost I witness so much waste in resources. Public health is the same...they better get creative building community collaborations because frankly the glass house on the hill is impressive but not practical‐ similar to that fancy hospital in the middle of nowhere

Doesn't see value for money

Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Affordable Housing,

1. Would like to put more than one container of trash to the curb. 2. We pay too much for water. Watering the garden and plants, we pay for wastewater. Not fair. 3. Don't use the transit. 4. Conservation seems to be fine. 5. Police service is fine. What happens to the victim surcharge? I have not ever received money from the police service for when my vehicle gets broken into??? 6. I own a home.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentDoesn't see value for money

Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

I believe that the cost of processing development permits and plans should be borne solely by the developers themselves, as they earn significant profits from the business and they are the only ones to benefit from it. No other sectors have subsidized permit processing and planning and this is the most lucrative of them all. I believe that the people hired and elected to govern in the Niagara Region are paid sufficiently for their qualifications and do not need to have any more resources allocated to them at this time. If they choose to work in leadership or governance roles in the region, it should be sufficient for them to be paid at a much higher rate than most of the other professionals in the region, as they are now. They should not require more at this time, when resources could be dedicated to more urgent matters. I believe that the social assistance programs (excluding Employment Help Centres) in the region have not proven effective in shifting people back into the workplace, instead they current programs seem to enable people to stay out of the work force for too long. People who are sick or injured receive disability payments. People who are too old to work should receive help if they are unable to live healthy lives on their savings or pensions. People that choose not work should not be enabled to stay out of the work force.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,




















Water and Wastewater, Development Services, im on well water


Community Planning, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management,

Community Planning, while important, I have not seen the Regional level planning department making significant changes to the community. Most of the ability to make changes in this area comes from the lower tier municiplaities. Niagara Region Transit does not currently provide good value for money given the low ridership and overall cost to run the program. If there was a fully integrated regional transit system that amalgamted all the transit systems this would be worth funding.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Economic Development is redundant ‐ useless ‐ and should be scrapped completely. All other items should be looked at from a perspective of efficiency and ROI (ESPECIALLY POLICE SERVICES!).


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Public sector organizations need to be streamlined with more cost effective ways of doing business. We need to invest in the people of Niagara first. I'm all for economic development, but I really don't feel like we are getting our money's worth.



They are bloated at this time.


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

To much is spent on these services already.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, It is more difficult to see the direct impact of these services in my life or my neighbours' lives


Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, the government get enough money out of tax payers and they don't do anything to help when needed


Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

The current level of service has not benefitted my family or community.


Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe these services get abused , and are not watched for such abuse. Work on getting more careers not minimum paying jobs and people will not need most of the above services.


Leadership and Governance, I don't see the direct benefit of many of these roles. For a depressed region like Niagara, the salaries for these political jobs are too high in relation to the salaries of the population.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding,

As explained , Infrastructure has been saved up thru the years , rainy day IS HERE , start using what has already been saved up ! Too many ppl at the public trough ! Too many ppl collecting OW that should NOT BE . Can city councillors bring their own lunch instead of sending out for Antipastos ? Small changes such as this add up , lead by example .


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,

There is a lack of return on these items based on either performance or restrictions from provincial/federal levels.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Value of services not reflective of amounts presently being spent.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It is not so much that they are not a priority as i believe there needs to be belt tightening and a look at making the supply of the services more efficient. I also believe that for many services the emphasis should be on deriving revenue from user pay as opposed to general taxation. Taxes are already very high and we really do need to look at making hard decisions. We cannot do everything for everybody and we really do need to look at how we can reduce costs.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Seniors Services,

Everything is leaving Fort Erie anyways so why should we care. If there was more opportunity in Fort Erie it wold be a different story. Spending over 4 millions dollars on a fire station like that come on bring in perement jobs not temporary. The fire station is just there to baby sit trucks right now. We build a new police station with EMT service they use that. I am stuggling to pay for my family to live and can't even make no money because I cannot find another job. Seems everything is leaving Fort Erie why worry about it.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Because it has shown not to be a signifigant demand.


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Many of these services are already over funded and the benefits gained from these services are minimal. Furthermore, most of these services are also funded provincially.


Public Health, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

I see too much wasteful and limited accountability in these areas.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Our money can be better spent on things that haven't already been over funded. Throwing more money at these things will not improve the way they are run.


Social Assistance, Why do we need migrant workers brought in when there are so many able‐bodied people right here that are able to do this work?


Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

We people regional governments too much already to do very little. We Gould not hand these people money to do as little a possible


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Servi

Funds, seem to be spent more on wages then progress in this Region . A lot of my friends and co‐workers agree that Region wages are outragous compared to the average local worker. And we our asked to always pay more for what the service need. But it feels like nothing is changed just barely maintained.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Don't use public transit, as there is no services in my town.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

not used


Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Its not that they are not important but rather that they can operate more efficiently to lower costs. Salary cost are out of control at all levels of the region. Ask yourself why 1000s apply for every police, fire and roads department job.


Waste Management, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Municipal services in Lincoln (Beamsville) are terrible. Too much money for poor services. Increasing funding won't help. You should do what the city of Hamilton did and follow your staff around to see what they are really doing. New housing development going on and there is no control over it. No leadership shown in this town at all.


Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

All of these should have much of there waste, paperwork and red tape decreased. There are many items that can be cut all together. It's time for the region to show they can work more efficiently.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

A lot of money is wasted in advertising, political salaries and meetings. No point in promoting the area if our infrastructure is falling apart. Roads are crappy, and there are fewer hospital services offered in the south Niagara Region. You can meet, talk and plan all you want, but who wants to live here if there are no jobs or hospital services?



I feel a lot of money is wasted in the areas and it hardly includes/applies to Port Colborne.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Public Health, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

These items fall under issues that do not necessarily impact me. I feel that there can be cost saving measures put into place to allow them to be a little more self sustaining. Also some of these categories are victims of fraud (on behalf of clients) and mismanagement (on behalf of employees). There needs to be more oversight in these areas.


Economic Development, Niagara Region does not need more economic development.


Economic Development, I have tried to get help and was denied so Idont feel the funds are really helping


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I am employed and have to pay for my own housing, no longer have young children and when I did I stayed home and didn't pay child care, no transit where I live so why pay for some thing I can not access, never used social assistance.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Just a total waste of time and the tax payers money!


Affordable Housing, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

THESE ARE AREAS THAT I AM PERSONNALLY NOT IN NEED FOR


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I don't use any of these services


Community Planning, My husband sits on a commitee to plan smart development for the region and they do not seem to be accomplishing anything.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police,

most of this servise i dont event used them,they r importan but barly used them


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management,

we spend too much on planning and not enough on doing. We are only allowed 1 garbage bag free. We dont have a in city bus that I know of so dont want to pay. We have always had too much goverment running things a few less at the top could pay for needed nursing and medical care. shouldnt our city goverment be trying to develop our city as part of their job descriptions included in the wages that they get?



These things to me i have yet to see something that good comes of it.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Public Health, Leadership and Governance,

Region spends too much time and money planning ‐ not doing


Community Planning, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

‐Too much waste and bureaucracy. I believe they are important, but that they all need to be streamlined to reduce waste in this order: Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Community Planning, Regional Police.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I'm not sure what they do


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, uncertian of the level of need. Both seem abstract to me, with little knowledge of the actual function.


Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

Wainfleet is a rural community, farms/ beaches. Chice is to live in the country and not have city ammenities


Leadership and Governance, Should be more cost efficient



Probably too much money spent on offices, etc.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,

It looks like it is favouring politicians and paper work. If this is not the case, maybe a little more information should have been stated as to where specifically the money was going. Is it to pay for more bureaucratic staff to look into such services and have nothing come of it?


Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

over the years, we don't see much of improvement, so increasing in funds is not the solution.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

These areas don't currently have any direct effect on myself or my loved ones.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Don't use these services


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

No one in my family uses these services.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I do not see a direct connection or benefit to me from these services. And these services can actually be reduced and still be satisfied from the little benefit they offer to me.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

they do not affect me


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Wainfleet does not have many of these services (e.g. water waste mgmt and public transportation, health, etc.).


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

transit‐don't use / public health ‐ should be local and handled by our hospital if it hadn't been stripped down. Enough police‐how many do we need ? Leadership and Governance ‐ do a better job with funds avail. Affordable housing‐ my taxes are too high so make them more affordable before I have to sell my home and you loose my contribution all together. Children's services‐paid for years and have no children. Conservation‐ too much land under control by conservation and blocking growth. Development services‐not clear what this is actually.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Economic Development,

Don't require


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I feel these are services that are in need of an overhaul as they are currently not used in the way they were initial set up to be.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governanc

Don't feel that we get good value for money.


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Don't utilize


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I am not affected by these issues in a substantial way.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Because I personally don't use them.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Salaries in the Public services are higher than the private sector especially when pensions are included. With leadership and governance I feel more thought should be given to volunteering, rather than providing a secondary salary.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Already too much money for little service. Why pay more for less.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Waste Management,

These have no positive impact on my community.


Waste Management, Development Services, Do not have city water/sewage.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

i think we are over paying for we get currently, giving more for what results?


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

They do not benefit me. I am sick of paying for others to live. My good paying job isn't so good anymore bc of everything being increased except my pay


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

These are not services I'm using. Some are burocratic in nature with less return on investment.


Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

They are not all applicable in the rural area we live in


Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority,

waste management is way too much esp on holidays why do they work then Also they need to stop throwing our garbage cans i have gone and bought 3 new blue bins this year no increase for any person working for the city they make way too much now especially the mayor and city council i want no more or have them live on welfare and learn how to save and the rest i think can wait till my city roads are better and my street don't flood with water every time it rains its called balance every year i pay more to run my city why does it seem to be in worse shape


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Have not experienced these services as effective.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

NRP are paid way too much, parents should take care of their own kids, social assistance is a joke and welfare bums should be made to work cutting grass in ditches, etc. Regional Transit is a joke especially for people in South Niagara (i.e. Port Colborne/Fort Erie) and we have too many politicans on Council that act like little kids and don't get anything accomplished.


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Not services I actively use, neither does my family. During use, it is fine to pay user fees.


Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Development Services: We do not need a Regional Government. It is a waste of money and there is too much duplication and red tape between City, and Regional Government. If I am not mistaken we were asked at a city election if the Regional Government should be abolished. Either not enough people voted for abolishing Regional Government or our local Politions didn't really care what the people voting them in thought. As for Development services, Conservation Authority Why should we be taxed higher to fund these Services, and why do we need these services? What benefit do we get from them? Who you should be taxing is the corporations not the middle class working person. We can barely cover mortgage/rent, groceries and the like because of all the taxes we have to pay. I say enough is enough, the politicions had better start listening to those that vote them in. They are supposed to be working for the people and the people working for them.


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,

Niagara Region Transit does not fit the current demographics or geography of Niagara Region. The Niagara Region Transportation Budget appears to be too generous as shown by their expensive experiments, e.g. roundabouts, speed bump walkways. One can only afford to be on council if you have sufficient riches. Increasing these monies has little affect. Regional Police won't have honest conversations about saving money. Community Planning sounds good but council isn't generally interested in implementing what they are spending their time working on. Economic development needs to show proof positive of their actual benefit before getting additional funding.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Poor community planning has kept Niagara disadvantaged in a variety of ways that lead to increased costs. While conservation is important the workers are slow and the department is unimaginative. Infastructure need only beca priority IF we regain business that can support it. Regional Police are not viewed provincially as astelar organization. We pay too much and get too little for mediocre. I am opposed to multiple layers of politicians and their support staff. Get some jobs in Niagara...we are a beautiful area but sadly unsung.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

community planning‐ cost to creating/maintaining bureaucracy economic development ‐ expensive to fund relative to few or little intangible benefits Regional transit‐‐should work cooperatively with local transits for synergy Regional Police‐ overpaid/over staff $100,000 salaries for cops is not fair to the average person Leadership‐‐ just funding more bureaucracy and administration. taking money away from where needed.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

I don't use the bus City hall has too many people being paid by my tax dollars I don't have a need for children's services Too many people on welfare They always have money for cell phones,cigarettes,tattoos,finger nails,beer,drugs.Then claim they have no money for rent/food.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Transit is not accessible to all areas. Nia. Reg has vast rural area that don't access Community planning is a joke. It is only so the regional and developers can line their pockets Conservation authority has too far of a reach beyond the public spaces they maintain. Controlling activities outside the park areas should cease Economic development is also a joke. Business leaving and those trying to enter the area, which are non traditional, are shunned Leadership and governance is as much a farce as municipal politics. It is all a popularity contest.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development,

NRT ‐ not available where we live. Community Planning ‐ all I see is higher density housing going in on available land. What planning is going on there? Economic Development ‐ We sit right between the GTA and Western New York! Why do we need it at current levels?



These are not services that are presently successful. Leadership and governance is greatly lacking so why increase funding for something that is inferior to begin with. Why increase funding for a transit system that has low ridership. Community planning is just another waste of money. Money needs to be spent on services that service have a positive impact not serve to waste money and create not positive, useful impact.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, I think the transit system should be private and not sure what Development services do for me.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistanc

I live in N‐O‐T‐L. We have no real hospital, no transit, only see police after a problem not on patrol, only put out one little bag of garbage a week. We are already paying too much in taxes for very little service!!!


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Why increase a service which there is little to no benefit. If people want this they should pay for it. For an average family this is not a need only a want and we can live without a want due to hars times


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning,

We need more doing ‐ not more thinking and planning (you've had enough time for that). Social assistance ‐ need to get people producing results. The assistance usually allows people to remain static; people need greater incentives to get out there, moving closer to self‐support.


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

waste management...you've cut us back so we can't even put garbage out...leadership and governance...take a pay cut...Niagara Region Transit...why we can't fund local transit...roads...always under construction, still horrible...community planning...is very poor, why put more money into it...conservation authority...i need to feed my kids...so that money is better off in my pocket...development services???...economic development...really???Infastructure funding??? affordable housing, daycare, hostels homeless, social assistance...I work my tail off to make it by and not lose my home...and you want me to support others?


Niagara Region Transit, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Most are not services that I use nor feel a a priority


Affordable Housing, Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Most of them are irrelevant to my life in comparrison to other more essential services


Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Development Services,

I do not use the services of transit, children's services, hostels and homelessness, or social assistance. As far as water is concerned, I feel I pay enough for the water / wastewater I do use, and have only noticed rates going up even though consumers do a better job in conserving.


Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I pay for my water services through my water bill. The other services are not that me or my family use.

General comment Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Economic Development,

not going to comment

General comment Community Planning, More information

General comment Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I doesn't matter what service people choose as not a priority, the same message would appear (Choosing to fund these services less may result in a decrease in service level). Obviously some services are more important to some and not to others, depending if they use the service or not. Unfortunately there is only so much money taxpayers can contribute annually without having an affect on their disposable income. The Region needs to support ALL services, that I agree, but it's going to have to be spread out. Maybe a rotation is needed ... if a service gets no increase in 2013, they automatically get it in 2014. If a service gets an increase in funding in 2013, then 2014 comes with an automatic decrease in funding. Regional Councillors have a very difficult decision to make with budgets, but you're never going to please everyone. You can only do the best you can do with what you have. Good luck!

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGeneral comment Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Niagara Region

Transit, Children s Services, Regional Police,On all of above. We are not a city.

General comment Community Planning, Development Services, Seniors Services, Seniors are the riches segment of our population. Those in need would fall under other areas.

General comment Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, They are a priority because they are the infrastructure that holds our city together.

General comment Community Planning, Regional Police, No, thanks.

General comment Economic Development, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

You have proven over and over again that the real priority if for yourselves. You are over privileged leaches on society. You give your selves raises when everyone else gets cuts and layoffs. You will drain this community of every piece of wealth is has. You do not deserve it. You are not better or smarter than me. Most of your capital projects are over budget, with the excuse of how complex it is. I have been laid off so many times I have lost count, then I have to hear how bad you have it and how hard you work.

General comment Leadership and Governance, Politics?

General comment Leadership and Governance, improvement on the REgions accomplishments should be made more accessible to the public/advertised more.

General comment Leadership and Governance, na

General comment Leadership and Governance, i have been dealing with the regional person reguarding the state of westchester av in st catharines.truck traffic is loud and shakes our houses.since the water main was installed it`s worse.also the lawns on collier street are still dug up since january we have had trucks and heavy equipment all over the neighbourhood complaints are not beeing addressed by those in charge.highways are left overgrown with weeds on hwy406.the city streets are a mess.

General comment Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Don't care about voting ‐‐ not much getting done the right way

General comment Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority,

Young family of 4

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara region transit, leadership and governance, affordable housing

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

cause i said so

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGeneral comment Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation

Authority, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Personal preference

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,

Senior Homes or home care is week. Plus some very poor are hearting.

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Try giving back to those who work and pay into this yet struggle to make ends meet. Instead you keep fixing the same roads and paying the same people who have been on social assistance for 30 years!! We pay into this yet can't pay hydro and according to you we earn too much! If it keeps going the way it is we will all be on social assistance and then who will be paying into these taxes?

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Servi

Concern stated with Regional progress.

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Suggestion regarding wages.

General comment Public Health, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance,

General comment

General comment Public Health, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Development Services, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

makes the best sense and will make other issues not planned to fall in place

General comment Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Too many taxes are taken off what I eat to pay for those who don't work. Too much wasted in PR

General comment Waste Management, Development Services, Ii am here for part of year and pay for full year as it is.

General comment Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I think if you serious about these project, they need to be wholly rethought. Currently the service is not merry g at all the minimum quality expectation. If you re not capable just outsource them.

General comment Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Children s Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Because they are not.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGeneral comment Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public

Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Too much money from taxpayers is being throw away for outdated systems that people, afraid to conform or change with the times, are self reliant on because they can't problem solve a newer solution.

General comment Leadership and Governance, Unions grab onto too much benefits and perks without compensating for performance(lack of or bad), civil servants shouldn't be making fat cat salaries perks, benefits, big packages etc.

General comment Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Survey is biased. Choice is either more funding or not a priority. What choices do I have???

General comment Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Your survey is slanted to get the results you want. For example, in the emergency medical services question you lumped together ambulance trips and cpr training of 7th graders. I fully support the ambulance, and see absolutely no point to training a 7th grader to perform CPR with tax dollars. If you give credibility to this survey, it will only be because it gives you the answers you want, not because it has any validity. If you really want to know your citizens opinions, provide details and let us vote on each item.

General comment Community Planning, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

N/a

General comment Infrastructure Funding, We should pay

General comment Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

Others are

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

It's not that they aren't important to me, I think that putting money into the WLMH is of utmost importance. The government should give the at own of Grimsby the money that the Grimsby residents raised BACK to the town of Grimsby to be put right into WLMH, not only for upgrades and improvements, but to ensure keeping the fantastic Doctors, Nurses, Medical staff.

General comment Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

d

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police,

Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I believe that too may people are on social assistance that should be out working, if you have more people working you shouldn't need more social assistance or affordable housing. Don't we already have a community plan in place, do we need to be changing things all the time... I think we have enough volunteer organizations that can help out with conservation, I would fund them, but just at a lower rate

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

These services are important ‐ the survey does not give opportunity to comment on each throughout. I believe that give more to these does not mean better management but more waste. I believe the leaders currently in charge of this have enough funds to do their jobs efficiently however they are not true leaders ‐ they are trying to maintain status quo with more money ‐ we cannot afford to pay more, we just need different leaders in charge ‐ real business people who are in touch with the poverty and lack of jobs in the region and the importance of agriculture from a growing and research perspective and how enterprise in this area will boost the economy for all resources, social, environmental, financial. Too many thinkers and not enough doers at the leadership level ‐ also too much policing and red tape ‐ again too many costs so it keeps the majority out of the game ‐ and they have lots to offer.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, After having seen the problems with federal government it seems that one year of no funding increase to regional government may give those with authority an opportunity to look at what they do for their funding dollar. May even get them to think outside the box so to speak and realize not everything can be fixed with more money that is usually spent unwisely. I have seen dollars lost to planning that did not take all the issues into consideration and end up spending more due to improper implementation of funds or ideas. Time is wasted trying to get the whole Niagara Region to agree on any one project. Someone please step in and tell everyone to stop behaving like kids in a school yard. Fighting and arguing only prolongs due process and costs us millions more in the long run. We need a voice that will look at the whole area and project what will happen in the next decade and start the new projects with speed and a region with co‐operation.

Governance issues Hostels and Homelessness, Emergency Medical Services, they are important but when broken down in details i do not see the importance in the details. the examples of services cut seem like fair cuts. since with ambulance i already have to pay if i need to use. and as for hostels and homelessness. privatize them. that will make it affordable

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

Current levels of funding for these programs are adequate and the process should be streamlined to be more efficient. My opinion is the administrative level is too heavy and far too much money is wasted on consultations rather than doing. Utilizing Planners from each Municipality in a forum setting would be far more productive. Improving transportation services in rural areas and investing in their infrastructure to promote higher density growth will stabilize their micro economies and enhance revenues.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I believe these services are over funded at the administrative level. Salaries etc., should be frozen for 2 years. I

also support the dissolution of the Regional level of government and support a municipal level only.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

I am new to the area and I am not familiar with the current political make‐up but am a proponent of less is more in politics. NOTL has other areas ripe for economic development and does not require increased funding.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable H

with much duplication of services with the municipalities, the region either has to take over everything or let the cities run their own.. The Region is spending far too much on new buildings for their staff(1.2 million for a council chambers), police taj mahal, works buildings etc. Look around the public sector and see what business are making do with. The Region feels the taxpayers can continue to fund their wish lists when the average citizen has no wage increases. The public service gravy train has to end. Just look at the sunshine list. This is one fed up taxpayer!

Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

These services either receive excessive funding or should receive their funding from elsewhere.

Governance issues Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

Leadership and Governance is not in line with what other public servants make ‐ hope you are not suggesting a raise or adding more staff. Economic Development ‐ the survey choices for answers are limited so no opportunity to say yes to different parts. Waste management ‐ seems like I have to pay to get rid of so much garbage ‐ shouldn't that take care of extra costs? Conservation ‐ what needs to be done? Need more adequate description before agreeing to be on board with an increase. Water ‐ could we increase it any more? Is this one year we could get a tax break?

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

No comment on transit... Roads need to be fixed in all areas, not just business areas. Development services n economic development help certain areas and a certain targeted groups.... Why invest when it doesn't support our local economy... Leadership n governance should not be a priority... They should focus on doing their job well before seeking more funds...

Governance issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Some should be eliminated (ie economic development). Decreased service is not the only option ‐ look at how these can be run more efficiently.

Governance issues Roads, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

same roads are worked on every couple years while others abandoned (poor sections). We in the Niagara Region have the provinces most corrupt and poorly scanned police force (look it up, it's a statistical fact). The current community planning scheme is more than enough. lets focus on those left behind ‐ against their will, there are too many of them. Look at the fence behind main street. Economic Development? how many casinos do you need to build to realize that the city lost money ‐ and jobs. let the tourists make up their own minds and worry about the residents. infrastructure? you fixed a section on Mountain RD. it worse and more inconvenient, after a yearly visit. What are you doing? Leadership and Governance ‐ someone's lining the wrong person's pockets, we keep voting in the wrong person. All I hear is a lot of talk and I see the opposite action. It's nauseating. I'm sick of these officials representing the January Dr. crowd and their needs. It's not right.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning,

Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,I feel I am overpaying for these services already. I don't feel I should pay for regional transit since I do not use it at all. Users should pay for increases. I have not received an increase in pay for the work I perform so the people who do not go out to earn it should not automatically get a financial increase.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,


Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,


Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,


Governance issues Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic

Development, Children s Services, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Leadership and Governance: When will I see true leadership by Regional Council and they recognize the need for reduced number of municipalities to serve 400,000 people; one City of Greater Niagara; reduced number of policitians (125 or so to 25); 1 CAO, 1 fire dept, 1 Treasurer, 1 commissioner PW on and on. Why do we need 13 region/city halls for just 400,000 people?? We do however still need front line staff to deliver the services ‐ as that is where the work gets done. There is too much waste in time, resources and money to coordiante 13 separate municipalites for the 1 taxpayer....too many games played with the tax dollars ‐ Region has maintained less than 1% increase over last number of years yet local area municipalities take up the room and raise my taxes well above inflation. Police Need to manage their costs increases within their own budget! ‐ if we need to pay officers such high wage increases compared to others in Niagara then what is being reduced in the budget to pay for wages by Police? Why do their civilian staff still get the same high increases as police officers when the work they do is comparable to many jobs in Niagara. The Homes had to lay off staff to pay for their wage increases when budget could not afford it? Police can reduce through attrition of police officers, lay off of civilians and other ways to manage their budgets. I'm sure my services as outlined in this survey (that I want to see maintained) have to somehow pay for police increases if the police budget is not and I am not happy about that.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning,


Governance issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Children s Services, Hostels and

Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Governance issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

NRP are paid way too much, parents should take care of their own kids, social assistance is a joke and welfare bums should be made to work cutting grass in ditches, etc. Regional Transit is a joke especially for people in South Niagara (i.e. Port Colborne/Fort Erie) and we have too many politicans on Council that act like little kids and don't get anything accomplished.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Development Services: We do not need a Regional Government. It is a waste of money and there is too much duplication and red tape between City, and Regional Government. If I am not mistaken we were asked at a city election if the Regional Government should be abolished. Either not enough people voted for abolishing Regional Government or our local Politions didn't really care what the people voting them in thought. As for Development services, Conservation Authority Why should we be taxed higher to fund these Services, and why do we need these services? What benefit do we get from them? Who you should be taxing is the corporations not the middle class working person. We can barely cover mortgage/rent, groceries and the like because of all the taxes we have to pay. I say enough is enough, the politicions had better start listening to those that vote them in. They are supposed to be working for the people and the people working for them.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public

Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,


Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,


Governance issues Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

The police pay infuriates me. I have a family member who is a police officer and his attitude regarding the last pay is disheartening when given his personal biases towards the community he is supposed to be protecting. It is time to stop over paying these officers. I am an RN who has not had a raise in 4 years and make a portion of what the police do. Every time I see a regional transit bus it looks empty. Affordable housing and social assistance is a personal feeling due to my experiences. Too many people are enabled by handouts and hand ups. I work two jobs and incredibly hard. I don't believe in free rides. Leadership and governance I believe being a community leader does not need to involve a high pay and benefit. I volunteer regulary for free to my community and do not believe that rewards should be so high to be a community leader. You should be a leader because you want to lead and help not profit. High pay could also lead to dishonesty and corruption. Children's services are not a priority to to me. I am frustrated by the fact that these services, in my experience, have only helped the low income families. So I have had minimal benefit from them.

Governance issues Hostels and Homelessness, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services,

I feel that there are enough out there to help those in need, ie salvation army has enough funding from the government , I don't use public transit , I feel that the road are maintained well enough , it should not cost us more for the water and wastewater that we are paying. If you choice to use emergency medical services then you should have to pay for them separately

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Because we have double services through the city and the region. It is time that these services were given to

one or the other.

Governance issues Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Leadership is should be streamlined duplicate services should be eliminated‐ Wainfleet doesn't develop so not sure why its funded at all ( I believe they should develop but one alderman has bullied the whole place into not developing so its a waste to even fund it)

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Too much government interference.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I think our officials already make enough money and perhaps our money should be used towards child services, homelessness, etc...

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, When you see how much some make it is frustrating when others who work just as much and get half of what they get

Governance issues Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

I think the local government and the region are doing the same plan. High cost of Leadership and way too many councillors of the Region. I have read how the councillors spend the tax payers money and the wages are too high.

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Well each service that I suggested had more funding has its own internal leadership ‐ why are we paying for more people to oversee what you already pay people to oversee with in the budgets that they are given. To me its not as important as the others that I suggested get the funding as I see challenges in those areas all the time with the assistance of community planning and the leadership and governance at this present time. Cut the red tape and make it leaner may help in the long run

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, we need less government

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Fund

Leadership and Governance: There are simply TOO MANY regional Councillors and their loyalties lie with their own municipalities ‐ not the Region overall. Affordable Housing, Children's services, Hostels and Homelessness, and Social Assistance costs are out of control and should be the responsibility of the province. Regional Police appear to have too many Chiefs ‐ they should be able to maintain services without the exorbitant annual increases that they demand. Development services and Economic development should be the responsibility of the local Municipalities. Regional Council, as a whole is much too large and unwieldy with beaurocratic kingdoms continually being expanded. . . population in this Region has not increased incremementally with the growth of Regional employees.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Emergency

I feel the city of Welland does a poor job at managing money and the only thing they're good at is raising taxes. They can't seem to find a way to generate revenue to help the city.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Regional

Police, Development Services, Economic Development,Affordable housing, hostels and homelessness ‐ I feel these services should be less of a priority for the Region (public service) with not‐for‐profit organization's taking more responsibility for providing them. Regional Police ‐ I feel the NRPS receives too much funding as it is and I feel taxpayers have no choice but to accept less police services (at least in some areas) in exchange for additional disposal income. Development services, economic development ‐ I feel these services should be fully provided by non‐public sector entities, including Chambers of Commerce and other private, for‐profit companies.

Governance issues Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Should be provincial and municipal responsibilities. The region should be disbanded.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

leadership, so we really need all those bodies there and paying all this money for most of them to sit around and collect a pay cheque and want a raise, when the rest of us don't get raises but everything goes up.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

All 12 municipalities do these services and the province has added several other layers of administration. Rationalize or cut.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,

We have too many levels of government. You guys spend too much of our money.

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Invariably backroom staffing is bloated and poorly run. maybe less time in talking and more in doing.

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Leadership = governance....I think whatever those in charge are being paid is already too much! Community planning....Things like the waterway expences for the rowing in welland is ridiculous. All In my own opinion of course!

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I believe that the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Governance issues Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance, I believe conservation should be provincially funded Top end admin salaries are very generous compared to average wages in the Niagara region

Governance issues Development Services, Are these costs that developers could pick up? We shouldn't be paying for developers to destroy valuable farm land and natural areas. We certainly shouldn't be paying any incentives or infrastructure fees.

Governance issues Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Council needs to make some difficult decisions and look at alternative methods of delivery to reduce costs.

Governance issues Hostels and Homelessness, Infrastructure Funding, Water and Wastewater, Roads,

I think the Region has other ways to get the money for funding these programs (province, federal).

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, I believe something needs to balance the increase and these, while important, are simply a lower priority. I

believe more private funding can be raised to compensate.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, We have too many boards, committees etc to support now. Most of these committees have too many people on board, too many studies being done...no input for the public when increase in pensions etc are involved. Usually committee members have other employment also and don't have to live on the income of the average low income Niagaran

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I believe these people are overpaid and not working hard enough

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, They have not proven they are worth the amount they receive.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, they make enough money and not enough gets done

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, The requirements to become a politician is popularity and not skills, the spending is poorly governed and there is no liability for waste or corruption. The right money is there, just not all of the right people. This survey is a great start to actually listening to the tax payers who voted you. Town hall meetings need to be monthly to discuss decisions on the table, then lets discuss increasing funding.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, overpaid now and duplication, regional and municipal

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, We have an over‐abundance and duplication of leadership and governance at the regional and city levels. Reduce the layers and number of councillors!

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, The current leadership has shown to be completely dysfunctional and does not seem to have a realistic understanding of the current issues in our region. They seem to be more concerned with their personal reputation and gains, than the well‐being of the citizens ‐ what they were elected to do. With the current budget they receive they are unable to work cohesively and cooperatively, and in my opinion do not deserve to receive more money to continue to fund their personal agendas.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Government is already too big. Needs to be reduced

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, We are currently over‐governed at the regional level. The municipal mayors and a regional chair are all that is needed.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I believe there are too many people already in government, and nothing extraordinary is accomplished. Smaller government is the way of the future.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, council is disfunctional. the council needs to listen more and think outside the box.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, mismanagement

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, Politicians should be volunteers

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I feel as though there is too much administration in the city.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Already overpaid, I work a full time and a part time job and have no pension these people will retire with a pension larger than my yearly working salary. Working for the government is meant to be a job to work FOR the people NOT to take from the people.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Politicians as a group tend to spend to many hours arguing and posturing resulting in waste and inefficient use of available funds. They are more concerned with getting votes over doing what needs to be done. The service levels will do far better with less interference.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Because at one time people did these service to help their fellow man now more people do it to benefit themselves. and yes this is a generalization but people who are trying to help the little guy shouldn't make two to three time what the little guys makes.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Do not want to see such a top heavy leadership in Niagara and to go towards things like Integrity Commissioner because people cannot get along. Very frustrating use of funds.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, salaries are disproportionate to local economics

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Frankly im under the impression that politicians are more than compensated for their work.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Tax should go to direct services used by the tax payer and not adminstration costs.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Leadership and governance: paid too much already; need to reduce from tertiary government ‐ too many levels.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Too much money being spent on politicians and not enough going to essential services such as housing, children services and the problems with the homeless that is increasing in this region. The regional council all have other means of income besides serving on council and their priority should be maintaining services that are needed, and not raising their own wages when our area is already experiencing job loss and low income jobs. I live in Fort Erie and see nothing being done to improve the situation that we find ourselves in. Lost jobs, people losing their homes and businesses closing. When are our politicians going to see how desperate the situation is and do something about it besides talk.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, too much red tape, no progress seen.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Our government has become top heavy. Less money to politicians would mean more funding for worthy projects.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, I find that the promises made now but the government are nit fulfilled, Our leadership talk a great story and

make great promises like a sign about our new hospital , but there are no facts to back it up Just a hope and a dream. Prove to us positive change in the currant budget Real change the people can see and then we will feel confident to increase the budget knowing that our leaders are working to improve our area

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Region has a hard time with way money is tight. I think it is time Regional workers should take a cut like the rest of workers in non‐government work.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, focus on effective leadership rather than padding current bureaucracy

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, I consider leadership and Governance should be driven by market force and the labor market. i don't believe community planning is a value added service. Thank you

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, I do not see very much leadership in councell. I believe that money is wasted by paying people who do not do much for the community. It all seems like a membership club to me. In my small pelham subdivision, we are having a large drainage problem, and months worth of passing the buck has gone on, and now no response from the mayor and councellors concerning this. Money i very poorly spended, and what is spended usually is in the wrong place. (see the city of welland ) with their highest taxes in the region, and an amazing evestroph along the canal that cost pleanty. in my eyes(along with many others i know) everything is crooked and shady. When ever there is an election many people will say I'm voting for the least crooked of the three and its kind of sad that it has come to this. Where is our leadership? In the pockets of their associates.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Community planning doesn't seem to have been very effective in the past and we have too many chiefs and not enough indians. This results in a great deal of talking and not enough getting things done.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Region needs to be out of LTC and pass on to private sector. Region needs to focus on core services. Regional HR needs to stop contracting out core HR services.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

if you've ever set foot in fort erie you'd know that leadership and governance are laughable, supporting more funding or and funding of it is ridiculous.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Waste Management,

Too many Councillors, cut the numbers..

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, I believe the Regional Councillors are overpaid for the job they are doing. Yearly wage, plus expenses???? Not acceptable. I believe the conservation authority is doing a good job but again to big a board (political) with expenses and do not see anything critical happening that they should receive an increase in funding

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding,

Less government and so called leadership and more civic involvement.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social

Assistance,Feel that we have too many politicians, fire should be regional too many chiefs.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Development Services,

I feel the government is over staffed and spends taxpayers money too freely. Mis‐use of taxpayers money is a constant in the news. Taxing more for Leadership and Goverance is extreemly low on my priorities. Grimsby has no transit so I did not feel I need to pay more for it. I have a vehicle and will get there. Social Assistance is abused as is Development Services. New taxes for transit for the GTA. Where does all the $$$ go for drivers licences licence stickers. Lets cut pensions off for politicians and hold them personally responsible for things like the Oakville Power Plant fiasco.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

















Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go

Some of these should be privatized. These are not run efficiently by governments.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, i think leadership and governance already make WAY too much money !!!! and honestly ,,,because i have a vehicle , and do not use the public transit ,,,and we as a family are going to take the leap ,,and sell our car , and become a family that walks , and rides our bikes everywhere ,,,not because we can't afford it , but because it seems like the next step for our family becoming even greener ,,,so to speak ,,,,

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, ‐ I do not utilize transit services. ‐ From my experience, money used to fund leadership and governance is mis‐used. Money always seems to pay for food and drinks to be provided for people who don't need a community paying for their food.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I believe that a lot of money is wasted in planning and studying, and bureaucracy.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

we need a regional fire service and cut theboarders for City of Niagara

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that regional government benefits those who have the largest population base. Small towns like Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Well and do not receive the same benefit as the larger centres like St Catherine's. Most of the things I believe should be funded less, have already been diminished or taken away completely in the smaller communities.

Governance issues Public Health, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Too much governance. I hate the conservation authority. Get rid of the greenbelt.

Governance issues Public Health, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Concerned the the amount of money being spent on inspections are not being used efficiently. Less frequent visits and easier guidelines for groups to hold events. I feel that the Regional Government is at an impasse. Either amalgamate the cities into a regional government or cut back the government at region. I would be in favor of removing city councils and creating an amalgamation of Niagara government.

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services

If I managed my money like our government did... i'd be piss poor. Stop all the immigration and put money back in our pockets. Politicians are highly overpaid even at the municipal level and worst of all they spend our money on what they see fit. Really does the niagara region need another arena? I can count 10 at least...and I am flipping the bill for part of it. With the internet and technology these days, we should have more say in where our hard earned dollar goes instead of paying for our crooked politicians lunches at the Blue Mermaid.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Seniors Services, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit,


Seniors Services ‐ should be pay as you go by participants. Regional Police ‐ service is top heavy. Must keep overtime to a minimum. Niagara Region Transit ‐ is not being utilized and should be eliminated. Community Planning ‐ there appears to be too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Conservation Authority ‐ they fight ridicules battles and keep pouring money down the drain in legal fees. Leadership and Governance ‐ see above Community Planning Revamped council chambers should be withdrawn to spend the funds saved on direct services for the taxpayer.

Governance issues Social Assistance, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

Community leaders get paid far too much to ignore the voices of the citizens in their community.

Governance issues Social Assistance, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Too much administration and government and not enough of putting money where it is needed.

Governance issues Waste Management, Community Planning, waste management ‐ I really don't see why we are funding this at all. I'm sure the Walker Family is making a nice profit of it as it is and I don't think we should be subsidizing something that makes them money. Community Planning ‐ I know this is important but it's frustrating to see the same things done over and over, more action less talk.

Governance issues Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

waste management they do it all wrong one week do this next week don;t do that they are nuts, I say abolish the government and the monarcy and have person not a whole bunch of them that have no clue as to what they are doing to begin with except fill their pockets and get richer while the poor get even more poor all government is is money grabs that they come up with while they are sleeping Harper is a joke Consevation is a waste of money that could be put to better use develpment services waste of time for some of the things I have seen them do it makes me sick one week build some thing new next week tear it down oops theyh made a mistake got to do it all over again it is a waste of tax payers time money and energy this government is very stupid in the way they think they take and take and take but do not give the services for which we all pay for !!!

Governance issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Public Health,

There is actually someone at the Region in Public Health doing a survey to see if we should be able to smoke in public parks. Really this is why I pay taxes? I believe in Public Health but let's get priorities straight. If smoking is so bad ‐‐ just outlaw it. What is the cost of the survey (and the person to run it)? As for the rest, duplication, duplication, duplication. Why does someone need to ask the city/town to approve a plan and then the Region needs to approve it. Pick one level. This same comment holds true for the leadership and economic development. Too much in‐fighting between Niagara towns/cities and we all pay for it.

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, spend the money on the people not leadership.

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Our local leadership is a disgrace to town councils everywhere ‐ they are more concerned with petty one upmanship than getting priorities straight. They do not deserve one penny from the budget until they can prove that they act with the people of Fort Erie in mind. Fort Erie is a dying community ‐ jobs are disappearing ‐our mainstreets are closed storefronts ‐ We do not need new police stations and firestations ‐ we need jobs

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure

Funding, Regional Police,One has to chose between services that are helping services such as social assistance, affordable housing, transportation to jobs, appointments, family and friends etc and the others on this page. Development services don't concentrate on the savings to be had by environmental stewardship, farmland protection. Also some municipalities are pushing development where it shouldn't go . There is still too much competition between the region and some municipalities on the economic development promotion front. It's time for a uni‐city! The average expenses are way out of line with our family's , which are lower . NB Where are the food and shelter costs on your last page?

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,

More money will not make a difference in a system where accountability is absent. It has become too easy for bureaucrats to reach into the public purse to do what they want rather than what we the people need. Idealism out of touch with how the real world works. Until these organizations are able to be accountable where irresponsible spending is punishable by loss of employment, the wild spending will not stop.

Governance issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Leadership is mnnot priority cause they are a bunch of liars amd yet they waste so much money on stupid things let me say this whoever in politics who will not accept anymoney for their term then i will vote for them it should be volounteering not making profit for yourself

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Community planning should not be a political issue but rather should be the result of needed and available resources adhering to municipal regulations. Leadership should not be a function of financial remuneration and those seeking greater recompense should seel employment elsewhere.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Employees in these departments need to have their salaries more in line so we can fund services that need more funding.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I feel that the people working in these positions are paid too much. We can have more funding in this area by cutting a bit back from their pay.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Leadership and Government receive enough of our family's income.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, in my opinion, the leaders are over funded

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Does not matter what survey anyone takes in Canada u guys still don't listen and will do what u want with the tax money. I myself get to much of an increase I will sell my house and move on. Try cutting the pay all of u get to a normal wage like everybody else. Back to 15‐18 an hour and save millions but once again u will do what u want. Have a great life.

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Salaries in the Public services are higher than the private sector especially when pensions are included. With leadership and governance I feel more thought should be given to volunteering, rather than providing a secondary salary.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Lead

The entire regional government is not a priority to me ‐ it is an exeedingly wasteful and unnecessary level of government. I would prefer to see all regional services offerd through municipal governments who can contract out joint service arrangements for essential services like water / emergency services. The regional development and economic development expense lines in particular are enormously wasteful, and inhibit investment in Niagara through duplication of approvals etc.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Too many politicians at all municipal levels of government. With all the industry leaving the Region I just wonder where the money is going. City members of the region have duplicate areas. we don't have any leadership from our politicians. Have one level of government for all the region. Get rid of the local city government or Cut the local city/town government/councils in half and send those councillors to the Region as well. Check out Halton. Seems to work better than here.

Governance issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

This is the longest running Region in the province. We need to start operating like one and get rid of the mayors of each town, city etc and have them sit on Regional counsel like everywhere else. We waste so much money and are going to fail because of it. We need to run like a region and not just say we are one. Either that or scrap it altogether. Why is there fire services in each town, City etc. that all listen to the same dispatch. It is ridiculous. You want to spend smarter, amalgamate them so your not paying for 16 chiefs and upper staff. There's a start GO

Governance issues Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Public Health,

Please read the recommendations of those involved with the RALLY in NOTL. There are just too many bureaucrats and not enough front‐line workers. Economic Development should be combined for the Region ‐ is this department available in every municipality? Why? Some who represent ED do not reflect a professional manner and are an embarrassment to the community they represent ‐ threatening lawsuits, etc. There is a huge drive by Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, etc., to restore the level of service in all areas of government ‐ by reducing the numbers of managers and restoring the balance of workers who deliver the services. There were many speakers at the Rally yesterday ‐ Union leaders, Doctors for Medicare, etc....it is to be hoped that their message is heard and implemented. I disagree with requesting the value of property ‐ it is an infringement of privacy. It is really required to complete your survey?

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, It is not that the service is not important, but I feel leadership and governance is an area where spending can be reduced. Maybe eliminate some of the redundancy in positions, do not offer salary increases, or look at a reduction in budget.

Governance issues Regional Police, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Too much is spent in the administration of these services, and not enough on the actual services.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I think that there is too much wasted money already on government with little results and changes

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Waste money they have. Already too much. Police service most off, not resultable.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, All levels of government mismanage funds they need to all take mandatory classes in budgeting and debt reduction every dollar needs to be accounted for and our debt proves it is notas our debt continues to grow

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, I feel a lot of money is wasted or misspent by the government. So I don't see how increasing the funding to

this would help in any way!!! If the MP's and local government were held more accountable and wasted less, the amount of tax dollars they collect would easily allow for other areas of service the ability to be funded properly!! The government is already too top heavy and too free spending and not in the right places!!!

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, I feel that the top personnel in the Region are making an appropriate wage for what they do. The Region needs to start doing some house cleaning at the top levels. There are too many people employed within the Region that are doing the same job with just different titles. The people of Niagara have had enough. Start cleaning house at the top levels.

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

The Niagara Region has done little to attract new economic developers to boost the local economy, other than to spend money on a redundant Action Plan that has shown little in the way of sustainable results. The tax levies imposed on local working residents to support abnormally high demand social assistance programs, senior services and the NRP has become a major economic barrier to middle income families wishing to reside in the region. The amalgamation of municipal government has done little to improve services and has instead created division amongst residents and businesses alike from each of the municipal areas (the us vs. them mentality). The Niagara Health system is one of the worst managed health systems in the country with poor morale and substandard service. The overlapping of services in community health care, specifically senior services is another example of the lack of cohesiveness within the region. Nepotism is rife in the region and is obvious in every sector of government and union environments in the region. As a relative newcomer to this region I would not encourage anyone to relocate to this region for many of the reasons aforementioned.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Until there is a decision to have one municipal government system (i.e. amalgamation) I do not believe any further effort or time should be spent on this.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Regional government just adds another level of waste

Governance issues Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Two levels of government currently oversee areas. Less region, more municipal would be preferable.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, This ranking was the only method of registering my concern that there is too many levels of government and resulting administration in the Niagara Region.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development

Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services

Because in my opinion, the money we are already paying for our services are being wasted on pointless studies, politicians perks, and lining the pockets of crony organisations such as the recycling companies who are supposedly working for the people of Niagara but are in fact getting us to do their work for them and creaming the profits from it. Instead of summarising in buckets how much you people spend, how about taking a look at the books and see what you are spending unwisely. The rest of the population has to, why not you? Don't get me started on the politically motivated, yet corporation supported Quangos like the Ontario Energy Board who are likely to approve massive rises in costs to line Enbridge's pockets further, and the OMB and Tarion who seem to managed to always come down in favour of the Builders. Don't charge us more money, get rid of one of the levels of local Government and we will have more than enough funds to support all the projects and more, and the taxpayers won't have to stump up any more.

Governance issues Emergency Medical Services, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services,

EMS ‐ some services could be transferred to the fire department

Governance issues Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

I'm a conservative. I want to see the direct and indirect subsidy given to roads substantially reduced. It is responsible for a good deal of our high taxes. Make the motorist pay their way.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Development Services, I think that Regional Government is not essential, and governance should go back to the municipalities. The Region doubles the costs for the citizens. Likewise, municipalities should be in charge of their own development.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Buses are empty most of the time. Think the leadership and governance not doing a good job. Niagara Health and the economic situation (job starts) is pathetic. Need to encourage companies to open businesses here and put people back to work.

Governance issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

While I understand that the increases are driven solely by the pay increases that are handed down by an arbitrator, I am still opposed to spending more. Reduce the ranks by attrition. The Region has no mandate on Regional Transit; until you get a Triple Majority, stop trying to take over lower‐tier responsibilities. Your 'Community Planning' has led to massive, unneeded infrastructure development that will go unused because development is not happening where you thought it would. You clearly aren't very good at 'Community Planning'. Stop trying. The COnservation Authority does little more than get in the way. I'm not sure why anyone would want to see an increase in their budget. As for Seniors and Social Assistance ‐ a reduced tax burden would allow residents to put money into community groups that deliver many of these programs at far less cost. As for 'Leadership and Governance' ‐ if there was any, I'd pay for it. But until you get some form of integration with the lower tier (ie. Double Duty councillors), the Regional level of government isn't providing much of either.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I did, however, support children' services. More child care should be available to encourage those living on social assistance to find jobs. I don't feel that economic development is necessary at the regional government level as well as the municipal level. Duplication of service. Regional transit should not be required to be supported by tax payers dollars. It should be left to private corporations to provide service. If there aren't enough people looking to purchase the service ‐ then it won't be available. The tax payer should not be on the hook to support it. Leadership and Governance.... We have WAY too many layers of government. How much money did it cost to create the video that prefaced this survey and this survey as well ??

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services,

Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,

NRT ‐ Is not a priority since there is currently city based transit services in multiple Niagara Region municipalities. Specifically this duplication of management is a problem and a waste of tax dollars. A number of these funding items should be done by non governmental organizations and the private sector.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning,

I feel the governance is way to heavy,we have assistants with assistants. I don't use the transit system.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Leadership and Governance,

I don't use transit and most people here own cars. Too much money is spent on keeping government employees employed, and not enough is being done to make our region attractive for others. We're too focused (in Lincoln) on putting up more houses and the shopping here is ridiculous....we have to travel to either Hamilton or St. catharines to do any decent shopping. Public health awareness is provided everywhere you look ‐ in schools, healthcare providers' offices, hospitals....we don't need to spend more money on that.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, I don't think people use the transit system much as they used to I feel too much money goes to leadership governance with little return for what we spend. Our voices are not really heard when we have an issue and with corruption on all levels of government these days I am skeptical that putting more of my money where it can be easily misused and abused is not a priority

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

ONLY developers, who will profit,should pay for planning. There are sufficient green areas now. Empty HUGE buses already pollute air quality. Shuttles could be used on many routes. One tier government would be quite sufficient.

Governance issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit,

Community Planning: why have the Region doing this when the municipalities would be better doing it for their respective needs. We do not need duplication. Economic Development: another area where there is probably duplication. Governance: We need less governing than more. By the way, recently I read about the problems between Regional Officials and there not getting along for decision making. Your considering the need to hire some one to help as an arbitrator. If that's the case, the wages should come out of the salary of the official involved. You have been put in Regional governing positions to move forward and not bicker about everything. What happened to cooperation and compromise. If you cann't work as a group than get out. Transit: another laugh, all the buses I see with very few people on them driving throughout the City. Some time ago I suggested the purchase of smaller buses for the off hours. And by the way, has anyone added up the cost for the buses to get back and forth to the proposed new bus depot in the south end. What a waste of gas when a more central location could have been found.

Governance issues Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I'd like to change my vote on clean water It is VERY important. Waste water, not so much. We only need one level of government for each city or town. Transit‐ we see MANY large EMPTY buses cruising town spouting black polluting smoke. Why not shuttles? Executives in all other services too well paid. Cut at executive levels, not workers.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

I think the Region should stay out of the Transit business. Leave the transit up to each city. Keep the three buses going to as they are right now. Nothing more. If the region wants to take over what will happen to allthe workers(drivers and inside office workers and garage staff) Every one will be out of jobs. That is not fair. As I said before leave the bus transportation as it is with each city looking after it. That is best for everyone involved.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning,

Children s Services,Buses are underused anyway. Childrens services should be funded by parents.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governan

We have NO regional transit. Public health employees are over paid.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, I hardly use Niagara Region Transit services. I feel as though develop services should be carried by private developers.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development,

some jobs are redundant The Transit System is horribly under utilized Most of the municipalities have an Economic Development department.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

There is no public transit near me Government officials can rely on donations

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I don't use public transit. Niagara Region and St. Catharines don't plan, govern or lead well so why waste more money.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, We have no transit in Wainfleet and Leadership Governance is one of the greatest waste of money I find we have City Halls and Township buildings that we try to get things done at, yet you end up dealing with the region anyways. I find City Halls are nothing more than a middle man a place to collect taxes.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, I do not use public transit and government should make less and work harder , like everyone else.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Transit in Niagara impractical. Region has too much say in things they should not be involved in but leave to local townships. Eg. Land severance building permits etc.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, The transit is expensive to those on assistance and it is double fare to Thorold. The government plays by its on rules, and the little guy gets screwed in the end.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara Region Transit is a waste of money for the city of Welland. It is only good if your going to city to city and should be ran later or have longer times. The whole niagara system is out of wack and needs a new face‐lift, along with new idea's including better and younger leaders. The NRP are wasting tonnes of money due to new car's and vehicles, maybe if they stopped driving to every single Tim Horton's, it would save them some more time. This whole region needs new leadership and better governance. To much money is wasted in so many places for no reason what so ever. I am sick and tired of this region and so are many other's that feel the same way in this region. WE NEED NEW PEOPLE RUNNING THIS REGION!!!!! WITH NEW IDEA'S!!!!

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Public

Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There are NO jobs in the region politicians have lined their pockets to fund crap programs that do nothing but to chase the young out of the area to look for well paying secure jobs .there is more than enough transit that doesn't get used the roads aren't maintained now with too many useless workers who stand around doing nothing.your senior housing charges far to much for what they get unless your a friend or relation to your managers .in my opinion you mismanaged the funds you get now so how can you ask for more from the working people of the region.

Governance issues Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

We are outgrowing our area!! We are losing farmland and green space everywhere, and this cannot be sustained and be able to have quality of life! As well, I would rather see spending on a better transit system and rail lines. We are far too dependent on fossil fuels. Please make it easier for me to take a bus to work, shopping and my children's activities so I don't have to rely on a car. I should be able to live in my community without having to rely on my own transportation. I would like to see walkable communities built rather than the monstrosities being built that further rely on multiple vehicles to get anywhere. Our government wastes money as it is...why would I give you more? Prove to me that you are fiscally responsible and making choices for the benefit of ALL, and I will happily change my mind. In Short: **Pay attention to our environment, and support businesses/development that encourage sustainability and responsibility. **Help us to be less dependent on fossil fuels. Plan walking communities and better transit. **Be socially responsible,,,,help your citizens in need. **Be fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible!

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I find government hords money. The transit system needs so much work its not worth not having a car. The government should take a pay cut to help services aand programs that require more finding. I'd vote for them again if they do that

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,
















Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Community Planning,

Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,

Affordable Housing should be a provincial issue, not to mention a property tax system based on the value of your property will never lead to affordable housing. To pay taxes based on what we believe is the value of a house in not way reflects the demand or use of services. Police ‐ tax dollars to pay for salaries. If they want the salary of what a Hamilton or Toronto Police officer makes then work there. It's time to say no to the unions. Same goes for regional works ‐ tired of union civil servants demanding 3% based on the fact they are in a union while the rest of us get wage freezes. Transit ‐ Please it will never work, Poor Planning and in fighting among communities will provide a decent transit system. Tell me why I should fund a transit system for Welland, St. Catharines and Niagara Falls when it will never provide any service for me! Plus how long will it be before that demand the same benefits and wages the the TTC Employees have in Toronto. Once it goes to arbitration, like police salaries we all know which way the ruling is going to go. Child Services is something the province should be looking after as well as affordable housing. I thought the province mandated high density housing which would prove affordable to Niagara Residents.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Seniors Services,

Clarification: I do believe police service is important to the niagara region, however, not when there is a 3% increase retroactive to 2012 (which includes an increase for administration staff. And let's not forget the cost of the arbitration to get that 3% increase!) Niagara transit system often has buses drive by that are empty. I am still not convinced that this is useful. Seniors could also be privatized, similar to child care centres, but offering subsidy for those who cannot afford the service. Leadership and governance could be much leaner. I do not believe Niagara Falls needs 3 councillors and a mayor to represent the city at $25,000 per year plus expenses.

Governance issues Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,

I believe in Regional transit, I just don't think it should be funded by the Region. As for the Police, they should be asked to do more with less just like all the other operating departments across the Region. Public Safety is a priority, but they seem to be given carte blanche at budget time and something's got to give.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

Ridership numbers don't make it a priority. Police are over funded already. Conservation Authority is too much red tape already. Regional leadership leaves much to be desired at present ...too much infighting, meetings not attended and some large egos. Several have already given themselves a huge raise.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

Bus runs more than half empty, training could be cut or taught in work places/schools and or a small fee charged, regional police are paid enough at this time, last cutback on idle wood in governance. (how many cooks needed to stir the pot)

Governance issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Transit sucks, every half hour come on. Police make enough money and abuse their rights going through lights to get to coffee break. seen this. Leadership in Gov means more people to tell you what to do . Need more hands on people. Not 4 PSW's for 18 seniors or a Dietary aid working alone on a floor serving 33 people. Infrastructure just another way to spend money and get nothing. Look at the hospital NO cancer ward ??? HMMMMMMMM

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region

Transit, Regional Police,I don't believe that the need for a regional transit system exists...I believe that the cost of policing with at 350 police officers alone making over $100,000 is ridiculous...social assistance should be tied to drug testing and leadership and governance costs are too high....government needs to start being more fiscally responsible and address these issues before looking at spending increases in this area....the number of times i see police officers sitting in their cars collectively is a perfect example....i should never see 3 or 4 police cars collectively sitting in the same spots day after day ...how is that protecting the citizens of our communities

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

Transit‐‐pay as you go. Even doubling fares would not have an impact on ridership. Governance‐‐Salaries are out of whack with private industry. Regional Police‐‐most of the budget is overtime. Conservation authority‐‐salaries Economic Development‐‐pair up with private industrial partners to fund. Affordable housing‐ Government should not be in the business of affordable housing/real estate Social Assistance‐‐how about mandatory drug testing for recipients ?

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

1. There is no regional transit access in Beamsville 2. Regional Police is over funded when crime is dropping 3. Community planning, development services and economic development should be an all in one service, too much bureaucracy. 4. Social Assistance doesn't do enough to encourage capable people to get off program 5. Too many layers of government already in Region.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

In relation to Transit, it appears that ridership does not support the present system so we do not support further subsidy. Relative to Community Planning and Development Services,we believe that development in the region should be led by economic factors. The Regional Police ave just received a significant increase which makes them one of the highest paid forces in Canada. In relation to Affordable Housing, economic development should lead to more jobs and, therefore, people who are better able to afford housing. We are, in general, not supporters of tax‐paid child care that tends to be high cost with poor outcomes.

Governance issues Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We have an aging infrastructure this is a priority,sewers the environmental minister on Ontario said in the next 15 Years storms would worsen and our infrastructure is not built to withstand the storms coming.The regional transit is a great idea though Iam disappointed we have duplicated the system which is a waste the regional buses are following city buses that should be the only ones doing inner city work the regional buses could do more service if they were not driving through inner cities I feel this is unnecessary.The regional police are the highest paid and is again unnecessary to increase any wages at this time.Many people on assistance are playing the system .Governance we have to much government already.We need good jobs.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Water and wastewater you asked us to conserve and we did, so you raised the water rates. Regional Government had no clue what they were doing. So we need less regional government. Police are overpaid, and waste too much time harassing drivers on holidays with stops to see if they have been drinking. Have the stops every night after the bars close and do one bar every night. Then there would be no overtime involved and you would lower policing costs. By the way, Transit was better in 1935 than it is today, look up the history of Niagara and you MIGHT learn how it was done.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Too much money is going to governance already. Especially since each municipality has its own governance. Social assistance criteria should be stricter and then more money will be available for those who truly need it. And there are people who really do. Niagara region transit is under‐utilized and does not service the whole region.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and

Governance,The leadership is able to raise their own funds for election they should be able to do the same for figuring out how to lead. Although their are those that truly need social assistance, I have seen too many people who openly admit they abuse this system. I do not want to fund these people. Niagara transit does not effect me in my community. We do not have public transit.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing,

1‐ I feel our leadership and governance is paid well enough. 2‐ I drive. I've lived in Toronto and seen how transit can be done well. It would take way more then a small increase to make our transit system competitive. 3‐ I get social assistance, I think the money would be better spent finding those abusing the system.

Governance issues Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Conservation authority does a poor job of maintaining the grounds they have when they show an improvement in performance,, thenm reward them. transit buses run almost empty between municipalities. If there is no interest, save the money for something people use. Housing,childrens services, hostels, homelessness and social assistance is all welfare. There should beuch more control of what these people do with the money they are GIVEN now. Stop the hand outs and GET something for our money. There is too much talk and bickering at govenment levels. Personal interests and getting elected again seems to be higher priority than doing what is right for the region.

Governance issues Community Planning, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Too many people are on social assistance need to be forced to stand on their own two feet. Planning should have been taken care of long ago...too little too late. Govt get paid more than enough already...funds should be used in the community., we have zero transit in grimsby!

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

Our family does not rely on transit. As for leadership and governance I feel these are over funded already. Living in Niagara I feel there are jobs available if one really wants to work. Providing families with subsidized childcare will allow them to seek those jobs.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,

I don't use the transit and I know many on geared income do not as well. The politicians should not be getting any extra funding as we are the region with the least jobs and many citizens have lost, are losing jobs, pay cuts, benefit cuts and more. Most jobs are part time in this area without benefits so why should these people be doling out more money to line the politician pocket. They more then the rest should have their sick days taken away instead of roll over as no company rolls over sick or vacation days anymore so why should they be allowed. How many companies are giving their employees raises? none, they are taking away from the employee and so should be with the politicians. As far as afford. house, social assist; are you kidding me? I know people that have been on it for 40 years and never once investigated. These young adults boast about not having to work, half the cars in the co‐op housing parking lots are better then mine and I work over 50 hours/wk. Where is the help for us stuck in the middle? There should be a 5 year plan for welfare (5yr and your off). Year 1‐look for work, yr 2 ‐ if not working then retrained for 1 or 2 years, yr 3,4‐ find work, yr 5 supplement income or daycare if necessary, if you haven't found income then they have not tried hard enough. No work here then relocate. Bad enough our FACS kids are automatically put on odsp as soon as 18 and there they stay for years, couples on odsp and welfare living together but one has different address, or spend their welfare money on crap and then send kids to school for breakfast, or go to food bank for free food because they used money for smokes, weed, alcohol, concert tickets. I see and know how it works and our politicians turn a blind eye. Give them a monthly card like a swipable bank card that can only be used for food, that beer stores will not accept, pay landlords directly so they are getting paid for the roof they provide to renters on assistance. This is not a luxury like these 20 something young adults and under and the immigrants are using it for. And if kids are not getting fed at home why is FACS not getting involved? I would die of starvation before my kids went to school with nothing in their belly. As for conservation auth. I think its fine but I never really looked at it, parks look great now so not sure what they are needing. Co‐op students should be helping out with them for school credit. As for afford. housing, again should be in 5 year social assistance retraining program. These services are already there ‐ just force them to utilize them and get them off the system in five years, not let them sit there for 10 to 50 years.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Region transit too much waste high salaries. Waste, too much waste, reduce. Pick up every other week. Development services should be privatized. Social assistance too much waste high wages of administration. Government equals waste.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Transit is not used enough to be funded the way it is. Less routes or a more standardized route would save fuel = money. Roads = only fix is absolutely needed as I find some are just fixed thinking they are creating jobs for people out of this bogus economic action plan. Ambulance service= it is billed to us so.... Affordable housing = people learn the system and abuse it. I see it first hand with people I know. Leadership and governance = they make too much money and don't deserve a raise when you have so many people in the Niagara Region crying for jobs because we have none due to our socioeconomics. Need to create jobs to deserve a raise. I keep looking at the Region website and I never see jobs yet I see young guys who work in region trucks. How do I get a job? Guess you need to know someone inside to get one.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance is already at a high, Transit I do not use and never have used and Social Assistance is far too easy for people to abuse it.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development

Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Transit: My friends and family (immediate and extended) rarely use transit. Money might be better spent on infrastructure. Affordable housing and social assistance: My concern is that tax increases would still yield poor results ‐‐ more people relying on and becoming dependent on these services without trying to or being able to improve their situation. Leadership Governance: Politicians should fund their own political‐professional aspirations. Leadership salaries are already too high and should be reduced, not increased. Provide stronger results to improve our region.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

NR transit has not proven as successful as the region had hoped. People lost their jobs to fund this initiative and its not proving profitable. It's lost money overall. Housing ‐ I think people in housing should ONLY be there if they're in dire need and NOT paying geared to incomes if they're making a good rate of pay (which is happening as I know of persons making well over $20/hr and living in NR housing). Housing needs to be reviewed and people need to be pushed harder to stand on their own. Losing all of our industry, we don't need community planning. We need jobs. And the Region cut many of their employees jobs in the last few years. That doesn't help when you're trying to decrease poverty and increase jobs and employability.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Transit is showing a big decline. Roads aren't getting fixed that well anyways seems like we repair the same sections of roads every year. That money needs to be used more wisely. And one job done properly at a time not a spattering trying to temporally fix everything quick. Social assistance is being abused, why throw more money into it? I want to see programs that get them into the work force.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority,

I really can't see my money going to more bureaucratic red tape, such as the misled leadership of the Niagara Region. As for Conservation, we pay into that and have a fully funded MNR through our provincial tax base, so again money for more red tape. As far as regional transit goes, I live in a small community, much of said funding comes from our own municipal tax base, I do however want to know when the Region will start to improve the roads they own in Fort Erie.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Children s Services,

Leadship ‐ Politians are overpaid ‐ overpaid support staff ‐ duplication of services. Police ‐ overpaid Children Services ‐ Overpaid At one time a gov't worker made less than a counterpart in the private sector however the gov't worker was guaranteed a pension and benefits; the private sector employee was renumerated at a higher compensation level with no guarantee of a pension or benefits. It seems in todays world and from past encounters working with the towns, cities and regional gov't that one private sector worker does the job of 3 gov't employees for 1/3 of the wages and no benefits! What is wrong with this picture?

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority,

The services are a priotity, the top heavy funding for administrative personnel is not. Human Resources management applied to NRP is critical to minimize the amount of double and triple OT. The Police work hard and do a very important job, the salaries have exploded beyond the ability of the tax base to support them. Social assistance, Seniors' Services and Homelessness initiatives go hand in hand as the Seniors in Niagara who are on a fixed income, have no pensions and rent apartments will have no where to turn once their meagre incomes are devastated by increasing cost of living and expanding taxes. I appreciate the work done, I am grateful to pay my taxes to get services. I am tired of top heavy, capital wastage without a solid plan for an ecomonically viable future. Please stop the infighting and work together to create a sustainable plan.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community

Planning,1) Ambulances should be paid for by the users on a per‐use basis and coverage for services should be provided by insurers. For low income families without insurance, in my opinion, it should be covered by the Trillium program or something similar. CPR training should be provided by school board/the Y/Boys and Girls club or by parents. 2. Police officer salaries are too high, particularly since it is relatively low‐risk compared to high‐crime areas where the officers make far less money for a much more dangerous job. 3. Community Planning should be scaled back, private investment encouraged while within the scope of preserving natural areas.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Looking at the budgets for each of these groups the cost of labour / wages is the highest cost. With all of the recent union contract increases being so high while the private sector wages are actually seeing no increase is a real tough pill to swallow. I am not trying to suggest that these people do not work hard for what they have, but let me give you a scenario. I am a degreed Engineer with my P.Eng with over 12 years of experience. Why is it I work more hours and make less money then many of the NRP officers most of whom have less education. Please explain to me why that makes sense. In addition I also think the cost of governance is way too high. The city of Mississauga has approximately the same amount of voted in politicians and has 5 times the number of people. Is that really good use of our money?

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,

there is much too many levels of government. the police are paid way too much. there seems to be no planjng or foresight on development.why dont you reduce politicions in half and stop paying the police when they are suspended.stop building white elephants like the performjng arts center or all of the wasted space in the new hospital.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, these are services that are very subjective. We have been hijacked by the police for years, and they will need to prove their worth if the current greedy trend continues. Our new police chief is making headway, but the tendency to support the policemen and women who are screwing up and abusing their power is not acceptable. Regional Gov't has chosen to spend more then a million$ to renew/redo their chambers at an exorbitant cost. This does not benefit the people paying for this in any way. Who okayed this? The national Senate? We have no extra money to lose on idiotic fantasies, think as though this were YOUR money! And it is!!! OMG. Regional government has decided to renew/rebuild the counsel chambers at an exorbitant cost to the rest of us in order to increase an advantage to a very small number of elected people, who should kow better that this.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

Overstaffed, overpaid, not enough of a concern to warrant further funding, and not enough return on investment.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

Leadership is overpaid as it is and should be happy they have jobs when so many of us do not. The police are over funded and useless. You really see the police in Welland. It is time to look at the RCMP to see if policing can be don for less. They other departments are useless. I should have put Economic Development down too because they are sitting in offices and not meeting goals of bringing in good paying jobs. Most of us work in Mississauga and have to travel everyday.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that there are economies achievable in most these areas. To accept the status quo is not an answer. For example all planning and development fees should be recoverable. In policing you do not need first class constable pay rates to enforce traffic provisions. There could be a great case made to amalgamate all emergencies response services under on roof Regional admin costs and staffing should be tied directly to the real GDP of the region. From a population point of view Niagara growth is stagnet or dying. Job growth and prospects is one of the worst in the country. There is a real need to concentrate on building a real economy not Disneyland We need a more robust agricultural strategy. The grape, wine and greenhouse industries are doing well however 60% of our agricultural lands are under utilized We have lost our manufacturing base yet we are not capitalizing on our assets of cheap secure renewable green run of the river power.

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, They are not a priority because they lack true leadership. The NRPS are gouging are property taxes. The department lacks leadership and a definitive message. Here is a quote from the OCTVA training program, We are conditioned to see just about every person and every situation from a threat‐based perspective NRPS training notes/OPTVA Program Guide... April 2013. This message is ridiculous and is a real problem with officers on the front line. Here is my issue with the leadership of the region as a St.Catharines resident... I'm currently reading Rick Dyksta's latest political mailer and I'm curious what the thoughts are from others in the community on conditional sentences and house arrest for criminals? My opinions is that we need to be investing in our social services, job and re‐education programs, instead of locking up criminals and clogging up the already overcrowded Thorold jail. These are our property tax dollars being squandered on a police system that has been riddled with corruption, abuse of power and lack of leadership and training. Let's give them a hand by progressively investing in our community, our neighbors and our friends in need, so that the police may have an easier time doing their job and could play an active role in the community and not be seen as a lazy, do nothing, ticket giving cash cows. I see two cruisers escorting the Liberal Association's group bike ride, two times, three uniformed officers riding bikes together down Eastchester, officers with nothing better to do on Canada Day than hand out tickets to an already struggling citizen base. Where is the leadership where is the over sight and what is your goal? Emptiness the starting point. — In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all your preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty. Bruce Lee Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man‐made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great genera on. Let your greatness blossom. ― Nelson Mandela Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. MLK Jr. You can't make the other fellow feel important in your presence if you secretly feel that he is a nobody Les Giblin The purpose of life is not to win. The purpose of life is to grow and share. When you come to look back on all youve done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people's lives than you will from the times that you outdid and defeated them. Harold Kushner People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care John C. Maxwell

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

These are all areas where we need new and different mechanisms to approach the problems. Our regional police force consumes too much of our resources for the relative crime rates in the region and have shown continuously to be contemptuous of the public in general.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Waste Management, Regional Police, There is a lot of waste resources/money in the police service. The money provided should be spent more

wisely. With contracting out the waste collection and going down to one driver on most recycling vehicles, there should be money saved in salaries.

Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Policing costs are rising at a rate above inflation, and crime is going down. Community planning can be done at the local level. Affordable housing should be done through the private sector. Leadership and governance......too many employees at the region, including regional Councillors. The Region has become a billion dollar a year monster. And the conservation authority tries to stifle any expansion/development with their regulations. They should really look at their reports after they write them and see theiir incongruencies.

Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I believe that the dollars given to police are wasted on overtime due to poor planning. The region should consult with the OPP to see if the can offer a more competitive policing service at a better price. Community planning is fine, but funding should remain the same. And,,, we spend way too much money on local governance. City council gets paid. The region gets paid. It should be adjusted do that cut councillors are also regional councillors.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Start with Policing.....vastly exceeding general economic growth, needs to be reduced. I know the Province arbitration structure has an impact but we need to reduce the operation at the same time we resolve this with the Province. Economic development....a waste of effort....leave it with the municipalities and the same applies to development services and community planning.....way too much unnecessary duplication. Re emergency medical let's get the second hospital underway. Leadership Governance let's not pay those already elected and being paid, an integrity commissioner...get your act together ladies and gentlemen and $1.9M on council chamber upgrade.....look around at what the real needs in our communities are! Can you tell we are more than disappointed!!!!

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I see to much abuse of power from these areas. I feel less funding for a short while may help Decrease this.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

police...they bloody well make enough money.... governance...they bloody well make enough money.... transit....its not used enough as it is....

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Regional Police,

The people in these positions (Leadership and Governance) do not need any pay raises. Regional police do not need new cars every 2 to 5 yrs and to pay more for a service that actually appears to do little but tell you, He didn't kill you, so we can't help you. There are some BIG companies in our area that also have the city in their back pocket. When making calls to other government officials for environmental issues I hear. I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do about it because that company works for your city and we only have 2 environmental police officers in all of Ontario. And PAID LEAVE for police officers charged with criminal offenses?? You have to be kidding me.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services

there is and has been NO LEADERSHIP...all the best fruitland in the Niagara Region has been used now for the QEW and housing!!!Recycling is still a JOKE...why can't we bring back pop cans/bottles like B.C. does and has been doing for years. the Police etc are over paid. the hospitals are a comedy do i really need to continue????

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance,NRP cannot even balance their Overtime budget. They are overpaid and are plagued with corruption. Also they have received a disgusting amount for a raise as well as an 8% raise for senior level administration. Leadership and governance are two different things. We do not need more governance we need more leadership.

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Police get paid too much. they never needed a new building. Council is a joke and gets paid twice for not showing up. subsidies for private nursing homes.

Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

• Police Services ‐ I was recently told that 40% o my taxes are applied to police services and yet despite this I can not remember the last time I saw a police presence in my neighborhood despite the drunk drivers and vandalism. If stronger management of unionized resources was in place I suspect we could get more value from this investment and I believe that would include layoffs where necessary. • Infrastructure Funding : I have had larger properties and larger homes in other cities in Ontario and yet this is still the highest taxes I have ever paid. I believe that we should get what we have under control before spending more on infrastructure at this time. • Leadership and Governance : I don't think I need to comment here except to say that the administration and governance in this region are a nearly criminal joke. The idea of spending more money to support the complete lack of ethics and the rampant incest (generally speaking) turns my stomach. The other items I am on the fence about and would need more detail to really comment. Except for a few short periods I have spent most of my 40 years living in this region. We moved back to be close to aging family but it's a decision that bothers me more every day I have to wake up here.

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Crime is rock bottom. Police sit around and chat or harass drivers. They flick on lights and skip through traffic stops, they speed. They are overpaid and under scrutinized. Bring in the OPP. Our leaders are overpaid and the region is too bloated. I understand they create great jobs but we can't afford the waste, and I'm a New Democrat!

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Way to many police I see sitting around doing nothing. It frustrates me I feel we should cut down. Leadership , governance seems like a waste of money.

Governance issues Regional Police, Roads, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

The amount of money paid to police forces is abundant and ridiculous. Instead of spending more and more and more money on useless SWAT training and equipment, We need to start putting our uniformed officers back walking the street and talking to people. Police should be paid on a per call basis, and our firefighters should be full time. We need much more money spent on infrastructure and job creation. The Niagara region is dead for the better part economically, and it pains me to see that hundreds of my dollars go towards police, and only 20‐30 dollars go towards making Niagara a better place. Old school policing is cheaper and more efficient, Police departments and Government alike have all grown far too big in this country, and are taking every last penny and leaving little to nothing for the things that actually matter.

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, They make enough money as it is. There is no value being returned. Unless they are going to change HOW they govern then its not worth an increase. As for the police they ask for money hand over fist. We can't do it any more.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Children s

Services,the police constnatly get unwarranted pay raises. they continually poist that there pay scales must be in line with Toronot, etc. The cost of living in toronto is significantly higher. if they want toronto pay, they should move to toronto. as it is their pay is excessive, the amounts of their rasies are out of lien with other economic sectors, and this spiralling costs needs to be reigned in. there are emplioyees that have not got a rasie of any sorts in years and these folksare usually the ones that are in much loser significatn income brackets. Yet it is there taxes that pay the police. No, the police wages need to be stifled and it is time that all of the municipalites in Onrtario started saying no to their outlandish demands. On top of that , I can't beleive how many of the polcie have secondayr incomes effectively taking jobs away form others. And I alos notice it is the police that are frequehntly cross border shopping. there is a campaing going on now promoting one less trip over the border, they need a campaign for polcie to stop shopping over the boarder and sepnd their income in the ocmmunity where they get paid (all of the above applies to the fire fighters too!) Leaderhsop and governance: Their performacne for economic development has been very ppor over the years. these people make good money and have little to show for it. I wold base their salaries on outcomes. right now, their pay is too high as they genreate very little in terms of menaignful jbos and opportunites in Niagara. childrens services seem to be adequate. I alos feel that if you choose to have a family, then you should be repsonsible for their expenses. as a taxpayer I should nto be saddled with extra taxes so that 12 income families can get subsidized through me for their day care. No one subisidzies me to assist me to help take care of my eldrly father.

Governance issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Low crime rate, Leaders get paid a salary already, housing is already affordable if you work, planning can be done thru Service Canada

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Quite honestly we have too many layers of government. We also have 2 police forces the NRP and OPP. There should be only 1 services all policing in the area. Regional transit is not being used to a high degree and more money will not increase ridership.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

Transit needs to re‐evaluated the public transportation model throughout Niagara, assets suitable to capacities, operating empty buses in certain lanes do not make any sense. Transit and Taxi's do not meet the needs of the downtown bar crowds after closing time, put Niagara Road at Greater Risks. The Police never seem to be able to balance their budgets from over‐time, excessive capital purchases of operational equipment such as truck, boats, dive unit, atv, as well as over policing in area's is likely provincial or federal jusridication, and the proposed Police HQ, the time and money spent to date is absurd. Policing admin/ops need to be re‐defined, and able to bill for services that over reach into provinicial or federal jurisidication, or perhaps insurable time on motor vehicle accidents to the scene, courts appearances, and other burdens the taxpayer subjected too. Leadership and Goverance, the best example of wasting time and taxpayers money, the Treadmill Computor Terminal research project that I understand cost about $40,000, unless the Niagara Region is eligible to research grants, such project such project must not be underwritten through our tax dollars. Municipal consolidation is needed in Niagara, the Municipality concept is failing the Niagara Economy and we have become the minimum wage capital of Canada, with many constituents needing 2 ‐ 3 jobs to earn a living.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police,

Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

We are over governed in this region and far to many regional employees and little vision or creativity. Regional police has to many officers and a poor rate of successfully closing cases with a bloated and inefficient management system. Work to move people from social assistance to self sustainability and employment to do so does not require more funding but better use of resources you alrady have.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Regional Police, Social Assistance,

Regional governance and municipal government should be one and the same. We pay taxes for both. Duplication of governance costs us all more. One government and one city Niagara! Policing costs continue to climb even when crime rates are at historic lows. I'm tired of police as traffic enforcers out to ticket people at every opportunity. Whatever happened to neighborhood presence of police as beat cops and crime preventors/solvers. That's what a police force mandate should be. Stop wasting money on expensive cruisers for cops who sit behind a radar gun. A meter maid can do that for 1/3 the cost. Social assistance costs will rise always and 39000 people on our rolls is a huge number when compared to our regional population. The question is why? That is a provincial/federal issue. We taxpayers cannot support those numbers. Our taxes and water/waste‐water costs are astronomical when compared to larger municipal areas. You cannot break our tax‐payer backs.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

Why does a large portion of the budget go towards police services in an area with such a low‐crime level? Leadership and governance are blocking companies from bringing production to the region, therefore losing out on jobs we could have provided citizens, which is desperately needed. Our leaders are wanting to conserve green space and block factories/companies from re‐locating here, why? Tourists just aren't visiting the region like they used to, stop throwing money into Niagara's tourism and start creating jobs. Our leaders aren't doing that, therefore should not receive any increase in funding until they do so. Affordable housing could become less of a priority if jobs are created, this goes for homelessness as well. This all comes down to JOBS. Niagara as a tourist destination isn't going to last forever, don't let this region die by barring job creation.

Governance issues Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Police budgets have been inflated over the past few years and it is time for these agencies to bring their costs under control. Social Assistance should place more emphasis for people to take advantage of provincial and federal programs emphasizing education and job training. Bigger push on recipients doing more for what they receive. Leadership and governance is an area that local politicians should recognize as a role they are expected to perform as elected representatives of the people. If they are not accountable or are found to take actions detrimental to the public they should be immediately removed from office. This is part of the job and should not require public funding.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I live in the country, so no use for public transit. police service does not work as currently organized, they don't do anything unless there is physical harm to someone.too many houses with too few jobs to support population growth.conservation authority too powerful with no accountability. no foresight in development, just seem to put money towards issues to solve them, with no real solutions.wouldn't need affordable housing if there were more, better paying jobs. homeless and social assistance people don't get assistance without passing drug tests. to many levels of government. regional government should be a once a week job, with pay reflective as such. would save us tax payers money which we would then put back into the business in the region.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region

Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governanc

because too much money is spent on overtime for the police and why should people pay for so called affordable housing. All that does is lead to crime ridden dumps. People using transit should PAY for it THEMSELVES! Why am I paying for water and waste water TWICE? Once on my regional taxes and then on my city water bill?????????

Governance issues Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

‐ Not using water in a home, you are charged a minimal amount regardless ‐ needs to be charged on a used basis. ‐ Needs a serious look at efficiency to be able to get across the city in under 1 hour. ‐ Police are OVER PAID and this isn't Detroit where they are under paid. ‐ Affordable housing needs to be looked at because of too many people abusing the system ‐ Children Services, lots of people should not be having kids to begin with, and will make them think twice ‐ the leaders of this town need a serious pay cut as well as a lesson on management.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Wast

THe people that need to find work can have an option of leaving the Niagare Region. The police make too much already and most of the time are sleeping in there cars or at the wrong place at the wrong time. Cut there funds to an equal level. Emergency services do not need to fund grade 7 9 students for heart saving courses the school should be making this a part of health in class. Have the teachers trained and include all students to attemd and make it for community hours. How can a Region have taxes so high and yet we have people paying low takes while living the dream and people tyrying to make payments and live in Niagara working two jobs that just barely get by. Seniors get nothing for all the did to make the region better. Pay those people more and cut the costs of other things that do not amke sense.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

Leadership and governance and regional police are institutions that are at best wasteful with my money and heedless of my personal beliefs and ethics, and corrupt at worst ‐ hence they are not priorities for funding in my opinion. Development services, by your own definition, is there to provide 'comments, analysis, or approvals on a variety of development related planning applications and policies' and again, as far as I'm concerned, the region and the rest of Canada spend far too much money on endless, useless studies and not nearly enough on action. Affordable housing and children's services are both services that do not apply to me or my immediate family, and therefore not a priority to me.

Governance issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

I do not think we are spending wisely. Not in favor of regional government. Police is way too much money. I already pay too much for water. Our development department is a joke.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that there are too many levels of gov't here already and we should find ways to reduce duplication of services and people and reduce spending. I hate to be cynical because I know a lot of people may really need public housing but I personally see too many people taking advantage of the system when they could be out supporting themselves.

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Development Services, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

goverment seems to waste money on elections and bi‐elections, they spend too much of our money in bad advertisments. Let them spend thier own. There are many jobs out there and many who can work and should be working but they think that the rate of pay isn good enough. So they take advantage of the social services and give those who need it a bad name. Mske them work. A job is a job, but i guess why work when the goverment will pay you to stay home. Lastly why should we pay daycare for those who think it is the goverments responsiblity to pay for thier child care. No its not. If you want to work pay for your own day care.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Conservation Authority, Public Health, Hostels and

Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,The first 2 are over reaching and a symptom of the nanny state we are becoming. Combined with the 4th the are a symptom of governmental bloating. The government needs to reduce it's size and it's overhead, and get rid of professional public servants who make and above average living at the expense of taxpayers. As to item # 3, given the levels of social assistance available, as well as private charity organizations homelessness is literally a choice (speaking as someone who has both BEEN homeless in the past, and a supervisor of a homeless shelter later in life).

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Strategies need to be put in place that are more sustainable and provide incentive for people to be independent. Often there is a cycle of poverty that repeats and we need to break that cycle. Providing more funding to them does not encourage them to be self‐reliant. In terms of seniors, consolidation of homes makes better business sense. Should we even be running as many homes as we have?

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

doesn't matter how much we spend on leadership there is no one that will solve all the problems out there and paying them more will not help.......affordable housing and social assistance is just that assistance and it seems more and more people are taking advantage of that and giving 100%

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's time to cut! It's time to reduce government size and spending! its time to attract private business with as many freebies as possible and less government interference. It's time to have mandatory drug test for social assistance recipients this is a hand up not a hand out or career! It's time to overhaul and actually make fair the landlord and tenant board to better serve tenants and creat affordable housing privately. Governments shouldn't while in a down or flat econmy be building architectural masterpiece office buildings. They should build prefab boxes bought from private companies and cubicleed to death! As for transit! You can keep you busses a few years longer and repair and maintain them a little more like the rest of us have to! No government has a money problem you all have a spending problem! We're taxed enough!

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Roads, Community Planning, Development Services,

These services are wasteful. We need economic development not social institutions. The region at one time was a busy manufacturing center. Our leaders have squandered all that was good. Shame is what you should feel.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, What is NOT a priority is to continue increasing wages for regional politicians and providing hand‐outs to

businesses other than sole proprietorships = small business showing revenue (NOT net income) below $250,000 per year. For leadership , governance, pay politicians at minimum wage or, at the most, what MEDIAN income is for all residents of Niagara region, prorated for the official hours worked by the politicians. For economic development, stop supporting businesses that pay their employess minimum wage and/or don't provide health and pension benefits and/or offer part‐time work only. Only provide financial support for those businessses whose revenue (not net income) is less than $250,000 per year AND who provide pension AND benefits AND full time employment to all their employees. Companies that use unpaid internships should not be financially supported. Wineries and others who have TONS of private, bank and government support should not be getting money from the Region. ALSO your breakdown of common costs on p. 8 of this survey doesn't come close to my family's expenses. Where do you get this breakdown? Are you using MEDIAN costs? With over 30,000 residents receiving social assistance, how many of those have regular airfare expenses? I would like to see what chunk of residents' MEDIAN expenses the regional taxes eat up., part‐time , no pension or benefits to their employees or who are medium and large businesses with plenty of leverage shouldn't be getting our regional dollars that should be going to our physical infrastructure such as roads, sewers, water, conservation , natural resource protection and all those very necessary assets.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I think the priority should be to shift the Niagara region away from its current braindead status. The region is still a shell of its manufacturing heritage. This region is one of the toughest regions to get a professional job. I think the focus should move away from assisting uneducated or unmotivated citizens and towards encouraging highly educated or skilled professionals to open up shop here. This is what is needed to catch Niagara up with the rest of the province. There are also many superfluous levels of local government. Decide to have a single regional government OR independent city governments. This is why nothing changes. On a side note, I think local residents should be permitted free parking at the local parks, etc. Or at least a discount. I think it's ridiculous that I would have to pay $20 to park in my own city to visit a greenhouse or garden that has had free parking my entire life. Finally, and this might not be the best forum, but maybe forward this idea along up the chain of command when the house opens again in the Fall: Start taxing the churches (nationally?)...think of the revenue that would be generated . It might be possible to actually achieve some goals.

Governance issues Public Health, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

The City will become a place for people to come and live off the poor taxpayers, because of the programs we would put in place. I believe PARENTS need to take more responsibility for their children . I also believe we have one level of Government too many....we are mico managed

Governance issues Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable housing should have more rules attached to it, then I would think it should be funded more. We should not have redundant governments in municipal and regional, it could be amalgamated. Community development could be funded through user and business fees.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance, I work extremely hard to support my family. Others can do tue same. Why should I have to pay for someone elses home when half the time they are not willing to work for themselves. They made the wrong choices and they should have to live with it. As for the leadership, I have sine multiple issues raised multiple times and nothing gets done. It gets push off to tue side and it is like they hope ot never comes back up again. Why should we have to pay for leadership that is not there.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Leadership and Governance,We make to easy for some individuals to benefit from the system. Stricter rules are needed. I live in Fort Erie and the transit system does not effect us. Our leadership is poor and not pro active enough.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We don't have access to public transportation therefore don't benefit from it. Social services are abused by many, I don't see the point in dumping more money into a flawed program. Government officials make enough money and are irresponsible with trusted taxpayers money.

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

they are clearly not working, particularly in the social assistance area. get people off social assistance, work on infrastructure and development, get residents working so the tax payers don't have to pay their share. Cut the budget, set a goal of getting people off social assistance and then raise their budget when it starts to work, to keep them off social assistance. Putting more money into the system will keep the system the same, cut the money and people will start thinking of alternates. When alternates are found, give them a bonus, why are we giving these services more money for doing the same work? Starting with social assistance, get them jobs! Make it undesirable to stay on, I'm not saying let them live in hovels, I'm saying get people working, get them living on their own and then give them a benefit, more people off the system means more tax dollars, less crime less public housing. Leadership and governance is a crock, prove your selves! I don't get a raise unless I prove my work, why are we giving them more of our money to do the same?

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

we need less assistance and more people working.there is affordable house,just have to look for it and live in less desirable areas.we need less planning and more small business would prosper in region. we already have to many chiefs and not enough workers !!!!!

Governance issues Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

The province and federal government provide enough assistance for low income and senior members of the population. Secondly, these members are less likely to be home owners and pay any property taxes themselves, thus less incentives should be given. My lack of familiarity with community planning leaves me unable to make a decision on its funding. Leadership and governance should be left to market labour forces to determine best leadership for the communities based on qualifications, past and current performance levels.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Conservation Authority, Roads, Regional Police, Affordable

Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,for roads I meant to click high priority. Roads are renewed fixed very slowly and many should have been improved a long time ago. Many people on Social Assistance can help themselves and need help to get back to work ‐ not sit at home. Governance ‐ many believe that Niagara is pretty stagnant and takes very long to have any growth that doesn't deal with tourism. I.e. we should have had improved shopping a long time ago (instead of waiting for the outlet malls opening up this spring) for tourists and locals. St. Catharines has growth far more than Niagara does ‐ (I.e. Costo,Pen Centre, etc. How about having a theme of restaurants, cafes and lounges on Queen St. instead of random stores with spaced out restaurants in between ‐ what are tourists and locals suppose to really do there? It should be an eatery hub with a vibe = and it should be advertised and directed to tourists which it is not ‐ many tourists don;t even know about it! Locals have given up on it and even so, there isn't enough locals to sustain the area alone. Niagara has a bad reputation for having no jobs ‐ Young people leave and retirees only come to live. Parts of Niagara look very worn and many people do not have money to help sustain business ‐ so the negative economic cycle goes round and round. To sum it up, often leadership needs to be improved without money to assist them. Look at other growing, prosperous and motivated cities. Niagara's location ‐ not being close to larger metropolitan cities gives us a disadvantage ‐ but it doesn't take a brain to figure out some vast improvments!

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

I feel social assistance and children's services (daycare) and affordable housing are too easy to access. Honestly I am sick of working my butt off and paying to raise my children while others sit on their butts and expect people like me to pay for them. My other beef with the regions and municipalities are the incredible amount of people working in the offices, there are more pencil pushers than actual workers in the field. How many miles is the pass the buck chain of command? In other words how many supervisors are there per worker? Infrastructure when spent on preventative maintenance is money well spent. All contracts when feasible should be tendered out to local business and spread around ... they should also be held accountable that the terms are fulfilled. I pay almost 5000 dollars a year in taxes, live on a stone road and the only service I have is my one bag of garbage pickup, how is that right?

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,

I feel like more money to governing services is a joke, those folks make way more than the average citizen who pays taxes. Transit doesn't affect me I own a car. Social assistance is highly abused by people, and I'm sick of paying for people to take a year off. And community planning etc doesn't interest me, I think there are bigger priorities, such as nursing care. I work in a nursing home and I see firsthand how the lack of funding effects our residents and when I think of how much money teachers and governing officials make it angers me, aren't the people who worked hard to make our communites what they are worth more than that?

Governance issues Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Public Healt

Those are not the role of a government. I dont like how the servey says that priority automatically means more taxes. We are already overtaxed in Canada anyway

Governance issues Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

Government is frequently funded at the hands of those who are suffering, healthcare, roads, public services are things that need to be funded, while government is needed it should not be over paid. As far as water, the city of Niagara Falls, and the water system charges far too much, this has been brought to the city for years, and it's continued to be ignored.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Social

Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Regional Police,

Do not use transit, There is way to much government. Regional government does not save money. Look at taxes in Haldimand‐Norfolk after regional government disbanded. Comunity planning conservation and development services are not a necessity at this time. Lower taxes are. We have reached the breaking point. Police costs need to be reined in. This service is exploding exponentially.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Decrease administration costs...always too many chiefs in government. I don't use other services so don't particularly want to pay for them. They are still important but not a priority for myself. My main priorities are the ability to get around by car or public transit, the latter of which we have none and wonder why I am paying anything for it, senior services and public and emergency health services, clean water and waste pickup.

Governance issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

There are other services more important. Additionally Niagara has far too many levels of government and too many councilors and their staff for what actually gets accomplished in the Region.

Governance issues Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Regional staff and employees are paid much more than I am, and in my opinion less governance is better governance. Taxes monies are better spent on social services, in my humble opinion.

Governance issues Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There should be more effort in making jobs in the Niagara Region. Especially Niagara Falls so we have fewer needing assistance. I don't believe that our politicians need an increase even if its only 2%. Put the money towards getting jobs for the residences and our roads and sewers (not for tourist areas). Also, I pay almost double in taxes to what your calculator says for my property!

Governance issues Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Roads ‐ I'm tired of all the construction and roads always being dug up. It's so wasteful ‐ do it in a wiser fashion. Medical ‐ proper nutrition is more important and would reduce the need for many of these services. I'd rather see my money go to support local farmers or helping the poor get a access to this type of food rather than medical care that keeps people ill. Police ‐ I feel our current needs are being met. I would re‐evaluate this later. Development Services ‐ St. Catharines is not being developed in a way to support the economy. Seriously the region is in the toilet! Get jobs here them worry about development when we can Afford it. Otherwise we're investing so that people can get cheap housing here and have jobs out if the region! Social Assistance ‐ Put that money in to getting jobs in the area. Our young people have to leave to get work. We should not be funding people to stay in niagara to have no chance of getting work and make a life. So bring jobs, long lasting well paying jobs ‐ it's far more beneficial. Leadership ‐ the leadership is a JOKE. Seriously WHY should you guys get choushy wages while the rest of us starve. You want to make more money than earn it. You have done NOTHING to improve our region. It's great to build arenas and art centres but NO one who lives and works in Niagara can afford to enjoy it. I can't even afford to swim in the new pool. Every penny ‐ including your wages (and you should get a decrease in your wage to match the average niagara worker ‐ that being the person with a job in niagara not someone who works in Toronto and wants nice perks but couldn't afford to live here on the average wage) should be invested in bringing good decent work to the men and women. Our area is dying! It's time to wake up!

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentGovernance issues Regional Police, Development Services, Seniors Services,

Leadership and Governance,Niagara should be amalgamated so that we pay far less for local city councils (mayors, etc.). This is a HUGE and unnecessary tax burden for a region that cannot afford it. I do not believe we have a high crime rate and need more police services. I believe in increasing services for those who are economically disadvantaged ‐ but many seniors have more money than our youth (who are unemployed), and thus I do not want more funding to go to any seniors services unless they are economically disadvantaged.

Governance issues Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social and environmental services are more important to me. Governance is not doing a good job with the funding they already have.

Governance issues Waste Management, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police,

Waste management is a revenue generator, I support this, it is a priority and they are doing really well, that is a fantastic project and good for the company sourced to do this work. This kind of money is commended, but since it is making money for us I don't think we need to spend more on it. Policing is overpaid for the needs we have. The community is safe, the issues of drugs and organized crime will not lessen with more money spent here. The fact more NRP officers have been suspected and charged with crimes is also not surprising. Too much money flows in this direction, likely to keep many officers from turning to crime themselves. Jaded yes, but a part of experience in Niagara with the NRP. Until there is one level of governement in this area, I would cut back on this, the politicians will not take the leadership neeed to achieve smooth and successful governance, so why pay more. The money won't help this situation. Why call Economic Development this name and why not just marketing department , you removed tourism from the fold, one of the key parts of Niagara's engine. Social assistance and public health, I know a lot has been downloaded to local municipalities because the province didn't want to fund it, but in fact no one funds anything except the people who live here. Lets have that discussion, where is this best funded and directed. If the province doesn't fund something then let the community run the whole thing, without provincial guidelines. If they won't pay for it they have no right to make such decisions

Governance issues Leadership and Governance, Development Services, I feel the Niagara Region needs to focus on the land it's using now instead of developing further into the space that makes the Region so unique. Leadership and Governance is doing fine thus far and I don't feel that it requires additional funding until smarter decisions are made (specifically with road construction schedules and efficiency [Refer To: How many times Ontario Street has been torn up between Lake and Carlton Street in the past 3 years).

Governance issues Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I strongly feel that the Niagara Region, especially St. Catherines, did not have its post‐recession priorities in check. Far too much of our tax money was blown on projects that benefit all the wrong people at the wrong time. And economic development? I'd rather my taxes went to fixing the newly proposed draft bylaw that seems to support stifling in‐home and small businesses while promoting big super‐stores at their expense. Successful locally grown businesses would grow our economy.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We need the streets cleaned up drug dealers dealt with. Jobs should be a priority with regional workers staying at the same rate of pay no increases. Regional council doesn't need a new chambers at this time.

Governance issues


Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governan

Too much waist at the top level the people that really need these services never get them as too much money is spent in the wrong areas lower the wages for the people that run these services and spend the money on things that are needed as far as water treatment goes we are getting ripped off on every water bill and garbage collection is a waist as they pay the drivers and other staff min wage also who cares that the ice dogs wanted a new home if money was spend properly one of the rinks at the 4 pad should of been made to support the services that the rest of the people can use for things other then hockey all. The region does is waist money and we have too many levels of government all taking huge moneys from the tax payers that should be spend on other items

Governance issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Children s Services, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Waste and water services can be reduced with increased incentives to reduce waste and water use. should reduce police special event work and leave to private sector. There are too many organizations delivering children's services and too many different regulations to impliment (region, province, ngo's, for profit, school boards, doctors)these services need to be more co‐ordinated with clear and non‐overlapping mandates for service delivery. Conservation authorities, regional water plan, province, IJC, feds, universities, etc.... there are way to many organizations mandated to deal with water and environment. Either the CA should do it or the region should do it not both, there are savings to be had here.

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Water and waste is already double dipped. Eg I pay to water the lawn as waste so that's over charged. The leadership and municipal governments are top heavy and over tiered. 1 regional government and become more efficient.

Governance issues Development Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police, Less crime Developers should pay own costs

Governance issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police ‐ less funding from a perspective of a new facility. With everything going south, why do they need new, when they could recycle old buildings and use them.. Is it ideal, no, but with creative thought process and ingenuity .. Old downtown buildings could be used to house divisions of the force and repopulate the downtown areas of the region For Leadership... In my own opinion .. Their is to much government and too much waste... Do I really need a city councillor, a mayor, a regional rep, a provincial and federal rep... And senate rep.. And all those assistants and all those clerks.. Again in my own opinion, One System, One Niagara. Would live to see the cost savings if we did.. Thank you for asking

Governance issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

The transit service is not being used, perhaps better leadership would help get buy in from the cities involved. It seems a lot of money spent on consultation and planning with no visible positive outcomes. A lot of posturing by councillors and not much governing/leading ‐ the chair has to discipline and emphasize respectful behaviour when respect is one of the region's core values ‐ do we really need another commissioner to monitor them? And we are paying them to govern? Perception is very important and perhaps we are not getting the whole story ‐ transparency?

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentNiagara Region Transit issues

Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Seniors Services,


Niagara Region Transit issues


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel I am overpaying for these services already. I don't feel I should pay for regional transit since I do not use it at all. Users should pay for increases. I have not received an increase in pay for the work I perform so the people who do not go out to earn it should not automatically get a financial increase.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,



Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,






Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit,

Crime rate is at an all time low and I believe policing resources are adequate and doing a great job at the current time. I believe our leaders make more than enough money as it is. I do not use Regional Transit and when I do see a bus it is usually less than half full.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater,

Generally, I see waste (e.g. public transportation with empty buses).


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, From what I read and hear there are not alot of individuals utilizing public transit. I work in an organization that has not seen an increase in 3 years, we still manage to function to assist individuals in the community within that budget. I feel that leadership can also run without an increase in funding



buses are running empty most of the time we spend too much planning and not enough time fixing what needs to be fixed like road or we do it wrong the first time and waste money to repave it (Ontario Street and 4th Ave)


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Transit: Go was just implemented this year. Roads: parkway was just re‐done. Community Planning: school in Queenston got closed and moved to St. David's. Don't understand why young kids were moved to be right on a busy road rather than renovating a building and keeping them safe off the road. Hostels: n/a in my area anyway.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go



Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,















Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness

First of all is police services. Salaries are way to high for the amount they sit around doing nothing Then wash police cars almost every day luxury wash at that ! on tax payers money $13 X 50 X 7 X 365 Wow As for the rest I most defiantly will make a list. Garbage removal WOW again. It's a bloody Joke in Niagara. Our public health is fine. More people should stop going to Doctors for very minor things like a long nail or tiny cough Homeless hmmm I believe the federal government should be kicking in on this It is a Canadian problem not just Niagara Affordable housing for who ? How about affordable bills for this of us in a house alone. I pay more in some usage charges than I pay for USE ? Transit. Well I think on lost routes a mini bus will be fine. I have two bus routes at front door and never have I seen more than six people on a bus !!! As for the rest. Help me get a job making at least half as Much as I made 20 years ago and I can help with all. Thank you


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,




Transit is not accessible to all areas. Nia. Reg has vast rural area that don't access Community planning is a joke. It is only so the regional and developers can line their pockets Conservation authority has too far of a reach beyond the public spaces they maintain. Controlling activities outside the park areas should cease Economic development is also a joke. Business leaving and those trying to enter the area, which are non traditional, are shunned Leadership and governance is as much a farce as municipal politics. It is all a popularity contest.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development,

NRT ‐ not available where we live. Community Planning ‐ all I see is higher density housing going in on available land. What planning is going on there? Economic Development ‐ We sit right between the GTA and Western New York! Why do we need it at current levels?



These are not services that are presently successful. Leadership and governance is greatly lacking so why increase funding for something that is inferior to begin with. Why increase funding for a transit system that has low ridership. Community planning is just another waste of money. Money needs to be spent on services that service have a positive impact not serve to waste money and create not positive, useful impact.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, I think the transit system should be private and not sure what Development services do for me.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistanc



Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,



Hostels and Homelessness, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services,



Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Buses are empty most of the time. Think the leadership and governance not doing a good job. Niagara Health and the economic situation (job starts) is pathetic. Need to encourage companies to open businesses here and put people back to work.


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I did, however, support children' services. More child care should be available to encourage those living on social assistance to find jobs. I don't feel that economic development is necessary at the regional government level as well as the municipal level. Duplication of service. Regional transit should not be required to be supported by tax payers dollars. It should be left to private corporations to provide service. If there aren't enough people looking to purchase the service ‐ then it won't be available. The tax payer should not be on the hook to support it. Leadership and Governance.... We have WAY too many layers of government. How much money did it cost to create the video that prefaced this survey and this survey as well ??


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning,

I feel the governance is way to heavy,we have assistants with assistants. I don't use the transit system.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Leadership and Governance,

I don't use transit and most people here own cars. Too much money is spent on keeping government employees employed, and not enough is being done to make our region attractive for others. We're too focused (in Lincoln) on putting up more houses and the shopping here is ridiculous....we have to travel to either Hamilton or St. catharines to do any decent shopping. Public health awareness is provided everywhere you look ‐ in schools, healthcare providers' offices, hospitals....we don't need to spend more money on that.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, I don't think people use the transit system much as they used to I feel too much money goes to leadership governance with little return for what we spend. Our voices are not really heard when we have an issue and with corruption on all levels of government these days I am skeptical that putting more of my money where it can be easily misused and abused is not a priority


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

ONLY developers, who will profit,should pay for planning. There are sufficient green areas now. Empty HUGE buses already pollute air quality. Shuttles could be used on many routes. One tier government would be quite sufficient.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit,

Community Planning: why have the Region doing this when the municipalities would be better doing it for their respective needs. We do not need duplication. Economic Development: another area where there is probably duplication. Governance: We need less governing than more. By the way, recently I read about the problems between Regional Officials and there not getting along for decision making. Your considering the need to hire some one to help as an arbitrator. If that's the case, the wages should come out of the salary of the official involved. You have been put in Regional governing positions to move forward and not bicker about everything. What happened to cooperation and compromise. If you cann't work as a group than get out. Transit: another laugh, all the buses I see with very few people on them driving throughout the City. Some time ago I suggested the purchase of smaller buses for the off hours. And by the way, has anyone added up the cost for the buses to get back and forth to the proposed new bus depot in the south end. What a waste of gas when a more central location could have been found.


Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I'd like to change my vote on clean water It is VERY important. Waste water, not so much. We only need one level of government for each city or town. Transit‐ we see MANY large EMPTY buses cruising town spouting black polluting smoke. Why not shuttles? Executives in all other services too well paid. Cut at executive levels, not workers.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

I think the Region should stay out of the Transit business. Leave the transit up to each city. Keep the three buses going to as they are right now. Nothing more. If the region wants to take over what will happen to allthe workers(drivers and inside office workers and garage staff) Every one will be out of jobs. That is not fair. As I said before leave the bus transportation as it is with each city looking after it. That is best for everyone involved.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Children s Services,

Buses are underused anyway. Childrens services should be funded by parents.


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governan

We have NO regional transit. Public health employees are over paid.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, I hardly use Niagara Region Transit services. I feel as though develop services should be carried by private developers.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development,

some jobs are redundant The Transit System is horribly under utilized Most of the municipalities have an Economic Development department.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

There is no public transit near me Government officials can rely on donations



I don't use public transit. Niagara Region and St. Catharines don't plan, govern or lead well so why waste more money.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, We have no transit in Wainfleet and Leadership Governance is one of the greatest waste of money I find we have City Halls and Township buildings that we try to get things done at, yet you end up dealing with the region anyways. I find City Halls are nothing more than a middle man a place to collect taxes.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, I do not use public transit and government should make less and work harder , like everyone else.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Transit in Niagara impractical. Region has too much say in things they should not be involved in but leave to local townships. Eg. Land severance building permits etc.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, The transit is expensive to those on assistance and it is double fare to Thorold. The government plays by its on rules, and the little guy gets screwed in the end.



Niagara Region Transit is a waste of money for the city of Welland. It is only good if your going to city to city and should be ran later or have longer times. The whole niagara system is out of wack and needs a new face‐lift, along with new idea's including better and younger leaders. The NRP are wasting tonnes of money due to new car's and vehicles, maybe if they stopped driving to every single Tim Horton's, it would save them some more time. This whole region needs new leadership and better governance. To much money is wasted in so many places for no reason what so ever. I am sick and tired of this region and so are many other's that feel the same way in this region. WE NEED NEW PEOPLE RUNNING THIS REGION!!!!! WITH NEW IDEA'S!!!!


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There are NO jobs in the region politicians have lined their pockets to fund crap programs that do nothing but to chase the young out of the area to look for well paying secure jobs .there is more than enough transit that doesn't get used the roads aren't maintained now with too many useless workers who stand around doing nothing.your senior housing charges far to much for what they get unless your a friend or relation to your managers .in my opinion you mismanaged the funds you get now so how can you ask for more from the working people of the region.



The transit service is not being used, perhaps better leadership would help get buy in from the cities involved. It seems a lot of money spent on consultation and planning with no visible positive outcomes. A lot of posturing by councillors and not much governing/leading ‐ the chair has to discipline and emphasize respectful behaviour when respect is one of the region's core values ‐ do we really need another commissioner to monitor them? And we are paying them to govern? Perception is very important and perhaps we are not getting the whole story ‐ transparency?


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

We are outgrowing our area!! We are losing farmland and green space everywhere, and this cannot be sustained and be able to have quality of life! As well, I would rather see spending on a better transit system and rail lines. We are far too dependent on fossil fuels. Please make it easier for me to take a bus to work, shopping and my children's activities so I don't have to rely on a car. I should be able to live in my community without having to rely on my own transportation. I would like to see walkable communities built rather than the monstrosities being built that further rely on multiple vehicles to get anywhere. Our government wastes money as it is...why would I give you more? Prove to me that you are fiscally responsible and making choices for the benefit of ALL, and I will happily change my mind. In Short: **Pay attention to our environment, and support businesses/development that encourage sustainability and responsibility. **Help us to be less dependent on fossil fuels. Plan walking communities and better transit. **Be socially responsible,,,,help your citizens in need. **Be fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible!



I find government hords money. The transit system needs so much work its not worth not having a car. The government should take a pay cut to help services aand programs that require more finding. I'd vote for them again if they do that


Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

















Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,



Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,



Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,



Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,

I don't believe that the need for a regional transit system exists...I believe that the cost of policing with at 350 police officers alone making over $100,000 is ridiculous...social assistance should be tied to drug testing and leadership and governance costs are too high....government needs to start being more fiscally responsible and address these issues before looking at spending increases in this area....the number of times i see police officers sitting in their cars collectively is a perfect example....i should never see 3 or 4 police cars collectively sitting in the same spots day after day ...how is that protecting the citizens of our communities


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,



Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,



Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

The leadership is able to raise their own funds for election they should be able to do the same for figuring out how to lead. Although their are those that truly need social assistance, I have seen too many people who openly admit they abuse this system. I do not want to fund these people. Niagara transit does not effect me in my community. We do not have public transit.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing,



Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Community Planning, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,



Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,



Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Would like to see more public transit options (bus/taxi) for Fonthill residents.


Niagara Region Transit, We have no transit services in our area. I feel that those who have those services available to them should pay through their taxes. Not those who do not have such services


Niagara Region Transit, The buses rarely have anyone on them when I see them around the city.


Niagara Region Transit, I don't use them because they're too expensive


Niagara Region Transit, Transit is not a convenient service


Niagara Region Transit, I, personally, have not used the service since high school, almost 20 years ago.


Niagara Region Transit, I find that the hours of service that the fort Erie transit offers isn't beneficial to most who need this service. In other towns buses run more frequently with longer hours making it a more accessible service for the public. Unless the bus schedule changes I don't see it as a priority at this time.


Niagara Region Transit, I don't use it.


Niagara Region Transit, My husband and I own two vehicals and we have no need for Niagara Region Transit.


Niagara Region Transit, I feel that smaller buses could be used as part of the public transit system‐ particularly on those routes with fewer users.


Niagara Region Transit, Even though we need a Transit system.. there should be ways to make it economically responcible ... I have lived in Niagara Falls my entire life (60 ) and have never used the transit system.. I have been able to find other methods to get around Niagara (which is not a big city)...


Niagara Region Transit, I don't know many people who use these services. Perhaps it would be different if I lived in St Catharines or Niagara Falls


Niagara Region Transit, There no regional transit in Grimsby


Niagara Region Transit, I don't know anyone that uses this service. It seems to be expensive for the current ridership.


Niagara Region Transit, I live in Beamsville, why am I paying for public transit that isn't available here?


Niagara Region Transit, I have never used Niagara Region Transit and don't have access to transit in Grimsby.


Niagara Region Transit, Low ridership.


Niagara Region Transit, Have not taken public transit in years.


Niagara Region Transit, not of use to me


Niagara Region Transit, Since we do not have public transit in Port Colborne, I do not find it a priority.


Niagara Region Transit, Should be paid for by those using the service.....not shown to be a high demand.


Niagara Region Transit, I don't take the bus


Niagara Region Transit, I do not use the Public Transit


Niagara Region Transit, Do not use transit. Do not see it as a viable long term service therefore do not want to see increases in funding.


Niagara Region Transit, it is working fine so not a priority for me


Niagara Region Transit, never take a local bus.


Niagara Region Transit, I don't use nor do I know anyone who does. In Port Colborne you pretty much have to have a vehicle.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, It will be difficult if not impossible to implement and maintain a sustainable region wide transit system.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Public Health, Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance,

1. the buses are half empty and fuel costs are up ...less buses less costs. leadership... what a joke! get it done not vote on things to impress friends or in exchange for favors from others.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services,

The Regional transit system shuts down to early ‐ so low income workers( working afternoon shifts)have to take a taxi/other means home at large cost to them. The other two have not done a lot but increased regional jobs which of course increase taxes for regional payroll


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Social Assistance,

Don't use transit and buses that pass by my house are always empty CA is just too much red tape and proven historically to be unnecessary


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Transportation not necessary and too costly when money can be used for more beneficial things for all.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, The stats on niagara region transit are low, not worth keeping if it is not being used to optimal use and benefiting residence.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Transit not useful to me. I'm too remote.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Most people in st.Catharines drive their own cars.Transit is mostly used by s Brock students.There is way too much spent on government.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, I live in the country and don't have transit I supply my own transportation.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, i see empty buses driving around all the time, transit is necessary but not at it's volume now. Perhaps smaller buses for the less used routes


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Cities and businesses built for use of cars. Need to change the way cities are planned. Buses running empty or with 1 passanger


Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit,

NRT ‐ none in Grimsby that I have seen. Community Planning ‐ too many builders making all the $.


Roads, Regional Police, More transit versus roads with a strategy to move more people more cost effectively More on programs that reduce need for police


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I feel police budgets are routinely approved...police should learn to live with the same fiscal restraints and budget cuts the rest of the population lives with. We do not have have public transport in this area, we have to provide our own transportation, I feel I should not have to subsidize people who do use it.


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Police use paramedics for policing. Police get a TONNE of money and don't even take reports now ‐ they send you to the website for self reporting. Why do I have to pay for policing when I'm doing it myself??? We pay more for welfare than healthcare. It's embarrassing. It's not encouraging people to get jobs ‐ they can have and afford more on assistance programs. There is no incentive to get jobs. Our leadership has been increasingly disappointing over time. We pay to throw out garbage ‐ and you want to increase the payment and not the benefit? It costs $2 for an extra bag?! that rip off alone should cover the increase. Niagara Transit is too confusing. I currently have a bus driver from Thunder Bay visiting me, and he can't make heads nor tails of the bus scheduling or routing. Make it better, or don't have it at all.


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Social Assistance,

Regional police are over funded and always are able to demand significant increases. Other programs are receiving pennies in comparison and are equally important. Niagara Region Transit is not really a regional transit system for which I have zero benefit from as does a large portion of the region. It only really serves three larger cities.


Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit,

I live in the country, no transit, conservation not a personal issue for me, police in Ontario are out of control, ie: shooting, corruption amongst them, and it all gets covered up, I believe siu should be desolved and private commision created, under the leadership of an Ont ombudsman, to retain their credibility


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Regional Police,

I do not use nor does any family member use Niagara Reigonal Transit. I feel it was put in place to service the few that do use it. Round trip coach anywhere in Niagara costs about the same without my tax dollars. Housing is required but not by taxpayers, the landlord's should have a limit/ ceiling on what they can charge. It's the working poor that cannot afford rent however with federal benefits each month, many earn enough to pay reasonable housing. I have enough trouble paying my own housing needs with increasing costs for electirc, inusrance, water and gas. we should not be required to pay for everyone elses too. I do not use children's services so it's n/a. Regional Police, I have lost a lot of trust in this service with the police being arrested themselves. I feel OPP would better serve our community. Last year I supported NRP but have changed my mind because they've lost confidence.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, I don't use public transit nor is there public transit in Grimsby. The Niagara Regional police in Grimsby have a useless job and respond to non‐sense calls about things that are not crimes.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Police are over paid. Tired of paying for social assistance. Regional bus service is a joke. Might have to sell my house as my taxes are becoming too much. Quit taking on projects that aren't really necessary.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Police services are already well funded their is already a large force of police officers in Niagara and crime is not increasing. Regional transit is also from what i have witnessed not popular and many empty or near empty busses coming from city to city. There is already adequate housing in Niagara more needs to be done to determine those who need it most are geting in while people who can afford a private apartment should rent one.


Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assist

Does everything have to be a 'priority'. The police are running the regional board, whatever they want, they get. Transit is ridiculous. The buses run empty most of the time. They cannot be making any money. Social assistance is pathetic. Take a look at the people who benefit. Many of them are experts at screwing the system and have made a career out of it. The staff who run this are (in my opinion) very gullible. Time for the Region to show some leadership and say 'no' to wage increases. Good leadership will do that instead of patronizing every group. And while I'm on a roll, Have the Property Assessment people perform up to date assessments on private property. I think I'm the highest in our area as the assessment was carried out within the last 6‐7 years. Most of the surrounding properties haven't been assessed in living memory.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development,

Niagara Region Transit is suffering in ridership. Police can look at their budget and be creative in ways to cut excess spending and still maintain the level of service that we are currently receiving. A majority of the budget goes to policing and they are always asking for substantially more. Social Assistance is being taken for granted and, although some people desperately need assistance, most are abusing the system. Community planning and economic development are just not priorities in my eyes.


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

The Niagara Reginal Police are doing a bad job and we are paying more officers who are on charges and less for the ones working and top brass is taking the money and then there is the sunshine club of them. I feel the opp would do a better job. Transit the city spend to much on this and much of it is students so the schools should give extra for funding for the buses. Water we were told to watch what we use and we do and then the city raises the cost what a shame. Hostels and homeless I dont have a probelm if they would take the help but then I get them on the street asking me for money and they are buying drug and booze. Social Assistance they spend the money on booze or nails they live better then the normal joe who works every dday. Leadership I dont even want to go here total waste of money they micro manage what a waste. Community planning this city is being run to the ground what a bad job they are doing why give them more money to waste on ice dog and art centres and with infrastructure funding. Its time this city wake up before we go broke.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara transit only reaches minimal areas none of the rural areas are able to use it. Police are paid plenty as it is and many are corrupt . We have developed well economically recently and should jut maintain and focus on other areas . The government usually doesn't make good choices for the region and are already funded enough .


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development,

Regional Police have too many mandated services by the Province and not enough police for regular duties and community protection. We have seen decreased costs due to retirements and yet the regional police are making new investments keeping our forces costs high. Niagara Regional Transit is an ineffective use of money. The ridership is not there. Economic development in this region has not been effective. Put the whole budget into a smart marketing campaign and support services for small business.


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

The police are paid way too much as it is, this isn't Toronto. People pay to go on the bus that should take care of that. We pay an arm and leg for everything to do with cars get the money from the feds and the province to fix the roads that have been there since our grandparents and parents paid for them 50 years ago. Community planners‐ get some new ones, like ones that don't plan to put islands in the middle of our roads so people can die running into them. Conservation Authority, what a joke.The head of it votes himself a raise to oversee weeds grow in a field. Infrastructure‐ give me a break. Nothings been built in Welland in 100 years except the new round about you can turn around at E.Main and go back to walmart. We, in Welland are over represented in the city for the money we pay and the onewho represented us in the region is dead. I don't have any confidence in the leadership from this end of the region anyway.


Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,

I remember a year when my water bill increased even though it had been an unusually wet previous summer where people conserved by watering their green spaces less. The increase was justified apparently by explaining that water consumption was estimated = purchased in advance, but the lack of demand created a surplus. As for transit, I rarely see a full bus. I commend the police for a job well done, but the decision to move to a central command centre outside of the downtown core is very regrettable. They should have a higher profile in the areas at risk as a deterrent to crime., likely cannot relate to these statistics. Most of these categories are luxuries I do not have as I cannot afford them. I walk to the library, have no pets, never travel, have 1 landline , no cable tv, always eat at home (growing my own vegetables, use my small car for necessities only, , find it outrageous what the younger generation spend on name brands. I shared my mom's stress who paid property taxes for 69 yrs , never became a burden to society until being admitted to hospital at 87 , while she was being attended by the doctor during a stoke, I had the discharge nurse telling me to sell her house , find her a retirement home ASAP as her bed was needed , her week in hospital was too long. She was shipped out to Port Colborne hospital with only 24 hrs notice, where she waited 4 months for a long term care facility, because the CCAC worker there lost her file. I believe there is too much waste in our system.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I don't believe that increasing funding or even keeping the funding where it is at for housing of homeless people is important because I go to work every day to support myself, and in supporting the homeless it gives them no motivation to go out there and attempt to support themselves. Same goes for social assistance. It is very much taken advantage of in my opinion, and it is never people who really need it that are using the assistance. In terms of Niagara Region Transit, I think it has developed greatly in the recent past with the WeGo bus system, but I think that that is really as much as needs to be done.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

I think our Transit is underused for the money we put into it, and many of the other services are being taken advantage of.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Teach people to fish stop giving free fish. I don't take the bus why I am paying for it. The transit should be self sufficient . Region government gets paid too much and they do nothing.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

They're bleeding homeowners dry funding people on welfare and a transportation system that sucks! I can't even go on a night out and take the public transport home cause it shuts down early.... It's pointless


Development Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

‐ I dont know a single person who has ever used the Regional Transit _ Social Assistance is already being taken advantage of by too many people



I don't use transit. Most of the other services are related to financing others who quite often will not work to help themselves and rely on the system to provide for them.


Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

Every time I see the regional buses they are empty. We don't need business growth in Niagara, we need employers to pay us what we are worth! Not $10.25/hr and expect us to work as if we are payed $30/hr. And look at those astonishing numbers of those on assistance compared to those being employed from it, ridiculous less than an 1/8 of people are being employed after being on assistance. It's not working, probably because the amount of money people get on assistance make it allot more comfortable to live than those who work for their money!


Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

transit sucks here and a TON of money would be needed to make it better. social assistance I think needs to be monitored better to make sure the people who need it really do need it.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, I think our Leadership in the City of Welland is a joke. I do not see many people using public transportation as there used to be. I am not a senior but I think we should be taking care of the people that took care of us. People receiving Social Assistance that are capable of working should be helping our seniors by shovelling or cutting their grass. We need to take care of our medical needs and quit closing hospitals.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I do not use public transit. Affordable housing and social assistance I believe have become too easy to rely on in this area. I feel for people who have come upon hard times but I do not feel I should have to foot the bill. I have had to modify my spending habits to survive during these tougher economic times, so should the region. Why do I have to give up more of my disposable income to fund programs that I do not benefit from? I have to make concessions for items I want in my life and do with out others to make ends meet.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

We need better roads and transit to attract better paying employers. With better (amalgamated 7 day a week transit . It will go along way in getting people off Socail assistance


Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Boost the economy and everything will fall into place. Stop wasting money into social services that create adult dependents to the system. Everyone drives, transit is not a priority nor will it be able to help with commuting.


Niagara Region Transit, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

We do not have any need to access public transit. In looking at the list of priorities, we deem the other areas to be more of a priority than these areas. We feel there is some abuse of social assistance money already so likely room for savings there.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance‐ this does not need more money when the rest of the community id suffereing Niagara Region TRansit needs to rework their current budget, and be more efficient. They can make changes and improve service better‐ because as of right now, you cannot live and work in Niagra without a car. Public Health‐ Completely over‐funded....not even sure what they actually do. Too many health promoters, not actually promoting! Regional Police‐ good where they are Soc


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, ‐no significant use of transit ‐public health is over staffed and underutilized by the community.


Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

I think too much money goes into development and already well paid officials pockets. What does economic development even mean? Does this mean subsidies for box business who are going to come in and pay barely livable wages. Why don't we spend the money taking care of the most vulnerable? How much money and other resources would that save the justice system and frontline crisis services. Take care of the poor, give adults and children quality educational resources that are aimed at improving their quality of life, include them in the discussions, and use resources to restore the community. Start sustainable community initiatives that build on resources we already have and employ people there...like better a transit system (which would create a healthy environment for all). People don't use the transit system as much as they would because it isn't funded enough to make it a convenience...if it ran more frequently and extended it's services people might find it more convenient option then a car...or, fund care share initiatives. Create jobs within the community...publicly funded jobs that promote sustainable communities. No more subsidies for big business, instead fund small business. Niagara is a beautiful area, invest in it's natural environment and restoration of the downtown, make it a place people want to come and visit. When you saturate any town with Walmarts, Targets, fast food places, etc. that can be found anywhere take away from the region's natural beauty and uniqueness. I want more money spent on the environment and the people who need it the most. If we aspire to live in a sustainable region then these should be our top priorities.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning,

Transit isn't accessible in Grimsby ‐ not a priority issue to me and from what I've seen (empty buses traveling along the QEW in NFLS), it's not utilized. Affordable housing and Social assistance are not services that I use ‐ I would rather my taxes be diverted to the services that I use regularly (i.e. roads, infrastructure, water, etc.).


Niagara Region Transit, I have never used the service and I see almost empty buses on the roads.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Children s Services,

It's not that they are not a priority but that other areas are more of a priority and may benefit these areas in the longterm. Increase economic development in the area and the welfare system won't be so overtaxed. Cut the fat in health care programs and provide more jobs has a longer term effect than some class that an overpaid staff member holds. No‐one takes the buses as they cost too much anyways. Fix the roads so the lower income families don't have to spend so much money on car repair. It's not that I don't support children's services but let's rely on our families, friends and neighbours to watch our kids, not some day care. Get back to basics of providing employment which provides self esteem which provides greater public health. Working from the top down are bandaide solutions, work from the bottom up and provide a stable economic growth in the are.


Roads, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Funding for roads is disproportionately and unsustainably high. Money from road development should be diverted into developing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, enhancing public transit, and establishing meaningful policy mechanisms (planning and development proces, urban design, replacement of conventional sidewalks with multipurpose trails) to reduce car dependancy in Niagara.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Transit system is under utilized, community planning is just not more important than water or emergency services. Social assistance is also not a priority over water and emergency.


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

Never use public transit and it seems good the way it is. Focus on issues that effect people, conservation is not necessary.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

We have no public transport in our town, why pay for it. There's more than enough development, you're losing farmland and natural habitats.

Police issues Development Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police, Less crime Developers should pay own costs

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police ‐ less funding from a perspective of a new facility. With everything going south, why do they need new, when they could recycle old buildings and use them.. Is it ideal, no, but with creative thought process and ingenuity .. Old downtown buildings could be used to house divisions of the force and repopulate the downtown areas of the region For Leadership... In my own opinion .. Their is to much government and too much waste... Do I really need a city councillor, a mayor, a regional rep, a provincial and federal rep... And senate rep.. And all those assistants and all those clerks.. Again in my own opinion, One System, One Niagara. Would live to see the cost savings if we did.. Thank you for asking

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and

Homelessness, Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,


Police issues Roads, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,


Police issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Children s Services, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Leadership and Governance: When will I see true leadership by Regional Council and they recognize the need

for reduced number of municipalities to serve 400,000 people; one City of Greater Niagara; reduced number of policitians (125 or so to 25); 1 CAO, 1 fire dept, 1 Treasurer, 1 commissioner PW on and on. Why do we need 13 region/city halls for just 400,000 people?? We do however still need front line staff to deliver the services ‐ as that is where the work gets done. There is too much waste in time, resources and money to coordiante 13 separate municipalites for the 1 taxpayer....too many games played with the tax dollars ‐ Region has maintained less than 1% increase over last number of years yet local area municipalities take up the room and raise my taxes well above inflation. Police Need to manage their costs increases within their own budget! ‐ if we need to pay officers such high wage increases compared to others in Niagara then what is being reduced in the budget to pay for wages by Police? Why do their civilian staff still get the same high increases as police officers when the work they do is comparable to many jobs in Niagara. The Homes had to lay off staff to pay for their wage increases when budget could not afford it? Police can reduce through attrition of police officers, lay off of civilians and other ways to manage their budgets. I'm sure my services as outlined in this survey (that I want to see maintained) have to somehow pay for police increases if the police budget is not and I am not happy about that.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning,


Police issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and

Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,


Police issues Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, in fact it could be that regional police and leadership and governance could result in doing the work more efficently with the same amount of funding like health care is obliged to do . Provide services with the current funds , just do it differently. Saying that services will be decreased is threatening and there is little evidence to say it should in fact decrease. Police services is a good place to start.I believe we are receiving value for our money with the dispersion of regional dollars except for these two areas where i think we could improve on with out spending more money

Police issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

we have enough police right now .they do a great job.i feel are leadership and community planning are doing fine and do not need more funds.our economic growth has decreased so these people are not doing there jobs or can not do them.are community planning is not in touch with the needs of todays people so why keep funding areas that are not doing or can not do there jobs.and the police are doing a tough job right and I believe we do not need more police right now.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

These areas are over funded as it is, police rates need to be cut back.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Public Health is important but they already have enough inspectors. The police should not be earning the salaries they do through overtime. When they are making 100G a year plus, that is too much. As far as the rest of the services, jobs in government should be the first on the chopping block. These governing bodies have done nothing for the region! Our communities are shrinking! Where have the planners been. Our hospitals are all moving to the north end of the region, where have our leaders been? Why should any of these departments take more money. There are people in our region who are working but need to rely on food banks. People who can't pay rent from the few dollars they receive on welfare. They are not lazy. For every job posted in this region 99 people apply. It seems like our leaders don't see how dismal the region has become. It's a disgrace!

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

To many people employed as inspectors in the public health sector.The police should be walking the streets of Niagara instead of sitting in a parking lot waiting for one speeder.Community planning and Development Services should be able to maintain its services at the present budget.Leadership and Governance,to many politicians doing nothing,same people talking at council meetings same ones saying nothing.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Development Services, Economic Development, Emergency

Medical Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Waste Management,

development services, whether it be new homes or business lets make what we got ( thats not being used up first) rather then building new homes for a cheap price in a tourism city. Emergency medical, other then what is needed at the moment, if its working why change it this year, those are funds that will be needed if the population grows here ( an when i say that, not in Old agers). regional police, again where is our police for majority of the time? tourism waste management, same thing those billions of tons garbage come from a good percent from the tourism, i know this cause i work in this sector, i see the bins fill up so fast.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

This wording of the survey is condescending and pretentious, not a priority or how about, not necessary to spend anymore of our money as the current money is being waste fully used. How about being more efficient, employing less lazy people (ever drive by a city worker crew? Four of them standing there while one guy shovels gravel into a pot hole?) or how about wasting $50,000 on a website for NRPS?!? How can a website possibly cost that much? How about all the mafia owned builders/construction companies with their ridiculous bids on construction? Ripping up 5 roads to collect the first installment and then dragging their heels to get them done? Or how about the abuses perpetrated by the NRP on its citizens, someone needs to remind them who pays their over the top salaries. Stop wasting our time and money, please, you have enough tax dollars I do not feel sorry for you. How about getting better at efficient spending and less waste?

Police issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Public Health,

Feel 2% is not a large increase; but how do we compare to our peers in each of the areas of service. Feel 2% is the outside for each area; for example if police come in at 4 or 5%, the savings MUST come the police themselves to get to 2%. It would be interesting to see the increase over the last 10 years with what has changed in service; has it increased/decreased or remained the same. I realize you have a tough job but at some point you have make cuts. The public will not like it but your costs can not keep increasing beyond the cost of living.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I think we already spend too much money on police salaries. The transit system is fine as well as government expesnses

Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,

I think more work needs to be done to bring these in line with a more fiscally responsible approach. For example Police Service is spinning out of control we need to real it back in. We do not need a dual system of transit. If we could make a decision to have one transit then it would be a wiser move but to have municipal and upper municipal is too much. I do not think we spend wisely in community planning and Politicians are also spinning and spending out of control. No housing in my opinion is affordable. They all need an overhaul.

Police issues Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Regional police don't do much and continually abuse there power. Water = waste water funding is.fine.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Police services always asking for more money and end up with lions share. This survey a great tool to break down where OUR monies are Actually going. Was shocked to see how much was spent on economic development.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Roads, Waste Management, Community Planning, Economic

Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,Roads ‐ I have no complaints about the roads. Waste Management ‐ I have no complaints in the service level. Community Planning ‐ Do more with less $. Economic Development ‐ I don't see the results of past investments in this area. Niagara is the worst place in the country to get a job. Regional Police ‐ The police always seem to get more money. My impression is that we there is a ton of waste in the police force. They're never happy. My suggestion is to freeze these public servants for the next 5 years. Leadership and Governance ‐ Your kidding right?

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

Police services need to be scaled back the spending is out of control and the service is not worth the cost I witness so much waste in resources. Public health is the same...they better get creative building community collaborations because frankly the glass house on the hill is impressive but not practical‐ similar to that fancy hospital in the middle of nowhere

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,


Police issues Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development,


Police issues Development Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police,

Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,Waste management ‐ that's a lot of garbage going into dumps. Staying with the current budget will allow for more eduction for people to recycle. The city I grew up in, EVERY bag HAD to have a tag on it. Spending $2 a week, $104 annually will reflect in more people recycling. Public Health ‐ that's great that so many kids were trained in first aid and CPR, but it expires in 2 years. Then who pays for their re‐cert? Regional Police ‐ time for restructuring. With so much bad media on them right now, why do they deserve more of my money? They want it, they can raise it them selves. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for police officers, however, there needs to be more accountability for them. Affordable Housing ‐ I shouldn't have to pay for your house. It's really that simple. Often you see it's a scam. Try to call and report it, and it gets pushed over to someone else. No one wants to take responsibility for evicting the scammers out, and I don't feel we as tax payers should pay for that. You need affordable house? Plan better, work a second job. Then you can afford it Children's Services ‐ I don't feel it needs an increase over last year. Social Services ‐ needs to be cut off completely. Talk to someone who has rented to a person on social service, and they will tell you, they don't look for work. They do nothing at all. I understand people go through hard times, but the number of people on it, and the SMALL number that led to jobs is disgusting. Give them drug tests. Bet 60% or more would fail. That would save us tax payers, and the government a lot of money.

Police issues Roads, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police,

construction on roads is constant and appears to be inefficient; sick of being sent constant conservative party flyers despite being asked not to receive them. Just who is paying for them? and what a waste of paper etc. People who don't work are living in nicer places than some of the people that do. Why should someone that works have to share accommodation while people who don't work get their own apartment. I don't have children so that is not a priority for me personally to pay more money for them. I am tired of seeing people get government assistance who don't work and could be and have $ for cigarettes and booze. It is not a priority for me to spend more on the police force because such a large proportion of money goes there and they try to intimidate the average person as opposed to being helpful.

Police issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and

Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness

First of all is police services. Salaries are way to high for the amount they sit around doing nothing Then wash police cars almost every day luxury wash at that ! on tax payers money $13 X 50 X 7 X 365 Wow As for the rest I most defiantly will make a list. Garbage removal WOW again. It's a bloody Joke in Niagara. Our public health is fine. More people should stop going to Doctors for very minor things like a long nail or tiny cough Homeless hmmm I believe the federal government should be kicking in on this It is a Canadian problem not just Niagara Affordable housing for who ? How about affordable bills for this of us in a house alone. I pay more in some usage charges than I pay for USE ? Transit. Well I think on lost routes a mini bus will be fine. I have two bus routes at front door and never have I seen more than six people on a bus !!! As for the rest. Help me get a job making at least half as Much as I made 20 years ago and I can help with all. Thank you

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Servi


Police issues Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance,

Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,Niagara Region Transit does not fit the current demographics or geography of Niagara Region. The Niagara Region Transportation Budget appears to be too generous as shown by their expensive experiments, e.g. roundabouts, speed bump walkways. One can only afford to be on council if you have sufficient riches. Increasing these monies has little affect. Regional Police won't have honest conversations about saving money. Community Planning sounds good but council isn't generally interested in implementing what they are spending their time working on. Economic development needs to show proof positive of their actual benefit before getting additional funding.

Police issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistanc


Police issues Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Community Planning,

Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,


Police issues Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,

I don't believe that the need for a regional transit system exists...I believe that the cost of policing with at 350 police officers alone making over $100,000 is ridiculous...social assistance should be tied to drug testing and leadership and governance costs are too high....government needs to start being more fiscally responsible and address these issues before looking at spending increases in this area....the number of times i see police officers sitting in their cars collectively is a perfect example....i should never see 3 or 4 police cars collectively sitting in the same spots day after day ...how is that protecting the citizens of our communities

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning,

Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,


Police issues Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Children s Services,

Leadship ‐ Politians are overpaid ‐ overpaid support staff ‐ duplication of services. Police ‐ overpaid Children Services ‐ Overpaid At one time a gov't worker made less than a counterpart in the private sector however the gov't worker was guaranteed a pension and benefits; the private sector employee was renumerated at a higher compensation level with no guarantee of a pension or benefits. It seems in todays world and from past encounters working with the towns, cities and regional gov't that one private sector worker does the job of 3 gov't employees for 1/3 of the wages and no benefits! What is wrong with this picture?

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority,

The services are a priotity, the top heavy funding for administrative personnel is not. Human Resources management applied to NRP is critical to minimize the amount of double and triple OT. The Police work hard and do a very important job, the salaries have exploded beyond the ability of the tax base to support them. Social assistance, Seniors' Services and Homelessness initiatives go hand in hand as the Seniors in Niagara who are on a fixed income, have no pensions and rent apartments will have no where to turn once their meagre incomes are devastated by increasing cost of living and expanding taxes. I appreciate the work done, I am grateful to pay my taxes to get services. I am tired of top heavy, capital wastage without a solid plan for an ecomonically viable future. Please stop the infighting and work together to create a sustainable plan.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community

Planning,1) Ambulances should be paid for by the users on a per‐use basis and coverage for services should be provided by insurers. For low income families without insurance, in my opinion, it should be covered by the Trillium program or something similar. CPR training should be provided by school board/the Y/Boys and Girls club or by parents. 2. Police officer salaries are too high, particularly since it is relatively low‐risk compared to high‐crime areas where the officers make far less money for a much more dangerous job. 3. Community Planning should be scaled back, private investment encouraged while within the scope of preserving natural areas.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Looking at the budgets for each of these groups the cost of labour / wages is the highest cost. With all of the recent union contract increases being so high while the private sector wages are actually seeing no increase is a real tough pill to swallow. I am not trying to suggest that these people do not work hard for what they have, but let me give you a scenario. I am a degreed Engineer with my P.Eng with over 12 years of experience. Why is it I work more hours and make less money then many of the NRP officers most of whom have less education. Please explain to me why that makes sense. In addition I also think the cost of governance is way too high. The city of Mississauga has approximately the same amount of voted in politicians and has 5 times the number of people. Is that really good use of our money?

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development,

there is much too many levels of government. the police are paid way too much. there seems to be no planjng or foresight on development.why dont you reduce politicions in half and stop paying the police when they are suspended.stop building white elephants like the performjng arts center or all of the wasted space in the new hospital.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, these are services that are very subjective. We have been hijacked by the police for years, and they will need to prove their worth if the current greedy trend continues. Our new police chief is making headway, but the tendency to support the policemen and women who are screwing up and abusing their power is not acceptable. Regional Gov't has chosen to spend more then a million$ to renew/redo their chambers at an exorbitant cost. This does not benefit the people paying for this in any way. Who okayed this? The national Senate? We have no extra money to lose on idiotic fantasies, think as though this were YOUR money! And it is!!! OMG. Regional government has decided to renew/rebuild the counsel chambers at an exorbitant cost to the rest of us in order to increase an advantage to a very small number of elected people, who should kow better that this.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

Overstaffed, overpaid, not enough of a concern to warrant further funding, and not enough return on investment.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

Leadership is overpaid as it is and should be happy they have jobs when so many of us do not. The police are over funded and useless. You really see the police in Welland. It is time to look at the RCMP to see if policing can be don for less. They other departments are useless. I should have put Economic Development down too because they are sitting in offices and not meeting goals of bringing in good paying jobs. Most of us work in Mississauga and have to travel everyday.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police,

Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that there are economies achievable in most these areas. To accept the status quo is not an answer. For example all planning and development fees should be recoverable. In policing you do not need first class constable pay rates to enforce traffic provisions. There could be a great case made to amalgamate all emergencies response services under on roof Regional admin costs and staffing should be tied directly to the real GDP of the region. From a population point of view Niagara growth is stagnet or dying. Job growth and prospects is one of the worst in the country. There is a real need to concentrate on building a real economy not Disneyland We need a more robust agricultural strategy. The grape, wine and greenhouse industries are doing well however 60% of our agricultural lands are under utilized We have lost our manufacturing base yet we are not capitalizing on our assets of cheap secure renewable green run of the river power.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, They are not a priority because they lack true leadership. The NRPS are gouging are property taxes. The department lacks leadership and a definitive message. Here is a quote from the OCTVA training program, We are conditioned to see just about every person and every situation from a threat‐based perspective NRPS training notes/OPTVA Program Guide... April 2013. This message is ridiculous and is a real problem with officers on the front line. Here is my issue with the leadership of the region as a St.Catharines resident... I'm currently reading Rick Dyksta's latest political mailer and I'm curious what the thoughts are from others in the community on conditional sentences and house arrest for criminals? My opinions is that we need to be investing in our social services, job and re‐education programs, instead of locking up criminals and clogging up the already overcrowded Thorold jail. These are our property tax dollars being squandered on a police system that has been riddled with corruption, abuse of power and lack of leadership and training. Let's give them a hand by progressively investing in our community, our neighbors and our friends in need, so that the police may have an easier time doing their job and could play an active role in the community and not be seen as a lazy, do nothing, ticket giving cash cows. I see two cruisers escorting the Liberal Association's group bike ride, two times, three uniformed officers riding bikes together down Eastchester, officers with nothing better to do on Canada Day than hand out tickets to an already struggling citizen base. Where is the leadership where is the over sight and what is your goal? Emptiness the starting point. — In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup. My friend, drop all your preconceived and fixed ideas and be neutral. Do you know why this cup is useful? Because it is empty. Bruce Lee Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man‐made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great genera on. Let your greatness blossom. ― Nelson Mandela Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. MLK Jr. You can't make the other fellow feel important in your presence if you secretly feel that he is a nobody Les Giblin The purpose of life is not to win. The purpose of life is to grow and share. When you come to look back on all youve done in life, you will get more satisfaction from the pleasure you brought to other people's lives than you will from the times that you outdid and defeated them. Harold Kushner People don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care John C. Maxwell

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

These are all areas where we need new and different mechanisms to approach the problems. Our regional police force consumes too much of our resources for the relative crime rates in the region and have shown continuously to be contemptuous of the public in general.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Waste Management, Regional Police, There is a lot of waste resources/money in the police service. The money provided should be spent more

wisely. With contracting out the waste collection and going down to one driver on most recycling vehicles, there should be money saved in salaries.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Policing costs are rising at a rate above inflation, and crime is going down. Community planning can be done at the local level. Affordable housing should be done through the private sector. Leadership and governance......too many employees at the region, including regional Councillors. The Region has become a billion dollar a year monster. And the conservation authority tries to stifle any expansion/development with their regulations. They should really look at their reports after they write them and see theiir incongruencies.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I believe that the dollars given to police are wasted on overtime due to poor planning. The region should consult with the OPP to see if the can offer a more competitive policing service at a better price. Community planning is fine, but funding should remain the same. And,,, we spend way too much money on local governance. City council gets paid. The region gets paid. It should be adjusted do that cut councillors are also regional councillors.

Police issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Start with Policing.....vastly exceeding general economic growth, needs to be reduced. I know the Province arbitration structure has an impact but we need to reduce the operation at the same time we resolve this with the Province. Economic development....a waste of effort....leave it with the municipalities and the same applies to development services and community planning.....way too much unnecessary duplication. Re emergency medical let's get the second hospital underway. Leadership Governance let's not pay those already elected and being paid, an integrity commissioner...get your act together ladies and gentlemen and $1.9M on council chamber upgrade.....look around at what the real needs in our communities are! Can you tell we are more than disappointed!!!!

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I see to much abuse of power from these areas. I feel less funding for a short while may help Decrease this.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

police...they bloody well make enough money.... governance...they bloody well make enough money.... transit....its not used enough as it is....

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Regional Police,

The people in these positions (Leadership and Governance) do not need any pay raises. Regional police do not need new cars every 2 to 5 yrs and to pay more for a service that actually appears to do little but tell you, He didn't kill you, so we can't help you. There are some BIG companies in our area that also have the city in their back pocket. When making calls to other government officials for environmental issues I hear. I'm sorry, there is nothing we can do about it because that company works for your city and we only have 2 environmental police officers in all of Ontario. And PAID LEAVE for police officers charged with criminal offenses?? You have to be kidding me.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services

there is and has been NO LEADERSHIP...all the best fruitland in the Niagara Region has been used now for the QEW and housing!!!Recycling is still a JOKE...why can't we bring back pop cans/bottles like B.C. does and has been doing for years. the Police etc are over paid. the hospitals are a comedy do i really need to continue????

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance,NRP cannot even balance their Overtime budget. They are overpaid and are plagued with corruption. Also they have received a disgusting amount for a raise as well as an 8% raise for senior level administration. Leadership and governance are two different things. We do not need more governance we need more leadership.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Police get paid too much. they never needed a new building. Council is a joke and gets paid twice for not showing up. subsidies for private nursing homes.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

• Police Services ‐ I was recently told that 40% o my taxes are applied to police services and yet despite this I can not remember the last time I saw a police presence in my neighborhood despite the drunk drivers and vandalism. If stronger management of unionized resources was in place I suspect we could get more value from this investment and I believe that would include layoffs where necessary. • Infrastructure Funding : I have had larger properties and larger homes in other cities in Ontario and yet this is still the highest taxes I have ever paid. I believe that we should get what we have under control before spending more on infrastructure at this time. • Leadership and Governance : I don't think I need to comment here except to say that the administration and governance in this region are a nearly criminal joke. The idea of spending more money to support the complete lack of ethics and the rampant incest (generally speaking) turns my stomach. The other items I am on the fence about and would need more detail to really comment. Except for a few short periods I have spent most of my 40 years living in this region. We moved back to be close to aging family but it's a decision that bothers me more every day I have to wake up here.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Crime is rock bottom. Police sit around and chat or harass drivers. They flick on lights and skip through traffic stops, they speed. They are overpaid and under scrutinized. Bring in the OPP. Our leaders are overpaid and the region is too bloated. I understand they create great jobs but we can't afford the waste, and I'm a New Democrat!

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Way to many police I see sitting around doing nothing. It frustrates me I feel we should cut down. Leadership , governance seems like a waste of money.

Police issues Regional Police, Roads, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

The amount of money paid to police forces is abundant and ridiculous. Instead of spending more and more and more money on useless SWAT training and equipment, We need to start putting our uniformed officers back walking the street and talking to people. Police should be paid on a per call basis, and our firefighters should be full time. We need much more money spent on infrastructure and job creation. The Niagara region is dead for the better part economically, and it pains me to see that hundreds of my dollars go towards police, and only 20‐30 dollars go towards making Niagara a better place. Old school policing is cheaper and more efficient, Police departments and Government alike have all grown far too big in this country, and are taking every last penny and leaving little to nothing for the things that actually matter.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, They make enough money as it is. There is no value being returned. Unless they are going to change HOW they govern then its not worth an increase. As for the police they ask for money hand over fist. We can't do it any more.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Children s

Services,the police constnatly get unwarranted pay raises. they continually poist that there pay scales must be in line with Toronot, etc. The cost of living in toronto is significantly higher. if they want toronto pay, they should move to toronto. as it is their pay is excessive, the amounts of their rasies are out of lien with other economic sectors, and this spiralling costs needs to be reigned in. there are emplioyees that have not got a rasie of any sorts in years and these folksare usually the ones that are in much loser significatn income brackets. Yet it is there taxes that pay the police. No, the police wages need to be stifled and it is time that all of the municipalites in Onrtario started saying no to their outlandish demands. On top of that , I can't beleive how many of the polcie have secondayr incomes effectively taking jobs away form others. And I alos notice it is the police that are frequehntly cross border shopping. there is a campaing going on now promoting one less trip over the border, they need a campaign for polcie to stop shopping over the boarder and sepnd their income in the ocmmunity where they get paid (all of the above applies to the fire fighters too!) Leaderhsop and governance: Their performacne for economic development has been very ppor over the years. these people make good money and have little to show for it. I wold base their salaries on outcomes. right now, their pay is too high as they genreate very little in terms of menaignful jbos and opportunites in Niagara. childrens services seem to be adequate. I alos feel that if you choose to have a family, then you should be repsonsible for their expenses. as a taxpayer I should nto be saddled with extra taxes so that 12 income families can get subsidized through me for their day care. No one subisidzies me to assist me to help take care of my eldrly father.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Low crime rate, Leaders get paid a salary already, housing is already affordable if you work, planning can be done thru Service Canada

Police issues Development Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police, Less crime Developers should pay own costs

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police ‐ less funding from a perspective of a new facility. With everything going south, why do they need new, when they could recycle old buildings and use them.. Is it ideal, no, but with creative thought process and ingenuity .. Old downtown buildings could be used to house divisions of the force and repopulate the downtown areas of the region For Leadership... In my own opinion .. Their is to much government and too much waste... Do I really need a city councillor, a mayor, a regional rep, a provincial and federal rep... And senate rep.. And all those assistants and all those clerks.. Again in my own opinion, One System, One Niagara. Would live to see the cost savings if we did.. Thank you for asking

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning,

Development Services, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Police issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Regional Police, Social Assistance,


Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Police budgets have been inflated over the past few years and it is time for these agencies to bring their costs

under control. Social Assistance should place more emphasis for people to take advantage of provincial and federal programs emphasizing education and job training. Bigger push on recipients doing more for what they receive. Leadership and governance is an area that local politicians should recognize as a role they are expected to perform as elected representatives of the people. If they are not accountable or are found to take actions detrimental to the public they should be immediately removed from office. This is part of the job and should not require public funding.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governanc


Police issues Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Wast


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Development

Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,Leadership and governance and regional police are institutions that are at best wasteful with my money and heedless of my personal beliefs and ethics, and corrupt at worst ‐ hence they are not priorities for funding in my opinion. Development services, by your own definition, is there to provide 'comments, analysis, or approvals on a variety of development related planning applications and policies' and again, as far as I'm concerned, the region and the rest of Canada spend far too much money on endless, useless studies and not nearly enough on action. Affordable housing and children's services are both services that do not apply to me or my immediate family, and therefore not a priority to me.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I feel police budgets are routinely approved...police should learn to live with the same fiscal restraints and budget cuts the rest of the population lives with. We do not have have public transport in this area, we have to provide our own transportation, I feel I should not have to subsidize people who do use it.

Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Police use paramedics for policing. Police get a TONNE of money and don't even take reports now ‐ they send you to the website for self reporting. Why do I have to pay for policing when I'm doing it myself??? We pay more for welfare than healthcare. It's embarrassing. It's not encouraging people to get jobs ‐ they can have and afford more on assistance programs. There is no incentive to get jobs. Our leadership has been increasingly disappointing over time. We pay to throw out garbage ‐ and you want to increase the payment and not the benefit? It costs $2 for an extra bag?! that rip off alone should cover the increase. Niagara Transit is too confusing. I currently have a bus driver from Thunder Bay visiting me, and he can't make heads nor tails of the bus scheduling or routing. Make it better, or don't have it at all.

Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Social Assistance,

Regional police are over funded and always are able to demand significant increases. Other programs are receiving pennies in comparison and are equally important. Niagara Region Transit is not really a regional transit system for which I have zero benefit from as does a large portion of the region. It only really serves three larger cities.

Police issues Conservation Authority, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit,

I live in the country, no transit, conservation not a personal issue for me, police in Ontario are out of control, ie: shooting, corruption amongst them, and it all gets covered up, I believe siu should be desolved and private commision created, under the leadership of an Ont ombudsman, to retain their credibility

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Regional Police,

I do not use nor does any family member use Niagara Reigonal Transit. I feel it was put in place to service the few that do use it. Round trip coach anywhere in Niagara costs about the same without my tax dollars. Housing is required but not by taxpayers, the landlord's should have a limit/ ceiling on what they can charge. It's the working poor that cannot afford rent however with federal benefits each month, many earn enough to pay reasonable housing. I have enough trouble paying my own housing needs with increasing costs for electirc, inusrance, water and gas. we should not be required to pay for everyone elses too. I do not use children's services so it's n/a. Regional Police, I have lost a lot of trust in this service with the police being arrested themselves. I feel OPP would better serve our community. Last year I supported NRP but have changed my mind because they've lost confidence.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, I don't use public transit nor is there public transit in Grimsby. The Niagara Regional police in Grimsby have a

useless job and respond to non‐sense calls about things that are not crimes.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assist


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Economic

Development, Leadership and Governance,Niagara transit only reaches minimal areas none of the rural areas are able to use it. Police are paid plenty as it is and many are corrupt . We have developed well economically recently and should jut maintain and focus on other areas . The government usually doesn't make good choices for the region and are already funded enough .

Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development,


Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,


Police issues Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,


Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Regional Police,

i do not use city transit, i have no children, and Niagara Regional Police are crooked and already make too much money for just giving out speeding tickets. NRP are the most corrupt police force in all of Canada. They have so many charges pending, and should not be given any more raises, since they are already over paid. Shame on the Niagara Regional Police

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Hostels and

Homelessness, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police,many of these are business related and i should,t have to support a business that is doing poorly . the NRP are like a runaway train , massive increases each year with no way to stop it. their holding us hostage with no increase , no service. MOST IMPORTANT this is not an industrial region with everyone making big money. mayor rigby had a hand in shutting down DOMTAR where i had a good paying job. i an now making a wage i made in the 1980,s . a new cop is around 80,000 . i,m about 27,000 . and that doesnt get you much these days. ITS ABOUT TIME TO REIGN IN THE SPENDING. if a homeowner spent this way we,d be in debt forever. again with the NRP , if the downtown HQ houses both HQ and st.catharines detachment and HQ is moving to the falls ,how does the old building become too small for the st.catharines detachment. i think they just want new fancy digs because their not paying for it. my home is 50 yrs old and even tho i would love a new big home just cant afford it so we make due with what we have

Police issues Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance,

regional Police budget is way out of control‐serious decisions in reducing the money spent on this service in this region. many residents feel this way.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

For the most part, they don't apply to me. In the case of policing, salaries are way too high

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

I feel NRP take way to much funding as it is . Take care of the people .

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Police services are important, however costs are too high. Continual wage increases meant to achieve parity with Toronto police fail to account for Niagara taxpayers' ability to pay, and cost of living in Niagara.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Like i need to pay 650 bucks a year to be harassed by police for riding a motorcycle or going 10 over the posted limit also maybe they could save some money by firing abusive police officers and making them pay for their own court cases !!!

Police issues Regional Police, They are useless in most situations.

Police issues Regional Police, They are important but I feel they are well paid now especially every time it comes up they go to arbitration and get increases whether we can afford them or not.

Police issues Regional Police, Have had unsatisfactory/poor level of service (non‐emergency).

Police issues Regional Police, More than any other regional service, police services have demanded larger funding increases than any other service and these have often been granted because policing is such a difficult issue to argue against. We live in a world with less crime then 30 years ago, yet police services continue to increase at greater than the rate that families can pay for them (Consumer Price Index). I feel safe with the current level of service, and I would be fine if there was a slight drop to bring policing funding back in line with the cost of other services.

Police issues Regional Police, I believe that policing is an important part of our community, but that we have sufficient policing at present. I believe it is more important at this time to put money into prevention programs and supports.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Important services, but salary hikes for NRPS should be in line with other Regional staff.

Police issues Regional Police, I think they are over paid same as firefighters although I don't know where they fit into this picture at this point in the survey.

Police issues Regional Police, Crime is decreasing, why does funding always go up?

Police issues Regional Police, Services are necessary. Increases in budget are not. reign in overtime, slary increases.

Police issues Regional Police, Salaries to NRP are already inflated.

Police issues Regional Police, Expenses seem to increase at a higher rate than any other expenditure.

Police issues Regional Police, We cannot continue to pay for the increases in salaries.There has to be a cap.

Police issues Regional Police, Increased budget will unfortunately only support arbitrated decisions for ongoing increased police wages ‐ not increased services.

Police issues Regional Police, I am not convinced that we need the number of police officers we have or that the work they do adequately addresses community priorities.

Police issues Regional Police, The Niagara Regional Police are over paid.

Police issues Regional Police, I believe our police wages are too high considering crime rates in Niagara. If higher wages lead to less administration or a few less officers, I can live with that.

Police issues Regional Police, The police are well funds and have not done much to save money.

Police issues Regional Police, I feel that Police Services are paid a very good amount of money when you compare the Niagara Region to larger regions and cities in the province. You need to compare our Region to others regarding # of crimes, types of crimes etc.

Police issues Regional Police, Stats indicate a reduction over the last 20 years in criminal activity

Police issues Regional Police, I believe services offered should be given a priority, however I disagree strongly in the wage increase which was agreed upon. It is my opinion that police are well compensated for what they do, and in general, wages should not be increased. A police officer/detective/etc... is a vital job and is very important to our society, however, I believe that all areas are equally important (ie. if you put more money into childrens services = more law abiding citizens, healthier communities = less crime, etc... in the future, or increase services to seniors = less calls from ambulance/police to respond to seniors in need for reasons which could be dealth with in other ways through alternate services) Increasing wages for those who receive an excellent wage is not going to benefit our community, will just increase the quality of living of a select few

Police issues Regional Police, Not sure why we need a new police headquarters?

Police issues Regional Police, Police officers re greatly overpaid.

Police issues Regional Police, Too much of our tax dollar being spent carelessly on this. We are not Toronto or some other Metropolitan area.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Where the service was most needed,there was less. Seemed focus was on new location of new command

centre and wasted time on bogus calls..seems training for officers to be a bit more respectful and considerate is needs. Also back ground checks on officers and monthly evaluations considering all the recent arrest of officers and suspended without pay is more logical.

Police issues Regional Police, firs of all, 1/3 of my property taxes goes to NRP, which is an organization that i do not believe in. There have been so many cases of corrupt NRP officers performing illegal activity. Not only do the corrupt NRP officers get suspended with pay, but they get this for years and years on end until their case actually goes to trail. I think there is much better use of our tax payers money, then to fund NRP

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, I believe that police are overpaid ‐ many risk their lives in the job on occasion, and I believe that the rates of overtime are excessive and should be cut back. I feel that too much is spent on planning ‐ the department is too large ‐ as the region is quite developed ‐ perhaps their work can be melded into other departments. I also feel that council is too large, and that wind energy should be a priority ‐ even if there are wind challenges or problems they would not be as great as nuclear problems.

Police issues Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

The police are over funded and over paid good for nothing cowboys

Police issues Regional Police, Development Services, Need to Lower wages of police to better reflect everyone else's wages in Niagara.

Police issues Regional Police, Development Services, In terms of the Regional Police I believe that there are more preventative justice measure that can be taken in order to deal with alot of the problems the NRP handles

Police issues Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

The police seem to have trouble justifying their budget to the public. I do not like paying for offices who are suspended for clear wrong doing.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, regional police: lousy response from them except when there's someone's life on the line.

Police issues Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Crime rates are down, the police are over funded as is.

Police issues Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services,

Do not use Regional Transit Find too much is wasted on NRP ie. suspensions with pay for drunk driving and domestic abuse ‐ tends to perpetuate the reality that the NRP is above the law and I don't condone that.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, The police are paid too much for too little integrity and job committment. They need to restore public trust. Who wants to overfund a bunch of rogue policemen.

Police issues Regional Police, The cost/budget for police services is excessive based on declining crime, stats in recent years. I dont understand why police budget would increase if there is a decline in all these areas.

Police issues Regional Police, Regional Police are shockingly overpaid. Reduce salaries and staffing levels to match average regional salaries.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, The police use too much overtime $$$ and the fact that I am scared to write this in case they look me up and start harassing me is a very startling feeling!!

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and

Governance,344 of 700 police made the sunshine list this year, they are way over paid, unable to stay within the restraints of a budget and are greedy enough to constantly ask for more;i.e. the $15 000 000 wanted for radios. These people don't do a good job, the seem to be above the law and I think we pay far too much for the service they offer. Regional government is great for big centres like NF and SC but is sucking the life out of small towns. Being a member of the region is not helpful for Port Colborne and therefore I do not believe spending more money on leadership and governance is a good use of my tax dollars. Regional budget covers hospital funding? Where the heck did my hospital go? It is neither convenient nor healthy nor safe for the new hospital site to be where it is. now there is rumour that PC is losing its urgent care too. Cities should be able to opt out of a region that won't say no to over priced, crooked cops and unfair hospital access.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Police are actually a priority but continue to get raises through arbitration when there is supposed to be a raise freeze on public services as was the case with the teachers

Police issues Regional Police, Need to deliver better value for dollar spent.

Police issues Regional Police, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I do think police are essential but not giving out huge pay increases. I think rules should be stricter on affordable housing and welfare so people are not dependant on them and only use when actually needed then nice on.

Police issues Social Assistance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,

More services for the elderly needed. These senior citizens have supported Canada all their lives and can hardly survive on their pensions. It is a shame the way the elderly are discarded, these people have paid their dues. The police as far as I am concerned to little to really protect society, or laws are backwards and their is far too much violence now by our police officers. This need to change. Social assistance is a great program, but there are so many people getting assistance that are quite capable of working and this system should be changed, such as volunteer work to get assistance, etc. The families that really need help such as those who have a good work ethic and have lost their jobs are having trouble getting assistance for even a short period due to the fact that the system is supporting people who sit back and laugh at how easy it is to live on this system for years and years. I personally know quite a few people that have never worked and have lived off the system for over 30 years. This is a shame.

Police issues Regional Police, Affordable Housing, I believe that the police make far too much money. I do understand that they put their lives on the line to keep u safe and I believe they should make more than average but making more than $100,000 a year is ridiculous! The housing situation is ridiculous because people take advantage of the system and shouldn't be provided with the this housing because they don't want to get up and work like the rest of us. However I do realize this isn't every situation but it is happening way too often!

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance ‐ Government workers have some of the best social benefits around Regional Police ‐ If we live in such a great country that is booming economically why do we need more police? Why should a police officer make $70,000 to $100,000 a year when they have a low level of education Affordable Housing ‐ Don't see the economics benefit to the country behind supporting people who decide to be lazy and promote laziness to their offspring. It turns into a cycle. Social Assistance ‐ Don't see the economics benefit to the country behind supporting people who decide to be lazy and promote laziness to their offspring. It turns into a cycle.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Public

Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Police wages / costs ar off the chart‐ no increase in funds Housing ‐ costs of maintaining are increased due to Residents not caring for property ‐ Social assistance ‐ there are many jobs that could be done to EARN their assistance‐ They just might find a regular job!! I am tired of funding ‐food banks for smokers and alcohol consumers.....

Police issues Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Most people don't work because they don't want to! The NRP are corrupt!

Police issues Social Assistance, Regional Police, Community Planning, I believe there are too many families that are chronic welfare abusers. I think there should be some sort of limit somewhere with this program. As for policing, crime is going down, police services just keep going up. Policing is long term. pensions etc...who is going to pay for all of this? I am not retired yet, but I will not be able to afford my home when I do retire. There are an awful lot of people out there just like me. I think the region should be building more housing for seniors, I work in community health and there are alot of poor seniors out there. Beamsville and Grimsby both could certainly use another building for seniors. You have the stats, you know that its needed. Our communities are about as planned as they can be, fix what we have and keep up standards .

Police issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police,

‐Too much abuse of welfare system which needs to be addressed. ‐My experience with EMS is not very positive. Unorganized and poor service level. ‐Police has been target of too much corruption, with subsequent paid suspension of accused. This needs to stop. If accused officer is found innocent then back pay is warranted.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership

Re: Social Assistance Social Assistance is there for the sole purpose of supporting young girls who want to go out and get pregnant so they can lay around apartments (paid for by the tax payers). Regional Police, another waste of tax dollars. These people do little more than direct traffic yet they want to be paid the same as police officers in Toronto. I could go on and on about the waste of tax dollars by the so called leaders of this community but I would be wasting my time.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I feel more people need to be gainfully employed and out there working, support should be short term and not a lifestyle and if paying for a place to live and putting food on the table were a priority then these services wouldn't be in such high demand. For $900 /yr for police services, I'd like to know where that much money is going, what are service calls??? 700 officers, I imagine that's in the Niagara Region not just Niagara Falls

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Sorry , but I know quite a few police officers waste hours visiting friends on their shifts or finding spots to snooze , labour management needs to review the length of shifts because it wasted time . Niagara Transit for this budget can do fine , We really we to focus on updating storm drains(in older subdivisions) , hydro wires ( which they are this year in Niagara falls). And I don't mean by the casino . People are trying to invest in these areas and problems with storm drains , sewers and hydro causes problem for people wanting to increase value to the property .Social assistance again people milking the system and it pisses me off cause we all have ups and down but not once have I even asked to be paid for doing nothing . Leadership again everyone take a paid freeze for a budget and put it to good use ! Wages are so high and smaller companies are freezing wage to stay a float why not government and put that in to the system

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Leadership and Governance, Roads, Seniors Services,

Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police,They are much needed programs and services but if you want to expand other programs you have to reduce in other areas. For example road ‐ there is a lot of Regional roads that need work but I would rather repair some roads and spend more on a decent public transit system that connects different part so the region so we have to build less roads. The Police seem to be over funded and take a larger proportion of the Regions money than I think is necessary. All of this talk about a new headquarters is frustrating when there are so many other things that should be a higher priority. Leadership and Governance ‐ I don't think it should be increased. It is necessary. Building/renovating a new council chamber is not appropriate when we have over 17% of our residences that are poor and what we pay OW client is at a rate the is unconscionable.

Police issues Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning,

Have called the police several times for assistance in the past year, including a case regarding serious child abuse. Calls were not taken seriously, and in the event of the child abuse case, were not returned at all. My water bill is astronomical for 2 people who work full time and are rarely home. Assisted housing is an abusable money pit. Have never been thrilled with the leadership in the Welland community regarding services, and we need more economic development before planning in regards to communities.

Police issues Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning,

Too Aggressive water wastewater. overspending on police‐ time to reduce. My ability to pay is less why affordable housing when I can not pay? Social Assistance . handing out free money is wrong . drug testing before reciving is a must.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance

We're taxed to death as it is and since there are no big plants here you are throwing the taxes your not getting onto the working poor. As for the Niagara regional Police get rid of them and go opp would more then likely be cheaper. It's pretty bad that the elderly in regional homes get bad food and the ones in jail get better food considering the ones in regional homes made Welland what it is and the convicts get better food and I know cause I worked for the region and I know someone who works in the detention centre. There is only so much people can be taxed for before they move out if the area to a bigger city !!!

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

The survey forces a decision of accepting a 2% increase or more or label it as not a priority ‐ our yrly property assessment and taxes go up every year and in addition you want additional tax money ‐ where does it end and where are you making cost improvements‐ this survey tries to drive you to respond to a min 2% increase‐nowhere do you hold the line ‐ your increase is higher than cost of living ‐ Policing continually goes up at higher rates‐ hold the line! and how much does the casinos absorb of our police budget? signed ‐taxed to death

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

The services I use the least. Police budget is quite high as is. I understand the need to process development charges etc., but it is hard to indicate bureaucracy as a priority, even with that understanding.

Police issues Regional Police, Community Planning, The amount of funding provided to police services is far too high. Our police force is failing to keep our community safe and are an embarrassment ‐ smuggling the date rape drug into the country and the numerous assault charges. This money should be used to fund social services such as public health, education and affordable housing.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPolice issues Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure

Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,I feel as though we should be addressing those in need in our community as a priority and this can be done with better funding. With an increased funding, those in need are better able to contribute back to the community when provided with appropriate services and resources. I feel the regional police currently receive too much funding and this money would be better spent in addressing the root issues rather than enforcement.

Police issues Public Health, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I prioritized based on the belief that we can't prioritize or treat everything with equal emphasis. Development services should be funded based on user pay as opposed to tax base. Police is difficult, I suspect the only way to control is a format of a budget cap system, if we give police a 2% budget they have to live within it, if an arbitrator gives them 4% I guess there would have to be some layoffs. WE need to get a message to the Province they are tightening budgets to reduce their deficits which trickles down to Niagara Region‐ Province needs to get this message to Prov arbitrators the taxpayers are being squeezed and can't afford 4% salary awards and retention bonuses for police fire. Conservation Authority and parks are nice but if you have lost the plant job and can't pay the rent you need affordable housing more than parklands etc.

Police issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

There is only so much money and some thing need cut. I feel policing needs cut the most because it takes most of the budget and yet I rarely see police in Welland. Perhaps it's time to look at the RCMP for policing.

Police issues Regional Police, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,

The money received is above the level of services that the public has recieved in the past. Police officers are payed extremely well for the services they provide. The money funded to these services are appropriate. I feel that the money can be spent better else where.

Police issues Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning,

we live between 2 Great Lakes, does the region pay for water from the lakes or is it a 100% mark up. Wages should be held. Regional police were awarded to much money in arbitration. Community planning can be best done by service clubs.

Police issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Seniors Services,


Positive comment/area for improvement

Community Planning, Current level of service excellent, it is under utilized.


N/A Health care in our area is poor, roads are being repaired at lower standards and quality workman ship then ever before

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentPositive comment/area for improvement

N/A The 8 Municipal Long Term Care Homes are desperately underfunded. Just a fraction of the increases given to more glamourous services such as NRP and EMS could be used to improve the care for our seniors. Residents in these homes are more complex and harder to care for than ever before. There will only be more of them in the future and they deserve better care. I say this as the daughter of a former resident and as the DRC at one of the homes.


N/A I feel that the region duplicates a lot of services that could be done by the local government. The amount of money spent on equipment and manpower could be given to towns to take care of all the roads etc. The mayors should be the only ones on the regional council, and that way all areas would have one vote. I pay taxes to a region that tends to put more into the north that the south. I have no full time hospital and a 20 min ride to the nearest ER. Most of the time I have to travel to St. Kitts for most government services. The jobs suck in my area and my autistic son has gotten hardly any services. I have not gotten a raise in 9 plus years and you want more from me. How about the regional council take 2% pay cut.


N/A affordable housing and Seniors


N/A Mental Health!!


N/A Housing and Seniors. Medical care definitely...


N/A With regards to housing subsidy. Maybe reduce the amount that one pays if they request to move from one home to another.


N/A Snow removal


N/A Spend less on new locations for the police/fire depts. for one. Hire individuals for jobs such as road work who have an aptitude for doing manual labour and NOT college grads. It will help the economy.


N/A Industry!


N/A


N/A I'd very much like to see more community events, bringing each of the municipalities closer to one another. We're in it together after all.


N/A Make the old looking run down buildings ‐ pretty!! New paint jobs or tear them down.


N/A Expected to be from pre knowledge and am disappointed in the :new: hospital


N/A I think the focus should be on the downtown area. I no longer live in this area, but when I did, I remember it being very difficult to grocery shop, as there are no grocery stores in the area. Also, crime rates in this area are frightening. I would suggest better police patrol in the downtown area around Victoria Ave and Queen Street.


N/A health


N/A Put in the overpass over the train tracks on Dorchester by zehrs


N/A Increase Discretionary Funding for those who have no other options for getting needs met.


N/A no


N/A Continued health services. Police services.


N/A Not at this time.


N/A Our concern is that we pay for some services and then pay taxes as well ... such as garbage and water. We pay for extra bag and even pay for taking our own garbage to the dump ... but then I have to pay taxes on top of that. The Health Care Tax, ah Premium, is still in full force but I still pay Taxes on top of that ... sigh ...


N/A It is clear that Niagara must deal more effectively with social services, especially with regard to its aging population. But it is also vitally important to invest more meaningfully in our schools. There are too many pockets of socio‐economic depression in this region (by comparison with elsewhere in Canada and the world). This must be addressed. We do NOT need more investment in leadership and governance. There are enough bureaucrats. What we need is more volunteer involvement by PAID employees and the general public. We need a paradigm shift from feelings of entitlement (associated with the paid workforce) and resentment (by those, like me, who earn around 10,000 per year) to positive change. We need to embrace this situation of fiscal uncertainty with positive attitudes and a real commitment to getting rid of excess.


N/A none


N/A The Regional Hospital requires much less funding for administration and beurocratic waste and more on the people who serve the patients ie doctors and nurses . There is a great disconnect between those in the trenchs serving and those who reduce to dollars and cents. More team effort and understanding with these two groups is needed to improve quality of care.


N/A Hospitals/ Public Transportation


N/A Grimsby fire dept needs a full time staff!


N/A more should be done to get people to recycle instead of just throwing everything in the garbage/landfill sites


N/A more should be done to get people to recycle instead of just throwing everything in the garbage/landfill sites


N/A Not at present.


N/A Better roads needed!!


N/A Based your calculation of our property assessment and taxes we are in fact taxed DOUBLE your estimated amount. It is inequitable distribution. New subdivisions are heavily taxed. We pay over 7K /year. I am not willing to pay more until I see established neighborhoods reassessed fairly.


N/A Recommend diversifying Niagara Region staff to bring in knowledge from various levels of government. Specifically recruit Niagara born and raised back to Niagara to work. What your missing is passion within your organization. Some have it but fresh ideas, new thinking...goes a long way.


N/A No comments


N/A Health Services, Health Services, Health Services..... especially in all the small Niagara Hospitals. More staff are needed, less wait times in emergency wards, people are suffering and in pain should not have to sit there 8 hours to get medical care. I hope I never have to go through that.


N/A adbas dasg dasdas adsd asdasd a dasd asdasdas dasda


N/A Electronics/technological waste collection depots or collection days


N/A better buses and more co‐op home


N/A Need more big box businesses in the Beamsville area.


N/A None


N/A more funding for our children we cant afford living in low income stay at home parent cant afford living costs government doesn't give enough to live when we do our very best and getting on disability shouldn't be so hard or Ontario works should give just as much as disability especially health care costs


N/A More long term care beds are required, as the aging opulation of Niagara increases. The amount of wait time to be placed in a long term care facility is too long.


N/A nil


N/A No Comment


N/A Roads and infrastructure.


N/A Please support the elderly more. Our criminals get better treatment.


N/A I would really like to see subdivisions on personal properties with ditches revamped and cleaned up I don't know if they're necessary but maybe street by street they could be inspected more often because they do put our property values down and are a disgrace to look at because not everyone can take care of them also the city trees that are planted on the fronts of peoples properties are overgrown and uprooted and also take the value of our homes away they are in need of improving these or getting rid of them and planting new ones especially because they affect our sewers and the homeowner is responsible for the property damage please get on this it would greatly be appreciated thankyou


N/A The most important aspect of any funding is to ensure that Niagara's most vulnerable are given priority now and secure in the future, this speaks volumes about the Niagara I want to call my home.


N/A I believe it is important to provide a sustainable Niagara which to me includes Senior Services, Affordable housing, Employment Opportunities for current residence with growth for new employers to move to Niagara. Also giving our children and youth the opportunity to access services that will benefit them and others such as CPR and First Aid, Swimming lessons and environmental knowledge.


N/A Road maintenance. Economic development.


N/A Installation of water stations along the welland canal. More Bike lanes in the city. Public Transportation direct from Glendale Campus NOTL along glendale to Brock, instead of going downtown first.


N/A Absorb municipal services like the Fire Departments, combine facilities and leadership staff positions. Grow the level of services and infrastructure to attract more residents and employers. Spend what you need to spend to move the Region ahead of the other communities in the Province and beyond, we will recover the spending through new tax opportunities.


N/A Amalgamation of municipal fire services. In so doing, cost savings may be achieved by decreasing administrative burden, bulk purchasing, rotating fire apparatus from higher call volume areas to lower areas, and better balancing emergency coverage areas. This only makes sense given EMS and police are already regionally controlled. Additionally, the burden for maintaining and building new physical infrastructure can be shared amongst the 3 organizations thereby decreasing the number of stations required throughout the Region resulting in cost savings.


N/A I've been reading the news following regional council and their behaviour. I think they are misguided about being cost‐conscious vs being stupid. Slash and burn only makes it cost more to pick up the pieces later. I'm not a bleeding heart liberal, but I get it that poverty, child abuse, and folks who are struggling need attention and support, or else we all suffer. I believe in community ‐ I wish the region government did too.


N/A Too many high level officials. The roads department is particularly badly managed with obvious nepotism. This department needs a management overhaul.


N/A keeping committees to small groups...a lot of money slips through the cracks and needs to be accounted for!!


N/A wait times in the hospitals emerg / OR wait times / beds after surgery / more police on patrol would be nice to see ‐ seems our region has some 'bad' guys moving on in


N/A The availability of employment for regional jobs.


N/A Economic Development although funded doesn't seem to be successful given that the Niagara Region has the highest unemployment rate and the lowest job creation rate in all of Canada


N/A Job creation would be the main focus for me.


N/A Raise taxes. Spend money. STIMULUS. We need well paying jobs and young, educated people. But all we have is part‐time retail. FYI I feel the outlets by White Oaks are a big mistake. Malls and downtowns are having a tough time, and we build more retail and you have to drive there. And the jobs are awful, low paying ones. Crazy. Hire people to make every part of the region clean and nice, pay them well. Help Niagarans become people who can shop at outlet stores rather than work there because that's all there is. But yeah, so many of our friends have left because there are no good jobs here. And we don't want to leave because we love where we grew up. Unfortunately we're in the minority. I want Niagara to be better and I'll pay for it. STIMULUS.


N/A I think overall we are doing alright, slow improvements. We need to attract more companies to invest in NIagara and propose a mandatory clean up of delapitated buildings and vacant properties.. have a grant program to fund proposed clean up or revitalization of areas in each of the cities/towns.


N/A Infrastructure, I see alot of road work being done, maintaining what we have, but I feel that more can be done. This would create more jobs. Why hasn't Grimsby built a new hospital? Is it the federal/provincial government that is stopping the project? Anyways just a few things mention :‐)


N/A It was wrong when the Region got out of tourism. Now the smaller communities are struggling while the bigger communities are thriving. There is more to Niagara than Niagara Falls and Niagara On The Lake.


N/A more programs for those looking to retrain in the job force


N/A Improved employment opportunities (bringing in new businesses and fixing up the old ones) is a good place to start because then there may be more jobs available to the Niagara residence. More jobs equal less unemployment. Less unemployment equals less social assistance. Less social assistance equals more money for medical services, police services and child services. That is just my opinion. Thank You


N/A We are a region of seniors and young children. Our children grow up in a wonderful place, some even attend university or college on our region. Then what. There are no jobs and they have to move, usually to Toronto where they raise their kids in condos in the city. When they want to visit the place where they were born and raised there is NO go train stopping in St. Catharines. Yes, there is a go bus but unless you have actually used it don't comment. Coach Canada is also a disgrace. My kids can't even come home on Holiday weekends because they are unable to get transport back to Toronto. As an immigrant to Canada I love the Niagara Region, I have lived here 35 years but in all that time the battle cry has always been the same, no jobs. Most young people living here do not work here....any comments.??


N/A The Region provides many services to this population; I only wish the municipalities would come together and be 'Niagara Region'!


N/A I think all areas should be analyzed and duplication removed I think money can be saved if more things become taken care of by one level of government instead if many little kingdoms. All taxes should be equal based on property value why should someone pay more than another if we all live in the same region I am for less levels of government and more accountability and less wastefulness.


N/A Region needs to focus on being more effective and efficient with its current budget to ensure that ALL are fully contributing at 100% and are accoutable to deliver.


N/A leave police headquarters in st catharines...push regional tourism and not just the falls and wineries


N/A Great survey to gain feedback efficiently. thanks.


N/A Put more money into essential services such as the police, ambulance, emergency at the hospitals and fire departments.


N/A More childcare available


N/A The 8 Municipal Long Term Care Homes are desperately underfunded. Just a fraction of the increases given to more glamourous services such as NRP and EMS could be used to improve the care for our seniors. Residents in these homes are more complex and harder to care for than ever before. There will only be more of them in the future and they deserve better care. I say this as the daughter of a former resident and as the DRC at one of the homes.


N/A need to emphasize seniors' care homelessness services


N/A Children's sports support


N/A Public parks and neighborhood parks. More maintaining of them.


N/A ‐ Economic development for the Region.


N/A Public transportation,


N/A I live in Crystal Beach and some of the residential streets are in terrible shape. This is a tourist area and should be better maintained.


N/A Infrastructure. Roads and access to utilities are a must for any new development to consider Niagara. .


N/A More road repairs and more summer and clean up.


N/A Improvement is needed in road maintenance, repairs, cleaning, snow removal etc...


N/A Roads are terrible fix them.Kalar rd from Lundys lane to thorold stone rd .cost of water is ridiculous ! Need a fire station in west end .


N/A The roads in St. Catharines, mostly Niagara St. between QEW and Scott St. are very very bad and need to be redone.


N/A Road repair and maintenance!


N/A Social Assistance Housing The roads in this region are terrible.


N/A Roads and signage, and a major consideration needs to go towards creating jobs in the area


N/A I believe that the roads could use some more improvement. Especially on Ailanthus Avenue as this road is terribly treacherous.


N/A would love to see stanley ave by project share fixed and dorchester between lundys and mcleod fixed..i think locals should be able to buy a yearly parking pass for a reasonable rate like maybe 25 dollars , so we could park at lot by the falls, i'd love to walk by the falls again , but being disabled i one can't afford to pay 20 to 40 dollars every time depending what day it is to park by table rock. there should be special rates for other things for disabled locals...and i can't walk very far due to my knee's so parking elses where and walking long distance is out of the question.. thank you for reading my comments.


N/A When doing road work that requires multiple jobs do it all at one time instead of digging then paving then re digging and paving.do it correct the first time. .saves time and money


N/A The roads need to be drastically improved. Widen kalar road from Lundy's lane to Mountain. It's a high traffic area. As well, an advanced green at the Lundy's Lane and Kalar Road area.


N/A Put the tax payer's money used to fix our roads and actually fix the ones that need to be fixed instead of re‐doing the same roads over and over.


N/A Improve roads! Niagara Street and Lakeshore Rd. are in a mizerable shape and the constructions are progressing too slowly! Thank you.


N/A provide more homes for the less fortunate, fix the roads better,


N/A Maintenance of roads (everywhere) and sidewalks (in towns)in the winter months. Increase the transit among the smaller communities so that those who cannot afford vehicles can get to essential services easier.


N/A need more affordable housing


N/A had a daughter go apply for welfare and was told by the worker ' what makes you think the government owes you anything? Very sad i am glad she was a strong person and did not let this nasty women affect the way she felt about herself... I can only imagine how hard that would hit some one in the gut some one who maybe worked all there life and payed into the system you need social workers with some compassion i am sure it is a hard job day after day but no JUDGING the taxpayer pays her wages too..


N/A Helping to find fultime permanent jobs for people so that they do not have to rely on social services and other programs. Having affordable housing for more people. The amount that is landlords are able to charge for rent is horrible causing people to struggle. The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is 1000 dollars a month with that going up every year. It is hard to survive for a two income family let alone a single parent.


N/A The Niagara Region needs to look after those who cannot look after themselves.


N/A I would like to see young people in need of assistance with affordable housing get more help instead of being told that they are going to be on a list for years. I know a young couple which are trying to do something with their lives like both are working but still struggling and are about to start a family (girlfriend pregnant with twins and need some help with housing and yet are told they have to wait for years in order to even be considered. Yes they are both young adults and yes she is pregnant but they are both working trying really hard to get their life started on their own instead of living at their parents place and yet cannot get any help! It would be nice for housing to help them out instead of saying that they are being placed on a list for years especially when they are working and trying to do the right thing. Both of them just graduated this year and both are working and not making enough money to pay for rent and car payments and insurance and whatever bills they pay for. It is really sad that they can't get any help simply because they are not living out on the street. They are trying to do the right thing by getting help with housing in order to have affordable housing so that they can work and support their own family on their own without having to go to Ontario works but cannot get any help. Since they are both working and trying to do the right thing I feel they should get the support they need in order to began their lives with the babies on the way!


N/A Government assistance programs such as welfare. Although I am a strong believer that is some circumstance the level of assistance is needed, I question the restriction pertaining to the on going assistance. Most individuals find themselves uneducated and therefore limited in their own ability to sustain suitable income to stay above water. Especially when children there are involved and cost is therefore increased. So why not as part of the program make skill development courses mandatory. The whole purpose should be to help “assist” to the point to which the individual is then able to continue forward themselves. To many people take advantage and it is our tax paying dollars that pay for it. Set up a fine every class missed is $10 or $20. The idea should be explored.


N/A the waiting lists for affordable houseing is unbelievable shame on this city


N/A Affordable housing is a huge priority for me. It's a shame how little there is available in the region, and how long the wait lists are.


N/A please extend Niagara Regional Transit to West Niagara/ Grimsby.


N/A Niagara Regional Transit could run limited service on Sundays. Many people use it to get to Niagara Falls ‐ that being said, Niagara Falls is a Tourism Economy and Sunday Service is important ‐ even 4 buses daily from each city to accomodate tourism service employees


N/A Niagara Transit needs a line that goes past The Boys and Girls club. Since it's past Kalar Rd on McLeod Rd, it makes it difficult to get to. Thanks.


N/A Improving walkability and active transportation routes. We need sidewalks, bike lanes and proper wayfinding signage.


N/A From your online survey, the property tax that was calculated was only half of what I actually pay. This said, I would love to see Regional Transit extended to Port Colbone.


N/A We desperately need to amalgamate municipal transit services into one regional transit system, eliminating the individual commissions. I support regional transit, but do not believe it should continue to be funded while the municipal commissions are still running; this creates a situation where regional transit operates ineffectively and inefficiently, with low ridership. I will be hard pressed to see the value in continuing to fund regional transit if the municipal commissions continue to operate ‐ at odds with regional transit.


N/A It is unfortunate that there is so much commuter traffic within the region and heading to places like Hamilton, Brantford and the GTA. It is imperative that the region work closely with upper levels of gov't to ensure funding for expanded, regular GO train service to and from Niagara Region. Traffic gridlock is worsening by the day and it is time to get people out of their cars and onto efficient, effective public transportation. Thank you!


N/A The go trains running out to grimsby and st Catherine's would help alleviate some of the congestion on the qew during rush hour time. My family would definitely use this service


N/A Public Transit desperately needs more funding to have buses more often that run on time more often, and cover more area. We have been told that there are not enough riders to increase this, but there are times there are no seats on the bus, so how busy does it have to be? Also, more people would use it if it ran better.


N/A on the transit for they need to run whenever you need the bus at anytime.


N/A I think each of the municipalities in the Niagara Region need to give up their separate buses and we should have 1 regional bus company, with expanded hours and coverage. This would help more people to be able to get jobs out of their cities (ie Welland to Fort Erie) and not have to pay extra for a taxt, because then what is the point to working? Also Niagara Falls needs to give up their high horse with the proposed hospital. Yes it is a great location, but it still only benefits Niagara Falls and MAYBE Fort Erie. It is not a good idea for Port Colborne or Wainfleet. Sure build a new hospital, but I believe if you want to go this route, build 2, one on HWY 58 to benefit Welland, Port Colborne and Wainfleet, and the one proposed by Niagara Falls to service some of Welland, Niagara Falls and For Erie. Also move martinity and child services back to individual hospitals. I am afraid of how many first time moms will deliver on the 406


N/A plublick transportation


N/A I have always lived in Halton and Peel regions. I have lived here in Grimsby for 3 years now. I have to say that I LOVE the Niagara Region! There is no need for improvements. However, I do feel like transportation (hoping for the 2015 Go Station!) and the WLMH (so sad it was put on the Government's backburner) need to be priorities. Both of those things would enrich our region. In my survey I said that the 2% increase for the region's government etc. was fine. I would gladly have put that there needed to be more funding if I felt a lot of the decisions that were made were in the taxpayers best interest (don't worry, not impressed with our town and the multi‐million dollar town hall redo that cost us more than it was supposed to either). I think if there was more clarity and if decisions weren't spiraling out of control, especially when finances are concerned, I would be happy to increase my taxes to make sure it was running smoothly.Other than that, I stress that I love our Region. I am proud of it and I hope that the 2% increase is used to the maximum and that these areas are able to improve and flourish.


N/A First...you have grossly under calculated my property taxes. They are more like $4000 a year. Second I believe public transit is very important particularly in a region with as many low income families as we have here in Niagara. Thanks to Regional Transit these families have greater access to jobs, medical services and events. I would like to see this service expanded as well as improvements to the rest of public transit in the region. Third...we need to find a way to bring manufacturing based companies back to Niagara. Our families can not grow and thrive purely on tourism and service based industry. Fourth...in Niagara we have a higher then average mentally I'll population. That is a fact. It is of the up most importance that we provide the proper service for those who need them. Currently we fall far short. Our medical devices in Niagara in general is greatly lacking and I fail to understand why we are so incredibly under staffed not just at our beautiful new hospital but through out the region. If Hamilton can provide proper emergence care the surely we can too...but we aren't. Intact our population is so under cared for its almost third world and anyone who lives here will tell you this is not an exaggeration.


N/A Better roads and transit system/ A policy to bring in high paying jobs


N/A The southern part of the region always seems to be lacking with jobs, housing and services. It is not so much the region, but I feel that it is our city.


N/A water is the most important priority followed by housing of the homeless and the development of a working regional transit system so that people can get to jobs; beyond that the usual ‐ roads, police, medical. incidentally for the next page: i don't go on holidays, i don't eat at restaurants, go to movies, or travel anywhere by air. i don't have money for any of those. relatively speaking the tax increase, though it is just 20$ or so, is a larger percentage bite out of my budget. here is where the assessment people should come in: our neighbour, for example, has put at least$60,000 worth of improvements into his house but didn't bother with permits so nobody in authority is aware of the extent to which he has increased the value of his house ‐ he is paying LESS tax than i. go figure! the question of whether i am getting good value for money is moot because i fall into a subgroup of people whose use of regional services is fairly elementary.


N/A Nope! I think you guys are doing awesome. :) I love living here, and wonder why I ever moved away!


N/A No, I am content with existing services, although as a rural resident I'm not sure I utilize services the same as someone who lives in the urban area.


N/A nope, for the most part you are doing great


N/A Perhaps more development in Tourism , but on the whole, they hold the course and are doing a good job.


N/A More surveys like this ‐ or getting more people to share ‐ information like this is very important and necessary to know


N/A Doing a good job


N/A I honestly think that the Niagara Region does a pretty good job providing these services.


N/A Region has been doing a good job at allocating the funds


N/A no, I think things are going alone fine. I just would like to see more assurance of preserving green space and protecting our enviornment

Social programs issues

Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Development Services,

I do not participate in these services. I am very against people that are abusing social assistance. I am a single property owner and I find it so pathetic that I work so hard and I can not afford the luxuries that social assistance recipients have. I do not take transit.





Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentSocial programs issues













Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,



Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Economic Development,



Development Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,



Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

Waste management ‐ that's a lot of garbage going into dumps. Staying with the current budget will allow for more eduction for people to recycle. The city I grew up in, EVERY bag HAD to have a tag on it. Spending $2 a week, $104 annually will reflect in more people recycling. Public Health ‐ that's great that so many kids were trained in first aid and CPR, but it expires in 2 years. Then who pays for their re‐cert? Regional Police ‐ time for restructuring. With so much bad media on them right now, why do they deserve more of my money? They want it, they can raise it them selves. Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for police officers, however, there needs to be more accountability for them. Affordable Housing ‐ I shouldn't have to pay for your house. It's really that simple. Often you see it's a scam. Try to call and report it, and it gets pushed over to someone else. No one wants to take responsibility for evicting the scammers out, and I don't feel we as tax payers should pay for that. You need affordable house? Plan better, work a second job. Then you can afford it Children's Services ‐ I don't feel it needs an increase over last year. Social Services ‐ needs to be cut off completely. Talk to someone who has rented to a person on social service, and they will tell you, they don't look for work. They do nothing at all. I understand people go through hard times, but the number of people on it, and the SMALL number that led to jobs is disgusting. Give them drug tests. Bet 60% or more would fail. That would save us tax payers, and the government a lot of money.





Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, It's not that these services are not important to me, I just feel that the amount spent on high income salaries should not be increased, even by 2%. Our economy continues to endure tough times and we need to spend more helping those who are less fortunate and living on a low income. Basic needs like shelter, food and water should be our highest priority and equally accessible to all.


Emergency Medical Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

I feel Emergency Medical is sufficient. I feel social assistance is abused and fraught with cheaters. And Transit seems very efficient


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

there is not a button that give me the option of VERY important but should not increase the budget. some of these areas have already enough money being spent and the department leaders should figure out to make things work within the current budget‐ not increasing it. other areas should be more self funding. For example I would rather the police give out more fines and tickets to fund their department. it is not fair for ALL of the home owners to have to pay for what the bad people do. certainly there is enough money spent on administrative and political leadership. important but some of the salaries are ridiculously high. and many people I see are abusing the social assistance and affordable housing program. get a bit more tough and make people more accountable‐ and work for their food and shelter‐ such as farming. I know some of these folks are sickly but if they would have help to quite smoking and drinking, and learn to eat better they might be healthier and be able to contribute to the society. Love what NTEC is doing. Overall I am not saying to decrease services but to restructure some areas and change the focal point in other areas.


Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Waste Management ‐ we've got a working system right now. It's fine. And people also contribute by properly sorting their garbage. That's less labor for people working in that field. EMS‐ funds should be okay for medical transport. I just don't agree with CPR lessons for 5T kids, school board shld have enough staff trained in first aid. That's how it's supposed to be. Let the kids be kids.. Public Health ‐ should go federal funding Regional Health‐ they get calls? Well it's part of their job description, just like in any other employment, they have busy days and low days.. Their funds should. be fine as it is ‐ no increase Community planning‐ it's fine.. Stay as is. Affordable housing‐‐ stay as is for house funding.. What they need to do is help these people to be more proactive in their career, be trained and so they could afford what's normal. Social Assistance‐ again, job skills, employment places that will be willing to train and develop skills to stay in the workplace.. Just like the old days. But now, employment just bring complaisant and hire people out of the country, we we've got got enough people here that are so willing to be trained to do those jobs. Leadership ‐ we need a great leader who is willing to work for the betterment of the region whose able to work with what his current budget/funding. Not asking for increase to do the same kind of job!


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors S

they are already getting to much and there are way to many people on assistance that are only there because it is easier than working implement drug testing for those on social assistance and I will support that !!


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I think They are over funded now, and we cannot pay more for these, Community Planning ‐ STOP over planning and Build Already. Social Assistance ‐ most people on this do not require it and are only abusing the system buying drugs and alcohol. Leadership and Governance‐ Cut the middle overuse of government,bunch of over paid paper weights


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Social Assistance,

It's not that they aren't priorities..I just feel they could be better managed. I see people on assistance that get almost what I make (by working everyday) because they are addicts. This is an issue for me. I see governments loosing government property and I ask myself ‐ How? I could go one for paragraphs and am all for services that improve the quality everyone's lives, fortunate, less fortunate..but there's too much waste and lack of common sense.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Go

Due to the cutbacks in most of the departments i do not understand the demand for increased funding. There needs to be economic growth but again what evidence is there to support that the current funding has been managed well when our region is consistently losing employment. Increasing social assistance is not beneficial the main focus should be independence from social assistance which again comes from economical growth. Infrastructure is a sham and all it is accomplishing is having us increase our taxes to pay for the temporary jobs so that there can be claims of economical growth. Infrastructure jobs are temporary and the focus should be on stable permanent jobs.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Money is mostly wasted in these areas, going into greedy hands, how about fixing roads that need to be fixed such as Stanley ave and not waste 2 million in a ridiculous round about on the outskirts of the falls. What a joke, there should be drug testing and work programs such as picking up garbage along the streets cleaning the weeds on public property for those checks. Public health services are fine in my eyes we have good Heath care services .


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

Waste management I feel the rise in recent years is enough to sustain a profit for these companies for future times Social assistance I feel funding needs to be dramatically reduced in this section, I personally know of families who are quite capable of supporting themselves but simply choose not to!! As a mother of 3 who is going to school full time and still working part time, it angers me to think that my tax dollars are supporting capable, lazy citizens who steal money from the system....Just my opinion of course


Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

I worked for the government at one point and I know how lazy and how much of a waste some funding is thus I dont think more money should be put into it. I think that we contribute far too much in society to those on welfare etc and we need to promote them going back to work rather than pay for things for them. We all work hard so reward those who have found a job and are still struggling.


Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police,

Some of the people working in these fields are making to much money. exam ‐ police, hospitals. Some of the people in the affordable housing, and on social assistance are better off than ordinary people trying to scrape together a living.




Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Servi






Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Although I know it's not politically correct in today's world, I think we pay out WAY too much to keep the least productive members of society in relative comfort instead of finding ways to motivate them to get out of the system and to start taking care of themselves which would make them happier and healthier in the long run. Also having had some experience in government employment there is lots of waste that could be cut in the administrative end of every level of government, spending more is not the path to efficiency.


Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Conservation Authority, Social Assistance,

‐ The internet has a wealth of knowledge today ‐ How about more time less pay... eg two town council meetings a month... it takes too long for permits.. power corrupts.. ‐ I understand conservation to a point... but come on.. there comes a point where you can't stop evolution ‐ Too many capable individuals take advantage of social assistance... if more money is to be put into it.. how about hiring people to do follow ups on these people who so called can't work... too many people are abusing the system... should be more difficult for people to access it


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Roads, Community Planning, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,






Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Why increase a service which there is little to no benefit. If people want this they should pay for it. For an average family this is not a need only a want and we can live without a want due to hars times


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning,

We need more doing ‐ not more thinking and planning (you've had enough time for that). Social assistance ‐ need to get people producing results. The assistance usually allows people to remain static; people need greater incentives to get out there, moving closer to self‐support.


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

waste management...you've cut us back so we can't even put garbage out...leadership and governance...take a pay cut...Niagara Region Transit...why we can't fund local transit...roads...always under construction, still horrible...community planning...is very poor, why put more money into it...conservation authority...i need to feed my kids...so that money is better off in my pocket...development services???...economic development...really???Infastructure funding??? affordable housing, daycare, hostels homeless, social assistance...I work my tail off to make it by and not lose my home...and you want me to support others?


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I believe that too may people are on social assistance that should be out working, if you have more people working you shouldn't need more social assistance or affordable housing. Don't we already have a community plan in place, do we need to be changing things all the time... I think we have enough volunteer organizations that can help out with conservation, I would fund them, but just at a lower rate


Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,






Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,




The leadership is able to raise their own funds for election they should be able to do the same for figuring out how to lead. Although their are those that truly need social assistance, I have seen too many people who openly admit they abuse this system. I do not want to fund these people. Niagara transit does not effect me in my community. We do not have public transit.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing,



Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Community Planning, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,



Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,



Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Regional Police, Social Assistance,



Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,



Regional Police, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Police budgets have been inflated over the past few years and it is time for these agencies to bring their costs under control. Social Assistance should place more emphasis for people to take advantage of provincial and federal programs emphasizing education and job training. Bigger push on recipients doing more for what they receive. Leadership and governance is an area that local politicians should recognize as a role they are expected to perform as elected representatives of the people. If they are not accountable or are found to take actions detrimental to the public they should be immediately removed from office. This is part of the job and should not require public funding.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,



Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governanc



Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,



Affordable Housing, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that there are too many levels of gov't here already and we should find ways to reduce duplication of services and people and reduce spending. I hate to be cynical because I know a lot of people may really need public housing but I personally see too many people taking advantage of the system when they could be out supporting themselves.


Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Community Planning, Development Services, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

goverment seems to waste money on elections and bi‐elections, they spend too much of our money in bad advertisments. Let them spend thier own. There are many jobs out there and many who can work and should be working but they think that the rate of pay isn good enough. So they take advantage of the social services and give those who need it a bad name. Mske them work. A job is a job, but i guess why work when the goverment will pay you to stay home. Lastly why should we pay daycare for those who think it is the goverments responsiblity to pay for thier child care. No its not. If you want to work pay for your own day care.


Conservation Authority, Public Health, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

The first 2 are over reaching and a symptom of the nanny state we are becoming. Combined with the 4th the are a symptom of governmental bloating. The government needs to reduce it's size and it's overhead, and get rid of professional public servants who make and above average living at the expense of taxpayers. As to item # 3, given the levels of social assistance available, as well as private charity organizations homelessness is literally a choice (speaking as someone who has both BEEN homeless in the past, and a supervisor of a homeless shelter later in life).


Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Strategies need to be put in place that are more sustainable and provide incentive for people to be independent. Often there is a cycle of poverty that repeats and we need to break that cycle. Providing more funding to them does not encourage them to be self‐reliant. In terms of seniors, consolidation of homes makes better business sense. Should we even be running as many homes as we have?


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

doesn't matter how much we spend on leadership there is no one that will solve all the problems out there and paying them more will not help.......affordable housing and social assistance is just that assistance and it seems more and more people are taking advantage of that and giving 100%


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's time to cut! It's time to reduce government size and spending! its time to attract private business with as many freebies as possible and less government interference. It's time to have mandatory drug test for social assistance recipients this is a hand up not a hand out or career! It's time to overhaul and actually make fair the landlord and tenant board to better serve tenants and creat affordable housing privately. Governments shouldn't while in a down or flat econmy be building architectural masterpiece office buildings. They should build prefab boxes bought from private companies and cubicleed to death! As for transit! You can keep you busses a few years longer and repair and maintain them a little more like the rest of us have to! No government has a money problem you all have a spending problem! We're taxed enough!


Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Roads, Community Planning, Development Services,

These services are wasteful. We need economic development not social institutions. The region at one time was a busy manufacturing center. Our leaders have squandered all that was good. Shame is what you should feel.


Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, What is NOT a priority is to continue increasing wages for regional politicians and providing hand‐outs to businesses other than sole proprietorships = small business showing revenue (NOT net income) below $250,000 per year. For leadership , governance, pay politicians at minimum wage or, at the most, what MEDIAN income is for all residents of Niagara region, prorated for the official hours worked by the politicians. For economic development, stop supporting businesses that pay their employess minimum wage and/or don't provide health and pension benefits and/or offer part‐time work only. Only provide financial support for those businessses whose revenue (not net income) is less than $250,000 per year AND who provide pension AND benefits AND full time employment to all their employees. Companies that use unpaid internships should not be financially supported. Wineries and others who have TONS of private, bank and government support should not be getting money from the Region. ALSO your breakdown of common costs on p. 8 of this survey doesn't come close to my family's expenses. Where do you get this breakdown? Are you using MEDIAN costs? With over 30,000 residents receiving social assistance, how many of those have regular airfare expenses? I would like to see what chunk of residents' MEDIAN expenses the regional taxes eat up., part‐time , no pension or benefits to their employees or who are medium and large businesses with plenty of leverage shouldn't be getting our regional dollars that should be going to our physical infrastructure such as roads, sewers, water, conservation , natural resource protection and all those very necessary assets.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I think the priority should be to shift the Niagara region away from its current braindead status. The region is still a shell of its manufacturing heritage. This region is one of the toughest regions to get a professional job. I think the focus should move away from assisting uneducated or unmotivated citizens and towards encouraging highly educated or skilled professionals to open up shop here. This is what is needed to catch Niagara up with the rest of the province. There are also many superfluous levels of local government. Decide to have a single regional government OR independent city governments. This is why nothing changes. On a side note, I think local residents should be permitted free parking at the local parks, etc. Or at least a discount. I think it's ridiculous that I would have to pay $20 to park in my own city to visit a greenhouse or garden that has had free parking my entire life. Finally, and this might not be the best forum, but maybe forward this idea along up the chain of command when the house opens again in the Fall: Start taxing the churches (nationally?)...think of the revenue that would be generated . It might be possible to actually achieve some goals.


Public Health, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

The City will become a place for people to come and live off the poor taxpayers, because of the programs we would put in place. I believe PARENTS need to take more responsibility for their children . I also believe we have one level of Government too many....we are mico managed


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable housing should have more rules attached to it, then I would think it should be funded more. We should not have redundant governments in municipal and regional, it could be amalgamated. Community development could be funded through user and business fees.


Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance, I work extremely hard to support my family. Others can do tue same. Why should I have to pay for someone elses home when half the time they are not willing to work for themselves. They made the wrong choices and they should have to live with it. As for the leadership, I have sine multiple issues raised multiple times and nothing gets done. It gets push off to tue side and it is like they hope ot never comes back up again. Why should we have to pay for leadership that is not there.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

We make to easy for some individuals to benefit from the system. Stricter rules are needed. I live in Fort Erie and the transit system does not effect us. Our leadership is poor and not pro active enough.


Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We don't have access to public transportation therefore don't benefit from it. Social services are abused by many, I don't see the point in dumping more money into a flawed program. Government officials make enough money and are irresponsible with trusted taxpayers money.


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

they are clearly not working, particularly in the social assistance area. get people off social assistance, work on infrastructure and development, get residents working so the tax payers don't have to pay their share. Cut the budget, set a goal of getting people off social assistance and then raise their budget when it starts to work, to keep them off social assistance. Putting more money into the system will keep the system the same, cut the money and people will start thinking of alternates. When alternates are found, give them a bonus, why are we giving these services more money for doing the same work? Starting with social assistance, get them jobs! Make it undesirable to stay on, I'm not saying let them live in hovels, I'm saying get people working, get them living on their own and then give them a benefit, more people off the system means more tax dollars, less crime less public housing. Leadership and governance is a crock, prove your selves! I don't get a raise unless I prove my work, why are we giving them more of our money to do the same?


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

we need less assistance and more people working.there is affordable house,just have to look for it and live in less desirable areas.we need less planning and more small business would prosper in region. we already have to many chiefs and not enough workers !!!!!


Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

The province and federal government provide enough assistance for low income and senior members of the population. Secondly, these members are less likely to be home owners and pay any property taxes themselves, thus less incentives should be given. My lack of familiarity with community planning leaves me unable to make a decision on its funding. Leadership and governance should be left to market labour forces to determine best leadership for the communities based on qualifications, past and current performance levels.


Conservation Authority, Roads, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

for roads I meant to click high priority. Roads are renewed fixed very slowly and many should have been improved a long time ago. Many people on Social Assistance can help themselves and need help to get back to work ‐ not sit at home. Governance ‐ many believe that Niagara is pretty stagnant and takes very long to have any growth that doesn't deal with tourism. I.e. we should have had improved shopping a long time ago (instead of waiting for the outlet malls opening up this spring) for tourists and locals. St. Catharines has growth far more than Niagara does ‐ (I.e. Costo,Pen Centre, etc. How about having a theme of restaurants, cafes and lounges on Queen St. instead of random stores with spaced out restaurants in between ‐ what are tourists and locals suppose to really do there? It should be an eatery hub with a vibe = and it should be advertised and directed to tourists which it is not ‐ many tourists don;t even know about it! Locals have given up on it and even so, there isn't enough locals to sustain the area alone. Niagara has a bad reputation for having no jobs ‐ Young people leave and retirees only come to live. Parts of Niagara look very worn and many people do not have money to help sustain business ‐ so the negative economic cycle goes round and round. To sum it up, often leadership needs to be improved without money to assist them. Look at other growing, prosperous and motivated cities. Niagara's location ‐ not being close to larger metropolitan cities gives us a disadvantage ‐ but it doesn't take a brain to figure out some vast improvments!


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

I feel social assistance and children's services (daycare) and affordable housing are too easy to access. Honestly I am sick of working my butt off and paying to raise my children while others sit on their butts and expect people like me to pay for them. My other beef with the regions and municipalities are the incredible amount of people working in the offices, there are more pencil pushers than actual workers in the field. How many miles is the pass the buck chain of command? In other words how many supervisors are there per worker? Infrastructure when spent on preventative maintenance is money well spent. All contracts when feasible should be tendered out to local business and spread around ... they should also be held accountable that the terms are fulfilled. I pay almost 5000 dollars a year in taxes, live on a stone road and the only service I have is my one bag of garbage pickup, how is that right?


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,



Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,



Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,



Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assist









Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I don't believe that increasing funding or even keeping the funding where it is at for housing of homeless people is important because I go to work every day to support myself, and in supporting the homeless it gives them no motivation to go out there and attempt to support themselves. Same goes for social assistance. It is very much taken advantage of in my opinion, and it is never people who really need it that are using the assistance. In terms of Niagara Region Transit, I think it has developed greatly in the recent past with the WeGo bus system, but I think that that is really as much as needs to be done.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

I think our Transit is underused for the money we put into it, and many of the other services are being taken advantage of.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Teach people to fish stop giving free fish. I don't take the bus why I am paying for it. The transit should be self sufficient . Region government gets paid too much and they do nothing.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,

They're bleeding homeowners dry funding people on welfare and a transportation system that sucks! I can't even go on a night out and take the public transport home cause it shuts too early.... It's pointless


Development Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

‐ I dont know a single person who has ever used the Regional Transit _ Social Assistance is already being taken advantage of by too many people



I don't use transit. Most of the other services are related to financing others who quite often will not work to help themselves and rely on the system to provide for them.


Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

Every time I see the regional buses they are empty. We don't need business growth in Niagara, we need employers to pay us what we are worth! Not $10.25/hr and expect us to work as if we are payed $30/hr. And look at those astonishing numbers of those on assistance compared to those being employed from it, ridiculous less than an 1/8 of people are being employed after being on assistance. It's not working, probably because the amount of money people get on assistance make it allot more comfortable to live than those who work for their money!


Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

transit sucks here and a TON of money would be needed to make it better. social assistance I think needs to be monitored better to make sure the people who need it really do need it.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, I think our Leadership in the City of Welland is a joke. I do not see many people using public transportation as there used to be. I am not a senior but I think we should be taking care of the people that took care of us. People receiving Social Assistance that are capable of working should be helping our seniors by shovelling or cutting their grass. We need to take care of our medical needs and quit closing hospitals.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I do not use public transit. Affordable housing and social assistance I believe have become too easy to rely on in this area. I feel for people who have come upon hard times but I do not feel I should have to foot the bill. I have had to modify my spending habits to survive during these tougher economic times, so should the region. Why do I have to give up more of my disposable income to fund programs that I do not benefit from? I have to make concessions for items I want in my life and do with out others to make ends meet.











Regional Police, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I do think police are essential but not giving out huge pay increases. I think rules should be stricter on affordable housing and welfare so people are not dependant on them and only use when actually needed then nice on.


Social Assistance, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services,

More services for the elderly needed. These senior citizens have supported Canada all their lives and can hardly survive on their pensions. It is a shame the way the elderly are discarded, these people have paid their dues. The police as far as I am concerned to little to really protect society, or laws are backwards and their is far too much violence now by our police officers. This need to change. Social assistance is a great program, but there are so many people getting assistance that are quite capable of working and this system should be changed, such as volunteer work to get assistance, etc. The families that really need help such as those who have a good work ethic and have lost their jobs are having trouble getting assistance for even a short period due to the fact that the system is supporting people who sit back and laugh at how easy it is to live on this system for years and years. I personally know quite a few people that have never worked and have lived off the system for over 30 years. This is a shame.


Regional Police, Affordable Housing, I believe that the police make far too much money. I do understand that they put their lives on the line to keep u safe and I believe they should make more than average but making more than $100,000 a year is ridiculous! The housing situation is ridiculous because people take advantage of the system and shouldn't be provided with the this housing because they don't want to get up and work like the rest of us. However I do realize this isn't every situation but it is happening way too often!


Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance ‐ Government workers have some of the best social benefits around Regional Police ‐ If we live in such a great country that is booming economically why do we need more police? Why should a police officer make $70,000 to $100,000 a year when they have a low level of education Affordable Housing ‐ Don't see the economics benefit to the country behind supporting people who decide to be lazy and promote laziness to their offspring. It turns into a cycle. Social Assistance ‐ Don't see the economics benefit to the country behind supporting people who decide to be lazy and promote laziness to their offspring. It turns into a cycle.


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Police wages / costs ar off the chart‐ no increase in funds Housing ‐ costs of maintaining are increased due to Residents not caring for property ‐ Social assistance ‐ there are many jobs that could be done to EARN their assistance‐ They just might find a regular job!! I am tired of funding ‐food banks for smokers and alcohol consumers.....


Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Most people don't work because they don't want to! The NRP are corrupt!


Social Assistance, Regional Police, Community Planning, I believe there are too many families that are chronic welfare abusers. I think there should be some sort of limit somewhere with this program. As for policing, crime is going down, police services just keep going up. Policing is long term. pensions etc...who is going to pay for all of this? I am not retired yet, but I will not be able to afford my home when I do retire. There are an awful lot of people out there just like me. I think the region should be building more housing for seniors, I work in community health and there are alot of poor seniors out there. Beamsville and Grimsby both could certainly use another building for seniors. You have the stats, you know that its needed. Our communities are about as planned as they can be, fix what we have and keep up standards .


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police,

‐Too much abuse of welfare system which needs to be addressed. ‐My experience with EMS is not very positive. Unorganized and poor service level. ‐Police has been target of too much corruption, with subsequent paid suspension of accused. This needs to stop. If accused officer is found innocent then back pay is warranted.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership

Re: Social Assistance Social Assistance is there for the sole purpose of supporting young girls who want to go out and get pregnant so they can lay around apartments (paid for by the tax payers). Regional Police, another waste of tax dollars. These people do little more than direct traffic yet they want to be paid the same as police officers in Toronto. I could go on and on about the waste of tax dollars by the so called leaders of this community but I would be wasting my time.


Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I feel more people need to be gainfully employed and out there working, support should be short term and not a lifestyle and if paying for a place to live and putting food on the table were a priority then these services wouldn't be in such high demand. For $900 /yr for police services, I'd like to know where that much money is going, what are service calls??? 700 officers, I imagine that's in the Niagara Region not just Niagara Falls





Leadership and Governance, Roads, Seniors Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police,

They are much needed programs and services but if you want to expand other programs you have to reduce in other areas. For example road ‐ there is a lot of Regional roads that need work but I would rather repair some roads and spend more on a decent public transit system that connects different part so the region so we have to build less roads. The Police seem to be over funded and take a larger proportion of the Regions money than I think is necessary. All of this talk about a new headquarters is frustrating when there are so many other things that should be a higher priority. Leadership and Governance ‐ I don't think it should be increased. It is necessary. Building/renovating a new council chamber is not appropriate when we have over 17% of our residences that are poor and what we pay OW client is at a rate the is unconscionable.


Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning,



Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning,



Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Public Health, Regional Police,

Want more economical and job growth and less assistance on programs. Get more people working.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Increasing social services should go a long way towards full utilization of our human capital. Economic development to me seems like a subsidy for private business, the growth of which also consumes farm land.


Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

create jobs not welfare


Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

We need to worry about the actual people living in the region without affordable homes


Affordable Housing, I feel people tke advantage of low rental housing because they don't want to work


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

I think that with affordable housing it should not be a free ride. The tenant should be somewhat responsible to help pay for their housing by volunteering to community projects if physically able. Children services are not applicable to me. We have social programs and affordable housing along with health care. I don't think we benefit from giving more funds to hostels and homeless shelters.


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I do feel as those systems are important, however I also feel they are the most taken advantage of. There doesnt' seem to be anything in place to break the cycle of poverty, instead it just continues over and over again. I know that a community is only as good as it's weakest link, and making sure that everyone can live a decent quality of life. I just don't think it's fair to continue to look toward the public purse to continue to help the same people over and over again. Make a plan to change.


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Many of these services are abused and a whole rethink of the programs is in order.


Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Conservation Authority,

People have to be able to afford housing, which means they have to work for a living. There are hundred of offshore workers in Niagara that make decent money. The residence on the doll, should get off their duffs and work. Homelessness is a product of many things, however the biggest are, the people who don't want to work, and those who would rather drink or shoot up. Conservation Authority has too mnay powers and cost me $$.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

The reason is there is never an increase in social assistance yearly allowance.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

It is abused my many and not always provided to those in need.



Putting money into these services do not help to reduce or eliminate the social issues that they are supposed to. They are not a viable long term solution to the issues.



If one job is not paying the bills, then work two jobs.



I see hard working coworkers spending a large portion of their income on child care and when I look out my office window I see see welfare mothers smoking pot and cigarettes while wondering around the town with their children in daycare and they don't pay a cent for it. Its very frustrating and although there are many in need, I feel the majority make welfare their life long career choice. If they want a raise, they have another baby. Gov't doesn't expect them to do anything for the money they receive from. hard working citizens. I say put them to work! Heck they have free child care, have them clean our parks and road sides....whatever. Quit giving them a handout without expectations of a real future.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning,

I am not in favour of continuing to look after people that are 2nd and 3rd generation welfare. Time to put them to work and not a free ride. We have to look after the people that are paying the taxes and giving back to the communities



Because people need to get off their asses and make somthing of themselves and stop living off others



Tell them to get a job


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that some people could do more with their lives and spend their money much more wisely and not need as much assistance. I know people that are on welfare and do jobs on the side but don't claim it. Do we have to be a mommy to so many?


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Leadership and Governance,

every one who will work and like to work will be bether


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Although I cannot speak for all when I say this, but I think a small group of people abuse affordable housing and social assistance. I see many people receiving government assistance with nicer phones, clothes etc. than I. I work hard for my money and I think there is a flaw in our social assistance program. People receiving this help need to be monitored more closely (example, pass a urine test every month, actively show they are seeking employment, have the government help them find jobs to get them off social assistance).


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, people of welfare need to be working not supported by the tax payer. MOre time needs to be put into investigating frauds and getting child support or spousal support to get people off assistance


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Continually throwing money at this problem has never worked and does not give many of the less needy recipients the incentive to get off assistance....


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Sadly I watch many people on welfare and living in affordable housing abuse the system and it disgusts me. I do believe it is necessary to have but maybe with a little more governing to go with it. There are jobs that require people to be drug tested and we don't require the same to those on socail assistance or those living in affordable housing; that just doesn't make sense to me. Maybe we need to adjust who lives in these affordable living establishments as well as who recieves social assistance. Just a thought.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, I believe providing more help to those on financial assistance prevents them from seeking jobs. I know of too many people that just live on the system and have more kids to get more money, it's disgusting and they need to get off their asses and get a job! Those who are in assistance because they recently lost their jobs; that's acceptable!


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, I have worked and paid taxes for many many years. I feel that assistance and housing is given to too many people that are abusing the system. I have seen the abuse and it has to stop at some point.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, I feel that this program is always taken advantage of. These people should have to work and survive without free hand outs. I do. Or at least make them do something or the region. Example: clean up parks, maintain city gardens, pick up garbage on the roadside etc. in return for their cheque


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Quite frankly I see far too many people in affordable housing with Iphones and nicer cars than my own.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Because right now the system is funded and abused far more often then it is used the way ti is ment to be used. I do not think people on the system abusing the system should be given housing which allows them to abuse it more


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, I believe we need better checks and balances to get people out if housing and off assistance. Seeing people live in housing for 15‐20 years and driving new cars while tax payers pay the increases is not the answer. I receive many applications from assistance recipients who don't actually want jobs but are required to make it appear they are looking for work. I would rather pay an increase in tax for people to govern getting people off assistance and out of housing.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable housing and social assistance are not a priority. Too many Niagara Region people are on Welfare and staying on welfare. We shouldn't have to pay for lazy people to sit at home.


Children s Services, My sense is that not all who use this service really need it


Children s Services, I feel that many parents have both parents working, in order to have a higher standard of living. Kids are a priority, but those people having kids should be raising them, not daycare places. That is, one parent should be staying home with the kids during those years.


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, If unemployed were forced to take available jobs then social assistance and affordable housing cost could be depleted and the funding would be sufficient. People who then require the help with no other options would be taken care of.


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, The system policies allows for major abuse of the system. If we revamp the policy process that allows for a decrease in abuse of the system we will find that more money is already available to help fund these services.


Community Planning, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Public Health, Leadership and Governance,

I believe we are creating a dependant population if we focus on good transportation infrastructure and economic development, we can help people become self‐sufficient. Give part of the paycheques of these regional counsellors to them. Also the millions of dollars in computers going into the regional board office is not a good value for my money!!!!


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

people should plan to look after themselves not put the burden on those that do pay their taxes.


Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Social Assistance, and hostels and homelessness should be funded more from the provincial budget. Community planning is not a priority for me


Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Community planning: not even sure what that have done to begin with. So obviously the communities are not being educated enough about these services. Affordable housing; I was raised in this atmosphere, and believe these locations should be a temporary solution. Social Assistance: myself and many others believe the individuals ( not all) but most, are taking advantage of this system. Those who are new immigrants receive more money that those who have retired and are living on CPP or old age facilities. This is not right. It discourages those collecting the assistance to get out and educate themselves; therefore refusing to enter the work field. Leadership and Governance: these individuals make too much money as it is.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

I have two properties, one in Niagara‐On‐The‐Lake and one in St.Catharines which when it comes to paying property taxes I have to pay close to $10,000 per every year. In this survey I may of been harsh with what Ive chosen`, but I am fed up with the new generation of teens with `{I cant read and go on odsp{ my oldest daughter her fiancé and his twin brother, his other brother, mom and dad they are all on it and they are all more than able to work to support them....their mother gave them to facs when younger ‐ went from being supported under facs to now odsp as their mother is either somewhat related to one worker their or close friends ‐ yes the facs worker knew how to help them pull strings to get my future son‐in‐law on odssp and the rest of the family ‐ darn well discusting as they can work ‐ all of them....I know of all their friends as well are just the same...they all think that tax payers owes them a living and odsp and welfare is just allowing them to use the system...we need a good thorough cleanup of the ones that are on it as most should not be receiving it ‐ this just is discusting and wasting tax payers money sorry for typos im in McDonalds with free wifi as I don't have internet at home ‐ nor can I afford it, yes im not well but because I own property I don't qualify under odsp and im not dead yet to be able to be on cpp kids use the hostel shelters so they can get out of the parents home at times as well, need to find out if they really should be there as some take up the space, time, and costing gov money ‐ ex future son‐in‐laws brother goes there to do his laundry ‐ sad :(


Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Welfare was only supposed to be temporary during war times, take it away! It will decrease the cost for the other areas as well.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, in my experience there is too much poverty, not enough affordable housing and services for senior citizens. These groups of people that are being affected are the groups that are costing the country the most. If we were to give the tools and the services to these people to allow them to get what they need to achieve a level of living to get the employment, housing, medical attention and support to get them to their goal i believe in the long run we could save money!!!!!!


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

there are a lot of jobs out there that people could do. It seems some on social services abuse it. I would like to see more accountability for those on it. ie drug testing, I know too many people abusing the system


Conservation Authority, Hostels and Homelessness, In Niagara the homeless people we have its there own fault mostly they are homeless its really easy to get a job at a fast food restaurant get a job you bums And for the other I just don't really uave an opinion about


Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Affordable housing ‐ how much more money are we as tax payers to give to a part of society that do pay into the tax base. Where does it end. Our children are grown up. We have no family that use social services in the region. Leadership and governance the regional counsellors will get there money when they want, like always.


Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I don't agree with them and how they choose to fund the people on them


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

they are not a priority because if we keep supplying these people with more and more services they will never not use them. we need to push people to better themselves.


Emergency Medical Services, Affordable Housing, Ambulances and medical aid are essential however I have found a resistance in youth using CPR and claiming not to want to use it for fear of disease. I do not want to support a program that will not be used by the youth of today. I have seen several abuses of the affordable housing system where they have better vehicles in their driveways than those who work 45 hr and have their own home. I'm not saying this is always the case but it leads me to wonder...


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Economic Development, Affordable Housing,

I suggest that the use of these services should be funded to a greater extent by the user, not the general population.


Hostels and Homelessness, St.Catharines dosent see the amoung of homeless that larger cities do.


Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance, I don't agree with the manner we deal with the homeless, etc.


Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,

been seeing many hostels, youth action housing in our neighborhood happening. we now have teenagers from these homes wandering and hanging around homes all hours of the day.


Leadership and Governance, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

There are too many people making too much money out there as it is. As for the affordable housing and social assistance, some are deserving but most abuse of it and I want to see it cut way back!


Leadership and Governance, Hostels and Homelessness, there are tons of jobs everywhere just some people think they are to good to work at tim hortons or mcdonalds if i was out of a job that is where i would work so i wouldnt have to go on social asst the problem is there is to many lazy people out there i think that the people on social assistance should have to do something for their cheque whether it be picking up garbage at the side of the road or volunteering at events they sit around and do nothing all day and spend no money except the governments and mine and then are rewarded with a bonus gst rebate thats funny cause if you added up all the money the people out there that are working are spending on gst and then they get nothing back cause they make too much ha what a joke


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development,

sick of supporting ppl that are to lazy to work and giving them cheap housing to boot.


Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I think social assistance and affordable housing are a waste of taxpayer dollars since over half of those needing this service are too lazy to earn money themselves and would rather mooch off of society. The other services that are not a priority are ones that seem to be fine as is and not in need of more or less attention.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I think we have made it to easy to live on assistance and in housing. In my experiences most people in those situations choose to be there. Myself and husband work full time to provide for our 4 children, pay an outrageous amount in taxes and don't use the topics mentioned above.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,

Dont support the welfare concept.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

Should be pushing people to get jobs not feeding them for nothing.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

These are all services that help those who have, in many cases, chosen not to help themselves. It's a free country, if you don't wish to work hard and take advantage of free education, you ultimately pay a price for that and I don't wish to help you pay for your dire situation. There are exceptions but not as many as you think.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

they all lead to hand outs and there is no accountability on them to get jobs or volunteer when on assistance


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Social Assistance, there any many jobs out there.... we need to stop living beyond our means.



A lot of people that are on social assistance and parents that are using subsidized day care are frauding the system. Make them get jobs and pay their own day care. And get rid of welfare.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Peopleon social assistance need help .When they get a job they need more money so they dont get penilised


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Social assistance, I work hard so others don't have to


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel as though the community around me is more apt to stay on government assistance than work.


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I struggle the system. Many people in the Niagara Region do not benefit or even have access to transit. Police make a very good wage‐and it's hard when it's corrupt. Affordable housing and social assistance ARE important HOWEVER the system is flawed. There is not enough ways/support for people to get Off the program. I wish I could sit at home all day collecting money too but I can't and work 2 jobs. I feel for immigrants and people who have lost jobs, but there are too many that find it easier. Not right


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

1. Social assistance is not really a priority because I see and know a lot of people on Social Assistance who are taking advantage or abusing the help they get from the Government. This social assistance is not really helping them to have a quality of life but instead it is making them lazier and depend on the system. Meanwhile, a hardworking person and single mother like me who works more than 40 hrs a week cannot enjoy or hardly have time for my children.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

Because people in these jobs make a lot more money than people who are highly educated and working non‐profit because the government doesn't understand that the needs of people are increasing with old age, autism, mental health and joblessness. Fund social programs properly. This region is disgusting for services. Look at the cuts happening in mental health services etc. Also, the calculation for house value and property tax was totally incorrect by like $1500


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I don't want to be forced to fund Roads that are paved because the government only cares about the roads that tourists drive on, when we are the ones suffering to pay to have them fixed! Some of the roads in Niagara Falls are ridiculous! Our police officers are a joke. They're always at Tim Hortons or park tucked away so they can relax. The only time they ever actually do anything is at the end of the month to reach quota, and even then they give out tickets for nothing. As for affordable housing and social assistance, I feel there are plenty of jobs out there! I work full time, own my own house and car at 25 and nobody has helped me along. These people are getting a free ride. There only full time job is having children so they can collect more and that money goes to feeding their drug habits, not their children. I feel that for the people that truly need it, it's good to have. For people that just take advantage of the system, I think it should be considered fraud. Everyone on social assistance should be forced to have a drug test, and the money given should be in the form of a grocery gift card and the rent should be paid specifically to the land lord, never touching their hands. If they want to buy cigarettes, gas and cars, they should be forced to work like everyone else! Nobody should get a free ride, especially if I'm paying for it with my hard earned money without having a say! .


Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Social assistance i find is not being used for what it's intended for but rather used on alcohol and drugs. The people who need it get given a hard time about it but the people who are more than capable of working like my kids father for example will collect his assistance at his mothers address but live elsewhere and spend every penny on alcohol and marijuana. As for regional transit I have noticed more people are choosing to walk instead due to the fact they would rather save whatever the cost is and spend it on something else


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's not necessarily that I don't think these services aren't a priority I just feel that bringing good paying jobs to the community is our number one priority. If more people were adequately employed I believe we wouldn't need this extensive social service budget. I don't however believe in giving the region more money for jobs development because their record is so poor. Unless I see focused progress I feel like I am putting my very hard earned wages in a bottomless pit and I can't afford the taxes I am paying now. My income hasn't increased in years yet my bills have skyrocketed. My friends who are regional employees are retiring young with comfortable pensions while I will have to work for the rest of my life. Sorry but I don't want to pay for cooking classes for teens or transit for people who live 40 kilometres from my town. Streamline your services and try not to be everything to everyone.


Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

doesn't encourage independence or more economic developments in these areas.


Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Ec

For the most part they help dead beats.


Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Less for affordable housing because more needs to be spent on education to help individuals get educated so that they don't need to be supported. Supporting and giving money really doesn't help in the long‐term.


Regional Police, Social Assistance, Social Assistane the people that are able to work should go get a job


Social Assistance, Well I feel too many re taking advantage of this and they need to get these people out to work.....too easy to collect and I find the system too lax....I firmly believe the people on assistance should be drug tested and forced to work


Social Assistance, I see too many people taking advantage of this system and refusing to attempt to seek employment.


Social Assistance, We need to encourage those on social assistance ‐ without physical or mental handicaps ‐ to pursue education/qualifications etc. There far too few stepping stones and far too many handouts. Welfare is for those in need, not for those not willing to try!


Social Assistance, Some people opt to have gov't hand outs instead of working. I support having places such as Project Share to help out families, but no one should get money handed to them for doing nothing. I don't know a lot about the system, but there are community jobs that can be done for a paycheque. At the very least, volunteer work should be done to get social assistance.


Social Assistance, Incents unemployment


Social Assistance, With more funding going into subsidies for housing and childcare and employment help people should be pushed into the work force instead of staying on social assistance for years and years. Social assistance should be much more strick on who qualifies and for how long. Its sad to think everyone has to work so hard for EI and get kicked off after a time frame of being unemployed and yet others can stay on Ontario Works for years and do nothing.


Social Assistance, My perception is that a substantial percentage of those benefiting from social assistance really do not require it.


Social Assistance, I'm tired of being in a high tax bracket while some people choose to make more and more babies and sit on their behinds not working. I don't qualify for any kind of financial assistance and have 2 children.. I pay top dollar for child care as well as my bills and mortgage.. We need to help the people that help themselves :)


Social Assistance, We shouldn't be paying for others who don't work in some cases


Social Assistance, I think social assistance provides too much coverage currently.


Social Assistance, I've never had to use the services they provide and have paid endlessly into them. When I see people I know and hear stories of others who abuse the system, and find that there are no safeguards in place for those who are spending my tax dollars on their vices, instead of the intended purpose ‐ I see it as a wasted investment.


Social Assistance, It is not so much that they are not a priority, as I feel the program itself could be structured differently. I am not up to date on all of this programs processes, but I do feel that too many people abuse this assistance. If there were only a way to better monitor the people receiving it.


Social Assistance, I have seen too many able bodied people abuse the services


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, there are a lot of people on social assistance who do nothing. Those who are disabled ‐ that's different, they are not able to work. Those who are unemployed or on social assistance for other reasons should be working to earn the money they make, like helping to clean parks or working in social programs as helpers. Leaders are overpaid for what they do. The biggest issue is bringing Better and higher paying jobs to niagara aka: NOT tourism‐based. This doesn't seem to be a priority to our leadership.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, If we spent more time focusing on mental health and awareness then maybe less people would sit on Ontario Works.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, To many people are taking advantage of social assistance. Leadership and Governance they are fine for now.



Too many people on welfare because they are too lazy to find a job. People should pay for their own transportation. Too many people in government that do NOTHING.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Leadership .... they know the pay/job when starting. Many of us are not getting raises yearly and the Region should be tightening it's belt accordingly. Social Assistance is getting out of hand. I know of many who have benifitted from being on it and getting off it and employable is financially non viable when you account for daycare/benefits/health care/housing etc. This must be scrutinized more and find ways of making it a temporary solution, not a career path.


Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessne

I think we need to look at the basics and focus on them. As for Social Assistance, I find it difficult to see need, when in reality, I don't see incentive for people to get off it. Some of these people are capable of working certain jobs. Please let them. It is sad that people who work for minimum wage make less than some people on assistance


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

There needs to better programs in place for those in need of social assistance, giving checks out every month to people that are capable of working makes no sense. There should be clean up the city programs or help out seniors in your city in order to collect social services payments that I work hard for.


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

we already have some of the lowest rent and property values in the region, if we have the cheapest houses, we get more welfare people, which just leads to higher taxes. Let some other communities deal with it. Better yet, get some jobs for these people so they can afford the cheap houses that are already here. We spend too much money regulating stuff that doesn't need to be regulated. We've got so many bylaws and stupid rules that prohibit anyone from using their own property as they see fit, it's ridiculous.


Community Planning, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Hope the social assistance people will get jobs as they wont have other options Community planning not as necessary and doesnt affect us NOW CHildrens services is debatable...for those that seriously need it yes, but many abuse it.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

i think there are far more important items to fund. I sick and tired of my fulltime working dollars supporting welfare persons who just do nothing but milk the system. And dont tell me they dont, i deal with them DAILY. this is a huge issue for me, hence the reason i dont support more money going to it.


Community Planning, Social Assistance, I believe there should be more pushing for welfare recipients to get off the systems they should be given drug tests and birth control shots before each check,some people need this yes, but not a career.


Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads,

I think that most of these services should be reevaluated. Social Assistance, I see at least 100 people on assistance making more money than I do and have side jobs.More investigations need to be done on these services. As well the people working in these offices need to work for a lower wage. Have you seen how much the people in offices make and the garbage men are making just over min wage.


Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Too many abuse the system and I find it offensive to go through geared to income housing that has residents with new cars and satellite dishes. These people should get jobs. Seniors live on disgustingly small pensions while the unemployed sun themselves while I am on my way to work to pay for it.


Development Services, Social Assistance, If the people that are on social assistance would stop allowing other people to support them and get a job, they would have to start paying taxes like everyone else. So the money that goes into social assistance can go to something else like roads and developmental service.


Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

people collecting ontario works need to do more to find work on there own too many of them are happy collecting there cheque once a month. as far as anyone in the government they are over paid to start with. many of them already collect from other jobs and if they are elected for 2 terms the get a pension when many people wont have one other than from the government.


Development Services, Social Assistance, Waste Management, I feel these services are abused. The social assistance program is the program that I feel is abused the most. I have personally seen generations of families on social assistance and they continue to have children so that they receive more money. In employment situations, employees are sometimes randomly asked to do drug tests. In the case of social assistance, the government can be compared to an employer and the recipient can be compared to an employee. Therefore, I believe that random drug testing should be done in order to receive their monthly cheque. I work hard for my money ‐ I don't need to help people who aren't helping themselves in the right ways. Don't get me wrong, I have been on social assistance before myself, but it was while I was attending school to better my career options for myself and my family, so I do think that the social assistance program does have its place and it can be very helpful to those who aren't using it as their way of life. I'm sorry but if you can afford drugs (and have an Iphone, and all the toys quad, etc) then you don't need to be on social assistance taking money away from those who could really use it. As you can see this is a real sore spot for me. I used to work for a not‐for‐profit organization and worked with many recipients on social assistance and they would come in every day and talk about what they did the night before (such as went out on their quad, snow mobile, etc) and they don't even have to work for their money. I put in at least 40 hours a week and was struggling to pay all of my bills ‐ and I don't have all the fancy toys, that was us just trying to stay out of debt and pay all of our bills on time.


Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I dont really know waht infrastructure funding is therefore I do not know why to pay more into it, Affordable house‐ some of the people who stay there have nicer places than I do and its not fair when I work 50 hours a week. Children services‐ only low income are eligable which is not fair because hte people who really need it are the one who have jobs and work every day. Homeless shelters‐ I just believe that if you use ur welfare check properly you can at least stay in a motel room which would avoid the need/ funding. And i beleive that goverment already gets a large pie of the pie so no need for increase there either.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

I think personally that we fund to many luxuries with our taxes. Affordable housing for one, I don't get assistance when I get fewer hours at work. I have to come up with other job opportunities to pay my bills. There are many maybe if we stop giving many a free ride we would have a better work force . I have 3 siblings who reside in housing projects and are just as educated and able to find suitable residents but choose to pay $98 a month for their 2‐3 bedroom homes. I pay almost $540 a month in proporety tax alone and they pay nothing and have more money to throw around.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Today's individuals think they should get a hand out, how about a hand up. My generation had to much pride to take a hand out, they would do almost anything to put food on the table and a roof over their families head. Not today's society they figure they are owed. We've all been down on our luck myself included.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, There are enough individuals in the region that are using the social assistance when they should be getting employment. We need to create more jobs in the region to lower the number of healthy individuals receiving funding. We loose enough money to the provincial and federal government due to salaries and other expenses that we just can not afford.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding,

We need help in areas like homeless and social services where people on assistances can make more money before its deducted


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

The government should significantly cut spending on welfare because it is part of the reason why the nation is in a lot of debt. Welfare also gets people dependent on it. It gives people free money without working hard. The government should make it easier for people to get jobs instead of giving them free money. They should do that by helping businesses.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

The percentage of those getting employment when utilizing Social Assistance is very low. The current Social Assistance program needs a major overhaul. As for Leadership and Governance, there has been overspending in wrong areas. For Economic Development it is not drawing enough to the area, my job and many others are always at risk to overseas where wages are more favourable to companies.


Social Assistance, I do not see much upward movement from those who receive social assistance in the region; in fact, I tend to see their situations getting worse. Rather than providing social assistance, we need to increase our resources and programs for helping people to get back on their feet and become functioning, working members of the community. We also need a solid strategy for providing jobs in this region, that should be our main priority.


Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I have no children, I'm not on social assitance (nor do I think anyone should be except in emergency situations and I do not trust government.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There's no transit in Lincoln. Why would we pay for something we don't use and or would have to pay for if we use. I think thee people on welfare should be forced to work on farms instead of all the working people paying for a lot of these people who abuse the system. If you had these people working you would not have to import for carribenin country's


Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health,

Never use these services and people mis‐use them


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

none of these apply to me and i would like to see the funding reduced!!! espically social assistance, peoe on welfare live higher on the hog then i do!!


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Instead of focusing on providing affordable housing , the government and tax money should be focused on creating jobs so that citizens dont require this type of assistance. Local business development should be viewed as a priority since they create local job opportunities.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Water and Wastewater, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social A

none of them brings economic growth to the region. # 1 need of this time is huge tax breaks to corporations and a regional body ensuring corporations stick to commitments.


Community Planning, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, It's not that these services are not a priority. It's that others are more of a priority. Seniors sometimes need assistance, but I know that a lot of seniors have a lot of money and don't spend it in order to leave it to their families when they pass. This needs to be monitored more closely so that the services that are provided are not taken advantage of by people who could very easily pay for services. People also take advantage of social assistance. Cheques should be issued to landlords, and food coupons should be given to make sure that the people are actually spending the money to feed and house themselves and their children.


Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Public transportation is not a priority for myself or family. As for social assistance, the system is abused


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

We have bigger issues of more importance to deal with and with my tax dollar i would prefer to deal with those bigger issues. I think the primary focus should be in bringing new employers into the region to increase the job growth, doing this will lower the need for these above services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Often you can do more with less. These serivces are not priorities because they don't translate into basic needs. Health care, child care, safety. We need those to function. I don't believe that these services need a 2% increase. I work in Social Services and my opinion is it is way too easy to get social assistance. More funding should be put into job placement and job creation and training.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

These are not a priority as I believe individuals seeking most of these services are not always in need of them. I think that in needs to be better investigated whether they need the services or not. As well as less assistance may be more motivation to find a job.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I just think the others are first. I work hard and I think social assistance is to easy for some to get, even if they are capable of working.


Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I believe health care, fire and police services far out weigh the shape of our roads and community planning. More focus on getting more jobs and people off of social assistance....NOT ALLOWING THEM to stay on for a extended period of time. 1 year should be the limit. Need to motivate them to find a job and if they know they only get a year, well I think they will try a lot harder. Those others should be on ODSP that cannot work for medical reasons. community planning is nice but not important when it stands next to health etc same with the leadership. Focus what's really important not how things look ( roads,developement,conservation)


Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I see no issues or future issues occurring with my water service. It works great for me. I would like the community to stop building so many houses everywhere. Leave some green spaces around the city. I think to many people take advantage of social assistance. I know many of them. This service needs to become more strict on who gets in.


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness,

I don't agree with homelessness being a priority when middle class people have just as many problems and are still able to function in society without becoming helpless.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,

I work, and believe other people also need to work, transit isn't an issue, because I can afford my own vehicle and am a responsible parent who transports her children. Waste Management, we are charged $2 extra a garbage bag as is. Affordable housing...get a job, and you can afford a home, I shouldn't have to pay for your house, no one helps me pay my mortgage. Social assistance, well, I think I have said enough!!!! Community Planning and Development Services, again, think the people using them should be paying for them!


Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

I feel money spent on economic development can be better used elsewhere. What does our leadership actually do ‐ what do they accomplish ‐ I don't get any feedback from exactly what is being done. As for social assistance I feel these individuals should be drug tested ‐ and MADE to look for employment instead of making excuses. There are so many senior citizens who suffer because they don't have the funds to live a better life. THE SOCIAL ASSISTANT INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF MAKING MORE BABIES THEY SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON EMPLOYMENT. I'M TIRED OF PAYING THEIR WAY!


Social Assistance, Development Services, Economic Development,

‐ there is too much reliance on social assistance by those who could do more for themselves if necessary ‐ I do not see (based on the minimal information provided) how these second and third points should be high priority when compared with things like policing, roads, senior welfare, etc.



Get the people who are on Welfare off of it and get them working again. Young parents who don't work shouldn't be aloud to keep having children if they refuse to work. They keep having kids to get the money . They even get a break on their income tax . I'm sick of busting my but and missing my children because I have to work . I don't get any breaks in my income tax . The children are the ones suffering Fix the roads. Balmoral Ave in Niagara Falls needs to be torn up and re paved not just patched up.


Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Ser

While access to water is of course a priority the increased cost is not something I am interested in paying more for. My water bill base charges are simply too high already. Why pay an increase for emergency medical services in Fort Erie? They are not available in town ‐ the townships that have these services should pay extra, not the entire region. Public health only wants to help low‐income people, because my husband works 60 hours a week these benefits have no bearing on our family. If I were on assistance maybe I would feel differently however then I wouldn't have to pay property taxes, would I? Police ‐ clicked wrong box, they do deserve our taxes and support. Community planning, conservation, development services, economic development, infrastructure funding and leadership and governance ‐ these things usually translate into pay increases but very little else. Affordable housing, while important shouldn't be part of my taxes. I have to pay my mortgage and taxes and bills so that someone else can have cheap rent? How is that fair? Children's services are only for low income kids ‐ my kids never qualify for any programs. Hostels and homelessness ‐ I am not aware of any of these programs in Fort Erie. Social assistance should have a time limit on it or something. I don't know what the solution is to this but too many teens see welfare as a job, the first step to leaving moms is to go on welfare ‐ not to get a job and become self‐sufficient. The program was never to be used as a lifestyle.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater,

Water is over‐charged for. Fort Erie's Leadership and Governance is pathetic, and the picture poser's don't deserve a nickle more. As for affordable housing and Social Assistance, should the budget be delegated and implemented by professional city planners and economic development... then we will have no need for social assistance, affordable housing, hostels or homelessness.


Social Assistance, If there is better economic development, there will more employment opportunities that provide a living wage for residents...additionally, there needs t be more aggressive measure to address the multigenerational abuse of the sysrems

Tax level issues Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,


Tax level issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social A

These services already run fine on the budget we have, our helth care child care elderly care are constantly suffering and the funding should go there if there has to be a 2% increase WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH, because our taxes in Niagara region are already way too high for where we are!!!

Tax level issues Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

The police need to come to terms with the fact that in this economic situation raises and budget increases cannot be tolerated. They need to cut staff and equipment costs.

Tax level issues Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Servi


Tax level issues Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Roads, Community Planning, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,


Tax level issues Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistanc


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentTax level issues Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social

Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Wast


Tax level issues Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Public Healt

Those are not the role of a government. I dont like how the servey says that priority automatically means more taxes. We are already overtaxed in Canada anyway

Tax level issues Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

Government is frequently funded at the hands of those who are suffering, healthcare, roads, public services are things that need to be funded, while government is needed it should not be over paid. As far as water, the city of Niagara Falls, and the water system charges far too much, this has been brought to the city for years, and it's continued to be ignored.

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Regional Police,


Tax level issues Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Social Assistance,

Leadership and Governance‐ this does not need more money when the rest of the community id suffereing Niagara Region TRansit needs to rework their current budget, and be more efficient. They can make changes and improve service better‐ because as of right now, you cannot live and work in Niagra without a car. Public Health‐ Completely over‐funded....not even sure what they actually do. Too many health promoters, not actually promoting! Regional Police‐ good where they are Soc

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance

We're taxed to death as it is and since there are no big plants here you are throwing the taxes your not getting onto the working poor. As for the Niagara regional Police get rid of them and go opp would more then likely be cheaper. It's pretty bad that the elderly in regional homes get bad food and the ones in jail get better food considering the ones in regional homes made Welland what it is and the convicts get better food and I know cause I worked for the region and I know someone who works in the detention centre. There is only so much people can be taxed for before they move out if the area to a bigger city !!!

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

The survey forces a decision of accepting a 2% increase or more or label it as not a priority ‐ our yrly property assessment and taxes go up every year and in addition you want additional tax money ‐ where does it end and where are you making cost improvements‐ this survey tries to drive you to respond to a min 2% increase‐nowhere do you hold the line ‐ your increase is higher than cost of living ‐ Policing continually goes up at higher rates‐ hold the line! and how much does the casinos absorb of our police budget? signed ‐taxed to death

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentTax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and

Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There's no transit in Lincoln. Why would we pay for something we don't use and or would have to pay for if we use. I think thee people on welfare should be forced to work on farms instead of all the working people paying for a lot of these people who abuse the system. If you had these people working you would not have to import for carribenin country's

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s

Doesn't the Region realize we are in a recession ?. There are no jobs in the area, unemployment is at an all time high, many of the residents are on fixed incomes and pensions (which do not rise 2% per year). The Region is quick to take the credit when any Company moves here, well, take the credit for failing to attract. Leadership is about making realistic decisions, make one and demand a 2% decrease from all services. Come into the real world. Will be interesting to see what happens to the results of this survey. Probably ignored if the Region doesn't like the results. The Region should

Tax level issues Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Taxes are too high, presently.

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I can't afford any raise in my taxes! We pay almost $6000 a year already. We will have to move from Niagara if you keep raising our taxes! How do you not have enough money! When we moved in 4 years ago our taxes were $4900. Now they are just under $6000! How do you expect me to agree to anything when nothing in our city gets done! We don't even have a transit system in Grimsby!

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

With high taxes in Niagara being the #1 issue with people hard decisions are required. Maintaining the status quo is no longer acceptable. Cuts and holding the line on taxes is required and you need to start somewhere.

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Ser

time to lower taxes people!!!

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assis

keep are taxes lower so we can afford to keep our houses

Tax level issues Leadership and Governance, The ppl have been feeling the pinch in there pockets for years now. Telling the ppl they are used to paying high prices, so we will not lower them (was not a good thing). I believe both sides need to sacrifice not just leave it to the ppl.

Tax level issues Leadership and Governance, Too many people are struggling to pay rent or to keep their homes.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentTax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Emergency

Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

I don't have the ability to increase my wages arbitrarily, even though my taxes have increased by over 10% this year over last. So why do you think that you should increase the budget when you don't have the money to pay for it. Why are we spending money we don't have on services that we can't afford to pay for things that people aren't willing to pay for. Live within your means like I have to ... cut everything ...

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Servic

We pay enuff for stuff already.... We need a break....people on welfare should be working instead of stealing and drinking and drugging and you expect me to pay for their laziness..... Snuff already... Our taxes need to decrease NOT increase

Tax level issues Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We need to spend less. Nobody understands .

Tax level issues Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable H

Its not that they are not a priority but there is only one taxpayer and wages are not going up and the taxpayer only has so much money to spend its time to find ways to spend less on wages and benifits and less people at the top in the sunshine club is a good place to start you can t just raising taxxes every year after year after year My point is find ways to spend less for a change

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning,

I don't think you understand that any increase is too much when so many people are experiencing reduced incomes. Public servants are very well paid and a 2% raise to them is like a very much larger raise to less well paid people. For a generation now, the union mentality has been chipping away at the lifestyle of average people. Services get ever more expensive while governments complain about too little revenue. The current trend is not sustainable and we need a Rob Ford in Niagara to grab hold of the beast. He has proven that it can be done but we have none here in Niagara with that kind of determination and courage. Your survey makes it clear that you begin with the assumption that there must be an increase and that is a view that overpaid people too easily adopt because they see it as the norm. (And view a comment like this one as naive and ridiculous because they cannot see what disaster is on the horizon.)

Tax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I feel that our taxes are ballooning through the roof!! The axe needs to stop falling into the working families of this region.

Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentTax level issues Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Regional Police, Affordable

Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Fund

There are too many residents who lost their jobs and maybe unemployed who still have to buy all the necessities, pay mortgage maybe, insurances, school education WHO CAN'T AFFORD A TAX INCREASE! Also there are many seniors on a fixed income, with almost nothing in increase in their pensions (less than .1% to.5%)who still have to pay all the bills (taxes, food, necessities, etc) as compared to Niagara Police Officers who make almost $100,000 about 40% in the $120,000 to $130,000 range salary and still demand a 4% raise when reidents like hotel maids are only making about $20,000 per year.

This service is not a priority




Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority,



Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

Leadership and governance and regional police are institutions that are at best wasteful with my money and heedless of my personal beliefs and ethics, and corrupt at worst ‐ hence they are not priorities for funding in my opinion. Development services, by your own definition, is there to provide 'comments, analysis, or approvals on a variety of development related planning applications and policies' and again, as far as I'm concerned, the region and the rest of Canada spend far too much money on endless, useless studies and not nearly enough on action. Affordable housing and children's services are both services that do not apply to me or my immediate family, and therefore not a priority to me.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,


Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentThis service is not a priority






Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Seniors Services, Water and Wastewater,

Conservation, ems, police,w/ww are funded beyond their needs and should be scaled back to fund other priorities. If not they will absorb an increasing potion. They are unsustainable, and can afford to be cut. Development services should further raise fees. Seniors is upper government funded, but not a priority for me.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I feel that funding is sufficient through other avenues and should not be increased. There are not for profit organizations, charitable organizations and other tiers of government that are providing sufficiently in these areas at this time. Particularly in Conservation, Hostels and Homelessness, and Social Services. Within each municipality there are also sufficient resources allocated to community planning, infrastructure funding, and waste management. And during these next 2 to 3 years I feel that priorities should be elsewhere.








Regional Police, Waste Management, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

what is priority to me is jobs in fort erie, revenue in fort erie,all of the ones i indicated are lower becasue they get paid enough now and they arent doing anything for our area anyway


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s

I have lived in Fort Erie for the past 30 years and this town has not been a priority on any ones list. We have lost hundreds of jobs, a hospital and have seen significant increases in our property taxes and sewer charges over the past 10 years. I am sick and tired of paying more and getting fewer services. Learn to budget better, my husband recently lost his job after 34 years and now we have to make extreme cuts. The region should also learn to do with less. When does it end??? The Niagara Region has the highest unemployment rate and this is especially seen in Fort Erie. A 2% tax increase in unacceptable, go back to the drawing board people and figure it out! Stop using increases and making people feel guilty by using a survey. We should not have to justify why we don't want tax increases.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

A proper analysis of exactly what wages are and how much of that is wasted due to people in the positions not performing their jobs to the best of their ability. As for social assistance and affordable housing it is abused and those people need to get jobs they are out there especially when we have to import workers from other countries to work our farms it is way too easy for people to get assistance. I see too many people over paid and not working for their money and other people who work ten times harder and do t make near as much... Where does this make any sense ? The government needs to focus on where there are serious needs and apply money to better out society where it counts .


Public Health, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe these services are important but have my doubts on the fiscal management in these departments.i base my answers purely on what is basically the most urgent areas in need of addressing, Ie: we need clean air to breath ( environmental) clean water to drink, and although I also feel that our money is mismanaged when it comes to long term care facilities( p.s.w.'s paid pathetically low wages whereas administration is paid a disproportionally larger sum) I believe with the monetary issues we face we need to concentrate on what I believe are our basic priorities.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

While I feel the first three in this list has all it needs now, Leadership and Governance, this is one of the last things that needs more money, put it to one of the other prioritys.


Emergency Medical Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FUND EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME FOR EVERYONE ALL THE TIME CUTBACKS ARE REQUIRED


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Serv

They are not a priorityto me as we are over taxed and where is it all going to end. Every year all these services go up. I think all these services should be more frugal in their budgets, so we seniors can live on the small pensions we receive.


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's time to start saying NO to the extras! We the tax payers are paying more and more, which does impact the economy...more money in taxes is less money for local restaurants and stores!!



well for roads in my city they seem to spend more time fixing roads that has slight bumps over doing major repairs on the roads that have major problems, community planning only seems to help the very well of in this area while the low income families get left out. development services seem to cater more to the working class then trying to help social assistance people become part of the working class and the infrastructure funding and leadership and governance seem to be about the same








Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe our services levels are fine where they are standing now. There are other things in this region that should be prioritized . Such as the honest hard working people who pay their taxes and get nothing in return but tax increases that fund our politicians for campaigning . That's all I ever see. There is little funds that accually go to the real sources that our tax dollars are suppose to fund.


Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Government already gets paid FAR too much for what they do. Essential services like EMS, police, and health care deserve and NEED more funding in the region.





Niagara Region Transit, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Most are not services that I use nor feel a a priority


Affordable Housing, Community Planning, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Most of them are irrelevant to my life in comparrison to other more essential services


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Regional Police,



Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Decrease administration costs...always too many chiefs in government. I don't use other services so don't particularly want to pay for them. They are still important but not a priority for myself. My main priorities are the ability to get around by car or public transit, the latter of which we have none and wonder why I am paying anything for it, senior services and public and emergency health services, clean water and waste pickup.



There are other services more important. Additionally Niagara has far too many levels of government and too many councilors and their staff for what actually gets accomplished in the Region.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Regional staff and employees are paid much more than I am, and in my opinion less governance is better governance. Taxes monies are better spent on social services, in my humble opinion.


Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

There should be more effort in making jobs in the Niagara Region. Especially Niagara Falls so we have fewer needing assistance. I don't believe that our politicians need an increase even if its only 2%. Put the money towards getting jobs for the residences and our roads and sewers (not for tourist areas). Also, I pay almost double in taxes to what your calculator says for my property!


Roads, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Roads ‐ I'm tired of all the construction and roads always being dug up. It's so wasteful ‐ do it in a wiser fashion. Medical ‐ proper nutrition is more important and would reduce the need for many of these services. I'd rather see my money go to support local farmers or helping the poor get a access to this type of food rather than medical care that keeps people ill. Police ‐ I feel our current needs are being met. I would re‐evaluate this later. Development Services ‐ St. Catharines is not being developed in a way to support the economy. Seriously the region is in the toilet! Get jobs here them worry about development when we can Afford it. Otherwise we're investing so that people can get cheap housing here and have jobs out if the region! Social Assistance ‐ Put that money in to getting jobs in the area. Our young people have to leave to get work. We should not be funding people to stay in niagara to have no chance of getting work and make a life. So bring jobs, long lasting well paying jobs ‐ it's far more beneficial. Leadership ‐ the leadership is a JOKE. Seriously WHY should you guys get choushy wages while the rest of us starve. You want to make more money than earn it. You have done NOTHING to improve our region. It's great to build arenas and art centres but NO one who lives and works in Niagara can afford to enjoy it. I can't even afford to swim in the new pool. Every penny ‐ including your wages (and you should get a decrease in your wage to match the average niagara worker ‐ that being the person with a job in niagara not someone who works in Toronto and wants nice perks but couldn't afford to live here on the average wage) should be invested in bringing good decent work to the men and women. Our area is dying! It's time to wake up!


Regional Police, Development Services, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara should be amalgamated so that we pay far less for local city councils (mayors, etc.). This is a HUGE and unnecessary tax burden for a region that cannot afford it. I do not believe we have a high crime rate and need more police services. I believe in increasing services for those who are economically disadvantaged ‐ but many seniors have more money than our youth (who are unemployed), and thus I do not want more funding to go to any seniors services unless they are economically disadvantaged.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Social and environmental services are more important to me. Governance is not doing a good job with the funding they already have.


Waste Management, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance, Public Health, Regional Police,

Waste management is a revenue generator, I support this, it is a priority and they are doing really well, that is a fantastic project and good for the company sourced to do this work. This kind of money is commended, but since it is making money for us I don't think we need to spend more on it. Policing is overpaid for the needs we have. The community is safe, the issues of drugs and organized crime will not lessen with more money spent here. The fact more NRP officers have been suspected and charged with crimes is also not surprising. Too much money flows in this direction, likely to keep many officers from turning to crime themselves. Jaded yes, but a part of experience in Niagara with the NRP. Until there is one level of governement in this area, I would cut back on this, the politicians will not take the leadership neeed to achieve smooth and successful governance, so why pay more. The money won't help this situation. Why call Economic Development this name and why not just marketing department , you removed tourism from the fold, one of the key parts of Niagara's engine. Social assistance and public health, I know a lot has been downloaded to local municipalities because the province didn't want to fund it, but in fact no one funds anything except the people who live here. Lets have that discussion, where is this best funded and directed. If the province doesn't fund something then let the community run the whole thing, without provincial guidelines. If they won't pay for it they have no right to make such decisions


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, I feel the Niagara Region needs to focus on the land it's using now instead of developing further into the space that makes the Region so unique. Leadership and Governance is doing fine thus far and I don't feel that it requires additional funding until smarter decisions are made (specifically with road construction schedules and efficiency [Refer To: How many times Ontario Street has been torn up between Lake and Carlton Street in the past 3 years).


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I strongly feel that the Niagara Region, especially St. Catherines, did not have its post‐recession priorities in check. Far too much of our tax money was blown on projects that benefit all the wrong people at the wrong time. And economic development? I'd rather my taxes went to fixing the newly proposed draft bylaw that seems to support stifling in‐home and small businesses while promoting big super‐stores at their expense. Successful locally grown businesses would grow our economy.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

We need the streets cleaned up drug dealers dealt with. Jobs should be a priority with regional workers staying at the same rate of pay no increases. Regional council doesn't need a new chambers at this time.





Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Niagara transit only reaches minimal areas none of the rural areas are able to use it. Police are paid plenty as it is and many are corrupt . We have developed well economically recently and should jut maintain and focus on other areas . The government usually doesn't make good choices for the region and are already funded enough .


Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development,



Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,












Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, ‐no significant use of transit ‐public health is over staffed and underutilized by the community.



I think too much money goes into development and already well paid officials pockets. What does economic development even mean? Does this mean subsidies for box business who are going to come in and pay barely livable wages. Why don't we spend the money taking care of the most vulnerable? How much money and other resources would that save the justice system and frontline crisis services. Take care of the poor, give adults and children quality educational resources that are aimed at improving their quality of life, include them in the discussions, and use resources to restore the community. Start sustainable community initiatives that build on resources we already have and employ people there...like better a transit system (which would create a healthy environment for all). People don't use the transit system as much as they would because it isn't funded enough to make it a convenience...if it ran more frequently and extended it's services people might find it more convenient option then a car...or, fund care share initiatives. Create jobs within the community...publicly funded jobs that promote sustainable communities. No more subsidies for big business, instead fund small business. Niagara is a beautiful area, invest in it's natural environment and restoration of the downtown, make it a place people want to come and visit. When you saturate any town with Walmarts, Targets, fast food places, etc. that can be found anywhere take away from the region's natural beauty and uniqueness. I want more money spent on the environment and the people who need it the most. If we aspire to live in a sustainable region then these should be our top priorities.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning,

Transit isn't accessible in Grimsby ‐ not a priority issue to me and from what I've seen (empty buses traveling along the QEW in NFLS), it's not utilized. Affordable housing and Social assistance are not services that I use ‐ I would rather my taxes be diverted to the services that I use regularly (i.e. roads, infrastructure, water, etc.).


Niagara Region Transit, I have never used the service and I see almost empty buses on the roads.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Children s Services,

It's not that they are not a priority but that other areas are more of a priority and may benefit these areas in the longterm. Increase economic development in the area and the welfare system won't be so overtaxed. Cut the fat in health care programs and provide more jobs has a longer term effect than some class that an overpaid staff member holds. No‐one takes the buses as they cost too much anyways. Fix the roads so the lower income families don't have to spend so much money on car repair. It's not that I don't support children's services but let's rely on our families, friends and neighbours to watch our kids, not some day care. Get back to basics of providing employment which provides self esteem which provides greater public health. Working from the top down are bandaide solutions, work from the bottom up and provide a stable economic growth in the are.


Roads, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Funding for roads is disproportionately and unsustainably high. Money from road development should be diverted into developing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, enhancing public transit, and establishing meaningful policy mechanisms (planning and development proces, urban design, replacement of conventional sidewalks with multipurpose trails) to reduce car dependancy in Niagara.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

Transit system is under utilized, community planning is just not more important than water or emergency services. Social assistance is also not a priority over water and emergency.



Never use public transit and it seems good the way it is. Focus on issues that effect people, conservation is not necessary.





Leadership and Governance, Roads, Seniors Services, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police,

They are much needed programs and services but if you want to expand other programs you have to reduce in other areas. For example road ‐ there is a lot of Regional roads that need work but I would rather repair some roads and spend more on a decent public transit system that connects different part so the region so we have to build less roads. The Police seem to be over funded and take a larger proportion of the Regions money than I think is necessary. All of this talk about a new headquarters is frustrating when there are so many other things that should be a higher priority. Leadership and Governance ‐ I don't think it should be increased. It is necessary. Building/renovating a new council chamber is not appropriate when we have over 17% of our residences that are poor and what we pay OW client is at a rate the is unconscionable.





Public Health, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services,

The services I use the least. Police budget is quite high as is. I understand the need to process development charges etc., but it is hard to indicate bureaucracy as a priority, even with that understanding.


Regional Police, Community Planning, The amount of funding provided to police services is far too high. Our police force is failing to keep our community safe and are an embarrassment ‐ smuggling the date rape drug into the country and the numerous assault charges. This money should be used to fund social services such as public health, education and affordable housing.


Community Planning, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I feel as though we should be addressing those in need in our community as a priority and this can be done with better funding. With an increased funding, those in need are better able to contribute back to the community when provided with appropriate services and resources. I feel the regional police currently receive too much funding and this money would be better spent in addressing the root issues rather than enforcement.


Public Health, Regional Police, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

I prioritized based on the belief that we can't prioritize or treat everything with equal emphasis. Development services should be funded based on user pay as opposed to tax base. Police is difficult, I suspect the only way to control is a format of a budget cap system, if we give police a 2% budget they have to live within it, if an arbitrator gives them 4% I guess there would have to be some layoffs. WE need to get a message to the Province they are tightening budgets to reduce their deficits which trickles down to Niagara Region‐ Province needs to get this message to Prov arbitrators the taxpayers are being squeezed and can't afford 4% salary awards and retention bonuses for police fire. Conservation Authority and parks are nice but if you have lost the plant job and can't pay the rent you need affordable housing more than parklands etc.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

There is only so much money and some thing need cut. I feel policing needs cut the most because it takes most of the budget and yet I rarely see police in Welland. Perhaps it's time to look at the RCMP for policing.


Regional Police, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing,

The money received is above the level of services that the public has recieved in the past. Police officers are payed extremely well for the services they provide. The money funded to these services are appropriate. I feel that the money can be spent better else where.


Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health,

Never use these services and people mis‐use them


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

none of these apply to me and i would like to see the funding reduced!!! espically social assistance, peoe on welfare live higher on the hog then i do!!


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Instead of focusing on providing affordable housing , the government and tax money should be focused on creating jobs so that citizens dont require this type of assistance. Local business development should be viewed as a priority since they create local job opportunities.


Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Water and Wastewater, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social A

none of them brings economic growth to the region. # 1 need of this time is huge tax breaks to corporations and a regional body ensuring corporations stick to commitments.


Community Planning, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, It's not that these services are not a priority. It's that others are more of a priority. Seniors sometimes need assistance, but I know that a lot of seniors have a lot of money and don't spend it in order to leave it to their families when they pass. This needs to be monitored more closely so that the services that are provided are not taken advantage of by people who could very easily pay for services. People also take advantage of social assistance. Cheques should be issued to landlords, and food coupons should be given to make sure that the people are actually spending the money to feed and house themselves and their children.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Development Services,

I do not participate in these services. I am very against people that are abusing social assistance. I am a single property owner and I find it so pathetic that I work so hard and I can not afford the luxuries that social assistance recipients have. I do not take transit.


Niagara Region Transit, Social Assistance, Public transportation is not a priority for myself or family. As for social assistance, the system is abused


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

We have bigger issues of more importance to deal with and with my tax dollar i would prefer to deal with those bigger issues. I think the primary focus should be in bringing new employers into the region to increase the job growth, doing this will lower the need for these above services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Often you can do more with less. These serivces are not priorities because they don't translate into basic needs. Health care, child care, safety. We need those to function. I don't believe that these services need a 2% increase. I work in Social Services and my opinion is it is way too easy to get social assistance. More funding should be put into job placement and job creation and training.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

These are not a priority as I believe individuals seeking most of these services are not always in need of them. I think that in needs to be better investigated whether they need the services or not. As well as less assistance may be more motivation to find a job.


Niagara Region Transit, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I just think the others are first. I work hard and I think social assistance is to easy for some to get, even if they are capable of working.


Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I believe health care, fire and police services far out weigh the shape of our roads and community planning. More focus on getting more jobs and people off of social assistance....NOT ALLOWING THEM to stay on for a extended period of time. 1 year should be the limit. Need to motivate them to find a job and if they know they only get a year, well I think they will try a lot harder. Those others should be on ODSP that cannot work for medical reasons. community planning is nice but not important when it stands next to health etc same with the leadership. Focus what's really important not how things look ( roads,developement,conservation)


Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Development Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I see no issues or future issues occurring with my water service. It works great for me. I would like the community to stop building so many houses everywhere. Leave some green spaces around the city. I think to many people take advantage of social assistance. I know many of them. This service needs to become more strict on who gets in.


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Hostels and Homelessness,

I don't agree with homelessness being a priority when middle class people have just as many problems and are still able to function in society without becoming helpless.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services,

I work, and believe other people also need to work, transit isn't an issue, because I can afford my own vehicle and am a responsible parent who transports her children. Waste Management, we are charged $2 extra a garbage bag as is. Affordable housing...get a job, and you can afford a home, I shouldn't have to pay for your house, no one helps me pay my mortgage. Social assistance, well, I think I have said enough!!!! Community Planning and Development Services, again, think the people using them should be paying for them!


Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, Social Assistance,

I feel money spent on economic development can be better used elsewhere. What does our leadership actually do ‐ what do they accomplish ‐ I don't get any feedback from exactly what is being done. As for social assistance I feel these individuals should be drug tested ‐ and MADE to look for employment instead of making excuses. There are so many senior citizens who suffer because they don't have the funds to live a better life. THE SOCIAL ASSISTANT INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BECOME RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES INSTEAD OF MAKING MORE BABIES THEY SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON EMPLOYMENT. I'M TIRED OF PAYING THEIR WAY!


Social Assistance, Development Services, Economic Development,

‐ there is too much reliance on social assistance by those who could do more for themselves if necessary ‐ I do not see (based on the minimal information provided) how these second and third points should be high priority when compared with things like policing, roads, senior welfare, etc.



Get the people who are on Welfare off of it and get them working again. Young parents who don't work shouldn't be aloud to keep having children if they refuse to work. They keep having kids to get the money . They even get a break on their income tax . I'm sick of busting my but and missing my children because I have to work . I don't get any breaks in my income tax . The children are the ones suffering Fix the roads. Balmoral Ave in Niagara Falls needs to be torn up and re paved not just patched up.


Affordable Housing, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

I do not believe the police or Leadership and governace need a raise in thier pay. Money NEEDS to go else where


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

I don't feel they are a priority.


Development Services, Economic Development, I feel the private sector needs to increase their participation in funding this. The wine industry does not need me to fund their business deals.


Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I don't see them to be as important.


Niagara Region Transit, I don't use them


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

The other services are more of a priority.


Public Health, Children s Services, Social Assistance, this is comparatively. Specifically for Children's services, I don't feel this is something for the government to be funding but for parents to be responsible. I would rather see funding put towards making it financially feasible for a parent to stay home to raise their children.


Conservation Authority, Funding could be spent in other areas ‐ seniors, infrastructure, etc. ‐ things that affect more people on a day to day basis.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services,

I don't use any of them and I don't expect to use them in the future. I see too limited benefits for the money.


Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I think that funding should be a priority on issues that your residences use of the above I only use the water and wastewater.....but I do my best to conserve I have 4 rainbarrels on my property and use them faithfully...... I think our community planning on issues could be better and untill we improve on those issues why spend more money. I think we should invest more on environmental issues especially when we have such a fragile eco system as it is. I am fortunate enough to have multiple benefits.......but find services keep going up but our wages do not and there needs to be some sort of balance for your residences


Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, I like my other I like is more of a priority


Community Planning, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

A lot of these programs are not seen or felt by the community as much as other topics. I agree with funding for them however funding programs directly related to well being and survival are more important.


Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, I just don't think they're as important as the others


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I believe that the money could be better spent elsewhere.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Health care and children are my priority.



We've spent enough on them already.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, I simply think the other things are more important right now..it doesn't make these less but we need to be careful with the lack of money people make these days and not many jobs which things we are going to spent most money on first


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Economic Development,

our money needs to go to people who need it and safe and healthy communities. Not administrating things like bringing big businesses to town (ven thought that increases the tax base ‐ I get that). With only so much to around, you have to choose what's not a priority as much as what is.


Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I don't use these services, nor do I want money spent on them


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness,

i donot see the value in spending here over other areas


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

I just think healthcare needs to be more of a priority so cuts need to be made somewhere. The new hospital is great but it's just a building.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

THEY JUST DO NOT EFFECT ME DIRECTLY.


Leadership and Governance, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Seniors Services,

Just not a priority. The others are more relevant to me.


Niagara Region Transit, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

Not a priority to me


Regional Police, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

I would like to see increased focus on community services ‐ needs defined by community. I think we could afford to do less with economic development and infrastructure right now.


Social Assistance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Public Health,

Don't want to see more money spent on Social Assistance, we need more people working. Community Planning and Conservation Autority and Public Health are all important and necessary, I just don't see these issues as a priority. I would rather see my tax dollars go toward the other issues I checked off as a priority.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

Child services are the priority as they are severely lacking in niagara. Keeping our victimized children safe is even bigger! I think the services we have are fine. New initiatives to support children that are In need of services, speech, disability, mental health and abuse, that's a priority!


Leadership and Governance, Children s Services, Children's services not a priority because I don't have kids.


Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

These services need to cost significantly less to fund and should be put towards development


Infrastructure Funding, Roads, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

Lack of funding in the other areas leads to more funding needed in at least two of these areas. Would like to see a more balanced community.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, This region is relatively safe, and a good leadership and governance plan is already implemented. In my opinion, it is better to spend money in a high priority service for the Niagara Region like child care.


Niagara Region Transit, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Leadership and Governance,

Do not affect me directly


Community Planning, Regional Police, If other services are taken care of these services will be less needed. Niagara region is the unemployment capital of Canada according to recent statistics. If there are more jobs and more work, when people are working and they stimulate the local economic growth and prosperity which may or may not be directly or indirectly linked to changes in public safety and/or crime rate in the region, which needs further investigation and research. Community planning is a very good service; however, empowering the society before takes precedence to planning the community.


Economic Development, Less could be spent on advertising why business should come here to set up shop. If we have a viable community that has the infrastructure, attractive rates for hydro and water and desirable living conditions for employees then it should be attractive in its own right. If the conditions are right, it will attract business.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housi

Need to create jobs before increasing tax burden.


Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

We need to focus on economic growth in the region to encourage people to live and work here. If we have this then all the above decreases requiring less dollars and with more taxpayers you get more funding.


Community Planning, Development Services, I feel that we need to priorize where the funding goes, and right now we should focus on where it's needed most: helping residents through the recession and on long‐term care homes, providing the seniors receiving care with nutritious meals. It's totally inappropriate for Regional Council to reduce funding for the food provided in our seniors homes. Why are they even questioning it? They should look at other areas first, such as development services. Businesses should be paying for this increase in development services instead.


Conservation Authority, These areas are used for recreation. what is needed is greater emphasis on job creation from the private sector.


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, They are not a priority in my eyes due to the fact that if we strive to bring employment to niagara region by making the roads better, supporting local businesses and encouraging small businesses to grow than the unemployment rate would drop, people would get jobs, and then we would beless dependant on those two services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Other services will better drive Niagara's economic growth or thought leadership initiatives and would have a stronger overall impact on the region.


Emergency Medical Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Social Assistance,

a new hospital was build, wait time are still to long! need more doctors not emergency services, I owe a car don't use transit, government makes enough money,, we need more full time jobs, downtown St.Catharine looks dumpy, I don't go down there, parking is a joke! spend way too much money on another arena which is not needed, we need better streets to drive down street that are not full of pot holes. which is ruining my car.


Affordable Housing, It is not a service I use and also know people who abuse the system.


Affordable Housing, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services,

I think funding could be better distributed rather than 2% accross the board


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, They do not affect me directly, or anyone I know


Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

While these are noble services, i find child care and health care to be more of a priority simply because it affects me and my family on an immediate and personal level.


Community Planning, I think taking care of what we already have and improving that is more important


Community Planning, I don't think this should be funded less but the other things should be funded more and you did not let me prioritize the services


Community Planning, A decrease in community planning to 1% can result in a higher budget somewhere else. If funding for planning is decreased than the region will have to really consider which planning projects to take‐on.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, I think that caring for our citizens is most important and take precident over conservation and community planning


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing,

These services do not affect me directly at the present.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Based on my life situation, none of these things benefit me, although I see how they can be important to some.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

Other areas require more attention and funds. These ones do not.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness,

these do not immediately effect me.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

















Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Get back to the basics of government. Provide the infrastructure and cut the social programs. Provide a better environment for business and employment.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Niagara Region Transit,

Others are of greater importance to me


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Hostels and Homelessness, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

the conservation authority can do more with less most of these services are less important for the next 3 years and then will likely need a funding increase.



It's not that they are not a priority, but other areas are more important right now


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,

I just feel like the money could be better spent on the other services.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I just believe that there are more important services to pour money into.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Leadership and Governance,

Everything cannot be a priority. I made some difficult choices to show what I believe is important.


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding,

does not effect me


Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Waste Management, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

None of the above have an impact on my daily life



transit, senior services, homeless service, mental health, senior wellness/prevention services, children services should be a priority.



With the concerns facing our city in regards to homelessness and poverty, long‐term development should be minimized while the more urgent concerns are prioritized.



Other services are a greater priority for my place in life right now. Unfortunately we can't fund them all.



first, they were not well explained. Second, I see them as less of a priority than things like children's services mental health


Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I just believe that if there is a cut that has to be made...these are the areas that are least important and could stand to take a cut.



I just don't see a need for them as high priority it won't hurt to be less.



the others are more important


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Funding for the homeless is more important to me than these two especially the leadership and governance.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Least important in my opinion to better our community


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, You have provided me with no info about what is included in community planning. Thus, I see no priority. Leaders of this area should recognize difficult economic times. They are already paid very generously. As someone who works 2 jobs to barely make it though each week, I do NOT support increases in the working wage received by local goverment employees. Take that money = put it into childcare so that my children, who are essentially parentless while I work 70hrs a week, can have quality care at an affordable price. Perhaps then I can give up the second job I've been forced to take in order to pay for daycare so I can work. , my opinion is discounted because I'm too small to matter.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I believe that the money could be better spent elsewhere.


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I see other services as more of a priority, how long does a senior have to wait for a home placement, or help within a home?


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, I find that my money should be spent elsewhere not on community planning and leadership. Quite honestly Im not sure I trust that my money to these services would be spent well. I feel that a few individuals would end up lining their pockets


Community Planning, Leadership and Governance, Public Health, Regional Police,

‐ community policing/neighbourhood watch programs ‐ police are only needed in a society where some people have and others do not. INEQUALITY! ‐ community planning only in regards to green spaces. all these new hotels, roads and houses are destroying the habitat and environment. PEOPLE OVER PROFITS!!! get rid of the fast food restaurants. ‐ the people's voices need to be heard and listen too in all matters in which OUR MONEY is being used. ‐ education is the key and that begins at home.


Community Planning, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

The other services indicated are more important and the funds should be allocated to those services.


Community Planning, Regional Police, Roads, Waste Management, Leadership and Governance,

I believe people should be the priority. We don't need more sub‐divisions and those that are built should be totally funded by land developers, they make a lot of money from these ventures and tax payers should not need to pay for their activities. Waste management is a growing industry and it is the only industry where they get their raw materials for free. A little leadership goes a long way and I just heard that Regional counsel wants new digs, not on my dime. I already get taxed every way from Sunday for road maintenance. And this region already has plenty of police to service it and again they all want new digs at tax payers expense.


Community Planning, Roads, Leadership and Governance, All services are important, but we don't want the budget increasing above the inflation rate.


Conservation Authority, No thanks


Conservation Authority, Not something used by all residents of the Region


Conservation Authority, I am more concerned about having a hospital in the city


Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I believe there is too much money spent in these areas


Conservation Authority, Development Services, They do not impact my day‐to‐day life, and I think that it's more important to focus on the people in the region, as opposed to the environment.


Conservation Authority, Development Services, Less of a priority than other services


Conservation Authority, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

They are well funded and not every area can be supported at an increased funded They are important, but do not agree to increase funding


Conservation Authority, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

You have to make a cut somewhere, I'm a senior, my wife and I have gone without to ensure we were mortgage free on retirement. Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Hostels and Homelessness, Niagara Regional Transit and the conservation Authority are not important priorities for either of us.


Development Services, things directly involvng the people are more important


Development Services, Children s Services, I personally do not have children requiring the services. Development can be carried out through other areas.



Money need to be placed in the social services area


Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

There are other services needed more


Development Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I feel that the services are needed, but not as much of a priority to me as other services.


Development Services, Leadership and Governance, I believe money should go to services that directly help the taxpayer.


Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

private development services dont really matter to me. niagara region transit..well where i live, there aren't any public transit. as for governance, i'm not sure how it has helped in the past.


Development Services, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Seniors Services,

Seniors are the most well funded age brackets in Canada and I feel the money should go to other age brackets that are not as well funded. Management gets paid lots already. I do not use nor have ever used transit. Out of all the other choices I feel that development services is less of a priority.


Economic Development, Leadership and Governance, The other items are of more importance to me


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Currently the services are not well managed financially. The garden city will be putting in a $45M ice rink ‐ when there is so many other more important needs like those in my not priority list.


Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit,

Not concerned with any


Infrastructure Funding, I have kids so child care is more important than that


Infrastructure Funding, Seniors Services, Infrastructure is not a priority to me because it seems like a lot of work has already been done in this area. Welland just got a round‐about and it's already caused more trouble than it's worth. In regard to seniors services, the senior population gets more assistance than any other and I think it would be right to focus more on families and students who are still developing and need the assistance.


Leadership and Governance, I just feel like the others are more important at this current time.


Leadership and Governance, Less highly paid bureaucrats means more money for essential services such as police and health.


Leadership and Governance, I beleive enough of our tax dollars are already tied up in leadership and governance and i would like to see spending increase in other areas instead of this one.


Leadership and Governance, I feel that in order to fund my priority areas, there has to be cuts someplace else.


Leadership and Governance, I live in Welland. The city forgotten by the region when it comes to public health = health care for it's residents.


Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Community Planning,

I feel these are the most important parts of our city and should be the priority for money.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Increases should be assisting residence and increasing employment in the region.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding,

other services more important..


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development,

Only because there are other services which I feel deserve more attention.


Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

In the Niagara region I feel we spend to much money on attracting development and trying to get new people to move here. I think we should focus on what we have and not all of these pipe dreams of maybe landing this company. We should focus on keeping the businesses and factories that we have now.


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development,

too many other services deserve additional financing [ see survey answers]


Leadership and Governance, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance,

when you are retired and on a fixed budget and everything increase every year your priority's change and although they maybe important there are still other things that are more important.


Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Conservation Authority,

We only have so much money to go around. Revenue increase is not an infinite stream. My priorities are seniors, healthcare, children's services and public health.


Niagara Region Transit, I do not use them.


Niagara Region Transit, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

Politicians and welfare cases don't need more...community and econ and devel don't need more greedy upper management. Transit is fine, I have a car. :‐)


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Leadership and Governance,

There's more important things that money could be applied to!


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,

There are other priorities.


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

The region has other problems they need to worry about like poverty level and housing that people can afford


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

I just feel the others are MORE of a priority than the ones listed here


Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Economic Development, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I feel the need to fund more important areas first.


Niagara Region Transit, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance,

I do not use public transit I live in Beamsville and see a very low police presence in my area. I should not have to pay as mich for police as someone in an area with more police presence Community planning was just to costly Affordable housing. I own a home. Social assisitance. I should not have to pay for someone elses drug habit. Drug test welfare recipients


Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

I believe infrastructure is needed to bring priority levels to to: Niagara Region Transit Regional Police Affordable Housing Hostels and Homelessness Social Assistance


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding,

I think that money could be better spent on economic development, creating jobs thus increasing the local opportunities to earn income. I also believe that in funding children's programs, we'll have a better chance to guide at‐risk youths and create a better community environement.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

I want to see funding go towards child care services in daycares, (we took a big cut in funding last May which continued for many months), look at the toddler that died in in‐home daycare so open more spaces, need to put money in our health care system because it's a mess = GNGH is filthy , disorganized, give frontline staff such as ECE's more money , our best starr money has been cut already yet our responibilities for ever increase. Also , need more Senior Homes because the wairing lists are horrible! So, for me these issues are more of a priority.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Socia

Are you kidding? Welfare isn't important to anyone except those on welfare. I see nothing wrong with anything that is on the list except for the ones I answered to increase funding for. Everything else would be a welcome reduction to decrease taxes. 143k people took the bus last year? I bet the cost if a singe bus wasn't even covered by that. Besides, everyone here drives a car. I have never even noticed a bus stop in Niagara Falls. What I really care most about is children, the elderly and spending less money.


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

I work in the social service field and see how much our region needs to focus on addictions, homelessness, mental health and more affordable housing, and free counselling programs


Public Health, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning,

Only because I feel goverment takes too much time talking and planning and not getting things done. Everything can't be a priority.


Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Not everything can be a priority and I think that the other services provided are more important at this time.


Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

I hunk more money can be out elsewhere, something that's important to me and my family.


Regional Police, Community Planning, These are important services it just seems that the amounts already going into these services are higher than others that I feel should receive more funding, ie. housing, child care, etc.


Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

more important things to worry about


Regional Police, Community Planning, Leadership and Governance,

Right now other priorities like jobs and. Affordable housing are needed. Taking care if range people will improve life I. Niagara Region.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, I want to keep service level, but spend money more strategically. Focus on crime prevention. Focus on social programs. I don't feel well represented by Regional Council.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Hostels and Homelessness,

These issues are not a concern in my area. We're spending too much on unnecessary services.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management,

They are not a priority because they are services which are already too large. Cut backs to these services while essential will require residents to take more responsibility for themselves, and free up more money to other social services.


Regional Police, Roads, Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Community Planning, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance,

I believe at this time we need to focus on envioronmental, like the lakes and wildlife to ensure we have a future! Also, people who live in Fort Erie need better access to health care ‐ more Doctors and services!!!!!!!!!!!


Roads, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services,

Living in many different areas of Niagara Falls for 15 years has give me a good sense of the needs here. Budget has put a lot of money in the tourist area but non in the lower income residents areas such as Bridge, Elm, Mc Rae areas. Roads, security, clinics and development on those areas are highly poor. The city has to think of its citizens too, not just service for tourism. Even if we pay for those services with our taxes, those services are not getting to these areas. More funding for education, affordable housing and small business incentives is what the city need.


Seniors Services, Funding for low income seniors is fine. To fund programs for seinors regardless of wealth simply because they are seniors is discriminatory to families who are not seniors .


Social Assistance, Development Services, I would prefer that my hard working wages go towards improvements in my township. Police services, Roads, child development.


Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, It's not that they are not a priority, just that other areas need it more.


Waste Management, Leadership and Governance, Government is over paid and homeless and seniors are a bigger priority. Recycle!!


Waste Management, Public Health, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance,

Given that the survey is only a 3 tier system, rather than a 1‐10 scale, it's the only way to show priorities.


Waste Management, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

It's not a case of them not being important or a priority it's a case of maintaining the current level of service for these services and increasing in other areas. Since they have closed all of the hospitals near fort erie, it stands to reason that I would worry about getting to a hospital in case of emergency. I have seen beautiful expensive buildings built up for our new fire hall and police station but we can't afford a hospital? A community centre for our kids, they congregate at our library playing video games on the computers. Yes they extended the hours of operations for our bus routes but there are so few bus stops to actually catch the bus and the roads that it travels on are so full of pot holes that it is actually painful to ride the bus. Now of course this is for fort Erie specifically but I'm sure that the same is happening in other areas as well.


Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing,

Everything cant be a priority. Othee ones seemed more important


Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, I feel much more important issues and areas that need it more.


Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

It's really a matter of need and the importance of rationalizing resources in all areas to address priority needs as I see them — children's services and affordable housing.


Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Community Planning, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,

As to what the description that was outlined regarding the topic, I do not feel they are a top priority for me. There are other issues that affect my life as a Niagara citizen more that I would rather see the funding go towards.


Public Health, Waste Management, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Economic Development,

There is only so much money to go around, and these were lower on my priority list. I don't see any Economic Development in Niagara Region and I think it overlaps with the local cities.


Regional Police, Leadership and Governance, Personally, I feel as though there are enough services out there that overlook the Regional Police and Leadership of our communities. I feel that taxes should go to the services that need it most, including subsidized housing and services that influence the community at large.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding,

The tax paying people of the Niagara Region need to be taken care of with the priority going to; education, mental health, health, social assistance, addiction treatment, affordable housing, police, EMS and fire services; rather than paying more for our water and waster service, giving a raise to the politicians and to development, conservation, community planning and infrastructure.


Affordable Housing, I said it was not a priority. I did not say do not fund it.



I feel that the roads, etc are fine the way they are and do not need to constantly be reevaluated or paved.


Niagara Region Transit, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Development Services, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

I want Stanley avenue paved.I work pay taxes.and commute to and from work along here. its a disaster.I was shocked when I took a drive down the parkway.the tourists get all the benefits and the taxpayers pay.


Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, I feel we already pay too much for water and waste water. This is a bill that I cant afford to pay any more on. Affordable housing is not an issue that concerns me I am on a tight budget and the region may have to be as well.

Water/wastewater issues

















Theme Priorized as "Not a priority and I would like to fund less" Resident's CommentWater/wastewater issues

Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Emergency Medical Services, Regional Police, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance,



Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Development Services, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

The waste, an water usage is so high because of our tourism not home owners. Affordable housing I feel is already here far cheaper then hamilton.


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,

Items 1 2...We already pay to much for these services. Item 3... A little less for the leadership may impart how difficult it is for lower income earners to pay for Items 1 , 2.


Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Development Services,

I do not use the services of transit, children's services, hostels and homelessness, or social assistance. As far as water is concerned, I feel I pay enough for the water / wastewater I do use, and have only noticed rates going up even though consumers do a better job in conserving.


Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Niagara Region Transit, Leadership and Governance,

I pay for my water services through my water bill. The other services are not that me or my family use.


Hostels and Homelessness, Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services,



Affordable Housing, Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Public Health, Regional Police, Leadership and Governance,



Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Infrastructure Funding, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governanc



Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Leadership and Governance,



Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Development Services, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance,



Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater, Conservation Authority,

Our leadership is terrible. Water Wastewater is charged too high Conservation is more than adequate


Niagara Region Transit, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Seniors Services, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governan

Too much waist at the top level the people that really need these services never get them as too much money is spent in the wrong areas lower the wages for the people that run these services and spend the money on things that are needed as far as water treatment goes we are getting ripped off on every water bill and garbage collection is a waist as they pay the drivers and other staff min wage also who cares that the ice dogs wanted a new home if money was spend properly one of the rinks at the 4 pad should of been made to support the services that the rest of the people can use for things other then hockey all. The region does is waist money and we have too many levels of government all taking huge moneys from the tax payers that should be spend on other items


Waste Management, Water and Wastewater, Regional Police, Children s Services, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Leadership and Governance,

Waste and water services can be reduced with increased incentives to reduce waste and water use. should reduce police special event work and leave to private sector. There are too many organizations delivering children's services and too many different regulations to impliment (region, province, ngo's, for profit, school boards, doctors)these services need to be more co‐ordinated with clear and non‐overlapping mandates for service delivery. Conservation authorities, regional water plan, province, IJC, feds, universities, etc.... there are way to many organizations mandated to deal with water and environment. Either the CA should do it or the region should do it not both, there are savings to be had here.


Niagara Region Transit, Roads, Water and Wastewater, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

Water and waste is already double dipped. Eg I pay to water the lawn as waste so that's over charged. The leadership and municipal governments are top heavy and over tiered. 1 regional government and become more efficient.





Water and Wastewater, Niagara Region Transit, Regional Police,






Affordable Housing, Children s Services, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning,



Water and Wastewater, Leadership and Governance, Regional Police, Community Planning,

we live between 2 Great Lakes, does the region pay for water from the lakes or is it a 100% mark up. Wages should be held. Regional police were awarded to much money in arbitration. Community planning can be best done by service clubs.


Water and Wastewater, Emergency Medical Services, Public Health, Regional Police, Community Planning, Conservation Authority, Development Services, Economic Development, Infrastructure Funding, Leadership and Governance, Affordable Housing, Children s Ser

While access to water is of course a priority the increased cost is not something I am interested in paying more for. My water bill base charges are simply too high already. Why pay an increase for emergency medical services in Fort Erie? They are not available in town ‐ the townships that have these services should pay extra, not the entire region. Public health only wants to help low‐income people, because my husband works 60 hours a week these benefits have no bearing on our family. If I were on assistance maybe I would feel differently however then I wouldn't have to pay property taxes, would I? Police ‐ clicked wrong box, they do deserve our taxes and support. Community planning, conservation, development services, economic development, infrastructure funding and leadership and governance ‐ these things usually translate into pay increases but very little else. Affordable housing, while important shouldn't be part of my taxes. I have to pay my mortgage and taxes and bills so that someone else can have cheap rent? How is that fair? Children's services are only for low income kids ‐ my kids never qualify for any programs. Hostels and homelessness ‐ I am not aware of any of these programs in Fort Erie. Social assistance should have a time limit on it or something. I don't know what the solution is to this but too many teens see welfare as a job, the first step to leaving moms is to go on welfare ‐ not to get a job and become self‐sufficient. The program was never to be used as a lifestyle.


Affordable Housing, Hostels and Homelessness, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance, Water and Wastewater,

Water is over‐charged for. Fort Erie's Leadership and Governance is pathetic, and the picture poser's don't deserve a nickle more. As for affordable housing and Social Assistance, should the budget be delegated and implemented by professional city planners and economic development... then we will have no need for social assistance, affordable housing, hostels or homelessness.


Water and Wastewater, Affordable Housing, I feel we already pay too much for water and waste water. This is a bill that I cant afford to pay any more on. Affordable housing is not an issue that concerns me I am on a tight budget and the region may have to be as well.


Conservation Authority, Don't need more water services. Let nature be nature.


Niagara Region Transit, Water and Wastewater, Community Planning, Economic Development, Affordable Housing, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

pay way to much for my water already


Water and Wastewater, We conserve you raise the rates for lack of revenue


Water and Wastewater, Development Services, Economic Development, Leadership and Governance,

My main issue is with the rates we are paying for water, in particular waste water. The whole idea of 100% sewer surcharge is asinine. The public continues to be punished monetarily it's conservation efforts.


Water and Wastewater, Infrastructure Funding, Social Assistance, Leadership and Governance,

we pay so much for water already rrrr

Documents

Residents Comments on 2014 Budget Survey - Niagara Region