Bob Gale repeated change is needed, as government grows, amalgamation not the only possibility
Niagara's regional chair calling it the elephant in the room, and it needs to be addressed.... the state of government structure.
Speaking during the State of the Region address last week with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Bob Gale made it clear we are in times of economic uncertainty, and too much government, tax and regulation is not good.
He acknowledged people resist change. "Businesses that resist change do not survive. Blockbuster and Netflix are both examples we can understand. Most of you entrepreneurs already understand that, and we need to adapt to survive."
He added if the current proposals of amalgamation are not the answer, that's fine, but change is needed.
He admitted he has opened a can of worms, but then pointed to a trend of government that worries him... increased taxes, regulation and government growth. "We are doing it all the time, when wage growth has slowed, and costs have gone up, and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. And, you gotta remember that little barber shop on the corner is paying our taxes, and if we lose those private businesses, we're dead in the water."
He added if anyone doesn't like what he's doing, tell Premier Doug Ford to get rid of him, who appointed him.
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