Frank Campion is also split on whether to eliminate the Regional government
Some impressive housing numbers presented to a provincial committee last week by Welland's mayor.
The committee is looking at Niagara's governance structure, including how it handles housing, and homelessness.
Frank Campion says Welland doubled the number of housing permits last year than what was required. "We're probably the fastest issuer of permits in Niagara, and certainly in Ontario.... and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing in the past has actually asked us how we do that, and I told him it's a secret, I can't tell you."
Saying that in jest, the mayor did provide the province the information it was looking for.
He also said if there's no Welland, but one Niagara city through amalgamation, there's more red tape in obtaining building permits.
As for eliminating Regional government, he's for it if it means more efficiency, but not if it's too disruptive.
Campion understands Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati's push for a 4-city idea. "I'm not sold on that entirely, so I'm kind of in the middle. I think we need to first figure out who should be doing what... planning does not belong at the region, so ship that down to the municipality."
He says if they get rid of the Regional government, there should be a management board to run services, such as police and fire.
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