Council

That Council Agenda CL 6-2026, BE ADOPTED.

That Minutes CL 5-2026 being the Open Session minutes of the Regional Council meeting held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, BE ADOPTED.

That the following items BE RECEIVED for information: CL-C 17-2026 2026 Budget Amendment - Report PW-12 2026 Niagara Falls Wastewater Treatment Plant Primary Treatment Upgrades – Budget Adjustment and Amendment CL-C 19-2026 By-law to Amend Acting Regional Chair By-law (By-law 2022-101)

That Memorandum CL-C 18-2026, dated March 2026, respecting Declaration of Vacant Regional Chair Seat, BE RECEIVED; and That, pursuant to Section 262(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, the seat held by Bob Gale, Regional Chair, BE DECLARED vacant; and That a copy of this motion BE SENT to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack, for information.

That Report PHD 3-2026, dated March 26, 2026, respecting Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub – Approval for Interim Funding and Extension of Agreement, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That staff BE AUTHORIZED to use the Taxpayer Relief Reserve as needed to temporarily offset Regional costs associated with continuation of Niagara Region’s HART Hub program through to the end of the three-year demonstration project, to March 31, 2028 (covering the Provincial fiscal years ending March 31, 2027 and March 31, 2028), pending receipt of anticipated Provincial funding through Gateway Residential and Community Support Services (“Gateway”), up to a maximum of $1,800,000 per fiscal year; and 2. That the Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services BE AUTHORIZED to execute any amendments required to the HART Hub Agreement with Gateway Residential and Community Support Services, to be prepared in a form satisfactory to the Director of Legal and Court Services, to address the period April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028, including the reimbursement of eligible costs incurred by Niagara Region.

That the motion BE AMENDED to read as follows: 1. That a governance review of Niagara BE INITIATED to address areas of duplication and improve service efficiency based on data, a business case with financial analysis and public consultation, including local area municipalities, commencing this term of Council; 2. That Regional Council DIRECTS Regional Chair Gale to refrain from any further action and utilization of any further Regional resources or staff time, with the exception of the above, in connection with a review of Regional governance or municipal amalgamation; and 2. That the Chief Administrative Officer BE DIRECTED to: a) Meet with the Local Area Municipality Chief Administrative Officers as soon as possible regarding next steps for the governance and services review, including the potential for hiring outside assistance, and report back to Council no later than the next Regular Council meeting; b) Establish with the Local Area Municipality CAO's the scope of work to be undertaken in connection with the governance and services review; and c) Cooperate fully with the Local Area Municipality CAO's and share Regional data as may be requested by them and anyone engaged to assist in the governance and services review; and Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 6-2026 March 26, 2026 Page 7 3. That this resolution and amendment BE FORWARDED to the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Local Area Municipalities and the local MPPs.

That Minutes PWC 3-2026 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PHSSC 3-2026 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Health & Social Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Report CSD 9-2026, respecting Niagara Region Policing Cost Allocation BE

That Minutes PEDC 2-2026 being the Open Session minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes AC 1-2026 being the Open Session minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on Monday, March 23, 2026, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Memorandum CAO 6-2026, dated March 26, 2026, respecting Councillor Information Request Respecting Item #5 of Motion Related to Hiring Freeze on Non-Essential Positions, BE RECEIVED for information.

That the following Bills BE NOW READ and DO PASS: Bill 2026-15 A by-law to set tax ratios and tax rate reductions for prescribed property subclasses for Regional purposes and area Municipal purposes for the year 2026. Bill 2026-16 A by-law to set and levy the rate of taxation for Regional general and special purposes for the year 2026. Bill 2026-17 A by-law to authorize the borrowing upon debentures in the principal amount of $2,965,140.00 (20-year instalment debentures) for capital works of The City of St. Catharines. Bill 2026-18 A by-law to expropriate lands required for municipal purposes (Regional Road 49 (McLeod Road)) in the City of Niagara Falls. Bill 2026-19 A by-law to amend By-law 2022-101 being a By-law to Appoint Acting Regional Chairs and to Repeal By-law 2025-45. Bill 2026-20 A by-law to adopt, ratify, and confirm the actions of Regional Council at its meeting held March 26, 2026.