Questions · 11 so far
We read Niagara-on-the-Lake's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 34 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$332per home on council, 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent about $332 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $50. Only 2 of 34 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$4,459,468surplus in 2025, against a budget of $454,576 (worked out by us: about ten times)
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The 2025 budget in the audited statements planned a surplus of $454,576. The statements show $4,459,468. For 2024 the budget planned a deficit of $947,609 and the statements show a surplus of $11,601,215. Most of the gap in both years is on the revenue side: total 2025 revenue was $53,432,353 against a budget of $49,468,023, and spending came in almost exactly on budget ($48,972,885 against $49,013,447). In 2024 the biggest single piece was $8,063,589 of income from the Town's own electricity company, Niagara-on-the-Lake Energy Inc., which the budget did not plan for. The Town's notes explain part of that: the company sold shares in a broadband business and the Town received $3,000,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$9,991,446operating fund deficit at the end of 2025 (about $4.2 million at the end of 2023)
The note on the accumulated surplus (the Town's total net worth) splits it into parts. One part is the "operating fund", the money used for everyday running costs. It was (4,230,105) at the end of 2023, (8,055,735) at the end of 2024 as first reported, and (9,991,446) at the end of 2025. Over the same period the Town reported annual surpluses every year and cash rose to $51,662,994. The 2025 statements also show the 2024 operating fund as (7,387,936), not the (8,055,735) printed a year earlier, and reserves of 28,163,407 instead of 28,831,205. The Town's annual report says it manages day-to-day finances on a cash basis using fund accounting, but we did not find an explanation of the operating fund balance.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$7,602,851general government spending in 2025, against $4,017,202 in 2022
General government is the part of the Town that runs the Town itself: Council, the clerk, the CAO, finance, legal, human resources and IT. The statements show it cost $4,017,202 in 2022 and $7,602,851 in 2025 (up about 89%, worked out by us). In 2024 it was $7,569,648 against a budget of $5,682,060, and in 2025 $7,602,851 against $6,435,836. The Town's statistical review shows full-time positions rising from 99 in 2022 to 122 in 2025. The 2024 budget book explains staff steps, a 3.25% pay rate and positions approved the year before at full cost, but we did not find an explanation of why actual spending was so far over the budget in the statements.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 7 sources
$5,623,153tax arrears in 2025, up from $2,140,820 in 2021
Property taxes owing from earlier years and this year are called arrears. The Town's statistical review shows total tax arrears of $2,140,820 in 2021, $2,726,768 in 2022, $3,156,963 in 2023, $5,174,512 in 2024 and $5,623,153 in 2025. As a share of the year's tax levy that is 3.3% in 2021 and 6.6% in 2025. The share of the current year's taxes collected fell from 97.2% to 95.2%. We did not find an explanation from the Town.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$18,978,329the Town's own 2025 levy, up from $17,582,782 (about 7.9%, worked out by us), while the report says 1.87%
The treasurer's message in the 2025 annual report says the Town limited its tax increase to about 1.87% on the Town's portion of the bill, and that the whole bill (Town, Region, education and hospital levy) rose about 11.58% for rural properties and 11.34% for urban ones. Eight pages later the same report says a typical residential property had a 1.87% increase on its property tax bill, and that the Town's portion was 1.56%. It also says Council approved a total budget increase of 9.22%. The statistical review shows the Town's own levy went from $17,582,782 to $18,978,329, a rise of about 7.9% (worked out by us), and the Region's from $46,955,982 to $51,059,944.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+105%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent $5.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $12.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 4 of 34 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+61%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent $2.5M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $4.0M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$3,706,250in the MAT reserve at the end of 2025, up from $969,063 at the end of 2023
The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is a tax on short stays in hotels and similar places. The Town began it in 2022. It raised $2,819,095 in 2024, against a 2024 budget of $2,100,000, and $3,917,360 in 2025. The MAT reserve (savings set aside from it) rose from $969,063 at the end of 2023 to $1,874,045 at the end of 2024 and $3,706,250 at the end of 2025. The Town has said where the money is meant to go. The question is how much has been spent on each purpose so far.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$96,482.25billed for March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024
An integrity commissioner is an independent officer who handles complaints about whether council members followed the code of conduct. The Town's annual reports from its commissioner show costs that move a lot: $10,732.50 and $16,450.00 plus HST in the two years before March 2022, $51,585.00 plus HST for March 2022 to March 2023, and $96,482.25 for March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The report for that last period is dated April 27, 2026, about 19 months after the period ended. It says six complaints were received: two dismissed at the preliminary stage, one investigated and dismissed, one withdrawn, and two not properly filed. The Town's Integrity Commissioner page names a different firm from the office that signed the 2026 letter.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$24,590.65Council conference and event costs in 2024, up from $14,883.31 in 2023
The Town's yearly statement of what it paid Council members shows "Conferences & Events" costs (per diems, hotels and meals) of $14,883.31 in 2023 and $24,590.65 in 2024 (up about 65%, worked out by us). In 2024 the Deputy Lord Mayor, Erwin Wiens, had $8,705.50 and the Lord Mayor, Gary Zalepa, had $7,116.67 (together $15,822.17, worked out by us). Total pay and costs for Council rose from $272,543.61 to $287,034.05. The Town's 2024 budget moved conference accounts into one central line, so a budget comparison by department is not possible.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$332per home on council, 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent about $332 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $50. Only 2 of 34 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Council per home: Niagara-on-the-Lake $332; typical similar town $50; ranked 3rd highest of 35.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 34 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$4,459,468surplus in 2025, against a budget of $454,576 (worked out by us: about ten times)
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The 2025 budget in the audited statements planned a surplus of $454,576. The statements show $4,459,468. For 2024 the budget planned a deficit of $947,609 and the statements show a surplus of $11,601,215. Most of the gap in both years is on the revenue side: total 2025 revenue was $53,432,353 against a budget of $49,468,023, and spending came in almost exactly on budget ($48,972,885 against $49,013,447). In 2024 the biggest single piece was $8,063,589 of income from the Town's own electricity company, Niagara-on-the-Lake Energy Inc., which the budget did not plan for. The Town's notes explain part of that: the company sold shares in a broadband business and the Town received $3,000,000.
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what a year will cost. When the result is far better than the promise two years running, residents may have paid more tax than was needed, or the budget may be built in a way that leaves money out. The statements show the Town's reserves (savings set aside for later) rose by $7.6 million in 2025, so the money is not lost. The open question is how much of each surplus was planned and who decided where it went.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2025 statement of operations shows the budget for the annual surplus as 454,576 and the actual as 4,459,468 (2024: 11,601,215). Total revenues: budget 49,468,023, actual 53,432,353. Total expenses: budget 49,013,447, actual 48,972,885. Equity income of Niagara-on-the-Lake Energy Inc.: budget "–", actual 1,428,674.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 6, Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus
The 2024 statement of operations shows the budget for the annual surplus (deficit) as (947,609) and the actual as 11,601,215. Equity income of Niagara-on-the-Lake Energy Inc.: budget "-", 2024 actual 8,063,589, 2023 actual 773,795.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 6, Consolidated Statement of Operations
Note 2 says that during 2024 the electricity company sold shares in its investment in Niagara Regional Broadband Network Limited, and "The Town received $3,000,000 in proceeds resulting from this transaction". The note does not say how much of the company's 8,063,589 net income came from the sale.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 16, Note 2, Long-term investments (continued)
Note 12 explains how the budget was adjusted to match the statements. For 2025 it starts from an operating budget as approved of 55,243,257, adds amortization of 7,234,062, and subtracts "Transfer to reserves, including capital" of (12,949,591) and "Principal and dividends from NOTLEI" of (940,596). The 2025 budget was approved by Council on February 26, 2025.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 26, Note 12, Budget data
The same note in the 2024 statements prints the reconciled totals as 40,612,697 (revenue) and 41,560,306 (expenses), which are each $3,000,000 lower than the 43,612,697 and 44,560,306 printed as the 2024 budget in the statement of operations. The deficit of (947,609) is the same either way.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 28, Note 12, Budget data (compare PDF page 6)
$9,991,446operating fund deficit at the end of 2025 (about $4.2 million at the end of 2023)
The note on the accumulated surplus (the Town's total net worth) splits it into parts. One part is the "operating fund", the money used for everyday running costs. It was (4,230,105) at the end of 2023, (8,055,735) at the end of 2024 as first reported, and (9,991,446) at the end of 2025. Over the same period the Town reported annual surpluses every year and cash rose to $51,662,994. The 2025 statements also show the 2024 operating fund as (7,387,936), not the (8,055,735) printed a year earlier, and reserves of 28,163,407 instead of 28,831,205. The Town's annual report says it manages day-to-day finances on a cash basis using fund accounting, but we did not find an explanation of the operating fund balance.
A negative operating fund can mean everyday spending has been paid for out of money meant for something else, or it can be a bookkeeping balance that works out later. Residents cannot tell which from the published documents, and the number has grown while the Town reports surpluses.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 7, Accumulated surplus: Operating fund (9,991,446) in 2025 and (7,387,936) in 2024. Reserves and reserve funds 35,779,054 in 2025 and 28,163,407 in 2024. Total 252,097,302 (2024: 247,637,834).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 19, Note 7, Accumulated surplus
Note 7, Accumulated surplus, as printed a year earlier: Operating fund (8,055,735) in 2024 and (4,230,105) in 2023. Reserves and reserve funds 28,831,205 in 2024 and 21,454,779 in 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 21, Note 7, Accumulated surplus
Cash was 51,662,994 at the end of 2025 (2024: 37,525,975). Accounts receivable were 12,643,267.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 5, Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
The Town's financial report says: "The Town continues to manage its day-to-day finances on a cash basis using fund accounting, but reports in accordance with PSAB."
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 32, Consolidated Statement of Financial Position overview
$7,602,851general government spending in 2025, against $4,017,202 in 2022
General government is the part of the Town that runs the Town itself: Council, the clerk, the CAO, finance, legal, human resources and IT. The statements show it cost $4,017,202 in 2022 and $7,602,851 in 2025 (up about 89%, worked out by us). In 2024 it was $7,569,648 against a budget of $5,682,060, and in 2025 $7,602,851 against $6,435,836. The Town's statistical review shows full-time positions rising from 99 in 2022 to 122 in 2025. The 2024 budget book explains staff steps, a 3.25% pay rate and positions approved the year before at full cost, but we did not find an explanation of why actual spending was so far over the budget in the statements.
Running the Town is spending that does not build a road or open a pool. When it grows faster than the services residents see, taxpayers may reasonably ask what they are getting.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Segmented note, 2025: General government total expenses 7,602,851, made up of salaries and wages 5,851,953, contracted services 4,279,892 and interfunctional transfers (4,906,492) (costs charged out to other departments).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 24, Note 11, Segmented reporting, 2025 table
Statement of operations: General government budget 6,435,836, actual 7,602,851 for 2025.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 6, Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus
Statement of operations: General government 2024 budget 5,682,060, 2024 actual 7,569,648, 2023 actual 5,599,608.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 6, Consolidated Statement of Operations
The statistical review (unaudited) shows general government expense of 7,602,851 (2025), 7,569,648 (2024), 5,599,608 (2023), 4,017,202 (2022) and 3,396,204 (2021). Its salaries and wages line rose from 14,051,704 (2022) to 17,599,620 (2025).
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 83, Statistical Review, Consolidated Statement of Operations
The statistical review lists full-time positions of 122 (2025), 113 (2024), 109 (2023), 99 (2022) and 98 (2021).
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 81, Statistical Review, General Statistics
The 2024 budget says that for 2024 "Conferences, Furniture and Equipment, Advertising, and Training accounts have been consolidated into Municipal Purposes from other departments", a presentation change.
Approved 2024 Budget, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 6, Municipal Purposes, Main Change Drivers, note 10
120 - Council and Administration, Main Change Drivers: "1) Reflective of changes in steps within payband and approved rate increase (3.25% for 2024). Also, the new position previously approved in the 2023 budget via business cases is now in 2024 at full cost".
Approved 2024 Budget, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 7, 120 - Council and Administration, Main Change Drivers note 1
$5,623,153tax arrears in 2025, up from $2,140,820 in 2021
Property taxes owing from earlier years and this year are called arrears. The Town's statistical review shows total tax arrears of $2,140,820 in 2021, $2,726,768 in 2022, $3,156,963 in 2023, $5,174,512 in 2024 and $5,623,153 in 2025. As a share of the year's tax levy that is 3.3% in 2021 and 6.6% in 2025. The share of the current year's taxes collected fell from 97.2% to 95.2%. We did not find an explanation from the Town.
The Town (and the Region and school boards whose taxes it bills) need that money to pay for services. When more is owed, the Town may have to borrow or use savings, and residents who pay on time carry the cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxation statistics: total tax arrears 5,623,153 (2025), 5,174,512 (2024), 3,156,963 (2023), 2,726,768 (2022), 2,140,820 (2021). Arrears as a percentage of the current tax levy: 6.6%, 6.5%, 4.3%, 4.0%, 3.3%. Current year's tax collections as a percentage of the current tax levy: 95.2%, 95.2%, 96.6%, 97.0%, 97.2%.
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 81, Statistical Review, Taxation Statistics
The 2025 statement of financial position lists taxes receivable of 3,618,440 (current year) and 2,004,713 (previous years).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 5, Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
$18,978,329the Town's own 2025 levy, up from $17,582,782 (about 7.9%, worked out by us), while the report says 1.87%
The treasurer's message in the 2025 annual report says the Town limited its tax increase to about 1.87% on the Town's portion of the bill, and that the whole bill (Town, Region, education and hospital levy) rose about 11.58% for rural properties and 11.34% for urban ones. Eight pages later the same report says a typical residential property had a 1.87% increase on its property tax bill, and that the Town's portion was 1.56%. It also says Council approved a total budget increase of 9.22%. The statistical review shows the Town's own levy went from $17,582,782 to $18,978,329, a rise of about 7.9% (worked out by us), and the Region's from $46,955,982 to $51,059,944.
The tax increase is the number most residents care about. If the Town's own report gives three different figures, a resident cannot tell what happened to their bill.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The treasurer's message says the Town limited "its property tax bill increase to approximately 1.87% on the Town’s portion of the tax bill" and that "The increase in the total tax bill, including the Town, Niagara Region, Education, and Niagara Health System, was approximately 11.58% for rural properties and 11.34% for urban properties." It is dated August 24, 2026.
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 28, Message from the Treasurer
The revenue discussion says "Town Council approved a 2025 total budget increase of 9.22%" and that "the typical residential property experienced a 1.87% increase on their property tax bill. The Town’s Portion amounted to 1.56%, calculated for 2025." It also gives assessment growth of 1.22%.
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 36, Consolidated Statement of Operations, Revenues
Tax levy: Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake 18,978,329 (2025) and 17,582,782 (2024); Niagara Region 51,059,944 and 46,955,982; Education 14,907,909 and 14,795,845.
2025 Annual Report, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 81, Statistical Review, Tax Levy
+105%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent $5.9M on running the town office in 2019 and $12.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 4 of 34 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +10% | +1% |
| 2021 | +7% | +4% |
| 2022 | +28% | +11% |
| 2023 | +51% | +16% |
| 2024 | +98% | +18% |
| 2025 | +105% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $5.9M, 2020 $6.5M, 2021 $6.3M, 2022 $7.5M, 2023 $8.9M, 2024 $11.6M, 2025 $12.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Office and administration, from $3.1M to $5.8M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 55%. Niagara-on-the-Lake ranks 5th of 35.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 34 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+61%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Niagara-on-the-Lake spent $2.5M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $4.0M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +22% | +4% |
| 2022 | +26% | +11% |
| 2023 | +38% | +16% |
| 2024 | +59% | +18% |
| 2025 | +61% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $2.5M, 2020 $2.7M, 2021 $3.1M, 2022 $3.2M, 2023 $3.5M, 2024 $4.0M, 2025 $4.0M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $1.6M to $2.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$3,706,250in the MAT reserve at the end of 2025, up from $969,063 at the end of 2023
The Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) is a tax on short stays in hotels and similar places. The Town began it in 2022. It raised $2,819,095 in 2024, against a 2024 budget of $2,100,000, and $3,917,360 in 2025. The MAT reserve (savings set aside from it) rose from $969,063 at the end of 2023 to $1,874,045 at the end of 2024 and $3,706,250 at the end of 2025. The Town has said where the money is meant to go. The question is how much has been spent on each purpose so far.
This is a growing pot of money paid by visitors, and the Town's budget says half of the expected net revenue is shared with a tourism body. Residents may want to know what it buys and what is being saved.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Town recognized 3,917,360 (2024: 2,819,095) in Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue in 2025. Funds "will be placed into a special reserve to be used for tourism promotion, Town capital infrastructure and tourism initiatives. Criteria for use of funds have been developed through a MAT committee in 2024."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 23, Note 11, Segmented reporting, Tax Revenue Breakdown
Reserve balances: Municipal accommodation tax 3,706,250 (2025) and 1,874,045 (2024).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (KPMG LLP, August 4, 2026) · PDF page 20, Note 7, Reserves
Reserve balance: Municipal accommodation tax 969,063 at the end of 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 7, 2025) · PDF page 22, Note 7, Reserves
The 2024 budget includes Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue of (2,100,000). It says contracted services rose mainly because of a "new revenue sharing agreement with DMO related to MAT tax - transfer of 50% of expected net revenues ($1.042M)". The book does not spell out DMO.
Approved 2024 Budget, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF pages 5-6, Municipal Purposes and Main Change Drivers, notes 2 and 7
$96,482.25billed for March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024
An integrity commissioner is an independent officer who handles complaints about whether council members followed the code of conduct. The Town's annual reports from its commissioner show costs that move a lot: $10,732.50 and $16,450.00 plus HST in the two years before March 2022, $51,585.00 plus HST for March 2022 to March 2023, and $96,482.25 for March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024. The report for that last period is dated April 27, 2026, about 19 months after the period ended. It says six complaints were received: two dismissed at the preliminary stage, one investigated and dismissed, one withdrawn, and two not properly filed. The Town's Integrity Commissioner page names a different firm from the office that signed the 2026 letter.
Oversight of council is paid for by taxpayers and is only useful if residents can see it. A long gap before reporting makes it harder to know how the system is working.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The report is dated April 27, 2026 and covers March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024. It says "our office received six complaints" and that billings for the period "totaled $96,482.25".
Integrity Commissioner annual report, March 19, 2023 to September 30, 2024 · PDF pages 1-2
The 2022 report, dated October 31, 2023, says costs for March 19, 2022 to March 18, 2023 were $51,585.00 (plus HST), "significantly more than each of the last two years, ($16,450.00 and $10,732.50 plus HST respectively)".
Integrity Commissioner annual report, March 19, 2022 to March 18, 2023 · PDF page 3, Costs
$24,590.65Council conference and event costs in 2024, up from $14,883.31 in 2023
The Town's yearly statement of what it paid Council members shows "Conferences & Events" costs (per diems, hotels and meals) of $14,883.31 in 2023 and $24,590.65 in 2024 (up about 65%, worked out by us). In 2024 the Deputy Lord Mayor, Erwin Wiens, had $8,705.50 and the Lord Mayor, Gary Zalepa, had $7,116.67 (together $15,822.17, worked out by us). Total pay and costs for Council rose from $272,543.61 to $287,034.05. The Town's 2024 budget moved conference accounts into one central line, so a budget comparison by department is not possible.
Conferences can be good value when a Town learns something or lobbies for funding. Residents may still want to know what they were for, because the costs vary a lot from member to member.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Niagara-on-the-Lake? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
2024 Remuneration Paid to Council & Committee Members: conferences and events (per diem, hotels, meals etc.) WIENS, ERWIN 8,705.50; ZALEPA, GARY 7,116.67; council total 24,590.65. Total of all council columns: 287,034.05.
2024 Remuneration Paid to Council & Committee Members · PDF page 1, Council table
2023 Remuneration Paid to Council & Committee Members: conferences and events WIENS, ERWIN 3,909.25; ZALEPA, GARY 4,385.77; council total 14,883.31. Total of all council columns: 272,543.61.
2023 Remuneration Paid to Council & Committee Members · PDF page 1, Council table
The 2024 budget says "Conferences, Furniture and Equipment, Advertising, and Training accounts have been consolidated into Municipal Purposes from other departments."
Approved 2024 Budget, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake · PDF page 6, Municipal Purposes, Main Change Drivers, note 10