A Vision for Fort Erie
As we look beyond 2026, Nick's focus remains steadfast on ensuring Fort Erie continues to grow as a strong, resilient and independent community. By leveraging our unique location and preserving our local identity, we are building a future that serves every resident.
Independent & Strong
Fort Erie’s future should be decided by the people who live here. The renewed push for municipal amalgamation is a reminder that local control cannot be taken for granted. Our infrastructure, reserves, services and community assets were built by Fort Erie residents and businesses, and decisions about their future should remain here at home.
Nick will continue to oppose any forced amalgamation with other municipalities or a single Niagara megacity. That does not mean defending the status quo - regional reform should reduce duplication and improve accountability, but it must be based on evidence, a clear financial case and meaningful public consultation. Elimination of regional government entirely should not be dismissed as unrealistic, either.
This is where experience matters most. After two terms on Council, Nick understands Fort Erie’s finances, infrastructure obligations and relationship with Niagara Region, and has built working relationships with municipal and provincial decision-makers. If Niagara’s structure changes, Fort Erie needs experienced representation at the table from the beginning - someone who knows what our community has built and what must be protected.
Fort Erie is strong enough to stand on its own. Nick will fight to protect our local decision-making, assets and financial independence so Fort Erie is never reduced to the outskirts of somebody else’s city.
Growth on Our Terms
Fort Erie has a new Official Plan. The next step is putting it into action through a modernized Zoning By-law, Community Planning Permit System and Urban Design Guidelines.
Nick supports directing more housing and mixed-use development to arterial roads and designated growth areas where infrastructure can support it, while protecting established neighbourhoods from unnecessary disruption.
After two terms dealing with planning applications, infrastructure constraints and resident concerns, Nick understands the balance required. Growth should be welcomed where it makes sense, with sensible transitions, protection for natural and built heritage, and respect for neighbourhood character.
The goal is simple: grow stronger without losing what makes Fort Erie Fort Erie.
Location is Opportunity
Fort Erie has major advantages: the QEW, an international border and access to one of North America’s largest markets. Our expanded employment lands give us an opportunity to turn those strengths into new investment, skilled jobs and a broader commercial and industrial tax base.
Nick understands what it takes to move investment from an idea to reality - planning ahead, protecting employment lands, investing in infrastructure, working with other levels of government and removing unnecessary barriers. The next step is making those lands investment-ready and actively promoting Fort Erie as a place where businesses can grow.
Destination Niagara also creates an opportunity. Nick will continue using the relationships and experience he has built to ensure Fort Erie is part of those investment decisions and that our waterfront, history, race track, parks assets and international gateway translate into real economic opportunity.
Douglas Memorial:
Non-Negotiable. Always.
The goal remains clear: a permanent 24/7 Urgent Care Centre at Douglas Memorial, supported by diagnostic imaging, primary and allied care, clinics, transitional and palliative care and health-care education.
Nick understands the history of Douglas Memorial, the commitments that have been made and the provincial relationships needed to move a local solution forward. That experience matters in a health-care system where Town Council does not control the final decisions.
Nick will continue working with the Province and community partners while holding Niagara Health accountable. Fort Erie should only work with Niagara Health when it is prepared to be a genuine partner, but our future cannot depend entirely on whether an amalgamated health system sees value in maintaining services in our community.
That's why Nick is prepared to pursue a Fort Erie-led solution without Niagara Health's involvement. Douglas Memorial is too important to accept managed decline by health bureaucrats indifferent to our community.
Strong. Resilient. Independent.
The next term must be about protecting what Fort Erie has built while continuing the steady work of making life better. That means securing a lasting future for Douglas Memorial Hospital, defending local decision-making, expanding housing choices, supporting good jobs and responsible growth, renewing infrastructure and making neighbourhood streets safer. It also means protecting affordability through disciplined budgeting and ensuring every decision leaves the next generation with stronger services, greater opportunity and a community capable of determining its own future.
That is the work ahead - and Nick has the experience and determination to keep it moving forward.