Gale resigns as Regional Chair

Bob Gale has resigned as Chair of Niagara Region less than three months after being appointed to the role by municipal affairs minister Rob Flack, effective immediately.

Gale resigned after revelations that he purchased a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf more than a decade ago. 

In the resignation letter to Flack he stated “a member of the communist party circulated a dated document that listed my name as the owner of  a historical book found in many libraries.”

Gale also made the case that he is a passionate historian and has a wide collection of historical art and artifacts, including a letter from George Washington, a letter from Winston Churchill, as well as Vatican archives. 

Gale appeared to blame his downfall on his work to push for fewer politicians in Niagara Region and for amalgamation. 

“When I undertook the necessary work to start fixing the issues at the Niagara Region, there was a strong vocal minority who decided they would stop at nothing in order to keep their fiefdoms and addiction to power and tax dollars,” wrote Gale. “They wish to paint a picture that is untrue and hurtful to my family, my friends, and those in Niagara that believe in the hard work I have undertaken.”

“This work is bigger than any one person, including me. This is about making the changes for the people of Niagara who desperately need and deserve change.”

What is next for the Niagara Region is far from clear. 

Jim Bradley chaired Niagara Region from 2018 until his passing in September 2025. Bradley had not advocated for reducing the number of politicians in the region or amalgamations, while Gale fervently pushed that agenda forward during his less than three months on the job. 

The future of Gale’s agenda may very well be in the hands of whomever the Ford government decides to appoint as Gale’s successor. 

Gale ended his letter to Flack by calling on the Ford government to “continue” on the path he has started “in support of taxpayers.”

Gale has been in politics in the Niagara Region for over a decade, having served on Niagara Regional Council for more than 10 years. He was also the PC Party candidate in the riding of Niagara Falls in the 2022 provincial election. Flack immediately accepted Gale’s resignation, effective March 11.