Following a comprehensive and difficult debate, in which there was no unanimity about how to move forward, Regional Council ultimately voted in favour of constructing a $10.6 million next-generation 911 backup dispatch location in the City of Welland.
The project was approved by the narrowest of margins, by a 16-15 vote in which Regional Chair Jim Bradley cast the tie-breaking ballot.
“Regional Council approved this project as part of its 2021 capital budget,” Bradley told The Niagara Independent. “It is important that we continue funding our critical infrastructure projects while still taking steps to minimize the cost to property taxpayers.”
When the initiative was first approved by Council four years ago, it was estimated to cost $8.76 million. Since that time, however, it has swelled by nearly $2 million.
“The Region conducted a fair and rigorous procurement process for this facility,” said Bradley.
The new independent structure will be built on Welland’s Lincoln Street, on the property where a Niagara Regional Police Station already exists. It will operate alongside and in support of the parent 911 centre at Niagara Regional Police Headquarters in Niagara Falls.
Proponents of the project have argued that the facility will help to serve the needs of the growing populations of Niagara municipalities. It will simultaneously apply cutting-edge Internet Protocol (IP) technology, which is capable, among many things, of providing essential details about a distressed caller’s contact information and location, as well as increased support for those who do not speak English as their native language.
Although there may be tangible benefits, this series of events is only the latest chapter of a long-standing arc, as councillors have attempted to weigh the need for fiscal prudence against the pleading of law enforcement for greater funding.
The Niagara Regional Police Services (NRPS) budget has been increasing at higher rates in recent years, culminating with a staggering 13.18 per cent hike in 2025, providing a total of $213.3 million for local law enforcement to complete its work.
This increase to the NRPS budget was accompanied by a 9.6 per cent increase in regional property taxes in 2025. This represented a $191 increase, to a total levy of nearly $2,200, for the average owner of a property estimated to be worth $298,000.
In addition to Bradley, the decision to move ahead with the Next Generation 911 system was also supported by the Mayors of Niagara’s three largest municipalities: Mat Siscoe (St. Catharines), Jim Diodati (Niagara Falls) and Frank Campion (Welland).
Those who voted against moving ahead with the project at this time included Budget Committee Chair and Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop and Niagara Falls Councillor Bob Gale.
Gale recently introduced a motion aimed at limiting the increase of the 2026 consolidated Regional levy budget to 3.5 per cent. The motion passed with the support of Council.
Having received the approval of Regional Council, the facility will now be constructed by Burlington-based General Contracting and Project Management firm GEN-PRO.
“While it is unfortunate that the total cost was higher than expected, this is understandable given rising material costs and instability in the global marketplace,” Bradley explained.
“Despite these challenges, I am confident that staff did what they could to keep those increases to a minimum.”
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
