2026 Municipal Election Candidate Questions
To help inform our membership in making a decision, our executive asked candidates running in the Niagara Region Municipal election at the level of Mayor for St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Welland as well as St. Catharines ward candidates the following questions. This was done as while St. Catharines Twinning association directly deals with St. Catharines, our operations also encompass the Niagara Region and Mayoral Candidate where the majority of members reside were asked.
Candidates were asked to have their answers to us by October 4, 2026. Answers received after this date will be added upon availability to be updated. Answers that the candidates provide are not altered in any form except for formatting, spelling and punctuation.
The posting of the answers are in no way to be intended as a form of endorsement of any candidate. This page is meant to be informational to assist membership and the general public in making a decision for the interests of Twinning and Mundialization.
- How familiar are you with Twinning in Niagara and what role do you think municipalities have in international relationships?
- The Twin City model in Niagara is run by a non-profit. Other municipalities run it through their economic development departments or other city staff. How do you see the future of Mundialization and Twin cities operating in Niagara?
- Would you support the maintenance of our Twin City relationship as is OR want to see more Twin City relationships at either the lower or upper tier municipal level? Why?
- What role do you see St. Catharines Twinning play in Regional Twin City and mundialization efforts based on your answer to the question above?
St. Catharines
Mayoral Candidates
1) Very familiar. I believe municipalities can create the community buy-in
and understanding that international relationships often lack when
performed exclusively at the National level.
2) I believe that the relationship in St. Catharines could benefit from
greater involvement at City Hall. The work done by the Twinning
Association is excellent, but a stronger link through our Economic
Development department could lead to greater benefits for St. Catharines
and Port of Spain residents alike.
3) I have made the decision in this term to try and focus on the current
relationship before engaging with other twinning relationships. I
believe there is still work to be done to strengthen the current
relationship with Port of Spain, but am also open to engaging in other
relationships if and when the fit and timing is right.
4) I think the institutional knowledge contained in the Twinning
Association is absolutely key to being able to augment mundialization
efforts in St. Catharines and Niagara.
Ward Candidates
- I am familiar with Twinning in Niagara and see it as a valuable way to build international relationships between communities. Municipalities can provide leadership and support while creating opportunities for cultural, educational, economic and community connections. Twinning should be about developing meaningful, ongoing relationships rather than simply formal agreements.
- I see a partnership model working well, with municipalities and the existing non-profit organizations working together. Municipalities can provide coordination, resources and connections, while community organizations bring volunteers and local involvement. A more coordinated regional approach could help make these relationships more effective and sustainable.
- I would support maintaining and strengthening our existing relationship while remaining open to additional partnerships where there is a clear benefit. I would rather see a few active and meaningful relationships than simply create more agreements. Both local and regional relationships could have value depending on the purpose.
- My preference would therefore be for a flexible approach that allows both the lower and upper tiers to participate where there is a clear benefit, while ensuring that existing relationships continue to receive attention and support. I see St. Catharines playing a leadership and connecting role in Niagara's broader mundialization efforts. We can share our experience, work with other municipalities and community organizations, and help create opportunities for the wider Niagara community to benefit from international relationships.
- I am familiar with the long-standing relationship between St. Catharines and Port of Spain, as well as the work of the St. Catharines and Regional Niagara Twinning and Mundialization Association. Having spent much of my career working internationally, I have seen first-hand how valuable relationships between communities can be. While municipalities are not responsible for foreign policy, they can play an important role in fostering international connections at the community level. These relationships can create opportunities for cultural and educational exchange, tourism, economic development, knowledge sharing, and stronger connections between residents. The municipality’s role should be to support and facilitate these relationships, while enabling community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and residents to bring them to life.
- I favour retaining the independent, community-led model while developing a stronger working relationship with municipal and regional economic development. I do not believe we need to create another layer of municipal administration to make Twinning more effective. Instead, we should establish clear channels through which the Association can connect with city and regional staff when opportunities arise. This could allow Twinning initiatives to benefit from economic development expertise and municipal networks, without losing the volunteer involvement and independence that make the current model valuable. It is a practical approach: use the structures and expertise we already have, coordinate them more effectively, and avoid unnecessary additional costs.
- I would be open to additional Twin City relationships. Niagara is internationally connected through tourism, agriculture, wine, manufacturing, and education, and there may be cities around the world where a formal relationship could create worthwhile opportunities. I would not, however, pursue additional relationships simply to increase the number of Twin Cities. Each proposal should have a clear purpose and demonstrate value for money. What opportunities would it create? Who would participate? What would it cost? What would both communities contribute? And how would we know whether the relationship was successful? Value does not have to be measured only in dollars. Educational exchanges, cultural connections, knowledge sharing, creating awareness for tourism, and opportunities for young people can all provide meaningful returns. If a proposed partnership can demonstrate that kind of reciprocal value at a reasonable cost, I would be very open to expanding our international relationships.
- I see St. Catharines Twinning potentially taking a leadership role in helping Niagara identify and evaluate future international partnerships. Rather than different municipalities independently pursuing similar opportunities, the Association could help bring interested municipalities and regional partners together, and determine the most appropriate level for each relationship. Some partnerships will naturally belong to an individual municipality. Others, particularly those connected to major sectors shared across Niagara, may have greater impact at the regional level. A coordinated approach could also provide better value for taxpayers by sharing expertise, contacts, and resources rather than duplicating them. I would like St. Catharines to be an active participant in that discussion and to use the experience already developed through Twinning to help Niagara build international relationships that are purposeful, sustainable, and beneficial to our communities.
- I was familiar with St. Catharines’ longstanding Twin City relationship with Port of Spain, but this questionnaire gave me an opportunity to learn more about the history and the work the Association continues to do in our community. I see a role for municipalities in supporting international relationships where they create meaningful cultural, educational, community or economic connections. For St. Catharines, a relationship that has existed for almost 60 years is part of our civic history and provides an opportunity to build connections beyond our borders while creating benefits here at home.
- I see value in the current community-led model. A volunteer, non-profit organization can build relationships and deliver cultural and educational initiatives without requiring the municipality to create a separate administrative structure. At the same time, the City and Niagara Region can be partners where appropriate, particularly when opportunities align with economic development, education, tourism, cultural exchange or community-building. I would favour collaboration between Twinning, municipalities and community partners, with clear objectives and meaningful benefits for the communities involved.
- I support maintaining and strengthening our existing relationship with Port of Spain. Nearly 60 years of history has value, and I would first focus on ensuring that relationship remains active and meaningful. I would also be open to considering additional relationships in the future where there is a clear cultural, educational or economic rationale and demonstrated community benefit. I would not expand simply for the sake of adding Twin Cities; any new relationship should have clear objectives, committed partners and a realistic plan for sustaining it.
- St. Catharines Twinning has decades of experience and an established community network, so I see it continuing to play an important role in these efforts. The Association can help maintain the Port of Spain relationship, connect residents and organizations with opportunities for cultural and educational exchange, and work with municipal and regional economic development and community partners when opportunities arise. If Niagara considers additional international partnerships in the future, the Association’s experience should be part of that discussion. The goal should be to build on what already works while ensuring these relationships continue to produce meaningful benefits for residents and participating communities.
- I am aware of our twin city. Lots of residents are from Trinidad so it is awesome to have that connection. Biggest role we have personally is tourism it is a great way to show people of the world St. Catharines.
- I would love to see greater cooperation with the city on this. The twin city model is fun and a great way to encourage cultural exchange
- Currently I would have to say as is. With potential of incorporating into the lower tier municipal level. Can be a great way to get more people interested in St. Catharines.
- Again tourism and cultural exchange are my bif two focuses.
- I'm very familiar with The Twinning Association, since 2004. During my 12 years on the former folk arts board as director and 5 years as Chair, I was heavily involved with the folk arts festival/centre and the respective open houses. I've known Helen Atteck and her late husband Phil for at least 15 years. I'm aware of the book about the twin cities that was donated to city hall years ago. I think it is important the cities maintain and important relationship with their twin cities.
- I see a bright future for Mundialization and Twin Cities. I would liaise with the Economic Development team to see what funding is available to support this worthy relationship.
- I support the maintenance of our Twin city and I believe we need to keep it moving forward. I would support additional Twin City relationships at all levels of government. I support it because I believe in this relationship.
- I can see the city continuing to support Twining City along with other groups like Bridges as well as higher orders of government.
- Very familiar, friends of mine were involved back in the 1970's when I was young, and I remember going to events ,unfortunately local municipalities do not play a large role in international affairs due to the way upper levels of government control things
- I have been trying to get our city to support the St. Catharines Twinning Association more than they have and I will continue to do so
- I think all the volunteers that make up this organization or doing a fantastic job given the resources they have, I will continue to get our city to support you more as the given history of St. Catharines Twinning should not be lost
- I would like the city to become more involved in Twinning at a Regional level, it would be nice to expand because not all members live in St. Catharines ,but reside in Niagara.
- I am very proud of the longstanding relationship between St. Catharines and Port of Spain. It is an impressive relationship that has lasted for almost 60 years and created cultural, educational and community connections. I have been lucky to work closely with Jonathan Belgrave over the years who has educated me about the Twinning Association. Municipalities can help to facilitate these relationships, particularly when they create opportunities for cultural exchange, education and economic development.
- I think the current community-led model has considerable value. A volunteer organization can build relationships and organize activities without requiring a municipal admin structure. The City and Region can and should be supportive partners where appropriate, including connecting Twinning with economic development, education and cultural opportunities. I would support building on the strengths of the existing model rather than creating unnecessary duplication or additional bureaucracy.
- I support maintaining and strengthening our current relationship with Port of Spain. Nearly six decades of history gives this relationship special meaning that cannot simply be replicated by establishing additional Twin Cities. We need to prioritize city affairs, and I would prioritize making our existing partnership as meaningful and productive as possible.
- The current Twinning Association has the experience, history and strong volunteer network to continue playing a leadership role in these efforts. Rather than recreating that expertise elsewhere, I see opportunities for the Association to work collaboratively with the City, Niagara Region, our educational institutions and other community organizations.
Welland
Mayoral Candidates
1) It should be huge but it isn't. I want American Cities and Towns across the border to partner Welland.
2) No idea, didn't give it any thought, didn't know there was a department until now.
3) Yeah, we need a lot more, especially in USA.
4) I'm not sure what you do, but if you can help with that, then great!