“I’m proud of what Council and our community have accomplished together. By making responsible, strategic decisions and investing in the priorities that matter, we’ve made real progress while positioning Fort Erie for a strong and sustainable future. ” Tom Lewis – Ward 5 Candidate

Some Outcomes from the 2022 – 26 Term

• Secured more than $9.3 million in various forms of grant funding;
• Maintained one of the lowest municipal tax burdens in the Niagara region and will continue to make this a priority;
• Moved for than one million town records to an electronic document management system, improving document access and organization;
• Improved roadway safety, drainage, and service reliability;
• Continued modernized and renewed aging municipal infrastructure;
• Continued upgrades to sewer capacity and stormwater drainage, sidewalks and road rehabilitation.
• Increased traffic calming measures throughout town and increased enforcement.
• Increased waterfront public access

Parks and Recreation

• Increased investment in Crystal Ridge Centre including the new Crystal Ridge Park completed in 2022.

• Creation of the Elizabeth Road (Schooley Road Subdivision) Neighbourhood Park – Current Environmental EIS ongoing for site.
• Increased year over year investment at the Bay Beach Facility including finsihing of the promanade wall, improved washing facilites and maintenance areas. Stand up paddleboards, kayaks to be allowed on Bay Beach permanently.

• Stadium Park (Ryan Ave) – Expected completion 2027.

• Crystal Beach Waterfront Park Playground- Work currently ongoing.

• Future park at 3440 Thunder Bay Road – The construction of the park is scheduled to commence in fall 2026 contingent on the Thunder Bay Road Improvements, with completion anticipated by spring 2027.
• New waterfront park at West Wind Subdivision. Burliegh Road and Thunderbay Road.

• Other Fort Erie projects include the Fort Erie Trail Expansion, Douglas Park (rebuilt), Sugar Bowl Park (rebuilt), Stevenville Dog Park (complete), High Pointe Park (complete), Erie Beach Park Plan (concept design)

Access to Local Health Care

• Support Physician Recruitment, Retention.
• Contributed $250k toward Willson House Hospice New Fort Erie Location.
• In 2025 Fort Erie supported the Gilmore Lodge which opened a new state of the art long-term care home and community hub.

• Worked to make sure that health care services will still be provided in Fort Erie after the new South Niagara Hospital opens. Check out Fort Erie’s Reimagining Douglas Memorial.
  • Meaningful progress’ in talks on Douglas Memorial’s future: Lewis
• Supported Fort Erie Health Care SOS.
• Continued advocacy for Fort Erie’s fair share in funding and committment from Niagara Health for continued Urgent Care services in Fort Erie.
  • Council ties hospital funds to reinstitution of urgent care hours
  • Lewis to call for resignation of Niagara Health president, board of directors
  • Fort Erie forum rejects urgent care closure, demands healthcare hub

Quality of Life and Community Well-Being.

• Support and promoted the work done by the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre, Fort Erie DEI Coalition, Fort Erie Multi-Cultural Centre and other community organizations to promote unity through diversity, inclusiveness and reconciliation.
• Continued advocacy (multi government) to address needs and of the unhoused, including immediate relief and long-term solutions and affordable and attainable housing.
• Comprehensive plan for parks, recreation, trails, beaches, open space and natural areas that provides for infrastructure, programming and services that meets the needs of the growing community.
• The Friendship Trail Safety Study, completed in 2024, reviewed crossing conditions, signage, visibility, and cyclist and pedestrian safety at all 17 road crossings throughout the Town.

• Friendship Trail Crossing Improvements
• Supported the Multi-year Accessibility Plan that outlines Fort Erie’s strategy to remove barriers and meet requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005;

Sustainable and Managed Growth & Housing.

• Implimentation of the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan.
• Supported a Fort Erie interim control by-law for waterfront properties from Point Abino to Helena. This was done prior to the Offical Plan being adopted with provincions to safeguard the character of the neighbourhood.
• Updated the Fort Erie Official Plan.
• Worked towards site and development approvals to sustain the managed growth occurring in Fort Erie.

• Worked with the Ontario government to secure funding in Fort Erie to open a new elementary school and to expand Greater Fort Erie Secondary School.
  • Ontario commits $46.3M to new Fort Erie school, GFESS expansion

• Received Ontario provincial approval of the new Fort Erie Official Plan.
• Supporting Affordable Housing – Fort Erie Council adopted the Affordable Housing Community Improvement Plan in 2025, providing new financial incentives to encourage affordable rental and ownership housing, additional dwelling units, and innovative housing projects. With grants of up to $20,000 per eligible property/project, this initiative helps encourage investment and expand attainable housing options for residents across Fort Erie.
  • Fort Erie moved ahead with amended affordable housing plan

Economic Development

• 200 net new businesses enter our community, contributing to local economic growth since 2020.

• Support Crystal Beach Business Improvement Area Board of Management as councillor represtative.
• Ongoing support of the Fort Erie Economic Development Servces.
• Ridgeway Centre is bringing new commercial and retail opportunities to the community.

• New Community Community Improvement Plan (CIP) with $215k earmarked to provide local property and business owners financial grants for building facades, signage, and residential intensification in the Crystal Beach area.

• Continued to attract significant private investment, strengthening the local economy and creating jobs. Long-standing employer Abatement Technologies established its new global headquarters in Fort Erie, Holland Power Services expanded with a $3 million facility to support its growing operations. Siltech Corporation opened a major new manufacturing facility.

These investments demonstrate confidence in Fort Erie’s future, support local employment, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient economy.

Check out the Town of Fort Erie Community Profile

Environment & Climate Change

• Fort Erie’s Green Initiatives bring residents together to protect parks, trails and waterways, support biodiversity, reduce litter, and strengthen community pride. By working together, small actions can make a lasting difference for our environment and our community.

• Protecting our natural environment through responsible planning and proactive action with a Fort Erie made strategy.

• A longtime supporter of Fort Erie’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), I’m proud that during my first term on Council in 2003, I brought forward the motion that led to the creation of the committee. Since then, the EAC has continued to provide valuable advice to the Town on important environmental matters, including tree preservation, environmental impact studies, biodiversity, and the protection of Fort Erie’s natural environment.

You may also view the Town of Fort Erie  Municipal Council Term in Review Report, is available for online viewing on the Town website.