Town of Lincoln Council and staff continuously advocate to upper levels of government to aid in implementing key programming and policy to support economic growth and prosperity throughout our municipality.
Through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) annual conferences, staff and Members of Council bring forth a variety of initiatives and concerns that impact the Lincoln community. Our goal is to ensure that our priorities are heard and that upper levels of government are kept informed on Lincoln’s priorities.
At the 2025 ROMA Conference, Lincoln delegates brought forward a series of initiatives to address key challenges and advance our community's priorities.
Key Priorities Advocated at AMO 2025:
Destination Niagara Plan and Tourism Growth
The Town of Lincoln delegation met with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming to emphasize Lincoln’s critical role in a broader Destination Niagara plan that will boost economic growth and create jobs through tourism. Lincoln highlighted recent local initiatives that support tourism expansion and shared the importance of ensuring the Town and the Niagara Region remain competitive as a premier tourism destination. The Town requested ongoing collaboration and provincial support to strengthen tourism as a driver of economic prosperity for the community and the region.
Digital Modernization and Cybersecurity
Town officials met with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement to advocate for funding and support to strengthen Lincoln’s network security infrastructure, adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and implement an Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS); all with the goal of improving efficiencies. These initiatives are essential to modernizing Town services, protecting community data, and streamlining service delivery for residents and businesses.
Access to Primary Care
The Town of Lincoln met with the Ministry of Health to highlight the ongoing challenges residents face in accessing primary care. The Town reinforced its support for the work of the Greater Hamilton Health Network, one of Lincoln’s health teams, in their pursuit of additional funding to expand services in Beamsville. Lincoln also showcased its local initiatives aimed at increasing access to primary care, emphasizing that healthcare close to home is a top priority for residents and requires sustained provincial support.
Housing-Related Infrastructure and Governance Modernization
The Town's delegation engaged with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to discuss the impacts of proposed changes to the Development Charges Act on Lincoln’s finances and its ability to invest in housing-related infrastructure. The Town also advocated for modernization funding to support governance reform, including improved structures, digital tools, and streamlined decision-making. Officials emphasized that while these efforts will strengthen municipal governance and improve service delivery, the upfront investments required cannot be absorbed without provincial partnership.
Key Priorities Advocated at ROMA 2025:
Shoreline Protection
The Town of Lincoln has received funding from the Federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) to enhance shoreline protection infrastructure in response to potential future flooding events. The Town is now seeking provincial support to further fund parts of the remaining the project as the Town has experienced multiple flooding events over a four-year period and remains at risk of future floods and shoreline erosion. The project aims to adapt the existing shoreline to address rising water levels in Lake Ontario and relocate existing roads damaged by flooding. This funding will ensure the town has a sustainable, long term capital program.
Rittenhouse Branch Library Renovation Project
The Town has applied to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund (large-scale renovations and new building stream) to support the renovation of the Rittenhouse Branch Library. The project seeks to create a climate-resilient, open and accessible space to better serve Lincoln’s growing community. Libraries play a fundamental role in removing barriers to accessing information, fostering literacy, supporting community development and promoting learning and connection. While this is a federal grant, the Town is seeking provincial support to strengthen its application and identify additional provincial funding opportunities aligned with the project.
Truck Bypass Inspection Project & Safety Blitzes
The Town of Lincoln remains steadfast in its commitment to improving roadway safety through enhanced enforcement initiatives. Since 2022, the Town has partnered with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to implement targeted safety blitzes to address commercial vehicles bypassing the Vineland MTO inspection station. These efforts have significantly reduced commercial vehicle traffic on residential roads, enhancing safety for residents, visitors, and employers alike. The Town of Lincoln would like to thank the province for their continued support with enforcement blitzes and requests ongoing collaboration and support moving forward. The province did share with the Town that with the Vineland station being the only such station between the boarder and the GTA heading west, more officers and a stronger focus on border security and truck by-passing will be present.
Multi-modal Transportation & Prudhommes Development
The Town of Lincoln spoke about the regional significance of GO to Niagara and asked the province to continue its collaboration with Metrolinx and third-party owners to advance the establishment of a GO station in Lincoln and to pursue all day two service across the Niagara Line. This infrastructure project will enhance tourism visitation and provide improved support for residents that commute to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The Town also advocated for support for the Prudhommes development through the enhancement of the Victoria Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) interchange. This expansion is vital to supporting growth and accessibility in this key area of our community.
Physician Recruitment
As a rapidly growing municipality, the Town of Lincoln has been experiencing increased pressure on its existing medical clinics and family physicians, impacting residents’ access to essential healthcare services. With even more retirements looming, the entire province is in need of re-thinking how we recruit doctors. In response, the Town has implemented a physician recruitment incentive and is exploring other non-monetary options, such as clinical space, to attract doctors. The Town is committed to working collaboratively with the province and healthcare stakeholders to attract and retain primary care providers, ensuring that the health and well-being of its residents remains a top priority. Continued provincial support is critical to addressing this urgent need. The Town did share with ministry of health staff and officials, the BDSS site as a potential hub and requested further dialogue on opportunities with respect to the site.
Ongoing Updates
The Town of Lincoln remains committed to transparency and will share updates on advocacy efforts and related funding outcomes via the Town’s website, social media platforms, and traditional media channels. These initiatives are critical to fostering a thriving, resilient community where all residents can grow, prosper, and belong.