06/01/2026
I grew up in Niagara Falls and spent many years working in the tourism industry while I was in school. One thing I heard time and again from American visitors was how much more beautiful the Canadian side of the Falls is than the American side.
That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of generations of stewardship by the Niagara Parks Commission, which has protected the natural beauty of the Falls and the parkland surrounding it.
That’s why I was disappointed to learn, thanks to the advocacy of Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, about plans to build a Ferris wheel in Queen Victoria Park.
Niagara Parks has an important role in generating revenue for the province, and it does that successfully. But its primary responsibility should also be protecting the public spaces that residents love and visitors come to enjoy—the same parks we grew up in and want to preserve for our children and grandchildren.
What exactly is gained by tearing up parkland for another attraction? Will tourists really spend more time in Niagara Falls because we have two Ferris wheels instead of one?
This feels like part of a broader pattern from the Ford government: taking cherished public spaces and replacing them with developments that few people are asking for. We’ve seen similar concerns raised about Ontario Place.
I’d love to hear what others think, but from where I stand, this proposal misses the mark.
