Niagara Falls Review e-edition

Diodati endorses Ford during campaign stop in Niagara Falls

RAY SPITERI

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati endorsed Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford during a Ford campaign stop across the street from the future south Niagara hospital site on Friday.

Diodati, who typically stays away from political endorsements, said he has been impressed with Ford’s leadership, especially how accessible he has been to the mayor during the past four years.

“He is a great a guy to work with, always returns our calls,” he said before introducing Ford in the parking lot of Arpad Park

Hungarian Hall at the corner of Biggar and Montrose roads in Niagara Falls.

Diodati said Ford is committed to expanding GO train service in Niagara Falls and building the new hospital — both projects originally announced by a previous provincial Liberal government.

“He’s willing to work with other levels of government and cross party lines to get things done.”

Diodati said he put “a lot of thought” into whether to publicly endorse Ford, adding he believes “we need a steady hand at the helm.

Ford said he’s “grateful” for Diodati’s endorsement, adding he’s “fortunate” to have built a good relationship with the mayor during the last four years.

He said mayors across Ontario “know they’re going to have a government that will work collaboratively with them” if the PCs remain in power.

The only time Diodati has publicly endorsed a provincial or federal candidate during his 12 years as mayor was when he endorsed Joyce Morocco when his former city council colleague ran for the Liberals during the 2014 provincial byelection in the Niagara Falls riding.

The mayor’s wish did not come true, however, as another one of his former council colleagues, Wayne Gates, won as an NDP candidate and has remained the riding’s provincial representative since then.

At the time, Diodati admitted to being “blasted” by residents for his decision to endorse Morocco, but said he felt having an MPP from the governing party was in the city’s best interest and that whoever won the 2014 byelection to fill the seat left vacant by Kim Craitor, it was still going to be a Liberal government.

In an interview after endorsing Ford, Diodati said he “might” receive blowback again, but that for him, “it’s not about the party, it’s about the person.

“Traditionally, I’ve been known as a Liberal, but, yeah, for me it’s not about the party, it’s not about the colour, it’s about what’s best for the city, and I’ve got to make good business decisions on what’s good for the city,” he said.

“If that premier is in for another four years, I believe we can look to have lots of other good things for Niagara Falls.

“We’ve discussed so many ongoing files that I think it would be a lot easier to keep the momentum going than to start over again and start from scratch (with another party in power).”

Diodati reiterated how impressed he has been with Ford’s accessibility.

“He gets back to me every time about every issue. He’s the first premier that I’ve had (a) personal cell number (for) and he answers it, and if he doesn’t, he calls me back,” he said.

“Something has to be said for being accessible like that. He’s great to communicate with, and when I’ve got a concern or a problem, he always gives me his ear, he never dismisses it, he always deals with it. That’s not typical. I respect that and I appreciate that.”

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2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

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