Searching for Solutions

Is It Time for One City in Niagara?

Niagara has 12 municipalities, a regional government, and rising costs. Is it time for a reset? Former CAO Harry Schlange joins Searching for Solutions to make the case for One City, One Council — a bold proposal to streamline governance, reduce inefficiencies, and better prepare Niagara for the future. But does amalgamation actually work?  And what happens to local identity? A candid conversation about governance, affordability, and the future of Niagara.

Amalgamation in Niagara: What It Means and Why It Matters

Amalgamation is back in the conversation in Niagara—and with it comes a familiar promise: lower costs, more efficiency, and a better way forward. But is that actually true? In this episode of Searching for Solutions, former St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik sits down with Dr. Charles Conteh of Brock University to unpack one of the most misunderstood governance debates facing communities across Canada. Together, they explore: * What municipal amalgamation actually changes—and what it doesn’t * Why the assumption that amalgamation lowers property taxes is often misleading * The concept of status quo bias and why communities resist structural change * The real trade-offs between efficiency, local identity, and democratic representation * Whether Niagara’s current governance model is built for the future—or the past This is not a debate about right or wrong. It’s a conversation about decision-making and how communities position themselves for the challenges ahead - from housing and infrastructure to economic competitiveness. If Niagara were being built today from scratch… would it look the same?

No Water, No Future: The Fight to Secure Niagara’s Agricultural Lifeline Episode

Niagara’s farms are running up against a hard truth: without reliable water, there is no long-term future for one of Canada’s most productive agricultural regions. After more than 20 years of studies, reports, and stalled momentum, the conversation has reached a tipping point. In this episode of Searching for Solutions, Walter sits down with Sean Rogers from the Region of Niagara to dig into the long-awaited Irrigation Project—what’s changed, what’s at stake, and why this time might be different. This isn’t just about pipes and pumps. It’s about climate pressure, crop risk, and the economic viability of an entire sector—from vineyards to tender fruit to greenhouse production. Why has Niagara struggled to move from planning to action? What did we get wrong in the past? And can this new feasibility and design study finally break the cycle? Walter and Sean unpack the real decisions ahead: where the water will come from, who pays, how the system gets built, and whether growers will buy in. With multiple levels of government, industry groups, and local producers now at the table, the stakes—and expectations—have never been higher. Because if this works, it could transform Niagara agriculture for generations. If it doesn’t, the cost won’t just be missed opportunity—it could be decline.

Reclaiming Attention: Helping Kids Break Free from Digital Addiction

In this episode of Searching for Solutions, Walter sits down with Lucy Colangelo, founder of the ShineOn Method, to explore one of the defining challenges of modern family life: our relationship with technology. From endless scrolling to rising anxiety and disconnection, many parents feel like they’re losing ground — and traditional solutions like screen limits and device bans often lead to conflict, not change. Lucy introduces a different approach: the Total Digital Reset, a process that helps families understand how technology affects their brains, behavior, and relationships — and empowers them to make intentional choices together. This conversation goes beyond screen time rules to examine attention, confidence, and what young people need to thrive in a distracted world. Walter and Lucy discuss why digital attachment is so powerful, what parents are often missing, and practical steps families can take immediately to restore balance. This is an essential listen for parents, educators, and anyone wondering how to stay human in a digital age.

Art in Action: Climate — Art, Science, and Community Solutions

In this episode of Searching for Solutions, host Walter Sendzik is joined by Dr. Julia Baird, Associate Professor at Brock University, for a timely conversation about Art in Action: Climate—a groundbreaking 10-day arts and climate festival launching in Niagara in January 2026 and centred on the work of world-renowned artist Edward Burtynsky. Together, they explore how art can make the climate crisis more tangible, why Niagara is a powerful place to host a major climate-focused arts festival, and how the Art in Action: Climate Symposium brings researchers, artists, Indigenous voices, educators, and community leaders together to turn awareness into action. This episode examines the role of creativity in climate communication, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the practical ways communities can build resilience in the face of environmental change. Learn more at artinactionniagara.ca