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?

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.

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.

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.

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

Intimate partner violence is a crisis that affects every community — a form of harm that happens behind closed doors, where trust should exist but fear and control often take hold.

In Canada, more than 117,000 people reported experiencing intimate partner violence in a single year — the vast majority women and girls. In Niagara, 86% of victims are female, and the numbers are rising.

In this episode, host Walter Sendzik speaks with Nicole Regehr from Gillian’s Place about what it will take — locally, provincially, and nationally — to reduce domestic and intimate partner violence. Together, they explore what’s working, what isn’t, and what must change to make our communities safer for everyone.

In Part Two of our deep dive into the rise of online sports gambling, we shift from the problem to the people on the front lines of the solution. This episode focuses on the young men across Canada who are being hit hardest by the rapid growth of digital sports betting — and on the supports available when gambling starts to take control.

Our guest is Marnie Proctor, Health Promoter with Community Addiction Services of Niagara (CASON), an organization leading the response to gambling-related harm in Niagara. Marnie shares what CASON is seeing on the ground: the dramatic increase in young men struggling with online betting, the psychological impact of non-stop sports-gambling advertising, and the rise of micro-betting and app-based gambling that makes losses faster and harder to manage.

We also explore CASON’s new public awareness campaign aimed at young males — a bold, honest initiative designed to cut through the noise of glossy gambling ads and speak directly to those at risk. Marnie walks us through the counselling, outreach, and harm-reduction programs CASON offers, and what family members, friends, and communities can do when someone needs help.

This episode is not about blaming or banning. It’s about understanding a rapidly changing landscape, recognizing early signs of harm, and making sure people know that support is available — confidential, local, and judgment-free.

If you or someone you know is struggling with online gambling, this conversation offers hope, guidance, and a path forward.

Online sports gambling is growing faster than almost anyone imagined — and young men are being hit the hardest. Since Canada legalized single-event betting in 2021, gambling has shifted from an occasional activity to a 24/7 digital marketplace embedded in sports culture, social media, and entertainment.

Revenues have surged into the billions. Research shows that 1 in 5 young men aged 18–24 gamble online weekly, with rising rates of financial stress, anxiety, and early signs of addiction. Doctors across the country are warning that relentless advertising — especially on social platforms and during major sporting events — is “grooming a generation for gambling dependency.”

In this episode, we explore why young men are particularly at risk, how aggressive marketing shapes behaviour, and what the social, economic, and mental-health consequences look like. We also examine solutions: regulation, education, and community supports that could help reduce harm.

Our guest, Dr. Michael Naraine from Brock University, is a leading expert in digital sport management and marketing. He breaks down the mechanics behind online gambling platforms, the psychology of sports betting, and what communities can do to protect vulnerable youth.

This episode isn’t about banning gambling — it’s about understanding the risks and creating safer systems for young people in an increasingly digital world.