Candidate for Mayor  ·  Niagara Falls  ·  October 26, 2026

Leadership
That Listens.
A City That Thrives.

Leadership • Accountability • Transparency
Peace, Order & Good Governance

For over 15 years, I've had the privilege of listening to the people of Niagara Falls. Now, I'm ready to restore leadership, accountability, and transparency — and bring government back to the people.

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27.5% Turnout in 2022
49,428 Registered voters stayed home
1 in 4 Roughly who showed up
See the numbers
Integrity
Honest leadership you can trust.
Loyalty
Dedicated to our community and its future.
Honor
Doing what's right for Niagara Falls, every time.
Kevin Martineau
About the Candidate

Meet Kevin
Martineau

I was born in Montreal and raised between Montreal and Niagara Falls. My family roots on the land we now call Canada go back to the early 1600s. For the past 15 years, I've worked as a barber here in our community — and in that time, I've had the privilege of meeting thousands of people from every walk of life.

As a barber, you do more than cut hair — you listen. Every day, people sit in my chair and share their concerns, their hopes, their frustrations, and their ideas. I've listened to seniors worried about the rising cost of living, young families struggling to find affordable housing, business owners facing increasing pressures, and residents who feel their voices are no longer being heard.

I am not a career politician. I'm a lifelong community member who loves this city. My faith has taught me the importance of service, honesty, responsibility, and treating every person with dignity and respect. Those values guide me every day. I believe government should answer to the people — not the other way around.

15+ Years as a Barber
Raised in Niagara Falls
Law & Constitutional Studies
Community Voice

"I've heard your concerns, your ideas, and your vision for our city. As Mayor, I'll work for you, with you."

Kevin Martineau
Kevin Martineau
From the Chair

A Barber's Perspective.

A Leader's Purpose.

Every day in my barbershop, I listen to hard-working residents, families, seniors, and business owners. I hear what matters most — safe neighbourhoods, affordable housing, good jobs, and a strong future for our kids.

People often say a barber knows everything happening in town because everyone eventually sits in the chair. After 15 years of listening, I've heard enough to know our city can do better. Now I'm ready to take what I've learned from the barber's chair to the mayor's chair.

Kevin Martineau
Kevin in his barbershop
Listening.
Understanding.
Delivering.

From my chair to City Hall, the mission remains the same: people first.

Our Community

Niagara Proud.

Community Driven.

Niagara Falls is more than a city — it's our home. I'm committed to building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future for every resident. This campaign isn't about political parties or special interests. It's about people.

Let's build it together.
Platform

My Administration Will Focus On Seven Major Priorities

1
Protecting Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion

Every citizen has the right to speak freely, practice their faith, and live without fear.

2
Restoring Accountability in Government

Transparent, responsible leadership and real oversight in every department.

3
Government Closer to the People

Listening to residents, engaging communities, and giving people a stronger voice.

4
Safer Streets and Compassionate Solutions

Partnerships between law enforcement, social workers, and mental health professionals for safer, stronger communities.

5
Infrastructure and Responsible Spending

Fixing roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure while managing taxpayer dollars with integrity.

6
Restoring Unity, Peace, and Public Trust

Bringing people together to rebuild trust and create a stronger future.

7
Addressing the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis requires action, not delay. Mayoral leadership can help cut red tape, speed up approvals, and support the construction of more homes for families, seniors, and young people.

The Story Behind the Campaign

Why I'm Running
for Mayor

I didn't spend my life planning a political career. For years, I never imagined running for public office at all.

But the longer I listened — from behind the barber's chair, day after day — the more I heard the same thing repeated: people feel disconnected from City Hall. They feel government has become more bureaucratic and less responsive. They question whether transparency and accountability still matter.

Eventually I realized that simply talking about these concerns wasn't enough. It was time to step forward and become part of the solution.

My campaign isn't built around political ambition. It's built around public service. I'm running because I believe government should work for the people.

Kevin Martineau

"A barber knows everything happening in town, because everyone eventually sits in the chair. After 15 years of listening, I've heard enough to know our city can do better."

"I believe government should answer to the people — not the other way around. Residents deserve to be heard, and City Hall should be transparent, accessible, and accountable."

What Guides Me

My Values Are Simple

Leadership

Leadership means accepting responsibility — making difficult decisions, listening to criticism, and putting the community ahead of personal interest.

Accountability

Public office is a responsibility. Officials must answer to the people they serve. Taxpayers deserve transparency, honesty, and clear answers.

Transparency

Residents should understand how decisions are made. Government works best when information is open and public trust is respected.

Freedom

Freedom of speech, religion, conscience, and thought are fundamental. People should express themselves respectfully, without fear or intimidation.

Peace & Order

A strong community needs both freedom and responsibility. Neighbourhoods should be safe. Parks should be welcoming. Residents should feel secure.

Good Governance

Government should be efficient, responsible, and focused on serving citizens — avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy and staying focused on real results.

Tough Questions. Honest Answers.

Challenging the Status Quo

Question from the Community
"Why would I vote for him? He's unknown in politics."

That's a fair question. Being "unknown" also means I am not part of the same political circle that has governed this city for years. My focus is on what a Mayor and Council can actually control:

  • Improving transparency and accountability at City Hall.
  • Supporting responsible growth and reducing unnecessary delays.
  • Listening to residents and making City Hall more accessible.
  • Working with all levels of government to advocate for Niagara Falls — not simply accepting the status quo.
  • Ensuring taxpayers receive real value for their money.
On Being Challenged
"A candidate must be challenged."

Candidates should be challenged, and I'm more than ready to be challenged. In fact, I expect it. Anyone seeking public office should welcome tough questions, accountability, and open debate. That's part of earning the public's trust.

I understand I have some big shoes to fill. The current Mayor has served for 16 years, over four terms, and is now seeking a fifth. Over the years, without naming names, people involved in the current administration — as well as individuals from other municipalities — have often asked me why I never ran for office or whether I had ever considered it.

The honest truth is, I never intended to run for Mayor. But as time went on, I watched our city change. I listened to residents, business owners, seniors, young families, and taxpayers who felt their voices were no longer being heard. The more I listened, the more I realized that simply talking about change wasn't enough.

I also understand that not everyone knows who I am. That's fair. But I can promise you this: the people who do know me know exactly what I stand for. They know my work ethic, my honesty, and that I say what I mean and mean what I say.

I'm not asking for blind support. I'm asking people to ask questions, challenge my ideas, compare my vision with everyone else's, and then make an informed decision.

People don't have to know me yet — but they will know what I stand for. I'm not running to promise miracles. I'm running to provide honest leadership, ask tough questions, and put the interests of Niagara Falls residents first. Change starts with electing people who are willing to challenge the old way of doing things — and who understand that public office is about service, not power.

"
Setting the Bar High

Some say seven priorities are too many.
I say that's exactly what's wrong with politics today.

The people of Niagara Falls don't elect a mayor to do the bare minimum. They elect a mayor to solve problems.

The truth is, a mayor doesn't have seven responsibilities. A mayor has twenty-five, fifty, even a hundred. My seven priorities are simply the issues that need immediate attention — because they've been neglected for too long. They're where my administration will focus first. Once we get those back on track, we'll keep tackling the rest. That's what leadership is supposed to do.

For years, residents have watched the same problems grow while important issues were pushed aside. Too many neighbourhoods overlooked. Too many decisions made without transparency, accountability, or public confidence.

Public office is a public trust. Every elected official works for the people — not the other way around. If members of the current Council or the Mayor no longer have the drive to do the job the people elected them to do, then perhaps it's time to let new leadership step forward.

It's time to clean house — not out of anger, but out of accountability. And I won't apologize for setting the bar high.

My Position

Niagara Parks
Belongs to Its People

One question I've been asked repeatedly throughout this campaign is where I stand on the future of Niagara Parks — and whether I support privatization.

My answer is simple: No. I oppose the privatization of Niagara Parks.

Public assets should remain public — managed responsibly and accountable to the people they serve. Niagara Parks is one of our region's greatest assets. It should never be treated as something to be sold off or managed without meaningful public accountability.

Today, Niagara Parks operates as a provincial agency. Its lands sit within our city and region, yet it isn't governed by City Council or directly accountable to local residents. I believe that needs to change.

My vision is for Niagara Parks to come under greater local jurisdiction, with the City and the municipalities of Niagara playing a much stronger role. The people who live here should have a real voice in how these lands are managed, how revenues are invested, and how decisions affecting our community are made.

The real question isn't about any single project — a Ferris wheel or otherwise. It's this: Who should decide the future of Niagara Falls?

As Mayor, I will advocate for:

  • Mandatory public consultation on major projects affecting Niagara Parks and Niagara Falls.
  • A formal advisory relationship between Niagara Parks and the City to strengthen local cooperation.
  • Greater transparency on development proposals, leases, financial decisions, and long-term planning.
  • Stronger opportunities for residents to participate in the decisions that shape our community.

Growth should happen with the people of Niagara — not around them.

— Kevin Martineau
A Real Plan

A Safer, Stronger, More
Compassionate Niagara Falls

Across every conversation, the same concerns come up: public safety, the visible growth of addiction and homelessness, the condition of our neighbourhoods, and the future of community assets like Greater Niagara General Hospital. These concerns are real — and they deserve more than temporary fixes or political talking points.

One idea worth serious consideration

Transforming all or part of the existing hospital facility into a comprehensive recovery and support centre — bringing addiction recovery, mental health support, rehabilitation, supportive housing, employment assistance, and emergency services together under one coordinated roof. Rather than reacting to problems after they grow worse, we should create lasting solutions that address root causes.

Compassion in Action

  • Connect vulnerable individuals with shelter, treatment, recovery, and support services.
  • Strengthen outreach that helps people before situations become severe.
  • Advocate for more addiction treatment, mental health resources, and transitional housing.
  • Promote solutions that move people toward independence — not endless cycles of crisis.

Safe, Welcoming Neighbourhoods

  • Keep parks, sidewalks, and public spaces clean, welcoming, and safe for everyone.
  • Coordinate law enforcement, mental health professionals, and outreach workers together.
  • Plan health and social services fairly across the region — no neighbourhood unfairly burdened.
  • Review parking policies so residents never feel they come second in their own city.

Showing compassion for those who are struggling doesn't mean lowering expectations for public safety. We can respect human dignity while keeping public spaces accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We can protect taxpayers while investing wisely in meaningful solutions — and restore confidence that local government is working for the people it serves.

The Numbers

Last Time, 27% Decided
For All Of Us

In the 2022 municipal election, Niagara Falls had one of the lowest voter turnouts in the entire Niagara Region. Nearly three quarters of registered voters never cast a ballot. That is not apathy — that is a city that stopped believing its vote counted. On October 26, we change that.

0%
Voter turnout in 2022
Roughly one in four registered voters
0
Registered voters who stayed home
Out of 68,201 on the voters' list
0
Votes that decided the mayor's race
Under 18% of everyone registered to vote
0
Total ballots cast city-wide
Mayor, council and school board combined

How Niagara Falls Compared In 2022

Voter turnout by municipality — 2022 Ontario municipal election

Niagara-on-the-Lake~48%
West Lincoln43.6%
Wainfleet41.6%
Grimsby37.5%
Fort Erie34.4%
Ontario average32.9%
Pelham32.6%
Port Colborne31.6%
Lincoln27.7%
Niagara Falls27.5%

Sources: City of Niagara Falls official 2022 results · Association of Municipalities of Ontario turnout figures.

If Niagara Falls just matched the provincial average, about 3,700 more residents would have voted.

That is more than enough people to change the outcome of a municipal race. Your ballot is not a drop in an ocean here — in a city this size, it is a real, countable share of the result. Bring one neighbour with you and you have doubled it.

Election Day
Monday, October 26, 2026

Polls are open 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. You'll elect the Mayor, eight City Councillors and school board trustees.

Vote Early at City Hall
Sept 28 – Oct 23, 2026

Weekdays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Niagara Falls City Hall, 4310 Queen Street. Can't make election day? Go early.

Check You're On The List
Takes about 2 minutes

Confirm or add your name to the voters' list, and see what ID you need to bring with you.

Voter information
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Have Your Say

What Should Come First?

This campaign is built on listening. Pick the priority you want tackled first — and add anything else you think city hall is missing. Kevin reads every response.

Which priority should a new mayor take on first?

Your response goes straight to the campaign. Nothing is sold, shared or published with your name on it.

Get Involved

Join the Movement

Help us build a stronger Niagara Falls. Whether you can knock on doors, make calls, or help at events — every volunteer makes a difference.

— or email us directly —

info@kevinformayor.ca
Get in Touch

Contact Kevin

info@kevinformayor.ca
Mailing Address Kevin Martineau for Mayor
Niagara Falls, Ontario