Niagara Regional Chair Passes Away

After 55-years in public life representing this area, Jim Bradley died today in St. Catharines after a brief illness

Some sad news today from the Niagara Region... after battling a brief illness, Chair Jim Bradley died today in St. Catharines.

He was 80 years old.

He was first elected to St. Catharines city council at the age of 25, and spent the next 55-years in public service across Niagara and Ontario.

He represented this area for 41-years at Queen's Park, earning the nick name Dean of the Legislature.

The region lists a long list of accomplishments, including elected to Regional Council representing St. Catharines in 2018.

Just before his passing, he expressed great appreciation to everyone who reached out to him.

Here's the complete news release from the Niagara Region:

After a long and storied career in local and provincial politics, Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley passed away in St. Catharines on Sept. 26 following a brief illness. He was 80 years old. He leaves behind a legacy of public service that has shaped the course of Niagara and of Ontario.

Bradley’s remarkable 55-year career in elected office helped shape the city, region, and province he loved. First elected to St. Catharines City Council in 1970 at the age of 25, he went on to represent the community as Member of Provincial Parliament from 1977 to 2018. Over his 41 years at Queen’s Park—the second-longest tenure in Ontario’s history—he held several senior cabinet roles and earned the affectionate title “Dean of the Legislature.”

As Ontario’s Minister of the Environment from 1985 to 1990, Bradley’s leadership left a lasting mark. He introduced the landmark Spills Bill, holding polluters accountable and protecting waterways, and oversaw the launch of the world’s first Blue Box recycling program, which became a model around the globe. His vision and integrity set a standard for environmental stewardship that continues to benefit communities today.

Throughout his tenure as MPP, Bradley played a pivotal role in securing investments that have transformed the community. His leadership was instrumental in the development of the St. Catharines Hospital and the Walker Family Cancer Centre, as well as the creation of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, projects that strengthened both health care and cultural life in the city. He also championed major infrastructure and educational initiatives that helped modernize St. Catharines and improve quality of life for its residents.

Bradley was elected to Regional Council, representing St. Catharines, in 2018. He was elected Regional Chair by Council shortly thereafter and was re-appointed by the Provincial government in 2022. During his tenure as Chair, he led reforms that have noticeably improved accountability and transparency at the Region following the Provincial Ombudsman’s Inside Job report of 2018.

Bradley also engendered a sense of cross-municipal cooperation on Regional Council which has been instrumental in accomplishing transformative projects including the unification of transit services across the region in 2022, the expansion of high-speed Internet into rural Niagara, and the securing of Asahi Kasei’s new lithium battery separator plant in Port Colborne in 2024.

“On behalf of all Regional staff, it is with profound sadness that we learned today of the passing of Regional Chair Bradley”, said Chief Administrative Officer Ron Tripp. “Chair Bradley dedicated his life to public service, with a lasting legacy that far exceeds his time as our Regional Chair.  We will all fondly remember his unwavering commitment to staff, his valued friendship, and his passionate advocacy and support for the work of Niagara Region. We extend our deepest condolences to his extended family and friends on this tremendous loss for our community.”

Beyond his many official roles, Bradley was known for his humility, civility, and deep respect for people at every level of politics. He built trusted relationships across party lines and was a tireless advocate for Niagara throughout his career.

Before entering politics, Bradley was a teacher with the Lincoln County Board of Education. As an involved community member, he has also contributed to Niagara as a hockey and baseball coach, manager and referee, and as a long-time member of the Grantham Optimist Club.

Before he passed, Bradley wished to share the following words:

“To the people of St. Catharines and Niagara: thank you for the trust and confidence you have placed in me to represent you over the years at City Council, at Regional Council, and at the Provincial Legislature. Our system of democracy is a true treasure, and I have always regarded it as a great honour to be able to advocate for the needs and desires of our city, our region, and our province. 

To my colleagues on Regional Council and our dedicated Regional staff: thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Niagara community. I am exceptionally proud of the many accomplishments we have been able to achieve together for Niagara. Our collective success is a testament to the value of local democracy, and to the level of cooperation that exists between the Region, our local municipalities, and individual members.

My wish is that the important work of council will continue in the same spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that we have worked so hard to achieve. 

To all of you who have reached out to me in friendship, camaraderie and kindness, not only during my illness, but throughout my career in politics: please know that you have been a great source of comfort and encouragement in so many ways, and I have deeply treasured our time together.”

Flags at Niagara Regional Headquarters will be lowered in his memory. Funeral details will be announced in the coming days.