Fort Erie continues to position itself for long-term growth, and the Town’s recent participation at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference could have important implications for our local real estate market.
From August 16–19, Fort Erie representatives met with provincial ministers and parliamentary assistants to advocate for investment in infrastructure, economic development, tourism, health care, emergency services, shoreline protection and more.
As a local Fort Erie Realtor, I believe these conversations are important because real estate values are influenced by much more than interest rates and the number of homes available for sale. Jobs, infrastructure, services, recreation and confidence in a community’s future all play a role in where people decide to live and invest.
One of the biggest positives coming out of the AMO meetings was the focus on employment and economic development.
Fort Erie advocated for expanded post-secondary training to support our growing aerospace, industrial and health-care sectors. The Town also discussed the continued expansion of companies such as Airbus and De Havilland, while noting that several local manufacturers are hiring or planning to expand.
From a real estate perspective, this matters.
When good-paying jobs are created locally, more people have the opportunity to live and work in the same community instead of commuting elsewhere. New employment can attract workers and families to Fort Erie while giving existing residents another reason to remain here.
That can create additional demand for everything from entry-level homes and rentals to family properties and higher-end housing.
Fort Erie also met with provincial representatives to discuss its ongoing infrastructure renewal program and projects designed to support housing and community growth.
This may not sound as exciting as a new subdivision or major employer, but infrastructure is one of the foundations of a healthy real estate market.
Roads, water, wastewater and other municipal services have to keep pace with growth. Provincial assistance with these investments could help Fort Erie accommodate additional housing without placing the entire financial burden on existing taxpayers.
The Town has already made infrastructure and managed growth major priorities. Fort Erie’s newly approved Official Plan will guide development through 2051, including policies covering housing, employment, infrastructure and land use.
For buyers and investors looking at Fort Erie today, that long-term planning is important.
Another interesting discussion involved the archaeological assessment process.
Because of Fort Erie’s rich history, archaeological requirements can sometimes affect development timelines. At AMO, the Town advocated for a more efficient process, while the Province indicated it is working to modernize archaeological and heritage procedures and improve coordination.
If those processes can be improved while still protecting our history and heritage, it could help municipal projects and private developments move forward more efficiently.
That could eventually affect the supply of new housing and development land in our community.
Of course, these discussions do not mean development approvals will suddenly become faster or easier. They are advocacy efforts, and the details will matter. But eliminating unnecessary delays is generally positive for communities trying to increase housing supply.
Fort Erie also advocated for greater recognition within the province’s Destination Niagara tourism strategy, continued support for the Fort Erie Race Track, potential consideration of returning slot machines, improvements to the Niagara Parks marina and other tourism opportunities.
This is another area where there can be an indirect benefit to real estate.
People want to live in communities that have things to do.
We already have tremendous assets in Fort Erie: Lake Erie, the Niagara River, beaches, trails, historic sites, the Race Track, boating, golf, restaurants and the unique communities of Ridgeway, Crystal Beach, Stevensville and Fort Erie itself.
The more investment we see in tourism, recreation and our waterfront, the stronger the overall appeal of Fort Erie becomes—not only as a destination to visit, but as a place to call home.
One issue that deserves particular attention from property owners is shoreline resiliency.
Fort Erie and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority advocated for additional provincial support for coastal hazard mapping, shoreline protection and long-term resiliency planning in response to extreme weather events.
With so much of our community connected to Lake Erie and the Niagara River, this is extremely important.
Waterfront and near-water properties are some of Fort Erie’s most desirable real estate, but buyers also consider flooding, erosion, insurance, shoreline protection and future maintenance costs.
Long-term planning and investment in shoreline resiliency can provide greater certainty for homeowners and future buyers while helping protect one of Fort Erie’s greatest assets.
This is where we have to keep things in perspective.
Attending AMO and advocating for funding does not automatically mean Fort Erie home prices are going to rise.
Real estate values will continue to be affected by interest rates, affordability, employment, housing inventory, buyer confidence and the broader Niagara and Ontario economies.
What these initiatives can do, however, is improve the long-term fundamentals of the community.
More jobs.
Better infrastructure.
Additional housing.
Improved health-care services.
Tourism investment.
Strong recreational amenities.
Shoreline protection.
Economic diversification.
Those are the types of things buyers look for when deciding where they want to put down roots.
The Town reported earlier this year that Fort Erie has added more than 200 net new businesses since 2020, has hundreds of approved and proposed new housing units, and has secured millions of dollars in outside funding for infrastructure and other municipal initiatives.
That tells me Fort Erie is continuing to evolve.
Having watched the Fort Erie real estate market closely, I continue to believe one of our community’s greatest advantages is what we offer for the price compared with many other communities in Niagara and across the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
But affordability alone isn't enough.
For Fort Erie to remain attractive to buyers, we need good jobs, responsible growth, reliable infrastructure, health care, recreation and investment in the community.
That is why the conversations Fort Erie had at the 2026 AMO Conference matter.
Some of these initiatives may take years to develop, and not every proposal will necessarily receive provincial funding or approval. But continuing to advocate for Fort Erie puts our community at the table when important provincial decisions are being made.
For homeowners, buyers and investors, I believe that is a positive sign for the long-term future of the Fort Erie real estate market.
If you’re wondering how these changes, new developments or current market conditions could affect the value of your Fort Erie property, I’d be happy to have a conversation about what is happening in your specific neighbourhood.
Ray Rosettani
Local Fort Erie Realtor
RE/MAX Niagara Realty
📞 905-651-3279
✉️ sellingforterie@gmail.com
🌐 sellingforterie.com
