TIM BALASIUK

Having the privilege of growing up in the hospitality and tourism industry, I have had the fortunate opportunity of being raised in a community that has seen tremendous growth in all sectors.

My family roots in Niagara stem back to my great grandmother, Kathleen Isabelle Gooderham Drope – of Gooderham and Worts, once the largest Canadian distiller of alcoholic beverages. The Drope family was initially from the Grimsby area, but located to Niagara-on-the-Lake, where my grandfather was the project manager of the historic Court House restoration in 1980, with the Niagara Foundation. My grandfather passed away not long after the restoration was completed, and Drope Hall, upstairs at the Court House, was named after him.

Having worked at a number of local hotels and wineries, including the Pillar & Post, which was founded by my grandfather in the 1970s, he had a vision to convert the former canning factory to a hotel.  Seeing the value of future tourism growth to the community is something that is in my blood. My grandfather had a passion for doing things right and I the reason I’m so interested in running for council is ,I feel like I owe it to my family. If I have the opportunity to have a say in the future of NOTL, I feel obligated to play a part in it.

I currently reside in town with my wife Michelle of 15 years also a lifelong resident and our dog Otis. My wife and I are both entrepreneurs , owner and operator of Paddle Niagara, which I founded 10 years ago.  Seasonally our company hosts summer Kids Camps, teaching kids about water safety on the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, while providing access to the water for locals and tourists. 

I love this town, and strongly feel a responsibility for preserving it, both in recognition of my family’s role in its history and my desire to make it the best it can be for future generations.