Niagara Region Chair Bob Gale has resigned from his position following allegations from local anti-racism organizations that he owns a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf signed by the Nazi leader.
Gale submitted his resignation Wednesday in a letter to Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flock, saying his departure was effective immediately.
In the letter, Gale said the controversy began after a member of the Communist Party circulated an older document listing his name as the owner of a historical book. He did not issue an apology and instead defended himself as a collector of historical artifacts.
“I am a passionate historian with a broad collection of historical art and artifacts,” Gale wrote, noting that his collection includes items such as an 1859 letter from abolitionist John Brown, a letter from George Washington, correspondence from Winston Churchill, materials from the Vatican archives, and a signed copy of an early 1685 book about Niagara Falls by Father Louis Hennepin.
Earlier Wednesday, the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association and Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara issued a joint statement claiming Gale purchased and owned a signed copy of Mein Kampf, Hitler’s political manifesto widely associated with antisemitism and Nazi ideology. The groups said they were alerted to the alleged ownership by a concerned individual.
Anti-racism advocates demanded that Gale publicly explain the situation and apologize.
Saleh Waziruddin of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association said that purchasing and authenticating a copy of the book signed by Hitler raises serious concerns and called on Gale to address the issue publicly.
Sherri Darlene of Justice 4 Black Lives Niagara said the allegations were troubling and pointed to ongoing concerns about racism in the region.
Gale rejected the criticism in his resignation letter, suggesting the accusations were part of a political effort by a “strong vocal minority” opposed to his leadership. He wrote that some individuals were attempting to damage his reputation and undermine his work in Niagara Region.
Gale had been appointed as Niagara Region chair by the provincial government in December, rather than elected to the role.
In his closing remarks, Gale said that the work of the region must continue beyond any individual leader, adding that the focus should remain on delivering change for residents of Niagara.
