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An Ontario government appointee has resigned as chair of the Niagara Region after being accused of owning an autographed copy of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto.
A press release Wednesday from the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association said Bob Gale purchased and owns a copy of “Mein Kampf” signed by Hitler, attaching documents that purport to back up the claims, including one appearing to authenticate Hitler’s signature.
Gale submitted his resignation not long after that to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack, who appointed him to the role just three months ago. In his letter, Gale does not directly deny nor admit to owning the autographed book.
“As everyone knows, I am a passionate historian with a broad collection of historical art and artifacts,” he wrote.
“My collection includes an 1859 letter from anti-slavery advocate John Brown, a letter from George Washington, a letter from Winston Churchill and Vatican archives. I also have a signed copy of the first book in 1685 about Niagara Falls by Father Hennepin.
“Today, a member of the communist party circulated a dated document that listed my name as the owner of a historical book found in many libraries.”
Saleh Waziruddin, listed as the media contact on the anti-racism association’s press release, said he is a communist though he has resigned membership in the Communist party. Gale’s focus on his politics are an attempt to distract from the issue at hand, Waziruddin wrote in a statement.
Flack has not publicly addressed the allegations and Gale’s resignation. A press conference he had been set to hold Thursday with Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy was abruptly cancelled Wednesday afternoon, about 90 minutes after announcing it would take place.
A terse statement from Flack’s spokesperson read, “Bob Gale’s resignation has been accepted.”
Flack’s office later added that it will continue to work with local leadership to strengthen the Niagara Region and rotating interim chairs will fill the vacant position while the government searches for a permanent replacement.
The resignation comes amid some political controversy in the Niagara Region, with many mayors and residents opposed to proposals from Gale to consider amalgamations.
Gale ultimately backed away from the possible amalgamations and proposed instead reducing the number of councillors, but took some parting shots in his resignation letter.
“When I undertook the necessary work to start fixing the issues at the Niagara Region, there was a strong vocal minority who decided they would stop at nothing in order to keep their fiefdoms and addiction to power and tax dollars,” he wrote.
“They wish to paint a picture that is untrue and hurtful to my family, my friends, and those in Niagara that believe in the hard work I have undertaken.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 12, 2026.
Allison Jones, The Canadian Press
