Speaking with The Leader following an update from Kitts to the Local Health Integration Network Niagara Falls Coun. Jim Diodati said he would like to think the advisor is going to look at the 311-page plan with an open mind. But if at any point the "expert advisor" shows he is here to "rubber stamp a ridiculous plan," he will go to the next level.

"If at any point we suspect bias, we will go to the top with our plight," said Diodati, who is in Ottawa for the annual Association of Municipalities Ontario conference. "I'd like to believe he is open-minded, but we will be watching.

"I'd be extremely disappointed to learn if in his mind it's a done deal."

Welland MPP Peter Kormos said the citizens of Niagara are not buying into the Niagara Health System's plan and neither should the consultant.

"Dr. Kitts, I'm sure, is a fine person and he came all the way to Niagara, so what?" he said. "For every Dr. Kitts there is a local doctor ... who knows far better who doesn't agree with the plan."

Kormos said the process shouldn't be about retaining an expert opinion, but about listening to the community.

Kormos said it is no secret some health-care professionals advocate centralization, but Niagara citizens don't and that should count for more than the opinion of a hired consultant.

While at the LHIN meeting in Grimsby Tuesday, Kitts said he liked the consolidation principles included in the plan. The proposal from the NHS is similar to one passed in Ottawa a decade ago, where Kitts is the president and CEO. He said the change has improved health care.

"We can safely say it is a better place in Ottawa now," Kitts said.

In Port Colborne, the health care task force has hired a consultant to prepare a counter proposal. The report could cost the city up to $53,000. Even though Kitts has said he has no intentions of reading counter reports, Badawey said his city it still moving forward and will pass the plan to the LHIN and health ministry.

He expects the LHIN to then direct the consultant to read responses and proposals from municipalities across the region.

While Badawey said he felt uncomfortable commenting on Kitts' comments on the report to date, he is also prepared to take the fight above the LHIN.

"If this is a nod in favour of the NHS plan, I certainly think that it's unfair," he said. "And if it is, you better believe we will appeal this to the health ministry."