Niagara At Large

A Brief Tribute by Doug Draper

Posted August 25^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Dolly Parton, front and centre, with friends and fellow singers Emmylou Harris to her left and Linda Rondstadt to her right. Together they recorded a few very warmly recieved albums.

I am no big fan of country music, but oh how sorry I was to hear the news that this country singer/songwriter has gone.

I am talking about Dolly Parton, who has just passed away at age 80 and who was such a presence in our collective lives over the past 50 or more years for her music, her infectious personality  and for her dedication to human rights and philanthropy. Continue reading →

“We all want more homes. We all want Niagara to grow. But growth requires roads, water, sewers, transit and other services,” said Bateman. Those things still have to be paid for. If the Province reduces what developers pay, it cannot simply leave Niagara residents to make up the difference.”                                               – Haley Bateman, a St. Catharines representative sitting on Niagara Regional Council

A News Release from Haley Bateman, St. Catharines Regional Councillor and a long-time community activist

Posted August 25^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Haley Bateman, a Niagara Regional Councillor living in St. Catharines, Ontario

NIAGARA REGION –  Niagara Regional Councillor Haley Bateman says the proposed development charge reduction program is not the New Deal council has asked for, one that recognizes the real cost of growth and stops shifting more costs onto local residents.

Bateman says that a long-term, fair and predictable funding relationship between municipalities and the Province is needed to make budgets manageable.

Niagara continues to face growing demands for public health, social services, waste management, roads, water and sewer systems, transit and other essential services. Municipalities are being asked to do more with less provincial support. Continue reading →

News from the citizen advocacy group Canadians for Tax Fairness

Posted August 25^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

We all knew this was happening. But that makes it no less infuriating to see it in black and white.

As wildfires rage across the country and thousands are forced to evacuate, Canada’s Big Four oil companies just reported]$13.3 billion in profits in three months — more than double what they made during the same period last year.

But it doesn’t stop there. We dug deeper into their latest disclosures to find out what Big Oil is using these profits for — and it’s déjà vu all over again. Continue reading →

Read The Plea To Authorities On The Side Of The Superbus & Do What You Can To Help Your Fellow Citizens Demand Action

A Photo of a Message just added late this August, 2026 on a Superbus from The Coalition for a Better St. Catharines

Posted August 24^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

A Commentary by Doug Draper, a former environment reporter with the St. Catharines Standard and the publisher of Niagara At Large

It is pretty bad and it is unprecedented for that matter, when a citizens group in St. Catharines, Niagara has to go so far as to pay for a giant message to be placed  on the sides of a superbus that wheels around the city, pleading with government authorities and other responsible bodies to clean up poisons, including PCBs, asbestos and heavy metals, on a former General Motors site next to a residential neighbourhood. Continue reading →

A Statement by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney on Ukrainian Independence Day

Posted August 24^th on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – “Thirty-five years ago today, Ukraine’s Parliament proclaimed the country’s independence. That historic decision marked the beginning of a new chapter for Ukraine – one defined by freedom, democracy, and self-determination.

Canada was the first Western nation to recognise Ukraine’s independence, deepening a friendship that has grown into an enduring bond between our nations.

That bond is strengthened by the more than 1.4 million Canadians of Ukrainian descent. Continue reading →

“These times call for a strong and decisive response. Doug Ford and his government must take these steps to defend Ontario in the face of Donald Trump’s belligerent attacks on our workers and our economy.” Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles

News from the Office of Ontario’s Official Opposition Leader Marit Stiles

Posted August 24^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles

QUEEN’S PARK — Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition Ontario NDP, has written to Premier Doug Ford  calling for urgent action to safeguard Ontario from the impacts of American tariffs.

“Ontario is looking for its leaders to step up for them,” said Stiles. “To protect their livelihoods and their families. We must stand strong and united from coast to coast to coast.

“Today, I’ve asked Doug Ford to immediately recall the legislature so that we can pass an emergency relief bill to support Ontario workers in tariff-exposed sectors and businesses. It is our duty as elected officials to immediately get to work in the fight against Donald Trump’s inexcusable and dangerous tariffs.” Continue reading →

City staff will share information about the City’s response and recovery since St. Catharines experienced three 100-year rain storms between July 21 and August 2 that resulted in more than 300 mm of heavy rainfall.

An Invite to all residents from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 24th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The City of St. Catharines will host a Telephone Town Hall on Tuesday, Aug. 25, to provide residents with updates on the City’s ongoing flood recovery and response efforts and answer questions from the community.

City officials will take part in the telephone town hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A telephone town hall operates similarly to a radio call-in show. Rather than residents calling in, the City will call households across St. Catharines and invite them to participate in the live conversation.

City staff will share information about the City’s response and recovery since St. Catharines experienced three 100-year rain storms between July 21 and August 2 that resulted in more than 300 mm of heavy rainfall. Continue reading →

Posted August 22^nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large with some commentary by NAL reporter/publisher Doug Draper 

“Last spring I warned that America is trying to break us so that it can own us, and I promise that that will never ever happen. And we are keeping that promise. Canada is becoming stronger and less dependent on America. We are already giving ourselves more than they can take away. And we are just getting started.” –  Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

For the record, here is a video of the full address Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered to Canadians earlier this August 22^nd, 2026 on the break down in trade talks with the U.S. Trump administration.

If you missed it and would like to watch it –and I urge you to watch it because what is happening here will continue to have a significant impact on the lives of all of us and the communities we live in – click on the screen immediately below –

Prime Minister Carney said he will, in the days ahead, be unveiling the retaliatory measures Canada is going to take against Trump’s efforts to break Canada. We will be watching and if you have some ideas of what measures should be taken, share them with your federal representative and your fellow Canadians now.

In the meantime, Canadians can continue to take their own steps by boycotng all travel to the United States and by doing everything we can to avoid buying U.S. products.

Together, we the people of Canada, can send a strong message that we are not going to take being bullied like this .

As the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation; “In the last year and a half, Canadians have met this moment with resolve, purpose, and strength. We are vacationing in our national parks. Buying Canadian products. Choosing Canadian. Small acts of solidarity. Repeated millions of times that make a statement: we are the masters of our destiny.”

Three cheers for that!

– Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

To read the full text of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address to Canadians, click on – https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/speeches/2026/08/22/prime-minister-carney-delivers-remarks-canada-us-trade-negotiations

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space  Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build media outlets for local news and commentary!

And Let’s Continue To Do Everything Else We Can To Stand Up For Canada And Against The Threats and Punishing Tariffs Trump And His Followers Are Aiming At Us

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted August 21^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

There are reports that our federal government in Canada may have been urging Ontario and other provinces to lift their ban on selling American alcoholic beverages as one way of convincing Trump to at least reduce his punishing tariffs on our country.

Now that talks with Trump to do so have broken down to a point where this screwball in the White House is slapping even more tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods, U.S. wines and spirits should remain off Canadian retail shelves for the rest of time he is in office. Continue reading →

“As marine shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway is a primary conduit for bi-national trade, this development will be challenging for many members of the CMC and their customers and may very well result in increases in the cost of living and potential scarcity in the availability of essential commodities.” – Jason Card, Vice-President of External Affairs for the Chamber of Marine Commerce

News from the Chamber of Marine Commerce representing marine transporters that ship goods through the Welland Canal, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway

Posted August 22nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

One of the many large cargo vessels navigating its way through the Welland Canal every day of the marine shipping season

The new 50% tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, as well as the promise of Canadian counter tariffs, will cause significant challenges for many companies represented by Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) that support the in-land marine supply chain, as well as the customers those companies serve on both sides of the border.

“As marine shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway is a primary conduit for bi-national trade, this development will be challenging for many members of the CMC and their customers and may very well result in increases in the cost of living and potential scarcity in the availability of essential commodities,” noted Jason Card, Vice-President of External Affairs for the Chamber of Marine Commerce. Continue reading →

This notice remains in effect until 9:00 AM on Tuesday August 25th, 2026, and will be updated as conditions warrant.

Flood Alert from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), based on upcoming forecasts from Environment Canada’s weather specialists

Posted August 21st, 2026 on Niagara At Large 

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is advising local municipalities, emergency services, and the public of the potential for flooding within its jurisdiction. This includes the Niagara Peninsula, the southeastern portion of the City of Hamilton, and the eastern portion of Haldimand County.

A slow-moving weather system is expected to bring thunderstorms and significant rainfall from Saturday, August 22, through Monday, August 24. Total rainfall amounts of 40 to 60 mm are possible, with locally higher amounts where thunderstorms develop. Thunderstorms may produce an additional 15 to 25 mm in affected areas. Continue reading →

A Public Service Announcement from the Town of Lincoln in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 21^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Lincoln, ON  – The Town of Lincoln is updating community members about expanded waste services that are providing additional time to manage waste related to the recent flooding and ongoing recovery efforts.

Waived Landfill Tipping Fees

The waiving of landfill tipping fees for eligible flood-related waste has been extended through Saturday, August 29, 2026*.

 The limit to the number of truckloads or trailers visits per household have also been lifted. Continue reading →

A Statement from St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Sevens

Posted August 20^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens

St. CATHARINES – NDP MPP Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) released a statement following the announcement from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) that ten offices will be closed and the organization is cutting nearly 500 jobs:

“We have learned that the WSIB is cutting hundreds of jobs and closing ten offices across Ontario, including the St. Catharines office.

“These cuts will mean the loss of good local jobs and, importantly, the loss of experienced, high-seniority workers who carry years of institutional knowledge about Ontario’s workers’ compensation system. Continue reading →

“Access to primary care is an important part of what makes Niagara a place where people want to live, work, invest and grow. When residents can access the care they need close to home, it strengthens quality of life, supports workforce attraction and contributes to long-term economic growth across the region.” – George Spezza, Director of Economic Development, Niagara Region.

News from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted  August 19th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Niagara has added 10 family physicians and connected more than 9,000 additional residents to primary care during the first six months of 2026, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Health.

“Every resident connected to a family doctor is a step toward a healthier, more equitable Niagara,” said Tom Insinna, Acting Niagara Regional Chair. “These results show meaningful progress and reflect the continued success behind physician recruitment and primary care access efforts across the region.” Continue reading →

New Campus Unites Artist And Visitor Residences, Creative Production And Expanded Programming At The Burton Centre For Lifelong Creativity

News from The Shaw Festival

Posted August 19^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – The Shaw Festival has officially opened the 40,000 square foot Shaw Artists’ Village, bringing together housing, creative production, arts education and professional development on one campus dedicated to exploring the role creativity plays in helping people learn, communicate and connect.

“The Shaw Artists’ Village represents the next chapter in our evolution as a centre for communication, creativity and curiosity,” said Tim Jennings, Executive Director/CEO of the Shaw Festival. Continue reading →

From the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney

Posted August 18th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney

“Over the last number of weeks, Canada has engaged in intensive discussions with the United States to address outstanding trade issues and deliver greater certainty and real benefits for Canadian businesses, workers, farmers, and families.

Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done. As this work is ongoing, the United States has agreed to postpone the implementation of its 50% tariff on a range of Canadian goods under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 until end of day, August 21. Continue reading →

A report from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara,  Ontario

Posted August 18^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Members of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation have witnessed many changes<https://brocku.ca/brock-news/2021/02/brock-prof-to-talk-climate-change-with-chief-of-vuntut-gwitchin-government/> unfold across the far reaches of their traditional territory in northern Yukon.

Tundra grasslands are being replaced by shrubs. Permafrost is thawing at an accelerated rate. Lakes are draining more than in the past. River and lake shorelines are eroding more quickly. And fires are burning within and beyond the boreal treeline.

Officials from the community have been working with Brock University Professor of Geography and Tourism Studies Kevin Turner’s research lab and Parks Canada staff to track measurements that quantify these changes in Van Tat, commonly known as Old Crow Flats, a 15,000-square-kilometre watershed north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Beaufort Sea. Continue reading →

“This is our farmland, and these are our tax dollars. We are gathering on August 22 to show that the public deserves answers before decisions are made — not after.”                                                – Heather Fyfe, spokesperson for #HandsOffOurFarmland

Public Protest Announced as Questions Grow Over Potential Industrial Development on Ridge Road Farmland

A Call-Out To All Of Us from the Cooks Mills community Group Hands Off Our Farmland

Posted August 17^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Cooks Mills community group calls for transparency from Welland City Council, raises alarm over Ontario’s accelerating loss of agricultural land, and files information request.

The Cooks Mills community group, through its #HandsOffOurFarmland campaign, is calling on Welland City Council for full transparency regarding the future of agricultural land on Ridge Road and announcing a public protest for Saturday, August 22, 2026. Continue reading →

A Full Text of Premier Doug Ford’s Speech at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference, August 17^th , 2026

Posted  August 17^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – Those of you who are regular visitors to Niagara At Large would know by now that this reporter/commentator has many significant concerns with the policies and with the decisions made by Premier Ford. Nevertheless, I am posting his full speech to our municipal leaders for the record and for those of you who may wish to read it for information purposes.)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

OTTAWA — Premier Ford delivered the following remarks at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2026 annual general meeting and conference.

“Good morning, everyone.

It’s great to be back here in Ottawa with all of you for the 2026 AMO Conference. Continue reading →

An Invite To All from the Niagara Falls Nature Club

Posted August 17th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WALKS SEASON IS BACK!

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT OUTING!

The Niagara Falls Nature Club welcomes you to participate in leisurely walks as we enjoy the flora and fauna of Niagara. The walks are rated from 1 to 10: 1 is easy and 10 is strenuous. For more information or if you have any questions, please get in touch! 

DATE: Wednesday Aug 19th 2026
TIME: 7:00PM
LOCATION: Malcolmson Eco-Park
DIFFICULTY RATING:  2/10

DESCRIPTION: We will observe the native plant restoration that is attracting many birds and mammals.

LOCATION: 325 Lakeshore Rd, St Catharines. Free parking!

RSVP to niagarafallsnatureclub@gmail.com to register.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WANDERING WITH YOU!  Continue reading →

In the upcoming Fall municipal elections, it is imperative that we elected candidates in Niagara who promise to do everything they can to protect our environment and to take action at the community level to address climate change.

• Posted by Doug Draper on Niagara At Large, August 15^th, 2026

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space  Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build media outlets for local news and commentary!

Whale Sanctuary Project is calling on Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium (in U.S.) to committing publicly that the Marineland belugas transferred into their care will not be bred

“Marineland’s collapse should be a turning point for captive belugas, not an opportunity to continue the cycle of forcing them to live in barren tanks while growing its inhumane breeding program,”                               – Dr. Lori Marino, President and Founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, Nova Scotia Canada

A Call-Out from The Whale Sanctuary Project, a not-for-profit marine mamal protection group based in Nova Scotia, Canada

Posted August 14^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Another beluga whale from Marineland’s defunct amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario moving out

Four whales bound for Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and two for Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as third airlift in three weeks moves animals from one concrete tank to another

 The Whale Sanctuary Project (in Nova Scotia, Canada) is raising concerns over the breeding programs of both Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium as six more beluga whales were removed from Marineland (in Niagara Falls, Ontario) and transported this week.

Transferring beluga whales from one impoverished environment to another, only to be bred, should not be celebrated as the humane end to this crisis.

“Marineland’s collapse should be a turning point for captive belugas, not an opportunity to continue the cycle of forcing them to live in barren tanks while growing its inhumane breeding program,” said Dr. Lori Marino, President and Founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project. Continue reading →

People should not have to wait indefinitely for a dangerous site to be cleaned up. “No neighbourhood should have to live beside this kind of hazard. No one should die because we failed to act.”           – Gwen Kennedy, Director, Coalition for a Better Catharines

A News Release from The Coalition for a Better Catharines, a city-based citizens group

Posted August 14^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario — A Niagara Transit Superbus will travel through St. Catharines for the next eight weeks with a message to City Hall, the former GM property owner and the public:

“Clean up the former GM site: No more delays!”

The Coalition for a Better St. Catharines is sponsoring the campaign to demand action at the 55-acre former General Motors property on Ontario Street. Continue reading →

Posted by Doug Draper, reporter/publisher Niagara At Large

August 13^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Greta Thunberg as she looks now at age 23. A voice for her generation on the climate crisis.

“Today we use 100 million barrels of oil every single day. There are no politics to change that. There are no rules to keep that oil in the ground. We can’t save the world by playing by the rules. The rules have to be changed.” ~ 23-year-old, Swedish-born  Greta Thunberg, recognized around the world for her climate activism

To read one of many stories about Donald Trump attacking Greta Thunberg, click on – Donald Trump attacks Greta Thunberg as ‘a troublemaker’ with ‘an anger management problem’ – as she fires back online | LBC

Greta makes the cover of Time Magazine in 2019 as “Person Of The Year.”

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

“Let me be very clear: this homelessness crisis did not appear out of nowhere. It is the direct result of policy choices made by the Doug Ford government.”                                                                          – St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman

A News Commentary by St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman

Posted August 13^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario  – Premier Doug Ford’s government has created the conditions that have driven more Ontarians into housing insecurity and homelessness and now, as municipalities are struggling to respond to the crisis his policies have created, his has made the sweeping decision to take away one of the most basic tools we have to keep people safe: a shelter.

The reported decision to cancel the lease for the shelter in St. Catharines is unconscionable.

Let me be very clear: this homelessness crisis did not appear out of nowhere. It is the direct result of policy choices made by the Doug Ford government.

For years, this government has made decisions that have made it harder for people to remain housed while failing to provide municipalities with the resources necessary to deal with the consequences and impossible for local councils to manage effectively. Continue reading →

“Many residents have been dealing with extraordinarily difficult circumstances over the past  weeks. We are grateful to Team Rubicon Canada, the Province of Ontario, Ontario Corps and the District School Board of Niagara (who provided a local property to be used as a home base) for coming together to support St. Catharines.” – Mat Siscoe, Mayor of St. Catharines

News from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 12^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Corps partner Team Rubicon Canada has landed in St. Catharines to support recovery efforts following heavy rainfalls causing widespread flooding across the community.

Beginning this past Tuesday, August 11th Team Rubicon Canada deployed volunteers, know as  Grey shirts, to conduct removal of debris, flooring, drywall and other flood damaged items, answering a request for assistance through Ontario Corp to support and assist residents and homeowners through the difficult process of recovery. Continue reading →

‘Residents will get tips for checking trees and learn how to spot early signs of trouble from local experts during a walk and learn workshop.’

An Invite to All Residents from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted August 12^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Residents gather at the entrance to the Glenridge Naturalization site before the start of the walking tour for the 2025 Tree Check Month event.

August is  Tree Check Month [https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/invasive-pests-and-plants/tree-check-month] and Niagara Region, in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is co-hosting a free tree check event to teach residents how to keep their trees and greenspaces healthy.

A public demonstration will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the main entrance pavilion at the  Glenridge Quarry Naturalization site [https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/naturalization/default.aspx] (1860 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold). Parking is available on site. Registration is not required. Continue reading →

“While we cannot guarantee assistance or provide specific timelines, every request will be carefully reviewed. Our goal is to connect residents with available support as quickly and efficiently as possible.” – Town of Lincoln in Niagara, Ontario

News from the Town of Lincoln in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 12^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Town of Lincoln is working with partner agencies, including Team Rubicon, deployed by Ontario Corps, and Samaritan’s Purse and Mennonite Disaster Service, to connect residents with flood cleanup and recovery assistance.

Please note that these are the only three agencies the Town of Lincoln is working with to assist removal of damaged materials and cleanup within residents’ homes in Lincoln.

Here’s how the process works:

Continue reading →

New Tools Will Help Police Services, Including Niagara Regional Police, Fight Illegal Drugs, Guns And Cross-Border Crime

News from the Government of Ontario

Posted August 11^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Peace Bridge border crossing – one of the busiest between Canada and the United States – between Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo, New York

As part of its work to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the government is strengthening border security by investing $32.5 million in new tools, technology and investigative resources that will help police detect, deter and disrupt the smuggling of illegal firearms, drugs and other contraband into Ontario.

“Protecting Ontario starts with strong borders,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “We’re giving police the tools they need to stop illegal guns, drugs and organized crime before they reach our communities because every illegal firearm or shipment of drugs intercepted at the border is one less threat to Ontario families.” Continue reading →

News from the City of Port Colborne

Posted August 11^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Niagara’s own Bob Saracino

The City of Port Colborne is mourning the passing of former Mayor Bob Saracino, a dedicated community leader and longtime advocate for our city.

Bob devoted decades of his life to serving Port Colborne, including nearly two decades as Mayor. Even after his time in elected office, his passion for the community never faded. He continued to be an active and familiar presence, supporting local organizations, causes and initiatives that mattered deeply to him.

His commitment to Port Colborne and the people who call our city home leaves a lasting legacy. He will be remembered for his dedication, passion and many contributions to our community. Continue reading →

Niagara EMS Marks First Milestone In Its 10-Year Facilities Master Plan

News from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted August 10th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Region EMS ambulance

Niagara EMS has officially opened its new Prince Charles Station located at 345 Prince Charles Drive in Welland. This marks the first completed milestone in the EMS 10-year Facilities Master Plan and an important step in strengthening emergency medical services across Niagara.

As Niagara’s population continues to grow and age, demand for Niagara EMS services is also changing. The 10-year Facilities Master Plan is a long-term roadmap for Niagara’s future, creating a network of modern EMS facilities and strategically located stations that will better support paramedics, strengthen emergency response and help ensure timely access to emergency care. Continue reading →

Posted by Doug Draper, August 10^th, 2026

What we don’t need right now- another severe rainstorm.

At least some of you may be wondering why there isn’t as much news and commentary on Niagara At Large that a visitor to the site would usually expect to find.

The answer can be summed up in the water that backed up into the basement of my family’s home, not just once but three or four times over the space of the last three weeks and the severe rainstorms that swept over our region.

It has left me, along with so many others, with a hell of a lot of cleanup work to do, not to mention engaging insurance agents and building contractors to help my family cover the cost for repairing the damage. Continue reading →

For Details For Each Impacted Community, Read Below

A News Release from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted August 6^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Recent widespread flooding has affected properties throughout Niagara. We’re working with local area municipalities on storm response and recovery, including eligible areas and temporarily enhanced waste collection services. New information will be posted as it becomes available.

If your property was affected, you may qualify for enhanced waste collection services. Find your city or town to learn what’s available in your area.

Residents experiencing flooding are encouraged to contact their insurer to begin their claims process. Continue reading →

A News Release from the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre’s Child Victim Witness Program

Posted August 6^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Child Victim & Witness Program helps children navigate court and understand they are not to blame

Niagara Region, ON — One year after the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre Niagara launched its Child Victim & Witness Program, the Centre is marking the program’s impact while flagging concern in regard to online luring and exploitation cases involving multiple young victims.

The Centre serves children and youth who have experienced physical or sexual abuse, neglect, online luring, or exposure to violence. Working alongside Niagara Regional Police Service and child protection partners (FACS Niagara), the Centre provides a safe,child-friendly setting for investigations and a coordinated path of support. Continue reading →

“This partnership represents an important step toward bringing Indigenous knowledge systems alongside contemporary conservation practices in ways that benefit both people and the environment,”                                                                                              – Phil Davis, Member of the Board of Directors of the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations.

A News Release from the Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relation and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Posted August 5^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

NIAGARA, ONTARIO — The Niagara Academy for Indigenous Relations (NAIR) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that establishes long-term relations to strengthen environmental stewardship, conservation, education, and the respectful integration of Indigenous knowledge throughout the Niagara Peninsula watershed.

The agreement recognizes that the health of the land, water, plants, animals, and people is interconnected, reflecting values expressed in the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address (Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen), which teaches gratitude, reciprocity, and responsibility toward the natural world. These principles closely align with the missions of both organizations and provide a strong foundation for future collaboration. Continue reading →

“To every resident who has lost cherished belongings, been displaced from their home or is facing the emotional and financial strain of rebuilding: we see you, we stand with you and we will not leave you to face this alone.”                                               – Niagara’s Acting Regional Chair and Fort Erie Regional Councillor Tom Insinna

A Statement from Niagara’s Acting Regional Chair on Flooding Across the Region

Posted August 4^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Inaugural Region of Niagara council meeting, Thursday, November 24, 2022. Photo by Denis Cahill

Thorold, Ontario – Niagara’s Acting Regional Chair, Tom Insinna, issued the following statement regarding the devastating flooding across the Region:

“Over the past two weeks, severe storms have flooded homes, damaged businesses, and turned lives upside down across Niagara.

To every resident who has lost cherished belongings, been displaced from their home or is facing the emotional and financial strain of rebuilding: we see you, we stand with you and we will not leave you to face this alone.

Regional and local infrastructure performed as designed, but no municipal system could have absorbed the extraordinary volume of rain that fell in such a short period. Continue reading →

“Many residents are reliving the devastating experience of flooding for the second time in less than a week, and Sunday’s storm extended those impacts to even more neighbourhoods across St. Catharines. This declaration underscores the severity of what our community has experienced and the need for continued support from our partners at all levels of government as we work together through recovery.”                                              – St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe

A News Release from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 3^rd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe has declared a State of Emergency for the City of St. Catharines following significant flooding over the last week that has had widespread effects on homes, property over the last week.

The declaration comes following a pair of intense storms that brought more than 140 mm of rain to areas across the City on July 27-28 and again on August 2.

The historic storms overwhelmed the City’s infrastructure, including roads and sewer / stormwater infrastructure, and has caused flooding that has affected homes, businesses, City facilities, and significant property damage, including shoreline erosion to private and public property. Continue reading →

“Our community has faced an extraordinary challenge. We have witnessed the devastating impacts of flooding on families, businesses, farms, and critical infrastructure. Declaring a State of Emergency ensures we are taking every available step to protect our community, coordinate our response, and advocate for the support Lincoln needs to recover.”                                             – Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton

A News Release from the Town of Lincoln in Niagara, Ontario

Posted August 3^rd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Town of Lincoln has declared a State of Emergency following the historic flooding that has impacted our community over the past 24 hours.

The declaration comes after an extraordinary rainfall event that overwhelmed roads,stormwater infrastructure, homes, businesses, and municipal services. The situation was further exacerbated by widespread power outages, which significantly affected homes, businesses, and municipal infrastructure.

This decision reflects the severity of the situation and strengthens the Town’s ability to coordinate resources, implement emergency measures, and support requests for provincial assistance, while reinforcing the significance of the impacts on our community. Continue reading →

Stay Tuned To CBC Radio One 99.1 FM Or CBC Television For Updates

Posted August 2^nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

From Environment and Climate Change Canada · Last updated 4 mins ago

At 12:26 p.m. EDT (Sunday, August 2^nd), Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.

This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.

Tornado warnings are issued when a thunderstorm is producing or is likely to produce a tornado.

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

And Enough Of Those Severe Winds And All Of he Havoc They Cause, Please!

A Summer Song Posted with a Commentary by Doug Draper

August 1^st, 2026

Sixty years ago this August, when groups like The Beatles,  Rolling Stones,  Yardbirds and The Lovin’ Spoonful and singers like Donovan, Petula Clark  and Stevie Wonder had big hits on the Billboard charts, a relatively old guy from my parents younger years also broke through with a hit song called ‘Summer Wind’.

A huge Beatles fan back then, I found myself liking this song. There was something about it and the way Frank Sinatra, who by then was a legendary singer with a recording career stretching back through the 1940s and 50s, sang it that made me  feel good and made me imagine walking along a sandy beach on Cape Cod or even one of our own beaches along Lake Erie with a light breeze embracing me on a warm summer day.

Sixty years later, there is still something nice about that song so I thought I would share it with you on this first day of August, 2026. To hear it and watch a video that accompanies it, click on the screen immediately below –

• Hope you have some enjoyable times during the last half of summer  – Doug Draper, Niagara At Large, with memories of my mother and father who remained big Frank Sinatra fans while I was driving them crazy spinning those Beatles records.

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space  Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build media outlets for local news and commentary!

“Today (on this Emancipation Day, 2026”), we honour those whose courage helped make our country freer, fairer, and stronger.” – Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney

A Statement by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney on Emancipation Day 2026

Posted August 1st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – “Today (August 1^st, 2026), communities across Canada mark Emancipation Day. On this day in 1834, the /Slavery Abolition Act/ came into effect across the British Empire.

Slavery existed here – in New France, in the Maritimes, in the households of the powerful. While the Act marked a turning point, freedom was not granted in a single day. It was taken, held, and defended – by those who fled, by those who were freed and stayed to build, and by generations who came after.

When slavery ended, segregation endured. Africville was razed. Black Canadians were refused service, denied housing, and separated in schools and churches. Continue reading →

From the City of St. Catharines

Posted July 31^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

  * The City has established a Vulnerable Assistance Registry <https://    webforms.stcatharines.ca/Fire-Services/Vulnerable-Assistance-Registry-    Application> for eligible residents who require support removing water and waste from their homes. Pleasefill out our form </umbraco/

The City is provicing assistance to eleigable residents who requre support removingwater and waste from their homes or  or call 905.688.5600 for intake support. Continue reading →

An Alert from Niagara Region Public Health

Posted July 31^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Region Public Health is informing residents of the first confirmation of mosquitoes to test positive for West Nile virus in 2026.

West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Though the risk to most individuals is low, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites: Continue reading →

“Residents have contacted our (St. Catharines constituency) office to report washing machines floating, personal belongings destroyed, and furniture ruined.”                                                           – from a letter by St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens to Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing Rob Flack

From the Constituency Office of St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens

Posted July 31^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens

A Brief Comment by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper – Good for St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens for doing this. I think every MPP in Niagara and every municipal leader across the north end of Niagara, especially in areas of St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Thorold, that were especially hard hit by this near-record flooding rainstorm, should contact the Ford government and do the same.

At the very least, Ontario’s Ford government needs to know that there is a very high cost associated with storms that are becoming ever more frequent and severe due to a lack of action on climate change.

So at long last, let’s make protecting what are left of our green lands and wetlands, and investing in renewable forms of energy rather than building more highways far more of a priority!

A Letter To Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing from St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens –

On the evening of Monday, July 27, St. Catharines was struck by a devastating flash flood that affected thousands of homes and businesses across the community.

Flooding and water damage ranged from several inches to waist-deep water in residential basements. Residents have contacted our office to report washing machines floating, personal belongings destroyed, and furniture ruined. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from Animal Justice Canada., a non-profit organization fighting for stronger legal protection for animals

Posted July 29th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

One of many protests held near the front gates of the now-defunct Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario over the years. photo by Doug Draper

Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario is shipping its surviving beluga whales and dolphins to aquariums in the US and Spain. Canadian and US officials recently approved the transfers after the now-for-sale park threatened to kill all of its remaining whales.

Instead of working together to retire these long-suffering animals to a seaside sanctuary, Marineland and government officials are simply moving them from one tank to another. Continue reading →

“The City is responding to significant flooding impacts across the St. Catharines following the torrential storm that saw 138.75 mm of rainfall. By declaring a significant weather event, the City is notifying the public that weather conditions may prevent it from meeting its normal maintenance standards.”

News from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Posted July 28^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The City of St. Catharines is declaring a significant weather event following the impacts of substantial rainfall from last night’s overnight storm.

Residents who are dealing with the impacts of flooding following the overnight storm can use public washrooms and showers at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Bottled water is also available for residents who require assistance.

Washrooms are available during regular business hours at other City facilities as well, including Port Weller Community Centre, St. Catharines City Hall, the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre and the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. Continue reading →

Weather Alert Issued by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

Posted July 27, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is advising the public and local municipalities of the potential for flooding within its jurisdiction in the afternoon of Monday July 27th, 2026. This includes the Niagara Peninsula, the southeastern portion of the City of Hamilton, and the eastern portion of Haldimand County.

There is a risk of severe thunderstorms capable of producing torrential rainfall – between 50 – 75 mm – arriving this evening and into tomorrow morning. Given the instability of storm behaviour during this time of year, there remains some uncertainty as to where the highest rainfall amounts will be. Continue reading →

A Message from St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman

Posted July 27th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman

Maybe I am easily frustrated, but I’m getting pretty tired of reading about how staff at the Niagara Region need to be sliced and diced.

Now, I’m all for a debate and review of services and the criticism that comes with public office, but the people who are touting “get rid of staff” never make the argument that they are prepared to  do away with the services these staff provide.

Tell me the minimum number of Niagara EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and dispatchers that our region can manage with to serve the 14 million people (including residents and visitors) Niagara is host to? Continue reading →

“This project was a true community build. We did not receive government funding to build these homes. Instead, these homes were built by the generosity of people, community partners and organizations across Niagara.”                                                              – Habitat For Humanity Niagara CEO Mark Carl

A News Release from Habitat For Humanity Niagara

Posted July 27^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – With the leadership of the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn, this is one of the greatest non-for-profit organizations founded and now operating in hundreds of communities across North America, including Niagara, to help put a roof over the heads of struggling families. Let’s do everything we can as individuals and communities to support it.

WELLAND, ONTARIO – Five local families are now homeowners thanks to Habitat for Humanity Niagara’s largest housing project to date.

Thanks to volunteers across Niagara. these folks will now have a home. Photo courtesy of Habitat For Humanity Niagara

At a key ceremony held today, Habitat Niagara officially handed over the keys to five families moving into new townhomes in Welland. The six-unit townhouse development was built on land purchased from the City of Welland, with three more townhouses planned for construction on the property in the coming months. Continue reading →

This is what People Power can do if enough people stand up against  bad government planning

Now how about putting a complete end to Ford’s plan to build a giant ferris wheel ride on Queen Victoria Park lands next to the Horseshoe Falls

A Statement from Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence

Posted July 25th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Toronto, Ontario –This weekend, we’re celebrating a monumental victory for Toronto, our waterfront, and the people that love it.

The federal government’s decision to ground the proposal (by Premier Doug Ford’s government) to expand the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets is a triumph for community power and democratic participation.

This wasn’t a consultation. It was a referendum. Eighty-seven per cent of people said no jets, and the federal government listened. You can’t buy our waterfront. We just proved it.

Over three months, thousands of lawn signs went up across the city, thousands of letters landed on the desks of Toronto MPs, and 87,000 people responded to the government’s survey with one clear message: No jets on our waterfront. Continue reading →

This Saturday, July 25^th, 2026 In St. Catharines  from 11 A.M Until Noon – See Details On Poster Below

Posted July 24^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

For more on this upcoming rally, click on the following link- https://niagaraatlarge.com/2026/07/22/join-the-next-st-catharines-niagara-edition-of-a-province-wide-rally-against-the-policies-practices-of-doug-ford/

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

With Courage, Vision, and Action, We Can Thrive!

A Message from the Green Party of Canada

Posted July 24^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

The Green Party has a message for Donald Trump.

We can weather his trade war and attacks on our sovereignty. We can even become stronger for it. We just need vision and the courage to act.

Trump underestimates Canadians. In the wake of new tariffs and ‘51st State’ threats, he said that, without the U.S., there’s “no way” our country can survive.” Continue reading →

Years of rejected retirement solutions and inadequate government planning left captive whales with no truly humane option 

A News Release from the Whale Sanctuary Project in Port Hilford Bay, Nova Scotia 

Posted July 23rd^d, 2026 on Niagara At Large 

As (Niagara Falls, Ontario-based) Marineland Canada’s remaining 30 beluga whales begin their transfer to U.S. marine entertainment parks and aquariums, the Whale Sanctuary Project says the operation marks the latest chapter in the captive cetacean industry’s decades-long practice of moving whales between facilities rather than retiring them.

Rather than signalling a new model for animal welfare, the transfers perpetuate the same system of captivity that created the Marineland crisis in the first place.

“For years, we warned that this day was coming,” said Dr. Lori Marino, President and Founder of Whale Sanctuary Project. Continue reading →

Banning the bags could save the Canadian industry $10 Million a year and prevent harmful plastic waste and pollution

A Report from Environmental Defence Canada and the University of Toronto Trash Team

Posted July 23rd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Toronto – A study from the University of Toronto Trash Team has found that grocery chains give out approximately 2,000 single-use plastic produce bags per store every day in Toronto.

These bags are virtually impossible to recycle and contribute to avoidable plastic waste and litter while costing one grocery brand more than $300,000 per year. 

“Our research revealed just how normalized single-use produce bags have become, with thousands used every day in grocery stores across Toronto,” said Diego Arreola Fernández, 2024 Pollution Prevention Project Fellow, U of T Trash Team, and Founder and President of Green Speaking. Continue reading →

Taking place Friday, July 24, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26 in St. Catharines, Niagara (See Details Below)

An Invite To All from Matter of Black in St. Catharines, Niagara

Posted July 23^rd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines, ON – Matter of Black invites the community to celebrate Emancipation Day STC 2026, a weekend of events taking place July 24, July 25, and July 26, bringing together comedy, history, culture, music and community while honouring the legacy of emancipation and the enduring contributions of African, Caribbean and Black communities in Niagara.

This year’s celebration begins with an exciting new partnership between Matter of Black and Spotlight Comedy, kicking off the weekend with an evening of laughter before commemorating the 175th anniversary of (the great Underground Railroad heroine) Harriet Tubman’s arrival in St. Catharines. Continue reading →

For whatever reason, Canada is a convenient punching back from the U.S. Trump administration

A Brief Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper

Posted July 22nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Donald Trump (left) and his sychophant of an ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoeksrat

And if the threats and insults are not coming from Trump himself, they are coming from Pete Hoekstra, the ambassador he has shipped up to Ottawa to toe the line for him in our country.

Earlier on in his time here, Hoekstra responded to expressions of anger from Canadians to the taunt from Trump that our country should become a “51^st state” with a figurative wave of his hand and the suggestion that we should just “move on” and get over it.

In the wake of Trump’s more recent threats that Canada should be punished with more crippling  tariffs because of the smoke drifting down in to the country he rules like a 17^th century king from wildfires up north, Hoekstra could hardly wait to echo his master’s threat with the line; “Canada must answer for wildlife smoke.”

What I would like to know is who is going to answer for the smoke coming out of Hoekstra’s mouth and how much more of this Trump-groveling creep do we have to take? Continue reading →

Deal will break down interprovincial trade barriers for alcoholic beverages, improving consumer choice and opening up new markets to Canadian manufacturers

“In the face of President Trump’s latest tariffs, it’s more important than ever that Team Canada work together to build a more united, resilient and self-reliant Canadian economy.”            – Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “

News from the Ontario Government

Posted July 22^nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI — This past July 21^st, 2026, Premier Doug Ford along with premiers of eight other Canadian provinces — British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador — signed a historic agreement that will allow direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of alcoholic beverages between their individual jurisdictions for personal use.

This new agreement is building a more open and united Canadian economy by removing a major trade barrier within Canada. It was co-led by Ontario and Saskatchewan and reflects collaboration among all participating jurisdictions, building on the commitments made in the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on DTC sales of alcoholic beverages and is a major part of Ontario’s plan to remove barriers to free and open trade between Canadian provinces and territories. Negotiations on the agreement concluded earlier this year. Continue reading →

This Coming Saturday, July 25^th, from 11 A.M. To Noon In Front of the Pen Centre Mall at the Corner of Glendale and Tremont Drive in St. Catharines

 Posted July 22^nd, 2026 on Niagara At Large

A ‘Fight Ford’ rally of Niagara citizens  this past spring in front of the Pen Centre shopping mall. photo by Emily Spanton

Once every month since this past winter, even through cold, wet, not-very-pleasant weather, several hundred  citizens each time have gathered together from across Niagara – home-made signs in hand – to demonstrate their opposition to Ford’s policies and practices on every issue from health care, education, the environment, to his government’s ongoing disassembling of our democratic institutions at the municipal level, and more.

All of us across Niagara are invited to come join them again as similar rallies are held in communities across Ontario this coming July 25th.

Come out and join your fellow citizens across the region and show Ford and his government and those local parties in and out of local government who support them that, to use the line in an old movie, “we are mad as hell and we are not going to take it any more.”

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space  Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build media outlets for local news and commentary!

Thanks To Trump And His Millions Of Supporters, Any Friendship We Had With The United States Is Over!

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper

Posted  July 21st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

“They (Canadians) need us to survive,” declared a puffed up Donald Trump shortly after he announced plans this week to hit Canada with even more punishing tariffs on a broad number of goods Canadian businesses sell to the United States.

“Without the United States,” tough-guy Trump continued, “there is no way they (Canadians) can survive.”

With that kind of schoolyard bully manner of talk, along with all of Trump’s previously threats to make Canada a “51^st state,” aimed at a country that long considered the U.S. a friendly, reliable neighbour, I think we Canadians need to double down on our determination to  make a go of it without Trump and the tens-of-millions of Americans he represents, and do our best to build a stronger bond with Europe and other regions around the world. Continue reading →

“There is a growing movement geared towards embracing nearby nature: your backyard, your local trail or the park down the street. … We’re starting to authentically reconnect with unplugged experiences and see first-hand that life is better without the constant sounds, badges, notifications and apps stealing attention and directing it to things that largely don’t matter.”                                                                                                         – Brock University Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Garrett Hutson

A Report from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted July 21^st, 2026 on Niagara At Large

There’s a popular activity making its way onto Canadians’ to-do lists this summer: unplugging outdoors.

In a world saturated by screen time and technology, more people are putting down their devices and spending time outside, says Brock University Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Garrett Hutson.

“There is a growing movement geared towards embracing nearby nature: your backyard, your local trail or the park down the street,” he says. Continue reading →

Breaking News and Commentary by Doug Draper on Niagara At Large

July 20^th, 2026, 2026

Two of the 30 surviving beluga whales  held in captivity at the now-shuttered Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario are now in the process of being moved to parks in the United States and Spain.

After many months of hand-wringing over the fate of 30 remaining beluga whales and four dolphins at the defunct Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, park operators have begun the delicate process of transporting them to marine parks in the United States and Spain, according to newly released reports.

The move draws an end to efforts by animal advocacy groups across Canada to have the whales re-located to a marine mammal sanctuary which is still under construction off the shores of Nova Scotia.

But on the positive side, the whales and dolphins will at least not be euthanized, which was the threat Marineland representatives first made last year after claiming that they could no longer afford to look after them after so many years of exploiting them for profit. Continue reading →

We Should Be Going For Gold In Renewables, Emergency Preparedness, And Protecting Nature

A Message from the Green Party of Canada

Posted July 20th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Toronto and Niagara Falls this past week when the air quality from smoke drifting in was at its worst

First place doesn’t always mean you win.

Toronto (and the Niagara area) had the dubious honour of having the highest air quality index in the world last Wednesday, July, 15th, 2026. In other words, it had the worst, most polluted air.

This isn’t the kind of ‘award’ communities want. But global temperatures are continuing to rise as humans burn fossil fuels. And the risk of dangerous smoke and wildfires is rising along with it.

That is, unless we take action now. Continue reading →

See Details for this Nature Walk Below 

An Invite t to All from the Niagara Falls Nature Club 

Posted July 20^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

A small porton of Gonder’s Flats, adjacent to the Niagara River in Fort Erie, Niagara

The Niagara Falls Nature Club welcomes you to participate in leisurely walks as we enjoy the flora and fauna of Niagara. The walks are rated from 1 to 10: 1 is easy and 10 is strenuous.

For more information or if you have any questions, please get in touch! 

• DATE: Wednesday July 22nd 2026TIME: 7:00PM
• LOCATION: Gonder’s Flats, Fort Erie
• DIFFICULTY RATING:  2/10 
• DESCRIPTION: This wetland adjacent to the Niagara River has undergone restoration of the shoreline habitat that will include wildlife habitat conservation work, trail upgrades and educational signage. 2919 Niagara Parkway, Fort Erie (Townline Rd & Niagara River Parkway) (free parking!) 

Continue reading →

But Those Wildfires In Northwestern Ontario Are Still Burning & Spewing Out Smoke With A Vengeance

A Brief Update from Environment Canada

Posted July 19th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

For the moment, at least, Niagara’s air quality is now down in the low risk range so enjoy some time outdoors.

Air quality in St. Catharines/Niagara today is at a Low Risk level, with an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) of 2 to 3. The air is ideal for all outdoor activities, as the special air quality alerts caused by northwestern Ontario forest fire smoke have been lifted.

For the most up-to-date, hyper-local monitoring data throughout the day, you can check the live tracking on the Environment Canada St. Catharines AQHI page or view the provincial readings via Air Quality Ontario.

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space  Below and by sharing the Niagara At Large site at www.niagaraatlarge.com with all of your friends and associates.

Visit us every day on www.niagaraat.arge.com and on Doug Draper’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/doug.draper.180 and encourage everyone else you know to do the same. Let’s build media outlets for local news and commentary!

‘Big Oil’s obscene profits keep growing while the costs of climate disasters are shouldered by the rest of us.’

A News Release from the public interest group Canadians for Tax Fairness

Posted July 18^th, 2026 on Niagara At Large

Dozens of wildfires are raging across Canada, destroying communities, forcing families from their homes, and blanketing cities like Toronto with some of the worst air quality in the world.

Meanwhile, as Canadians choke on wildfire smoke and face skyrocketing costs, Big Oil keeps cashing in.

If you’ve followed our work recently, you know Canada’s largest fossil fuel companies are majority foreign-owned —and 60% owned by Americans. If current trends continue, Big Oil and its U.S. investors are on track to collect as much as $90 billion in windfall profits by the end of 2026. Continue reading →