Author Archives: dougdraper

A Report by Brent Patterson, Council of Canadians

Posted March 20th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – The Council of Canadians is calling for a $7.4 billion expenditure on water in this year’s federal budget plus the creation of a new ministry.

Radio Canada International (RCI) reports, “March 22 is World Water Day.

It is also budget day in Canada and the Council of Canadians is calling on the government to budget $7.4 billion to expand the protection of water.

The citizens’ group wants the new prime minister to name a cabinet minister responsible for water. Water issues are currently overseen by 20 different departments.” Continue reading →

There Should Be A Ban On All Amusement Parks That Imprison & Exploit Marine Mammals Cheap

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 18^{th, 2016} on Niagara At Large

This March 17^th, a number of major media outlets in Canada and the United States reported a decision by SeaWorld to finally place a ban on breeding captive orcas (popularly known as killer whales) and on making them perform tricks for its park visitors as if it was a major victory in the ongoing war against animal abuse.

Animal advocates protest in front of Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario. File photo by Doug Draper

It is not.

As Julie Woodyer of ZooCheck Canada, an organization that has worked with other animal advocacy groups for decades to end the abuse of these magnificent animals, told me in a phone conversation about the SeaWorld ban this March 17^th, orcas are not the only marine mammals parks like SeaWorld and Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario are exploiting. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from the Buffalo For Bernie Sanders Campaign In Buffalo, New York

Posted March 18^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Friends,

We are at the halfway point in the Democratic primaries and Bernie Sanders is doing better than the naysayers and critics predicted.

He’s won 9 primaries, come very close in a few others, tied in Iowa, and came so close in Missouri that a recount is underway.  All this was done without relying on corporate donors, a multi-million dollar SuperPAC, orsignificant support from the DNC.

We built support for Bernie Sanders even with a relative media blackout of his candidacy.

******New voters have until march 25th to register as Democrats to support Bernie Sanders in the NY primary.****

No one said a political revolution would be easy, and we need you now more than ever.  We need people ready to make phone calls, canvass, register voters, and to improve our organization on the ground. Continue reading →

A Brief One from Doug Draper, publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted March 17^th, 2016

This Thursday, March 17^th, an 81-year-old, terminally ill Ontario man, reportedly racked with unbearable pain from the cancer occupying his body, was finally granted his wish by a Toronto Superior Court judge to “die with dignity” with the assistance of a doctor.

The judge’s decision has come almost a year after the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the current nation-wide ban on doctor-assisted death is unconstitutional and gave the federal government a year to table legislation replacing that ban.

With the tabling of new legislation now only weeks away, a national debate over the legality and morality of granting individuals the right to die with the assistance of a physician continues to intensify. Continue reading →

 Green Investment Fund Supporting Shift To A Low-Carbon Economy

News from the Government of Ontario

Posted March 17^th on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – Ontario continues to put its new Climate Change Strategy into action by investing $13 million in two initiatives to help Indigenous communities address climate change and support economic growth.

The province is providing $5 million from the Green Investment Fund to the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources, in partnership with the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation. This investment will help provide Indigenous communities with training, tools and infrastructure to address climate change by:

• Developing climate change adaptation plans.
• Building technical capacity so Indigenous communities are able to take advantage of economic opportunities from Ontario’s proposed cap and trade program.
• Creating a Northern Ontario climate change impact study using data from the adaptation plans.

Ontario is also committing $8 million to develop advanced microgrid solutions in First Nations communities. These microgrid projects will support economic growth by reducing reliance on diesel fuel and enabling stable, predictable sources of power. Continue reading →

Survey on Privatization of Public Health Care and its Impact on Patients

From the Ontario Health Coalition, a citizens’ health care advocacy group

Posted March 17^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Toronto, Ontario – This survey is being conducted by the Ontario Health Coalition, a public interest group dedicated to protecting and improving public health care.

The survey takes most people less than 5 minutes to complete and almost everyone finishes within 10 minutes.

You can do the survey by printing the attached file, filling it in and sending it back to the Ontario Health Coalition by May 31, 2016. Continue reading →

From the Office of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario

Posted March 17^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Ontario – The Ontario PC Critic for Seniors and Long-Term Care, Bill Walker, says he is appalled by the province’s Liberal Government’s proposal to reduce access to seniors’ drugs, contained in the 2016 Budget.

This March 17^th, 2016, he called on the Wynne Liberals to halt proposed changes to seniors’ drug benefits.

“It’s a well-known fact that most seniors live in medically underserviced and rural areas and that they live on a fixed income. As such, we have to ensure they have affordable access to medical drugs,” MPP Walker said. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from Niagara Action For Animals in Niagara, Ontario

Posted March 17^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Dear Friends of Animals

From your arm chairs you can help support a new Bill C-246 – introduced by Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, the federal Liberal MP for the Toronto area riding of Beaches-East York – by going to the link below and signing the petition.

At the bottom of the petition, there is also a link you can follow with suggestions on writing a letter to your own Federal Member of Parliament.

The Modernizing Animal Protections Act would make common sense improvements to the animal cruelty section of the Criminal Code. Continue reading →

“Niagara Ride Share is a perfect alternative for those who are looking to get to and from employment, school or healthcare in an environmentally-friendly way.”

News from the Bridges Community Health Centre in Niagara, Ontario

March 16^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Thanks to funding from the Niagara Prosperity Initiative, and the support of Bridges Community Health Centre and the Town of Fort Erie, an important part of the transportation solution for Niagara makes its’ official launch this third week of March, 2016.

Niagara Ride Share, a free web-based ride matching service virtually connects people living in the same neighbourhood so they can share the ride to work, school or even regular meetings. It doesn’t exclude one off rides either.

“There’s no question that we need different modes of transportation services to solve Niagara’s transportation crisis,” says Taralea McLean, Executive Director at Bridges Community Health Centre. “We think Ride Share will make a significant difference in people’s lives and offset some of the costs or challenges of getting people where they need to be.” Continue reading →

By John Bacher

Posted March 16^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

(This is the first of a series of pieces s by John Bacher that Niagara At Large will be posting in the days and weeks ahead on  the recently released Crombie panel report and related issues to do with keeping what is left of our natural areas in Niagara and other regions of the province from being paved over.)

One of the most effective strengths of the 2005 Greenbelt Plan and Act responsible for its creation was the good impact they had on protecting the Niagara Escarpment from urban sprawl.

One of many signs in the Niagara, Ontario area, welcoming people to the Escarpment area as a designated ‘World Biosphere Reserve

 In the preceding years, it had become apparent that the biggest glitch in the otherwise strong 1985 Niagara Escarpment Plan (NEP) was the relative ease with which urban expansions were allowed to take place – even when made the focus of complicated battles before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

The largest urban expansion was a massive one involving over a thousand acres in the City of Milton.  A smaller expansion impacted  fruit land in St. David’s in Niagara-on-the-Lake through a subdivision known as Bevan Heights.  Continue reading →

Canada’s Government Must Address Emerging Crisis Affecting Millennial Generation

From Niki Ashton and Canada’s New Democratic Party

Posted March 16^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – I hardly know anything about Niki Ashton at all, but two thumbs up for this Federal Parliamentarian from the Province of Manitoba for paying some real attention to the challenges faced by young people, rather than just those faced by seniors or whatever is left of “the middle class” so many politicians on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border pay so much lip-service to.)

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – New Democrats are launching a campaign to address the rising challenge of precarious work among millennials, which leaves many young Canadians with little job security, no benefits, and no ability to plan for the future. 

“The rise of precarious employment is driving growing inequality and threatens the future of an entire generation,” said Niki Ashton (Churchill – Keewatinook Aski) NDP Critic for Jobs, Employment and Workforce Development. “The government can no longer ignore the challenges facing millions of young Canadians who lack job security and basic benefits.” Continue reading →

 Same Canadian Corporation Is Challenging U.S. Government’s Rejection Of Controversial Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline

A Report by Brent Patterson, Council of Canadians

Posted March 16, 2016 on Niagara At Large

A number of Canadian companies – including TransCanada, BMO Financial, Cenovus, Resolute Forest Products and Suncor – are helping to finance a legal action to block US President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan, according to a report by Vancouver-based Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE).

U.S. President at a solar power facility last year, making a pitch for his Clean Power Plan

The legal action against the US government is being led by the US Chamber of Commerce.

The National Observer reports, “In 2009, Apple, and some other large companies pulled out of the U.S. Chamber, expressing frustration with the lobby group’s efforts to block action to tackle greenhouse gas pollution.

But the [SHARE] report identified more than a dozen Canadian companies that are still part of the trade associations supporting legal action launched by the U.S. Chamber against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s plan to crack down on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.” Continue reading →

“What we don’t have time for is all that petty, punk ass, little thuggery stuff that’s been goin’ on with these quote-unquote protesters who are doin’ nothin’ but wastin’ your time.” – American Tea Party darling and former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 15^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

I once took great issue with Evangelical Christians calling Darwin’s Theory of Evolution a bunch of unholy bunk that shouldn’t be taught to young people in our schools.

But maybe they’re right. When you look at what is happening with the Republicans these days in the U.S presidential race, I’m beginning to believe that a stronger case could be made for devolution, if not total fossilization.

How else do you go from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to Abe Lincoln, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, then onward and downward through Richard Nixon and George W. Bush, and finally to this recent spectacle of Tea Party goddess Sarah Palin stumping for billionaire, reality TV celebrity and Republic presidential frontrunner Donald Trump? All while being cheered on by tthrongs of what Trump is fond of calling the “under-educated.”

Click on the following and you will see what I mean –

.

Finally, here are the two Republican/Tea Party darlings featured on the front page of the January 20th, 2016 issue of the New York Daily News. Never mind God Bless America. God Help Us All!

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.

Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.

“This change … could force many seniors to choose between their groceries and their good health.”

News from the Office of Welland, Ontario Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted March 15^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

St.Catharines, Ontario – After meeting with seniors from CARP’s Niagara chapter this March 15th , Cindy Forster, MPP for Welland, demanded the Wynne government stop its proposed increase to the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, included in the recently released 2016 provincial budget.

Cindy Forster, Provincial Representative for the Niagara, Ontario riding of Welland

 “Since the Ontario budget came out we have been hearing from seniors here in St.Catharines and across Ontario, who are worried about how they’ll pay for prescription drugs this summer,” Forster said. 

The budget says that, starting on August 1st, the Liberals will nearly double the cost of prescription drugs for most seniors, with no consultation and no warning.  One in three Ontario Seniors require 10 or more prescriptions to stay healthy, independent, and out of hospital.

Recently Premier Wynne said she needs until the end of the month to “consult” on whether to raise the income threshold.                 Continue reading →

“Brock has been receptive to, and mindful of, all concerns raised about how we have responded to this issue.”

News from Brock University

Posted March 15^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Public demonstrations like the one that took place at Brock University (in the Niagara, Ontario community of St. Catharines this March 15^th) help raise awareness of the need for more effective ways of helping survivors of sexual harassment and violence.

The Brock Tower looming over the university’s St. Catharines, Ontario campus.

Universities are no more immune to these types of incidents than any other workplace in Canada, however unlike most workplaces, Brock was one of the first universities in Canada to have formal procedures dealing with sexual violence.

Earlier this month, Brock administrators took action against an employee after a former student came forward with a complaint about sexual harassment. The complaint led to an independent investigation, the results of which were presented to the University in January. As a result, the employee is not assigned to a class and is not on campus. Continue reading →

“They have the money but we have the people. … This is your movement.” – U.S. Senator & Presidential Hopeful Bernie Sanders

Posted March 14^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword by NAL publisher Doug Draper

On the editorial page of this March 14^th’s Globe and Mail – that’s Canada’s equivalent to The New York Times for our American readers and neighbours who may not know – is a cartoon showing Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama walking in the sunlight on the White House lawn.

In the background, the cartoon depicts dark storm clouds rolling in with the faces of Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and other presidential candidates etched into the clouds, along with a caption that reads; “but tomorrow is another day.”

Also etched into those clouds is the face of Bernie Sanders – one candidate I don’t believe belongs there – but Trump and Cruz (the two now most likely to win the Republican nomination) certainly do.

If Trump or Cruz or anyone else who shares their extremist, right-wing views becomes the next occupant of the White House, Americans, Canadians and others around the world who share a vision for peace, tolerance and a carbon-free, more fair and prosperous future for everyda people may have to kiss that vision goodbye.

Forget about fighting climate change and start building the Keystone pipe, and uncork more champagne for the wealthiest one per cent! Continue reading →

2016 Shipping Season to Open Two Weeks Earlier — And Ice Free

News from the St.  Lawrence Seaway Authority

Niagara, Ontario – Terence Bowles, CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, will kick off the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 58^th navigation season with his outlook for the year at an Official Opening Ceremony in St. Catharines, Ontario on Monday, March 21^st, 2016.

Open season for the Seaway system and Welland Canal in Niagara, Ontario.

Allister Paterson, President of Canada Steamship Lines, whose state-of-the-art Trillium-class vessel the Thunder Bay will be the first ship of the season, will serve as the keynote speaker.

Other speakers include Francois Allard, Director Marine Distribution for K + S Windsor Salt Ltd., whose salt is this first cargo and who will be discussing the importance of the Seaway, and Betty Sutton, Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (United States). Continue reading →

Urge Prime Minister Trudeau & His Cabinet To Close The Stephen Harper Loopholes That Cost Canada More Than $200 Billion A Year In Lost Revenue For Health Care, Infrastructure, Post Secondary Education And Other Necessary Services!

A Call-Out from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted March 13^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

An independent, cross-Canada advocacy organization called Leadnow has posted an online petition that Niagara At Large is reposting here for your consideration.

The petition calls on the new Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to plug the Harper era loopholes that allow Canada’s richest individuals and corporations to avoid paying taxes in this country, and Niagara At Large is joining Leadnow in urging all Canadians to sign it before the government tables its first budget this coming March 22^nd.

Niagara At Large also urges you to send your own email message to the federal government and the Member of Parliament in your riding (whose name you can Google for countact information) and let them know that the richest among us should be made to pay their fair share into keeping Canada a great country for everyone who lives here. Continue reading →

“We will not allow the Donald Trumps of the world to divide us up.”

A Message from U.S. Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders & ‘from the Buffalo for Bernie Sanders’ Campaign Office

Posted March 13^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

U.S. Senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders

Friends,

“We do things a little different in this campaign: We bring people together. No, we are not gonna hate Mexicans. We are not gonna hate Muslims. We are not gonna insult women. We are not gonna insult veterans. We’re not gonna insult African-Americans.

Continue reading →

The Following Letter Was Sent To Two Federal Cabinet Ministers by Niagara, Ontario citizen Gary King and is being posted in Niagara At Large with his permission.

Every Canadian citizen who pay their fair share (and sometimes more than their fair share) of taxes in this country while some of the wealthiest among us fly out tens of billions of dollars each year to tax havens in other regions of the world, should read this letter and continue sending one of their own to our political leaders.

Now here is Gary King’s great letter.

Dear Minister of Finance Bill Morneau and Minister of Revenue Diane Lebouthillier, 

I’m writing to urge you to follow through on your promise to do more to combat international tax evasion and reform the Canada Revenue Agency in the upcoming budget. 

Some months ago the Canadian public learned that KPMG, a massive multinational accounting firm, intentionally organized a “sham” tax scheme to help millionaires dodge taxes with offshore accounts.

Continue reading →

“I find this situation to be particularly upsetting. After these dogs have suffered at the hands of humans – there are those who feel the only humane decision is to put them to death.”

An Open Letter, Dated March 11^th, 2016, from Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates

To The Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

RE: Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Decision to Euthanize Dogs

One of the more than 30 dogs awaiting their fate. Niagara Falls, Ontario MPP Wayne Gates Is calling on the provincial government to spare them.

Dear Minister Naqvi,

I am writing to you regarding the recent decision by the OSPCA to euthanize 21 dogs rescued from an alleged dog fighting ring in Tilbury.

Several of my constituents have brought this important issue to my attention noting that there may be another viable solution to housing the dogs and ensuring they live a happy and productive life.

Continue reading →

“Brock understands that sexual harassment is a serious issue (and) was one of the first universities in Canada to have protocols confronting sexual violence.”

News from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario

Posted March 11^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – A news report this March 11th on the CBC about a sexual harassment case at Brock University contains some outdated information. The University has in fact addressed the issue in a serious manner. The employee is not assigned to a class and is not on campus.

A main entrance to Brock University in the Niagara, Ontario community of St. Catharines.

The University sincerely regrets the emotional trauma this incident has caused to the complainant, and Brock staff were supportive and responsive as soon as they learned of the complaint. University President Jack Lightstone has spoken directly with the complainant.

The incident in question occurred in the Fall of 2014. Eleven months later, the complainant notified University officials and requested an investigation through the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy (RWLEP). Continue reading →

“Seniors, families, business all got dinged. Name one person that isn’t paying more.”

A Commentary from the Office of Ontario Conservative Opposition Leader Patrick Brown

Posted March 10^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown used Question Period today to highlight some ways the Wynne Liberals Budget 2016 makes life more expensive for average Ontario families and seniors.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne won’t raise income taxes, which are progressive, but keeps slamming us with higher and higher user fees, which hit lower income people hardest.

“This budget increases virtually every other government service fee, and at the same time it cuts popular middle class tax credits for education and active children,” said Leader Patrick Brown. “Life is just that much more expensive for the average family.”

Ontario families are already burdened with skyrocketing costs of living, including among the highest electricity prices in North America. Rather than making life more affordable for Ontarians, the Liberals are hiking fees and slashing important tax credits to pay for years of scandal, mismanagement and waste. Continue reading →

A Message  from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a citizens’ coalition in the province

Posted March 10^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

This March 10^th, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) announced that it has signed five contracts with private sector companies for wind power at costs ranging from 6.45 to 10.55 cents per kWh.

According to Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the cost of electricity from a re-built Darlington Nuclear Station will be 7 to 8 cents per kWh.

However, every nuclear project in Ontario’s history has gone massively over budget – on average by 2.5 times. If history repeats itself, the cost of electricity from re-built Darlington reactors will be 15 cents per kWh .

That would make even solar power acquired through the new Large Renewable Procurement (LRP) process competitive with nuclear. Continue reading →

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the bilateral meeting with President Obama

Posted March 10^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Washington, D.C. – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement this March 10^th after a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama:

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama talk climate change/trade this March 10th, 2016 at White House

“Today (March 10th), President Obama and I had a very productive meeting that will help our countries transition to low-carbon economies, foster clean growth, and create good jobs and great opportunities for our citizens.

“The President and I agreed to formally join the Paris Agreement in the global fight against climate change, and to take ambitious actions to reduce methane, hydroflurocarbon, and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We announced a new partnership to build a sustainable Arctic economy, and we will work together to develop new, science-based standards for commercial fishing, low-impact shipping, sustainable development, and Arctic biodiversity. Continue reading →

Alternative budget calls for “a national carbon tax at $30 a tonne with a refund for low-income families.”

From the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, an independent, non-partisan research institute 

Posted March 10^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario —The 2016 Alternative Federal Budget (AFB), released today by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), projects a federal deficit of $29.2 billion for 2016-17 when Liberal platform measures are taken into account. It also delivers a blueprint showing how the government could take on a $37.9 billion deficit and still maintain Canada’s debt-to-GDP ratio.

The AFB, now in its 21st year, brings together leading Canadian economists and sectoral experts to produce a detailed progressive economic plan—and the means to pay for it. The measures in the Alternative Federal Budget would lift 1.1 million Canadians out of poverty, reduce income inequality, boost economic growth, and, at its peak, result in 520,000 new jobs, bringing Canada’s unemployment rate to 6.0%. Continue reading →

From Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama

Posted March 10, 2016 on Niagara At Large

(Yes, this is a long post – one of those long ones few in this world of 40 word tweets care to read online.  But Niagara At Large is putting it all on here because it deals with matters that should be of public interest to citizens on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border.)

Washington, D.C., United States of America – President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau share a common vision of a prosperous and sustainable North American economy, and the opportunities afforded by advancing clean growth. 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama make climate change a focus of talks during state visit this March 10th in Washington.

They emphasize and embrace the special relationship between the two countries and their history of close collaboration on energy development, environmental protection, and Arctic leadership.

The two leaders regard the Paris Agreement as a turning point in global efforts to combat climate change and anchor economic growth in clean development.  They resolve that the United States and Canada must and will play a leadership role internationally in the low carbon global economy over the coming decades, including through science-based steps to protect the Arctic and its peoples. Canada and the U.S. will continue to respect and promote the rights of Indigenous peoples in all climate change decision making. Continue reading →

A Report From The Ontario Ministry Of Environment & Climate Change

Posted March 9^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – The people of Ontario are breathing cleaner air today than a decade ago, according to data in the province’s annual report on air quality.

One of many air quality monitoring stations operated by the Ministry of Environment & Climate Change in Ontario.

The 2014 Air Quality in Ontario report shows significant decreases in smog-causing pollutants while confirming that Ontario’s initiatives, such as eliminating coal-fired power plants, new air standards, Drive Clean, and placing emissions caps on sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are contributing to improved air quality and helping fight climate change. There were no smog advisories in 2014 and the province’s air was rated very good or good for 94 per cent of the year. Continue reading →

By Ellen Perschbacher

News from the Great Lakes Regional Office of the Canada/U.S. International Joint Commission

Posted March 9th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Concerned citizens can help decrease the amount of microplastics entering the Great Lakes. It starts with paying attention to microbeads in personal care products.

You and I can make a big difference as consumers when it comes to keeping dangerous microbeads out of our shared Great Lakes waters. Photo Credit: Griszka Niewiadomski

Microbeads are a subcategory of microplastics. They are tiny, spherical plastic particles found in hundreds of personal care products manufactured globally.

As ingredients in toothpastes, shampoos, face washes, sunscreen, makeup, nail polishes and shaving creams, these plastic particles get washed down the drain with each use and in most cases pass through wastewater treatment plants without being removed, flowing directly into surface waters such as the Great Lakes. Continue reading →

From the Office of Ontario Conservative Opposition Leader

Posted March 8^th, 2016 on Niagara at Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – After four years of frozen hospital budgets and a $54-million cut to health care in last year’s Budget, the Liberal Government’s Budget 2016 included only negligible investments in frontline health care while the province’s most vulnerable continue to suffer.

“Despite the fact the budget was released at the end of February, hardly a thing has changed in our health care system. More cuts, cuts and cuts,” said Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown during this March 8^th’s  Question Period. “Toronto General and Toronto Western had to cut 51 registered nurse positions. 59 were cut at Mount Sinai. 61 registered nurse Positions were lost at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton.” Continue reading →

News from Brock University

Posted March 7^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics has granted $20,000 to a Brock-led multi-media project that features women around the world working to improve animals’ lives.

Bruck University, in the Niagara, Ontario City of St. Catharines

“Women have played a critical role in animal rights and the animal advocacy movement,” says Tricia Stevens, charitable giving manager in Lush’s British Columbia office. The grant comes from the company’s North American Charitable Giving Program.

“The celebration of these women through powerful story telling will not only highlight their impact, but provide inspiration and empower new generations of female leaders,” she says. Continue reading →

“As the budget stands today, prescription drug prices are going to nearly double for seniors.”

News from the Office of Niagara Falls Member of Provincial Parliament Wayne Gates

Posted March 7^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates spent the March 5th-6th weekend knocking on doors and visiting retirement homes to talk to residents about the Liberals budget plan to increase prescriptions costs for seniors.

Wayne Gates, provincial member of parliament for the Ontario riding of Niagara Falls.

“As the budget stands today, prescription drug prices are going to nearly double for seniors” said Gates “Seniors spend their entire lives giving back to our community and then they find out that prices are going through the roof when they retire? I don’t think that’s right.”

In the budget the annual deductible under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program for most seniors will be increased from $100 to $170 and Co-pays will increase from $6.11 to $7.11. Nearly two-thirds of Canadian seniors take 5 or more drugs and numbers show that Ontario seniors need an average of 8 prescriptions for different drugs each year.

“The Premier is going to increase costs for any senior making over $19 500 a year – that puts a lot of seniors at risk. They’re already paying steep hydro and gas bills and struggling to get by. I think seniors deserve more respect than that and I’m bringing these signatures directly to the Premier to show that people want this policy changed.”

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.

Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.

An Invite from the Niagara Secular Humanists

Niagara At Large is pleased to promote the following meeting.

Posted by NAL publisher Doug Draper

On Tuesday, March 8^th at 7 p.m., the Niagara Secular Humanists will be hosting a meeting featuring speaker Taylor Telford whose talk is titled; “Preserving the Landscape: Understanding and Appreciating Ecology.”

Don’t let the Niagara Peninsula Conservation use something called “biodiversity offsetting” to decimate what is left of Niagara’s natural wetlands.

Taylor is one of a growing number of people across the Niagara, Ontario region s raising questions and concerns about an idea being explored by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to try something called “bio-diversity offsetting” – a technique that involves destroying natural wetlands for urban development, then attempting to construct a wetland as large or larger somewhere else, to make up for the loss.

Niagara At Large wishes to thank the Niagara Secular Huminists for hosting this meeting and speaker at a time when the Conservation Authority’s expressed interest in using Niagara as a “pilot” region for this controversial technique needs a full public airing in the weeks and months to come.

The March 8^th meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara at 223 Church Street in the downtown area of St. Catharines.

All are welcome to attend. Admission is $4 for non-members. NSH (Niagara Secular Humanists) members are free.

NOW IT IS YOUR TURN. Niagara At Large encourages you to share your views on this post. A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who share their first and last name with them.

Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.

 At Brock University In Niagara, Ontario On March 22^nd

Niagara At Large is pleased to post the following advisory on this event.

Posted March 5^th, 2016

St. Catharines, Ontario – Brock for Refugees is proud to introduce our very first committee event: a Panel for Peace with speakers from Amnesty International, the Brock Health Department, Unicef Brock, Save Our Syria, and many more. Continue reading →

“How fast can we get to a 100 per cent renewable energy economy? … This is not a technical problem, it’s a political problem. But the times are changing, so let’s get on with building a fairer and sustainable society.”

A Commentary by Marc Lee, a Senior Economist with The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives  

Posted March 5^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Almost three months after the Paris Agreement was signed, Canada’s first ministers (the prime minister and premiers) met to launch a Canadian climate and energy strategy. Sort of.

Has the call for “Action Now,” coming out of last December’s Paris climate change summit faded out among Canada’s political leaders?

That was what was promised at the time of the December Paris conference, but in the lead-up to this week’s meeting efforts to lower expectations were well underway. It is, of course, notable that the first ministers met at all, meetings for which previous Prime Minister Stephen Harper had no time. And it is the first such meeting specifically on climate change.

So how did our leaders do with the future of civilization on the line? Continue reading →

 News from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted March 4rth, 2016 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines, Ontario – It’s five days these students won’t soon forget.

Brock University students will participate in the national 5 Days for the Homeless campaign from March 7-11 by sleeping outside to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Niagara.

Jonas Gillespie was one of the Brock University students who slept outside at last year’s 5 Days for the Homeless campaign.

Students participating in the campaign give up necessities and comforts such as shelter, proper sleeping arrangements, access to food (except what is donated to them), heat, lighting and showers.

With the exception of using technology for homework and sharing their experience on social media to promote the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign, students will give up their smartphones and laptops while continuing to attend class throughout the week. Continue reading →

 By Brent Patterson from The Council of Canadians, a country-wide public advocacy group

Posted March 4^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

The Council of Canadians Vancouver-Burnaby, Surrey-White Rock-Langley and Delta-Richmond chapters took part in a rally outside the first ministers summit on climate change yesterday.

The outreach for the rally noted, “Come join us in telling Trudeau, the Premiers and the nation about the ambitious national climate plan we need. A plan based on real justice for indigenous peoples, workers and local communities and keeping the oil in the soil.” The Council of Canadians had called on the first ministers to embrace the demands of the Leap Manifesto at their summit.

CBC reports, “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the provincial premiers emerged from their meeting in Vancouver to say they are working toward a national climate change plan that includes an agreement in principle for a carbon-pricing mechanism — although they did not offer specifics on how it would work. ..” Continue reading →

News from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Posted Marcy 4^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

According to this March 3^rd’s Communique of Canada’s First Ministers, the Government of Canada will “foster dialogue and the development of regional plans for clean electricity transmission to reduce emissions.”

The ball is now in Premier Wynne’s court to ask the federal government to invest infrastructure funds in electricity transmission system upgrades that would allow increased electricity trade between Ontario and Quebec.

Water power imports from Quebec can lower Ontario’s electricity bills and reduce our dependency on high-cost nuclear power and polluting gas plants.

Under Premier Wynne’s status quo energy plan, the greenhouse gas emissions from Ontario’s gas plants will double during the next ten years.

To learn more about the benefits of water power imports from Quebec, watch Steve Paikin’s interview with Jack Gibbons on The Agenda.

You can also read the new Equiterre and Ontario Clean Air Alliance report on the benefits of increased electricity trade between Ontario and Quebec.

For more on the Ontario Clean Air Alliance and its environmental advocacy work click on – http://www.cleanairalliance.org/ .

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Visit Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com for more news and commentary for and from the greater bi-national Niagara region.

–        Another Screening Of ‘This Changes Everything’ In Works In Niagara For This Spring – Stay Tune For Details

News from The Council of Canadians, a cross-country public interest group

Posted March 4^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – The Council of Canadians South Niagara chapter and the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara screened ‘This Changes Everything’ on March 1st.

Based on the award-winning book on climate change by Naomi Klein

The Brock Press reports, “people funneled in despite the impending ice-storm”.

Even with the blizzard that evening, 50 people braved the weather to attend the screening.

To date, that means that more than 4,290 people have now gone to chapter-organized screenings of the film across the country. We have shown the film in Montreal, Saskatoon, Duncan, Elora, Charlottetown, Yellowknife, Prince Albert, Chilliwack, Ladner, Mabou, Windsor, Courtenay, Saint John, St. John’s, Sudbury, Golden, Terrace, Regina, Fredericton, Powell River, Thunder Bay, Hinton, Picton, London, Kent County, Kamloops, Peterborough and now in St. Catharines, Ontario. Continue reading →

“We know that a fair transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy is necessary for our collective prosperity, competitiveness, health, and security. Taking smart and effective action today is essential for future generations.”

A Communiqué From  Canada’s First Ministers

Posted March 4rth, 2016 on Niagara At Larve

Vancouver, British Columbia – Canada’s First Ministers today issued a joint communiqué following the First Ministers’ Meeting and released a declaration on clean growth and climate change:

“In the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, we met today to discuss the economy and actions to address climate change and agreed on immediate work to support growth and create new jobs.

“Building on commitments and actions already taken by provinces and territories and the momentum from COP21 in Paris, we are moving toward a pan-Canadian framework for clean growth and climate change that will meet or exceed Canada’s international emissions targets, and will transition our country to a stronger, more resilient, low-carbon economy – while also improving our quality of life. Continue reading →

“I’m worried that as costs increase we will see more and more seniors that can’t afford the medication they need to stay healthy.” – Wayne Gates

A Special to Niagara At Large by Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates

Posted March 3^rd, 2016 on Niagara At Large at www.niagaraatlarge.com .

On Thursday, February 25th, the Ontario Liberal budget nearly doubled the cost that most seniors will pay for the medication they need to stay healthy.

Cost of pharma drugs nearly doubling in Ontario.

This happened without consultation, without asking seniors and without any warning. That’s not right.

An average senior in Ontario needs 8 different kinds of medication, 1 in 3 need more than 10 medications and most are on fixed incomes.

Yet as a result of Kathleen Wynne’s latest budget, a senior making $19,500 will see their Ontario Drug Benefit deductible almost double and they’ll pay a dollar more for each prescription they get filled, starting this summer. Continue reading →

An Invite from Buffalo, New York area members of the Sierra Club & Climate & Clean Energy Writers Group

With An Intro here by Niagara At Large

When it comes to proposals for wind turbine projects, the debates over whether or not they should be approved have raged in Niagara, Ontario and Western New York, and many other regions of Canada and the United States.

Wind energy turbines in action along the shores of Lake Erie in the Buffalo, New York area. File photo by Doug Draper

Are they a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels? Are they a blight on the landscape and drag on property values for people living by? And last but not least, do they pose a health risk for people living near them?

Whether or not people should say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to wind turbines in or near their communities is the focus of a presentation and discussion being hosted in Buffalo, New York this coming Monday, March 7^th, 2016 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. by the Sierra Club’s Buffalo area Climate & Clean Energy Writers Group. Continue reading →

“Our proximity to Canada provides great economic opportunities … yet congestion and inefficiencies at our crossings are holding us back from reaching our full potential,” – New York Congressman Brian Higgins.

News from the Office of Western New York Area Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted March 3^rd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) announced this March 1st they are co-sponsoring the Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Peace Bridge connecting Niagara, Ontario and the Buffalo’Erie County region of New York State is a major Canada/U.S. border crossing and frequently experiences a backup of car and truck traffic.

 The legislation expands preclearance facilities operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at land, rail, marine and air ports of departure in Canada which will increase trade, travel and commerce between the United States and Canada. The bill is needed to ratify the preclearance agreement signed between the United States and Canada on March 16, 2015.

Cramer and Higgins serve as co-chairmen of the bipartisan Northern Border Caucus, which is designed to foster continued growth and improved relations between the United States and Canada. Continue reading →

News from Niagara Falls, Ontario MPP Wayne Gates

Posted March 3rd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario – This March 2nd, Ontario NDP Transportation critic and MPP for Niagara Falls, Wayne Gates, called on the Wynne government to commit to a timeline for expanding GO Train Service to Niagara Falls.

Wayne Gates, NDPl member of the Ontario legislature for the Riding of Niagara Falls.

“The inclusion of GO to Niagara in the 2016 Budget was a positive step forward and highlights the hard work done by local mayors, councillors, and our Regional Chair,” said Gates. “The expansion of GO Train services to Niagara is not about scoring political points.”

The 2016 Budget specifically mentions GO to Niagara as part of the “next generation of infrastructure projects,” but does not contain any details of a timeline or funding plan for completion of the project.

“Unfortunately, without firm commitments to a timeline, the people of Niagara still cannot be sure when expanded GO service will come to Niagara Falls,” Gates said. Continue reading →

High Concentration Of Nuclear Facilities Prompts Call For Action On Radionuclides In Great Lakes

News from the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and Beyond Nuclear, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Washington, D.C., U.S.A

Posted March 2^nd, 2016 on Niagara At Large at http://www.niagaraatlarge.com .

More than 100 organizations from around the Great Lakes, (including the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society and a St. Catharines-based chapter for the National and Provincial Councils of Women in Niagara, Ontario), are calling on the Canadian and American governments to list radionuclides as a “chemical of mutual concern” under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

The groups’ call is supported by a new report outlining the shortcomings of current efforts to track radionuclides and explaining what needs to be done to properly monitor these dangerous substances in our Great Lakes.

Our Great Lakes – the largest single reservoir of fresh water on the plant – a year ago this March, from outer space.

“The Great Lakes basin is a hotbed for nuclear-related activity, with more than 30 nuclear generating stations, fuel processing facilities, waste disposal and uranium mine tailing sites scattered around the four lower lakes,” points out John Jackson, author of the new report. Continue reading →

News from Citizens at City Hall, a Hamilton-based citizens’ watchdog group

Posted March 2^nd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Hamilton, Ontario – As it heads to a National Energy Board hearing, there’s growing opposition to Enbridge plans to construct 35 kilometres of oil pipeline across Hamilton.

The route for this pipe. Notice how closely it interests the Great Lakes and its watersheds – the source of fresh water for millions of us on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border?

The city has released a list of concerns, multiple landowners have filed objections, and a colourful invasion of the company’s new Ancaster offices makes clear that protests will dog this Line 10 project as they have every other new pipeline across Canada.

Enbridge submitted its NEB application in early December and the regulator has now deemed it complete. Last week large advertisements in the Hamilton Spectator gave formal notice of “modest funding” to potential hearing participants as well as notification that “persons who wish to participate in the hearing … must complete an Application to Participate form.” An NEB open house is set for Wednesday, March 2 at 7 pm in the Warplane Heritage Museum in Mt Hope. Continue reading →

College and University Becoming More Accessible and Affordable

News from the Ontario Government

Posted February 29^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – Ontario is making college and university more accessible and affordable for low- and middle-income students and their families through the single-largest modernization ever of the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP).

One of numerous rallies held over the years, protesting soaring tuition fees in Ontario

Premier Kathleen Wynne was at Jarvis Collegiate in Toronto today to present details about the new Ontario Student Grant, which was announced in the 2016 Budget.

Under the new grant program, the government will replace a number of existing provincial assistance programs with a single, targeted, non-repayable Ontario Student Grant starting in the 2017-18 academic year. The changes to OSAP will make average tuition free for more than 150,000 eligible low- and middle-income students, and will reduce the cost for many more by: Continue reading →

The Easter Bunny Will Show Up At Our Doors With A Basket Of Painted Eggs Before We See Another New Hospital Built Anywhere In Niagara’s Central Or Southern Tier  In the Foreseeable Future

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted February 29^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Ontario’s Liberal government announced with fanfare this February 29^th that its recently tabled budget for 2016 includes an additional $345 million for the operation and upkeep of the province’s publicly funded hospitals.

That may sound like a lot of extra money but if you were to divide it up between the 154 hospitals currently operating in Ontario, it doesn’t amount to much more than putting a Band-Aid to someone in danger of hemorrhaging to death from multiple lacerations.

This billboard stands where at least some hope another new hospital will go in Niagara Falls, Ontario’s southwest end. File photo by Doug Draper

It adds up to less than $3 million extra dollars per hospital to be exact – around half of the $4.9 million in additional funding the province granted West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in the Niagara municipality of Grimsby two years ago this winter to upgrade its fire alarm, intercom, plumping, electrical, and cooling and heading systems, and to repair some of its walls and floors.

Never mind enough funding to build a new hospital in Grimsby, which is what the people of that area have really been wanting for years. Continue reading →

Province’s 2016 Budget Includes New Investments in High-Quality Health Care

News from the Government of Ontario

Posted February 29^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario – As part of the 2016 Budget, Ontario is proposing a new investment of more than $345 million to all publicly funded hospitals, including a one per cent increase to base funding, to provide better patient access to high-quality health care services.

Niagara, Ontario’s new super hospital – opened three years ago – in west St. Catharines

In 2016-2017, hospitals would receive:

• $175 million to provide patients with access to more services in new and redeveloped hospitals and for targeted priority services such as organ and tissue transplants
• $160 million to improve access and wait times for hospital services, including additional procedures such as cataract surgeries, knee and hip replacements and knee arthroscopies
• $7.5 million for small, northern and rural hospitals, which is in addition to Ontario’s $20 million Small and Rural Hospital Transformation Fund
• $6 million for mental health hospitals.

Continue reading →

A Column from Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted February 29^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – There was lots of excitement across Niagara and in Pelham last week following the release of the 2016 Provincial Budget.

Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

First, in their Budget, released last Thursday, the Provincial Government committed to extending GO Rail service to Niagara. After submitting our formal business case last spring, all are thrilled to have this commitment in a significant Provincial document.

The budget states: “Subject to agreement with freight rail partners, two-way, all-day rail services on the. Kitchener and Milton GO corridors, and extension of GO rail service to Niagara and Bowmanville.”

It’s as if the oft-repeated phrase of my colleague, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, came true: “It’s not a question of ‘if’ GO rail comes to Niagara, it’s a question of ‘when’!” Continue reading →

 Global Warming And Grassroots Activism Come Together At ‘This Changes Everything’ Film Screening This Coming March 1st In St. Catharines, Ontario

An Invite from the South Niagara Chapter of The Council of Canadians and the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara

Posted February 28^th on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – In December, at the International Climate Change meetings in Paris (COP 21), the newly-elected government of Canada announced to the world that our country was changing course.

No longer would Canada be a laggard on climate change mitigation, allowing our greenhouse gases to rise year after year. Instead, at COP 21, Canada’s new Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Christine McKenna, announced Canada’s decision to endorse the call for a target rise in global temperature of no more than 1.5 degrees.

Later this week, from March 3-5, Christine McKenna and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet with the provincial and territorial First Ministers to begin to craft a national approach to climate change mitigation and limiting GHG emissions.

It’s not going to be easy. With the Harper government taking a back seat on addressing climate change over the past decade, individual provinces have chosen different ways to deal with emissions, with the result that we have a patchwork of initiatives across the country. Our federal and provincial and territorial leaders need to find common ground. Continue reading →

A Brief Comment by Doug Draper, From Outside the Tent

Posted February 27^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

In a U.S. presidential race where candidates are more interested in talking about each others’ over-active sweat glands or whether one candidate or the other has peed his pants, why focus on issues like jobs, economy and climage change when a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan is joining the circus.

If you need any more evidence that the ‘American Dream’ has morphed into a national nightmare and that any remnants of what were the golden years of the American Century are dead, the freak show that is the Republican race to replace the Black man in the White House is it.

Indeed, what is happening to politics in the United States makes something the late satirist George Carlin said more than a decade ago ring even more true today; “When you are born, you get a ticket to the freak show,” he said. When you are born in America, you get a front-row seat.” Continue reading →

Add Your Name To The Petition Below!

From Doug Draper, reporter and publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted February 26^th, 2016

Niagara, Ontario – You don’t have to be a student or a person without a car, trying to get back and forth to a job somewhere in the region, to sign the petition Niagara College’s Student Administrative Council has posted on line, pressing our municipal leaders for better public transit services.

You can be someone who doesn’t have a car or would rather not use a car to do a little shopping, go out to a movie or get together with friends, or visit a loved one in a hospital.

All you have to do is be one of countless people across Niagara who think it’s way past time this region join the 21^st Century with transit services – and not just a Go Train service to and from the Greater Toronto Area – as seamless, accessible and reliable as those Waterloo and other regions across the province have had and are profitting by with new jobs and prosperity for many years now. Continue reading →