Author Archives: dougdraper

An Invite to All of Us for a Virtual Discussion from the Niagara District Council of Women

Posted February 10th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Join Us Wednesday, February 17th at 7:30 p.m. for a Public Meeting On –

Raising the Income Floor for those in Precarious Work and Poverty- as COVID-19  starkly reveals :

• Deep fault lines in the labour market!
• The rich getting richer & low wage precarious workers struggling to make ends meet !
•  The need for public dialogue  about the role of governments & public policies in ensuring all people can live a dignified life and maximize their human potential  !

    SPEAKER : Simon Black

Award-winning   Brock U Assistant Professor Labour Studies

Register for Zoom meeting by e mailing 1niagaracouncilofwomen@gmail.come asap!

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.

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

Third Annual Birds on the Niagara Festival is Coming to Us this Valentine Day Weekend – February 12th to 14th, 2021

For More Details On How You Can Enjoy this Unique Festival and Celebration of Nature in our shared Niagara River Corridor, Please Read On

A Brief Note from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, including Key Information and Details for Attending this International Niagara Bird Festival – Virtually –  from some of its Hosts and Supporters

Posted February 8th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Some of the wonderful birds that are drawn to the natural wonders of our Niagara River. Photo courtesy of Marcie Jacklin

Once upon a time – back in 1996 when there were still enough political and citizen leaders on both sides of the Niagara River to make such a magical thing happened – leaders from both sides came together in Niagara Falls, Ontario to celebrate the signing of an international Ramsar agreement, declaring the Niagara River a “sanctuary of global importance” for an amazing diversity of native and migratory birds.

This reporter – then still covering  environment stories full-time for the once-proud and independently owned St. Catharines Standard – was honoured to be there to cover this binational ceremony.

It was, I am  sad to say, a binational meeting of lovers of the natural wonders of this great river that might never happen any time soon, due to such a lack of interest and will on the part of too many political representatives on the Niagara, Ontario side of the river – political representatives that have turned the agenda on the Niagara, Ontario side over to predatory developers.

Yet the warm glow of that 1996 celebration has not been lost.

And thanks to a coalition of caring partners on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border,  it still finds itself glowing again in a Third Annual Festival of Birds on the Niagara River, scheduled for this coming Valentine Day Weekend , from Friday February 12th thru Sunday, February14th. Continue reading →

A Sad Goodbye to Tigger – Everybody’s Beloved Friend At Pet Valu Thorold

From Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

Posted February 8^th, 2021

One of Niagara’s most beloved cats – Tigger. All photos here courtesy of Joe Krawchuk at Pet Valu Thorold in Niagara, Ontario

Maybe it is everything else we’ve all been going through with this ongoing pandemic, but I am having an extra hard time, as a hopelessly addicted lover of cats, writing this one.

It was about eight or nine days ago, when I flipped the ‘Tigger’ calendar in my little office at home from January and February, and said to my wife Mary and daughter Sarah; ‘Oh look, the calendar says it is Tigger’s birthday on February 8^th. We will have to give him a virtual pet.’

As soon as I said it there were downcast eyes in the room. ‘We’ve been wondering how to tell you this,’ said Mary, ‘but Tigger died this January.’

What?!!!

I had just given him a few pets when I was in the Pet Valu store on Pine Street in Thorold, where he is the mascot extraordinaire and everyone’s best friend who goes in there. That was just a few days before Christmas and the most recent retail lockdown, to pick up a few things for our cat, Alice, and he seemed just fine. Continue reading →

“Small business owners and their employees have been devastated by closures, all the while their Big Box competition has held near-monopolies on the economy.”                                               – Steven Del Duca, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party

A Statement from Ontario Liberal Party Leader Steven Del Duca

Posted February 8^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO, Ontario  – Steven Del Duca, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, issued the following statement:

“Doug Ford plans to announce the re-opening of Ontario’s economy next week, after weeks of putting Big Box lobbyists and Amazon first while local entrepreneurs suffered. If he’s going to re-open the economy, he needs to let small businesses lead Ontario’s economic recovery. Continue reading →

Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates Shares in the “Excitement” 

“This news means that in the near future we will see shovels in the ground and people put to work building this hospital.”            – Wayne Gates, NDP MPP for Niagara Falls Riding

“This substantial investment shows the Government of Ontario’s recognition of the importance of investing in health care in Niagara.”                                                                                                       – Sam Oosterhoff, Conservative MPP for Ontario’s Ford Government, from the Riding of Niagara West

A News Release from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated service of hospitals

Posted February 5th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Request for Qualifications Issued for South Niagara Site

Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff and Ontario Ford Government rep leads latest announcement to build South Niagara Hospital in Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati’s city.

The South Niagara hospital project is taking another step forward as Infrastructure Ontario and Niagara Health start the process to find a design-build-finance-maintain team for the project.

Issuing a request for qualifications, (RFQ) is the first step in the competitive process for prospective teams to express their interest in bidding to help deliver the project. Submissions will be reviewed to shortlist three teams with the design and construction experience, as well as the financial capacity to deliver a project of this size and complexity.  Shortlisted teams will then be invited to respond to request for proposals, expected to be released in fall 2021.

The new state-of-the-art facility involves the creation of Centres of Excellence in stroke, complex care, geriatric psychiatry and ageing and wellness. The project will have a senior’s focus embedded into all aspects of the design. Continue reading →

Weather-Related Reports from the Niagara Parks Commission and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Posted February 5th, 2021 on Niagara At Large News from the Niagara Parks Commission in Niagara, Ontario

Sections of Niagara Parkway and Recreation Trail to Temporarily Close Due to Anticipated Flooding

Niagara, Ontario – In the interest of ensuring public safety, Niagara Parks’ staff is working with the Town of Fort Erie to temporarily close access to the Niagara Parkway and recreation trail between Queen Street and the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Dominion Road.

Huge pieces of ice from Lake Erie and mouth of Niagara River, pushed onto the Niagara Parkway trail area in Fort Erie during severe wind storm in February 2019. That is the Peace Bridge to Buffalo in the background.

Weather conditions similar to those expected later today have caused significant flooding and damage to the shoreline area over the past few years. The preventative closure measures are being implemented out of an abundance of caution, in the interest of public safety. About Niagara Parks Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River.

Now, A Weather Warning from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry –

This notice is intended to update the public and local municipalities of the condition of the Lake Erie Shoreline as it relates to the Niagara Peninsula and the eastern portion of Haldimand County. Continue reading →

A Brief Comment by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, followed by an Urgent Message from News Media Canada, an organization dedicated to saving local newspapers

Posted February 4^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

A Comment from Doug Draper, Niagara At Large –

Way back when newspapers still had strong community support and there were the resources necessary for covering news, this guy – Doug Draper – worked as a full-time environment reporter at The St. Catharines Standard. These days, full-time environment beats at community newspapers are virtually gone.

If you are one of the all-to-few who still check a newspaper stand these days in a convenience store or one of our grocery stores, you may have noticed that today – this February 4^th – the front pages of newspapers like The Toronto Star, and more locally in Niagara, The St. Catharines Standard, sit there on the stand with a complete blank front page, save for the newspapers’ mastheads.

The blank front-page is a stark message to us all of what is happening to local newspapers and, quite frankly, what has been happening to them for the past two or three decades as social media venues like Facebook have drawn away countless millions of readers, and as corporate chains have bought up local newspapers and gutted their news-gathering resources for the sake of profit, further making newspapers less capable of performing their vital role as sources of information people need to meaningfully engage in the challenges facing our communities.

I write this as someone with personal interests in this subject. Continue reading →

“We are really looking to support research that is Indigenous-centred: developed in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples and contributing in positive, reciprocal ways to Indigenous Peoples.” – Robyn Bourgeois, Brock’s Acting Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement

A News Release from Brock University in Niagara Ontario

Posted February 2^nd, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Robyn Bourgeois, Brock’s Acting Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement

Niagara, Ontario – In the months before she became Acting Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, Robyn Bourgeois led a process that was to yield a first for Brock University’s Indigenous researchers and researchers studying Indigenous topics.

The Associate Professor of Women’s and Gender Studies held extensive consultations with Two Row Council, the Aboriginal Education Council, other Indigenous members of the Brock community and staff from the Office of Research Services to prepare the Terms of Reference for an unprecedented internal funding source.

The University’s first-ever Indigenous Research Grant, valued up to $7,500 per proposal, is now open for applications from Brock faculty. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre in Niagara, Ontario

Posted February 1^st, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario — The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre is looking for a particular type of souvenir from residents’ latest vacation or travel stop.

The museum is currently gearing up to launch Just a Line to Say: Postcards from the St. Catharines Museum Collection.

St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre Visitor Services Coordinator Adrian Petry shows off a few of the postcards that will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the museum, including a novelty postcard from Buffalo NY, sent to Violet Collins in St. Catharines in 1913. The museum is calling out to residents to submit their own postcards for the exhibit. Photo Courtesy of City of St. Catharines

This new exhibit, opening spring 2021, will feature historic postcards from the Niagara region and surrounding area, drawn from the museum’s collection.

With travel limited due to COVID-19, the hope is to feature resident-submitted postcards from trips anywhere in the globe as a sort of virtual glimpse of travel to compliment the archival pieces on display as part of the exhibit. Continue reading →

Flags to Be Lowered at Lincoln Town Hall for Entire Month of February

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

Posted January 30^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Lincoln, Ontario – Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton has today directed flags at Town Hall to be lowered to half-mast for the entire month of February 2021, to recognize the lives lost as a result of COVID-19 and to express sympathy to these individuals’ families and friends.

“We are joining our neighbouring municipalities in Niagara in lowering our flags to mourn those who have perished in our community, the region, and across the world due to COVID-19,” said Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. Continue reading →

Seems like Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would blow billions of dollars more on tar sands pipes and subsidies for the tar oil industry before investing that kind of money on renewable energy projects. Pretty sad for a political leader who claims he cares about climate change.

When Are Canada’s Prime Minister and so many of our Premiers going to stop gambling away so much of our country’s future on the tar sands? Can’t We Diversify Our Economy, For God’s Sake!

A News Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted January 30th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

There was an old saying, coined in the middle of the last century that goes  something like this – “What’s good for General Motors is good for America.”

In this brave new world of the 21st century, that slogan may not have as much currency as it did then for the United States and for Canada, which has a huge stake in the manufacture of parts for GM trucks and cars. It is quite likely that Amazon now has a larger impact on what is good or bad for America and its closest economic partners. Continue reading →

How Financial Considerations Continue to Remain A Barrier For Women’s Participation in Politics

By Melissa McGlashan

Posted January 27th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – In November of 2020 the City of Welland held public consultations on revising its future electoral mapping. One option discussed was changing from the current six ward system to an at-large system for electing city councillors.

The Waterloo Region Women’s Municipal Campaign School in spring of 2018 mentioned that women are more likely than men to fund their campaigns themselves, while men are more likely to ask for donations.

As a result, financial considerations are more of a barrier to women’s participation in politics than men’s. In an at-large system, all municipal candidates need to campaign throughout the city. This is an endeavour far more costly than a ward campaign. If an at-large electoral system is a possibility, barriers to participation need to be considered. Continue reading →

“We understand how the border works. Our residents are crossing the border, manning the border and constantly watching the border. It’s only natural that we should be part of policies that affect the border.”                                                                – Mayor Wayne Redekop, Town of Fort Erie, Ontario

A News Release from the Town of Fort Erie, Ontario

Posted January 26^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Fort Erie, Ontario Mayor Wayne Redekop asks to have a say in Canada/U.S. border re-opening plans

FORT ERIE, Ontario – On January 25, 2021, the Ontario Border Mayors sent a letter to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Minister of Foreign Affairs asking for an opportunity to be consulted regarding the reopening of the Canada-United States Border.

The letter highlights the implications that occur when essential workers are crossing the border for work and then interacting with others in the community each day after they return to Canada, as well as concerns around those permitted to cross the border to visit relatives and return. Continue reading →

West Lincoln Mayor and Niagara Regional Councillor Dave Bylsma – file photo

A Visibly Upset Dave Bylsma – Removed from Seats on Regional Boards, Agencies  and Commissions  for Remainder of 2021 – Falls Short of Apologizing for Comments Made During a June, 2020 Radio Interview

A News Report from A Better Niagara, a citizens watchdog group in Niagara, Ontario

(This report was originally posted January 24^th, 2021 on A Better Niagara’s Facebook Page)

Posted January 26^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

 “If you are going to err, err on the side of social justice”                   — Ed Smith, St. Catharines community activist and a founding member and director of A Better Niagara,  speaking to a full meeting Niagara Regional Council this past January 21^st

It was difficult for many citizens, who watched the discussion by Regional Council on Thursday, January 21^st to understand why it was so hard for some members Council to make a decision about if, and then how to, reprimand West Lincoln Mayor Dave Bylsma.

Niagara Region’s Integrity Commissioner recommends reprimand for Bylsma for use of what he found to be insensitive and derogatory languaqe used by the West Lincoln Mayor and Regional Councillor during a 2020 radio interview

The integrity commissioner’s report that they had in front of them, based on a complaint filed by Ed Smith after Council previously refused to deal with the issue themselves, concluded that remarks Bylsma made during a 610 interview in June about the Black Lives Matter movement, the LGTBQ community and Indigenous people were discriminatory and a contravention of the Region’s Code of Conduct. The report recommended that Regional Council reprimand Bylsma.

Ed Smith delegated to Council on the matter. He recommended that Council go a step further and remove Bylsma from taskforces, boards and commissions that the Region had appointed him to.

He said, in part: “You as a governing body appointed him in good faith to represent you, and by extension represent the values of this Region. He has clearly demonstrated that he is out of step with the values that the Region wishes to espouse. I put to you tonight that his unrepentant nature in this matter makes him no longer fit to represent this Region in the appointments that are controlled by you, the Council of the Niagara Region.” A full transcript of Ed’s remarks can be found at the end of this post. Continue reading →

Loblaw Retail Chain commits to stop using toxic BPA & BPS receipts from across all stores in Canada by end of 2021

Labour, women’s health and environmental groups congratulate Canada’s leading grocery giant for taking this important step to protect its workers and public health from toxics on receipts

News from Environmental Defence Canada, with United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW), Breast Cancer Action Quebec and the Mind the Store Campaign

Posted January26th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Toronto, Ontario – In response to calls from environmental advocacy and labour groups, Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s biggest grocery retail and drugstore company, made a public commitment in its 2020 Corporate Social Responsibilityreport to phase out receipt paper containing hazardous BPA, BPS and other bisphenol alternatives from its stores by the end of 2021.

This phase out will apply to all of Loblaw’s subsidiaries including Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills and T&T.

“We commend Loblaw for making this important sustainability commitment and for taking the steps necessary to protect its workers and customers from harmful chemicals,” said Muhannad Malas, Toxics Program Manager at Environmental Defence. Continue reading →

Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada is hosting this workshop with presentations  from Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC) and Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRC)

Anyone Involved in Municipal Planning and Development and Who Cares About Our Precious Watersheds Should Attend

An Invite from the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canda

Posted Janary 25^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Innovations in Watershed Management: Green Infrastructure (GI) and Low Impact Development (LID) for Watershed Management

About this Event

Join us on ZOOM, Thursday January 28th, 2021 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am as Phil James and W. Kyle Vander Linden of Credit Valley Conservation and Tim Van Seters of Toronto Region Conservation Authority introduce us to Green Infrastructure and LID strategies with a myth-busting session featuring relevant Ontario case studies.

Green infrastructure, including Low Impact Development (LID) is gaining traction as an approach to enhance stormwater management within existing and new developments. GI reduces stress on aging infrastructure, builds resiliency, optimizes water and wastewater treatment costs and ultimately improves watershed health and the local economy. Continue reading →

“Since then, Ontario has tragically lost 5,846 lives to this deadly virus. We mourn the passing of each and every person and offer our deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.” – Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Government thanks those who stepped up, did their part, and showed the true Ontario spirit

A News Release from the Office of Ontario’s Premier

Posted January 25^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper – There may be some or even many out there who wonder why NAL is posting this statement by a premier that at least some of us feel has fallen short of doing what is needed to be done to protect our seniors, our frontline workers and the population in general from this killer virus.

There will be more time for analysis and criticism about all of that. But this is a milestone anniversary date for Ontario in this pandemic. The Premier of Ontario has circulated this statement, so we are giving him his moment.)

Ontario Premier Doug Ford (right, with his Health Minister Christine Elliott at one of numerous COVID update briefings they have held over the past hear

TORONTO — Today (this Monday, January 25^th, 20210, Premier Doug Ford and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, issued the following statement to mark significant milestones since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Ontario on January 25, 2020:

“A year ago today, we were presented with one of the most difficult challenges in our history with the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Ontario. The rapid spread of the virus through the province, the country and around the world would lead the World Health Organization to declare COVID-19 a global pandemic in March 2020.  

Since then, Ontario has tragically lost 5,846 lives to this deadly virus. We mourn the passing of each and every person and offer our deepest condolences to their families, friends and colleagues. Continue reading →

The 2021 Operating Budget Contains An Overall Property Tax Increase of 1.8 percent To The Taxpayer

Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley

“We know that residents and businesses are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 budget reflects our efforts to ensure Niagara is responsive to this crisis while continuing to deliver the supports  and services our residents rely on.”                        – Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley

A News Release from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted January 22^nd, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara’s Regional Headquarters in Thorold

Niagara, Ontario – At its meeting on January 21st, Niagara Regional Council approved a budget for 2021 that ensures the municipality can continue to provide a high level of service while minimizing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents.

The Niagara Region budget is made up of three components: the levy operating budget, rate operating budgets, and the capital budget. The 2021 operating budget contains an overall property tax increase of 1.8 percent to the taxpayer.

For the average property assessed at $278,764, the Regional portion of the tax bill will increase by $29, totalling $1,640 in 2021.

As part of 2021 budget deliberations, the Region undertook a comprehensive public engagement process. The budget engagement exercise reaffirmed our residents’ desire to see the Region continue to support population and economic growth initiatives and ensure Niagara’s most vulnerable citizens are cared for.

*Highlights of the budget*

Continue reading →

Biden Executive Order Answers Congressman Higgins’ Call for Development of a Plan for the Northern Border

U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins, representing people in the Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York area.

“While we come from different nations, US and Canadian citizens have long enjoyed a unique relationship. We are neighbors at vacation property, customers at one another’s small businesses, travel companions at airports, diners at local restaurants, and loyal fans at sporting events. We are family – both in law and in spirit – and we are eager to come back together .”         – Buffalo, New York-area Congressman Brian Higgins

News from the Buffalo, N.Y. Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted January 22^nd, 2021 on Niagara At Large

This Peace Bridge – built in friendship to peoples on both sides of the Canada/U.S border – has been s closed to most of us since March of last year, as have other border crossings across the region and country due to the ongoing pandemic.

Following Fractured Relationship & Ten Months of COVID Related Restrictions at the Border, New Administration Prioritizes US-Canada Relations

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26, Buffalo/Niagara Falls), who serves as Co-chair of Congressional Northern Border Caucus, says President Joe Biden’s week one actions demonstrate a new beginning for the US-Canada relationship.

This week President Joe Biden released an aggressive plan to fight COVID-19 which includes a directive for departments to collaborate with the Canadian government toward the goal of quickly developing health and safety measures at the border.

The Biden team also announced the new President’s first call with a foreign leader would take place today, the President’s third day in office, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Continue reading →

In the Wake of Multiple Charges of Workplace Harassment, the ‘Right Honourable” Julie Payette Resigns

A Brief Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, followed by a Statement released by Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau

Posted January 21st. 2021 on Niagara At Large

From Doug Draper –

Don’t let the smile fool you. Julie Payette finally does us all, includng those who have had to work for her, a favour and resigns as Canada’s Governor General. The question is, why didn’t Canada’s Prime Minister get rid of her sooner?

Going back to this  past summer of 2020, an investigative reporter for CBC recorded stories from at least 20 staff members at Canada’s Rideau Hall – the residents of our country’s residence and headquarters for the official residence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of whatever may be left of the British Empire – revealed that the Governor  General herself, former Canadian astronaut Julie Payette, had turned the place into a toxic, hell hole through her abusive behaviour.

It was so bad, according to reports from CBC’s Ashley Burke, that employees who had loved their jobs at Rideau Hall so much, prior to Payette’s appointment  by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to one of Canada’s top posts some four years ago, that they wanted to make it their career for life, found themselves so being so humiliated and verbally abused, they fled to their care or a toilet stall in the place to break down and cry. Continue reading →

More regulatory changes from Ford Conservatives Threaten Ecological Protection, Recreational Trails, Education Programs, Permitting

NPCA board member and Hamilton Councillor Brad Clark

“I’m not interested in rolling over. I’m interested in fighting for Conservation Authorities … to protect the land, and protect the people, and deal with the flooding issues, and protect the wetlands.”     – Hamilton City Councillor and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority board member Brad Clark

A News Commentary from the Hamilton, Ontario-based watchdog group, Citizens At City Hall (CATCH)

Posted January 21^st, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Anger and opposition continues to grow against the provincial changes to Conservation Authorities (CAs).

Only a small part of the Ford government’s legislation has come into force so far with the coming year to see more changes via regulations that may threaten ecological protection, recreational trails, education programs, permitting, and other activities of the CAs.

In particular, the province has yet to make public its changed definition of the mandate of the Authorities although there have been strong indications it will be much restricted. Continue reading →

A Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins on the Inauguration of President Biden & Vice President Harris

Posted January 20^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York – “In a history-making moment, today Joe Biden and Kamala Harris begin their tenure as President and Vice President of the United States.

“With this transition, we are filled with new optimism for healing and unity. This passage represents an opportunity to quell divisive rhetoric in exchange for respectful dialogue and meaningful consensus building to serve the needs of all Americans. Continue reading →

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

Posted January 20^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

As the blades of the helicopter began to turn – to lift Trump and his pole dancer of a “first lady” off the south lawn of the White House for the last time this morning of January 20^th – Willie Geist, a co-host of the MSNBC news program ‘Morning Joe’ said (and I just slightly paraphrase); ‘He is about to fly over the capital (Washington, D.C.) that he, in so many ways, has wrought so much destruction over.”

Just do the world a favour and go away! Trump leaves the White House, for the last time as U.S. president, with the Washington Monument looming the background

Indeed, make that the damage destruction he has done to his country and the world, when you think of what he has done to public institutions, to the environment, to the relationships between peoples and countries, and the list could go on and on.

So good riddance to him and to his crime family. Continue reading →

If You Care About the Future of the Planet, Tories Erin O’Toole, Doug Ford & Company Should Be in Your No-Vote Zone

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted January 18^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

If you care a about protecting our environment, nothing could be worse for Canada than continuing on with Doug Ford (left) as premier in Ontario, and possibly having federal Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole in the Prime Minister’s office.

As if anyone who cares about environmental protection needs another reminder why to not every vote for a Conservative Party candidate in Canada – federal or provincial – here is another one.

This January 17^th – on the cusp of the United States inaugurating a president who actually takes the climate crisis our planet faces seriously – Canada’s federal Conservative Party leader, Erin O’Toole, releases a statement expressing concern over incoming President Joe Biden’s promise to cancel plans to build the infamous Keystone XL pipeline between Alberta’s tar sands and oil refineries deep down in Texas.

“I call on (Canada’s) Prime Minister (Liberal Justin Trudeau) to immediately reach out to the incoming U.S. administration to stop this (cancellation of the tar sands pipeline) from happening,” insisted O’Toole in his statement.

More confirmation – and certainly not surprisingly – that we have yet another Conservative Party leader in Canada, following former federal Tory prime minister Stephen Harper, and the current premiers of Ontario and Alberta (Doug Ford and Jason Kenney, respectively) who would rather go on treating our earth’s planet like a dumpster for carbon pollution – even while scientists around the world are warning that we are rapidly reaching the point of no return in addressing a life-or-death climate catastrophe. Continue reading →

Dr. Jim Stanford

“It is undeniable that the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels, much faster than expected even a few years ago. … Our choice is to manage that transition, avoiding severe hardship for individuals and communities, or else wait until far more painful and chaotic changes are forced upon us.”     – Dr. Jim Stanford, Canadian Economist

A News Release from Environmental Defence and The Centre For Future Work

Posted January 18^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

New Research: Smart transition plan for workers can prevent unemployment as fossil fuel economy sunsets

Study finds that for every job lost in the fossil fuel sector, 42 jobs have been created by other industries

Ottawa, Ontario – New research released today demonstrates that with prudent long-term planning, Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy can be managed without causing unemployment for fossil fuel workers.

“Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels,” a report from the Centre for Future Work and commissioned by Environmental Defence, finds that a 20-year phase-out of fossil fuels implies an annual reduction of fossil fuel employment of around 8,500 jobs annually – the number of jobs typically created by the Canadian economy every ten days.

With a clear timetable for phase-out, combined with generous supports for retirement, redeployment, and regional diversification, that gradual transition could occur without any involuntary lay-offs.

A healthier, greener future on the left, or more tar sand pits. Which way do you want Canada to go?

“It is undeniable that the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels, much faster than expected even a few years ago,” said the study’s author, economist Dr. Jim Stanford. Continue reading →

‘As Ontario’s last environmental commissioner (Dianne Saxe) has repeatedly stated – urban sprawl is the Ontario equivalent of the tar sands and is the main cause of increasing carbon emissions.’

News from Citizens At City Hall (CATCH), a Hamilton, Ontario-based citizens watchdog group

Posted January 17^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – When you read the following CATCH commentary on the threat to farmland around Hamilton, please think Niagara too. The same weakened conservation and environmental protection rules, courtesy of Ontario’s Ford government, pose just as much of a threat to our farmlands and other green lands here.)

Why does Ford want to pave over ever more of what is left of our food-growing places in Ontario?

Early this year Hamiltonians will be asked, once again, whether they favour or oppose more residential expansion onto farmland, but the outcome appears to already have been decided. By rewriting the planning rules the provincial government seems to have ensured more sprawl development whether the city and the public wants it or not.

The official question in the upcoming consultation is how to add a predicted 235,000 more people to Hamilton over the next thirty years – a fifty percent increase over the city’s current population. In the past, the planning time frame was the next 20 years not 30 and these provincial projections have repeatedly been over-estimates for Hamilton. Continue reading →

“The COVID-19 crisis has been difficult for all Canadians. As a team (of federal Cabinet ministers) , we are committed to doing whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to keep Canadians safe and supported.” – Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Releases Supplementary Mandate Letters For Canada’s Federal Cabinet Ministers

Posted January 15^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

The global COVID-19 pandemic is the most serious public health crisis Canada has ever faced. It has had devastating impacts on the lives and livelihoods of Canadians, and has exposed fundamental gaps in our society.

The Government of Canada will keep doing whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to have people’s backs during this difficult time. We will continue to support families and protect Canadians’ health and jobs as we work to build a stronger, more resilient country.

To continue to support Canadians through the pandemic and build a healthier, cleaner, and fairer Canada, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today (this January 15^th, 2021) released supplementary mandate letters for Cabinet ministers. Continue reading →

Federal Conservatives Call for Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) Applications to Open

A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara Falls Conservative MP Ton Baldinelli

Posted January 15^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls federal Conservative Party MP Tony Baldinelli

Ottawa, Ontario – Tony Baldinelli, Special Advisor to the Conservative Leader on Tourism Recovery, and Bernard Généreux, Member of Parliament for Montmagny—L’Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, issued the following statement on the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP):

“Conservatives are calling on the Trudeau Liberals to release details on the HASCAP and open applications before next month.

“The Liberals announced the HASCAP more than a month ago. Since then, businesses still don’t know when they can apply, who will qualify, or when funding will come. Continue reading →

Niagara District Council of Women (NDCW) to hold Zoom Public Meeting on Wednesday, January 20^th, 7:30 P.M. re: “Elder Care-Seniors Homes, Long Term Care Workers – A Crisis in Care & How to Improve a Broken System!”

An Invited from the Niagara District Council of Women (NDCW)

Posted January 14^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – In the height of  the COVID  storm,  as seniors living in long term care facilities  are faced with the results of  past errors such as old  and  crowded living space, fewer and fewer hours of care and  poorly paid overworked front line  staff ,  they now find themselves isolated from families and friends and are the   most at risk from illness and death from this  relentless  pandemic. 

NDCW, which as a member of the Provincial Council of Women of Ontario  has lobbied the government  since the early 1980s to improve senior care, considers this a  crisis  which could well have been avoided and now needs immediate remedial and preventative  actions. Continue reading →

First 322 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered to long-term care residents and healthcare workers in Niagara

A News Release from Niagara Region Public Health and from Niagara Health, Niagara’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted January 14^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Faber Baquero, a Personal Support Worker from Linhaven a long-term care home in St. Catharines, one of first to get vaccine in Niagara, Ontario. Photo courtesy of Niagara Health and Niagara Region Public Health

Niagara, Ontario – This past Wednesday, January 13th, Niagara Health (NH) and Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services (NRPH&ES) administered the first 322 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the region.

Niagara Health vaccinated 108 long-term care home workers and 70 hospital staff and physicians. Meanwhile, NRPH&ES teams were deployed to two long-term care homes, one in St. Catharines and one in Fort Erie, vaccinating 144 residents and staff.

“This is a huge day for Niagara Health and our region. We’ve talked about wanting to see that light at the end of the tunnel, and it is finally here,” said Lynn Guerriero, President and Interim CEO of Niagara Health.  Continue reading →

Province Issues Stay-at-Home Order and Introduces Enhanced Enforcement Measures to Reduce Mobility

A News Release from the Office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford

Posted January 12^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

TORONTO, Ontario – In response to a doubling in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the real and looming threat of the collapse of the province’s hospital system and alarming risks posed to long-term care homes as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Dr. Adalsteinn (Steini) Brown, Co-Chair of the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. Continue reading →

Niagara is ready for this week’s arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine – Niagara Health System

“It is a relief that vaccines are finally arriving in Niagara. Throughout this pandemic, residents of long-term care homes and retirement homes have suffered the brunt of this pandemic.” – Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner (Acting), Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services

News from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted January 11th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The arrival of the Pfizer vaccine is a turning point in our response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara.

We expect delivery of the Pfizer vaccine in Niagara on Tuesday or Wednesday, and we are prepared to get doses into arms as soon as the shipment arrives.

Niagara Health (NH) and Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services (NRPH&ES) have been working together on the region’s vaccination plan, starting with priority populations identified by the Ontario government for Phase 1 of COVID-19 vaccinations.

“We have planned aggressively and are well prepared to begin administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Niagara,” says Lynn Guerriero, President and Interim CEO of Niagara Health. “With rising numbers of COVID-19 in the community and in the hospital, the vaccine will help us save lives, protect our hospital services and beat this pandemic. Every vaccine dose in an arm reduces the risk of the virus spreading in our region.” Continue reading →

Niagara, Ontario NDP MPPs Call on the Ford Government to Work with Region’s Public Health on Vaccine Distribution Here

“Niagara’s seniors and frontline health care staff cannot wait any longer to receive life-saving vaccinations … No long-term care home should be left out, while the province sits with thousands of vaccines in the freezer.”                                                        – St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens

A Call-Out to the Ford Government from Niagara MPPs Jeff Burch, Wayne Gates and Jennie Stevens

From left, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens

Posted January 11^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Where is Ontaraio’s Ford government’s detailed plan for moving vaccinations forward?

NIAGARA, Ontario  – NDP MPPs Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls), Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines) and Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre) are calling on the Ford Government to increase the role of Niagara Public Health in the distribution strategy of the COVID-19 vaccine and ensure long-term care residents and frontline healthcare workers have quick access to the vaccine.

“We have spoken directly with public health officials and frontline health care staff that have expressed serious concern about the rollout of vaccines in Niagara,” said Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates.

“We do not need to reinvent the wheel, our public health units have ample experience in vaccine distribution—specifically, they have the expertise to get the vaccine into our long-term care homes quickly. Niagara is struggling with outbreaks in these homes and our healthcare workers are stretched to the breaking point. This vaccine will save lives and protect workers, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be using the quickest method to get it out which is our local teams.” Continue reading →

What’s next after the gutting of Conservation Authorities?

Sign Up for This Event – Scheduled for this Tuesday, January 12^th at 7 P.M – Now. Details Below

A Webinar Event Hosted by Environmental Defence, the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Ontario Nature, and also Featuring now-former chair of the Ontario Greenbelt Council, David Crombie

Posted January 11^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

This past  December 8th, 2020, the Ontario government passed a new law which seriously weakened Conservation Authorities, allowing the province to turn its back on science-based planning.

This means that new developments that could cause floods or landslides and destroy protected and ecologically sensitive lands can be ordered to go ahead. 

At the same time, the government has been making unprecedented use of Minister’s Zoning Orders to force through planning decisions without debate or input from municipalities or the public.  Continue reading →

“Let us be clear, this was an act of domestic terrorism. Democracy must not be intimidated. Leaders and politicians in the U.S. – and here in Canada – have a duty to end divisive rhetoric and end the flaming of hatred. … Now, it is more urgent than ever, that the (Canadian) government works to immediately ban and dismantle all hate organizations operating in Canada.”  – Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP

A Statement from Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP)Leader Jagmeet Singh

Posted January 10^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he knows what it is like to be a target of hate and white supremacy. He is calling for the voices of intolerance to be rooted out in Canada.

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, made the following statement:

“The horror that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (this past January 6^th, 2021) was frightening and it was incited by American President Donald Trump. He had the opportunity to end it and to clearly denounce the actions of those attempting to overthrow democracy and put the lives of many in danger, but he refused to.

Let us be clear, this was an act of domestic terrorism. Democracy must not be intimidated. Leaders and politicians in the U.S. – and here in Canada – have a duty to end divisive rhetoric and end the flaming of hatred. What we saw (on January 6^th), was a direct result of dangerous, divisive speech.

While we may be quick to say this is a problem that exists only in the United States – hate knows no borders. We need to act with urgency to stop the flames of hatred here in Canada. Currently, over 300 white supremacists groups are operating in our country. Continue reading →

“These are unprecedented times, and Niagara’s municipal leaders recognize that most residents are making the sacrifices necessary to combat COVID-19 (and) Niagara residents are reminded of the importance of following all public health directives to keep everyone safe.”                                                            – from a Statement released this January 8th, 2020 by Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Niagara’s 12 Mayors

A News Release from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted January 9^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Yesterday evening (this past Thursday, January 7th), Niagara’s 12 Mayors and the Regional Chair met virtually to discuss the pressing challenges facing the community due to the second wave of COVID-19.

With the significant increase of COVID-19 cases, an alarming rise in the number of pandemic-related deaths, and the continued impact of outbreaks in more than 50 per cent of Niagara’s long-term care homes, the consensus of the heads of council was that Niagara is at a critical point and a concerted effort will be required by all partners to help gain control of an exceptionally serious situation.

Niagara’s Mayors and Regional Chair agreed on the following principles. –

Continue reading →

“Over the past year, Canada has worked tirelessly to get the transparency, accountability, and justice that the victims and their families deserve. We have been unrelenting in pursuit of the truth, and Canada will not accept anything less.”                             – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

A Statement from Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Posted January 8^th, 2021 on Niagara At Large

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement to mark the first anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752:

Three of the 63 Canadians, Bahareh Hajesfandiari, his wife Mehdi Sadeghi and their daughter Anisa, who perished when a Ukrainian jetliner went down in Iran

“One year ago today, a passenger jet carrying 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, in Tehran. Of the 176 innocent people who died on Ukraine International Flight 752, 138 had ties to Canada. Today, we honour those who were lost and stand shoulder to shoulder with the people they loved.

“Over the past year, Canada has worked tirelessly to get the transparency, accountability, and justice that the victims and their families deserve. We have been unrelenting in pursuit of the truth, and Canada will not accept anything less than a comprehensive and honest explanation from the Iranian regime of what exactly happened that day.

“We continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure a thorough, transparent, and credible investigation into the cause of this tragedy, and to hold Iran accountable, including by ensuring that Iran makes full reparations for the victims of PS752 and their grieving families, and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Continue reading →