Author Archives: dougdraper

 News from the Niagara Parks Commission

Posted July 4th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

A re-enactment of battle at Niagara Park’s Chippawa Battlefield Memorial Park. File photo

Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Parks and the Chippawa Branch 396 of the Royal Canadian Legion will hold a commemorative ceremony to honour those who served on the Chippawa Battlefield on Wednesday, July 5 at 7 p.m., at the Chippawa Battlefield Monument.

Fought on July 5, 1814, the Battle of Chippawa was the opening engagement of the Niagara campaign, the longest and bloodiest military operation of the War of 1812. Each year on July 5, a memorial service is held to honour the legacy of those who fell in service of their nation. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from Niagara Action for Animals (NAFA)

Posted July 4th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Dear friends of animals 

Here is an important petition that needs to be signed.

You can sign it by clicking on – https://www.change.org/p/premier-wynne-black-bears-shouldn-t-be-needlessly-killed-in-toronto

Every year, bears that wander into developed areas are needlessly shot, not because they pose a threat, but because there is a lack of an experienced and coordinated response.

A properly trained police unit, working closely with a wildlife expert, will help to ensure the most effective and humane outcome in these situations. Continue reading →

U2’s Bono Praises Canada as a nation that ‘opens doors’ rather than ‘builds walls’ … that ‘leads while others follow’

A Brief One to share from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted July 1^st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Before this 150^th anniversary of Canada Day is over, I want to share this moment with you if you missed CBC’s broadcast of the afternoon festivities at Canada’s big birthday party on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

U2’s Bono pays tribute to Canada for opening up arms, doors.

Bono, front man of the legendary rock group U2 and a long-time champion of humanitarian causes around the world, took time out from the band’s ongoing global tour to attend Canada’s country and praise the country for standing by policies that reflect compassion and inclusivity in a world where – in these times – there are too many forces pushing the other way.

 “When others build walls, you open doors,” said Bono to those, including Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, gathered on Parliament Hill for the festivities before singing a song. “When others divide, your arms are open wide. Where you lead, others follow.”

To watch a video of Bono’s appearance at this July 1^st’s Canada Day party, click on –

.Before I end, I mentioned in a Canada Day piece I posted on NAL earlier this July 1st that a Canadian writer, Stephen Marche, recently had a very thoughtful column about Canada published in the New York Times. Continue reading →

A Brief Message from Doug Draper, journalist/publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted July 1^st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

“It’s so nice to visit a country where we are not called ‘enemies of the people’,” a news reporter from the Buffalo, New York area told me after covering a recent visit by Canada’ Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, to Niagara-on-the-Lake for an Environment Day event.

The Ontario and Canada pavilions at EXPO 67 in Montreal in 1967.

The reporter was referring to the relentless campaign by the current occupant in the White House to undermine a press essential to the workings of a free and open democracy.

In my regular cross border trips to the Buffalo, New York area, I cannot count the times since Trump took the oath of office that I’ve had friends and associates I meet there if they would be welcome to come live in Canada.

It is a reminder that for all of the challenges and problems we Canadians face in our region, province and country – and we will continue addressing those in news and commentary on Niagara At Large in the times – we are still very fortunate to be living here rather in many other places in this world. Continue reading →

A Canada Day message from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted July 1^st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Dear Friends,

We all want to feel good about what Canada stands for. From progress on LGBTQ rights, to communities coming together to support new immigrants, to modest steps toAward reconciliation, there are reasons to be proud of how far we’ve come in 2017.

But are we prepared to move beyond pride—to acknowledge just how much more work needs to be done?

For over 35 years, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has been promoting public policy solutions grounded in ideals of social, economic and environmental justice. We’ve always believed that public policy can play an important role on the road to social transformation. But today, on the occasion of Canada 150, we are asking ourselves tough questions about the role of public policy in reconciliation. Continue reading →

A Canada Day message from Ed Broadbent, Chair, Broadbent Institute

Posted July 1st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

So much of what makes us proud about Canada is the product of the dedication of principled activists who won’t take “No” for an answer.

Former Federal NDP leader Ed Broadbent, chair of Broadbent Institute, Canada

We had a great example of this earlier this month when Parliament adopted a bill prohibiting discrimination against transgender Canadians and affording them protection against hate crimes.

The Canada we are proud of is also the product, whether explicit or not, of a social democratic engagement to put equality and the good of all first. As my friend Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to a Canadian legislature, famously said “Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.”

Though we’ve come a long way, Canada remains a work in progress. The narrative of an inclusive Canada is a story that is still at odds with the lived experience of too many Canadians. And nowhere is the gap between rhetoric and reality more glaring than in the case of First Nations. Continue reading →

Find a petition here to sign below

From the citizen advocacy groups Niagara Action for Animals and Animal Justice

Posted June 30th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Dear friends of animals

Animal Justice, a Canada-based legal action group for animals, has sent a post about our lax Canadian laws that allows bestiality!

Please go to the site below to sign a petition urging the Prime Minister to outlaw the sexual abuse of animals in Canada.

To sign the petition, click on – https://e-activist.com/page/10386/action/1?ea.tracking.id=email&ea.url.id=950618  Continue reading →

 A Call-Out from the Council of Canadians

Posted June 30^th,, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Council of Canadians is calling on the Wynne government to ban bottled water takings in Ontario, rather than simply increase water taking fees for the bottled water industry.

The Ontario government has released a formal decision to move forward with a regulation that would increase bottled water taking fees from $3.71 per million litres to $503.71 per million litres. Continue reading →

A Commentary by Doug Draper and some News from BDS Coalition representatives in Niagara and other regions of Canada

Posted June 29^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

From NAL publisher Doug Draper –

Members of groups – some of them Jewish and some of them not, but all of them saying they are opposed to current Israeli government policies they feel violate the civil rights of Palestinian people in the West Bank region of the Middle East – are pushing back at a motion approved by a majority on Niagara’s regional council earlier this June to condemn the so-called “Boycott-Divestment- Sanction (BDS) Israel movement” and a recent expression of support for the movement by some members of the Niagara Centre NDP Riding Association.

Niagara’s regional headquarters

That expression of support, tabled at a riding association meeting where the ridings MPP, Cindy Forster, was not present, reportedly never received an ounce of support from NDP’s provincial party. But that didn’t stop Fort Erie regional councillor Sandy Annunziata from condemning members of the riding association for flirting with it and from publicly scolding Forster, in her absence, for not apologizing to Jewish communities in the region and beyond for the fact that support for the BDS movement had been entertained by one or more NDP members in her riding g at all.

I sat at the June 8^th regional council meeting while mayors and councillors from across Niagara rung their hands for the better party of two hours over what to do with Annunziata’s motion of condemnation, and while three spokespersons for groups representing members of the Jewish community in Niagara and elsewhere in the province and country expressed their views that the BDS movement is nothing short of an expression of hate toward Jewish people – code for anti-Semitism – pure and simple.

But like so many other issues facing humankind in this world today, there is apparently nothing all that pure and simple about it. Continue reading →

“We’re pleased to be leading this program in response, and to take decisive action that will close the skills gap and help businesses here in Niagara.”– Mishka Balsom, President and CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

News form the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Posted June 29th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Linking Niagara, the first project of its kind in Ontario, is being launched in Niagara.

Overseen by a steering committee consisting of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Workforce Planning Board, YMCA Employment & Immigrant Services, Rel8ed.to, Business Jumpstart, the Niagara Community Observatory and Niagara Connects, Linking Niagara will close the skills gap in Niagara.

Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

 Linking Niagara is funded by the Ontario Centre for Workforce Innovation, with the support of Ryerson University and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.

Employers in Ontario identify access to a talented workforce as their number-one challenge, yet despite this fact, there are still thousands of job-seekers in Niagara who are not finding roles. Linking Niagara aims to bring the two together, building the connections and tools that will help businesses recruit talent, job-seekers to find available jobs, and employment service providers to connect their clients with local employers.

The program will raise awareness of the various support programs, initiatives, and funds available to local employers. A key challenge for employers is not a lack of programs to assist with hiring, but a lack of awareness of them. Linking Niagara will build that awareness.

The project’s coordinators will work throughout Niagara running workshops, info sessions, and information technology tools to make connections and help employers access key hiring resources. The project will particularly focus on smaller enterprises who do not have dedicated human resources staff, and face challenges recruiting and expanding their business.

The long-term results of this project will be decreased unemployment, faster economic growth, and more job opportunities, particularly among the long-term unemployed, persons with disabilities, and equity-seeking groups. The program will aim at creating a self-sustaining network and body of knowledge between employers, job-seekers, and employment service providers in Niagara.

Quotes:

“Employers have repeatedly said that their biggest problem right now is finding talent. It was one of the key takeaways of the 2016 Niagara Economic Summit. We’re pleased to be leading this program in response, and to take decisive action that will close the skills gap and help businesses here in Niagara.”— Mishka Balsom, President and CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

“As Niagara’s leading workforce research organization, we are very aware of Niagara’s workforce challenges: people without jobs, jobs without people. Linking Niagara is the means by which we can solve that problem for ourselves.” — Mario De Divitiis, CEO, Niagara Workforce Planning Board

“Linking Niagara will help the YMCA and other employment service providers with more tools and bigger networks so that we can reach even more of the people we need to. This project is a new and valuable resource for everyone in Niagara who is trying to connect job-seekers with employers, to help people find work, and to help employers recruit talent. “ — Deanna D’Elia, Director of Employment and Newcomer Services, YMCA of Niagara

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space below the Bernie quote.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For more news and commentary from Niagara At Large – an independent, alternative voice for our greater binational Niagara region – become a regular visitor and subscriber to NAL at www.niagaraatlarge.com .

 “A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

 “Too many vulnerable adults who are under the care of these private operators don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves.” – Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

News from the Constituency Office of Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted June 28^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park – This June, a bill from Welland MPP Cindy Forster designed to protect vulnerable adults and seniors in Supportive Living Accommodations (SLAs) passed a critical vote in the legislature.

Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

sIncluded among the safeguards proposed in Forster’s bill is a provision that would require housing providers to be provincially licensed in order to collect ODSP cheques and other types of support payments on a resident’s behalf.

“I’ve been hearing complaints about some SLAs from support workers, tenants and families,” Forster said. “Too many vulnerable adults who are under the care of these private operators don’t have the ability to advocate for themselves. In some cases, the operator provides horrific conditions and substandard care. We simply have to stop this from happening to anyone.” Continue reading →

News from Cystic Fibrosis Canada

Posted June 28th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large – This news was sent to NAL on June 16th, while our site was down for technical reasons, and we still wanted to get it in due to the cause and the great lengths Niagara resident Emily Allan has been going to support it.)

Each day, Emily Allan wakes up in a new town along the Bruce Trail with one goal in mind: to cover more ground, and raise more money for Cystic Fibrosis.

Fonthill’s Emily Allan, cross country coach and an employee at Brock University, has now covered more than 250km of her End to End Bruce Trail run to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. She will finish at Queenston Heights on Canada Day.

The cross-country coach and an employee in Brock University’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Emily has now run more than 250km during End to End CF, a fund-and awareness-raising expedition covering the entire 895km Bruce Trail.

Cystic Fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian kids and young adults. Emily is doing the run in memory of her cousin Sarah Bloomfield, who died of the disease at the age of 23. Continue reading →

“With the world pretty much in a state of chaos and false news coming at us from many directions, a strong CBC has never been more important.”

A Commentary by Nick Fillmore, veteran Canadian journalist

Posted June 28th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s federal government has taken the first step on a long road toward what hopefully will be the restoration of the CBC as Canada’s most important public interest and cultural institution.

For nearly 10 years the Harper government forced the CBC off track from its original goals of promoting culture and the arts, providing quality news, and facilitating a national discussion.

Harper refused to adequately fund the Mother Corp. In one fell swoop in 2012, the Harper government cut the CBC budget by $115-million over three years.

Harper very likely would have wanted to sell off the CBC but that would have caused a national backlash. Instead, he appointed seven Conservative lackeys and donors to the CBC Board with the idea of keeping the broadcaster in check. Continue reading →

“Flooding across Great Lakes cities this spring shows that cities really are on the front lines of climate change and protecting our water sources.” – St. Catharines, Niagara Mayor Walter Sendzik

A Message from Mayors of Great Lakes Communities in Canada and the United States

Posted June 28^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Montreal, Quebec – Member mayors of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative met at their annual meeting and conference (earlier this June), hosted by outgoing Chair Mayor Denis Coderre, in Montreal.

“This has been a very busy year. The Trump administration backed out of cutting the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for the remainder of 2017, but we must continue the battle for 2018 and beyond. 48 million people depend on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence for their drinking water. We are concerned for the future because such a decision would affect us all, from the port of Montreal to the waterfront restaurant in Windsor to the sport fisherman on Lake Superior,” declared Mayor Coderre this past June 15th.

Mayors of the Cities Initiative also asked the Canadian government to develop a more comprehensive strategy and framework for Great Lakes and St. Lawrence funding.

“Given the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence are a shared responsibility, both federal governments must reflect the importance of the resource in their budgets. The mayors of the Cities Initiative will continue working with the Government of Canada to develop a funding strategy for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River to ensure their successful restoration and protection for years to come”, said Sandra Cooper, Mayor of Collingwood, Ontaro and vice-chair of the Cities Initiative.

Following the United States departure from the Paris Climate Change Agreement, Mayors reemphasized the increased role of cities in the fight against climate change. “While the President of the United States has bowed out of the Paris Agreement, we are stepping up as cities to lead the charge against climate change,” added Paul Dyster, new Chair of the Cities Initiative and Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York.

Cities Initiative board member, Mayor Walter Sendzik also commented on the meeting. “Flooding across Great Lakes cities this spring shows that cities really are on the front lines of climate change and protecting our water sources. As a board member of the Cities Initiative, I’m proud of the leadership role our cities are taking to protect our Great Lakes, the greatest fresh water source in the world,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik.

The mayors also resolved to seek UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status for the entire Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin, a measure intended to draw international attention to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River as a unique ecosystem of worldwide significance. The resolution encourages the US and Canadian federal governments to pursue creating one of the largest UNESCO Biosphere Reserves on the planet.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a coalition of 130 cities from the United States and Canada representing over 17 million people who work together for the long term protection and restoration of the resource. The mayors work closely with state, provincial, federal, tribal, first nation, metis, industry, and non-government representatives from across the basin to protect, restore, and sustain one of the largest freshwater resources in the world.

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space below the Bernie quote.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For more news and commentary from Niagara At Large – an independent, alternative voice for our greater binational Niagara region – become a regular visitor and subscriber to NAL at www.niagaraatlarge.com .

“A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

“Climate change is everyone’s challenge, and our children’s future depends on how quickly and seriously we tackle it.” – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada’s new international ambassador for climate change, Jennifer MacIntyere

Strong action is needed now more than ever to tackle climate change, protect our environment and generate the long-term economic development that will grow the middle class and support a sustainable, clean growth economy.

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau,  announced this June 27th that Jennifer MacIntyre has been appointed Canada’s new Ambassador for Climate Change, effective immediately. Ms. MacIntyre will work with international stakeholders to advance Canada’s clean growth and climate change priorities on the world stage, including the successful implementation of the Paris Agreement. Continue reading →

A Not So Brief Message from Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted June 21^st, 2017 on the newly named ‘National Indigenous Peoples Day’ in Canada

What a wild and crazy spring it has been, with all of the flooding rains, damaging winds and other calamities plaguing our region and so many others on this rapidly spinning-out-of-control planet.

This spring’s flooding waters threaten shoreline properties in Port Dalhousie in Niagara, Ontario. Communities around Lake Ontario and other areas of the Great Lakes have continued to suffer damage from unusually high waters this spring. Photo by Doug Draper

I hardly have any right to whine, given the  heartaches, hardships and loss of homes and treasured personal possessions so many others have endured this spring in other communities and regions due to sudden, severe shifts in climate conditions that some, in wilful ignorance, continue to view as a “hoax” or as something that just happens naturally every few thousand years, but here at Niagara At Large’s home base, we have had our share of high winds, flooding waters, not to mention technical difficulties that have wreaked havoc with our computers and our ability to get news and commentary out to you.

To tell you the truth, it has almost been a blessing that our systems for posting news and commentary have been down because it has given this journalist a chance to decompress from all of the relentless vomiting out of coarsened conduct that too often passes as governance on the Niagara, Ontario side of a binational border region that makes up NAL’s prime readership area.

But for better or worse, depending on your perspective or whatever side of the dung pile you are on, Niagara At Large is working through the technical glitches for a lift off scheduled for this coming Wednesday, June 28^th – just in time for the next meeting of Niagara’s regional council and Canada’s 150^th birthday. Continue reading →

Posted June 8th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space below the Bernie quote.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For more news and commentary from Niagara At Large – an independent, alternative voice for our greater binational Niagara region – become a regular visitor and subscriber to NAL at www.niagaraatlarge.com .

 “A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

News from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario

Posted June 8th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines, Ontario – When he was eight years old, Jonah Mondloch walked into the library at Brock University with his grandfather Charles Burke to help him find some research books.

Jonah Mondloch, left, graduated from Brock University Wednesday alongside his grandfather Charles Burke. Cathy Mondloch, centre, a professor at Brock, hooded her two relatives during the Convocation ceremony. Photo courtesy of Brock University

This week — a decade and a half later — Jonah again walked through the University with his grandfather, but this time they had both just become Brock graduates.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jonah, 22, and Charles, 78, graduated together in the Spring Convocation ceremony for the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. Jonah completed his degree in Kinesiology in five years. His grandfather had been taking classes part time, one credit at a time for 15 years, but doubled up his course load this year so he could finish his degree in time to graduate with Jonah. Continue reading →

News from the City of St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted June 7th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik and St. Catharines Riding MP Chris Bittle brought the importance of the Port Dalhousie piers to Ottawa this past June 2nd.

A look at a stretch of the pier below a line of trees from the east side of Port Dalhousie Harbour, now under water and fenced off due to record high water levels in Lake Ontario. Photo taken this June by Doug Draper

The Mayor and MP met with Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, to discuss the importance of repairing the federally-owned Port Dalhousie piers. Continue reading →

A News Release from the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, first posted on the SPCA’s official website on June 1st

Posted June 7th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines/Niagara – Ontario SPCA Inspectors with the Lincoln County Humane Society have charged a St. Catharines veterinarian with 16 counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code of Canada relating to alleged animal abuse that allegedly occurred in 2013.

A criminal investigation was launched on September 14, 2016 by the Lincoln County Humane Society after allegations of animal cruelty against Dr. Mahavir Rekhi were reported to the Society. Continue reading →

 “We can’t walk away from the reality of climate change and we won’t walk away from a global plan that has a realistic chance of fighting it.” – Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, June 5th, 2017

By Doug Draper

Posted June 6th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The old line; ‘like father, like son’ has been used before on Pierre and Justin Trudeau for the obvious reason that both father and son ascended the ladder of Canadian politics to become prime minster.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with Canada’s Environment Minister, Catherine McKenna, and the mouth of the Niagara River in the background. Photo by Doug Draper

The line came back to this reporter’s mind this past Monday, June 5th, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeted people gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario’s Queen’s Royal Park after paddling ashore in a canoe – just as his father, an avid canoeist, might have in years gone by.

Then like his father, who pushed the U.S. administration of Ronald Reagan when he was prime minister for the second time around in the early 1980s, to negotiate an agreement to cut the flow of toxic chemicals reaching the Niagara River from U.S. industries and dumpsites, Justin Trudeau stepped up to a podium in the Niagara-on-the-Lake park to make it clear that Canada would remain committed to an international agreement he signed on behalf of the country in Paris a year and a half ago, despite Donald Trump’s recent announcement that he will withdraw the U.S. from it. Continue reading →

A Column from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

By Sheila Block, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted June 6th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The province of Ontario has committed to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour — and that is a real game changer.

One of many minimum wage rallies organized by groups of low income workers in Ontario in recent years

The province will increase the minimum wage from $11.40 today to $14 on January 1, 2018 and then to $15 an hour on January 1, 2019.

About a third of workers in Ontario earn less than $15 an hour. This raise will result in a 30 per cent increase in the minimum wage, which is substantive and has been a long time coming.

The $15 and Fairness campaign has been organizing province-wide in support of a $15 minimum wage. Last year, the Ontario NDP gave the campaign a boost by committing to a $15 minimum wage as part of its policy.

Now it will become a reality. Continue reading →

“Taxes pay for vital public services such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. The Fraser Institute inaccurately peddles the myth that Canadians are overtaxed. This undermines our ability to invest in programs that are key to the well-being of all Canadians.”

A Commentary from the Broadbent Institute

Posted June 6^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Does the Fraser Institute’s annual “Tax Freedom Day” make your blood boil?

Every June, the Fraser Institute proclaims a “Tax Freedom Day” to make the misleading claims that the average Canadian family pays a tax rate of over 40 per cent and that Canadians face an ever growing tax burden. Worse still, the media often lets these flawed claims go unchallenged.

Well we’ve had enough. Continue reading →

A Word to our Politicians Today – Wearing a Poppy at a Council Meeting every Remembrance Day doesn’t cut it if you don’t behave as though you know what that poppy means!

A Brief One from Doug Draper

Posted June 6th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

It was 73 years ago today – June 6th, 1944 – that thousands of young Canadians, Americans and English soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy, France in the greatest invasion of a heavily armed coastline ever launched.

During my years working for newspapers in this Niagara region, I had the opportunity to interview a number of veterans of that epic invasion for Remembrance Day stories. I was always amazed at how modest they were about doing something many of us who have  had the fortune to never have had to fight in a war and would, therefore, find incomprehensible – rush up beaches against German machine guns that ripped so many of their comrades and friends to pieces. Continue reading →

 “When you have families across Ontario choosing to heat or eat, you’d think it would be a wake-up call for the Liberal government to come clean.” Ontario Progressive Conservative Party energy critic Todd Smith

A News Release from Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party

Posted June 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Seven years ago, signs like this were popping up on residential lawns in Oakville and Mississauga, causing the then Ontario Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty to pull the plug on construction of gas fired power plants in those two municipalities just prior to a provincial election. The pull-out ended up costing Ontario taxpayers mega bucks.

It turns out the $1.2 billion price tag revealed by the Auditor General in 2015 for the Liberal gas plant scandal is just the beginning. Now ratepayers will be on the hook for an additional $1.56 billion to pay for the replacement gas plants in Sarnia and Napanee, according to reports. 

“The Liberals covered up the true cost of their desperate re-election ploy in 2011, leading to a court trial this fall. But it turns out the true cost of this scandal is far higher,” said Ontario PC Energy Critic Todd Smith. “This only means one thing and one thing only: when you get your bill, you’ll see that this reckless Liberal scandal is costing you more.”

The news (came this May, 2017) on the heels of a cabinet document leaked by the Ontario PCs revealing that hydro rates will skyrocket under Kathleen Wynne’s unfair hydro scheme.   Continue reading →

News from the Sierra Club chapter in Buffalo/Western New York

Posted June 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York – We’re involved with an exciting campaign to eliminate greenhouse gases and other pollutants from public transportation by working with the NFTA to bring electric buses to WNY. 

It’s the wave of the future and we invite you to ride it with us!

As part of this initiative we’ve arranged for an electric bus to be in town at the Allentown Art Festival and the Elmwood Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 10th. 

This month’s Writers Group Session will focus on this effort and will feature electric bus expert Judah Aber – see below and please join us on Thursday, June 8th.  We can use help with the Saturday events and with ongoing petitioning – to volunteer contact Rick Steinberg at 881-3585.

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space below the Bernie quote.

A reminder that we only post comments by individuals who also share their first and last names.

For more news and commentary from Niagara At Large – an independent, alternative voice for our greater binational Niagara region – become a regular visitor and subscriber to NAL at www.niagaraatlarge.com .

 “A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

Statement by the Prime Minister on World Environment Day

Posted June 5^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement (this Monday, June 5^th) on World Environment Day:

“Today (June 5^th), we join the global community to celebrate World Environment Day – an opportunity to connect with nature and to recommit ourselves to build a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come. This year, Canada will host the official global celebrations for the first time. We are proud to celebrate our shared environment, and to work with our partners around the world to leave a cleaner, healthier planet for all our children. Continue reading →

Bike to Work Week – Monday, June 5th thru Friday, June 9th

A Call-Out from the City of St. Catharines

Posted June 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Better sleep. Lower blood pressure. Save money. Reduce stress. Discover the many benefits of active transportation by taking part in Bike to Work Week in St. Catharines.

The City of St. Catharines is encouraging residents to turn their daily commute into a healthy activity by cycling to and from work. This month is Bike to Work month in Ontario and the City is marking Bike to Work Week here in St. Catharines June 5-9. Continue reading →

A Study in Statesmanship versus the Raving Tweets of a Reckless Clown

Posted by Doug Draper on Niagara At Large, June 5th, 2017

Let’s begin with an example of statesmanship in the wake of another horrific attack on people who are long-time friends and allies of ours in in the international community –

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the terrorist attack in London

June 4, 2017, Ottawa, Ontario

Streets of London cordoned off and patrolled by armed police following attack

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement after last night’s terrorist attack in the United Kingdom:

“Canada strongly condemns the senseless attack that took place last night in London, United Kingdom, which killed and injured many innocent people. I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed. Continue reading →

News from the Constituency Office of Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted June 5^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Welland, Ontario – Two women and three girls from the Welland riding were honoured today during a ceremony at Holy Trinity United Church in Welland as recipients of the Leading Women, Leading Girls Building Communities award.

from left to right: Allison Pillwein, Brenda Martin-French, Garyn Burns, Mary Petriw and Emma Mete, with Welland MPP Cindy Forster, third from right

Cindy Forster, MPP for Welland Riding, hosted a celebration this afternoon and presented the awards for this year’s winners: Garyn Burns, Emma Mete, Mary Petriw, Allison Pillwien, and Brenda Martin-French.

“I am pleased to recognize each of these recipients who have made such an impact on our community,” said Forster. Continue reading →

A Call-Out Message from Sue Hotte and the citizens-based Niagara Health Coalition

Posted June 4th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Our May 31st media day was very successful.  Both Ontario opposition parties support keeping the Welland Hospital open.

A File Photo from one of a number of past rallies for saving Niagara’s hospitals

  The Minister of Health, Eric Hoskins , was under a lot of pressure during Question Period.  I’ve attached a copy of the dialogue and you can see that he stated that he was committed to doing everything that he can to keep the Welland hospital open. He also stated that there was no commitment in the near future to close the hospital. We all know that it is impossible to close the hospital prior to the new Niagara falls hospital opening.

WE do need to keep the pressure on the Minister and the Liberals. Working together we can make it happen. Continue reading →

It’s Time  the Rest of the World Community to Flip the Bird back And Move On

A Commentary by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted June 2^nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Pope Francis addresses climate change concerns at UN in 2015

“Because we human beings are part of the environment. … We live in communion with it, since the environment itself entails ethical limits which human activity must acknowledge and respect. Man, for all his remarkable gifts, which are signs of a uniqueness which transcends the spheres of physics and biology, is at the same time a part of these spheres (and) any harm done to the environment, therefore, is harm done to humanity. … The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the World Summit, which opens today, is an important sign of hope. I am similarly confident that the Paris Conference on Climatic Change will secure fundamental and effective agreements.”  –  Pope Francis, speaking to the United Nations General Assembly in September of 2015

“The debate is over. The vast majority of the scientific community has spoken. Climate change is real, it is caused by human activity, and it is already causing devastating harm here in the United States and all around the globe. It is absolutely imperative that we boldly transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency and sustainable energy. The future of the planet is at stake.” –  The U.S. Senator who should be President, Bernie Sanders

Trump versus Planet Earth. a cover of the German news magazine, Der Speigal

“Obama’s talk about all of this with global warming and a lot of it is a hoax. It’s a hoax. I mean, it’s a money-making industry, OK? It’s a hoax, a lot of it.”  –         The blowhard billionaire and Reality TV huckster who would be and now is president at a 2015 campaign rally, Donald Trump

“We don’t want other leaders and other countries laughing at us anymore,” said Donald Trump this June 1^st as he stood in the Rose Garden of the White House and announced what many of us around the world dreaded he was going to do – withdraw the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement signed by former U.S. President Barack Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and just about every other leader of note around the world except the butcher boss of Syria, Bashar al-Assad. Continue reading →

From the Constituency Office of Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted June 2nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Ontario  – This May 31st, Welland MPP Cindy Forster was joined by the Ontario Health Coalition and the Niagara Health Coalition to demand that Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberals stop their plan to close five hospitals in the Niagara region.

A File Photo from one of a number of past rallies for saving Niagara’s hospitals

The group brought more than 2,500 letters from community members urging the government to immediately stop the planned hospital shut-downs. Continue reading →

A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP Sam Oosterhoff

Posted June 2^nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park – Ontario’s Health Minister gave Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP Sam Oosterhoff a commitment in the Legislature that he would do everything he can to keep Welland County General Hospital open.

The Welland Hospital site in Welland, Ontario is the largest remaining hospital facility of its kind still operating in south Niagara. How long will that last? File photo by Doug Draper

During Question Period, Oosterhoff raised the issue of elderly and ill residents in remote, rural communities having to travel almost an hour to reach an emergency room if the hospital were to close.

 “One elderly family is very concerned because they have no public transit and do not know how they will be able to receive the care they need and visit their loved ones in hospital,” Oosterhoff said during his exchange with Health Minister Eric Hoskins. “My question is simple and it’s to the minister: Why must you make seniors and families pay for the waste and mismanagement of this Liberal government?” Continue reading →

–         So Send in the Clowns

A Brief One from NAL publisher Doug Draper

Posted June 1st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

So where I was before I was so suddenly interrupted some 13 or 14 days ago by little gremlins wreaking havoc inside my hard drive?

Oh yes, I think I had just finished posting a commentary on Niagara’s regional council and how no code of conduct is going to cure that scary clown show.

In all fairness to the dozen or so good members on that council who are at least trying to focus on issues that truly matter to people across this Niagara region, next year’s municipal elections cannot come soon enough to sweep out the rest. Continue reading →

Joint Statement by Niagara  NDP MPPs Cindy Forster (Welland) and Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls)

Posted June 1st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Queen’s Park, Ontario – NDP MPPs Cindy Forster (Welland) and Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) issued the following statement –

“We are deeply disturbed to hear news reports about Karla Homolka volunteering at a Montreal area school. We share the concerns of parents who believe that their children should never have been put in this position.

Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo were convicted of committing horrific crimes against innocent school children in our region.  Continue reading →

“We are all custodians of this world, and that is why Canada will continue to work with the U.S. at the state level, and with other U.S. stakeholders, to address climate change and promote clean growth.” – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada in response to the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement

Posted June 1st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in response to the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement:

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at Paris Climate Summit two years ago.

“We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Canada is unwavering in our commitment to fight climate change and support clean economic growth. Canadians know we need to take decisive and collective action to tackle the many harsh realities of our changing climate.

“While the U.S. decision is disheartening, we remain inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies. We are proud that Canada stands united with all the other parties that support the Agreement. We will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to drive progress on one of the greatest challenges we face as a world. Continue reading →

From the Office of Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted June 1^st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

A Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins on President Trump’s Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord –

Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins

“For decades, the United States set the world’s public policy standard on critical environmental issues. Unfortunately, that tradition ends today. 

“Today’s (June 1^st) decision to back away from the Paris Climate Accord — a pledge joined by more than 190 countries to reduce emissions toward the goal of cleaner air and a healthy planet — does not demonstrate the leadership that is characteristic of America, nor does it protect the health and safety of people today, or those for generations to come. Continue reading →

 ‘The Horror. The Horror’

A Brief News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted May 19th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Something’s going on here, and you don’t know what it is, do you Mr. Jones?” – a lyric from the Bob Dylan song,                        Ballad of a Thin Man

Niagara, Ontario – Siting there, watching the regional council dong whatever they were doing during this past May 18th, meeting of council was like taking another trip to ‘Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness,’ and listening to that character whispering in your ear at the end; “the horror, the horror.’

The irony of this photo of the reginal council, taken a couple of years ago with council meeting holding up signs saying; “Bulliying – Just Stop it!”, speaks for itself

There was a point earlier on in the meeting, that droned on for more than four hours with code of conduct stuff, when Sandra Eaton, the mayor for the Town of Lincoln and one of the more decent people sitting on the council, got up with what looked like a bewildered, searching look on her face and asked the Region’s recently re-assigned integrity commissioner, John Mascarin, what might be done and what he might be able to do about whatever is going on there. Continue reading →

Ontario to Overhaul Land Use Planning Appeals System

A News Release from the Ontario Government

Posted May 8, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Ontario is taking action to overhaul the province’s land use planning appeals system to give communities a stronger voice and ensure people have access to faster, fairer and more affordable hearings.

The old Port Mansion in an Ontario designiated “heritage district” in the St. Catharines/Niagara community of Port Dalhousie became a proposed site for a high-rise condo, theatre and other development a decade ago, and finally went before the Ontario Municipal Board where local heritage activists opposed the condo plan

In the coming weeks, legislation will be introduced to create the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, which would, if passed, replace the Ontario Municipal Board. The new tribunal would be mandated to give greater weight to the decisions of local communities, while ensuring that development and growth occurs in a way that is good for Ontario and its future.

This would be achieved by eliminating lengthy and costly “de novo” hearings for the majority of planning appeals. The term “de novo” has been used to describe how the Ontario Municipal Board deals with appeals of municipal land use planning decisions, by considering the same issue that was before the municipality as though no previous decision had been made. Continue reading →

A News Statement from the U.S.-based citizens group,  Alliance for the Great Lakes

Posted May 18th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Canada and America’s shaired Great Lakes from outer space. The world’s larges source of fresh water is here. Let’s all do our part to protect and preserve it!

A Brief Foreword Note from NAL publisher Doug Draper – The new Trump administration in the United States is moving to virtually gut out of existence rules and programs that have been in place for decades for working in tandem with Canadian efforts to protect and preserve Great Lakes waters and environments for some 40 million U.S. and Canadians citizens who need them for the healthy survival of our communities.

Citizens on both sides of the Canada- U.S. border should press our federal, provincial and state representatives to do everything possible to stop Trump from taking actions that jeopardize the security of the entire Great Lakes region.

Now here is the statement from the good citizens working for the Alliance for the Great Lakes –

Zebra mussels, an invasive species, transported to the Great Lakes in the ballast of ocean-going ships, have done untolled damage to municipal and private sector water lines and other infrastructure, and to other domestic species in the lakes. There are ways of controlling their numbers. Will Trump gut them? He’s trying.

This May 18th, the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee voted to move the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act out of committee and to a full vote in the Senate.

The bill includes a provision, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), that would eliminate U.S. EPA’s authority over ballast water pollution and roll back rules that protect the Great Lakes from invasive species. In response, the Alliance for the Great Lakes issued the following statement.

“Invasive species, like zebra mussels and round gobies, have wreaked havoc on the Great Lakes. Brought in via ballast water tanks on ocean-going ships, invasive species out-compete native species and destroy habitat. They also cost people in Great Lakes communities hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

Unfortunately, the shipping industry has convinced some Senators to try to roll back the rules that protect the lakes from these harmful critters.

Despite knowing of the threat posed by invasive species since the early 1980s, it has taken two acts of Congress, a lawsuit, and states passing their own rules to get federal requirements for actual ballast water treatment systems onboard ships in place in 2008.

But even after the U.S. EPA and Coast Guard started that process, excessively long timelines for phasing in the regulations mean most ships on the Great Lakes still do not have ballast water treatment installed.     Why has it taken so long for Congress and federal agencies to act?

Shippers have asked  for special treatment and exemptions from U.S. law over and over. And it is happening again.   New invasions are all too real. In 2016 a new species of zooplankton was found in Lake Erie.

Given that this critter is from the other side of the planet, researchers say that ballast water is a likely way it entered the lakes.  Yet rather than installing treatment technology to stop these invasions as quickly as possible, shippers are staying busy convincing Senators to roll back existing rules.

Several members of the Great Lakes Congressional delegation aren’t buying it, and are working hard to fight off this bad ballast bill. But we need all of them. We urge the Senate to remove these harmful provisions from the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act.

We heartily applaud the efforts of Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), all members of the Senate’s Commerce Committee who voted no on this bill because of VIDA.”  -Jennifer J. Caddick | Vice President, Communications and Engagement

For more information on and from the Alliance for the Great Lakes, click on – | www.greatlakes.org  or call 312-445-9760,  mailing address –  150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 700 | Chicago, IL 60601

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 “A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders

Updated Land Use Plans to Protect Quality of Life for Generations to Come

A News Release from the Government of Ontario

Posted May 18, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Greater Golden Horseshoe in green

Ontario has released four updated land use plans that will help grow the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) in a way that protects the environment, while creating vibrant communities that are healthy and sustainable.

The changes to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan are the latest step in the government’s reform of Ontario’s land use planning system. The plans work together to: Continue reading →

A Column by Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted May 18th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Since Statistics Canada recently released additional information from the 2016 Census, I thought I would write here about the demographics of Pelham. And, since they also provide information for communities from the 2011, 2006, 2001 and 1996 Census, one can compare the make-up and changes of our population over a twenty-year period.

As you may know, Pelham is among the fastest growing communities in the Niagara Peninsula. Since our formation in 1970, we have grown from 9,855 to 17,110 in 2016. That’s a 74% increase!

Other large population increases include Grimsby at 80%, West Lincoln at 76%, and Lincoln also at 74%; compare this with the entire Region’s population which grew by only 33% during that period. Continue reading →

‘The environment at the NPCA has been very difficult on myself and my family, and I have to think of my family and my health.” – Lincoln Regional Councillor and now former NPCA board member Bill Hodgson

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted May 17th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Bill Hodgson, Lincoln regional councilor, off to one of his last NPCA board meeting this spring before resigning this May 17th. File photo by Doug Draper

Well now they won’t have Bill Hodgson to kick around anymore.

For those of you who have not been following the scary clown show, the “they” I am referring to are the honchoes running the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and Bill Hodgson is Lincoln regional councillor and now a former member of the NPCA’s board of directors.

This May 17th, before the this month’s morning meeting of the NPCA’s board got underway, Hodgson tendered his immediate resignation from the board – just two weeks after a majority on the board, including a number of other regional councillors and mayors of local municipalities in Niagara, angered citizens across the region with news that they had decided to censure him for conduct related to his months long call for a third-party, independent audit of the NPCA’s operations. Continue reading →

A Commentary by Doug Draper, publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted May 16th, 2017

Late this April, I walked in to the Niagara regional council chambers shortly after another meeting of the council started, and the ill-tempered, back-and-forth spitting on the council floor had already begun.

There was one regional councilor, then another taking their verbal jabs, then the chair up their with his gavel doing his usual; ‘That’s enough!” “You’re out of order!”, “Sit down. I don’t want to hear any more of this!”, or whatever.

Niagara regional chair Al Caslin with, to his right, Carmen D’Angelo, the recently hired CAO for the Region who was CAO at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. D’Angelo and the NPCA are parties to a lawsuit they launched a few months back against t. Catharines resident and retired Canadian Armed Force officer Ed Smith who they charge has defamed them with some of what they regard as baseless question and concern he has raised about NPCA operations. File photo by Doug Draper

Then I found myself doing something I have never done in all of the more than 35 years I’ve covered public meetings as a professional journalist. I found myself saying; “Jesus Christ,” as I sat watching this garbage, just loud enough so that people  sitting near me could hear. Continue reading →

Changes would discourage investment, eliminate jobs and diminish economic opportunities in Ontario, especially among small business owners

A News Release from the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce iin Niagara, Ontario

Posted May 15th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has sent a letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne warning against potential changes to Ontario’s Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including the introduction of a $15 minimum wage.

The letter is cautioning that these reforms may have unintended consequences impacting job creation and competitiveness, as well discouraging investment in the province.

More Niagarans work in retail than in any other single industry, and retail will be hugely impacted by these changes. They will not only result in downsizing and layoffs in Niagara’s retail workforce, but the costs will be passed on to consumers, resulting in higher prices. Continue reading →

 NDP Leader Andrea Horwath wants to deny Ontarians                 up to 40-50% off bills

A News Release from the Ontario Liberal Government Caucus

Posted May 15th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – This May 15th,  NDP Leader Andrea Horwath announced her party would not support taking up to 40-50% off your electricity bills. 

Despite Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan helping families, businesses, and farms across the province – including in Niagara and surrounding communities– Horwath said the “NDP can’t and won’t vote in favour of this” during a press conference this morning.

This stunning admission should come as a shock to every Ontarian. Continue reading →