Author Archives: dougdraper

“Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.” – from U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s Inaugural Address

Posted January 21st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

For some it is a dark, divisive very disturbing address to his country and to the rest of the world.

To others, it was cause for celebratory cheers and for hope that those  who have seen their American dream dissolve for decades as factories and other businesses closed in their communities and re-opened beyond their country’s borders.

For Canada, almost right out of the gate of the Trump presidency, expect Trump to approve constructoon of the XL Keystone pipeline from Alberta’s tar sands to oil refineries in the southern United States, a .total reworking or dismantling of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the possibility that American-based auto and other industries will bring some or all of their manufacturing operatiions back home, and one less partner country in the battle to curb climate changing gases to the earth’s atmosphere.

Here is the complete transcript of Trump’s inaugural address, then tell us what you think –

“Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans and people of the world, thank you. Continue reading →

A Brief One by NAL publisher Doug Draper

Posted January 20th, 2010 on Niagara At Large

For those of us who follow world affairs, it is almost impossible not be mindful of what is going on south of the Canada/U.S. border this January 20th.

I told myself an earlier on that I was going to turn off the TV and play my Bruce Springsteen albums as loud as possible through this U.S. presidential inaugural day. But like a kid who just can’t seem to keep away from playing in the mud with a new pair of shoes on, there I was listening to an inaugural speech that sounded like not much more than a slightly toned down version of one of Trump’s campaign rally rants, then watching the Obamas climb aboard a helicopter and make one more circle over the White House before the chopper crossed the Potomac and disappeared away.

As for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau? Continue reading →

‘Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.’

Posted by Doug Draper, January 19^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

American actor Alec Baldwin, who plays Trump on Saturday Night Live, wears a had reading; ‘Make America Great Again’ in Russian.

“I’m sentimental, if you know what I mean, I love the country but I can’t stand the scene,  And I’m neither left or right, I’m just staying home tonight, Getting lost in that hopeless little screen, But I’m stubborn as those garbage bags, As time cannot decay I’m junk but I’m still holding up this little wild bouquet Democracy is coming to the USA To the USA”

• Lyrics from Leonard Cohen’s song ‘Democracy

“It’s coming to America first, The cradle of the best and of the worst, It’s here they got the range, And the machinery for change, And it’s here they got the spiritual thirst, It’s here the family’s broken,  And it’s here the lonely say, That the heart has got to open In a fundamental way,  Democracy is coming to the USA”

Lyrics from Leonard Cohen’s song ‘Democracy

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

A Brief One from NAL publisher Doug Draper

Posted January 19th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

This January 18th, CBC posted a story on questions and concerns now dogging the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and how it is conducting business with millions of dollars annually of our tax money.

Here is the headline and first few paragraphs of the CBC story, followed  by a link you can click on to read the whole story. Stay tune for more on this issue from Niagara At Large, CBC and other news and commentary sources –

Niagara residents demonstrate in front of Balls Falls’ Centre where Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board met this January 18th. Photo courtesy of Mike Haines

Niagara conservation authority used public money to hire lobbyists — to promote development

A retired Royal Canadian Air Force officer who is facing a $200,000 lawsuit for defamation by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority brought a battalion of supporters to the group’s annual general meeting Wednesday. Continue reading →

Posted by NAL publisher Doug Draper on Niagara At Large, January 19th, 2017

Niagara citizen Ed Smith delivers his message to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board of directors

This January 18th, 2017, Niagara citizen Ed Smith, who has been slapped with a $200,000 lawsuit by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and its former CAO Carmen D’Angelo, stood before the NPCA’s board and delivered the following address to them – one that we, as citizens in a democracy, all need to read.

By the way, the NPCA board approved a motion to have an audit done on its operations. Niagara At Large will post a news commentary on that development and what further needs to be done to reclaim this Conservation Authority for the people of this region this coming January 20th. Stay tuned.

Now here are Ed Smith’s words to this board –

“Ladies and gentlemen: 

Public trust.

Whatever trust the public places in its officials must be respected. Under the right circumstances the loss of public trust can mean the loss of the right to govern, in a healthy democracy public trust is foundational. Continue reading →

“All of us should refuse to witness Donald Trump’s oath of office  and instead observe a minute of silence out of concern for the future of American democracy.”  ‘- former U.S. Labour Secretary Robert Reich

A Brief Message from the Facebook pages of Robert Reich, a university professor, author and former Secretary of Labour in the White House administration of President Bill Clinton

Posted January 17^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

A Brief Foreword Note from NAL publisher Doug Draper –

Donald Trump and the Clintons have wined and dined before. “throw her in jail’ or not, they swim in the same elite circles.

This was Robert Reich’s Facebook response to the recent news that Bill and Hillary Clinton, who were called liars, crooks and almost everything else short of child molesters  by Donald Trump during last year’s U.S. presidential campaign, are planning to attend the inauguration and swearing in ceremonies for Donald Trump this comping January, 2017.

In a few words, I think it expresses some of the views of many of the Americans I know – more than a few of who are feeling sick to their stomachs right now – and many others around the world to Trump’s coming presidency.

From Robert Reich –

“By attending Trump’s inauguration, they (the Clintons) are’ normalizing it – as if Trump were just another president and this were just another inauguration. He’s not. It’s not. Continue reading →

“We are tremendously excited to have been approached with this opportunity. The GNCC’s mission is to help Niagara’s businesses succeed, and we are glad to help Niagara’s Chinese business community.” — Mishka Balsom, President & CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

News form the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Posted January 18th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – This January 2017, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) hosted the first meeting of the newly-formed Niagara Chinese Business Council (NCBC).

GNCC Board of Directors with GNCC CEO Mishka Balsom (front, at far left), NCBC Chair Chris Zhu (front, second from left), GNCC Chair Ian Kowalchuk (front, second from right) and NCBC Vice-Chair Tony Zhang (front, far right). Photo courtesy of Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

The GNCC was approached by a group of Chinese businesspeople in Niagara who sought to form a new business organization for Niagara’s Chinese business community. Continue reading →

Posted January 18th, 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

“I am requesting a copy of documentation between NPCA and OMB that approves any salary, expenses, or allowances or contracts to any board members since 2014. Was Carmen D’Angelo while a board member, given a paid contract for strategic planning work?” – an excerpt from a letter MPP Cindy Forster sent to the NPCA this January 16th requesting answers. 

“I am told the labour relationship with the employer is deplorable, grievances unresolved with everyone one them going to arbitration, a very costly process to the taxpayers that could be used for conservation.” – another excerpt from a letter MPP Cindy Forster sent to the NPCA this January 16th requesting answers.

“How much money has it cost the NPCA and its foundation and the taxpayers between 2013-2016 for the restructuring that has taken place in terms of severances and any legal actions arising out of wrongful dismissal claims?” – yet another excerpt from a letter MPP Cindy Forster sent to the NPCA this January 16th requesting answers.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF CINDY FORSTER’S LETTER BELOW

Posted by Doug Draper, publisher of your online news site Niagara At Large

MPP for the Niagara, Ontario riding of Welland, Cindy Forster continues to push for more public accountability from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

January 17th, 2017

In November of last year Cindy Forster, an Ontario Member of Parliament for the Niagara riding of Welland, followed up Niagara area citizen Ed Smith in a call for a forensic audit and full investigation of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s operations.

Forster also met with members of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authorities board and management in November to discuss concerns raised by her constituents and other citizens, including municipal councillors, across the Niagara and Hamilton region about how the NPCA is using millions of dollars of our municipal tax dollars each year. Continue reading →

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted January 16^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

“There is little hope for us until we become tough-minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance.” – The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King

“They can kill the dreamer, but they can’t kill the dream,” sang American blues artist Ruthie Foster in a song she performed during a concert last year in Niagara, Ontario.

The dreamer, of course, was Martin Luther King, the  charismatic civil rights leader, who was gunned down in 1968, but whose dream tens-of-millions of Americans have continued to commemorate each on Martin Luther King Day, being observed this Monday, January 16th by our neighbours in Erie and Niagara Counties, New York and in numerous other regions across the U.S.A.

They killed the dreamer, alright. Continue reading →

News from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

Posted January 16^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

A wheel house view of a ship making its way through the Welland Canal in Niagara, Ontario . Photo courtesy of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – Just interesting to note in the news below that following the 2016 navigation season – the length of which has more than a little to do with the amount of ice receding or building upin the Great Lake and rheir connecting channels (including the Welland Canal) in the spring, fall and winter – the other two record seasons occurred in 2008 and 2013.

Is there a pattern here? Could this be telling us something? No. Climate change is a hoax, isn’t it? Maybe if Trump follows through on his promises to tear up all the climate change accords and burn more coal and oil, we’ll have navigation seasons in the Great Lakes that last all year, just so long as the water levels don’t go too low.)

Cornwall, Ontario – After opening the 2016 season on March 21, the St. Lawrence Seaway closed on December 31, enjoying a navigation season of 286 days. This performance ties the record first established in 2008 and matched in 2013 for the longest navigation season. Continue reading →

A Message to You from the Niagara Dental Health Coalition

Posted January 16th, 2017 on Niagara At Large 

Niagara, Ontario – The Niagara Dental Health Coalition has launched a survey to find out more about problems or barriers accessing dental care that are faced by Niagara region adults and seniors. 

The short survey can be completed on-line at http://niagaradentalhealthcoalition.weebly.com/ and is open until March 10, 2017.

 “Between two to three million people in Ontario do not visit a dentist each year,” says Lori Kleinsmith, Chair of the Niagara Dental Health Coalition. “There are many factors at play and we want to learn more about how these impact areas such as employability, health, and social interactions in Niagara.” Continue reading →

“Are we going to see the bill for this lawsuit? … The message that seems to be out there is “don’t ask” or you’ll be sued.”

An Open Letter from Niagara citizen Marilyn Bell for Niagara At Large to post and for all of us to give the words she shares in it some serious consideration.

Posted January 15^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Some of our elected officials don’t want to “waste” taxpayers’ money on a forensic audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority but are willing to spend taxpayers’ money on suing a private citizen named Ed Smith for asking questions. 

A private citizen who, by the way, spent twenty-five years of his life in our Canadian Air Force.  He served us then and is serving us now by wanting to find out facts.  Are we going to see the bill for this lawsuit?

A 2016 meeting of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority board. The board recently launched a lawuist against Niagara citizen Ed Smith who has been calling for a forensic audit of the NPCA’s operations. File photo by Doug Draper

  The message that seems to be out there is “don’t ask” or you’ll be sued. Continue reading →

–         This Coming Tuesday, January 17^th at 7 p.m. at the St. Catharines Public Library in the City’s Downtown

An Invite To All of You from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted January 15^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large 

St. Catharines/Niagara – With President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fast approaching, Brock University political scientists will be coming together to discuss what a Trump presidency will look like and how it might impact Canadians.

Brock’s public panel discussion to focus on impact of a Trump presidency on Canada and the world

 The Department of Political Science is hosting a public panel discussion at St. Catharines Public Library Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.. to discuss the chaos that has followed the election in November and explore what to look out for as Trump transitions into office. Continue reading →

By Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

Posted January 13^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara At Large attended a meeting this January 13th, 2017 between Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, MPP Cindy Forster and Mat Botden, , president of the Welland Curling Club in Niagara, Ontario, where the crippling hikes in electricity costs for that not profit-organization and for virtually everyone else in the province were discussed.

At the end of that meeting, Horwath told reporters that if her party is elected to government in 2018, she will make getting hydro costs under control and affordable for residents and businesses across Ontario a number one priority.

Here is the media release that came out of that meeting

News from the Offices of Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

As Hydro Bills Continue To Climb, Welland Community Groups Are Suffering

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Welland, Ontario  – Today Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath was joined by MPP Cindy Forster (Welland), as they visited the Welland Curling Club to discuss the impact of skyrocketing hydro rates on the club’s finances and future viability.

“Hydro rates are out of control in this province because of bad decisions made by the Liberal government to privatize more and more of our electricity system,” said Horwath. “Instead of looking after her friends on Bay Street, the Premier should take real steps to help businesses here on King Street, households across Welland, and families throughout the Niagara Region by making hydro affordable.” Continue reading →

Niagara At Large Doesn’t Do ‘Grip And Grin Photo Opportunities – Especially Where There Is “No Media Interview Availability – When There Are Serious Issues In This Region We Need You And Your Government  To Be Addressed

A Commentary by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted January 12th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Just an hour or so before nightfall this January 12th, what newsrooms are left across the greater Niagara region where emailed the following advisory from communication officers for Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Brock University in St. Catharines, Niagara –   

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

“Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will visit Brock University Friday, Jan. 13,” the advisory said. “The Premier’s visit and tour will begin at 9:15 a.m. at Inniskillin Hall, home to Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute.

“Media interested in attending the tour are asked to arrive no later than 9:15 a.m. A photo opportunity will take place at 10 a.m. on the third floor of the Brock University Students’ Union building.

There will be no media interview availability.”

Thanks for the photo opportunity Madam Premier, but no thanks! Continue reading →

A Call-Out from the Liberty Union Progressives of Buffalo/Western New York

Posted January 12^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Friend, 

U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren – two leaders in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party – vow to fight Trump on health care and a host of other frongs

As you may know, Republicans in Congress have made dismantling our healthcare system a top priority for 2017.

They’ve promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) on day one. They’ve been chomping at the bit to privatize Medicare for years. And now that they have control of the House, the Senate, and the presidency, their dream of a profits-over-people healthcare system for all has never been closer to reality. Continue reading →

By Doug Draper

Posted January 12, 2017 on Niagara At Large

It has been a threat that the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority has held over the head of St. Catharines/Niagara resident Ed Smith since last fall.

Ed Smith – a community activist and resident of Niagara, Ontario – has been slapped with a $200,000 lawsuit by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and its former CAO (now Niagara Region’s CAO) Carmen D’Angelo.

Now the NPCA and its former CAO and recently hired CAO for Niagara’s regional government, Carmen D’Angelo,. have followed trough on their threat to sue Smith – a retired Canadian Armed Forces officer and a community leader in calling for a full forensic audit and investigation of the NPCA’s operations – with a defamation suit totallying $200,000.

The move by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and its former CAO is virtually unprecedented in Niagara. It represents the first time in this region of Ontario and Canada that a body funded with public taxdollars, is suing a private citizen who has been pressing it for more accountability and transparency when it comes to growing citizen concerns that have been raised about its hiring and firing practices, its land dealings, how and who it awards contacts to, and other matters.

In a statement circulated to the media at large this January 12^th, Smith has this to –

“I was served notice by NPCA legal counsel on November 14^th 2016.  The letter of notice included a list of demands for my compliance; failure to comply could result in further legal action. Continue reading →

“Democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity — the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.”   – from Barack Obama’s Farewell Address as U.S. President

By Doug Draper

Watching Barack Obama say his official goodbyes to supporters following his farewell address as U.S. president this January 10^th, I thought of those epic scenes in the movie ‘Gone With The Wind’ where the northern troops during the American Civil War were closing in on the southern city of Atlanta.

Barack Obama delivers his farewell address as U.S. president

As the invading troops reached the outskirts of the city, their southern counterparts make their retreat and Rhett Butler tells Scarlet O’Hara that they better follow because with the exit of the troops goes any last semblance of civility in the city.

Sure enough there began the smashing of windows with vandals, looters and horse thieves spilling into Atlanta’s streets.

Barack Obama’s 2008 promise of progressive change may not have produced the results many the results many hoped they would. It didn’t help that his Republican opponents made a pact from the start to block his every bid for reform and that he suddenly found himself leading a country experiencing the worst economic crash since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Continue reading →

In 15 years teaching American politics, Brock Political Science Prof. Paul Hamilton has never seen anything like it.

A News Release from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted January 11th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Trump performed as same old Trump at January 11th press conference – his first full press conference in six months. Photo for this Brock U. media release inserted by NAL.

St. Catharines/Niagara – “I’m surprised by how little he has changed from the primaries,” the associate professor in the Department of Political Science said of President-elect Donald Trump. “He doesn’t seem to have absorbed much of the sort of manners of the office.

“You would think meeting Obama, touring the Whitehouse, nominating people for Cabinet, that all of those things would have sobered his mind, but it doesn’t appear it has.” Continue reading →

By Doug Draper

Posted January 10th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Zoocheck Canada – a nation-wide citizens advocacy group for animals in captivity – says it is “pleased” to see the Ontario Society for Preventing Cruelty to Animals (OCSCA) lay another round of charges against the giant Marineland park in Niagara Falls, Ontario for animal abuse.

Bears looking up at park visitors at Marineland. None of the recent OSPCA charges involve bears, although animal activists have raised concerns over the years about the condition of bears at the park. Marineland has always insisted it take good care of all the park’s animals. File photo courtesy of Zoocheck Canada.

However, Zoocheck representatives, who have been monitoring and raising concerns about the condition of whales, dolphins and other animals at Marineland for more than two decades now, said in a statement released this January 10th that they hope the OSPCA continues its investigation and take further a ”appropriate actions” against the park.

“We are pleased the OSPCA has acted by laying several charges against Marineland,” said Zoocheck in the statement. “However, we believe there are additional violations of the standards, regarding the bears and marine mammals that warrant attention.  We sincerely hope the OSPCA’s ongoing investigation will look closely at the management of those animals and that appropriate actions will be taken.” Continue reading →

Stéphane Dion is Out. Chrystia Freeland. Considered Best Pick for Foreign Affairs Ministry & Dealing With The Incoming       U.S. Trump Administration

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on changes to the Ministry

Posted January 10th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Chrystia Freeland moves from International Trade to key Foreign Affairs cabinet post. Considered best to deal with incoming Trump administration

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement today on changes to the Ministry: (For more information on the MPs chosen for new cabinet portfolios, click on their names where they are highlighted in blud in this post.)

Chrystia Freeland, currently Minister of International Trade, becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs, and retains the Canada-U.S. relations file, including trade relations.

Maryam Monsef, currently Minister of Democratic Institutions, becomes Minister of Status of Women.

Patricia A. Hajdu, currently Minister of Status of Women, becomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

François-Philippe Champagne, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, becomes Minister of International Trade.

Karina Gould, currently Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development, becomes Minister of Democratic Institutions.

Ahmed D. Hussen becomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Continue reading →

A Brief One from Doug Draper

Posted January 10th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

“Here, there’s no music here
I’m lost in streams of sound
Here, am I nowhere now?
No plan

Wherever I may go
Just where
Just there
I am”

–      From a newly released song called ‘No Plan’, one of the last songs David Bowie ever recorded.

David Bowie died a year ago this January 10th, 2017, leaving the rest of us to contend with 12 months of loss, chaos and creepy clowns

Wow. Has a whole year gone by already since David Bowie made his final exit?

It was one year ago this January 10th that Bowie died – just two days f his 69th birthday and the release of Blackstar, his last complete studio album that Rolling Stone magazine recently ranked as one of the top albums of 2016.

In its year-end review of the top albums of 2016, Rolling Stone ranked Bowie’s album right up near the top with the following note   “There’s never been a musical farewell like Blackstar – the Cracked Actor saved his braves and boldest performance for the final curtain. Bowie showed up on his 69th birthday to drop a surprise masterpiece, let an astonished world puzzle over the music for a couple of days and then slipped off into the sky.” Continue reading →

A Call-out from the Canadian Environmental Law Association

Posted January 10th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large – In September, 2016, the Liberal government of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne – without any public consultation or warning – slammed the brakes on approving any more renewable energy projects in the province, effectively leaving  any leadership role Ontario may play  in the green energy field to other jurisdictions like New York State, California, countries in Europe and even China.

In the following Call-Out, the longstanding Toronto-based pubic interest group,the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), is urging you to click on the link to its petition, urging the Ontario government to add real substance to its pledge to tackle climate change by getting back in a green energy field where advanced regions of the world are bound to grow and prosper sustainably in this 21st Century.)

From CELA –

Speak out for a clean, green energy future! CELA is working with other organizations including the David Suzuki Foundation, Environmental Defence, Greenpeace and many others, to show that there’s broad public support for shifting Ontario to 100 per cent renewable energy. Continue reading →

News from the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals

With a Foreword from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper and Marineland’s written response to the charges

Posted January 9^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The OSPCA – an arm of the Ontario government – has slapped another six charges of animal cruelty against Marineland, less than two months after laying five charges of animal abuse against the same amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ontario, posted on NAL on November 27^th, 2016.

One of many animal activist protests held outside of Marineland’s front gates in recent years. File photo by Doug Draper

The latest charges, following an investigation of Marineland’s operations that the OSPCA describes as “extensive,” involve the treatment of Elk and deer in the park.

In a statement Marineland shared with Niagara At Large shortly after the OSPCA announced the new round of charges at a news conference, it said; “Once again the OSPCA has opted to publicly announce charges and this time even undertook a press conference with the Deputy Chief Inspector of the OSPCA Jennifer Bluhm answering questions for the media.” Continue reading →

She’s An “Over-Rated Actress” and “Hillary Flunky.” – so says the next President of the United States, Donald J. Trump

A Brief Commentary from Doug Draper

Posted this January 9^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The multiple Oscar-winning movie actress Meryl Streep used her acceptance speech at the Golden Globe Awards this January 8^th , where she received this year’s Cecil B. DeMille to dress down Donald Trump for mocking a disabled reporter last year during one of his rallies – and she did it without actually mentioning the Donald’s name.

Donald Trump, at a rally in South Carolina last year, making mocking movements of New York Times reporter Serve F. Kovaleski, who suffers from a congenital joint condition.

I’ll admit that I am among those who has felt a bit of Meryl Street overload in recent years, given her almost constant presence on movie screens and receiving trophies at award shows. However, I think she deserves Five Stars for using most of her six minute acceptance speech at the Golden Globe ceremonies this January 8^th to slam Trump for the ill-mannered, narcissistic lunatic that he is, even as he is now less than two weeks away from taking over the Oval Office and being a heartbeat away from the nuclear button. Continue reading →

“Why you would allow Indian Point (Nuclear Station) to continue to operate defies common sense, planning and basic sanity.” – New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo

“Contrast that to the reaction of the (Ontario) Wynne Government to Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) plan to seek a 10-year license extension for the Pickering Nuclear Station.” –          Ontario Clean Air Alliance

News from Angela Bischoff, Outreach Director for the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Posted January 9^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

New York State has reached a deal to shut down the 40-year-old Indian Point Nuclear Station, located less than 30 miles north of New York City, on the basis that it is too close to a large urban area.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo starts closing curtains on nuclear energy. Will Ontario ever do the same?

To New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, closing the aging plant was the only reasonable option, despite the request by Indian Point’s owner for a 20-year license extension: “Why you would allow Indian Point to continue to operate defies common sense, planning and basic sanity.” The state government has so little faith in the wisdom of continuing to operate Indian Point that it has also demanded additional safety inspections and more independent review of plant operations.

Contrast that to the reaction of the Wynne Government to Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG’s) plan to seek a 10-year license extension for the Pickering Nuclear Station. Pickering is actually older than Indian Point. And there are twice as many people living within 30 km of Pickering than live within the same distance from Indian Point (2.2 million versus 1.1 million). Continue reading →

A Call-Out from Former U.S. Presidential Candidate and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders

Posted January 9th, 2017on Niagara At Large

Tell Congress: Protect And Expand The Health Care Needs Of Working Families, Do Not Cut Them

(Niagara At Large is pleased to post this urgent “Call to Action” to our American neighbours from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to stop Trump and his Republican congressional supporters from gutting the country’s health care system and leaving millions of Americans without affordable access to the health care they need.

If you can get the CNN cable network on whatever you watch network news on, this Monday, January 9th at 9 p.m., CNN is airing a special Town Hall meeting with Bernie Sanders.)

In less than one week, the new Republican Congress will begin their efforts to dismantle America’s health care system. Continue reading →

“In a free and democratic system, every citizen must be guaranteed the right to freedom of expression about issues relating to government as an absolute privilege, without threat of a civil action for defamation being initiated against them by that government.” – From a 2014 ruling by Ontario Court Mr. Justice Kenneth E. Pedlar, in favour of a citizen sued by the Township of Montague, Ontario for circulating a letter critical of the Township emergency response operations.

A Commentary by Doug Draper, publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted January 6^th, 2017

I began here with a quote from an Ontario court judge who dismissed a defamation suit a municipality filed against Donald Page – a Montague township resident who was exercising his right as a citizen to raise questions and concerns about that municipality – for a reason that every one of us who believes in the democratic right of citizens to speak out and to hold our government to account should take to heart.

Ed Smith, speaking at a news conference in November 2016, after he was threatened by NPCA with a lawsuit. File photo by Doug Draper

I began with this honourable judge’s quote because the legal harassment that was unleashed on Donald Page – quite wrongfully as the judge so eloquently pointed out – could be unleashed on any citizen who exercises their right to hold our government to account.

In fact, this form of legal harassment or thuggery – what has come to be known in the legal game as a “slap suit” designed to make an example of any citizens who dares to raise questions and concerns so that the rest of us know to go home and keep our mouths shut – has been threatened against a Niagara, Ontario  citizen named Ed Smith – a St. Catharines resident 25-year, retired career officer in the Canadian Armed Forces – for raising questions and concerns about hiring and firing practices, about the awarding of contacts, about land deals and a host of other matters involving the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority – a government body run by a board and managers that growing numbers of citizens across Niagara and Hamilton have lost trust in. Continue reading →

Trailblazing Women: Western New York Connections

Posted January 6^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York – The Buffalo History Museum will host the lecture, “Shirley Chisholm: Unbought and Unbossed.”

This program is in collaboration with a coalition of WNY women’s organizations  and  community  partners including, the Buffalo Presidential Center, AAUW—Buffalo Branch, The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, Friends of Women’s Rights National Historic Park, Buffalo/Niagara Chapter, Zonta Club of Buffalo, League of Women Voters Buffalo/Niagara, WomenElect, Daemen College Women’s Studies Program, and the  Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

Altogether, they will host a lecture presented by Eva M. Doyle about Shirley Chisholm – an inspirational African-American woman in history who generated significant change for all women across the nation. Continue reading →

Find Out How You Can Lend A Voice Of Support Below

A Call-Out from Pamela Minns and Thorold Heritage LACAC

Posted January 6h, 2017 on Niagara At Large

NOTICE

You ,may be aware that a Private Member’s Bill was introduced in Parliament to create tax credits for rehabilitation of historic places;  it was tabled in the House by Peter van Loan (Conservative critic for Canadian Heritage and National Historic Sites) and received its first reading December 1st, 2016.

The Port Mansion, the way it looked a decade ago, before it was torn down in what was designated as a “heritage district” in Port Dalhousie/St. Catharines, to make way for a proposed high-rise condo complex. File photo by Doug Draper

The bill is designed to limit the demolition of our heritage buildings and encourage the rehabilitation of properties in the Canadian Register of Historic Places.  This enactment amends the Income Tax Act to establish a tax credit for expenses related to the rehabilitation of a historic property.  It also establishes a tax deduction for the capital cost of property used in the course of such a rehabilitation. Continue reading →

A Invite to Residents from the City of St. Catharines, Ontario

Posted January 6th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario  – St. Catharines residents can have their say about the 2017 operating budget during an upcoming telephone town hall and two open houses.

St. Catharines City Hall

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik, Coun. Mat Siscoe, chair of the Budget Standing Committee, and City staff will answer questions about the 2017 operating budget during a telephone town hall Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The telephone town hall will operate similar to a radio call-in show, except instead of individuals calling in 30,000 residents will be called at home and asked to participate. Residents will be randomly chosen to participate, but those residents who want to ensure their participation can register in advance at http://www.stcatharines.ca/budgettalk or by calling 905.688.5600. Continue reading →

They’ve Already Made More In Four Days Than The Average Canadian Worker Will Make All Year!

News from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted January 5^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Toronto, Ontario – Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs have set a new record: their total compensation in 2015 hit a new high at $9.5 million, on average, according to a new Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) report.

The report shows Canada’s 100 highest paid CEOs on the TSX index now make 193 times more than someone earning an average wage.

“Although public outrage over exorbitantly high CEO pay continues unabated, especially since the Great Recession of 2008-09, CEO pay in Canada takes a licking and keeps on ticking,” says economist Hugh Mackenzie.

“In 2015, CEO pay set a new record, with only one factor threatening new heights: an unpredictable global economy.” Continue reading →

An Invite from Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, Federal MP for Niagara Centre, and Niagara College

Posted January 5^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

In keeping with the Canadian government’s continued efforts to consult with the public on its plans to address climate change, Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey and Niagara College are hosting a public forum on “action planning” at Niagara College’s Welland Campus on Thursday, January 26^th, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m.

An earlier session, hosted by Badawey and the College at its Niagara-on-the-Lake campus this past November 9^th, a number of areas or themes were identified, including transit, food systems, land use (i.e. brownfield development and urban intensification) natural heritage protection and enhancement, water resource management, energy production and management, and others. Continue reading →

“Sadly, too many of us have been so far removed from our sources of food we cannot think of ever not having access to the bounties that are found in our local grocery stores.”

By Gary Screaton Page

Posted January 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

There are four necessities of life, without which we cannot long endure on this planet: air, water, food, and shelter.

Canada in general and Ontario in particular, seem bent on polluting the first two. They also allow the destruction of those areas in which we can — presently at least — grow our food, freeing us from dependence upon imports from unreliable source countries.

Finally, governments fail by allowing moneyed investors to price our shelter options out of the reach of far too many Canadians. Continue reading →

U.S. Senator and Former Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders Joins New York State Governor in Announcing Proposal for Tuition-Free College and University

News from the Office of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo

Posted December 5th, 2017 on Niagara At large

Bernie Sanders joins New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo in announcing plan for tuition-free college and university

(A Brief Foreword Note from NAL publisher Doug Draper – We are posting this ground-breaking proposal by New York’s governor because if it is approved his state’s legislature, it one day be as good for students in Ontario and other jurisdictions across North America, as it would be for those seeking a college or university education in New York State.

After all, New York State, like California, is one of those regions on the continent that is enough of an economic powerhouse that if it does something, it can pave the way for other regions – provinces in Canada, as well as other U.S. states – to follow suit.

Indeed, the Ontario government and some post-secondary schools in the province, including Brock University, have recently outlined plans to go tuition-free for students from families in lower income brackets, and a link to a Brock news report on such a plan is included below. Continue reading →

An Invite to All from the Niagara District Council of Women

Posted January 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines/Niagara, Ontario – In anticipation of a land-mark decision by Canada’s federal government decision on , if or how, it will keep its promise that 2019 will   see the end of “ first-past-the post” election system, on Wednesday January 11^th, the Niagara District Council of Women is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday January 11^th at 7:30 p.m. on  electoral reform.

The public meeting – free of charge and open to all – will feature guest speakers  Brock Political Science Professor David Siegel and community activist, and “proportional representation” advocate, Linda Babb. Continue reading →

From Avaaz, an  online global citizen activist team

Posted New Year’s Day, January 1st, 2017on Niagara At Large

In 2016, hate was given hope — but now we take it back!

From terrorism to Trump to Syria, it was a rough year. But hidden by all the darkness filling our screens, there’s a simple, beautiful, truth:

The world has never been in a better place.

From poverty to literacy, the rise of women and fall of deadly disease — on virtually every metric — the world is better off than it’s ever been. It’s a powerful reason for us all to have hope, and rise to 2017.

So to kick off the new year, here’s a video of 10 beautiful reasons to have hope — let’s share them, add our own, and together give the world a million reasons to hope in 2017:

Share this on facebook

Share this on facebook

Even on the environment, we’re winning epic progress on everything from historic ocean conservation to an unstoppable revolution in clean energy! Continue reading →

Posted December 31^st, 2016 on Niagara At Large

“Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!”  – Donald Trump, President-Elect, U.S.A.

An Afterword from NAL publisher Doug Draper – Now doesn’t that just warm you right up like a mug full of egg nog and rum?

Hurry up, barkeep. Pour me another before he tweets again.

And P-L-E-A-S-E make it a stiff one!

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

A Statement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  to mark the New Year

Posted December 31st, 2016 on Niagara At Large

“Happy New Year, everyone!

“Tonight is 150 years in the making, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ring in the New Year together. From coast to coast to coast, spectacular events are planned to usher in Canada’s 150^th birthday.

“Before we leave 2016 behind, I want to thank you. Over the last year, we have accomplished a great deal together to strengthen the middle class and those working hard to join it. Continue reading →

A Few Parting Words for the Year from Doug Draper

Posted December 30^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

What can one say about this 16^th or 17^th year (depending on where you start the counting) of the 21^st century as it draws to a close.

We have lost Leonard Cohen at a time when we need the wisdom and insights of people like him the most.

I could start by saying that my wife Mary and I had a very nice trip through New England to the coast along Cape Cod this past spring, and our oldest great cat, Dylan, is still here and able to jump up and down from the bed and window sills in his 18^th year.

We saw two of our favourite music people  – former Guess Who lead vocalist and front man Burton Cummings and Canadian folk icon Buffy Sainte-Marie – at Art Park, and discovered two other great blues artists – Harrison Kennedy from nearby Hamilton, Ontario and Ruthie Foster from Texas – when they were performing together at a concert in the region.

But I’m not here to bore you with any more of that. Continue reading →

Then There Are The Scary Clowns, But Here Is The Good News  – The Next Municipal Elections In Niagara Are Now Less Than Two Years Away!

(A Brief Foreword from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – I have rarely ever done this, but this December 31st, 2016 as an ugly year – the second bad one in a row – of Niagara regional council draws to a close, it is important to remember that there are some good members of our council who need and deserve our support because the numbers on that council, as it is currently constituted, are stacked against them.

Niagara Regional Chair Al Caslin (left) welcomes new regional CAO Carmen D’Angelo to his chair in the council chambers this past fall. File photo by Doug Draper

Continue reading →

Is Wynne Government Telling The Truth When Its MNR Minister Claims It Can’t Audit the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority?

“The ministry does not have the legislative ability to order a forensic audit.” –Kathryn McGarry, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

“MNR (the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) reserves the right to audit CAs (Conservation Authorities) for adherence to these policies and procedures and to review the effectiveness of the policies and procedures with regard to implementation of provincial policies and protection of the provincial interest.” – from the ”final version” of Ontario government’s Polcy Book, dated May 2010, on policies and procedures governing Conservation Authorities across the province. 

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted December 30^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Wynee’s Ontario Natural Resources Minister, Kathryn McGarry, claims province can’t order forensic audit of NPCA operations. In a letter to municipal councils in region, she offers her regrets.

A letter Ontario Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Kathryn McGarry sent this Holiday Season to the locally elected councils for least six Niagara municipalities – and possibly to the council for the City of Hamilton – says the onus rests with them, and not the province, to get the board of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to order a full forensic and/or value for money audit of its operations.

In other words, McGarry told the councils in her letter, that ministry won’t order one because, according to her, the province does not have the authority to order one. Continue reading →

Significant Progress Made on Building Ontario Up for Everyone

“Many parts of Canada, North America and the world are ending 2016 with uncertainty. Not Ontario.”                                                    – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

An End-Of-Year Report from Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne & her Liberal Government

Posted December 30th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

(A Note to NAL Readers – Another thing that at least some of us know is that this Ontario premier is ending the year with one of the lowest popularity ratings in recent memory for any political leader in this province. That said, NAL is posting this message from the Premier and leave it to our readers to draw their own conclusions, and post a comment at the end, if they care to.)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is calling 2016 a good year for the province

Queen’s Park, Toronto – he government has made substantial progress this year to build Ontario up in ways that help people in their everyday lives.

Premier Kathleen Wynne and her team are delivering on their commitments to create jobs, make economic growth more inclusive and ensure Ontario’s growing economy delivers real benefits in the lives of workers and families. As promised, the province is on course to present a balanced budget this coming spring and has put Ontario’s finances on solid ground without reducing public services that people rely on. Continue reading →

A Brief Message from NAL publisher Doug Draper

Posted December 24th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Wow, is the eve of the end-of-year Holiday Season. It seemed like only a few weeks ago that I was walking with my wife Mary and friends, watching the sun set on a beautiful spring evening off the shores of  Cape Cod Bay.

Our canine mascot Pinky joins us in wishing you a warm and peaceful Holiday Season

And now here we are with only a week left until the end of another year and all of those ghosts of old friends and relatives from Christmas past sitting a around the dining room table. There are more of them with every Christmas that goes by.

But they are mostly nice, warm memories that I savor as I am sure many of you do when you think of all the loved ones who have left us from Holiday Seasons gone by.

Enough of that though.

This Holiday Season, I wish to thank the growing numbers of people who are visiting Niagara At Large for news and commentary for doing just that, and for encouraging your friends to join us in trying to make sense of what is going on in our communities and around the world. Continue reading →

“The issues (dogging the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority) need to be addressed by the province in the most effective, efficient and credible way possible. The OPP in my mind would meet these criteria.” – Welland Mayor Frank Campion and NPCA board member Frank Campion

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted December 23^rd, 2016 on Niagara At Large 

City of Welland Mayor and NPCA board member Frank Campion

Welland/Niagara, Ontario – This December 20th, the council for the City of Welland joined councils for the Niagara municipalities of St. Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne, Pelham and Thorold, and the council for the City of Hamilton in joining Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster and many citizens across the region in calling on Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government to launch a forensic and/or value-for-money audit, and a full investigation of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s operations.

The Welland council motion, tabled by the city’s Mayor Frank Campion who also happens to be one of 11 municipal politicians in the region sitting on the 15-member NPCA board, goes a step further than those passed by other councils by asking the Wynne government to consider involving the Ontario Provincial Police in an investigation of the NPCA. Continue reading →

“Our governments have all failed to stop this war. Let’s demand that they unite to insist that Russia, Iran, and Syria allow the United Nations and the Red Cross to evacuate                                  all remaining civilians safely from Aleppo.”

A Call-Out from Avaaz, an international online public interest group

Posted December 19^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Dear friends,

The massacre of Aleppo has begun. Militias have reportedly gone house to house, executing civilians, women, and children, and an evacuation convoy was just attacked.

The deadly horror for Syrians fleeing their homes

Tens of thousands of civilians are left, crying out for help. Our governments have all failed to stop this war. Let’s demand that they unite to insist that Russia, Iran, and Syria allow the UN and the Red Cross to evacuate remaining civilians safely from Aleppo.

If these 3 governments hear urgently not just from the US and Western Europe, but from governments around the world, it CAN affect their thinking: Every moment takes a life – let’s stop the massacre of Aleppo Continue reading →

 A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted December 23^rd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

The recent death of long-time Cuban leader Fidel Castro was, among so many other things, a reminder of how close the world once came to brink of nuclear annihilation.

It was October, 1963, curing one of the darkest years of the Cold War and a nuclear arms race that had the fate of the world on a hair trigger, that the U.S. and former Soviet Union came as to launching an all-out nuclear war as almost anyone alive at that time could ever imagine as they played a dangerous game of brinkmanship over missile launch pads the Soviets were caught installing on the Cuban island.

For almost two weeks, the news pouring out of TV sets at home was so grim that our parents – I was barely 12 at the time and can still remember – had trouble keeping a brave face and some of the kids in my grade school class broke down in tears of fears. Continue reading →

“It boggles my mind. … I would think that you would want to do (a forensic audit)  and see how you can improve your business.”                                      – Thorold Regional Councillor Henry D’Angela

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted December 22^nd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

“This is your tax money at work,” said Thorold regional councillor Henry D’Angela as he held up a full-page ad the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority recently paid for in a weekly regional newspaper, Niagara This Week.

Thorold regional councilor Henry D’Angela joins call for full audit and investigation of Conservation Authority

Still holding up the ad, D’Angela noted that the Conservation Authority’s chair Bruce Timms, who is also a regional councillor for St. Catharines, claims that he would rather spend the money the NPCA receives from municipal taxpayers each year on planting trees and pollinator gardens.

“Well then what is the justification for spending money on this,” said  D’Angela, adding that “ironically” the paper the NPCA ad is printed on uses up trees.

D’Angela pointed to the ad, used by the NPCA to defend itself against growing legions of critics, as just one more of a number of reasons why members of Thorold’s council, who he spoke to this past December 20^th, should join councils for  other Niagara municipalities and Hamilton in calling on Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government to launch a thorough forensic audit and investigation of the NPCA’s operations. Continue reading →

A Column from Town of Pelham/Niagara Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted December 22^nd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Town of Pelham in Niagara, Ontario – This past December 15th, we celebrated two very generous local family businesses for donating significant funds to support the new Pelham Community Centre.

New Pelham Community Centre, concept drawing

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Dr. Tim Nohara and his company, Accipiter Radar Technologies, “Arena A” will be named the “Accipiter Arena.” Accipiter donated $250,000 to the Community Centre’s capital fundraising campaign. The Accipiter Arena will feature an NHL-size ice surface with a 1,000-seat spectator area. This arena will be capable of hosting major sporting events, tradeshows, concerts, and other commercial affairs.

Dr. Nohara re-located Accipiter Radar Technologies from Waterloo to Pelham in 1995 and, through hard work and diligence, developed the company into a global leader in advanced avian and security radar technologies. Continue reading →

“We encourage all residents of Niagara to learn more about how to prevent, recognize and respond to an overdose.”

A News Alert from Niagara Region’s Emergency Medical Services – Niagara EMS

Posted December 21, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Region, Ontario  – Opioid misuse is a growing concern. Opioids are also called narcotics. Niagara EMS would like to ensure the public are aware of the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose:

• Slow breathing and heart rate
• Severe drowsiness
• Cold, clammy skin which may appear blue in colour
• Very small pupils
• Not responsive to shouting or shaking

If you witness someone who shows the signs and symptoms above, or signs of distress, always call 9-1-1, as it is a medical emergency. Continue reading →

Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

 Deadline for Nominations is Friday, January 13^th, 2017

Posted December 22^nd, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Welland/Niagara, Ontario  – Cindy Forster, MPP for the Niagara riding of Welland, is encouraging local schools and community and volunteer organizations across the Niagara region to identify nominees for the Leading Women Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Program now underway.

 This would include West St. Catharines, Thorold, Welland, Wainfleet, Port Colborne and everything in between. Nominations must be in by Friday, January 13, 2017. Continue reading →

A Lobbyist This Excuse for a Conservation Authority Paid For                  With OUR MONEY, By The Way!

By John Bacher

Posted December 21^st, 2016 on Niagara At Large

For the past two years the provincial government has been engaged in a disturbing public consultation.

And while that  process of public consultation is now finished, there is internally at the cabinet table of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government at Queen’s Park a major debate, which is expected to be resolved in the first few months of 2017.

The aged wetlands in Thundering Waters Forest in Niagara Falls, Ontario – home to a diversity of wildlife – have been a target for something called “biodiversity offsetting” – code for destruction – by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Will Ontario’s Wynne government give the green light for that destruction to happen?

The Cabinet debate reviewing Ontario’s wetland policy which has been in place since 1992. The current policy which has been respected under New Democratic, Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments for 24 years has as its cornerstone a very important principle. Continue reading →

A News Release from the Niagara Health System

Posted December 21^st, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Thomas Woodruff (left) with Niagara Health President Suzanne Johnston presenting the Holiday Card Contest grand prize certificate at the St. Catharines Site. Photo courtesy of Niagara Health System

Niagara, Ontario – A colourful drawing of a winter scene depicting Extraordinary Caring was selected as the grand prize winner of Niagara Health’s 10^th Annual Holiday Card Contest. The picture showing a person reaching out to a stranger in need with a helping hand is featured as the image on Niagara Health’s holiday card. 

 Eleven-year-old Thomas Woodruff of Niagara Falls is the talented artist and grand prize winner. The Grade 6 Orchard Park School student spent a great deal of time and attention making his entry a perfect fit for the Niagara Health holiday card. Continue reading →

“I wish I could give u better news. As bad as it seems, I’m sorry to tell you, it will be worse. We are a broken country at this point.”

By American activist and filmmaker Michael Moore, from his Facebook Page

Posted December 21^st, 2016 on Niagara At Large

• Hello rest of the world! My fellow Americans are asleep right now so I thought we could talk privately and maybe I can explain what happened (this Monday, December 19^th).
• Hillary Clinton won the election on Nov 8 by 2.8 million votes over Donald Trump. Which is to say, she lost. You are correct, this is not a democracy.

Continue reading →

A Brief from Doug Draper

Posted December 20th,  016 on Niagara At Large

This just recently in.

This December 20th, the council for the Niagara municipality of Thorold joined St. Catharines, Pelham, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne and the City of St. Catharines in calling on Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government to direct a full investigation and forensic audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Continue reading →

“The provincial government’s Ontario Grant Program … is designed to pay most or all tuition costs for students from households earning less than $50,000 a year. … About 55,000 households in Niagara have an annual income of less than $50,000, according to Statistics Canada figures.”

News from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted December 20^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Brock University will become a reachable option for thousands more Niagara families next fall, when a new program covers undergraduate tuition costs for students from middle- or low-income homes.

A sceneon the campus of Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara

The provincial government’s Ontario Grant Program, which takes effect in September 2017, is designed to pay most or all tuition costs for students from households earning less than $50,000 a year.

Last week, the government posted an online calculator where students can see if they qualify for free tuition or grants. For students about to graduate from high school, Jan. 11, 2017 is the application deadline to attend Brock next fall. Continue reading →

A Brief One from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted December 20^th, 2016

Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn and his council join growing call to Ontario government for a full probe and audit of NPCA operations

Niagara, Ontario – This December 19^th, the Town of Pelham’s council  joined a growing call from Niagara municipalities, the City of Niagara Falls, Cindy Forster and other Niagara MPPs, and citizens at large for the Ontario government to initiate a full investigation and forensic audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

This December 20^th, councils for the Niagara municipalities of Thorold and Welland will consider a similar call which comes in the wake of numerous concerns and questions over the NPCA’s board and management’s hiring and firing of staff, awarding of consultant contracts, land dealings and other matters many argue is compromising the body’s role as a guardian of the region’s natural heritage. Continue reading →

‘The current federal funding proposal is over $30 billion less than what the evidence shows is needed to maintain the sustainability of health care systems across Canada.’

A News Release from the Government of Ontario

Posted December 19^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Finance and Health today unanimously called on the federal government to negotiate a fair and long-term funding partnership for the health of Canadians. 

Health care is the number one priority of Canadians. Ministers agreed that the federal government’s unilateral approach to health funding puts the services Canadians rely on as well as the sustainability of provincial and territorial health services at risk. Continue reading →

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted December 19^th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Three more municipal councils in Niagara – the council for Pelham this Monday, December 19^th, and the ones for Welland and Thorold this Tuesday, December 20^th – are expected to vote on motions calling on the Ontario government to launch a full investigation, including a forensic and/or value-for-dollar audit, of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s operations.

All of this continuing in the wake of Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster publicly calling on the province to investigate and audit theNPCA this November, then four municipal councils, beginning with St. Catharines this past December 5^th, then Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne and the City of Hamilton’s council, calling on Premier Wynne and her government to thoroughly investigate and audit the NPCA’s operations.

Two other Niagara councils – in the Township of Wainfleet and City of Niagara Falls – also passed motions calling for a forensic audit of the NPCA, but those motions ask the NPCA’s board, rather than the province, to make arrangements to have an “independent” audit done of its operations. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from Niagara Action for Animals

Posted December 19th, 2016 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Action for Animals is a non-profit, all volunteer charity devoted to ending all forms of animal cruelty through education, direct action and legitimate protest.

For more information on Niagara Action for Animals and its efforts for all creatures great and small, click on its website at – http://www.niagaraactionforanimals.org/ .

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

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