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News from the Niagara Centre Constituency Office of Vance Badawey

Posted March 28th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, will be holding a Smart Cities Consultation in partnership with the Department of Geography and Tourism at Brock University, to discuss how to help municipalities in Niagara become smart cities. This event is open to the public.

 “Budget 2017 provides a great opportunity for Niagara municipalities to leverage the mechanism of Community Improvement Plans to promote and encourage economically, environmentally, and technologically sounds growth in a responsible and sustainable way. 

I am looking forward to speaking with students, stakeholders, and the residents of Niagara, hearing their thoughts on smart cities and the future of Niagara.”

Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament, Niagara Centre

• DATE:           Wednesday, March 29, 2017
• TIME:            Consultation Begins 2:00 p.m.
• PLACE:    Brock University, Pond Inlet, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1            

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 News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 27th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Lincoln regional councillor Bill Hodgson said he was having a pretty enjoyable Sunday this past weekend until he went to his computer and opened up the following email the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s communications specialist Michael Reles sent him that March 26th day on behalf of the NPCA’s board chair Sandy Annunziata.

NPCA chair and Fort Erie regional councilor Sandy Annunziata at March 8th special meeting of board to address audit issue.

“Dear Member Hodgson,” began the email to Hodgson who sits on the NPCA’s board. “I  hope you are enjoying your weekend.”

“In response to your Regional Councillors report at the Monday, March 20, Town of Lincoln Council Meeting,” added Reles of a report on regional affairs that he shared with the town council he once sat on as the town’s mayor, “the Chair has asked me to contact you for your written submissions to support a claim you made.”

“Specifically, he (Annunziata) is requesting you address the claim that “They say they’re following the resolution, but, really, a grade 2 student would understand, you’re not following the resolution,” the email continued. “He is also requesting that this is done in advance of our Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday. Best Regards, … Michael Reles, Communications Specialist.” Continue reading →

Speak Up for the Great Lakes you Love

A Call-Out from the Canada-U.S. International Joint Commission

Posted March 27th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Residents of the Buffalo and Niagara region are invited to share their views about the Great Lakes at public meetings hosted by the Canada-U.S. International Joint Commission (IJC).

Lake Erie at bottom and Lake Ontario at top, with the Niagara River in right half of photo in between. Image shot from Earth’s orbit

On March 28th, 2017, a public roundtable on topics specific to Buffalo will be held from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the WNED/WBFO studios at 140 Lower Terrace in downtown Buffalo, NY.

A general public meeting will be held at the same location from 6 – 9 p.m. 

On Wednesday, March 29,  the public is invited to a roundtable discussion from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the St. Catharines Rowing Club at Alumni Hall on Henley Island Drive in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Canada and the United States released their progress report last fall on accomplishing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement’s goals, and the International Joint Commission released their draft assessment report on January 18. Continue reading →

David Barrick To Introduce Motion To Regional Council Urging Pelham to Disclose its “2015 annual audited financial statement,” among other things

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 27th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Of all the motions listed on the agenda for Niagara Region’s upcoming Thursday, March 30th, the one I am positing here struck me the most.

The motion, according to the agenda, is being brought forward by David Barrick, a Niagara regional councillor for Port Colborne who is chair of the regional government’s Corporate Services Committee and who also holds a senior management position at the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Port Colborne regional council and Niagara corporate services committee Chair David Barrick.

The motion, posted in its entirety below, highlights what are characterized as a number of concerns around the financial health of the Town of Pelham that could, as the motion reads on, contribute to a potential for Niagara’s regional government “to receive a negative credit rating” which, as this reporter of municipal news understands, is not a good position for any government to be in.

Therefore, the motion – if approved by a majority of regional councillors at its March 30th meeting – would see the regional government asking the Town of Pelham to publicly disclose its 2015 annual audited financial statement along with the corresponding management letter with staff responses as well as the same documents for fiscal years 2016 and 2017.” Continue reading →

Brian Higgins Calls This Past Friday, March 24th’s Defeat a Victory for Hard-Working Americans but Says We Will Continue to Fight to Protect Affordable Care

From the Buffalo, New York Office of U,S, Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted March 27th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo/Western New York

Buffalo/Western New York – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement after learning that the American Health Care Act (Trumpcare) was pulled from consideration in the House of Representatives:

“Since the introduction of the Republican healthcare bill, less than three short weeks ago, people across our district and the country have expressed deep concern for the legislation which was better suited to protect wealthy insurance companies’ profit margins than hard-working Americans.  Continue reading →

A Statement from Mishka Balsom, CAO for the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Delivered to Niagara’s regional council this past Thursday, March 23rd, just before the council voted to move forward with more consolidated transit services for the Niagara region.

Posted March 24rth, 2017 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper –

While Niagara’s regional chair Al Caslin and other elected officials in the region were busy applauding themselves this March 23rd after finally voting to take another step toward the seamless, accessible and affordable transit system many people in this region have been longing and lobbying for for years, I could not help but think of so many people, living and in some cases now dead, and groups that have been pushing for transit systems like the ones that have been operating for years in other Ontario regions like Waterloo, Halton, and Peel.

I could not help but thing of the many articulate students from Brock University and Niagara College who have gone before regional councillors year after year, pressing for better transit services, and of other young people like Jennifer Sinclair and others from that great transit advocacy group ‘Meet on the Bus’. Continue reading →

 Niagara Region’s Council Approves Recommendations Towards Consolidated Transit Service

News from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted March 24th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

One of the Region’s inter-municipal transit buses makes a stop in Welland. File photo by Doug Draper

Niagara, Ontario – Niagara Region Council has signaled strong support (at a March 23rd special meeting of council) for the future of inter-municipal transit in Niagara by endorsing in principle the creation of a consolidated transit system along with the municipalities of Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland.

This follows recent unanimous approvals from St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland city councils to also approve in principle the consolidation of their transit services into one entity with Niagara Region. Continue reading →

“The current board of directors of the NPCA has lost the public’s confidence. … Their actions have demonstrated governance issues that speak to poor use of public funds, poor management of Niagara’s natural heritage and poor treatment of valued employees.” – from an open letter tabled this past Thursday, March 23rd by Albert Garofalo, a respected  naturalist and member of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s Community Liaison Advisory Committee.

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 24rth, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara resident and well-known naturalist Albert Garofalo.

Albert Garofalo – a Niagara resident and professional biologist representing environmental clubs and groups in the region on the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s Community Liaison Advisory Committee – tabled a toughly worded letter at the end of one of the committee’s meetings this March 23rd.

The letter, tabled by Garofalo as the committee’s chair, Sandy Annunciata, opened the floor to “other business,” calls on the councils of all municipalities within the Niagara watershed the NPCA has a mandate to care for, including Niagara’s 12 municipalities, the City of Hamilton and Haldimand County, to “withdraw their municipally appointed representatives to the Conservation Authority board and direct Premiere Kathleen Wynne to appoint a third party manager to immediately oversee day to day operations of the NPCA.” Continue reading →

A Statement from Ontario NDP Labour Critic and Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted March 24rth, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Cindy Forster, Ontario NDP Labour Critic and MPP for Welland,  issued the following statement in response to the announcement made today by the Minister of Labour:

 “Ontarians deserve nothing less than a $15 minimum wage, because someone who goes to work 40 hours each week shouldn’t be struggling below the poverty line. Too many people are working two or more low wage, part-time jobs just to pay their hydro bills and to put food on the table.

Premier Wynne doesn’t get that families can’t survive on the current minimum wage. Unstable employment is having‎ a devastating impact on women, racialized people and immigrants. Now is the time for a ‎$15 minimum wage for Ontario.”

A liveable wage has been an ongoing push for Niagara area MPP Cindy Forster and Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath,, pictured here.

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/Niagara

Posted March 24th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The new federal budget could help more families if the parental leave program were expanded to benefit more lower-income households, says a Brock University researcher.

Lindsey McKay, adjunct professor and researcher in Brock University’s Department of Sociology

In the 2017 budget unveiled Wednesday (March 22nd), the government announced that working parents will now have the option of extending their paid parental leave to 18 months, from the present 12 months. But to do so they must live off less money – 33 per cent of their income rather than 55 per cent for a 12-month leave.

Lindsey McKay, an adjunct professor in Brock University’s Department of Sociology, says this is good news for parents with higher incomes, but doesn’t help parents with lower incomes. Continue reading →

News from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted March 3rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario A leading Canadian scientist has developed a synthetic compound that appears to be capable of killing cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact.

Brock University chemist Tomas Hudlicky has created and patented several variations of the compound pancratistatin, which has been tested on 20 different types of cancer cells by a research team at the University of Windsor. The team’s paper, “Cancer Cell Mitochondria Targeting by Pancratistatin Analogs is Dependent on Functional Complex II and III,” appeared in the February issue of Scientific Reports.

Brock University scientist Tomas Hudlicky. Photo courtesy of Brock University

Scientists have known for some time that pancratistatin (PST), a substance found in the spider lily, causes cancer cells to die. But the low rate of natural production (a kilogram of spider lily produces less than 2 mg of PST) is a major challenge to research and clinical advancement. Continue reading →

Government offers the rest of us ‘Stale Crumbs’

From Rick Smith, Executive Director, Broadbent Institute

March 3rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

I was on Parliament Hill this March 22nd while the Liberal government delivered its second federal budget.

The Trudeau government continues to leave the loopholes open for the richest of Canadians. Wonder how many of them contributed money to the federal Liberal’s last election campaign.

I’m sorry to report that the poorest and most vulnerable Canadians have been told to stand at the back of the line while the richest Canadians continue to unfairly benefit at the expense of the majority.

Budget 2017 explicitly recognizes income inequality as a concern but does virtually nothing to solve the problem. Rather than taking a bite out of the juicy tax loopholes that unfairly benefit the richest Canadians, the Trudeau government has offered up only a few stale crumbs. Continue reading →

 Wanted: More Walk, Less Talk In Today’s Federal Budget

“This budget goes after the small fish of tax breaks, but it does nothing to catch the big ones. ,,, It’s time to address the fact that stock traders and CEOs pay half the tax rate on stock options than janitors who sweep their floors pay on income tax,” – David Macdonald, Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

A Budget Analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted March 23^rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Trudeau budget does nothing to stop country’s biggest tax avoiders from getting away.

Ottawa, Ontario—The federal government missed a key opportunity to walk the walk and tackle income inequality in today’s federal budget, says Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Senior Economist David Macdonald.

“While there are some positive aspects to Budget 2017,” Macdonald says, “let’s not mistake this for the bold, visionary inequality reduction budget that Canadians were promised by this government.” Continue reading →

A Comment from Ontario’s New Democratic Party

Posted March 23rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – France Gélinas, NDP health critic, continued this past Wednesday, 2017 to press Premier Kathleen Wynne about her choice to allow the growth of private for-profit health clinics and services, while she continues deep cuts to public health care in the province.

 “People shouldn’t have to pay up, or wait longer for the health care they need. But that’s exactly what’s happening under this premier,” Gélinas said.  “Companies are charging people to jump to the front of the line.  They’re doing it unchecked, on the premier’s watch.” Continue reading →

Innovation investment is welcome, but Canada must do more to reduce cost of doing business

An Analysis on Canada’s New Budget from the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Posted March 22nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Greater Chamber of Commerce CEO Mishka Balsom

Niagara, Ontario – This Wednesday, March 22nd, the Government of Canada released its budget for 2017-2018. The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce was glad to be a part of the budgetary process and to provide our input through Niagara’s Liberal Members of Parliament, Vance Badawey and Chris Bittle.

Businesses in Niagara and throughout Canada have identified skills and training as one of their biggest challenges. $225 million will be invested over four years, beginning in 2018, for a new organization to support skills development. Continue reading →

Be Fire Safe this Earth Hour – 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Our Time   Saturday, March 25th

A Meesage from the City of St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted  March 22rd, 2017 on Niagara At large

Niagara, Ontario – Are you planning to celebrate Earth Hour Saturday night? Fire Chief Dave Wood urges everyone to keep fire safety in mind when the lights go out.

The City of St. Catharines will join communities around the world in shining a light on climate action Saturday, March 25.

The City is turning off non-essential lights at City Hall and some other City buildings from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to show its support for Earth Hour 2017. Continue reading →

Get On The Bus From Buffalo!

“Ninety seven miles of new pipeline tearing through our countryside and streams, toxic spewing compressor stations and a dehydration facility to send fracked gas to Canada simply do not fit the vision we want to see, with NY leading the way to a renewable energy future.”

A Call-Out from Members of the Sierra Club in Buffalo/Western New York

Posted March 22^rd on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York – Are you ready to rally with us? It’s time to take our message to Gov. Cuomo, the DEC and our state representatives.

We need to make sure they hear Western NY say No to the proposed Northern Access 2016 fracked gas pipeline.

We are calling for denial of the DEC 401 Air and Water Certifications. We have groups from Albany and NYC offering to join us but we need to show that Western NY is ready to protect our air, water and communities.

We need YOU! Continue reading →

News from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario

Posted March 22^nd, March 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Research by Brock University Professor of Economics Diane Dupont has shown that reclaimed wastewater can be a reliable source for water that is more resilient to climate change fluctuations.

Tim Heinmiller and Diane Dupont are two researchers studying the future of Niagara’s water. Brock University. file photo

This alternative method for water supply is the theme of World Water Day on Wednesday, March 22 with UN-Water encouraging the population to reduce and reuse wastewater rather than leaving it untreated to pollute the environment and go to waste.

After the collection, treatment and disinfection, subsequent uses of wastewater include flushing toilets, agricultural irrigation and cooling of buildings. Continue reading →

A Stance Can Sometimes Leave You Out On Your Own On Regional Council

“Why lobby the Province to add benefits to new areas when it will cost an extra $1,121 per household per year for the next decade just to fix the Region’s existing infrastructure?” – Pelham Mayor and Niagara regional councilor Dave Augustyn

A Column from Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted March 21st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – It doesn’t happen too often, but occasionally I am the only one to vote for or against something at Regional Council. A couple of weeks ago, for example, I was the only one who opposed promoting development outside existing urban boundaries.

Pelham Mayor David Augustyn

Pelham Town Council remains committed to development inside the existing urban boundaries so that we can protect the environment and agricultural lands outside those areas. We also do this to ensure that existing urban services (like water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure) get used to capacity – instead of continuously adding additional and costly services outside urban areas.

This commitment led Pelham Council to encourage greater protection for the Fonthill Kame. Similarly, we have refused to endorse additional lot creation in the Greenbelt. Further, we continue to protect rural “lots of record” and impose agricultural-only stipulations on remnant parcels so that houses cannot be built on new severed farm lots. Continue reading →

“If this sacred land is allowed to be developed, it cannot be duplicated in any other part of the world and the future generations will never get to experience what we have experienced in our lifetime.”

An Open Letter from the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force to Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau

Originally Dated March 8th and Posted on Niagara At Large, March 21st, 2017

Honourable Justin Trudeau
Office of Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, On. K1A 0A2

RE: Thundering Waters Forest (Niagara Falls, Ontario

Greetings Honourable Prime Minister Trudeau:

The Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force (HETF) sends you greetings and hopes this letter finds you and your family in good health and spirits and offer the long arm of peace. The Haudenosaunee consist of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora Nations.

The Haudenosaunee Nations have a unique spiritual, cultural, and historic relationship with the land, which is embodied in the Gayananshogowa, the Great Law of Peace. This relationship goes far beyond federal and provincial legal concepts of ownership. Continue reading →

The Following Call for Public Engagnement is from the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network – Join Them for This in Niagara Falls, Ontario!

Posted March 21st, 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

Unveiling of Spectacular Vessel Mural Commemorates Canada 150 and Montreal 375

News from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

Posted March 21st, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation marked the opening of its 59th navigation season this March 20th – the first day of spring- with a special tribute to marine shipping’s substantial contribution to Canada’s economic development and quality of life.

Welland Canal/Seaway open on first day of spring.

The CSL St-Laurent, the first ship to transit the St. Lambert lock in 2017, featured a monumental work of art work commissioned by Montreal-headquartered Canada Steamship Lines, a division of the CSL Group, as a tribute to Canada’s 150th anniversary and the 375th of the City of Montreal. Continue reading →

A Brief News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 21th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The council representing the larges of Niagara’s 12 local municipalities – the City of St. Catharines – has unanimously approved a motion calling on the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority to accept an offer it received as early as this past January from Ontario Auditor General Bonnie Lysk to perform a full and independent forensic audit on its operations.

Niagara area citizens have been demonstrating for a full and independent audit of the NPCA’s operations for more than half a year. File photo by Doug Draper

The motion, tabled by St. Catharines Councillor Carlos Garcia at this Monday, March 20th’s city council meeting, reads as follows; “Be it resolved, that Council urges the NPCA board to do everything required in order to ensure they accept the Auditor General’s offer to perform an independent, third party operational review/audit, as approved by the board on January 18, 2017, at no direct cost to property taxpayers in St. Catharines and the other NPCA-funding municipalities; and;”

“Therefore Be It Further Resolved,” continues Garcia’s motion, “that the NPCA, all Niagara Municipalities and MPPs, the City of Hamilton and Haldimand County, the Premier, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Auditor General and the Ombudsman be notified. FORTHWITH.” Continue reading →

An Open Letter to St. Catharines Council from Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster

Posted March 20th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Mayor Walter Sendzik and Members of City Council, City of St. Catharines, 50 Church Street. St. Catharines, ON L2R 7C2

Dear Mayor Sendzik and Councillors:

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

Re: Motion 9.2  Provincial Auditor General’s Offer to NPCA – Third Party Audit

I’m writing in full support of motion 9.2 on today’s Council agenda, put forward by Councilllor Carolos Garcia, requesting that the NPCA Board reconsider the Ontario Auditor General’s proposal to conduct a financial audit of the NPCA. To help restore our community’s confidence of the NPCA board, I’m urging you to vote in favour of the motion as well.

Despite the NPCA’s motion agreeing to a fiscal financial audit in January, I was surprised to see the spirit of that motion completely transformed during last week’s board meeting. After reviewing the NPCA’s Request for Proposal (RFP) details, it became very clear that the NPCA’s tender lacks the transparency and accountability that our communities and municipalities have spent months calling for. Continue reading →

Please Do Your Part and Urge ALL St. Catharines City Councillors to Support It!

A Commentary and a Call-Out from Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted March 20th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

At this Monday’s (March 20th) St. Catharines city council meeting, Councillor Carlos Garcia is tabling a motion, urging support for the Ontario Auditor General’s recent offer to do a full, independent audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Do what you can in the hours ahead, to contact St. Catharines’ mayor and councilors to express your support for Councllor Garcia’s motion. A link to the contact information and the names for St. Catharines council is available near the bottom of this commentary.

Niagara, Ontario – Aside from any dim light that comes on in Ontario Minister of Natural Resources Kathryn McGarry’s office that finally sees her doing the right thing, a motion being tabled for approval at this Monday (March 20th)  night’s St. Catharines council meeting by City Councillor Carlos Garcia may be the last chance of getting a thorough forensic/value-for dollars audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s operations without having ANY NPCA fingerprints on how that audit is scoped, performed and made available to the public.

Garcia’s motion, if it is approved this March 20th by St. Catharines council and subsequently by other councils across the Niagara and Hamilton regions, may be the very last chance to count on a truly independent audit to answer a growing book of questions and concerns about how the NPCA spends millions of dollars of our tax money, before other options are pursued – like using the powers available under Ontario legislation to dissolve the entire board and upper management of the NPCA , and start all over with a new group of people guiding the work of this important conservation and environmental protection body. Continue reading →

“Clearly, these advertisements serve no purpose other than to promote Kathleen Wynne’s re-election.” – Ontario PC House Leader Jim Wilson

From the Office of Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader Patrick Brown

Posted March 20th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – This March 20th, 2017, Ontario PC House Leader Jim Wilson charged that Kathleen Wynne’s taxpayer-funded hydro ads are in contempt of parliament.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne earlier this March, pitching her plan to slash hydro bills

The self-congratulatory ads, which the auditor general has said are out of line, are running before legislation has been introduced, an alleged breach of parliamentary rules. MPP Wilson informed the Speaker today that he will rise on a point of privilege arguing a case of contempt by the Ministry of Energy.

“What we’ve got here is a clear case of electioneering from the Wynne Liberals using taxpayer dollars,” said Wilson.   Continue reading →

Special to Niagara At Large from Karl Dockstader

Posted on NAL this March 20^th, 2017

Tuesday, March 21st, 2017, is the United Nations annually designated day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. For Indigenous people, visible minorities, and other people who happen to be the wrong kind of person this day cannot come soon enough.

The Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre isn’t waiting for racism to end and neither are the community partners who have been working with the Native Centre to promote The FRIEND Project throughout the past month.

The FRIEND Project display

This project is telling the stories of the real Indigenous people of Niagara. These stories of success in education, culture, law, employment, the environment and other areas have been part of a movement to remind Niagarans that Indigenous people are an important part of our normal everyday life. Continue reading →

“Not one dime has come off people’s sky-rocketing hydro bills … Yet, (Premier Wynne) is spending more of people’s hard-earned dollars on ads claiming the problem is solved.”

News from the Office of Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted March 20, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Queen’s Park, Toronto – The NDP is filing requests under Freedom of Information laws to find out just how much public money Premier Kathleen Wynne is spending on advertisements in defense of sky-high hydro bills and the multi-billion-dollar borrowing scheme she still hasn’t released.

 “Not one dime has come off people’s sky-rocketing hydro bills and Wynne hasn’t tabled legislation, or even a credible plan to save us money. Yet, she’s spending more of people’s hard-earned dollars on ads claiming the problem is solved,” said Peter Tabuns, Ontario NDP Energy Critic. Continue reading →

“It’s a shame the NPCA Chair, Sandy Annunziata, could not be there to address the citizens of Niagara that he labels a “special interest group”.- Ed Smith, who is facing a lawsuit slapped on him by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and its former CAO and current CAO for Niagara’s regional government, Carmen D’Angelo

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 17^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

While Niagara At Large was down with technical problems over the past several days, I received a good number of emails and phone calls from people who told me they could not go to the Ed Smith Legal Defence Fundraiser this past Sunday, March 12^th due to other commitments, but were anxious to know how it went and if they could still make a contribution to it.

Ed Smith speaking at a recent meeting of fellow Niagara citizens on NPCA concerns. File photo by Doug Draper

The answer to the first question is that the fundraiser was, by virtually all accounts, an overwhelming success.

The main banquet room of the Celtic Club in St. Catharines was filled to capacity with people from all walks of life, including municipal and provincial government representatives who, to their credit, have braved barbs from some of their political colleagues for backing Ed Smith and others in their pursuit of accountability from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority for how its boss hogs are spending millions of dollars of our tax money.

The total donations for the fundraiser soared well above a $5,000 goal and “far exceeded our expectations,” said one the event’s organizers, Peter Gill. Continue reading →

From the Office of Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown

Posted March 17th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

(You can Click on the image of following letter from Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown for purposes of enlarging it. NAL hopes that you can then read the letter’s contents, as this is how we received it from the PC leader’s office.)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 Call-Out to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne from the Province’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted March 16th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath is calling on Premier Kathleen Wynne to table her promised hydro bill on Monday, March 20th.

“Premier Wynne, has issued a news release and delivered talking points – now it’s time to deliver a plan,” said Horwath. 

“Ontario families, businesses and municipalities have a right to know what will happen to their bills and who will pay the price for $40 billion going to pay interest rather than investing in hospitals, schools, transit and roads.” Continue reading →

New GO Bus Stop Opening at Niagara College’s Campus at Niagara-on-the-Lake

“Bringing GO bus service to this campus will make it easier to get to school, home, and anywhere in between. It’s all part of our plan to expand and improve GO services throughout our region so we can bring more transit to more people.”  — Bruce McCuaig, President and CEO, Metrolinx

News from the Ontario Government and GO/Metrolinx Services

Posted March 16th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Ontario is making it easier to get around Niagara and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area by expanding and improving local GO Transit services to better meet the needs of students, families, and commuters. Continue reading →

“A tremendous amount of progress has been achieved over the past 5 years under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and that would be lost with these cuts.”

A Statement from the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Posted March 16, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (Cities Initiative), a coalition of mayors from over 125 cities across the basin representing over 17 million people, expressed deep concern over draft White House budget cuts that would reduce funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 97 per cent from $300 million to $10 million and for the EPA by 25 per cent.

St. Catharines/Niagara Mayor sits on Great Lakes Initiatives’ board of directors.

The mayors work closely with state, provincial, federal, tribal, first nation, and non-government representatives from across the basin to protect, restore, and sustain one of the largest freshwater resources in the world.

Current vice-chair of the Cities Initiative, Paul Dyster, Mayor of Niagara Falls, New York, said, “It would be a tragedy for the U.S. government to step back from its commitment to the Great Lakes, a resource that is critically important to the economic well-being and quality of life of the region.  Continue reading →

 Congressman Higgins, Mayor Dyster, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper & Citizens Campaign for the Environment Stress Importance of Federal Commitment to EPA as Great Lakes Week Events Commence in Washington, D.C.

News from the Buffalo, New York office of U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted March 16^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Left to right, Mayor Paul Dyster, Congressman Brian Higgins, Brian Smith of Citizens Campaign for the Great Lakes & Jill Jedlicka of Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeepers. Photo courties of Congressman Higgins’ office.

Over 100 people from throughout the Great Lakes region, including several from Western New York are headed to Washington, DC this week for Great Lakes Day, a coming together of regional organizations and federal policy members to discuss Great Lakes progress and needs moving forward. 

President Trump’s budget blueprint is expected as early as this week and Congress will begin Fiscal Year 2018 budget deliberations thereafter.  Preliminary reports indicate the Administration is considering significant cuts to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget including a 97% cut to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Continue reading →

A Message from NAL publisher Doug Draper

Posted March 15th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara at Large has been  experiencing “temporary Technical Difficulties” over the past number of days – Hmm. Is someone out there trying to send us a message – and has not been able to post news and commentary.

But here’s the good news for those who appreciate what we at least try to do here to raise a little awareness about issues that matter to our fellow residents and neighbours and the communities we live in,  and call to account  those in positions of power doing things that are questionable.

NAL may have been down as far as posting news and commentary over the past week, but we certainly have been watching and taking notes, and we will be fully back on line with our take on matters of interest and concern to our communities this Thursday, March 16th.

We thank so many of you for your notes over the last number of days, expressing your support for what we try to do here to fill a void in the area of news and commentary across our region, and  – most of all – we thank you for your patience as we worked with some good technical support people to get back in business again.

One of the greatest campaign posters of these times. Keep on Pushin’ Berne!

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

Think Tank Unveils Plan To Cut Poverty, Create Jobs, And Close Tax Loopholes

A Analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted March 9^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario —The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) is urging the federal government to table a budget that makes good on its promises to reduce income inequality and drive inclusive growth.

With the release of its annual Alternative Federal Budget (AFB), the CCPA proposes a federal budget that takes decisive action on what matters to Canadians: creating jobs, reducing income inequality, lowering poverty levels, closing unfair and expensive tax loopholes, and getting the economy moving.

The measures in this year’s AFB would lift a million Canadians out of poverty, double economic growth to 5.4%, and, at its peak, result in 460,000 new jobs, bringing Canada’s unemployment rate down to 6.4%.  Continue reading →

An Invite to All from Bock University in St. Catharines

Posted March 9th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Data privacy, or the lack thereof, is back on the forefront this week after the leak of classified CIA documents showing everything from cellphones to smart TVs can be accessed.

A panel of data privacy experts will be discussing the significance of online data privacy and what we can do to protect ourselves on Wednesday, March 15 during a forum at Brock University.

 “It is important to create opportunities for citizens to consider the data that organizations collect and then analyze about us,” says Karen Louise Smith, Assistant Professor of Communication, Popular Culture and Film. “There are many unseen algorithms that process our data and shape our experiences online, but they operate opaquely and are difficult to understand.”   

Continue reading →

A Message to Citizens on both sides of the U.S./Canada border from Erin Crotty, Executive Director, Audubon New York; Loren Smith, Executive Director, Buffalo Audubon Society; and June Summers. President, Genesee Valley Audubon Society

Many of us are living down there somewhere and our very lives and the health of our community depend on the health of those Great Lake waters.

Posted March 8th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Great Lakes are five of America’s greatest natural treasures. It’s an ecosystem so epic in size and breathtaking in beauty that it instills a sense of national pride for the 85 million people who live in the region.

That’s why President Trump’s leaked EPA budget proposal, which slashes funding to protect and restore the lakes by 97 per cent, is so alarming. Continue reading →

Calls for an Independent, Forensic Audit of the Conservation Authority – from Citizens and from Local Municipalities across the Niagara Watershed – have been reduced to a Joke by an NPCA board that has gone Rogue and has Got to Go!

A Commentary by Doug Draper

March 7^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Let’s start by saying congratulations to St. Catharines city councillor Bruce Williamson and a majority of others on the council for approving a motion at their March 6^th meeting that calls for reforming the way members are appointed to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority board.

This motion – a follow-up to one initiated by Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn and his council in February – calls for something, should the Ontario government choose to embrace it, that has been long-needed to hopefully allow local municipalities to appoint individuals with interest and expertise in the field of conservation to the NPCA board rather than have the board stacked with politicians appointed mostly by Niagara’s regional government.

Citizens protest NPCA at its January 2017 board meeting. File Photo by Doug Draper

“This motion constitutes a positive, progressive and desperately needed change,” said Williamson to his fellow councillors. “The current governance model has not only proven itself ineffective, but has insisted in creating a regime which works contrary to the goals of protecting our unique ecosystems.”

No kidding! Continue reading →

Please Donate And – If You Can –Attend a Legal Defence Fundraiser for Ed Smith on Sunday, March 12^th in St. Catharines

A Call-Out from Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted March 7^th, 2017

It is something that should outrage us all!

Ed Smith, speaking at a news conference last falls about the legal action the Niagara Peninsula Conservaton Authority was taking against him.

One of our fellow citizens in this region of Niagara gets sued for a total of $200,000 by a Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority board stacked with regional councillors and with mayors of some of our local municipalities, and by the NPCA’s former CAO (now CAO for Niagara’s regional government) Carmen D’Angelo.

And why?

Because the NPCA and D’Angelo found things they claim are  defamatory to them in a report circulated last fall to local politicians and others – a report outlining questions and concerns about the way the NPCA is doing business with millions of our tax dollars. Continue reading →

News from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted March 7^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Climate change is making things worse for Canada’s largest land-dwelling mammal, a research team has found.

A wood bison near the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary in the Northwest Territories.

The wood bison of the Northwest Territories is already on the country’s threatened species list, but more precipitation is forcing the animal into areas that pose dangers to them, says Brock University geographer and research team member Michael Pisaric.

For decades, the wood bison population has been living in the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary on the western shore of Great Slave Lake in N.W.T. The iconic animal lives off of grass-like plants called sedges, which are common along lake shorelines in the region. Continue reading →

A Column from Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted March 7th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Pelham Niagara – I am thrilled that Council is set to approve the fourth year for a freeze on our residential and commercial water and waste water rates. Because of ongoing efficiencies and innovations, the Town will absorb the Region’s 8.5% waste water increase.

How are we able to freeze rates for the fourth year in a row? And, how do we compare to others in Niagara?

RF Meters Paying Dividends:

Prior to 2010 the Town measured water usage and calculated waste water charges with old gallon and cubic meter odometer-type wheel meters – many from the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the aged-meters counted slowly or were failing/broken. It took two weeks to collect readings. If a system leaked, it could take months to detect. Continue reading →

Why – After More than a Year – Hasn’t the “Memorandum of Understanding the Mayor and Premier signed with China-Backed Developers Been Publicly Disclosed?

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 6^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – It’s going on a year and a half since Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne crossed paths in Beijing, China and participated in the signing what has been described in Niagara regional and other documents as a “memorandum of understanding” over plans by China -backed GR (CAN) Investments Inc. to build a billion-dollar commercial/residential “Paradise” development project on portions of close to 500 acres of land known as Thundering Waters Forest in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Members of the Indigenous community in the region rally to save the Thundering Waters Forest from urban development outside Niagara Falls City Hall in July of 2016. File photo by Doug Draper

In late March and early April of 2016, a hastily tabled motion, signed by the Niagara regional government’s Commissioner for Planning and Development Rino Mostacci  for regional council approval, called first on the regional planning committee, then on the council to “support a pilot project and ask the Province to allow for biodiversity Offsetting of wetlands for the development in Niagara Falls known as the Paradise Development to facilitate the proponent’s proposal.”

Some of the preamble to the motion read as follows; “Whereas the Premier of Ontario has recently participated with the Mayor of Niagara Falls on a trade mission to China, ” and; “Whereas the Premier signed a Memorandum of Understanding representing significant direct foreign investment in the Niagara Region.”

So where is this “Memorandum of Understanding” or MOU, as some prefer to call it? Continue reading →

“To make matters worse …, this Travel Ban calls for expedited completion of a biometric entry-exit tracking system, a process that would add an additional layer of screening at the Peace Bridge and other local border crossings, effectively grinding commerce and tourism to a halt along our Northern Border with a devastating impact on our local economy.”                                     – U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins

A Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted March 6th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Peace Bridge crossing between Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo, New York could become dysfunctional under Trump’s Travel Ban

Buffalo, New York – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order banning foreign nationals from Sudan, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen from entering the United States:

“Every person living in this country desires a sense of security and a promise that horrific acts of terrorism, like that exacted on fellow New Yorkers on 9/11, will never take place again. This ban does nothing to bring us closer to that objective. 

“Instead, this far-reaching and arbitrary ban that implements a blanket restriction on all residents from six nations merely provides a false sense of security manufactured by the Administration; one that would not have prevented 9/11 and does nothing to protect people today based on genuine intelligence and risk.

“To make matters worse for Western New York, this Travel Ban calls for expedited completion of a biometric entry-exit tracking system, a process that would add an additional layer of screening at the Peace Bridge and other local border crossings, effectively grinding commerce and tourism to a halt along our Northern Border with a devastating impact on our local economy.”

(A Footnote from Niagara At Large – Why aren’t federal representatives for Canada’s Trudeau government speaking out about this? Or does Canada no longer place any value in cross-border relations with the United States?)

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

In Ontario, Wynne Government Has Already Turned Its Back On Citizens Concerns Over Watershed Protection in                            the Great Lakes Basin

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted March 4th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

As shocking as it may seem – and it shouldn’t be given who is now in charge in Washington – the Trump administration is moving to slash programs focused on restoring the health of the Great Lakes by a devastating 97 per cent, according to Trump budget documents leaked to the American media.

Trump taking aim at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with plans for massive cuts to Great Lakes restoration programs

Cuts that dramatic could go a long way to undo most of the progress that has been made since the early 1970s Canada’s then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and then-U.S. President Richard Nixon (believe it or not, Richard Nixon on Watergate fame) signed the first in a series of Great Lakes Water Quality Agreements – environmental protection pacts which, to this day, remain among the progressive of their kind agreed to by any more or two nations in the world.

Trump, who campaigned for the U.S. presidency with a repeated promise to get rid of his country’s top environment body – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – is now expected, a few strokes of the pen, sign executive orders in the days ahead that undoes most of that and, while at the same time, shreds most of former U.S. President Barack Obama’s climate change initiatives. Continue reading →

A News Analysis from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a province-wide citizens advocacy group

Posted March 3rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

In 1998, seven of Ontario Hydro’s nuclear reactors had to be unexpectedly shut down for safety reasons. All of these reactors were shut down for more than five years. Two of them are still shut down.

As a result of the nuclear shutdown:

– By 1999 Ontario Hydro was effectively bankrupt and was subsequently split into five different companies. Ontario Power Generation (OPG) got the nuclear stations, while $20 billion of the stranded nuclear debt was transferred to the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation. We are still paying down the nuclear debt today.

– We had to increase the output of our dirty coal plants by 120% to keep our lights on. Continue reading →

A News Analysis from Brent Patterson, Council of Canadians

Posted March 3^rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

The Trudeau government’s strategy to develop a good relationship with US President Donald J. Trump – given his campaign promise to renegotiate or rip-up the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – appears to be working, but at what cost to fundamental human rights?

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau catches Ivanka Trump’s eye during meeting with business women at White House this past February 13th – Her father makes a special meeting of meeting during his recent address to joint assembly of U.S. Congress

1- Women’s rights
The Canadian Press reports, “[Trudeau] received a shout-out from Trump in his first speech to a joint session of the US Congress [February 28th], with a salute to a joint project they recently launched together. The president mentioned Trudeau while highlighting the women’s business group created during the prime minister’s recent visit to Washington, which involves the president’s daughter Ivanka.”

Globe and Mail columnist Leah McLaren has written, “These are the things we do for trade deals [but] was it really necessary for our feminist Prime Minister to make such an utter mockery of women’s rights (which are under real threat in the United States at the moment) while he was on a social visit to casually secure broader points of the North American free-trade agreement?” And Press Progress has also noted the NAFTA strategy behind the women’s business group and how it helped Trump given he “has been accused of sexually assaulting over a dozen women.” Continue reading →

Members of the Public who wish to speak as a Delegation at this Special Meeting must register by Friday March 17                            – Information on Registering Included Below

News from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted March 3rd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Region, Ontario – An Inter-municipal Transit Working Group led by the Mayors and CAOs from St. Catharines, Welland and Niagara Falls with support from the Regional Chair and Niagara Region CAO have been working in cooperation to find a sustainable model for inter-municipal transit service in Niagara.

Buses connecting with St. Catharines, Welland and other Niagara municipalities at Brock University

The results of their work were presented in the Niagara Transit Service Delivery and Governance Strategy report. Major elements of this strategy call for the formation of a consolidated transit system and service enhancements. St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Welland councils have unanimously agreed to move forward with the next steps in the inter-municipal transit process and have asked Niagara Region to become an official transit provider and partner. Continue reading →

“We are tripling the size of the cut we’re making to people’s hydro bills from 8% to an average of 25%. Electricity rates in Ontario will come down significantly, they’re going to stay down and everyone will benefit.”  – Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

From the Office of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

Posted March 2nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the following statement this March 2nd, 2017 to announce Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan:*

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne

“We’re here today to talk about the high cost of electricity in Ontario: how it got to this point, how it must be fixed and how exactly we’re going to put that fix in place. For too long, governments — my own included — have made mistakes in the way we’ve structured Ontario’s electricity system. That has resulted in rates that are unfairly high. It’s time to fix those mistakes, in ways that work for today, and for the future.

Electricity is not a frill — it’s an essential part of our daily lives. And everywhere I go, I hear from people worried about the price they are asked to pay for hydro and the impact it has on their household budgets. It’s not just some people, and it’s not just in some places. It’s everyone and in every corner of the province. In the North and the South. In rural Ontario and downtown Toronto. For the past couple of months I’ve made a point of connecting with people who have written to me about this issue. I’ve called them up or gone to visit. I’ve sat and talked and listened. Continue reading →

“The cost of electricity has gone up 50 per cent just since Premier Wynne took office (and shen’s now) spending $40 billion to buy some pre-election political relief for herself and her party – and failing to fix the system.” – Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

A Message from Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted March 2nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

London, Ontario  – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says bankers will definitely win with Premier Kathleen Wynne’s new $40 billion borrowing scheme — but Ontario families will pay the price.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Wynne announced this Thursday, March 2nd  she’ll pay about $40 billion in interest costs over the next 30 years in order to finance a hydro bill subsidy. The slapdash plan fails to fix the root causes of high hydro bills.

“The cost of electricity has gone up 50 per cent just since Premier Wynne took office, and she has no plan to stop the actual price of power from rising,” said Horwath. “She’s spending $40 billion to buy some pre-election political relief for herself and her party – and failing to fix the system. We’re all going to pay for that, one way or another.” Continue reading →

 “I have no doubt, given another chance, the Liberals will raise rates and taxes again. After 14 years of skyrocketing rates the Liberals – just a year out from an election – realize the damage their policies have had.” – Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown

From the Office of Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown

Posted March 2nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

QUEEN’S PARK, Toronto – Today, Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown blasted the new Wynne Liberal scheme devised to lower electricity bills by burdening Ontarians with $14 billion in new interest payments over 30 years.

Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown

 “The Wynne Liberals came clean today and admitted their $14 billion mistake and that their policies and their policies alone are responsible for the 400% increase in hydro. Whether you pay today or pay tomorrow this Liberal plan will burden Ontario ratepayers for years to come,” said Brown.

The Liberal plan signed on to borrow $14 billion in interest payments alone.

 “I have no doubt, given another chance, the Liberals will raise rates and taxes again. After 14 years of skyrocketing rates the Liberals – just a year out from an election – realize the damage their policies have had.”

The Ontario PCs are the only party that will stop the fire sale of Hydro One, prevent more pay hikes to energy executives, and stop signing more expensive wind and solar contracts by repealing the Green Energy Act – otherwise known as the Bad Contracts Act.

 “Tomorrow this government is moving forward with more bad green energy contracts at a huge cost. These are contracts that are the root of the problem. This is more energy generation we don’t need,” added Brown. “Instead of addressing the roots of the problem by cancelling the Green Energy Act, the Wynne Liberals are signing even more expensive contracts. This is absurd.”

Many of the contracts signed to date were handed out to well-known Liberal donors. In fact, 30 of these companies handed over $1.3 million to the Liberal party coffers.

Brown announced that a detailed Ontario PC plan, to be announced soon, will reveal additional measures to provide widespread hydro relief and prevent rate hikes in the future.

 “Every single time the Liberals have touched our electricity system over the past 14 years, they’ve made it worse,” added Brown.

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 the Niagara Centre Constituencey Office of Liberal MP Vance Badawey

Posted March 2^nd, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey

Welland, Ontario – Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, was pleased to inform the students at St. Andrews Catholic School in Welland, that a new skate park will be made possible thanks to $216,667 in approved Federal funding. 

This project is one of over 350 Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) projects approved in southern Ontario under the program’s second intake.  The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is a $300-million national program being delivered by regional development agencies across Canada. 

With the addition of $44.4 million in supplementary funding announced in Budget 2016, the total CIP 150 allocation for southern Ontario, being delivered by FedDev Ontario, is up to $88.8 million. Over 730 projects have been approved under both intakes. 

These projects will allow Canadians to enjoy upgraded community facilities such as parks, trails, cultural and community centres. They will also help to create a lasting legacy as Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

 “This project was spearheaded in large part by the youth of Welland.  Their passion and commitment to improving their community is an inspiration, and this skate park is proof that one can make a difference at any age.” 

“I want to encourage the youth of Niagara to continue to be involved in their communities.  Make yourselves be heard because regardless of age, we are here to listen to you.  You are just as important as any other constituent. Get involved, stay engaged, and build the community that you want to see.”

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

Comprehensive inspection by OSPCA further confirms findings of International Marine Mammal Experts – “No issues of Concern” at Marineland

A News Release from Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Posted February 28^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Niagara At Large – NAL is posting this media release from Marineland as owners and operators of the Niagara Falls, Ontario park continue to face a number of animal cruelty charges, laid following investigations by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). Spokespersons for Marineland have repeatedly insisted there are no grounds for these charges and they will be exonerated on each and every one of them.

The park has long been a focus of protests by animal activists opposed to keeping  whales and other animals in captivity for public exhibition.)

Marineland targeted by animal activists on opening day 2016. File photo by Doug Draper

Niagara Falls, Ontario – On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Marineland’s Animal Care Committee, in accordance with strict and comprehensive Ontario legislation and regulations recently enacted, conducted a thorough inspection of the marine and land animals at Marineland.

Internationally recognized expert, Dr. Lanny Cornell, conducted a comprehensive examination of all the marine and land animals and found the animals to be healthy, behaving normally, well fed and well taken care of. Continue reading →

Brian Higgins Speaks Up For Historic Tax Credits, Great Lakes Funding, Arts & Heritage Areas in Testimony before                     the House Appropriations Committee

From U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo/Western New York

Posted February 28^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Our shaired Great Lakes from space. Don’t let any moves to gut the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency place their future health in jeopardy.

(A Brief Foreword by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper – NAL is posting this statement from Congressman Higgins of Buffalo, not only because NAL has a readership that includes people in the Buffalo, New York area, but because Donald Trump, less than 100 days into his presidency, is planning to make huge cuts in the budget of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as cutting regulations for protecting the environment.

As a reporter whose coverage of the environment goes back more than 30 years to Love Canal, Hyde Park and other massive toxic waste dumps on the American side of the Niagara River leading their poisons into waters millions of Canadians and Americans depend on for drinking and other purposes, the EPA, with an office still operating in Buffalo, New York, has played an important role in addressing those and other sources of contamination to our shared Great Lakes.

U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins of Buffalo/Western New York

It is imperative that everything be done to fight any moves by the Trump administration to gut resources and regulations for protecting these life-sustaining shared water resources for present and future generations.

Good for Congressman Higgins for speaking up for them. We need to hear the same from more politicians and people on both sides of the border.)

Now here is Congressman Higgin’s Open Statement on this –

As the House of Representatives Appropriation Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies prepares budgetary decisions for Fiscal Year 2018, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) testified before the panel to make Western New York priorities heard.  The subcommittee’s jurisdiction includes funding for the arts, historic preservation and environmental protection. Continue reading →

News from Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted February 28^th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

Pelham Mayor David Augustyn

Niagara, Ontario – Council recently approved the Town’s 2017 Operating Budget. The new budget translates into an increase of approximately 4.7% (or $69.60) on the Pelham portion of your property tax bill for the average residential property (assessed at $316,400).

Since Pelham’s portion of your property taxes represents roughly 38% of your overall residential tax, we anticipate that the Town will receive $1,558 of the $4,132 for the average residential property tax bill; the Niagara Region will receive 48% of the total amount and the Province (to fund education) the remaining 14%. Continue reading →

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted February 27th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

“That’s what they picked for our flag? I hate it. It looks like a beer label.”

I was an elementary school student in Welland in 1964 when the great debate over Canada finally getting a flag of its own was in full flame, and I heard disparaging remarks like that over and over again. Most of the remarks came from older Canadians of British ancestry about any design for a new flag that did not have a Union Jack or Red Ensign on it.

And many of those same Canadians who were so much against then-Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson efforts to deliver Canada a flag of its own were once all “British subjects” – even if they were born in this country!

Can you believe it? Up to 70 years ago, every person who was either born in Canada or had immigrated to the country and earned their papers to live and work here – even if they were originally from Italy or Poland or any other place outside of Great Britain, were British subjects! Continue reading →