Category Archives: Uncategorized

“We now have confirmation of what we have suspected for the last several weeks with the rise in COVID-19 infections.”

A Message from Niagara Health President Lynn Guerriero about the second wave of COVID-19

Niagara Health is the body that operates Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted  September 29^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – On the advice of his provincial experts, Ontario Premier Doug Ford confirmed yesterday that we are in the second wave and is cautioning that it may be more challenging than the first wave.

At this point in time, we have a higher number of daily infections in Ontario than we did with the first wave, including a single-day record of 700 cases reported on Monday. At Niagara Health, we have two patients in our care who are being treated for COVID-19.

Thankfully, we are in a strong position to respond to the second wave because of the hard work of our teams over the last six months. Continue reading →

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

“For the first time in American history, a president has repeatedly shown utter and vulgar contempt and disrespect for those who have served and died serving our country. …. We owe it not only to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, but to ourselves and to succeeding generations to vote him out.”                                                                                                        – Retired Airline Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

A Brief Comment from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large

Posted September 29th, 2020

Retired Captain Chesley ‘sully” Sullenberger with an image of that jet he glided safely to the waters of the Hudson River on January 15th, 2009.

Every time this Canadian finds myself feeling really down about what is going on south of the border with Trump and his cultish followers, there is at least a little something that gives me hope.

This September 29^th, that hope came in the form of a newly released ad, produced by ex-Republican Party operatives calling themselves The Lincoln Project and by a U.S. military veterans organization called Vets Vote.

The ad, which will apparently be widely circulated on social media and American television networks features retired commercial airline Captain Captain Chesley Sullenberger – also known as ‘Sully’ – who, in January, 2009, became an overnight hero after he was forced to glide a crippled jet with 155 people aboard onto the cold waters of the Hudson River between the shores of New Jersey and Manhattan. Continue reading →

An NDP Plan For Jobs And Financial Security Will Support Working People In Niagara

From left, Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch, St. Catharines resident and downtown worker Adelodun Olusola-Ajayi, St. Catharines NDP MPP Jennie Stevens, St. Catharines resident and downtown worker Andrea Connely-Miele, and Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates. Photo by Doug Draper

News from the Constituency Offices of Niagara NDP MPPs Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines), Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) and Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre)

Posted September 26th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines, Ontario’s downtown has been undergoing a positive makeover in recent years that has been drawing more people to the city centre. File photo by Doug Draper

Niagara, Ontario – Ontario NDP MPPs Jennie Stevens (St. Catharines), Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) and Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre) held a press conference in downtown St. Catharines this past Friday, September 25th to discuss “Save Main Street: A Plan for Jobs and Financial Security for Working People.”

Full details of the plan were released earlier in the day by Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath.

It’s a plan to help people and small businesses weather the second wave of economic challenges, and ensure working people are positioned to drive Ontario’s economic recovery, and bounce back healthier and more prosperous than ever. Continue reading →

“We have universal health care coverage but somehow don’t cover this test which can save lives.”                                                     – Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates

A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates

Posted September 25^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates. File photo

QUEEN’S PARK — NDP MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) tabled a motion in the Ontario legislature Thursday calling on the Ford government to provide OHIP coverage for prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer.

“Early detection of prostate cancer saves lives. When detected early, the survival rate for prostate cancer is close to 100 per cent. Ontario is currently one of only two Canadian provinces that do not cover the cost of the PSA test for men upon physician referral,” said Gates.

“We have universal health care coverage but somehow don’t cover this test which can save lives. Now, more than ever, we see the importance of access to health care. When people can’t spare the money they choose not to get tested, we can put an end to that and make sure everyone can get the test. This will catch more cases of prostate cancer early and save lives.” Continue reading →

With COVID-19 Still Very Much in the Air, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch Urges Province’s Minister of Education to follow the evidence and Cap Class Sizes in Schools at 15 Students

A News Release from the Constituency Office of Niagara, Centre MPP Jeff Burch

Posted September 24^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Centre NDP MPP Jeff Burch

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP MPP Jeff Burch (Niagara Centre) was at the Ontario legislature this week to urge the Minister of Education to follow the evidence and cap class sizes at 15 students, following an outcry from parents in Niagara.

Burch shared the story of a local parent, Angela Gamsby, whose two children attend elementary school in Port Colborne.

“Angela is a front-line health care worker and unable to keep her children home from school because she is busy being a hero at work. Her son’s class has 29 students. Her daughter’s has 28 students. The Kindergarten class has 30 kids in one classroom,” said Burch during question period this Thursday, September 24th.

“Will the Minister listen to the people in Niagara and across Ontario, stop fudging the numbers, and commit to keeping our children safe by capping class sizes at 15 students?” Burch asked the Minister of Education. Continue reading →

“The Government will immediately bring forward a plan to exceed Canada’s 2030 climate goal. The Government will also legislate Canada’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”                   – from the Liberal Government’s September 23^rd Throne Speech

The following is For the Record, rom the Transcript of the Trudeau Liberal Government’s September 23^rd, 2020 Throne Speech

Posted September 23^rd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

“Taking action on extreme risks from climate change

“Climate action will be a cornerstone of our plan to support and create a million jobs across the country.

This is where the world is going. Global consumers and investors are demanding and rewarding climate action.

Canadians have the determination and ingenuity to rise to this challenge and global market opportunity.

We can create good jobs today and a globally competitive economy not just next year, but in 2030, 2040, and beyond.

Canadians also know climate change threatens our health, way of life, and planet. They want climate action now, and that is what the Government will continue to deliver. Continue reading →

Environmental And Physicians Groups Urge Canada’s Prime Minister To Swiftly Introduce Amendments To Strengthen Key Environmental Protection Law

“It was clear from the visit (by UN Human Rights Council representatives) that many communities in Canada continue to be exploited by toxic exposures. ….. The prevalence of discrimination in Canada’s laws and policies regarding hazardous substances and wastes is clear. There exists a pattern in Canada where marginalized groups, and Indigenous peoples in particular, find themselves on the wrong side of a toxic divide, subject to conditions that would not be acceptable elsewhere in Canada.” – from a newly released United Nations Human Rights Council report

A News Release from Environmental Defence, Ecojustice, The David Suzuki Foundation and the Canadian Association Of Physicians For The Environment

Posted September 22^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

One of the warning signs in Grassy Narrows First Nation communities in northern Ontario where industry generated mercury has contaminated the waters and fish there for decades. Maybe if this was an affluent area in the Toronto area, governments would have ordered this cleaned up by now.

Toronto, Ontario – A report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Toxics tabled at the 45th session of Human Rights Council presents troubling findings about the state of environmental racism and disparate health risks caused by toxic chemicals and pollution in Canada.

The report [http://www.srtoxics.org/resources/reports/canada/] , which summarizes the observations of the Special Rapporteur during an official visit conducted in the spring of 2019, brings to light the deep rooted and grave failures of federal laws, including the cornerstone Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), in protecting Indigenous communities and vulnerable populations from the harmful impacts of toxic chemicals and pollution.

“This report powerfully lays bare that Canada’s toxic pollution problem is a racial and environmental justice problem that Indigenous people and other marginalized communities have borne the brunt of,” says Muhannad Malas, Toxics Program Manager at Environmental Defence. Continue reading →

“The federal government stated last week that it needs to act more aggressively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Today’s approval of a weaker pricing system for industrial polluters in Ontario will do the opposite.”

A Statement from Sarag Buchanan, Environmental Defence’s Clean Economy Program Manager, Sarah Buchanan

Posted September 21^st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Are Canada’s Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford now partners in going soft on climate-ravaging carbon pollution?

Toronto, Ontario. – We are extremely disappointed by the federal government’s decision today to accept Ontario’s proposed carbon pricing system for industry.

By pricing a smaller share of industrial carbon emissions, Ontario’s proposed system is clearly weaker than the federal system currently in place, and should not have been accepted.

Ontario’s system lets industrial polluters off the hook for more of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than the federal government’s system and should have never been granted equivalency. Continue reading →

Niagara, Centre MP Vance Badawey and PEI Senator Diane Grffin Chair New All Party Taskforce With Special Cross-Border Focus On The Economic, Social, And Environmental Impacts Of The Great Lakes And St. Lawrence River

News from Canada’s Federal Government

Posted September 21^st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Our Great Lakes- a wondrous, life-sustaining treasure to millions of us who live around them. Let’s work together to protect and preserve them.

Ottawa, Ontario – After months of collaboration, PEI Senator Diane Griffin and Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey are pleased to announce the establishment of a new all-party, bicameral Great Lakes St. Lawrence Taskforce by the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group.

The Taskforce will informally link with and mirror the US-based Great Lakes Task Force to ensure constant and meaningful attention to all matters relating to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence. Continue reading →

And a President of the United States who now says that maybe the solution is “herd mentality”

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

Posted September 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

As tragic as they may be for every stricken family, it is almost as if roughly 1,000 COVID-19 deaths each day in the United States of Trump have become nothing more than background noise.

Yet there should be no escaping the fact – in a country where, for tens of millions of Trump worshippers, facts don’t matter anymore – the United States reached a jarring milestone this past Saturday, September 20^th of 200,000 deaths, confirmed to be caused by this highly-infectious plague over a period of just six months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global healthy emergency.

Two-hundred thousand and counting, in just six months! In a country where, just six months ago, said it would soon disappear “like a miracle,” and where he later suggested to the populace that drinking bleach, shooting up Lysol or having ultra-violet light bulbs implanted in the body would inoculate people against this plague. Continue reading →

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, Brock has made the health of our students, staff and faculty our priority and we will continue to do so.”                                                                                                – Lynn Wells, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Brock University

News from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted September 20th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

The Brock Tower at Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Niagara, Ontario – Following a decision by the University Senate, Brock University announced (this September 18th) it will continue with primarily online classes for the full academic year, extending the current academic model through the Winter Term that runs from January to April.

As a result of this decision, the current timetable for the Winter Term will be reviewed. A revised timetable should be available to students in November.

While courses will continue to be delivered primarily online in the Winter Term, a limited number of courses for which no online alternative exists will be offered on campus, as was the case in the Fall Term. Continue reading →

“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”       – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

A Brief One by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large

The great human rights Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Posted September 18^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large For all of us on the Canadian side of the border who understand – and we should understand that what happens in and to the United States affects us too – here is some dark and disturbing news – as if there hasn’t been enough awful news coming out of the United States in recent times. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court and possibly the most powerful liberal voice for women’s rights, civil rights and related issues around fairness and justice for all, has died this September 18^th at age 87.

Shortly after the Clinton administration appointed her to the U.S. Supreme Court

I don’t know how many of my more liberal, progressive-minded friends in the United States, knowing Ginsburg has been continually battling complications from cancer in recent times, have been praying that the great lady would at least hold on until Trump is gone.

But Trump isn’t gone, and one can almost imagine that this monster of a man and his enablers are working now to see if they can wedge in a new appointment to the Supreme Court before this November’s presidential election – a person who will be totally loyal to Trump and a Republican Party that shows total disdain for the rights of everyday people and the institutions of democracy.

I feel the same way about the loss right now of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as I do about the loss earlier this summer of American civil rights icon John Lewis – ‘You are among the last people in this mad world that we can afford to lose right now.’

God help us all.

Here is one account of this sad news, just posted by Rolling Stone magazine –https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/ruth-bader-ginsburg-dead-777835/

Here is a great trailer for a documentary on Ruth Bader Ginsgurg, called RBG, that my wife and I were fortunate enough to see when it came out with some friends of ours on a big screen on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. To watch it, click on the screen immediately below –

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.

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

Ontario’s Ford Government Restricts Gatherings While Allowing Huge Class Sizes – All While Daily COVID-19 Counts in Province Spike Above 400

News from Ontario’s Official Opposition NDP Government

Posted September 18^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Andrea Horwath ihomes

QUEEN’S PARK — Amid rising COVID-19 numbers and 62 schools with cases of the virus, the NDP MPPs have voted in favour of capping class sizes at 15, and Ford’s Conservatives blocked that from happening by voting no on a motion by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.

“Doug Ford announced (this September 17^th)  that it’s no longer safe to have more than 10 people gather indoors, yet he’s still forcing classrooms to be jammed full, with 25 or 30 kids, and school busses to be packed with up to 70 kids,” said Horwath.

“Parents, education workers, teachers and students themselves are filled with anxiety. They’re wondering if their school is next. They’re wondering if their family is next.” Continue reading →

“As president of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, I am thrilled that the Niagara Region has joined this network, which includes cities, regional governments, and smaller communities across the country.”                                                                                            ~ Dr. Liette Vasseur, President, Canadian Commission for UNESCO

News from Niagara’s Regional Government

Posted September 18^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley signing declaration. Photo courtesy of Niagara Region

Niagara, Ontario – This September 18^th, Niagara’s Regional Chair and Mayors signaled their resolve to make Niagara a more diverse and welcoming community on Sept. 18, as they jointly signed a declaration marking Niagara as a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities.

Over the past year, Regional Council, along with all 12 municipal councils, voted to join the Coalition <https://en.ccunesco.ca/networks/coalition-of-inclusive-municipalities>, a network that brings together municipalities that want to improve their policies against racism, discrimination, exclusion and intolerance.

The joint declaration demonstrates a shared recognition that Niagara is not immune to systemic racism and other forms of discrimination, and that real action must follow to build Niagara’s identity as a truly welcoming community. Continue reading →

A Statement from Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley on the postponement of the 2021 Canada Summer Games

Posted September 17^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley

Niagara, Ontario – In light of the recently announced decision of the 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society to postpone the games to 2022, Regional Chair Jim Bradley offers the following statement:

“As we allare abundantly aware, COVD-19 has had an unprecedented impact on all aspects of our society. The 2021 Canada Summer Games has not been immune to the effects of the pandemic, with the coronavirus negatively affecting the timeline for games-related construction projects, the ability to recruit volunteers and the ability to secure vital sponsorship and fundraising dollars.

The pandemic has also prevented athletes from training and qualifying in many sports, and the limitations currently in place regarding the gathering of large groups pose numerous challenges. Continue reading →

“Since the late 1980s, the Niagara River has been identified as one of 43 severely degraded locations in the Great Lakes, called Areas of Concern, (leading to) the development of locally driven Remedial Action Plans (RAPs).”

News from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority in Niagara, Ontario

Posted September 16^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is pleased to announce the receipt of federal funding through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Great Lakes Protection Initiative.

The NPCA will receive $140,000 throughout the next two years to support collaboration, coordination, and involvement toward improving the Niagara River’s water quality and ecosystem health.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support projects like these that lead to innovation and action on the ground, and positive, measurable results in our Great Lakes. We value these efforts to ensure Canadians have safe and secure fresh water, which is critical for human health, the environment, and the economy,” said The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Continue reading →

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

Posted September 16th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission – a body created in the late 1800s with a mission to protect and preserve natural features of the river corridor on the Ontario side – has thrown a wrench into efforts to recognize the Ontario side, internationally, as a wetland of global importance

Niagara, Ontario – Almost a year after municipal, state and federal leaders joined citizens on the New York State side of the Niagara River to celebrate the designation of that side of the waterway as a “wetland of international importance,” Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) board members have said NO to moving forward with such a designation on the Ontario side.

One of numerous slide images produced over the years in support of a Ramsar designation for the Niagara River

The NPC board’s decision came at a September 10th meeting – not open to the pubic and held by board members via teleconference  – and just one day after members of Niagara Region’s Planning and Economic Development Committee voted to approve such a designation for the Ontario side of the Niagara River under the framework of a Ramsar Convention, agreed to by 170 nations around the world, including Canada, at a summit held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971.

In a note obtained by Niagara At Large and circulated to Niagara, Ontario area municipal representatives and others in the days following the NPC board’s September 10th meeting, the Niagara Parks Commission’s CEO (chief executive officer) David Adames wrote the following – Continue reading →

Re: An Earlier September 15th post in Niagara At Large, headlined: ‘Canada’s PM Celebrates Democracy at a Time When Populism and Fascism are Haunting the U.S and So Many Other Countries Around the World’

A Brief Note to Readers from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted September 15, 2020 on Niagara At Large

In a piece I posted on the Niagara At Large news and commentary site earlier this Tuesday, September 15th, I left a very important (one might even say key or critical) word out of a sentence I wrote about the current state of democracy in Canada, the United States and other parts of the world.

The word I left out in a point I was making about the state of democracy in Canada versus what has been happening in the United States under Trump was the word NOT –  as in (and here goes the whole sentenc,e) – ‘Let’s hope that we are NOT slowly moving in the same direction in Canada.’ Continue reading →

Reports of the OPP’s arrest of and laying charges against Karl Dockstader – a journalist with 610 CKTB – are deeply disturbing

“The arrest and charges speak to two broader, unacceptable patterns. The first is a longstanding colonial pattern of criminalizing Indigenous people. The second is a more recent pattern of police laying charges against journalists for covering land disputes between the Crown and Indigenous people.”             – Ontario’s Official Opposition New Democrats

A Statement from Official Opposition NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa

Posted September 6^th on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP statement regarding OPP arresting and laying charges against First Nations journalist           Karl Dockstader

Karl Dockstader, at a demonstration in front of Niagara Falls City Hall a few years ago, speaking out for the preservation of the Thundering Waters Forest and its wetlands, File photo by Doug Draper

QUEEN’S PARK – Official Opposition NDP MPPs Sol Mamakwa, critic for Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, and Kevin Yarde, critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services, released the following statement regarding reports that the Ontario Provincial Police have pressed charges against Karl Dockstader, a journalist covering a developing story in Caledonia who is also a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames:

“Reports of the OPP’s arrest of and laying charges against Karl Dockstader – a journalist with 610 CKTB and a co-recipient of the 2020 CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowship – are deeply disturbing. Dockstader is an award-winning Indigenous journalist, who was covering an ongoing land dispute between members of Six Nations, the band council, and a development company over the Haldimand Tract.

The arrest and charges speak to two broader, unacceptable patterns. The first is a longstanding colonial pattern of criminalizing Indigenous people. The second is a more recent pattern of police laying charges against journalists for covering land disputes between the Crown and Indigenous people.

These charges, which ban Mr. Dockstader from the site in question, effectively undermine his established constitutional right as a member of the media to be present to cover matters of public interest. Unchecked, these charges could put a disturbing chill on journalism and freedom of expression.

We will be monitoring Mr. Dockstader’s case and the surrounding land dispute closely. We call on the Solicitor General – whose role also includes overseeing anti-racism strategies in the province – and the Minister of Indigenous Affairs to monitor this situation closely as well. We urge the Ford government to take this seriously.”

A Brief Footnote from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper – 

Here are some of the many hundreds of missing Indigenous women and girls across Ontario and Canada that the cops have not managed to get to the bottom of and charge and convict anyone for yet. Don’t you kind of wonder if the number of charges and convictions would be greater if these women were white? But the cops sure don’t mind arresting and charging a Niagara area Indigenous activist and journalist Karl Dockstader alright.

If police departments across Canada, including our own Niagara Regional Police Service, wonder why so many people are now asking for fundamental reform in policing, including defunding, in some cases, they need to take e a look at what they are doing right now to Indigenous journalist Karl Dockstader.

Indeed, if police departments in this country and province are now  wondering why they are being accused of  “systemic racism” and on going down on ordinary citizens like some kind of para-military goon squad for governments and corporations that, at the end of the day, they really serve , this incident involving a good person in the name of Karl Dockstader exemplifies the reason why.

You want to go back to the 1960s, when citizens protesting in the streets for peace and justice took to calling the cops that beat the crap out of them “PIGS,” then keep on going down on us for your political and corporate masters

At the end of the day, that is who you really serve, isn’t it. Mr. Police Man!

We have  a situation right here in Niagara where our Niagara Regional Council and Niagara Regional  Police Board  approved spending more than a quarter of a million dollars on what looks to us like a military tank.

What do we need this militarized tank for on the streets of Niagara – paid for this more than $250,000 of our tax dollars. Thanks Niagara Region for bringing this on. Would this have caught Paul Bernardo earlier? My guess is that more intelligent police work would. – Doug Draper

What are they going to use that piece of military shit on? Us?

Another Karl Dockstacer if he happens to get in the way of some powerful developer who wants to destroy more of our natural heritage?

Did you ever stop to think that there might be some white collar criminals out there that you could bust? Apprently not, for the results we have so far seen.

More of the disturbing  state of policing in our province and country later.

• Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

For another story Niagara At Large posted on Karl Dockstader’s arrest, click on – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2020/09/04/indigenous-journalist-and-niagara-activist-karl-dockstader-arrested-while-reporting-on-land-defense-issue-in-haldimand-county/

NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.

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

“We’re asking for an urgent and independent review of Ontario’s back-to-school plans to ensure that the province is doing its best to implement the measures necessary to meet the highest standards recommended by medical, scientific and education experts.” – Ontario NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles

News from Ontario’s NDP/Official Opposition Party

Posted September 2nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube is being asked to review safety of province’s back to school plans

QUEEN’S PARK, Toronto  — The Official Opposition has asked Ombudsman Paul Dubé to assess the safety of the province’s back-to-school plan.

“We have all heard the anxiety, fear and frustration that parents, education workers, teachers and kids have about the back-to-school scheme as is stands today,” said NDP Education critic Marit Stiles.

“Time is running out. In just a couple weeks, the government plans to have more than 30 kids jammed into many classes. School busses could be filled with more than 70 kids and no physical distancing. It’s not clear in most schools how many additional custodians, if any, have been hired to enhance cleaning and sanitizing, and how many classrooms lack proper ventilation. Continue reading →

Legendary Jazz Sax Player Charlie Parker Would Have Turned 100 this Saturday, August 29^th, 2020

A Brief One by  Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

Posted August 29^th, 2020

Jazz giant and all-time music innovator Charlie Parker

They called him “Bird” – apparently because of the way his fingers flew across the keys of his alto saxophone.

Charlie Parker was and is – without doubt, in the minds of virtually every musicologist in the world – one of the true revolutionaries in the field of Jazz and in the field of music in general.

In the late 1940s, moving on into the 1950s, he broke all the rules in a world of jazz that was then mostly big bands playing swing music.

He fronted a free-wheeling sound that became known as “bop” or “bebop” in smaller groups that blew listeners away with off-beat time structures and with solos that, outside of some of the great trumpet lines Louis Armstrong pulled off decades earlier that blew listeners minds, like a guitar solo by Jimi Hendrix would do a few decades later. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from the citizen advocacy groups, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, CANADIAN FRESHWATER ALLIANCE, AND FRESHWATER FUTURE CANADA

Posted August 26^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – We would have posted this call-out on this urgent issue sooner but the groups just circulated it this August 26th morning. Sooner would have been far better, but hopefully not too late for people to get involved.)

TODAY Ontario and U.S. residents are invited to share why #WeAreLakeErie

The 4th annual social media event draws attention to the challenges Lake Erie is currently facing.

Algae in Lake Erie threatens the life of a major fishery

Toronto, Ontario – As western Lake Erie continues to be plagued by annual—and sometimes toxic—algal blooms, Ontarians and Americans are being asked to join in a social media rallying cry for urgent action to protect the lake and, along with it, drinking water for millions of people.

TODAY is the 4th #WeAreLakeErie Day on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. During the day, social media users are invited to share their Lake Erie stories and photos by using the hashtag #WeAreLakeErie to help create a virtual wave of support for the lake. The event is a chance to demonstrate to decision-makers the important role the lake plays in the lives of so many people. Continue reading →

A Call-Out from the Green Party of Ontario

Posted August 25th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Hot enough for you?

That’s the question we ask as we enter the dog days of summer.

However, this year we’re asking the question much earlier in the season and a lot more often.

Relentless heat waves coupled with overheated and rising water levels in our Great Lakes are threatening what amounts to one fifth of the world’s fresh water.

This is the consequence of climate change.

Continue reading →

Ford Government makes further investments to ensure a safe return to school in September

“We have demonstrated throughout this outbreak that we will deliver the strongest and safest plan in Canada for Ontario students, with a recognition that we will continuously strengthen it over time.”                                                                                                  – Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce

News from the Government of Ontario

Posted Ausgust 13^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — The Ontario government is providing more than half a billion dollars in supports to school boards to ensure schools across the province will reopen safely in September and to protect students and staff.

These supports will enable school boards to provide more physical distancing in classrooms and direct funding to utilize non-school community spaces, and will allow boards to make adjustments based on their local needs.

Details on these important updates for the 2020-2021 school year were provided today by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, and Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, following extensive consultations with leading medical experts across Ontario. Continue reading →

So Why Do So Many of Our Politicians Keep Pushing to Build Them?

A Commentary by Niagara At large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, followed by a Statement from the Canadian citizens group, Environmental Defence

It’s disturbing how many of our elected people across Ontario, including some right here in Niagara, are still chomping at the bit to construct more great big, honkin’ multi-lane highways.

How much more of this do we need in a 21st century marked by a global climate emergency and other threats to life on this planet?

Even in an era where we face, among other crises, a full-out global climate emergency, we have politicians out there, stuck waist-deep in the asphalt of the last century, determined to build more highways in the name of liberating more space for petroleum-guzzling trucks and cars.

Never mind the woodlands, wetlands and farmlands that are destroyed, we need more multi-lane highways, they argue, to address the congestion on highways that are already there. Continue reading →

Niagara Regional Council adopts mandatory mask by-law to combat the spread of COVID-19

News from N iagara’s Regional Government

Posted July 31^st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(All we can say here at Niagara At Large is that it is about time for this. Please read details about the bylaw and how it applies to those of us who live here and to those that visit our region below.)

Niagara, Ontario – On July 23, 2020,as part of their efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, Niagara Regional Council approved a by-law making it mandatory to wear a face covering or non-medical mask in enclosed public places.

The by-law comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 31, 2020 and will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2020 unless extended by Regional Council.

The by-law applies to the following enclosed indoor places:

Continue reading →

Maybe Niagara Will Move to Stage 3 Next Week, hints Ontario Premier. And Why Does Moving to Stage 3 Scare the Crap Out of Me?

A Brief News Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, followed by a news release from the Ontario government

Posted July 13th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Well, some might say; ‘Here we go again.” They may feel disappointed, if not angry.

As per an announcement made this July 13th by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Conservative government, Niagara, along with Hamilton, Windsor, Toronto and a few other regions of the province, is once again lagging behind a majority of other Ontario regions is being held back, at least temporarily, from moving to the next stage of re-opening businesses and other favourite old gathering places to the public.

A month or so ago, it was word that Niagara was not quite ready to join a majority of other Ontario regions to move to Stage 2 of re-openings, which included opening the doors to shopping malls and hair salons. That lag in our entry to Stage 2 status was obviously disappointing to many businesses, the people who depend on them for employment and to many of the rest of us who frequent those businesses as customers. Continue reading →

“I haven’t had another human face in my house since mid-March and did not go to all of that effort and sacrifice so people can come over the border from highly infected areas, disobey quarantine rules and party irresponsibly like I’ve seen in the US.” – Linda McKellar, Fort Erie, Ontario

You want to play fast and loose with a killer virus in the United States. They stay out of Canada.

“Canada’s infection rate has been, and continues to be, exceptionally low while the numbers in the U.S. are the highest in the world and growing exponentially rendering your country and the Trump administration the butt joke of the world sufficient to have Europe close its borders to the U.S.A.”                 – Carla Rienzo, Niagara Falls, Ontario

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher            Doug Draper

Posted July 10^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

America’s Trumpies may not give a damn about COVID-19, but for the sake of Canadian’s health, keep the border crossings closed.

This July 8th, I posted a news commentary I wrote on Niagara At Large, questioning the call by a number of border area U.S. Congressional representatives, including the good Congressman from the Buffalo, New York area, to draft a phased-in border opening plan for at least those Americans and Canadians on both sides who own property in the other country and have relatives they want or need to visit there.

While I sympathize with those who have property and relatives they want to visit or attend to on either side of the border – I have good friends in that position, myself – my conclusion was that due to world-record increases of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States, it would be reckless and dangerous for Canada to agree to re-open border crossings to anything but essential traffic now.

In response to my commentary I received the following comment from an American citizen who identified himself as Bob O. –

“Totally ridiculous article,” he said. “Completely clueless to what is really going on in the states. I have paid my property taxes for 68 years for my Canadian property. I don’t have coronavirus and have been very careful the entire time. There is absolutely no reason that I should not be able to access my remote property.”

It is a position that totally goes against almost everything I have heard from so many fellow Canadians on this side of the border, who look at the flaming COVID increases in the U.S. and the asinine way that Trump and his enablers are handling it and say; ‘No damn way to re-opening that border now or anytime soon. Continue reading →

Canada Day the Niagara Way; kicks off at 11 a.m. on July 1

Country star and Niagara native Tim Hicks to headline event

Traditional Canada Day fireworks and celebration in Queen Victoria Park will not take place

An Invite to a Virtual Canada Day Celebration from the Niagara Parks Commission

Posted June 25th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls, Ontario – Niagara Parks is proud to collaborate with Niagara’s 12 municipalities and the Niagara Region to hold &lsquo;Canada Day the Niagara Way;, a virtual celebration of Canada&rsquo;s 153rd birthday on July 1.

Katie FitzGerald will kick things off with the national anthem, along with signature Niagara-based entertainment Juliet Dunn, Avenue Inn of Niagara Falls, Spencer Burton of Pelham and Great Lake Swimmers of Wainfleet performing throughout the program. Continue reading →

Let’s Begin this Summer with a Collective Pledge to Chart a more healthy, prosperous future for ourselves and for generations to come

Let’s Stand Up for an Environment healthy enough to Fight Off Pandemics!

A Call-Out for a Summer we might re-image our way through to a Better Future by Niagara At Large publisher Doug Draper

Posted June 21^st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

This summer say Yes to places like Waverly Woods in Fort Erie, where this wonderful one lives, and to places like Thundering Waters Forest in the Niagara River watershed in Niagara Falls, and to other places like them in our region, and say ‘NO’ to the greedy developers and the political toadies among us who wish to destroy them for some bucks.

Hello again to everyone I am privileged enough to speak to each day through to this totally independent, online news and commentary site.

How are you doing in these post-apocalyptic times? I hope you are at least doing okay at a time when so many among us and around us have suffered sickness and loss of life in their families.

With strength and wisdom, we can collectively, as communities, see one of these darkest of times through to a better future. We can sweep aside those who have backed plans to destroy even more of what are left of our wetlands and woodlands and farmlands.

With strength and wisdom, we can work with political leaders in this Niagara Region and at the provincial and federal government levels who will chart a healthier, more prosperous future for our future and for the future of our children. Continue reading →

And What An Embarrassment Bylsma Is To Our Niagara Region!

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

Posted June 15^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

West Lincoln Mayor and Niagara Regional Councillor David Bylsma

Less than two weeks ago today, Niagara’s Regional Chair Jim Bradley – in the wake of the horrific death of another African American that set off world-wide demonstrations against racism – did us all proud by beginning a meeting of the Region’s council with these words –

“First,” said Bradley, “our thoughts are with the friends and family of George Floyd. Much has been reported about this incident over the past 11 days and it can become easy to lose sight of the individual at the core of this case. It is important to remember that Mr. Floyd was a real person, with the same hopes and dreams and concerns that each of us have. ….

“Second,” Niagara’s Regional Chair continued, “on behalf of Niagara Region, I want to offer a full and unequivocal condemnation of racism and discrimination, regardless of what form it takes. Whether it is overt or systemic, there is no place for this type of behaviour in our region, province or country. This council, I know, rejects all forms of exclusion and intolerance. …

“As we all can recognize, we are not immune to the effects of racism in Canada.”

Apparently, we are not immune to racism on Niagara’s Regional Council either.

Continue reading →

Faced with a Killer Virus, Economic Meltdown, A Climate Emergency and Growing Strife in Cities South of the Border        – There Are Days When One Can’t Help But Wonder

A Brief One by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large

Posted June 3^rd, 2020

“And you tell me over and over and over again my friend, ah you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.”

When ‘Eve Of Destruction’ first exploded onto the charts in the summer of 1965 – at a time when, short of Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul & Mary and a few others, The Beatles and most of the other big-name artists were  still singing songs about falling in and out of love – it became an immediate soundtrack for a growing nightmare that was our concern, at the time, over a global nuclear war, a growing war in Vietnam, racial strife and an environmental crisis at the time that sparked the first Earth Day in 1970.

That song was written by a guy named P.F. Sloan, a popular songwriter at the time, but it was sung and made famous by Barry McGuire.

I remember Barry McGuire playing at a bar in Niagara, Ontario in the 1980s, and people who had devolved from being hippies and yippies, to the yuppies (young urban and suburban professionals) all about their careers and making money, making fun of him appearing here in a lowly bar and maybe singing that song at that point.

Barry McGuire had gone from having a blockbuster song that defined the times, to – ‘who cares about a song like that now.’

Speed forward to some  30 years later.

If anything, that song is as bang-on now as it was when it first hit the charts and some radio stations across North American actually banned it because, in their view, it was not in keeping with fanning the flames of mindless patriotism.

So here is ‘Eve Of Destruction’, with a rather contemporary video accompanying it, that you can hear by clicking on the screen below –

Thank You to Barry McGuire – now, believe it or not, more than 80 years old – for leaving us with this still so timely song.

• Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

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

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

Join BPO this Tuesday, June 2^nd for its Next Archival Live Concert Broadcast on WNED Classical

A Message from the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in Niagara’s neihbouring City of Buffalo,New York

Posted June 2^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Tonight – this Tuesday, June 2nd – on WNED Classical: your BPO plays Tckhaiovsky and Prokofiev

Join us tonight at 7pm for our next archival live concert broadcast on WNED Classical!

Tonight’s program features Tchaikovsky’s romantic Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring pianist Hye-Jin Kim; and Prokofiev’s powerful and life-affirming Symphony No. 5. This broadcast was originally recorded on September 29, 2018 as part of the M&T Bank Classics series.

The seats in Kleinhain’s Music Hall may be temporarily empty, but the BPO plays on.

These archived concert recordings will be available each Tuesday at 7pm for the next several weeks by tuning in to 94.5 FM, or by streaming at wned.org/classical (https://t.e2ma.net/click/akr36c/enoe5t/ef2r2l), via the WNED Classical mobile app, or by listening to WNED Classical on a smart device. 

CLICK TO LISTEN (https://t.e2ma.net/click/akr36c/enoe5t/u72r2l)

For more on the BPO and any future online or radio or TV broadcasting performances, click on – https://bpo.org/

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

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

‘We are proud to recognize the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate National Pride Month this June.’

A Message from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted June 2^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Health is committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect in order to provide a safe space to all staff, physicians and members of the Niagara community. We will be using this year’s Pride Month to learn more about issues and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and promote acceptance and inclusion.

We work alongside our Inclusivity and Diversity Committee to help educate staff and share resources about reducing stigma and how to better support the LGBTQ+ community. We will be demonstrating our support with Pride displays, digital signage, stickers and resources at all our sites, with the proper infection prevention and control protocols in place to ensure proper physical distancing and hand-hygiene. Continue reading →

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

Posted May 30^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Parking fees at the Welland hospital site and at other hospitals around the Niagara region kick back in this June 1st.

Well, at least some things are going back to normal.

According to the news release circulated late this May by Niagara Health, the region’s amalgamated system of hospitals, parking fees at all Niagara hospital sites will go back to normal, effective this Monday, June 1^st, after being suspended for several weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

So now here we go back to the years leading up to this pandemic when the parking fees are charged for people visiting their loved ones at our hospitals and they just kept getting hiked higher and higher. Continue reading →

Strategy Expands Testing for General Public, Frontline Workers, First Responders and Workplaces

A COVID-19 Update from the Offfice of Ontario’s Premier

Posted May 29^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — As the province carefully and gradually reopens the economy, the Ontario government is implementing the next phase of its COVID-19 testing strategy to detect and quickly stop the spread of the virus. Testing will now be available to more people in more locations across the province.

Today, Premier Doug Ford and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, released the next phase of the province’s COVID-19 testing plan, Protecting Ontarians Through Enhanced Testing, which includes three branches of testing: Continue reading →

Thank You Mr. Prime Minister, for Your Part in Keeping the Canada-U.S. Border Closed to Non-Essential Travel At Least Until June 21^st

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

Posted May 26^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

A profile of two “leaders” at U.S. Memorial Day services – Trump with no mask, and the Democratic Party’s presidential hopeful, Joe Biden, wearing one.

The United States has passed another tragic milestone in this time of COVID-19 – one that doesn’t appear to rattle – not even a wit – the millions of mask-shunning Trumpies across the “land of liberty” where, so the thinking seems to go; ‘To hell with the common good. I should be able to do whatever I want.”

“And oh, by the way, how is my investment portfolio doing?”

The startling front page of this Sunday, May 24th, New York Times. No pictures and the names of the COVID victims just goes on and on, spilling over to inside pages of the newspaper

Barely more than three days after a Sunday edition of The New York Times, under a headline that read; ‘U.S. Deaths Near 100,000, An Incalculable Loss’, and just two days after American cable networks broadcast split screen images of U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his wife Jill, wearing masks as they laid a wreath for Memorial Day in their home state of Delaware, and of Trump and his water boy, Mike Pence, at Arlington National Cemetery, not wearing one, the COVID death toll in America has, as of the afternoon of this May 27^th, 2020 surpassed that grim six digit figure.

“One hundred thousand, “ read an editorial in the New York Times that accompanied four pages of the names, ages and short tributes to a mere 1,000 of the deceased.  “The immensity of such a sudden toll taxes our ability to comprehend, to understand that each number adding up to 100,000 represents someone among us just yesterday.” Continue reading →

“This is a simple way for the City to support our establishments who are being hit hard by this pandemic. We have to be proactive instead of waiting”                                                                                     – St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik.

News from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Posted May 22^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines, Ontario  – As the economy slowly begins to restart, St. Catharines City Council is directing support to local restaurants.

Downtown St. Catharines, where sidewalk patios have become more popular in recent years

Recognizing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses such as the restaurants in the City’s downtown core, on Wednesday Council voted to waive all fees associated with patios operated seasonally in outdoor areas adjacent to businesses. The decision will allow businesses with seasonal patios to be prepared once the Ontario government allows them to reopen. The process to apply for a patio remains the same. Continue reading →

Face Coverings Now Recommended When Physical Distancing is a Challenge

Ontario Premier Doug Ford

“Now that we are in Stage 1 of our Framework for Reopening the Province, more people will be returning to workplaces, going to stores and parks, and using public transit. I strongly urge everyone to continue following the public health advice, such as physical distancing and restricting gatherings to five people or less. Although we are making progress, COVID-19 is still a risk that we must guard against. Please stay safe and protect yourself and others.”               – Ontario Premier Doug Ford

A COVID-19 Update from the Office of the Ontario Premier

Posted May 22^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — As the Ontario government carefully and gradually reopens the province, those taking public transit, returning to work or going out shopping are being urged to continue to adhere to public health advice as the best line of defence against COVID-19.

To assist the public,Ontario  the Ministry of Health this week released specific recommendations on how to choose, wear and care for appropriate face coverings used in public where physical distancing is not possible, along with additional safety measures for provincial transit agencies. Continue reading →

Congressman Brian Higgins Encourages Planning for a Reopening that Protects Public Health While Reinvigorating Commerce

Canada-U.S Governments Announce Decision This May 19^th to Extend Border Closing to all but Essential Travel until last week of June

News from the Buffalo, New York Office of Democratic Party Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted May 22^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins

Buffalo, New York – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), who serves as Co-Chair of the House of Representatives’ Northern Border Caucus is asking U.S. and Canada leaders to re-examine the scope of those provided essential travel status as communities on each side of the border begin reopening measures.

On March 24 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) imposed travel restrictions at Land Ports of Entry between the United States and Canada, limiting crossings to “essential travel” due to the ongoing pandemic. A second notice extended travel restrictions through May 20. Earlier this week the U.S. and Canada agreed to extend northern border restrictions through 11:59pm on June 22, 2020.

Under the current order, “essential travel” includes: Continue reading →

Ford’s PC MPPs voted unanimously against NDP Leader Andrea Horwath Motion To Launch Find-And-Fix Public Inquiry

A Statement from Ontario NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted May 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Official Opposition and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

QUEEN’S PARK — Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement after the Ford government voted down an NDP motion (tabled this May 19th) calling for a full, independent public inquiry into Ontario’s long-term care system:

“It’s unconscionable for the Ford government to refuse to launch a full, independent public inquiry into how badly Ontario’s long-term care system has failed vulnerable seniors, and how to fix it.

“Voting no to a public inquiry is salt in the wound of families grieving the loss of loved ones to COVID-19 in long-term care, and for health care heroes who are run off their feet and still pleading for personal protective equipment. It is a cause for us all to worry that the painful, dangerous, decades-in-the-making problems in long-term care are not going to change. Continue reading →

Wilma Morrison, a champion for heritage preservation, the go-to person on Black History in Niagara, and a beautiful human being, died this April. She was 91.

A Brief Tribute by Doug Draper, reporter and publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted May 20^th, 2020

Wilma Morrison

I’m so sorry, Wilma, I am late again.

The first time I met this wonderful lady, more than 20 years ago, she was waiting for me in her beloved BME Church, Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel on Peer Street in Niagara Falls, and I was a reporter, still working for a daily newspaper in Niagara, assigned to do a story on Black History Month, and I was late.

I was late because the newspaper by then expected what few reporters they had left to do four stories at the same time, but when I got there and apologized for keeping her, Wilma Morrison greeted me with such a kind smile and said it was okay. Continue reading →

“It’s time for Ontario to take a page from the New York playbook and make it clear that a new gas supply pipeline through southern Ontario is going nowhere, permanently.”

Sign The Petition At The Bottom of This Post

A Call-Out from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a non-profit citizens advocacy group for a clean environment

Posted May 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

New York State is giving Ontario a lesson in weighing the costs and benefits of new natural gas infrastructure.

The State just refused to approve a new fracked gas pipeline stating “New York is not prepared to sacrifice the State’s water quality for a project that is not only environmentally harmful but also unnecessary to meet New York’s energy needs.”

The exact same statement could be made about Enbridge’s proposal to build a new fracked gas pipeline through Hamilton, Ontario. Continue reading →

Join the Webinar, in a Q&A Featuring the Presidents of Niagara College and Brock University, this Thursday, May 21st from 10 to 11 A.M.

An Invite to You from the host of this Webinar event, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Posted May 20th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Participate in a Webinar  with Brock President & Vice-Chancellor Gervan Fearon and Niagara College President Sean Kennedy

The moderator of this webinar even is Niagara Greater Niagara Chamber CEO Mishka Balsom

Featuring: Brock University President & Vice-Chancellor Gervan Fearon and Niagara College President Sean Kennedy, and moderated by Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) President and CEO  Mishka Balsom.

What: A webinar interview and Q&A with the presidents of Niagara’s post-secondary institutions on the impact of COVID-19 on their operations, on Niagara, and on the future of post-secondary education.

When: May 21st, 2020, 10am-11am.

Where: The webinar can be accessed here (https://connect.gncc.ca/e2t/sc2/Mm-nFbjTcKwW7brW8j8B6rddW7VkCZD9dMQ_3W6B8Qgr5NpBb2f1HVPN203 ) . Attendance is free and open to anyone. Continue reading →

Prime Minister Announces Border Will Remain Closed for at least Another 30 Days

Canada-U.S. border crossings like this will remain this void of traffic now until at least the last week of June

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

Posted May 19^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Major border crossing like the Peace Bridge have been closed to all but essential, mostly commercial trucking traffic since the last week of March

With less than two days to go to the latest May 21^st deadline, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during his COVID news briefing this May 19^th that an agreement has been reached with the United States to keep the shared border closed to non-essential traffic for at least another 30 days.

That now takes us to on or about June 21^st – a full three months after the border crossings were first closed to all but essential, mostly commercial-oriented traffic – before the earliest possible re-opening of the Peace Bridge, the Rainbow Bridge and other border crossings to those of us who would like to go back to visiting our friends and relatives, and some of our favourite places in each other’s countries.

I don’t know about your thoughts on this (and if you want you can share them below), but I have my own mixed feelings. Continue reading →

Protecting Snapping Turtles and Other Wetland Species

By Jocelyn Baker, a professional in the field of conservation, living in Niagara, Ontario

Posted May 19^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Wetlands are beautiful habitats where many unique species of animals can be found. We are all able to help protect and conserve these critically important ecosystems.

We are still fortunate enough to have some provincially significant wetlands in the Niagara River watershed. We need to work together as communities to protect and  preserve them for future generations.

In Ontario, most of our important wetlands have been mapped and are protected through various regulations. Wetlands that support critical habitat and species are called Provincially Significant Wetlands (PSW) and are protected from development and disturbance.

However, simply drawing a line around a wetland and saying it is “protected” is not enough to ensure the protection and survival of the species it contains. Continue reading →

Government Commits to Improving System Following COVID-19 Outbreak

News from the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care, with an Afterword from Niagara At Large reporter Doug Draper

Posted May 19^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — This Tuesday, May 19th Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care, issued the following statement in response to the impact of COVID-19 in Ontario’s long-term care homes:

“Our government has been clear that we will review the long-term care system to get a better understanding of the impacts and responses to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Today (this May 19^th), I am announcing that we will be launching an independent commission into Ontario’s long-term care system beginning in September. Continue reading →

Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Sixth Region Hits Benchmark to Begin Reopening (this May 19th)

New York State Governor brings some hopeful news to the Buffalo area during a news conference at Roswell Park Hospital this May 18th

News from the Office of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo

Posted May 19th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo

Buffalo, New York – State Department of Health has Granted Erie County Medical Center a Waiver to Restart Elective Procedures.

• Announces New Efforts to Bring More Tests to Nursing Home Facilities to Help Meet New Guidelines Requiring All Nursing Home Employees Be Tested Twice Per Week
• Encourages Major Sports Teams to Plan Reopening Without Fans
• Confirms 1,250 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State – Bringing Statewide Total to 351,371; New Cases in 44 Counties

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Cuomo announced that Western New York has met all seven metrics required to begin phase one of the state’s regional phased reopening plan starting tomorrow, joining the Central New York, North Country, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley Regions. Continue reading →

Featuring a Video Produced by The Atlantic called; ‘Donald Trump – A Study in Leadership’

Letting loose between toilet tweets

A Brief Commentary, followed by a Video that is a Must-Watch for all Canadians Wondering If And When We Should Re-Open the Canada-U.S. Border  

Posted May 19^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

The Atlantic has recently come out with what should be a disturbing video to many in his own country and around the world titled; ‘Donald Trump – A Study in Leadership.

Not a very flattering portrait of the self-describe “stable genius,” but a very generous title, in Canadian border area resident’s view. Continue reading →

Watch The Interview Below, Then Try to Make the Case for Urbanizing Havens for Biodiversity in Niagara Like Thundering Waters Forest in Niagara Falls and Waverly Woods in Fort Erie

A Few Words of Introduction from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted May 18^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Award-winning science reporter and her 2016 book Pandemic. She makes the case for why we have to save places like Thundering Waters and Waverly Woods in Niagara, Click on the link for the interview below.

This May 17^th , on his weekly CNN program, GPS (an acronym for Global Public Square), American journalist and political scientist Fareed Zakaria featured as one of his guests Sonia Shah, an investigative journalist who has spent years covering infectious diseases and pandemics, and whose 2016 book ‘Pandemic’ should have been a warning call to our political leaders before the nightmare of COVID-19 came along.

During her interview with Fareed Zakaria, Sonia Shah spent time talking about how the loss of natural habitat and biodiversity promotes the spread of infectious diseases like the one that is ravaging the health and economies of the world now. Continue reading →

“For the past two weeks, the Snowbirds have been flying across the country to lift up Canadians during these difficult times. … Their flyovers across the country put a smile on the faces of Canadians everywhere and make us proud.”                                     – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper followed by a Statement issued this May 18th, 2020 by Canada’s Prime Minister

Posted May 18th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

A Commentary by Doug Draper

I’ve never been much for shows of military or para-military strength. Often, they have even repulsed me, and even if it is our own Canadians forces, have left me with thoughts like; “Okay, this sure looks awesome. But what if some leader with an authoritarian bent decides to turn it on us? It’s not as if there aren’t truckloads of historic precedence for that.”

Canada’s Golden Hawks, flying over the lower Niagara River, sometimes more than 50 years ago.

Yet, I have to make a confession. Since I was a wee little kid, there has always been a proud spot in my heart for Canada’s great air show or aerobatic teams which like it or not, were military based.

My introduction to the great Canadian air show was an Air Force team of breathtaking daredevils, soaring through the skies in Korean War-vintage Sabre Jets, called ‘The Golden Hawks’. Continue reading →

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves the rainbow flag as he attends the annual pride parade in Montreal, Sunday, August 14, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

“Today, … we join Canadians and people everywhere to support LGBTQ2 rights, and speak out against the stigma, discrimination, and violence that continue to affect LGBTQ2 communities here in Canada and around the world.”                         – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Posted May 17th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia:

“Today (this Sunday, May 17^th), on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we join Canadians and people everywhere to support LGBTQ2 rights, and speak out against the stigma, discrimination, and violence that continue to affect LGBTQ2 communities here in Canada and around the world.

“This year’s theme in Canada, ‘Family support is essential: Send love to your LGBTQ+ relatives,’ recognizes the importance of support networks for LGBTQ2 individuals who continue to face stigma and discrimination for simply being themselves. Continue reading →

Happy Birthday Bill Hodgson

A Brief Tribute and Happy Birthday Wish to former public school board member, then former Lincoln mayor, then former Niagara regional councillor for Lincoln, and a former member of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board of directors, censored by the former NPCA board of Sandy Annunziata, but remembered in the eyes of Niagara’s public at large as a board member of high principle – BILL HODGSON

From Doug Draper

Posted May 16^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

So courtesy of those pop-up Facebook messages I receive, which I normally find quite annoying because, on so many levels, I don’t like Facebook has done to real newspapers and to the civility of public discourse, I am going to let Sylvester, one of my all-time favourite cats, out of the bag, and wish one of my all-time favourite public servants in Niagara, Ontario a Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday, this May 16^th, to Bill Hodgson. And Bill, I have no idea how old you are but, in this journalist’s view anyway, you are never too old to take a run for another term in any public office you choose.

I am sure that many Niagara residents who care about honesty and decency in public office would welcome you back. Continue reading →

Some of You Dispute My Argument That We Canadians Should Keep The Canada-U.S. Border Closed Indefinitely?

Just Watch The Video Below. I Rest My Case

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper, Niagara At Large

Posted May 15^th, 2020

I’ve had more than a few comments already to a commentary I put on Niagara At Large earlier today, almost pleading to our Prime Minister that he keep the Canada-U.S. border closed, possibly until the end of this year.

Not till the end of the year, some have responded to me. I want to cross.

My response is so do I, but I’m more worried about the Trump nuts that don’t give a shit about social distancing and might come over here, to Canada, and trigger an outbreak of this nightmare again.

The self-described “stable genius” in the White House, gives those of us who choose to disagree with anything he says or does the you know what.

If you think I am wrong, just watch this recent madness from Donald Trump, talking about moving forward with business – pandemic or no pandemic – and actually speaking out against testing because testing my reveal that there are more COVID-19 cases.  

To watch something far less funny than Dr. Strangelove and far more dangerously insane, yet remains something that the millions of screwballs in America who continue support this nut actually see as perfectly okay, click on the screen below –

A Footnote from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – Here is the link to the Commentary I posted on NAL earlier, on the need to keep the Canada-U.S. border indefinitely closed – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2020/05/15/dear-mr-prime-minister-please-keep-the-canada-u-s-border-closed-all-year-if-necessary/

Further to this, and if you need any further information on how dangerous the United States has become under Trump, in this age of COVID-19, here is a piece I saw on the MSNBC pr0gram this Friday, May 15. Later on, Linda Babb posted it on her great Niagara area onside Facebook page, The Peoples’ Platform.

Please watch it right through to the end so you can here what a renown expert on international affairs, Dr. Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University in New York City has to say, and once again, I rest my case on my plea to keep the Canada-U.S. border closed.

To watch the Morning Joe segment, click on the screen below –

Okay, now come tell me we shouldn’t keep the Canada-U.S. border closed to Trumpies.

We need to keep our entrance ways to Canada from Trumpland closed.

There is no damn way that Canadians, who have sacrificed so much over the past many weeks to drive the Coronavirus curve down, should allow people who think this killer virus is some kind of a hoax or joke to drive it across our border.

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

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

We Don’t Need America’s Trumpies Driving More of the Killer Virus Up Here.

“While there is no end to the peril, dozens of U.S. states are planning to reopen this month, undaunted by a steep trajectory of newly sickened people. …. This is a threat to Canada.”                  – from a May 9^th Editorial in The Globe and Mail, titled; ‘Dear America – You’re Sick. Don’t Visit Us’.

If you are with this guy – the virus is a “hoax,” it’s nothing more than a “mild flu,” trying injecting disinfectant” while I “liberate your states,”  and real Americans don’t need to get tested or wear masks – then please don’t come visit! If you want to set yourselves up for a second, possible more deadly wave of this plague, keep it over there.

A Call-Out to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted May 15^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Dear America, you’re sick alright.

A proud “Trump girl” joins the protests against protective measures.

Whatever ‘Make America Great Again’ may mean, you’ve got the largest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 of any nation in the world and the largest number of deaths, with more than 85,000 as of this posting, and expected to surpass 100,000 before the end of this month.

And yet more than half the states in the U.S. are hanging up ‘Re-Open for Business’ sign, swinging open doors to bars, restaurants, casinos, gun shops and so on, even while the case counts and death counts related to Coronavirus continue to climb.

It is party time again in packed bars in Wisconsin, which is just a few hours drive away from the Canadian border. Do we really want these people coming up here in the middle of a pandemic?

“Whoo-eee,” shouted one big, bearded guy in a packed bar in Wisconsin when the shutters were removed the doors after a Republican dominated state court ruled against the governor’s desire to extend the shutdown. Raising an arm and hand to his mouth as if he were about to guzzle a mug of beer, the same guy, yelled; “America is back!”

America is back? What in hell does that mean?

Continue reading →

Additional Seasonal, Retail and Household Businesses Must Follow Public Health Guidelines

News from the Constituency Office of Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff

Posted May 14th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

With other ministers standing behind him, Ontario Premier Doug Ford continues to announce a slow re-opening of businesses and other venues across the province

BEAMSVILLE, Ontario – This Thursday, May 14th, the Ontario government announced the retailers, seasonal businesses and health and community service providers who will be permitted to open or expand their services on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., provided that the general trend on health indicators continues to improve as part of the first stage of the government’s reopening framework.

The workplaces opening as part this stage are well-positioned to put workplace safety measures in place and get more people back to work, while not overburdening public transit and other services. Continue reading →

“As Ontario develops a recovery plan and workplaces start to re-open, the provincial government must take urgent action to better protect workers.” – Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates

News from Wayne Gates Niagara Falls Constituency Office and Ontario’s Official Opposition New Democrats

Posted May 13^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates in Ontario legislature

MPP Jamie West, NDP Critic for Labour Relations and MPP Wayne Gates, NDP Critic for Workplace Health and Safety, are calling on the Ford government to create a Workplace Safety Readiness Committee responsible for ensuring Ontarians can return to work safely.

“As Ontario develops a recovery plan and workplaces start to re-open, the provincial government must take urgent action to better protect workers,” said Gates.

The Workplace Safety Readiness Committee would be empowered to provide strong recommendations that could be immediately implemented to facilitate a safe transition back to a fully functioning economy. It would allow Ontarians to be confident that when workplaces re-open, they will have the tools, resources, and PPE they need to stay safe and healthy. Continue reading →

‘Nearly everyone (90 per cent) is concerned about COVID-19’s impact on the economy and 69 per cent of Ontarians are concerned about the impact the outbreak has on their personal finances’.                                                                                                        – from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario report

News from the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

Posted May 11th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Toronto, Ontario – Seven out of 10 Ontarians (69 per cent) believe the province is headed for a “serious mental health crisis” as it emerges from this pandemic and nearly eight out of 10 (77 per cent) say more mental health supports will be necessary to help society, according to new poll results released today.

This data comes from the first of three polls Pollara Strategic Insights is conducting on behalf of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division.

CMHA Ontario is looking to evaluate how Ontarians’ perceptions of their mental health are changing as they come out from underneath the pandemic. Two more surveys will follow in the coming months as restrictions loosen around COVID-19 and the economy continues to re-open. Continue reading →

A Commentary by Gary Screaton Page, a resident of Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario

Posted May 10^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

World War II was a tragedy on so many fronts. On so many levels the human cost was incalculable!

So, too, the cost to our humanity. Little understood is how a nation that once birthed great music, art, writing, theology, and philosophy could so crumble to the point of raising a Hitler.

We must be vigilant. Democracy is fragile.

In spite of our pride in our nation, we are not immune in Canada to what happened in Germany in 1933, after the Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act of 1933 in March that year giving expanded authority, Hindenburg had previously appointed Hitler as Chancellor on 30 January 1933 after parliamentary elections and much backroom intrigue. Continue reading →

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper (with a little help from Joe Biden)

Posted April 25^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency – the most powerful office in his country if, no longer, in the world, thanks to its current occupant – said in a Twitter message yesterday that he “can’t believe” what he felt he had so say in it.

It is truly breath-taking and speaks to how insane politics and the human condition has become in the United States, that Biden came out with a message like this.

As one who has covered politics as a journalist for some 40 years now, I certainly never dreamed that a candidate for a major office in any democracy around the world would feel compelled to send out a message like this. It is truly breath-taking.

Here it is –

And I think that just about speaks for itself. I had my say in a spoof piece I wrote and posted this April 24^th on this madness.

If you missed it, here is the link  – https://niagaraatlarge.com/2020/04/24/looking-for-a-covid-cure-try-swallowing-a-flashlight-and-washing-it-down-with-some-windex-or-lysol/

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post, along with your name (not a pseudonym), in the space immediately below the Bernie Sanders quote.

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

If You Missed This Inspiring Event, Please Click On It Below

Posted by Doug Draper, Niagara At Large on April 23^rd, 2020

If you missed this wonderful event streaming live this April 22^nd, you can still watch it.

The 50^th annual Earth Day may have come and gone this April 22^nd, but it is still Earth Week in Canada, the United States and other countries around the world all week, until this April 2y6th.

So while you are home, staying safe, take a little time out to watch this.

Watch it and make a pledge to yourself and to others across our communities that coming out of this pandemic, we are going to be kinder to our life-giving natural resources.

We are going to stand up and vote ‘yes’ for our natural heritage, and we are going to vote out of office political Neanderthals like Donald Trump in the United States, Jason Kenney and Doug Ford on the provincial stage in Canada, and the Jim Diodatis right here in Niagara.

Let’s make a promise to ourselves and each other that we are going to work together to  build a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for ourselves and for generations to come.

You can watch the global Earth Day celebration, featuring some of the great minds on climate and other issues, and a host of musicians and others, by clicking on the screen immediately below –

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

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

“The federal government has so far refused to deny (COVID-19) support to companies that operate in tax havens. … We’ve called on the federal government to deny funding to corporations that abuse tax havens to avoid Canadian taxes.”                                       – Canadians for Tax Fairness

A News Release from Canadians for Tax Fairness

Posted April 23th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(Niagara At Large is posting this News Release with KUDOS to this citizens group, Canadians for Tax Fairness, for demanding that Canada’s federal government stop giving our tax dollars to corporations that either refuse or don’t want to pay taxes here.)

Pressure is mounting on governments to ensure COVID-19 funding doesn’t go to companies that exploit tax havens or use public funds to pad their profits.

They suck as much out of Canada and Canadians as they can stuff in their safes, then they take it down to a haven where they don’t pay one plug nickel in taxes. Now these deadebeats want a bailout during this pandemic. Tell Trudeau and his Liberals not to give it to them.

The government of France has just joined Denmark and Poland in not allowing corporations that operate in tax havens to benefit from its COVID19 bailout fund.  France and Denmark are also restricting corporate recipients of state aid from using funds to pay dividends and buying back their own shares.

Three weeks ago, Canadians for Tax Fairness called on the federal government to apply similar restrictions, to increase transparency and accountability over these funds, and to recover amounts that are ultimately not needed through measures such as an excess profits tax. Continue reading →

A Comment from Doug Youmans, a veteran journalist living in Niagara, Ontario

Posted April 14th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note– Doug Youmans’ comment was originally posted in Niagara At Large this past April 10^th as a response to a News Release circulated by the Office of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, headlined; Ontario Significantly Expanding COVID-19 testing. A link for that News Release is available below Doug Youman’s remarks)

By Doug Youmans – 

I realize the Premier made a big show (at a COVID-19 press briefing recently) of his outrage over the lack of testing, but wasn’t he the one at the controls of who got tested, how many tests were in circulation, and how much funding was in place to ensure those things were happening. Continue reading →