Niagara At Large

Tory  Outcast Patrick Brown Has Joined the Ontario PC Party’s Leadership Race

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted February 18th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Just when it looked like Ontario’s Progressive Party was beginning to regroup and gain ground on filling its leadership role just four months away from a June 7th provincial election, guess who pops out of the jack-in-the-box?

Ex-Ontario PC Party leader Patrick Brown wants his job back

Why it’s Patrick Brown, who just resigned from the party’s leadership this January (although, now he is claiming he never told party executives he was stepping down) over allegations of sexual misconduct.

This past Friday, February 16th – two hours before the deadline closed for entering one’s name as a leadership candidate and only a few hours after he had been notified by party executives that he had been ejected from the PC Caucus, “effective immediately – Patrick Brown tossed his hat into the ring with four other leadership candidates. Continue reading →

Absolutely No One In Civilian Life Needs Assault Weapons. Their Only Purpose Is To Kill

A Commentary by Linda McKellar

Posted February 18th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

What is shocking and disgusting in the wake of the mass shooting at a high school in Florida this past February 14th is that we all know the names and faces of the gunmen before we know the victims? Murderers should be made as anonymous as possible and not given glory.

A makeshift memorial for young victims of mass shooting at in Florida

That’s what many of them want and what inspires other crazies. We remember murderers  – Gacy, Dahlmer, Manson…. Who remembers victims?

And when it comes to any talk of sensible gun laws following one of these mass shootings; “Now is not the time,” we hear every time. When is the time?

In the United States, you need all kinds of ID to buy some benign pharmaceuticals but not to buy a gun. You can be on a “no fly” list and buy a gun. You can buy guns at a gun show. Continue reading →

Working In Partnership to Grow Ontario’s Food and Beverage Industry

News from the Constituency Office of St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley

Posted February 18, 2018 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley

Niagara, Ontario – This February 16^th, Jim Bradley, MPP for St. Catharines made the announcement at 13th Street Winery in St. Catharines, along with Chris Bittle MP for St. Catharines on behalf of Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay.

With support provided through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, the winery received $100,000 to purchase and install a hopper, tanks, insulated bins, and upgrade temperature control systems to help increase labour productivity, increasing productivity and leveraging innovation to grow their business and the local economy.

13th Street Winery is one of over 300  Ontario food processors enhancing their competitiveness, innovating through the introduction of new products and creating new jobs thanks to support through Growing Forward 2. Continue reading →

“Happiness is a warm gun – bang, bang, shoot, shoot.” – from a song written by John Lennon, who was shot to death outside his New York City home in 1980

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted February 15^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

As someone with a number of friends and relatives, including a 26 year old daughter, living in the United States, I cannot help but say a few words about the latest gun carnage that occurred there because I worry for my loved ones south of the border, and I know many of them worry too.

Students in Florida mourn classmates gunned down in latest mass shooting in America

I was enjoying some time out this February 14^th , when I returned home in the afternoon to “Breaking News” on the cable news channels about another mass shooting in America – this one at a high school in what, by all appearances, seems a quintessential  suburban community called Parkland in the State of Florida.

Seventeen dead!  Almost all of them young people in their teens!

Another dozen or so badly wounded, in what was being described already by reporters on CNN and MSNBC as one of the single worst mass shootings in a country that has already gained an infamous reputation around the world for this kind of gun carnage. Continue reading →

Join the Discussion on Tuesday, February 20^th at 6:30 p.m. at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

An Invite from the ‘Saving Thundering Waters Forest’ citizens group and Trout Unlimited

Posted this February 15th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The Saving Thundering Waters Forest group invites everyone to this event: Water Scape — Community discussions on Protecting Water for Future Generations

Tuesday, February 20
6:30 p.m.
Niagara College, Room W216, 135 Taylor Road, Niagara-on-theLake, L0S 1JO

Presented in partnership with Save Thundering Waters Group and Trout Unlimited

WaterScape is a collaborative effort of CELA (the Canadian Environmental Law Association), OEN (the Ontario Environment Network), and OHI, in cooperation with the local partners listed above.

The goals for the community discussions are: Continue reading →

Comprehensive assessment shows current and past agricultural fertilizer and manure applications are largest single source of excess phosphorus to western Lake Erie basin

Bold action is needed to identify and implement management approaches to restore health of Lake Erie

News from the Canada-U.S. International Joint Commission

Posted February 14^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

One of the signs posted in recent years along the shores of Lake Erie

In a report released this February  by the International Joint Commission titled Fertilizer Application Patterns and Trends and Their Implications for Water Quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin, an extensive analysis of existing data leaves little doubt that commercial fertilizer and manure applications are the largest sources of excess phosphorus into the western basin of Lake Erie.

Dead fish washes to shore in Lake Erie waters choking with algal blooms

The IJC Science Advisory Board’s Science Priority Committee completed the assessment to better understand the influence of past, current and possible future nonpoint agricultural runoff of phosphorus into western Lake Erie, and their potential to cause eutrophic conditions and nuisance and harmful algal blooms (HABs). The area studied included the lake’s binational western basin as well as the St. Clair-Detroit River system, which feeds directly into Lake Erie.

Commercial fertilizer is the primary source of phosphorus from agricultural sources into the western basin overall and in the United States, while in Canada manure and commercial fertilizer are relatively equal sources. Continue reading →

“The recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights will chart a new way forward for our Government to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and to undo decades of mistrust, poverty, broken promises, and injustices.” – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

News from the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Posted February 14th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

For too long, Indigenous Peoples in Canada have had to prove their rights exist and fight to have them recognized and fully implemented. To truly renew the relationship between Canada and Indigenous Peoples, the Government of Canada must make the recognition and implementation of rights the basis for all relations between Indigenous Peoples and the federal government.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during meeting with First Nation leaders in Saskatchewan in 2016

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today (February 14th, 2018) announced that the Government of Canada will develop – in full partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples – a Recognition and Implementation of Rights Framework.

Continue reading →

Big Losers Include Transportation, Education, Great Lakes, Neighborhoods & Seniors

Restoration Programs for the shared waters of our Great Lakes will see “massive cuts”

News from the Buffalo, New York Office of U.S. Congressman (Democrat) Brian Higgins

Posted February 14, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Following release (this second week of February) of President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2019 Budget, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), a member of the House Budget Committee, is outlining how the proposal would impact the people of Western New York as well as the projects and priorities of importance to the region.

“The White House fiscal blueprint for 2019 is more like a battle plan of attack on seniors, students and communities,” said Higgins.

Buffalo, New York area Democratic Congressman Brian Higgins

“Transportation grants that put people to work are eliminated, initiatives that support small business and community growth are abandoned, and successful programs that keep seniors safe and healthy are cut.

This budget plan would extend self-inflicted wounds on the American people and American opportunity creating particular hardships on communities across Western New York.”

Trump Budget – Big picture:

• Social Security: Proposes as much as $65 billion in cuts to Social Security benefits
• Affordable Care Act: Despite GOP leadership saying they will not seek to repeal ACA, the Trump Budget includes savings based on repeal
• Medicaid: Cuts Medicaid by $1.4 trillion over 10 years
• Medicare: Cut by 7%, $500 billion over 10 years
• EPA: Budget cut by over 33%

Continue reading →

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

Posted February 14^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large    

Niagara West-Glanbrook MPP Sam Oosterhoff and Ontario Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful Christine Elliott. Photo courtesy of Sam Oosterhoff’s constituency office.

The following is a statement from Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West-Glanbrook:

“The hardworking people of Ontario need and deserve a strong, responsible, and united Progressive Conservative government ready and able to lead this province on June 7th. 

“I believe that Christine Elliott is the leadership candidate who is best positioned to lead our team to victory against the Kathleen Wynne Liberals and to act as Premier of Ontario from day one. 

“I have been impressed by Christine’s openness, integrity, intelligence, and tenacity. She is in this race for the right reasons: Christine genuinely cares about the families of Ontario and knows what it takes to make their dreams a reality.   Continue reading →

Loopholes Are Costing Billions of Dollars that could go to Health Care and other Public Services

A Message from the Broadbent Institute in Ontario, Canada

Posted February 14th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

This February 14th, 2018 the Broadbent Institute launched its latest research report pointing to the “Filthy Five” – the most outrageous tax loopholes and tax haven laws – and calling for immediate tax reform.

These loopholes cost our government up to $12 billion every year; money that should be invested in important health and social programs. You can read and download our full report right here. Continue reading →

“Volunteering offers people the chance to make a difference in the lives of our patients and to give back to the community.” – Tracey Giovannone, Manager, Recruitment and Volunteer Services at Niagara Health.

News from Niagara Health

Posted February 14^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Are you looking for a rewarding experience by getting involved in your community? If so, please consider joining Niagara Health’s team of extraordinary volunteers.

Some of the people volunteering for Niagara Health. Photo courtesy of Niagara Health

Niagara Health is looking for volunteers who have excellent interpersonal skills and enjoy comforting others to volunteer at our sites across Niagara. We currently have more than 850 dedicated people helping to provide extraordinary caring to our patients and their families, and we would like to recruit more. Continue reading →

 ‘Compared to January of 2017, the region has lost a net total of 1,600 jobs, year over year, and a staggering 7,700 jobs among 15-24-year-olds – meaning for every four young Niagarans who held a job in January 2017, one is now unemployed.’

A News Release from the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce

Posted February 13^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario  – On January 1st, the Government of Ontario introduced sweeping changes to the province’s labour laws with the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, most notably including a hike in minimum wage to $14/hr, with a further $1/hr increase to come next January.

Analysts across the country, including the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) and the province’s independent Financial Accountability Office, warned that job losses would be a predictable result of this legislation. As many as 185,000 Ontario jobs could be at risk by 2020, CANCEA found. Continue reading →

Urge Ontario’s Party Leaders To Embrace a ‘Real Solution’ to Rising Electricity Costs

A Call-Out from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a citizens advocacy group in the province

Posted February 13^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

We are now just a few months away from a provincial election and we know that rising electricity costs are sure to be a big issue on the campaign trail. So why have none of the parties at Queen’s Park embraced the real solution to lowering bills – buying power from Quebec?

Quebec just signed a deal with Massachusetts to supply power at 3 to 5.5 cents per kWh. That’s less than one-third of the projected cost of power from rebuilt reactors at the Darlington Nuclear Station. Yet our leaders seem more interested in accounting tricks and finger pointing than in grabbing Quebec’s sensational offer to make a similar deal with Ontario. Continue reading →

“It is of paramount importance that we Niagarans get out of our comfort zones and start to learn about the harmful effects of the legacy of racism in Western society, the harm of over simplified anti-Indigenous stereotypes, how white privilege perpetuates these legacies, and what role systemic racism plays in keeping many Indigenous people marginalized.”

 A Message to All of Us from the Niagara Anti-Racism Coalition

 Posted February 12th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

 Dear Niagarans,

Colten Boushie, a young Indigenous man from Red Pheasant First Nation, was killed by gunshot by the hand of a white farmer named Gerald Stanley on August 9th, 2016.

Colten Boushie

 In February of 2018, after a technicality was used to ensure that the jury was all-white, the jury trial resulted in the conclusion that no one was at fault for this crime in any way. The Niagara Anti-Racism Coalition condemns this failure of justice as a product of systemic racism that diminishes the ability of the Canadian justice system to be seen a credible institution. Continue reading →

 This $870,000 Paid Out To Niagara’s Police Chief Is Just The Tip Of The Iceberg!

A News Commentary by Ed Smith

Posted February 12th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

On January 29th, the people of Niagara learned that we had paid our police chief $870,000 in order to entice him to leave his position and allow the Police Services Board to appoint someone else to the position.

The $870,000 of our tax money used recently to retire Niagara Region’s Police Chief Jeff McGuire is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how much public money is being wasted by Niagara regional councilors to buy out staff for reasons that are, to say the least, questionable.

By their own admission, the Chief was not enticed to leave for any reasons related to negative performance. To the contrary, the Board has only ever had positive and glowing things to say about the Chief. 

Nevertheless that same Board was willing to use $870,000 of taxpayer money to convince him to leave rather than have him serve for the two and a half years remaining in his contract. 

The Niagara Region Police Services Board is chaired by Niagara Falls regional councillor Bob Gale. Also on the Board is regional chair Al Caslin and Port Colborne regional councillor David Barrick, together they comprise 50 per cent of the Police Board. 

To date, none of them has displayed the political will to inform us why they decided to waste almost a million of our dollars.  Continue reading →

On Wednesday, February 14th at 8 p.m., at St. Catharines’ Central Library in the City’s Downtown

A Call-Out from Niagara area MPP Cindy Forster

Posted February 12^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Join me and Neal Schoen on February 14 for a public forum hosted by the Niagara District Council of Women.

My proposed legislation, Bill 135, would put licensing rules in place for privately owned Supportive Living Homes. Join us next Wednesday to learn more.

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 bi-national 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

“Post-secondary institutions are well-positioned to take on a leadership role in pushing back against the rise of precarious, insecure employment in the province, rather than building a work model dependent on it.” – Erika Shaker, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Director of Education and Outreach

News from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Posted February 12^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario — Precarious employment is on the rise in Ontario’s post-secondary sector, a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has found. The report examines the prevalence of precarious work on campuses and finds that certain workers are becoming more vulnerable to precarity. Continue reading →

Designation Would Encourage Investments in Distressed Areas

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

Posted February 12^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Buffalo, New York – Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is advocating for Western New York neighborhoods to be nominated as federal Opportunity Zones, under a new program that provides tax incentives to encourage investment in designated economically distressed areas.

Congressman Brian Higgins in the Broadway Fillmore Historic Neighborhood ( 1021 Broadway ) at a building in Buffalo, New York under construction with representatives from local non-profits partnering in the Service Innovation and Impact Initiative

  “Western New York’s renaissance won’t be fully realized until it reaches into struggling neighborhoods,” said Congressman Higgins.  “The Opportunity Zone program can provide a new tool to draw needed attention into communities that would significantly benefit from investments and job creation.”   Continue reading →

This Time They Were After One Of Their Favorite Targets – Pelham’s Mayor & Town Council

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted February 9^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

“Gee Toto,” said Dorothy as she looked around, dazed and confused, at her new surroundings in OZ-land, “I don’t think we are in Kansas anymore.”

Maybe we were not at a meeting of Niagara’s regional council  either. It seemed more like a meeting of  the Town of Pelham’s council, given all of the discussion and material  in the agenda about the municipality’s finances,

Or maybe we were  somewhere over the rainbow in the haunted forest.

It most surely seemed so at this Thursday, February 8^th’s regional council meeting because  there were those flying monkeys, swooping down through the gnarly trees, chasing after Pelham’s mayor, Dave Augustyn, and his town council again.

Last spring, some of those same flying monkeys, in the name of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board of directors, swooped down on then fellow NPCA board member and Lincoln regional councillor Bill Hodgson, and ripped the stuffing out of him with a motion of censure for reasons that had something to do with wanting an independent, third party to audit the Conservation Authority’s books. Continue reading →

Toronto’s bid for Amazon HQ2 means all hands on deck

“Niagara is well-positioned to contribute to the bid, which includes a strong supply chain that will benefit from such a large investment in the GTA.” – Vance Badawey

News from the Constituency Office of Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey

Niagara Centre (Ontario) MP Vance Badawey

Posted February 9^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, today emphasized the government’s commitment to putting Canada’s skilled, talented, and creative people at the heart of a more innovative future economy – one that will create middle class jobs today and tomorrow.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (has travelled)  to the U.S. on another trade and investment mission. He (met)  with Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, (this  Thursday, February 8th. Continue reading →

Easing Congestion and Improving Travel Times for Families in Hamilton area

“This is the beginning of our government’s work to bring faster and more seamless transit to the area.” – St. Catharines Riding MPP Jim Bradley

News from the Constituency Office of St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley

Posted February 8^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario is bringing more convenient transit options to commuters and families in the Hamilton area with the construction of a new GO station in Stoney Creek.

Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, and Jim Bradley, MPP for St. Catharines, were at the future site of the new Confederation GO station today to unveil the new station sign and celebrate the station’s official ground breaking. Continue reading →

Debbie Zimmerman To Receive Award This March 2018 At Queen’s Park

A News Brief by Doug Draper

Posted February 8^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Debbie Zimmerman, a former chair of Niagara’s regional council who also once served as a regional council representative for Grimsby and continues to serve as CEO for the Grape Growers of Ontario, will be among five other Ontario citizens this March to receive a 2017 Friend of the Greenbelt Award at Queen’s Park,

Former Niagara regional chair Debbie Zimmerman speaking recently at a public meeting hosted by a group called A Better Niagara, which is working for positive change in the make-up of municipal government in Niagara this coming October’s municipal elections. Photo by Emily Beth

The award will be presented to Zimmerman and the others, including former Toronto mayor David Crombie, Keith Currie, Rae Horst, John MacKenzie and Leith Moore, on behalf of the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation by Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell for their work as the Advisory Panel for the province’s 2015 Coordinated Land Use Planning Review. Continue reading →

If You Are Afraid To Go To Regional Council Headquarters To Watch The Meeting, You Should Make Every Effort Watch It At Home.

Get Informed & Engaged In This Municipal Election Year.  And Get Ready To Vote.

Niagara’s Future – And Yours – Depends On It!

A  Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted February 6^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

It is circus time again in Niagara with the Al Caslin and company girding up for another one of those once-every-three-weeks full meeting of regional council this coming Thursday, February 8th at the Niagara regional headquarters off Schmon Parkway in Thorold.

It is also an important year in Niagara – possibly one of the most important years for municipal politics in decades in this region – because this coming October we have municipal elections, and we have an awful lot of work to do as voters, finding good candidates to run for our local and regional councils and sweeping a lot of bad actors out. Continue reading →

Come this October’s Municipal Elections, This Is But One More Reason For Sweeping Change

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted Again by POPULAR REQUEST  this February 6th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Curly: “Hey Moe, Larry! Here comes a cop.”                                           Moe: “Let’s hide in here. It’s a closed meeting.”                        Larry:”Hey look, it’s a computer and it’s running. “                              Moe: “It probably belongs to one of those sneaky reporters. He’s going to use it to record us and write some fake news.”                                                                                                                  Larry: “What do we do now?                                                                       Curly: “Let’s call the cop.”                                                                               Moe: “We can’t you numbskull. We just got rid of him.!”

The classic Three Stooges logo, altered with apologies to the real Curly, Larry and Moe.

The above skit might be funny if it were performed by the real Curly, Larry and Moe of Three Stooges fame.

Alas, it was not.

Retiring Niagara Police chief Jeff McGuire

We have our own stooges right here in Niagara – not least of which are our regional government’s chair Al Caslin, Port Colborne regional councillor David Barrick and Niagara Falls regional councillor Bob Gale – and what those knuckleheads have been up to both in and outside the role they are supposed to be playing as representatives for we, the people, on the Niagara Regional Police services board is not funny at all.

In fact, in one of their latest episodes on that police board, revolving around an $870,000 “retirement settlement” for Niagara Regional Police Chief Jeff McGuire, who was on contract to stay on as Niagara’s police chief until 2020, has many tax-paying citizens across the region– to borrow a phrase now famously in the news – filled with ‘fire and fury’. Continue reading →

 “Ethno-cultural organizations are those that celebrate cultural heritage and help newcomers and residents establish connections throughout the community.”  

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

Posted February 6th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Downtown St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario

Niagara, Ontario – Charitable or non-profit ethno-cultural organizations that own their own property but are struggling with rising operating costs can apply for property tax relief from the City of St. Catharines.

The City’s new transitional grant program offers ethno-cultural organizations that own property in St. Catharines a grant equal to 50 per cent of the City’s portion of the organization’s property taxes. Continue reading →

  “By connecting with the correct party (Health Canada), who has the appropriate jurisdiction, residents will hopefully have their concerns remedied in a timely manner.” – Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn.

A Message from the Town of Pelham in Niagara, Ontario

Posted February 6^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Pelham, Ontario – If you smell one of the rural Ontario’s newest agricultural odours you are encouraged to contact Health Canada directly. You may also want to notify the Town and your Member of Parliament.

As licensed marijuana growing facilities begin or continue operation, it is important to remember that they are federally regulated – by Health Canada – despite being physically located in and around town. Continue reading →

A Comment from Niagara resident and recent Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recipient Gary Screaton Page

Posted February 5th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Signs like this have been showing up across the border in Buffalo, New York in response to the toxic, racist rhetoric coming out of the Trump White House. Research has been showing an uptick in racist conduct in recent times on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border. File photo taken by Doug Draper

The increasing incidence of racist talk and action coincides with the increasing amount of racist talk and behavior of the U.S. President, Donald Trump.

While Trump is not the cause, he most certainly sets a powerful example of what it means to be racist.

We are just as vulnerable to such conduct north of the border.

There is no place for racism in either country. Everyone who values civil liberties and understands how vulnerable they are to assault must take a stand against such behavior. If all of us aren’t treated equally, then none of us can be confident that our civil rights could not be lost to us. Continue reading →

Ontario’s Wynne Government  muddles forward with plans to rebuild aging nuclear reactors at tremendous expense

A Commentary from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance

Posted Februrary 5^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

On the heels of signing an agreement to supply Massachusetts with enough power to meet the needs of one million homes at the barn burner price of 3 to 5.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), Hydro Quebec says it is still ready to make similar deals with Ontario and New York.

Meanwhile, Ontario muddles forward with plans to rebuild aging nuclear reactors at tremendous expense and is about to hold hearings on the safety of keeping the 47-year-old Pickering Nuclear Station (surrounded by 2.2 million people) running for up to another 10 years. As a result, Ontario Power Generation has told the Ontario Energy Board that it will need to raise its price of nuclear power to 16.5 cents per kWh. Continue reading →

But It Is Only A Temporary Band Aid. More Is Needed.

A Message from the Ontario Health Coalition, a provincewide citizens advocacy group for health care

Posted February 5^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra

Toronto, Ontario – “Although the Ontaroi Health Minister’s announcemen this  past February 2^nd, promising to extend funding for 1,235 ‘temporary’ hospital beds for one year, is a positive step it is only a temporary band aid that will not solve the hospital overcrowding crisis,” said Natalie Mehra, Executive Director of the Ontario Health Coalition to news media today,  “More is needed.”

Despite the Minister’s welcome announcement of 1,200 temporary hospital beds last fall, Ontario’s hospital overcrowding crisis continues.  “Flu season is not the cause of the overcrowding crisis in hospitals,” Mehra said.  “This crisis has been building for over a decade as a result of the most extreme cuts to hospital funding in Canada, resulting in severe bed shortages and hospitals stacked with sick people in halls and emergency rooms.” Continue reading →

“‘t. Catharines-based Algoma Central Corporation’s freighters are carrying road salt from Compass Minerals’ mine in Goderich, Ontario to U.S. cities such as Milwaukee, Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit. Algoma also plans to deliver salt from K+S Windsor’s mine in Windsor, Ontario to Detroit and Chicago.”

A News Release from the Chamber of Marine Commerce, a bi-national association  representing more than 130 Canadian and U.S. marine industry stakeholders

Posted February 5th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

It may be a little-known fact, but ships deliver vital supplies such as road salt, heating oil and construction materials in the winter to cities across the Great Lakes and in the lower St. Lawrence River on behalf of North American industries.

“Every winter, ships deliver products such as road salt to promote safe travel in cities hard-hit by winter conditions, and heating oil for homes,” says Bruce Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “These deliveries allow mining and energy companies to run their operations in the most cost effective and efficient way, thus safeguarding jobs in their communities.” Continue reading →

Come this October’s Municipal Elections, This Is But One More Reason For Sweeping Change

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted February 2nd, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Curly: “Hey Moe, Larry! Here comes a cop.”                                           Moe: “Let’s hide in here. It’s a closed meeting.”                        Larry:”Hey look, it’s a computer and it’s running. “                              Moe: “It probably belongs to one of those sneaky reporters. He’s going to use it to record us and write some fake news.”                                                                                                                  Larry: “What do we do now?                                                                       Curly: “Let’s call the cop.”                                                                               Moe: “We can’t you numbskull. We just got rid of him.!”

The classic Three Stooges logo, altered with apologies to the real Curly, Larry and Moe.

The above skit might be funny if it were performed by the real Curly, Larry and Moe of Three Stooges fame.

Alas, it was not.

Retiring Niagara Police chief Jeff McGuire

We have our own stooges right here in Niagara – not least of which are our regional government’s chair Al Caslin, Port Colborne regional councillor David Barrick and Niagara Falls regional councillor Bob Gates – and what those knuckleheads have been up to both in and outside the role they are supposed to be playing as representatives for we, the people, on the Niagara Regional Police services board is not funny at all.

In fact, in one of their latest episodes on that police board, revolving around an $870,000 “retirement settlement” for Niagara Regional Police Chief Jeff McGuire, who was on contract to stay on as Niagara’s police chief until 2020, has many tax-paying citizens across the region– to borrow a phrase now famously in the news – filled with ‘fire and fury’. Continue reading →

Statements from Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted February 2^nd, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ottawa, Ontario – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Black History Month:

“Today we begin Black History Month, a time to honour and celebrate the many achievements and contributions that Black Canadians have made to our country.

“The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Black Canadian Women: Stories of Strength, Courage and Vision’. Jean Augustine, Viola Desmond, Michaëlle Jean, Jully Black, Afua Cooper – these are just a few women of African descent who have shaped Canada into the country it is today. Yet all too often their stories go untold. Continue reading →

We Need More Community Leaders in this Region Standing Up for Decency & Respect of Others

A Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted February 1st, 2018 on Niagara At Large

It was two years ago this Black History Month – in February 2016 – that I joined many others in celebrating the unveiling of a statue of 19^th Century heroine Harriet Tubman at an elementary school in St. Catharines, Niagara bearing her name.

On a nicer day in February two years ago, elementary school children admire a statue of 19th Century civil rights heroine Harriet Tubman, just unveiled at their St. Catharines elementary school. File photo by Doug Draper

The event was a wonderful opportunity for all of us, including the young students at the school, to learn and remember the courage and humanity of one of the most heroic standard bearers for freedom and civil rights on this continent in the last 200 years – a woman who was born into slavery and went on to guide many other fleeing slaves through what was known as the “underground railway,” even as she made her home base in St, Catharines, Ontario for most of the 1850s leading up to the American Civil War.

The unveiling of that statue of Harriet Tubman was also a proud day for its creators, former Niagara residents and artists Frank Rekrut and Laura Thompson, who had it shipped all the way from their art studio in Florence, Italy.

After I posted a story about the unveiling ceremony on Niagara At Large two years ago, I heard from friends in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey who contacted me to say how much they– all admirers of Harriet Tubman – would like to visit school where the statue is located the next time they visit. Continue reading →

 Wednesday, February 14th at 8 p.m. in St. Catharines, Ontario

An Invite from the Niagara District Council of Women

Posted January 31^st, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Welland Riding MPP Cindy Forster to speak at forum

Niagara, Ontario – The Niagara District Council of Women  will be holding a February 14th  Public Forum concerning the Protection of Vulnerable Adults at 8 p.m. in the Mills Room of  the St. Catharines Centennial Library in the city’s downtown.  

Speakers are Welland (Niagara Centre) RidingMPP Cindy Forster and Neal Schoen of Justice Niagara, who will be speaking on Ms. Forster’s  proposed Bill 135, the Protecting Vulnerable Persons in Supportive Living Accommodation Act.  Continue reading →

A Commentary by Niagara, Ontario conservationist John Bacher

Posted January 30^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

This past January 24^th, 2018, the Memorial Room at the Gale Centre in the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario was packed with about 150 people. The purpose was an Open House regarding a proposed amendment to the City’s Official Plan.

This is Amendment 130, put forward by a private company, GR Canada Limited, and intended to promote a development the company and its supporters are calling “the Riverfront Community” to be built inside more than 480 acres of natural lands in the south west end of Niagara Falls known by many as Thundering Waters Forest.

Opponents of the development were more successful in getting their supporters out. A group of around twenty advocates of the development politely clapped when those who supported Riverfront did so on the basis of economic arguments such as job creation. One generated a few laughs when she said that such prosperity would allow her family to “walk in nature.” Continue reading →

Province Supporting Students and Families with Major Additions To Two Schools in Thorold and One in Niagara Falls

“These additions are an important investment for the Niagara Region.” — Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care

News from the Ontario Government

Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care

Posted January 30^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – The provincial government is supporting families in Niagara region with three school additions that will provide modern learning environments for students and more licensed child care spaces for families.

The expanded schools will help accommodate nearly 390 students and will include six new child care rooms with 98 new licensed child care spaces.

The new projects are: Continue reading →

It should have no place in our Greater Niagara Region either!

A Statement from Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted January 29th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Queen’s Park, Toronto – Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the shooting at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec.

“One year ago today, the lives of six men were cut painfully short, and the lives of so many others were changed forever, in a cowardly act of Islamophobic violence.  Continue reading →

“This was a terrorist attack against all Canadians, meant to test our resolve and weaken our values. It failed.” –  Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

From the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Posted January 29th, v2018 on Niagara At Large

Statement by the Prime Minister on the first anniversary of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today (Monday, January 29th) issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the fatal shooting at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec:

Mourners fill streets of Quebec City for vigil following fatal Mosque attack.

“One year ago tonight, a senseless attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec in Ste-Foy claimed the lives of six worshippers and seriously injured nineteen more. Continue reading →

“Once again, the NPCA leadership has used language in a fashion that tends to obfuscate the truth.  The OPP found “no criminal wrongdoing”, that is not the same as finding “no wrongdoing” as the NPCA headline states.  The two are very different issues.” – Niagara, Ontario resident, retired Canadian Armed Forces Officer and fearless community activist Ed Smith

A News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted January 26^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Court Judge dismissed NPCA lawsuits against Niagara citizen Ed Smith last November. But in the alternative universe the NPCA operates in, it  is almost  like  you would  never know it.

Niagara, Ontario – It took weeks for the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) to finally disclose how much of our tax money it spent on its failed lawsuits against Niagara citizen Ed Smith, but it certainly didn’t waste any time posting a statement on its website about the fact that a yearlong investigation of the agency by the Ontario Provincial Police did not uncover anything rising to a level of criminality that it has done wrong.

Well, there’s some cause for celebration around the NPCA board table. And all the more so since the investigation was launched after police were approached by Ed Smith – a citizen in Niagara it has battled both in and outside the courts – with some questions and concerns about the Conservation Authority he believed worthy of a police probe.

“The OPP was approached by Niagara Regional Police (NRP) Chief Maguire to investigate claims brought forward by Mr. Ed Smith of St. Catharines, who claimed there was illegal activity occurring at NPCA,” says the statement the NPCA posted this January 25^th on its website.

“Upon completing a yearlong investigation,” the statement says, “the OPP found no basis for the claims brought forward.” Continue reading →

A Free Educational Event – Wed., January 31, 2018     from 6:45 PM – 9:00 PM

A Call-Out from the Niagara Greens

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

For those who may be wondering what this public meeting is about, it is about a plan driven by a China-based corporation, GR Canada, and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati and his political allies at the city and regional government level, and possibly event at the Ontario government level, to move forward with an urban development project inside more than 480 acres of woodlands, wetlands and savannah grasses known as Thundering Waters on the Ontario side of a Niagara River watershed vital to the health of the Great Lakes.

That is what it is about and is what is at stake here right now and for a healthy, sustainable future. Don’t let these short-sighted politicos and their special interest vandalize it.

Raise your voice and cast your vote in the coming provincial and municipal elections for Thundering Waters!

Continue reading →

“Up Cannabis is excited to be a part of the Niagara community, and we look forward to being a leading employer in the region, both now and in the years to come.”                                                   – Jennifer Maccarone, Chief Quality Officer at Up Cannabis.

News from Niagara College in Niagara, Ontario

Posted January 26th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – A rapidly expanding cannabis industry is set to bring positive changes to Niagara’s economic and educational landscapes.

ncTakeOff Project Manager Madison Fuller, Bill MacDonald, Coordinator of NC’s Commercial Cannabis Production program, Jennifer Maccarone, Chief Quality Officer at Up Cannabis, Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, Blake Landry of Niagara Economic Development

That was the focus of a panel discussion at Niagara College in a packed Yerich Auditorium Thursday evening. The event, hosted by ncTakeOff, the college’s entrepreneurship hub, featured a lively discussion on the future of the cannabis industry in Niagara, and how government, education and business can work together to position Niagara for success. Continue reading →

‘Any party with a seat in the House of Commons – and Canada’d Green Party Leader Elizabeth May has one – deserves a place in the debate.’

A Call-Out from the Green Party of Canada

Posted January 26^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s Green Party Leader Elizabeth May

Friend —

If you’ve ever seen Elizabeth May speak you’ll understand why some of the other parties want her shut out from the televised leaders’ debates. Elizabeth eloquently champions a sensible and refreshing approach to politics, and she’s not afraid to speak truth to power.

Don’t let them silence our voice — we must make sure that Elizabeth gets a fair chance to present our vision and policies to a national television audience during the 2019 campaign! Continue reading →

 Woods home to Red-Headed Woodpeckers, Bats, Pollinators, and other threatened species.

Liz Benneian, Executive Director and Manager of Environmental Education for Ontariogreen to speak.

A Call-Out from a Group of Concerned Ctiziens in Fort Erie/Niagara

Posted January 25th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

A lot of the local citizens have become attached to this red fox and her kits in Waverly Woods in Fort Erie – an oasis for nature that is home to a diversity of life that citizens in the area are fighting to save from sprawling development that could go some place less damaging to what is left of Niagara’s green places. Photo courtesy of Marcie Jacklin

Fort Erie, Ontario  – Wednesday, January 24, 2018 –  A group of concerned citizens is holding an open-house, on Sunday, January 28th at Royal Canadian Legion, 130 Garrison Road, Fort Erie, to discuss the application, currently before the Fort Erie Town Council, to allow for the development of a subdivision that will result in the clearance of Waverly Woods.

If allowed, this development, known as Harbourtown Village at Erie Beach, will decimate a habitat that is one of the few remaining spring migratory stop-overs for birds in the Niagara Region, as well as a known habitat of Red-Headed Woodpeckers, which are protected under the provincial government’s Species at Risk in Ontario List. Continue reading →

Posted January 25^th,  2018 on Niagara At Large

Premier Kathleen Wynne made the following statement this January 25th:

“I first want to say that the young women who have shared their experiences are very brave. It was very courageous for them to step forward.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, now ex PC Party leader Patrick Brown

In my heart, I hope that they are finding the supports that they need now. They did a very difficult thing, and they’ve been carrying this for years. There’s an impact to them. I hope they are safe. I hope they are surrounded by loved ones today.

When I heard these allegations, I was shocked. And when I came to work this morning, I wanted to talk to people around the province who are reading this news and wondering what is going on. Continue reading →

 “How many jobs could they have preserved with that money? How much of our environment could they have preserved with that money?” – Niagara Citizen Ed Smith

A News Commentary by Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted January 25th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario Court Judge dismissed NPCA lawsuits against Niagara citizen Ed Smith last November. The failed lawsuits have proven costly for area tax payers.

Niagara, Ontario – After weeks of pressure from Niagara area citizens, municipal councillors and area MPPs to release the figures, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board of directors finally voted this January 24th to disclose how much it spent in its attempt to sue St. Catharines/Niagara resident Ed Smith.

The figure the NPCA disclosed is $146,757 – money that comes large from a pool of tax dollars the Conservation Authority gets from Niagara’s 12 local municipalities, and taxpayers in the City of Hamilton and the Haldimand County area.

That amount is in addition to another $130,000 Ontario Judge James Ramsay recently ordered the NPCA to pay Smith to cover his costs in the court case. Continue reading →

‘It Was Appropriate that Patrick Brown Resigned’ – PC Party Deputy Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party

Posted January 25th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

A Statement from PC Deputy Leaders Sylvia Jones and Steve Clark

Patrick Brown Resigns as Ontario PC Leader

“Like everyone, we were shocked to learn of yesterday’s serious allegations.

“Harassment has no place in our society, period.

“Allegations of sexual misconduct must be taken seriously. These voices deserve to be heard.

“It was appropriate that Mr. Brown resigned as Ontario PC Leader.

“Now it’s time for the Ontario PCs to move forward together to elect a new parliamentary leader. Continue reading →

A News Release from the Office of Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted  January 25^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Hamilton, Ontario – News reports this past January 24^th reveal that a number of doctors, nurses and administrators are speaking out about dangerous hospital overcrowding in the Greater Toronto Area.

Andrea Horwath, who has been raising alarm bells about growing hospital overcrowding concerns for over a year, released the following statement in response:

“Doctors and front-line health care workers are speaking out about the dangerous situations in overcrowded hospitals, and it’s time for leadership that listens to them, and takes action. Continue reading →

BREAKING NEWS from Doug Draper, reporter/publisher, Niagara At Large

Posted January 24^th, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara citizen Ed Smith finally saw the lawsuits the NPCA and its former CAO Carmen D’Angelo filed against him dismissed by an Ontario court judge this past November. St. Catharines city council was among parties wanting to know how much those failed lawsuits cost area tax payers.

After weeks of pressure from Niagara area citizens, municipal councillors and area MPPs to release the figures, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority’s board of directors finally voted this January 24^th to disclose how much it spent in its attempt to sue St. Catharines/Niagara resident Ed Smith.

The figure the NPCA disclosed is $146,757 – an amount that comes from a budget largely funded by  municipal tax dollars the Conservation Authority gets from Niagara’s 12 local municipalities, and taxpayers in the City of Hamilton and the Haldimand County area.

That amount – most of it ultimately coming from the pockets of municipal taxpayers – is in addition to another $130,000 Ontario Judge James Ramsay recently ordered the NPCA to pay Smith to cover his costs in the court case. Continue reading →

“The results are beautiful; there’s no doubt that the system works.”                                                                                   – Brock U. Professor of Health Sciences Ana Sanchez

 News from Brock University in St. Catharines/Niagara

Posted January 22nd, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – A chemist and a parasite expert at Brock University have teamed up to produce and test out a simple device that can detect diseases from DNA samples.

It’s a scaled-down version of what is normally an expensive and complicated DNA laboratory technique, yet it’s fast, inexpensive and accurate, making it ideal for use in developing countries.

From left, Brock University master’s student Tianyu Dong with Feng Li, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, and Ana Sanchez, Professor of Health Sciences.

Brock University Assistant Professor of Chemistry Feng Li’s device consists of a strip of paper attached onto a glass slide. The paper contains several rows of what look like thermometers, lines with markings projecting out of bulb-like circles. Continue reading →

“Oddly, the (province’s  Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberal) government shows no signs of recognizing the growing mismatch between its plans to spend billions of dollars on re-building aging nuclear reactors and the ever-decreasing need for the power they would produce.” – Ontario Clean Air Alliance 

A Message from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a province-wide citizens group based in Toronto

Posted January 22nd, 2018 on  Niagara At Large

Since 2005, demand for electricity in Ontario has been steadily falling.  In 2017, it fell a further 3.6% meaning that demand has dropped by 16% since 2005.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne would spend billions of dollars on nuclear plants like this Pickering facility on Lake Ontario when energy demand is dropping and there are other safer, greener energy alternatives.

That is the equivalent of taking 2.5 million homes off the grid –  like unplugging all the houses and apartments in the City of Toronto twice over.

Ontario is not alone in seeing a sustained drop in demand. This is a trend that has taken hold in many countries and provinces thanks to new technologies such as super-efficient LED lighting and smart controls, cost-effective energy efficiency programs, and economic changes.

In fact, reducing the need to generate electricity in the first place has become Ontario’s lowest cost way of addressing our energy needs – the province paid on average just 2.2 cents to save a kilowatt-hour of electricity in 2016. Continue reading →

You Are Invited to An Information Session – on Saturday, January 27th, 10 a.m. to noon – on East Fenwick Secondary Plan

News from Town of Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Posted January 22^nd, 2018 on Niagara At Large

Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn

Niagara, Ontario – Town of Pelham Staff recently issued a notice about an upcoming information session regarding the East Fenwick Secondary Plan this coming Saturday, January 27, from 10:00 AM to noon at Pelham Fire Station #2. (For those unable to make the session, I will ask Staff to post materials on the Town’s website.)

This will be the third time that Town staff and planning consultants will provide information and updates of the study’s process, objectives, and the input received to date.

East Fenwick’s Secondary Plan has been explored by staff, consultants, and residents since last June, beginning with a visioning workshop followed by a design workshop. During these workshops residents had an opportunity to have their say in the plan. Town Council also received a progress report in late-November. (Please check out my “on-line journal” for a link to this presentation.) Continue reading →