Gale wants Niagara Region’s property tax capped at 3.5 per cent for 2026

by Nick Redekop

Bob Gale, a Regional Councillor from Niagara Falls, believes that annual regional budget increases have gotten out of control in recent years. With this in mind, Gale is bringing forth a motion to limit the 2026 increase to the consolidated levy budget to no higher than 3.5 per cent at an upcoming council meeting.  “The […]

Last week, members of the Welland City Council heard from representatives of concerned residents and the developer of the Hunter’s Pointe Development project. Stakeholders were given the opportunity to have their views shared with the Council during a public meeting which took place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.  New controversy with respect to the Hunter’s […]

Niagara Children’s Centre launches annual Help Kids Shine fundraiser

by Nick Redekop

The 2025 Niagara Children’s Centre Help Kids Shine fundraiser kicked off on Thursday, May 1, at the Stone Mill Inn in St. Catharines, with an event that was attended by Niagara Children’s Centre staff, board members, as well as elected officials and community sponsors.  This year, during the 22nd annual fundraiser, the Niagara Children’s Centre […]

Conservatives pick up key Niagara seat as Liberals win narrow national victory

by Nick Redekop

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party won a small plurality of seats in Monday’s election. Shortly after midnight on election night, the Liberals were hovering around 160 seats, while the Conservatives were sitting at 150 seats. The Bloc Québécois, NDP and Green Party were projected to earn around 23, 8 and 1 seat(s), respectively.  At the start […]

During their April 16 meeting, the Pelham Town Council approved the addition of an online voting option which will be made available to residents for the upcoming 2026 municipal and school board elections.  A staff report prepared by Acting Town Clerk Sarah Leach states that Pelham would become the fifth lower-tier municipality in Niagara to […]

Local candidates reflect on Carney’s Niagara campaign stop

by Nick Redekop

Liberal Leader Mark Carney visited Niagara on Good Friday as the 2025 Canadian federal election campaign entered its final ten days.  Carney spoke to reporters on the rooftop of the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, with Niagara Falls serving as a backdrop. He was joined by Liberal candidates Vance Badawey (Niagara South), Chris Bittle (St. Catharines), Andrea […]

Marty Mako wins St. Catharines City Council by-election

by Nick Redekop

The by-election campaign to choose a new Ward 6 (Port Dalhousie) councillor for the city of St. Catharines culminated on Monday night with candidate Marty Mako defeating six challengers on his route to victory. Mako earned a total of 1,878 votes, representing more than 42 per cent in popular support. Mako will join Bruce Williamson […]

Last week, the Ontario government announced that it intends to provide strong mayor powers to 169 more cities and towns across the province. Among the municipalities slated to become recipients of the new toolkit are eight communities in Niagara.  The decision to bring new municipalities under the strong mayor umbrella comes as the province seeks […]

Niagara Falls Council backs Mayor’s motion to request OBCM membership

by Nick Redekop

During an April 8 meeting, the Niagara Falls City Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion brought forward by Mayor Jim Diodati to formally request membership in the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) organization.  OBCM is a group of mayors from across Ontario that represent municipalities with populations of at least 100,000. It seeks […]

Grimsby Town Council has decided to hire a third-party consultant who will lead a review process of the rate of payment for councillors. Ultimately, it must be determined whether town councillors will receive a pay raise following the 2026 municipal elections.  Council voted in favour of hiring a third-party consultant over the alternative option, which […]