Ribbon cut on new Gilmore Lodge Long-Term Care and Community Hub in Fort Erie

by The Niagara Independent

Last Friday, a major milestone for long-term care in Niagara was marked with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Gilmore Lodge Long-Term Care Home and Community Hub, located at 60 King Street in Fort Erie. The event brought together dignitaries from all levels of government, including Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Associate […]

Niagara Region adopts new Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

by Jay Goldberg

Niagara Region has adopted a new Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which will guide the Region’s community priorities over the next five years.  According to the Region, the plan was developed in concert with Niagara Regional Police and more than 75 community organizations, as well as with the input over more than 2,000 individuals across […]

Ontario marks first-ever ‘Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day’ to support local economy

by The Niagara Independent

Late last week, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff joined local growers, winery owners, and municipal leaders in Jordan to promote the inaugural Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day, a new provincial initiative encouraging consumers to support Ontario- and Canadian-made products. The event, held on Friday, June 27, is part of the Ontario government’s broader strategy to […]

Badawey appointed to fill Port Colborne Regional Council seat

by Jay Goldberg

Former Liberal MP Vance Badawey has been appointed at Port Colborne’s new Regional Councillor, replacing the man who defeated him in April’s federal election: Fred Davies. Badawey lost to Davies in April’s election in the riding of Niagara South, which includes Port Colborne. Badawey had served as the area’s member of Parliament since 2015. After […]

Niagara Region’s Police Service Board met last week to talk about next year’s budget, and the elephant in the room is the 3.5 per cent property tax increase limit that Niagara Regional Council tentatively committed to earlier this spring. Police Chief Bill Fordy made comments about the budget and the Region’s property tax increase target […]

Last week, the Fort Erie Town Council made the significant determination to put a pause on its $3 million investment in support of the construction of the cutting-edge South Niagara Hospital in Niagara Falls.  The decision of the Council comes at a time when concerns abound in the community regarding future access to urgent care. […]

Town of Grimsby launches new Business Ambassador Program

by Jay Goldberg

The Town of Grimsby is creating a new Grimsby Business Ambassador Program with the goal of strengthening its economy through leveraging the expertise, influence, and networks of key community business leaders.  The announcement was made by the Town through its Economic Development Advisory Committee.  Grimsby has selected 10 ambassadors for the inaugural round of this […]

Province announces $215 million in funding for shipbuilding industry

by Nick Redekop

This week, the Ontario government shared its plans to invest an additional $215 million in support of the local shipbuilding industry.  The big announcement comes as both Ontario and Canada seek to increase supply chain resiliency, boost free trade among the provinces, get natural resources to market, and rebuild defence capabilities.  One of the beneficiaries […]

Ford visits Niagara and announces $13 million to protect local jobs

by Nick Redekop

Last week, Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited Niagara, where he announced over $13 million in support of cutting-edge skills training for high-in-demand jobs.  The resources, which will be delivered through the Skills Development Fund Training Stream, will assist more than 9,000 current and prospective workers in skilled trades related professions, by helping them ready for […]

Niagara housing market rebounds slightly in May: Report

by Jay Goldberg

The Niagara real estate market is slowly starting to regain momentum, according to the Niagara Association of Realtors. Its monthly report, which was released earlier this month, shows that home sales increased in May compared to April by 8.9 per cent.  A total of 602 homes were sold in Niagara Region in May, which is […]