The tumultuous weather conditions did not prevent local candidates from connecting with residents. Pictured: Minister Caroline Mulroney and Niagara Centre PC Candidate Bill Steele.
The Niagara Region spent Family Day shovelling, blowing, and ploughing snow after a major winter storm battered Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces on the final statutory holiday of the 2024-25 winter.
The storm resulted in the closure of arenas, churches, community centres, and museums throughout Niagara’s municipalities, and forced many residents to adjust their plans for the long weekend. Some facilities reopened on Monday, however, allowing residents to participate in scheduled Family Day activities.
Conditions began to deteriorate on Saturday, Feb. 15, ahead of the long-anticipated NHL 4 Nations Face-Off showdown between Canada and the United States. Rain turned to freezing rain, and then to snow, as the temperature dropped overnight.
The eye of the storm then hovered over Southern Ontario throughout much of Sunday, Feb. 16, burying the region and keeping plough operators on the road around the clock.
Conditions improved significantly on Sunday night, setting the stage for the hours of snow removal that lay in store for the holiday Monday, in preparation for the reopening of schools and government buildings on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
“Maintenance crews are continuing city-wide plow operations and will be following up with sanding operations,” the City of Niagara Falls shared in a storm response update on Monday. “Given the substantial snow accumulation, the designated sidewalk routes are taking longer to clear.”
The storm also came during the penultimate weekend of the Ontario Election. Premier Doug Ford asked the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve his majority government on Jan. 29, more than a year ahead of schedule, arguing that he required a new mandate to negotiate with United States President Donald Trump, who is threatening painful tariffs on Canadian exports.
The tumultuous weather conditions may have complicated campaign efforts but they did not prevent local candidates from connecting with residents. Ontario Treasury Board President and Minister of Francophone Affairs Caroline Mulroney visited the area over the long weekend and knocked on doors with some of Niagara’s Progressive Conservative nominees, including Niagara Centre candidate Bill Steele and St. Catharines candidate Sal Sorrento.
“Thank you to all of our hard-working snow plow operators and emergency crews today for keeping our roadways safe,” said Niagara Falls PC Candidate Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg in a social media post on Sunday. “We are so grateful for all of your hard work and dedication to our riding.”
The storm has now come and gone but the remnants of snow and ice remain. As February begins to wind down, residents will contend with frigid temperatures in the coming days, with no comprehensive melting event appearing likely before the start of March.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
