St. Catharines mass vaccination site to close
The mass vaccination site at the Seymour Hannah Arena will close come mid-August. Niagara Health announced that it would be replacing that vaccination site with a smaller one located at the St. Catharines Hospital. Executive Vice President of Niagara Health Linda Boich said that they are at the point where the large vaccination site is no longer needed. Loich wanted to thank all the staff, physicians, EMS, and the City of St. Catharines in helping make the vaccination program a success. Locally, 79.4 per cent of Niagara residents have received their first dose of vaccine, while 63.5 per cent are fully vaccinated. Residents who are unvaccinated are encouraged to book their appointment as soon as possible. In total, 41 per cent of all vaccinations given in the Niagara Region were given at the Seymour Centre.
Niagara casinos reopen
The Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara are once again open for business. Both casinos located in Niagara Falls reopened their gaming floors, bars, and cafés to guests on Friday, July 23. Table games will open this Friday, July 30. COVID-19 safety protocols including masks, social distancing, and dividers in between slot machines will be in place to keep guests safe. Nearly a quarter of both casinos combined 4,000 employees have been called back to work. Under Ontario’s phased reopening plan, casinos are permitted to operate at 50 per cent capacity while the province is in Step Three.
Local farms to receive government help
The federal and provincial governments have come together to support local farmers through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, announced on July 23 that the governments would be providing a combined $7.3 million in total relief. Eight local farms will receive a combined $66,157.55. The investment is to help farmers create new products, accelerate food innovation, and continue to provide food safety. Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson stated that the funds will help these farms continue to innovate which will in turn allow them to remain competitive and adapt to changes that may come in the future.
New exhibit opening at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canal Centre
The St. Catharines Museum and the Welland Canal Centre is opening a new exhibit to showcase the ancestors of the African American men and women who fled slavery in the United States and settled in Canada. Nearly 30,000 Americans from the southern United States settled in Canada from the east coast as far west as the Manitoba border. Many of these families came to Canada through a support system called the underground railway. The photo exhibit was created by Yuri Dojc and features 24 photos of the ancestors of those that came to Canada prior to the American Civil War. The exhibit is hosting a virtual opening on Sunday, August 1 at 2:00 pm in honour of Emancipation Day. The opening will be streamed on the museum’s YouTube Channel.
Border agents on the verge of strike
The unions that represent border agents used at land, sea and air crossings have voted in favour of a strike. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which includes over 8,500 workers across Canada, has been without a contract since June of 2018. Specifically, the agency is requesting pay equality with other enforcement officers, better protection against harassment, and a policy for remote, non-uniformed officers. If no agreement is reached, CBSA agents could go on strike as early as August 6, three days before Canada is set to open its borders to American travelers. While many CBSA agents would be deemed essential, meaning they would still be required to work, they would be able to slow down traffic at border crossings, hold up packages from Canada Post at customs, and interfere with the collection of goods and services taxes on items entering Canada.
School rules different for vaccinated and unvaccinated children
Ontario’s Medical Officer of Health has stated that there may be different rules for vaccinated and unvaccinated students for the 2021-2022 school year. Dr. Kieran Moore stated that unvaccinated children could be forced to learn from home if exposed to the COVID-19 virus. They would have to provide two negative COVID tests seven days apart, as well as quarantine for 10 days. Dr. More believes that these protocols will help to keep kids and teachers safe. With a little over six weeks to go until school starts, 56 per cent of Ontarians aged 12-17 have received their first shot, while 35 per cent have received both doses of the vaccine.
Around the Region This Weekend
St. Catharines Rotary Ribfest
While not in Montebello Park and only available as a drive-thru experience, the St. Catharines Rotary Ribfest is a go for 2021! Enjoy mouth-watering BBQ from some of the best ribbers in the game today: Billy Bones, Camp 31, and Uncle Sam’s.
All money raised goes to a variety of great causes.
Where: Pen Centre, St. Catharines
When: July 31-August 2
For full details, event times, and more go to the festival website here.
Niagara Parks Power Station
The newest landmark attraction in Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parks Power Station is slated to open to the public on Friday, July 30. Be amongst the first few visitors to tour immersive exhibits and restored artifacts at this historic power station during the Civic Holiday weekend.
Where: 7230 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
When: Opens July 30. Year-round attraction.
For more information and to purchase tickets head to the Niagara Parks’ website here.
Ridgeway Farmers’ Market
The Ridgeway Farmers’ Market is an outdoor market located along the friendship trail in downtown Ridgeway (Fort Erie). It’s a registered pure Farmers’ Market specializing in local farm fresh produce. The vendors at this charming market are all local to the Niagara Region. Whether you’re looking for produce, gourmet salad greens, herbs, jams, artisan breads, plants, cut flowers, honey, deli meats, cheese, beef, gourmet salad dressings and vinegars or seasonal fruits and berries, you’ll find it all here!
Where: Downtown Ridgeway
When: Every Saturday until October 22, 8am-1pm.
For more information go to the market’s Facebook page here.
