Officials cut the ceremonial ribbon at the recent grand opening of the Meridian Volunteer Centre at the Pen Centre shopping mall in St. Catharines. The venue will serve as a central recruitment and training hub for volunteers set to work the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games next August. Photo credit: Canada Summer Games
Province provides more farms and businesses access to natural gas in West Niagara
On Tuesday, Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, was joined by Todd Smith, Minister of Energy, and Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, to announce that additional local farms and businesses in Grimsby and Lincoln will be able to connect to natural gas thanks to the province’s Natural Gas Expansion Program.
Under Phase 2 of the program, Ontario will allocate up to $4,295,182 to support new connections to the natural gas distribution system and help make life more affordable in West Niagara.
“Our government is making good on its promise to deliver affordable energy and expand natural gas pipelines to more communities,” said MPP Oosterhoff. “Access to natural gas will help more families and businesses find energy savings while promoting economic development and job creation across West Niagara.”
Brock University sends out plea to students regarding parties
According to reports, there were numerous disruptive parties held off-campus by Brock students in the opening days and weeks of the school year. Last Friday, the university and local officials released a statement asking students to be respectful and keep COVID-19 protocols and the wider community in mind when gathering.
“In recent weeks, with the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, we have seen an increase of gatherings and social events,” said NRPS Chief Bryan MacCulloch. “As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we are calling upon people to follow restrictions and regulations that have been put in place by public health officials to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community.
“The recent gatherings in Thorold as it relates to parties, irresponsible drinking and rowdy behaviour have not fallen within this expectation. Residents should not be forced to have large crowds, illegal parking and garbage thrust upon them.”
Centre to support volunteers for Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games opens in St. Catharines
Last week, the Niagara Host Society and Meridian Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of the Meridian Volunteer Centre with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Pen Centre — marking an important milestone event for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Approximately 4,500 volunteers will be required to support all operational areas of next summer’s Canada Games, which are scheduled from August 6-21, 2022 in the Niagara Region. Beginning operations immediately, the Meridian Volunteer Centre will act as a primary hub to engage, recruit, and train these volunteers, while also serving as an important welcome centre for local residents from Niagara to inquire about the 2022 Canada Summer Games.
“We are excited to be taking this important step forward in our journey to host the Canada Games,” said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Niagara Host Society. “Given the crucial role that our volunteers and community are going to have on the success of the Games, we are grateful and excited to have this centralized location at the Pen Centre to support the needs of our Meridian Volunteer Program and to connect with Niagara residents.”
Ontario’s vaccine passport system comes into effect
The province’s vaccine passport system, requiring patrons show proof-of-vaccination against COVID-19 to enter specified businesses, officially launched on Wednesday.
Restaurants, sports venues, gyms, theatres, and casinos are among the many locations where staff are now required seek proof of patrons’ vaccination status to gain entry. Retail stores, grocery stories, and pharmacies are exempt from the requirement, as are weddings, funerals, restaurants patios, and a handful of other locations and scenarios.
Ontario’s premier Doug Ford called the measure “temporary”.
“We need to do everything in our power to avoid future lockdowns and closures. That is why we are bringing in these exceptional measures on a temporary basis and will end them as soon as they can be responsibly removed.”
Voter turnout for election near historic lows
Preliminary data demonstrates that just over 16 million of the 27 million-plus registered electors in Canada cast a ballot for the 2021 federal election, representing a 59 per cent turnout.
While that figure will increase slightly as mail-in ballots continue to trickle in and as Elections Canada tallies all in-person registrations, right now 2021 has the second lowest voter turnout as a percentage of electors in Canadian history (the lowest being 2008). According to UBC professor Richard Johnston, the pandemic and the “waning star power” of Justin Trudeau are largely to blame for the poor turnout.
To boot, along with being one the worst-received elections on record, 2021 represents the most expensive federal election in Canadian history: costing taxpayers at least $610 million.
This Weekend Around the Region
Fleurs de Villes
Starting this Friday, enjoy a self-guided, socially spaced floral celebration throughout Niagara Falls. Explore stunning, fresh floral installations throughout Niagara Parks and the Fallsview Entertainment District.
Fleurs de Villes (flowers of the cities) connects with local florists, designers, growers and nurseries in each city the festival takes place. Each event showcases the city’s world-class talent through stunning displays of art. Experience Fleurs de Villes Niagara Falls across Queen Victoria Park to the Floral Showhouse in Niagara Parks, as well as inside and outside shops, restaurants and hotels in the Fallsview Entertainment District.
When: September 24-October 3, 2021
Where: Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls
To learn more, go to the Niagara Parks’ website here.
‘Making Her Mark’ Tea Party
Join the Niagara Historical Society and Museum for a festive tea party in celebration of our new publication Making Her Mark. The event will include a presentation on some of the women highlighted in the book, tea, scones from McFarland House, and cookies from the Fort George Bill of Fare. The tea party is in partnership with the Friends of Fort George.
Admission is $20/person. Tables will be set for four people, with a maximum of 20 people per time slot. There are two time slots at 11:00am and 1:00pm.
When: Friday, September 24, 2021
Where: Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, Niagara-on-the-Lake
To reserve a spot call 905-468-6621 or 905-468-3912.
Cabernet Franc Masterclass
Guided by Head Winemaker Adam Pearce and Estate Sommeliers Dieter Unruh and Lorie O’Sullivan, the Two Sisters Vineyards Saturday masterclass will be an intimate study of the Cabernet Franc grape, with tastings of back vintages and cellar wines to fully illustrate its uniqueness and potential.
Carefully curated small food pairings from Kitchen76 will be paired to help deepen your wine knowledge with each sip and savoury bite. While there, you will have the opportunity to purchase limited back vintage wines available only at this event.
When: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Where: Two Sisters Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake
To purchase tickets, please visit the Two Sisters Vineyards website here.
