Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. The college will welcome more in-person students back in January, as all programs are slated to have an on-campus learning option starting in the winter term. Photo credit: Facebook/Niagara College
Niagara College to offer more in-person options next term
Starting with the winter 2022 term in January, Niagara College will offer on-campus learning options for all programs. While many programs will still provide online or hybrid options, students will have the opportunity to get at least partial in-person classroom experience.
In a statement from academic vice-president Fiona Allan, the college said that it will continue to follow the ongoing public health situation and keep students abreast of any changes.
“As we look to provide a fulsome college experience for our students, we will continue to closely monitor pandemic information and public health guidance and directives, and increase or enhance on-campus services and activities where it is safe to do so and permitted within the province’s re-opening framework. Regular updates will be posted to our website throughout the fall.”
City of St. Catharines to require all employees be fully vaccinated
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, specifically the Delta variant, the City of St. Catharines will require all of its (non-exempt) employees to be fully vaccinated.
“As a public-sector employer we need to lead by example and that includes doing everything we can to protect both our employees and the public from the risks of COVID-19, our employees are the most critical asset we have and we are doing everything we can to keep them safe and healthy so they can continue to deliver the services our residents rely on,” said CAO David Oakes in a statement. “Vaccines are critical in protecting our employees health and safety, but they are also another tool moving us forward out of the pandemic.”
The policy will be phased-in, providing employees who have not yet been vaccinated adequate time to receive a two-dose vaccine regimen.
Province provides substantial investment to help Niagara hospitals cover costs
On Wednesday, Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, along with Robin Martin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, announced an investment from the province of over $53 million to help cover historic working fund deficits at Niagara Health, as well as an investment to address critical upgrades, repairs and maintenance at Niagara Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
“Ontario’s hospitals have been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic and our government is using every tool at our disposal to support them,” said MPP Martin. “This funding will ensure Ontario’s hospitals can continue to provide high-quality care to all Ontarians and that our hospital system is ready to respond to any scenario this fall.”
In addition, Niagara Health will receive $1,411,837, while Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre will receive $1,208,524 in the 21-22 fiscal year to support critical upgrades, repairs, and maintenance at both hospital sites.
“We are sincerely grateful for this generous investment in our hospital and for the recognition of the essential role specialized rehabilitation plays in the lives of so many in our community,” said Lynne Pay, CEO of Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
More Canadians choosing to travel domestically
According to data released by Statistics Canada this week, tourism spending in Canada increased by 4.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2021, following a 2.5 dip in the first. The increase was mostly driven by spending on accommodation services (+6.1 per cent) and food and beverage services (+4.3 per cent).
The second quarter increase came largely from domestic spending, with more Canadians travelling choosing to travel within Canada due to the ongoing pandemic. Domestic spending on accommodation increased by 8.1 per cent, food and beverage services increased by 5.1 per cent, while passenger air transport shot up by 13.4 per cent.
Tourism spending by international visitors to Canada dropped 22.6 per cent in the second quarter, continuing record low levels from the four previous quarters.
Post-election poll yields interesting results
A nationwide poll conducted by Leger following the 2021 federal election revealed that nearly three in 10 Canadians voted strategically against a particular party, as opposed to voting for the party that best represented their own personal views and values.
Of those that voted in the 2021 election, 44 per cent said they primarily voted for the party, 29 per cent said they voted for the party leader, while 27 per cent said they voted for the local candidate. A mere 17 per cent of voters changed their minds over the course of the campaign, with over four in five casting a ballot for their original pre-election choice.
“With voter participation in last week’s election the lowest in a decade, we looked at what motivated (and didn’t motivate) voters to cast a ballot last Monday. It turns out that motivations vary depending on who Canadians voted for. Liberal and Conservative voters were primarily motivated to stop each other from forming government. NDP voters felt most in sync with that party’s policies, and Bloc voters voted to defend Quebec’s interests,” said Leger executive vice-president Andrew Enns.
Among Liberal voters, 25 per cent said that the main reason they voted Liberal was to avoid a Conservative government. Among Conservative voters, 39 per cent said that the main reason they voted Conservative was to get rid of the Liberal government.
This Weekend Around the Region
Shaw Festival Fairground
Not just any old fair, this one has been created by a rather special bunch – the Shaw Ensemble. A musical fanfare will give you a fitting welcome, then you and your gang (the audience will be divided into groups), will be led on a guided journey throughout the fairground, where you will encounter music, poetry, dance and more. Groups are kept separate as they flow from one delight to the next, before coming (almost) together for an exhilarating finale.
When: Friday, Oct. 1, 11:00am
Where: Shaw Festival Theatre, Niagara-on-the-Lake
For more information and to purchase tickets, please go to the Shaw Fest site here.
Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club Fish Fry
With only a few weeks left in the season, come out and enjoy a fresh halibut fish and chip dinner with the family this Friday in support of the Fabulous Fenwick Lions Club. Get two pieces of fish and fries for only $15, or one piece and fries for $12. Debit or credit card is encouraged.
When: Friday, Oct. 1, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Centennial Park, Fenwick
To check out more of the club’s activities and events, head over to its website here.
55th Annual Pioneer Day
As fall begins, and trees change into vibrant colours, come celebrate the fall harvest on the beautiful grounds of the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre. Pioneer Day at the museum includes heritage music, dancing, historical demonstrations, crafts, apple fritters, food, and more! Admission is free.
When: Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, Jordan
To register, go to the museum’s event page here.
Safari Niagara Fall Festival Weekend
Bring the family out to Stevensville’s Safari Niagara for a weekend full of fall festivities. Take part in a scavenger hunt, apple catapult launch, tractor pull, photo and colouring contests, and more! There will also be a variety of local retailers and vendors spread throughout the spacious 150-acre park.
Admission is $19.95 (plus tax). Note that proof of vaccination is not required for entry, as all events are outdoors.
When: Saturday, Oct. 2 – Sunday, Oct. 3, 10:00am-5:00pm
Where: Safari Niagara, Stevensville
To learn more and purchase tickets, go to the event webpage here.
