Minister of Education Stephen Lecce was in town on Wednesday for a number of funding announcements. Pictured from left to right: Adrian Ferro, Student, St. Mark Catholic Elementary School; Fr. Krzysztof Szczepanik, Pastor, St. Helen Church; Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education; Sam Oosterhoff, MPP Niagara West and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education; Leanne Prince, Trustee, Niagara Catholic District School Board; Larry Huibers; Chair, Niagara Catholic District School Board; Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education, Niagara Catholic District School Board, and Chiara Nicolazzo, Student, St. Mark Catholic Elementary School.

Two new elementary schools coming to Niagara

On Wednesday, Ontario’s Minister of Education Stephen Lecce was in Niagara to announce nearly $30 million in provincial funding for the construction of two new schools in the region, and the expansion of a third.

Niagara Falls is getting a new $15.9 million public elementary school at the corner of McLeod and Kalar, Beamsville is getting a new $10.1 Catholic elementary school, while Grimsby’s Lakeview Public School will receive $2.8 million to create new onsite child care spaces.

“This investment is part of our multiyear plan to build, expand, and update schools and child care spaces across our province,” said Minister Lecce. “It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to come.”

In all, the nearly $30 million provincial investment will see the addition of 1,029 new student and 137 new child care spaces in Niagara.

“These investments will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for local students,” concluded MPP for Niagara West and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Education Sam Oosterhoff.

House sales dip year-over-year in most communities, but prices continue to rise in Niagara

According to the latest statistics provided by MLS, there is less than a month’s inventory in Niagara heading into December.

The number of home sales in Nov. 2021 vs. Nov. 2020 increased by 42 and 70 per cent in Thorold and Lincoln, respectively. Pelham and Port Colborne/Wainfleet saw minor increases as well. All other municipalities in Niagara saw moderate to minor decreases in their year-over-year sales.

While there was a hodgepodge of increases and decreases in sales across the board, average sale prices increased in every municipality outside of Pelham and Port Colborne/Wainfleet. Prices increased in Niagara-on-the-Lake by 44 per cent, Lincoln 43 per cent, and St. Catharines 41 per cent.

Region releases details regarding holiday waste and Christmas tree collection

This holiday season, both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Saturday. Thus, Niagara residents need not worry about any changes to their regular curbside collection schedule.

Households are permitted two extra bags or cans of garbage without a tag on their respective collection day the week following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Residents in single family homes and apartments with six units or less will be able to put out four bags of garbage.

Dec. 27-31: Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, St. Catharines, Thorold, Wainfleet, and West Lincoln
Jan. 3-7: Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, and Welland

Christmas trees will be collected during the week of Jan. 10-14 for residents in single family homes and apartments with six units or less. Christmas trees wrapped in plastic, buried in snow, or placed on top of snowbanks will not be collected. No artificial trees – these can be booked separately for large item collection.

Province accelerating access to booster shots, increasing rapid testing

The Ontario government is accelerating its booster dose rollout by expanding eligibility to all individuals aged 18 and over, as well as shortening the interval to three months following an individual’s second dose.

“As we combat the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, nothing matters more than getting these booster doses into people’s arms,” said Premier Doug Ford. “I am issuing a call to arms. We need every member of Team Ontario to stand tall and do their part as we work to protect our hard-fought progress and keep Ontarians safe.”

According to a government press release, to provide an additional layer of protection against COVID-19 and variants during the holiday season, Ontario is also launching a holiday testing blitz effective immediately to offer rapid antigen screening to individuals free of charge at pop-up sites across the province, as well as select LCBO stores across Ontario.

In addition, starting Saturday, Dec. 18, Ontario intends to introduce a 50 per cent capacity limit at certain indoor venues with a usual capacity of 1,000 or more. Examples of the areas include sports facilities, concert halls, theatres, museums, historic sites, casinos, festivals, and more.

Canada Border Service Agency highlights year’s success

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Southern Ontario Region, which includes Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, recently released operational and enforcement highlights for 2021.

Overall, the CBSA in Southern Ontario seized over 674 kg of narcotics. One of the most successful seizures occurred at the Peace Bridge in June, where the CBSA discovered and seized approximately 112.5 kg of suspected cocaine inside five duffle bags. The value of this seizure was estimated at $14 million.

The CBSA in the Southern Ontario Region processed 2,620,820 trucks (commercial conveyances/vehicles), which accounted for 58 per cent of the national land border commercial conveyance volumes. The region also processed 4,843,325 individuals, which accounted for 52 per cent of the national travellers who crossed at land borders.

There were 2,062 asylum claims processed by agents in Southern Ontario. The Peace Bridge Refugee Processing centre alone managed 918 (44.5 per cent) of the total SOR asylum claims in the first 10 months of 2021, while Rainbow Bridge received 708 claims (34.3 per cent).

Feds warns against unnecessary international travel this Christmas season

The Liberal government advised Canadians Wednesday to avoid all non-essential travel abroad amid a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

“To those who were planning to travel, I say very clearly, now is not the time to travel,” said Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos. “The rapid spread of the Omicron variant on a global scale makes us fear the worst for Canadians that may think of travelling. Travelling Canadians could contract the virus, or get stranded abroad.”

In addition to the new travel warning, Duclos said the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will ramp up the mandatory arrival testing program at the country’s airports.

Despite the advisory, the government stopped short of official border closures or travel bans.

This Weekend Around the Region

Holiday Tea Time

Celebrate the Season of Gathering with loved ones with a traditional afternoon tea in the Earl Grey Room at the Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel. Enjoy traditional finger sandwiches, house-made grand scones, clotted cream, house preserves, a medley of sweet treats, and ‘TEAliSe’ organic tea.

Reservations required. Complimentary parking onsite for patrons.

When: Friday – Sunday, Dec. 17-19, 11:00am-4:00pm

Where: Old Stone Inn Boutique Hotel, Niagara Falls

To book your reservation, visit the Old Stone Inn website here.

A Hometown Christmas

Bring the entire family out to Welland’s first annual ‘Hometown Christmas’ celebration this Saturday!

At the market, browse artisan vendors, make a craft, and write a letter to Santa with Niagara Art Gallery and enjoy Femme du Feu Roaming Artists. Then, warm up with a hot drink and delicious otter feet while listening to classic Christmas music. Don’t forget to wear your ugly Christmas sweater for our photo booth opportunity in the Betty Loo Photobooth.

Over at Merritt Park, enjoy holiday sets from Jessica Wilson and Cory Cruise. Festive Ice Sculptures will be hosting an ice carving demonstration. World Record Holder Fire Guy Brant will be there to put on a blazing show. And of course, Santa will be on hand to read ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.

When: Saturday, Dec. 18, 3:00-7:30pm

Where: Merritt Park and Farmer’s Market, Welland