US Consul General Baxter Hunt, joined by MP Chris Bittle, Mayor Mat Siscoe, and MPP Jennie Stevens, speaks at the 9/11 Memorial Walkway, located at Happy Rolph's, during a 25th anniversary commemoration event on Sept. 10. Read more in this edition of the Garden City Current. | |
Draft Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan to be considered at November 2 Council meeting
The subject of a public meeting on Monday, Official Plan Amendment No. 59, which if approved would establish the Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan, will come back to Council for consideration at the November 2, 2026 meeting.
The draft plan, tabled at Council on Monday night, provides a framework that will guide future land-use decisions, redevelopment, environmental remediation, transportation improvements, infrastructure investment, urban design, parks and public realm improvements within the study area, which includes more than 100 hectares of land on Ontario Street, extending from the QEW south to Welland Avenue. The draft was put together following extensive public consultation.
The corridor is expected to accommodate significant population, housing, and employment growth over the coming decades with much of that growth anticipated through mixed-use development. The plan is intended to provide a clear framework to guide this growth while supporting the long-term transformation of the corridor.
The detailed report, complete with appendices, can be viewed at the link below.
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Council supports motion regarding Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) Solve the Crisis - Reaction to Recovery Campaign
City Council supported a motion calling on the Province to take further action to address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis. The motion asks the Province to:
- Declare a state of emergency on the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis.
- Significantly increase investment in voluntary recovery based treatment for homelessness, mental health and addictions.
- Undertake a comprehensive review of, and consultation on, changes to the Mental Health Act, and the Health Care Consent Act.
- Expand addiction treatment and rehabilitation programming.
- Establish a Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
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Public Meeting: Properties of Strategic Importance and Municipal Significance
After a public meeting held on Monday, City Council voted to defer the designation of the lands of 142 Queenston St, 282 Ontario St, and 285 Ontario St as Strategic Sites Community Improvement Project Areas and defer the adoption of a Strategic Sites Community Improvement Plan. The item will be brought back for a decision during the next term of Council
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Terms of reference approved for Flood Resilience Task Force
City Council approved the terms of reference for a new Flood Resilience Task Force as part of ongoing work following the flooding in July and August. Part of a directive from Mayor Mat Siscoe, the multidisciplinary task force will review the flooding events and the City’s stormwater and sanitary infrastructure, with the goal of developing a Flood Resilience Action Plan.
The task force will include up to seven technical experts, two residents directly impacted by flooding and one member of Council. Council also received updates on provincial advocacy, ongoing flood response work and preliminary flood-related costs. See full details in the staff report.
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Contract approved for slope stabilization in Port Dalhousie
Council approved a single-source procurement that will see slope issues between properties on Canal Street and Dalhousie House addressed.
An existing retaining wall and surrounding soil suffered slope failure following the extreme rainfall in late July and early August.
The project will stabilize the slope to protect the area from future failures, with the goal of protecting Dalhousie House from any damage.
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Council advocates for electricity relief
City Council passed a motion calling on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) to work with local utilities to provide some form of electricity relief following the recent widespread flooding.
The goal is to try and support customers who faced significant increases in costs during the flood recovery period compared with a historical / similar billing period. Council is asking the OEB to work with local utilities like Alectra in the communities affected by the flooding.
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2026 Municipal Election
Voting day for the 2026 Municipal Council and School Board elections is 6 weeks away on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026.
A list of certified candidates is now available following the close of nominations on Friday, Aug. 21.
Get ready to participate with our Elections webpage.
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St. Catharines commemorates 25th anniversary of 9/11, honours Canadians killed, survivors,
first responders
Earlier this week, St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens remembered and honoured the 24 Canadians killed and three U.S. citizens with family in Canada in the 9/11 attacks, survivors, and first responders with nine new trees planted on the 9/11 Memorial Trail and throughout the rest of the park in St. Catharines during a 25th Anniversary Commemoration event.
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Final property tax instalment due September 29
A reminder to residents that the final instalment for property tax must be received at City Hall by Sept 29.
The City of St. Catharines offers a variety of payment options, including monthly pre-authorized payment plans with no added interest. Residents are encouraged to choose the payment method that best suits their needs.
If you are enrolled in a pre-authorized payment plan, installments will be withdrawn automatically on the scheduled due dates.
Your property tax roll number can be found on your most recent property tax bill. The roll number is a 19-digit account number beginning with 2629, located at the top right corner of your bill.
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Fall recreation program registration continues
Fall program registration began in late August, and spots are still available!
Click over to ActiveSTC to view available selections.
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Last Call! Cast your vote for the Trillium Awards
Each year, the City of St. Catharines recognizes individuals who have helped beautify our community through the Trillium Awards. The Trillium Awards help continue the tradition of the City of St. Catharines as the Garden City of Canada. Voting closes Sept 18.
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2026 Culture Days celebrates City’s vibrant
arts, culture
Arts and culture will take centre stage for three weeks this fall as the City of St. Catharines celebrates the return of Culture Days.
A wide range of interactive performances, exhibitions, workshops and community events are planned from Sept. 18 to Oct. 4, 2026. The national Culture Days festival invites people of all ages to discover, experience and celebrate arts, culture and heritage in their communities.
In 2026, Niagara is being featured as a provincial Festival Hub. Festival Hubs serve as local community leads for Culture Days, helping visitors find events and learn more about the festival. The City will kick off Culture Days on Friday, Sept. 18 with a flag raising at 4:30 p.m. at St. Catharines City Hall, followed by the opening reception for the 17th Annual Juried Exhibition, Current, on the third floor of City Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
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Fall Toonie Swims Available
The next batch of Toonie Swims are happening soon at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre.
Please join us on:
- Sun Sept 27, 4 p.m.
- Weds Oct 14, 5:30 p.m.
- Sat Nov 21, 2 p.m.
- Fri Dec 4, 6:30 p.m.
Registration is available via ActiveSTC by searching "Toonie".
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Spend your PD Days with the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Come to the museum on PD Days for seasonal selections of stories, songs, and an activity or craft. Each PD Day will feature one and a half hours of interactive and creative activities themed to the season. Activities are best suited for kids ages 5-9, registration not required.
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Past Tense: A Historical Fiction Panel
Join St. Catharines Public Library (SCPL) and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre for Past Tense, an immersive panel discussion about local literature and the historical fiction genre. This SCPL LitFest featured event will spotlight four talented local authors, Bryn Turnbull, Jack Wang, Lisa Rochon, and Joanna Goodman, who will explore the influence of time and place in storytelling and narrative.
While Past Tense is free to attend, we encourage a pay-what-you-can donation to support future SCPL LitFest events!
Grab your tickets via the below button:
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Join the PAC Board!
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is recruiting new PAC Board Members from across the Niagara region and beyond. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and impact of one of Niagara’s leading cultural institutions.
Citizen members are being sought with expertise in one or more of the following areas: philanthropic leadership, corporate leadership, regional tourism expertise.
Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
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Help more people experience the arts
The National Ballet of Canada will perform for its very first time in St. Catharines on Saturday, Oct. 24 as part of FirstOntario’s Performing Arts Centre’s SPARK Gala.
The annual SPARK Gala raises funds to fuel the future of artistic brilliance in Niagara. Don't miss an unforgettable evening featuring receptions, VIP dinner and a remarkable performance from the National Ballet of Canada as they present their acclaimed works The Future at 75 & The Balcony Pas de Deux from Romeo and Juliet.
Get tickets now: Ember-level tickets are already sold out, with Flame VIP cocktail reception and Torchbearer gala dinner tickets selling fast.
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Sing Pitch Perfect at the PAC
Join Deke Sharon, Father of Contemporary a cappella and musical director of the Pitch Perfect films, to sing a song from the famous movie franchise.
This will be an unforgettable and interactive evening of fun in Partridge Hall at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
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