First instalment for property taxes due by Friday
The City’s interim property tax bills for 2026 have been issued, after being mailed and made available through the e-billing portal on Feb. 6, 2026. Any property owners who have not received their bill should contact Citizens First at 905.688.5600 or CitizensFirst@stcatharines.ca.
The City of St. Catharines offers a variety of payment options, including monthly and installment pre-authorized payment plans with no added interest where amounts will be withdrawn automatically on the scheduled due dates.
Residents are encouraged to choose the payment method that best suits their needs. Payments can also be made:
- At your financial institution, or through its telephone / online banking system by adding the City as a payee;
-
By credit card online via our payment portal (convenience fees apply);
- In person from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, where cash, cheques, and debit are accepted.
Please reference your 19-digit roll number which is also your account number located at the top right corner of your bill when making payments
Payments received after 4:30 p.m. on instalment due dates will be subject to a 1.25 per cent late payment charge on the first day of default and the first day of each calendar month until settled.
| |
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Year Two Review
St. Catharines City Council received a report indicating that the City’s HAF program is functioning as intended, driving measurable increases in the housing supply. 2025 was a record year for permit activity, exceeding the prior nine-year trend by more than 500 units and leading the region in housing construction starts.
Statistics of note:
- 1,025 net new dwelling units received building permits in HAF Year Two (target: 715), exceeding the target by 310 units.
- 1,483 total units have been permitted since the start of the HAF program.
- The program remains 184 units below the combined two-year target of 1,667 units, primarily reflecting Year One shortfalls driven by market conditions
- Nearly 500 additional units are expected to receive permits by Q2, with further major projects anticipated for the balance of 2026.
| |
Council to ask for overhead walkway to be removed at former manufacturing site
City Council directed staff to work with the owner of 282 and 285 Ontario St. to remove the overhead walkway crossing Ontario St. by Dec. 1, with costs to be paid by the land owners.
| |
Prince Andrew Court renaming
City Council requested staff to initiate and follow the City’s established Street Naming Policy process to review and consider the renaming of Prince Andrew Court, including appropriate public consultation with affected residents and stakeholders, and then report back with recommendations, including options for alternative names and associated financial and administrative implications. The report will also include renaming scenarios for other City assets.
| |
Class 4 noise ruling for 61 Hastings St.
City Council approved a Class 4 noise area classification for the lands at 61 Hastings St. in accordance with the Environmental Noise Guideline - Stationary and Transportation Sources - Approval and Planning (NPC-300) due to projected noise impacts from the adjacent municipal works yard on a proposed six-storey, 78-unit residential apartment building.
| | |
Emergency Procurement of Bulk Sodium Chloride (Road Salt)
To help meet its obligation for Winter Control operations and for public safety and to ensure essential operations continue uninterrupted, the City will purchase 296 tonnes of road salt from an alternative supplier at an estimated cost of $105,080.00, plus applicable taxes.
This procurement was done in accordance with the Emergency Procurement (Clause 40) of the City’s Procurement By-law 2023-178, as the City faced a shortage due to a supply shortage with its contracted supplier - as a result of a province-wide shortage of road salt.
| |  | |
9 Queen St. to be demolished and removed from Heritage Register
City Council approved the issuance of a Heritage Permit for demolition of the building located at 9 Queen St., as the structure had been destroyed by fire on Dec 26, 2025. The property has been removed from the heritage register.
St. Catharines Fire Services announced on Jan. 14, 2026, that following an investigation by Fire Services and the Niagara Regional Police Arson Task Force that it was determined that while some form of combustible fuel source was used to ignite the fire, the cause of the fire has been classified as “undetermined”.
| | |
Lakeside Park washrooms opening early
At the request of residents, City Council agreed to open the washrooms at Lakeside Park for May 1 instead of the Victoria Day weekend to coincide with the start of the paid parking season.
| | |
Rat Control Rebate may return
City Council requested staff to prepare a report regarding the reinstatement of the residential rat rebate program or any other alternatives to mediate issues.
| | |
Dock in Port Dalhousie
Port Dalhousie Transient Boat Docking: Timbr Group Ltd., the operator of transient dockage along the west side of the Port Dalhousie pier, will offer a reduced rate (50% discount) for St. Catharines residents for seasonal day passes which are valid from May 1 to October 15.
| | Spotlight on St. Catharines |
Nominations open for Volunteer Awards
The City of St. Catharines’ Volunteer Recognition Awards celebrate residents whose unselfish and dedicated service have made a significant impact in our community. Individuals and organizations can nominate deserving volunteers who’ve made a difference through their community contributions from now until Monday, March 9.
2026 marks the International Year of Volunteers, and the City will join Volunteer Canada’s national Ignite Volunteerism campaign to celebrate community service while inspiring a new generation of participation.
“We have many amazing people in St. Catharines making a difference across our communities,” says Andrea Connelly-Miele, coordinator for the Volunteer Recognition Awards. “Celebrate with us by nominating a deserving volunteer. Sharing their story can help encourage more residents to reconnect with their communities through acts of service, civic action, and mutual support.”
From the pool of nominations, selected honourees will be invited to a Volunteer Recognition Awards reception on Tuesday, April 21 where the City will present Community Impact certificates and gifts and announce recipients for its volunteer awards.
Nominations are open for the following categories, including two new awards for 2026:
- Mayor’s Volunteer of the Year
- Margaret and Robin McLennan Youth Volunteer of the Year
- Mayor’s Lifetime Volunteer Service Award
- Equity and Inclusion Champion Award (NEW)
- Spirit of Sport Award (NEW)
More information about award categories, eligibility and selection criteria, and how to submit nominations is posted online at stcatharines.ca/VolunteerAwards.
| |
St. Catharines and Lincoln win EDCO Award of Excellence
The City of St. Catharines and the Town of Lincoln have been jointly awarded the Economic Development Council of Ontario (EDCO) Award of Excellence in the Visitor Attraction and Tourism Product Development – Urban category, at the EDCO President’s Dinner during the 2026 Annual EDCO Conference.
The EDCO Awards of Excellence, held Feb. 4 in Toronto, celebrate the most impactful and innovative economic development initiatives across Ontario. The St. Catharines / Lincoln win recognizes the municipalities’ leadership in urban–rural collaboration through the creation of a shared Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), a model that has strengthened the regional tourism economy, supported local businesses, and elevated both communities as a premier destination.
“This recognition from EDCO reflects the true impact of collaboration, where municipalities unite with a shared vision. Together with Lincoln, we’ve built a partnership that fosters economic development, supports local businesses, and highlights the best of both our urban and rural assets.”
- Mat Siscoe, Mayor, City of St. Catharines
| |
Applications open for
community gardens funding
The City of St. Catharines is providing funding to help community gardens take root.
The City is again this year supporting community groups wanting to establish new community gardens or to improve existing gardens. Applications for the annual program close on March 30.
The program provides the opportunity for incorporated charities, not-for-profit groups and unincorporated associations and neighbourhood groups, to receive matching funds from the City for as much as half of eligible start-up costs, including lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and other materials and equipment.
| |
Celebrate Black History Month in St. Catharines
The St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre invites residents to celebrate Black history and culture in St. Catharines by exploring the “Last Stop: In their Own Words” exhibit.
Last Stop challenges the traditional narratives of the local settlement of refugee Freedom Seekers in St. Catharines in the 1850s.
Keep an eye on the museum’s blog for its Black History Month series with new posts every Saturday in February.
The Black History Month art exhibition, Black Histories, Black Futures, on display at St. Catharines City Hall can be viewed Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., until Feb. 27.
More information about other events and programs celebrating Black History Month in St. Catharines is posted at stcatharines.ca.
|
A new season of Toonie Swims is coming!
Register on ActiveSTC, search "Toonie"
Sunday Mar. 22, Friday Apr. 10, Saturday May 9, Wednesday June 3
|
Happy 150th, St. Catharines!
In 2026, St. Catharines proudly marks its 150th anniversary as a City. While our community’s roots stretch back much further, St. Catharines was officially incorporated as a City on May 1, 1876.
We want to celebrate with you
Share your St. Catharines memories, experiences, and stories. Sign our online guestbook. Post photos of your favourite spots. Take part in fun polls and trivia. Add your voice and experiences to our 150th celebrations and help us highlight what makes St. Catharines special.
| |
Join the PAC for Arts Community Open House on future use of Recital Hall space
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, in collaboration with Mass Culture, is hosting an open house as part of its Reimagining the Recital Hall – a community-centred initiative exploring how this space can better serve artists, community organizations, and the public while supporting long-term sustainability and cultural growth in Niagara.
The arts and culture community and guests are invited to experience the Recital Hall, learn more about the project, and contribute perspectives on the future use and role of this shared cultural space.
Event Details
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 4 to 6 p.m.
Recital Hall
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
250 St. Paul St., St. Catharines
Admission is free. Light refreshments will be provided. If possible, please bring headphones compatible with your phone.
Guests will also receive complimentary tickets to see Nomfusi live in Partridge Hall at 7 p.m.
| |
Classic Albums Live: Prince — Purple Rain
Classic Albums Live will perform its note-for-note rendition of Purple Rain, Prince's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Lose yourself in iconic songs such as "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy" on Thursday, Feb. 26 at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
| |
Hop Downtown for the Bunny Trail next month!
Spring is almost here, and we’re getting ready to hop into the season in Downtown St. Catharines. Join the St. Catharines Downtown Association on Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Downtown Bunny Trail. This free, family-friendly event invites kids to explore Downtown, follow the Bunny Trail map, search for a golden egg, and collect treats along the way.
The fun starts at Market Square (91 King St.), where registered participants will check in and receive their trail map before heading out to visit participating businesses. Registration is required and will open soon. To learn more and get ready to register, visit mydowntown.ca/bunnytrail
| |
Unerasing Ourselves: St. Catharines, Canadian Literature, and the Past
Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 6:15 p.m. | St. Catharines Public Library Central Branch
This St. Catharines Public Library talk attends to the troubling question: what becomes of the nation when we decolonize, when we really take our conflicts head on? In his book, “Unerasing Ourselves”, Dr. Gregory Betts explores St. Catharines history as a lens for understanding conflict in Canada.
Registration required: https://events.myscpl.ca/event/3956182
| |
Canada's Game in the Garden City
Wednesday, March 11 | 6 p.m. | St. Catharines Public Library Merritt Branch
Hear stories from the early days of pick-up on a frozen Welland Canal to Stan Mikita and the big-league games at the Garden City Arena with Adrian Petry, public historian and Visitor Services Coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum.
Registration required: https://events.myscpl.ca/event/3955147
| | | |
|
Meet Catharine.
Here to Help.
Anytime. Anywhere.
Find her at stcatharines.ca
| | Connect with our customer service team: | | | | |
