The Lake Report: Check out our weekly print edition for Niagara-on-the-Lake here.

Post-election, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents and councillors brace for change

Julia Sacco -
As the clock struck 8 p.m. and polling stations across Niagara-on-the-Lake began to close, dozens made their way inside the main auditorium of the NOTL Community Centre, to watch their political future take shape.

NOTL Votes 2026: Voter turnout 52% in this year’s race, up from last election

The 2026 election saw an uptick in voter turnout compared to the election four years ago. Internet voting, which debuted this year, was a big hit.
Niagara Now -

Gary Burroughs very confident in new team set to lead NOTL

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s new deputy lord mayor says residents have voted to be heard — and the incoming council needs to listen and explain its decisions clearly.
Richard Harley -

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Things that matter should hurt’: Wiens’ daughter turns his own advice on him after election loss

Erwin Wiens, who served the past eight years on council, acknowledged disappointment with the election result but said he was proud the outgoing council's accomplishments.
Paige Seburn -

‘Absolute, total elation’: Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Vaughn Goettler celebrates lord mayor victory

Richard Harley -
The lights were low and hopes were high as supporters gathered at Vaughn Goettler’s Ricardo Street home on election night. By night’s end, he had won the three-way race with 5,101 votes.

Andrea Kaiser proud of her grassroots campaign

From start to finish, Andrea Kaiser remained true to herself throughout her campaign for lord mayor, she says: "I wanted to give voters a different choice and that’s what I did."
Julia Sacco -

Opinion: Election marks a new era in NOTL politics

"Here’s hoping Goettler and his new council can live up to all their promises and bring the cohesion and change that voters showed they want," writes Kevin MacLean.
Kevin MacLean -

Opinion: After eight years on council, my advice for our new leaders

"It takes a lot of courage to run. It takes a lot of energy and a team behind you to run and its very hard work. I admire anyone that runs in a municipal," writes Wendy Cheropita.
Submitted Column -

Mixed fortunes for NOTL tourism amid U.S. tariffs, economic woes

Coleman Molnar - 0
Amid the ongoing U.S.-Canada trade war and worldwide economic pressures, tourism reports in NOTL were promising in some areas, less so in others.

A smaller police bill for NOTL? Other towns would have to pay more, Kaiser says

A push to ease the town's policing bill is gaining ground, with police agreeing to help Niagara Region explore alternative ways to divide costs.
Read more ...

News

PHOTOS: Poppy Project returns to NOTL ahead of Remembrance Day

Niagara Now - 0
Volunteers draped their poppy installation over the front of four locations on Monday morning, continuing a tradition that started in 2021 with museum members knitting thousands of poppies. 
Read more ...

News

See the human side of the paranormal at Fort George

Julia Sacco - 0
The Friends of Fort George explore the town’s relationship with fear and death through ghost tours at the historic fort.
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Local

Where to enjoy a spook-tacular Halloween in NOTL

Whether you're chasing ghosts, dressing to impress or just in it for the candy, Halloween weekend is here — and Niagara-on-the-Lake has plenty of ways to get into the spirit.

Nominations open for Candlelight Stroll fundraising recipients

This year's Candlelight Stroll is set for Dec. 4, and nominations are now open for people to suggest who they would like to receive the funds raised from the event.

NOTL Votes 2026: Vaughn Goettler wins Niagara-on-the-Lake’s mayoral race

Niagara-on-the-Lake has chosen its next lord mayor: Vaughn Goettler defeated deputy lord mayor Erwin Wiens and regional councillor Andrea Kaiser in Monday's municipal election with an outright majority.

NOTL Votes 2026: Election polls open until 8 p.m., see results at community centre

Five polling stations in Niagara-on-the-Lake are open until 8 p.m. Live election results will be shared at the Community Centre and notl.com.

Entertainment

Shaw review: The art of classical music in a century of transformation

"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Shaw review: Veteran stage actors reflect on their unpredictable and ephemeral world

Three longtime Shaw actors, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan and Sanjay Talwar, sat down to chat with theatre critic Anthony Chase about their journeys as actors and careers at the Shaw.

Opinion

The Turner Report: The man with a dog and a mission

"Dorothy and I signed up for a tour of St Mark’s incredible graveyard one afternoon, and there was Donald, in a bow tie, providing colour commentary on the inhabitants. The stories were engaging. The storyteller just perfect," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: With the election now over, let’s return to all things architecture

Front porches were a fixture of many homes during the 19th century, but with the rise of the automobile came their decline. "We lost something vital when porches largely disappeared," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Reflective ramblings from the voting booth

"The cost of municipal and other elections is enormous but, in my opinion, worth every penny. Canada is envied around the world, and we take our election processes for granted," writes Ross Robinson.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Uncovering the strides Jewish women made in theatre

"Who were these famous and groundbreaking Jewish women? What did they have to overcome to succeed? What drove them forward? Ambition, drive, resilience for certain," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Events

Today

News

NOTL Votes 2026: The business of running a town: Mayoral rivals disagree on the job

At their final public meetup of the campaign, Erwin Wiens, Andrea Kaiser and Vaughn Goettler were divided on a variety of issues, including how a municipality is supposed to be run.

Local

Niagara-on-the-Lake voters at last advance poll before Oct. 26 talk development, planning, patios

Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.

NOTL Votes 2026: School board trustees speak on student mental health and responsible spending

The Lake Report asked more nominees for trustees what their top three priorities are, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Will they betray your trust again?’ Parliament Oak accusation heats up candidate debate

The gloves came off Thursday night when one council candidate accused two incumbent candidates of betraying residents over the Parliament Oak development.

News

Restrictions lifted, Niagara-on-the-Lake candidates allowed to canvass at long-term care home

Julia Sacco - 0
As of Wednesday, Oct. 21, candidates had been granted permission to canvass at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor on Friday between 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. following inquiries by The Lake Report.
Read more ...

Flight service to connect Niagara District Airport to Toronto Island’s Billy Bishop

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Aspen Air Charters is launching scheduled passenger flights taking travellers between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Toronto, starting Nov. 2.

History familiar and new on display at Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

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Sixteen historic and cultural spots in offered free admission for visitors to come in and explore — a walk down memory lanes for some, a chance to know their community better for others.

St. Davids florist expands with shop at Clayfield Commons

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Bloom & Co. opened its second location this fall at Clayfield Commons in the Village, an area Falconer said she has heard people call "uptown Niagara-on-the-Lake." "Clayfield feels sort of like the little sister to our St. Davids location," she said.

Niagara-on-the-Lake teen to represent Canada in Youth Olympics

Seventeen-year-old Nolan Grealy dreams of representing Canada at the Rugby World Cup. His selection for the 2026 Youth Olympics is another step toward that goal.

No ‘A Christmas Carol’ in NOTL this year as Shaw Festival announces holiday shows

A Christmas Carol will be missing from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s holiday theatre lineup this year, as the Shaw Festival moves its long-running production to Toronto before bringing it home to a larger stage in 2027.

Concession 7 Road closed for road work part of Modero Estates development

The closure, which started Monday, is for a portion of Concession 7 Road between York and Queenston roads and will last five weeks.

NOTL Votes 2026: Residents talk election: what needs fixing, what’s worth keeping

For residents who shared their thoughts with The Lake Report, the municipal election comes down to decisions they can feel close to home.

Four years later, Niagara-on-the-Lake voters still concerned about development, taxes and transparency

Four years after The Lake Report's 2022 election edition, many of the same concerns for voters remain part of the conversation.

What the numbers tell us about voter turnout in Niagara-on-the-Lake these past two decades

Looking at NOTL election results from 2006 to 2022, turnout has oscillated between either slightly less than or slightly more than half of registered voters casting their ballots.