
Royal George demolition still on hold after court delays judicial review
The Shaw’s lawyers warned the matter is urgent and any further delays could “seriously impact in a negative manner on the project’s funding.”

The Shaw’s lawyers warned the matter is urgent and any further delays could “seriously impact in a negative manner on the project’s funding.”

Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale is not backing down from his push to rethink how Niagara is governed — even after councillors voted to rein in his amalgamation efforts and launch their own review process.
Councillors pressed Niagara Region’s chair on the financial case behind the proposal to merge Niagara’s municipalities. “You want to see the end of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” said Coun. Erwin Wiens.

Konzelmann’s president says no outdoor events have been booked, scheduled or planned and none will be hosted or marketed unless the winery gets approval.

Conflicting accounts are re-emerging at the Niagara Regional Native Centre, where current leadership is pushing back against allegations of intimidation and mismanagement.

The site alteration policy shifts approval authority to the director of public works and infrastructure and expands enforcement tools.

The judge issued a permanent injunction restraining Konzelmann from conducting or permitting “any use not permitted” by the zoning bylaw, including any outdoor events.

This expansion changes the boundaries of the area that defines the historic quality of Old Town, adding new homes and buildings to the district.

A divide emerged over whether Niagara-on-the-Lake municipal funding should lean toward young residents or remain age-neutral at a discussion on Tuesday about updates to the town’s discretionary grant policy.

The Shaw has temporarily halted the teardown of the Royal George and its box office after a builder launched a court challenge alleging the town failed to follow proper planning and heritage rules.

Niagara-on-the-Lake council voted this week to explore the possible transfer of a fenced-off strip of waterfront land in Ryerson Park — but not before a debate that included a “hysterical” remark and a complaint it was “not respectful.”

Plans to use a property on protected farmland near St. Davids to store farm equipment and crops drew challenges from nearby residents and probes from a few councillors.

Opponents of the project argue that once the century-old theatre in Old Town is demolished, any heritage loss would be permanent — a concern at the centre of the court challenge.

A Superior Court judge is holding off on giving her decision in a Niagara-on-the-Lake court fight that asks a basic question: if bylaws aren’t enforced, what’s the point of having them?

This Valentine’s Day, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents are showing a little extra puppy love — filling bowls for pets across the community in support of the Newark Neighbours Food Bank.

Another safety review or community consultation may be coming down the pike on the roundabout planned for St. Davids in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Merging Niagara’s conservation authority with others in southern Ontario could weaken local decision-making on flooding, water quality and environmental protection, some councillors say.

Niagara-on-the-Lake council has approved the teardown of two 20th-century barns in the town’s rural area, rejecting a recommendation from its municipal heritage committee to keep one of the barns up.

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse and a parent of a victim addressed council this month urging the town to back a public sex offender registry.

The property will be used for future efforts to reduce stormwater flooding in the area, and, depending on future studies, could also have a community use.

The new special events bylaw and a related amendment set up a formal permit system for special events across NOTL and allow the town to fine organizers.

As Aimee Alderman steps into her new role, her focus is on informing residents about how provincial rules influence planning decisions and how public input helps shape the outcome.

Every February, heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies start popping up across Niagara-on-the-Lake — and with them, a familiar show of community support for Red Roof Retreat.

According to the latest report from the town, the funding gap is driven by a combination of aging infrastructure, rising construction costs, lower-than-required reinvestment levels and climate-related impacts.

Niagara-on-the-Lake took its top priorities directly to the province earlier this week, pressing for progress on the proposed Glendale Eco-Park, affordable housing and renewed municipal funding at the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference.

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