Bottom Line: How first-time buyers can realize their home ownership dreams
“The average age of a first-time homeowner has increased from 36 to 40 over the last decade, but some basics never change,” writes Steve McGuinness.
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Busy start to rescue season for local volunteers
Capsized kayaks, paddleboarders in peril and an assortment of on-the-water emergencies — the start of the boating season has been hectic for the volunteers of South Shore Search and Rescue.
Opinion: The new Royal George Theatre: a meeting place for the whole community
“The new Royal George will be a bigger, grander complex than the current one. It has to be, by law, but more importantly, it will offer far more to the communities it serves and most especially to our friends and neighbours here in Niagara,” write Tim Carroll and Tim Jennings.
Celebrate with Royal Oak for 10th anniversary
“The fact that Royal Oak even exists is a small miracle for Niagara-on-the-Lake. It makes the town, all parts of it, a better place, and the more people know about it and why it’s important, the better it is for all of us,” writes David Israelson.
Bottom Line: Home prices dip, but ownership still elusive for many
“Our residential real estate market continues to slump. Despite recent Bank of Canada interest rate drops, the days of cutthroat home bidding wars are well behind us,” writes Steve McGuinness.
Opinion: All.Together.Now — A campaign for real human connection
“The town and the Shaw have grown together, welcoming first tens of thousands and then hundreds of thousands of patrons every year, helping this little corner of Ontario become one of the most cherished destinations in Canada,” write Tim Jennings and Tim Caroll from the Shaw Festival.
Opinion: Bill 5 means ‘rolling the dice’ with Ontario’s ecosystem
“This bill redefines ‘habitat’ in a way that weakens protections for endangered species. Imagine saying an animal’s home doesn’t count anymore because it’s not where it nests, even if it feeds or migrates there,” writes Wayne Gates. “That’s not science — that’s politics. And that’s dangerous.”
Globally known portrait artist Emily Profit to visit Queenston
Next week, Profit will be paying a weeklong visit to Queenston, arriving May 26, where she will connect with the village’s active art scene and be available for commissions.
NOTL library throwing big bash to celebrate 225 years
Debbie Krause Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report Get ready for a party two centuries in the making — the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library is throwing the ultimate summer kick-off on Saturday, June 7,
Opinion: Who won the federal election? We did
“We’re in the early stages of the biggest political fight most of us have ever seen in this country; if we’re going to win, we need to listen to each other and pull together,” writes David Israelson.
Large dead trees are a threat to NOTL’s power lines
“NOTL Hydro is fully aware that the number of outages has been much higher than normal, starting last summer. Increasing the tree-trimming budget and activity is one of the actions being taken to try to reduce outages,” writes Tim Curtis, president and CEO of NOTL Hydro.
Opinion: ‘Strong mayor powers’ require more scrutiny from the town
“These are substantial powers that shift the balance away from consensus-based decision-making — something that has long been a hallmark of good governance in small towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake,” writes MPP Wayne Gates.
Hometown Traveller: From chasing Minotaurs to awash in rosé
“The weather in Crete was sunny and English is widely spoken. We were greeted warmly and there was some recognition of our Canadian challenges with Trump and the 51st state rhetoric,” writes Judy McLeod.
Opinion: Don’t let the darkness enveloping America spread to Canada
“On April 28, Canadians can choose to put aside our regional bickering, reject populist leadership, and elect a prime minister capable of leading Canada through these dark times. We must have a strong national leader who has never been in the thrall of the Trump cult and whose policies do not align with MAGA ideology,” writes Keith McNenly.
Opinion: NOTL’s library is an invaluable community asset
“Over my career, we have come to realize that the basis of early child development is the wiring and pruning of neural connections in a child’s brain, nestled in a backdrop of positive emotional, relational health — yes, love builds brains!” writes Dr. Robin Williams.
Opinion: Royal George and Shaw ‘heritage and economic backbone’ of NOTL
“This isn’t just about supporting the arts — it’s about investing in jobs, tourism, small businesses and the unique character of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” writes MPP Wayne Gates.
Opinion: Off to the polls — what’s at stake in the next election
“Voters are being ‘sucker punched’ after putting their trust in the Republican Party. The survival of American democracy is once again in the hands of We the people,'” writes Keith McNenly.
Opinion: Canada’s choice — compassion and care or extremism
“More and more Mr. Poilievre casts himself as a victim of elites and the media, though he actually represents the elite. Indeed, echoes of America’s oddly-coloured president claiming perpetual victimhood,” writes J. Richard Wright.
Opinion: Thank you for re-electing me to represent our home
“When I spoke to residents on the doorstep this campaign, top of mind for people was health care. We must invest more in our public health care system and protect it from the threat of American-style for-profit privatization,” writes MPP-elect Wayne Gates.
Opinion: Doug Ford’s track record speaks for itself
David Israelson Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report I guess I should be pleased that Doug Ford came to Niagara District Airport on Feb. 8 to tell Ontarians how he’ll resist Donald Trump,
Opinion: Amalgamation of Niagara’s border communities will lead to increased taxes and fewer services
Wayne Gates Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report Local Conservative politicians have been pushing for the provincial government to prioritize municipal amalgamation in Niagara. It’s a dangerous scheme that is likely to lead
Opinion: Other nations beware, Canada is a test for Trump
Keith McNenly Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report Humanity is entering a new era in the dynamics of self governance. With the United States embracing authoritarianism, dismissing the concept of rule of law,
Opinion: Canada-U.S. trade: Limit retaliation, negotiate, build a stronger economy
Ted Carmichael Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report How should Canadian governments and citizens respond to the Trump administration’s threatened tariffs? Even if Canada’s commitments on fentanyl and border security put the threats on hold,
Winter lecture series returns to Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum
February’s series of lectures will shine a light on some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s most prized — and often controversial — homesteads, including the Rand Estate, the Plumb House, The Wilderness and more.
Letter: Development issues pale in comparison to rising taxes
“I would suggest that the combination of unsustainable tax increases and no serious attempts to reign in spending represents a financial crisis,” writes Jonathan Household.
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