"How will heavy construction be handled during the next three summers when Queen is shoulder-to-shoulder with tourists, cars are everywhere and festival season arrives?" writes Garth Turner.
"This simplistic design approach to apartment buildings has dominated the sector for decades and has resulted in a quasi-institutionalized environment within the resultant neighbourhoods," writes Brian Marshall.
"Are we getting better when compared to other nations? Perhaps, but there are so many more events now. Many more opportunities to grab a medal," writes Ross Robinson.
"AlphaFold2 was like a loyal grad student who learned under the tutelage of humans at Google — not human of course, but a student nontheless and perhaps deserving of a share in the prize," writes Dr. William Brown.
Brian Marshall details the introduction of Bill 17, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, introduced this spring, which, Marshall writes, contains provisions around development and home construction that are helpful, and others that present serious concerns.
"Whether you live in a bustling city apartment, a suburban home or out in the country, container gardening allows you to create vibrant, green spaces with minimal fuss," writes Joanne Young.
"As a seasoned sign guy, I believe the bylaw should be amended to include only residential and not commercial properties. Each eligible resident gets a single vote. Many commercial properties or building sites were covered with signage and, dare I say, over-signage," writes Ken I'Anson, who helped with putting up candidate signs around NOTL during the 2025 federal election.
"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.
Describing the newly introduced Bill 5, Brian Marshall writes, "Quite simply, the proposed legislation seeks to gut environmental protection, continuing Ford’s earlier assaults in 2020 and 2022."
"We can do better in NOTL and there are resources to help us figure out how. This would be a step towards a more positive, cost-effective way of encouraging appropriate development in the current environment of flawed, broad-brush provincial directives," writes Chrys Kaloudis, former urban design committee member.
"I have the greatest respect for those holding the energy for honest journalism and want to thank Niagara Now and similar outlets for doing so," writes Susannah Joyce.
"If you are one of the people who do this, you should know that, like face-melting halitosis or chronic body odour, your friends are not going to say anything, but they are not enjoying your company," writes Julian Goss.
"Our heritage is our most important asset from a tourism perspective. Let's not forget how blessed we are with such a rich history and so many reminders of a dramatic past," writes Ron Dale.
"It is astounding that not only do we get an unneeded roundabout, but the region sees fit to send a four-page voting process to determine what it should look like," writes Bob Bader.
"It’s easy to decry the decline of democracy in the U.S., where President Trump has used executive orders to rule virtually unchecked, but Ontario isn’t perfect either," writes Terry Davis.
"We’ve got a lot of work to do, but the bright side is this: The threat from the south has unified us to a new level. The great majority of us agree on what we don’t want," writes Andrew Henwood.
"Simply put, the school can no longer meet the needs of the community as it stands today, let alone accommodate the growth this new development represents," writes Andrew Stewart.
"We have a dysfunctional council with an inept mayor at the helm. Get rid of Zalepa — I refuse to pay any more tax increases because of this dope," writes Peter Rusin.
"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.
"This seems like the perfect opportunity to reach out and voice our appreciation to everyone involved with last week’s Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom," writes Ross Robinson. "It was marvellous to be a tiny part of such an artistic, cultural and financial triumph."
"A decline in earthworm populations due to hammerhead worms can negatively affect agriculture, gardens and ecosystems. We need to be diligent in controlling this invasive species if we want to keep it at bay," writes Joanne Young.
"I am wearing my 'I AM CANADIAN' t-shirt, which is 25 years old. I hope the Molson's Canadian beer company will start putting their 'I AM CANADIAN' flags in their beer cases again (I have two of them flying in my front yard)," writes Betty Ann Chandler.
"My concern is this: If we cannot even trust the candidate to make sure a simple sign rule is obeyed, how can we trust that important issued are handled honestly" writes Susan Pohorly.
"We avoid discussing the situation, but an existential threat is upon us. Not long ago, I didn’t really understand what an existential threat was, but every day now we learn more," writes Ross Robinson.
"The recent re-election of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal government will usher in a host of tax and policy changes that could impact Canadians’ wallets. Some measures will take effect almost immediately, while others must await the passage of a federal budget, expected after the King delivers the throne speech on May 27," writes Steve McGuinness, in a new column for The Lake Report, "Bottom Line."
"Whether you want to retain NOTL as an idyllic place to live and wish we could pull up the drawbridge to keep outsiders away, or you embrace it as "wine country" ... the reality is our wee town is growing, it is changing and it will never be what it once was," writes editor emeritus Kevin MacLean.
"Is this a good development for NOTL, or does it polarize us? Is endorsing candidates useful, or cause conflict and strife? Does the rebel movement suggest we need improvement in the way this place is run? And will you attend the meeting?" writes Garth Turner.
"I have been distributing a letter to my shoreline neighbours, asking if they would consider flying a Canadian flag facing the riverside. Responses have been overwhelmingly positive," writes Jackie Kevill.
