"So, what direction will NOTL voters choose? That’s impossible to predict but what we do know is it has never been easier to exercise your democratic franchise," writes Kevin MacLean.
"At the end of the day, we need someone who can get Ford to respect us until we can try again to vote him out. The question, I guess, becomes, what’s the best strategy?" writes Richard Harley.
"If we elect the same people (and most are reoffering) we’ll get the same result. More hotels. More bending over for tourism. More construction. More old buildings razed. More density. More compromise. More loss," writes Garth Turner.
"If you are one of the approximately 191,000 Niagara residents that live outside the boundaries of the three large cities, you have just been marginalized as a perpetual member of the minority," writes Brian Marshall.
"He had the large sculpture placed in front of the Prince of Wales Hotel, but local leaders didn’t think it belonged at the corner of King and Queen streets. Much controversy ensued and Gerry the Giraffe was soon turfed," writes Ross Robinson.
"While Poilievre lacks Carney’s international experience, he possesses the most important quality for our next prime minister: A genuine commitment to serving Canadians, not global elites," writes Nicolas Petrick.
"Mulching is a simple, low-cost garden technique that has big benefits for your plants and garden’s overall health," writes Joanne Young, sharing her breakdown of why mulch is important and a step-by-step guide for using it in your garden this spring.
The new heritage conservation district study, a plan will create "a tool to manage change, the policies and guidelines accept the evolution of buildings and structures over time," writes Brian Marshall, "while ensuring that any such change complements, rather than detracts from, the district’s unique character."
"Undoubtedly things will get worse in the next few weeks as layoffs happen, confidence wanes and the economy shrinks a little. Once the election’s over, serious talks can begin to try to resurrect Canada’s favoured trading status with the Americans. That will take time," writes Garth Turner.
"We’re thrilled that Shaw is receiving $35 million in funding — arts organizations need and deserve public support. But it was disturbing to see Oosterhoff pretending to stand for Shaw. Because he doesn’t. Not for a second," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.
"The goal of this series isn’t to shut down a local business — we don’t want that. What we want is meaningful change that modernizes NOTL’s zoning bylaws and ensures they reflect the realities of 2025," writes editor-in-chief Richard Harley.
"If we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population densityIf we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population density," writes Ross Robinson, covering other topics including changes to Tourism NOTL's strategy and an intriguing proposition for a new speedrail system in southern Ontario.
"The joy of spring isn’t just about the change in weather; it’s about the profound sense of rebirth that touches everything around us," writes Joanne Young.
"A bylaw system which is ignored and only acted upon by complaint is simply not fair to other compliant wineries, nor the tax-paying residents of NOTL," writes Bob Bader.
"Marotta brings new jobs as well, which could come in handy for all those who may need a new hobby besides beating up on the Marotta family," writes Peter Rusin.
"This particular bylaw is ... remarkably flexible — almost to the point of raising the question of whether it will accomplish the protection necessary for a successful study," writes Brian Marshall of a new bylaw meant to halt development in a portion of Old Town for one year.
"A given piece of architecture, whether modest or grand, is a physical representation of the architect’s (or the property owner’s) creative expression, defined by its purpose, and set within — or sometimes in contrast with — the prevailing political, economic and cultural conditions of society," writes Brian Marshall.
"Should so many Canadians have worked themselves into a lather regarding this unfortunate circumstance? Suggesting that a winery be renamed, writing graffiti on walls and defacing an iconic statue in Edmonton. Can we call a truce and come to our Canadian senses?" writes Ross Robinson.
"Everything’s approved these days. Tract houses. Honking big hotels in Old Town. Condos. Towers. Heritage house mutilations. Meanwhile, the housing market’s gone icy. Sales are rare. Prices under pressure," writes Garth Turner.
"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.
For those in the later stages of life dealing with degenerative changes, "sorting out which clinical, radiological and electrodiagnostic features best explain the symptoms can be very challenging," writes Dr. William Brown, "and the reason why surgery to relieve symptoms related to degenerative disease so often fails to relieve symptoms."
"During the growing season, grasses are a very low-maintenance plant that requires little attention. In the spring, though, a little bit of effort is needed to keep your grasses healthy and thriving," writes Joanne Young.
"With the United States freezing activities under the United States Agency for International Development, urgent humanitarian assistance is needed now more than ever," writes Kajanan Dayaparan from Markham.
"It’s unfortunate that most municipalities in Niagara have a very limited list of trees that are suitable for use for streetscape planting purposes. The tree management plan should be a tool that protects and maintains the plant before and after construction," writes John Morley.
"For me, the main ballot question will be: 'Who would be best equipped as prime minister in the next four years to deal with the potentially turbulent times, with respect to relations with the U.S. and the economy?' Realistically, there are two candidates," writes Michael Fox.
"Our various media outlets should be screaming for change. Canadians are fed up being taken as pawns. We deserve more from our elected officials," writes Samuel Young.
"I think our leaders should stop encouraging people to set their hair on fire and double down on determining the real issues and addressing them," writes Mark Brown.
"Does Virgil need 150 more families? Can the developer even flog that many new homes from plans and a sales trailer? Now that we’ve got a new wave of job-sucking Trump tariffs coming on April 2, was the Great Pine Slaughter a tad premature?" writes Garth Turner.
"Interfering with signalling in the peripheral and central nervous systems has serious functional consequences, the effects of which may be masked by the capacity of surviving nerve fibres and nerve cells to carry the load — up to a point," writes Dr. William Brown.
In examining a 2023 study from McMaster University that looked at the corelation between heritage designation and property value, "The authors concluded that heritage-designated properties 'were associated with a positive increase in sale value' and resulted in 'an increase in sale price of residential properties,'" writes Brian Marshall.
