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Niagara Falls
Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Opinion

Editorial: Niagara’s amalgamation gong show

"Let’s take a careful and thoughtful approach toward amalgamation. Niagara’s entire system of local democratic representation hangs in the balance," writes Kevin MacLean.

Opinion: Amalgamation threatens NOTL’s unique identity and decision-making power

"We need to have the ability for local voices to make decisions that are best for the character and residents of the town," writes Wayne Gates.

The Turner Report: So much digging. So little telling

"The next month will bring the collapse of the theatre, the erasure of the historic barber shop beside it ... and geothermal drilling," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Amalgamation costs less? Some researchers disagree

"The published findings of this report resulted in the conclusion that while amalgamation was supposed to bring cost savings, smaller government and lower taxes, it didn’t," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: Did the black maple leaf jinx our Olympic hockey players?

"What was the point of having black maple leaves on the Canadian ice hockey sweaters? Was it Nike’s creative folks dictating to our national Olympic bosses?" writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Jimmy Lai is a hero of democracy

"Mr. Lai's incarceration, for standing against tyranny and speaking in defence of freedom, is not just cruel and inhumane, but an affront to humanity," writes Ralph Nero.

Arts review: ‘White Christmas’ a heartwarming reminder of what truly matters in life

"Why is this production so satisfying? Irving Berlin's songs are pure genius. The orchestra sweeps and swirls us along. We unabashedly sing on request," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

The Turner Report: First NOTL. Then the Dominion

"They’re here. They invaded November 11th. They stood among us. Being a tolerant, inclusive people, we let them. It’s what makes us Canadian," writes Garth Turner.

Bottom Line: What it takes to put together your last will and testament

"It’s shocking how many Canadians have not prepared a will or completed any basic end-of-life planning. No matter your age or wealth level, this is imprudent and irresponsible," writes Steve McGuinness.

Ross’s Ramblings: The word ‘love’ creates magical moments in our lives

"From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Hong Kong and eventually to Toronto, the word 'love' has suddenly been added to our vocabulary. And it happened so naturally, so quietly," writes Ross Robinson.

Dr. Brown: From tennis courts to Parliament, why aging matters more than we admit

"Diminishment, the loss of abilities which we take for granted ... comes to all of us in different ways and times. It’s how we manage that diminishment that counts," writes Dr. William Brown.

Arch-i-text: Putting into perspective how big the new Royal George would be

"The proposed size, massing and form of the building, considered within the context of the surrounding buildings, completely dwarfs everything else in the heritage district," writes Brian Marshall.

Letter: Cottage rentals keep NOTL’s economy going and its heritage intact

"It’s time to recognize reality: Niagara-on-the-Lake is a world-class tourist town that thrives because people want to visit, stay, and fall in love with it," writes Jason Clements.

Letter: ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ casting wasn’t racist

"We all should practice "kind love against hatred" and doing one's best. My late husband (racially mixed) did this," writes Elizabeth Oliver-Malone.

Arch-i-text: An ode to those who’ve given everything to their country

"On every Nov. 11 since that day, I have shared the evening with a bottle of whisky, those memories and the words that were written down that evening," writes Brian Marshall.

Letter: Press pause on changing the school board boundaries

"Within a span of just two to three weeks, the lives and daily realities of many children and families were upended by a decision made without their voices being heard," writes Priya Litt.

Letter: Many thanks for supporting our pumpkin patch

"We had a great crop this year with lots of beautiful pumpkins," write Reid & Gabrielle, Brook & Brandon, Peg & Steve Watson.

Bottom Line: Is this town council’s ‘final answer’ on the 2026 budget?

"This new budget process is more compressed and accelerated than in prior years. This change was imposed on May 1 when the province conferred strong mayor powers on our town without voter consent," writes Steve McGuinness.

Dr. Brown: How answers beget more questions in the world of science

"All models are provisional and, even if based on the best data available, might have to change in the light of new evidence," writes Dr. William Brown.

Letter: Family’s roadside memorial repeatedly vandalized

"It's hard enough to grieve Matthew's death every minute of every day and now we know a thief without a conscience or a heart has desecrated this hallowed ground," writes Colleen Franz.

Ross’s Ramblings: Should they call it ‘poppy love’?

"Especially in our current world, seemingly so divided and torn over so many issues, it was gratifying to learn that love for the poppy is universal," writes Ross Robinson.

The Turner Report: Why NOTL has a math problem

"NOTL is one of the few burgs in the nation allowing (and encouraging) the conversion of residential housing into 'unhosted' short-term rentals," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: The fallacy of progress

"It is extraordinarily disingenuous for an individual or corporation to suggest that the 'progress' they seek — or achieve — automatically confers benefits upon the society or community they operate within," writes Brian Marshall.

Editorial: Folksy Ford and the end of speed cameras

"It is a cash grab, sure," writes Kevin MacLean of the speed camera program. "But so what? It’s a penalty earned for not obeying the law, in a school zone, amid warning signs."

Dr. Brown: The standard model of the universe — what’s wrong with it?

"Here, many billions of years later, was evidence of the radiation created in the Big Bang, now cooled to a few degrees above zero Kelvin and stretched by the expanding universe into the microwave range — what became known as the cosmic background radiation," writes Dr. William Brown.

Ross’s Ramblings: Who’s paying for this stuff?

"Do our political party leaders think we believe they have a great big pot filled with money that they dip into to pay for their projects and programs?" writes Ross Robinson.

Letter: Old Town wouldn’t be the same without Jimmy Lai

"After living here for 25 years, I think that the town of NOTL would not look so prosperous without Mr. Lai's and his sister's arrival," writes Yimlei Molly Yep.

Opinion: Reflections after an astounding World Series

"Babe Ruth, among his many quoted phrases, said, 'It ain’t over till it’s over.' That amazing team of Blue Jays players has proven what we already knew: it’s never over, we’re just occasionally between innings," writes Keith McNenly.

The Turner Report: NOTL and the elitist cabal

"Some people believe our little lovenest of a town is lurching toward surveillance, confinement and control. Look at the official, shiny new draft official plan, they say," writes Garth Turner.

Letter: The town’s short-term rental boondoggle

"A process begun in December 2024 looks like it will easily drag into next year’s municipal election. Hopefully, the voters will remember," writes Bob Bader.

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