City hits provincial housing targets
three years in a row
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Matthew Rae and Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff were welcomed to St. Catharines by Mayor Mat Siscoe and City officials last week to announce the third round of funding through the province’s Building Faster Fund.
St. Catharines received more than $2.8 million in recognition of the City achieving 97 per cent of its housing target by breaking ground on more than 1,000 new housing units in 2025.
As a community with aging infrastructure, the support not only helps the City address challenges in keeping projects moving, but supports investments in community infrastructure that help stimulate construction of more new homes of all types. The allocation of this funding underscores the City’s commitment and vision for sustainable growth and signifies our place at the table to commit to building a vibrant community with a range of housing choices.
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City supports 492-unit affordable housing project by reimbursing building permit fees
The City of St. Catharines will help a large-scale affordable housing development on Ontario Street be a bit more affordable.
St. Catharines City Council voted in favour of reimbursing up to $743,499 in building permit fees for the 492-unit development at 159 Ontario St. The project is expected to provide long-term affordable housing opportunities for seniors, Indigenous peoples, persons with accessibility needs, visible minorities, and women fleeing violence.
Council’s approval reimburses the developer, Collective Housing Co-operative Inc., with funds drawn from the Affordable Housing Reserve, the Hydro Reserve and the Housing Accelerator Fund.
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Council enhances security at Lakeside Park
There’ll be more security patrolling Lakeside Park in an effort to curb increasingly problematic behaviour that’s been on the rise since the start of beach season. City Council allocated $40,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to support dedicated security patrols in Lakeside Park for the rest of the summer.
Lakeside Park is served by mobile patrol units that operate on a citywide basis. The proposed security foot patrols will also be equipped with body cameras, will be on duty during late afternoons and evening and will be in addition to increased police efforts. Security cameras were also recently installed at Lakeside Park.
Council also directed the City to continue to monitor safety and security at Lakeside Park and report back should further enhancements be required and that future funding for dedicated security patrols at Lakeside Park during beach season be referred for consideration as part of the Multi-Year Budget process.
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... and for Canada Day
City Council directed the City to engage a third-party company to provide enhanced security at the City’s Canada Day 150 events.
With a number of Canada Day events taking place across Niagara impacting police resources, the City will use a third-party security company and security cameras at Lakeside Park and Sunset Beach to help enhance the overall event experience for the community, increase public safety and mitigate incidents.
The City’s Canada Day 150 events take place in two locations:
- Montebello Park: daytime family events, culminating in a free evening concert.
- Rennie Park (designated viewing area): evening fireworks and drone show.
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263 Pelham Rd.
City Council referred an application proposing amendments to the City’s official plans and zoning by-law to permit a four-storey, 45-unit apartment building with 32 surface parking proposed for 263 Pelham Rd. to City staff after hearing concerns during a public meeting.
Shoreline Maintenance Pilot Program
City Council approved a shoreline maintenance pilot program to manage invasive vegetation and address views at select sites along the waterfront. Vegetation will be cut back at four designated locations selected based on community feedback:
- Ann St. and Bayview St.
- Westcliffe Park and trail behind Westgate Park Drive overseeing the marina
- End of Geneva St. (Waterfront Trail)
- Martindale Pond area behind 88 Lakeport Road
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Council directed the City to report back with results from the pilot, including any requirements for ongoing annual maintenance, costs and funding options, in time to implement the program during the spring 2027.
2360 First Street Louth
City Council approved an application proposing amendment to the City’s official plans and zoning that would allow a planned church expansion at 2360 First Street Louth to connect to municipal servicing for the purpose of fire suppression.
SCCIP funding
City Council approved nearly $450,000 in investments for the first two rounds of the 2026 St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program and approved in principle funding recommendations for 2027 and 2028, subject to approval of the City’s Multi-Year Budget.
Read the CIty Council report on our website.
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City pools open for summer June 26
Everybody in! The City of St. Catharines’ outdoor pools are ready for summer and open for the season Friday, June 26.
Everyone is welcome at the City’s three outdoor pool locations:
- Port Dalhousie Pool, large and small pool, 205 Main St.
- Lincoln Park Pool, small pool, 63 Chetwood St.
- Lion Dunc Schooley Pool, large and small pool, 32 Seymour Ave.
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2026 Municipal Election
Voting day for the 2026 municipal council and school board elections is Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. Get ready to participate with our Elections webpage.
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St. Catharines celebrates Arts Awards recipients
The City of St. Catharines celebrated arts and culture excellence and recognized the accomplishments and contributions of the community last week at the 2026 St. Catharines Arts Awards.
St. Catharines announced its 2026 Arts Awards recipients during a special event at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
The 2026 St. Catharines Arts Awards recipients are:
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2026 Arts in
Education Award
Mike Griffin
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2026 Emerging Artist Award
Kosar Dakhilalian
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2026 Established
Artist Award
Jon Shaw
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2026 Patron of
the Arts Award
Anne and John Carruthers
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2026 Jury's Pick Award
Nicole Joy-Fraser
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2026 Making a
Difference Award
Dienye Waboso Amajor
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City celebrates grand reopening of Sunset Beach
A community vision has come to life at Sunset Beach, where extensive improvements have transformed the waterfront destination with new amenities, enhanced accessibility and environmental features designed to protect the shoreline for years to come.
The long-awaited reopening comes after undergoing a $6.9-million renovation project. Guided by the 2019 Sunset Beach Community Vision Study and supported by a $4.4 million grant from the Government of Ontario, this renovation aims to protect, restore and enhance the park while preserving its unique character and natural assets.
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And the winner is...
Mayor Mat Siscoe and Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) Chair Diane Foster presented the Accessibility Matters Here Awards during the City Council meeting on Monday, June 22. Award recipients received a certificate of recognition and a door decal. The decal signals to customers and community members that a business is committed to accessibility, inclusion, and prioritizes equitable access to its spaces and services. The winners were:
- Accessible Employment: Kalsada Coffee Bar, 393 St. Paul St.
- Accessible Built Environment: Westview Centre 4 Women, 17 Gale Cres.
- Accessible Customer Service: {pocket}CHANGE, 393 St. Paul St.
Delivered in partnership with the Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee (JAAC) member municipalities of Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Thorold and West Lincoln, the 2026 awards mark a pilot year of this initiative for the St. Catharines AAC.
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City issues
final 2026 property tax bills
The City of St. Catharines has issued its 2026 final residential and commercial property tax bills. Bills were mailed and made available through the e-Billing portal on June 5, 2026. Property owners who have not received their bill should contact Citizens First at 905.688.5600.
Final tax bill installment due dates are:
- June 30, 2026
- September 29, 2026
The City offers several convenient payment options, including monthly and installment pre-authorized payment plans at no additional cost.
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2026 Trillium Award Nominations now open
Has a certain garden in the neighbourhood caught your eye? Help us give credit where credit is due: nominate beautiful gardens for a City of St. Catharines Trillium Award.
Nominations for the annual Trillium Awards are now open. Residents are encouraged to nominate beautiful front-yard properties until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30. Entry is free.
All St. Catharines properties, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties, are eligible for Trillium Awards.
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City celebrates ‘Old Lock One Commons’
with permanent sign unveiling
On June 9, the City celebrated the official naming of the outdoor public space in Port Dalhousie with a ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the permanent ‘Old Lock One Commons’ sign.
The naming recognizes both the area’s rich history and its ongoing role as a gathering place for residents and visitors. The outdoor event space once served as Lock 1 for the second Welland Canal, which operated from 1835 to 1945. The lock’s stone walls are still visible today and are a focal point of the stage and seating area constructed in 2018.
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'Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression on display until August 14
The City unveiled our group exhibit, “Full Colour: A Celebration of 2SLGBTQIA+ Art and Expression,” on June 5 during our Pride Month celebrations.
View 20 artworks by 15 artists from St. Catharines and across the Niagara Region working in disciplines, including painting, prints, drawings, textiles, and sculpture, to explore the many ways 2SLGBTQIA+ communities express identity, build connection, and imagine new possibilities.
"Full Colour" is on display in the Third-Floor Gallery space at City Hall, 50 Church St. It is available for viewing during regular City Hall business hours, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.
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Explore storied city neighbourhoods on summer walking tours with the Museum
Explore the foundations of our community with a walking tour. These guided walking tours are led by expert museum staff who are filled with stories of the past and take you to where history happened. See the City's built heritage up close and learn more about the history of your neighbourhood.
Museum Summer 2026 Walking Tours include:
- Port Dalhousie: VIllage and Villagers; Friday, July 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Queenston: A Community of Dreamers; Saturday, July 11, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- From "Welland City" to "Merritton": Friday, July 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Port Dalhousie and the Early Welland Canals; Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- What's Brewing in Western Hill? Friday, Aug. 14, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Facer Street: Last of the Old, First of the New; Friday, Aug. 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
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Join the PAC Board!
FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is recruiting new PAC Board Members from across the Niagara region and beyond. This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and impact of one of Niagara’s leading cultural institutions.
Citizen members are being sought with expertise in one or more of the following areas: philanthropic leadership, corporate leadership, regional tourism expertise.
Applications will be accepted until 4pm on Monday, September 28, 2026.
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Discover PAC's new 26 / 27 season
The arts belong here, and so do you.
The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre’s 26 / 27 PAC Presents Season welcomes audiences to experience more than 80 performances across our four venues, bringing together internationally celebrated artists and an incredible showcase of local Niagara talent.
From season opener Crash Test Dummies to Canadian icons Trooper, Big Sugar, I Mother Earth, Men Without Hats, Matthew Good and His Band, and so much more.
Members get early access and can purchase tickets online now. Tickets go on sale to the public starting Thursday July 16 at 10 a.m.
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The Library's Summer Program Guide is here
Summertime at the library is just around the corner. Start planning your season with the Library's Summer 2026 Program Guide now available at all SCPL locations. Pick up your copy during your next library visit or view the digital version on the Library's website.
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