St. Catharines Fire Services communications centre goes live with Next Generation 911
St. Catharines Fire Services successfully deployed Next Generation 911 on March 4 for its Emergency Communications Centre.
NG911 will not affect how you make 911 calls. Please dial 911 in case of an emergency.
Our adoption of next Generation 911, or NG911, means a more modern, digital system supporting emergency communications to help our communicators and firefighters save lives in St. Catharines, and in our 35 municipal partner fire departments across Ontario for which we provide emergency communications services.
The Ontario government has provided $4,016,982 in funding to support St. Catharines Fire Services’ transition to NG911.
Photo: Hon. Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario, centre, visits St. Catharines Fire Services’ Emergency Communications Centre in January, alongside Deputy Fire Chief Andrea DeJong, left, and Fire Chief Dave Upper, right.
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Council approves Regional Governance Reform motion
Council approved a motion on the issue of Regional Governance Reform.
Council directed City staff to investigate having a referendum on Regional Governance Reform on the ballot for the 2030 election. Council affirmed that the City of St. Catharines will not participate in or support any amalgamation model or decrease of councillors at either municipal level in the absence of direct community consultation and engagement and robust empirical data.
Council further resolved:
- Correspondence be sent on behalf of City Council to ask Regional Chair Bob Gale if there has been any Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing correspondence that governance changes were asked for by the Ontario government before the initial letter was sent out or after, and if there has, that the correspondence be made available to Council; and
- Correspondence be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing requesting that the 2019 report from Fenn and Seiling be released to the public; and
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City staff report back to Council with a summary report on the responses provided through the engagement process on the City-published engagement project, engagestc.ca/Niagara-regional-governance
- Council communicates clearly that municipal governance plans should be presented to councillors, residents and the mayor by the provincial government no later than 2029, a year before the next municipal election, reflecting community input, local priorities, and the long-term interests of the residents of St. Catharines; and
- That decisions related to amalgamations and the number of councillors representing a municipality should be determined by the municipalities, and not by any other body; and
- That Council direct staff to develop and implement a comprehensive public engagement process to gather input from residents, businesses, community organizations, and community partners, which was asked for at the March 2, 2026, meeting, regarding governance options; and
- That this motion be sent to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff, Premier Doug Ford, Regional Chair Bob Gale, and Regional Council.
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Council approves procurement of new City fire trucks
Council approved the single source procurement through Canoe Procurement Group of one Pumper / Tanker from Maximetal Inc. at a total of $1.2 million excluding HST, and one Heavy Rescue from Maximetal Inc. at a total of $1.34 million excluding HST.
St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services’ pumper / tanker and rescue units have reached their 20-year lifecycle benchmark, with increasing downtime and maintenance costs impacting response reliability. The proposed trucks meet National Fire Protection Agency consolidated standards for fire apparatus and are configured to St. Catharines Fire Services operational requirements.
The combined not-to-exceed cost is $2,827,300 within the approved 2026 Capital Budget / multiyear plan.
Photo: A St. Catharines Fire and Emergency Services Pumper / Tanker at the opening last July of Fire Station 2.
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Council awards Parnell Road Reconstruction tender award
Council awarded the Parnell Road Reconstruction tender to low bidder, Rankin Construction Inc., in the amount of $7,447,425 plus HST.
The total overall cost to complete the project is $1,050,000 more than the approved project budget. The shortage in funding is only in the road and water budgets, primarily due to a more complex watermain installation that will be required.
Funds are available for transfer from other approved Capital budget programs.
Council granted approval to use $950,000 from other projects, Bromley Drive., Lake Street Improvements, Adel / Donalda / Dundalk, and Priority Watermain Replacements of the Capital Budget to fund the shortage of available funds for water through a budget transfer.
Council also granted approval to use $100,000 from Lake Street Improvements of the Capital Budget to fund the shortage of available funds for roads through budget transfer.
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Council extends Transition Clause for development projects
Council has approved a Zoning By-law Amendment extending the “Housekeeping Amendment” transition clause for three years, moving the deadline from April 8, 2026, to April 8, 2029.
The change supports eligible development applications. Staff identified 54 projects at various stages of site plan approval that are unlikely to meet the original deadline due to current market challenges, including slow pre-construction condo sales and tighter lending conditions.
Without the extension, these projects would need to redesign plans or seek new zoning approvals. The amendment allows qualifying developments with registered or conditionally approved site plans or development agreements to obtain building permits under the pre-Housekeeping Amendment zoning rules until April 2029.
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2025 St. Catharines Sportsperson of the Year
and Athlete of the Year awarded
From left, Niagara River Lions President Michelle Biskup, 2025 St. Catharines Sportsperson of the Year, and Brock Badgers basketball star Madalyn Weinert, 2025 St. Catharines Athlete of the Year, were recognized during the March 9 St. Catharines City Council meeting. Weinert, who set a variety of records during her time at Brock, recently finished her university career and was named the OUA Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Star for the third straight season, a feat no other player at any university has accomplished. Biskup has been a driving force for the River Lions franchise, which recently captured its second consecutive Canadian Elite Basketball League championship
| | | Spotlight on St. Catharines | | Housing Accelerator Fund powers St. Catharines' building surge | | |
The City of St. Catharines is marking a record year for building permits, with increased housing starts and continued progress supported through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).
During Year Two of its HAF Action Plan, the City issued building permits for 1,025 new dwelling units, exceeding its HAF Year-Two target by 310 units and surpassing its previous nine-year trend by more than 500 units. The City supported 1,001 of those new dwelling units with $4.5 million in HAF financial incentives, including about 900 purpose-built rental units and 43 affordable housing units. Grants supporting accessory dwelling units also remained popular in 2025 with 44 new units approved for incentives.
In 2026, the building boom in St. Catharines continues to build momentum, thanks to the City’s HAF program. In the coming weeks, permits for nearly 500 additional units are expected, with further major projects anticipated later this year.
“The City’s Housing Accelerator Fund program is working and driving measurable increases in housing supply,” said Mayor Mat Siscoe. “The City of St. Catharines is proud to be a Housing Accelerator Fund recipient and grateful for the Government of Canada’s support for our ambitious approach to addressing housing challenges in our community.”
In January 2024, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced it was investing $25.7 million over four years in the City’s plan to boost housing supply in St. Catharines through the Government of Canada’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The federal program provides financial support to municipal governments to expedite development of new homes. The City is awaiting confirmation from the CMHC if it will receive $6.4 million in year-three funding for 2026.
During the first two years of HAF, 2024 and 2025, the City invested more than $12.8 million in HAF funding to implement policy and regulatory reforms, as well as offer financial incentives aimed at driving measurable increases in housing supply. Year One focused on offering fresh incentives and processes to streamline housing approvals, creating the foundation for this year’s successes.
At the halfway mark for the City’s HAF Action Plan, the City is more than halfway to meeting its HAF housing target of 2,382 new dwelling units in four years. Since HAF began in 2024, the City has issued permits for 1,483 new units with 899 units remaining.
“Housing remains a top priority for St. Catharines, and the Housing Accelerator Fund has significantly benefited our community," said City CAO David Oakes. “This federal investment has spurred transformative policy changes and accelerated development through a variety of incentive programs. The impressive results reflect the exceptional dedication of our City staff and the building community, whose combined efforts have turned investments into new residential units, supporting the continued growth of our community.”
In 2025, the City also marked successes on other initiatives outlined in its HAF Action Plan:
- The Municipal Development Corporation (MDC) – established with Year-One funding – began executing its mandate and received five City-owned properties that were deemed surplus
- The MDC executed an agreement of purchase and sale for a phased 800-unit rental development, along with a joint venture to develop a 22-unit rental building
- The City is monitoring sanitation capacity in priority development areas to determine future needs to support growth
- The newly launched Downtown Forgivable Loan Program, intended to create new dwellings in existing vacant spaces downtown, supported 12 new units
- Supporting the City’s Sunset Beach Renovation as a pilot project for green infrastructure, such as bioswales, rain gardens, tree trenches and permeable pavers which, among other things, help improve water quality, reduce flooding and mitigate urban heat impacts. This project will help inform policies and standards to support complete, climate-resilient communities.
This year, the City looks forward to maintaining momentum and achieving even more housing growth in Year Three of its HAF Action Plan, pending confirmation of the third funding installment.
| | Get Engaged with Your City | | | | |
Check out the active projects seeking citizen feedback in St. Catharines and stay tuned to EngageSTC.ca for more projects looking for resident input in the coming weeks.
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Niagara Regional Governance Reform Feedback
The City of St. Catharines is inviting residents to share their feedback and perspectives on regional governance reform in the Niagara Region. This will be collected via the City's engagement platform, EngageSTC.
At its March 2, 2026 special meeting, St. Catharines City Council asked that residents be provided with an easy way to share their voice. All submissions through EngageSTC will be collected and shared directly with Niagara Regional Chair Bob Gale, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, and Members of St. Catharines City Council.
Please visit Niagara Regional Governance Reform Feedback | EngageSTC
to provide your feedback to ensure they are shared with the Regional Chair, Minister, and City Council.
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Happy 150th, St. Catharines!
While our community’s roots are older, St. Catharines was officially incorporated as a City May 1, 1876.
Share your St. Catharines' memories, experiences, and stories.
Sign our online guestbook. Post photos of your favourite spots. Take part in fun polls and trivia. Add your voice and experiences to our 150th celebrations and help us highlight what makes St. Catharines special.
View the project at engagestc.ca/stcatharines150
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The City of St. Catharines is updating its Official Plan (known as the “Garden City Plan”), which provides a long-term vision for land use and development in the City. It guides where we live, work and play.
City Council is hosting a Special Meeting on Monday, April 13 at 6 p.m. in-person at City Hall and broadcast on the City's YouTube channel and on YourTV. The special meeting is a preliminary opportunity to provide comments and to discuss the revisions that may be required to the Garden City Plan.
View the project and ask questions at engagestc.ca/UpdatetheGCP
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City of St. Catharines commissions new Fire and Emergency Services Training Tower
The City of St. Catharines commissioned on March 9 its new Fire and Emergency Services Training Tower, ending a nearly decade-long chapter of City firefighters training in other municipalities and in City buildings.
The new $2.3-million training tower, with $1 million in financial support from the Ontario government, has been built on the footprint of the former tower decommissioned in 2017 on Renown Road overlooking Twelve Mile Creek and Hwy. 406.
St. Catharines Fire Chief Dave Upper expressed excitement for the opportunities the new tower will provide to train the City’s new recruits and current firefighters at home for live fire training, rappelling off buildings and rope training, search and rescue, firefighter survival methods and highrise firefighting procedures.
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2026 Food Truck, Vendor Permit Applications open
The City of St. Catharines is welcoming food trucks and mobile vendors back to city parks and public spaces for another exciting season. Permit applications are now open for businesses keen to bring their unique flavours and signature dishes to some of the city’s most-popular outdoor destinations.
Interested vendors can apply anytime between March 1 and 31 at stcatharines.ca/2026VendorPermit. Spots are limited, so businesses are encouraged to apply early to secure their preferred location.
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Toonie Swims
Sunday, March 22
5 to 6 p.m.
Friday, April 10
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9
2 to 3 p.m.
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
425 Carlton St.
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Evening of Entertainment with The Handsome Devils
Friday, April 10
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Pizza 6:30 p.m.; concert at 7 p.m.
Dunlop Drive Older Adult Centre
80 Dunlop Dr.
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Prepare for registration: new aquatics and recreation program information posted on ActiveSTC on March 10
SAVE THE DATE!
The City posts its new spring aquatics and recreation programs on ActiveSTC starting today, March 10.
Registration for the City’s spring recreation and aquatics programming opens online for residents on Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. at stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTC, while in-person registration for residents opens on Wednesday, March 25 at 8:30 a.m. at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre.
Everyone can register online starting on Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. and then in-person starting on Friday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m. at St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre.
Program registration can at times be competitive and some classes can fill quickly. Register early to avoid disappointment. For more information on program descriptions, registration, and programming highlights, visit stcatharines.ca/ActiveSTCprograms.
Online registration requires an ActiveSTC account. Avoid delays on registration day by creating an ActiveSTC account or updating account information ahead of time. You can also browse programs now and add them to your “Wish List” to easily find them when registration opens.
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Enjoy March Break at the Museum
Paired with our You are Here mapping exhibit, March Break at the Museum will feature two unique kid-focused activities each day exploring historical mapping skills and our sense of place in St. Catharines. Participants will hear stories, create maps, use a surveyor's chain, hunt for treasures, and have fun. Come each day for a new adventure.
March Break Activity Schedule weekdays 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Natural Features, Indigenous Roots, and Place Names
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Mapping the Canals and celebrating the thousands of Irish Labourers who built them and brought along their cultural and musical traditions. (Get ready to sing!)
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A Living City: Surveying Skills and Building a City for Diverse Peoples
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Working and Moving: Mapping Transportation and Industry in St. Catharines
Friday, March 20, 2026
Getting Where We Need to Go, from City Directories to GPS
No registration required. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission by donation.
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Apply for Community Gardens Funding through March 20
Looking to start up a new community garden or grow an existing one? The City offers funding to help community gardens take root.
The City's Community Gardens Funding Program provides matching funds for the capital costs of community gardens in St. Catharines.
Incorporated charities, not-for-profit groups, and unincorporated associations or neighbourhood groups can apply for matching funds from the City to cover up to half of eligible start-up costs. This includes lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and other materials and necessary tools.
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Apply for City Micro Grants for community initiatives, events
Residents: apply for as much as $1,500 in funding to support neighbourhood projects and events during this intake period, which runs from Jan. 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026. This round will fund approved projects and events taking place between June 1, 2026, and Nov. 30, 2026.
The City encourages eligible groups (at least three residents from different households) to consider a variety of eligible projects and events, such as:
- Community workshops ─ such as skill-sharing or learning a new craft.
- Neighbourhood events ─ including music, clothing or book exchanges, arts and crafts, food drives, and more.
- Neighbourhood Summer or Fall Festival.
- Neighbourhood picnics or potlucks.
Eligible expenses include park permits, insurance and project materials. Funding will not be approved for items such as presenter honorariums, donations to charities, or capital costs.
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Apply for small group half sheet ice time with Ice for Five pilot program
Small groups of as many as five skaters can book a half sheet of ice during non-prime hours for just $75 per hour, taxes and surcharges included.
Ideal for small-group training, skill development, or casual skating, Ice for Five offers a personalized experience without the constraints of traditional ice allocations. The pilot program runs through the second quarter of 2026.
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Bedouin Soundclash in concert
Bedouin Soundclash’s debut album Root Fire (2001) received critical acclaim before sophomore album Sounding a Mosaic (2004) sent the band global, culminating in a series of sold-out shows and festival appearances around the world.
See Bedouin Soundclash live with soul singer and songwriter, Clerel, on Monday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
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Tartan Terrors performs
Don't miss the PAC debut of Tartan Terrors, who blend the energy of a rock show with humour and step dance. Tartan Terrors bring a distinctive sound and proud tradition of making Celtic music fun and accessible to any audience.
See Tartan Terror take the stage on Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
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The Snowed In Comedy Tour
An evening of laughter, recognition, and community spirit in support of the upcoming 2026 Dodgeball Ontario Provincial Championships on Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
What started 17 years ago as a wild idea in the middle of a Canadian winter has snowballed into a full-blown national phenomenon — now the biggest comedy tour in Canada. This year, the laughs roll coast-to coast across 70 cities, bringing world-class comedy straight to your backyard.
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Hop Downtown for the Bunny Trail later this month
Spring is almost here, and we’re getting ready to hop into the season in Downtown St. Catharines. Join us on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11 am to 1 pm for the Downtown Bunny Trail. This free, family-friendly Easter event invites kids to explore Downtown, follow the Bunny Trail map, search for a golden egg, and collect treats along the way.
The fun starts at Market Square (91 King St.), where registered participants will check in and receive their trail map before heading out to visit participating businesses. Registration is now full. Join the waitlist at mydowntown.ca/bunnytrail
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Canada's Game in the Garden City
Wednesday, March 11 | 6 p.m. | St. Catharines Public Library Merritt Branch
Hear stories from the early days of pick-up on a frozen Welland Canal to Stan Mikita and the big-league games at the Garden City Arena with Adrian Petry, public historian and Visitor Services Coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum.
Registration required. Register here: Canada's Game in the Garden City - SCPL Events - St. Catharines Public Library
| | Property Tax Due Dates for 2026 | |
Interim Billing
Friday, Feb. 27
Thursday, April 30
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Final Billing
Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday, Sept. 29
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