Local News Briefs
- Gates Asks Council To Save Greenbelt – Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates and local environmental activist Owen Bjorgan is asking Niagara Falls City Council to do their part to save the Greenbelt from the province’s More Homes Built Faster Act. Although Councillor Mike Strange said statistics indicate Ontario needs 1.5 million homes, Gates said 2 million homes can be built without touching the Greenbelt. (105 The River)
- St. Catharines Endorses Housing Plan – St. Catharines City Council endorsed a plan and steps for how the city will accelerate housing construction to meet the province’s goal of 11,000 housing units by 2031 in St. Catharines. However, the city said they can only facilitate and support housing construction as the city’s involvement is limited to the approval process. (St. Catharines Standard)
- Councillor Wants Code Of Conduct Investigation – Thorold councillor Jim Handley is asking the City to hire external legal counsel to investigate whether the city’s code of conduct needs to be changed. The request is in response to Handley’s pay being suspended for 230 days in 2021 after the integrity commissioner found his behaviour to be in violation of the city’s code of conduct. (Thorold Today)
- Man Dies After Being Hit By Truck – A man in his 30’s has died after being hit by a truck on Highway 20 in Thorold around 10:30 p.m. last night. The incident is under investigation and no charges have been laid. (CKTB)
- LTC Homes Continue With Staffing Issues – Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates says the provincial government has not done enough to fix the staff crisis at not-for-profit, long-term care homes in Ontario. Many LTC homes are understaffed and workers have suffered severe burnout. Gates said staffing agencies are charging homes as much as $150 an hour for a registered nurse and homes are struggling to absorb the additional costs. (Niagara this Week)
