Local News Briefs – Local Skim St. Catharines

Emergency Act Needs Updating – The Niagara Region is asking the Ontario government to update the Emergency Management Act, which was introduced in 1990. Council says the Act is no longer suitable for situations that were not common when the legislation was introduced, such as declaring a state of emergency on homelessness, the pandemic or cyber threats. (The River)
Skyway Twinning Moves Forward – The Ontario government will be issuing a request for proposals for the Garden City Skyway twinning this spring. Construction on the new 2.2-kilometre-long bridge beside the existing Skyway will commence in early 2025 and will take four years to complete. (Niagara this Week)
Region May Own New Bridge – CNR would like the Niagara Region to assume ownership of the St. Paul Street West bridge over the train tracks once the replacement bridge is built, which is expected to happen sometime next year. CNR is offering the region $1.5 million to take on the responsibility of owning the bridge. The cost of the $14 million bridge replacement is being split between the Region and CNR. (St. Catharines Standard)