News

City outlines response to province-wide shutdown

With Ontario entering a province-wide shutdown in response to growing COVID-19 transmission, the City of St. Catharines is adjusting operations at facilities and its program offerings, starting on Dec. 26.

“The shutdown measures announced by Province are a necessary measure to protect our community as COVID-19 cases have reached a crisis level in the second wave of the pandemic,” explained Mayor Walter Sendzik. “I am sure this was a difficult decision by Premier Ford – but it is the only way to put...

S’No Parking. S’No excuses!

Every year City snow removal crews work around the clock to clear snow from routes so residents can go about their business. However, this becomes a difficult task when vehicles remain parked on the street during a winter storm event.

S’No Parking is a public safety protocol implemented by the City of St. Catharines that requires residents remove parked vehicles from streets during and after snowstorms. This prohibition has been implemented to allow for more efficient snow removal by City crews.

“Vehicles...

City outlines Red category restrictions on facilities

As the Niagara region has now entered the Red ‘Control’ category of the Province’s Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, the City of  St. Catharines has new capacity limits and restrictions on facilities and programs.

“We are clearly at a tipping point as Niagara has now been placed into the Red zone by the Province,” explains Mayor Walter Sendzik. “If we don’t gain control of the spread of COVID-19 in our community now, further restrictions will be the only option, and no one wants to see...

Chief Administrative Officer announces retirement

Long-term employee and City Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz will retire in July 2021.

In 2017, Ms. Chemnitz became the City’s CAO after years of financial, administrative and leadership experience, previously serving as the Commissioner of Corporate Support Services and City Treasurer. “CAO Chemnitz has been an outstanding leader for our City – especially over the past nine months as we managed our way through COVID-19,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “She rose to the unprecedented challenges...

City to finish year in better fiscal health with Safe Restart funding

Today’s announcement from the Province of Ontario, providing a total of roughly $2.7 million in funding, will ensure the City finishes the year in good financial health, while providing a buffer for COVID-19 impacts on 2021 operations.

Today the Province announced allocations under the federal-provincial Safe Restart — Phase 2 program. In total $2.05 million was allocated under Phase 2 to St. Catharines, based on the City’s year-end 2020 financial forecasts submitted as part of its application in...