Statement from Mayor Siscoe on the passing of Councillor N. Carlos Garcia

December 9, 2024 – It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of Councillor N. Carlos Garcia, a dedicated public servant and a beloved member of our community. Councillor Garcia served as a City Councillor for the Port Dalhousie Ward from 2014 to 2024 and previously held the position of Regional Councillor for St. Catharines. Throughout his time in office, Councillor Garcia was a fierce advocate for his constituents, always striving to make Port Dalhousie and St. Catharines a better place for all of us.

Councillor Garcia was a leader who believed in the power of community and worked tirelessly to champion the causes that mattered most to the people he served. His dedication to issues like the arts, maintaining the heritage of Port Dalhousie and enhancing access to our beautiful Lake Ontario and beaches left an indelible mark on our city.

Councillor Garcia was deeply involved in the arts and culture scene in St. Catharines. He played an instrumental role in supporting the Niagara Jazz Festival, where his passion for music and culture helped shape the festival into an annual event that brings our community together. He was a cherished Board Member on the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre’s Board of Directors and was always advocating for ways to promote, develop and encourage the performing arts in the City of St. Catharines. He also put forward various efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable community, particularly through his work on the Performing Arts Centre’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force, which will continue to inspire us.

Councillor Garcia served with distinction as the Chair of the City’s Budget Standing Committee. In this role, he worked hand in hand with my office to build a budget process that emphasized public consultation, transparency, and accountability. His leadership in ensuring the City’s financial goals were aligned with Council-endorsed strategies will have a lasting impact on our community’s fiscal health and long-term planning.

Councillor Garcia had an enduring love for Port Dalhousie, a place he called home. His deep care for the community was evident in everything he did. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the residents of Port Dalhousie had the services, resources, and opportunities they needed to thrive. His passion for the community and its future will always be remembered. On behalf of the City of St. Catharines and our Council, I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the many lives he touched.

He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of service and dedication to our community will live on.