The Lake Report: Check out our weekly print edition for Niagara-on-the-Lake here.

NOTL Votes 2026: The business of running a town: Mayoral rivals disagree on the job

Paige Seburn -
At the final meetup of Niagara-on-the-Lake's mayoral candidates before the polls open on election day, Oct. 26, Erwin Wiens, Andrea Kaiser and Vaughn Goettler were divided on a variety of issues, including how a municipality is supposed to be run.

Niagara-on-the-Lake voters at last advance poll before Oct. 26 talk development, planning, patios

Early voting gave some Niagara-on-the-Lake residents peace of mind, while others saw it as an opportunity to make their voices heard ahead of election day.
Julia Sacco -

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Will they betray your trust again?’ Parliament Oak accusation heats up candidate debate

The gloves came off on stage Thursday night when one Niagara-on-the-Lake council candidate accused two fellow candidates, both incumbents, of betraying residents over the Parliament Oak development.
Paige Seburn -

Restrictions lifted, Niagara-on-the-Lake candidates allowed to canvass at long-term care home

As of Wednesday, Oct. 21, candidates had been granted permission to canvass at Radiant Care Pleasant Manor on Friday between 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. following inquiries by The Lake Report.
Julia Sacco -

Editorial: Please vote, but let’s cool the nastiness

Kevin MacLean -
“ While Canada’s right to free expression allows such vigorous debate, we often wish people would pause and rethink their musings before they post publicly,” writes Kevin MacLean.

History familiar and new on display at Doors Open Niagara-on-the-Lake

Sixteen historic and cultural spots in offered free admission for visitors to come in and explore. For some, it was a walk down memory lanes. For others, it was a chance to get to know their community better.
Julia Sacco -

Sports: NOTL phenoms reflect on a season of progress on links

At barely 14, NOTL's Kaige Zhu and Eli Perng already competed in tournaments far more intense and demanding than most recreational golfers will ever experience. But they're just getting started.
Kevin MacLean -

Flight service to connect Niagara District Airport to Toronto Island’s Billy Bishop

Aspen Air Charters is launching scheduled passenger flights taking travellers between the Niagara-on-the-Lake airport and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, with the first batch of flights taking off on Nov. 2.
Niagara Now -

NOTL Votes 2026: School board trustees talk student mental health and responsible spending

Niagara Now - 0
The Lake Report asked more nominees for trustees what their top three priorities are, why they decided to run and what they would like to change or fix at the school board level.

St. Davids florist expands with shop at Clayfield Commons

Bloom & Co. opened its second location this fall at Clayfield Commons in the Village, an area Falconer said she has heard people call "uptown Niagara-on-the-Lake." "Clayfield feels sort of like the little sister to our St. Davids location," she said.
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News

Niagara-on-the-Lake teen to represent Canada in Youth Olympics

Julia Sacco - 0
Seventeen-year-old Nolan Grealy dreams of representing Canada at the Rugby World Cup. His selection for the 2026 Youth Olympics is another step toward that goal.
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News

No ‘A Christmas Carol’ in NOTL this year as Shaw Festival announces holiday shows

Niagara Now - 0
A Christmas Carol will be missing from Niagara-on-the-Lake’s holiday theatre lineup this year, as the Shaw Festival moves its long-running production to Toronto before bringing it home to a larger stage in 2027.
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Local

Concession 7 Road closed for road work part of Modero Estates development

The closure, which started Monday, is for a portion of Concession 7 Road between York and Queenston roads and will last five weeks.

NOTL Votes 2026: Residents talk election: what needs fixing, what’s worth keeping

A hotel next door. A tax bill that makes you question what you’re getting. Parked cars that block your view of the road. For residents who shared their thoughts with The Lake Report, the municipal election comes down to decisions they can feel close to home.

Four years later, Niagara-on-the-Lake voters still concerned about development, taxes and transparency

In its Oct. 13, 2022 election edition, The Lake Report outlined the top issues facing voters, including regional taxes, overdevelopment, tourism management and transparency. Four years later, many of those same concerns remain part of the conversation.

What the numbers tell us about voter turnout in Niagara-on-the-Lake these past two decades

Looking at the participation of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s eligible voters during the last four election cycles, turnout has tended to oscillate between either slightly less than or slightly more than half of the eligible population of electors casting their ballots.

Entertainment

Shaw review: The art of classical music in a century of transformation

"In the 18th century, instability, wars and social change were the norm," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson. "The function of music socially and politically was to represent the social values held by the royals, the aristocrats and the wealthy bourgeoisie."

Shaw review: Veteran stage actors reflect on their unpredictable and ephemeral world

Three longtime Shaw actors, Sharry Flett, Patrick Galligan and Sanjay Talwar, sat down to chat with theatre critic Anthony Chase about their journeys as actors and careers at the Shaw. The result? "They shared a love and total commitment to what they are doing," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Opinion

The Turner Report: When the cranes came to town

"I think we all get that the mouldy 110-year-old George needed to be rebuilt or replaced. But few expected Shaw Inc — the real-estate development company that used to just put on plays — would propose something of this magnitude," writes Garth Turner.

Arch-i-text: Every vote matters. Here’s how to make yours an informed one

"It falls back on us to exercise every effort to choose representatives that are committed to ongoing public consultation, adhering to the direction of their constituents and steadfastly fulfilling the promises they made," writes Brian Marshall.

Opinion: Share the credit, but stand up for NOTL

"Niagara-on-the-Lake needs elected leaders who oppose provincial top-down amalgamation schemes designed to erode local decision-making authority, increase property taxes, and compromise services," writes Wayne Gates.

Entertainment

Shaw review: Uncovering the strides Jewish women made in theatre

"Who were these famous and groundbreaking Jewish women? What did they have to overcome to succeed? What drove them forward? Ambition, drive, resilience for certain," writes Penny-Lynn Cookson.

Events

Today

News

What’s in a name? Candidate says town staff suggested she reverse her surname on ballot

Most people know this lifelong Niagara-on-the-Lake resident as Karen Taylor-Jones. But as a candidate for town council in the upcoming election, she is listed and will appear on the ballot as Karen Jones-Taylor.

Local

No endorsements: NOTL residents’ group won’t tell voters who to choose

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Residents' Association spent weeks putting election candidates in the hot seat. But when it comes to telling voters who deserves a seat at the table, the group is staying out of it.

Commentary: There’s no excuse for not voting in the municipal election

"So, what direction will NOTL voters choose? That’s impossible to predict but what we do know is it has never been easier to exercise your democratic franchise," writes Kevin MacLean.

Look out for migrant workers: Advocacy group puts up new signs, urges drivers to be alert

Giant reflective signs reading “Look Out For Migrant Workers” were installed at the meeting point and four other locations where seven migrant farmworkers have been killed or seriously injured.

News

Air Canada bus link to Pearson adding two more daily departures

Niagara Now - 0
After the launch of a new bus service this year that connects travellers to Toronto from Niagara, the service is set to expand to five from three daily departures starting mid-December, just in time for holiday travel.
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Get to know these historical spots in NOTL during Doors Open on Saturday

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Doors Open Ontario will be hosted in town on Saturday, Oct. 17, with local sites offering free admission to guests to come inside and hear from knowledgeable guides about the living and built heritage of these places.

Last market of the season for a new Garrison Village

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Laura Townsend, director of marketing for the Clayfield Hotel, said moving the market from the Garrison Village parking lot to the new greenspace has reinvigorated the market and attracted new visitors.

Muslim youth group holds 5K for Niagara hospitals

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Rain was in the forecast and Thanksgiving dinner was on the calendar, but a few dozen people still signed up to run or walk for Niagara Health Foundation, which took them on a trek through several parts of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Driver charged after airborne crash into Niagara-on-the-Lake building causes $120K damage

A 27-year-old man is facing impaired and dangerous driving charges after police say his vehicle went airborne and slammed into a building early Wednesday morning, causing an estimated $120,000 in damage.

Road Rally raises $75k for Red Roof, new facility opening in 2027

The annual scavenger hunt event raised $75,000 for the respite care organization, allowing it to comfortably finish the project of rebuild its main facility, set to reopen the start of next year.

NOTL Votes 2026: Busy first advance poll reveals split views on what Niagara-on-the-Lake needs

Some voters came to town hall Wednesday morning convinced Niagara-on-the-Lake needs to change course. Others came because voting early was simply easier. And some came away thinking there is not much to fix at all.

Price is right: The couple behind a $10M Shaw donation who decided to keep Royal George’s name

Timothy and Frances Price have been attending plays at the Shaw Festival since the '80s, the same decade the theatre company expanded to putting on productions at the Royal George on Queen Street. "We enjoyed the town, we enjoyed the plays and the community," said Tim.

Youth take centre stage at Niagara Regional Native Centre’s powwow

Youth took the lead at the Niagara Regional Native Centre’s annual powwow Saturday, connecting culture and celebration. “The powwow is a deep place in connection,” said Lou Davis, one of the event's youth co-ordinators. “I’ve been coming here since I was a fresh newborn and came into this world.”

NOTL Votes 2026: Final council forum gets personal over conflicts of interest

Five candidates seeking a seat on Niagara-on-the-Lake council found plenty to agree on Friday night. Infrastructure needs to catch up. Strong mayor powers should stay on the shelf. Residents should be able to see how councillors vote. And more tourism is not necessarily better. But the harmony did not last all night. The final council candidates forum turned pointed when the discussion shifted to conflicts of interest, with candidates invoking real examples involving sitting councillors, family ties...