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

‘You do not strengthen parks by shrinking them’: NOTL will keep disputed Ryerson Park land

Paige Seburn -
A fenced-off piece of waterfront property in Niagara-on-the-Lake that neighbouring homeowners thought was part of their backyard will stay under ownership of the town after council voted against selling the land.

NOTL heritage staff continues to investigate ‘illegal destruction’ of 19th-century schoolhouse

After a developer demolished part of a nearly 200-year-old schoolhouse without the tonw's approval last month, the municipality says it's figuring out its next steps to keep any more destruction from taking place.
Zahraa Hmood -

NOTL Votes 2026: ‘Jill and Joe average’ focus drives Steve McGuinness into council race

Steve McGuinness, a retired Bay Street financial executive, is pitching himself as a financially experienced candidate focused on affordability, growth and protecting the town’s character.
Paige Seburn -

LCBO’s push for Ontario wines big win for NOTL: wineries and growers

As American wine, beer and spirits remain absent from LCBO shelves, the company has expanded its offering of Ontario craft wines and plans to continue doing so amid growing popularity for local brands over the past year.
Zahraa Hmood -

PHOTO GALLERY: Walking on the wild side at NOTL’s spring flower festival

Niagara Now -
Flora and fauna were in perfect harmony this past weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The return of the In Bloom Festival saw many wildlife-themed floral installations pop up across town from Friday to Monday.

The Turner Report: The next ambition of Andrea Kaiser

"Given what’s coming, our lord mayor will also be the sole and only rep at the senior level of government, Niagara Region. Kaiser already knows what that workload amounts to. Being mayor would be extra," writes Garth Turner.
Garth Turner -

Animal group celebrates second year as kitten season pushes shelter limits

Kitten season is here in Niagara, meaning animal shelters are beginning to experience an influx of newborn kittens coming in — some more than they can handle.
Andrew Hawlitzky -

59th annual Virgil Stampede returns this May long weekend

Niagara-on-the-Lake's vibrant summer season is just around the corner, and the community of Virgil is readying to welcome it in with the 59th-annual Virgil Stampede this upcoming May long weekend.
Niagara Now -

St. Davids development debate reignites criticism over approval process

Paige Seburn - 0
A council discussion about sidewalks and traffic in St. Davids has reopened broader criticism from a resident over how the town handles development approvals, such as the Paxton Lane residential development.

Council stalls on what to do with $95K in leftover grant money

Niagara-on-the-Lake approved over $72,000 in community and youth grants Tuesday with relatively little debate, but spent the harder part of the discussion arguing over what to do with the money left behind.
Read more ...

News

Council backs $1 land sale to clear way for NOTL Museum expansion

Paige Seburn - 0
Council backed the sale Tuesday after hearing the parcel of land is only about 11 square metres, landlocked and already occupied by part of the museum building.
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News

NOTL Lawn Bowling Club rolls into 149th season with big plans for 150

Andrew Hawlitzky - 0
What may be Canada's oldest lawn bowling club is heading into its 150th year with one problem: not enough people know this timeless sport exists.
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Local

Green thumbs snap up perennials at Horticultural Society plant sale

An hour before the annual plant sale opened Saturday, shoppers were already queueing outside — by 9 a.m. the line stretched the length of the building, and two minutes later, every hellebore was gone.

What happened to Fort Mississauga after the War of 1812?

"After the War of 1812, Fort Mississauga was garrisoned on a limited and sporadic basis," writes Tony Chisholm. "By 1858, Fort Mississauga had been officially abandoned by the British Army and turned over to the Canadian government."

Discover the secrets behind this provincial park at NOTL Museum’s next lecture

Public historian Sara Nixon will present “Secrets of the Short Hills" on May 21, an evening lecture examining the history and lesser-known stories connected to Short Hills Provincial Park.

Catch the NOTL ambassadors in Old Town, back for their sixth tourism season

Volunteers will greet visitors at the information kiosk beside the courthouse on Queen Street, stroll the heritage district offering directions and recommendations, and staff the courthouse itself from noon to 4 p.m.

Entertainment

Enjoy plenty of laughs and support a good cause at Pink Pearl’s comedy night

Eat, Pink, Drink! Comedy returns Friday, May 15, featuring comedians Frank Spadone, Leonard Chan and Ali Hassan, for an evening of live entertainment in support of the national charitable organization.

NOTL handbell choir rings in 50 years of music magic with anniversary concert

The Niagara Bethany Handbell Choir, one of Niagara-on-the-Lake's longest-running music ensembles, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special concert on Sunday, May 3.

Opinion

Arch-i-text: Autocracy has found a home in Ontario under Ford

"An intelligent man concerned with the welfare of this province’s citizens would come to very different decisions than what is currently occurring at Queen's Park," writes Brian Marshall.

Ross’s Ramblings: NOTL flower fest is what our town is all about

"Polar bears, dolphins, lions, red vested bunny rabbits, caterpillars. And more," writes Ross Robinson. "The sky seems to be the limit as we bloom into the future."

Dr. Brown: Richard Dawkins believes AI may be conscious. Is it?

"For many, it’s AI’s uncanny ability to talk naturally and build relationships with its human users that’s perhaps the most unnerving part, but also for many users, AI’s allure," writes Dr. William Brown.

Entertainment

Sisters show off their renovation skills in reality TV competition

Sisters Marcy and Melissa Mussari put their building and designing prowess to the test as contestants on the new season of Home Network's "Renovation Resort."

Events

Today

News

NOTL Chamber announces finalists for this year’s Business Achievement Awards

The Chamber of Commerce will dole out awards to the winners in eight different categories, including the Lord Mayor’s Award of Excellence for Citizen of the Year, at an awards dinner on May 20.

Local

PHOTO GALLERY: Canada goose family takes in Old Town scenery

With nesting season here for our region's wildlife, locals can expect to see many younglings with their parents out in nature, or wandering the streets — including here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Province clears way for smaller NOTL council in 2026

Niagara-on-the-Lake could still end up with a smaller council in time for the 2026 municipal election after Ontario passed a law Thursday giving the province the power to make the change happen.

NOTL Votes 2026: Vaughn Goettler vows to stave off amalgamation, ‘uncontrolled’ development

Goettler, a longtime entrepreneur turned philanthropist who calls NOTL home, ran in the town's 2022 municipal election for lord mayor opposing the threat of Niagara's amalgamation as one of his key platform points.

News

NOTL Votes 2026: Andrea Kaiser enters the race as town risks losing regional voice

Paige Seburn - 0
Kaiser, who represents Niagara-on-the-Lake on regional council, is running for the town’s top elected job as it faces the possible loss of one of its two seats at the regional table.
Read more ...

NOTL Votes 2026: Weston Miller wants to bring ‘resident-first’ leadership

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Miller, a NOTL realtor who serves as president of the Chautauqua Residents Association, is positioning himself as a candidate focused on residents, quality of life, transparency and carefully managed growth.

From boundary backlash to a fresh start at Crossroads

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After a controversial school boundary change left some families angry and anxious about what came next, students from the St. Davids school visited Crossroads to meet the community waiting for them in September.

New official plan for NOTL pulled after province warns it could strip key policies

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A warning from the province is forcing Niagara-on-the-Lake to rework its long-awaited official plan, with key policies at risk if it’s approved as is.

This year’s planning priorities for NOTL about ‘getting stuff across the finish line’

Niagara-on-the-Lake councillors spent roughly an hour Tuesday arguing over a simple question with big consequences for the town: what planning work should staff focus on in 2026?

Town enforces bylaws against tulip festival on opening weekend

Blue skies brought a smoother opening weekend at TASC Tulip Farm than last year, but a storm is building as the town says the festival is operating in violation of its bylaws.

NOTL reviewing OUTNiagara offer, plans to proceed with its own Pride ceremony

Niagara-on-the-Lake says it is reviewing a new offer of free support for Pride flag raising ceremonies, courtesy of OUTNiagara, but will proceed with its own event as planned.

Explore beautiful backyards in NOTL at Shaw Guild’s annual garden tour

The Shaw Guild is marking a special milestone this June with the 20th anniversary of its annual garden tour, which offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at some of Niagara-on-the-Lake's most beautiful residential gardens.

‘That’s our drinking water’: Shoreline cleanup tracks plastic pollution in Lake Ontario

Persistent plastic litter and microplastics along the Lake Ontario shoreline are driving a summer-long cleanup campaign that launched Saturday at Queen’s Royal Park where 24 volunteers collected 5,640 pieces of litter.

Handbell choir rings in five decades of music by young performers

The Niagara Bethany Handbell Choir marked 50 years in Niagara-on-the-Lake by reuniting youth ringers and alumni who have kept its music and charity work alive.