Email icon Back to Search
November 12, 2025

Proclamations

6.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed Nov. 25 as “The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” in the City of Port Colborne. He urged all citizens to recognize the day by taking action to support survivors and become part of Ontario-wide efforts to end gender-based violence.

Delegations

8.1 Port Cares CEO Christine Clark LaFleur shared a retirement message with Council.

Mayor’s Report

Mayor Steele discussed the importance of Remembrance Day ceremonies and thanked everyone who attended ceremonies in Port Colborne. He also discussed National Indigenous Veterans Day, which took place Nov. 8. He congratulated Lakeshore Catholic High School on the grand opening of its new Manufacturing and Technology Lab. He thanked students from across the city for submitting their Christmas card designs. He discussed the launch of four new electric vehicle charging stations in the city. He thanked the Grade 9 students who visited City facilities as part of Take our Kids to Work Day on Nov. 5.

Staff Reports

11.3 a. A Stop-Up and Close By-law was approved for a piece of land next to the City Public Works Yard located at 1 Killaly Street West.

11.3 b. Council approved a City-initiated Zoning By-law Amendment to establish definitions and permissions related to short-term rental uses that better align with the City’s recently approved Short Term Rental By-law.

11.3 c. Council amended the draft 2026 User Fees and Charges By-law by replacing Appendix N – Planning and Development Fees with an updated version that now includes fees related to minor by-law amendments.

Items Requiring Separate Discussion

12.1 Council approved proposed architectural designs for the new licensed childcare facility at 76 Main Street West in Port Colborne, as well as a funding model to support both the construction and the ongoing operation and maintenance of the new childcare facility. Council directed the Mayor and City Clerk to execute an Operational Agreement and a Construction Agreement with the YMCA of Niagara, outlining the respective roles, responsibilities, and obligations related to the construction and operation of the new childcare facility.

12.1 a. Council heard a presentation from Emilio Raimondo from Raimondo and Associates about the construction needed for the childcare facility at 76 Main Street West.

Correspondence Items

11.4 e. Council supported a correspondence item from the City of Brantford about provincial support of the Ontario Airport Capital Assistance Program.

Staff Remarks

  • Director of Public Works Steve Shypowskyj discussed the City undertaking master plans for its water, wastewater and stormwater systems. The City will hold a public information session on Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Vale Health and Wellness Centre. He said Public Works has started the installation of road end gates in Ward 4. He said the projects will be completed by the end of the year. 
  • Director of Development and Government Relations Gary Long discussed the province announcing its fall economic statement, as well as the announcement of the federal budget. He said City staff are reviewing both documents to see if there are opportunities to apply for funding. He mentioned conversations related to wharves 18-1, 18-2 and 18-3, which related to previously announced federal funding for the wharves as well as the potential of provincial funding. He mentioned that staff will be submitting a number of ministerial meeting requests for the Royal Ontario Municipal Association Conference that will be taking place in Toronto in January. 
  • CAO Bryan Boles said that Nov. 25 has tentatively been scheduled as the groundbreaking for the new licensed childcare facility at 76 Main Street West. He also mentioned attending a workshop about Geographic Information System (GIS) software and how it can potentially be used to map healthcare data. 
  • Manager of Recreation and Tourism Greg Zwiep thanked the members of the public and Councillors who attended the open house related to the development of the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan. He shared that the annual Lighted Christmas Parade will be held on Dec. 6. at 6:30 p.m. He shared that ice at the arena can be booked for $110 for a family skate from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2. 

Councillors’ Remarks

  • Councillor Bodner thanked the community members who attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Centennial-Cedar Bay Park. He asked about the installation of road end gates. He asked if online information could be created about wharves 18-1, 18-2 and 18-3. 
  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for answering his questions. He asked whether budget rate change information and diagrams would be included in bills when they are sent out in the new year. 
  • Councillor Bruno asked if information could be included with taxpayers’ bills to encourage them to pay online. He said he has been approached by citizens who would like to have a Ward 3meeting. He said the meeting will take place Thursday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Guild Hall at 72 Charlotte Street. 
  • Councillor Bagu announced that the Port Colborne Public Library’s My Dream Borrow projecthas been nominated for the 2025 Minister’s Award for Innovation by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
  • Councillor Aquilina thanked those who attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Centennial-Cedar Bay Park. She thanked Deputy Fire Chief Mark Middleton for attending the ceremony. She mentioned appreciating the location chosen for the Parks and Recreation open house. She thanked the Port Colborne Health Coalition for inviting Councillors to their meeting.