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Port Colborne Council Chambers

Proclamations

9.1 Mayor Steele proclaimed the month of September 2026 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month and September 9 as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day in the City of Port Colborne. 

9.2 Mayor Steele proclaimed September 21 to 27, 2026 as Rail Safety Week in the City of Port Colborne. 

Mayor’s Report 

Mayor Steele reflected on a productive week for the Port Colborne delegation at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference in Ottawa. The City participated in 16 meetings with provincial ministers, parliamentary assistants, ministry officials, government agencies and consultants. Discussions focused on several key priorities, including next steps for the Water/Wastewater Municipal Services Corporation, capital funding for a community health hub, funding for the rehabilitation of Wharf 18, Port Colborne’s role within an integrated Great Lakes port network, waterfront redevelopment, industrial investment opportunities within the East Side Employment Lands, and increased power supply to support residential and industrial development. He thanked senior leaders from Niagara College and Asahi Kasei for participating in several meetings and recognized Minister Sylvia Jones for her support of the proposed health hub. 

Mayor Steele highlighted the second year of the Port Colborne Public Library’s Ahoy! From Port Colborne Postcards project, which attracted more than 200 participants during Canal Days. Families used props and a green screen to pose in front of four iconic Port Colborne locations before Library staff transformed their photos into digital postcards. Each participating family also received a printed postcard by mail as a keepsake. He thanked the Library, Communications, Museum and Canal Days teams for bringing the creative community project to life. 

Mayor Steele acknowledged the serious concerns raised by Council and residents regarding traffic safety along Highway 3, particularly near Wilhelm Road and Empire Road. He noted that the City had previously asked the Ministry of Transportation to review the intersection and surrounding roadway, which are affected by highway speeds, traffic volumes, the intersection’s configuration and increased seasonal traffic. Following a recent incident, the Niagara Regional Police Service was also notified and advised that the matter was being escalated for further review. Mayor Steele said a follow-up meeting had been scheduled for early October and that the City would continue advocating for a comprehensive review of the area and any potential safety improvements. 

Mayor Steele encouraged residents to attend the final performance of the 2026 Community Concert Series, presented by Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, on Friday, Sept. 11, at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park. Petty Nicks was scheduled to bring the music of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks to the Bandshell, with pre-show activities and food vendors beginning at 6 p.m. and the concert starting at 7 p.m. Admission was free with a non-perishable food item or cash donation to Port Cares. He also highlighted Port Cares’ upcoming 40th Anniversary Soirée in support of the Reach Out Centre, taking place Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Roselawn Centre. 

Mayor Steele thanked the City’s summer students for their contributions across parks and recreation, communications, community services, operations and more. He also recognized the Public Works grounds crew and summer students for installing and maintaining the butterfly gardens outside City Hall, which attracted butterflies and drew the attention of many visitors throughout the summer. 

Mayor Steele recognized the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He remembered the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives, honoured the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, other first responders and civilians who acted courageously, and acknowledged the lasting sacrifices and health impacts experienced by many first responders. He encouraged residents to take a moment to remember those who were lost and the families and communities forever changed by the events of that day. 

Lastly, Mayor Steele reflected on the City’s raising of the Childhood Cancer Awareness flag at City Hall on Sept. 2 in recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. He recognized the strength and courage of children facing cancer and expressed support for their families, caregivers and loved ones. 

Staff Reports 

14.3 a. Council authorized the City Clerk to appoint members to the Niagara Compliance Audit Committee for the 2026-2030 term of Council and make any necessary administrative updates in accordance with the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. 

14.3 b. Council declared the Ward 2 Council seat vacant and approved leaving it vacant for the remainder of the current term. 

14.3 d. Council approved the Gateway CIP Tax Increment Grant for Algoma Central Properties Inc for property located at 1 Lake Street. 

14.3 e. Council approved the Gateway Community Improvement Program Tax Increment Grant for 1338277 Ontario Inc. (Fontaine Transport) and directed staff to bring forward a bylaw authorizing the grant agreement at a future meeting. 

14.3 g. Council approved the purchase of a vacant property on Wellington Street, legally described as Plan 8 Lot 78 PT Lot 77 NP 836 RP59R7627 Part 1, lying between 93 and 83 Wellington Street. 

Receipt of Correspondence Items 

14.4 a. Council received correspondence from MP Fred Davies regarding the Ridgeway Nine.  

14.4 b. Council received correspondence from the Town of Grimsby regarding a request for the Province of Ontario to review and expand its available disaster assistance programs to better reflect the impacts experienced by residents, businesses, farms and municipalities during these events. 

14.4 d. Council received correspondence from the Municipality of Wawa regarding a request for the Province of Ontario to provide immediate and sustained funding to strengthen Ontario's hospital system, including increased operating funding for small and rural hospitals to address capacity pressures, improve patient care, and reduce emergency department wait times. 

14.4 f. Council received correspondence from the Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan regarding a request for provincial legislation amendments, health and safety concerns. 

Items Requiring Separate Discussion 

15.1Council endorsed, in principle, the draft 2026 Water and Stormwater Master Plan and 2026 Pollution Prevention Control Plan for the Wastewater System as the recommended strategies to meet Port Colborne's future servicing needs through 2051 while ensuring the effective management of existing infrastructure assets. 

15.2 Council approved the City of Port Colborne's Multi Year Accessibility Plan 2027-2031. 

15.3  Council accepted the petitions for drainage works related to the Peter Storm Drain. 

15.4 Council supported correspondence from the Town of Ingersoll regarding review of the OLT and enhancing deference to municipal planning decisions. 

15.5 Council supported correspondence from the District of Parry Sound regarding funding for Ontario's public libraries. 

Staff Remarks 

  • Director of Public Works Steve Shypowskyj discussed right-of-way construction scheduled to take place from early October to late November along King Street between Clarence Street and Charlotte Street. The work will include the replacement of all assets from storefront to storefront, including sidewalks, the roadway and trees. During the concrete work, on-street parking will not be available but both lanes will remain open. Roadwork will require alternating periods of single-lane access and full road closures. He also said the Niagara Region’s tunnel crossing project is progressing well, but has resulted in sections of Welland Street, Killaly Street East, and Barrack Road being temporarily filled with stone rather than asphalt. He shared that the Region will replace the asphalt in October. He highlighted the City’s upcoming tree giveaway at the H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park Pavilion on Saturday, September 19 at 10 a.m. Residents will have the opportunity to bring home a tree while supporting Port Cares and the continued growth of Port Colborne’s urban tree canopy. Residents are eligible to receive one tree per household, and are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or make a monetary donation to Port Cares. 

  • City Clerk Charlotte Madden provided an update on the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election, which will be held on Monday, October 26. She encouraged residents to confirm that their information is up to date on the voters’ list by emailing election@portcolborne.ca, calling 905-835-2900 or visiting City Hall in-person at 66 Charlotte Street between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. She also reminded residents that Port Colborne’s ward boundaries are changing for the 2026 election. Residents may confirm their ward using Port Colborne’s interactive map online at www.portcolborne.ca/votes. She noted that staff are available to answer questions or help residents confirm their ward boundaries in person, by email or by calling Customer Service at 905-835-2900. She also shared information regarding advance voting, which will take place on Friday, October 2, Saturday, October 3, and Wednesday, October 14 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Vale Health & Wellness Centre. Eligible electors can also vote by mail by requesting a Vote By Mail Kit online at www.portcolborne.ca/votes or in person at City Hall between September 1 and September 25.  

Councillors’ Remarks 

  • Councillor Bodner discussed an incident at Wyldewood beach area that required an ambulance response. He complimented the flowers displayed throughout the city. He reflected on recent rainfall and asked about proactive drainage inspections. He asked about the City’s approach to tariffs when purchasing large equipment. He reflected on a successful AMO Conference in August, and highlighted the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Cedar Bay, which will take place on November 11. 

  • Councillor Hoyle thanked staff for answering his questions.  

  • Councillor Elliott asked about the upcoming King Street work. He thanked Public Works for assisting with a resident’s water issue. He asked for an update on the Clarence Street relining project. 

  • Councillor Bruno asked for an update on the Clarence Street relining project. He asked about sidewalk accessibility near Helen Street and Steele Street. He thanked the Clerk’s Department for its work during the election period. He thanked Public Works for assisting with a water quality issue.  

  • Councillor Bagu thanked Public Works for assisting a homeowner with an issue. He asked for an update on the traffic signals at Clarence Street and Welland Street. He reflected on his attendance at and the success of the AMO Conference in August. He thanked the Chief Administrative Officer for joining him in a meeting with residents regarding condo assessments. He complimented the downtown flower displays and asked about the annual Touch-A-Truck event. 

  • Councillor Aquilina congratulated Eric Beauregard on his new position with the City of Port Colborne’s Planning Department. She thanked Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services for responding to an incident that took place in the Wyldewood beach area. She reflected on her attendance at the AMO Conference and thanked the Director of Development & Business Enterprises for assisting with the coordination of many delegation meetings.  

Motions 

18.1 Council proclaimed September as "Thank a Farmer" Month in the City of Port Colborne.