Category: Tom

Get your 2025 calendars ready as the schedule for Town of Fort Erie Council and Committee meetings is available on the Fort Erie website.

Check it out here 👉 https://www.forterie.ca/en/town-hall/council-meetings.aspx

Ready for an epic New Year’s Eve? As you ring in the new year tonight, remember—we’re counting on seeing you in CrystalBeach in 2025!

• Stay safe and if you drive, drive sober!
• Have an unforgettable night and a fantastic start to 2025!

As we approach the holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on its true meaning—love, kindness, and togetherness. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!

Town of Fort Erie Economic Development is once again promoting the community as an off season destination and an enjoyable place to visit in the winter.

Encouraging people (residents and a visitors) to discover the magic of what FortErie has to offer. From cozy retreats and festive events to outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Promoting shop local in our amazing business districts (5) Crystal Beach Business Improvement Area, Downtown Ridgeway BIA,Bridgeburg District, Fort Erie Ontario, Downtown Stevensville and the Garrison Road District.

Earlier tonight, Fort Erie Council addressed the resignation letter from Niagara Health and clarified key points. It is unfortunate that Niagara Health chose to resign from the Community Health Services Committee, citing limited progress. However, several council members and staff highlighted the significant advancements made over the past 2.5 years and decades long frustration with Niagara Health.

“I appreciate the efforts of this council and administration to collaborate with Niagara Health, despite their apparent unwillingness to work with us. I think its time that this council seriously discusses the $3m we have previously committed to the new Niagara South Hospital as they have once again changed the rules” Tom Lewis Ward Five Councillor Town of Fort Erie

To view the recording on the Fort Erie You Tube Channel click here (Conversation starts at time 41:00)

To view the letter Notice of Resignation – Harpreet Bassi, Niagara Health Representative- Community Health Services Committee click here

Fort Erie Radio coverage of the Council Meeting click here

Below is a summary of my comments raised at the Council meeting

I understand that the previous Council made a commitment for local share to the new South Niagara hospital in the amount of $3M.  At the time that Council agreed to that funding, I believe that Niagara Health had outlined a hospital restructuring plan with the three-hospital model, AND the operation of Urgent Care Centres in Port Colborne and Fort Erie.

If that’s the case, we have seen Niagara Health reduce Urgent Care services at both sites from 24 hours to 12 hours – and more recently, have stated their plan to close the UCCs once the new South Niagara Hospital site opens. 

What has changed since this original plan and commitment were made? 

I fully support keeping a promise as long as the rules don’t change – but it seems that they have over time – and I don’t want to be the one requesting that we revisit our $3M local share commitment, but I think we may need to discuss it at some point. 

I understand that decisions may be driven by provincial funding – so if the province needs to increase the funding to operate the new hospital AND keep primary care services in Fort Erie, then we should be supporting each other to achieve THAT goal.

I am hopeful that we can engage the Niagara Health Board in some meaningful discussions on how to either continue operation of the Urgent Care Centre or find a viable AND funded alternative to provide primary care to Fort Erie residents and visitors.  And if we need to advocate for them to remain fully funded by the Province to operate a much needed, state of the art hospital for our emergency and acute care needs, without reallocating our UCC funding, then we should be working collaboratively on that.

Niagara Health has a listening problem. What’s missing is we don’t have partner

I would also like to know how much in operational savings there has been for Niagara Health since the hours were reduced.

What Fort Erie/the committee has done in the last 2.5 years?

There is more work to be done and we will continue forward and remain open to Niagara Health participation on the Committee

• Terms of Reference updated in 2023
• Hosted initial meeting of all Fort Erie Family Physicians (70%)
• Surveyed Family Physicians re:  community needs to inform the Committee’s work
• Assisted with 2023 Expression of Interest for Interdisciplinary Care Teams put out by Ministry of Health
• Government Advocacy at AMO, ROMA and through on-going GR efforts
• Updated Physician Recruitment, Retention Policy (Incentive Program)
• New Investment in REACH Niagara – reinvestments with Pathstone Youth Mental Health & Memory Clinic
• Regular meetings with Ministry Staff, Ontario Health West, Niagara OHT/ESON, Niagara Health to discuss Fort Erie Health Service needs and potential models
• Meetings with NOHT/ESON to support 2024 EOI submission for increased primary care support services
• Hosted Family Physician meetings with guests from NOHT & Niagara Health
• Visit from Federal Minister of Health and MP Badawey
• Soon to launch resident survey re:  primary care as part of data collection
• Physician recruitments efforts with specific efforts focusing on repatriation of Canadians working abroad and/or attracting international trained physicians
• 3 Physicians recruited since 2022 (Dr. Hamma, Dr. Sharma & Dr. Bharti)

Tonight Council received Report IS-06-2024 regarding the Farr Avenue Traffic Calming for
information purposes, and Council directed staff to include the cost of Farr Avenue Traffic Calming Trial Measures in the 2025 budget, for consideration.

For More details click here

Recently, I asked TOFE Council to support a pilot project to allow for Kayaks and Paddle Boards at the Bay Beach public beach facility. I am happy to report that I was successfully in achieving this goal and thank TOFE Council and Staff for their support in making this happen for the 2024 season.

The TOFE has now updated the website to reflect the changes at Bay Beach and posted a survey. The survey will up until the end of the 2024 beach season to capture all feedback.

You can find additional information on this page: https://www.forterie.ca/en/recreation-and-culture/beach-rules.aspx

You can also find a Let’s Talk Fort Erie page with the survey there as well. https://letstalk.forterie.ca/stand-up-paddle-boards-use-at-bay-beach

The Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) advising that the appeal filed by a citizens group called the Fort Erie Neighbourhood Preservation Group (OLT OLT-24-000248 and OLT-24-000249) regarding both the Town of Fort Erie’s Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment for Short Term Rentals (01-2024 and 02-2024) was dismissed on June 6, 2024, following Royal Assent of Bill 185.

Anyone with questions concerning this matter can be directed to the following Email: OLTGeneral.Inquiry@Ontario.ca or Phone: (416) 212 6349 or toll free (866) 448 2248

For more information on Fort Erie Short Term Rentals visit click here

If you are looking to obtain a Short Term Rental Licence click here

Tonight Council received Report CAO-10-2024 regarding the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training Workplan and proposed next steps for information purposes.

The purpose of this report is to provide an information update on the status of the EDI training
workplan and facilitated next steps to strengthen EDI competencies of all Town employees,
Town Council, with support from the Fort Erie Diversity and Inclusion Coalition. As part of the
facilitated training, the creation of an on-going training plan and an EDI Action Plan for
embedding inclusion will be developed for all facets of the organization.

The Town of Fort Erie’s decision to oppose a development proposal along its historic waterfront properties on Erie Road was upheld by the Ontario Land Tribunal.  On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) dismissed an appeal to amend the Town of Fort Erie’s Zoning By-law (No. 129-90) sought by Crystal Bay Cottages Inc. to permit the redevelopment of their property at 4409 Erie Road in the community of Crystal Beach. The proposal requested a rezoning of the property from its current Waterfront Residential (WR) zoning to allow eight new housing units to be built.

On March 20, 2023, The Council of the Town refused the Zoning By-law Amendment (“ZBA”) on the basis that:

• the proposed development was not compatible with the character of the surrounding established residential neighbourhood,
• this traditional neighbourhood is outside the development area and was not envisioned for infilling and intensification,
• and the proposed development did not provide for adequate open space on-site.

This led the developer to appeal the decision through the Ontario Land Tribunal.

“The decision by OLT Member Smith recognizes the importance of Council insisting that development projects reflect our vision for growth in our community. That vision includes setting policies that follow provincial policies and legislation but, more importantly, that require new developments to complement the existing area and benefit the community.”

– Fort Erie Mayor, Wayne Redekop

“I am delighted to hear about the recent decision from the Ontario Land Tribunal, which acknowledged the concerns of the community, local council, and town staff and understood this proposed project’s true nature and impact. We must ensure that our community’s growth is harmonious with the needs and aligns with our vision for our growing community.”  
– Ward 5 Councillor, Tom Lewis

The Town of Fort Erie has supported housing development and growth, identifying “Sustainable and Managed Growth” as a key pillar in its Corporate Strategic Plan. The Town recognizes the importance of balancing community vision, neighbourhood compatibility, mixed housing needs, and housing growth as realities to address housing needs in the community—but it must be done with a sustainable, responsible, and managed approach. The Town of Fort Erie has been supportive of gentle densification and intensification in certain areas of the community, in accordance with Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act.

“Growth may be inevitable, but the type, the amount and location of growth must be balanced and compatible with the community’s vision and their needs.  We are very pleased with the Ontario Land Tribunal decision that reinforces that communities are best suited to make planning decisions about compatibility, density and location of growth that is both manageable and responsible.”

-Chris McQueen, Chief Administrative Officer

The Town’s population is estimated to increase by 12,600 new residents by 2041. As such, the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan (CBSP) was developed to accommodate approximately 1,100 new residential units through select infilling and general intensification of vacant or underutilized properties and redevelopment in specific locations throughout Crystal Beach.  The town facilitated extensive public consultation and engagement on their way to developing the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan, which was approved in 2023 by the Ontario Land Tribunal. The waterfront in Crystal Beach was not identified as an area for intensification in the CBSP to preserve and protect the natural character of these unique waterfront neighbourhoods.

” I am very pleased with the Ontario Land Tribunal’s decision on this matter. The decision aligns with the Town’s Official Plan policies and the vision outlined in the Crystal Beach Secondary Plan (CBSP). It also preserves and protects the character and identity of the neighbourhood.”

– Anamika Dilwaria, Director, Planning and Development Services