Joan Christensen - Councillor, Ward 4, Town of Fort Erie

09/04/2026

The last long weekend of summer 2026 starts tomorrow evening! The Crystal Beach End of Summer Parade. The last minute school shopping. Maybe a day at the Beach or our shops or the Old Fort or just to relax ......

Just so you know, Town Hall is closed until Tuesday, September 8th. Contact info if you need help for Town matters is described below.

Have a safe and happy Labour Day weekend. Town Hall will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026. We will reopen Tuesday, September 8, 2026. To report fallen trees, road and sidewalk maintenance issues, blocked catch basins or sewer back-ups, please call 905-871-1600 to access our 24-hr (after-hours) line. To report power outages, please call Canadian Niagara Power at 905-871-0330. For emergencies dial 911.

08/25/2026

The Mayor's Roundtable on Homelessness brought an eclectic community of service providers, Town and Regional staff and others, including members of Council to talk about the growing number of people living unhoused in Fort Erie.

Held at the request of Casa El Norte, the Roundtable asked participants to identify service gaps, support needs to acquire housing and barriers. Among the latter is the absence of data and reliance on anecdotal information about the number of people, where they are and their individual circumstances.

With the rising cost of housing, the challenge of "seeing" people who have no home is more complicated. People with jobs may be living out of a truck or RV. Families with few resources do likewise. Other people sofa-surf, moving from one friend to another.

Services are limited in Fort Erie, with most resources and access coordination focused in other parts of Niagara. Niagara Regional manages housing, homelessness and income support programs but the problem becomes visible first at the local level.

A report on the Roundtable presentations and discussions will be provided at a later date.

08/22/2026

Members of Council returned from a busy few days at the AMO Conference following meetings on Tuesday with Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants. AMO provides us with an excellent opportunity to present the Town's position on several keys issues as well as to "make an ask" for support or funding.

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Honourable David Piccini
- The discussion focused on opportunities to establish a skills training site in Fort Erie's expanding aeronautical industry with appropriate support from the Ministry.
- Following Monday's meetings, there was a further mention of Council's vision for reimagining the Douglas Memorial site, including the potential for post-secondary healthcare services training. Upon being told about the potential closure of Douglas Memorial, the Minister expressed shock that Fort Erie, with its population and growth rate should be facing the complete closure of its healthcare facility.
- The "ask" focused on provincial support for capital funding to provide local services training in post-secondary institutions, retro-fitting to repurpose Town facilities and purpose-built health facilities, and training equipment for industry-specific training (e.g. aerospace).

Ministry of the Solicitor General, Honourable Michael S. Kerzner, Solicitor General
- The discussion focused on the challenges of international water rescue on Lake Erie and along the Niagara River. Minister Kerzner is familiar both with Fort Erie and with the Town's superb volunteer Fire Department.
- We asked for consideration of funding to support water rescues and expansion of recently announced provincial funding for police and border control marine craft to include qualified Fire services.

Ministry of Natural Resources
Parliamentary Assistant Dawn Gallagher Murphy
- In this last in-person meeting at AMO 2026, we started by thanking PA Gallagher Murphy for the province's $4.5M support of the beachfront watermain replacement project in Ward 4 along Colony Road, Windmill Point Lane and Staniland Park Road.
- Joined by NPCA Chair Rob Foster and Vice-Chair John Metcalfe, the Fort Erie Council representatives advocated for a coordinated and systems approach with key interested parties, partners, shoreline residents and multiple levels of government on key projects:
-- The Erie Beach Park.
-- Shoreline protection to address catastrophic, weather-related damage.
-- The Lake Erie Coastal Resiliency Project (where the Town and the NPCA are collaborating to find relevant funding opportunities).
-- Using the federal/provincial Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program to address the impact of climate change along the shoreline. We suggested that extending this program beyond 2028 would support municipalities facing the threat of coastal flooding events.

The Tuesday highlight at AMO is the appearance of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This year, the session was opened by a lively discussion of municipal infrastructure funding challenges among a panel of experts and the Mayor of London, Ontario. They all agreed that a stable, strategic source of long-term funding (i.e. not based on "project funding" with applications that effectively compete for funding) would be ideal (if not likely in the foreseeable future).

I hope that the meetings will result in favourable consideration and more importantly, bring Fort Erie additional resources to build our capacity to meet community needs.

08/18/2026

For those who want a say in the future shape and look of Fort Erie - visit the Community Planning Permit System and Urban Design Guidelines Open House at the Leisureplex from 5 to 7 this evening (August 18th).

Join us tonight for our Community Planning Permit System and Urban Design Guidelines Public Open House.

Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: Town Hall Atrium
1 Municipal Centre Drive, Fort Erie, ON

The Town of Fort Erie is developing a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) and Urban Design Guidelines (UDGs) to help shape future growth and development within the Town.

We invite residents, property owners, businesses, developers and other interested parties to attend a Public Open House to learn more about the project, review the draft directions, and provide feedback.

The Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is a development approval tool authorized under the Planning Act that combines zoning, site plan control, and minor variance approvals into a single streamlined process.

The Urban Design Guidelines (UDGs) will establish design expectations to help create attractive, functional, and sustainable development that reflects the Town’s vision for its communities.

Additional information about the CPPS and UDGs is available at: https://bit.ly/45vxLQR

08/18/2026

On Sunday, Councillors Nick Dubanow, George McDermott and I drove to Ottawa together for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario 2026 Conference. There, we were joined by Mayor Wayne Redekop and Councillor Tom Lewis.

AMO is the organization that represents the collective interests of Ontario's regional and local municipalities. It advocates the importance of strong and effective municipalities as part of Ontario's and Canada's political system.

The conference gives us a chance to speak face-to-face with government Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants on key issues that are affecting Fort Erie. Here, we can promote Fort Erie's interests and ask for consideration of particular projects.

Monday was busy, with five meetings:

Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Honourable Graham McGregor
- We talked about the importance of streamlining archeology processes that involve several ministries and can result in significant costs for small projects.
- We asked that the MInister consider a pilot project for his proposed framework using the Catherine Street pumping station and Niagara Boulevard properties.

Ministry of Red Tape Reduction, Parliamentary Assistants Joseph Racinsky and Loga Kanapathi
- We again spoke of the need to streamline archeology processes and noted our previous discussion with Minister McGregor.
- We emphasized the opportunity to reduce red tape in a significant area of concern for all municipalities who are dealing with appropriate management of Indigenous sites and artifacts.

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Parliamentary Assistant Billy Denault
- Several areas of discussion highlighted Fort Erie's interest in PA Denault's portfolio:
- the potential for the Destination Niagara initiative to help realize the potential of this part of Niagara (location on the Canada/US border, natural heritage, historic landmarks, sandy beaches, etc.
- appreciative of the renewed 5 year FE Race Track funding and advocated for an extended agreement that increases the chance of investment in the horse breeding, training and farm industries that support it.
- supported the Niagara Parks investment in the Miller's Creek Marina and advocated of ongoing support
- asked for support of the Town's Official Plan preferred realignment of the Niagara to GTA (NGTA) corridor to support residential and business/employment development.
- requested support for a vision of the Town as a dynamic, purpose-built destination focusing on archeology and Fort Erie's remarkable history.

Ministry of Infrastructure, Parliamentary Assistant Amarjot Sandhu
- PA Sandhu was aware of the Town's application under the Development Charge Reduction Program and we used the opportunity to speak of the track record of Niagara's nine smaller municipalities as housing leaders.
- We also mentioned our "reconsultation process" that aims to discuss "unlocking" stagnant but approved development plans, the NGTA corridor and the need to modify the archeology assessment process.
- We expressed appreciation for funding received for projects such as the $4.05M beachfront watermain project award.
Finally, we spoke of the Douglas Memorial Reimaging Project and asked for provincial support to confirm a capital funding pathway for primary and community care plus direct continued operation of the facility.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Parliamentary Assistant Paul Vickers
- We described work underway to diversity trade, attract investment and grow tourism through a pilot relationship with Accadia, Italy (heart of the Puglia Region) similar to the one between Caledon and Isola del Liri. The model would provide a two-way opportunity for production, processing and trade in the agricultural businesses of rural Ontario,

08/11/2026

Thank you to the Town of Fort Erie firefighters who fought to save a heritage building that means so much to former Ridgeway Crystal Beach High School students, teachers and parents.

Installment due dates for the 2026 final tax bill for Commercial & Industrial. July 31, 2026 and Sep 29, 2026. Tax notices were mailed on June 9, 2026. For Tax Info Visit

08/08/2026

Planning ahead for September? Enjoy a great lunch with some country rock 'n' roll on the 15th at noon at Legion 71, 130 Garrison Road.

Sponsored by the Town of Fort Erie Senior Citizens' Advisory Committee, tickets are sale Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th at Town Hall.

See below for more details!

08/01/2026

What a beautiful day to visit the shops of Ridgeway! Anchored by our Farmers Market across from the Village Square, they offer unique shopping and eating experiences. Welcome to our historic Village!

08/01/2026

Three Fort Erie manufacturing businesses receive a total $2.7 million in funding through the Fed Dev Ontario program! Congratulations!

Federal Funding Announcement includes 3 Fort Erie businesses.

The Government of Canada (FedDev Ontario) has announced over $11.3 million in funding for 13 Niagara Region businesses through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative.

Three Fort Erie businesses are among the recipients:

Black Creek Metal Inc. – $700,000 to expand capabilities through facility upgrades, advanced equipment, and improved production efficiency.

Canada Perforating Inc. – $1 million to acquire advanced machinery and strengthen domestic production and local supply chains.

CMI Heavy Industries – $1 million to increase heavy machining capabilities and production efficiency through new advanced equipment.

This is a positive announcement for Fort Erie's manufacturing sector and highlights continued investment in local businesses, stimulating the local and regional economy.

You can access the official announcement here: Government of Canada investments to help Niagara Region businesses adapt and drive innovation - https://www.canada.ca/en/economic-development-southern-ontario/news/2026/07/government-of-canada-investments-to-help-niagara-region-businesses-adapt-and-drive-innovation.html

07/18/2026

Good basic dental care is important to your children's future. For every tooth lost in childhood, there's an adult who's ashamed to smile. There's a senior who can't eat solid food and loses strength to do daily activities. Dental care means independence, employment and likeability. Call SFEN to get an appointment!

HEY PARENTS - the Dental CLINIC is coming to Town and its free for children 0-17. Worried about a toothache?Wondering about a cavity? Want your child's teeth to be cleaned and checked? BOOK AN APPOINTMENT-see poster . SFEN bringing resources to you ! Neighbours helping neighbours because FORT CARES.