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News, updates, and so much more…
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Government of Canada launches Canada Greener Homes Grant
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today launched the new Canada Greener Homes Grant, which will help up to 700,000 Canadian homeowners across the country improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their energy bills through an investment of $2.6 billion over seven years.
Homeowners will be able to receive grants of up to $5,000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their primary residences, and up to $600 to help with the cost of home energy evaluations. Eligible home improvements and upgrades include replacing windows and doors, adding insulation, sealing air leaks, improving heating and cooling systems – such as with heat pumps – and purchasing renewable energy systems like solar panels.
The Canada Greener Homes Grant is retroactive to December 1, 2020.
Homeowners can go online to register, plan, and document their progress, which includes applying for their pre-retrofit EnerGuide evaluation, choosing from a list of eligible retrofits, scheduling a post-retrofit evaluation, and applying for reimbursement.
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| COVID-19 UPDATE: OPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS – ROADMAP TO REOPENING |
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Welland, ON – Yesterday, Premier Ford introduced the Roadmap to Reopen the province. This Roadmap is a cautious three-step plan that will allow a safe and gradual reopening of the province based on the provincewide vaccination rate and improvements in key public health and health system indicators.
The Roadmap to Reopen details are available by visiting the Provincial Reopening Ontario website https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario#section-5.
As of May 22 at 12:01 AM the following City of Welland outdoor facilities will be open with restrictions:
· Tennis Courts
· Basketball Courts
o Gaiser Park Basketball Court will reopen Friday. May 28, 2021
· Maple Park Courts, including Pickleball
· Lawn Bowling
· Sports Fields
· Skateboard (BMX) Park
· Outdoor amenities are available for use as Parks Staff will be deploying the remainder of picnic benches to all parks throughout the City in the coming weeks. We caution all residents to ensure they are following all safety protocols.
No outdoor organized sports or recreational classes are permitted at this time and will not resume until we enter Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopen. Splash pads are tentatively scheduled to open on June 14.
Welland Community Wellness Complex will proceed with Spring Block 3 programming, which is set to begin at the start of Step 1 (tentatively June 14). In lieu of cancelling programs we will be following the Step 1 guidelines and taking classes outside. Here is what you need to know:
· Spring Block 3 Programs (June 14-July 10) – Classes will be outside on the grass area by the Canal, or in a designated section of the parking lot. Details will be sent to each class individually regarding class location prior to June 14.
· Summer Block 1 Programs (July 12-August 7) – Registration opens online on Tuesday May 25th at 9:00am, https://wellness.welland.ca/. Details on location have yet to be determined. Classes will be outside at the WCWC or at several City Parks and Pavilions. We suggest you register for your regular programs and if the location does not suit your needs, options will be available.
· Summer Block 2 Programs (August 9-September 4) – Based on Ontario’s Road to Reopen document, Step 3 has the WCWC reopening and welcoming members into the facility. We highly recommend registering for these programs too.
Youngs Sportsplex (570 River Rd.): Youngs Sportsplex indoor and outdoor activities will remain closed until they can safely move into the Roadmap Steps. For more information, visit www.youngssportsplex.com . |
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Applications for Francophone Community Grants Program to open May 27th
The Ontario government announced the application period for the 2021-2022 edition of the Francophone Community Grants Program in support of community organizations, social enterprises and businesses that contribute significantly to the vitality of Ontario’s Francophone community. Applications must be submitted through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal. Applications are open from May 27 to July 15, 2021 and projects must be implemented between Sept 24, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Not-for profit organizations and businesses that serve or target Francophone communities in the province are eligible.
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We’re hiring cooks & kitchen help for our upcoming Summer season!
Interested applicants should send their resume to gnevf@gnevf.pn.
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COVID-19 rapid testing kits for workplaces now available
The governments of Ontario and Canada are making rapid testing kits for businesses available for free via Chambers of Commerce. The GNCC is now distributing kits in the Niagara region in partnership with Great Wolf Lodge. Great Wolf Lodge, located at 3950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, is a member of the Ontario Vaccination Support Council, whose mission is to support public vaccination through partnerships with private businesses. Great Wolf Lodge will be the distribution site for kits throughout Niagara. The GNCC and Great Wolf Lodge are donating their resources and facilities to the administration of this program, which was developed and spearheaded by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
Kits must be ordered at https://gncc.ca/workplace-self-screening-kits/. Online ordering is now available. The GNCC and Great Wolf Lodge are also providing facilities for the safe return and disposal of used tests.
For the safety of staff and volunteers at the site, no kits can be picked up without an appointment. These kits are for businesses with essential employees only and cannot be distributed to the public. Great Wolf Lodge is unable to provide information or book appointments directly.
Studies have suggested that as many as one-third of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, so detecting and isolating asymptomatic carriers is vital to stopping the spread. While PCR testing remains the gold standard, these tests are expensive and must be done in a laboratory, with results taking several days to return.
Rapid antigen test kits can identify a significant number of asymptomatic individuals. When used to test employees in essential workplaces, along with rigorous self-screening, the COVID Alert app, physical distancing and PPE, these tests can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 through workplaces.
Frequently asked questions are answered here.
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Upcoming Events
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, June 1, 5:00pm
Join us for our online Business After 5 series, presented by Meridian. The Featured Member for June is Safari Niagara. |
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, June 3, 8:00am
ENGAGE is a day for young professionals across all industries and sectors to learn, connect, and grow with like-minded individuals across Niagara and beyond. ENGAGE was created by young professionals — for young professionals. |
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, June 8, 12:00pm
Join us for the Annual Meeting of the members. Meet your new Board of Directors and vote on changes affecting the GNCC. Attendance is free for members in good standing of the GNCC.
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, June 24, 1:00pm
Join us for news on COVID-19, vaccination progress and other health updates from Dr. M. Hirji, Medical Officer of Health and Commisioner, Public Health, Niagara Region. |
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Tuesday, May 25, 2021
MEDIA RELEASE
WELLAND’S BELL BOX MURAL PROJECT ARE SEEKING ARTIST PARTICIPATION
Welland, ON – Starting July 2021 artists will paint murals on 17 Bell Canada outdoor utility boxes in Welland, Ontario, as part of the Bell Box Murals Project. The 2021 Welland Neighbourhood Murals are a partnership between the City of Welland, North Welland BIA, and the Bell Box Murals Project.
The Bell Box Murals Project is an independent, community-engaged art program of Community Matters Toronto. Since 2009, Bell Box Mural artists have painted 360 murals on Bell utility boxes in communities Toronto, Southern Ontario and Québec.
The Bell Box Murals Project is an innovative collaboration between private business, community organizations, local artists and local governments that benefits all members of the community.
- Enhances residents’ sense of community
- Replaces graffiti and vandalism with original works of art
- Makes the streets more inviting to residents and visitors
- Provides a public art forum to reflect local culture and heritage
- Creates a public art gallery of local artists that is accessible to everyone
- Provides income and visibility for local artists
Artists are invited to submit an application to paint a mural on one of 17 Bell Canada outdoor utility boxes in Welland.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
· 5:00 pm Friday, June 18, 2021
· For application details please email jryynaqzhenyf@tznvy.pbz
View a map of the locations of all 360 Bell box murals painted since 2009 https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1RviqlVD5rfOPydWE23ESSrB8Zfj6UMKe&ll=43.813770003491506%2C-79.25219419999999&z=7
Bell box mural by artist Poonam Sharma at Pine St and Elizabeth St in Burlington, Ontario, 2020
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Contact:
Michael Cavanaugh
Program Director
BELL BOX MURALS PROJECT
oryyobkzhenyf@tznvy.pbz
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Governmental Financial Support and Resources
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City of Welland
For Immediate Release |
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| WELLAND SPLASH PADS TO OPEN BY THE WEEKEND |
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Welland, ON – The City of Welland is working to open splash pads, following the Province of Ontario’s announcement that these amenities can open effective Saturday, May 22.
Work is already underway to open splash pads and will continue over the coming days. The work involved in readying the splash pads for public use includes setting timers, turning on the water, inspecting each splash pad for safety, identifying hazards, and cleaning.
On Friday, May 28, Staff anticipate Glenwood Park and Chippawa Park splash pads will be fully inspected and approved to open by Niagara Public Heath. The newly installed Memorial Park and Maple Park splash pads will need to be commissioned by the installer and inspected by Niagara Region Public Health. Once all inspections have been completed at Memorial Park and Maple Park, the splash pads will be opened to the public.
The City asks residents to remember while visiting a park, a trail or public square to practice physical distancing and keep two metres (six feet) away from people who are not from the same household. Residents should not use a splash pad if feeling ill. When using a splash pad, residents should practise good hand hygiene and return at another time if the splash pad is crowded.
Splash pads operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are activated through push-button features. Caregivers are reminded to supervise children closely as these water play areas are not supervised by City staff.
For more information on City splash pads and locations, please visit https://www.welland.ca/RecCulture/publicswimming.asp
For immediate alerts, follow the Town on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Contact:
Peter R Boyce, NPD 82
Manager Parks, Facilities and Canal Lands
Community Services Department
905 735-1700 Ext. 3051
crgre.oblpr@jryynaq.pn . |
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Niagara Medical Officer of Health delivers COVID-19 update
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Welland Bridge 13 June Illumination Schedule
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Welcome to the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN)
Working collectively to wipe out poverty in Niagara through education, collaboration and advocacy to address poverty’s root causes.
We are glad you are interested in our network. Here’s a quick overview of what we are all about. You can find more information at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca, or email any questions to vasb@jvcrbhgcbiregl.pn.
Why?
The network evolved in 2011 out of a community-based committee that had an interest in guiding a pool of poverty-reduction grants provided by the Regional Municipality of Niagara. Committee members identified the need for a network to tackle the issue of poverty reduction beyond grant-making because grants are finite but the depth and breadth of the issue of poverty is infinite.
NPRN brings people together from across the region to provide individuals, businesses and organizations with information about poverty’s root causes and the opportunity to take action to address these root causes.
Why should you join NPRN?
Members get access to resources relevant to poverty as well as in-person networking, information sharing and training opportunities.
Support: NPRN offers opportunities for individual, small, or large group work in topics that relates to members personally and/or professionally. Empowerment: Individuals who are affected by poverty often feel a lack of empowerment and this network gives individuals an opportunity to voice their concerns and give their input on issues that impact their lives.vasb@jvcrbhgcbiregl.pn *
Who?
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN) will broadly represent the communities of Niagara, non-profits, government, education, community leaders, the private sector and residents including people with lived experience
NPRN actively encourages the involvement of people who have lived or living experience of poverty. A person with lived experience is defined as: someone who currently has, or previously had, direct first-hand personal experience of being deprived of the resources, means, choices, and power necessary to acquire and maintain economic self-sufficiency and participation in society.
What?
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network (NPRN) works collectively to wipe out poverty in Niagara through education, collaboration, and advocacy to address poverty’s root causes. NPRN is a nonpartisan network but cannot identify as being apolitical because the issues around poverty are political.
Vision – All Niagara residents live above the poverty line
Mission – Niagara residents, businesses and organizations working together to improve the quality of life in Niagara
Values – Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative, Integrity, Accountable
The network depends upon the efforts of everyone to advance its work. For it to flourish, each member must take an active part.
Where?
The work of NPRN takes place in the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the 12 municipalities within this geographic boundary. All components of the community, including neighbourhoods and special interest groups, regardless of where they are in Niagara, are encouraged to participate in the work of NPRN.
When?
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network meets five times per year: January, March, May, September, and November.
How?
NPRN established two goals to direct its work:
More residents, businesses and organizations know about poverty’s root causes. More residents, businesses and organizations are engaged in taking action to address the root causes of poverty. www.wipeoutpoverty.ca.
How can you get involved?
There are a number of ways you can become involved with NPRN, and at any time you may increase your involvement on any issues that may be of interest to you. The opportunities for involvement have varied time commitments, and include:
Participation in our bi-monthly roundtable meetingsParticipation in a Priority or Operations TableParticipation as a person with lived experienceParticipation as a Chair, Vice-Chair, or Member at Large in our Coordinating Committee (as voted by NPRN members) Participation as a corresponding member, receiving information about the work of the Network vasb@jvcrbhgcbiregl.pn.
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Best regards,
Alexis Higginbotham
Executive Director
WDBIA
60 East Main Street
Welland, ON
L3B 3X4
905.736.2884
downtownwelland.ca
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