News

Downtown fire update: Queen Street remains closed

A portion of Queen Street in downtown St. Catharines will remain closed for at least the next couple of days, as fire officials work with the property owner on overhaul of the site.

The street has been closed between St. Paul and King streets since Friday night, when St. Catharines Fire Services was called to 17 Queen St. for a fire at the property – a large building that formerly served as the home of The St. Catharines Standard. Work is underway to determine the structural safety of the...

Firefighters extinguish stubborn Queen Street fire

Queen Street remains closed as crews remain on fire watch

After nearly 18 hours of suppression efforts, a fire at 17 Queen St. in the City’s downtown core has been put out by St. Catharines firefighters.

The fire, which started around 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, was finally deemed under control at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, and was declared out around 5 p.m. Crews from St. Catharines Fire Services will remain on scene overnight on fire watch at the building, which was the former home of the St....

Fire services battling Queen Street fire in downtown core

Road closures in place, residents urged to avoid area

St. Catharines Fire Services is on the scene of a large fire at 17 Queen St. in the City’s downtown core, and as efforts to put the fire out continue – and with heavy equipment being called in to support the work of crews - officials are asking residents to avoid the area.

Firefighters were called to the fire, at the former St. Catharines Standard building, at about 11 p.m. on Dec. 5. Crews found a working fire on the upper floor of the...

OLT upholds City’s cost recovery order for Ssonix hazardous waste spill

A recent ruling by the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) will allow the City of St. Catharines to recover nearly $3.7 million from Ssonix Products 2010 Inc. and its officers and directors for emergency environmental cleanup costs following a 2023 explosion and fire at a hazardous waste facility in St. Catharines.

The OLT delivered its ruling Friday, Nov. 21, after hearing an appeal to the City’s Municipal Cost Recovery Order from Ssonix and its directors, Sharon Baker, Steve Baker, and Tyler Baker....

City seeks community input on parks renewal projects

The City of St. Catharines is moving forward with plans to renew four neighbourhood parks, continuing to invest in enhancing community spaces for residents of all ages and abilities. 

Renewal projects are planned in 2026 for Shauna Park, Guy Road Park, Barley Drive Park and Joseph L. McCaffery Park, with proposed renewals to playgrounds, multi-use courts, and other park features. Plans include a new multi-use court (tennis, basketball and ball hockey) and play equipment at Guy Road Park, new...