Revision as of 06:10, 29 January 2007 editYankees76 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers11,648 edits →City Issues: +{{fact}}← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 18:47, 9 January 2025 edit undoMagnolia677 (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers138,987 edits Undid revision 1268424234 by LyingOnlyMakesItWorse (talk) This should be added to the Meridian Centre article, not the city article.Tag: Undo | ||
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{{About|the Canadian city|other uses|St. Catharines (disambiguation)}} | |||
<!-- Infobox begins -->{{Infobox City | |||
{{Use Canadian English|date=March 2015}} | |||
|official_name = City of St. Catharines, Ontario | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} | |||
|nickname = The Garden City | |||
{{More citations needed|date=June 2022}} | |||
|motto = Industry and Liberality | |||
{{Infobox settlement | |||
|image_skyline = | |||
| |
| name = St. Catharines | ||
| |
| official_name = City of St. Catharines | ||
| settlement_type = ] (]) | |||
|image_flag = stcatsflag.jpg | |||
| |
| nickname = The Garden City, St. Kitts, St. Cats, The Kitts | ||
| |
| motto = Industry and Liberality | ||
| image_skyline = File:St. Catharines Downtown Centre-ville de St. Catharines (23904737637).jpg | |||
|mapsize = | |||
| |
| image_caption = Downtown St. Catharines | ||
| image_flag = Flag of St. Catharines, Ontario.svg | |||
|subdivision_type = Country | |||
| flag_size = 120x100px | |||
|subdivision_type1 = ] | |||
| image_shield = Coat of arms of St. Catharines, Ontario.svg | |||
|subdivision_type2 = ] | |||
| |
| shield_size = 100x90px | ||
| |
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of St. Catharines, Ontario.svg | ||
| blank_emblem_type = Logo | |||
|subdivision_name2 = ] | |||
| |
| blank_emblem_size = 75px | ||
| image_map = StCatsNiagaraOn.png | |||
|leader_title1 = Governing body | |||
| map_caption = Location of St. Catharines and its ] in Ontario | |||
|leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |
| pushpin_map = Canada Southern Ontario | ||
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of St. Catharines in Southern Ontario | |||
|leader_name = ] | |||
| coordinates = {{coord|43|09|30|N|79|14|45|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}} | |||
|leader_name1 = ] | |||
| subdivision_type = Country | |||
|leader_name2 = ]<br>] | |||
| subdivision_type1 = ] | |||
|leader_name3 = ]<br> ] | |||
| subdivision_type2 = ] | |||
|established_title = Settled | |||
| subdivision_name = ] | |||
|established_title2 = Incorporated | |||
| |
| subdivision_name1 = ] | ||
| subdivision_name2 = ] | |||
|established_date2 = 1845 | |||
| |
| leader_title = Mayor | ||
| |
| leader_title1 = Governing body | ||
| leader_title2 = ] | |||
|TotalArea_sq_mi = 37.5 | |||
| |
| leader_title3 = ] | ||
| |
| leader_name = ] | ||
| |
| leader_name1 = ] | ||
| leader_name2 = ], ], ] | |||
|WaterArea_sq_mi = | |||
| leader_name3 = ], ], ] | |||
|area_water_percent = | |||
| |
| established_title = Settled | ||
| established_title2 = ] (town) | |||
|UrbanArea_sq_mi = | |||
| established_title3 = Incorporated (city) | |||
|area_metro = | |||
| established_date = {{start date and age|1779}} | |||
|MetroArea_sq_mi = | |||
| established_date2 = {{start date and age|1845}} | |||
|population_as_of = 2001 | |||
| established_date3 = {{start date and age|1876}} | |||
|population_note = | |||
| area_footnotes = <ref name="cp2021"/><ref name="cp2011"/><ref name="cp2011-PC"/><ref name="cp2011-CA"/> | |||
|population_total = 129,170 | |||
| |
| area_total_km2 = | ||
| |
| area_land_km2 = 96.20 | ||
| |
| area_water_km2 = | ||
| area_water_percent = | |||
|population_density_mi2 = 3,445.2 | |||
| |
| area_urban_km2 = | ||
| |
| area_metro_km2 = | ||
| |
| population_as_of = 2021 | ||
| population_footnotes = <ref name="cp2021">{{cite web |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=st%20catharines&DGUIDlist=2021A00053526053&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |title=St. Catharines, Ontario census profile |publisher=]|website=] |access-date=7 September 2021 }}</ref><ref name="cp2011">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Geo2=CD&Code2=3526&Data=Count&SearchText=Catharines&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=St. Catharines, Ontario (Code 3526053) census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |website=] |access-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130718170303/http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Geo2=CD&Code2=3526&Data=Count&SearchText=Catharines&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |archive-date=18 July 2013 }}</ref><ref name="cp2011-PC">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=POPC&Code1=0788&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Catharines&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=St. Catharines – Niagara (Population Centre), Ontario (Code 0788) census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |website=] |access-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318235831/http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E |archive-date=18 March 2014 }}</ref><ref name="cp2011-CA">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMA&Code1=539&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Catharines&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |title=St. Catharines – Niagara (Census metropolitan area), Ontario (Code 539) census profile |publisher=Statistics Canada |website=] |access-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144909/http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMA&Code1=539&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Catharines&SearchType=Contains&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> | |||
|utc_offset_DST = | |||
| population_total = 136,803 (]) | |||
|latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS= | |||
| population_metro = 433,604 (]) | |||
|longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW= | |||
| |
| timezone = Eastern (EST) | ||
| |
| utc_offset = −5 | ||
| |
| timezone_DST = ] | ||
| |
| utc_offset_DST = −4 | ||
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="climate">{{cite web | |||
}} <!-- Infobox ends --> | |||
|publisher = ] | |||
|url=ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717213354/ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/ |archive-date=2020-07-17 | |||
'''St. Catharines''' (2001 population 129,170; 2005 metropolitan population 396,900, 2006 estimated population 134,996) is the largest city in the ] in southern ], ], with 97.11 ]s (37.5 ]) of land. It lies 51 ]s (32 ]) south of ] across ] and is 19 kilometres (12 mi) inland from the international boundary with the ] along the ]. It is the northern entrance of the ]. | |||
|title = St Catharines Power Glen | |||
|website = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 | |||
|access-date = 15 September 2013 | |||
}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
| elevation_m = 97.80 | |||
| postal_code_type = Forward Sortation Area | |||
| postal_code = ] | |||
| area_code = ] | |||
| blank_name_sec2 = GDP (St. Catharines–Niagara {{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}}) | |||
| blank_info_sec2 = ]17.4 billion (2020) <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610046801 | title=Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by census metropolitan area (CMA) | date=December 6, 2023 }}</ref> | |||
| blank1_name_sec2 = GDP per capita (St. Catharines–Niagara {{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}}) | |||
| blank1_info_sec2 = ]37,505 (2016) | |||
| blank_name = ] | |||
| blank_info = {{jcon|Hwy|QEW}}<br>{{jcon|Hwy|406}}<br>{{jcon|Hwy|58}} | |||
| website = {{URL|stcatharines.ca}} | |||
| footnotes = | |||
}} | |||
'''St. Catharines''' is the most populous city in Canada's ], the eighth largest urban area in the province of ]. As of 2017, St. Catharines has an area of {{convert|96.13|km2|mi2}} and 140,370 residents. It lies in ], {{convert|51|km|mi}} south of ] across ], and is {{convert|19|km|mi}} inland from the ] along the ]. It is the northern entrance of the ]. ] are known as ''St. Catharinites''. St. Catharines carries the official nickname "The Garden City" due to its 1,000 acres (4 km<sup>2</sup>) of parks, gardens, and trails. | |||
St. Catharines carries the official nickname "The Garden City" due to its 1,000 ]s (4 km²) of meticulously groomed parks, gardens and trails. | |||
St. Catharines is between the ] (GTHA) and the Canada–U.S. border at ]. Manufacturing was the city's dominant industry, as noted by the heraldic motto, "Industry and Liberality". ], the Canadian subsidiary of ], was the city's largest employer, a distinction now held by the ]. THK Rhythm Automotive, formerly ], operates a plant in the city, although in recent years, employment there has shifted from ] and manufacturing to services. | |||
St. Catharines lies on one of the main telecommunications ] between Canada and the |
St. Catharines lies on one of the main telecommunications ] between Canada and the United States, and as a result a number of call centres operate in the city. It is designated an Urban Growth Centre by the ], intended to achieve a minimum density target of 150 jobs and residents combined per hectare by 2032 or earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://placestogrow.ca/images/pdfs/ggh2017/en/growth%20plan%20%282017%29.pdf|title=Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2017|website=placestogrow.ca|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406152024/http://placestogrow.ca/images/pdfs/ggh2017/en/growth%20plan%20%282017%29.pdf|archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> | ||
St. Catharines is also home to ]. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
=== Early history === | |||
]The city was first settled by ] in the 1780s. The first settlers, Sergeant Jacob Dittrick and Private John Hainer of ], came to the area where Dick's Creek met Twelve Mile Creek. Dick's Creek was named after another early settler, Richard Pierpoint, a native of Bundu (now part of Senegal). Pierpoint was commonly known as Captain Dick. This part of the settlement eventually became the centre of town. Native trails were used as travel routes, resulting in present day radial road pattern from the city centre. | |||
The ] speaking ] peoples who were also known as the "people of the deer" lived in the region. The Chonnonton would grow vegetables like corn, beans, and squash while living in ]. In 1647 the ] conquered Chonnonton villages from east of the Niagara River. The ] then destroyed the villages in the 1650s. After these attacks and smallpox epidemics, the Chonnontons disappeared completely, with the last recorded appearance of them in 1671 by French explorers.<ref name="The Canadian Encyclopedia 2022">{{cite web | title=St. Catharines | website=The Canadian Encyclopedia | date=2022-03-30 | url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/st-catharines#:~:text=Indigenous%20Peoples,the%20Grand%20and%20Niagara%20rivers. | access-date=2023-05-26}}</ref> | |||
St. Catharines falls within the original territory of the ]. A treaty signed in 1782 between the Mississaugas and the British government ceded a large tract of land, which included the St. Catharines area, to the Crown for the purpose of European settlement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shanahan |first1=David |title=Between the Lakes Treaty |url=https://anishinabeknews.ca/2019/12/07/between-the-lakes-treaty/ |website=Anishinabek News |access-date=7 January 2023}}</ref> St. Catharines was settled by ] in the 1780s. The Crown granted land in compensation for services and for losses in the United States. Early histories credit the Loyalists Serjeant Jacob Dittrick and Private John Hainer as among the first settlers to come to the area in 1790.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Boyle |first1=Terry |title=Memories of Ontario : a Traveller's Guide to the Towns & Cities of Western Ontario |date=1991 |publisher=Cannon Books |isbn=9780969525110 |page=163}}</ref> They took their Crown Patents, where Dick's Creek and 12 Mile Creek merge, which is now the city centre of St. Catharines. Historians have speculated that Dick's Creek was named after ], a ] and former American slave, from an oral history account and events that had taken place around that time that would be consistent with him being the source of the name.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Alun |title=RICHARD PIERPOINT AND THE NAMING OF DICK'S CREEK |url=https://brocku.ca/social-sciences/geography/wp-content/uploads/sites/152/Richard-Pierpoint-and-the-Naming-of-Dick%E2%80%99s-Creek.pdf |website=Brock University |access-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> Secondary to water routes, indigenous trails provided transportation networks, which resulted in the nearby radial road patterns.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=John |title=The Welland Canals and Their Communities |date=1997 |publisher=] |isbn=9780802009333 |page=123 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o-sI64yldu4C |access-date=2 August 2022}}</ref> The surrounding land was surveyed, and ownships were created between 1787 and 1789.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/Building-and-Renovating/resources/Documents/Yates-Street-District-Study.PDF|page=12|date=1994|title=Yales Street and Area District Conservation District Study|publisher=City of St. Catharines}}</ref> | |||
The first business, a goods storehouse owned by Robert Hamilton, was established around 1783. The first mill, Crown Mills, was opened in 1786. The surrounding land was surveyed, and townships created, between 1787 and 1789. The small settlement was known at the time as "The Twelve". | |||
After the ] disbanded in 1784 and settled the area, Duncan Murray, as a former quartermaster in the ], was appointed by the Crown to distribute free government supplies (victuals) for two years to the resettled Loyalists.<ref>National Archives of Canada RG 19 Vol 4447 Parcel 3</ref> He did this from his mill, built on the 12 Mile Creek in ]. After his death in 1786, his holdings were forfeited to the merchant Robert Hamilton of Queenston, who tried to operate for profit the well-established Murray's Distribution Centre and Mill under the management of his cousin. Among other ventures, Hamilton became land wealthy by expropriating lands from subsistence Loyalist settlers who were incapable of settling their debts.<ref>Wilson, Bruce (1983). ''The Enterprises of Robert Hamilton''</ref> Murray's distribution centre, later Hamilton's warehouse, and its location have long been a mystery. Hamilton's major profits were derived from transhipping supplies for the military and civic establishments from his ] enterprise, not from charitably supplying the subsistence Loyalist settlers. Hamilton lacked interest in social development<ref>Wilson, Bruce (2000){{cite web |url=http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2447&&PHPSESSID=elh9h7koc2m9fno702vclrpbb2 |title=Hamilton, Robert |access-date=2010-11-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017062529/http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2447&&PHPSESSID=elh9h7koc2m9fno702vclrpbb2 |archive-date=17 October 2012 }}</ref> and sold his business to Jesse Thompson before the turn of the 19th century. | |||
In 1797, the first ] was built by Thomas Adams, located on the east side of Ontario Street next to what is now St. Paul Street. It became a community meeting place and stagecoach rest stop. In 1798, "The Twelve" became known as "Shipman's Corners", after the inn's new owner, Paul Shipman. According to some sources, St. Paul Street - the main route in and out of the city at the time - was named after him as well. | |||
]; ] attended this church while she lived in St. Catharines.]] | |||
]As '''Shipman's Corners''', the town was visited by ] during the ], en route to warn ] of the advancing Americans. She was travelling with her niece Elizabeth Secord, but Elizabeth was exhausted at that point and ceased her journey there. Laura Secord continued on to warn Fitzgibbon successfully. | |||
The Merritt family arrived after this time and was among the later Loyalists to relocate after the American Revolution. They were from the ], ], and ]. In 1796, Thomas Merritt arrived to build on his relationship with his former Commander and ], ], who was now the ].<ref name=":0">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/biographyhonwhm00merrgoog|page=|title=Biography of the Hon. W. H. Merritt, M. P.: Of Lincoln, District of Niagara, Including an Account of the Origin, Progress and Completion of Some of the Most Important Public Works in Canada|publisher=E. S. Leavenworth, book and job printing establishment|last1=Merritt|first1=Jedediah Prendergast|year=1875}}</ref> The first ] was constructed from 1824 to 1833.<ref>{{cite web |title=First Welland Canal 1824-1833, The |url=https://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/plaques/first-welland-canal-1824-1833 |website=Ontario Heritage Trust |access-date=20 November 2022}}</ref> ] worked to promote the ambitious venture by raising funds and enlisting government support. The canal established St. Catharines as the hub of commerce and industry for the ]. Merritt played a role in making St. Catharines a centre of ] activity. In 1855, the ]; was established at the corner of Geneva and North Streets on land granted to the congregation by Merritt in the early 1840s. The area became known to refugee slaves from the United States as a place of "refuge and rest;" it was a destination, one of the final stops in Canada on the ] for African-American refugees fleeing slavery. The abolitionist ] then lived in St. Catharines.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.harriet-tubman.org/house/|title=Harriet Tubman House|publisher=Harriet Tubman Historical Society|access-date=18 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-04-21/harriet-tubman-and-her-connection-small-church-ontario|title= Harriet Tubman and her connection to a small church in Ontario|publisher=]|access-date=18 March 2020}}</ref> By the mid-1850s, the town's population was about 6,000, of whom 800 were of African descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7151954-st-catharines-museum-marks-black-history-month|access-date=21 February 2017|title=St. Catharines museum marks Black History Month|date=21 February 2017 |publisher=Niagara This Week|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107114910/https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/7151954-st-catharines-museum-marks-black-history-month/|archive-date=7 November 2017}}</ref> St. Catharines remains an important place in ] history. | |||
At an unknown early date, an inn was built by Thomas Adams on the east side of what is now Ontario Street. It became a community meeting place, election centre, stagecoach stop, and mail delivery deposit. That had been preceded by the church and a log school house completed before 1797,<ref>Ontario Historical Society, Papers & Records Vol. XXXVI (1975), "The Petition of John Hainer and Jacob Dittrick, page 201" and Upper Land Petitions " H " Bundle 3, 1797 (National Archives of Canada RG1 L3 Vol. 224)</ref> all on the east bank of the 12 Mile Creek, at the extreme west end of what was then known as Main Street. It was an extension of the old ] and was renamed St. Paul Street by the settlers and their descendants by the mid-19th century. Later, several mills, salt works, numerous retail outlets, a ship building yard, distillery, and various other businesses were developed. | |||
In 1808, the first name "St. Catharines" appeared for the first time on a survey, named after Robert Hamilton's wife, Catharine Hamilton. In 1817, the post office was established with the name "St. Catherines" (sic), but by 1821, the name was officially "St. Catharines". | |||
Incorporated as a village in 1845, St. Catharines had a population of about 3,500 in 1846. The primary industry was flour milling. Other industry included ship repairs, four grist mills, a brewery, three distilleries, a tannery, a foundry, a machine, and a pump factory. There were a variety of tradesmen, three bank agencies, and eight taverns. Stage coaches offered service to other towns and villages. There were already six churches or chapels, a post office that received mail daily, a grammar school, and a weekly newspaper.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=SMITH'S CANADIAN GAZETTEER – STATISTICAL AND GENERAL INFORMATION RESPECTING ALL PARTS OF THE UPPER PROVINCE, OR CANADA WEST|url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. ROWSELL |pages=–178}}</ref> | |||
The first ] was constructed from 1824-33 behind what is now known as St. Paul Street, using Twelve Mile and Dick's Creek. ] worked tirelessly to promote the ambitious venture, both by raising funds and by enlisting government support. The canal established St. Catharines as the hub of commerce and industry for the ]. | |||
St. Catharines was incorporated as a city in 1876.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/news/index.aspx?newsId=bfc0acec-a450-4bc1-9f1f-09d335d03cb4 |title=Party in place to help City celebrate its 144th birthday |date=April 27, 2020 |publisher=City of St. Catharines |access-date=October 27, 2021}}</ref> The city expanded when it annexed ], ], and ]. There was some westward expansion, which was divided between St. Catharines and ].<ref name="Gayler">{{cite web |last1=Gayler |first1=Hugh |last2=Jackson |first2=John |title=St. Catharines |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/st-catharines |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
Merritt would also play a role in making St. Catharines an important place of ] activity. In 1855, the ] and Salem Chapel was established at the corner of Geneva and North streets, on land granted to the congregation by Merritt in the early 1840s. The area became known to escaped slaves as a place of "refuge and rest", and cemented it as the final terminus on the ]. | |||
=== Origin of name === | |||
The Town of St. Catharines was incorporated in 1845. St. Catharines was incorporated as a city in 1876. | |||
Before it was called St. Catharines, the settlement near Twelve Mile Creek was known by various names, including Shipman's Corners and The Twelve.<ref name=":0" /> The name St. Catharines was first recorded in 1796, as St. Catherines, and became a common name for the settlement by 1809, but it would often be spelled with ''-er-'' or with an apostrophe before the ''-s''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Jackson|first=John N.|title=Jackson, John N. St. Catharines, Ontario: Its Early Years.|publisher=Mika Pub. Company|year=1976|location=Belleville, ON|pages=134–139}}</ref> The name and the spelling were standardized as St. Catharines when the town incorporated in 1845.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Alun|date=September 2008|title=The Evolution of St. Catharines as a Municipality|url=https://brocku.ca/social-sciences/geography/wp-content/uploads/sites/152/The-Evolution-of-St.-Catharines-as-a-Municipality.pdf}}</ref> The Catherine after which the city is named is unclear. Common theories include ],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why St. Catharines with two "a's" ? · So Many Catharine's · Brock University Library|url=https://exhibits.library.brocku.ca/s/so_many_catharines/page/introduction|access-date=2021-10-17|website=exhibits.library.brocku.ca}}</ref> Catherine Butler (wife of ],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Keefer|first=Thomas C.|title=The old Welland canal and the man who made it / foreword by Mrs. Margaret Hamilton Alden|publisher=The Print Shop|year=1920|location=St. Catharines|pages=4–15|chapter=Forward: A Man and his vision—an appreciation of the Projector of the Welland Canal and the Founder of the City of St. Catharines"}}</ref> and Catherine Askin Hamilton (wife of ]).<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 10, 2021 |title=History of the City |url=https://www.stcatharines.ca/en/governin/HistoryOfTheCity.asp |access-date=October 17, 2021 |website=www.stcatharines.ca}}</ref> Catharine Rodman Prendergast Merritt, wife of William Hamilton Merritt, may be the source of the -ar spelling.<ref name=":1" /> An alternate theory to explain the spelling was that Catharine with an ''-ar'' was the typical spelling of the name for ] settlers in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Professor asks: how did St. Catharines get its name?|url=https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/3300960-professor-asks-how-did-st-catharines-get-its-name-/|access-date=October 17, 2021|website=NiagaraThisWeek.com|date=31 March 2006 |language=en-CA}}</ref> | |||
==Geography |
==Geography== | ||
===Climate=== | |||
] | |||
St. Catharines' climate is ] (] borderline ''Dfa''/''Dfb'').<ref name=Peel>{{cite journal |author=Peel, M. C. and Finlayson, B. L. and McMahon, T. A. |year=2007 |title=Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification |journal=Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=1633–1644 |doi=10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007 |bibcode=2007HESS...11.1633P |url=http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |issn=1027-5606 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203170339/http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1633/2007/hess-11-1633-2007.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2012 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It has a unique ] because of the moderating influence of ]/] and the sheltering effect of the ] to the south. This climate allows wineries to flourish.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/AboutOurCity.asp?_mid_=26335 |title = About Our City |publisher = City of St Catharines |access-date = 22 September 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151017102949/http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/experiencein/AboutOurCity.asp?_mid_=26335 |archive-date = 17 October 2015 }}</ref> As a result, the city records numerous frost-free days and frequent thaws in the winter, although it sometimes receives heavy ] during certain wind conditions, and micro-cooling lakeside on some spring afternoons. The summer season is predominantly warm, sometimes hot and humid, with an average high temperature of {{convert|27|°C|°F}} in July. Summer thunderstorms are commonplace but generally less prevalent and less severe than farther west in southern Ontario due to the diminishing effect of the surrounding lakes. | |||
St. Catharines enjoys a unique ] because of the moderating influence of ] and ] and the sheltering effect of the ] to the south. As a result, the city can record a large number of frost-free days in the Winter. The summer season is pre-dominately hot and humid, with the average temperature peaking at 27°] (81°]) in July, but can feel closer to 40 °C (104 °F) with the ] factor. | |||
The highest temperature ever recorded in St. Catharines was {{convert|40.0|C|0}} on 10 July 1936.<ref name="St. Catharines"/> The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-25.7|C|1}} on 18 February 1979.<ref name="CCN1"/> | |||
The complex and extensive glacial history of the ] has resulted in similarly complex soil ] in the area occupied by the city today. St. Catharines was once at the base of a glacial lake known as ], which deposited thick layers of clay between the Escarpment and Lake Ontario. As a result of these factors, the city's soil is particularly conducive to fruit growing and is capable of producing grapes that are used to make award-winning wines. Three wineries operate in the city's west-end: Henry of Pelham, Hernder Estates and Harvest Estates. | |||
{{Weather box | |||
Since the opening of the first ] in 1829, the city has seen four different canal systems, whether modified or newly constructed, carved into its geographical landscape. The fourth and present-day canal forms the majority of the city's eastern boundary. The first three of the city's canals have largely been buried, portions of it beneath the present-day ] and ]. Other remnants of the original canals can still be seen in various locations throughout the city, many of which are hidden within forested areas designated as city parks. There has been a growing movement in recent years to restore the original routing of the Welland Canal through the city. The restored waterway and locks would be open to pleasure craft and create a new tourist attraction within the city. | |||
| location = ], 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1911–present{{efn|Extreme high and low temperatures were recorded at St. Catharines (January 1911 to May 1971) and at ] (June 1971 to present).}} | |||
| metric first = Y | |||
| single line = Y | |||
| Jan maximum humidex = 20.8 | |||
| Feb maximum humidex = 20.2 | |||
| Mar maximum humidex = 29.3 | |||
| Apr maximum humidex = 34.5 | |||
| May maximum humidex = 43.5 | |||
| Jun maximum humidex = 44.5 | |||
| Jul maximum humidex = 46.1 | |||
| Aug maximum humidex = 49.4 | |||
| Sep maximum humidex = 42.0 | |||
| Oct maximum humidex = 39.0 | |||
| Nov maximum humidex = 27.1 | |||
| Dec maximum humidex = 25.0 | |||
| year maximum humidex = 49.4 | |||
| Jan record high C = 20.0 | |||
| Feb record high C = 19.4 | |||
| Mar record high C = 26.7 | |||
| Apr record high C = 32.2 | |||
| May record high C = 35.0 | |||
| Jun record high C = 36.1 | |||
| Jul record high C = 40.0 | |||
| Aug record high C = 38.3 | |||
| Sep record high C = 36.7 | |||
| Oct record high C = 31.1 | |||
| Nov record high C = 26.8 | |||
| Dec record high C = 21.9 | |||
| year record high C = 40.0 | |||
| Jan high C = −0.3 | |||
| Feb high C = 0.9 | |||
| Mar high C = 5.5 | |||
| Apr high C = 12.4 | |||
| May high C = 19.5 | |||
| Jun high C = 24.4 | |||
| Jul high C = 27.1 | |||
| Aug high C = 25.8 | |||
| Sep high C = 21.6 | |||
| Oct high C = 15.1 | |||
| Nov high C = 8.4 | |||
| Dec high C = 2.5 | |||
| year high C = 13.6 | |||
| Jan mean C = −3.8 | |||
| Feb mean C = −2.9 | |||
| Mar mean C = 1.1 | |||
| Apr mean C = 7.4 | |||
| May mean C = 13.7 | |||
| Jun mean C = 19.0 | |||
| Jul mean C = 21.9 | |||
| Aug mean C = 20.8 | |||
| Sep mean C = 16.6 | |||
| Oct mean C = 10.4 | |||
| Nov mean C = 4.6 | |||
| Dec mean C = -0.9 | |||
| year mean C = 9.0 | |||
| Jan low C = −7.4 | |||
| Feb low C = −6.8 | |||
| Mar low C = −3.3 | |||
| Apr low C = 2.2 | |||
| May low C = 7.9 | |||
| Jun low C = 13.4 | |||
| Jul low C = 16.6 | |||
| Aug low C = 15.7 | |||
| Sep low C = 11.6 | |||
| Oct low C = 5.6 | |||
| Nov low C = 0.8 | |||
| Dec low C = −4.2 | |||
| year low C = 4.4 | |||
| Jan record low C = −23.8 | |||
| Feb record low C = −25.7 | |||
| Mar record low C = −21.1 | |||
| Apr record low C = −15.0 | |||
| May record low C = −4.4 | |||
| Jun record low C = 1.0 | |||
| Jul record low C = 6.1 | |||
| Aug record low C = 2.6 | |||
| Sep record low C = 0.0 | |||
| Oct record low C = −7.0 | |||
| Nov record low C = −13.9 | |||
| Dec record low C = −24.4 | |||
| year record low C = -25.7 | |||
| Jan chill = -42.0 | |||
| Feb chill = -34.6 | |||
| Mar chill = -28.3 | |||
| Apr chill = -19.7 | |||
| May chill = -2.9 | |||
| Jun chill = 0.0 | |||
| Jul chill = 0.0 | |||
| Aug chill = 0.0 | |||
| Sep chill = 0.0 | |||
| Oct chill = -8.3 | |||
| Nov chill = -18.9 | |||
| Dec chill = -28.0 | |||
| year chill = -42.0 | |||
| precipitation colour = green | |||
| Jan precipitation mm = 65.2 | |||
| Feb precipitation mm = 54.9 | |||
| Mar precipitation mm = 61.7 | |||
| Apr precipitation mm = 77.0 | |||
| May precipitation mm = 76.8 | |||
| Jun precipitation mm = 85.9 | |||
| Jul precipitation mm = 77.8 | |||
| Aug precipitation mm = 70.3 | |||
| Sep precipitation mm = 90.6 | |||
| Oct precipitation mm = 67.0 | |||
| Nov precipitation mm = 81.6 | |||
| Dec precipitation mm = 71.5 | |||
| year precipitation mm = 880.1 | |||
| rain colour = green | |||
| Jan rain mm = 30.8 | |||
| Feb rain mm = 28.9 | |||
| Mar rain mm = 39.3 | |||
| Apr rain mm = 71.2 | |||
| May rain mm = 76.3 | |||
| Jun rain mm = 86.0 | |||
| Jul rain mm = 77.8 | |||
| Aug rain mm = 70.3 | |||
| Sep rain mm = 90.6 | |||
| Oct rain mm = 67.0 | |||
| Nov rain mm = 72.1 | |||
| Dec rain mm = 44.0 | |||
| year rain mm = 754.2 | |||
| snow colour = | |||
| Jan snow cm = 38.6 | |||
| Feb snow cm = 29.3 | |||
| Mar snow cm = 23.2 | |||
| Apr snow cm = 5.8 | |||
| May snow cm = 0.4 | |||
| Jun snow cm = 0.0 | |||
| Jul snow cm = 0.0 | |||
| Aug snow cm = 0.0 | |||
| Sep snow cm = 0.0 | |||
| Oct snow cm = 0.1 | |||
| Nov snow cm = 9.6 | |||
| Dec snow cm = 30.1 | |||
| year snow cm = 137.1 | |||
| unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm | |||
| Jan precipitation days = 16.5 | |||
| Feb precipitation days = 13.4 | |||
| Mar precipitation days = 13.3 | |||
| Apr precipitation days = 13.9 | |||
| May precipitation days = 11.5 | |||
| Jun precipitation days = 10.9 | |||
| Jul precipitation days = 9.8 | |||
| Aug precipitation days = 9.7 | |||
| Sep precipitation days = 10.9 | |||
| Oct precipitation days = 11.8 | |||
| Nov precipitation days = 14.1 | |||
| Dec precipitation days = 15.2 | |||
| year precipitation days = 150.7 | |||
| unit rain days = 0.2 mm | |||
| Jan rain days = 5.8 | |||
| Feb rain days = 5.8 | |||
| Mar rain days = 8.4 | |||
| Apr rain days = 12.4 | |||
| May rain days = 11.5 | |||
| Jun rain days = 10.9 | |||
| Jul rain days = 9.8 | |||
| Aug rain days = 9.7 | |||
| Sep rain days = 10.9 | |||
| Oct rain days = 11.8 | |||
| Nov rain days = 12.1 | |||
| Dec rain days = 8.1 | |||
| year rain days = 117.0 | |||
| unit snow days = 0.2 cm | |||
| Jan snow days = 12.3 | |||
| Feb snow days = 9.1 | |||
| Mar snow days = 6.5 | |||
| Apr snow days = 2.4 | |||
| May snow days = 0.05 | |||
| Jun snow days = 0.0 | |||
| Jul snow days = 0.0 | |||
| Aug snow days = 0.0 | |||
| Sep snow days = 0.0 | |||
| Oct snow days = 0.10 | |||
| Nov snow days = 3.0 | |||
| Dec snow days = 9.4 | |||
| year snow days = 42.7 | |||
| Jan humidity = 73.0 | |||
| Feb humidity = 67.7 | |||
| Mar humidity = 62.9 | |||
| Apr humidity = 57.6 | |||
| May humidity = 55.9 | |||
| Jun humidity = 58.1 | |||
| Jul humidity = 57.5 | |||
| Aug humidity = 59.0 | |||
| Sep humidity = 60.5 | |||
| Oct humidity = 64.5 | |||
| Nov humidity = 69.1 | |||
| Dec humidity = 71.9 | |||
| year humidity = 63.1 | |||
| Jan sun = 64.5 | |||
| Feb sun = 106.8 | |||
| Mar sun = 140.5 | |||
| Apr sun = 166.5 | |||
| May sun = 242.3 | |||
| Jun sun = 279.9 | |||
| Jul sun = 277.6 | |||
| Aug sun = 255.3 | |||
| Sep sun = 185.0 | |||
| Oct sun = 155.2 | |||
| Nov sun = 80.5 | |||
| Dec sun = 69.3 | |||
| year sun = 2023.4 | |||
| Jan percentsun = 22.2 | |||
| Feb percentsun = 36.2 | |||
| Mar percentsun = 38.1 | |||
| Apr percentsun = 41.5 | |||
| May percentsun = 53.3 | |||
| Jun percentsun = 60.9 | |||
| Jul percentsun = 59.6 | |||
| Aug percentsun = 59.1 | |||
| Sep percentsun = 49.2 | |||
| Oct percentsun = 45.2 | |||
| Nov percentsun = 27.5 | |||
| Dec percentsun = 24.7 | |||
| year percentsun = 43.1 | |||
| source 1 = ]<ref name="CCN1">{{cite web | |||
|publisher = ] | |||
|url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4683&lang=e&province=ON&provSubmit=go&page=101&dCode=0 | |||
|title = St Catharines Airport, Ontario | |||
|website = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 | |||
|date = 31 October 2011|access-date = 16 February 2015 | |||
|url-status = live | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150217070944/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=4683&lang=e&province=ON&provSubmit=go&page=101&dCode=0 | |||
|archive-date = 17 February 2015 | |||
|df = dmy-all | |||
}}</ref><ref name= "CCN2">{{cite web | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| url = ftp://ftp.tor.ec.gc.ca/Pub/Normals/English/ONT/ONT_OWEN-WARR_ENG.csv | |||
| title = St Catharines Airport, Ontario | |||
| website = Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 | |||
| access-date = 16 February 2015}}</ref><ref name="St. Catharines">{{cite web | |||
|publisher = ] | |||
|url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1961_1990_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=st+catharines&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=989&dispBack=0 | |||
|title = St Catharines | |||
|website = Canadian Climate Normals 1961–1990 | |||
|date = 9 February 2011|access-date = 1 July 2016 | |||
|url-status = live | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160816174448/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1961_1990_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=st+catharines&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=989&dispBack=0 | |||
|archive-date = 16 August 2016 | |||
|df = dmy-all | |||
}}</ref> | |||
| date = February 2012 | |||
| source = | |||
}} | |||
The complex and extensive glacial history of the ] has resulted in similarly complex soil ] in the area occupied by the city today. St. Catharines was once at the base of a glacial lake known as ], which deposited thick layers of clay between the Escarpment and Lake Ontario. As a result of these factors, the city's soil is particularly conducive to fruit growing and is capable of producing grapes that are used to make wines. Three wineries operate in the city's west end: ], Hernder Estates and Harvest Estates. | |||
===Major parks=== | |||
*] - Ontario's first provincial park, it is located in the Southwest portion of the city along the Niagara Escarpment. | |||
Since the opening of the first Welland Canal in 1829, the city has had four different canal systems, whether modified or newly constructed, carved into its geographical landscape. The fourth and present-day canal forms the majority of the city's eastern boundary. The first three of the city's canals have largely been buried, portions of it beside the present-day ] and near Lake Street and the QEW highway. Other remnants of the original canals can still be seen in various locations throughout the city; many remains are hidden within forested areas designated as city parks. Some residents in the region are interested in restoring the original routing of the Welland Canal through the city. They intend that the restored waterway and locks would be open to a new tourist attraction within the city. | |||
*Burgoyne Woods - A 122-acre (0.5 km²) wooded area and recreational park located near the Downtown core. | |||
St. Catharines was affected by the ], an event which resulted in more than 150 cm of snow, wind that travelled the speed of 110 km/h, and a wind chill of approximately -45 degrees Celsius. The ] (QEW) was closed and a state of emergency was declared. The ] was involved in rescue efforts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roy |first1=Cathy |title=Niagara's recent storm kindles memories of Blizzard of '77 |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/local-niagara-falls/opinion/2022/01/27/niagara-s-recent-storm-kindles-memories-of-blizzard-of-77.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=27 January 2022 |publisher=Niagara This Week |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
*Happy Rolph’s Bird Sanctuary - A 15-acre (0.06 km²) park on the shores of ] in the community of ]. It is home to hundreds of native and migratory birds and features an exotic collection of flowering ]s. An onsite petting farm (containing horses, pigs, sheep, goats and llamas, as well as a donkey named 'Hoti' -- 'Don Quixote') is operated by the city from ] to ] Weekend. A trail running throughout the park leads to a peaceful waterfront memorial to Canadian victims of the ] terrorist attacks. | |||
=== Communities === | |||
*Ontario Jaycee Gardens - Overlooking the Henley Rowing Course, this is the city's largest horticultural park with more than 21 acres (0.08 km²) of meticulously landscaped gardens and flower displays. The park exists on land that once featured the Third ]. The former entrance to the canal can still be seen at the North-West end of the park. | |||
St. Catharines' development history has resulted in a number of unique and distinct communities within the city. The historical area of St. Catharines consisted of nothing more than what is now the downtown core, with the remaining land being part of ] on the west and ] on the east. St. Catharines continued to steadily grow through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eventually annexing land to the southwest that would become ] and Old ], and to the east and north that would collectively become the central part of St. Catharines. In addition to the growth of St. Catharines, the town of ] and the town of ] existed as separate municipalities to the south and north of the city, each slowly growing their own residential base. | |||
Along with the rest of Ontario, St. Catharines experienced explosive growth after World War II. St. Catharines continued to annex Grantham Township as development continued, including the large swaths of land to the north known now as "]". St. Catharines would also absorb Merritton and Port Dalhousie in 1961, making them part of the city. During this time, St. Catharines nearly tripled in population. | |||
*Walker Arboretum - Located along the hillside of Rodman Hall and the Twelve Mile Creek below, the original owner of this estate was ], son of ]. In the late 1800's, an English ]er named Samuel Richardson was hired by Merritt to tend the grounds. As a result, the ] is an extensive, rambling garden with rare ] which benefit from an exceptional micro-climate. It boasts one of the largest Chinese ]s in ]. | |||
With the formation of the ] in 1970, the portion of Louth Township east of Fifteen Mile Creek was transferred to the City of St. Catharines. This included the eastern portion of the Hamlet of ], as well as the Hamlet of ]. The few remaining portions of Grantham Township in the Northeast corner of the area, including ], were also transferred to the city. With the new Louth Township lands belonging to the city, St. Catharines would begin two developments in the west end — Martindale Road in 1983, and Vansickle Road in 1987. These developments are nearing completion. There was also a push to continue further expansion to the west in the late 1990s, but this has since been halted by ] legislation. | |||
==Government and politics== | |||
]St. Catharines is governed by a mayor and city council of twelve city councillors, with two councillors representing each of the six municipal ]s in the city. A city councillor is also elected by the council as a whole to serve as deputy mayor, who only fills the role should the elected mayor not be available. ] meets every Monday and is open to participation by the community. Matters put forwarded are voted on by members of city council; the mayor presides over council debate and serves very much like the ], and as a result only votes in the case of a tie. After 2006, municipal elections will be in November every four years rather than the previous three. Unlike most cities its size, city councillors only serve on a part-time basis and continue with their non-political careers in the community. Only the mayor is elected to a full-time position. St. Catharines City Hall is located downtown on Church Street. ] was the Mayor of St. Catharines from 1997 to 2006; ] was elected to succeed Rigby on ], ], and was sworn-in on December 4. | |||
The following distinct communities exist within St. Catharines: | |||
St. Catharines uses a ], and as a result a ] is appointed by council to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city and its departments. The CAO, in effect, is the highest ranking municipal civil servant and has authority over the spending of municipal tax dollars. The CAO advises council on policy matters and acts as liaison between the administrative staff and elected officials. Some of the CAOs duties include assisting in the creation of the municipal budget, and ensuring that municipal funds are spent in a responsible manner. The current CAO of St. Catharines is B. Robert Puhach. | |||
{{colbegin|colwidth=18em}} | |||
* Carlton - Bunting | |||
* Grantham | |||
* ] | |||
* Lakeshore | |||
* Port Weller | |||
* Facer | |||
* Lancaster | |||
* Michigan Beach | |||
* ] | |||
* St. George's Point | |||
* Kernahan | |||
* ] | |||
* Oakdale | |||
* Secord Woods | |||
* Queenston | |||
* Fitzgerald | |||
* Haig | |||
* Orchard Park | |||
* ] | |||
* Barbican Heights | |||
* Brockview | |||
* Glenridge | |||
* Marsdale | |||
* Riverview | |||
* Louth | |||
* Martindale Heights | |||
* Power Glen | |||
* Vansickle | |||
* Western Hill | |||
{{colend}} | |||
==== Downtown ==== | |||
Residents of St. Catharines also elect six regional councillors to the ] on an at-large basis. Unlike other ] in Ontario, regional councillors do not sit on city council and instead only represent at the regional level. Four school board trustees for the ] representing St. Catharines and ] are elected, as well as and three trustees for the ], two for five of St. Catharines' wards, and one for ] and the Merriton Ward of St. Catharines. Regional councillors and school board trustees are elected at the same time, and on the same ballot, as the mayor and city councillors. | |||
{{Main|Downtown St. Catharines}} | |||
] | |||
Numerous efforts have been made to improve the downtown; the restructuring of manufacturing resulted in a loss of jobs and retail businesses. In the early 21st century, city, university, and private developers undertook several initiatives to revive downtown, related to urban design, clustering activities to attract people to the area as a destination from day through evening events. | |||
St. Catharines has one of the highest resident/representative ratios of any large city in Ontario. There are just under 7,000 people per elected municipal representative in St. Catharines, while ] (a similar-sized city in Ontario) has one representative per 13,500 people. ] has one representative per 30,500 people, and ] has one representative per 55,000 people. There has been recent discussion regarding a modification of the city/regional council arrangement, with the possibility of reducing city council to six full-time representatives and having the six regional councillors serve on city council. While there is growing support in the business community for such an arrangement, city council has been unreceptive to such ideas. | |||
] | |||
At the provincial level, ] is well-known for electing high-profile members of the ]. ], the current member for St. Catharines and Ontario's longest serving ], is the current Minister of Tourism in the ] government of ], and served as Minister of Environment in the government of ]. ], who represents the southern portions of the city as part of the ] riding, is a prominent vocal member of the ] caucus and served previously as Minister of Justice in the ] government. | |||
In 2006, city council approved converting one-way arteries through the city centre to allow for two-way traffic, to make it easier for people to make their way around the city to explore it. In terms of urban planning and use, two-way traffic improves circulation within the area. The city wanted to improve downtown as a destination, rather than a place to pass through. The council also want to have downtown St. Catharines on the Wine Route, a driving tour of Niagara wineries and an Ontario Wine Council initiative to boost the number of visitors to the region's many wineries.<ref name="stcatharinesstandard">{{cite web |url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1661692&archive=true|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910150042/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1661692&archive=true|url-status=dead |archive-date=10 September 2012|title=City makes pitch to have wine route redirected ... | St. Catharines Standard |publisher=stcatharinesstandard.ca|access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref> The Wine Route was modified to officially redirect winery goers through the downtown starting in 2012.<ref name="stcatharinesstandard2">{{cite web |url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2762335&archive=true |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918133804/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2762335&archive=true|url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2012|title=Wine route is moving downtown | St. Catharines Standard |publisher=stcatharinesstandard.ca|access-date=April 15, 2016}}</ref> The first phase of two-way traffic was completed in 2009, with St. Paul and King streets being converted. The cost of the conversion was $3.5 million and was shared with Niagara Region.<ref name="wellandtribune">{{cite web|url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1625603&archive=true|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115143540/http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1625603&archive=true |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Two-way traffic returns to downtown | Welland Tribune |publisher=wellandtribune.ca |access-date=April 15, 2016}}</ref> In 2012, most observers concluded that the change had achieved its goals; it garnered national media attention.<ref name="nationalpost">{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/08/taking-a-u-turn-on-the-one-way-street/ |title=Taking a u-turn on the one-way street | National Post|date=January 8, 2012 |publisher=news.nationalpost.com |access-date=April 15, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160616171926/http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/taking-a-u-turn-on-the-one-way-street|archive-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> | |||
From 1999 to 2003, during the premierships of ] and ], St. Catharines was one of the few large cities in Ontario to not have at least one government member representing the city, as the ]-held ridings of ] and ] were eliminated as a cost saving measure. ], a long-time ], represented the now-eliminated Lincoln and St. Catharines—Brock ridings throughout the 1960s, '70s and '80s. | |||
In 2009, $54 million in joint federal, provincial and municipal funding was announced for the construction of a performing arts centre in the city's core, officially opened in September 2015 as the ]. Complementing the centre, which features concert, dance and film venues, is ]'s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The university renovated the former Canada Hair Cloth Building to use for the school. This former industrial building is behind St. Paul Street and next to the municipal performing arts centre.<ref name="stcatharinesstandard3">{{cite web|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1579849&archive=true|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115174638/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1579849&archive=true|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 January 2013|title=Funding announced for downtown performing arts ... | St. Catharines Standard|author=nurun.com|publisher=stcatharinesstandard.ca|access-date=15 April 2016}}</ref> | |||
Federally, ] is one of the most ] of any riding in Canada, having only elected an opposition MP twice in its history. ] is the current MP for St. Catharines and is a member of the ], which currently forms Canada's government. The southern portion of the city is included as part of the ] riding, and is represented by ], a ] MP. Most federal representatives from St. Catharines have maintained a low profile on either the government or opposition ]. The exception was ], who served as ] for seven years while ] was Prime Minister. | |||
In late 2011, city council approved moving forward with the construction of a new spectator facility to replace the crumbling ], built in 1938. Council voted to build a U-shaped facility, which will be home to the Niagara IceDogs, an Ontario Hockey League team, and be able to host other events, such as concerts. It would have room for 4,500 to 5,300 spectators. The goal is to keep the cost of the facility at or below $50 million and to build it on a swath of land known locally as the lower-level parking lot, behind St. Paul Street and abutting Highway 406.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://niagara.localsportsreport.com/News/st-catharines-approves-new-spectator-facility |title=St. Catharines approves new spectator facility | |||
St. Catharines is the ] of the Niagara North Judicial District of Ontario, Central West Region, which represents the northern half of the Niagara Region equivalent to historic ]. The Superior Court of Justice is located on Church Street across from City Hall. A ] is located in ]. James Ramsey is the current ]. | |||
|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718124041/http://niagara.localsportsreport.com/News/st-catharines-approves-new-spectator-facility |archive-date=18 July 2012 }}</ref> Council's commitment to build the facility resulted in IceDogs' owner Bill Burke promising to sign a 20-year lease with the city after he threatened to move his team if the city chose not to build a new arena.<ref name="stcatharinesstandard4">{{cite web|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3391586&pg=4|title=No arena, no IceDogs | St. Catharines Standard|author=nurun.com|publisher=stcatharinesstandard.ca|access-date=15 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203150210/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3391586|archive-date=3 December 2011}}</ref> | |||
The city has made other infrastructure improvements to the downtown. In January 2012, a new edition of the Carlisle Street Parking Garage opened. It was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and was certified for its environmentally friendly features, including a ], preferred carpool and ] parking, greywater collection, permeable interlocking brick pavement, and several bike racks for users. A mixed-use development, the structure was planned for retail space at street level on Carlisle Street, in order to promote activity and business on the street. The project cost $27.9 million, with funding split three ways between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stcatharines.ca//uploads/doc_634614445022357173.pdf |title=Put it in park in the new Carlisle Street Parking Garage |access-date=2011-11-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714133032/http://www.stcatharines.ca//uploads/doc_634614445022357173.pdf |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref> Starting in 2019, certain streets located in downtown St. Catharines have been closed during weekends to vehicle traffic. These ]s have expanded over time. $214,500 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=214500|start_year=2021}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) was allocated in the city's budget in 2021 for these road closures.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Benner |first1=Allan |title=Downtown St. Catharines road closures to continue next summer |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/council/2021/11/18/downtown-st-catharines-road-closures-to-continue-next-summer.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=18 November 2021 |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> In 2023, this initiative was discontinued.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walter |first1=Karena |title=Downtown pedestrian street program not making a comeback this spring in St. Catharines |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2023/01/20/downtown-pedestrian-street-program-not-making-a-comeback-this-spring-in-st-catharines.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=20 January 2023 |access-date=18 February 2023}}</ref> | |||
The city forms "1 District" of the ]. The NRPS headquarters are located on Church Street, with administrative offices on James Street and support services on Cushman Road. | |||
== |
== Demographics == | ||
{{Historical populations | |||
] | |||
|title = St. Catharines | |||
The most defining transportation icon of St. Catharines is the ], a ] that runs 43.4 kilometres (27.0 mi), passing through the city. Three of its locks are within city boundaries. The canal allows shipping vessels to traverse the 99.5 ] (326.5 ]) drop in altitute from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. | |||
|type = Canada | |||
|align = right | |||
The main access routes into and out of St. Catharines are served by two major ]s. The ] runs east (at 15-Mile Creek) to west (at ]) and the ] runs north (at QEW) to south (at St. David's Road). Prior to the construction of these freeways, St. Paul Street (former ], now Regional Road 81) and Hartzel Road (former ], now a city-maintained street) provided east-west and north-south access to the city. | |||
|width = | |||
|state = | |||
Public transportation is served by the St. Catharines Transit Commission, which operates bus routes throughout the city and neighbouring Thorold. ]All major routes converge at the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, which is located downtown within the heaquarters of the ]. The central station is also served by ] and ], en route to Toronto and New York City and connecting it to major cities throughout Canada and the United States. | |||
|shading = | |||
|percentages = | |||
Though transportation by rail is becoming increasingly popular, the ] is largely underutilized, with car and bus travel being the dominant forms of transportation for the city. The station is located in its original building, outside the downcore core (because of issues involving the crossing of 12-Mile Creek). It is served daily by ] and ] trains connecting it to ] and ]. A potential rail link with ] in the near future continues to be discussed in St. Catharines. | |||
|footnote = | |||
|1841| 3,500 | |||
] services ] as well as chartered ] flights. It is located near the city's east-end in neighbouring ]. | |||
|1871| 7,864 | |||
|1881| 9,631 | |||
St. Catharines was the first - and last remaining - location in the world to have a working ] electric ] route, which ran between the city and ] and was eventually extended to ] in the north and ] to the south. Like most streetcar routes throughout the world, it was decommissioned in the 1960s, and the right-of-way has since been converted to parks and trails. | |||
|1891| 9,170 | |||
|1901| 9,946 | |||
==Education== | |||
|1911| 12,484 | |||
|1921| 19,881 | |||
St. Catharines is home to ] (established 1964), a modern comprehensive university located on the Niagara Escarpment. A partnership between the university and the Ontario Grape and Wine Industry established the city as a centre for cool-climate grape and wine research. "Brock" is the only university in Canada to offer an Honours ] in ] and ]. It hosted the ], in which ]s outscored the best ]s. | |||
|1931| 24,753 | |||
|1941| 30,025 | |||
]'s Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine is set to open a satellite campus in St. Catharines in 2007. The ]-based university will educate 15 first-year medical students in the city's first-ever ]. | |||
|1951| 37,984 | |||
|1961| 84,472 | |||
], located near the city's downtown core in the Western Hill neighbourhood, is a distinguished co-educational boarding and day school. It was established as a boys' school in 1889, and became co-educational in 1973. | |||
|1971| 109,722 | |||
|1981| 124,018 | |||
A campus of the ] is located near the city east-end. The school's Horticultural Campus was once located on 360 Niagara Street in the 1970's-1990's but has since been relocated to ]. One of its greatest teachers, R. Roy Forster, was recognized with the Order of Canada on April 14, 1999, for his work in creating the ] in ]. | |||
|1991| 129,300 | |||
|]| 130,926 | |||
The ] (DSBN), responsible for managing a school system of nearly 119 faculties, contains 8 Secondary Schools in the city of St. Catharines. | |||
|]| 129,170 | |||
|]| 131,989 | |||
The ] (NCDSB) operates 3 Catholic Secondary Schools within the city. | |||
|]| 131,400 | |||
|]| 133,113 | |||
==Communities and development== | |||
|]|136,803}} | |||
]St. Catharines' development history has resulted in a number of unique and distinct communities within the city. The historical area of St. Catharines consisted of nothing more than what is down the downtown core, with the remaining land being part of ] on the West and ] on East. St. Catharines continued to steadily grow through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eventually annexing land to the southwest that would become ] and Old ], and to the east and north that would collectively become the central part of St. Catharines. In addition to the growth of St. Catharines, the Town of ] and the Town of ] existed as separate municipalities to the South and North of the city, each slowly growing their own residential base. | |||
{| class="wikitable" align="right" | |||
!Ethnic origin 2021<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=2021 Census Profile: St. Catharines, City |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=st%2E%20catharines&DGUIDlist=2021A00053526053&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |website=Statistics Canada}}</ref> | |||
Along with the rest of Ontario, St. Catharines experienced explosive growth after ]. St. Catharines continued to annex Grantham Township as development continued, including the large swaths of land to the north known now as "]". St. Catharines would also absorb Merriton and Port Dalhousie in 1961, making them part of the city. During this time, St. Catharines nearly tripled in population. | |||
(>2000 population) | |||
With the formation of the ] in 1970, the portion of Louth Township East of Fifteen Mile Creek was transferred to the City of St. Catharines. This included the Eastern portion of the Hamlet of ], as well as the Hamlet of ]. The few remaining portions of Grantham Township in the Northeast corner of the area, including ], were also transferred to the city. With the new Louth Township lands belonging to the city, St. Catharines would begin two developments in the West-end - Martindale in 1983, and Vansickle in 1987. These developments are nearing completion. There was also a push to continue further expansion to the West in the late 1990s, but this has since been halted by ] legislation. | |||
The following distinct communities exist within St. Catharines: | |||
] | |||
] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
*] | |||
It should be noted that not all land within the city is considered part of a community - areas of Grantham Township annexed prior to and immediately following World War 2 simply became the central core of St. Catharines, while undeveloped Louth Township lands are simply referred to as the western portion of the city. | |||
==Demographics== | |||
{| class="wikitable" align="left" | |||
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" | |||
!Ethnic Origin | |||
!Population | !Population | ||
!Percent | !Percent | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| |
|31,030 | ||
| |
|23.1% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
|24, |
|24,775 | ||
| |
|18.4% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| |
|22,070 | ||
|16. |
|16.4% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |||
|] | |||
| |
|19,025 | ||
| |
|14.2% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| |
|16,000 | ||
|11. |
|11.9% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |] | ||
| |
|12,515 | ||
| |
|9.3% | ||
|- | |- | ||
|] | |||
|11,345 | |||
|8.4% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|9,120 | |||
|6.8% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|6,955 | |||
|5.2% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|6,930 | |||
|5.2% | |||
|- | |||
|British Isles n.o.s. | |||
|6,015 | |||
|4.5% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,600 | |||
|1.9% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,440 | |||
|1.8% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,405 | |||
|1.8% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,290 | |||
|1.7% | |||
|- | |||
|Caucasian (White), n.o.s. | |||
|2,215 | |||
|1.6% | |||
|- | |||
|] n.o.s. | |||
+ ], n.o.s. | |||
|2,185 | |||
|1.6% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,130 | |||
|1.6% | |||
|- | |||
|] (India) | |||
|2,110 | |||
|1.6% | |||
|- | |||
|] | |||
|2,020 | |||
|1.5% | |||
|} | |} | ||
St. Catharines is an ageing city as almost 1 in 5 individuals are of retirement age. As a result, the average age for the city is 40.3. Also 1 in 5 inhabitants of St. Catharines are classified as foreign born as many immigrants from the ], ], and ] make the city their home. | |||
In the ] conducted by ], St. Catharines had a population of {{val|136803|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|58903|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|61977|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:136803-133113}}|133113|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|133113|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|96.2|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|136803|96.2|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000203&geocode=A000235 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario | publisher=] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 27, 2022}}</ref> | |||
By far, ] continues to be the dominant religion of the city. Some 81.0 percent of the population profess a Christian faith, the largest being various ] groups (42.9%), followed by ] (34.2%), while the remaining consists of ], and independent Christian groups. Non-Christian groups are also present, namely Islam (1.5%), Judaism (0.5%), and Buddhism (0.5%). (The city contains a synogogue and Jewish community centre, as well as a large mosque). The remaining 16.5% report no religion. | |||
At the ] (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the St. Catharines - Niagara CMA had a population of {{val|433604|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|179224|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|190878|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:433604-406074}}|406074|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|406074|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|1397.09|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|433604|1397.09|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021censusCMA>{{cite web | url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000501 | title=Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations | publisher=] | date=February 9, 2022 | accessdate=March 28, 2022}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
Since 1998, St. Catharines has had one of the highest obesity rates of any centre in Canada. A 2001 analysis by ] showed that 57.3 percent of its residents were overweight.<ref name="CTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1027388021305_22797221/|title=St. Catharines tops list of Canada's 'fattest' cities. W-Five, July 21, 2001|website=ctv.ca|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328064914/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1027388021305_22797221/|archive-date=28 March 2007}}</ref> This has caused some elements of the media, including ],<ref name="CTV" /> the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/chart_3.html|title=CBC.ca, National Population Health Survey 1998, Statistics Canada|website=cbc.ca|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721204501/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/chart_3.html|archive-date=21 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/statistics.html|title=CBC.ca, Obese Nation: Statistics, November 8, 2006|website=cbc.ca|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041115052448/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/fats/statistics.html|archive-date=15 November 2004}}</ref> and '']'' to dub St. Catharines as Canada's "fattest" city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.andrepicard.com/fatandfit.html|title=Fattest & Fittest, St. Catharines leads the fat parade|website=The Globe and Mail|date=21 July 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202054217/http://www.andrepicard.com/fatandfit.html|archive-date=2 February 2007|via=andrepicard.com|last=Picard|first=André|author-link=André Picard (journalist)}} | |||
'''Employment''' | |||
</ref> In 2008, new statistics were released that show that the percentage obese or obese/overweight residents of ] (74.3%), ] (70.1%), and ] (70%) is now higher than St. Catharines-Niagara (69.3%), though the obesity rate in St. Catharines was higher in 2008 than in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web | |||
*Employment rate: 58.2% | |||
| url = http://www.statcan.ca/english/studies/82-003/archive/2006/17-3-c.pdf | |||
*Unemployment rate: 6.5% | |||
| title = Regional differences in obesity | |||
*Average earnings: ]30,997 | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
}}</ref> | |||
23% of children in St. Catharines were estimated to be living in ] as of 2015, which was above Canada's average rate of ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clock |first1=Cheryl |title=Child poverty in St. Catharines: nearly 1 in 4 |url=https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2015/11/04/child-poverty-in-st-catharines-nearly-1-in-4.html |website=Niagara Falls Review |date=4 November 2015 |access-date=29 June 2022}}</ref> In 2022, the municipality itself as an employer became the largest in Ontario to offer a ], an action praised by the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of St. Catharines is now the largest Ontario municipality to offer a living wage |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/stcatharines-living-wage-1.6503884. |website=CBC News |access-date=29 June 2022}}</ref> | |||
Top five employers: | |||
*]: 5,000 | |||
*]: 3,700 | |||
*]: 1,800 | |||
*]: 1,324 | |||
*]: 1,000 | |||
== |
=== Ethnicity === | ||
As of the 2021 Census,<ref name=":2" /> 16.5% of residents were ], 2.5% had Indigenous identity, and the remaining 81.0% were White. The largest visible minority groups were Black (4.1%), South Asian (2.5%), Latin American (2.3%), Chinese (1.6%), Filipino (1.5%) and Arab (1.3%). | |||
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable" | |||
|+ ] groups in the City of St. Catharines (2001−2021) | |||
! rowspan="2" |]<br>group | |||
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name="2021censusB">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2022-10-26 |title= Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=St%2E%20Catharines&DGUIDlist=2021A00053526053&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> | |||
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2021-10-27 |title= Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Geo2=CD&Code2=3526&SearchText=St.%20Catharines&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> | |||
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2015-11-27 |title= NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Data=Count&SearchText=St.%20Catharines&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> | |||
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-08-20 |title= 2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=St.%20Catharines&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> | |||
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Statistics Canada |date=2019-07-02 |title= 2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=St.%20Catharines&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=2023-01-14 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref> | |||
|- | |||
!] | |||
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}} | |||
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} | |||
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}} | |||
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} | |||
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}} | |||
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} | |||
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}} | |||
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}} | |||
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}} | |||
|- | |||
| ]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name="euro"}} | |||
| 108,815 | |||
| {{Percentage | 108815 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 109,770 | |||
| {{Percentage | 109770 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 113,650 | |||
| {{Percentage | 113650 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 115,060 | |||
| {{Percentage | 115060 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 117,020 | |||
| {{Percentage | 117020 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 5,540 | |||
| {{Percentage | 5540 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 3,715 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3715 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,675 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2675 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,615 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2615 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,910 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1910 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 3,325 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3325 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,865 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1865 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,430 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1430 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,690 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1690 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,385 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1385 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 3,305 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3305 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 3,550 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3550 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,425 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2425 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,915 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1915 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,480 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1480 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ]n{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name="SoutheastAsian"}} | |||
| 3,295 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3295 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,340 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2340 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,675 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1675 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,175 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2175 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,215 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1215 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name="EastAsian"}} | |||
| 3,090 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3090 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 3,475 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3475 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,565 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2565 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,100 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2100 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,710 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1710 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
| 3,065 | |||
| {{Percentage | 3065 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,175 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2175 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,920 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1920 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 2,310 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2310 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 785 | |||
| {{Percentage | 785 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| ]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name="MiddleEastern"}} | |||
| 2,130 | |||
| {{Percentage | 2130 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,780 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1780 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,630 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1630 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,550 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1550 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 870 | |||
| {{Percentage | 870 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
| Other{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name="Other"}} | |||
| 1,770 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1770 | 134335 | 2 }} | |||
| 1,175 | |||
| {{Percentage | 1175 | 129845 | 2 }} | |||
| 780 | |||
| {{Percentage | 780 | 128765 | 2 }} | |||
| 595 | |||
| {{Percentage | 595 | 130005 | 2 }} | |||
| 500 | |||
| {{Percentage | 500 | 126875 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
! Total responses | |||
! 134,335 | |||
! {{Percentage | 134335 | 136803 | 2 }} | |||
! 129,845 | |||
! {{Percentage | 129845 | 133113 | 2 }} | |||
! 128,765 | |||
! {{Percentage | 128765 | 131400 | 2 }} | |||
! 130,005 | |||
! {{Percentage | 130005 | 131989 | 2 }} | |||
! 126,875 | |||
! {{Percentage | 126875 | 129170 | 2 }} | |||
|- | |||
! Total population | |||
! 136,803 | |||
! {{Percentage | 136803 | 136803 | 2 }} | |||
! 133,113 | |||
! {{Percentage | 133113 | 133113 | 2 }} | |||
! 131,400 | |||
! {{Percentage | 131400 | 131400 | 2 }} | |||
! 131,989 | |||
! {{Percentage | 131989 | 131989 | 2 }} | |||
! 129,170 | |||
! {{Percentage | 129170 | 129170 | 2 }} | |||
|} | |||
*Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses. | |||
=== Religion === | |||
Like most large Canadian centres, a number of social issues affect the city, and St. Catharines is no exception. Since 1998, St. Catharines has had the highest obesity rates of any centre in Canada. A 2001 analysis by ] showed that 57.3 per cent of its residents were overweight.<sup></sup>. | |||
In 2021, 58.3% of residents were Christians, down from 71.8% in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NHS Profile, St. Catharines, CY, Ontario, 2011 |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526053&Data=Count&SearchText=st.%20catharines&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |website=Statistics Canada| date=8 May 2013 }}</ref> 25.8% of residents were ], 17.8% were ], 9.4% were Christians of unspecified denomination, 1.3% were ], and 3.9 were other Christian/Christian related traditions. 35.9% of the population had were irreligious or secular, up from 24.5% in 2011. All other religions/spiritual traditions made up 5.8% of the population. The largest non-Christian religions were ] (3.4%), ] (0.6%), and ] (0.6%). | |||
St. Catharines also has a chronic shortage of social housing, causing hardship on low-income families.<sup></sup>. Downtown St. Catharines also has an unusually-high vacancy rate of 10%,<sup></sup> causing ] in early 2005 to call St. Catharines the ''Garbage City''.<sup></sup> Many have factored the decline of ] in the city as the chief cause of these issues, while others claim it it has been a secretive and unreceptive ]. In 2006, many of these issues were brought to the forefront during municipal elections, with the hope that many of these issues can be addressed and changed in the coming years. {{fact}} | |||
== Economy == | |||
{{stub-section}} | |||
] | |||
Tourism was considered to be an influential factor in ]'s projected GDP growth for St. Catharines.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nicolaou |first1=Victoria |title=Cautious optimism as St. Catharines-Niagara economy looks to rebound |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/business/2022/07/19/cautious-optimism-as-st-catharines-niagara-economy-looks-to-rebound.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref> The city is approximately 20 km from the U.S.–Canada border. Its economy is affected by the millions of tonnes of cargo shipped through the Welland Canal, with the locks for the canal being considered a tourist attraction by itself. St. Catharines was the location of a transmission plant for ].<ref>{{cite web |title=ST. CATHARINES |url=https://www.cbj.ca/st-catharines/ |website=] Journal |date=29 January 2015 |access-date=28 July 2022}}</ref> The 20 hectare property where the factory once operated is now classified as a contaminated ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walter |first1=Karena |title=Councillors split on exploring more tax incentives for former GM property |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/council/2022/06/03/councillors-split-on-exploring-more-tax-incentives-for-former-gm-property.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=3 June 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
== |
==Arts and culture== | ||
=== Theatre === | |||
St. Catharines is also home to a variety of theatre companies. These companies include Garden City Productions (formerly the Operatic Society of Grantham United Church 1956–1962), Carousel Players (in the Old Courthouse), Mirror Theatre, Essential Collectives Theatre, and the Empty Box Theatre Company. In 2015, the ] opened.<ref name="newpac">{{cite news|last=Walter|first=Karena|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/11/15/arts-centre-opening-draws-large-crowd|title=Arts centre opening draws large crowd|date=15 November 2015|work=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117162529/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/11/15/arts-centre-opening-draws-large-crowd|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> In 2016, the ''Film House'' launched within the space, featuring cinema screenings with themed or genre-specific nights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/02/21/movies-set-to-premiere-in-downtown-st-catharines|title=Movies set to premiere in downtown St. Catharines|last=Walter|first=Karena|date=21 February 2016|website=St. Catharines Standard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306115356/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2016/02/21/movies-set-to-premiere-in-downtown-st-catharines|archive-date=6 March 2016|access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Events === | ||
The ] is held annually each September. More than 100,000 people were anticipated for the 2022 event.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Benner |first1=Allan |title=More than 100,000 expected to return to St. Catharines for return of Grape and Wine Festival |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/council/2022/07/19/more-than-100000-expected-to-return-to-st-catharines-for-return-of-grape-and-wine-festival.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
*'']'' | |||
*'''' | |||
*'']'' | |||
*'''' | |||
*''St. Catharines Shopping News'' | |||
The International Chicken Chucking Championships takes place every January in the St. Catharines neighbourhood of Port Dalhousie and attracts hundreds of participants and observers.<ref name="poultry">Walter, Karena (17 January 2009) ", The St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 27 December 2009.</ref> Chicken Chucking consists of pitching or sliding frozen chickens along the ice-covered Martindale Pond and is hosted by the ]. Animal rights groups such as Niagara Action for Animals have protested the event.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Drevfjall |first1=Ludvig |title=ONTARIO: Animal rights group plans to crash charity chicken throwing contest |url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/around-ontario/ontario-animal-rights-group-plans-to-crash-charity-chicken-throwing-contest-2078434 |newspaper=Guelphtoday.com}}</ref> Proceeds from the event are donated to Community Care, a local food bank.<ref>{{cite web |title=Teams chuck chickens for charity |url=https://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/news/niagara-region/2019/02/18/teams-chuck-chickens-for-charity.html |website=Niagara Falls Review |date=18 February 2019 |publisher=NiagaraThisWeek |access-date=23 June 2022}}</ref> | |||
===Radio=== | |||
*AM 610 - ], ]/] | |||
*AM 1220 - ], multilingual | |||
*FM 97.7 - ], ] | |||
*FM 103.7 - ], ] ] | |||
*FM 105.7 - ] ('']''), ] | |||
St. Catharines was one of the cities that hosted the ]. More than 5,000 athletes and coaches arrived for the games, which took place from August 6 to August 21, 2022. The opening ceremony was held at the ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Walter |first1=Karena |title=How to catch the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games |url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/sports/2022/08/05/how-to-catch-the-niagara-2022-canada-summer-games.html |website=St. Catharines Standard |date=5 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
In addition, numerous tourist and travel advisory stations are available off-air in the Niagara area. | |||
== |
== Attractions == | ||
], a regional shopping centre]] | |||
The Niagara region has no local television service of its own, although stations broadcasting from Toronto, ] and ] are available. In 2003, a local business consortium applied to the ] for a licence to operate , a ] television station in St. Catharines. The application was denied by the CRTC in 2005, citing concerns about the group's business plan and its dependence on gaining audience share in the Toronto market. However, the organization has appealed to the ] and hopes to continue gaining support for local television in Niagara. | |||
* ] – historic carousel located in Port Dahousie | |||
* ] – heritage site and mill | |||
* ] – a regional shopping centre | |||
* The ] is a recognized Federal Heritage building, #1991 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/page_fhbro_eng.aspx?id=4395|title=Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings|website=pc.gc.ca|access-date=May 2, 2018}}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Parks === | ||
* ]: Designed by ] in 1887, who was renowned for designing and developing New York City's ] in 1853. A commemorative rose garden, with over 1,300 bushes in 25 varieties, is the city's largest rose collection; it features an ornamental fountain. The focal point of the park is a band shell and pavilion built in 1888. The park is designated under the '']''. | |||
*'''' | |||
* Lakeside Park: Located in the North end, along the shores of Lake Ontario in the community known as Port Dalhousie. Hosts yearly fireworks displays on 1 July (Canada Day). Has picnic areas, a pavilion, snack bar, change rooms, washrooms, playground equipment, boardwalk, the Lakeside Park Carousel, and public docks for visiting boaters. The beach offers magnificent sunset views over Lake Ontario. Lakeside Park inspired a ] by the rock band ] which describes the park itself and drummer/lyricist ]'s memories there.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2020/06/04/rush-s-neil-peart-honoured-with-lakeside-park-pavilion-in-port-dalhousie.html |title=Rush's Neil Peart honoured with Lakeside Park pavilion in Port Dalhousie |website=stcatharinesstandard.com |accessdate=2022-05-17 |date=2022-06-04}}</ref> | |||
*'''' | |||
* Burgoyne Woods: A 50-hectare (0.5 km<sup>2</sup>) wooded area and recreational park near the Downtown core. It also contains a dog park and is the host of annual cross country races within the ] (DSBN) and the ] (NCDSB). | |||
* Happy Rolph's Bird Sanctuary: A 6-hectare (0.06 km<sup>2</sup>) park on the shores of ] in the community of ]. It is home to hundreds of native and migratory birds and features an exotic collection of flowering ]s. An onsite petting farm (containing horses, pigs, sheep, goats and llamas, as well as a donkey named 'Hoti'—'Don Quixote') is operated by the city from ] to ] weekend. A trail running throughout the park leads to a peaceful waterfront memorial to Canadian victims of the ] terrorist attacks. | |||
* Ontario Jaycee Gardens: Overlooking the Henley Rowing Course, this is the city's largest horticultural park, with more than 8 hectares (0.08 km<sup>2</sup>) of meticulously landscaped gardens and flower displays. Among the displays is a memorial site dedicated to ]. The park exists on land that once featured the Third Welland Canal. The former entrance to the canal can still be seen at the north-west end of the park. | |||
* Walker Arboretum: Located along the hillside of Rodman Hall and the Twelve Mile Creek below, the original owner of this estate was ], son of ]. In the late 19th century, an English ]er named Samuel Richardson was hired by Merritt to tend the grounds. As a result, the ] is an extensive, rambling garden with rare ] which benefit from an exceptional micro-climate. It boasts one of the largest Chinese ]s in Canada. | |||
* Woodgale Park: Located along Glendale Avenue between Glenridge Avenue and the Pen Centre. Features wide open spaces, flowing fruit trees, rare birds, a soccer field and tennis courts. Also features a memorial to the original farm building on the north end of the park near ]. Locally known as Doug Hill Park, after a nearby resident who coached a number of baseball and tug of war teams in this area. | |||
=== Trail system === | |||
==Sister cities== | |||
] | |||
{{col-begin}} | |||
*] ], ] | |||
{{col-end}} | |||
The city's trail system offers over 90 kilometres (55 mi) of accessible pathways that are suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. | |||
==Sports and leisure== | |||
* ]: Canada's oldest and longest hiking trail, following the ] (designated as a ] World Biosphere Reserve site) from ] to ]. A 20-kilometre (12 mi) section with associated side trails winds through St. Catharines passing by places such as the ]. | |||
===Hockey=== | |||
* Merritt Trail: a segmented 11 km (6.8 mi) trail that passes many of the old sections of the second Welland Canal and remnants of its locks. | |||
] | |||
* ] – a trail that was established to commemorate ]'s 32 km walk to warn of an upcoming American attack during the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The legacy of a Canadian heroine lives on in Niagara-on-the-Lake |url=https://tctrail.ca/stories/the-legacy-of-a-canadian-heroine-lives-on-in-niagara-on-the-lake/ |website=Trans Canada Trail |date=21 June 2019 |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
St. Catharines entered into ] Junior 'A' Hockey in 1943 as the ]. In 1947, they became the Teepees and were affiliated with the ]'s Buffalo Bisons. When the ]'s (NHL) ] made the Bisons their number one farm team, they inherited the Teepees. In the 1960s, the Jr. 'A' team went deeply into debt to the Chicago Black Hawks, but continued as a successful franchise. The ] Fincups moved to St. Catharines in 1976 and played here for one year before moving back to Hamilton. The AHL ] played in St. Catharines between 1982 and 1986, before being forced to re-locate to ] due to protests from the NHL ]. The St. Catharines Saints served as the ] for the ], and today are known as the ]. | |||
* ] Trail: a 1.5 km trail that runs along Carlon Street and Geneva Street. Six exercise stations are placed throughout it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Terry Fox Trail |url=https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/index.php?url=trails/view/terry-fox-trail |website=Ontario Trails |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
* ]: follows the shore of Lake Ontario, connecting communities from Niagara-on-the-Lake to ]. The ] portion of the trail is a major highlight. | |||
* Welland Canals Parkway Trail: The trail is 45 km, stretching from St. Catharines to ].<ref name="Fleming">{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Liz |title=St. Catharines: A city rich in history and nature |url=https://www.thestar.com/autos/2022/01/08/st-catharines-a-city-rich-in-history-and-nature.html |website=Toronto Star |date=30 December 2021 |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
== Sports == | |||
Today, the city's Junior 'B' Hockey team, appropriately named the ], play out of ]. | |||
===Ice hockey=== | |||
St. Catharines entered into the ] Junior 'A' Hockey in 1943 as the ]. In 1947, they became the Teepees and were affiliated with the ]'s ]. When the ]'s (NHL) ] made the Bisons their number one farm team, they inherited the Teepees. In the 1960s, the Jr. 'A' team went deeply into debt to the Chicago Black Hawks, but continued as a successful franchise and were named the St. Catharines Black Hawks. The ] Fincups moved to St. Catharines in 1976 and played here for one year before moving back to Hamilton. The AHL ] played in St. Catharines between 1982 and 1986, before being forced to re-locate to ] due to protests from the NHL ]. The St. Catharines Saints served as the ] for the ], and today are known as the ]. | |||
In 2007, the ]'s ] relocated to St. Catharines and became the ]. The IceDogs played out of the ], which was renamed the Gatorade Garden City Complex (since renamed ]). In 2014, the IceDogs moved to the newly built ]. | |||
===Rowing=== | |||
Since starting out the team has won the ] in 2010–2011 & 2018–2019. They have also won the ] during 2011–2012 season and 2015–2016 season, qualifying for the OHL Finals. They would be beaten both times by the ]. The team has had numerous NHL alumni including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
Martindale Pond in St. Catharines' ] is the site of the annual ], a world-class event that brings over 3,000 athletes from various nations to the city. The site hosted the ] ] both in 1970 and in 1999. There are currently talks to bring the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame to St. Catharines sometime in the near future. It is also home to the largest Rowing Club in the world and is known as one of the best natural rowing courses in the world. The Henley course is also home to the annual ], which draws hundreds of high school athletes from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. | |||
The current ] team plays in the Golden Horseshoe Division of the ]. The team has played since 1968 and plays all home games out of the Jack Gatecliff Arena. The team were runners up for the ] in 1979, 1990, 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2014, but won the cup in 2012. | |||
===Trails system=== | |||
]The city's trail system offers over 90 kilometres (55 mi) of accessible pathways that are suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing. | |||
*] - Canada's oldest and longest hiking trail, following the Niagara Escarpment (designated as a ] World Biosphere) from ] to ]. A 20-kilometre (12 mi) section with associated side trails winds through St. Catharines. | |||
*Merritt Trail - a segmented 11-kilometre (6.8 mi) trail that passes many of the old sections of the second Welland Canal and remnants of its locks. | |||
*] - follows the shore of Lake Ontario, connecting communities from Niagara-on-the-Lake to ]. The ] portion of the trail is a major highlight. | |||
*] - provides an uninterrupted 9-kilometre (5.6 mi) paved path for non-motorized traffic, along the scenic ]. It links with the waterfront trails of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Port Colbourne, and the ] to create the ], measuring approximately 150 kilometres (90 mi). | |||
=== |
=== Basketball === | ||
In 2015, the ] announced that Niagara had been awarded a new franchise to play in the Meridian Centre. The team, named the ], began play in ] where they reached the conference quarterfinals. The team joined the ] after the ]. In 2021, the River Lions had one of their best seasons, finishing 2nd with a 10–4 record. The River Lions made it through the playoffs into the finals, where they lost 65–101 to the ]. In 2024, the River Lions Captured their 1st CEBL Championship with a 97-95 win over the Vancouver Bandits. The River Lions finished 14-6 led by a perfect 11-0 Home record. | |||
A dedicated group of local paddlers and businesses is trying to bring a ] facility, suitable for hosting world-class kayaking events, to the City of St. Catharines. The proposed course would utilize the Wellandvale stretch of Twelve Mile Creek, near the downtown core. If made reality, the project would be Canada's first urban ] facility. | |||
===Baseball=== | |||
Plans for the facility were made public in ]'s bid to host the ]. When Toronto lost the bid to ], the was created to keep the project alive. In September 2006, the '']'' reported that St. Catharines Hydro is in talks with ] to construct a small generating station adjacent to the proposed site of the Whitewater facility. The proposed Shickluna Generating Station would create electricity for up to 5,000 homes while regulating waterflow to the course. No formal agreement has been announced yet. | |||
The city was the home of the ]'s ], the Short-season A affiliate of the ], from 1986 to 1999. In 1996 the team was renamed the ], and was subsequently sold and relocated to ], New York City in late 1999, where they became the ]. | |||
===Rugby=== | |||
==Arts and culture== | |||
St. Catharines Tigers RFC was formed in 1978. Beginning in 2015, the Tigers joined the Niagara Wasps RFC and play at their field in Thorold. | |||
===Art galleries=== | |||
===Soccer=== | |||
runs a diverse program of exhibitions throughout the year, featuring the work of local, national and international artists. It also houses a permanent collection of over 850 works including paintings, photographs, sculptures and outdoor installations. ] was a public-run gallery from 1960-2003 when financial issues provoked ] to purchase the building. Today, it is affiliated with the Brock School of Fine and Performing Arts and continues to serve and welcome the public. | |||
]'s ] are one of the most successful professional ] teams in Canada, and play at Club Roma in the west-end of the city. | |||
===Rowing=== | |||
The (NAC) is a not-for-profit, charitably registered, collective formed by local community artists and dedicated to serving the working artists and art-enthusiasts of Niagara. It runs a series of diverse exhibitions throughout the year involving abstract paintings, sculptures, new media installations and film screenings. Recently, the centre moved out of its former location on Bond St. to a newly renovated storefront building on St. Paul Street in the city's downtown. | |||
] | |||
Martindale Pond in St. Catharines' ] is the site of the annual ], a world-class event that brings over 3,000 athletes from various nations to the city. The site hosted the ] ] in ] and in ]. More recently, the World Master's Rowing Championship was held at the Martindale Pond in the summer of 2010, with $500,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in improvements to the facility such as: a weed harvester, new docking and a new timing system. There are currently talks to bring the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame to St. Catharines sometime in the near future. The pond is also home to the ], ] rowing club, ] rowing club and to the annual ], which draws hundreds of high school athletes from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The Martindale Pond or Henley, continues to hold its world-renowned status as a major rowing venue in the world. The rowing event in the ] were held in St. Catharines in 2015. Several Olympic medallists in rowing are from St. Catharines, including ], ], and ]. St Catharines hosted the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-02 |title=St. Catharines awarded 2024 World Rowing Championships |url=https://rowingcanada.org/st-catharines-awarded-2024-world-rowing-championships/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Rowing Canada Aviron |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Sailing=== | ||
There are marinas at Port Dalhousie and Port Weller and a club that sails from Municipal Beach. The St. Catharines Marina is at Port Weller. The Port Dalhousie Pier Marina and the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club are at Port Dalhousie. | |||
The was first presented to the city by representatives from the ethno cultural communities of Niagara over 35 years ago. From that first festival was created the ''Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines'', which continues to run its festival each year throughout the month of May and concludes with "Folk Arts in the Park", which takes place in ] in the city's downtown. | |||
== Government == | |||
The is a non-profit organization established in June 2004. Every year this organization holds activities throughout the year, supports Asian related clubs, businesses and fandom. It also holds a year end festival in July. . Additionally, the organization donates proceeds to charities based within the city. | |||
===Municipal=== | |||
]St. Catharines is governed by a mayor and city council of twelve city councillors, with two councillors representing each of the six municipal ]s in the city. A city councillor is also elected by the council as a whole to serve as deputy mayor, who only fills the role should the elected mayor not be available. ] meets every Monday and is open to participation by the community. Matters put forward are voted on by members of city council; the mayor presides over council debate and serves very much like the ], and as a result only votes in the case of a tie. After 2006, municipal elections will be in November every four years rather than the previous three. Unlike most cities its size, city councillors only serve on a part-time basis and continue with their non-political careers in the community. Only the mayor is elected to a full-time position. St. Catharines City Hall is downtown on Church Street. ] was the Mayor of St. Catharines from 1997 to 2006; ] was elected to succeed Rigby on 13 November 2006, and was sworn in on 4 December. He was re-elected in October 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2010/10/25/brian-mcmullan-takes-st-catharines-mayors-seat-with-decisive-victory |first=Marleen|last=Bergsma|title=Brian McMullan takes St. Catharines mayor's seat with decisive victory|date=25 October 2010 |work=St Catharines Standard|access-date=2014-02-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222145249/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2010/10/25/brian-mcmullan-takes-st-catharines-mayors-seat-with-decisive-victory |archive-date=22 February 2014 }}</ref> On 27 October 2014, ] was elected mayor of St. Catharines<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sawchuck|first1=Bill|title=Sendzik seals the deal|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/10/27/sendzik-seals-the-deal|agency=St. Catharines Standard|date=28 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806203420/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/10/27/sendzik-seals-the-deal|archive-date=6 August 2016|access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref> and assumed office in December 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walter|first1=Karena|title=Sendzik vows to bring "hometown pride" back to city|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/12/01/live-inaugural-st-catharines-city-council-meeting|agency=St. Catharines Standard|date=1 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806184123/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/12/01/live-inaugural-st-catharines-city-council-meeting|archive-date=6 August 2016}}</ref> | |||
St. Catharines uses a ], and as a result a ] (CAO) is appointed by council to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city and its departments. The CAO, in effect, is the highest ranking municipal civil servant and has authority over the spending of municipal tax dollars. The CAO advises council on policy matters and acts as liaison between the administrative staff and elected officials. Some of the CAOs duties include assisting in the creation of the municipal budget, and ensuring that municipal funds are spent in a responsible manner. Residents of St. Catharines also elect six regional councillors to the ] on an at-large basis. Unlike many other ] in Ontario, regional councillors do not sit on city council and instead only represent at the regional level. Four school board trustees for the ] representing St. Catharines and ] are elected, as well as three trustees for the ], two for five of St. Catharines' wards, and one for ] and the Merriton Ward of St. Catharines. Regional councillors and school board trustees are elected at the same time, and on the same ballot, as the mayor and city councillors. St. Catharines has one of the lowest resident/representative ratios of any large city in Ontario. There are just under 7,000 people per elected municipal representative in St. Catharines, while ] (a similar-sized city in Ontario) has one representative per 13,500 people. ], has one representative per 30,500 people and ] has one representative per 111,774 people. There has been discussion regarding a modification of the city/regional council arrangement, with the possibility of reducing city council to six full-time representatives and having the six regional councillors serve on city council. While there is growing support in the business community for such an arrangement, city council has been unreceptive to such ideas. | |||
The is a non-profit organization that presents three popular wine festivals in St. Catharines and Niagara during the year. The Niagara Icewine Festival (Winter), the Niagara New Vintage Festival (Summer), and the ] (Fall), which is the largest of the festivals, attract hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region each year. This event known by most locals simply as "Grape and Wine" attracts young and old varying from partiers to wine connoisseurs. | |||
===Provincial=== | |||
The ] is one-day event held in various clubs and pubs downtown. Rock, indie, pop, singer-songwriter, ska, punk, metal, and many other genres are represented by bands such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] who have played at the festival, which is sponsored by ]. Traditionally, a compact disc of select performers is included with admission prices - although in recent years the CD has been expanded to a 2-disc compilation - representative of the growth of the festival. | |||
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;" | |||
|+'''St. Catharines federal election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in St. Catharines)|date=7 April 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref> | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal}}| | |||
! ] | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''38%''' | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''25,971'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 33% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''22,587'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 21% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''14,785'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 2% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''1,318'' | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | '''40%''' | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''28,141'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 32% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''22,319'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 21% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''14,951'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 6% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''4,299'' | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;" | |||
===Museums=== | |||
|+'''St. Catharines provincial election results'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.on.ca/en/resource-centre/elections-results.html |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in St. Catharines)|publisher=Election Ontario |access-date=March 14, 2023}}</ref> | |||
is located at Lock 3 on the ], off the Welland Canals Parkway. An elevated viewing platform at the museum allows visitors to get a close-up look at ships from around the world as they climb this major section of the ]. Along with its exhibits dedicated to the city's history and the canals, the museum is home to the Ontario ] ] and Museum. | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
! colspan="2" scope="col" | ] | |||
|- | |||
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP}}| | |||
! ] | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 35% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''18,062'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | '''39%''' | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''20,318'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 16% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''8,455'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 4% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''2,169'' | |||
|- | |||
! ] | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 34% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''21,006'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | '''38%''' | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''23,014'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 23% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''13,825'' | |||
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 4% | |||
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''2,321'' | |||
|- | |||
|} | |||
] | |||
, perched atop the ], is one of Ontario's oldest mills on an original site, and is fully powered by water. The picturesque park provides a glimpse into the innovative and pioneering spirit of the 19th Century. | |||
At the provincial level, ] is well known for electing high-profile members of the ]. ] was the ] for St. Catharines from 1977 until 2018 and was Ontario's longest serving MPP.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Bradley voted out after 41 years as MPP in St. Catharines |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/jim-bradley-ontario-election-st-catharines-1.4697606 |website=CBC News |access-date=16 July 2022}}</ref> ], who represented the southern portions of the city as part of the ], was a prominent Member of Provincial Parliament in the ] caucus and served previously as Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations in the ] government. From 1999 to 2003, during the premierships of ] and ], St. Catharines was the only large city in Ontario to not have at least one government member representing the city, as the ]-held ridings of ] and ] were eliminated as a cost-saving measure. ], a long-time ], represented the now-eliminated Lincoln and St. Catharines—Brock ridings throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. | |||
===Federal=== | |||
, located in the former ] ] School, provides children and their families with an educational yet entertaining and stimulating place to visit using hands-on, interactive exhibits and outdoor activities. | |||
Federally, ] is one of the most ] of any riding in Canada, having only elected an opposition MP twice in its history. ] is the current MP for St. Catharines and is a member of the ], which currently forms Canada's government. The southern portion of the city is included as part of the ] riding, and is represented by ], a ] MP.<ref>{{cite web|last1=LaFleche|first1=Grant|title=Dykstra, Allen lose their seats|url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/10/20/dykstra-allen-loses-their-seats-but-nicholson-allison-withstand-the-red-tide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021122555/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/10/20/dykstra-allen-loses-their-seats-but-nicholson-allison-withstand-the-red-tide|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2015|website=St. Catharines Standard|access-date=23 October 2015}}</ref> Most federal representatives from St. Catharines have maintained a low profile on either the government or opposition ]. The exception was ], who served as ] for seven years while ] was Prime Minister. | |||
=== |
===Legal=== | ||
St. Catharines is the judicial seat of the Niagara North Judicial District of Ontario, Central South Region, which represents the northern half of the Niagara Region equivalent to historic ]. The Superior Court of Justice is on Church Street across from City Hall. A satellite court is in ]. The city forms "1 District" of the ]. The NRPS headquarters are no longer on Church Street, having moved to Niagara Falls in a finally constructed new building with administrative offices and support services on Cushman Road. | |||
] (formerly the Operatic Society of Grantham United Church 1956-1962) puts on two community theatre shows per year at the Mandeville Theatre in Ridley College. | |||
== Infrastructure == | |||
put on a year-round schedule of professionally produced musicals, comedies and dramas. | |||
=== Transportation === | |||
] | |||
The most defining transportation icon of St. Catharines is the Welland Canal, a ] that runs 43.4 kilometres (27.0 mi), passing through the city. Four of its locks are within city boundaries. The canal allows shipping vessels to traverse the 99.5-metre (326.5 ft) drop in altitude from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The ] is a nearby bridge that facilitates vehicle traffic into the city. | |||
==Shopping== | |||
] | |||
The main access routes into and out of St. Catharines are served by two major ]s. The ] runs east (at 15-Mile Creek) to west (at ]) and ] runs north (at QEW) to south (at St. David's Road). Prior to the construction of these freeways, St. Paul Street (former ], now ]) and Hartzel Road (former ], now a city-maintained street) provided east–west and north–south access to the city. | |||
St. Catharines is the premiere shopping destination of Niagara. ] (originally ''The Niagara Peninsula Shopping Centre'') is the region's largest mall, and at one point the fourth largest mall in ], with over one million square feet of floor space. Located next to the ], it features over 160 brand-name stores, three major department stores, a supermarket, four restaurants, an 8-screen movieplex, a ladies-only health club, and more recently, five big-box format stores. It is currently completing a small expansion project featuring the region's only ] store and a revamped Garage and RW & Co. | |||
Public transportation is served by the ], which operates bus routes throughout the city and neighbouring Thorold. All major routes converge at the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, which is downtown within the headquarters of the ]. The central station is also served by ], with service to Toronto and Niagara Falls. | |||
Though less popular than ''the Pen'', the ] was the city’s first enclosed mall. It opened on April 16, 1961, as one of the first enclosed malls in Canada. Since then it has undergone many significant renovations, which added floorspace and a modern facade over the years. It continues to serve the area with over 60 shops and Niagara’s only ] bookstore. | |||
Though transportation by rail is becoming increasingly popular, the ] is largely under-utilized, with car and bus travel being the dominant forms of transportation for the city. The station is in its original building, outside the downtown core (because of issues involving the crossing of 12-Mile Creek). It is served daily by ] and ] trains connecting it to ] and ]. The provincial and federal government recently committed $385 million each to ] to aid in the development of their 10-Year Capital Expansion Plan, which includes an expansion bus line servicing the Niagara Region. Currently, regular GO Bus service exists to St. Catharines with a stop at Fairview Mall, allowing riders to travel either west toward Burlington or east toward Niagara Falls. A rail link with GO Transit operates during the summer months with plans for the city to be permanently linked via rail in the future. | |||
The former Lincoln Mall was located in the ] and featured many discount stores and a large movie theatre. After years of decline however, the mall and theatre were torn down and replaced with a ] known as Lincoln Value Centre (it contains a Wal-Mart, the first in Niagara, and several other outlets). The nearby Lincoln Mall Annex continues to carry the former name despite this change. | |||
] | |||
The development of ] and ] communities led to the city’s first modern large-scale power centre known as First Pro Garden City, recently renamed SmartCentres St. Catharines. It features a second ] store for St. Catharines, uncommon for cities of its size. The west-end shopping destination continues to grow just as plans call for the city’s new hospital complex to be placed down the road. | |||
] services ] as well as chartered ] flights. The airport is served by charter flights from ] and offers charter flights to ], Muskoka and Collingwood. It is near the city's east-end in neighbouring ]. Other airports surrounding the city include ] and ]. The closest airports in proximity offering long-haul and international flights are ], ] and ]. | |||
Though once unpopular areas for shopping, the ] and retail district of ] have emerged as unique shopping destinations in the city, featuring high-end boutiques, independently-owned shops and complimented with numerous new bars, restaurants and cafes. | |||
St. Catharines had one of the first ] electric ] routes, which ran between the city and ] and was eventually extended to ] in the north and ] to the south. Like most streetcar routes throughout the world, it was decommissioned in the 1960s, and the right-of-way has since been converted to parks and trails. | |||
==Notable figures== | |||
===Fashion=== | |||
*Supermodel ], was born and raised in St. Catharines. Her family still lives here. The breast screening centre at St. Catharines General Hospital is named after her and singer ]. | |||
== |
==Education== | ||
=== Secondary schools === | |||
*Celebrated painter ]'s works are renowned for being unique departures from the norm, and though in recent years her focus has been on raising her two children, Charles and Michellio Petrini, she is still recognized as a preeminent figure in St. Catharines. Her latest piece was a mural depicting her parents in Italy; it can be seen to this day on the front of her garage. | |||
{{See also|Education in Ontario}} | |||
*] is a critically acclaimed photographer. | |||
The ] (DSBN), the local public school board, manages 6 secondary schools within St. Catharines: ], ], ], ], St. Catharines Collegiate, and ]. The opening of DSBN Academy was described as "Canada's most controversial pedagogical experiment in years" by the ''Globe and Mail'', as the school was specifically geared towards low-income students. This raised fears about segregation in public education and causing low-income students to feel singled out. Proponents argued that the additional academic supports offered to disadvantaged students would raise their chances of attending post-secondary education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hammer |first1=Kate |title=Proposed school for low-income students ignites controversy |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/proposed-school-for-low-income-students-ignites-controversy/article568353/ |website=The Globe and Mail |date=25 February 2011 |access-date=14 August 2022}}</ref> Governor Simcoe and Winston Churchill offer ] programs.<ref>{{cite web |title=French Immersion Schools |url=https://www.dsbn.org/programs-services/french-immersion/fi-schools |website=DSBN |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> Eden Secondary School, although it operates through the DSBN and receives public school funding, is also a Christian school.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rau |first1=Krishna |title=Mennonite high school fully funded: The game of political hot potato surrounding Eden |url=https://xtramagazine.com/power/mennonite-high-school-fully-funded-39246 |website=Xtra Magazine |date=21 February 2007 |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
The ] (NCDSB) manages and operates 3 Catholic secondary schools within the city: ], ], and ]. | |||
<gallery> | |||
], near the city's downtown core in the Western Hill neighbourhood, is a private co-educational boarding and day school. It was established as a boys' school in 1889, and became co-educational in 1973. | |||
</gallery> | |||
===Film and television=== | |||
*], pastry chef and host of ]'s '']'' and ''Kitchen Equipped'' operates a bakery in Port Dalhousie. | |||
*], actor/comedian, a former cast member of ]. Played the roll of pharmacist Russell Norton on TV series '']''. Also known for playing Doug of ] fame. | |||
*, late actor and husband of late actress ], went to Ridley College. | |||
*], former ] VJ and Videographer. | |||
*], actor/writer, was born in St. Catharines. He has appeared in numerous films and TV shows such as ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
*] (a.k.a. "Rick the Temp"), former MuchMusic VJ and current reporter on ], attended Brock University and earned his honours degree there. | |||
=== |
=== Post-secondary === | ||
St. Catharines is home to ] (established 1964), a modern comprehensive university on the Niagara Escarpment. ], a post graduate institution of the ], also operates there. A partnership between the university and the Ontario Grape and Wine Industry established the city as a centre for cool-climate grape and wine research. | |||
*], a Canadian broadcaster, reporter and writer attended ]. | |||
*],a Canadian social activist and feminist was born in St. Catharines. | |||
The ] is a medical school operated by ] with a campus in downtown St. Catharines. Prior to 2004, it was known as the McMaster University School of Medicine.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the School of Medicine|url=http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/main/medschool_history.html|website=Faculty of Health Sciences|publisher=McMaster University|accessdate=October 18, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007182030/http://fhs.mcmaster.ca/main/medschool_history.html|archivedate=October 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===Musicians=== | |||
] | |||
*Most of the members of ] hail from St. Catharines including ], ] and ]. ]'s music video for '']'' was filmed in St. Catharines inside L3 nightclub, including a scene in Ostanek's Music Shop. | |||
*], ]-winning drummer for ], is a native of St. Catharines and continues to spend a significant amount of the time in the city when not touring with the band. | |||
*Two members of the band ] - ], lead singer, and ], bass guitarist - both studied at Ridley College. Duncan was born and raised in St. Catharines and his family still lives there. | |||
*] of ] and ] is a native of St. Catharines. | |||
*], ]-winning musician and Canada's ''Polka King'', is a St. Catharines resident. His store, Ostanek's Music Shop, is located on Geneva Street in the city's downtown area. | |||
*], drummer of ], was raised in St. Catharines. The song "Lakeside Park" is based on the area of ] where he lived. | |||
*], a Juno Award-winning singer/songwriter, was also born and raised here, and now lives in ]. | |||
*] spent a significant time in St. Catharines, before recently re-locating to nearby ]. | |||
*], lead singer and songwriter for the ] band, ], was born in St. Catharines. | |||
Although not a part of St. Catharines itself, there are nearby campuses for ] in ] and ]. The college used to operate a horticulture-related campus in the city on 360 Niagara Street, across from ] from the 1970s to 1990s. | |||
===Inventors=== | |||
*], inventor of the ], developed the zipper while living in St. Catharines. | |||
== |
== Media == | ||
===Newspapers=== | |||
*] resides in St. Catharines. Wright won the ], the ] and the ] in 2001 for his novel Clara Callan. | |||
* '']'' (daily) | |||
* ''Niagara This Week'' (community weekly) | |||
* ''The Brock Press'' (student newspaper for ])<ref>{{cite web |title=The Brock Press |url=https://www.brockpress.com/ |website=Brockpress.com |access-date=15 August 2022}}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Radio=== | ||
* AM 610: ], ] /] | |||
*], former ] (1977-1985), served several cabinet postings under Premiers ], ] and ], was a life-long St. Catharines resident. | |||
* AM 1220: ], ] | |||
*], former ] (1943-48), ] and ] in ]'s cabinet (1948-57). | |||
* FM 97.7: ] (''HTZ FM''), ] | |||
* FM 103.7: ], ] ] | |||
* FM 105.7: ] ('']''), ] | |||
=== |
===Television=== | ||
The Niagara region has no television service of its own. Stations broadcasting from Toronto, ] and ] are available over-the-air in the region, and the region has a local transmitter (CKVP-DT) rebroadcasting the ] ] station ]. A local specialty news and information channel called ] launched in February 2011, but ceased operations only 3 months later in April. In 2003, a local business consortium applied to the ] (CRTC) for a licence to operate TV Niagara, a ] television station in St. Catharines. The application was denied by the CRTC in 2005, citing concerns about the group's business plan and its dependence on gaining audience share in the Toronto market.<ref>{{cite web |title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2005-544 |url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2005/db2005-544.htm |website=] |date=18 November 2005 |publisher=] |access-date=23 June 2022}}</ref> | |||
*] was raised in St. Catharines and lived in Port Dalhousie with husband ] for several years. At that time, she worked as a veterinarian's assistant in a clinic on Hartzel Rd. The pair were responsible for the rapes and murders of multiple young women -- including Karla's sister Tammy, Kristen French (a St. Catharines residents) and Leslie Mahaffy. | |||
== |
== Sister City == | ||
*{{flagicon|Trinidad and Tobago}} ], ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cityofportofspain.gov.tt/international/sister-cities/listings-of-twinning-cities/|title=Listing of Twinning Cities – City of Port of Spain|website=cityofportofspain.gov.tt|access-date=2 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085855/http://cityofportofspain.gov.tt/international/sister-cities/listings-of-twinning-cities/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref> | |||
*], the television and radio play-by-play announcer of the Buffalo Sabres. | |||
*], Olympic Silver Medalist and one of only two Canadians to wear the ] ], was born in St. Catharines. | |||
*] of the ] and ] Champion ] 1993 is a native of the city. | |||
*], a former NHL goaltender with the ] and the ]. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985. | |||
*] is a controversial hockey agent and promoter, also a Canadian lawyer and politician. He is known for negotiating famous hockey star Bobby Orr's first contract with the Boston Bruins. | |||
*], Canadian NHL hockey player and founder of ] restaurants, was pronounced dead at St. Catharines General Hospital after his car lost control and crashed on the ] at Martindale Road. | |||
*] of the ] in the city and raised in ]. | |||
*], a left winger with the ] of the ], was also born in St. Catharines | |||
*], former ] Vice-President and current chairman of the ], was born in St. Catharines and spent his early childhood in the city. | |||
*] (formerly Buffy Alexander) is a Canadian rower who won the Bronze Medal at the ] in the Women's Eight event. | |||
*] is a women's hockey player for the NCAA Division I ] Badgers who won the 2006 ] as the top women's college hockey player in the United States. | |||
*] is a ] player for the ] of the ] | |||
*] is a ] player for the ] of the ] | |||
*] is a ] player for the ] of the ] | |||
*] is a ] player for the ] of the ]. World champions in 2006. | |||
==See also== | == See also == | ||
*] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
==Notes== | |||
{{notelist}} | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category|St. Catharines}} | |||
* | |||
{{wikivoyage|St. Catharines}} | |||
{{Geolinks-Canada-cityscale|43.1799|-79.24}} | |||
*{{official website|http://www.stcatharines.ca}} | |||
* | |||
* - St. Catharines Museum | |||
* | |||
{{St. Catharines}} | |||
{{Canadian City Geographic Location| | |||
{{Geographic location | |||
North='']''| | |||
|North='']'' | |||
|West=] | |||
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Latest revision as of 18:47, 9 January 2025
This article is about the Canadian city. For other uses, see St. Catharines (disambiguation).
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St. Catharines | |
---|---|
City (lower-tier) | |
City of St. Catharines | |
Downtown St. Catharines | |
FlagCoat of armsLogo | |
Nickname(s): The Garden City, St. Kitts, St. Cats, The Kitts | |
Motto(s): Industry and Liberality | |
Location of St. Catharines and its census metropolitan area in Ontario | |
St. CatharinesLocation of St. Catharines in Southern Ontario | |
Coordinates: 43°09′30″N 79°14′45″W / 43.15833°N 79.24583°W / 43.15833; -79.24583 | |
Country | Canada |
Province | Ontario |
Region | Niagara |
Settled | 1779; 246 years ago (1779) |
Incorporated (town) | 1845; 180 years ago (1845) |
Incorporated (city) | 1876; 149 years ago (1876) |
Government | |
• Mayor | Mat Siscoe |
• Governing body | St. Catharines City Council |
• MPs | Chris Bittle, Vance Badawey, Dean Allison |
• MPPs | Jennie Stevens, Jeff Burch, Sam Oosterhoff |
Area | |
• Land | 96.20 km (37.14 sq mi) |
Elevation | 97.80 m (320.87 ft) |
Population | |
• City (lower-tier) | 136,803 (42nd) |
• Metro | 433,604 (13th) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Forward Sortation Area | L2M to L2W |
Area code(s) | 905, 289, 365, and 742 |
Highways | Queen Elizabeth Way Highway 406 Highway 58 |
GDP (St. Catharines–Niagara CMA) | CA$17.4 billion (2020) |
GDP per capita (St. Catharines–Niagara CMA) | CA$37,505 (2016) |
Website | stcatharines |
St. Catharines is the most populous city in Canada's Niagara Region, the eighth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2017, St. Catharines has an area of 96.13 square kilometres (37.12 sq mi) and 140,370 residents. It lies in Southern Ontario, 51 kilometres (32 mi) south of Toronto across Lake Ontario, and is 19 kilometres (12 mi) inland from the international boundary with the United States along the Niagara River. It is the northern entrance of the Welland Canal. Residents of St. Catharines are known as St. Catharinites. St. Catharines carries the official nickname "The Garden City" due to its 1,000 acres (4 km) of parks, gardens, and trails.
St. Catharines is between the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and the Canada–U.S. border at Fort Erie. Manufacturing was the city's dominant industry, as noted by the heraldic motto, "Industry and Liberality". General Motors of Canada, Ltd., the Canadian subsidiary of General Motors, was the city's largest employer, a distinction now held by the District School Board of Niagara. THK Rhythm Automotive, formerly TRW, operates a plant in the city, although in recent years, employment there has shifted from heavy industry and manufacturing to services.
St. Catharines lies on one of the main telecommunications backbones between Canada and the United States, and as a result a number of call centres operate in the city. It is designated an Urban Growth Centre by the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, intended to achieve a minimum density target of 150 jobs and residents combined per hectare by 2032 or earlier.
St. Catharines is also home to Brock University.
History
Early history
The Iroquoian speaking Chonnonton peoples who were also known as the "people of the deer" lived in the region. The Chonnonton would grow vegetables like corn, beans, and squash while living in longhouses. In 1647 the Seneca conquered Chonnonton villages from east of the Niagara River. The Haudenosaunee then destroyed the villages in the 1650s. After these attacks and smallpox epidemics, the Chonnontons disappeared completely, with the last recorded appearance of them in 1671 by French explorers.
St. Catharines falls within the original territory of the Mississaugas. A treaty signed in 1782 between the Mississaugas and the British government ceded a large tract of land, which included the St. Catharines area, to the Crown for the purpose of European settlement. St. Catharines was settled by Loyalists in the 1780s. The Crown granted land in compensation for services and for losses in the United States. Early histories credit the Loyalists Serjeant Jacob Dittrick and Private John Hainer as among the first settlers to come to the area in 1790. They took their Crown Patents, where Dick's Creek and 12 Mile Creek merge, which is now the city centre of St. Catharines. Historians have speculated that Dick's Creek was named after Richard Pierpoint, a Black Loyalist and former American slave, from an oral history account and events that had taken place around that time that would be consistent with him being the source of the name. Secondary to water routes, indigenous trails provided transportation networks, which resulted in the nearby radial road patterns. The surrounding land was surveyed, and ownships were created between 1787 and 1789.
After the Butler's Rangers disbanded in 1784 and settled the area, Duncan Murray, as a former quartermaster in the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants), was appointed by the Crown to distribute free government supplies (victuals) for two years to the resettled Loyalists. He did this from his mill, built on the 12 Mile Creek in Power Glen. After his death in 1786, his holdings were forfeited to the merchant Robert Hamilton of Queenston, who tried to operate for profit the well-established Murray's Distribution Centre and Mill under the management of his cousin. Among other ventures, Hamilton became land wealthy by expropriating lands from subsistence Loyalist settlers who were incapable of settling their debts. Murray's distribution centre, later Hamilton's warehouse, and its location have long been a mystery. Hamilton's major profits were derived from transhipping supplies for the military and civic establishments from his Queenston enterprise, not from charitably supplying the subsistence Loyalist settlers. Hamilton lacked interest in social development and sold his business to Jesse Thompson before the turn of the 19th century.
The Merritt family arrived after this time and was among the later Loyalists to relocate after the American Revolution. They were from the Carolinas, New York State, and New Brunswick. In 1796, Thomas Merritt arrived to build on his relationship with his former Commander and Queen's Ranger, John Graves Simcoe, who was now the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. The first Welland Canal was constructed from 1824 to 1833. William Hamilton Merritt worked to promote the ambitious venture by raising funds and enlisting government support. The canal established St. Catharines as the hub of commerce and industry for the Niagara Peninsula. Merritt played a role in making St. Catharines a centre of abolitionist activity. In 1855, the British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Chapel; was established at the corner of Geneva and North Streets on land granted to the congregation by Merritt in the early 1840s. The area became known to refugee slaves from the United States as a place of "refuge and rest;" it was a destination, one of the final stops in Canada on the Underground Railroad for African-American refugees fleeing slavery. The abolitionist Harriet Tubman then lived in St. Catharines. By the mid-1850s, the town's population was about 6,000, of whom 800 were of African descent. St. Catharines remains an important place in Black Canadian history.
At an unknown early date, an inn was built by Thomas Adams on the east side of what is now Ontario Street. It became a community meeting place, election centre, stagecoach stop, and mail delivery deposit. That had been preceded by the church and a log school house completed before 1797, all on the east bank of the 12 Mile Creek, at the extreme west end of what was then known as Main Street. It was an extension of the old Iroquois Trail and was renamed St. Paul Street by the settlers and their descendants by the mid-19th century. Later, several mills, salt works, numerous retail outlets, a ship building yard, distillery, and various other businesses were developed.
Incorporated as a village in 1845, St. Catharines had a population of about 3,500 in 1846. The primary industry was flour milling. Other industry included ship repairs, four grist mills, a brewery, three distilleries, a tannery, a foundry, a machine, and a pump factory. There were a variety of tradesmen, three bank agencies, and eight taverns. Stage coaches offered service to other towns and villages. There were already six churches or chapels, a post office that received mail daily, a grammar school, and a weekly newspaper.
St. Catharines was incorporated as a city in 1876. The city expanded when it annexed Grantham Township, Merritton, and Port Dalhousie. There was some westward expansion, which was divided between St. Catharines and Lincoln.
Origin of name
Before it was called St. Catharines, the settlement near Twelve Mile Creek was known by various names, including Shipman's Corners and The Twelve. The name St. Catharines was first recorded in 1796, as St. Catherines, and became a common name for the settlement by 1809, but it would often be spelled with -er- or with an apostrophe before the -s. The name and the spelling were standardized as St. Catharines when the town incorporated in 1845. The Catherine after which the city is named is unclear. Common theories include Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Catherine Butler (wife of Colonel John Butler), and Catherine Askin Hamilton (wife of Robert Hamilton). Catharine Rodman Prendergast Merritt, wife of William Hamilton Merritt, may be the source of the -ar spelling. An alternate theory to explain the spelling was that Catharine with an -ar was the typical spelling of the name for Palatine German settlers in the region.
Geography
Climate
St. Catharines' climate is humid continental (Köppen borderline Dfa/Dfb). It has a unique micro-climate because of the moderating influence of Lake Ontario/Lake Erie and the sheltering effect of the Niagara Escarpment to the south. This climate allows wineries to flourish. As a result, the city records numerous frost-free days and frequent thaws in the winter, although it sometimes receives heavy lake-effect snow during certain wind conditions, and micro-cooling lakeside on some spring afternoons. The summer season is predominantly warm, sometimes hot and humid, with an average high temperature of 27 °C (81 °F) in July. Summer thunderstorms are commonplace but generally less prevalent and less severe than farther west in southern Ontario due to the diminishing effect of the surrounding lakes.
The highest temperature ever recorded in St. Catharines was 40.0 °C (104 °F) on 10 July 1936. The coldest temperature ever recorded was −25.7 °C (−14.3 °F) on 18 February 1979.
Climate data for St. Catharines Airport, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1911–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 20.8 | 20.2 | 29.3 | 34.5 | 43.5 | 44.5 | 46.1 | 49.4 | 42.0 | 39.0 | 27.1 | 25.0 | 49.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 20.0 (68.0) |
19.4 (66.9) |
26.7 (80.1) |
32.2 (90.0) |
35.0 (95.0) |
36.1 (97.0) |
40.0 (104.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
36.7 (98.1) |
31.1 (88.0) |
26.8 (80.2) |
21.9 (71.4) |
40.0 (104.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.3 (31.5) |
0.9 (33.6) |
5.5 (41.9) |
12.4 (54.3) |
19.5 (67.1) |
24.4 (75.9) |
27.1 (80.8) |
25.8 (78.4) |
21.6 (70.9) |
15.1 (59.2) |
8.4 (47.1) |
2.5 (36.5) |
13.6 (56.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −3.8 (25.2) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
1.1 (34.0) |
7.4 (45.3) |
13.7 (56.7) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.9 (71.4) |
20.8 (69.4) |
16.6 (61.9) |
10.4 (50.7) |
4.6 (40.3) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
9.0 (48.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.4 (18.7) |
−6.8 (19.8) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
2.2 (36.0) |
7.9 (46.2) |
13.4 (56.1) |
16.6 (61.9) |
15.7 (60.3) |
11.6 (52.9) |
5.6 (42.1) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
4.4 (39.9) |
Record low °C (°F) | −23.8 (−10.8) |
−25.7 (−14.3) |
−21.1 (−6.0) |
−15 (5) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
1.0 (33.8) |
6.1 (43.0) |
2.6 (36.7) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−7 (19) |
−13.9 (7.0) |
−24.4 (−11.9) |
−25.7 (−14.3) |
Record low wind chill | −42.0 | −34.6 | −28.3 | −19.7 | −2.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | −8.3 | −18.9 | −28.0 | −42.0 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 65.2 (2.57) |
54.9 (2.16) |
61.7 (2.43) |
77.0 (3.03) |
76.8 (3.02) |
85.9 (3.38) |
77.8 (3.06) |
70.3 (2.77) |
90.6 (3.57) |
67.0 (2.64) |
81.6 (3.21) |
71.5 (2.81) |
880.1 (34.65) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 30.8 (1.21) |
28.9 (1.14) |
39.3 (1.55) |
71.2 (2.80) |
76.3 (3.00) |
86.0 (3.39) |
77.8 (3.06) |
70.3 (2.77) |
90.6 (3.57) |
67.0 (2.64) |
72.1 (2.84) |
44.0 (1.73) |
754.2 (29.69) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 38.6 (15.2) |
29.3 (11.5) |
23.2 (9.1) |
5.8 (2.3) |
0.4 (0.2) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
9.6 (3.8) |
30.1 (11.9) |
137.1 (54.0) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 16.5 | 13.4 | 13.3 | 13.9 | 11.5 | 10.9 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 14.1 | 15.2 | 150.7 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 5.8 | 5.8 | 8.4 | 12.4 | 11.5 | 10.9 | 9.8 | 9.7 | 10.9 | 11.8 | 12.1 | 8.1 | 117.0 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 12.3 | 9.1 | 6.5 | 2.4 | 0.05 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.10 | 3.0 | 9.4 | 42.7 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 73.0 | 67.7 | 62.9 | 57.6 | 55.9 | 58.1 | 57.5 | 59.0 | 60.5 | 64.5 | 69.1 | 71.9 | 63.1 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 64.5 | 106.8 | 140.5 | 166.5 | 242.3 | 279.9 | 277.6 | 255.3 | 185.0 | 155.2 | 80.5 | 69.3 | 2,023.4 |
Percent possible sunshine | 22.2 | 36.2 | 38.1 | 41.5 | 53.3 | 60.9 | 59.6 | 59.1 | 49.2 | 45.2 | 27.5 | 24.7 | 43.1 |
Source: Environment Canada |
The complex and extensive glacial history of the Niagara Peninsula has resulted in similarly complex soil stratigraphy in the area occupied by the city today. St. Catharines was once at the base of a glacial lake known as Glacial Lake Iroquois, which deposited thick layers of clay between the Escarpment and Lake Ontario. As a result of these factors, the city's soil is particularly conducive to fruit growing and is capable of producing grapes that are used to make wines. Three wineries operate in the city's west end: Henry of Pelham Winery, Hernder Estates and Harvest Estates.
Since the opening of the first Welland Canal in 1829, the city has had four different canal systems, whether modified or newly constructed, carved into its geographical landscape. The fourth and present-day canal forms the majority of the city's eastern boundary. The first three of the city's canals have largely been buried, portions of it beside the present-day Highway 406 and near Lake Street and the QEW highway. Other remnants of the original canals can still be seen in various locations throughout the city; many remains are hidden within forested areas designated as city parks. Some residents in the region are interested in restoring the original routing of the Welland Canal through the city. They intend that the restored waterway and locks would be open to a new tourist attraction within the city.
St. Catharines was affected by the Blizzard of 1977, an event which resulted in more than 150 cm of snow, wind that travelled the speed of 110 km/h, and a wind chill of approximately -45 degrees Celsius. The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) was closed and a state of emergency was declared. The Canadian Armed Forces was involved in rescue efforts.
Communities
St. Catharines' development history has resulted in a number of unique and distinct communities within the city. The historical area of St. Catharines consisted of nothing more than what is now the downtown core, with the remaining land being part of Louth Township on the west and Grantham Township on the east. St. Catharines continued to steadily grow through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, eventually annexing land to the southwest that would become Western Hill and Old Glenridge, and to the east and north that would collectively become the central part of St. Catharines. In addition to the growth of St. Catharines, the town of Merritton and the town of Port Dalhousie existed as separate municipalities to the south and north of the city, each slowly growing their own residential base.
Along with the rest of Ontario, St. Catharines experienced explosive growth after World War II. St. Catharines continued to annex Grantham Township as development continued, including the large swaths of land to the north known now as "The North End". St. Catharines would also absorb Merritton and Port Dalhousie in 1961, making them part of the city. During this time, St. Catharines nearly tripled in population.
With the formation of the Regional Municipality of Niagara in 1970, the portion of Louth Township east of Fifteen Mile Creek was transferred to the City of St. Catharines. This included the eastern portion of the Hamlet of Rockway, as well as the Hamlet of Power Glen. The few remaining portions of Grantham Township in the Northeast corner of the area, including Port Weller, were also transferred to the city. With the new Louth Township lands belonging to the city, St. Catharines would begin two developments in the west end — Martindale Road in 1983, and Vansickle Road in 1987. These developments are nearing completion. There was also a push to continue further expansion to the west in the late 1990s, but this has since been halted by Ontario Greenbelt legislation.
The following distinct communities exist within St. Catharines:
- Carlton - Bunting
- Grantham
- Port Dalhousie
- Lakeshore
- Port Weller
- Facer
- Lancaster
- Michigan Beach
- The North End
- St. George's Point
- Kernahan
- Merritton
- Oakdale
- Secord Woods
- Queenston
- Fitzgerald
- Haig
- Orchard Park
- Downtown St. Catharines
- Barbican Heights
- Brockview
- Glenridge
- Marsdale
- Riverview
- Louth
- Martindale Heights
- Power Glen
- Vansickle
- Western Hill
Downtown
Main article: Downtown St. CatharinesNumerous efforts have been made to improve the downtown; the restructuring of manufacturing resulted in a loss of jobs and retail businesses. In the early 21st century, city, university, and private developers undertook several initiatives to revive downtown, related to urban design, clustering activities to attract people to the area as a destination from day through evening events.
In 2006, city council approved converting one-way arteries through the city centre to allow for two-way traffic, to make it easier for people to make their way around the city to explore it. In terms of urban planning and use, two-way traffic improves circulation within the area. The city wanted to improve downtown as a destination, rather than a place to pass through. The council also want to have downtown St. Catharines on the Wine Route, a driving tour of Niagara wineries and an Ontario Wine Council initiative to boost the number of visitors to the region's many wineries. The Wine Route was modified to officially redirect winery goers through the downtown starting in 2012. The first phase of two-way traffic was completed in 2009, with St. Paul and King streets being converted. The cost of the conversion was $3.5 million and was shared with Niagara Region. In 2012, most observers concluded that the change had achieved its goals; it garnered national media attention.
In 2009, $54 million in joint federal, provincial and municipal funding was announced for the construction of a performing arts centre in the city's core, officially opened in September 2015 as the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. Complementing the centre, which features concert, dance and film venues, is Brock University's Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The university renovated the former Canada Hair Cloth Building to use for the school. This former industrial building is behind St. Paul Street and next to the municipal performing arts centre.
In late 2011, city council approved moving forward with the construction of a new spectator facility to replace the crumbling Garden City Arena Complex, built in 1938. Council voted to build a U-shaped facility, which will be home to the Niagara IceDogs, an Ontario Hockey League team, and be able to host other events, such as concerts. It would have room for 4,500 to 5,300 spectators. The goal is to keep the cost of the facility at or below $50 million and to build it on a swath of land known locally as the lower-level parking lot, behind St. Paul Street and abutting Highway 406. Council's commitment to build the facility resulted in IceDogs' owner Bill Burke promising to sign a 20-year lease with the city after he threatened to move his team if the city chose not to build a new arena.
The city has made other infrastructure improvements to the downtown. In January 2012, a new edition of the Carlisle Street Parking Garage opened. It was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards and was certified for its environmentally friendly features, including a green roof, preferred carpool and hybrid vehicle parking, greywater collection, permeable interlocking brick pavement, and several bike racks for users. A mixed-use development, the structure was planned for retail space at street level on Carlisle Street, in order to promote activity and business on the street. The project cost $27.9 million, with funding split three ways between the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Starting in 2019, certain streets located in downtown St. Catharines have been closed during weekends to vehicle traffic. These pedestrian zones have expanded over time. $214,500 (~$237,951 in 2023) was allocated in the city's budget in 2021 for these road closures. In 2023, this initiative was discontinued.
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1841 | 3,500 | — |
1871 | 7,864 | +124.7% |
1881 | 9,631 | +22.5% |
1891 | 9,170 | −4.8% |
1901 | 9,946 | +8.5% |
1911 | 12,484 | +25.5% |
1921 | 19,881 | +59.3% |
1931 | 24,753 | +24.5% |
1941 | 30,025 | +21.3% |
1951 | 37,984 | +26.5% |
1961 | 84,472 | +122.4% |
1971 | 109,722 | +29.9% |
1981 | 124,018 | +13.0% |
1991 | 129,300 | +4.3% |
1996 | 130,926 | +1.3% |
2001 | 129,170 | −1.3% |
2006 | 131,989 | +2.2% |
2011 | 131,400 | −0.4% |
2016 | 133,113 | +1.3% |
2021 | 136,803 | +2.8% |
Ethnic origin 2021
(>2000 population) |
Population | Percent |
---|---|---|
English | 31,030 | 23.1% |
Scottish | 24,775 | 18.4% |
Irish | 22,070 | 16.4% |
Canadian | 19,025 | 14.2% |
German | 16,000 | 11.9% |
Italian | 12,515 | 9.3% |
French | 11,345 | 8.4% |
Dutch | 9,120 | 6.8% |
Ukrainian | 6,955 | 5.2% |
Polish | 6,930 | 5.2% |
British Isles n.o.s. | 6,015 | 4.5% |
Welsh | 2,600 | 1.9% |
Russian | 2,440 | 1.8% |
Chinese | 2,405 | 1.8% |
Hungarian | 2,290 | 1.7% |
Caucasian (White), n.o.s. | 2,215 | 1.6% |
First Nations n.o.s.
+ North American Indigenous, n.o.s. |
2,185 | 1.6% |
French Canadian | 2,130 | 1.6% |
Indian (India) | 2,110 | 1.6% |
Filipino | 2,020 | 1.5% |
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. Catharines had a population of 136,803 living in 58,903 of its 61,977 total private dwellings, a change of 2.8% from its 2016 population of 133,113. With a land area of 96.2 km (37.1 sq mi), it had a population density of 1,422.1/km (3,683.1/sq mi) in 2021.
At the census metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the St. Catharines - Niagara CMA had a population of 433,604 living in 179,224 of its 190,878 total private dwellings, a change of 6.8% from its 2016 population of 406,074. With a land area of 1,397.09 km (539.42 sq mi), it had a population density of 310.4/km (803.8/sq mi) in 2021.
Since 1998, St. Catharines has had one of the highest obesity rates of any centre in Canada. A 2001 analysis by Statistics Canada showed that 57.3 percent of its residents were overweight. This has caused some elements of the media, including CTV, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and The Globe and Mail to dub St. Catharines as Canada's "fattest" city. In 2008, new statistics were released that show that the percentage obese or obese/overweight residents of Hamilton (74.3%), Kingston (70.1%), and St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador (70%) is now higher than St. Catharines-Niagara (69.3%), though the obesity rate in St. Catharines was higher in 2008 than in 1998.
23% of children in St. Catharines were estimated to be living in poverty as of 2015, which was above Canada's average rate of child poverty. In 2022, the municipality itself as an employer became the largest in Ontario to offer a living wage, an action praised by the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.
Ethnicity
As of the 2021 Census, 16.5% of residents were visible minorities, 2.5% had Indigenous identity, and the remaining 81.0% were White. The largest visible minority groups were Black (4.1%), South Asian (2.5%), Latin American (2.3%), Chinese (1.6%), Filipino (1.5%) and Arab (1.3%).
Panethnic group |
2021 | 2016 | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
European | 108,815 | 81% | 109,770 | 84.54% | 113,650 | 88.26% | 115,060 | 88.5% | 117,020 | 92.23% |
African | 5,540 | 4.12% | 3,715 | 2.86% | 2,675 | 2.08% | 2,615 | 2.01% | 1,910 | 1.51% |
South Asian | 3,325 | 2.48% | 1,865 | 1.44% | 1,430 | 1.11% | 1,690 | 1.3% | 1,385 | 1.09% |
Indigenous | 3,305 | 2.46% | 3,550 | 2.73% | 2,425 | 1.88% | 1,915 | 1.47% | 1,480 | 1.17% |
Southeast Asian | 3,295 | 2.45% | 2,340 | 1.8% | 1,675 | 1.3% | 2,175 | 1.67% | 1,215 | 0.96% |
East Asian | 3,090 | 2.3% | 3,475 | 2.68% | 2,565 | 1.99% | 2,100 | 1.62% | 1,710 | 1.35% |
Latin American | 3,065 | 2.28% | 2,175 | 1.68% | 1,920 | 1.49% | 2,310 | 1.78% | 785 | 0.62% |
Middle Eastern | 2,130 | 1.59% | 1,780 | 1.37% | 1,630 | 1.27% | 1,550 | 1.19% | 870 | 0.69% |
Other | 1,770 | 1.32% | 1,175 | 0.9% | 780 | 0.61% | 595 | 0.46% | 500 | 0.39% |
Total responses | 134,335 | 98.2% | 129,845 | 97.54% | 128,765 | 97.99% | 130,005 | 98.5% | 126,875 | 98.22% |
Total population | 136,803 | 100% | 133,113 | 100% | 131,400 | 100% | 131,989 | 100% | 129,170 | 100% |
- Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses.
Religion
In 2021, 58.3% of residents were Christians, down from 71.8% in 2011. 25.8% of residents were Catholic, 17.8% were Protestant, 9.4% were Christians of unspecified denomination, 1.3% were Christian Orthodox, and 3.9 were other Christian/Christian related traditions. 35.9% of the population had were irreligious or secular, up from 24.5% in 2011. All other religions/spiritual traditions made up 5.8% of the population. The largest non-Christian religions were Islam (3.4%), Buddhism (0.6%), and Hinduism (0.6%).
Economy
Tourism was considered to be an influential factor in Conference Board of Canada's projected GDP growth for St. Catharines. The city is approximately 20 km from the U.S.–Canada border. Its economy is affected by the millions of tonnes of cargo shipped through the Welland Canal, with the locks for the canal being considered a tourist attraction by itself. St. Catharines was the location of a transmission plant for General Motors. The 20 hectare property where the factory once operated is now classified as a contaminated brownfield.
Arts and culture
Theatre
St. Catharines is also home to a variety of theatre companies. These companies include Garden City Productions (formerly the Operatic Society of Grantham United Church 1956–1962), Carousel Players (in the Old Courthouse), Mirror Theatre, Essential Collectives Theatre, and the Empty Box Theatre Company. In 2015, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre opened. In 2016, the Film House launched within the space, featuring cinema screenings with themed or genre-specific nights.
Events
The Grape and Wine Festival Parade is held annually each September. More than 100,000 people were anticipated for the 2022 event.
The International Chicken Chucking Championships takes place every January in the St. Catharines neighbourhood of Port Dalhousie and attracts hundreds of participants and observers. Chicken Chucking consists of pitching or sliding frozen chickens along the ice-covered Martindale Pond and is hosted by the Kilt and Clover. Animal rights groups such as Niagara Action for Animals have protested the event. Proceeds from the event are donated to Community Care, a local food bank.
St. Catharines was one of the cities that hosted the 2022 Canada Summer Games. More than 5,000 athletes and coaches arrived for the games, which took place from August 6 to August 21, 2022. The opening ceremony was held at the Meridian Centre.
Attractions
- Lakeside Park Carousel – historic carousel located in Port Dahousie
- Morningstar Mill – heritage site and mill
- Pen Centre – a regional shopping centre
- The St. Catharines Armoury is a recognized Federal Heritage building, #1991 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.
Parks
- Montebello Park: Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1887, who was renowned for designing and developing New York City's Central Park in 1853. A commemorative rose garden, with over 1,300 bushes in 25 varieties, is the city's largest rose collection; it features an ornamental fountain. The focal point of the park is a band shell and pavilion built in 1888. The park is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.
- Lakeside Park: Located in the North end, along the shores of Lake Ontario in the community known as Port Dalhousie. Hosts yearly fireworks displays on 1 July (Canada Day). Has picnic areas, a pavilion, snack bar, change rooms, washrooms, playground equipment, boardwalk, the Lakeside Park Carousel, and public docks for visiting boaters. The beach offers magnificent sunset views over Lake Ontario. Lakeside Park inspired a song by the rock band Rush which describes the park itself and drummer/lyricist Neil Peart's memories there.
- Burgoyne Woods: A 50-hectare (0.5 km) wooded area and recreational park near the Downtown core. It also contains a dog park and is the host of annual cross country races within the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) and the Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB).
- Happy Rolph's Bird Sanctuary: A 6-hectare (0.06 km) park on the shores of Lake Ontario in the community of Port Weller. It is home to hundreds of native and migratory birds and features an exotic collection of flowering rhododendrons. An onsite petting farm (containing horses, pigs, sheep, goats and llamas, as well as a donkey named 'Hoti'—'Don Quixote') is operated by the city from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving weekend. A trail running throughout the park leads to a peaceful waterfront memorial to Canadian victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
- Ontario Jaycee Gardens: Overlooking the Henley Rowing Course, this is the city's largest horticultural park, with more than 8 hectares (0.08 km) of meticulously landscaped gardens and flower displays. Among the displays is a memorial site dedicated to Kristen French. The park exists on land that once featured the Third Welland Canal. The former entrance to the canal can still be seen at the north-west end of the park.
- Walker Arboretum: Located along the hillside of Rodman Hall and the Twelve Mile Creek below, the original owner of this estate was Thomas Rodman Merritt, son of William Hamilton Merritt. In the late 19th century, an English landscape designer named Samuel Richardson was hired by Merritt to tend the grounds. As a result, the arboretum is an extensive, rambling garden with rare conifers which benefit from an exceptional micro-climate. It boasts one of the largest Chinese Empress trees in Canada.
- Woodgale Park: Located along Glendale Avenue between Glenridge Avenue and the Pen Centre. Features wide open spaces, flowing fruit trees, rare birds, a soccer field and tennis courts. Also features a memorial to the original farm building on the north end of the park near Denis Morris Catholic High School. Locally known as Doug Hill Park, after a nearby resident who coached a number of baseball and tug of war teams in this area.
Trail system
The city's trail system offers over 90 kilometres (55 mi) of accessible pathways that are suitable for walking, jogging, cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing.
- Bruce Trail: Canada's oldest and longest hiking trail, following the Niagara Escarpment (designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve site) from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Tobermory. A 20-kilometre (12 mi) section with associated side trails winds through St. Catharines passing by places such as the Morningstar Mill.
- Merritt Trail: a segmented 11 km (6.8 mi) trail that passes many of the old sections of the second Welland Canal and remnants of its locks.
- Laura Secord Legacy Trail – a trail that was established to commemorate Laura Secord's 32 km walk to warn of an upcoming American attack during the War of 1812.
- Terry Fox Trail: a 1.5 km trail that runs along Carlon Street and Geneva Street. Six exercise stations are placed throughout it.
- Waterfront Trail: follows the shore of Lake Ontario, connecting communities from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Brockville. The Port Dalhousie portion of the trail is a major highlight.
- Welland Canals Parkway Trail: The trail is 45 km, stretching from St. Catharines to Port Colborne.
Sports
Ice hockey
St. Catharines entered into the Ontario Hockey Association Junior 'A' Hockey in 1943 as the St. Catharines Falcons. In 1947, they became the Teepees and were affiliated with the American Hockey League's Buffalo Bisons. When the National Hockey League's (NHL) Chicago Blackhawks made the Bisons their number one farm team, they inherited the Teepees. In the 1960s, the Jr. 'A' team went deeply into debt to the Chicago Black Hawks, but continued as a successful franchise and were named the St. Catharines Black Hawks. The Hamilton Fincups moved to St. Catharines in 1976 and played here for one year before moving back to Hamilton. The AHL St. Catharines Saints played in St. Catharines between 1982 and 1986, before being forced to re-locate to Newmarket due to protests from the NHL Buffalo Sabres. The St. Catharines Saints served as the farm team for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and today are known as the Toronto Marlies.
In 2007, the OHL's Mississauga IceDogs relocated to St. Catharines and became the Niagara IceDogs. The IceDogs played out of the Jack Gatecliff Arena, which was renamed the Gatorade Garden City Complex (since renamed Garden City Arena Complex). In 2014, the IceDogs moved to the newly built Meridian Centre. Since starting out the team has won the Emms Trophy in 2010–2011 & 2018–2019. They have also won the Bobby Orr Trophy during 2011–2012 season and 2015–2016 season, qualifying for the OHL Finals. They would be beaten both times by the London Knights. The team has had numerous NHL alumni including Alex Pietrangelo, Dougie Hamilton, Vince Dunn, Ryan Strome, Akil Thomas, Jason Robertson and Alex Nedeljkovic.
The current St. Catharines Falcons team plays in the Golden Horseshoe Division of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. The team has played since 1968 and plays all home games out of the Jack Gatecliff Arena. The team were runners up for the Sutherland Cup in 1979, 1990, 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2014, but won the cup in 2012.
Basketball
In 2015, the National Basketball League of Canada announced that Niagara had been awarded a new franchise to play in the Meridian Centre. The team, named the Niagara River Lions, began play in 2015 where they reached the conference quarterfinals. The team joined the Canadian Elite Basketball League after the 2017–18 season. In 2021, the River Lions had one of their best seasons, finishing 2nd with a 10–4 record. The River Lions made it through the playoffs into the finals, where they lost 65–101 to the Edmonton Stingers. In 2024, the River Lions Captured their 1st CEBL Championship with a 97-95 win over the Vancouver Bandits. The River Lions finished 14-6 led by a perfect 11-0 Home record.
Baseball
The city was the home of the New York–Penn League's St. Catharines Blue Jays, the Short-season A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, from 1986 to 1999. In 1996 the team was renamed the St. Catharines Stompers, and was subsequently sold and relocated to Queens, New York City in late 1999, where they became the Queens Kings.
Rugby
St. Catharines Tigers RFC was formed in 1978. Beginning in 2015, the Tigers joined the Niagara Wasps RFC and play at their field in Thorold.
Soccer
League1 Ontario's St. Catharines Wolves are one of the most successful professional soccer teams in Canada, and play at Club Roma in the west-end of the city.
Rowing
Martindale Pond in St. Catharines' Port Dalhousie is the site of the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, a world-class event that brings over 3,000 athletes from various nations to the city. The site hosted the FISA World Rowing Championships in 1970 and in 1999. More recently, the World Master's Rowing Championship was held at the Martindale Pond in the summer of 2010, with $500,000 (~$682,158 in 2023) in improvements to the facility such as: a weed harvester, new docking and a new timing system. There are currently talks to bring the Canadian Rowing Hall of Fame to St. Catharines sometime in the near future. The pond is also home to the St. Catharines rowing club, Brock University rowing club, Ridley College rowing club and to the annual CSSRA Championships, which draws hundreds of high school athletes from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The Martindale Pond or Henley, continues to hold its world-renowned status as a major rowing venue in the world. The rowing event in the Pan American Games were held in St. Catharines in 2015. Several Olympic medallists in rowing are from St. Catharines, including Melanie Kok, Buffy Williams, and Dave Boyes. St Catharines hosted the 2024 World Rowing Championships.
Sailing
There are marinas at Port Dalhousie and Port Weller and a club that sails from Municipal Beach. The St. Catharines Marina is at Port Weller. The Port Dalhousie Pier Marina and the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club are at Port Dalhousie.
Government
Municipal
St. Catharines is governed by a mayor and city council of twelve city councillors, with two councillors representing each of the six municipal wards in the city. A city councillor is also elected by the council as a whole to serve as deputy mayor, who only fills the role should the elected mayor not be available. St. Catharines City Council meets every Monday and is open to participation by the community. Matters put forward are voted on by members of city council; the mayor presides over council debate and serves very much like the speaker, and as a result only votes in the case of a tie. After 2006, municipal elections will be in November every four years rather than the previous three. Unlike most cities its size, city councillors only serve on a part-time basis and continue with their non-political careers in the community. Only the mayor is elected to a full-time position. St. Catharines City Hall is downtown on Church Street. Tim Rigby was the Mayor of St. Catharines from 1997 to 2006; Brian McMullan was elected to succeed Rigby on 13 November 2006, and was sworn in on 4 December. He was re-elected in October 2010. On 27 October 2014, Walter Sendzik was elected mayor of St. Catharines and assumed office in December 2014.
St. Catharines uses a council-manager government, and as a result a chief administrative officer (CAO) is appointed by council to oversee the day-to-day operations of the city and its departments. The CAO, in effect, is the highest ranking municipal civil servant and has authority over the spending of municipal tax dollars. The CAO advises council on policy matters and acts as liaison between the administrative staff and elected officials. Some of the CAOs duties include assisting in the creation of the municipal budget, and ensuring that municipal funds are spent in a responsible manner. Residents of St. Catharines also elect six regional councillors to the Niagara Regional Council on an at-large basis. Unlike many other regional municipalities in Ontario, regional councillors do not sit on city council and instead only represent at the regional level. Four school board trustees for the District School Board of Niagara representing St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake are elected, as well as three trustees for the Niagara Catholic District School Board, two for five of St. Catharines' wards, and one for Thorold and the Merriton Ward of St. Catharines. Regional councillors and school board trustees are elected at the same time, and on the same ballot, as the mayor and city councillors. St. Catharines has one of the lowest resident/representative ratios of any large city in Ontario. There are just under 7,000 people per elected municipal representative in St. Catharines, while Oshawa (a similar-sized city in Ontario) has one representative per 13,500 people. London, Ontario, has one representative per 30,500 people and Toronto has one representative per 111,774 people. There has been discussion regarding a modification of the city/regional council arrangement, with the possibility of reducing city council to six full-time representatives and having the six regional councillors serve on city council. While there is growing support in the business community for such an arrangement, city council has been unreceptive to such ideas.
Provincial
Year | Liberal | Conservative | New Democratic | Green | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | 38% | 25,971 | 33% | 22,587 | 21% | 14,785 | 2% | 1,318 | |
2019 | 40% | 28,141 | 32% | 22,319 | 21% | 14,951 | 6% | 4,299 |
Year | PC | New Democratic | Liberal | Green | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 35% | 18,062 | 39% | 20,318 | 16% | 8,455 | 4% | 2,169 | |
2018 | 34% | 21,006 | 38% | 23,014 | 23% | 13,825 | 4% | 2,321 |
At the provincial level, St. Catharines is well known for electing high-profile members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Jim Bradley was the Member of Provincial Parliament for St. Catharines from 1977 until 2018 and was Ontario's longest serving MPP. Peter Kormos, who represented the southern portions of the city as part of the Welland riding, was a prominent Member of Provincial Parliament in the Ontario New Democratic Party caucus and served previously as Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations in the Bob Rae government. From 1999 to 2003, during the premierships of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, St. Catharines was the only large city in Ontario to not have at least one government member representing the city, as the Progressive Conservative-held ridings of Lincoln and St. Catharines—Brock were eliminated as a cost-saving measure. Robert Welch, a long-time Deputy Premier of Ontario, represented the now-eliminated Lincoln and St. Catharines—Brock ridings throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Federal
Federally, St. Catharines is one of the most bellwether of any riding in Canada, having only elected an opposition MP twice in its history. Chris Bittle is the current MP for St. Catharines and is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, which currently forms Canada's government. The southern portion of the city is included as part of the Niagara Centre riding, and is represented by Vance Badawey, a Liberal Party of Canada MP. Most federal representatives from St. Catharines have maintained a low profile on either the government or opposition backbenches. The exception was Gilbert Parent, who served as Speaker of the House for seven years while Jean Chrétien was Prime Minister.
Legal
St. Catharines is the judicial seat of the Niagara North Judicial District of Ontario, Central South Region, which represents the northern half of the Niagara Region equivalent to historic Lincoln County. The Superior Court of Justice is on Church Street across from City Hall. A satellite court is in Grimsby. The city forms "1 District" of the Niagara Regional Police Service. The NRPS headquarters are no longer on Church Street, having moved to Niagara Falls in a finally constructed new building with administrative offices and support services on Cushman Road.
Infrastructure
Transportation
The most defining transportation icon of St. Catharines is the Welland Canal, a ship canal that runs 43.4 kilometres (27.0 mi), passing through the city. Four of its locks are within city boundaries. The canal allows shipping vessels to traverse the 99.5-metre (326.5 ft) drop in altitude from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. The Garden City Skyway is a nearby bridge that facilitates vehicle traffic into the city.
The main access routes into and out of St. Catharines are served by two major freeways. The Queen Elizabeth Way runs east (at 15-Mile Creek) to west (at Garden City Skyway) and Highway 406 runs north (at QEW) to south (at St. David's Road). Prior to the construction of these freeways, St. Paul Street (former Highway 8, now Regional Road 81) and Hartzel Road (former Highway 58, now a city-maintained street) provided east–west and north–south access to the city.
Public transportation is served by the St. Catharines Transit Commission, which operates bus routes throughout the city and neighbouring Thorold. All major routes converge at the St. Catharines Bus Terminal, which is downtown within the headquarters of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. The central station is also served by Coach Canada, with service to Toronto and Niagara Falls.
Though transportation by rail is becoming increasingly popular, the St. Catharines train station is largely under-utilized, with car and bus travel being the dominant forms of transportation for the city. The station is in its original building, outside the downtown core (because of issues involving the crossing of 12-Mile Creek). It is served daily by Via Rail and Amtrak trains connecting it to Toronto and New York City. The provincial and federal government recently committed $385 million each to GO Transit to aid in the development of their 10-Year Capital Expansion Plan, which includes an expansion bus line servicing the Niagara Region. Currently, regular GO Bus service exists to St. Catharines with a stop at Fairview Mall, allowing riders to travel either west toward Burlington or east toward Niagara Falls. A rail link with GO Transit operates during the summer months with plans for the city to be permanently linked via rail in the future.
St. Catharines/Niagara District Airport services general aviation as well as chartered jetliner flights. The airport is served by charter flights from FlyGTA Airlines and offers charter flights to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Muskoka and Collingwood. It is near the city's east-end in neighbouring Niagara-on-the-Lake. Other airports surrounding the city include Niagara Falls/Niagara South Airport and Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport. The closest airports in proximity offering long-haul and international flights are John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, Niagara Falls International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport.
St. Catharines had one of the first interurban electric streetcar routes, which ran between the city and Merritton and was eventually extended to Port Dalhousie in the north and Thorold to the south. Like most streetcar routes throughout the world, it was decommissioned in the 1960s, and the right-of-way has since been converted to parks and trails.
Education
Secondary schools
See also: Education in OntarioThe District School Board of Niagara (DSBN), the local public school board, manages 6 secondary schools within St. Catharines: DSBN Academy, Laura Secord Secondary School, Sir Winston Churchill, Governor Simcoe, St. Catharines Collegiate, and Eden. The opening of DSBN Academy was described as "Canada's most controversial pedagogical experiment in years" by the Globe and Mail, as the school was specifically geared towards low-income students. This raised fears about segregation in public education and causing low-income students to feel singled out. Proponents argued that the additional academic supports offered to disadvantaged students would raise their chances of attending post-secondary education. Governor Simcoe and Winston Churchill offer French immersion programs. Eden Secondary School, although it operates through the DSBN and receives public school funding, is also a Christian school.
The Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB) manages and operates 3 Catholic secondary schools within the city: Holy Cross, Denis Morris Catholic High School, and Saint Francis.
Ridley College, near the city's downtown core in the Western Hill neighbourhood, is a private co-educational boarding and day school. It was established as a boys' school in 1889, and became co-educational in 1973.
Post-secondary
St. Catharines is home to Brock University (established 1964), a modern comprehensive university on the Niagara Escarpment. Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, a post graduate institution of the Lutheran Church–Canada, also operates there. A partnership between the university and the Ontario Grape and Wine Industry established the city as a centre for cool-climate grape and wine research.
The Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine is a medical school operated by McMaster University with a campus in downtown St. Catharines. Prior to 2004, it was known as the McMaster University School of Medicine.
Although not a part of St. Catharines itself, there are nearby campuses for Niagara College in Niagara on the Lake and Welland. The college used to operate a horticulture-related campus in the city on 360 Niagara Street, across from Laura Secord Secondary School from the 1970s to 1990s.
Media
Newspapers
- St. Catharines Standard (daily)
- Niagara This Week (community weekly)
- The Brock Press (student newspaper for Brock University)
Radio
- AM 610: CKTB, news /talk
- AM 1220: CFAJ, Oldies
- FM 97.7: CHTZ (HTZ FM), active rock
- FM 103.7: CFBU, Brock University campus radio
- FM 105.7: CHRE (Move), adult contemporary
Television
The Niagara region has no television service of its own. Stations broadcasting from Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo are available over-the-air in the region, and the region has a local transmitter (CKVP-DT) rebroadcasting the Barrie CTV 2 station CKVR-DT. A local specialty news and information channel called Niagara News TV launched in February 2011, but ceased operations only 3 months later in April. In 2003, a local business consortium applied to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a licence to operate TV Niagara, a community television station in St. Catharines. The application was denied by the CRTC in 2005, citing concerns about the group's business plan and its dependence on gaining audience share in the Toronto market.
Sister City
See also
Notes
- Extreme high and low temperatures were recorded at St. Catharines (January 1911 to May 1971) and at St. Catharines Airport (June 1971 to present).
- Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
- Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
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{{cite journal}}
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part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway |