A Tale of Two Letters
August 26, 2025
Recently, a loyal reader forwarded a pair of letters to the editor published by the peninsula’s branch office of Pravda, more formally known to the masses as The Standard.
The first is entitled “Lucky to be here” . . .
For years, I’ve been tempted to tuck a little love note into my property tax payment. Instead, I’m sharing my gratitude here.
Thank you for a city where I’m proud to live, work and play. Since moving to St. Catharines 30 years ago from the U.S., I’ve felt a sense of community I hadn’t known before. I’ve watched our downtown transform from a struggling main street into a vibrant hub of art, culture and commerce.
. . .
Beyond flower-lined streets, I see thoughtful investments in housing, emergency services and inclusive programming. Revitalized parks, support for small businesses and accessible infrastructure reflect a city that cares.
Thank you for stewarding a place that feels like home, for putting our tax dollars to work in ways that build connection and pride. Life in St. Catharines is idyllic and I count myself lucky to be here.
The second, much more realistic, is entitled “Downtown tour” . . .
A letter writer talked about being embarrassed by downtown when visitors came. We can second that.
Our tour starts with the former Consumers Gas building that has been the ugliest site for a decade. Next is Queen Street with the empty Standard building, worn and sad. The once attractive La Scala shuttered, Beatties awaiting something to happen.
. . .
We can only hope there is some action taken to resolve this sad downtown. Why would anyone move to St. Catharines after this tour?
The first is obviously pure fantasy, likely contrived by some combination of Mat Siscoe Sendzcoe, Haley Bateman, CUPE and/or the SCDA. It reads more like the first draft for the text of a politician’s reelection brochure than the honest views of an average resident. No rational taxpayer could possibly feel this way. I’m not even sure the SCDA could pen such a fictional, Utopian view of the city and the downtown. Before leaving her post, SCDA chieftain Rachel Braithwaite, herself no stranger to painting artificially rosy pictures of the catchment area she ruled with impunity, candidly admitted there’s been a higher rate of failure than normal among downtown businesses.
The second, of course, is much more realistic. I’m genuinely surprised they even published it. Beyond the farmer’s market, the Meridian Center, the PAC, or the downtown terminal to catch a regional bus (thanks Niagara Transit for skipping the Fairview Mall stop and thus “simplifying my ride”), there’s no other reason anyone would venture into the downtown core. Unless you’re a snarky writer like me looking for off-color material. But there hasn’t even been a lot of that lately. Just the occasional bum rummaging through a garbage bin or perched on the sidewalk spewing the odd bits of gibberish.
The writers plead for action to be taken to resolve the sad state of downtown. Unfortunately, politicians take such statements as a clarion call for more government intervention. More taxes. More regulations. Both of which are causes of the problem, not the solution. Anyone notice an improvement after they put up that public toilet across from the fire hall? Anyone notice an improvement after they put up the homeless shelters across from the former Jack?
Finally, the writers ask why would anyone move to St. Catharines after touring the downtown.
Though I agree with everything the writers had to say, things could be worse. A lot worse, in fact.
You could be in Winnipeg. North America’s toilet bowl. The auto theft, residential break-in and violent crime capital of the country. Where you can’t walk the streets or take a bus without taking your life in your hands. Where the taxes are even higher and the health care system is by far the worst in the country.
That’s why someone would move to St. Catharines.
Despite my well-deserved criticisms of local politicians, my defection from the Socialist People’s Republic of Manitoba 11 years ago remains the best thing I’ve ever done.
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