Ontario Premier Calls St. Catharines, Ont., Resident to Say Shelter Won't Be Opening in Her Neighbourhood

'No sentence that I impose will ever bring Sean Machmer back': Carjacker in fatal St. Catharines crash has than 3 years remaining to serve behind bars

A man who rammed a stolen vehicle into another car at speeds topping 140 km/h, killing the other driver, has been sentenced to five years in custody. Sean Machmer, 31, died March 19, 2025, after Matthew Morris sped through a red light at Ontario Street and Welland Avenue in St. Catharines.

Ontario premier calls St. Catharines, Ont., resident to say shelter won't be opening in her neighbourhood

Cathy Link of St. Catharines said she was shocked to receive a phone call from Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday informing her the province had ended lease negotiations with Niagara's regional government for a proposed new emergency shelter in her neighourhood.

Province kills Bunting Road shelter plan after Doug Ford hears directly from St. Catharines residents

The provincial government has scuttled a controversial plan by Niagara Region to lease Bunting Road property for a homeless shelter, with the premier himself delivering the news to residents.

"Ontario Premier Halts Controversial Shelter Plan"

After receiving an unexpected call from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Cathy Link expressed astonishment at the news that plans for an emergency shelter in her St. Catharines neighborhood were being scrapped. This decision followed concerns raised by residents living near the proposed site on Bunting Road, who feared negative impacts such as vandalism and drug-related issues in nearby Douglas Park. Link, along with other residents, had voiced appreh…

Doug Ford Created The Conditions For This Homelessness Crisis – Now He Is Taking Away A Critical Shelter

“Let me be very clear: this homelessness crisis did not appear out of nowhere. It is the direct result of policy choices made by the Doug Ford government.”                                                                          – St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman A News Commentary by St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman Posted August 13th, 2026 on Niagara At Large St. Catharines Regional Councillor Haley Bateman ST. C…