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Monthly Archives: December 2025
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Can’t ‘clam up’ about Richelieu Club clam chowder, it’s news to be shared!
Reflecting On A Year Of Progress
By Jessica Ruddell, Welland Chief Administrative Officer
As we wrap up 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a year of progress, performance, and meaningful work across our city. Whether you are ready for the new year or hoping 2025 might linger a little longer, I hope this message finds you well and feeling proud of how far our community has come.
This year, we moved from laying the groundwork to delivering real, visible results. None of these accomplishments would be possible without the residents, partners, volunteers, and organizations who contribute to Welland every day.
2025: A Year of Performance and Progress
Across the city, we saw important steps forward. Some of the highlights include:
Modernization and Improved Services
- CityWorks implementation to strengthen service delivery
- An IT Strategic Master Plan to modernize our systems and improve security
- Digital Parking Permits to make a key service quicker and easier
- A new engagement platform that creates more opportunities for residents to share feedback
Planning for the Future
- Development of the 2026 Budget with a focus on affordability
- Improved Ward Boundaries to ensure fair representation
- Advancing the Transportation Master Plan to address mobility and safety
- Launch of the City’s Strategic Plan Dashboard so residents can track our progress
- Purchasing additional employment lands on Ridge Road to develop a seventh business park, creating the potential for 200–800 new jobs
Community Initiatives and Local Impact
- The City’s first mini-forest, planting more than 1,700 native trees and shrubs
- Enhancements to the Made in Welland website and CIP incentives to support growth and investment
- Partnering with the DSBN to build a new community space in Dain City
- Opening of The Cove (Rob Fulbrook) Park
- The Encampment Taskforce, working across sectors to support vulnerable residents
Citywide Milestones
- Provincial support for hospital renovations and a planning grant for a new hospital for Welland
- The grand opening of Foyer Richelieu’s long-term care home
- New doctors joining our community and supporting local health care
- Ongoing partnerships with Niagara College, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, the Rotary Club and many more!
These achievements represent meaningful progress, and they reflect the hard work of many people both inside and outside of City Hall.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The year ahead will build on this momentum. Our focus will include:
- Delivering on the initiatives launched in 2025
- Strengthening internal systems and capacity
- Improving engagement with residents
- Continuing to raise the bar on transparency, service quality, and quality of life
Progress is always a journey, and we are grateful to have you on it with us.
A Note of Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who contributes to making Welland a strong, welcoming, and forward-looking community. Your involvement, ideas, and support shape the work we do and the city we are becoming.
As we head into 2026, I hope you stay engaged, stay optimistic, and continue to take pride in Welland. Together, we will keep building a city that reflects the very best of who we are.
Attribution: A message from the city’s CAO
Heritage Lives: A Time Of Uncertainty
By Terry Hughes
Normally, the holidays are a time of celebration and reflection on how positive the year gone by has been, but not so much this year. Not since 2008 have we had so many events that have upset our way of life.
Back then, the world was on the edge of a financial meltdown and the United States had to spend some 11 trillion dollars to liquify the finances of their banks that had infected all the world banking systems. Only one country’s banks had evaded this issue according to Fareed Zarkaria, noted analyst and commentator on global issues including world economies, saying that Canada was the only exception. And the governor of the Bank of Canada was Mark Carney
When Donald Trump began his second term, the United States had enjoyed being the richest, financially stable and most powerful country for the past 80 years.His approach to make America First has totally threatened that status but has also thrown the entire world into chaos. Although he probably doesn’t know it, he is exercising a theory stated in the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 that states that the U.S. is destined to become the controlling power in the western hemisphere and he has decided to throw Greenland in for good measure.
Next, he feels that the world owes his country a debt and without the Senate’s permission instituted a series of tariffs on most of the world economies. Probably in terms of defence, specifically NATO, he has a point. But in terms of our own country, he definitely wants Canada under his thumb because we have the natural resources; specifically those rare earth minerals that he does not have.
Now it’s too early to overcome these tariffs but does it not make sense that we as a nation pull together and develop strategies that will yield positive outcomes for Canada? While our prime minister was not surprised that initial negotiations have not gone as planned, he has made interested countries know that we are open for business without the red tape that has caused little investment in this country for over a decade. That is why he has been visiting many countries other than the U.S. because our existing business arrangements with them are done. We also have to re-invent our method of business between provinces, territories and indigenous people that have cluttered our national economies for so many years.
Patience is not something that we are not used to in an age where instant gratification such as fast foods, turning on and off appliances and electrical devices to name a few are the way we are used to living our lives. If we take a look at the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway, for example, it took five years after the Second World War before we were able to convince the U.S. to join us. Mr. Trump is known as a deal-maker but he is impressed on how Team Canada is matching his wit. Remember, Trump’s technique of delay during his trials is what he used to overcome his adversaries and he will use it hoping that Canadians will lose patience with our team!
There is nothing wrong with questioning the approaches that our country is using and of course that is the role that the opposition takes in our Parliament. Offering positive alternatives is the best way to reach consensus and show a strong front.
Let’s close with our young character, above, introducing a new year, and here’s hoping that Canada will win the day.
Next Column; Celebrating Superman
(Terry Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage and history His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)
Barky’s Billboard
Jessica Ruddell Appointed Permanent CAO, Search For Director Of Community Services Begins
WELLAND – Mayor Frank Campion is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Ruddell as the City’s permanent Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), as permitted under Section 284.5 of the Municipal Act, 2001.
Mayor Campion commented that this appointment supports leadership continuity and stability as the City continues to advance Council’s priorities and serve the community.
With more than two decades of municipal service in senior leadership roles, Ruddell joined the municipality in January 2024 and has served as Acting CAO since October 20, 2025. During her time with the City, she has developed a strong understanding of the organization and its strategic initiatives and has demonstrated a clear commitment to supporting Council and staff through key planning and budget discussions.
“Jessica has shown the leadership competencies essential to the CAO role, including creating and communicating vision and strategy, working closely with staff and the community, promoting innovation, guiding change, and achieving meaningful outcomes,” said Campion. “I am confident in her ability to lead the organization into the future with professionalism, integrity, and a continued focus on service excellence.”
Ruddell’s appointment provides expertise in day-to-day operations, supporting the City’s ability to deliver services consistently, and maintain momentum on ongoing strategic initiatives that matter to residents.
As a result of this appointment, the City of Welland will begin recruitment for a new director of community services.
Attribution: City of Welland media release
Barky’s Billboard
OUTDOOR RINK VOLUNTEERS | Join our volunteer team and help make this winter’s outdoor rinks a reality for the community.
Volunteering is flexible and a great way to support active recreation in your neighbourhood. The City provides all the equipment, and you just provide the enthusiasm.
We’re currently looking for volunteers at:
Interested in getting involved? Apply here: https://www.welland.ca/Rec…/OutdoorRinksVolApplication.asp
/Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog. Supplied graphic.
Welland’s 2026 Budget Adopted With 4.01 Per Cent Tax Levy Increase
WELLAND – The City of Welland’s 2026 municipal budget has been adopted following Council’s amendment meeting on December 3 and the conclusion of the 30-day period. The municipal tax levy increase for 2026 is 4.01 per cent, supported by assessment growth of 2.09 per cent, resulting in an estimated impact of approximately $78 annually for the average residential home.
The final Council-approved budget maintains the core themes outlined in the Mayor’s Proposed Budget—affordability, accountability, and renewal—balancing essential service delivery with long-term infrastructure investment as the city continues to grow.
“Council worked together thoughtfully to deliver a budget that supports residents today while planning responsibly for tomorrow,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “This budget maintains services, renews critical infrastructure, and keeps transparency and accountability at the centre of our decision-making.”
Council presented and adopted eight amendments to the Mayor’s Proposed Budget, including new positions for fire prevention, museum educational programming, and community development system analysis. Capital initiatives include ongoing investment in the City’s tree canopy, pavement rejuvenation, and design work for critical roads, sewer, and water renewals were also added.
Water and wastewater users will see an estimated increase of $102 annually for the average residential user.
The 2026 capital budget totals $52.1 million and focuses on infrastructure renewal and community needs, including approximately $13.6 million for roadways, $4.1 million for facilities, $3.5 million for parks and open spaces, $4 million for storm sewers, $6.5 million for water systems, and $13.4 million for wastewater systems. The 2026 operating budget totals $125.6 million, including $81.9 million for property-tax-supported programs and $43.7 million for water and wastewater programs.
Property tax bills in Niagara include municipal, regional, and school board levies. The final blended property tax impact for 2026 will be confirmed once Niagara Region and School Board rates are finalized.
For more information, visit https://engagewelland.ca/budget-2026.
Attribution: City of Welland media release
Barky’s Billboard
The self-guided Welland Winter Lights Tour now underway until Dec, 18 !
There’s no perfect route, but if you follow the map, it will take you around to each display as efficiently as possible! Don’t forget to vote for your favorite displays here: https://engagewelland.ca/welland-winter-lights-tour / Barky’s Billboard is a recurring feature on the blog.
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