Welland in the News

Niagara Ports could strengthen municipalities along Welland Canal

September 25, 2020

Niagara Ports could strengthen municipalities along Welland Canal

image of a ship in the Welland canal

Welland Mayor Frank Campion signs a memorandum of understanding to create a network of multimodal hubs along the Welland Canal to be called Niagara Ports. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

Niagara has great potential in its underutilized lands along the Welland Canal from Thorold south through Welland and Port Colborne, says Ian Hamilton.

Hamilton, chief executive officer of the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA), joined Thorold Mayor Terry Ugulini, Welland Mayor Frank Campion and Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele Friday to create a network of multimodal hubs along the canal through a memorandum of understanding.

To be called Niagara Ports, HOPA and the three municipalities will work together to snap up lands declared surplus by Transport Canada along the waterway, then work to bring new industry and jobs to the region.

“This is very important for the City of Thorold, and Welland and Port Colborne. We have assets along the Welland Canal that we can utilize, and we have the multimodal capability with good rail and highway systems already in place,” said Ugulini, after the signing at Lock 7 Viewing Centre in Thorold.

He said Thorold has a couple of properties it’s looking at, and there are industrial sites that would create the opportunity for investment as Niagara Ports grows.

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