Niagara Falls mayor Jim Diodati joined us this morning to talk child care, Canada-U.S. border reopening rules, Christmas card contest and John Monture.
Last week, Diodati was “arrested” all in good fun for a good cause. This year’s United Way of Niagara Campaign aims to help 120,000 people in the Niagara Region. Chief of Police Bryan MacCulloch is chairing the campaign. Diodati says he is grateful for all the support from people who donated.
Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger recently said he went straight to the federal government for child care support, instead of going through the provincial government.
Diodati says there are protocols in place and that he thinks the right way to deal with this issue is through the provincial government.
“Communicate with [the provincial government] because they’re the ones talking to the federal government,” said Diodati. “I’d like to give them a chance to negotiate the best deal for all municipalities, so I prefer to follow the proper channels.”
Canada is set to drop PCR testing requirements for fully vaccinated travellers returning to Canada after short trips.
“It’s great news for anyone living along the border,” said Diodati. “A lot of us haven’t seen family and friends…we’ve missed really important events for the last two years.”
He says it involves good news and bad news. The good news is that Canadians can go across the border and do not need to purchase a PCR test as long as they are fully vaccinated and back within 72 hours. He says the bad news is that fully vaccinated Americans must have a PCR test to come to Canada.
“Unfortunately, what we know from the past, is that [Americans] are not going to come and spend their money in Canada,” said Diodati. “Hopefully they’re going to gage the results, see our numbers, then hopefully have some more measures we can deal with later on.”
The Niagara Falls Christmas Card Contest has finished. Right now, Diodati says there is another contest. The city is asking principals and teachers to encourage their students to enter their drawings into the city so they can have a chance to make it into the Christmas card for next year.
John Monture is the president of the Six Nations Veterans Association and recently visited mayor Diodati and gave him a peace pipe.
“It is absolutely gorgeous, with orange feathers [representing the remains of Indigenous children discovered in unmarked graves],” said Diodati. “I’m going to keep this in my office and I’m really grateful for his visit.”
