NPG Planning Solutions and the City presented the Secondary Plan Background Report at a public open house and invited community input on future land use for the Ontario Street Corridor.
NPG Planning Solutions published the Ontario Street Corridor Secondary Plan Background Report, which stated that redevelopment of 282 and 285 Ontario Street relies on phased environmental investigation, cleanup, and remediation aligned with future land uses.
Councillors Bruce Williamson and Marty Mako introduced a motion to review the structural condition of the overhead catwalk spanning Ontario Street and enforce remedial action by December 2026. The motion was deferred.
The Coalition for A Better St. Catharines submitted a petition to the City demanding enforcement of vacant building and property standards bylaws. The Coalition concurrently launched a fundraising campaign for outreach ahead of the October 2026 municipal election.
MTE Consultants submitted stormwater testing results to the City showing no PCBs detected in the on-site containment pond. The report covered one pond on one parcel and stated it was “not intended to be exhaustive in scope or to imply a risk-free facility.”
Councillor Caleb Ratzlaff introduced a motion requesting MECP updates on environmental monitoring. Following a closed session, Ratzlaff and Councillor Jackie Lindal declared conflicts of interest. Ratzlaff works in the office of MPP Jennie Stevens, who had been writing the MECP about the site.
At a public town hall, Mayor Mat Siscoe stated the City had no jurisdiction to step in and secure the privately-owned site. The Municipal Act, 2001 (sections 444–446) gives municipalities authority to undertake remedial work and add costs to the tax roll as a priority lien.
MECP staff emailed the City’s Director of Planning Tami Kitay confirming the on-site filtration system designed to prevent toxic chemicals from leaching off the property was disconnected and no longer operational. The public was not informed for weeks.
The City of St. Catharines revoked the active demolition permits for the site due to prolonged inactivity.
Peters Environmental, the contractor hired to remediate the site and operate the stormwater filtration system, filed a $1.75 million construction lien against the property for unpaid invoices. The lien coincided with the company’s departure and the shutdown of the stormwater containment system.
Following a two-year Freedom of Information battle initiated by The Pointer, the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (Order MO-4592) ordered the City to release the Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. The City had withheld the documents citing third-party confidentiality.
Movengo Corp announced an indefinite halt to the environmental, transportation, and servicing studies required for the Secondary Plan, citing market conditions. City staff paused the Secondary Plan process for one year.
The stormwater filtration and treatment system installed to capture PCB runoff was deactivated by Peters Environmental for a “winter shutdown.” It was not reactivated.
A temporary stormwater management system became operational on-site, capturing surface runoff and treating it before discharge to the municipal sanitary sewer rather than Twelve Mile Creek.
Journalist Ed Smith of The Pointer filed a Municipal Freedom of Information request seeking the Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments. The City denied the request after consultation with General Motors.
2390541 Ontario Inc., operating as Bayshore, pleaded guilty in Provincial Offences Court to 12 charges under the Building Code Act and the City’s Waste By-law, including illegal demolition of a smokestack and failure to remove hazardous surface debris.
City Council adopted Official Plan Amendment 26, redesignating 282 and 285 Ontario Street from Employment to Mixed Use to facilitate future residential development.
Councillor Joe Kushner’s motion to establish a committee of staff and residents to identify a path forward for cleanup of the property was ratified by Council. The committee was never formed.
Bayshore halted demolition and cleanup activities at the site, leaving exposed structures, liquid wastes, and debris piles.
2496582 Ontario Inc., tied to Movengo Corp, registered a $20 million charge against the property.
General Motors of Canada transferred ownership of the property to 2390541 Ontario Inc., operating as Bayshore Groups, for $12.5 million. Celernus Investment Partners and associated entities registered a $5 million charge against the property concurrent with the sale.
CH2M Hill completed the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, identifying severe soil and groundwater contamination across the site: heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and PCBs.
General Motors officially ceased all automotive manufacturing and production at the Ontario Street facility after decades of operation. Only basic maintenance and powerhouse support remained.
Conestoga-Rovers & Associates completed the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, documenting 12 Areas of Potential Environmental Concern based on historical industrial operations, underground storage tanks, and historical dumping along Twelve Mile Creek.