Welland not filling in a section of the former Welland Canal

City says weekend ‘news release’ was fake; no plans to create land bridge

Empire Communities is not backfilling the former Welland Canal in Dain City, despite what a phoney weekend “news release” said, say city staff and elected officials.

“It’s fake,” Welland chief administrative officer Steve Zorbas said of the release that was posted to a Facebook group on Saturday.

It said: “The lands located at the John Deer (sic) plant and east of the plant will be used to backfill the old Welland Canal for future residential and commercial units. Welland city council has confirmed Empire Communities would claim 40 hectares of property that would be used to develop between 2,200 and 3.000 residential units. The development would also backfill the canal to Forks Road, which will provide Dain City residents with a natural land bridge.”

Zorbas, made aware of the post on the weekend, said the city was issuing a release to let residents know that the information posted was false.

“It’s unfortunate. We are taking this seriously. We are exploring all options available to the city,” he said, adding that could include going after the individual who made the post.

In addition to using a template that made the communique look official, city logos were added along with a map and two photos.

“I could understand if it was April 1,” said Zorbas.

Mayor Frank Campion said he was out of town when he received an email from a resident and city councillors about the hoax.

“It’s false. It’s not happening and there are just so many reasons why it wouldn’t happen.”

Some of those reasons include that the area, used by South Niagara Rowing Club, is still a navigable waterway because it’s connected to the working Welland Canal; there are varying jurisdictions in the area, with Welland leasing part of the land from the federal government; part of it is in Port Colborne; and more.

“I don’t think there’s enough land on John Deere to fill in the canal. We’d never even consider it.”

Campion didn’t know what the purpose of the fake release was, whether it was an attempt to be humorous, but called it irresponsible.

Ward 6 Coun. Jim Larouche, whose ward covers Dain City, said he believes the “release” constitutes a fraudulent act because it was using what looked like city letterhead.

Ward 6 Coun. Bonnie Fokkens said her Saturday was taken up fielding calls about the false post and assuring residents it did not come from the city.

“Shame on the person who took the weekend to use as their playground for posting rumours, and sitting back enjoying the frenzy it caused among Welland residents on Facebook, especially those in the Dain City area.

“We have inflow and infiltration, flooding issues, are awaiting the bridge replacement at the end of this year and infrastructure issues, and we are addressing all of them without having to add false rumours to upset our residents,” said Fokkens.

She said the post was removed later Saturday and added it was disrespectful to Welland residents on all accounts.

Corporate communications manager Marc MacDonald said the post generated significant confusion and prompted questions from residents to councillors and staff.

“It is disheartening that someone took the time and effort to attempt to recreate an official city document to create confusion and anger.

“All official city communications go out through the same channels and can easily and quickly be verified on our website. If residents have questions about the validity of posts they see online that appear to be from the city they are encouraged to contact us.”

In an email, MacDonald said at first glance, as with many scams, the post appears to have some credibility as it includes the city’s logo and the general theme of the city’s media release template.

The city also posts official media releases on its website welland.ca/ Media/MediaReleases.asp.

The city also posts official media releases on its social media sites linked to the website; and it sends official media releases via subscription email.