Cleanup Dispute Over GM Site in St. Catharines

The company that owns the old General Motors property in St. Catharines, Ont., is contesting city orders to address safety hazards at the long-empty site, claiming that the timeline to comply is “not reasonable”.

The numbered company, part of local developer Bay Shore Groups, has submitted an appeal to Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice, requesting a judge to overturn the orders or push back the deadline for cleanup to June 30, 2027.

The city had initially set a deadline of June 12, 2026 for the company to fix or tear down hazardous structures on the land. After further consideration, the city’s Property Standards Committee extended that deadline by an extra 120 days, allowing until Oct. 23, 2026 for compliance.

In its appeal notice, the company stated that complying with the “Orders is complex and extensive and, as such, the listed repairs require careful review and analysis before commencing any work.”

It continued by saying that even with the extension from the Committee, “the timelines to comply with the order are not reasonable and do not allow the Owner a sufficient opportunity to fully assess the Orders and provide a substantive response.”

“Further, the timelines do not maintain the general intent and purpose of the by-law given the complicated nature, extent and sequencing of required work and specifically considering engagement with competing regulatory agencies,” according to their appeal notice.

The appeal hearing is set for Aug. 13 at St. Catharines courthouse.

City has received complaints for years

For over a decade now, residents near this site have voiced concerns about what used to be an auto manufacturing facility covering about 41 American football fields.

The city had previously gotten complaints from locals regarding “doors being propped open” at West Plant located at 285 Ontario St., along with reports of an open gate at East Plant at 282 Ontario St., as noted by St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe in an email sent to CBC.

An inspector from city property standards visited on May 22 and identified various hazards across both buildings including a deteriorating roof and exterior structures, missing or damaged walls, broken windows, plus heaps of waste and debris scattered around.

Dilapidated buildings are seen in late June at the former General Motors property on Ontario Street in St. Catharines. (Paul Forsyth/CBC)

Owners dragging their feet, resident says

A group called Coalition for a Better St. Catharines has been advocating since 2019 for cleaning up this 22-hectare site.

“This property owner has pushed back every time when it comes to enforcing violations,” said Dennis Edell who co-founded this coalition.

“You’ve got these dilapidated buildings that are falling down as per property standards inspection,” Edell pointed out. “You’ve got urban explorers and trespassers on-site… It’s dangerous.”

“[The owners have] just been dragging [their] feet on this whole thing.”

The coalition plans on applying for standing during next month’s appeal hearing.

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