Niagara South MP Fred Davies is calling on the federal government to start long-delayed repairs on three crumbling wharves in Port Colborne, Ontario. Speaking in the House of Commons, Davies pointed out that the shipping docks have sat vacant for over 10 years because the concrete walls are falling apart.
The wharves are located on the west side of the Welland Canal between West Street and the ADM Milling facility. In the past, they were used by local businesses to unload road salt from large ships, but the area has been fenced off for a decade due to safety concerns.
Three years ago, the federal government promised $45.3 million to fix the site. The City of Port Colborne and private investors are ready to start construction, but the project is currently waiting for final action from the federal Minister of Transport and canal authorities.
Davies raised the issue this week in the House of Commons during a call for increased infrastructure investment. He stated that fixing the wharves would create well-paying local jobs and help the city grow as a major shipping and industrial hub.
The 2026 shipping season officially began on March 22, and while the canal has seen more than $180 million in other upgrades recently, the crumbling walls at Wharf 18 have not yet been addressed. Local leaders say every year of delay results in lost economic opportunities for the community.
