NOTL voted most beautiful and sustainable events destination

To add to its many other accomplishments, Niagara-on-the-Lake has been voted Canada’s most beautiful and sustainable events destination.

Thursday, April 22, Earth Day, the Sustainable Events Forum hosted a virtual event, which included the voting that earned NOTL its title.

NOTL was nominated as one of the top 10 municipalities in the running for the award against other prestigious destinations across Canada. "It was an honour to be chosen," says Lord Mayor Betty Disero, who thanked the forum for hosting the event and promoting sustainability efforts across Canada.

“When you look at the competition, it was very tough,” says Disero, “with lot of great cities doing a a lot fo sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint.”

Votes came in from across Canada, says Disero, attributing NOTL’s success to the fact that sustainability “comes by us naturally.”

So many local events are based on agriculture, and those in the hospitality industry choose farm-to-table and other ways to respect the importance of agriculture to the community, she adds.

“We’re a huge agricultural community, and members of the faming community are by nature green.”

Support for on-demand transportation instead of an empty bus driving up and down Niagara Stone Road, composting, tree planting and tree protection, and heritage preservation all contribute to sustainability, says Disero. 

Success in Community in Bloom competitions, which have named NOTL the prettiest town of its size, “are not just about being pretty,” they are also about care for the environment. "That’s who we are. It’s our nature, our lifestyle,” she says, and is reflected in how the town cares about and preserves its heritage and environment.

“For sure, I know we can do better,” Disero adds, explaining sustainability efforts have to be ongoing.

The other municipalities nominated in Canada’s Top 10 most beautiful and sustainable events destinations were St. John’s, Charlottetown, Halifax, Quebec City, Montreal, Banff, Vancouver, Victoria, and Whitehorse. Each was assigned a champion to represent the town and highlight the many ways it exhibits beauty and sustainability. Shari Bricks, managing director of Bond Association Management, was a champion for Niagara-on-the-Lake, acknowledging the many ways Niagara-on-the-Lake is beautiful and sustainable, and referring to the town as one that embodies a diverse, inclusive and sustainable community. To watch her two-minute video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z63B58hDNn