CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
Local News Weekly
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Vol. 26, Issue 30, April 7, 2022
Local Figure Skater Attends Provincials
I
'm the local StarSkate figure skating coach for the Chapleau Figure Skating club. We had one of our skaters Ava Borho qualify for the Skate Ontario Provincial Championships. She competed last weekend in Mississauga at Provincials in Star 5 Artistic category and found it a great experience. (Janice Wallgren)
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 2
Ontario Cutting Gas and Fuel Taxes For Six Months To Provide Relief For Businesses and Families Government to introduce legislation to cut gas tax by 5.7 cents per litre and fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre As part of its plan to keep costs down for Ontario families and businesses, the Ontario government is introducing legislation that would, if passed, cut the gas tax by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre for six months beginning July 1, 2022. Vehicle owners in Ontario would see significant direct savings from this proposed gas
tax cut and the recently announced elimination of licence plate renewal fees, with households benefitting from an average combined savings of about $465 in 2022. “Ongoing supply chain challenges and geopolitical conflicts are pushing up the cost of living from gas to groceries,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “With these
added pressures, families and businesses need extra help to keep costs low. That is why our government is bringing forward legislation to provide tax relief at the pumps and put money back into people's pockets.” Effective July 1 until December 31, 2022, the gas tax rate would be cut from 14.7 cents per litre to 9 cents per litre, representing a cut of 5.7 cents per litre. The fuel tax rate, which includes diesel, would be reduced from 14.3 cents per litre to 9 cents per litre, representing a cut of 5.3 cents per litre. The Ontario government is als o continuing to call on the federal government to help families and businesses in the face of rising costs by cutting the carbon tax, which increased to 11.05 cents per litre on gasoline and 13.41 cents per litre on diesel on April 1, 2022. “Ontario is getting stronger, and with this proposed legislation, our government is doing its part to support workers and families,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “Now is the time for the federal government to join us in providing relief for hard-working Canadians by cutting the carbon tax.” Ontario's plan to cut gas and fuel taxes is part of a broader package that will provide immediate cost-of-living relief, including: · Cutting costs for millions of Ontario vehicle owners by refunding licence plate sticker renewal fees paid since March 2020, and eliminating licence plate renewal fees and plate stickers on a go-forward basis, saving vehicle Cont’d on P.5
Merci à Gracie
C
ette année, il y a eu un changement dans les Prix de bénévolat Buddy-Swanson. Par le passé, le prix était un vitrail représentant un huard monté sur une base mobile. Malheureusement, l'artiste responsable, Debbie Lewis, a déménagé sur l'île Manitoulin et, en raison de la COVID-19, elle s'est trouvée à court de matériaux. Nous avons recherché un artisan local pour remplacer les efforts de Debbie. Nous avons rencontré une jeune femme qui s'était récemment mise à la sculpture sur bois. Elle s'est immédiatement montrée intéressée. Nous avons été encouragés par sa ténacité et son courage à se dépasser pour produire, en dépit de son peu d'expérience pratique, les deux prix en forme de huards. Cette jeune femme est Gracie Greig. Nous la remercions de ses efforts et nous admirons son talent en sculpture sur bois.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 3
Chapleau Moments by
Michael J. Morris A few of us will recall the 'Skater's Waltz', so popular when we went public skating at the old old rink on Lorne Street, and almost always included in the annual figure skating shows by the Chapleau Figure Skating Club. As I read recollections of figure skating in Chapleau from about 1937 which had been prepared by Juliette (Morin) Payette and others, I went to Youtube and listened to the Skater's Waltz, in a rendition of it conducted by the famous conductor Toscanini. In fact I listened to it several times as I reflected on my growing up years in Chapleau and those wonderful people who so actively participated in the life and times of Chapleau. Julie, a member of one of Chapleau's pioneer families, married Bill Payette, a son of D.O. Payette, a leader in the community for so many years
Marion Morris (my aunt circa 1938)
Remembering success of Chapleau Figure Skating Club over about 85 years with special mention to Pat Purich Julie recalled that the first Chapleau Figure Skating Club was organized and opened to boys and girls in 1937 with a Mr. Baker from Fort William, (Thunder Bay) who taught figure skating for several years, and even eventually married one of the skaters, Connie Vezina. "The Club was doing very well with about 25 skaters," Julie noted. "This all took place in the first arena built on Lorne St. which was replaced on the same location in 1951. We had two dressing rooms at the front of the building which were both heated by a big wood stove that kept our boots warm and where we could run in when we were cold. "Proper music was piped out to the ice surface. We learned the basics like the figure three and figure Soloist Pat Purich 1950s eight, a few jumps and eventually Mr. Baker paired Community Arena in 1951, skaters also used outdoor us to do the ‘Skater's Waltz'." rinks made in many parts of town. Pat was a soloist at Julie recalled that some of the members were annual shows by the figure skating club. Frank and Lorne Block, Norman Cohrs, Bill Payette, I can recall at least 10 outdoor rinks in the Yvette Burns, Elise Depew, Freda Depew, Sally 1950s plus 'The Pond' on the back river and on the ice Uugo, Helen Martin, Rhonda McQuaig, Shirley on the front river behind Chapleau Public School. Matheson, Juliette Morin, Marion Morris (my aunt), Pat noted that in the 50s, "figure skating was Shirley Nixon, Evelyn Sheahan and Connie Vezina. fun and challenging, practising and preparing for our She added: "A bit more info on the arena. local winter carnivals in February... We were lucky to There was an open loft above the girls dressing room be part of the excitement and did our very best to also heated by a big wood stove where the Chapleau please the crowds." town Band led by Mr. D.O. Payette played on Friday Pat who died recently was very active in nights for public skating 8 to 10 pm. The arena was community activities was also an excellent swimming always packed on those nights but if you were instructor, Pat and I attended Chapleau High School younger than 14 years you had to get off the ice at in the 1950s, and have been friends ever since. May 9pm. We did not appreciate this one bit." There was a she rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to Pat's nine p.m. curfew for children in Chapleau for years. family!!! In 1940, Sally Uugo, who later married Joe Crichton, I treasure a pennant which included the was recognized in the Sudbury Star as "outstanding colours of Chapleau High School made by Pat.... for her performance" at the club's carnival. The paper Mine included the "old" and "new" school colours. noted that Sally was "a talented figure skater who is Pat told me at the 90th anniversary of CHS that mine also deserving of a great deal of credit for her work in included both colours as I attended the school as the club's interests when she worked so hard to keep student under one and taught there under the other!! the organization together. Lynn Purich, Pat's daughter, who is also a Sally "charmed the audience with her figure skater learned to skate at age four on an 'Rhumba on Skates". In a conversation with Ann, outdoor rink on the river. Lynn said she was "eager to Sally remembered the big cast iron wood burning skate and take figure skating lessons." Her dedicated furnace that heated the old old rink. Sally died in mother brought her to lessons sometimes at six a.m. 2012. and over time she earned badges and crests through Moving forward to the 1950s, Pat Purich the Canadian Figure Skating Association. recalled that figure skating was a "big part of our lives Lynn described the experience in an growing up in Chapleau" and although the old old rink interview with me: "Annual ice shows were amazing was replaced with the Chapleau Memorial Cont’d on P.7
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 4
Negotiation for Fighter Jets Leave Many Questions to be Answered REPORT costs of the sole source procurement of F-35s at the retains the right to negotiate for the Gripen should from OTTAWA time, $44 billion in 2012 dollars, which would have the F-35 negotiations falter, but we need to know amounted to the single largest purchase by the those details and be assured that what we are Rapport buying matches the needs of Canadian Forces. Government of Canada in history. d’Ottawa We also must ensure that any jets we The deal was ultimately scrapped as, aside by/par
Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
This week, the Federal government finally announced their plan to replace Canada's fleet of aging CF-18 jets. It was a necessary and long overdue announcement, as it has been clear for well over a decade now that the CF-18s, which have been in service for 40 years, need to be replaced. Our service men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) need the proper equipment to carry out their vital work, including modern aircraft. However, what was surprising about the announcement is that the federal government will be negotiating the purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35s, the same jet that the Liberals promised to scrap during the 2015 election. Some may remember in 2011 that the Harper government was found in Contempt of Parliament as a result of failing to provide sufficient documentation to the House of Commons on the estimated costs of corporate tax cuts, proposed crime legislation and, specifically, the F-35 fighter jet procurement process. The following year, the Auditor General laid bare the
from the cost, there were significant concerns at the time about the jet's ability to handle the work Canada requires of its fighter jets. There were reports at the time of battery failures in cold weather, a significant problem when defending Arctic aerospace. Other known problems have been reported, such as barotrauma (extreme pressure) due to issues with cockpit pressure regulation, and issues with the jet's night vision camara in low light, making it difficult for pilots to see at night or in low visibility. These issues may potentially be resolved if and when negotiations finalize but concerns remain about the jet's ability to actually do the work we need. Additionally, details of the negotiations are still limited. There needs to be clear details of the procurement process to ensure the government doesn't end up in the same situation the as his predecessor. Parliament, and by extension Canadians, need to be assured that we have the full details of the costs associated with such a significant military purchase. We also need to be assured that other options, such as Sweden's Saab Gripen, by all accounts a more affordable jet, do not suit our operational needs better. The government
purchase use a “made in Canada” approach. Procurement of fighter jets is inherently expensive, and we need to be assured that the Canadian aerospace industry benefits from the purchase, creating good jobs for Canadians in the process. Any further delays in the procurement process could both push costs higher while also reducing the lifespan of whichever plane we purchase. It's not difficult to see that the F-35 was always going to be a prime contender, given the close relationship we have with the U.S., regardless of the Liberals proposal to scrap the purchase completely in 2015, but if development of our jets occurs entirely in another nation, that's not a good deal. Military procurement is never an easy issue, to be sure, but any deal that doesn't put Canadian workers first will never be a good deal for our nation. While the negotiating process is still underway, and there are still 7 months or less for Lockheed Martin ink to reach Canadian paper, we must ensure that those details represent the best interests of both the CAF and the Canadian aerospace industry. Anything less would be the equivalent of trying to fly the plane as you build it.
Les négociations sur les avions de chasse laissent de nombreuses questions sans réponses
Cette semaine, le gouvernement fédéral a finalement annoncé son plan pour le remplacement de la vieillissante flotte de CF-18 du Canada. Cette annonce essentielle était attendue depuis trop longtemps. En effet, il est clair depuis bien plus d'une décennie que les CF-18, en service depuis 40 ans, doivent être remplacés. Nos militaires des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC) doivent pouvoir compter sur l'équipement voulu pour effectuer leur travail essentiel, y compris des avions modernes. Toutefois, ce qu'il y a de surprenant à propos de l'annonce est que le gouvernement fédéral négociera l'achat de 88 F-35 de Lockheed Martin, l'avion même dont les libéraux avaient promis d'annuler l'achat au cours des élections de 2015. Certains se souviendront qu'en 2011 le gouvernement Harper a été reconnu coupable d'outrage au Parlement pour avoir omis de fournir à la Chambre des communes toute la documentation sur les coûts estimatifs des réductions d'impôt aux entreprises, de ses projets de loi en matière criminelle et, plus particulièrement, du processus d'achat des avions de combat F-35. L'année suivante, le vérificateur général a révélé que les coûts d'achat des F-35 auprès d'un fournisseur unique étaient de 44 milliards en dollars de 2012, ce qui en aurait fait le plus important achat de toute l'histoire du gouvernement du Canada. L'entente a finalement été annulé, parce que, outre les coûts, la capacité de l'avion à effectuer le travail dont le Canada s'attend de ses
avions de combat suscitait d'importantes inquiétudes à l'époque. Des rapports faisaient état de défaillances des batteries par temps froid, un problème important pour la défense de l'espace aérien dans l'Arctique. D'autres problèmes connus ont été signalés, comme le barotraumatisme (pression extrême) lié à des ennuis de régulation de la pression dans le poste de pilotage, ainsi que des problèmes avec la caméra de vision nocturne de l'avion, qui empêchaient les pilotes de bien voir la nuit ou dans des conditions de visibilité réduite. Ces problèmes pourraient être résolus si et quand les négociations aboutiront, mais des inquiétudes subsistent quant à la capacité de l'avion à effectuer le travail voulu. En outre, les détails des négociations sont toujours limités. Les détails précis du processus d'approvisionnement doivent être connus pour éviter que le gouvernement ne se retrouve dans la même situation que le gouvernement précédent. Le Parlement et, par extension, les Canadiens doivent avoir l'assurance de connaître tous les détails des coûts associés à un achat militaire de cette envergure. Nous devons aussi avoir l'assurance que d'autres options, comme l'avion Gripen de la compagnie suédoise Saab, un avion de combat plus abordable de l'avis général, ne conviennent pas mieux à nos besoins opérationnels. Le gouvernement se réserve le droit de négocier l'achat du Gripen en cas d'échec des négociations pour le F-35, mais nous devons être informés de ces détails
et obtenir l'assurance que ce que nous achetons correspond aux besoins des Forces canadiennes. Nous devons aussi nous assurer que l'achat de tout avion suit l'approche « fait au Canada ». L'achat d'avions de combat est une opération dispendieuse par nature et nous devons avoir l'assurance que l'industrie aérospatiale canadienne en profitera et que de bons emplois pour les Canadiens seront créés dans le processus. Tout retard dans le processus d'acquisition pourrait à la fois faire augmenter les coûts et réduire la durée de vie de ces avions. Il est évident que le F-35 allait toujours être un candidat de premier plan, étant donné notre étroite relation avec les États-Unis, peu importe que les libéraux aient proposé d'annuler le projet d'achat en 2015, mais si la construction de nos avions de combat se fait entièrement dans un autre pays, le marché ne sera pas satisfaisant. Chose certaine, l'approvisionnement militaire n'est jamais une question simple, mais tout achat doit fournir des emplois indispensables pour les travailleurs et travailleuses dans l'industrie aérospatiale canadienne. Alors que le processus de négociation est toujours en cours et qu'il reste 7 mois ou moins avant que le Canada signe un contrat avec Lockheed Martin, nous devons nous assurer que ces détails correspondent aux intérêts des FAC et de l'industrie aérospatiale du Canada. Se contenter de moins reviendrait à tenter de construire l'avion en plein vol.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 5
Ontario Cutting Gas and Fuel Taxes For Six Months To Provide Relief For Businesses and Families Cont’d from P.2 owners $120 a year in southern Ontario and $60 a year in Northern Ontario for passenger and light commercial vehicles. · Permanently removing tolls on Highways 412 and 418, effective April 5. · Providing tax relief for workers, families and seniors through the Low-Income Workers Tax Credit, the Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit, the Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit and the
Ontario Child Care Tax Credit. · Reaching an agreement with the federal government for $13.2 billion of funding for a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System, providing Ontario families with children five years old and younger in participating licensed child care centres with up to 25 per cent in savings, to a minimum of $12 per day, retroactive to April 1, 2022. This agreement will deliver an average of $10-a-day child care for
eligible children by September 2025 . Vehicle owners in Ontario would see a significant direct savings from this proposed gas tax cut and the recently announced elimination of licence plate renewal fees. For example, a family in Southern Ontario who owns two cars and drives regularly would save about $815 in 2022. Households that do not own vehicles are expected to benefit from the impact of the proposed gas tax cut in the prices paid for taxis, food delivery and consumer products. The price paid at the pump is made up of the cost of crude oil, wholesale margins, retail margins, federal excise tax, the federal carbon tax, Ontario gasoline/fuel tax and HST. This proposed tax cut would be effective July 1, 2022 to provide the industry — including manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers — the required time to adjust their systems and business processes. In 2018, the government passed legislation to eliminate the previous government's cap and trade carbon tax to reduce gas prices by 4.3 cents per litre. When combined with the savings from the government's proposed legislation, the reduction in provincial taxes and charges on gas would total 10 cents per litre. Ontario's Gas Tax program supports public transit in municipalities across Ontario by providing two cents per litre of provincial gas tax to improve and expand transit. The Ontario government will ensure that this funding would not be impacted by this proposed cut.
Thanks to Gracie
T
his year saw a change in the Buddy Swanson Volunteer Award. In previous years the award was a stain glass loon mounted on a mobile base. Unfortunately, the main artist, Debbie Lewis, moved to Manitoulin Island, and due to COVID 19, she found herself short of materials. We searched for a local artisan to replace Debbie's efforts. We came across a young lady who had recently started wood carving. She showed an immediate interest. We were encouraged by her tenacity and courage to extend herself to produce two loons as awards despite having little practical experience. The young lady is Gracie Greig who we thank for her efforts and whose talent at wood carving we admire.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 6
Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On April 19, 1993, near Waco, Texas, after a 51-day siege, the FBI launches a tear-gas assault on the compound of Branch Davidian leader David Koresh and his disciples as part of an investigation into illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The compound at Mount Carmel was burned to the ground, and some 80 Branch Davidians, including 22 children, died in the inferno.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 7
Northern Lights Ford Sales Andrew G. McKenzie Travis Gendron Highway 17 North P.O. Box 1033 Wawa, ON. P0S 1K0 Business 705-856-2775 Fax 705-856-4862 tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca
ALLEMANO, FITZGERALD PASCUZZI & BERLINGIERI Barristers and Solicitors
MICHAEL C. ALLEMANO, B.A., L.L.B. Certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Real Estate Law P.O. Box 10, P.O. Box 1700, 369 Queen St. E. Suite 103 37 Broadway Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Wawa, Ontario P6A 1Z4 P0S 1K0 Phone (705) 942-0142 Phone (705) 856-4970 Fax (705) 942-7188 Fax (705) 856-2713
Chapleau Moments Cont’d from P.3 and so much excitement... Crowds of people who supported figure skating, hours of preparation and planning and practising for shows.. so many dedicated skaters and parents..." Ann (Card) Morin performed her first figure skating solo when she was four years .She also served on the executive for many years.. Her father, George Card, was also active in Chapleau figure skating, but I just have to add that her brother George was a pretty good hockey player, and played on the first team I coached in Chapleau, the 1970-71 Midgets and later the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies. Ann recalled: "Just thinking a little of my past in skating. My first solo age four. Wow, you should see the pics of my costume blue with pink marabou.... My last solo as a skater for the club I needed a dress and my mother could not sew so I made it. I still have it lol. You could not buy dresses when I skated. You had to make them. Mrs (Veda) Warren made most of my dresses. I still have my first pair of skates." As Ann recalled memories from the past she
said that, "We had to make the patterns for the costumes for ice show then make the costumes from the patterns. First the parent had to pay for the material and get it made and then they could keep it but the club is left with nothing for the future I liked the idea of have costumes in the club that you could reuse year after year like we used to do so we started making costumes and keeping them at no cost to the parent and now we have boxes and boxes of costumes that we reuse just like it was when I skated."When she skated "in the old (memorial) arena we had the old reel to reel for music not sure what it was called but I still have it tucked away .. then to cassettes then CD's and now an little two inch ipod." The figure skating club was also very much responsible for a sound system in the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena.Ann and her husband Philip's three daughters Arlayna, Alissa and Amanda were all figure skaters. Ann added: "The real funny thing is I love hockey too. So do my girls. My China cabinet has the middle level full of Toronto Maple Leafs stuff and I brought my daughter to a Toronto Maple Leafs game in Toronto. I don't know who was more excited me or my daughter. ...We had awesome seats..." Ann, thank you so much for all the work you have done in helping me with a glimpse at the history of figure skating in Chapleau some years ago and I can use some of the information.to this day,. It's been fun and we even chatted about the "sticks, pucks and jersey guys" but that is another story. Thanks also to all who contributed and participated in Chapleau figure skating ---- up to and including their latest show in 2022. My email is mikejmorris 41@outlook.com
BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES TIMMINS - CHAPLEAU - TIMMINS Monday to Friday: 1 lb. to 10,000 lbs
Monday to Friday FOR QUALITY SERVICES AT
INEXPENSIVE PRICES GIVE US A CALL AT 1-705-264-4334 1-705-363-7804
Local MARKETPLACE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm. Narcotics Anonymous(N.A) every Tuesday same place same time. NNADAP Worker @ 864-0174 info.
CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotional support, and information for women and their children who are in crisis situations. We have a Toll Free Crisis Line which is staffed 24 hours a day. We can arrange for free transportation to the Centre for women who live in the Algoma/Chapleau area. We also offer support to women who live in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and Hornepayne through our Outreach Program. Our Outreach Worker travels to those communities to meet with women who need emotional support as well as information about their rights and options. If you need to speak with the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a resident of the Centre in order to use our services. If you need someone to talk to or if you just need someone to listen, call our Toll Free Crisis line at 1800-461-2242 or you can drop in at the Centre. We are here for you.
Deadlines on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. New at the Library Library Hours Monday 1-5 pm Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7 pm Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm Website : www.chapleau.ca Follow us on facebook for more info!
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND
705-864-4376
Ann (Card) Morin 1975
Joanne Laughland and Lynn Purich
Vehicle Decals Safety Signage Posters
jnsigns@gmail.com
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, April 7, 2022- Page 8
Recently, Grant, one of my team members, and I had to attend some meetings in the Sault area. So, I took advantage of the opportunity to make some calls while I had a driver and free hands. It was also an excellent opportunity for us to review my schedule and discuss many items at length outside of the concentrated, high-pressure atmosphere in the office. Spending Monday to Thursday in Queen's Park, then driving back to the riding before dawn on Friday, means we have to use my time in the constituency office very efficiently. Grant has been with me since day one. He opted out of a long-time career in education to come work on my team but still has a perpetual interest in students and education. He told me that one of the joys he has missed because of the pandemic is scheduling the many visits I make to elementary and secondary school classrooms. I love interacting with curious young minds. It's a chance to listen to what is foremost on kids' minds, hear what is important to them and see where they see themselves and this world in the years to come. It's a chance to work with curious young minds before they become inundated with preconceived notions and the negativity of which this world can be full. After all, one day, my own life will be in their hands as future leaders. Children and students often have far more knowledge than we might expect. In fact, I'd venture to say that some students' understanding
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might exceed their elders. They may not have all of the scientific explanations or technical terms and definitions, but our youth have eyes, ears and minds that are wide open. When I am invited to visit a class, whether for the study of physics, to see a special presentation, class project on any subject, or talk about any local concern the children may have, I seldom have to prepare much other than reviewing NDP policies and positions. Most adults don't believe kids have the ability to understand such messages. But I say, those people would be mistaken. The key is to use language and experience that is within their grasp. By way of an example of students' interest and understanding of the world around them, some readers might be interested in looking up online the NDP's environmental plan called The Green New Democratic Deal. Take a moment and look at the brief list of NDP commitments to the people of Ontario. You can download it here, https://www.ontariondp.ca /sites/default/files/gndd_-_en_-_sm1.pdf The list includes commitments such as: Bring Ontario to Net-Zero Emissions, Change How We Move: Transform Transportation, Protect Our Water and Green Spaces, Cut Down Waste and Foster Climate Change Resilience, to name but a few. I believe that if we want our children and youth in Ontario to have a healthy and prosperous future, major investment is necessary, wise and economically feasible. However, in reality, the cost of inaction when it comes to the climate crisis will be far higher than the investments we must make now to secure a safer, more prosperous future. For example, it is estimated that if the global average temperature is allowed to rise to the levels we're currently on track to hit, the cost of the climate crisis in Ontario could grow from $5 billion annually today to more than $41 billion. We must make essential investments now to avoid such an outcome. The thing is, it is we adults today who must make essential investments right now to avoid the above outcome. We can't wait any longer for the wiser generation to grow up and make this happen on their dime. We have to set them up today to ensure their success. And those lessons have to be delivered every day in school, in the community and our own homes. To fund the Green New Democratic Deal, an Ontario NDP government will re-direct spending, generate a mix of new revenue streams, fair carbon pricing. I know that many readers of this column share the pride I have in Algoma-Manitoulin's vast forests, p r o d u c t i v e f a r m l a n d a n d abundant freshwater. But these resources are increasingly at risk. In the last 100 years, the province has lost 73 percent of Ontario's natural habitats, including forests, fields, wetlands and marshes. As a result, many species are at risk. Some even face extinction.
The Ford government has surreptitiously instituted an anti-environment agenda under the guise of efficiency and eliminating tape. It has increased the risk of endangered species and their habitats in the North and across the province. Ford has made repeated attempts to pave over the Greenbelt. He cut the authority of Conservation Authorities. Under cover of the COVID-19 pandemic, his government passed legislation to allow itself to override environmental protections and public input on development. The Ford government's disdain for climate change runs very deep. So deep that they ordered those drafting the new Ministry of Education science curriculum to remove the term Climate Change from the document. Now it is not introduced until the fifth grade. Minister's Zoning Orders (MZO) were originally intended to be used sparingly in areas with no municipal governance or to quickly advance provincial initiatives. But as my colleague NDP environment critic Sandy Shaw said recently, “With the stroke of a pen, a developer can go in and start building on land, whether it's historically important or it's on wetlands … it is a really heavy-handed tool for the government to be using when it comes to how we plan to build our cities.” My friend Autumn Peltier, a clean-water activist from Wiikwemkoong First Nation Unceded Territory and many other indigenous friends have helped me to understand that water is life. Autumn has been nominated three times for the International Children's Peace Prize and continues to fight for Indigenous communities worldwide. Autumn is a prime example of what knowledge, wisdom and strength is possible to inspire and develop in our youth. The key, however, is that we take action now. The provincial election on June 2nd is a great time to tell politicians and government leaders that they need to do something to ensure the survival and prosperity of our children, our wildlife, our province and our world environment before it is too late. Grant never lets me forget what an honour it is to be part of preparing our youth to lead us tomorrow. He reminds me that we must not hesitate to talk to our children about their visions of the world and our future. Use language, experiences and concepts that they relate to so that in turn they can help you understand what they see, hear and know. And when you do share with them, remember why our Creator gave us two ears and one mouth – meaning listen to your children twice as you speak or tell them something. As always, please feel free to contact my office about these issues or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or phone at 705-461-9710 or Toll-free at 1-800-831-1899.