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Vol. 26, Issue 47, August 11, 2022
Ontario Calls Out Unfair Duties on Softwood Lumber, Defends Forestry Workers and Industry
T
oday, Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, and Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following statement: “Ontario's forest sector and its workers are vital to the prosperity of this province. To deliver on our plan to build Ontario, our government is standing up for families, businesses, and communities by speaking out against unfair practices targeting our forest sector.
Ontario supports the U.S. Department of Commerce's recent decision to lower the unfair duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber exports – however, the Ontario government maintains that all duty rates should be removed immediately. Ontario's forest sector generated $18 billion in revenue from the sale of manufactured goods and services in 2020 and supported more than 148,000 direct and indirect jobs in 2021. At a time when we are taking action to provide cost-of-living relief, softwood lumber
duties punish consumers and businesses on both sides of the border – and impose added hardship on the workers, families and communities that depend on Ontario's forest sector. As this trade dispute continues, we will continue to seek fair treatment of our forest sector and fair outcomes for the public and industry alike. Together with provincial governments, the federal government and industry leaders across the country, Ontario stands united in support for the Canadian forest industry and free trade.”
Ontario's Plan to Build Supporting Stronger Province and Economy 2022 Budget is a plan to help keep costs down for families, support better jobs and bigger paycheques and build more highways, housing, transit and hospitals
A
s part of its commitment to implement the 2022 Budget and build a stronger Ontario for workers, businesses and families, the Ontario government today reintroduced the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022. “I am pleased to re-introduce the Plan to Build Act (Budget Measures), 2022 bill today so our government can Long Term continue delivering Forecast Ontario's Plan to Build, Thursday supporting better jobs High 20 for workers while Low 8 building more Friday highways, housing and High 22 hospitals right across the Low 13 province,” said Peter Saturday High 21 Low 14
Sunday High 21 Low 13 Monday High 21 Low 13 Tuesday High 20 Low 12
Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “With costs rising, our plan also includes measures to help families, including new direct payments to parents to help their kids catch up and increasing Ontario Disability Support Program payments.” To help those who qualify for disability support, the government is delivering on its commitment to increase the rates for income support by five per cent beginning in September 2022, for families and persons under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). Beginning in September, the government will increase both the ODSP rate and the Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities Program maximum monthly amount by five per cent. Future ODSP rates will also be adjusted to inflation. To help fill gaps in learning for students
after two years of pandemic disruptions, the government is also investing $225 million for direct payments to parents. This is in addition to the previously announced $175 million tutoring support program, the largest of its kind in Ontario's history. The government will have more details later in the year on how families can access this new support. “No government in Ontario history has invested more in public education, tutoring supports, and student mental health than our government,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “We are going further by providing direct financial support to parents, in addition to the expanded tutoring supports for students, all focused on ensuring kids get back to class with Cont’d on P.4
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metaverse: the parallel What's artificial intelligence? The universe of the future Since the 1940s, computing technology has made spectacular progress. Early on, pioneers in the field questioned whether a computer could think for itself. While the idea may have seemed absurd at the time, it has become a reality: artificial intelligence (AI) exists today. But what exactly is AI? Ability to learn For a long time, computers were solely designed to obey programmer instructions. In other words, they only did what humans told them to do. Whether the computer was performing a mathematical calculation, playing a symphony or displaying the latest stock market results, each task was based on prior commands. However, artificial intelligence takes things a step further. Although computers are ultimately dependent on humans, they can be programmed to learn, predict and adapt to changes by making decisions and performing
independently of the programmer's will. An infinite amount of data To execute these functions, the computer relies on a massive amount of data, which it can mine from the internet. It can also capture feedback from its environment via cameras, microphones and other input devices. This data is then classified and analyzed by powerful algorithms, which mimic human reasoning and allow the computer to perform previously impossible tasks. This raises the question: do computers really think? Are they conscious? These questions are largely philosophical and continue to be discussed. H o w e v e r, o n e thing is certain: AI is here to stay, and we all must learn to live with it.
What's a blockchain? The term “blockchain” is gaining popularity, especially with the rising interest in cryptocurrencies. In short, a blockchain is a secure, distributed database where transactions between users are stored chronologically in the form of linked blocks. Here's what you need to know. No intermediaries Imagine you've just given a cheque to a merchant, and the merchant then deposits it into their bank account. You've just used your bank as an intermediary. The bank will first check whether you have the necessary funds and then update the balance in your account. If you decide to pay in cryptocurrency instead, you don't need to use an intermediary.
This type of currency is transferred directly from one person to another. But how can the merchant be sure you actually own the virtual currency you're offering? This is where blockchain technology comes in. Blockchain technology creates a decentralized computer register. The register is much like that of a bank, but it's distributed among all users. Every time someone makes a withdrawal or deposit, the transaction is recorded in a file. When the file reaches a specific size, it forms a block. Subsequent transactions are recorded in a new file, and so on, generating a succession of interrelated blocks. Secure digital signature The best part about these data blocks is that they cannot be falsified. Each block has a digital signature, a mathematical validation formula that relies on the content in the current block and all preceding blocks in the series. Therefore, if anyone tries to alter even a digit in a previous transaction, they'll change the digital signature and render the chain invalid, preventing any monetary exchange. Fascinating, isn't it?
Over the next few years, you may hear talk about the metaverse. If you're not familiar with this term, here's an overview of what you need to know. What is it? The metaverse is a parallel universe that doesn't exist in the material world. It's entirely created by a computer. Rather than simply being viewed on a screen like a classic video game, the metaverse allows users to be physically immersed in the digital space by wearing a virtual reality headset. How does it work? You can access the metaverse by wearing a virtual reality headset that fills your entire field of vision and gives the illusion of being in another world. You can move around and interact with the metaverse using a virtual version of yourself called an avatar. The avatar's actions closely mimic your head movements and follow a joystick you hold in your hands. For an even more immersive experience, you can wear special gloves that give you precise control over your virtual environment. You can also purchase costumes and accessories with sensors that allow your avatar to copy your gestures and provide tactile feedback. For example, if you're engaged in a virtual sword fight, you'll perceive a blow from the enemy via an electrical pulse. What can you do? In addition to offering more realistic virtual adventures than ever before, the metaverse allows you to interact with other people without leaving your living room. For example, you can virtually meet up and play with your friends or work colleagues. Why not replace a boring business meeting via video conference with an unforgettable meeting on the top of a majestic mountain? Does this alternate universe appeal to you?
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 11, 2022- Page 3
Chapleau Invisible hand of Canadian compromise Moments needed as hockey declines a bit in Canada by
Michael J. Morris I took a course in twentieth century European history from Dr Jacques Goutor more than 50 years ago now, and the first thing I learned from him was that hockey kept Canada together. Well, he didn't actually come out and say that exactly, but on the first day of class he told us about his arrival in Canada from France. I share his thoughts as there is some controversy right now about junior hockey. Dr Goutor told us that upon arriving in Toronto, he went out and bought the newspapers and the headlines were LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP! It was 1967, our Centennial year as a nation, and the Toronto Maple Leafs had defeated their archrivals the Montreal Canadiens in six games. It was to be the last time the Leafs would win Lord Stanley's mug. As an aside Dr Goutor was one of the best professors I ever had and went from Wilfrid Laurier University to the University of Western Ontario. He died recently. All so typically Canadian for our Centennial year in 1967-- a team from the heart of English Canada wins the Stanley Cup but the focus for the celebrations of the centennial is on Montreal, the major French-Canadian city which hosted Expo '67, and the cup is named after an Englishman who was Governor General at one time. Trust me on this one! It is such as this that has contributed to keeping the country together and safe-- the invisible hand of Canadian compromise! Dr Goutor, who at the time had little knowledge of hockey and its importance to Canadians, said he decided to stay here because it had to be a safe place if the headlines were about a sporting event. He was raised in France and lived through the horrors of World War II and its aftermath. Notwithsta
nding the criticism, I believe hockey has kept it all together in this vast and magnificent land where fans travel great distances for a hockey game, and complain about that other great Canadian unifier, the weather. Our passion for hockey begins at the local level. I was raised in the northern Ontario town of Chapleau, where the Chapleau Huskies, in various incarnations were the pride and joy for much longer than I have been around. When I first visited Cranbrook in 1988 to see if I would move here, while chatting with Karin Penner, the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce manager, she told me the city had two major teams and both were in the playoffs. While here, I went to the Memorial Arena to watch the Colts and the Royals, the Junior and senior teams respectively play. Little good I did them -- both lost. And so, from local unheated hockey rinks, many of them called barns, much like the memorial arena in Cranbrook (before renovations) where rivalries among communities brought people together to cheer on their own team, to national and international championship series, Dr Goutor was right. It was a safe country in which to live. But it seems to me, the times they are a changing, and although hockey certainly remains very popular, somehow it just doesn't seem the same. I wasn't a very good hockey player but became a referee (and many would say I wasn't very good at that role either), and later I coached and managed Midget and Intermediate "A" teams. The arrival of the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League in Cranbrook and the construction of what is now Western Financial Place was to herald a new era for hockey here. The Ice left for Winnipeg and we now have the Bucks However, because I go to the aquatic centre daily for my swim, I am there when minor hockey tournaments are being held and quite often, I will watch a game. Notwithstanding the tremendous work that minor hockey volunteers do each year, their tournaments are assuredly one of Cranbrook's best kept secrets. Other than family and friends the four thousand plus seat arena is empty. Minor hockey gets very little publicity in the community, even though it must be a major economic generator in the Winter months. Maybe somebody should do an economic impact study. In those days to which Dr Goutor was referring, the "barns" were full for minor hockey tournaments too, and I think we were much closer as citizens of a community. When I wrote a similar piece a while back for another publication, referring to Dr Goutor's observations, Lorne Riley, the head of corporate communications at Dubai Airports, who studied
Journalism and Law at Carleton University, and was a student of mine at Chapleau High School responded. Lorne's father, Lorne Sr. was one of the best hockey coaches in Northern Ontario years ago. Although Lorne agreed that hockey is one of the ties that binds this great nation, recalling games huddled under the heaters, or jammed against the glass of the press of the crowd, and an "electric" atmosphere existed especially in the playoffs, he fears the tie is fraying. He mentioned the decline in local enrolments for minor hockey, especially in Ontario, but across the country and interestingly, at least to me -- "new age diversions like the internet, video games, satellite TV . things that we never had to contend with" are contributing. And Lorne added: "Another contributor to minor hockey's gradual downfall is the staggering cost. Equipment, rink rental, club fees and travel-
ling costs have gone through the roof. Even the most passionate hockey Moms and Dads think twice about footing the bill. A changing demographic, with cultural roots more closely tied to cheaper sports like soccer, is also eroding interest and participation in Canada's national pastime. Is Canadian hockey in danger of extinction? Not at all. Is it at risk?" He concluded that that we need to recall those days when we jammed into the local barn -"not only to enshrine them in our memory but to use them to encourage parents and children, in small towns and big cities across Canada not to lose touch with our roots and by extension our national identity." Once again in our history we need the invisible hand of Canadian compromise that hockey provided and seems to have been lost somewhere along the way. Despite intense rivalries, players shook hands at the end of each game, a sign of mutual respect for a game well played, no matter who won. A safer place too! My email is mikejmorris41@live.ca
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 11, 2022- Page 4
NDP slams budget that ignores inflation, health care crisis The Conservative government’s choice to re-table a months-old budget without any updates to deal with exploding inflation or the raging health care crisis will make those problems worse for people, says the Official Opposition. “Two critical things have changed since this budget was written — we are now in a health care crisis, and inflation has exploded to well over eight per cent,” said NDP Finance critic Catherine Fife (Waterloo). “There is nothing scarier than rushing a loved one to the ER only to find the doors locked and the lights out. And it’s horrifying to think of sick and injured people literally laying on the floor, because it’s the only place to wait. Our health system has not seen this kind of crisis in generations, but this budget funds health care below inflation — which will result in cuts. “And since this budget was introduced,
inflation has exploded. There is not one item in here to raise wages up, offer relief from high prices, or stand up to corporations that are using inflation as an excuse to gouge. By staying the course, this budget leaves families to keep paying high prices with no relief.” Fife also said with inflation now running over eight per cent, not only do workers’ paycheques lose nearly a tenth of their buying power — so does government spending. Health care falls short at a 5.9 per cent change, which means belt tightening will need to happen, like staff cuts or program cuts. Instead of fixing the health care crisis, this budget will make it worse. “People are paying too high a price for Conservative choices — in more ways than one,” said NDP Leader Peter Tabuns. “This budget was an opportunity to offer relief, and hope to people. Instead, it’s a harbinger of cuts, a more intense
health care crisis, and even less affordability for families.” Tabuns and Fife said other areas desperate for investment include social services, where Premier Doug Ford is privatizing program delivery; education, where kids are still suffering with large class sizes after deep cuts Ford made in 2019; and climate action, which has been decimated by Ford. “More than 60 per cent of Ontarians didn’t support Ford’s budget the first time around. Re-tabling the same budget — ignoring the health care crisis and inflation — is ignoring what people want and need,” said Tabuns. “The Conservative choices in this budget will cost us all deeply. We will pay too high a price — with unnecessary suffering, with our household budgets, and with our families’ futures.”
Ontario Making it Easier and Faster to Renew Ontario Photo Cards Digital reminders making it more convenient to keep government-issued ID and licence plates up to date The Ontario government is making it more convenient for people to keep their government-issued identification and permits up to date. Holders of Ontario Photo Cards can now sign up for free reminders by email, text, or phone call 60 and 30 days before it is time to renew, providing a convenient way to get notified when the photo cards are set to expire. All Ontarians are also encouraged to sign up for free digital renewal reminders for health cards, driver's licences and licence plates. “We're constantly improving government services to make life easier for people and businesses,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. “Digital renewal reminders are a great way to help people remember to keep their ID, documents, and licence plates up to date and to take advantage of our easy and fast online services to renew them in
minutes.” It is important for Ontarians to keep their licence plate, driver's licence, health card, or Ontario Photo Card up to date to ensure seamless access to critical services and avoid fines or penalties. It's easier, faster, and more convenient to renew now than ever before. Customers can renew online at Ontario.ca/Renew in minutes. Those who need to visit a ServiceOntario centre in person can book an appointment at Ontario.ca/Appointment to make the visit quicker and hassle-free. Signing up for digital reminders is quick and easy online at Ontario.ca/Reminders or by calling ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 (TTY: 1-800-268-7095). “Signing up for renewal reminders via email, text or automated phone calls is an easy and fast way for people to keep their Ontario Photo Cards up to date. This initiative will provide Ontarians with more time to focus on what matters most, while ensuring these critical
documents like driver's licences, licence plates, and Ontario Photo Cards, are always current,” s a i d C a r o l i n e M u l r o n e y, M i n i s t e r o f Transportation. "Providing digital reminders is a great way to offer Ontarians choice about how they engage with important services,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “These free reminders help ensure everyone can receive communications in an accessible manner."
Ontario's Plan to Build Supporting Stronger Province and Economy Cont’d from P.1 the full school experience." The additional investment in tutoring supports and increased ODSP rate will be funded from existing contingencies contained in the government's fiscal plan as presented in the 2022 Budget. Building on the Province's record of transparency and accountability, the government also released the 2022-23 First Quarter Finances
Deadlines are on Wednesdays at 3 p.m.
today, which provides updated information about the evolution of Ontario's economic and fiscal outlook since the 2022 Budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Due to higher-than-projected taxation revenues, the government is projecting a deficit of $18.8 billion in 2022-23, an improvement of $1.1 billion from the outlook presented in the 2022 Budget. “We have a prudent and flexible plan which builds on our record of responsible fiscal management, while making the investments that will reduce commute times, support front-line health care and help create good jobs,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “In a time of economic uncertainty, our government is supporting Ontario workers and families by putting more money back into their pockets.”
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Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Aug. 24, 1814, during the War of 1812 between the United States and England, British troops enter Washington, D.C., and burn the White House in retaliation for the American attack on the city of York in Ontario, Canada, in June 1813. When the British arrived at the White House, they found that President James Madison and his first lady Dolley had already fled to safety in Maryland.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 11, 2022- Page 7
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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.
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 11, 2022- Page 8
REPORT from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa by/par
Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
Last week, Pope Francis visited Canada on what the papacy described as a 'penitential pilgrimage' between the Catholic Church and Indigenous people for its role in the residential school system. It was seen by many as a step towards reconciliation, and a direct acknowledgement of the role the Catholic Church played in an act of genocide, a term the Pope himself used to describe the damage committed to Indigenous children through the residential school system. “ T h i s w a s a d i s a s t r o u s e r r o r, incompatible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” the Pope said in Maskwacis, Alberta. “I humbly beg forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against the Indigenous Peoples. An important part of this process will be to conduct a serious investigation into the facts of what took place in the past and to assist the survivors of residential schools.”
Pope's Apology for Residential School Trauma Should Reignite Calls for Action It is not common for a leader of a religion to issue an apology for crimes that have been committed under the banner of their faith, and the Pope taking an active role in condemning the actions committed in those Catholic residential schools is an important step towards reconciliation. Its an acknowledgment that elicits a wide range of emotions for many people across the country. It is not up to me, as an elected official, or as a non-Indigenous Canadian, to say whether Pope Francis' apology is acceptable, because the apology was not meant for me. It was an apology to survivors and their families. But it is important, because it reminds us of the work that still needs to be done to further reconciliation. A papal apology was one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. Of those, Calls 58-61 are directly linked to the actions of the Catholic Church, and how they address their role in the residential school system. It's vital that the papal apology (Call 58) not be seen as an end point for the church, but as a beginning: a place from which to start the process of healing for their role in what the Pope himself has called a genocide. The Catholic Church worked in conjunction with the Federal government in establishing and perpetuating the Residential School System. As such, if they are committed to reconciliation, as Pope Francis has indicated, they must also be committed to shining a light on the history of the system. This should clearly include the Catholic Church fully cooperating with all further investigations and providing any documentation related to the system available for survivors, police, and local governments. It's vital that the church apologize and recognize their role in the residential school system while also providing information that may be vital to its history, and any potential crimes that may have been perpetrated. An apology does not mean much if it is not backed up by action to correct the horrendous deeds that have been perpetrated. Further, it's important that we must remind ourselves that we still have a significant amount work to do if we are to complete the TRCs 94 Calls to Action. We have merely scratched the surface of that work. The Research Director of the Ye l l o w h e a d I n s t i t u t e , a n Indigenous-led research and education centre at Toronto
Metropolitan University, has stated that only 11 of those calls have been completed since the TRCs final report was tabled in 2015. This work must continue if we are to correct the historical inequities faced by Indigenous peoples, who continue to face barriers to education, justice, health care, and even clean drinking water. It's also important that the House of Commons recognize that what occurred to Indigenous people was genocide. My colleague Leah Gazan tried to pass a unanimous consent motion last year to call what unfolded inside residential schools a genocide, based on the United Nations definition of the term, but the motion was defeated as some MPs did not support it. She will be presenting a similar motion in the Fall, and given that the Pope has deemed it as such, and given the magnitude of what we continue to learn about the damage the residential school system has done, perhaps those dissenting voices will finally acknowledge the darkest chapter in Canada's history for what it is.
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