08122021 August 12 2021

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

Local News Weekly

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Vol. 25, Issue 49, August 12, 2021

An Indigenous community in northern Ontario says it’s preparing legal action against pulp and paper producer Domtar, alleging the company isn’t cleaning up contamination.

Source link ichipicoten First Nation alleges substances from Domtar’s wood waste site near Chapleau have leached into the soil and water supply, and are impacting the environment. The company’s property is next to Michipicoten’s traditional lands.

“We are putting government and industry on notice that First Nations people will no longer stand for the environmental contamination and degradation of our homelands,” said Chief Patricia Tangie. “We are going to hold you accountable.”

Domtar had been required to cap these mounds with an impermeable material so water and heavy metals couldn’t leach into the soil and water system.

Patricia Tangie, chief of Michipicoten First Nation in northern Ontario, says it will put the government and pulp and paper industry ‘accountable.’ (www.michipicoten.com) John Kim Bell, consultant and lead negotiator for Michipicoten First Nation, says that instead of clay, Domtar covered them in sand.

“Water leaked out and the contaminates spread in all directions,” Bell said.

For two years, the community has tried to get the company and the provincial government to deal with the leachate running offsite. The Long Term M inistry of the Forecast E n vironment, Thursday Conservation and Parks High 23 Low 12 (MECP) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Friday High 18 Forestry (MNRF) Low 10 required the company to consult with the First Saturday

M

High Low

18 11

Sunday High 24 Low 13 Monday High 27 Low 14 Tuesday High 26 Low 15

Nation.

“We couldn’t get them to enter an agreement with us,” Bell said. He added that throughout the past two years, the community has asked Domtar for data or to try to negotiate only to get the runaround.

John Kim Bell, a consultant with Bell and Bernard Limited, is the lead negotiator with Michipicoten First Nation in its dealings with Domtar. (www.bellandbe rnard.com) Through their own data collection, Michipicoten First Nation learned the contamination on the Domtar property was spreading and getting into the local water system. The community asked the company to cap the mounds with impermeable material, but that hasn’t happened.

Bell said they learned Domtar plans to build two ponds on the site where the leachate would flow into.

“They’ve given us no technical data on the design of the pond, the assimilative capacity, the ability of the pond to capture all the contaminates and contain it,” Bell said.

He said the community has also been frustrated with the two provincial ministries involved; the legal actions will also be directed toward them.

“The community is just sort of tired of this treatment from corporations who take tonnes of money, take it all out, leave a mess behind, take no responsibility for, and leave the mess for the citizens in these areas,” Bell said.

“They should be held accountable, and they should be stopping the contamination and they should be capping those cells so that no additional contaminants enter into the environment.

“We don’t want to take this dramatic

Patricia Tangie, chief of Michipicoten First Nation action, but we feel like we’re forced to because clearly they did not honour their obligation, the duty to consult,” Bell said, adding the community would prefer to work this issue out reasonably.

“We do wish for them to voluntarily come forward with the government.

“To see if they will in fact sit down with us, and properly consult and we will all mutually agree — the government, and us and Domtar — looking for a win-win situation as to how to stem this contamination, in the interest of the public,” Bell said.

“Our [First] Nation is committed to protecting and preserving our lands for use by current and future generations. Caring for Mother Earth is the foundation of our traditional teachings and ways of life,” Tangie said.

“Our future generations are counting on us to pass on our collectively shared lands, waters and natural resources in good condition for them.”

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021

3 tips about returning to classrooms safely and with confidence

(NC) While there’s still some uncertainty about how this school year will play out, one thing parents, students and teachers can do is make sure they’re prepared for all scenarios. Here are a few health and safety tips to keep in mind as students

return to school: 1. Practice handwashing and sanitizing Now is the perfect time to remind ourselves about good handwashing technique. At home, remind little ones to practice handwashing for at least 20 seconds each time. They can sing happy birthday or another song verse that lasts 20 seconds to make it fun and memorable. While it may be difficult to teach kids not to touch their face, consistent reminders are a good way to help them remember as best they can.

When they’re back in the classroom, they’ll take these lessons with them.

2. Show them how to keep personal space Teaching children that they have to stand two

metres apart from each other may be difficult, especially when they’ve not seen their friends in months. Explaining that everyone is keeping their distance to keep their friends and families safe is key to helping young kids understand. Give them an example to visualize what two metres looks like, like a hockey stick or the height of a door.

3. Get the right items in their backpacks In addition to backpacks, pencil cases, binders and the other usual school supplies, they should still carry face masks, hand sanitizer and travel wipes. Make mask shopping fun by choosing a trendy design that kids will be excited to sport.

Equip them with multiple hand sanitizers so when one gets lost, they have quick access to another.

Staples Canada carries a variety of safety products and masks for the whole family.

Find out what else you can do to return to school with confidence at staples.ca/ backtoschool.

New COVID guidelines for schools fall short NDP Education critic Marit Stiles said Ontario's new COVID-19 guidelines for schools fall short, and won't keep students and education workers safe "Parents, students and education workers

are eager for a return to in-person school without upheaval and disruption, and for kids to get back on track academically, socially and emotionally.

The Ford government's new COVID-19 guidelines for schools don't go nearly far enough to protect kids and staff or provide reassurance to families, especially amid rapidly rising cases and a highly contagious Delta variant.

While these guidelines recognize the effectiveness of vaccination, Ford's plan fails to make vaccines a requirement for teachers and education workers, fails to reduce class sizes so that students aren't packed dangerously into classrooms and fails to implement paid sick days for families of children presenting COVID-19 symptoms.

Without these crucial protections, we risk looking at another school year of outbreaks and disruptions.

The NDP will continue to push this government to invest in keeping schools safe, with a Safe September plan that includes: · Smaller, safer class sizes · Improved ventilation with clear standards, classroom inspections and public reporting

· Mental health supports · Paid sick days and family care days for everyone, including parents so they can keep sick kids at home, and all education workers · A proactive strategy to reach out to families to get students vaccinated. Horwath is also calling for all teachers and education workers to be vaccinated, and for the COVID19 vaccine to be added to the existing vaccines list for students. For vaccines like the measles and chicken pox shots, parents already must show their child's immunization record, or a signed exemption, to register for school."

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 3

Chapleau Moments by

Michael J. Morris As the 100th anniversary of Chapleau High School in 2022 draws closer by the day, I will try to provide glimpses of moments in the school's history since it was established in 1922.

In September 1961, a new era in the school's history began resulting, five years later, in the opening of the new school on the hill which has now served secondary school students longer than the original CHS on the banks of the river on Pine Street. It is now Chapleau Elementary and Secondary School.

When a record number of students arrived for classes In September 1961, the first order of business was to gather on the lawn in front of the school to watch dedication ceremonies of a new flag and flagpole, donated

by Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the co-operation of the department of lands and forests. The proper materials, the working of building and erecting the flagpole was carried out under the direction of Ken Encil.

The ceremony, symbolizing a new beginning for CHS, was conducted by branch president Herb Doig, assisted by Scotty Welch

New era in Chapleau High School history began in 1961 with a new school "on the hill" five years later with a colour party on parade. The flag was hoisted by Wilf Simpson, assisted by the school's new principal Luther P. Emerson.

Fast forward just a bit, to the new school where I recall that Gilbert Landry who had become the chief custodian, raised the flag upon his arrival at the school in the morning and lowered it at the end of classes daily. Gilbert was a veteran of World War 2 and a member of Branch 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Chapleau, and took this daily duty very seriously.

Writing in the Sudbury Star, Margaret Costello noted that "with the school in its present clean condition, clear cut schedules and a clear understanding of what the school has to offer them, the feeling of pride in the school which was once so strong among its pupils, but went into eclipse during the past few years, should revive and flourish once more."

Susan Cecile, who was back at CHS as a student and editor of News and Views, the student newspaper, wrote, "Chapleau High School has changed! And what a change! After a year and a half in the big city of Sudbury earning a living and and studying some Grade 13 subjects, we returned three weeks late to be greeted by a new system and new faces along with many other changes."

With the arrival of Mr. Emerson, the school had, with the exception of Mrs. Gladys Bowles, an entirely new teaching staff, including George L. Evans, who would be an integral part of CHS life until 1989 when he retired.

The changes at C H S were being implemented by the new members of the high school board who were committed to providing the best possible secondary school education for Chapleau students -- a number that had reached over 200 as the school year got underway.

The board chair was L.T. 'Len' Harris and the members included Frank Braumburger , Paul Belair, T.N. 'Ted' Demers, R.A. 'Ricky' Selin and George Collins. A new school was the ultimate goal, a project that had failed to gain much community support, but they called a meeting of ratepayers to consider the matter of passing a

resolution asking township council to approach the Ontario Municipal Board to raise a debenture in the amount of $420,000.

Mr. Harris reviewed the present situation at the school, emphasizing the serious shortage of space. Mr. Braumburger gave a five year enrolment increase projection predicting that by 1965 there would be 280 students, while Mr. Demers spoke on the costs and Mr. Belair provided a translation into French.

Finally James Lane moved that the discussion end and that a vote be taken. By the overwhelming margin of 73 to 8, the ratepayers approved a motion calling for a new high school with a gymnasium. Scrutineers were George Theriault, Roy May and Charles Bartlett, while D.O. Payette chaired the meeting. It would replace the school opened in 1922.

LORNE RILEY

C.H.S

Robert Lemieux receives highest standing award. Presentation made by former High school principal John MacClellan

Students of Chapleau High School gathered on the lawn outside the school Monday to watch the dedication ceremonies of a new flag and flagpole donated by the Harry Searle Legion, with the co-operation of the Department of Lands and Forests. The ceremonies conducted by Legion president Herbert Doig and Scotty Welch, with the color party standing by. Photo shows the flag being hoisted by Wilfred Simpson as Scotty Welch, principal Emerson and Legion president Doig look on.

In 1961, D.J. "Jim" Broomhead was the reeve of Chapleau, and he was a staunch supporter of the project. In fact, in 1966, when the new school opened, he was then a member of the school board and chaired the official opening ceremonies.

To emphasize the changes that were taking place, John McClellan, the teacher and principal who had defined CHS for 30 years visited Chapleau for a mini reunion and ceremony in which he presented Robert Lemieux with the Austin McClellan Award as the top student. Held at the Redwood Dining Room with Cont’d on P.5

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 4

Safe drinking water is a human right not a political football REPORT that they would soon trigger an election, the awareness and money. What's encouraging is that from OTTAWA government made an announcement designed to these women are not alone in offering creative Rapport take the heat off, stating they would settle two class- solutions which surely helps focus the government action lawsuits with First Nations communities in case they felt the issue was more partisan than it d’Ottawa over access to clean drinking water. The agreement is. by/par

Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

If press releases and government announcements solved problems, we would be living in a country with few complaints. The fact so many issues plague us year after year shows how the best intentions won't get much done without appropriate resources. In most instances that comes down to money. That's been the case with drinking water problems, such as boil water advisories, that persist in too many First Nation communities despite the prominence the issue has had in political discussions.

One community that has lived under boil water advisories for decades is Neskantaga First Nation in northwestern Ontario. It was front and center in the 2015 campaign when the Prime Minister promised to end boil water advisories on reserves and made Neskantaga the symbol of that promise. A full 6 years later, the community finds itself marking 26 years without safe water with no end in sight.

That might explain how, amidst rumours

promises to compensate residents, ensure drinking water infrastructure is built and modernize legislation – as First Nations leaders have been demanding for decades. That it was announced in a pre-writ period should give those inclined to celebrate the development pause for thought.

Although the government has dropped billions overnight to support fossil fuel pipelines, it has not been as decisive when it comes to spending on infrastructure for drinking water on reserves.

What may be moving the government on this front is the work of activists. A nearby example of this is found in the work of Paige Simon and Lue Mahaffey who are channelling their efforts to connect education related to residential schools with safe drinking water. They created 'Canoe For Every Child', which aims to raise 50 cents in memory of every child that attended residential schools (estimated to be 150,000) and have partnered with WATER FIRST NGO to disperse the money they raise. Last week these women paddled from the site of the former Shingwauk Residential School in Sault Ste. Maire down to the site of the Spanish Residential School to raise

But promises without timelines are often not focused on action and Canadians are tired of hearing pledges for clean drinking water in First Nation communities and then learning little changes from one election to the next. The trick will be to ensure the government keeps their word. To be truthful, they have the support they need in this parliament to get the job done and should consider bringing back the House instead of calling an election to better their fortunes – but that' s another article altogether.

In a country as rich as Canada is in fresh water, it is inconceivable that we had to arrive at this point. Drinking water is a human right and as is often said, these problems wouldn't be tolerated in any Canadian city. Yet people in many Indigenous communities have been living without clean drinking water for decades. Some have lived their whole lives without it. It makes it hard to believe we can work toward reconciliation while continuing to deny this basic human right. With 51 long term boil water advisories in place in Indigenous communities across the country, the answer isn't that difficult, it just takes political will.

L'accès à l'eau potable salubre est un droit de la personne, et non un enjeu politique Si les communiqués de presse et les annonces faites par le gouvernement permettaient de résoudre les problèmes, peu de gens se plaindraient dans notre pays. Le fait que nous soyons aux prises avec tant de problèmes année après année démontre bien que les meilleures intentions ne sont pas très efficaces si elles ne sont pas assorties des ressources appropriées. Dans bien des cas, c'est une question d'argent. On en revient aux problèmes d'eau potable, tels que les avis d'ébullition d'eau, qui persistent toujours dans de très nombreuses collectivités des Premières Nations, et ce, malgré l'importance accordée à la question dans les discussions de nature politique.

Une collectivité dont les habitants vivent sous le coup d'avis d'ébullition depuis des décennies est la Première Nation de Neskantaga, dans le NordOuest de l'Ontario. Elle était au centre de la campagne de 2015, lorsque le premier ministre a promis de mettre fin aux avis d'ébullition de l'eau dans les réserves; il avait alors fait de Neskantaga le symbole de cette promesse. Plus de six ans plus tard, les membres de la collectivité marquent 26 ans sans eau potable, et ce, sans voir de solution à l'horizon.

Cela pourrait expliquer que, au beau milieu d'une rumeur selon laquelle il déclencherait bientôt des élections, le gouvernement a fait une annonce pour enlever un peu de pression, affirmant qu'il allait régler deux recours collectifs intentés par des collectivités des Premières Nations quant à leur accès à de l'eau potable propre. L'entente avec les collectivités comprend des promesses d'indemniser les résidents, de veiller à la construction

d'infrastructures liées à l'eau potable et de moderniser les mesures législatives, comme le réclament les chefs des Premières Nations depuis des décennies. Le fait que le gouvernement ait fait cette annonce en période préélectorale devrait donner matière à réflexion à ceux qui sont enclins à s'en réjouir. Le gouvernement relâche des milliards de dollars du jour au lendemain pour soutenir des oléoducs de combustibles fossiles, mais il est moins décidé lorsqu'il s'agit d'effectuer des dépenses pour les infrastructures liées à l'eau potable dans les réserves.

Une chose qui peut inciter le gouvernement à bouger, c'est le travail des militants. Un exemple tout près de nous est celui de Paige Simon et de Lue Mahaffey, qui canalisent leurs efforts pour établir des liens entre la sensibilisation aux pensionnats et l'eau potable salubre. Ensemble, elles ont créé « Canoe For Every Child », une initiative grâce à laquelle elles espèrent recueillir 50 cents à la mémoire de chaque enfant ayant fréquenté les pensionnats indiens (dont le nombre est estimé à 150 000), et elles ont établi un partenariat avec l'ONG WATER FIRST pour distribuer les fonds qu'elles auront recueillis. La semaine dernière, les deux femmes ont quitté en canot le site de l'ancien pensionnat Shingwauk, de Sault Ste. Marie, et ont pagayé jusqu'au pensionnat de Spanish pour sensibiliser la population à cet enjeu et amasser de l'argent. Un signe encourageant, c'est que ces femmes ne sont pas seules à proposer des solutions créatives, ce qui ne peut qu'aider le gouvernement à cibler ses efforts sur le problème, au cas où il

estimerait que celui-ci est plus partisan qu'il ne l'est en fait.

Mais, souvent, les promesses qui ne sont pas assorties d'un échéancier ne sont pas axées sur les mesures, et les Canadiens en ont assez d'entendre parler d'engagements à l'égard de la fourniture d'eau potable aux collectivités des Premières Nations, puis d'apprendre qu'il y a peu de changement entre deux élections. Le hic sera de veiller à ce que le gouvernement tienne parole. À vrai dire, il bénéficie du soutien dont il a besoin dans le cadre de la présente législature pour accomplir le travail, et il devrait envisager de rappeler la Chambre plutôt que de déclencher des élections en vue d'améliorer son sort, mais cette question devrait faire l'objet d'un tout autre article.

Dans un pays aussi riche en eau douce que l'est le Canada, il est inconcevable que nous ayons dû en arriver à ce stade. L'accès à l'eau potable fait partie des droits fondamentaux de la personne, et, comme on le dit souvent, de tels problèmes ne seraient tolérés dans aucune ville canadienne.

Pourtant, depuis des décennies, les Autochtones de nombreuses collectivités vivent sans eau potable salubre. Certains ont même vécu toute leur vie sans eau potable. Il est difficile de croire qu'il nous est possible de travailler à la réconciliation tout en continuant à leur refuser ce droit fondamental de la personne. Quand on sait que l'on compte 51 avis d'ébullition d'eau de longue durée dans des collectivités autochtones partout au pays, on n'a pas de mal à imaginer la solution : cela prend tout simplement de la volonté politique.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 5

Returning to office? How to survive your commute

(NC) With many of us returning to the office this fall, the commute may be the thing we’re least looking forward to. If your driving skills are a little rusty or you’re dreading becoming bored behind the wheel, check out these helpful tips and tricks.

Set up your entertainment No one likes to feel like they’re wasting their time commuting, so before you leave your driveway safely set up something fun to keep you busy. It can be a true-crime podcast, your favourite artist’s playlist or an audiobook. Then, put your phone away so you can stay focused on the road.

Keep your eyes on the road If you’re using a GPS, take a minute to set your

destination before taking off. Eating, grooming, adjusting your clothing and music are all innocent tasks that can raise your risk of getting into an accident. So, get comfortable in your seat and if you get hungry on the road, take 15 minutes to pull over and enjoy your snack.

Be aware of common tow truck scams In the unfortunate event of a fender bender, always record details of the accident, any other vehicles involved, the name of the tow truck company and driver, etc. Remember not to sign any blank work order forms. Read all the terms and conditions on documents to ensure you understand what you’re authorizing.

Finally, have the car towed to your regular repair shop, or one recommended by your insurance company or broker, not just the one recommended by the tow truck driver. According to Aviva Canada, customers who go use a preferred, vetted vendor for their tow, repair and car rental have their auto claim settled, on average, 30 days faster, save over $1,000 in claim costs, and are more satisfied overall.

Prepare for an emergency You could get a flat tire, get stuck in traffic, get into an accident, have your car break down or slide into a ditch on a less travelled road.

Chapleau Moments Cont’d from P.3 Thane Crozier as master of ceremonies, Mr. McClellan "recalled with relish" his association with his former students and the school over 30 years until he retired in 1956.

Mr. McClellan also welcomed Mr. Emerson as principal. Among those attending with Mr. and Mrs. McLellan were Mr. and Mrs J.M.Shoup, (the former principal of Chapleau Public School), Jim Hong, Nancy Honda, Thane and Helen (Jacomb) Crozier, Frank Broomhead, Shirley Jacomb, Robert's parents Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lemieux, Mrs. Elsie Wilkinson and Mr. and Mrs. Emerson.

Mr. Shoup spoke about the graduates who were now established in successful careers and congratulated those in attendance on their success. Mr. Shoup had taught most of them.

Mr. Emerson left at the end of the 1962-63 school year and the board was able to recruit Dr. Karl A. Hackstetter, who had taught at the school from 1954 to 1957, to return as principal. Strict but fair, Dr. Hackstetter, once described as "our indomitable principal" by George Evans, he continued the new era and stayed three years until the new school was ready to be opened.

An architect was hired, plans were made and land obtained for the new school, and the

vision of the new board was becoming a reality but one more obstacle suddenly loomed. The provincial government decided to amalgamate school boards and it was announced that Chapleau schools would become part of the Sudbury Board of Education.

No way, said Chapleau, arguing that Sudbury was not going to run the community's schools, and after an intense lobbying effort, the government backed down and the result was the Chapleau Board of Education with responsibility for Chapleau Public School and Chapleau High School. The public school section of the board had five members and the high school section those five, plus three representing Roman Catholic separate school supporters.

Ye a r s l a t e r w h e n t h e p r o v i n c i a l government further amalgamated school boards, Chapleau became part of the Algoma District School Board without even one representative from the community.

And so, the school on the hill opened in 1966, thanks to the efforts of the school board members who launched the new era in 1961, and made it all happen. My email is mikejmorris41@outlook.com Please feel free to send me fond memories of Chapleau High School.

This is why it’s important to always be prepared with an emergency kit. Stock it up with a first aid kit, bottled water, snacks, flashlight, batteries, tire gauge, jumper cables and warm clothes during winter.

Learn more about how to protect yourself or report suspicious or fraudulent activity at aviva.ca/en/about-aviva/protect-yourself-fromfraud.

L’influence de la pandémie sur la santé mentale (EN) La pandémie a entraîné, entre autres, du stress supplémentaire. Qu’il s’agisse du brouillage des frontières entre le travail et la vie personnelle, de la responsabilité d’être le parent de jeunes enfants ou des efforts déployés pour essayer de garder sa petite entreprise à flot, la plupart d’entre nous ont dû composer avec des facteurs de stress importants ces derniers temps.

Les impacts négatifs de la dernière année et demie sont indéniables, ils ont aussi suscité une conversation nécessaire : comment gérer les répercussions sur la santé mentale?

Selon une étude réalisée pour le compte de la Commission de la santé mentale du Canada, d’ici 2041, le coût cumulatif de la maladie mentale au pays sera de 2 500 milliards de dollars.

Cela signifie que le fait de se renseigner sur la santé mentale et sur le bien-être global de tous est une priorité qui peut bénéficier à chacun d’entre nous.

Les gouvernements et les organisations tentent d’alléger ce fardeau de différentes façons, notamment en rendant le soutien en matière de santé et de bien-être plus facilement accessible.

Par exemple, BMO offre les ressources en matière de santé mentale, physique, sociale et financière mises à la disposition des membres de son équipe par l’intermédiaire de SynerVie aux propriétaires de petites entreprises et aux entrepreneurs.

Si vous êtes l’une des entreprises clientes de la Banque, vous pouvez accéder à des vidéos, à des services de consultation confidentiels en tout temps et plus encore – et ce, gratuitement jusqu’au 31 décembre 2021. Pour en savoir plus, consultez le site bmo.com/principal/ entreprise/offres-speciales/synervie/.

Wash your hands and Practice Social Distancing

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 6

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Aug. 26, 1974, Charles Lindbergh, the first man to accomplish a solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean, dies in Hawaii at age 72. To reduce weight during his famous 1927 flight, everything not essential was left out: radio, gas gauge, night-flying lights, navigation equipment and parachute.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 7

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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.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 12, 2021- Page 8

Those readers of a particular age will readily remember a movie called Rocky. One would be hard pressed to find many who don't know the movie because, with eight sequels to follow the first, it is pretty hard to ignore. For those unfamiliar with the series, in a nutshell, the world famous boxer Rocky Balboa's success in the ring sends his popularity to the stars. Then tragedy hits and he falls into a canyon of despair after losing his trainer and father figure Micky.

Then he loses his title to a boxing nemesis. Oh how far the mighty man fell. However, in the tradition of Hollywood, viewers witness his mighty climb from the depths of despair and ridicule to become the title champ once again.

If you give the story half a chance, one cannot help but be inspired by the Rocky character. Viewers witness the fallen man's devotion to his wife and his determination to redeem himself to those he let down. I get shivers every time I hear the movie theme song, Eye of the Tiger, by a group called Survivor. Each time I watch Rocky III I get that shiver of inspiration.

For the last two years, Canadians, like the rest of the world, have had to endure the serious blows of the COVID-19 virus. None of us could escape the effects of the pandemic, losing friends and loved ones, suffering isolation and loneliness, loss of education, job and income to name but a few effects.

But now as I look around and talk to more and more people, I am seeing exactly what I knew was just under the surface the whole time -- the strength and resiliency of Ontarians as we now are seeing some light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. Now that I am able to again connect with people I am seeing the characteristic strength, compassion and resiliency of the people of Algoma-Manitoulin rising. When I see such evidence, Eye of the Tiger plays in my mind.

Given the above, I am happy to say that my constituency office is also part of this resurgence. We are once again open to the public to provide assistance. We adhere to standard masking and sanitization protocols. To be certain, my office and team have been available throughout the pandemic as always, even though we had to work from home a great deal. But the team and I have remained accessible the entire time without unscheduled closure.

So, on behalf of my team and me, we continue to look forward to providing the people of Algoma-Manitoulin with the service they need and have experienced for nearly a decade.

On a more serious note, we know that our children and students will be heading back to the classroom – in person in most cases – in just a few more weeks. It is the resumption of this most desired routine that students, parents and educators have been looking forward to for months. Let there be no question, however, that this re-opening must be carefully planned and carried out to prevent the horrendous turmoil of more school closures in the future.

For months, Andrea Horwath and my NDP colleagues have been calling on the government to create and release a detailed plan to get our students back to school safely for a Safe September. But it seems that Premier Ford and Education Minister Stephen Leece have put off working on this major “term paper” assignment until the very last moment. Such delay is entirely unacceptable and unconscionable.

The truth is that, right now, parents, teachers, and students of every age are exhausted from a year of upheaval and painful remote learning. So many of our children are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. Many will have a hard time catching up after over a year of disruption. So much learning time has been forever lost, and so much social and emotional growth has been delayed. While there is definitely some value in online learning in certain circumstances, there is no replacement for a dedicated, live, classroom teacher. Now that so much has been irrevocably lost, there is no time to waste. We have to get this return to school plan right – the first time without likelihood of closures down the line.

To date, Doug Ford has chosen to cut $800 million from schools for this year, and he's making almost no new investments to give kids a Safe September. He has kept his plans completely under wraps so that there will be no time to provide parents and educators with an opportunity to offer input or feedback prior to implementing the plans – such as they are. Doug Ford and Stephen Leece are blatantly rolling the dice with our children's' physical and mental health, their education and overall well-being. The scheme does not add any mental health or educational supports to help kids recover. It offers nothing in the form of paid sick days for parents and educators who find it necessary to stay home due to infection. And the plan has absolutely nothing to improve much needed youth vaccination rates.

From the outset, the NDP has stood shoulder to shoulder with parents, educators and public health professionals in calling for reduced class sizes to prevent overcrowding and reduce

the likelihood of infection. Most school ventilation systems are out of date and inadequate to meet the demands of current ventilation needs.

Ford's plan to improve ventilation involves supplying classrooms with HEPA air filters in hopes it will capture suspended COVID-19 virus.

It is interesting to note that according to Ontario Public Health, “no direct scientific evidence was identified that demonstrates the effectiveness of portable air cleaners in reducing COVID-19 transmission” and that portable air cleaners should not be the only mitigating measure. The N D P, as well as the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario among others has been calling for the government to fund upgrades to the internal ventilation systems in schools. Given that children under 12 aren't eligible at this point to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, is it really too much to ask that all schools be equipped with ventilation systems that will provide our children with greater viral protection and parents with peace of mind?

And now, it looks like we may be heading into a fourth round, all we can do is go with the flow of Ford's plan and just hope he gets it right, but…. I think this time Premier Ford might find himself 'on the ropes.'

But for now, get out-and-about and reconnect with friends and neighbours that you have missed for so long. It wouldn't hurt to also plug in your earbuds and search out Eye of the Tiger for some added inspiration to help remember things are finally looking up. It is up to all of us to do our part to keep Algoma-Manitoulin moving onward and upward.

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 by phone at 705-461-9710 or Toll free 1-800-831-1899.

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