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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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Vol. 24, Issue 47, August 20, 2020

Pharmacists on the frontline

By Mathew Eidt, PharmD, Rph Pharmacy Manager, Model Guardian Drug Store Chapleau, Ontario

D

ue to the nationwide pandemic, the Ontario government has recommended guidelines in regard to social distancing and self-quarantining for vulnerable individuals, as well as any infected patients or those awaiting test results. As a community pharmacist practising in the rural community of Chapleau, Ontario, these recommendations pose unique challenges to the provision of my pharmacy services.

Chapleau and surrounding communities include large elderly and Indigenous populations with a high prevalence of comorbidities, putting them at increased risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Offering a delivery service would limit exposure and protect patients, but this was not feasible due to limited pharmacy staffing and the broad geographical region serviced.

To address this barrier, I collaborated with the local paramedic service and family health team to provide a delivery service to patients at high risk of severe COVID-19. A protocol was developed in which the pharmacy team scheduled deliveries for the patients and the paramedics executed these deliveries. This new service was advertised to the local physician offices as well as at the Long Term pharmacy. Since its Forecast initiation, the demand Thursday for delivery has been High 20 high, particularly for Low 13 elderly patients who lack Friday High 24 Low 15 Saturday High 23 Low 15 Sunday High 22 Low 15 Monday High 23 Low 11 Tuesday High 18 Low 12

the social supports to assist with medication pickup. As a pharmacist, I am proud knowing that I am able to provide a valuable service to my community in a time of crisis.

Not only will this provide safe access for patients, but it will also assist in preventing the spread of COVID-19 by reducing traffic within the pharmacy. Originally published in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

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Bat tests positive for rabies Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reporting that a bat has tested positive for rabies.

The bat was found in the vicinity of Sauble-Spanish River on August 10, 2020. The incident has resulted in one person requiring rabies prophylaxis and vaccine series.

While bats are very helpful in keeping insect populations in check, it is important to be aware of a few simple precautions to protect yourself against rabies.

If left untreated, rabies is fatal in humans.

People can become infected with rabies when they are bitten or scratched by a rabid bat or when a rabid bat’s saliva comes into contact with broken skin or moist tissues in the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Rabid bats are rarely aggressive. A bat may be rabid if it is active by day, if it is found in a place where bats are not usually seen, or if it is unable to fly. These bats are often easily approached, but should never be touched.

A bat has sharp, needle-like teeth that may cause a relatively painless, unnoticeable bite. If you

OBITUARY Orville James Robinson P a s s e d a w a y peacefully at the Chapleau Health Services on Monday, July 27, 2020 in his 89th year. Beloved and devoted husband of Lillian for 66 years.

Loving father of Cheryl Tessier (Daniel), Janice Simpson (Tim Schmidt, late Peter Simpson). Proud grandfather of Cary, Robin (Kris), Thane (Petrina), Lindsay (Calvin) and Jessica (Clay). Great grandfather of Brody, Steven, Reese, Everett, Linden, Wesley and Ryann. Son of the late James and Hazel Robinson. Orville will be remembered by his sister and predeceased by a sister. He will be missed by his nieces, nephews and many friends. At Orville’s request, there will be no funeral services at this time.

Cremation will take place at River’s Edge Cremation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie. A Celebration of Life will be held in Prince Edward Island after the Covid Restrictions have been lifted. Memorial donations made to the Independent Order of Oddfellows would be greatly appreciated by the family.

(Arrangements entrusted to the Kerry Funeral Home Ltd., Wawa, 1-800-4394937). www.kerryfuneralhome.ca

are bitten or scratched by a bat, or if saliva from a bat gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and consult a health care provider.

“We strongly encourage anyone who is bitten or scratched by animals to consult a health care provider and to report the incident to Public Health as soon as possible,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health with Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

The best way to prevent coming in contact with bats is to keep them out of your home or cottage by covering all outside points of entry.

The best time for bat-proofing is in the fall when most bats have left to hibernate. Bat-proofing involves: Filling holes in the building’s exte-

rior—even those as small as one-quarter to half an inch in diameter. For example, filling plumbing fixture holes with caulk or steel wool.

Tightening screens, capping the chimney, and placing draft guards under doors leading to the attic and outside.

Watching where the bats exit at dusk and then permanently sealing the openings.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is also reminding cat and dog owners of the requirement to keep their pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date.

For more information on bats and rabies, please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 464, toll-free 1.866.522.9200, or visit our website at phsd.ca. For help with batproofing, contact a pest management company.

Des analyses révèlent qu’une chauve-souris était enragée Santé publique Sudbury et districts signale que des analyses ont révélé qu’une chauve-souris était enragée. L’animal a été trouvé dans les environs de Sables-Spanishle 10 août 2020. En raison de cet incident, une personne a dû faire l’objet d’une prophylaxie antirabique et recevoir une série de vaccins.

Bien que les chauves-souris soient très utiles du fait qu’elles permettent de contrôler les populations d’insectes, il y a lieu de connaître quelques précautions simples à prendre pour se protéger contre la rage.

Si elle n’est pas traitée, la rage est mortelle chez l’humain. Les gens peuvent être infectés par une morsure ou une égratignure de chauve-souris enragée ou quand la salive de celle-ci entre en contact avec une éraflure ou les

tissus humides de la bouche, du nez ou des yeux.

Les chauves-souris enragées sont rarement agressives. Une chauve-souris risque d’être enragée si elle est active le jour, si elle se trouve là où les chauves-souris ne se trouvent pas normalement, ou si elle est incapable de voler. Il est souvent facile de s’en approcher, mais il ne faudrait jamais y toucher.

Une chauve-souris possède des dents pointues, semblables à des aiguilles et pouvant causer une morsure relativement indolore qui ne se remarque pas. Si vous vous faites mordre ou égratigner par une chauve-souris, ou si la salive de celle-ci pénètre dans vos yeux, votre nez, votre bouche ou une blessure, lavez la zone touchée à fond avec de l’eau et du savon et consultez un fournisseur de soins de santé. Suite P.8

OBITUARY Christina May Scott Beloved Matriarch of the Scott Family, passed away peacefully with her loving family nearby on August 16th 2020 at Nithview Nursing Home in New Hamburg.

The family is grateful to the incredible staff at Nithview for the loving joyful care they provided for Mom at the end of her life.

She is predeceased by her mother, May Bunker (nee Binns), her father William Christopher Boise Bunker, her only sister Betty Prosser and her cherished husband Keith Logan Scott, who died on March 19th 2004.

Keith and Chris were married at Davenport United Church in Toronto on July 21st 1951. They raised 3 children in Chapleau, Ontario and enjoyed a wonderful life together filled with many blessings. After retirement in 1983, they moved to Waterloo, enjoying family and travel while participating in many activities such as square dancing and bridge. They are survived by their son Donald, daughters Karen and Ellen and fondly remembered by many grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and even great great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Chapel of the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S., Waterloo on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at 11am. COVID – 19 protocols will be in place to attend the service and relatives and friends must register (RSVP) at www.erbgood.com or by calling the funeral home at 519-745-8445. A private family interment will follow at Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo. Everyone is welcome to view or share memories at www.erbgood.com.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

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Chapleau Reflections on "telling and hearing stories" Moments as dominant sound in our lives!!!!

television program on CHAP TV in 1958/1959 seem pretty old fashioned today, but in 1994 was would lead to a lifetime spent telling stories and on the leading edge of the biggest revolution in by talking about the stories of others in classrooms communications since Gutenberg's printing in Ontario and British Columbia. And people press. Since retiring I have continued to indulge even hired me to write stories about people and my passion for communications -- for storytellevents for daily newspapers, television, maga- ing, both mine and others. zines and the internet.

I was also editor of the faculty magazine for two I recently calculated that I have been years. doing and teaching communications, journalism, Now I listen to the voices of so many I am one of those most blessed people media and creative writing for about 70 years. former students who are taking time to share part who have never really worked one day because I Gosh, I have been writing Chapleau Moments for of their stories with me on Facebook, and telling have been able to spend it living, in the words of the Chapleau Express weekly for just over 11 stories about me too.

Reynolds Price, the American writer, with the years.

But for the past 11 years, and a little bit, I sound of story as the dominant sound in my life. I It seems like only a moment has passed. have been able to share moments in Chapleau have been reflecting more on that comment I history in the Chapleau Express, and with my While I was doing my Bachelor of Arts have made previously!!!! degree at Waterloo Lutheran University now cousin Michael McMullen, write The Chapleau Recently, I have been reflecting on the Wilfrid Laurier University in the early importance of the "sound of story" in my life and 1960s I served as editor of the weekly decided to share some of my thoughts with student newspaper The Cord for two readers of Chapleau Moments ---- perhaps I years. undertook this project of reflection because I I worked as a reporter and/or have been hanging out unable to go for my daily swim because the Cranbrook pool is closed editor at several daily newspapers including the Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon), because of the virus, Kingston Whig-Standard, Timmins Daily Since I was a child growing up in Press, Chatham Daily News, Brampton Chapleau, story has been central to me whether I Times, Calgary Albertan and was a was playing in the living room or creating my northern Ontario correspondent for the own plays for the Junior Red Cross Society Toronto Star. Interestingly, two of the performances in Grade 4 at Chapleau Public biggest stories I covered occurred in School. My partners in those projects were Chapleau. I interviewed Prime Minister Alison McMillan, Ted Demers and Brian Pierre Trudeau for CBC Television News Demers. and the test of the nuclear winter theory Thanks to my mother, Muriel E (Hunt) Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his three boys for United Press International Morris, who instilled a love of reading in me and Joe Ladouceur And yes, as any of my students before I could hardly walk, and gave me the would tell you, I loved to tell stories. Not Boys Go To War. For a couple of years I also freedom to explore all the great children's literaall were necessarily appreciated of course and I wrote a weekly column for the Cranbrook ture of my time, story has been the place where I was once criticized in student evaluations when I Guardian. have lived. was at College of the Rockies for talking too I agree with Reynolds Price, the writer, that to Little did I realize that my experience as much about my beloved cat Buckwheat. A "tell and hear stories is essential" -- and he argues the Chapleau High School reporter with Joy student wrote that he/she got nothing from my it comes second after nourishment and before Evans for the long gone Mid North News, and a course because "All he love and shelter. ever did was tell stories Mr. Price wrote: "Millions survive a b o u t h i s c a t without love or home, almost none in silence; the Buckwheat." Even I opposite of silence leads quickly to narrative, and could not spend 15 entire weeks of a semester the sound of story is the dominant sound of our talking only about my lives, from the small accounts of our day's events cat. On second thought to the vast incommunicable constructs of psycho....some may remember paths."

In my life for sure, in the brightest and hockey when I was at darkest moments, the sound of story is the Chapleau High dominant sound. Think about it. Now I am off for School!!! a walk to hear more of the sound of the story on At College of the Main Street in Cranbrook.

If we meet, please feel Rockies I was so privileged to have been part f r e e t o s a y h e l l o . A l s o , m y e m a i l i s of the founding of a mj.morris@live.ca I am also on Facebook.

Thanks to so many of you who have been MJM on left with Ernie Lepine, Keith Travis and Prime Minister graduate New Media in touch over the years. Much appreciated. My Communications Pierre Trudeau Program which would email is mj.morris@live.ca

Michael J. Morris

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

REPORT from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa by/par

Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

One of the features of the pandemic has been how disproportionately it affects us. An example of that is how racialized communities have been hit with an inordinate occurrence of COVID-19 cases. Another is how the economic fallout from the event affects women at a much higher rate than men. This isn’t limited to employment but reaches into other aspects of life such as mental health. This should be no surprise since other pandemics have created similar stresses that have been borne by women more than men.

Studies related to Ebola and another for the Zika outbreak that happened in Brazil confirm that.

In Canada, a report from the business consulting firm Deloitte claims that 2 out of every 3 jobs lost during the pandemic were held by women.

Adding to that stress, the work of caring for children falls to women more than men which may explain why 70% of women responding to a recent survey reported they are experiencing negative mental health effects due to the expectation for

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Women most affected by pandemic’s "she-cession” them to perform this job.

While it might be tempting to think that the majority of women struggling to keep up during the pandemic are limited to those in low paid jobs, mental health issues have been shared by executives and blue-collar employees alike. The difference is what resources each may have available to them to address these issues. With our economic reliance on part-time workers who receive little or no benefits and paid sick days the dividing line becomes clearer.

There is little doubt that a return to school will help in some instances, but that won’t account for all of the problems we are experiencing. Part of the reason is that child care was an issue before the pandemic. Now, the lack of options (especially affordable options) are preventing women from returning to work or entering the work-force.

New Democrats have been persistent with our attempts to bring affordable child care to parents across the country. The system in Quebec has proven its worth and helped more women enter the work-force which turned any expenses into good investments. If we had a national system in place before the pandemic, it would have offered us one more tool to address our challenges. For their part, the government has sounded convincing when speaking about the challenges of families struggling with child care, but what they’ve offered

so far won’t even stabilize the sector, let alone help parents access affordable care. As we build for a better future, the government must invest in a universal child care program.

This week parliament recognized day care as a barrier to recovery when MPs unanimously passed an NDP motion calling on the government to allocate more funding to provinces and territories to help with child-care needs as society reopens. But more must be done in the very shortterm. The government needs to invest in making schools safe for kids right across the country.

Teachers, workers, and our kids need to be assured that Canadian schools are supported and safe. This will help parents have confidence their children’s interests and well-being are attended to.

Sadly, many of the issues that are preventing women from fully participating in our recovery efforts existed before the pandemic.

Lower wages for work of equal value, expensive child-care, the unbridled growth of part-time and low-paid work with little or no benefits and sick days, and the fact that most single parent households are headed by women are a few examples. We had work to do on these problems before the pandemic, now we have to ensure those efforts and ideas aren’t sacrificed on the path to a recovery that makes more sense at the board-room table than it does at the family table.

L’impact disproportionné de la récession liée à la pandémie sur les femmes L’un des aspects marquants de la pandémie est l’incidence disproportionnée qu’elle a sur nous.

On a pu le voir, notamment, par la façon dont les communautés racialisées ont été ravagées par un nombre démesuré de cas de COVID-19. Les répercussions de la pandémie sur l’économie ont également touché les femmes beaucoup plus durement que les hommes. Ces incidences ne se limitent pas à l’emploi, et touchent aussi d’autres aspects de notre vie, comme la santé mentale. On ne devrait pas se surprendre de tout cela, étant donné que d’autres pandémies par le passé ont également créé des situations plus difficiles pour les femmes que pour les hommes. Les études menées à la suite de l’épidémie d’Ebola et de celle de la maladie à virus Zika, au Brésil, le confirment.

Au Canada, un rapport de la firme Deloitte affirme que de tous les emplois qui ont été perdus durant la pandémie, les deux tiers étaient occupés par des femmes. Le fait que les femmes jouent un plus grand rôle dans l’éducation de leurs enfants que les hommes exacerbe aussi le stress qu’elles subissent et pourrait expliquer pourquoi 70 % des femmes sondées dans le cadre d’une enquête récente ont indiqué connaître des problèmes de santé mentale qui découlaient de la pression qu’elles ressentaient de s’acquitter de cette tâche.

On pourrait être tenté de penser que dans la plupart des cas, les femmes qui éprouvent de la difficulté en raison de la pandémie ne sont que celles qui occupaient des emplois mal rémunérés, mais les problèmes de santé mentale frappent autant les cadres que les cols bleus. La différence repose dans les ressources auxquelles chaque personne a accès

pour faire face à ces problèmes. La dépendance économique actuelle sur le travail à temps partiel donnant droit à peu ou pas d’avantages sociaux ou de congés de maladie payés ne fait qu’accroître cette ligne qui nous devise.

Il ne fait aucun doute que la rentrée scolaire aidera dans certains cas, mais cela ne règlera pas tous les problèmes que nous connaissons actuellement. La garde d’enfants, notamment, constituait déjà un enjeu avant la pandémie, et maintenant, le manque de services de garde, et particulièrement de services de garde abordables, empêche les femmes d’entrer sur le marché du travail ou d’y retourner.

Nous, les néo-démocrates, luttons depuis longtemps pour que tous les parents du pays puissent avoir accès à des services de garde abordables. Le système en place au Québec a démontré son efficacité et a permis à un nombre accru de femmes d’accéder au marché du travail, ce qui a transformé toutes les dépenses qui ont été nécessaires pour instaurer un tel système en excellents investissements. Si un programme national de garde d’enfants avait été en place avant la pandémie, nous aurions eu un outil supplémentaire pour nous aider à relever les défis que celle-ci a amenés. Le gouvernement semble sincère lorsqu’il parle des défis auxquels les familles aux prises avec des problèmes de garde d’enfants sont confrontées, mais ce qu’il a offert jusqu’ici ne suffira pas à stabiliser ce secteur et encore moins à aider les parents à avoir accès à des services de garde abordables. Tandis que nous nous affairons à construire un avenir meilleur, le gouvernement se doit d’investir dans un

programme universel de garde d’enfants.

Cette semaine, le Parlement a reconnu que la garde d'enfants était un obstacle à la reprise lorsque les députés ont adopté à l'unanimité une motion du NPD demandant au gouvernement d'allouer plus de fonds aux provinces et territoires pour aider à répondre aux besoins en matière de garde d'enfants à mesure que la société se rouvre.

Mais il faut en faire plus à très court terme. Le gouvernement doit investir pour rendre les écoles plus sécuritaires pour les enfants à travers le pays.

Les enseignants, les travailleurs et nos enfants doivent être assurés que les écoles canadiennes sont soutenues et sécuritaires. Cela aidera les parents à avoir confiance que les intérêts et le bien-être de leurs enfants sont pris en compte.

Malheureusement, un grand nombre des problèmes qui empêchent les femmes de participer pleinement aux efforts de rétablissement existaient déjà avant la pandémie. Par exemple, le fait que les femmes sont payées moins que les hommes pour un travail de valeur égale, le coût élevé des services de garde d’enfant, la croissance continue du travail à temps partiel mal rémunéré donnant droit à peu ou pas d’avantages sociaux ou de congés de maladie payés et le fait que les femmes sont à la tête de la plupart des familles monoparentales. Du travail s’imposait déjà pour traiter de ces enjeux avant la pandémie, et nous devons maintenant nous assurer que tous les efforts accomplis jusqu’ici afin de régler ces problèmes ne seront pas sacrifiés au profit d’un rétablissement qui bénéficiera davantage aux gestionnaires de grandes entreprises qu’aux familles.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

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Protecting Good Jobs in Rural and Northern Ontario Earlier in my career, I ran a hardware store in Barry's Bay in the Ottawa Valley — a community of 1,200 people founded as a lumber town more than a century ago. My family has lived there for more than 150 years.

Good jobs in forestry have kept the lights on in communities in the Ottawa Valley for generations. Those jobs mean families can afford to put food on their table. This income in turn helped to keep Yakabuski's Home Hardware in the black. It enabled me to employ dozens of hard-working Barry's Bay area residents.

That's the thing: when people have good jobs, their earnings go right back into the community — to retailers, restaurants, professional services, dance lessons, and minor hockey. And as we continue to reopen and recover from the COVID-19 outbreak, this kind of economic activity is needed now more than ever.

As we've said from our earliest days in office, our government's vision for Ontario is a province that offers economic prosperity and opportunity in every region.

For many communities in our province — not just in the Ottawa Valley, but throughout northern and rural regions of Ontario — forestry is a lifeline. It's the difference between prosperity and insolvency. Forestry helps to keep these communities strong and vibrant, providing opportunities for young people close to home.

The numbers speak for themselves: the forest sector generates more than $18 billion in revenues and supports 147,000 direct and indirect jobs in communities around the province — many with few other industries.

But the forest sector needs our help to reach its full potential. Investment has been held back for many years by uncertainty and red tape, costing thousands of jobs. For many communities, this uncertainty ripples out beyond the forest sector and into the households of residents who rely on it for their livelihoods.

In 2018, our government committed to developing a Forest Sector Strategy as a blueprint for helping the forest industry realize its tremendous potential. Last December, after hearing from

industry, Indigenous communities, municipalities and others, we released a draft strategy. And now, following further discussions, we are preparing to release our final strategy.

Both industry and government recognize that for forestry to remain viable and sustainable in the long term, we need to ensure that Ontario's forests stay healthy, diverse, and productive.

That's why the central pillar of Ontario's Forest Sector Strategy is promoting stewardship and sustainability.

And that's why the forestry industry in Ontario is held to some of the world's highest standards of forest management: because a healthy and well-managed forest means good jobs today, tomorrow, and long into the future.

Our government is committed to strengthening the forest sector in Ontario and growing the economy of communities across the province.

Our Forest Sector Strategy has been developed to give forestry operators some much-needed certainty — and give Ontario's rural and northern communities some much-needed optimism.

Protéger de bons emplois dans les collectivités rurales et nordiques de l'Ontario Au début de ma carrière, je dirigeais une quincaillerie à Barry's Bay dans la vallée de l'Outaouais — une collectivité de 1 200 habitants fondée comme un village forestier il y a plus d'un siècle. Ma famille vit ici depuis plus de 150 ans.

Les bons emplois dans la foresterie gardent les lumières allumées dans les collectivités de la vallée de l'Outaouais depuis plusieurs générations.

Ces emplois signifient que les familles ont les moyens de mettre du pain sur la table. Ces revenus ont aidé, à leur tour, à garder la quincaillerie Home Hardware de Yakabuski rentable. Ils m'ont permis d'employer des douzaines de résidents travaillants de la région de Barry's Bay. C'est justement ça : quand les gens ont de bons emplois, leurs rémunérations vont tout droit dans la collectivité — chez les détaillants, dans les restaurants, dans les services professionnels, dans les leçons de danse et dans le hockey mineur. Et pendant que nous continuons de procéder à la réouverture et de nous remettre de l'épidémie de COVID-19, nous avons besoin de ce genre d'activité économique plus que jamais.

Comme nous l'avons dit au tout début de notre entrée en fonction, la vision de notre gouvernement pour l'Ontario est celle d'une province qui offre une prospérité et des possibilités économiques dans chaque région.

Pour de nombreuses collectivités dans notre province — pas seulement dans la vallée de l'Outaouais, mais dans l'ensemble des régions nordiques et rurales de l'Ontario — la foresterie est vitale. C'est la différence entre la prospérité et l'insolvabilité. La foresterie contribue à garder ces collectivités fortes et dynamiques en offrant des possibilités aux jeunes près de chez eux.

Les chiffres parlent d'eux-mêmes : le secteur forestier génère plus de 18 milliards de

dollars en revenus et soutient 147 000 emplois directs et indirects dans des collectivités de la province qui, bien souvent, comptent très peu d'industries différentes.

Mais le secteur forestier a besoin de notre aide pour donner sa pleine mesure. Les investissements ont été retenus depuis plusieurs années par l'incertitude et la bureaucratie, ce qui a coûté des milliers d'emplois. Pour plusieurs collectivités, cette incertitude a des répercussions en dehors du secteur forestier et elle s'insinue dans les foyers des résidents dont le gagne-pain dépend de ce secteur.

En 2018, notre gouvernement s'est engagé à élaborer une Stratégie du secteur forestier de l'Ontario sous la forme d'un plan détaillé afin d'aider l'industrie forestière à exploiter ses énormes possibilités. En décembre, après avoir tendu l'oreille aux acteurs de l'industrie, aux communautés autochtones, aux municipalités et autres parties intéressées, nous avons diffusé une stratégie préliminaire. Et maintenant, à la suite de discussions plus poussées, nous nous préparons à diffuser notre stratégie définitive.

Les acteurs de l'industrie et du gouvernement savent que nous devons veiller à ce que les forêts de l'Ontario demeurent saines, diversifiées et productives si nous voulons que la foresterie demeure viable et durable à long terme.

C'est la raison pour laquelle le pilier central de la Stratégie du secteur forestier de l'Ontario est la promotion de l'intendance et de la durabilité.

Et c'est la raison pour laquelle l'industrie forestière de l'Ontario doit s'en tenir à des normes de gestion forestière qui sont parmi les plus rigoureuses au monde : parce qu'une forêt en santé et bien gérée signifie de bons emplois aujourd'hui, demain et pour longtemps.

Notre gouvernement s'est engagé à renforcer le secteur forestier en Ontario et à faire croître l'économie des collectivités réparties aux quatre coins de la province. Notre Stratégie du secteur forestier de l'Ontario a été conçue dans le but de donner aux exploitants forestiers une certitude dont ils ont grand besoin — et de donner aux collectivités rurales et nordiques de l'Ontario un optimisme dont elles ont grand besoin.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

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Déclaration de la médecin-hygiéniste sur la rentrée scolaire de l’automne 2020 Le jeudi 30 juillet 2020, le gouvernement provincial annonçait la réouverture des écoles de l’Ontario au mois de septembre. Cette annonce fait l’objet de nombreuses discussions, tandis que les familles et le personnel éducateur s’efforcent de prendre les meilleures décisions pour assurer la santé des élèves, de nos enfants. Santé publique Sudbury et districts s’est engagé à tout faire pour favoriser une réouverture sécuritaire.

Le plan de rentrée scolaire, qui évolue rapidement, soulève de nombreuses questions, présente bien des défis et fait ressentir diverses émotions. Il se peut que vous pesiez beaucoup d’éléments en tentant de déterminer ce qu’il convient de faire dans votre situation. Au cours des dernières semaines, j’ai entendu le point de vue de nombreux parents, soignants, éducateurs, membres du personnel de soutien dans les écoles et citoyens

de notre communauté. Ils sont tous préoccupés par la manière de prendre en compte des questions comme la santé émotionnelle et physique des enfants, des élèves, des membres de la famille et du personnel éducateur ; l’accès aux services de garde et aux autres services ; ainsi que les emplois et les finances de chaque famille.

Sachez que je prends bonne note de ces inquiétudes. La décision d’opter pour l’inscription à l’école ou en ligne est difficile et personnelle, et il n’existe pas de bonne réponse. Santé publique Sudbury et districts continuera de fournir des renseignements et des analyses à jour pour vous aider à prendre vos décisions. Nous travaillons aussi d’arrache-pied avec les partenaires en éducation afin de les aider à mettre en œuvre les directives du ministère de l’Éducation.

Ne vous y trompez pas. Le meilleur moyen

de favoriser une réouverture des écoles sécuritaire et réussie consiste à tenir la COVID-19 à l’écart de nos communautés. Plus le risque de contracter le virus y sera faible, plus il le sera dans les écoles.

Autrement dit, maintenant plus que jamais, nous devons nous réengager à prévenir la COVID-19.

Les décisions que nous prenons maintenant (nous laver les mains, garder une distance de deux mètres avec les personnes qui ne font pas partie de notre cercle social, porter un masque ou couvre-visage, rester chez nous en cas de maladie et passer un test de dépistage) feront toute la différence pour la sécurité de nos écoles et la santé de nos enfants.

Je nous invite fortement à faire preuve de gentillesse, de patience et de respect entre nous pendant que nous franchirons les prochaines étapes. Il y a bien des inconnues, bien des circonstances particulières et bien des émotions différentes. Il est essentiel de poser les bonnes questions. Tenez-vous au courant des directives provinciales et prenez part aux décisions locales. Nous avons tous la responsabilité de faire de notre mieux pour soutenir nos enfants dans cette voie sans précédent.

Les questions de « démarrage » qui suivent pourraient s’avérer utiles lorsqu’il s’agira de déterminer si c’est l’apprentissage à l’école ou en ligne qui vous convient le mieux. !

Est-ce que vous, vos enfants ou une personne de votre cercle social avez un problème de santé ? !

Avez-vous accès à des services de garde, au besoin ? !

Vo t r e e n f a n t d o i t - i l recevoir un enseignement en classe avec une aide professionnelle ? !

Est-ce que votre enfant et vous pourriez gérer l’enseignement en ligne à domicile ? !

De quelle manière pouvezvous le mieux assurer l’équilibre entre la santé physique de votre enfant et sa santé émotionnelle et sociale ? !

Quelles sont les principales circonstances économiques et professionnelles qui pourraient influencer votre décision, chez vous ? !Peu importe la décision que vous prendrez « aujourd’hui », que pouvez-vous prévoir comme « plan B » si jamais vous changez d’avis plus tard ?

Suite P.8

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They say the olfactory senses can bring about some of the strongest emotions and memories in people. Like when you walk into a room and a particular scent such as baking cookies or a certain potpourri brings back powerful memories of your grandma. For me this week, a simple calendar evoked strong memories. I just couldn't believe my eyes when I noted the date.

An old familiar feeling back from my childhood suddenly came over me. At this time of year each summer the sudden realization that the day after Labour Day is just around the corner would cause a kind of a panic in me to cram as much summer fun as possible into the remaining days. This isn't to say I didn't like school, but rather that I just liked my summer freedom more. My summers are, and always have, felt far too short.

Now, in my role as MPP, I'm experiencing similar feelings but with a totally different perspective and sense of urgency, brought about by the pandemic. So many people say they are distressed about the safety of children and teachers going back to school this fall.

Unfortunately this stress in not only felt by parents but is also being expressed by younger children and secondary school youth. Parents, students, teachers, support staff and even school bus drivers are not convinced that Doug Ford's plan to send kids back into classroom and onto busses without any true possibility of social distancing is wise or even remotely safe in some cases. To be sure, the people of Ontario have made these concerns abundantly clear for weeks now through petitions, letters and protests. You know it has to be a genuine concern when teachers, support staff and bus drivers are seriously contemplating resigning from their jobs because of fear for their own health and safety in the workplace. Even parents are considering quitting their jobs and swallowing the disadvantages of online learning so they can keep their children out of crowded classes.

Ford and Education Minister Lecce have been pounding the podium declaring there is nothing more important than protecting our children and they will do whatever it takes to keep them safe and healthy. But in truth it seems they mean they will do anything – except provide the funding needed.

Parents and teachers have said all along that the

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020 - Page 7 only safe way for students to go back to school is systems. So, how much will this mean per school to reduce class sizes by opening closed rooms or given that there are over 4500 schools in the buildings and repurposing other appropriate province? A single ventilation system could cost spaces into classrooms. Public health authorities well over $100 thousand. Providing $50 million have now confirmed the worries of students, is like throwing a glass of water on a burning barn.

The good news, however, that it is not too parents, teachers and education workers about Doug Ford's risky, crowded back-to-school late.

New Democrats have been proposing scheme. They have made it have clear that giving kids the room to physically distance in the capping class sizes for all students, and hustling to classroom is the best defense against outbreaks get temporary classroom spaces, teachers and hurting our little ones, and spreading into the education workers lined up for all those classes. community. More teachers are needed to make Ensuring every classroom has proper ventilation would be among the highest priorities. We would this happen. undertake reparations that governments have Ford and Lecce outright refuse to reconsider their plans and insist on sending kids ignored for years – using money that would have back into classes that were already jam-packed been available through the cap-and-trade system before the pandemic. At best they feign such that Doug Ford gave up when first elected. That consideration, using slight-of-hand tactics to money had been earmarked for school repairs.

Under an NDP plan, Ontario schools would be make people think they are giving in to demands.

There are no real plans to increase funding welcoming all students back to school five days a to boards to hire more teachers despite the sales week – but in smaller, safer classes.

Ontario, like every province in Canada, is job by Lecce. After weeks of being hammered by worried parents and teachers, Lecce did announce facing hard days ahead for economic recovery. the government would provide money to increase Expenditures on our children's education and staff. But the final total amount was not even a making our schools safe is clearly an outstanding joke. When you divide the total increase by the investment in the health and safety of children. number of schools in the province, it works out to It's an investment in parents getting back to work. a pathetic $16,000 per school. That is not even And it's an investment in getting our economy enough to hire one teacher for the year. So much moving again.

As always, please feel free to contact my for breaking classes up into smaller, safer groups. office about these issues, or any other provincial Once it was clear the public had caught onto Lecce's ploy, the Government tried further matters. You can reach my constituency office by slight-of-hand by announcing the Ministry of email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at Education would allow special one time access to 705-461-9710 or Toll free 1-800-831-1899. school board reserves to help cover the costs of hiring more teachers. First of all, this is assuming that every board has “reserve” funding. Reserve funding is money that some boards had put aside from many years back for helping to cover unexpected or “rainy-day” expenses and needs.

NOTICE TO TAX PAYERS For example, when boards don't have sufficient funding to cover special needs expenses, they can The first instalment of the 2020 Final Tax Billing is turn to such funds. But once the account is gone, it due August 31st, 2020 will never be replenished. The thing is, however, not every board has reserve funding. So the truth A 1.25% penalty is imposed for late payment in addition to 1.25% per month per instalment on of the matter is that the Province is not actually overdue accounts. handing over $500 million. They are just AVIS allowing those boards that do have their own money to spend some.

AUX PAYEURS DE TAXE Health officials also highly recommend Le premier versement de la facturation finale des impôts fonciers de 2020 est dû le 31 août 2020. ensuring there is adequate ventilation to keep fresh air circulating in the classes. But we all Une pénalité de 1.25% sera imposée aux know that many schools do not have such paiements en retard en plus de 1.25% d'intérêt par circulation systems. Many thousands of class mois au compte qui n'est pas payé à temps. rooms have windows that don't open at all or L. Jones perhaps a couple small ones that open just a crack.

Treasurer/Tax Collector Once again, Doug Ford claims to have come to the Trésorier/Percepteur rescue by providing up to $50 million for repair, improvement or installation of ventilation

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

- Page 8

Prorogation Won’t Deliver The Help Canadians Need: Hughes direction and assistance, the government is speculation is expected to be rampant until the throne speech is voted on, Hughes says New occupied with their own fortunes.”

The parliamentary re-set is taking place at Democrats will work to keep delivering for the same time as Canadians are dealing with high Canadians.

“That’s why we’re focusing on the needs unemployment and parents are preparing to send their children to school with more questions than of Canadians who are still struggling and worried about caring for their kids, their elderly parents, answers.

“With a planned sitting next week and or keeping a roof over their heads and food on committees working hard to get answers and their table,” said Hughes. “As long as we can solutions for Canadians, now is the wrong time to continue to force the government to work with us stop everything in the name of self-interest,” said so we can deliver for people across the country, Hughes. “Our priority should be on Canadians that’s what we’ll keep doing.” who are still relying on the CERB and don’t know how they will pay the bills at the end of the month.”

Although election Ontario NDP Health critic France Gélinas issued the following statement in response to the announcement made by the Minister of Education Stephen Lecce on Thursday: “Today’s announcement from Minister Stephen Lecce offers absolutely no comfort at all to parents, school staff and students who are anxious and afraid about sending their children back to crowded classrooms in September. ou de la laine d’acier; Lecce’s announcement literally amounts to a reminder that - ajuster les moustiquaires, boucher la some – not all – school boards have some reserve funds, and they can cheminée et installer des joints use them to try to plug some of the massive holes the Ford d’étanchéité au bas des portes donnant government has in its bargain basement back-to-school scheme. sur le grenier ou l’extérieur; As for the pitiful $50 million for HVAC repairs announced surveiller les endroits d’où les chauves- today, every dollar is welcome but that amounts to 0.003 per cent of souris sortent au crépuscule et sceller les the necessary school repairs that are currently going ignored.

If the NDP were the government today, we’d be hustling to ouvertures de façon permanente. have thousands of teachers and education workers hired, and Santé publique Sudbury et districts temporary classrooms lined up, to ensure smaller, safer classes for rappelle aussi aux propriétaires de chats every student in Ontario. et de chiens qu’ils doivent tenir à jour la Time is running out. We simply can’t afford to let Doug Ford vaccination de leur animal de gamble with our children’s safety.” compagnie contre la rage.

Afin d’en savoir plus sur les chauves-souris et la rage, appelez Santé NOTICE publique Sudbury et districts au The Chapleau Arts & Crafts Fall Fair committee has made the 705.522.9200, poste 398, ou, sans frais, difficult decision to cancel the 2020 fall fair due to the COVIDau 1.866.522.9200, ou encore allez sur 19 pandemic. notre site Web à l’adresse phsd.ca . S’il With the current public health restrictions in place, it is not vous faut de l’aide pour protéger votre possible to plan and make preparations as we normally would. maison contre les chauves-souris, Added to that issue is the difficulty to manage social distancing communiquez avec une entreprise de for an event the size of the fair. gestion des animaux nuisibles.

With Canadians struggling through the pandemic, the government needs to live with their mistakes and focus on real priorities, according to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Carol Hughes.

Hughes comments follow the announcement that parliament will prorogue until the government delivers a Throne Speech to begin a new session on September 23rd. The event has the potential to trigger a snap election, something Hughes says would create an unnecessary gap in our efforts to contain the pandemic.

“The WE charity scandal that has cost the Prime Minister a star cabinet member with the resignation of his Finance Minister, will not magically disappear along with Mr. Morneau,” said Hughes. “While Canadians wait for

Education non-announcement won’t save kids from crowded classrooms

Des analyses révèlent qu’une chauve-souris était enragée Suite de la P.2 « Nous encourageons fortement toute personne qui se fait mordre ou égratigner par un animal à consulter un fournisseur de soins de santé et à signaler l’incident à santé publique dès que possible », de dire la Dre Penny Sutcliffe, Médecin-hygiénist de Santé publique Sudbury et districts.

Le meilleur moyen de ne pas entrer en contact avec des chauvessouris consiste à les empêcher de pénétrer dans le domicile ou le chalet en couvrant tous les points d’entrée.

Le meilleur moment pour protéger votre maison contre les chauves-souris est l’automne, quand la plupart d’entre elles sont parties hiberner. La protection consiste à : - calfeutrer les trous à l’extérieur, même ceux qui n’ont qu’un quart de pouce ou un demi-pouce de diamètre; par exemple, remplissez les trous autour des tuyaux de plomberie avec du calfeutrage

Déclaration de la médecin-hygiéniste sur la rentrée scolaire de l’automne 2020 Suite P. 6 En terminant, j’aimerais souligner le grand héroïsme dont font preuve les parents, les tuteurs, le personnel scolaire et la population en général en cette période de pandémie. Si la rentrée scolaire nous importe tant, c’est que nous nous en soucions énormément.

Ensemble, nous allons apprendre, nous adapter, et nous serons fiers des efforts collectifs que nous aurons déployés pour

assurer une rentrée scolaire sécuritaire et réussie.

Merci, Dre Penny Sutcliffe Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus ou si vous avez des questions ou des préoccupations, allez sur notre site Web à la page www.phsd.ca/laCOVID-19, consultez nos pages Facebook et Twitter ou appelez Santé publique Sudbury et districts au 705.522.9200 (1.866.522.9200, sans frais).

The most important thing now is the health and safety of everyone who makes the fair what it is - our committee members, volunteers, vendors & attendees - so we believe this is the best decision!

Please be assured that we will be back in 2021; on October 15 & 16th. We will carry forth both the theme: “Farmer’s Market”, as well as the prepaid vendor application fees to next year.

Alternatively, if a refund is your preference, you can reach out to either Phyllis McLeod or myself with your mailing address and we will return your prepaid fee as promptly as possible.

In the coming months we are going to work on planning for a 2021 fair where we can all celebrate our favorite fall fair together safely.

Stay safe, healthy & crafty and have a happy fall y’all!”

Melanie Mallek

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

- Page 9

Statement from the Medical Officer of Health on the fall 2020 return to school On Thursday, July 30, 2020, the provincial government announced the September reopening of Ontario schools. This announcement is the subject of much discussion as families and educators work to make the best decisions for the health of students – the health of our kids. Public Health Sudbury & Districts is committed to doing all we can to support safe school reopening.

The rapidly evolving return-to-school plan is raising many questions, challenges, and emotions. You may be weighing many things as you try to figure out what is right for your personal situation. Over the past several weeks, I have heard from many parents, caregivers, educators, school support staff, and other members of our community. They are sharing worries about how to balance issues such as the physical and emotional health of children, students, family members, and educators; access to child care and other services; and jobs and personal family finances.

Know that I hear and acknowledge these concerns. The decision to proceed with either inschool or online enrolment is difficult and personal, and there is no one right answer. Public Health Sudbury & Districts will continue to provide up-to-date public health information and analysis to help you with your decisions. We are also working hard with education partners to support them as they implement the Ministry of Education direction.

Make no mistake—the best way to support safe and successful school reopening is to keep COVID-19 out of our communities. The lower the risk of the virus in our communities, the lower the risk in our schools. This means that now, more than ever, we need to recommit to COVID-19 prevention. The decisions we take now—to wash our hands, keep 2-metres distance from people not in our social circle, wear a mask

or face covering, and to stay home when ill and seek testing—will make all the difference for our schools’ safety and for our kids’ health.

I strongly urge us all to be kind, patient, and respectful of one another as we navigate these next steps. There are many unknowns, many different personal circumstances, and many different emotions. Asking good questions is key.

Keep yourself informed of provincial direction and get engaged in local decisions. We all have a responsibility to do the best we can to support our kids as we walk this unprecedented path together.

The following “starter” questions may be helpful as you think about whether your personal circumstances are best suited for in-school or online learning: ! Do you, your children, or anyone in your social circle have a health condition? ! Do you have access to child care, if required? ! Does your child require in-class learning with a professional? ! Could you and your child manage online instruction at home? ! How can you best balance the physical with the social and emotional health of your child? ! What are the important job and economic circumstances in your home that might impact your decision? ! Regardless of your “today” decision, what plans can you put into place for a “plan B”, should you change your decision in the future?

In closing, I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the super-hero status of parents, guardians, educators, school staff, and the broader community over the course of the pandemic. Back-to-school matters so much because we care so much.

Together, we will learn, together we will adapt, and together we will be proud of our collective efforts for a safe and successful return

to school.

Thank you, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe For more information or if you have questions or concerns, please visit our website www.phsd.ca/COVID-19, keep connected with our Facebook and Twitter pages, or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (tollfree 1.866.522.9200).

Call 705-864-2579 chaexpress@sympatico.ca

Practice Social Distancing

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

- Page 10

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME

On Aug. 31, 1997, shortly after midnight, Diana, Princess of Wales dies in a car crash in Paris. She was 36. Her boyfriend, the Egyptian-born socialite Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the car died as well. A swarm of paparazzi on motorcycles had been aggressively tailing their car.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020 R.T.

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ALLEMANO, FITZGERALD PASCUZZI & BERLINGIERI Barristers and Solicitors

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SUMMER HOURS will be from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week Drop by and check out our line of Authentic Native Crafts, Unique Gift Ideas, Jewellery, and Gift Certificates TOO!

Just past the hospital SATURDAYS 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Pimii Kamik Gas Bar & Gift Shop

Nest Run Eggs available at Valentine Farms

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- Page 11

FOR QUALITY SERVICES AT

INEXPENSIVE PRICES GIVE US A CALL AT 1-705-264-4334

Local MARKETPLACE CHAPLEAU SEPTIC AND AGGREGATE SERVICES. Call Chapleau Village Shops 705-864-1114 for appointment . Available year round.

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.

Adult Mental Health (16yrs and up) and Addiction Services (all ages) offered at Turning Point. Located at 6 Broomhead Rd. For professional, confidential services, please call 705-864-1919. Open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to noon and 1pm to 4:30pm.

Services de santé mentale pour adultes (16 ans et plus) et les services de toxicomanie (tous les âges) offerts à Point décisif. Situé au 6, chemin Broomhead. Contactez-nous au 705-864-1919 pour des services professionnels et confidentiels. Les heures ouvrables sont de 8 h 30 à midi et de 13 h à 16 h 30.

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.

We also carry road trip snacks, which includes Subs, Chips, Pop, plus a whole lot more.

Your Propane Refilling Station

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BILLIE’S DINER Now has interac and is available for catering.

705-864-2400

8mm & Super 8 mm FILM

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SCANNING

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, August 20, 2020

- Page 12

La Prorogation Ne Procurera Pas Aux Canadiens L’aide Dont Ils Ont Besoin – Carol Hughes Alors que les Canadiens sont aux prises avec les difficultés causées par la pandémie, le gouvernement doit vivre avec ses erreurs et se concentrer sur les véritables priorités, estime la députée d’Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, Carol Hughes.

Les observations de Mme Hughes font suite à l’annonce de la prorogation du Parlement jusqu’à ce que le gouvernement prononce un discours du Trône pour amorcer une nouvelle session le 23 septembre. L’événement pourrait déclencher des élections surprises, ce qui, selon Mme Hughes, retarderait inutilement la suite de la prise de mesures en vue de contenir la pandémie. « Le scandale de l’organisme UNIS, qui a coûté au premier ministre la perte d’un membre étoile du Cabinet en entraînant la démission du

ministre des Finances, ne disparaîtra pas comme par magie, contrairement à M. Morneau », soutient Mme Hughes. « Tandis que les Canadiens attendent qu’on les guide et qu’on les aide, le gouvernement se préoccupe de son propre sort. » Le redémarrage parlementaire survient alors même que les Canadiens sont aux prises avec un taux de chômage élevé et que les parents s’apprêtent à renvoyer leurs enfants à l’école, si bien que les questions se multiplient, mais demeurent sans réponse. « La Chambre devait tenir une séance la semaine prochaine. Les comités travaillaient sans relâche pour obtenir des réponses et trouver des solutions pour les Canadiens. Ce n’est vraiment pas le moment, pour le gouvernement, de tout arrêter pour protéger ses propres intérêts », reproche Mme Hughes. « Les Canadiens qui comptent toujours sur la Prestation canadienne d’urgence et qui s’inquiètent comment ils paieront les factures à la fin du mois doivent être notre priorité. » Bien que l’on s’attende à ce que l’éventualité du déclenchement d’élections donne lieu à d’abondantes conjectures d’ici la mise aux

voix du discours du Trône, Mme Hughes assure aux Canadiens que les néo démocrates ne ménageront aucun effort afin de continuer de produire des résultats pour eux. « Voilà pourquoi notre priorité, ce sont les besoins des Canadiens qui ont du mal à joindre les deux bouts et qui s’inquiètent du bien-être de leurs enfants et de leurs parents âgés ou qui craignent de perdre leur logement ou de ne plus pouvoir nourrir leur famille », déclare Mme Hughes. « Tant et aussi longtemps que nous pourrons continuer de forcer le gouvernement à travailler avec nous pour répondre aux besoins des Canadiens, c’est ce que nous ferons. »

Practice Social Distancing

Changes to return to school plan leave little time for boards to limit health and safety risk for students, educators

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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Less than three weeks before school starts, the Ontario government is allowing school boards to use their reserve funding to try to address the health and safety issues that the government’s plan for the reopening of school failed to resolve.

“While not taking responsibility or investing new funding to mandate the smaller classes and other provisions public schools need, releasing boards to access their own reserves allows them to work with stakeholders to problemsolve at the local level,” said Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). “As it stands, school boards will need to scramble to quickly try and acquire more space and more educators, if they can do so with the reserve funding they have.”

“ETFO will continue to pressure the Ministry to provide the necessary leadership to ensure a safe return to school. As always, our commitment is to our students, our members and the

communities in which we teach and together we will continue to ensure this government does better.”

“The public outcry from Ontario’s parents and educators has forced the government to acknowledge that their plans have fallen short. While today’s release of funding is important, it is not enough,” added Hammond.

“The government has landed these changes just weeks before school starts. In order for school boards to make every attempt to reduce class sizes, ensure physical distancing and put in appropriate ventilation, we urge them to consider a staggered start to the school year or to delay the return to school to ensure the safety of students and educators.”

ETFO represents 83,000 elementary public school teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals across the province. Its Building Better Schools education agenda can be viewed at BuildingBetterSchools.ca.