CHAPLEAUEXPRESS
Ataleofextremes:Canada’s10most impactfulweatherstoriesof2024
Environment and Climate Change
Canada’smeteorologistsworkaroundthe clock to deliver high-quality and reliable weather forecasting services to Canadians. Canadianswitnesstheimpactsofthemostsevere weathereventsastheyunfold,whichsometimes resultineconomicdevastationandthetragicloss of lives across the country. With each year, Canada sees the impacts of climate change on weather events, making many extreme weather eventsmorelikely.
Canada’s 10 most impactful weather stories for 2024 tells the tale of record-breaking heatwaves, destructive winds, and relentless rainfallsthatpromptweatherwatches,warnings, and alerts. The stories illustrate how severe weather events evolve and how local responses canbesafelynavigatedwithinformeddecisions. The stories are selected and ranked based on severity,humanandeconomicimpact,theextent oftheareaaffected,andtheevent’slongevityasa topnewsstory.
The most impactful weather stories of 2024 are:
From heatwave to wildfires: Jasper’s summerinferno
Central Canada bears the brunt of the 2024hurricaneseason
Western Canada plunged into January deepfreeze
Atmospheric rivers deliver double blow to BritishColumbia
Billion-dollar hailstones: Calgary’s costliest weatherdisaster
SouthernOntario’ssummeroffloods
Arcticcommunitiesfaceunusualheatwave
CapeBreton'swinterwallop
Summersplit:MaritimessizzlewhileAlberta shivers
Wildfires and evacuations in western Labrador
Record-breakingtemperatureswereatop contributor to this year’s weather events. Extreme heat set the stage for devastating wildfires in both Western and Atlantic Canada, while severe cold snaps resulted in significant economic impacts for Alberta. Torrential rains inflicted costly flooding in some of Canada’s largest urban centres. Arctic communities endured a significant heatwave, while Montréal recorded all-time high precipitation records. From coast to coast to coast, the severe and unseasonal weather events of 2024 left a memorablemarkonthelivesofCanadiansacross thecountry.
Significant loss, damage, and displacement also characterized this year’s top weather events. Two wildfire events prompted full local evacuations, totaling the displacement of over 12,000 residents and 20,000 visitors. Jasper, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies, was changed significantly when fire consumedapproximately16%ofthearea’sforest
and30%ofitstown.Combineddamagesforthe fourcostliestweathereventsamountedtoover$7 billion, with all ranking among the costliest weather events in Canadian history. Tragically, over 40 fatalities were also attributed to the impactsofthehighlightedevents.
Human-caused climate change is increasing the intensity of many severe weather events in Canada. Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to protecting the health, safety, and property of all Canadians by ensuring that everyone has timely and accurate accesstoweatherwatches,warnings,andalerts. Canadians are encouraged to monitor weather conditions closely by downloading the WeatherCAN application or visiting weather.gc.ca.
Our last publication of 2024 will be on December 19th and our first publication of 2025 will be on January 9th, 2025
Howtoprotectyourselffromscammers
(NC) Scams are more frequent than ever. If scammers gain access to your personal information or your log-in credentials, they can steal your money, open new accounts or change yourcreditcardinformation.Thiscoulddamage
your credit score and make it difficult to get loans,buyacarorrentanapartment.Scammers canalsofraudulentlyapplyforbenefitandcredit payments through the Canada RevenueAgency, andapplyforloansorcreditcardsinyourname. Follow these tips to help you keep your money whereitbelongs:
When you aren’t sure who’s sending you a message,double-check.
Get a callback number from the caller to make surethey’rewhotheysaytheyare.
Check an organization’s official webpage for contactinformation(neverusethelinksorphone numberscontainedinamessage).
Takeaminutetoaskyourselfwhyyouarebeing contacted.It’sokaytoaskquestionsandsayno. Remember, businesses and government
agencies rarely ask for personal or financial informationthroughemailortext.
Don’treuseloginsandpasswordsacross accounts. Re-used passwords can increase the riskofscammersstealingcredentialsandgaining accesstomultipleservices.
Ifyouthinkyouarebeingscammed,you mayfeelembarrassed.Butit’simportantthatyou gethelpimmediatelybycallingyourlocalpolice ortheCanadianAnti-FraudCentre.
Criminals count on people feeling too ashamed to report the crime, but taking swift action can prevent further harm and protect others.
Learn more about the latest scams at canada.ca/be-scam-smart.
Studentlifehack:Howtuitionfeescanloweryourtaxes
(NC) Post-secondary education comes with a heftypricetag,especiallyasthecostofliving keeps climbing. Luckily, the tuition tax credit can help take some of that financial pressure offyourshoulders.Understandinghowtotake advantageofthiscreditisessentialforstudents andtheirfamilies.
The tuition tax credit is a valuable tax break as it can help you reduce the taxes you owenowandforyearstocome.
Ifyou’re16orolder,enrolledinapostsecondaryprogramandpayingfortuition,you can claim this credit when filing your taxes withtheCanadaRevenueAgency.
Toclaimthecredit,makesuretoshare your social insurance number with your school. Then, in February, your school will issue you a T2202 form, also known as the
Tuition and Enrolment Certificate.You’ll use this information when you do your taxes and claimthecredit.
Claiming the credit could help reduce your tax bill. If you don’t owe enough tax to claim the full credit, you have options:youcancarryitforward toafutureyearortransferittoan eligible family member, such as yourparent,grandparent,spouse orcommon-lawpartner.
If you don’t have a lot of experience doing your taxes, many schools offer free tax clinics to help you through the process,sodon’thesitatetoreach out. These clinics can help you
MNR ConservationOfficersneedhelpidentifyingwhoisresponsible forshootingandabandoningacowmoosenearChapleau
TheMinistryofNaturalResources(MNR)isaskingforthepublic'shelpto identifytheindividualwhoshotandkilledacowmoosenearChapleau,Ontario.
OnOctober16th,2024,ConservationOfficerswerealertedtoacowmoose that was shot and abandoned in a cut block off of Kebskwasheshi Road, in Eaton Township, near Chapleau, Ontario. The cow moose was killed and abandoned anywherefromafewdaysuptoaweekbeforeitwasdiscovered.
The ministry takes this situation very seriously and is looking to identify thoseresponsible.
If you have any information that will assist Conservation Officers in their investigation,pleasecontacttheministryTIPSlinetollfreeat1-877-847-7667.To remainanonymous,callCrimeStoppersat1-800-222-TIPS.
Conservation Officers remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries,bagandpossessionlimits,weallhelpensureournaturalresourcesstay healthy. To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolvedcase,membersofthepubliccancalltheministryTIPS linetollfreeat1877-847-7667.YoucanalsocallCrimeStoppersanonymouslyat1-800-222-TIPS.
make the most of available credits and deductions.
More information on deductions, credits and payments for students is available atcanada.ca/taxes-students.
Chapleau Moments
by MichaelJ. Morris
Ever since the Rotary Club of Chapleau helditsfirstmeetingsintheFallof1951,ithasbeen doinggoodworksinthecommunityandthewider worldincludingthepurchaseofwheelchairsforuse bythoseinneedoftheminothercountries.
I was prompted to look back at the good workoftheRotaryClubinChapleauuponreading the article in the January 10, 2019 edition of the Chapleau Express, "Rotary Club Helps Out CommunityGroups".
Although meetings were held in 1951, the club received its charter on January 26, 1952 at a meetingintheTownHallbasement.Asanaside,I wasthere,firstwithmyfriendslookinginthrough thewindows,thengoingtothekitchenthroughthe back door to see my grandmothers Lil Morris and Edith Hunt. I was elevenyearsold.
Rev Roy Haddon. First president of Chapleau RotaryClub
While browsing the Chapleau Public Library history site, I came across a Chapleau Express article from 2008 about the club's purchase of five wheelchairs to be distributed to people inAfricaandMexico. What an amazing project!!
The article explained that each wheelchair the Chapleau club paid for was bought in the name of a member who had died and whose contribution wasremembered.For thisparticularproject, the members selected were Gene Bernier, Dick Lapp, Lorne Marsh,Yvon Martel andAndre Nadeau. Five wheelchairs had been bought to honourthesepastpresidentsoftheChapleauclub.
At its Christmas meeting in 2008, the articlenotedthatfamilymembersoffourofthefive members were present including Grace Bernier, Mike Bernier, Alan Marsh, Guy Martel, Elaine Smith and Janick Nadeau.Arepresentative of the familyofDickLappwasunabletobepresent.The
RotaryClubdonateswheelchairsfor
thoseinneed
in2008 honouringpastdistinguishedChapleauclubmembers
SeniorWAofStJohn'sChurchin1952Mrs.Hands,Mrs.Saylors,Mrs.Haskins,Mrs.Swanson,Mrs. Machan - ? Mrs. Chappise, Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. McKnight, Mrs. Crichton, Mrs. H. Morris, (my grandmother)Mrs.Hunt,(mygrandmother)Mrs.Angove,Mrs.F.Morris,Mrs.EdieMcKnight,Mrs. Coulter, Mrs. Keays Mrs. Herbert, Mrs. Donna Westerman front row Mrs. Nixon, Mrs. Way-White, Mrs.Whybray,Mrs.Simpson,Mrs.Collings,Mrs.Haddon,Mrs.Block,Mrs.Card.Whatagreatbunch of ladies. Photo from late Anne (Zufelt)
photowassenttohisfamily.
Local club president David Laughland presented each family with a commemorative photo of the grateful recipient sitting in the wheelchair purchased in the name "of a late distinguishedRotarian."
Also,inNovember2008,DavidandJoanne LaughlandtravelledtoElSalvadortotakepartina distribution of 1,400 wheelchairs provided by RotariansinOntarioandNorthernQuebec.
ThearticlesaysthatbothDavidandJoanne were touched and deeply impressed by the huge differencethesewheelchairsmeanttothequalityof life of the recipients who ranged in age from very youngtoveryold.
Flashback to 1951 and the beginnings of the club in Chapleau. Rev E. Roy Haddon the Rector of St. John'sAnglican Church was the first president while Dr. G.E. 'Ted' Young was vice president; Newt Pellow, secretary; Bob Serre, treasurerandB.W.'Bubs'Zufelt,sergeantatarms.
Ihavealsoincludedaphotooftheladiesof theSeniorWAatSt.John'sAnglicanChurchfrom 1952. These ladies catered to the Rotary Club for manyyears.
Familymembersoflate,greatChapleauRotarians accept pictures of wheelchairs bought in their names as a humanitarian gesture to the disabled peopleofElSalvador. Fromlefttoright,Rotarian Richard Bignucolo, Janick Nadeau, Guy Martel, Mike Bernier, Elaine Smith, Alan Marsh and Rotary President Dave Laughland. Seated in frontisGraceBernier.
MysincerecongratulationstotheRotary Club of Chapleau on all its good works since 1951inthecommunityandfarbeyond.
from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa
by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
Duringthe2024U.S.Presidentialelection, a bit of an absurd comment from then-candidate DonaldTrumpinspiredsomebafflingchuckleson this side of the border. At a press conference at a golf course in Los Angeles, he said “so you have millionsofgallonsofwaterpouringdownfromthe northwiththesnowcapsinCanadaandallpouring down.Andtheyhaveessentiallyaverylargefaucet. Andyouturnthefaucetandittakesonedaytoturn it.It'smassive.”Itwasabizarrestatement,because this was the first time Canadians had heard about the existence of their massive water faucet.While it'seasytolaughoffthestatementitselfasincoherent rambling, it does beg the question as to what measures the Federal government have taken, and whichthey should still take, to protect Canada's water sovereignty, and ensure we aren't pressured to export waterforforeigninterests?
It's important to point out that, while Canada does contain a significant amount of freshwater, about seven percent of the world's supply, we don't have the capacity to export it. Climate change has exacerbated our supply already, leading to droughts around many parts of countryduringthedrysummermonths.According to the Canadian Drought Monitor, at the end of October, “…64% of the country was classified as Abnormally Dry or in Moderate to Extreme Drought, including 67% of the country's agricultural landscape.”And while it's logical to assume industry is the largest water users across the country, it's actually a staggering 91.2 percent of total water use across our country.According to a report from the Global Commission on the Economics ofWater, worldwide demand for fresh waterwilloutstripsupplyby40%bytheendofthis verydecade.
While climate change remains the largest threat to our freshwater, there are further threats that may challenge Canada's freshwater resources more directly. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is set to be renegotiated in 2026. While CUSMA's predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), allowed water to be treated as a “good” for sale if it's bottled, it did prevent bulk water exports. CUSMA,whilecurrentlyexemptfrombulkwater exportsaswell,mayendupchangingsignificantly underrenegotiation.ThispresumesCUSMAholds while Trump threatens tariffs, which violate the agreement. However, water futures are already being traded on Wall Street as of 2020, allowing bankerstomakemoneyoffwaterscarcityalready.
CanadaNeedstoSafeguardourWater
It was therefore good to see the Federal government recently launch the Canada Water Agency. The agency is tasked with working with the provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystemhealth. Thisisalaudablegoal,butit'svitalthat theagencybegivensometeethtobetterprotectour water resources. The first task of the agency is to review the Canada Water Act, the legislation that provides the legal framework for cooperation among all branches of government for the conservation,development,anduseofwaterresources.It hasbeenliteraldecades (the1970s)sincetheAct waslastreviewed.Additionally,theagencyisalso tasked with enacting the Freshwater Action Plan. Theplancommitstoregionalactivitiesdesignedto cleanandpreservefreshwaterbyfundingopportunitiesforecosystemmonitoringandprotectionand
scientificresearch.
Whiletheagencyisdesperatelyneeded,its vitalthatitsworkinformsCanadianshowtobetter manage our freshwater, and that our governments (federal, provincial, municipal, and territorial) listen to the outcomes of the research done by the FreshwaterActionPlan.ButtheAgencyalonedoes not have the ability to prevent the negotiation of bulk water exports.There must be Federal leadership to safeguard it, including keeping it off the tableduringtradenegotiations.
According to the World Health Organization,one-quarteroftheworld'spopulation doesnothaveaccesstosafedrinkingwater,including still far too many First Nation communities in Canada. It is our absolute duty to protect what we haveandensurewedon'tsimplytreatitasanother commodityforsale.
LeCanadadoitprotégersesressourceseneau
Durant les élections présidentielles américaines de 2024, un commentaire plutôt absurde de la part du candidat à la présidence DonaldTrumpasuscitédesriresdéconcertantsde cecôté-cidelafrontière.Lorsd'uneconférencede presse sur un terrain de golf à Los Angeles, il a déclaréqu'il«yadesmillionsdelitresd'eauquise déversentdanslenorddepuislescouchesdeneige auCanada.Etilsontessentiellementuntrèsgrand robinet.Etvouspouvezouvrirlerobinetetçaprend un jour pour l'ouvrir. Il est énorme. » C'est une déclaration franchement étrange puisque c'est la première fois que la population canadienne entendait parler de l'existence d'un gigantesque robinetsurleurterritoire.Bienqu'ilseraitfacilede se contenter de se moquer de ces divagations incohérentes, nous devons tout de même nous demander quelles sont les mesures que le gouvernementfédéralamisesenplace,etquisont toujours d'actualité, pour protéger la souveraineté du Canada sur ses ressources en eau et pour s'assurer que nous ne n'exportions pas cette eau souspressionétrangère?
MalgrélefaitqueleCanadacontienneune réserve importante d'eau douce, environ 7 % de la réservemondiale,ilestimportantdesoulignerque nousn'avonspaslacapacitéd'enfairel'exportation. Leschangementsclimatiquesontdéjàaccentuénos problèmes d'approvisionnement, causant des périodesdesécheressedansdenombreusesrégions dupayslorsdesmoissecsdel'été.Selonl'Outilde surveillancedessécheressesauCanada,àlafindu moisd'octobre,«64%dupaysétaitclassédansla catégorie de temps anormalement sec ou de sécheressemodéréeàextrême,dont67%desterres agricoles du pays ». Bien qu'il soit logique de supposerquelesecteurindustrielestleplusgrand consommateur d'eau du pays, sa consommation s'élève à un pourcentage ahurissant de 91,2 % de l'utilisation de l'eau dans tout le pays. Selon la
Commission mondiale sur l'économie de l'eau, la demandemondialed'eaudoucerisquededépasser l'offrede40%dès2030.
Bien que les changements climatiques soientleplusgranddangerpournosréservesd'eau douce, il existe d'autres facteurs qui menacent directement nos ressources. La renégociation de l'AccordCanada–États-Unis–Mexique(ACEUM) doitavoirlieuen2026.Alorsqueleprédécesseurde l'ACEUM, l'Accord de libre-échange nordaméricain (ALENA), autorisait de vendre l'eau comme un « bien » si elle était embouteillée, il interdisaitl'exportationd'eauenvrac.L'ACEUM, qui n'autorise actuellement pas l'exportation d'eau en vrac, pourrait être modifié de façon importante lors de la renégociation. Notons que le point cidessus implique que l'ACEUM demeure en place malgrélesmenacesdeTrumpconcernantlesdroits de douane qui viendraient contrevenir à l'accord. Depuis 2020, l'eau a également sa place à Wall Street où des banquiers sont déjà en mesure de se remplirlespochesgrâceàlapénuried'eau. C'est donc une bonne chose que le gouvernementfédéralaitrécemmentcréél'Agence de l'eau du Canada. L'agence travaille avec les provinces,lesterritoiresetlespeuplesautochtones afin de protéger la qualité de notre eau et la santé des écosystèmes aquatiques. Il s'agit d'un objectif louable, mais nous devons nous assurer que l'agence ait les armes nécessaires à sa disposition pour protéger nos ressources en eau. Sa première mission est d'évaluer la Loi sur les ressources en eau du Canada qui fournit la structure législative pour la coopération entre toutes les branches du gouvernement sur la conservation, le développement et l'utilisation des ressources en eau. Plusieurs décennies se sont déjà écoulées depuis la dernière évaluation de la Loi (durant les années1970).Deplus,l'agencealaresponsabilité demettreenœuvrelePland'actionsurl'eaudouce.
HopeArisesReceivesSecondTRC Grant
ByMauricioPrado
Hope Arises Inc. has received a second $15,000 grant from the TruthandReconciliationCommissionofCanada(TRC)tocontinuewith theEmilyRedbreastinitiative.
Joyce Crone, founder of Hope Arises Project Inc., says the initiativestartedlastyearwiththefirst$10,000TRCgranttheyreceived.
ShesayslastyeartheywroteabookaboutEmilyRedbreast,agirl whogrewuponBrunswickHouseFirstNationinChapleau,Ontario.
“ShewenttotheStJohn’sIndianResidentialSchoolinChapleau anddiedthereandnevermadeithome,”saysCrone.“HopeAriseswillbe publishingabookforgradessevenandeightrightthroughtograde12,and that’llbeavailablein2025.”
CroneaddsthebookiscalledEmilyRedbreastRememberUs.
Shesaysthisyeartheywillbeworkingwithherfamilymembers whostillliveinthecommunitytocreateacommemorativeeventwiththe newgrantHopeArisesreceived.
“[The community] is planning on adding to that amount another $15,000,”sharesCrone.“Itwillbeatotalof$30,000thatwewillbeableto createayouthandelderdayandsupportthemandtheyouthandtheelders inthatBrunswickHouseFirstNationscommunity.”
RobertFife, CTV NEWS
Crone says further details will be provided as the initiative develops.
MPPManthaDemandsImprovedWinter Maintenance for Northern Highways
Today during Question Period,AlgomaManitoulinMPPMichaelMantharaisedtheneed for better winter maintenance on Northern Ontariohighways.
“NorthernOntariohasbeengettingsnow for the last three weeks and since the first snowfallwe'veexperiencednumerous,extensive closuresonHighway17andHighway11.”Said Mantha. “Clearing highways after a snowfall isn't a matter of convenience for people in Algoma-Manitoulin. It's essential to ensure that peoplecangettotheirdestinationsafely.”
Mantha pressed the Minister of Transportationontheneedtoensurethatclosures do not last days on end. He also pressed the ministeronthelevelofmaintenanceaffordedto
secondaryhighwaysintheNorth.
“A constituent from Dubreuilville sent me pictures of Highway 519 after it had been plowed. In them you can see that the snow has pileduponthesideoftheroadbecausetheplow had no wing.” Mantha said. “Anyone driving a transporttruckhasalmostnoroomoneitherside betweenthemselvesandacollision.”
Hecalledontheministertoworkwiththe Northern MPPs who have brought forward legislation to improve safety on Northern highways.
“Instead of addressing our concerns, the minister continues to plow ahead with his repeated non-answers.” Said Mantha. “How muchlongerdoNorthernershavetowaitforthis
governmenttotakeourconcernsseriously?”
Cookingisafamily-friendlyactivityfortheholidays
(NC)Aswintersettlesin,it’stheperfecttimeto stepawayfromscreensandenjoyanopportunity to cook with your family. What better way to spendqualitytimeinthecoldermonthsthanby makingaheartystewfullofyourfavouritelocal vegetables,likecarrotsandpotatoes?
Cooking together can be a wonderful bonding experience, allowing your kids or grandkids to learn essential life skills while having fun. Start by gathering the ingredients, which include a great mix of vegetables, herbs andspices.
Beyondjustmealprep,cookingtogether teaches valuable lessons about the benefits of healthyhome-cookedmeals.Bychoosingfresh, localingredients,youcancreatedishesthatare both delicious and nutritious. Use this opportunity to discuss the importance of supporting local farmers and understanding foodproduction.
Bybuyinglocally,you’reloweringyour environmental footprint and supporting sustainablepracticesbylocalfarmers.Ontario’s fruit and vegetable growers, for example, have been implementing sustainable growing
practices across the province for more than 20 years – shrinking their environmental footprint by using less water, energy, fertilizer and cropprotection products, while maintaining healthy soils and ensuring their businesses stay profitableandproductive.
They’realsousingnewtechnologieslike smart watering and spraying systems, robotic weeding systems and cameras that count fruit treebudstopredictharvesttiming.
Get the kids involved in making this simple, hearty recipe from Foodland Ontario early one morning, then enjoy the day together playing games or enjoying some of the great activities winter has to offer, while dinner is slowlycooking.
Slow-CookerBeanandVegetableStew
Preptime:15minutes
Cooktime:10to12hours
Makes:6servings
Ingredients: 3carrots,thinlysliced 2potatoes,diced 1onion,diced
3clovesgarlic,minced
2 cans (540 ml each) kidney beans (white and red),drainedandrinsed
1tsp(5ml)driedthymeleaves
1/4tsp(1ml)eachsaltandpepper
3 cups (750 ml) unsalted vegetable broth (approx.)
2cups(500ml)bite-sizespinachleavesorbaby spinach
3tbsp(45ml)choppedfreshparsley
Sourcreamandgratedcheddarcheesetotaste
Directions:
In slow cooker, combine carrots, potatoes, onion,garlic,beans,thyme,saltandpepper.Add broth and push vegetables and beans under the liquid.
Coverandcookonlowsettingfor10to12hours, oruntilvegetablesaretender.
Stir in spinach, cover and cook on low until lightlywilted,about10minutes.
Ladleintobowlsandsprinkleeachservingwith cheese,sourcreamandparsley.
OntarioSupportingSeniorsandTheirCaregivers
New legislation and investments will enhance quality of life and care for seniors across the province
Today, the Ontario government introduced the Support for Seniors and Caregivers Act, 2024. The proposed legislation includes a $114-million suite of initiatives to improve the livesofseniorsthroughenhanceddementiacare and supports, assistance for families and caregivers, and by creating more opportunities for seniors to build stronger social connections in theircommunity.
“Our government is determined to give the best possible care to the people who raised us,”saidNataliaKusendova-Bashta,Ministerof Long-Term Care. “That's why we are working across government to ensure Ontario's seniors can enjoy the best possible quality of life, supportedbysafe,high-qualitycare.”
“Our government is continuing to take actiontoensurethatOntarianshaveaccesstothe healthcareandservicestheyneed,ateverystage of life,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This investment will improve access to high-quality dementia care across the province, allowing more seniors and theirlovedonestoconnecttothecompassionate servicesandsupportstheyneed,intheircommunity.”
The proposed legislative amendments, investments and policies are designed to better support seniors and those who care for them, whether they live in long-term care homes, retirement homes or with their families. Initiatives span across the ministries of LongTerm Care, Health, and Seniors and Accessibility.
The proposed Support for Seniors and CaregiversAct,2024,would,ifpassed:
· Invest almost $80 million over three years to dementia care and improve and expand supports to support the well-being of seniors, their caregivers, and families. This includes requiring all long-term care homes to have a dementia care program and giving primary care providers the tools and resources needed to connectpeopletofast,effectiveandhigh-quality dementiacare
· Expand adult day programs and respite services to provide recreational and social programsforpeoplelivingwithdementia,while givingtheirlovedonesamuch-neededbreak
· Further strengthening protections for long-term care residents against abuse and neglect, and enhancing the province's ability to investigate and prosecute offences under the FixingLong-TermCareAct,2021
· Strengthen the existing requirements for long-termcarehomestorecognizeandrespect,at aminimum,thecultural,linguistic,religious,and spiritual needs of residents. This includes new regulationsthatrequirelong-termcarehomesto increaseinformationavailableinFrench.
These changes are one more way the province is taking action to meet the needs of Ontario'sagingpopulationandbettersupportthe people who care for seniors by improving and expanding supports for seniors living in longtermcare,congregatesettingsandinthecommunity.
A summary of the proposed legislative
amendments will be available publicly on Ontario'sRegulatoryRegistryfromDecember4, 2024,toJanuary6,2025.
By 2046, there will be 1.7 million more seniorslivinginOntario.
As part of its plan to fix long-term care andaddresswaitlists,thegovernmentisbuilding 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds acrosstheprovince.
Ontario is offering incentives of up to $25,400 to students and recent graduates of personal support worker education programs to launchcareersinlong-termcarehomesandinthe homeandcommunitycaresector.
The Ontario government is investing up to $4.9 billion to create thousands of new positionsforpersonalsupportworkersandnursesin long-termcare.
Howlongcanyoueatthoseleftovers?
(NC)There’s nothing quite like a nice home-cooked meal. Well, except maybe for the leftovers. Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich in the days after a holidaymeal?Andsomedishes,likechilisandstews, just taste better after the flavours have had time to mingle. But how long after cooking can you safely consume leftovers? Here are tips on how to avoid gettingsickfromleftovers.
Safetyfirst
While it may be tempting to move from the dinnertabletothesofatowatchTVorcatchaquick nap after a big meal, you should take care of the leftovers first. You want to make sure that the food temperaturesdon’tdropintothe“dangerzone”of4°C (40°F)to60°C(140°F)wherebacteriacanthrive. Youcan’trelyonsmell,sightoreventasteto determine if something is contaminated. Anything thathasbeenleftoutfortwohoursormoreshouldbe tossedout.
Coolinthefridge
Any cooked food that will be eaten over the next few days should be stored in the fridge. Pack items into storage containers but leave them uncoveredatfirst.Onlysealthelidoncethefoodhas fullycooleddown.
Veryhotitemscanbeleftatroomtemperature to cool down, but move them to the fridge or freezer oncetheystopsteaming.
Defrostingadvice
Never defrost leftovers in the sink or on the counter.Ifyouhavetimetoplanahead,defrostthem inthefridge.Placeitemsonalowershelftoavoidany leakage contaminating other food. If you don’t have time to defrost in the fridge, use your microwave’s defrostsetting.
Trackthetime
Leftovers stored in the fridge should be consumed within three to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. However, once fully defrostedandreheated,leftoversshouldbeconsumed immediatelyandneverrefrozen.
Dependingonthetypeoffood,cookeddishes can be safely frozen for two to six months. To help keep track, label containers with the type of food storedinthemandthedatetheywerefrozen.
Findmoretipsatcanada.ca/foodsafety.
Attentionparentsandguardians:check,vaccinate, andupdateyourchild’simmunizationrecord
Public Health Sudbury & Districts (Public Health) is reminding all parents and guardians to check, vaccinate, and update their child’s immunization record without delay to ensure they meet Ontario’s school vaccination requirements.
“Over 6200 students in elementary and secondary schools across the service area currentlyhaveoverduevaccinesaccordingtothe provincialimmunizationdatabase.Theirparents will soon receive a letter urging families to take action:checkimmunizationrecords,vaccinateif necessary, and update their information with Public Health. Students who are not up to date with their vaccinations are strongly encouraged toreceivetherequiredimmunizationspromptly,” said Sara Noble, a manager with the Vaccine PreventableDiseaseTeam.
How to check and update your child’s immunizationrecord
CHECK: Review your child’s immunization record for any missing vaccines by visiting the
Immunization Connection Ontario (ICON) website:sdhu.icon.ehealthontario.ca.
VACCINATE:Ifvaccinesaremissing,makean appointment with your health care provider. Public Health will also offer dedicated appointmentsforstudentswhoreceivedanotice. Pleasecontactustobookanappointment.
UPDATE: Parents and guardians must report their child’s immunizations to Public Health. Chooseoneofthefollowingmethodstoupdate: Online: Upload records to ICON at icon.ehealthontario.ca
In person: Drop off a copy at a Public Health office
By mail: Send records to Public Health *Note: pleaseconsiderusingcourierservicesifmailing duringthecurrentCanadaPostservicedisruption Email: Send a copy to ISPA@phsd.ca (Public Health)*Note:Emailisnotfullysecureandmay riskdataprivacy
StartingJanuary2025,PublicHealthwill beginitsannualreviewofimmunizationrecords
for students in elementary and secondary schools. Under the Immunization of School PupilsAct(ISPA)R.S.O.1990,allstudentsunder the age of 18 must have an up-to-date immunization record or a valid immunization exemptiontoattendschoolinOntario.
Under the ISPA, the Medical Officer of Health will issue suspension orders to students who do not meet immunization requirements. Thesestudentsmayremainsuspendedandnotbe allowedtoattendschooluntiltheirrecordsareup to date. Additionally, students with incomplete records may also be unable to attend school duringdiseaseoutbreakstoprotectpublichealth.
Familieswithincompleterecordsshould act now to avoid suspensions or interruptions to schooling.
For more information about immunization requirements, reporting, or exemptions, visit our website or call 705.522.9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
AprogramthathelpsIndigenouspeoplelearnnewjobskills
(NC) In recent years, Canadians have come to recognizetheinjusticesfacedbytheIndigenous peoplewhohavelivedhereforcenturies.While we acknowledge and embrace things like National Indigenous People’s Day every October, there is still much to do on the path to Reconciliation.
In fact, a recent survey of people who identify as Indigenous Canadians sheds light on the challenges they confront daily, including experiences with prejudice in the workplace. Nearly 59 per cent have experienced discrimination in their current jobs, and more than half admitted to playing down their
Have a good weekend!
Indigenousbackgroundstofitinbetteratwork.
One field in particular where that still seems to be the case is information technology (IT),with75percentofthosesurveyedbelieving that stereotypes impact perceptions of their capabilitiesinthesector.
There are several organizations trying to change those perceptions and help Indigenous
people develop the skills they need to join the growingITfield.OneexampleisComIT,which provides help to Indigenous people and others lookingtoentertheITworkforce.Theyofferfree one-month and three-month online technology training courses. They can also help with job skillslikeresumebuildingandinterviewing. Learnmoreatcomit.org.
Lastweekssolutions
MOMENTS IN TIME
On Dec. 24, 1851, a fire at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroyed approximately two-thirds of its 55,000 volumes, including most of Thomas Jefferson'spersonallibrary.
LeCanadadoitprotégersesressourceseneau
Leplans'engageàSuiteP.11 SuitedelaP.4 mettre en place des mesures régionales visant à restaureretàprotégerlesressourcesd'eaudouceen proposant des occasions de financement pour la surveillanceetlaprotectiondesécosystèmesainsi quelarecherchescientifique.
Bienquenousayonsdésespérémentbesoin de l'agence, il est essentiel qu'elle fasse en sorte d'enseigner aux Canadiens et aux Canadiennes commentbiengérernosressourcesd'eaudouceet que nos gouvernements (fédéral, provinciaux, municipaux et territoriaux) soient à l'écoute des résultats des recherches accomplies dans le cadre du Plan d'action sur l'eau douce. L'agence à elle seule n'a pas la capacité de prévenir les négocia-
tionssurl'exportationd'eauenvrac.Legouvernement fédéral doit faire preuve de leadership en protégeant notre eau et en s'assurant que nos ressources en eau ne soient pas en jeu lors des négociationscommerciales.
Selonl'OrganisationmondialedelaSanté, lequartdelapopulationmondialen'apasaccèsàde l'eau potable et salubre, y compris encore un trop grand nombre de communautés des Premières NationsauCanada.Ilestdenotredevoirabsolude protégercequenousavonsetdenousassurerque nous ne traitons pas notre eau comme de la mar-
tgendron@northernlightsford.ca
BERLINGIERI CHRISTOPHER P. COCCIMIGLIO
MIKE C.ALLEMANO - RETIRED
Withtheholidayseasonuponus,mostofus turnourthoughtstotheloveoffamily,friendsand thoughts of home, past and present. As to what 'home'means,thosesounds,visionsandmemories are as individual as we ourselves are. For some, homeiswithinthecommunitywherewelivetoday. Forothers,itiswherewemayhavebeenraisedin our youth, hours away or across the province or country. For some, home brings visions of lands andplacesfaraway.
Whereveritis,homeishome…atleastfor most of us. In these times, for some people, unfortunately, the concept of 'home' may be little morethanadream.
When I was first elected, homelessness in Northern Ontario was not the same as it is today. There have always been people who experienced homelessnessinourregion.Formanyyears,itwas largely "hidden homelessness," meaning that individuals did not have a permanent, stable location to call home but were more often able to findawaytokeeparoofovertheirheads.
That was then, this is now. Things have drastically changed. Homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing are on the radar of most every district, municipality and township in Ontario,includingtheNorth.
Homeless Hub (HH) is a web-based research organization. It is the world's largest homelessnessresearchlibrary.Itprovidestraining, data,andresourcesforserviceprovidersworkingto prevent and end homelessness. HH maintains that thehomelessissueisbynomeanslimitedtolarge urban centres. It reaches rural areas and small towns in Northern Ontario, too. Homelessness brings with it inadequate housing, poverty, discrimination,violence,andsubstanceabuse.
First, it is important to understand what homelessnessis.The HH defineshomelessnessas "thelackofsafe,stable,permanent,andaffordable housing.Itincludesfamiliesonthevergeoflosing their home, young people staying with friends becausetheyhavenowheretogo,andwomenwho aretrappedincyclesofabusebyalackofhousing options."
Northern Ontario community leaders concur with HH that the problem is that municipalities are not mandated, equipped, or funded to handle it adequately. The Northern homeless crisis is a highly complex issue that is well beyond the ability of smaller communities to tackleontheirown.Thesereasonsinclude:
! Therisingcostofliving,inflation,housing costsandinterestrates.
! Insufficient health care and mental health careservicestomeetthepopulation'sneeds.
! A lack of infrastructure and services to
DoesPremierFordevenknowhomelessnessisanissueintheNorth?
prevent or reduce the worst outcomes of homelessness.
! ThedegreeofpovertyintheNorthleadsto increased pressures on individuals, families, and communities.
! The cold experienced during the winter makes the possibility of surviving without shelter almostimpossible.
In August 2022, the Northern Policy Institute published a 29-page report by Holly Parsonsentitled Inthe "MoreThanJustaNumber." report, Parsons stated that Northern communities are now experiencing "a homelessness, addiction and mental health crisis." By way of example, Parsons noted that both the Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay District Services Administration Boardsreportedanastonishinggrowthofhomeless populations within their service area boundaries. Between2016and2018,SaultSte.Mariereported a 70 percent increase in the city's homeless population. Between 2018 and 2021, it reported a 58percentincrease.IntheDistrictofThunderBay, the homeless population increased by 50 percent between2016and2018.
Just weeks ago, the mayors of Northern Ontario's Large Urban Municipalities (NOLUM) mettodiscusshousingandhomelessnessissues.As the group deliberated on the problems, the consensuswasthatNorthernOntariodefinitelyhas a crisis on its hands and that, despite bringing the concernsto both the federal and provincial governments,theneedsofNorthernmunicipalities areoftenoverlookedbybothlevelsofgovernment.
ThethingisthattheFordgovernmentwas reelected in 2022 on a platform that promised to helpsolvehousingandhomelessnessissues.Atany time, they could have used their substantial majoritytomakeplanstoimplementsolutionsthat couldhavealleviatedsomeofthepainbythistime. Here we are two years into Doug Ford's second mandate, and things are definitely getting worse. And what is the Premier doing to address it? In typicalFordfashion,hehasintroducedamixtureof ill-considered ineffective planning policies, especially in housing.And when he sees his plans are not working, he turns to blame everybody but therightbody.
Think back to the Greenbelt scandal in which the Conservatives swapped out vital, irreplaceable ecological tracts of land for housing development. The problem was that the homes developers were planning were high-end market homesinsteadofavarietyofaffordablehomesfor families that would help address their immediate needs. The reported that Ford's Toronto Star government policies "encourage municipalities anddeveloperstobuildthewrongtypeofhousing in the wrong places at the wrong prices." For housing to be affordable, we need to build new housing on land within our existing towns and cities, not in farmers' fields and wildlands. Our municipalitiesalreadyhavemorethanenoughland and infrastructure to accommodate growth for
decadestocome.
The NOLUM communities are all struggling to resolve the ever-growing homeless crisis. Last August, the five mayors met and endorsed the created to Solve the Crisis campaign end homelessness and called on the Province to implement the campaign's recommended actions. Attheconclusionofthemeeting,theSudburyStar published the group's news release onAugust 17, saying, "Municipalities did not create the homelessness crisis and do not have the resources to solve it, yet they are being forced to manage its impacts."TheNorthernOntarioServiceDeliverers Association,
With such strong support, why won't the Ford government follow up on the recommendationsfromthoseonthefrontlineswho seetheproblemsdayafterdayafterday?Northern municipal leaders agree that it is because the Ford governmentjustcan'tseetheneedsorhearthecries ofNortherners–along-timecursewearealltired oftolerating.
World-renowned HH maintains that government"investmentinaffordablehousingand infrastructure must be a priority, given the often severe housing shortages and limited resources available. Equitable access to education, training, and employment opportunities is vital to mitigate poverty and its role in putting people at risk of homelessness. Providing mental health and addiction services that are culturally sensitive and geographically accessible can address underlying factors contributing to homelessness. Supporting community-driven initiatives that empower residents to develop tailored solutions is also an essentialstepinensuringthateverycommunityhas accesstohousing."
To end homelessness, solutions and policies must include both housing and necessary support. HH states, "It's not enough to give someone shelter if their personal and financial circumstances mean that this housing is insecure. Aswell,supportsthatdon'tcomealongwithstable housing do not resolve someone's homelessness." Foranyplanorpolicytowork,housingandsupport mustgohandinhand.
What does this boil down to for Northerners? We don't necessarily need a governmentthathasalltheanswersitself.Weneed a provincial government that will seek out and followtheadviceofthosewhoactuallyknowwhat the problem is and how to fix it. And we need a governmentwillingtohearthevoicesofthoseofus livingNorthoftheFrenchRiver.
Asweheadintothisholidayseason,let'sdo sowithourhearts,mindsandwalletsopen,readyto see to the needs of fellow Northerners around us wholackahomeandneedahandup.
Asalways,Iinviteyoutocontactmyoffice about these issues or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ola.org or call Toll-free 1-800-8311899.