02222024 February 22, 2024

OntarioBanningRoadTolls,FreezingDriver'sLicenceFeestoKeepCostsDown Province also saving drivers time by automating licence plate renewal process

The Ontario government is keeping costs

down for drivers by introducing legislationthatwould,ifpassed,bantolls onprovincialhighways.Thisbanwouldapplyto the Don Valley Parkway and Gardiner Expressway once uploaded to the province, as wellastheprovince's400-serieshighways.

“Ourgovernmentundertheleadershipof PremierFordisonamissiontokeepcostsdown for families and businesses,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “First, we scrappedthetollsonHighways412and418,now we're protecting drivers from the costs of new tolls. Together with our cut in the gas tax and eliminating the licence plate sticker fee, we're savingdrivershundredsofdollarseveryyear.”

Tofurtherkeepcostsdownforpeople,the province is also proposing to make the 'current freezeondriverslicenceandOntarioPhotoCard fees permanent through legislation, saving drivers an estimated $66 million over the next five years. By legislating the current freeze, which was originally put in place through regulation and which has saved applicants $22

million since 2019, the government is ensuring that any future increases can only be made throughlegislation.

The province is also proposing to save drivers time by automating the licence plate renewal process starting this summer, saving vehicle owners more than 900,000 hours each year. This follows recent action by the government to eliminate the cost of renewing yourvehiclepermit.Untiltheautomaticrenewal processbegins,driversarestillrequiredtorenew theirlicenceplatesatnocost,whichcanbedone online or in person at ServiceOntario. The automaticrenewalprocesswillonlybeavailable to drivers in good standing who do not have outstandingfinesortickets.

These measures are part of upcoming legislationthatwillkickoffthespringsittingof the legislature on February 20, 2024.The Get It DoneActwillincludeavarietyofmeasuresthat, if passed, would build on the government's commitmentstodatetostreamlineapprovalsfor major infrastructure projects and housing, keep costs down for people and businesses, and

support economic growth for long-term prosperity.

With Ontario's population expected to growbyfivemillionpeopleoverthenextdecade, the province is moving forward with building Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass. These highways will bring relief to one of the most congested corridors in North America, helping commuters save 30 minutes a trip so they can spendtimedoingwhatmattersmosttothem.

Over the next ten years, Ontario is also investing more than $70 billion to transform publictransitintheprovince,whichincludesthe largest subway expansion in Canadian history, including the Ontario Line, the Scarborough SubwayExtension,theEglintonCrosstownWest Extension and the Yonge North Subway Extension.Theprovinceisalsomovingforward with plans to extend the Hazel McCallion Light RailTransitlinebybuildingtheMississaugaloop and bringing the line into downtown Brampton andiscallingonthefederalgovernmenttojoinin a cost-sharing partnership to deliver two-way, all-dayGOserviceontheMiltonline.

Schoolboardsreschedule PADaytoApril8thduetosolareclipse

Long Term Forecast

Thursday High 3

Low -21

Friday High -15

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon (CSC Nouvelon), Rainbow District School Board (RDSB), Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCSDB) and Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord have rescheduled the April 19th Professional Activity Day to

Monday,April8,2024.

Low -23

Saturday High -8

Low -10

Sunday High 0

Low -13

Monday High 1

Low -2

Tuesday High 5

Low -10

The change will ensure there is no school for students on Monday,April 8, 2024, thedayofthesolareclipse,whichisexpectedto occur at or near dismissal times and result in temporarydarkness.Thereisalsoaconcernthat studentsthataretakingthebusorwalkinghome without adult supervision may try to watch the eclipseandriskdamagingtheireyesight.

Theschoolboardsareerringontheside ofcaution,withsafetyfirstandforemost.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists has issued a set of guidelines for safe viewing of the eclipse. Parents/guardians are invited to consult their website to better understandtherisksthatinfluencedthedecision tochangethePADay.

The school boards thank parents/guardiansfortheirunderstanding.

Friday,April 19, 2024 will be a regular schoolday.

Chapleau Moments

by MichaelJ. Morris

Engine 5433 located in Chapleau since 1964, one of only forty-eight of the preserved 3257 Canadian Pacific Railway steam engines, perhapsmorethananythingelse,symbolizesthe community'srailwayheritage.

WhenIlearnedthatEngine5433wasone of only 48 CPR engines that have been preserved, and it is in Chapleau, its historical significancestruckme,andduringthisHeritage Week in parts of Canada, including Ontario, I havebeen"Googling"andcontactingotherswho know much more about the history of the CPR thanIdo.

Well,letmedigressforamomentwithan anecdote about my display of CPR knowledge when I was taking Grade 13 history at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute in Etobicoke. Mr. Young, our rather excellent teacher was showing us the route of the CPR acrossCanadaononeofthoseoldredclassroom wallmaps.

Iknewthathewasshowingustherouteof the Canadian National Railway across northern

Ontariobuthesitatedtotellhimso.Gatheringmy courage, I raised my hand, and he said, "Yes, Morris." In those days teachers tended to call boysbytheirsurnames.

Standing, I told him politely he was showingusthewrongroute,followedbyadead silenceintheclassroom.

"HowdoyouknowMorris?",heasked,to which I replied, "Because I am from Chapleau, sir, and it is on the main CPR line." Mr. Young theninvitedmetocomeforwardandoutlinethe route. Gathering my courage again, I did so and added that I knew the names of all the places betweenChapleauandFortWilliam. Mr.Young said, say them and I did: "Chapleau, Boucher, Esher,Pardee,Musk,Nicholson....andsoon."He never held it against me, but I sure had to know the history of the CPR as I was usually asked aboutit.Paybackscanbe,wellyouknow...!

How did I know them? Because my grandfatherHarryMorrisaCPRconductorgave meatimetable,andIlearnedthemandwhenmy mother Muriel(Hunt)MorrisandIwereattheir

Elgin Street home for dinner waiting for him to come in off the road, I would tell them, 'ad nauseam', that "Grandpa is now at Musk, now Pardee"etc.

Back to Engine 5433 and Chapleau. It arrived in 1964 because of the efforts ofArthur and Nettie Grout who were largely responsible for the creation of the entire Centennial Park. They contacted N.R. Crump, then the CPR president, who even came to Chapleau for the occasion.

How did they get it to the park after it arrived in Chapleau? I have the story from writingsofWilfSimpsonandDr.BillPellow.

Here is a summary. Engine 5433 is a testament to Chapleau's railroading past. The IronHorse#5433wasproudlyplacedinthepark in 1964, through the initiative and generosity of Arthur and Nettie Grout. This unit actually worked these tracks for many years west of Chapleau. It weighs 275 tons, measures ninety-

fivefeetlong,andhauled1900tonsinitsprime.

To place the engine on location meant building a special spur, or track, straight across from the roundhouse. A building had to be demolishedtomakewayforthespur,whichran right up to the main line on the engine side and continuedontheothersideofthemainline.With agangoftrackmen,andeverythingtimedtothe minute, the spur was laid across the main line. The steam engine was then pushed across by a diesel.Within30minutes,theIronHorsewasin place,andthemainlineclearedagainforservice. Also of historical interest is that J.M. "Bud"ParkwastheengineeronEngine5433for its trip from the roundhouse to the park while Earle Freeborn was the engineer on the yard enginediesel.

AttheceremonySamuelChappise,afullbloodedCreewhohadcometoChapleauwithhis parents mostly by canoe from James Bay presentedMr.Crumpwitharifle.WilfSimpson relatedastorythatMr.Chappisehadtoldhimthat forthefirstfewweeksaftertheyarrivedalongthe CPR linenearNicholson,everytimehehearda train whistle, he would race to the shelter of the forest.

In 1967, Mr. Chappise was invited to sound the 'O Canada' whistle opening the 1967 Centennial Caravan when it passed through Chapleau.

As I so often do, I turned to Ian MacdonaldforhisexpertiseonEngine5433.Ian hasabrassreplicaofthisengineinhisWinnipeg home.

"Locomotives were the primary symbol oftherailway.Occasionallywewoulddigress(as wedidwiththeCanadian)anduseanimageofan observation car or caboose, but nothing really had the visual impact of a locomotive to define the railway. It was (and is) truly potent. It is, therefore, the most logical symbol to use when you're trying to make a statement." Ian wrote in anemail.

"I remember when I first saw 5433 in (the park) my first reaction was ' perfect'. Why Cont’donP.5

Engine5433anationaltreasuresymbolizesChapleau'srailway heritageasoneofonlyforty-eightpreserved CPR steamengines

Brass replica of 5433. Courtesy Ian Macdonald

ArthurGroutwithN.R.Crump

SamChappisepresentationtoMr.Crump

Drugwarning:Increaseinsuspecteddrugpoisonings(overdoses)

The Community Drug Strategies have received reports of an increase in the number of drug poisonings (overdoses) and unexpected reactionsfromtheuseofsubstancesintheSudbury anddistrictsarea.

While we cannot confirm the substance(s) causing the overdoses, this situation serves as an important reminder to the community that street drugsmaybecutormixedwithsubstancessuchas benzos (benzodiazepines), xylazine, fentanyl, or carfentanil.Frontlineworkerswarnthatmoretoxic substancesmaybecirculatinglocally.

An overdose occurs when a person uses a substance, and their body is unable to handle the effects. As a result, the brain is unable to control basiclifefunctions.Thepersonmightpassout,stop breathing, or experience a seizure. Overdoses can befatalandnon-fatal.

Preventoverdosestosavelives:

! Avoid mixing drugs, including prescribed, over thecounter,andillegaldrugs.

! Avoiddrinkingalcoholwhileusingotherdrugs.

! Usecautionwhenswitchingsubstances:startwith alowerdosethanyouusuallywould.

! Ifyouhavenotusedinawhile,startwithalower dose.Yourtolerancemaybelower.

! When using substances, consider the following options:

! Have a trusted person with you who can provide supportasneeded.

! VisitanoverdosepreventionsitesuchasTheSpot (RéseauACCESSNetwork)inGreaterSudbury.

! Connect with the National Overdose Response Serviceat1.888.688.6677(NORSline).

! AccesstheBraveApp.

! Avoidusingdrugswhenyouarealone.

! Carryanaloxonekit.Knowhowtouseit.(PDF)

! Call911ifyoususpectanoverdose.

Opioidoverdosesymptomsinclude:

! fingernailsandlipsturnblueorpurplishblack

! skin turns bluish purple, grayish, or ashen, dependingonskintone

! dizzinessandconfusion

! thepersoncan’tbewokenup

! choking,gurgling,orsnoringsounds

! slow,weak,ornobreathing

! drowsinessordifficultystayingawake

! Stimulantoverdosesymptomsinclude:

! seizures

! droolingorfrothingfromthemouth

! limbspasmsorrigidity

! tighteningorpaininthechest

! notbreathingorshallowbreathing

! signsofastrokesuchastheinabilitytotalkclearly, losingfeelingsintheface,arms,orlegsononeside ofthebody

Howtorespondtoanoverdose:

GIVE NALOXONE. This will help reverse an opioid overdose and will do no harm if the overdose is not due to opioids. This may improve breathing, but the person may not regain consciousness due to sedation. Additional doses maybeneeded.

Wheretogetnaloxone?

Forafreenaloxonekit,contactThePointat PublicHealthSudbury&Districts,RéseauAccess Network, Sudbury Action Centre for Youth (SACY), or ask your local hospital or pharmacy.

Or, visit www.ontario.ca/page/get-naloxone-kitsfree.

Be cautious if using drugs and please distributethisinformationwidelytohelpsavelives.

REPORT

from OTTAWA Rapport

d’Ottawa

by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Earlier this week,Auditor General Karen Hogan released her long-awaited report on the costs associated with the development of the much-derided ArriveCan app. The report is a scathing indictment of the government's procurement process during the early Covid-19 pandemic, and their reliance on expensive consultantsthatdon'tgiveCanadiansvalueforthe moneyspent.

The purpose of the ArriveCan app, released in April 2020, was to track health and contact information for people entering Canada duringtheCOVID-19pandemic.Atatimewhen traveling between nations was heavily restricted, ArriveCan was touted as a way to simplify the process. It was also meant to allow travelers to make customs and immigration declarations easier.

The Auditor General's report indicates that an estimated $59.5 million was spent on the app, with a significant portion handed to consultingcompanies.Estimatedistheoperative word here, as one of the key findings from the AGsofficeisthatfinalcostoftheArriveCanapp is impossible to determine, due in part to poor financial record-keeping from those involved in its development. TheAGs conclusion ultimately statesthefollowing:

“Overall, we concluded that the Canada Border Services Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Public Services and ProcurementCanadadidnotmanageallaspectsof the ArriveCan application with due regard to value for money. Deficiencies in contracting and procurement,documentation,andmanagementof deliverablesalsomadeitimpossibletodetermine theactualcostoftheapplication.”

This is a serious issue that paints a disturbing waste of taxpayer's money from the startofthepandemic.Whilethatestimated$59.5 millionisAG Hogan'sbestguessastotheactual amount spent to develop the app, it's the lack of documentationthatmakesitsodifficulttofigure outexactlywhatwasspent.

One of the core issues the Auditor General's report identifies is, once again, the government's over-reliance on consulting firms andsole-sourcecontracts.Inherreport,sheflags seriousconcernswithGCStrategies,aconsulting firm that only lists two employees, was given a sole-sourcecontractfortheappinApril2020.The AGs report notes that GC Strategies was

ArriveCanDevelopmentaTextbookExampleofPublicWaste

responsibleforanestimated$19.1millionforthe totalcostoftheapp,andit'snotexactlyclearwhat work GC Strategies actually completed, or even whohiredthem.

Thegovernmenthasaseriousproblemin developing these sorts of contracts that cost taxpayersanimmenseamountofmoneybutdon't provide value for what has been spent. TheAGs report clearly states “We estimated that the averageperdiemcostfortheArriveCanexternal resources was $1,090, whereas the average daily cost for equivalent IT positions in the GovernmentofCanadawas$675.”Perdiemcosts shouldn'tbetwiceasexpensiveastheequivalent ofanemployee'sentiredays'work. Outsourcing andsolesourcecontractingisbleedingtaxpayers dry.Thegovernmentcontinuestohirecompanies like KPMG to ironically advise them on how to cut spending, but in reality, they could cut

spendingbynothiringexpensivefirmstodowork the public service could do for a fraction of the cost. While the Conservatives will continue to make hay out of this issue, they are throwing stones in a glass house, considering their history withfirmslikeDeloitteandhiringIBMtorunthe Phoenixdisaster,whichhascostbillions.

AGHogan'sreportshouldbethewake-up callneededtorealizethathiringconsultingfirms and sole sourcing contracts is almost always a huge waste of taxpayer dollars. It's frustrating to seethiskindofmoneysquanderedonArriveCan.

The RCMP is currently conducting an investigation into misconduct allegations of the ArriveCanapp.It'svitalthatwegettothebottom ofexactlywhatwentwrongthroughoutthisentire botched process. Taxpayers deserve better than headlines about money wasted on consulting companies.

Le développement de l'application ArriveCAN, unparfaitexempledegaspillagedesfondspublics

Plus tôt cette semaine, la vérificatrice généraleKarenHoganarendupublicsonrapport tant attendu sur les coûts associés au développement de l'application ArriveCAN, grandementcritiquée.Lerapportestunecritique cinglante du processus d'approvisionnement du gouvernement au début de la pandémie de COVID-19 et de sa dépendance à l'égard d'experts-conseils coûteux qui n'en donnent pas pourleurargentauxCanadiens.

Lancée en avril 2020, l'application ArriveCAN visait à faire le suivi des renseignements sur la santé et des coordonnées despersonnesquientraientauCanadapendantla pandémie de COVID-19. À une époque où les déplacements entre les pays étaient très limités, ArriveCANétaitprésentéecommeunmoyende simplifier le processus. L'application visait égalementàpermettreauxvoyageursdefaciliter leursdéclarationsauxpostesfrontaliers.

Le rapport du Bureau de la vérificatrice générale mentionne que le coût de l'application est estimé à 59,5 millions de dollars, dont une partie importante a été versée à des sociétés d'experts-conseils.Soulignonsque«estimé»est lemotclé,carl'unedesprincipalesconstatations du Bureau de la vérificatrice générale est que le coût final de l'application ArriveCAN est impossibleàdéterminer,notammentenraisonde lamauvaisetenuedesdossiersfinanciersdeceux qui ont participé à sa conception. Le rapport du Bureaudelavérificatricegénéraleindiqueque:

«Dansl'ensemble,nousavonsconcluque l'Agence des services frontaliers du Canada, l'Agence de la santé publique du Canada et Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

n'avaientpasgérétouslesaspectsdel'application ArriveCAN en tenant dûment compte de l'optimisationdesressources.Deslacunesdansla passation de marchés et l'approvisionnement, la documentationetlagestiondesproduitslivrables fontégalementensortequenousn'avonspaspu déterminerlecoûtprécisdel'application.»

Ce gaspillage troublant de l'argent des contribuablesdèsledébutdelapandémieestun problème grave. Bien que cette estimation de 59,5 millions de dollars soit la meilleure supposition de la vérificatrice générale quant au montant réel dépensé pour la conception de l'application, c'est en raison du manque de documentationqu'ilestsidifficilededéterminer le montant d'argent précis dépensé par le gouvernement.

L'un des principaux problèmes relevés dans le rapport de la vérificatrice générale est, une fois de plus, la dépendance excessive du gouvernement à l'égard des sociétés d'expertsconseilsetdesmarchésattribuésàunfournisseur unique.Danssonrapport,MmeHoganfaitétatde gravespréoccupationsàl'égarddeGCStrategies, unesociétéd'experts-conseilsquinecompteque deuxemployés,quiaobtenuunmarchéattribuéà unfournisseuruniquepourl'applicationenavril 2020. Le rapport du BVG indique que GC Strategies était responsable d'environ 19,1 millions de dollars pour le coût total de l'application,etqu'onnesaitpasexactementquel travailGCStrategiesavéritablementeffectué,ni mêmequiaembauchécettesociété.

Le gouvernement a un grave problème à élaborercegenredemarchésquicoûtenttrèscher Cont’donP.7

ChapleauMoments

Cont’dfromP.2

perfect??? Dates generally become 'historic dates' whenitcanbereasonablysaidthattheworldwas never the same after. 5433 to me, is important becauseitissymbolicoftheendofthesteamerain ChapleauinthesamesensethatthefirstGMdiesel that went through Chapleau in December 1949 represented a new era which had an enormous impactonthecommunity.

"In this sense, 5433 as an individual locomotive was not the important thing. It was everything required to operate it, maintain it and theinfrastructureassociatedwithsupportingsteam power."

Forinstance,Ianwrote,"trytoenvisionthe number of enginemen in Chapleau during steam power, their families, homes, and an economy generatedtosupportthem.Thenthinkofeveryone associated in some activity associated with maintenance and operation and interpolate this number into individual families etc. This was important in defining the specific culture of our communityandwhowewere.Whowewereisan important aspect of 'community' and provides referencetowhoweare.

He explained that "The Mikado was the most dominant locomotive type on the Schreiber Division as the steam era ended and one which most people were familiar with. The era was important for me because the Mikado was designed and manufactured in Canada in direct

response to the specific demands of Canadian operatingconditions.Ilikethat.

The GM diesel that went through

Chapleau in 1949 was built in GM's plant at LaGrange Illinois and was typical of locomotives usedeverywhereelseinNorthAmerica.Therewas nothingparticularlyCanadianaboutitwhichdidn't change when GM allowed them to be built under licence in Canada. Some people enjoy being remindedofthat."

Until I started researching Engine 5433, I never fully realized the tourist attraction it is, and the potential it and all things railway in Chapleau hasforthefuture.Idiscoveredmanyreferencesto itonwebsitesalongwithphotostakenbypeople whohadvisitedChapleau.Itmaywellbethemost photographedsiteinChapleau.

WhilehomefortheCHSreunionin2012, I was of course made aware that proposals have beenmadetoenhanceChapleau'sCPRheritageas a tourist attraction and ensure the care and maintenanceofEngine5433.Chapleauishometo anationaltreasureinhavingEngine5433there-onlyoneof48CPRsteamenginesthathavebeen preserved.Myemailismj.morris@live.ca

Thanks to Ian Macdonald, Dr Bill Pellow andGerryBowlanddirectoroftheCrumpCentre, Calgary

OntarioReachesTentativeCentralAgreementWithTeachersinFrench-languageSchools

Today, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education,issuedthefollowingstatement:

“Oursingularfocushasalwaysbeentokeep studentslearninginclasswithoutthedisruptionofa strike. Stability in the classroom ensures that students benefit from our government's back-tobasics agenda, focused on what matters most: boostingreading,writingandmathskills. Today, I am pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative central agreement with the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens(AEFO).

This agreement ensures there will be no province-wide job actions or strikes in all elementaryandsecondaryschoolsinthe12publicly fundedFrench-languageschoolboardsforthenext threeyears.Thisdealprovidesstabilityforfamilies across the province and helps students in Ontario schools look forward to a full, in-class, uninterrupted learning experience that emphasizes lifeandjobskills.

We have successfully negotiated tentative central agreements that cover 72.5 per cent of Ontario'steachersinpubliclyfundedschools.There

Lesconseilsscolairesdéplacentlajournéepédagogique du8avrilenraisondel'éclipsesolaire

LeConseilscolairecatholiqueNouvelon (CSC Nouvelon), Rainbow District School Board, Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) et le Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord déplacent la journée pédagogique prévue le vendredi19avrilaulundi8avril2024.

Ce changement permettra aux élèves de nepasseprésenteràl'écolelelundi8avril2024, lejourdel'éclipsesolaire,quidevraitseproduire àl'heureouàproximitédel'heuredelasortiedes classesetentraîneruneobscuritétemporaire.On craintégalementlapossibilitéquelesélèvesqui prennent l'autobus ou rentrent chez eux à pied sans la surveillance d'un adulte essaient de regarder l'éclipse et risquent d'endommager leur

vue.

Les conseils scolaires ont pris cette décisionafind'assurerlasécuritédesélèves.

L'Association canadienne des optométristes a publié une série de consignes pour regarder l'éclipse en toute sécurité. Les parents/tuteurs sont invités à consulter leur site Web pour mieux comprendre les risques qui ont influencé la décision de changer la date de la journéepédagogique.

Veuilleznoterquelevendredi19avril2024sera unjourd'écolerégulier.

Les conseils scolaires remercient les parents/tuteursdeleurcompréhension.

is no justification for further delay. We are urging theOntarioEnglishCatholicTeachers'Association toputstudentsfirstandsignadealthatensuresall Ontariofamiliesbenefitfromthreeyearsofpeace, stabilityandarenewedfocusonacademicachievement."

The AEFO represents about 8,200 elementary and secondary teachers at FrenchlanguageschoolboardsinOntario.

Attention:AreyouaSmallBusinessOwner? Doyourequire financing? Thinkingofstartingabusiness?

ThestaffoftheSuperiorEastCommunityFuturesDevelopment Corporation will be in Chapleau on February 28, 2024. The CFDC offers small business loans and counselling to current small business owners or individuals looking at starting a business. Services are available in both official languages. To makeanappointmenttodiscussfinancingoptions,pleasecall (705) 856-1105 or 1-800-387-5776, ext. 221 or email davidson@superioreastcfdc.ca.

Attention: Êtes-vous propriétaire d'une petite entreprise? Êtes-vous en besoin d'aide financière? Vous-voulez vous partirenaffaires?

Le personnel de la Société d'aide au développement des collectivitésSupérieurEstseraàChapleaule 28février,2024. La SADC offredesprêtsfinanciersetdesservices-conseilsaux propriétairesactuel(le)sdepetitesentreprisesetauxindividu(e)s intéressé(e)sàsepartirenaffaire. Nosservicessontdisponibles danslesdeuxlanguesofficielles. Pourprendrerendez-vouset discuterdevosbesoinsd'aidefinancièreoupourobtenirdes services-conseils,communiquezavecnousau(705)856-1105 or 1-800-387-5776, poste 221 ou par courriel à davidson@ superioreastcfdc.ca.

Lastweekssolutions

MOMENTS IN TIME

On March 6, 2018, the world's oldest known message in a bottle was discovered byTonya Illman in Western Australia as she walked on the beach with her husband,Kym.Thebottlehadbeenthrownoverboard from the German sailing ship Paula in 1886 as it crossed the Indian Ocean, and said only, "Could the finderpleaseplotthecoordinatesitwasfound,andthe dateitwasfound,andsenditback?"

Travis Gendron

Highway

Wawa, ON. P0S 1K0

Business 705-856-2775

Fax 705-856-4862

tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca

PETER J. BERLINGIERI CHRISTOPHER P. COCCIMIGLIO

Le développement de l'application ArriveCAN, unparfaitexempledegaspillagedesfondspublics

Cont’dfromP.4

aux contribuables, qui n'en ont pas pour leur argent. Le rapport du BVG indique clairement que«[n]ousavonsestiméquelecoûtjournalier moyen des ressources externes dans le cadre d'ArriveCAN étaitde1090dollars,alorsquele coût journalier moyen pour un poste équivalent dans le secteur des TI au gouvernement du Canadaétaitde675dollars».

Ces coûts journaliers ne devraient pas être deux fois plus élevés que l'équivalent du salaire journalier d'un employé. L'impartition et les marchés attribués à un fournisseur unique saignentlescontribuablesàblanc.Ironiquement, le gouvernement continue d'embaucher des entreprisescommeKPMGpourlesconseillersur lafaçonderéduirelesdépenses,maisenréalité,il pourraitréduiresesdépensesenn'engageantpas desentreprisescoûteusespourfaireletravailque ses propres fonctionnaires pourraient effectuer pour une fraction du coût. Les conservateurs continuerontdeseservirdecedossierpourfaire delapetitepolitique,maisilslancentdespierres dans une maison de verre, compte tenu de leurs antécédentsavecdesfirmescommeDeloitte.Ce sontégalementeuxquiontembauchéIBMpour gérer le catastrophique dossier du système Phénix,cequiacoûtédesmilliards.

Le rapport de la vérificatrice générale devraitêtrelesignald'alarmenécessairepourse rendre compte que l'embauche de firmes d'experts-conseils et les marchés attribués à un

fournisseur unique constituent presque toujours un énorme gaspillage des fonds publics. C'est frustrant de voir ce genre de gaspillage d'argent pourl'applicationArriveCAN.

La GRC mèneactuellementuneenquête surlesallégationsd'inconduitedansledossierde l'application ArriveCAN. Il est essentiel que nous fassions toute la lumière sur ce qui a mal tourné tout au long de ce processus bâclé. Les contribuablesméritentmieuxquelesmanchettes au sujet du gaspillage d'argent au profit des firmesd'experts-conseils.

ALCOHOLICS

(A.A).Open

meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.

CHADWIC HOME,

RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,and

forwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein crisissituations.WehaveaTollFreeCrisisLinewhichisstaffed24hoursa day.WecanarrangeforfreetransportationtotheCentreforwomenwho liveintheAlgoma/Chapleauarea.Wealsooffersupporttowomenwholive in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and HornepaynethroughourOutreachProgram.OurOutreachWorkertravels tothosecommunitiestomeetwithwomenwhoneedemotionalsupportas wellasinformationabouttheirrightsandoptions.Ifyouneedtospeakwith the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up

MIKE C.ALLEMANO - RETIRED

Withthestartofthelegislativesession,I ameagertobringmyPrivateMember'sBill,the Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act (Bill 13), to the assembly on February 22nd. Readers will already know just how often we get calls from constituents regardingthegrant,butmoregenerallyaccessto healthcareacrosstheriding.

WitheverynewsessionIbringthestories of constituents from acrossAlgoma-Manitoulin tothehallsofQueen'sParkandputthembefore lawmakers. Where party lines and elections can makeparliamentlosesight,Ifindthathearingthe testimony of those who deal daily with government policy is often the most compelling argumentformeaningfulchange.

Iwantshareoneofthosestorieswithyou today; as couple Richard and Jane from Manitouwadge battle with cancer, they were referred to essential lifesaving treatment at Sunnybrooke Hospital in Toronto. Treatment consistedoftwo-hoursessions,fivedaysaweek, for six weeks. To give you some idea of the distance involved, we're looking at over 1000 kilometresandnearlytwelvehoursoftravelone way. While Jane and Richard filed for accommodation expenses for those six weeks, they were shocked to find out they had been

WhenitcomestoNorthernHealthcare,theFord Governmentneedsbudgetdollarstomakesense

reimbursedforlessthan15%oftheiractualcosts for accommodation. As you can imagine, a 6 weekstayinTorontodoesn'tcomecheap.

Simply put, given the Northern Health TravelGrant'sguidelines,RichardandJanewere expected to return home on weekends when Richardwouldotherwiseberestingafteraweek of exhausting treatment. In this case, the grant failedinitspurpose,leavingJaneandRichardnot just with the emotional and physical burden of illness,butnowanewheavyfinancialburdenfor accessing the care they are entitled to. No one shouldbeexpectedtodriveover24hoursinthe span of a weekend, while undergoing essential lifesavingtreatment.

Bill 13 represents an opportunity for meaningfulchange.Byestablishingacommittee comprised of residents who directly rely on the Northern Health Travel Grant and healthcare professionalsfromtheNorth,wecanensurethat policies and programs are grounded in the lived experiences of those most affected. This committeewillserveasacruciallinkbetweenthe needs of Northern communities and the policymakers in Toronto, offering insights and recommendations that reflect the realities of Northernhealthcare.

While the Ford Government emphasizes its commitment to fiscal responsibility, it has simultaneously overlooked the cost savings associated with investing in healthcare infrastructure and services that cater to the specific demands of Northern Ontario. As a whole, Ontarioisfortunatetohavesome ofthebestspecialistsintheworld for complex rare illness and disease. We can't expect every hospital across the province to contain Radiological Neurosurgeons or Pediatric Cardiologists on top of their associateddepartmentsandlabs. There will always be a need for Northerners to travel for care on occasion, and they shouldn't havetoriskinsolvencytodoit.

privatizationquicklyeatawayatthenumberand levelofservicesourhospitalscanprovide.While we understand that with the privilege of natural beauty and quiet landscapes comes some challenges, the people of Northern Ontario shouldn'thavetoriskgoingwithouttheessential carethatusedtobeaccessibleintheNorth.

Thepathforwardrequiresacollaborative approach,onethatacknowledgestheneedsofall OntariansandrespectstheexpertiseofNorthern healthcare professionals and patients alike.This means not only rethinking its stance on healthcareprivatizationbutalsocommittingtoa sustainable funding model that supports the expansion and enhancement of services in the North.

The consequences of inaction are felt most by those who are compelled to travel for care.TheFord Government must recognize that thetruemeasureofgoodgovernanceisnotfound in budget surpluses but in the health and wellbeing of its citizens, regardless of their postal code. Investing in healthcare, particularly in underservedregionslikeNorthernOntario,isnot only a moral obligation but a prerequisite for a healthy,thrivingprovince.

As the MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, I pledgetocontinueadvocatingfortheneedsofmy constituentsandtopushforpolicythatensuresno one is left behind in our healthcare system. Healthcareisaright,andnotaprivilege.

When it comes to typical care, like dialysis, routine surgery, or injections there is no reasonthatOntariansshouldfind themselves on the highway for hours at a time just to access the essentials,especiallywithoutfair reimbursement. Funding for our northern hospitals remains static at just a 2% annual increase, rising costs, new mandates, and

That's why I'm calling on my colleagues at Queen's Park to vote in favor of Bill C13 on February22nd,andinviteallnorthernerstojoin me in calling on this government to do the right thingandinvestinhard-earnedpublichealthcare.

As always, you can reach my office regarding these issues or any other provincial matterbyemailatmmantha-co@ola.org ortollfreeat1-800-831-1899.