Avibrantschoolcommunity!
École Sacré-Coeur's youngeststudentsinjunior and senior Kindergarten grow, learn, play and thrive! These little ones benefit from convivial and modern spaces to discover new skills and expand their knowledge. In the classroom and with various interactive learning centres, they develop their language, social and fine motorskillsalongwith their abilities in numeracy and literacy. Families of SacréCoeur can count on a dedicated and innovative school staff to guidetheirchildrenon their journey from Kindergarten to grade 6. In January, École Sacré-Coeur has the pleasure of meeting new families during Kindergarten registration. For these future students and their parents/guardians, it is the
perfect opportunity to visit the school, meet school staff and new friends, learn more about theprogramsandservicesbeing offered, and witness the dynamic and vibrant school communityatSacré-Coeur!
communautéscolairepleinedevie!
l'école Sacré-Coeur, les petits
amis de la maternelle et du jardin ont l'occasion d'apprendre, grandir, jouer et s'épanouir!
Ils profitent des espaces modernes et conviviaux pour mettre en pratique leurs connaissances et faire de nouvelles découvertes.Ensalledeclasseetdansles airesd'apprentissage,ilsdéveloppententre
autres leur motricité fine, leurs habiletés langagières et sociales ainsi que leurs compétencesennumératieetlittératie.Les famillesdeSacré-Coeurpeuventcompter sur un personnel scolaire engagé et novateurpourguiderleursenfantstoutau long de leur parcours scolaire de la maternelle à la 6e année. En janvier, l'écoleSacré-Coeuraleplaisird'accueillir
plusieursnouvellesfamillesdanslecadre de l'inscription à la maternelle. Pour ces futurs élèves et leurs parents, c'est l'occasion propice de visiter l'école, de rencontrer le personnel scolaire et de nouveauxamis,dedécouvrirlesprogrammesetservicesoffertsainsiquedevoirà quel point la communauté scolaire de Sacré-Coeurestvibranteetaccueillante!
Manager of Plant
The Algoma District School Board invites qualified applicants to apply for the position ofManager of Plant Reporting to the Associate Director of Corporate Services and Operations, the successful applicant will plan and manage the Plant Department for the Algoma District School Board.
SUMMARY:
Plans, develops, coordinates and supervises all aspects of department operations, facility renewal andcapital projects.
Prepares all documentation relating to Ministry ofEducation correspondence, tenders, building and maintenance project specifications, Health and Safety regulations.
Manages and oversees all construction and maintenanceprojects.
Focuses on building relationships with school Principals to ensure facility-related needs of students andstaff are met.
Collaborates with contractors/vendors to develop projects, ensuring that standards are achieved according to contracts.
Responsible for the inventory of the facility condition components and provides recommendations for Capital Projects.
Maintains and assesses full inventory of equipment,services, facilities, and energy management.
Develops and administers an annual operating budgetof $20 million, a capital renewal budget of $14 million, and individual capital priority project submissions.
Collaborates with and monitors supervisory staff within the Plant Department.
Manages 180 unionized staff members in the areas ofcustodial, cafeteria, trades and maintenance services.
Supports and implements all Board policies as they relate to Plant Department operations, recommending updates and additions as appropriate.
Participates in collective bargaining negotiations for Plant Department unionized staff.
Acts as representative on the Joint Health and SafetyCommittee.
QUALIFICATIONS:
University Degree in Engineering or a related field.
Preference will be given to candidates with a Professional Engineering Designation (P. Eng).
Certifications in areas such as building management,environmental legislation and project management will be considered an asset.
Eight years’ experience in a related field in a large, unionized environment.
Experience in strategic planning, financial analysis,budgeting (operating and capital) and risk management.
Experience managing a facility services team.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Interpersonalskills related to working and managing in a team-based environment.
Relationship buildingand negotiation skills to work effectively with vendors.
Strong organizationalskills to manage competing priorities and projects.
Proficient computer skills – Microsoft Office Applications,AutoCad, etc.
You will demonstrate superior interpersonal skills,communication and leadership skills with the demonstrated ability to support innovation and lead change, achieve high standards and expectations for quality service while buildinga positive and productive Plant Department. The Algoma District School Boardserves many communities with approximately 11,000 students at 50+ schools and non-school sites between Elliot Lake, Blind River, Central Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie, Wawa, Hornepayne and Chapleau.
Please forward a cover letter, resume and three (3)work-related references by 4:00PM, January 27, 2025 to:
Joe Santa Maria, Associate Director of Corporate Services and Operations perrij@adsb.on.ca and cc:
Nic Turco, Manager of Human Resources turcon@adsb.on.ca
Algoma District School Board
644 Albert Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2K7
Only those applicants short-listed will be contacted. A shortlisting of applicants for consideration will be completed employing the Algoma District School Board Hiring Policy. Should there be a need for interviews, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Accommodations through the recruitment and selection process are available upon request. The successful candidate, as a condition of employment, will be required to provide a current vulnerable sector check, which is acceptable to the Board. The Algoma District School Board is committed to an equitable education system that upholds and reflects the principles of fair and inclusive education. Additional information about specific programs, and the Vision, Mission, Values and Priorities of the Algoma District School Board can be found at www.adsb.on.ca
Lucia Reece, Director of Education
Chapleau Moments
by MichaelJ. Morris
DrJJSheahan,InaCoulter
In 1940, Ina Robinson was crowned Queen of the fourth annual Chapleau WinterCarnival by Dr. J.J. Sheahan at the Ice Palace located on the south side of Birch "Main" Street across from Alf Comte's Barber Shop.
Dr. Sheahan, who had graduated in medicine from McGill University in 1906, interned in Ottawa, arrived in Chapleau in 1907,fellinlovewiththeNorthandestablished amedicalpracticeinChapleau.Dr.Sheahan,a verypopularChapleaucitizen,wasKingofthe Carnivalin1940.Hediedin1942.
In 1921, the citizens of Chapleau presented Dr. Sheahan with a car in appreciation of his work. Although he held officehours,DrSheahanmadehousecallsand spentpartofhisdayattheLadyMintoHospital.
TheIcePalacewasbuiltwithblocksof ice hauled from the location on the Chapleau River near the old water pump house where Canadian Pacific Railway crews cut ice to use to air condition its passenger trains in the summermonths.
The crowning of the Carnival Queen ceremony would take place following the parade which in those days would start at the CPR station and come over the old horseshoe bridgetothedowntownareaand"old"arenaon LorneStreet.
Shelley (Coulter) Bernier, recalled the gift that Dr. Sheahan gave her mother: "Dr. Sheahangavemymotheragoldsignetringfor beinghisqueen.ForthatdayandageI'msureit wasquitetheprizedpossession.Istillhaveit."
Shelley also shared that "Up until the
InaRobinsoncrownedQueenofChapleauWinterCarnival attheIcePalacewithDr.J.J.SheahanasKingin1940
time of his death, Charlie McKee always referred to my mom as 'The Queen'. After he movedtoToronto,he'dcalleverysooftenand ask for the queen. His parcels were always addressedthatwayaswell."
Charlie was one of Chapleau's outstanding track and field and tennis stars in histime,andagreatfriendofShelley'sfamily.
InamarriedFrankCoulter,amemberof another Chapleau pioneer family in 1946 and they had five children -- Gary, Gail, Doug, AllenandShelley.FrankworkedforCharlesW. Collins Stores Ltd, and served on the public school board and volunteer fire department as wellasinothercommunitygroups.
As an aside, it was in 1940 the store whereFrankworkedforsomanyyearsbecame Charles W. Collins Stores Ltd, a change from Collins and Matters. The store always participatedincommunityeventsandstilldoes, now owned by Doug Collins, a grandson of
Charles W. Collins. Doug's grandfather first becameinvolvedinthestoreattheintersection ofBirchandLornestreetsin1928anditbecame knownasWolfeandCollins.
Ina was the daughter of Eva (Greenshields) Robinson and Alexander Robinson. Mr. Robinson was killed in a train accident.
AtChapleauwintercarnivalstherewas a wide range of events including the Strong Man Contest. Bob Mercier was recognized as holdingthetitleashehadcarried575poundson hisbackfrominfrontoftheoldDominionstore at the corner of Birch andYoung streets to the RegentTheatrenearBirchandLornestreets.In later years, Willie Memegos dominated this event.
Figure skating was also popular and someofthosewhowouldbeparticipatingwere ShirleyMatheson,EliseDepew,MarionMorris andSallyHugo.
Chapleau winter carnivals started in 1937 with D.O. Payette as the catalyst and his business partner at Smith and Chapple Ltd., ArthurGroutascarnivalgeneralmanager. Thepreviouscarnivalkingsandqueens respectively were: 1937, Fred Depew and Winona McAdam; 1938, C.J. McGregor and Marie Perpete and 1939, Dan Jessup and Rita Crichton.
Shelleyprovidedexcellentphotosfrom the1940WinterCarnival,andwehavedoneour best to identify the people in them. However, not all could be, so please if you can help, my emailismj.morris@live.ca
DrSheahanIna,CharlesReid,WalterLeigh
from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa
by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
While many of us were just getting back into the swing of things following the holiday season, the news broke on January 6th that the Prime Minister was resigning, and he prorogued Parliament,shuttingdowndebate,endingbills,and leavingCanadainarudderlessstateatavitaltime inourhistory.Withtheseriousthreatoftariffsfrom U.S.President-ElectTrump,wheredoesthatleave Canadians, and what can we expect in the coming months?
Much has been written about the Prime Minister's resignation. While he still remains the PrimeMinisteruntilanewLiberalleaderhasbeen chosen, it creates an obvious void, where our national leader no longer feels like he's leading anything. In another time, this may have been a rational thing to do for an increasingly unpopular PM.He'shadplentyoftimetocontemplatehisexit, but it's obvious that this should have been done sooner.
Downinthepollsandfacingarevoltfrom hisownpartyandfollowingaseriesofsignificant by-election losses in traditionally Liberal-friendly ridings, he had little room left to maneuver. That last sentence could have been written in June, August,orOctoberoflastyear.Whilecertainlyless insanethantheprevioustimeJanuary6thbecamea noteworthy date, when the U.S. Capitol was attackedpriortoPresidentBiden'scertification,the decision may well cement Trudeau's legacy as a person who has lofty ideas but always refuses to plan ahead. Now, we're a week or two away from seeingifTrump'seconomicthreatstoCanadabear fruitwhiletheLiberalPartydecideswhotheywant toreplacehimwithtotryandcorrectcourse.
Those threats, a 25 percent tariff on goods importedfromCanadatotheU.S.,arereallygoing tohurtpeopleonbothsidesofoursharedborderfor no logical reason. There's some vague gesturing from Trump that it has something to do with our border, but he's put forward no concrete measures thatwouldmakehimreconsider.It'sallgutfeeling. Atatimewhenthecostofessentialslikefoodand lodging remain sky-high, this threat isn't going to “Make America Great Again,” it's going to cost Americans as much as Canadians, possibly more. The list of items we are set to tariff in retaliation include American steel products, ceramics, glassware,andavarietyofplasticproducts,among otheritems.Thosewillhurt,butweproducemany ofthoseitemsonourown.Americansaregoingto find out quickly that increased costs on lumber, crude oil, car parts, critical minerals, and energy willcutintotheirspendingsignificantly.Tariffscan be an effective tool to target certain markets, but
PrimeMinisterResigns,Trump ThreatensTariffs,Welcometo2025
blanket tariffs hurt everyone. Perhaps Canada should additionally consider tariffs on non-union made vehicles to hit back against a certain unelected billionaire who uses his social media platformtopushthisstupidagenda.
Giventheuncertaintythathasbeencreated by the resignation of the Prime Minister, the reaction has been…let's say inconsistent…from both federal and provincial leaders. While the federal Liberals have carved out those proposed retaliatorytariffs,it'sagrabbagofitemsratherthan theAmericanapproachofapplyingittoanyitems coming over the border. Pierre Poilievre seems to bemostlymum.He'smadesomeweirdcomments aboutbuildingdatacentresfortechgiantslikeMeta and Google out of one side of his mouth while decrying corporate welfare out of the other. Doug Ford, who once said his support for Trump “wouldn't waver” has been on the American TV circuit trying to argue against his buddy's devastating economic plans.AndAlberta Premier Danielle Smith, never one to be outdone, flew to Mar-a-Lago last weekend to bend the knee to Trump and, for some reason, Kevin O'Leary, to speakaboutoilcarveouts.
We aren't dealing with a rational person who would listen to our concerns and work
constructivelywithus,we'retalkingaboutTrump, who spent his last campaign falsely talking about immigrants eating pets and discussed Hannibal Lecterlikehewasanactualperson.Hecampaigned on bringing down prices for essentials, then immediatelyreversedcourseoncetheballotswere counted.Weneedtobepreparedtomeethistariffs headonifnecessaryandkeepsomethingsoffofthe tableintheeventthatweneedtoescalate.Canada hasthecriticalminerals,energy,lumber,andother important goods they need. We need to have challenges under the Canada US Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) prepared now, to put in effect if needed. And we need to be prepared to diversify our trading partners, perhaps very publicly.
Henry Kissinger once said that “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests.” As their largest trading partner and consistent ally during our shared history, I don't believe this to be true. We've had significant differences in opinion (Vietnam, Iraq War, universal health care) but have always managed a friendlyrelationship.ButAmericansneedtoknow thattheirincomingPresident-electisn'tdoingthem any favours and that Canada won't be pushed around.
LepremierministredémissionneetTrumpmenace d'imposerdesdroitsdedouane:2025commenceenforce
Alors que beaucoup d'entre nous se remettaient à peine du temps des Fêtes, nous avonsapprisle6janvierquelepremierministre démissionnait et qu'il prorogeait le Parlement. Cettedécisionamisfinauxdébatsetauxprojets deloietalaisséleCanadasansgouvernailàune période cruciale de son histoire.Avec la menace sérieuse de droits de douane brandie par le président américain élu Trump, où en sont les Canadiens et à quoi pouvons-nous nous attendre danslesprochainsmois?
La démission du premier ministre a fait coulerbeaucoupd'encre.Bienqu'ilrestepremier ministrejusqu'àcequ'unnouveaucheflibéralsoit choisi,cettedécisioncréeunvideévident,dansla mesure où nous n'avons plus l'impression que notre chef national dirige quoi que ce soit. À un autre moment, cette décision aurait pu être rationnelle pour un premier ministre de plus en plus impopulaire. Il a eu amplement le temps de réfléchir à son départ, mais il est évident qu'il auraitfallulefaireplustôt.
En baisse dans les sondages, à l'origine d'une révolte au sein de son propre parti et aux prises avec une série de pertes importantes lors d'élections partielles dans des circonscriptions traditionnellement favorables aux libéraux, il lui
restait très peu de marge de manœuvre. Cette dernière phrase aurait pu être écrite en juin, en août ou en octobre de l'année dernière. Bien que ce6janviersoitcertainementmoinsnotableque la dernière fois où il est devenu une date significative, c'est-à-dire lorsque le Capitole des États-Unisaétéattaquéavantlacertificationdela victoire du président Biden, cette décision pourraitbienconsoliderl'héritagedeM.Trudeau en tant que politicien aux idées nobles, mais qui refuse toujours de planifier d'avance. Dans une semaine ou deux, nous verrons si les menaces économiquesdeM.Trumpàl'égardduCanadase concrétiseront, pendant que le Parti libéral décideraparquiilremplaceralepremierministre pourtenterderectifierletir.
Cesmenaces,quiconsistentàimposerdes droitsdedouanede25%surlesproduitsimportés du Canada vers les États-Unis, vont réellement nuire aux habitants des deux côtés de notre frontière commune, sans aucune raison logique. M. Trump prétend vaguement que cela a un rapport avec notre frontière, mais il n'a proposé aucune mesure concrète susceptible de le faire changerd'avis.Ilsemblefondersesdécisionssur son intuition. À une époque où le coût des produitsdepremièrenécessité,commelanourriture
SFO LaunchesNewOnlinePortalAndWebsiteToBetter SupportVictimsOfSeriousFraudOfficeInvestigations
(TORONTO,ON)-ThisweektheSeriousFraud Office (SFO) has launched a new Victim Portal and website. The Portal is a secure and userfriendly online platform designed to enhance communicationandsupportforvictimsimpacted bySFO-investigatedfraud.
ThePortalstreamlinestheSFOeffortsin providing accessible, effective and confidential resources for those impacted by fraud. Individualswhoareavictimoffraudthatisunder SFO investigation will be invited by a victim liaisontoaccessthePortal.
TheSFOrecognizestheimpactthatfraud has on individuals and is committed to ensuring theyreceiveahighstandardofsupportaccording totheprinciplesoftheCanadianVictimsBillof Rights.
To align with their commitment, the Portaloffersvictimsastreamlinedwaytoaccess critical information, communicate directly with victimliaisons,stayinformedaboutthestatusof their cases and receive information about their rightsandtheresourcesavailabletothem.Italso allows for victim liaisons to efficiently communicate important updates about on-going casestomanyvictimssimultaneously.
The Portal was developed through a collaborative effort with victim liaisons, fraud
investigators,Crownprosecutorsandtechnology experts to ensure that the platform meets the uniqueneedsofthoseimpactedbyfraud.
InadditiontothePortal,generalmembers ofthepubliccanviewthenewSFOwebsitethat offers valuable resources about fraud, how to report fraud, victims' rights and the criminal justice system. To access the new informative websitevisitsfo.opp.ca.
Both the Victim Portal and the website have been designed to be mobile-friendly, to ensure information can be ac cessed whenever andwhereverneeded.
"This new portal will provide seamless supportandprotectiontovictimsofcrimeasthey rebuildtheirlivesandregaintheirconfidenceand security. By streamlining resource sharing, case updates and other communications between policeandvictims,we'reputtingthosewhohave been harmed first while ensuring criminals are heldaccountable."saidSolicitorGeneralMichael Kerzner
"Incidents of fraud continue to rise and canaffectanyone.Ourgovernmentiscommitted to combatting serious crime and protecting the peopleofOntario.Ontario'sSeriousFraudOffice isaleaderinthisfightandtheirnewwebsiteand victim portal will not only help ensure victims
know how to recognize and report serious fraud but it will also support the timely and efficient prosecution of large-scale and complex fraud cases."said AttorneyGeneralDougDowney "Asfraudcontinuestopresentasignificantrisk to our community, we are introducing new innovationstobetterservethosewhohavebeen victimized. Together with our partners at the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Ontario Provincial Police is pleased to introduce an onlineVictimPortalanddedicatedSFOwebsite that will make it easier for victims of serious fraud investigations to stay up to date with their caseprogressandtofindhelpfulresources."said OPPDetectiveSuperintendentMikeBickerton
OPPChargeOnePerson WithStolenVehicle
On January 17, 2025, at approximately 5:00 a.m., the Chapleau Detachment of the OntarioProvincialPolice(OPP)respondedtoan abandonedstolenvehicleonLafreniereRoad,in Chapleau Township. While responding to the call, officers were alerted of a second stolen vehicle inthesamearea.
The officers located the second stolen vehicleashortdistanceawaywiththesuspectin thedriver'sseat.
As a result of the investigation, Jordan SMITH, 35-years-oldfromKingston,was arrestedandchargedwith:
· Possessionpropertyobtained bycrimeover$5,000
· Theftover$5,000ofamotor vehicle
· Operation while impaireddrugs
· Possessionpropertyobtained bycrimeunder$5,000
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Chapleau on February12,2025.
SHOP LOCALLY SHOP LOCALLY
Lastweekssolutions
MOMENTS IN TIME
On Feb. 3, 1953, French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteaupublishedamemoirco-writtenwithFredericDumas, "TheSilentWorld,"abouthistimeexploringtheoceans.Itwas made into an Oscar-winning documentary directed by Louis Mallethreeyearslater,thesuccessofwhichallowedCousteau to retire from the navy and devote himself full time to oceanography.
etlelogement,restetrèsélevé,cettemenaceneva pas « rendre à l'Amérique sa grandeur », elle va plutôt entraîner des coûts qui pourraient s'avérer plus élevés pour les Américains que pour les Canadiens. La liste des produits que nous allons frapper de droits de douane en représailles comprend, entre autres, des produits américains fabriquésenaluminium,encéramique,enverreet enplastique.Cesdroitsvontnousnuire,maisnous produisons nous-mêmes un grand nombre de ces produits. Les Américains vont rapidement se rendrecomptequel'augmentationdescoûtsdubois d'œuvre, du pétrole brut, des pièces détachées automobiles, des minéraux essentiels et de l'énergievaréduireconsidérablementleurpouvoir d'achat.Lesdroitsdedouanepeuventêtreunoutil efficace pour cibler certains marchés, mais les droits de douane généralisés nuisent à tout le monde. Le Canada devrait aussi envisager d'imposer des droits de douane sur les véhicules fabriqués par des entreprises non syndiquées afin de répliquer à un certain milliardaire non élu qui utilise sa plateforme de médias sociaux pour promouvoirceprogrammeridicule.
Compte tenu de l'incertitude créée par la démissionduPremierministre,laréactionaété,à tout le moins incohérente, tant de la part des dirigeants fédéraux et provinciaux. Bien que les libéraux fédéraux aient prévu l'imposition de certains droits de douane en guise de représailles, seulunensembled'articlesestvisé,contrairementà l'approcheaméricainequiconsisteàappliquerces droits à tous les articles traversant la frontière. Pierre Poilievre se fait discret. Il a évoqué la constructiondecentresdedonnéespourdesgéants de la technologie comme Meta et Google tout en critiquant l'aide sociale aux entreprises. Doug Ford,quiadéjàdéclaréquesonsoutienàTrump« ne faiblirait pas », s'est rendu sur les plateaux de télévisionaméricainspourtenterdes'opposeraux plans économiques dévastateurs de son compagnon. Danielle Smith, première ministre de l'Alberta, qui n'est jamais en reste, s'est rendue à Mar-a-Lagolasemainedernièrepours'agenouiller devant Trump et, pour une raison ou une autre, devantKevinO'Leary,afindeparlerdel'exclusion
Nous n'avons pas affaire à une personne rationnelle qui écouterait nos préoccupations et travaillerait de manière constructive avec nous. Il s'agit de Donald Trump, qui a passé sa dernière campagne à affirmer à tort que des immigrants mangent des animaux domestiques et à parler d'Hannibal Lecter comme s'il s'agissait d'une personneréelle.Ilafaitcampagnesurlabaissedes prix des produits de première nécessité, puis a immédiatement fait marche arrière une fois les bulletinsdevotedépouillés.Nousdevonsêtreprêts àfairefaceàsesdroitsdedouanesinécessaireetà gardercertainsatoutsdansnotremancheaucasoù nous devrions recourir à l'escalade. Le Canada possèdelesminérauxessentiels,l'énergie,leboiset d'autres biens importants dont lesAméricains ont besoin. Nous devons préparer dès à présent les contestations au titre de l'Accord Canada-ÉtatsUnis-Mexique (ACEUM) pour pouvoir les faire valoiraubesoin.Nousdevonségalementêtreprêts à diversifier nos partenaires commerciaux et à le fairetrèspubliquement.
Henry Kissinger a dit un jour que « l'Amérique n'a pas d'amis ou d'ennemis permanents,seulementdesintérêts».Entantquepremier partenairecommercialetalliéconstantaucoursde notrehistoirecommune,jenecroispasquecesoit vrai. Nous avons eu des divergences d'opinions importantes (Vietnam, guerre en Irak, système de santéuniversel),maisnousavonstoujoursentretenu des relations amicales. Néanmoins, les Américainsdoiventsavoirqueleurfuturprésident éluneleurfaitpasdecadeauxetqueleCanadane selaisserapasfaire.
INEXPENSIVEPRICES GIVE USACALLAT 1-705-264-4334
Local MARKETPLACE MARKETPLACE
lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.
CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,andinformationforwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein 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 an appointment. You do not need to be a residentoftheCentreinordertouseourservices.Ifyouneedsomeoneto talktoorifyoujustneedsomeonetolisten,callourTollFreeCrisislineat1800-461-2242oryoucandropinattheCentre.Wearehereforyou.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office
While spring is still more than 8 weeks away,we'reexperiencingachangeinseasonshere in Ontario, nonetheless. I'm referring to the transition into what is called 'silly season,' a time directly preceding an election where political rhetoric kicks into overdrive. Former Liberal MP Scott Simms said in Politico that silly season usually begins when a big issue arises that allows political parties can "glom onto for an end-ofseasonburstofpartisanintensity."
What's different about enteringthis period ofhyper-partisanshipnowisthatanelectionisnot necessarilyimminentinOntario.Accordingtoour election laws, we are not scheduled to head to the polls until October of 2026. However, because of our parliamentary democracy, the government of thedaycanseekanewmandatewhenevertheyfeel necessaryorbeneficial.
That'sthegreyareathatthePremierhasleft usinforsometimenow.Hehasbeenteasingusfor monthsthathewillcallanearlyprovincialelection. Now that our neighbours to the south are threateningtariffsonCanadiangoods,thePremier mayhavefoundhisjustification,butlet'sremember thathehasbeenpubliclymullingthisdecisionsince before the U.S. election had even concluded. Hence,anyjustificationforanearlyelectionrings somewhathollowinthatlight.
TherehavebeensignsthatPremierFordis preparingforanearlyelectionforsometimenow, beyondjusthishintstothemedia.
Oneofthemostobvioussignsisthenotable uptick in funding announcements from various cabinet ministers. Before a government submits itselfforre-election,itwillalmostalwayssendout ministers to every corner of the province in a month'slongefforttohighlightthefundingthey've committed to different projects, sectors, or communities. It doesn't matter if this is a new announcement or one made public a while ago; it just matters that the minister is seen with a big chequeinhand.
Now, I always welcome these announcements in Algoma-Manitoulin. When much-needed funding and investment comes our way,itisgoodnewsandusuallytheculminationof hard work and advocacy by organizations in our communities.Generally,theseannouncementsput aside partisanship and focus on what will be achieved for everyone regardless of party colours. This isn't just by choice; it is a requirement of the integritylawshereinOntariothatwhenaminister is acting in the capacity of a government representative, they cannot also explicitly act as a representativeoftheirparty.
I think that this is the right approach for these kinds of things. People need to know that when an election is over and a government takes
BigIssuesRequireaTeamApproach,NotPoliticalGames
powertheywillstillbeconsideredandlookedafter nomatterhowtheyvoted.However,PremierFord has eroded that norm of our system as he postures forasnapelection.
There have been a number of funding announcementsinAlgoma-Manitoulinoverthelast yearthatmyofficehasbeenconspicuouslyleftout of. In the past, it was the accepted practice that when a community benefits from government investment, all stakeholders are included to show thatthisisnotamatterofpartisangain,butaneffort to carry out the vital work of governing. This usually includes industry or community organizations that are benefiting and elected representativesfromthemunicipal,provincial,and federallevels.
That has gone out the window with this provincial government. I cannot count on both handsthenumberofinstanceswhereaministerhas shownupinAlgoma-Manitoulinwithoutproviding noticetomyofficethatfundinghasbeenawarded, that they are planning an event, or demonstrated anyinterestinmakingsurethatallstakeholdersare askedtoparticipate.
Thisleadstotoughquestionsformyoffice. I often get phone calls or messages from constituents following such an announcementaskingwhyIdidn't showuporparticipateintheevent. It's an awkward conversation to havebecauseIwantnothingmore than to wholeheartedly welcome thesetypesofannouncementsand congratulate the government for working with our communities in the interest of building a better province. It also puts a strain on therelationshipbetweenmyoffice and municipal governments, particularly when they are instructed not to invite the local MPP to an announcement. It causes a great deal of discomfort on their end, worrying about whethertheyshouldmakesureto include all local leaders or abide bythegovernment'swishes.
Unfortunately, this is Premier Ford's modus operandi. Hehasslowlybutsurelybegunto blur the line between governing a province and leading a political party,seeingthejobasoneandthe same. You could look back at an August 28th story in the Manitoulin Expositor for another exampleofthis.
The Expositor reported in that story that the Premier had been questioned about delays in announcingthenewLittleCurrent Swing Bridge project. He responded by telling the
questionerthatthebiggestissueisthatManitoulin doesn'thavearepresentativefromtheProgressive Conservative Party of Ontario as an MPP. Immediately after that, I wrote to the Premier to express my dismay at his comments. Holding up massive infrastructure projects for partisan gain is nothowthingsareruninademocraticsocietylike Ontario. It is outrageous and insulting to suggest thatpeopleshouldfearreprisalforhowtheyvote.
Premier Ford continues to mull, throwing Ontario into another election purely for political gain.Ithinkthatitisnecessaryforonemessageto bemadeclear:Rightnow,weneedaPremieranda governmentthatisfocusedonthejobofgoverning, thatisfocusedonbringingOntarianstogetherand facingourproblemsasateam.
Wearefacingseriousandmountingthreats andmanyunresolvedcrisesinalmosteverypublic sector. It is time to put an end to this early 'silly season,'stopthepoliticalgamesmanshipandgetto workforthepeopleofOntario.
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.
