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Vol. 28, Issue 20, January 25, 2024
Ontario Unveils a Back-to-Basics Kindergarten Curriculum New mandatory learning will focus on literacy and math skills for the province’s youngest learners
T
he Ontario government is taking continued action to emphasize back-tobasics learning by introducing mandatory learning through clear and direct instruction in reading, writing and math for kindergarten students. Combined with hands-on and playbased learning, this new kindergarten curriculum will ensure students entering Grade 1 across the province have the foundational skills in literacy and math and intellectual growth that will help set them up for long-term success. All students will soon benefit from evidence-based clear and direct instruction in literacy for the first time to build their vocabulary and instil a passion for reading and writing. New and mandatory learning will include the understanding of sound-letter relationships, developing phonics knowledge and using specific vocabulary. For example, as children are constructing a house with building blocks and other materials, the educator would intentionally use new words to build student vocabulary. “It’s critical that our youngest students develop core foundational skills earlier on in their lives,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “That is why we are introducing a new kindergarten curriculum that will help to lay the foundation for strong reading, writing and math skills from day Long Term one. Our government Forecast will continue to Thursday relentlessly advance High 0 back-to-basics Low -4 education that restores Friday the focus on academic High 0 achievement, common Low -2 sense and excellence in Saturday High 1 Low -7
Sunday High -6 Low -14 Monday High -6 Low -9 Tuesday High -1 Low -1
literacy and STEM disciplines.” New learning expectations are also being added to the kindergarten curriculum. In math, clear and direct instruction in foundational numeracy skills will be provided to all students in addition to daily opportunities to explore math concepts through regular classroom activities. All students will start to learn about fractions, coding and patterns earlier in their education. These new lessons will build foundational math
concepts and skills that are the gateway to the disciplines of science, technology and engineering, as well as construction, skilled trades and architecture. The changes and supports, which will be in place starting in September 2025, are the next step in Ontario’s plan to modernize the curriculum and ensure every student has the skills to succeed in the classroom and prepare them for whatever path they choose.
Chapleau’s Green Christmas 2023 (Kebsquasheshing Golf Club. December 29th,2023)
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 2
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 3
Chapleau Moments
Lady Minto Hospital in Chapleau described as 'splendid institution' when it opened in 1914 also served communities between Sudbury and Fort William along CPR line.
by
Michael J. Morris After the Lady Minto Hospital was opened on April 18, 1914, to serve the needs of Chapleau and communities along the Canadian Pacific Railway, it was described as a "splendid institution" in a Chapleau Headlight editorial. "The citizens of Chapleau feel they have a right to be proud of their public institutions, and a visit to the hospital will convince anyone that they are not being over egoistical" the editorial said. It is a "splendid institution". Construction began in August 1913. When it opened, Lady Minto Hospital was the only hospital between Sudbury and Fort William, now Thunder Bay. In those days Chapleau was primarily a railroad town with lumber operations also opening up along the CPR line. There were many serious injuries and the need for a hospital between the two larger communities became apparent. Dr. J.J. Sheahan, who arrived in 1907 was one of the prime movers behind getting a hospital at Chapleau. J.J. Scully, then the CPR superintendent at North Bay agreed and Chapleau got the hospital. The funds for construction were raised through a public subscription campaign with the CPR being the largest donor with $5,000, followed by the Victorian Order of Nurses with $3,000, with the latter assuming responsibility for the hospital with a local board. The hospital had four private and two semi-private wards as well as women's and men's public wards with twenty beds in each at normal capacity. The Headlight reported that it had up-
Lady Minto Hospital (www.chapleau.com)
to-date operating and sterilizing rooms, and baths, lavatories and overall "in every way a modern and up-to-date institution." The furnishings were described as the best "giving the whole institution an appearance that would be difficult to excel. "There is no doubt many larger hospitals than the Lady Minto at Chapleau, but we believe it will be hard to find any more complete and up to date in every detail and appointment." By 1914, Chapleau citizens were justifiably proud of the progress in the community. Led by G.B. Nicholson, the first reeve from 1901 to 1913, who was also secretary of the first hospital board, the new Town Hall was also opened in 1914, and Chapleau was a busy place. The first president of the hospital board was Dr. J.J. Sheahan, who practised medicine in Chapleau until his death in 1942. Fast forward to about 1950, and the hospital board realized it was time for renovations. At the annual meeting of 1952, Charles W. Collins, the chair of the board and D.O. Payette, secretary, presented plans which would also include a nurses' residence. Mr. Collins urged the board members to go on record as supporting the project "100 percent" which they did. By 1955 the renovations including the nurses' residence had been completed. The sun parlours on the east and west ends of the hospital located on Elm Street, across from Queen Street jnsigns@gmail.com (I just realized that not all readers
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would know where the Lady Minto Hospital was located). were enclosed and the space provided turned into wards. Of all the improvements perhaps the most important was an elevator that became a reality through a generous gift from the W.E. Mason Foundation. Mr. Mason was a great supporter of Northern Ontario and founder of the Sudbury Star newspaper. The kitchen had been moved to the basement with all new equipment described as 'the last word in cooking convenience for large scale service. Miss Sophie Herner had donated a spacious dining room for the nurses, which doubled as a room for hospital board meetings. Lab technician Sigvard Pearson had a new "bright room well stocked with testing materials and equipment." Arthur J. Grout, the chair of the board estimated the total cost of the renovations at $315,000. By this time, Dr. G.E. Young was chief of the medical staff, while Mrs. S. Crozier was director of nursing. In the early 1970s, planning started for the replacement of Lady Minto Hospital and that is a story for another day! My sincere thanks to Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick and Doug Greig for their tremendous assistance in researching the history of Lady Minto Hospital. Any errors are mine.
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 4
REPORT from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa by/par
Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
R e c e n t l y, t h e U . S . F o o d & D r u g Administration authorized Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration to be allowed to import drugs from Canada as a way to reduce costs and improve accessibility in that state. This move follows the passing of Florida bill CS/HB 19 in 2019, signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Florida believes it can save $180 million USD annually by purchasing common drugs for diabetes, hepatitis, prostate cancer, and other ailments, from Canada. A Rand Corporation study from 2021 paints a grim picture of the cost of drugs in the U.S. They spend more on drugs than literally any other comparable nation, with American drugs costing an average of 218 percent more than Canadian drugs. While Canada has a significant number of regulations to safeguard our drug supply, it's important that we resist exporting them unless we can guarantee a stable stock for our own citizens. There is a legitimate concern about the potential for drug shortages in Canada should we start bulk exporting drugs to the U.S. Drug shortages are not uncommon, and they can have a real impact on the health of Canadians. Many parents will remember the difficulty purchasing children's pain and fever medication last year. A recent shortage of Lenoltec No. 4, the generic version of Tylenol 4, lasted several months this year. EpiPens have also had challenges with shortages in recent years. The Type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic, which has been used both for its intended purpose, and off-label for weight loss, has been in very short supply for months, to the extent that the B.C. government has had to limit refills to one-month supplies to ensure accessibility. The cost of drugs in the U.S. has long been a significant problem. The U.S. is an exceptional nation in that they allow drug companies to set the prices for drugs, and those drugs are negotiated to their given price point by insurance companies. Canada limits the price of drugs for its citizens, and like most other developed nations, bulk purchases drugs to keep costs as low as possible. There will almost certainly be legal challenges to the FDAs ruling in the coming weeks and months in the U.S. The American pharmaceutical lobby is, to put it mildly, massive, and will likely pull out all of the legal stops to prevent cheap drugs imported from Canada to reduce drug costs domestically. However, it's incumbent on the Government of Canada to continue to limit the sale of drugs to the U.S. if it has any effect on our own people. Trade groups such as Innovative Medicines Canada have also voiced concerns about selling
Canada Must Ensure Stable Drug Supply Following Florida Ruling Canadian drugs to the U.S., noting that the U.S. has a market about 10 times as large as Canada, and allowing our drugs to be purchased by Florida or any other state would have serious implications for our own drug accessibility. It is noted that the Health Minister, in discussing the new import rules in Florida, stated “There is no way we will allow any jurisdiction, be it a state or another foreign jurisdiction, to endanger the Canadian drug supply. That is not an appropriate solution to whatever challenges they may be facing.” Fortunately, we do have decent regulations that would prevent our drug supply from bulk importations that could worsen drug shortages. However, this is not to say that future governments
won't be tempted to change regulations to allow our drugs to be exported, and this is an area where we need to push back. As we prepare to look at the details of the upcoming National Pharmacare Program in the coming months, we must keep an eye on the details and push to ensure that the program is set up in such a way to ensure accessibility throughout the country. It's vital that the plan include measures to protect Canada's supply of critical drugs. One area where Canada could innovate would be through the public manufacturing of critical medicines and vaccines. This would ensure a reliable supply of medicines, lower drug costs and increase availability of innovative medicines for patients.
Le Canada doit assurer la stabilité de son approvisionnement en médicaments dans la foulée de la décision rendue en Floride Récemment, la Food & Drug Administration des États-Unis a autorisé l'Agency for Health Care Administration de Floride à importer des médicaments du Canada pour réduire les coûts et améliorer l'accessibilité dans cet État. Cette décision fait suite à l'adoption du projet de loi CS/HB 19 en Floride en 2019, ratifié par le gouverneur républicain Ron DeSantis. La Floride croit pouvoir économiser 180 millions de dollars américains chaque année en achetant des médicaments courants pour le diabète, l'hépatite et le cancer de la prostate, entre autres, au Canada. Une étude menée par la Rand Corporation en 2021 dresse un sombre tableau de la situation aux États-Unis en ce qui concerne le prix des médicaments. On y dépense littéralement plus en médicaments que dans tout autre pays comparable et les médicaments y coûtent en moyenne 218 % plus qu'au Canada. Même s'il y a au Canada un nombre important de règlements pour protéger l'approvisionnement en médicaments, il est important de résister à la tentation d'en faire l'exportation avant d'avoir assuré un approvisionnement stable pour les Canadiens. Si le pays commence à exporter en gros vers les États-Unis, il y a un risque réel de pénuries de médicaments au Canada. Les pénuries de médicaments ne sont pas rares et elles peuvent avoir un impact réel sur la santé des Canadiens. De nombreux parents n'ont pas oublié à quel point il était difficile de trouver des médicaments pour enfants contre la douleur et la fière l'année dernière. Une pénurie de Lenoltec no 4, la version générique du Tylenol 4, a duré plusieurs mois l'année dernière. Il y a notamment eu des problèmes d'approvisionnement en injecteurs EpiPen dans les dernières années. L'approvisionnement en Ozempic, un médicament pour le diabète de type 2 utilisé à la fois aux fins prévues et hors indication pour la perte de poids, est très difficile depuis des mois, forçant
même le gouvernement de la Colombie-Britannique à limiter les renouvellements à une quantité pour un mois dans le but de maintenir l'accessibilité. Le coût des médicaments aux États-Unis est d e p u i s l o n g t e m p s u n p r o b l è m e m a j e u r. Contrairement à d'autres pays, les États-Unis autorisent les entreprises pharmaceutiques à fixer les prix des médicaments, qui sont ensuite négociés par les compagnies d'assurance en fonction de leur niveau de prix. Le Canada limite le prix des médicaments pour ses citoyens et, comme la plupart des autres pays développés, achète les médicaments en gros pour maintenir les coûts aussi bas que possible. Il est presque certain que la décision de la FDA sera contestée en justice dans les semaines et les mois à venir aux États-Unis. Le lobby pharmaceutique américain est, pour le moins, énorme et il est probable qu'il fera tout en son pouvoir pour empêcher l'importation de médicaments bon marché en provenance du Canada visant à réduire les coûts des médicaments au niveau national. Toutefois, il incombe au gouvernement du Canada de continuer à limiter la vente de médicaments aux États-Unis si cela devait avoir un effet sur la population canadienne. Des groupes professionnels tels que Médicaments Novateurs Canada ont également fait part de leurs préoccupations concernant la vente de médicaments canadiens aux États-Unis, faisant remarquer que le marché américain est environ dix fois plus important que le marché canadien et que le fait de permettre à la Floride ou à tout autre État d'acheter nos médicaments aurait de graves répercussions sur l'accessibilité des médicaments au Canada. Il est à noter que le ministre de la Santé, au sujet des nouvelles règles d'importation en Floride, a déclaré : « Il est hors de question que nous permettions à une administration étrangère, qu'il s'agisse d'un État ou d'un pays, de mettre en péril l'approvisionnement en médicaments du Canada. Suite P.7
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 5
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Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Feb. 5, 1922, DeWitt and Lila Wallace self-published and marketed the first Reader's Digest magazine, designed to provide abridged articles on a wide variety of subjects for easy reading. It eventually gained a circulation of more than 10 million copies in the U.S. and is still believed to be the best-selling consumer magazine in the country.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 7
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Le Canada doit assurer la stabilité de son approvisionnement en médicaments dans la foulée de la décision rendue en Floride Suite de la P.4 Ce n'est pas une solution appropriée aux défis auxquels ils peuvent être confrontés. » Heureusement, nous disposons d'une réglementation adéquate qui empêche l'exportation en masse de nos médicaments, qui pourrait aggraver les pénuries. Toutefois, cela ne veut pas dire que les futurs gouvernements ne seront pas tentés de modifier cette réglementation afin de permettre l'exportation de nos médicaments, et c'est une situation à laquelle nous devrions nous opposer. Alors que nous nous apprêtons à examiner les détails du futur régime national d'assurancemédicaments dans les mois à venir, nous devons rester attentifs aux détails et faire en sorte que le régime soit mis en place de manière à garantir l'accessibilité dans l'ensemble du pays. Il est essentiel que le plan comprenne des mesures visant à protéger l'approvisionnement du Canada en médicaments essentiels. L'un des domaines dans lesquels le Canada pourrait innover serait la fabrication par le secteur public de médicaments et de vaccins essentiels. Cela permettrait de garantir un approvisionnement fiable en médicaments, de réduire le coût des médicaments et
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Local MARKETPLACE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm. Narcotics Anonymous(N.A) every Tuesday same place same time. NNADAP Worker @ 864-0174 info.
CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotional support, and information for women and their children who are in crisis situations. We have a Toll Free Crisis Line which is staffed 24 hours a day. We can arrange for free transportation to the Centre for women who live in the Algoma/Chapleau area. We also offer support to women who live in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and Hornepayne through our Outreach Program. Our Outreach Worker travels to those communities to meet with women who need emotional support as well as information about their rights and options. If you need to speak with the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a resident of the Centre in order to use our services. If you need someone to talk to or if you just need someone to listen, call our Toll Free Crisis line at 1800-461-2242 or you can drop in at the Centre. We are here for you.
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, January 25, 2024- Page 8
“There's no place like home.” · · life.
Whether you are a doctor, nurse, cab driver, teacher or salesperson, we all understand that, along with the pleasures and perks that come with our jobs, we must accept headaches and heartaches. That's just life. For me, one of the recurring heartaches is when I meet face to face with seniors facing moving from their home into a senior residence - before they feel ready to do so. I meet so many incredible men and women who value their lifestyle and enjoy the comforts and freedom of living in their own homes. These are people who truly take pride in their independence. They feel it is where they belong. I primarily focus on Northern issues and perspectives and bring the voices of the Northern Ontarians I represent to Queen's Park. In last week's column, I shared with readers the realities that I faced during several face-to-face meeting tour with hospital officials throughout Algoma-Manitoulin. Many of my thoughts were confirmed, and I also learned a great deal. It was time well spent. I am also concerned about senior care issues. While assisted living in a facility is what many seniors need, it is not the best situation for everyone. Thousands of seniors just need a little assistance to continue living independently with dignity in their own homes. But sometimes, family members are just not able to provide the required help. Our seniors deserve to enjoy a lifestyle of freedom and happiness. And the good news is that providing such care in their own homes costs only a fraction of what institutional care does. Like many MPPs, I have long been concerned about the physical and mental health and the security of our seniors. However, here in the North, we understand that distance, geography, and economics create heart-wrenching challenges for us in Algoma-Manitoulin. This huge riding is comprised of many small, rural Northern communities. So when people do find themselves or a loved one who can no longer live in their home unassisted, there is often little choice but for the senior to move to a distant care home, which can leave them feeling isolated, lonely and depressed. Sometimes, people ask me why our society should feel obligated to provide care for our elders. I have no difficulty responding with several good reasons. I found an interesting article on a website called –Big Hearts Adult Daycare and Assisted Living. The article offered standard points like “They made sacrifices for you” and “They are your parents.” But the essay also provided some very thoughtful points, including: · We learn from them. · We gain insight into their values. · It helps us understand our heritage.
We all need a sense of belongingness. Everyone needs to have a purpose in their
between workers, patients and families. And, most importantly, patients and families could feel content and confident knowing that their loved ones are safe and living happily in the comfort of their own homes. Sometimes, I admit that our healthcare and senior care problems seem hopelessly mired in profit-driven privatization trends. But such thinking is wrong. The system can still be fixed with determination and foresight if taken one step at a time with a shakeup and refocusing of government policymakers. None of us, including me, can allow ourselves to shrug our shoulders and go with the flow. It is up to all of us to speak up and tell Premier Ford that our loved ones deserve better and that this responsibility lies in his hands. I'll leave you with this heartfelt quote by social worker and author Wendy Lustbader: “Caring for aging parents is like a dance, a delicate balance between supporting and guiding them while also respecting their independence and autonomy.” As always, please feel free to contact my office about these issues or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ola.org or by phone Toll-free at 1800-831-1899.
They completed the list with a bonus reason, declaring, “It's the right thing to do.” You might want to check it out yourself online. An article by Dr. Patricia Spindel, entitled Rural and Northern Home Care: An Essential Service For Seniors, appeared in the December 7, 2023 issue of the Sudbury Star. The article addressed the senior care issue from a Northern perspective. Doctor Spindel wrote, “Almost all of those older than 45 have said they want to remain at home with needed supports as they age. Far fewer think that is possible in light of current Ontario government funding priorities.” All of us are aware of the horror stories of death and sorrow emanating from private for-profit senior care facilities during the pandemic. Unfortunately, the government has not made much headway in addressing the lack of care in such facilities. Dr. Spindel's research found, “Six times as much new funding has been given to the predominantly for-profit long-term institutional sector than to home care -$6.4 billion to build and refurbish more institutions where no one wants to end up and few want to work.” She went on to say that, shamefully, “Only $1 billion to home care, where most want to receive care as they age.” So, here's the thing. Knowing that most people don't want to live in senior for-profit facilities and that such accommodations cost six times more than assisting people to live in their own homes, why does Premier Ford continue to think his government's plan is a good one? If this is not proof that the government of Ontario is not listening to its people, I don't know what is. Ontario needs a drastic change of direction in its senior care policy. We should be investing in training more people to work in home care settings. Currently, finding home care workers is akin to searching for the holy grail especially if you live in a Northern or rural community. Ontario should reduce and redirect funding spent on training and support for institutional care in favour of home care training. Besides saving money, this would reduce the 705-864-4376 chapleauexpress@gmail.com spread of viral infections and allow for the development of familiar and caring relationships
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