CHAPLEAU EXPRESS
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Vol. 25, Issue 41, June 17, 2021
A Francophone student committed to her community
E
milyn Levesque, a grade 12 student at École secondaire catholique Trillium (Chapleau), takes great pride in her Francophone culture. This young woman stands out for her hard work in organizing activities for the students of her school. As President of her s c h o o l ' s Students' Parliament, Emilyn makes sure every
student felt welcomed and valued by leading projects such as the creation of murals in the school's washrooms. A participant in the activities of the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO) since grade 9, Emilyn also held the position of ambassador and contact person for Northern Ontario for two years. Pursuing her passion for music and the Francophonie, Emilyn sits on the board of Chapleau's Centre culturel Louis-Hémon and dedicates much of her time to the organization of French-language cultural activities in her community. Committed to the French language and Francophones cultures, this graduating student is greatly appreciated for her leadership skills. In September, Emilyn will study at Collège Boréal and will pursue her dream of becoming a carpenter!
Une élève francophone engagée dans sa communauté
E
milyn Levesque, une élève de 12e année à l'école secondaire catholique Trillium (Chapleau), est jeune femme fière de sa culture francophone et qui se démarque par son travail assidu envers l'organisation d'activités pour les élèves de son école. En tant que Long Term Présidente du parlement Forecast des élèves, Emilyn s'est Thursday High 26 assurée que chaque Low 15 élève se sentait accueilli Friday et valorisé en mettant de High 25 l'avant des projets dont Low 10 la création de peintures Saturday murales dans les salles High Low
20 9
Sunday High 22 Low 12 Monday High 18 Low 8 Tuesday High 12 Low 7
de toilettes. Participante aux activités de la Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO) depuis sa 9e année, Emilyn a aussi maintenu le poste d'ambassadrice et était la PéCo (personne contact) pour le Nord de la province pendant deux ans. Poursuivant sa passion pour la musique et la francophonie, Emilyn siège au comité du Centre culturel Louis-Hémon à Chapleau afin de donner de son temps à l'organisation d'activités culturelles francophones dans sa communauté. Engagée au niveau de la langue française et des cultures francophones, cette finissante est grandement appréciée pour son leadership. En septembre, Emilyn amorcera ses études au
Collège Boréal afin de poursuivre son rêve de devenir charpentière!
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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021- Page 2
Business Scams Stay up to date on the schemes targeting businesses! Organizations of any size can still be duped by clever frauds, so make sure you know about them. A typical one is the directory fraud. A fraudster sends your company a proposal for a listing or advertisement in a magazine, journal or business directory, or an online directory. They'll call to confirm the address and other details. Then the accounting department will receive and pay the bill, unaware that your company never actually order or authorized the service. Another company fraud is the health and safety products scam. You might receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the provincial government, telling you that your first-aid kits need to be replaced or you have to update your company's health and safety training. In both
cases, you may be told to act quickly. One other possible scam is the office supply scam, which involves you receiving and being charged for items you didn't order. In many cases, scammers will hound you to pay the amount they claim you owe. They will even trick you into believing that they will report you to a collection agency. Tips to protect yourself: · Educate yourself, your employees and your co-workers to be cautious of unsolicited calls. · Create a list of companies that are typically used by your business. · Limit the number of staff who can approve purchases and pay bills. · Clearly define procedures for verification, payment and management of accounts and invoices.
Fraudes visant les entreprises Restez au courant des stratagèmes visant les entreprises! Les entreprises de toutes tailles peuvent être la cible de fraudes bien organisées, alors assurez-vous de les reconnaître. Une de ces arnaques concerne les annuaires d'entreprises. Un fraudeur envoie à votre entreprise une proposition pour un annuaire en ligne ou pour une inscription ou une publicité dans un magazine, un journal ou un annuaire d'entreprises. Vous recevez un appel pour confirmer l'adresse et d'autres détails. Puis, le service de la comptabilité reçoit une facture, qu'il
paye sans savoir que votre entreprise n'a jamais commandé ou approuvé le service. Une autre arnaque courante touche les produits de santé et de sécurité. Une personne prétendant travailler pour le gouvernement provincial vous appelle en disant que vous devez remplacer votre trousse de premiers soins ou mettre à jour la formation en santé et sécurité de l'entreprise. Dans chaque cas, on pourrait vous dire d'agir rapidement. Une autre fraude possible a trait au matériel de bureau reçu sans commande, pour lequel on vous demande de payer. Souvent, les fraudeurs vous harcèlent pour que vous payiez ce qu'ils disent que vous leur devez. Ils vous font même croire qu'ils v o u s dénonceront à une agence de recouvrement. Pour vous protéger : Informez tous vos employés et collègues de travail de la possibilité d'appels non sollicités
· Contact your province's regulator to know your legal obligations. · Fraudsters will use company names or logos similar to those of known businesses to make their invoices seem real. Inspect invoices carefully before making any payments. If you suspect a scam, always report it. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, managed by the RCMP, the Competition Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police, has plenty of information on fraud. Power up today by visiting www.antifraudcentre.ca! Additional organizations to contact depending on the situation: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 1-888-495-8501 www.antifraudcentre.ca Competition Bureau 1-800-348-5358 www.competitionbureau.gc.ca Consumer Affairs www.consumerhandbook.ca Securities Administrator www.securities-administrators.ca Ontario Provincial Police 1-888-310-1122 Créez une liste des entreprises avec lesquelles vous faites affaire. Limitez le nombre d'employés qui peuvent approuver les achats o payer les factures. Établissez des procédures claires pour la vérification, le paiement et la gestion des comptes et des factures. Communiquez avec les autorités provinciales pour connaître vos obligations légales. Vérifiez les factures attentivement avant d'effectuer un paiement. Les fraudeurs utilisent des noms ou des logos semblables à ceux d'entreprises connues pour rendre leurs factures réalistes. Si vous soupçonnez une fraude, signalez-la immédiatement. Additional organizations to contact depending on the situation: Centre antifraud du Canada 1-888-495-8501 www.centreantifraude.ca Bureau de la concurrence 1-800-348-5358 www.bureaudelaconcurrence.gc.ca Bureau d'information aux consommateurs www.guideduconsommateur.ca Autorités canadiennes en valeurs mobilières www.securities-administrators.ca Ontario Provincial Police 1-888-310-1122
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 3
Chapleau William "Bill" McLeod on the Budd Car Moments one of Ontario's best kept travel secrets by
Michael J. Morris About 12 years ago, William 'Bill' McLeod wrote that one of Ontario's best kept travel secrets is the VIA Rail train that runs between Sudbury and White River, Ontario. along the Canadian Pacific Railway main line, which also forms the southwest border of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve between Chapleau and Franz. Writing in his 2004 book, 'The Chapleau Game Preserve -- History, Murder and Other Tales', Bill, who was born and raised in Chapleau notes: "Actually the train is not really a train at all. It is a Budd Car which combines a diesel locomotive, baggage car and passenger car into a single unit." Bill died recently in Sudbury. I had asked Bill who had been a friend of mine since childhood in Chapleau if he would let me do an article on the BUDD car... Bill agreed. Actually Bill and I both attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High Schools at the same time, and then went to Waterloo Lutheran University now Wilfrid Laurier University for four years, albeit in different programs. Bill related that the "BUDD" as everyone calls it "stops anywhere to pick up and drop off vacationers, trappers, hunters, fishermen, prospectors, cottagers, and anyone else doing business or pleasure along the line. The crew and passengers, most of whom know each other, are one big happy family who are quick to make strangers feel comfortable and at home". "The little train goes through some of Ontario's most beautiful and unspoiled wilderness. Hundreds of lakes, streams and rivers roll endlessly by. Most of them nameless."
Bill points out many of the points of interest along the route, sharing how many of the places got their names, including a former logging community named after Dr. J.J, Sheahan, a revered physician who served the people of Chapleau for many years. The train's first scheduled stop is at Cartier, about 35 miles west of Sudbury, once a divisional point on the CPR with an old station and "classic waiting room worth a look." After passing Metagama, the train reaches Biscotasing, commonly called Bisco which is a very old village. It was an important community during the building of the CPR and was at one time a Hudson's Bay Post. Bill wrote that another bonus at Bisco is the general store, owned by his grandfather, William McLeod, some time in the 1920s and in fact Mr. McLeod may have built it. Next is Ramsey, also a former lumber centre, and then Sultan, which was the second largest community after Chapleau between Sudbury and White River. Between Sultan and Kormak the train crosses the height of land where all the streams now flow north, eventually to James Bay. The train crew changes at Chapleau, and after crossing the Kebsquasheshing (Chapleau) River and for the next 81 miles, the area on the right of the train will be the Chapleau Game Preserve. About eight miles west of Chapleau, at Esher, the first whistlestop, the train crosses the height of land again where all the streams and rivers now flow west to Lake Superior. Bill's grandfather, William McLeod, was instrumental in having the game preserve established. The details are in his book. Next is Nicholson, named after G.B. Nicholson, lumber merchant, first Reeve of Chapleau and Member of Parliament in early part of 20th century. Nicholson is on north shore of Lake Windermere, a huge body of water that once saw millions of logs boomed to the lumber mill in the community. Bill noted that the "biggest little town" between Chapleau and White River is Missanabie. If you watch carefully you may see the Missanabie Hotel. Upon reaching Franz the Algoma Central Railway crosses the Canadian Pacific Railway. Other places along the way include Bolkow, Shumka, Dalton, Localsh and Amyot. In his book, Bill provides comments about the claim to fame about each of these places, particularly a number of murders and a strange disappearances that occurred along that portion of the rail line.
The end of the line for the trip is White River which was once considered the coldest place in Canada where it is said the temperature once dropped to 72 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. White River is also the home of the original 'Winnie the Pooh.' Bill provides much more information about this trip in his book 'The Chapleau Game Preserve -History, Murder, and Other Tales.' He also wrote " 'Murder in the Schoolhouse', the story of the 1954 slaying of Steve Klapouschak, the teacher in the one-room school in Dalton. His most recent book was about the Chapleau Indian Residential Schools 1907 to 1948.
Back row (left to right): Tee Chambers (coach), Jim Machan, Jim Evans, Jack Poynter, Ian Macdonald, Bill McFarlane. Front row (left to right): Wa y n e F a u g h t , B i l l M c L e o d , R o g e r Mizuguchi, Aldee Martel Having travelled this route so many times many years ago from Chapleau to our family's camp at Healy and to Missanabie where I worked one summer, and the Chapleau to Sudbury portion more times than I can remember, Bill brought back many great memories. I have had great difficulty deciding on a column about Bill as he has written so much about so much in the history of Chapleau, and indeed Northern Ontario,.Finally I decided on the Budd Car as his own trip led to other stories and books. William E. "Bill" McLeod, born in Chapleau, Ontario on April 24, 1941 to Bordie and Georgie McLeod made a most significant contribution to the history of Northern Ontario, and of course Chapleau. Rest in peace my friend of 75 years. My email is mikejmorris41 @outlook.com
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 4
Two-tiered benefit regime ignores reality of too many seniors REPORT for August of this year that will flow to numbers are less shocking than an American study from OTTAWA scheduled OAS recipients who will be 75 as of June 2022 showing almost 15-years of difference in life (One full year from now). The second will be a expectancy for men and 10 years for women. In Rapport 10% increase in amount of OAS that same age either country the sad reality is that impoverished d’Ottawa group will receive, but not until next year (2022). individuals don’t live as long as wealthier ones. by/par
Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
Recent history shows that Canadians don’t want the circumstances of seniors changed in any way that isn’t an improvement or seen as being fair. The strong, negative reaction to Stephen Harper’s short-lived increase to the age of retirement from 65 to 67 years old offered a glimpse into that. At that time, the response was swift, negative, and widespread. With that in mind and a general acceptance that the Old Age Security (OAS) benefit needed to be increased so seniors who rely on it aren’t struggling to keep up as costs increase, it’s reasonable to assume any government would tread carefully when proposing changes. Especially changes that would hold some seniors back while helping others. Incredibly, that’s what is happening as the government ties together a pandemic benefit and an increased benefit for some OAS recipients – but not all of them. As it is stands, the government has proposed two measures for a portion of OAS recipients. The first is a one-time $500 payment
While seniors reliant on OAS have waited through the pandemic for assistance, these measures only address the needs of some recipients and sees others left behind and many waiting a full year for an increase they could use today. As their plans came into focus, NDP MPs repeatedly told the government that all seniors 65 and up, not just those 75 and older, need help. We called for an increase OAS before the pandemic, which only made financial challenges more difficult for those reliant on the benefit. When pressed, the government has given little in the way of justification for their decision. Worse, they voted down an amendment to include all seniors in these proposed OAS increases, and even threatened to see it as a confidence motion with the threat of a snap election had the House passed it. One notion that is difficult to separate from the issue is the effect poverty has on life expectancy. Studies show Canadian men ranked near the 80th percentile for earnings have a life expectancy of 83, while the lowest-income workers can expect to live to 75. The gap for women is narrower, with a life expectancy of 86 for the wealthiest as compared to 83 for the poorest. Those
The inescapable conclusion when one looks at making people wait until age 75 for their OAS to increase is that the government is banking on attrition to limit some of those costs. Unfortunately, the government’s plan for OAS recipients is consistent with their actions toward seniors since the election, and in particular during the pandemic. It took months to convince them that seniors needed financial support and it was only after pressure was applied by New Democrats that they changed their mind and agreed to the one-time payment. But the challenges didn’t stop there, and we have spent the last year requesting that all seniors receive additional financial support during the pandemic. The government refused, offering just the one-time payment that will only flow to OAS eligible seniors 75 and older. This is unfair and it’s worrisome that the government is creating subsets of seniors in the process. Those who receive a full OAS, or “senior seniors,” and those who will have to wait a decade after retiring, or “junior seniors.” It is an imperfect solution to a well understood problem and if the past offers any suggestions, Canadians won’t embrace the change.
Le régime de prestations à deux niveaux ignore la réalité de trop d’aînés L’histoire récente montre que les Canadiens ne veulent pas que la situation des aînés soit modifiée de quelque façon qui ne constitue pas une amélioration ou qui ne soit pas considérée comme juste. La forte réaction négative à l’augmentation éphémère apportée par Stephen Harper à l’âge de la retraite, qui était passé de 65 à 67 ans, a donné un aperçu de cette situation. À l’époque, la réponse fut rapide, négative et généralisée. Compte tenu de cela et de l’acceptation générale que les prestations de la Sécurité de la vieillesse (SV) doivent être augmentées afin que les personnes âgées qui en dépendent n’aient pas de mal à suivre le rythme de l’augmentation des coûts, il est raisonnable de supposer que tout gouvernement fera preuve de prudence lorsqu’il propose des modifications. Surtout les modifications qui nuiraient à certains aînés et qui en aideraient d’autres. Chose incroyable, c’est ce que fait le gouvernement en combinant une prestation de pandémie et une augmentation de prestations pour certains bénéficiaires de la SV, mais pas tous. En l’occurrence, le gouvernement a proposé deux mesures pour une partie des bénéficiaires de la SV. La première est un paiement unique de 500 $ prévu pour le mois d’août de cette année qui sera versé aux bénéficiaires de la SV qui auront 75 ans à compter de juin 2022 (dans un an). La deuxième sera une augmentation de 10 % du montant de la SV que recevra le même groupe d’âge, mais pas avant l’année prochaine (2022). Alors que les aînés qui dépendent de la SV ont attendu pendant la pandémie pour recevoir de
l’aide, ces mesures ne répondent qu’aux besoins de certains bénéficiaires, tandis que d’autres sont laissés pour compte, et que beaucoup devront attendre une année complète pour une augmentation qu’ils pourraient utiliser aujourd’hui. Quand les plans du gouvernement ont commencé à retenir l’attention, les députés néodémocrates lui ont maintes fois répété que tous les aînés âgés de 65 ans et plus, et pas seulement ceux âgés de 75 ans et plus, ont besoin d’aide. Nous avons demandé une augmentation de la SV avant la pandémie, laquelle n’a fait que rendre les défis financiers plus difficiles pour ceux qui dépendent de ces prestations. Lorsqu’on a insisté, le gouvernement n’a guère présenté d’arguments pour justifier sa décision. Pire encore, il a voté contre une modification visant à inclure tous les aînés dans les augmentations proposées de la SV et a même menacé de considérer la proposition comme une motion de confiance, laissant planer la menace d’une élection éclair si la Chambre l’adoptait. Une notion qu’il est difficile de séparer de la question est l’effet de la pauvreté sur l’espérance de vie. Des études montrent que les hommes canadiens qui se situent près du 80e centile des revenus ont une espérance de vie de 83 ans, tandis que les travailleurs à faible revenu peuvent s’attendre à vivre jusqu’à 75 ans. L’écart pour les femmes est plus faible, avec une espérance de vie de 86 ans pour les plus riches par rapport à 83 pour les plus pauvres. Ces chiffres sont moins choquants qu’une étude américaine montrant une différence de près de 15 ans dans l’espérance de vie des
hommes et de 10 ans dans celle des femmes. Dans les deux pays, la triste réalité est que les personnes pauvres ne vivent pas aussi longtemps que les plus riches. La conclusion incontournable, lorsqu’on envisage de faire attendre les gens jusqu’à l’âge de 75 ans pour que leur SV augmente, est que le gouvernement mise sur la réduction naturelle du nombre de bénéficiaires pour limiter une partie de ces coûts. Malheureusement, le plan du gouvernement pour les bénéficiaires de la SV est conforme à ses actions envers les aînés depuis les élections et, en particulier, pendant la pandémie. Il a fallu des mois pour le convaincre que les aînés ont besoin d’un soutien financier, et ce n’est qu’après que les néo-démocrates ont exercé des pressions qu’il a changé d’avis et accepté le paiement unique. Toutefois, les défis ne se sont pas arrêtés là, et nous avons passé la dernière année à demander que tous les aînés reçoivent un soutien financier supplémentaire pendant la pandémie. Le gouvernement a refusé et n’a offert que le paiement unique, qui ne sera versé qu’aux aînés admissibles à la SV âgés de 75 ans et plus. C’est injuste, et il est inquiétant que le gouvernement crée des sousgroupes d’aînés dans le processus, à savoir ceux qui reçoivent une pleine pension de la SV, les « aînés âgés », et ceux qui doivent attendre dix ans après leur retraite, les « aînés jeunes ». Il s’agit d’une solution imparfaite à un problème bien connu et, si le passé est garant de l’avenir, les Canadiens n’accepteront pas ce changement.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 5
NOTICE Pursuant to By-Law 2003-2, ratepayers of the Township of Chapleau hereby take notice that the Council of the Township of Chapleau intends to adopt the 2021 Municipal Budget at the regular meeting to be held Monday June 28th, 2021 at 6:30 pm. This meeting will be held electronically. Members of Council and the public may access the meeting as follows: Dial: 1-800-974-5902 Conference ID: 5116623 Dated at Chapleau this 17th day of June, 2021. Chelsea Swearengen Interim Clerk/Chief Administrative Officer www.chapleau.ca AVIS Conformément à l'arrêté municipal 2003-2, avis aux contribuables du Canton de Chapleau que le conseil municipal se propose d'adopter l'édition 2021 du budget municipal, lors de l'assemblée regulière du conseil qui aura lieu le lundi 28 juin 2021 à 18h30. Cette réunion se tiendra par voie électronique. Les membres du Conseil et le public peuvent accéder à la réunion comme suit: Composez le: 1-800-974-5902 ID de la conférence: 5116623 Daté à Chapleau ce 17e jour de juin 2021. Chelsea Swearengen Greffière/directrice municipale par intérim 864-1330 www.chapleau.ca
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 6
Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME
On July 1, 1979, the Sony Walkman goes on sale. Only 3,000 were sold in the first month, but after a massive advertising campaign, available stocks quickly sold out.
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 7 R.T.
24 Aberdeen St. S. P.O. Box 214 Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0 Download our APP
Rita T. McKee-Gavan Broker of Record www.rtmckeerealty.com Email: rita@rtmckeerealty.com
ALLEMANO, FITZGERALD PASCUZZI & BERLINGIERI Barristers and Solicitors
TIMMINS - CHAPLEAU - TIMMINS Monday to Friday: 1 lb. to 10,000 lbs
MICHAEL C. ALLEMANO, B.A., L.L.B.
Monday to Friday
Certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Real Estate Law P.O. Box 10, P.O. Box 1700, 369 Queen St. E. Suite 103 37 Broadway Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Wawa, Ontario P6A 1Z4 P0S 1K0 Phone (705) 942-0142 Phone (705) 856-4970 Fax (705) 942-7188 Fax (705) 856-2713
Northern Lights Ford Sales
Chapleau Figure Skating Club
Andrew G. McKenzie Travis Gendron
AGM
Highway 17 North P.O. Box 1033 Wawa, ON. P0S 1K0 Business 705-856-2775 Fax 705-856-4862 tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca
BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES
June 22, 2021 @ 7:30 Via Google Meet Please email: cfscsecretary@outlook.com for meeting ID Elections of officers Constitution
FOR QUALITY SERVICES AT
INEXPENSIVE PRICES GIVE US A CALL AT 1-705-264-4334 1-705-363-7804
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.
DEADLINES ON WEDNESDAYS AT 3:00 P.M.
Belated Thanks to the Good Samaritan who left a lovely bouquet of flowers on my front stoop last May 28th. Your thoughtfulness made my day. God bless you, Hélène Pineau
New at the Library
Dr. L. R. Simpson
Vehicle Decals Safety Signage Posters 705-864-4376 jnsigns@gmail.com
VETERINARIAN Will be at the Trinity United Church
MONDAY & TUESDAY July 5th & 6th, 2021 FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL Danielle at 1(705) 864-2235 lrs.vet@gmail.com
Free Digital E-Resources for your online reading enjoyment. Online Catalogue is available for orders and curbside pickup. Curbside pickup is available daily from 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm Drop Box is available 24/7 at the
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!
8mm & Super 8 mm FILM
SLIDES
PHOTOS
NEGATIVES
SCANNING
705-864-4376
CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, June 17, 2021 - Page 8
I learned long ago that one of the hardest thing to achieve and the very easiest to lose is respect. Our parents, teachers and others who are involved in our personal development as a person start to teach us this lesson from an early age. And in my mind, it is one of those lessons that is fundamentally true no matter where you come from or what your station is in life. I know I learned this lesson and took it to heart as a young man. The thing of it is, no matter how hard our parents and significant others in our lives try to teach this lesson, not everyone actually learns it. My mom was right teaching me that to get respect, you first have to give it. Without a word of lie, whenever I say or hear that word, I hear Aretha Franklin's musical voice ringing out her famous R-E-S-P-E-C-T hit song, and I get such an urge to bop my head and shoulders to the tune. But I digress, let's cut to the chase. I pride myself in fulfilling my roll as an MPP demonstrating compassion and respect for all constituents and Ontario voters as well as my colleagues sitting on the government side of the legislature. Therefore the message below is delivered with continued respect although I am dismayed with events as they unfold. As I write this week's column Doug Ford has recalled MPPs to the Legislature for an emergency session to ram through in just a couple or three days, legislation that is a blatant attempt to tramp on Ontarians right to freedom of speech. What Doug Ford is displaying is a knee jerk reflex response to the June 8th Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruling that struck down a major part of his changes to the Elections Finances Act. Clearly this infuriated the Premier so much that he has decided that if the courts say he is breaking the rules (law) he's just going to bully his way to pass the law. To do this, Doug Ford is pushing the nuclear button and invoking Section 33 of the Notwithstanding Clause from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Notwithstanding Clause allows governments to exempt their laws from certain sections of the Charter. It is important to note here that, since the Charter was passed in 1982, no other Ontario Premier has even considered invoking the Notwithstanding Clause. And once used, it is, as they say, a slippery slope indeed for potential use again and again.
Ford's new legislation limits spending by the very people he's supposed to serve. It's just third party groups, months prior to a provincial not right! Andrea Horwath said it best. “It's clearer election. The limits apply to organizations such as parent associations, working family than ever that Doug Ford's top priority is to organizations, environmental groups, doctors 'protect the king.' At a time when Canada is in and nurses associations, unions, coalitions and mourning from horrific tragedies in Kamloops any other sort of organization that wants to and London, and still battling a pandemic, Doug inform Ontario voters about the policies and Ford is worried most about Doug Ford. He wants record of any political party as well as the to crush dissent. He doesn't tolerate criticism from the people he hurts with his big cuts and bad government. Canada's democracy is something to be choices.” I've said this before and I'll say it again. treasured. It is something that many thousands of men and women died to protect in WWI and In reality, Doug Ford does not care at all about the WWII. That is why our Royal Canadian Legions 'little guy', no matter what he says. He has proven go to such lengths to ensure that Canadians never this time and time again since taking office. forget what our brave men and women fought and Doug Ford cares only about Doug Ford and will died for. They gave their lives, quite literally, to do whatever it takes to be re-elected. Even if that means stomping on the Canadian Charter of protect our rights and freedoms. Ontarians must have the right to exercise Rights and Freedoms and stripping Ontarians of their freedom of speech. We must ensure we their right to freedom of speech. New Democrats are committed to doing have the right to speak out to share our knowledge, experience, concerns and views. all in our power to oppose Ford's attack on the People have a right to be informed about what the rights of all citizens of Ontario. As always, please feel free to contact my record of previous governments as well as all opposition parties. They have a right to access office about these issues, or any other provincial information to help them make intelligent, matters. You can reach my constituency office informed decisions about who is going to lead the by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at 705-461-9710 or Toll free 1-800-831-1899. people of Ontario for the next four years. Ontario is trying to climb its way out of an absolutely horrific pandemic and healthcare crisis. Thousands have died –needlessly in some cases – alone and afraid. People need to know what was done correctly, what was not done correctly, and they need to “Sit” know why thousands of “Sit” Canadians died before their “Sit” time. Ordinary Ontarians have been there every step of the way. Every last one of us is a w i t n e s s . We h a v e a n incredible collective knowledge, understanding and insight. Families of long-term “Sit” care residents, parents of children with autism, teachers and school communities, “Sit” w o r k i n g p e o p l e , environmental advocates, and “Good dog!” frontline health care workers have the right to share what The more often a consumer sees your advertising message, they feel, and know. They the better your chances are that they will remember you have a right to free speech. when they’re ready to buy! Doug Ford's legislation to muzzle Ontarians from organizing and speaking out is quite simply a blatantly desperate attempt to muzzle
Certain messages need to be repeated several times
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