May 7 2026

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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Vol. 30, Issue 33, May 7, 2026

Chapleau Temporary Road Closures Residents are advised that the following road segments are closed to all traffic due to flood barrier installation: Aberdeen Street South, from Oak Street to Fir Street Fir Street, from Aberdeen Street South to Lansdowne Street South The Township will provide updates as conditions change. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 2

Weather Summary for Ontario April 2026: Wet Across Central Areas and Very Cold Again in the Far North Temperatures April was colder than normal in the north, increasingly so towards Hudson Bay and warmer than normal or near normal in the south. In fact, from the map below, we can see a gentle gradient in mean monthly temperature anomaly from north to south.

Weekly temperature anomalies were generally near normal. The first week, however, was colder than normal in the north, especially the northeast, while the second week was warmer than normal across most of the south.

Daily temperature data show that on April 3, many record high daily maximum temperatures were set in the southwest and GTA, including Burlington at 25.8°C. Conversely, on April 18 and 19, several record low daily maximum temperatures were observed in the north, such as Dryden, which recorded only 4.7°C on the 18th.

Precipitation For the month, precipitation was above normal across most of the province, with no subregions (e.g. southwest) receiving below-normal amounts. Notably, much higher-than-normal precipitation was recorded from Thunder Bay northward and east of the Great Lakes.

The third week was generally the wettest in the southwest during which Windsor and Welland received more than half of their monthly normal amount. In the north, however, the third week was generally the driest. Days with record precipitation amounts include the 4th at Sarnia with 47.8 mm and the 12th in Wiarton with 46.2 mm.

As the snow season wound down, proxy snow totals for April indicated below-normal amounts in the south, while higher-than-normal amounts were observed in the northwest, especially near the Minnesota border, in the northeast near the Quebec border, and in the Far North. Significant snowfall occurred in the

northeast near the end of the first week, with a record amount of 18cm recorded in Kapuskasing on the 8th.

Ice Conditions on the Great Lakes Ice coverage on the Great Lakes continued to fall through April; however, coverage remained above normal through the month. Initially, at the beginning of the month, ice was present on each of the lakes. Both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario contained small quantities in the eastern ends of the lake. Lake ice was constrained to the northern ends of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan; while Lake Superior had ice along most of its shoreline.

Over the course of the month Lake Ontario was the first lake to see its ice melt out, happening in the first week of April. It took nearly two weeks for Lake Erie to follow along as the tightly packed ice in the eastern extreme of the lake finally melted around April 17. Another 10 days after, the remaining ice on Lake Michigan melted. By the end of the month, a few strips and patches of ice were present in the North Channel of Lake Huron while Thunder Bay, Black Bay, and Nipigon Bay in Lake Superior also contained ice.

Significant Events April 14: Spring Rains Melt and Flooding around Central Ontario Heavy rain on the snowpack and saturated

ground triggered widespread flooding across northeastern and central Ontario. States of emergency were declared in areas such as Manitoulin Island, French River, Chisholm, and Minden Hills. Severe flooding damaged properties, overwhelmed sewage at least 2 treatment plants, and closed numerous roads. In North Bay, some basements were inundated with water up to six feet deep, and partially treated sewage spilled into Lake Nipissing and across local streets. The Mindemoya Hospital was closed due to flooding and water service disruptions, with patients transferred to other facilities. A boilwater advisory was also issued. Evacuations were carried out in Goulais River, and an evacuation centre opened in Minden Hills. The flooding also caused significant infrastructure damage, including road washouts and railway disruptions.

50 to 100 mm of rain fell across the most affected regions between Sunday and Tuesday morning.

Outlook for May 2026 The latest monthly outlook guidance shows no expected probability of either higher- or l o w e r- t h a n - n o r m a l t e m p e r a t u r e s . F o r precipitation, drier than normal conditions are most likely in northwestern and northeastern Ontario.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 3

Chapleau Moments

Unique moment in Chapleau railroading occurred as Robert Faught and Wilfred Muske arrive on The Dominion to retire in 1950

service with the CPR. (I wonder if anyone ever equalled or matched Mr. Faught's 55 years.)

From the archives Mr. Muske was completof ing his service when Number 7 arrived but Mr. Faught left Chapleau on Number 4 that evening for North Bay as the April 16, 2015 conductor, arriving in the early morning hours.

When Robert Faught and Wilfred C. However, the press was at Muske stepped off the "Dominion Limited", the the Chapleau station for the Canadian Pacific Railways crack passenger train "double retirement" which was at the Chapleau station in August, 1950, "somecalled unique in CPR history -thing unique in local railroading" was happentwo on the same run retiring ing, according to the Chapleau Post. essentially at the same time.

In the case of Mr. Muske, the engineer of Bteween them they had 98 years the train, "climbed down off the engine to be of service on the CPR. greeted by a large circle of friends, he was The newspaper report by Ben Ward in the culminating 43 years railroading with the CPR." North Bay Nugget described Mr. Faught's arrival The Chapleau Post reported that a similar in North Bay. "... just after midnight, the CPR's scene was being enacted on the station platform fast eastbound passenger train roared into the where a group of relatives and friends gathered to North Bay station. Down off an end car stepped a greet Mr. Faught, an ex-Chapleauite conductor small, brisk man. clad in the neat blue serge of a who was now living in North Bay. train conductor. He waved farewell to a group on In the case of Mr. Faught he set a record the coach platform, turned and entered the in Canadian railroading at the time, according to station office to report his trip. the Chapleau Post. He was completing 55 years "A few minutes later he emerged to to watch the train move off into the darkness."

Mr. Faught had finished his last run.

Here are details of his 55year career with the CPR. He started as a boy by lighting the switch lamps for the railway at a place called Thorncliffe, a few miles east of North Bay. "A boy of ten and still going to school, he was required to rise at dawn to extinguish the lamps and to re-light them at dusk. For that he was paid the handsome salary of $3.00 a month."

In the following years he worked as a timekeeper, hatch Work train at Ridout in October 1920. 1 Mr. Dumont from boy on coal boats, coach lamp Cartier, 2 Fred Charbonneau section foreman from Roberts, 3 lighter, brakeman and conduca son of Mr. Dumont (No. 1), 4 unknown, 5 Joe Dionne extra tor all with the CPR. gang foreman from Cartier, 6 Tom Burns C.P.R. brakeman, 7 He liked to recall those Robert (Bob) Faught C.P.R. conductor, 8 Hill Gagnon C.P.R. occasions when the Prince of engineer, 9 Walter Steed C.P.R. fireman, 10 Hiram Paul C.P.R. Wales, later King Edward VIII; brakeman. (Vince Crichton collection) the Emperor of Japan and Prime

Michael J. Morris

The Dominion Minister Lloyd George of England travelled on his trains.

By 1904, Mr. Faught was working as a brakeman at Chapleau, and by 1908 was a conductor. For the next 26 years, he took freight trains east and west out of Chapleau, "sometimes in winter storms that sent temperatures down to 60 and 70 below (F)" He reached the "top rung" when he became a passenger train conductor, and for six years worked on trains from Chapleau to Fort William, now Thunder Bay. In 1940 he was transferred to North Bay and by 1947 his runs were to Chapleau on the Dominion Limited.

The Chapleau Post noted that "in his wallet he carries the prize possession of Canadian railroading - a 50-year service pass honoured as passage on Canadian pacific trains and steamships. With him too, are memories of more than half a century of Railroading across Northern Ontario."

Plan to Travel within Canada

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 4

Ontario Introducing Legislation to Support Implementation of HST Relief on New Homes Proposed legislation would help deliver on Ontario’s promise to remove the HST on most new homes in partnership with the federal government Today, the Ontario government introduced the HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026 to support the implementation of the province’s 13 per cent HST relief on eligible new homes, which is being delivered in partnership with the federal government. This initiative would provide buyers of most new homes in Ontario with up to $130,000 in relief and could stimulate an additional 8,000 housing starts in Ontario next year, support up to 21,000 jobs and boost Ontario’s GDP growth by $2.7 billion.

“We’re already seeing the positive impact of our commitment to remove the HST from most new homes, with more shovels in the ground on new homes across Ontario,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Our government will continue fighting to lower costs for homebuyers, keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario and keep workers in our construction sector on the job.”

Buyers of eligible new homes valued at $1 million or less would receive the full 13 per cent relief on their home, to a maximum value of $130,000, while buyers of eligible homes valued at $1 million to $1.5 million would see relief of $130,000. The HST relief on eligible homes valued above $1.5 million would decline gradually to a maximum of $24,000 for homes valued at $1.85 million or more.

These legislative changes are required due to the nature of the federal government’s participation in this relief initiative, which requires the province to amend the Retail Sales Tax Act to enable a provincial top-up program of up to $50,000, equivalent to the five per cent federal portion of HST on a new home valued at

$1 million. The federal government is compensating the province for this top-up program through a transfer of $875 million. This top-up builds on the up to $80,000 that would be available to eligible buyers under the enhanced New Housing Rebate and New Residential Rental Property Rebate for the eight per cent provincial portion of HST. Together this would provide up to $130,000 in HST relief for eligible buyers.

While applications for HST relief are not open at this time, those who meet the relevant eligibility criteria can apply for the relief once applications open. For example, purchasers of an eligible home acquired on or after April 1, 2026, and on or before March 31, 2027, would be able to apply at a later date to receive the HST relief, even though the application process has not yet opened.

The proposed legislation also includes provisions that would enable buyers to assign this top-up to builders so that sellers can take the full HST relief amount off the price of a new home up front. The government continues to work with the federal government to implement the HST relief through necessary federal regulatory changes and has asked the federal government to administer the full HST relief program through the Canada Revenue Agency.

Further details on how home buyers will be eligible for the relief will be made available at the earliest possible opportunity.

These measures build on existing provincial housing tax supports to help increase the supply of affordable homes, support housing development and foster a robust housing industry across Ontario. This includes removing the full eight per cent provincial portion of the HST on qualifying purpose-built rental housing. The province is also providing historic housing-enabling infrastructure

Conservation Officers Need Your Help After Two Deer Found Dumped The Ministry of Natural Resources is seeking the public's assistance in identifying those responsible for abandoning two fawn deer and leaving the meat to spoil.

The incident occurred in Evansville, Ontario. During the week of October 20th, 2025.

Conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources located three deer carcasses in a southbound ditch near the intersection of Union Road and Campbell Road in Burpee Township on

Manitoulin Island in the Northeast region.

Two of the deer were fawns that had been field dressed, with the meat left abandoned and allowed to spoil. Evidence collected suggests the animals were discarded and not harvested at the location.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ministry's TIPS line at 1-877-8477667, their local MNR office, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

funding through the $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program and the $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund, which rewards eligible municipalities that make real progress in getting shovels in the ground to build new homes.

Implementation of the enhancements to the rebates on the eight per cent provincial portion of the HST requires federal regulatory amendments.

The HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026 would create regulation-making authority and audit authority regarding the five per cent top-up program. Regulations outlining additional details would follow once federal regulations for the rebate on the eight per cent provincial portion of the HST are in place.

Technical information related to additional program and administration details is available online, and will beu p d a t e d a s needed.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 5

Pourquoi la bande de roulement de vos pneus est-elle plus importante que vous ne le pensez (EN) En matière de sécurité routière au Canada, la plupart d’entre nous pensent aux routes verglacées et aux conditions de blizzard. Mais la conduite d’été peut être tout aussi dangereuse, surtout en cas de fortes pluies — l’un des dangers saisonniers les plus sous-estimés. Le coupable?

L’aquaplanage. « Nos techniciens soulignent souvent que l’aquaplanage peut se produire même quand l’automobiliste a l’impression de maîtriser son véhicule », explique Brian Mielko, présidentdirecteur général d’OK Pneus. « Il se produit quand l’eau s’accumule plus vite que vos pneus ne peuvent l’évacuer. Le véhicule roule alors sur une fine couche d’eau, ce qui réduit la maniabilité, la capacité de freinage et le contrôle général. C’est pourquoi la profondeur de sculpture adéquate est si cruciale, surtout dans les fortes pluies.»

Les sculptures des pneus sont conçues pour garantir la sécurité.

Les rainures et les canaux de vos pneus sont spécialement conçus pour évacuer l’eau de la « surface de contact » du pneu, c’est-à-dire la partie qui adhère à la route. Plus les rainures sont profondes, plus elles évacuent efficacement l’eau.

La conduite use la bande de roulement au fil du temps, et ces canaux deviennent moins profonds. Ils sont alors moins efficaces pour évacuer rapidement l’eau, ce qui augmente le risque d’aquaplanage.

Faites le test de la pièce de 25 cents chez vous.

Voici un contrôle de sécurité de 10 secondes proposé par les experts d’OK Pneus que vous pouvez effectuer dès aujourd’hui : insérez une pièce de 25 cents canadienne dans

Attention: Are you a Small Business Owner? Do you require financing? Thinking of starting a business?

The staff of the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation will be in Chapleau on Wednesday May 13th, 2026. 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 make an appointment to discuss financing options, please call (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 partir en affaires?

Le personnel de la Société d'aide au développement des collectivités Supérieur Est sera à Chapleau mercredi le 13 de mai, 2026.

La SADC offre des prêts financiers et des services-conseils aux propriétaires actuel(le)s de petites entreprises et aux individu(e)s intéressé(e)s à se partir en affaire. Nos services sont disponibles dans les deux langues officielles. Pour prendre rendez-vous et discuter de vos besoins d'aide financière ou pour obtenir des services-conseils, communiquez avec nous au (705) 856-1105 or 1-800-387-5776, poste 221 ou par courriel à davidson@ superioreastcfdc.ca.

une rainure de la bande de roulement, le nez du caribou tourné vers le bas. Si vous voyez le sommet de la tête, votre bande de roulement est usée à environ 4/32e de pouce, et il est temps d’envisager de remplacer vos pneus.

La profondeur minimale légale de la bande de roulement dans de nombreuses provinces est d’environ 2/32 de pouce, mais les experts en sécurité recommandent de remplacer les pneus lorsque la profondeur est proche de 4/32 pour les conditions humides. Cette petite différence de profondeur peut améliorer considérablement la distance de freinage et l’évacuation de l’eau sur les routes mouillées par la pluie.

Prenez soin de vos pneus et ils prendront soin de vous.

La profondeur de la bande de roulement n’est pas le seul élément à surveiller. Une usure irrégulière — plus importante d’un côté, au centre ou par endroits — peut être le signe de

problèmes de réglage de la géométrie, de suspension ou de pression de gonflage. Si l’un de ces problèmes n’est pas résolu, il peut réduire la durée de vie utile de vos pneus et compromettre votre stabilité et votre maniabilité en cas d’urgence.

C’est pourquoi il est important de maintenir la pression d’air dans vos pneus, de prendre rendez-vous pour des inspections saisonnières et de permuter vos pneus lorsque vous les changez. La pluie battante rend la conduite plus risquée que beaucoup ne le pensent, mais en veillant à l’entretien de vos pneus, vous serez prêt lorsque vous prendrez la route.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend with Free Fishing Fish for free across Ontario from May 9 to 10 This Mother’s Day weekend, Ontario is offering families a chance to cast a line and enjoy the outdoors together for free. From May 9 to 10, Canadian residents can fish in Ontario without purchasing a licence or Outdoors Card.

“Fishing is a great way for families to make unforgettable memories while enjoying the outdoors,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “Free fishing weekends are an opportunity to check out Ontario’s top notch fishing and take part in a timeless tradition that brings people together right across the province.”

Recreational fishing is a key part of Ontario’s economy, supporting local tourism and jobs in communities across the province. Free fishing opportunities like Mother’s Day weekend provide a chance for people to learn more about fishing on Ontario’s lakes and rivers.

If you are fishing for free during the Mother’s Day weekend, all conservation licence catch and size limits, sanctuaries and all other fishing regulations still apply.

This weekend marks the second of four free-fishing periods in Ontario this year. The remaining dates are Father’s Day Weekend (June 20–21) and Family Fishing Week (June 27–July 5).

For beginners, Ontario offers loans of rods and reels for free through the TackleShare program, as well as an online Learn to Fish Guide to help new anglers get started until in person Learn to Fish programs begin in June.

1.3 million licensed anglers spend $2.4

billion per year on recreational fishing in Ontario.

Canadian residents participating in free fishing periods must carry identification issued by the provincial or federal government, showing their name and date of birth.

Outside of free fishing periods, most people between the ages of 18 and 64 must have an Outdoors Card and a licence to fish. All veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members residing in Ontario can enjoy free recreational fishing in the province, whenever and wherever fishing is allowed.

O ntario fis hing licences can be purchased online at HuntAndFishOntario.com.

If buying online, always look for the Ontario logo. Licences can also be purchased in person at participating ServiceOntario or authorized licence issuer locations.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 6

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME

On May 20, 1506, Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain, at the age of 55, still erroneously believing that he had reached Asia. His last months were spent in poor health with what modern doctors suspect was Reiter's syndrome, and making futile attempts to recover his titles and wealth from King Ferdinand.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 7

This week, prepare your home for extreme weather events (NC) Canadians have never been strangers to harsh weather. But recent years have seen a rise in intense storms, flooding and wildfires across the country. May 3 to 9 is Emergency Preparedness Week, and it’s a perfect time to check your home to see how ready it is for extreme weather.

“The truth is that extreme weather events are becoming more common, and it’s putting Canadian households at risk,” said Mel Wright, vice president and head of Intact Insurance’s prevention program, which educates homeowners on making their properties climate-ready.

“Being prepared is your best defence, and there are things you can start doing around the house today to help protect it.”

Here are steps you can take to be better prepared for three of the most frequent extreme weather events: Flooding. It’s the most common and expensive natural disaster in the country, according to Public Safety Canada. Flooding can cause lasting damage to your home, especially the foundation. The key to flood preparedness is managing how water drains.

Make sure to clean your gutters and eavestroughs regularly—even small amounts of debris can quickly become a blockage.

Verify that your downspouts empty out at least six feet from your foundation.

Set up a schedule to clean out your backwater valve and test your sump pump twice a year. If you don’t have a sump pump and backwater valve installed in your basement or crawl space, consider installing them.

Wildfire. In the event of a fire, your home’s roof is at greatest risk: embers and sparks can float through the air and land there, where they can be harder to see and can ignite some roofing materials.

Installing shingles made from Class A roofing materials like cement fibre, asphalt or metal can help slow or prevent your roof from igniting.

It’s also important to create a fire break around your home—a gap where there’s no combustible material. Clear anything flammable, such as mulch, plants or firewood, from an area at least 1.5 metres from the exterior walls. If you can, clear any evergreen trees, such as pines, for at least 10 metres around your home. These types of trees are much more flammable than others.

Storms and strong winds. The biggest danger from strong winds is what might be blowing around.

Make sure to secure any outdoor furniture and other objects, such as bird feeders or barbeques, to keep them from flying off, falling over or damaging your home.

Switch your gardening and landscaping materials to something soft like soil, as opposed to stones, because strong winds can pick up heavier objects than you’d expect.

Consider fortifying your doors and sealing exterior gaps and cracks in walls, as well as around pipes and fixtures.

Simple upgrades and home maintenance can go a long way in keeping your home protected. Learn more about preparing for extreme weather at keepitintact.ca.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, May 7, 2026- Page 8

6 tips to help prevent auto theft device may also make you eligible for a discount on your auto insurance premium.

5.Consider VIN etching. Etching your vehicle identification number (VIN) onto windows and key components makes your vehicle and its parts harder to resell. This can make it worth less to thieves, acting as a long-term deterrent.

6.Install motion detection lights or video surveillance at home. Adding motion detection lighting or home security cameras where you park can help discourage theft and make suspicious activity easier to notice.

A few practical habits can go a long way in protecting your vehicle and your peace of mind. Learn more at cooperators.ca.

(NC) Auto theft continues to be a growing concern in Canada. While auto insurance can help if your vehicle is stolen, taking a few simple steps can help reduce the risk before it happens.

Making your vehicle harder to access and less appealing to target can go a long way in protecting your car and what’s inside it.

Here are six tips to help reduce the risk of theft, from the auto experts at Co-operators: 1.Secure your vehicle every time. Always turn off your engine and take your keys or fob with you, even during short stops, and make sure all doors are locked and windows are fully closed to reduce easy access points for thieves. Keeping valuables out of sight and avoiding leaving ownership papers or other personal documents in the vehicle lowers risk of break-ins and identity fraud.

2.Park in places that make theft more difficult.

Choose well-lit, visible locations or park in a

garage whenever possible. When parking on the street, set the emergency brake, and park between other vehicles to make your car more difficult to tow or target. If you’re parked pointed downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb, and if you’re parked facing uphill, turn them toward the street.

3.Protect keyless entry systems. Some thieves can use devices to boost your key fob’s signal, allowing them to unlock or start your vehicle. To help prevent this, store your fob away from doors or windows or use a Faraday pouch to block the signal.

4.Add layered protection to make your vehicle harder to steal. Using a combination of anti-theft measures, such as a steering-wheel lock, alarm, tracking device or immobilizer, adds extra protection and makes your car less appealing to thieves. Depending on where you live in Canada, installing an approved tracking or anti-theft

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