11022023 November 2, 2023

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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Vol. 28, Issue 9, November 2, 2023

Free Flu Shot and New COVID-19 Vaccines Available for All Ontarians Six Months of Age and Older Ontarians strongly encouraged to get their COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot Starting tomorrow, October 30, Ontarians will be able to receive their free flu shot and the new, most recent COVID-19 vaccine at local pharmacies, public health units and primary health care providers across the province.

Staying up to date on vaccinations continues to be the best way for people to stay safe and healthy this respiratory illness season and avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital.

“Getting your COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot is the best way to keep yourself, your loved ones and your community healthy,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our government is ensuring you have access to the tools you need this fall respiratory season by making COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots available in convenient locations close to home, at no cost to Ontarians.”

It is safe and convenient to receive both a COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot at the same time,

reducing the need for multiple visits. The new C O V I D -19 vaccines now available are specifically designed to target the XBB variant and were approved by Health Canada earlier this fall.

All Ontarians six months and older can receive their next COVID-19 dose if it has been a recommended six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Ontarians are encouraged to speak with a health care professional to help determine their appropriate vaccination schedule.

"With the expected co-circulation of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV over the fall and winter, I encourage Ontarians to get their COVID-19 vaccine and flu shot as soon as they can,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Especially those who are elderly, immunocompromised, or have medical conditions that make you particularly susceptible

to harm from respiratory illnesses."

To reduce the risk of spreading illness, individuals are advised to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, clean surfaces and shared items regularly and stay at home when sick.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is ensuring communities across the province have the tools they need to stay to stay safe and healthy this fall and winter while ensuring hospital beds are available for those who need them most. · Once available, you can book a COVID19 vaccine through participating pharmacies, through public health units or via our website or by calling the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007 toll free) from Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Loaded guns were seized by police during the arrest of a person wanted for domestic assault

O

n Saturday, Oct. 21, OPP received a call about an alleged domestic assault that had happened earlier this month on Highway 129 south of Chapleau. A police investigation led to an arrest warrant being issued for an Elliot Lake resident.

Monday afternoon (Oct. 23), James Bay OPP found the suspect Long Term and pulled them over on Forecast Front Street in Hearst.

Thursday During the arrest, police High 2 seized two loaded guns, Low -2 ammunition and a Friday c onducted energy High 2 weapon (CEW).

Low -2 -A 53-year-old from Saturday High 4 Low 1

Sunday High 2 Low -1 Monday High -1 Low -6 Tuesday High -1 Low -4

Elliot Lake is charged with: -Assault - spousal -Assault with a weapon - spousal -Assault causing bodily harm - choke, suffocate or strangle -Uttering threats - cause death or bodily harm spousal -2 counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition -Unauthorized possession of a weapon -Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a prohibited or restricted weapon The name of the accused is not being released to protect the identity of the victim.

The accused was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in court in

December in Chapleau and Hearst on separate dates.

None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 2

Students to enjoy healthy breakfast options thanks to United Steelworkers Local 2251

Algoma District School Board (ADSB) Director of Education Lucia Reece and Chair Jennifer Sarlo accepted a generous donation from United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2251 at the Regular Board meeting held on October 30, 2023.

Mike Da Prat, President of USW Local 2251, and Assistant Debbie Logan donated $16,500 to the ADSB Student Nutrition Program to support schools locally and throughout the district for the 2023/2024 school year. To date, USW Local 2251 has donated $101,000 (which includes this year's donation) to Algoma District School Board's Student Nutrition and Breakfast Programs.

Food programs offer school-age children and youth nutritious options, typically at breakfast and/or as snacks at different times during the day.

The donation from USW will go a long way to support the purchase of fresh fruit, milk, yogurt, cereals and other healthy options which are much needed by some students who arrive at school without breakfast or snacks for the day.

Now more than ever, food programs are important for children and youth in our schools and with enhanced safety measures for the delivery of food to students, these programs continue and are being utilized by students in almost all ADSB elementary and secondary schools.

Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems, and their ability to learn is enhanced.

Director Reece and Chair Sarlo thanked Mike, Debbie and the USW on behalf of the Board.

They presented a banner as a visual thank you to the USW Local 2251 members and shared that the donation will have a positive impact on a very present need in schools throughout the district.

Why winter may be the perfect time to give back (NC) While many of us look forward to holiday parties, festive meals and time with family, for some, the cold, dark days can be a little depressing, especially for Canadians experiencing food insecurity. Giving back to those in need can help beat those winter blues.

With the increased cost of living, giving back may look a bit different this year. A no-cost option is to volunteer your time. You can help sort supplies at a local food bank, dish out meals at a soup kitchen, organize a clothing drive or spend time at a retirement home.

With rising inflation and interest rates, food insecurity is a growing concern for many Canadians. In fact, in 2021, nearly six million of us lived in a f o o d - i n s e c u r e h o m e . Wi n t e r i s especially hard because gardens are buried under snow, and much of the fresh produce we consume at this time of year is pricey imports.

The situation is even more severe in many Indigenous communities.

Almost a third of Indigenous people who live off-reservation and nearly half who live on-reservation do not have access to affordable, healthy food.

But there are organizations like Canadian Feed The Children who provide food support, as well as income and educational opportunities, for families in five different countries including 30 Indigenous communities across Canada.

Learn more about how you can help feed children and give back to families worldwide at canadianfeed thechildren.ca

Email us at

HAVEchaexpress@sympatico.ca A GOOD WEEKEND

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 3

Chapleau Moments by

Robert Holding like a ghost flits through early Chapleau history after surviving shipwreck off coast of Auckland Islands as young man. teacher was Miss Charlotte Weller, who later married G.B. Nicholson, a businessman and Chapleau's first reeve from 1901 to 1913.

Michael J. Morris

Chapleau school circa 1891 on Pine Street

Robert Holding, one of Chapleau's earliest residents, and by any measure an interesting personality, was a key mover in establishing the community's first permanent school in 1891.

Although, as J.M. Shoup noted in a report on Chapleau education the first school was established in the vestry of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic School, and then into a tent, by 1891, Holding whose own formal education was lacking as he had gone to sea at age 14, was pushing for a school.

George Evans, based on references to 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario' by Vince Crichton, shared part of Holding's story, and I have referred to them here except where otherwise noted.

A school board was set up in February 1891 and Holding was elected first chairman of the board. By May 21, 1891, a one room school was opened on Pine Street, next to the rectory of St. John's Anglican Church. There were nineteen students. Mr. Shoup's report notes that the first

In his article George wrote that Holding "like a ghost flits through the pages" of Vince's book, "turning up here and there playing a variety of roles in Chapleau's story."

Born in England on March 17, 1840, George wrote that perhaps the most exciting event in Holding's long life came shortly after his 24th birthday when he was aboard the sailing ship Invercauld. On May 20, 1864, the ship was battered to pieces on the rocky west coast of the uninhabited Auckland Islands south of New Zealand.

Nineteen crew members made it to shore, according to one account, twenty-four in another, but one year and 10 days later when rescuers arrived only Holding and the captain had survived.

Sixty-one years later while living in Chapleau, Holding typed out an account of his shipwreck and survival used by his great granddaughter Madelene Ferguson Allen in her book ' Wake of the Invercauld'.

By 1888, with his wife and children Holding arrived in Canada and made his way to Chapleau where he found work as a machinist in the Canadian Pacific Railway shops.

He built a tenement building on Beech

Crusoe House on Beech Street

Street which became his home and a boarding house. It came to be known as the 'Crusoe House' named after Robinson Crusoe in Daniel Defoe's novel. This house was torn due in about 1958 when Dr. G.E. Young owned the property -- this is when Dr. Young was converting the (white) Austin house on Pine Street into the Riverside Inn. At one time, according to Vince, Holding served as Chapleau's "ex-officio" police officer before the municipality was incorporated in 1901.

Obviously Holding still had a sense of adventure in him as early in the 20th century on a July 1st, he organized a re-enactment of the Battle of San Juan Hill, a famous incident in the Spanish-American war of 1898.

According to Vince/George the hill was to be the north side of the Kebsquasheshing River (maybe landing was to take place about where Dr. Young's boathouse stood) and the attackers came from the south shore (maybe from about the beach area although there was no beach there in those days).

They used home made cannons loaded with sod and propelled with real gunpowder.

Holding commanded a hospital ship and picked up "survivors" from sunk or overturned craft.

As an aside, it just struck me as I type that it is a good thing my buddies and I were not aware of this battle on the river when we were kids in the 1950s. A re-enactment would have occurred for sure --- right guys???

Becoming more intrigued with Holding Cont’d on P.5

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 4

Alberta Discussion of Leaving CPP Problematic for Canadian Unity REPORT Even if the province decides to move from OTTAWA findings.”

The Alberta government has received ahead with this plan, there's a significant number Rapport significant pushback on this proposal, and of unknowns. This would be uncharted territory. consultations surrounding it, from the opposition The province wouldn't simply take what it d’Ottawa Alberta NDP, the Prime Minister, the CPP believes it's owed and leave. There would have to by/par

Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Recently, the Alberta government has floated the idea of removing the province from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This was not a significant point of debate in the recent Alberta election, and it's slightly baffling why it has all of a sudden become a major point of contention for the Premier and her government. However, what should be clear is that a province leaving to chart their own course may have serious consequences for Canadians' retirement security across the board.

The CPP is a stable source of retirement income for the majority of Canadians. While Quebec has their own model in the QPP, they have had some iteration of a pension plan for as long as the CPP has existed. So while there is a precedent for another province charting its own pension course, there is no precedent for how an existing province could exit the CPP. It's also not entirely clear why the provincial government is pushing this idea.

The CPP has also traditionally been quite popular. While a little outdated, a 2016 opinion poll from Angus Reid showed a full majority of Canadians surveyed (58 percent) were in favour of moderately expanding CPP benefits, and another 17 percent stating they wanted to see CPP expanded significantly. While most Canadians don't rely solely on CPP for retirement income, it is one of the key pillars that ensure Canadians can retire comfortably, along with workplace registered pension plans and private savings, and Old Age Security for those who qualify.

Part of the discussion surrounding a potential Alberta exit from the CPP has to do with the formula the Premier has cited for the amount owing to the province. The Lifeworks calculation claims that Alberta would be owed over half of the funds in the CPP, but many have called the calculation flawed. The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has estimated Alberta is owed about 16 per cent of the fund. Anthony Pizzino, the CEO of the National Association of Federal Retirees, has also argued that Alberta is only responsible for 16 per cent of all contributions to the CPP, and has claimed in an op-ed in The Globe and Mail that “if the (Lifeworks) formula were applied to other provinces, such as say Ontario, and it decided to leave the national plan first, its portion and Alberta's would be more than the entire CPPIB fund. The flawed formula, therefore, invalidates most of the report's

Investment Board, and Albertans themselves.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has opposed CPP benefit enhancements in the past and remains among the Alberta Premier's staunchest allies, has said "I encourage Albertans to stay in the CPP." The Ontario Finance Minister said recently “We believe this proposal could cause serious harm over the long term to working people and retirees in Ontario and across Canada.” An early October poll from Abacus Data showed that 52 per cent of Albertans believe leaving the CPP is a bad idea, and only 19 percent believing it's a good idea.

be negotiations, with the Federal government and the other provinces and territories. Millions would likely be tied up in legal fees, and it's hard to fathom a situation where working people and retirees are the beneficiaries of this plan. for at least the next 75 years. It's funded

by Canadians, for Canadians. Having a greater contributor base lends itself to this stability, and its why Canadians generally feel good about the fund. It feels like a nonsensical argument to have at this point in time when there are so many other major issues we need to contend with.

Le projet de l'Alberta de se retirer du RPC est problématique pour l'unité canadienne Ces temps-ci, le gouvernement de l'Alberta jongle avec l'idée de retirer la province du Régime de pensions du Canada (RPC). Cet enjeu n'était vraiment pas un point saignant lors des dernières élections en Alberta, et il est plutôt déconcertant que la première ministre et son gouvernement en fassent soudainement un point de discorde majeur. Cela dit, il ne fait aucun doute que la décision d'une province de faire cavalier seul à ce chapitre peut être lourde de conséquences pour la sécurité de la retraite de tous les Canadiens.

Pour la majorité des Canadiens, le RPC est une source stable de revenus à la retraite. S'il est vrai que le Québec dispose de son propre régime de retraite, le RRQ, celui-ci existe sous une forme ou une autre depuis aussi longtemps que le RPC. C'est donc dire qu'il existe un précédent pour ce qui est de la création d'un régime provincial distinct, mais qu'il n'est jamais arrivé qu'une province se retire du RPC. La raison pour laquelle le gouvernement provincial préconise ce retrait n'est pas très claire non plus.

Le RPC a toujours joui d'une grande popularité. Quoiqu'un peu daté, un sondage d'opinion réalisé en 2016 par Angus Reid a montré qu'une majorité des Canadiens interrogés (58 %) étaient en faveur d'une modeste bonification des prestations du RPC et que 17 % d'entre eux souhaitaient que le RPC soit considérablement bonifié. Bien que la plupart des Canadiens ne comptent pas uniquement sur le RPC pour toucher un revenu de retraite, ce régime est l'un des principaux piliers garantissant aux Canadiens une retraite confortable, de pair avec les régimes de pension agréés en milieu de travail, l'épargne privée et, pour ceux qui y sont admissibles, la Sécurité de la vieillesse.

Le débat sur un éventuel retrait de l'Alberta du RPC s'appuie en partie sur la formule

invoquée par la première ministre pour calculer les sommes dues à la province. Selon les calculs de Lifeworks, plus de la moitié des actifs du RPC devraient revenir à l'Alberta; toutefois, de nombreuses personnes ont qualifié ces calculs d'erronés. L'Office d'investissement du régime de pensions du Canada (OIRPC) a plutôt estimé qu'environ 16 % des actifs lui étaient dus. Le directeur général de l'Association nationale des retraités fédéraux, Anthony Pizzino, a lui aussi affirmé que l'Alberta n'était responsable que de 16 % de toutes les cotisations au RPC; dans une lettre d'opinion publiée dans le Globe and Mail, il a soutenu que si la formule de Lifeworks était appliquée à une autre province, par exemple à l'Ontario, et que celle-ci décidait de se retirer du régime national en premier, sa part et celle de l'Alberta excéderaient la totalité du fonds de l'OIRPC. « Par conséquent, la formule erronée invalide la plupart des conclusions du rapport », concluait-il.

Le gouvernement de l'Alberta a essuyé de vives critiques relativement à cette proposition et aux consultations afférentes, tant de la part de l'opposition néo-démocrate de l'Alberta que du premier ministre, de l'Office d'investissement du RPC et des Albertains eux-mêmes. Le chef conservateur Pierre Poilievre, qui s'est opposé par le passé à la bonification des prestations du RPC et qui reste l'un des plus fidèles alliés de la première ministre de l'Alberta, a déclaré qu'il encourageait les Albertains à ne pas abandonner le RPC. Quant au ministre des Finances de l'Ontario, il a récemment affirmé que cette proposition pourrait causer de graves préjudices à long terme aux travailleurs et aux retraités de l'Ontario et de l'ensemble du Canada. Selon un sondage réalisé par Abacus Data au début du mois d'octobre, 52 % des Albertains estiment que Suite P.7

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 5

Des visiteurs ori-gi-gnaux à l'ÉS du Sacré-Coeur Quelle belle visite! Depuis ce matin, deux orignaux, sans doute attirés par la qualité de l'éducation offerte par l'école secondaire du SacréCœur (Sudbury) ainsi que par son accueil, se sont retrouvés sur le terrain scolaire des Griffons. Durant la journée scolaire, ces orignaux se sont déplacés

sur le terrain de soccer de l'école. Ces visiteurs origi-gnaux ne sont pas passés inaperçus et ont attiré plusieurs curieux. Ce n'est qu'après la journée scolaire, vers 15 h, que ces bêtes majestueuses ont quitté l'école secondaire. Les orignaux furent aperçus par la suite courir dans le terrain du si;ège

social du Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvelon.

L'école secondaire du Sacré-Coeur a bénéficié du soutien d'agents du Service de police de Sudbury et d'experts du ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêt pour assurer la sécurité des animaux, des élèves et des curieux.

Friendly moose camp welcomed by École secondaire du Sacré-Cœur (Sudbury) Earlier today, (October 26), two moose who were attracted by the quality of education offered by École secondaire du Sacré-Cœur (Sudbury) as well as its warm welcome was seen walking about on the school property. During the day, the moose could be seen on the soccer field. These original visitors attracted many visitors. The school was supported by officers of the Sudbury Police Service and experts from the Ministry of Natural Resources to ensure the safety of the animals, students and onlookers.

Chapleau Moments newspaper of May 12, 1919, about his mining exploits.

It said in part: "The romance of mining is perhaps not better exemplified than in the case of Robert Annual General Members Holding now 80 years of age, who after scouring two Meeting continents in search of the Assemblée Annuelle des elusive gold, was at last rewarded and now bids fair to membres become a millionaire."

Maison Boreal Home Inc. The article adds that On Tuesday, November 21st 2023 at 7 P.M. Holding had been prospecting in the Shining Tree area and Le mardi 21 novembre 2023 à19 h may have staked "one of the Upstairs dining room of Cedar Grove richest finds in the north country".

Apparently Holding Dans la salle à diner du haut de Cedar Grove staked his claims before World Agenda Ordre du jour War I in 1911 but waited until Last AGM minutes Dernier procès-verbal the end of the war to dispose "of Annual Financial Report Rapport financier vérifié his interest for a large cash Please do not forget to get your membership card BEFORE the AGM. p a y m e n t a n d o t h e r Un rappel d'obtenir votre carte de membre AVANT. consideration which will Email anne.ouellettte@outlook.com or 705-864-0669 or messenger probably net him one million

Cont’d from P.3 all the time, I did a Google search and lucked into an article about him from 'The Toronto World'

dollars."

Nonetheless, in 1928, now 88 years old, Holding bought the Algoma Hotel (later the Hublit now a parking lot) and started a new career as a hotel owner. His son-in-law Charles Vice managed it for him.

Robert Holding died at age 93 on June 22, 1933, in Chapleau. He is buried in the old Protestant Cemetery on Birch Street. George provided directions to his grave. After entering through the main gate, "angle off to the right" and you will find his grave.

I am sure there is much, much more to be told about the fascinating life of Robert Holding and I would love to hear from you.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 6

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Nov. 8, 1994, Salvatore "Sonny" Bono was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Best known as the popsinger husband of Cher, after their divorce he left the music world behind to launch several successful restaurants, until frustration with bureaucratic hurdles around one of his construction projects in Palm Springs, California, sparked his foray into politics.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 2, 2023- Page 7

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Le projet de l'Alberta de se retirer du RPC est problématique pour l'unité canadienne Suite de la P.4 se retirer du RPC est une mauvaise idée, et seulement 19 % pensent qu'il s'agit d'une bonne idée.

Même si la province décidait de mettre ce plan à exécution, il subsisterait une foule d'impondérables. Elle entrerait en territoire inconnu. La province ne pourrait pas simplement se retirer du régime en empochant ce qu'elle estime lui être dû. Des négociations devraient avoir lieu avec le gouvernement fédéral, ainsi qu'avec les autres provinces et territoires. Des millions seraient probablement dépensés en frais juridiques, et on imagine mal que les travailleurs et les retraités seraient les bénéficiaires de ce régime.

Dans sa forme actuelle, le R P C demeurera financièrement viable pendant au moins 75 ans. Il est financé par les Canadiens et pour les Canadiens. Son grand nombre de cotisants fait sa force et sa stabilité, et c'est la raison pour laquelle les Canadiens en sont généralement satisfaits. Il semble insensé de

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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, November 2, 2023- Page 8

Northern Ontario seniors need a government that understands and considers their unique needs For those who have been lucky enough to visit the Legislature, you will no doubt have seen the vast array of art displays and informational exhibits that decorate its halls. I highly recommend a visit to anyone who finds themselves with an afternoon to spare while visiting Toronto. I regularly spend time walking around, taking in any new displays after my house duties have wrapped up for the day. Such walks help to keep me focussed on the richness Northern life offers and the responsibility I have to bring the voices of the people of AlgomaManitoulin to Queen's Park.

Last week, I found myself admiring the massive topographical map of Ontario that hangs just past the main entrance. As I took it in, I decided to see if I could identify the boundaries of Algoma-Manitoulin without man-made landmarks like roads and towns. During this exercise, I was struck again by the vast geographic differences facing Northern communities compared to those living south of

the French River. Lakes, rivers, forests, and hills characterize our region, and they heavily impact the way we live up here.

In most ways, these features are a boon to us. We can spend our leisure time enjoying the beauty of the natural world close to home, and we are blessed with a unique sense of community because of our shared environment. However, the uniqueness of the North also brings with it several challenges when it comes to access and delivery of essential services.

One of those challenges that I hear about regularly in my office is homecare for seniors.

Finding homecare that is both timely and sufficient to meet the needs of seniors in the North is an ongoing issue that the government has left ignored for decades. It is an even more serious problem as our province continues to deal with a shortage of medical staff and spaces in hospitals and long-term care.

Failing to provide homecare to individuals who are healthy enough to stay in their homes but need some extra assistance is a major factor in the overcrowding of our hospitals and care homes. I hear from constituents all the time how they would have much preferred to continue to live in their own home but can't find that additional support they need.

The issues with homecare stem back to the Harris' government days and their push to sign more contracts with large, for-profit providers. The way the system is set up right now, only these companies can compete in the government's bidding process. These same companies have been routinely found incapable of providing adequate coverage for communities, stable staff jobs, or robust patient care.

The reason for this is quite simple. It is because the main objective of such companies is to provide investment returns for their shareholders rather than providing the highest standard of care to those in need.

In the North, the obstacles to overcoming the shortage in homecare are compounded by that same unique geography I mentioned before. The PSWs, nurses, and other healthcare workers who provide these services are already overworked

and underpaid because of this government's policies and the privatization of the sector. Now add the vast area they must cover, the low population density of our region, and the hazards involved with winter travel across Northern Ontario. You can quickly see why services provided in other parts of the province are not going to have the same impact here.

All of this was on my mind as MPPs debated the government's 'Convenient Care at Home Act' in the Legislature this week. This bill makes two changes to homecare in Ontario: one; it creates 'Ontario Health at Home', a centralized agency in charge of all decision-making processes regarding homecare providers; two, it brings the for-profit homecare providers into Ontario Health Teams, which will further the privatization of our healthcare system.

Both moves contemplated in this bill concern me as a Northern member. I have been clear that the government's move to Ontario Health Teams (to replace the Local Health Integration Networks) was not carried out in a way that works for our Northern communities.

We saw vast regions with little in common heedlessly lumped together, with seemingly no regard for the commonality between them. Going further and centralizing all decision-making about homecare in one agency will again reduce the ability to have Northern realities reflected in government policy.

Ontario's seniors' health, welfare, and happiness are matters that should be among the Province's highest priorities. The Ford government needs to realize that essential services such as homecare are not just standard businesses because of their incredible impact on the lives of a highly vulnerable sector of people.

The Ford government must grasp the reality that the private sector will continue to fail at providing adequate care to small, rural, and Northern communities. Ontario is the only province in Canada to have private, for-profit companies providing homecare. This needs to end if the government wants to fix our broken system. We need to ensure that PSWs, healthcare workers, and nurses are provided with good salaries and stable jobs, and the government must not try to apply a one-size-fits-all solution.

Instead, it must empower local health teams that better understand the communities' needs.

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 mmantha-co@ola.org or by phone Tollfree at 1-800-831-1899.