11092023 November 9, 2023

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

Local News Weekly

705 - 864 - 2785

Free to Every Household

Vol. 28, Issue 10, November 9, 2023

705 - 864 - 0911

Chapleau resident killed in crash on Highway 101

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ighway 101 reopened shortly after 5:15 p.m. Saturday, following a singlevehicle crash that happened shortly after 8 a.m. that killed one person, police say.

The highway was closed between Waferboard Road and Government Road South in Timmins for approximately 9 hours.

Members of the South Porcupine Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Timmins

Ambulance Emergency Medical Services attended the scene where a passenger vehicle was found in the ditch along the highway, west of Timmins, Ont., police said in a news release early Friday evening.

“A person, 35 years old, from Chapleau was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said police.

Const. Kyler Brouwer had confirmed

with CTV News earlier in the day that one person had died in the crash.

The OPP said the investigation is continuing with assistance from the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Police have not released any details on the cause of the crash.

The Township of Chapleau partners with Hydro One to energize life for its residents into the future

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ydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) and Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation (Chapleau Hydro) announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement for Hydro One to acquire Chapleau Hydro's distribution business to serve electricity customers in the Township of Chapleau. The agreement includes purchasing substantially all of Chapleau Hydro's electricity distribution assets for approximately $2.3 million, subject to adjustments.

There are tremendous benefits to our new partnership with Hydro One. With local Hydro One presence in the Township, available 24/7, we expect all customers in the Chapleau and surrounding areas will e xperience service Long Term improvements," said Forecast Mayor Ryan Bignucolo, Thursday Township of Chapleau.

High 2 "Significant investment Low -4 and modernization are Friday required within our local High -2 electricity system at a rate Low -6 and pace that is Saturday High -2 Low -9

Sunday High 2 Low -3 Monday High 4 Low -1 Tuesday High 5 Low 1

unaffordable for us as a small community. We are excited to welcome Hydro One into our community to help us prepare for the future."

"Hydro One is thrilled to join the Chapleau community and we look forward to being a meaningful and proud community partner," said Chris Lopez, Chief Financial and Regulatory Officer, Hydro One. "We are pleased to work with the Mayor of Chapleau and Chapleau Hydro to provide the reliable and safe power needed now and into the future."

Chapleau Hydro serves approximately 1,200 customers and is owned by the Township of Chapleau. In May 2023, due to staffing shortages at Chapleau Hydro, the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), the province's independent regulator, issued Hydro One an interim license to operate the distribution system of Chapleau Hydro for six months while Chapleau Hydro and its shareholder, the Township of Chapleau, considered the option to sell the distribution business. A request to extend this license has been submitted to the OEB. Proceeds from the sale of Chapleau Hydro are expected to be used to invest in critical core community services

including the Township's water plant, fire services and airport.

There are no current changes to electricity service for Chapleau Hydro customers. The acquisition is conditional upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and approval by the OEB. Hydro One intends to file an application with the OEB by the end of 2023 for approval of the acquisition. (CHAPLEAU, ON, Nov. 7, 2023 /CNW/ )

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo welcomes Hydro One to the Township of Chapleau (CNW Group/Hydro One Inc.)

MISSION

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 2

Weather Summary for Ontario October 2023: A Warm Start and a Cold, Snowy End Temperatures October was warmer than average across the whole province, with the highest values in eastern Ontario, as evident in the map below. On the weekly scale, the month began with an intense warm event provincewide that lasted several days. Daily maximum temperatures above 30oC were widespread (Thunder Bay 30.0oC, Lagoon City - 32.2oC and Ottawa 30.9oC) on the 3rd and 4th. This was followed by slightly cooler temperatures, especially in the south, for the first part of the second week.

Temperatures then warmed again to above average extending throughout the third week.

During the last week, a second intense warming trend developed over most of the province. Overnight low temperatures were higher than the average daily maximum values for much of the south. This was replaced by a cold wave which swept from the northwest across the entire province toward the end of the month. Overnight low temperatures in the northwest dipped down to around -10oC on the 27th.

Precipitation Precipitation anomalies were mixed

In Loving Memory of Paul Micheal Cloutier October 14, 1983 - November 11, 2009 Of all the special gifts in life, However great or small, To have you as our son (brother) Was the greatest gift of all.

May winds of love and peace blow softly, And whisper in your ear We love and miss you Paul Wish that you were here.

Deep in our hearts, your life is kept to love and cherish, not forgot.

No more tomorrows we can share but yesterdays are always there.

Loved and Missed by Mom, Dad, Christina, Dan & Ava

across the province with most of the north finally of 70 km/h, resulted in over 9,500 customers seeing near normal amounts after several without power. consecutive drier than normal months. It was October 27: First significant snowfall of the much wetter than normal from Manitoulin season for northern Ontario A series of low pressure systems that Island northeast to Timmins and Moosonee.

Areas near Cobalt over to the Quebec border saw made their way through the province caused more than double the average monthly rainfall. hazardous travel conditions for portions of It was also wetter than normal from east of Lake northern Ontario. Highway 17 was closed Huron up to Sudbury as well as near the southern between Dryden and Shabaqua (approximately part of the Manitoba border. Drier than normal 60 km west of Thunder Bay) for a few hours regions were found around Lake Superior early in the day due to several collisions and (especially near Thunder Bay), from Kitchener deteriorating weather conditions. The Kenora to Kingston and near the northern portion of the transit system was put on hold Friday morning Manitoba border. Precipitation was mostly and garbage pickup was cancelled for the day.

The snow also caused a few power outages near evenly distributed throughout the month.

Kenora, with about 1,400 customers losing Snowfall The northeast saw some snow for several power. Travel on Highway 11 east of Lake days during the second week, especially north of Nipigon was also impacted by snow; an accident Sudbury. In the last week, the first significant caused minor injuries and an 11-hour power snowfall occurred from northwest Ontario outage to 2,800 Hydro One customers. Phone across to James Bay. Finally, to end the month, lines to the Greenstone Ontario Provincial there were significant lake effect snows east of Police were out until midday and municipal Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. offices were closed for the day. Snowfall Generally, snowfall amounts were slightly amounts of 20 cm were reported in Keewatin (6 below normal for the month from Timmins to km west of Kenora), 18 cm in Kenora, and 15 cm Red Lake and up into the Far North. For the in Sioux Lookout. northwest, however, snowfall amounts were Outlook for November The temperature outlook for the provgreater at around 150% of the monthly norm. ince is highly uncertain. If bets had to be made, Significant Events October 1: Hail hammers cars in northwest- warmer than normal conditions are most likely along the coast of Hudson Bay. In terms of ern Ontario Multiple rounds of thunderstorms precipitation, there are weak signals towards brought damaging hail to northwestern Ontario drier-than-normal conditions across the provin the afternoon of October 1. Kejick Bay of Lac ince.

Seul First Nations received golf ball sized hail, which dented vehicles and cracked windAnnual General Members shields. In Whitefish Bay, hail Meeting shattered the rear window of a car.

Assemblée Annuelle des October 7: High winds & wet membres snow leave people dancin' in the dark (to stay warm) Maison Boreal Home Inc. Temperatures quickly On Tuesday, November 21st 2023 at 7 P.M. plunged from summer-like to Le mardi 21 novembre 2023 à19 h winter-like when a low-pressure Upstairs dining room of Cedar Grove system brought a frigid arctic airmass to northern Ontario Dans la salle à diner du haut de Cedar Grove heading into Thanksgiving Agenda Ordre du jour weekend. Portions of northeastLast AGM minutes Dernier procès-verbal ern Ontario saw their first Rapport financier vérifié snowfall of the season, with a Annual Financial Report few centimeters of heavy wet Please do not forget to get your membership card BEFORE the AGM. Un rappel d'obtenir votre carte de membre AVANT. snow accumulating on trees.

Email anne.ouellettte@outlook.com or 705-864-0669 or messenger This, combined with wind gusts

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 3

Bachelors of Chapleau sponsor first dance in Chapleau Chapleau Town Hall in 1915 with Alf Comte's Grand Orchestra Moments by

Michael J. Morris The first dance in the new Town Hall was held in 1915 sponsored by the "Bachelors of Chapleau", according to an article in the Richard Brownlee Papers. The hall was opened in 1914.

The unidentified writer noted that a large, illuminated sign with the word "BACHELORS" on it was suspended over the centre of the auditorium.

The "Grand Orchestra" under the leadership of Alf Comte was in attendance and the favourite dances were waltzes, two steps, three steps, four steps and barn dances.

"The bachelors were all in full evening dress while the ladies ... were divinely beautiful and gorgeously gowned, some of them wearing long dresses.'

The writer poses the question, "Do you ever see anything like this in a Chapleau ballroom today?'" My best guess is that this article appeared in the Chapleau Post circa 1930. How about today in 2016? At best maybe an idea to mark moments in Chapleau history?

Some of the "patronesses" for the occasion were the wives of T.J. Godfrey who had just become reeve of Chapleau; G.B. Nicholson who had served as reeve from 1901 to 1913; V.T. Chapple of Smith and Chapple Ltd. and William McMullen, who had been the postmaster and also assistant superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Interesting that in 1915, the wives were not identified by their own names.

Moving on to an observation about the CPR, he notes that in December 1915 it was moving over 450 cars a day through Chapleau and there were fifty-six crews with fifty engines to manage the freight alone, plus six passenger and two-yard engines.

Now, let's go back to the beginnings of Chapleau in 1885, and I do so because since I started sharing insights from the Richard

(Full disclosure: Patrick Mulligan was my great-great uncle, and William McMullen my great uncle) By 1888, Chapleau's first band had been established with J.B. Dexter as the first b a n d m a s t e r, w i t h t h i r t e e n members. The band held its first picnic on May 24, 1889, marking Queen Victoria's birthday, and apparently it was a big success.

I am sharing several photos but in the case of the one apparently showing Chapleau in either 1887 or 1889 here is the description from the Chapleau Public library site, which I highly recommend to those interested in Male fashion of 1912. Back row left to right: Albert Desjardin, George Chapleau history.

White, George Collinson, Gordon Sheppard, Simon Kruger, Claude "It was taken from a point Christenson. Front row: D.O. Payette, Joe Magail or Magill, George south of the Canadian Pacific Barclay, unknown, Tom Thompson.Some of these men were undoubtedly at Railway opposite the west end of the dance.

Pine Street. You may observe the wooden sidewalk along the south Brownlee papers, kindly loaned to me by Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin, there side of Pine Street and the C.P.R. houses located seems to be quite an interest in the early years of there today, to the extreme left of the picture. In the community.

I am careful though about assigning exact years for some though as depending on the source they sometimes vary. As always, at best I try to provide the second and maybe third "rough draft" of Chapleau history.

In response to a recent question, by 1887, according to the Brownlee papers five general stores were opened: Murrays and Mulligan, T.A. Austin (moved to the present Birch Street from the centre may be observed Beech Street and further along to the right Main Street (Birch). To the south side of Birch Street may be seen the Mechanics Institute with the three top windows which was built in 1889. Next to it is the Hudson Bay Store. Opposite to this store may be seen the present Bank of Montreal building (now replaced by the new building on the north-west corner of Birch and Young) "The two small hills or elevations through which the C.P.R. track passes (track is visible in HBC post at "Memegos Property” centre running left to right) may be observed.

"Old Chapleau" on the hill in 1886, and Mr. Upon and over them the present overhead bridge Brownlee's barber shop was included as a lean- is located. Notice the road coming from the south to); Delland and Kellett; the Hudson Bay side of the railroad and crossing the track in the Company (moved from what is now referred to as vicinity of Pellow's coal sheds, south of the present day C.P.R. freight offices. the Memegos Property) and P. Manion.

"It would appear that Chapleau extended in those days from the bank of the river along Pine Street, across the present town site in the vicinity of the Fox Theatre and continued south to Cedar Street, then south along Lorne Street to the site of the Imperial and Canadian oil depots."

Thanks to all who are in touch with me and to Ian Macdonald for assistance on photo identification. My email is mj.morris@live.ca, and yes, I am on Facebook and Twitter.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 4

Government Needs to Better Support Canadian Veterans REPORT from OTTAWA and of those reviewed through the Veterans and yet it's still sitting on the books. In fact, the Appeal and Review Board, the vast majority result government has been sitting on the $150 million Rapport in favourable decisions - between 88% to 90% in Veterans Survivors Fund since 2019, which was the last three years. This means that while a designed to compensate the spouses of those d’Ottawa by/par

Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

As Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day quickly approach, it's vital that we take the time to focused on our shared history and show gratitude for the sacrifices made by our veterans. While many will be attending ceremonies at cenotaphs on November 8th and 11th to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed so much, and many of us will be wearing poppies and donating to our local Legion branches, we still hear from veterans who are experiencing situations of distress that no person, and certainly not people who have served their country, should be facing.

Recently, CBC published a story about the Veterans Association Food Bank in Edmonton.

Open since 2020, the food bank has been struggling to keep up with the quadrupling of demand they have received in just three years' time. It's just one story, but it encapsulates a growing concern that veterans aren't receiving the help they need after having served their nation. As the Royal Canadian Armed Forces continue to struggle to recruit personnel, stories like these certainly don't help with the perception that Canada is not doing enough to support those who have served honourably and admirably in the defence of their nation, particularly at a time where tensions and conflicts are raging across the globe.

So how can we better support our veterans? There's a number of important matters that we can move forward on.

One issue that remains concerning is the continued privatization of veterans' mental health and rehabilitation services. Partners in Canadian Veterans Rehabilitation Services (PCVRS), a company partly owned by Loblaws, was given a $560 million contract to deliver rehabilitation and mental health services to Canadian veterans, but the rollout remains troubled at best. Outsourcing veterans' mental health and rehabilitation services should never have been an option, and the program remains mired in delays and a poor rollout plan that doesn't address the needs of veterans.

Another area of real concern is the denial rate of benefits for veterans. Last March, the former Minister of Veterans Affairs testified at committee that 20% of applications for benefits are denied by the department. However, the Chair of the Veterans Review and Appeal Board (VRAB) later testified that 10% of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) decisions are reviewed,

veteran has a one in five chance of being denied benefits by VAC, but if they ask for a review by VRAB, they have a nine out of ten chance in receiving approval. This is an unnecessary amount of red tape that results in veterans not receiving the benefits they need in a timely manner.

Canada has also refused to remove the socalled “golddigger” pension clause that has been on the books since 1901. This archaic, sexist clause prevents the spouses of veterans from receiving survivor pension benefits if they marry after the age of 60. Veterans' groups have been fighting to get this clause eliminated from the Canadian Forces Superannuation Act for decades,

veterans who married after 60. It also makes little sense to have a clause like this continue when veterans' pension amounts aren't exactly lucrative.

The maximum monthly pension rate for veterans and survivors in most circumstances is under $2,000 per month.

These are just a few of the major issues veterans are facing today. How a country treats its veterans has a direct impact on military recruitment. Canada's military recruitment is currently at an all-time low, and in order for our nation to be prepared in an increasingly uncertain world climate, we must ensure that veterans are treated with care, dignity, and respect.

Les vétérans canadiens méritent un meilleur soutien de la part du gouvernement À l'approche de la Journée des vétérans autochtones et du jour du Souvenir, il est essentiel que nous prenions le temps de réfléchir à notre histoire commune et de manifester notre gratitude à l'égard des sacrifices consentis par les anciens combattants. Certes, les cérémonies organisées aux cénotaphes les 8 et 11 novembre pour rendre hommage à ceux et celles qui ont tant sacrifié attireront beaucoup de personnes, et nous serons nombreux à porter des coquelicots et à faire des dons à nos filiales locales de la Légion, mais nous entendons encore parler de vétérans qui vivent des situations de détresse auxquelles personne, et surtout pas des personnes qui ont servi leur pays, ne devrait être confronté.

Récemment, la CBC a fait un reportage sur la banque alimentaire de l'Association des vétérans à Edmonton. Ouverte depuis 2020, la banque alimentaire peine de plus en plus à répondre à la demande qui a quadruplé en seulement trois ans. Ce n'est qu'une histoire, mais elle résume une préoccupation croissante, à savoir que les vétérans ne reçoivent pas l'aide dont ils ont besoin après avoir servi leur nation. À un moment où les Forces armées canadiennes peinent à recruter du personnel, des histoires comme celles-ci n'aident pas à contrer l'impression que le Canada n'en fait pas assez pour soutenir ceux et celles qui ont servi honorablement et admirablement pour défendre le pays, en particulier à une époque où les tensions et les conflits font rage dans le monde entier.

Que faire alors pour mieux soutenir les vétérans? Nous pouvons aller de l'avant sur un certain nombre de questions importantes.

Par exemple, la privatisation continue des services de santé mentale et de réadaptation des vétérans reste une question préoccupante. Par ailleurs, la société Partenaires des services de

réadaptation des vétérans canadiens (PSRVC), détenue en partie par Loblaws, a reçu un contrat de 560 millions de dollars pour fournir des services de réadaptation et de santé mentale aux vétérans canadiens, mais la mise en œuvre reste pour le moins problématique. D'ailleurs, la soustraitance des services de santé mentale et de réadaptation des vétérans n'aurait jamais dû être une option, et le programme reste embourbé dans des retards et un plan de mise en œuvre médiocre qui ne répond pas aux besoins des vétérans.

Le taux de refus de prestations pour les vétérans est également une source d'inquiétude réelle. En mars dernier, l'ancien ministre des Anciens Combattants a déclaré devant le comité que 20 % des demandes de prestations étaient rejetées par le ministère. Cependant, le président du Tribunal des anciens combattants (révision et appel) a déclaré par la suite que 10 % des décisions d'Anciens Combattants Canada (ACC) sont réexaminées et que, parmi celles qui sont réexaminées par le Tribunal, la grande majorité aboutit à des décisions favorables (entre 88 % et 90 % au cours des trois dernières années). En résumé, un vétéran se voit refuser des prestations par ACC une fois sur cinq, mais s'il demande une révision du Tribunal des anciens combattants (révision et appel), il recevra une décision favorable neuf fois sur dix. Il s'agit d'une bureaucratie inutile qui fait que les vétérans ne reçoivent pas les prestations dont ils ont besoin en temps voulu.

Le Canada a également refusé de supprimer la clause dite « de mariage intéressé », en ce qui concerne les pensions, qui existe depuis 1901. Cette clause archaïque et sexiste empêche les épouses des vétérans de bénéficier de la rente de conjoint survivant si elles se marient après l'âge de 60 ans. Les groupes de vétérans se battent Suite P.11

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 5

Ontario Honours Past and Present Military Service by Indigenous People During this Remembrance Week, Today, Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs issued the following I encourage everyone to learn more about statement in recognition of Indigenous the proud Indigenous military service in Canada.

Veterans Day: “Today is a day to remember and Lest We Forget.” show gratitude to the thousands of Indigenous Veterans and those currently serving in the military who have helped keep our country safe in times of war and military conflict.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have fought with allies in both World Wars and in other past conflicts and continue to serve in many capacities at home and around the world today.

Indigenous members of the military faced many obstacles in No dot.com impersonal answers here. enrolling and serving in the military. Some travelled long Just great personal service with great rates. distances to enlist, leaving behind We will ask all of the right questions to make sure you get the all that was familiar and facing best coverage and service for your needs. Then we will shop differences in culture and language. around to get the right price.

No matter what barriers U Auto U Home U Commercial they faced, Indigenous Veterans 219 Great Northern Road and those currently serving have Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6B 4Z2 done, and continue to do so with Phone: 705.949.9000 Email: onnserviceteam@brokerlink.ca valor and bravery.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 6

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Cyclist and adventurer makes a stop at ÉSC Trillium

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tudents at École secondaire catholique Trillium recently received a visit from lecturer and outdoor consultant Pierre Beauregard. He stopped in Chapleau as part of his project entitled “La Folle tournée,” during which he cycled over 12,000 kilometres from one end of the country to the other in seven months to meet with young and old alike, and share his inspiring

vision. In his presentation to the students, this speaker and adventurer wanted to raise awareness among young people of the need to live an active lifestyle while being environmentally conscious by reducing their ecological footprint.

The students benefited greatly from this exchange, which highlighted Pierre Beauregard's experiences and determination throughout his

La Folle tournée débarque à l'ÉSC Trillium

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es élèves de l'école secondaire catholique Trillium ont reçu tout récemment la visite du conférencier et consultant en plein air M. Pierre Beauregard. Il s'est arrêté à Chapleau dans le cadre de son projet intitulé la Folle tournée durant lequel il a parcouru plus de 12 000 kilomètres à vélo d'un bout à l'autre du pays en sept mois afin de rencontrer des jeunes et des moins jeunes pour partager sa vision

inspirante. Dans sa présentation aux élèves, ce conférencier et aventurier a voulu sensibiliser les jeunes à vivre une vie active tout en étant consciencieux de l'environnement en réduisant leur empreinte écologique. Les élèves ont grandement profité de cet échange qui mettait en vedette les expériences et la détermination de Pierre Beauregard tout au long de son trajet, ainsi que son parcours impressionnant.

Hughes Urges Parliament to Take Action Against Intimate Partner Violence “Women need us to stand up for them now more than ever!”

Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing spoke in the House of Commons to address the urgent issue of intimate partner violence.

“Last week, Canadians were collectively heartbroken by the barbaric act of intimate partner violence that took the life of Angie Sweeney and her three young children in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Hughes. “As we grieve for Angie and her children, we must redouble our efforts against

intimate partner violence.”

Hughes called on Members of Parliament to implement the recommendations from last Parliament's Justice Committee report on stopping coercive and controlling behaviour in intimate partner relationships. She further highlighted that the rates of intimate partner violence have been increasing for a number of years.

“Gender based & Intimate partner violence in Canada has increased for five consecutive years,” said Hughes. “In 2021, the rate of IPV was 336 victims per 100,000 people. Women and girls represent almost seventy percent of victims (of IPV). Gender-related homicide rate in 2021 for Indigenous women and girls was more than triple the rate of gender-related homicides overall.”

“This epidemic cannot continue!”

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 9

On November 11, let us take the time to remember the sacrifice of the thousands of Canadians who gave their lives in service of our country.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 10

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Nov. 12, 1799, American astronomer Andrew Ellicott observed the Leonids meteor shower from a ship off the Florida Keys. In the first recorded instance of such an event in North America, he wrote that the "whole heaven appeared as if illuminated with sky rockets, and I was in constant expectation of some of them falling on the vessel. They continued until put out by the light of the sun after day break."

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 11

Northern Lights Ford Sales Andrew G. McKenzie Travis Gendron

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Les vétérans canadiens méritent un meilleur soutien de la part du gouvernement Suite de la P.4 depuis des décennies pour que cette clause soit supprimée de la Loi sur la pension de retraite des Forces canadiennes, mais elle est toujours en vigueur. En fait, depuis 2019, le gouvernement ne dispose pas du Fonds pour les survivants des vétérans, dont le montant s'élève à 150 millions de dollars et qui est destiné à indemniser les conjointes des vétérans qui se sont mariés après l'âge de 60 ans. De plus, il n'est pas logique qu'une telle clause soit maintenue alors que le montant des pensions des vétérans n'est pas vraiment lucratif.

Dans la plupart des cas, le montant maximum de la pension mensuelle pour les vétérans et les survivants est inférieur à 2 000 dollars par mois.

BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES

Ce ne sont là que quelques-uns des problèmes majeurs auxquels les vétérans sont confrontés aujourd'hui. La façon dont un pays traite ses anciens combattants a une incidence directe sur le recrutement militaire. Le recrutement militaire canadien n'a jamais été aussi bas. Pour que notre pays soit prêt à affronter un climat mondial de plus en plus incertain, nous devons veiller à ce que les vétérans soient traités avec soin, dignité et respect.

Pimii Kamik Gas Bar & Gift Shop Located on the Chapleau Cree First Nation

will be from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., 7 days a week Drop by and check out our line of Authentic Native Crafts, Unique Gift Ideas, Jewellery, and Gift Certificates TOO!

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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.

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New at the Library Library Hours Monday 1-5 pm Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7 pm Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm Website : www.chapleau.ca Follow us on facebook for more info!

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November 9, 2023- Page 12

Under Ford, healthcare dollars will be funnelled into the deep pockets of for-profit businesses The quote “In the midst of every crisis lies an opportunity” is often attributed to Albert Einstein. There have been times when I've faced down difficult times, and I thought of this to keep my thinking constructive and focused on finding the silver lining to take away. It's good to be an optimist in politics, I think. The way I see it, the people who elected all of us at Queen's Park did so with the expectation that Members are going to be thoughtful and solution-oriented.

However, there is a more cynical interpretation of Dr. Einstein's quote: that a crisis presents an opportunity to enrich oneself.

Take, for example, the healthcare staffing crisis we currently face in our province. It is undoubtedly a large-scale crisis, especially here in the North, where ER closures, Code Blacks, and long wait times are becoming a regular occurrence. In previous columns, I have made the case that this is, in part, a crisis manufactured by this government that underspends on healthcare and imposes counter-productive legislation such as Bill 124.

Amid this crisis is the matter that forprofit nursing agencies have taken advantage of staff burnout and the low-wage policies of the government to further their own profits. These are private companies that hire nurses and then contract them to hospitals and long-term care homes that are short-staffed. In the North, there is a growing reliance on these companies to keep staffing levels sufficient to deliver care to communities.

These companies can charge two or even three times as much per hour for a nurse working under contract as compared to what a hospital or long-term care home can offer. These contracted positions are often short-term, meaning the institution hiring them must provide orientation, housing and accommodations, and travel costs to Northern Ontario. All of this is a massive burden on budgets already stretched thin by underfunding.

This week, one of my colleagues brought forward legislation aimed at curbing this problem. It was legislation that would've placed licensing and services standards on nursing agencies to make sure that they are contracting nurses who are qualified, that they do not charge unconscionable prices or raise their prices during times of high demand, and that they are not poaching nursing staff already working in the public system.

During the debate on the bill, I spoke to echo the unanimous calls I've had from hospital and long-

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term care leadership teams in AlgomaManitoulin. This is not a sustainable system for public healthcare in the North. It will continue to be a race to the bottom if nothing is done to address the staffing crisis or the unrestrained discretion that these companies have to operate in Ontario.

When it comes down to it, this way of doing things amounts to a massive grab out of the public purse and funnelling millions of dollars into the pockets of private companies. Ontario's healthcare system allows more money to be taken out of public hospitals, diverting it towards the profits of the company owners. I firmly believe this is not a responsible use of tax-payer money, especially in healthcare where we, as Canadians, expect it to be a public good and not a private service.

Despite the legislation I mentioned above failing to pass because the government voted against it, this issue is not going to go away.

Another bill is on the Order Paper that would require these companies to transition to a nonprofit model and impose similar restrictions on their exploitative behaviour. I plan to support that bill as well and to keep raising this issue in the legislature.

Private nursing agencies are clearly exploiting a crisis, but we, as responsible elected officials, must not let them.

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 my new address, mmantha-co@ola.org or by phone Toll-free at 1-800-831-1899.