11242022 November 24 2022

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GoRaiders,Go!SportsatChapleauHighSchool

The NSSSAA (North Shore Secondary Schools Athletic Association) Championships were held recently in Wawa and both the Chapleau High School Junior Boys Volleyball team, and the Junior Girls Basketball teams earned the right to representtheEastDivisionbyfinishingfirstand secondoverallrespectively.

It was an early start to the day with the busdepartingforWawaat6amandbothteams on the court for their first match by 8:15 am. The girls met their first opponentMarathonand although the game was close throughout the entire contest the girls were narrowly defeated

by a score of 31-27. Had there been even a couple more minutes left on the clock the Raiders would have pulled ahead, they were startingtodominatethegameandbecomemore confident,butitwasnottobe.

The Junior Boys played first as well at the other venue and were also matched up against Marathon. Despite leading for most of the first set, service errors prevented the boys from clinching a first-set victory with a final score of 25-23, and the letdown saw them lose thesecondsetaswell.

Both teams were destined for the ConsolationFinalat4pm–averylongwait.The athletes took advantage of the break and watched some excellent senior action before takingtothecourtagainfortheirfinalgames.

The boys played Michipicoten, a team they beat twice in the regular season, but were

unabletocontroltheunforcederrorsandfellin straight sets. The girls stepped onto the court against Lake Superior and for the first three quarters it was all Stingers, the score a dismal 12-2attheendofthethird.

TheRaidersralliedhowever,anditwasa determinedteamthatbeganthe4thquarterwith nothingtolose. Theeffortwasincredible!With the junior boys and Miss McKnight cheering them on loudly from the sidelines, the girls scored eight unanswered baskets to bring them to victory and the bronze medals that were placedaroundtheirnecksattheendofthegame werewell-earned.

Bothteamsrepresentalotofhopeforthe futureofathleticsatChapleauHighSchool,and Mr. Searle and Miss McKnight were both very proudoftheirteams. GoRaiders,seeyouonthe courtnextseason!!

Casey Bouvier, Brooke Fillion, Tori Alexander, Sienna Lortie, Emily Redbreast, KelystaRedbreast,PiperMorin,Mr.SearleandAddyMcEachren

BackRow:MarkRaposo,KeenanDomingue,DarionGratton,JordanMartineau FrontRow:JackCyr,CarterPullen,DawsonShawanda-Neshawabin,MissMcKnight

OntarioImprovingRoadSafetyintheNorth

Province introduces new standard for clearing snow on Highways 11 and 17

The Ontario government is improving road safety in Northern Ontario by clearing Highways 11 and 17 four hours faster than the previousstandard.Thenew“ONTrans-Canada” standard requires contractors to clear the highwaystobarepavementwithin12hoursoftheend ofawinterstorm.

“Our government is the first to create a new highway level of service that will ensure Highways 11 and 17 are cleared faster, while improving road safety for drivers in the North,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “Ontario already has nationleading standards in place when it comes to winter maintenance, and this builds on our government'sbroadereffortstoensurewekeepit thatway.”

The new standard for clearing snow follows a detailed technical review of winter maintenance operations on Highways 11 and 17 andanalysisofdatafromthewintermaintenance pilot from the past two winter seasons on these highways.

In addition to the new standard, Ontario has taken several other actions to enhance its winter maintenance on Ontario highways, including:

· Increased use of underbody plows that

havebetterperformanceinremovalofsnowpack ascomparedtoconventionalplows.

· Increased proactive use of anti-icing liquids before storms to make it easier to clear snow.

· Building an additional 24 Road Weather InformationStations(14inNorthernOntario)to respond to changing winter weather conditions fasterandmoreeffectively.

· Enhancing14restareasasasafeplaceto stopduringthewinterseason,includingrehabilitationoftherestareasalongHighways11,17and 599.

· Moving ahead with the first-ever 2+1 highwaypilotinNorthAmericatohelpmakeour roadsevensafer.

Provincial service standards are evaluatedonanongoingbasistodetermineopportunities to further enhance winter maintenance operationsacrossthehighwaynetwork.

OntarioistheonlyprovinceinCanadato have a bare pavement requirement after a storm that is publicly reported (bare pavement means theroadisfully clear from snow).

In2020, Ontario

NOTICETO TAX PAYERS

AVIS AUX PAYEURS DETAXE

released a technical review of Highways 11 and 17 and found levels of service generally met or exceededprovincialstandards.

The Highway 11/17 winter maintenance pilotranfortwoyearsduringthe2020-2021and 2021-2022winterseasonsandhelpedinformthe new 12-hour bare pavement standard on these highways.

Ontario has more than 1,100 pieces of equipment ready to fight the harshest winter conditions and our winter maintenance contractorsareactive24/7toclearhighways.Atthestart of a winter storm, maintenance crews deploy their equipment within 30 minutes to plow, salt andsandhighways.

Before travelling this winter, plan your travelbyvisitingOntario.ca/511orusingthe511 app available for free on the App Store and GooglePlay.Ontario511allowsyoutoplanyour route by reviewing road conditions, cameras, weather, and Track My Plow to find out where plowsareonprovincialhighways.

FestiveRideSeasonHasBegunInSuperiorEast

The Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is conducting their annual Festive "Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere" (RIDE) campaign from Thursday, November 17, 2022 to Monday, January 2, 2023. The FestiveRIDECampaignhasbecomeafamiliarpartoftheholidayseasonandisone of the OPP's most important traffic safety initiatives. Impairment from alcohol, cannabis, prescription/illegal drugs, or fatigue is a significant road safety issue. Everyyear,countlesslivesarelosttothoseindividualswhomakethedecisiontoget behind the wheel and drive while im paired. So far in 2022, 51 people have been killedonOPP-patrolledroadsinalcohol/drug-relatedcollisions.

Duringthe2022FestiveRIDEinitiative,officerswillbeutilizingMandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) as a deterrent for drivers and to identify impaired operators.Ifyouareafullylicenceddriverandyourefusetotakeadrugoralcohol test,orregisterabloodalcoholconcentration(BAC)over0.08%,youwillfacea90day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle impoundment. Young, novice and commercial drivers (A-F, G1, G2, M1, and M2 licences) must follow the "zero tolerance" rule, which means zero alcohol in their blood when driving. Drug impaireddrivingisjustasdangerousasdrivingundertheinfluenceofalcohol,and driversaresubjecttothesameseverepenalties.

Expecttoseeofficersoutinfullforcethisseason,conducting RIDE inour communitiesandonourhighways.Policewillbeonthelookoutforimpaireddrivers whoareputtingthepublic'ssafetyatrisk.Motoristsareremindedtobecarefulwhen approaching a RIDE location, as officers will be standing in live lanes of traffic. When you see flashing lights: slow down, proceed with caution and keep a safe distancefromofficers.

When you operate a motor vehicle, you have a responsibility to keep yourself,yourpassengersandotherroaduserssafe.Pleasehaveaplanbeforeyougo out to celebrate this holiday season and make the decision not to drive impaired. Arrangeforadesignateddriver,callataxiorstayovernight.

Ifyoususpectadriverisimpairedbyalcohol,drugorevenfatigue,pleasecall 9-1-1orcontacttheOPPat1-888-310-1122.

TheSuperiorEastOPPwisheseveryoneasafeandhappyholidayseason!

Chapleau Moments

by MichaelJ. Morris

Austin,Nicholsonlumbercompanybecomeslargestsupplierofrailway tiesintheBritishEmpireinthe1930sfrommillsnearChapleau

year for three years. Mr. Nicholson also became reeve of Chapleau on February 15, 1901, being re-elected each year by acclamation until he retiredfromthepositionin1913

HowMr.Nicholsonfoundthetimetodo allthathedidforChapleau,aswellaspursuehis businessinterests,continuestoamazemealmost 30yearsafterIfirstwroteabouthiminmybook, 'SonsofThunder...ApostlesofLove'.

Theirfirstmillwasunderconstructionon apointoflandbetweenLakeWindermereandthe CPR, 22 CPR miles west of Chapleau, and the community of Nicholson developed at this site includingboardinghouses,cottages,warehouses and other structures necessary to support the loggingoperationsofthecompany.

CPR did in Chapleau to heat the Chapleau Memorial CommunityArena, YMCAand other buildings. Nicholson also had an internal telephonesystemandwhentiedinwiththeCPR telegraph line, long distance calls could sometimesbeachieved.

BrianWesthouse wrote that "in 1920 the companybegantoplandorasecondmilltosatisy CPR'sincreasingdemandforsawnties...Dalton, 21 and a half miles west of Nicholson, had been thesiteofearlieraxe-tieloadingoperations.The new plant at Dalton Mills was located on ShikwamkwaLake,3milessouthoftheCPRand linked to it with a private railway. The lumber storage yard alongside the CPR main line had a capacityofupto50millionfeet".

AtaboutthesametimethatChapleauwas becomingincorporatedasamunicipalityin1901, George Brecken Nicholson, its first reeve was embarking on a business venture with James McNieceAustinwhichwouldeventuallybecome Northern Ontario's largest lumber firm mainly from a contract with the Canadian Pacific Railwaytoprovideitwithties.

Brian Westhouse, in an excellent article aboutthecommunityofNicholsonandtheAustin andNicholsonlumbercompanywrotethatinthe 1890s James McNiece Austin, a Chapleau general merchant, took tie cutting and delivery contracts from the CPR. Mr Austin had taken overthestorefromhisbrotherT.A.Austin,who hadestablisheditin1885.

Mr.Westhouse wrote that Mr. Nicholson whohadbeenalocomotiveengineerlefttheCPR in 1901, entered into a partnership with Mr. Austin and became full time manager of the tie cuttingopoerations.In1902therailwayagreedto a three year contract and Austin, Nicholson Company guaranteed to deliver 200,000 ties a

Accordingtoanarticleonthecommunity of Nicholson,on the web site Ghost Towns of Ontario,by1914atownsitehadbeenlaidoutand the company had built a general store which included post office and grocery delivery. A bunkhouse and cookery were built which could accommodate60men,and aschoolestablished whichwaseventuallyabletoinclude80students. Describing Mr. Nicholson as a "fervent Anglican" he established a church in 1914 but allocated a former schoolhouse to the larger Roman Catholic congregation who quickly refurbisheditandaddedasteepleandbell.

Many homes were built during this time and residents paid a monthly rent of $5 for a singlefamilydwellingor$7fortwostories.

The company's head office was in Chapleau.

As I was researching this article, I could not help but recall my own small connection to the community of Nicholson as a young boy growingupinChapleau,butourfamilycampwas at Healy in the late 1940s until 1957. My grandfather's connection went back many years earlier.

TheGhostTownsofOntarioarticlenotes that to enhance the social atmosphere Potney's pool hall was set up in the company store and therewasalso Sheffieldsboardinghouse(hotel) a harness maker and blacksmith. By 1915 the community had grown to 350 residents and was fast becoming the largest lumbering settlement betweenSudburyandtheLakehead,

A piping system was installed to heat homes with the mill's boilers --- much like the

A great adventure in my grandfather Harry Morris's freighter canoe powered by a Johnson5.8outboardmotor(Ithink)wastomake the trip on Lake Windermere from Healy to Nicholson, to visit Chapleau friends with camps there and to shop at the store. To this day those journeys,perhapspromptedbymymother'slove of the explorers of early Canada and how she would make them come alive for me, made our tripstoNicholsonvoyagesofdiscovery.Ialways sat in the front of the canoe watching as the navigator,eventhoughmygrandfatherknewthe routelikethebackofhishand.

Infact,hewouldhavepreferredtopaddle it in the canoe, having little use for outboard motors, but Mom, (Muriel E (Hunt) Morris, and my grandmother, Lil (Mulligan) Morris would havenopartofthatone.

I went on Google Earth and retraced the journeyandabout60yearslater,Irecalledthose tripslikeitwasonlyyesterday.Cont’donP.5

MygrandparentsHarry,Lil(Mulligan) MorrisatHealycirca1949

PhotocourtesyBrianWesthouse

PhotocourtesyBrianWesthouse

PhotocourtesyBrianWesthouse

REPORT from OTTAWA Rapport

d’Ottawa

by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

Withcurrentinflationlevelshavingaserious impactonpeople'sabilitytomakeendsmeet,what's becoming clear is that some industries are using inflation to make record profits on the back of ordinary people. Large grocers are shattering profit records, with Loblaws making an extra million dollarseverydayonaveragethisyear.Theoilandgas sectorhasbeenrakingitinonthebacksofCanadians inanunprecedentedmanner,withCenovusprofitsin the third quarter tripling to $1.61 billion this year compared to $551 million last year and Imperial Oil profitsdoublingto$2.03billionfrom$908millionin the3rdquartercomparedtolastyear.

There's a sense that nothing can be done to ensuretheyleveltheplayingfield,butawindfalltax onexcessprofitscanputsomeofthatmoneybackin people's pockets, and we now have the data to back thatup.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer recently examinedaNewDemocratproposalforaone-time15 percenttaxonexcessprofitsmadebytheoilandgas

sector and big-box stores and determined it would generate$4.4billioninrevenueoverfiveyears.This wasafollow-upanalysisonthePBOsexaminationof theCanadaRecoveryDividend,asimilarwindfalltax levied against large banks and insurance companies featured in the recent Fall Economic Statement.The PBO determined the government would raise about $3 billion in revenue over the next five years on the CanadaRecoveryDividend.

Part of the problem we face as companies rake in record profits is that, rather than doing anythingtoactuallybringdownprices,theygenerally usetherevenueforexpensivesharebuybacks,giving thecompaniesgreatercontroloftheirbottomline.It reduces the amount of money they need to issue in dividends,whichfurtherbolsterstheirabilitytomake profits off the backs of consumers. While the Fall Economic Statement included a slight tax on share buybacks,whichisagoodwaytopushcompaniesto reinvest in their workers rather than more share buybacks,itdoesn'tdoenoughtohelpconsumers.

A windfall tax on excess profits has been discussedbymanynationsacrosstheworldfollowing the significant profits made in select industries over thepastfewyearsandhasbeengainingsteamin2022.

U.S.PresidentJoeBidenrecentlystatedthatiftheoil industryfailstoreduceconsumercostsforoil,hewill urgeCongresstoconsidersuchatax.EuropeanUnion governments have already agreed to implement a windfall tax as energy prices hit people's pocket-

books.It'stimeCanadaconsidersdoingthesame. On a functional level, this means that the government could easily fund programs that would actually help people dealing with the high cost of inflationandgreedflation.Onewaytheycouldmake thecostoflivingcheaperduringtheseunprecedented times is to cut the GST off home heating, giving people a break on their heating bills during the cold wintermonthsacrossthecountry.Theycouldfurther expandthedevelopmentofgreenenergy,reducingthe grip petroleum companies have on home heating across the nation and giving consumers greater choice, which again would reduce costs and give Canadiansabiggerbreak.

It'sobviousthegovernmentcanoftenbeslow to react to people's needs during times of economic uncertainty. New Democrats were calling on the governmenttodoubletheGSTtaxcreditsixmonths ago, and only recently realized that it was the right thing to do in ensuring money gets into the hands of peoplewhoneeditmost.

Governing is about choices and sometimes makingtherightchoiceishard,butthisshouldnotbe one of those times. Large corporate interests, banks, oilcompanies,bigboxstores,andinsurancecompanies are making billions off the backs of consumers. It's high time we give those consumers a break by makingthoselargecorporateinterestspayabitmore oftheirrecord-shatteringprofits. It'stherightthingto do!

Le DPB confirmequel'impôtsurlesbénéficespourraitgénérerdesmilliardsdedollarspourlesservicesauxCanadiens

Nous savions que l'inflation actuelle a de sérieuses répercussions sur la capacité des gens à joindre les deux bouts, mais nous découvrons maintenant que certaines industries profitent de l'inflation pour engranger des bénéfices record sur le dos des gens. Les épiciers majeurs enregistrent des profits sans précédent, notamment Loblaws qui fait 1 milliondedollarsdepluschaquejourenmoyennecette année. Les sociétés pétrolières et gazières ne sont pas enreste:lesprofitsdeCenovusautroisièmetrimestre ont triplé pour atteindre 1,61 milliard de dollars cette année (contre 551 millions de dollars l'an dernier), tandisqu'ImperialOiladoublésesprofits,allantde908 millionsdedollarsautroisièmetrimestredel'andernier contre2,03milliardsdedollars12moisplustard.

On peut avoir l'impression que rien ne peut être fait pour que la situation soit équitable pour tous, mais un impôt sur les profits excédentaires pourrait permettre de remettre un peu d'argent dans le portefeuille des gens. Nous avons maintenant les donnéespourlejustifier.

Ledirecteurparlementairedubudget(DPB)a récemment examiné une proposition néo-démocrate pour l'imposition d'une taxe unique de 15 % sur les profits excédentaires réalisés par les entreprises pétrolières et gazières et par les magasins à grande surface. Il a déterminé qu'un tel impôt générerait des recettes de 4,4 milliards de dollars sur cinq ans. Le DPB procédait à une analyse de suivi du dividende pour la relance au Canada, une taxe sur les bénéfices des grandes banques et des compagnies d'assurances annoncée dans le récent énoncé économique de

l'automne. Le DPB a déterminé que le gouvernement retireraitdesrecettesd'environ3milliardsdedollarsau cours des cinq prochaines années grâce au dividende pourlarelanceauCanada.

Un des aspects du problème découlant des profitsrecorddessociétésestque,plutôtquedebaisser leurs prix, ces dernières utilisent leurs profits pour de coûteuxrachatsd'actions,afindereprendrelamaîtrise de leurs résultats. De cette façon, elles réduisent les sommes nécessaires pour distribuer des dividendes à leursactionnaires,cequistimuleencoredavantageleur capacité de faire des profits au détriment des consommateurs. L'énoncé économique de l'automne prévoit une faible taxe sur les rachats d'actions, pour encourager les sociétés à réinvestir dans leurs travailleurs plutôt qu'à se contenter de racheter leurs actions, mais cette taxe n'est pas suffisante pour aider lesconsommateurs.

Comptetenudesprofitsconsidérablesréalisés par certaines industries ces dernières années, de nombreux pays ont déjà parlé de la possibilité d'imposerunetaxesurlesprofitsexcédentaires;l'idée continue de faire son chemin en 2022. Le président américain Joe Biden a d'ailleurs déclaré récemment que, si les sociétés pétrolières refusent de baisser les prix que paient les consommateurs, il exhortera le Congrès à envisager l'imposition d'une telle taxe. Les gouvernements de l'Union européenne se sont déjà entendus pour imposer une taxe sur les profits excédentaires, car les prix de l'énergie amputent les revenus des consommateurs. L'heure est maintenant venuepourleCanadad'envisagerlamêmesolution.

Sur le plan fonctionnel, cela signifie que le gouvernement pourrait facilement financer des programmes pour venir en aide aux personnes devant composeraveclescoûtsélevésqu'entraînentl'inflation et la cupidiflation. Une façon d'aider les gens en cette époquesansprécédentconsisteàéliminerlaTPSsurle chauffage résidentiel afin de les aider à payer leurs factures de chauffage pendant l'hiver. On pourrait également stimuler davantage le développement de l'énergie verte pour réduire le recours au pétrole et au gaz dans le chauffage résidentiel et ainsi donner aux consommateurs plus de choix. On réduirait du même coupleursfacturesetdonneraitauxCanadiensunpeu plusderépit.

Ilestévidentquelegouvernementestsouvent lent à réagir aux besoins des gens en période d'incertitude économique. Il y a six mois, les néodémocratesontdemandéaugouvernementdedoubler lecréditpourlaTPS;cen'estquetoutrécemmentque cederniers'estrenducomptequec'étaitlabonnechose à faire pour s'assurer que l'argent parvient aux personnesquienontleplusbesoin.

Gouverner, c'est prendre des décisions. Parfois, la bonne décision est difficile à prendre, mais cen'estpaslecasaujourd'hui.Lesgrandesentreprises, les banques, les sociétés pétrolières, les magasins à grandesurfaceetlescompagniesd'assurancesfontdes milliardsdedollarsaudétrimentdesconsommateurs.Il est temps plus que jamais de donner un répit aux consommateurs en forçant ces grandes entreprises à redonner une plus grande part de leurs profits record. C'estlabonnedécisionàprendre!

FONOM welcomesnewHighwaySafetyStandard

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is applauding the provincial government's recent announcement that bare pavement on Northern highways will now be requiredwithin12hoursofawinterstorm.

"FONOM would like to thank Minister of TransportationCarolineMulroneyandtheprovincial government for making this critical change," said FONOM President Danny Whalen. "Highways in Northern Ontario connect our communities; and havinghighways17and11clearedquickerafterthe

minimal standard is reached is important for road safety."

Previouslythisyear,theprovinceannounced the2+1HighwaypilotprojectonHighway11north ofNorthBayandtheworkoftheNorthernOntario Transportation Task Force as steps to ensure highways11and17servetheresidentsoftheNorth.

FONOM will continue to work with the Ministry and Ford Government on matters of importance to our member municipalities. The FONOMBoardwillcontinuethisadvocacyduring

theRuralOntarioMunicipalAssociationconference thisJanuary.

FONOM is an association of some 110 districts/municipalities/cities/towns in Northeastern Ontario mandated to work for the betterment of municipal government in Northern Ontario and strive for improved legislation respecting local government in the North. It is a membership-based association that draws its members from Northeastern Ontario and is governed by an 11memberboard.

NDP'sGatestablesmotiontoensurekeytestforprostatecancerfullycoveredunderOHIP

Wayne Gates, MPP for Niagara Falls, tabled a motion today to ensure PSAtesting for early detection of prostate cancer is eligible for coverageunderOHIP.

“A cancer diagnosis is frightening news to receive but testing for prostate cancer can make all the difference when it comes to treatment,”saidGates.“Iamproudtosupportthe campaigntoextendOHIPcoveragetomakePSA testingavailablewhenrequestedbyaphysician.”

OneineightCanadianmenareexpected to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosedcanceramongstCanadianmenandhas disproportionate impacts among Black men, includingthoseofAfricanorCaribbeanancestry, and those with a family history. When prostate cancerisfoundearly,almost100percentofmen willsurvivefiveyearsormore.

“The PSAtest is a key step in detecting prostate cancer early when it is often easier to treatandyet,unlikeinotherprovinces,Ontarians are still stuck with out-of-pocket costs to access thistest,”explainsDrStuartEdmonds,Executive

ChapleauMoments

Cont’dfromP.3 WhathappenedtoNicholson?

BrianWesthousetellsusthat"intheearly hours of Sunday September 13th, 1931, night watchman Sullivan noticed flames leaping up from the roof of the Nicholson sawmill. The Chapleau branch of the Ontario Forestry Corps whowithpumpsandfirefightingequipmentand the CPR firecarwerequicklydispatchedtothe scene

"Fanned by a very high wind glowing emberswerehurledacrossthelumberpilestothe station buildings, an eighth of a mile away, setting alight the wooden platform, damage to the latter being negligible owing to the prompt actionofvolunteerworkers.

"Assoonasthearousedworkerswereon the scene a bucket brigade was organized, the

Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society. “It's been more than two years since MPP Gates' first motion to have this test covered by OHIP was passed with all-party support, but its implementation has been stalled since then. Today's motion is a blunt reminder that it's past time for action for the approximate 28 men in Ontario who are expected to be diagnosed with prostatecancertoday.”

“Early detection is critical for prostate cancer,andthePSAtestisasimpleandeffective waytohelppeoplegetdiagnosedandaccesscare before their prognosis gets worse,” said Gates. “ByensuringPSAtestsarecoveredunderOHIP, Ontarianswillbeabletogettestedwhentheyare concerned for their health without a cost barrier andafterthey'vediscussedthedecisionwiththeir healthcare provider. I encourage all Ontarians with prostates to consider their risk and talk to theirhealthcareprovideraboutwhetherthePSA testisrightforthem.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has created long delays and interruptions in care for people

women folk courageously taking their places amongthemen,bravingthefierceheatanddense smokeinadesperateendeavourtoprotecthome and employment.”

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/l ogging/austin.htm LINK TO BRIAN

WESTHOUSEARTICLE

ThemillatNicholsonwasnotrebuiltbut remainedanoutposttosupplytheloggingcamps thatservedDalton.

GhostTownsnotesthattheschoolclosed in 1936, the company store about 1954 and the post office in 1956. By 1956 the station was closed.

Intheearly1970smostbuildingswerestillintact andithadbeenrecommendedthatNicholsonbe preservedasanhistoricsite,butafiredestroyed much of the site. There are still a few cottages there.

Austin, Nicholson had mills at other locations,andplayedahugeroleintheeconomy

across the province, which may result in more late-stagecancerdiagnoses.

“Our health care system needs vital investmentsandpoliciesthatsupportandrespect health care workers,” said Gates. “Encouraging earlydetectionmeasuresisasmall,butimportant waytoeasethestrainonthesystem.”

oftheChapleauareaformanyyears.AfterJames McNiece Austin died in 1922, Mr. Nicholson became president, Allan McNiece Austin and Bill Austin, first and second vice presidents respectively and Reg Thrush was secretary treasurer.

Mr.Nicholson,whoservedasaMember of Parliament after his service as reeve of ChapleaudiedonJanuary1,1935.

Hisobituaryreferredtohiminpart as"a true son of the north... vigorously fighting to improve the condition of the people of this country".

My most sincere thanks to Brian Westhouse for his assistance and for permitting metorefertohisarticle, toDougGreigforhis articlesinChapleauTrailsandtoDr.WilliamR. Pellow, its editor and publisher as well as to GhostTowns.Anyerrorsaremine.Myemailis mj.morris@live.ca

MOMENTS IN TIME

On Dec. 11, 1981, after an extraordinary 21-year careerintheringanddespitepleasthatitwastime for him to definitively retire, American boxer Muhammad Ali fought his last professional bout, losing toTrevor Berbick in a match that would be nicknamed"DramaintheBahamas."

NorthernLightsFordSales

Andrew G. McKenzie

Travis Gendron

ALLEMANO, FITZGERALD PASCUZZI & BERLINGIERI

Barristers and Solicitors

MICHAEL C. ALLEMANO, B.A., L.L.B.

Certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Real Estate Law

P.O. Box 10, 369 Queen St. E. Suite 103 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 1Z4 Phone (705) 942-0142 Fax (705) 942-7188

P.O. Box 1700, 37 Broadway Avenue, Wawa, Ontario P0S 1K0

Phone (705) 856-4970 Fax (705) 856-2713

Friday'sannouncementfromtheMinistryof Transportationisalongoverduestepbutfailstoget totherootofsafetyconcernsonNorthernhighways.

"AstheOfficialOpposition,wehavehadto pushthegovernmenteverystepofthewaytowards gettingstrongsafetystandardsonHighways11and 17," said Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha. "Now the government has created a new clearingstandardtoavoidapplyingthesame8-hour clearingrequirementtotheTransCanadahighways ashighwaysintheSouth."

Thegovernmenthasreducedthetargettime forclearingHighways11and17fromsixteenhours

totwelvehoursafterasnowfall.

"This is absolutely a step in the right direction,butprotectingNorthernersshouldnotbea partisan issue. It is only about keeping travellers safe. We want to see the government give our highways the same priority as the 400-series and ensurethatthecontractsforsnowremovalarebeing fulfilled,"saidMantha"anythinglesswillnotgetto therootcauseoftheproblem."

Local MARKETPLACE MARKETPLACE

CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,andinformationforwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein crisissituations.WehaveaTollFreeCrisisLinewhichisstaffed24hoursa day.WecanarrangeforfreetransportationtotheCentreforwomenwho liveintheAlgoma/Chapleauarea.Wealsooffersupporttowomenwholive in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and HornepaynethroughourOutreachProgram.OurOutreachWorkertravels tothosecommunitiestomeetwithwomenwhoneedemotionalsupportas wellasinformationabouttheirrightsandoptions.Ifyouneedtospeakwith 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 residentoftheCentreinordertouseourservices.Ifyouneedsomeoneto talktoorifyoujustneedsomeonetolisten,callourTollFreeCrisislineat1800-461-2242oryoucandropinattheCentre.Wearehereforyou.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPPMichaelManthasaysnewsnow-clearingstandards donotaddressrootcauseofsafetyissuesonHighways11and17

When I was in high school, I remember our teachers would put posters up to promote a positive atmosphere. Some were humorous, and some were words of wisdom. However, there is onethat,tothisday,standsoutinmymind.Itsaid, “Opportunity knocks only once, but temptation keeps hammering at the door, time after time.” I'vereadsimilarwordsofwisdomovertheyears, butthisonehasalwayshithomewithme.

Currently, I am extremely concerned about Bill 23, the More Homes Built FasterAct, that the Ford Government is trying to pass. This bill is their attempt to tackle Ontario's housing problems.ThereisnoquestionthatOntarioneeds to resolve its housing crisis. We need more affordable housing for families, especially those of modest means. But the concern is HOW they want to fix the problems. If Bill 23 passes, Ontario's Greenbelt lands will be forever lost. This when Ontario's population is also growing byleapsandbounds,withnoendinsight.

GreenbeltsarelandssetasideinSouthern Ontario to protect our environment. In 2005 Ontario recognized the critical role of specific lands and locations in keeping drinking water naturally clean, preventing or reducing the damages caused by flooding and erosion, scrubbing our air clean, providing habitats for wildlifeandpreventingurbansprawl.Peoplealso needaccesstogreenspacetohelpmaintainboth physicalandmentalhealth.

MypriorityasanMPPistorepresentthe needsandconcernsofNortherners.So,whyamI worriedaboutthepassageofBill23?Thereason is that the reduction or loss of Greenbelts will directlyimpactusintheNorth.Northernershave reasontositupandtakenoticeofthisbill.

Like the rest of Canada, Ontario has finally realized the benefits of buying locallygrown or produced foods. Eating local is a total winacrosstheboardforeveryone.Itcutsdownon transportationcostsandhydrocarbonproduction. It makes our local economy stronger and more stable. Eating local initiatives support farm familiesandprovideemploymenthereathome.It ensureswehaveaccesstoasteady,reliablefood supply. And best of all, locally grown food is fresher and tastes better.We know the Eat Local initiative is a success just by looking at the popularity and abundance of farmers' markets across the province. “Good things grow in

Ontario.”

Given the above, what is arguably of greatest concern is that the Ford Government's scheme would allow developers to bulldoze and pave over 7,000 acres of farmland in the Greenbelt.Andthatisjustthefirstwave.Ontop of this enormous loss of arable land, Ontarians don't realize that the 7000-acre loss will be in addition to the 319.6 acres that Ontario already loses daily to development. If Ontario's populationcontinuestogrowforyearstocome,as expected, we need more farmland, not less, to feedeveryone.Andoncethelandisbulldozedand developed,itisgoneforeternity.

Greenbelts also help prevent flooding. The belts of land are strategically set aside becausetheyabsorbrainwaterandmeltingsnow and provide naturally flowing waterways during storms and severe weather. If we pave over such lands,buildinghighways,parkinglotsandhomes, precipitation is not absorbed, so it pools up and floods because it can't get away fast enough in manmadedrainagelines.

IfOntarioseesincreasesinflooding,that willmeanmorepayoutsbyinsurancecompanies. Those payouts come from the pockets of all Ontarianswhopayinsurancepremiums.

Sincefirstelectedin2018,DougFordhas been caught red-handed so many times, making promises to his wealthy developer friends to lay openacresofGreenbeltlandtobuildon.Overand over again, he puts the profit interests of politically-connected developers and land speculatorsoverthefoodsecurityofOntarians.

In 2018, Doug Ford was captured on videoassuringagroupofinvestorsthathewould openuptheGreenbeltforthemtodevelop,calling theland“justfarmfields.”

InJanuary2019,PremierFordtriedagain to punch holes in the Greenbelt using Bill 66, a massive deregulation bill in which he buried incentives for developers to pave over the Greenbelt.

InDecember2020,theFordGovernment stripped power from Conservation Authorities, gutting environmental protections. He took decision-making power out of the hands of experts who care about the land and the environment. So incensed were Greenbelt Council members that almost all resigned in protest,sayingthatthechangesputtheGreenbelt at risk. I'm sure Mr. Ford could not have been morepleasedtoseethewatchdogsdisappear.

In2021PremierFordannouncedhisplan to build a superhighway in Greenbelt areas, a project that would only reduce commuting time between30to60seconds.

PremierFordhasbeensayingforyearshe cansimplyreplacelandtakenoutoftheGreenbelt bydesignatingsomeotherlandasGreenbeltland. Butthisisnotpossible.Notalllandissuitableor strategically located to be set aside for its

Greenbeltcapabilities.

WeknowDougFordneverdoestheright thinguntilhegetscaught.Unfortunately,itseems thathekeepsfallingintothetemptationoftrading favourswithinsiders,ashappenedin2019,when he tried to cut a sweetheart deal to break up the Greenbelt with a developer whose family has given more than $100,000 to the Conservatives. Andhedoesthesethingsattheexpenseoftherest ofOntario.

DougFordisdraggingusbackwardinthe fightagainstclimatechange,andthecostsofthat are huge.The cost of cleaning up and rebuilding again and again after floodwaters recede is far greater than the cost of improving the province's protectionfromflooding.

I tistimethatOntariansacrosstheprovince stand up to protect greenspace, local agriculture and food, a clean environment, and the physical andmentalhealthforfuturegenerationstoenjoy. This is why NDP Agriculture Critic, John Vanthof, has proposed Bill 27, the Protecting Agricultural Land Act, to ensure that existing farmland in the province is protected. If passed, the bill would prevent land prescribed for agriculturalusesfrombeingrezonedandtheuses ofthelandfrombeingchangedunlessitpassesan AgriculturalImpactAssessment.

Opportunity knocks only once. But it seemsDougFordsuccumbstimeaftertimetothe temptation of opening the door to the constant hammeringofhiswealthydeveloperfriends.And onceit'sgone,it'sgone.

Asalways,pleasefeelfreetocontactmy office about these issues or any other provincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at 705-461-9710orToll-freeat1-800-831-1899.