Nonewleadson5-yearanniversary ofThelmaKrull'sdisappearance
byLibbyGiesbrecht
Fiveyearsagotoday,ThelmaKrullwentfor a walk. Her family didn't realize then that theywouldneverseeheraliveagain.
After five years, remains belonging to Krull have been found but the person behind her disappearancehasnot.
Afterhundredsoftipsandcountlesshours investigating, Winnipeg Police still don't know why the then 57-year-old mother and grandmotherdisappearedonJuly11,2015.
The investigation into Krull's mysterious disappearancehaspolicestillsearching.Lastyear, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) requested anyandallnewinformationfromthepublic.
"First and foremost, the Winnipeg Police Service wants to thank our community — all of you — for the hundreds of tips and useful information you have provided to us as we continue efforts to find justice for Thelma Krull and her family," said WPS Public Information OfficerJayMurray.
On October 27, 2018, a major development came in the case when a hunter discovered human remainsinawoodedarea of the RM of Taché. Through DNA testing, the remains were determined to be that of Krull.
But police still don't know what happenedtoKrullorwhy
shedisappeared.
Asearchforinformation
In 2019, WPS shared a community tip in hopes of gathering more information from the public.
TheWPSbelievestherewasanindividual who had valid and pertinent information regardingKrull'sdisappearancebutmaybedidn't
knowtheydid.
Theysaytheindividualwouldhavebeenableto observeKrullandmayknowsomethingthatcouldbeof helptoinvestigatorsasaresult.
WPS was searching for the driver of a goldcoloured four-door sedan in good condition, perhaps a 2005 to 2010 import, such as a Toyota, Hyundai, or Honda.
5tipsforhostingastress-freeholiday
(NC)It’sthemostwonderfultimeoftheyear, but hosting large gatherings can sometimes makeitastressfultimetoo.Toaddmorecheer and less fear this season, here are five tips to takethestressoutofhostingfamilyandfriends.
Prepahead
Take care of as much organizing and preparation as possible before the day of the event.Ifyou’rehavingasit-downmeal,setthe table a day or two ahead. Print personalized place card settings using your home printer to addaclassytouch.
Don’tworryaboutcleaningtoomuchin advance–yourguestsarenotcomingtoseeif you’ve dusted the furniture thoroughly Focus on the areas that attendees will use the most –including the bathroom.After the party is the timetodoadeepclean.
Exercisemindfulmenupreparation
If you’re serving food, you want to ensurethefoodisfreshandthatyou’reconsiderateofdietaryneedstopreventanyillnesses. When sending out the invitations, include a request to be notified of any allergies or other dietaryrestrictions.
Use ice packs and warming trays to keep cold things cold and hot things hot. Anythingperishableshouldnotbeleftatroom temperatureformorethantwohours.
Outsourcetheeats
Hosting is a lot of work (and can be costly), so don’t feel obligated to prepare an entire multi-course meal from scratch Consider serving heatand-eat frozen appetizers,orderingtakeoutor even hiring a caterer to takecareofeverything. Another option to help feel less overwhelmed is to host a potluck Remembertoshareany food restrictions you learned with your catererorguests.
Delegateasmuchasyoucan
Beyond bringing items for a potluck, don’t be shy about asking guests to help out with other party planning.Ask your musician friend to create a curated playlist, get your designer cousin to help out with decorations and designate someone to be the party’s paparazziwhowillberesponsibleforcapturing candidmemories.
Sharehappy,tangiblememories
Make the event truly memorable by creatinganonsitephotostationforyourguests. With a printer like the new HP Envy 6100 series, you can print professional-quality images at home through an easy-to-use app. Guests can connect through Wi-Fi and send photosfromtheirphonesdirectlytoprintinthe moment creating lasting takeaways to cherish longafteryourhostingdutiesarecompleted. Find more solutions to help with your partyneedsathp.ca.
Wood, pizza, hot dogs and marshmallows. The communitysureknowshowtoshowsupport
Chapleau Moments
by MichaelJ. Morris
Michael Farber, who writes for Sports Illustrated, noted in a column that the personal connectionhehadtotheMontrealCanadiensand to hockey in general, led him to his one contribution to the sociology of hockey: the Canadianone-degree-of-separationrule
"Through anecdotal evidence gathered in the almost 30 years since I moved from New JerseytoMontreal,ithasoccurredtomethatpretty much everybody in Canada is only one person away from someone who has ties to hockey, specifically the NHL," Farber wrote in a 2009 column
Farber mentions many examples of the one-degree-of-separation rule around the street where he lived and the Montreal Canadiens, including Former coach Jacques Demers' father who was the superintendent of an apartment building, where as a boy Jacques used to shovel coalforCanadiensplayerFloyd"Busher"Curry.
IhadbeenresearchingacolumnonFloyd Curry who was born in Chapleau on August 11, 1925,anddiscoveredFarber'scolumn IthoughtI would apply his observation that Canadians are onlyonepersonawayfromsomeonewhohasties totheNHLtoFloydCurryandChapleau.Inever knew Curry but some of his relatives lived on Aberdeen Street beside the Goldstein family just downthebacklanefrommyhouse
Idonotrecallanyoneevermentioningthat heplayedhockeyinChapleau,butifhedid,Ihope someonewillletmeknow.HewasplayingJunior hockey in Kirkland Lake when he was fifteen which first brought him to the attention of the MontrealCanadiens
Read more of Farber's column at: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/mich ael farber/01/22/montreal.welcome/#ixzz10BMtr xlE
Knowing that Alison (McMIllan) McMullen was a great fan of the Montreal Canadiens, I contacted her to see if she had any memoriesofhim.Withinanhourorso,herbrother David was in touch with the following: "I had several pieces of memorabilia including newspaper write-ups of Floyd Curry Night at the Forum which I and several other Chapleauites attended.IcanrememberMikeMionebeingdown at ice level taking photos although I have no idea
Floyd"Busher"Curry,Chapleauborn,consideredbesthockeyplayerinworldby QueenElizabeth II afternotching'Royal'hattrickforMontrealCanadiensin1951
whataccreditationhehadorhow/ wherehe'dattainedit AlcideBrunetteandDonald "Flappy" Jardine (both now gone) were also in attendance."
In2002whenasQueenElizabethIImade historyasthefirstmonarchtodroptheceremonial opening faceoff puck at an NHL game in Vancouver, CTVNewsreportedthatthelasttime QueenElizabethandPrincePhilipwereknownto have attended a hockey game was in 1951 at the MontrealForum,duringtheirfirstvisittoCanada. Shewasonlytwenty-fiveandstillaprincesswhen she watched the Canadiens crush the New York Rangers6-1andFloydCurrywascreditedwiththe "Royal"hattrick.ItturnedouttobehisonlyNHL hattrick.
Writing on his blog Greatest Hockey Legends, Joe Pelletier noted that for most of his hockey life Curry was a modest player happy to stay in the shadows of hockey's spotlight Most nights,exceptone.
"On Oct 29, 1951 -- with then Princess Elizabethandherhusband,theDukeofEdinburgh in attendance, " Pelletier wrote, "Curry scored three goals in a 6-1 victory over the New York Rangers The Princess (who became Queen in 1952) was in the midst of her first royal tour left The Forum under the impression Busher Curry wasthebesthockeyplayerintheworld"
"ItwasCurry'sgreatestmoment,"Pelletier added
Apparently, the Queen recalled Curry manyyearslateronanothervisittoCanada.
Read more by Joe Pelletier at http://habslegends.blogspot.com/2008/07/floydbusher-curryhtml
AftersixyearswiththeOshawaGenerals and Memorial Cup win the Montreal Canadiens realized his potential and signed him. he had also become a member of the Canadian armed forces near the end pf World War II. He played for the Montreal Royals before being brought up to the Canadiens PlayinghisentireNHLcareerwiththe MontrealCanadiensitstartedin1947andendedin 1958. During his time with Montreal, Floyd won fourStanleyCups1953,1956,1957,1958 Inhis NHL career he played in 601 games, scored 105 goals, and earned ninety-nine assists for 204 points.
After retiring as a player, he coached the Montreal Royals, then went on to work for the Canadiensfrontofficeforover40yearsasdirector ofsalesandtravelsecretary Insummerof1968he was promoted to Assistant General manager He remained in that position until 1978. During his time in Montreal the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup6moretimes.Curry'snamewasaddedtothe cupin1977,1978
http://enwikipediaorg/wiki/Floyd Curry
Floyd Curry even got a mention in "Barney'sVersion"bythedistinguishedCanadian author,MordecaiRichler."Ah,1950.Thatwasthe last year Bill Durnan, five times winner of the Vezinatrophy,bestgoalieintheNationalHockey League, would mind the nets for my beloved Montreal Canadiens In 1950, nos glorieux could already deploy a formidable defense corps, its mainstay young Doug Harvey. The Punch Line was then only two thirds intact: in the absence of Hector"Toe"Blake,whoretiredin1948,Maurice "The Rocket" Richard and Elmer Lach were skatingonalinewithFloyd"Busher"Curry They finished second to bloody Detroit in the regular seasonand,totheireverlastingshame,wentdown fourgamestoonetotheNewYorkRangersinthe Stanley Cup semifinals. At least The Rocket enjoyedadecentyear,finishingtheregularseason second in the individual scoring race with fortythreegoalsandtwenty-twoassists."
HediedonSeptember16,2006,atage81.
from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa
by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
It's starting to feel a bit predictable, but workers at another major federally regulated industry have been pushed into a labour dispute for the third time in as many months Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) employees at CanadaPosthaveoverwhelminglyvotedinfavor ofastrikemandate.Justweeksago,portworkers and longshoremen in British Columbia and Quebec were locked out following significant labour disagreements, and in August it was Teamsters-affiliatedrailworkerswhowerelocked out Inbothofthosecases,theMinisterofLabour forced binding arbitration on workers to resume work very quickly. Are federally regulated industries refusing to negotiate in good faith on purpose, knowing the government will do this? And what does this mean for striking postal workers?
Toprefacewhathappenedinboththeport and rail strikes, the Minister of Labour used the powersavailabletohimunderSection117ofthe Canada Labour Code to instruct the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) to impose binding arbitration This is slightly different than enacting back-to-work legislation (which would require the votes of Parliamentarians) but has a similar effect. It forces the corporations to negotiate with workers through a third-party arbitrator, and whatever agreement is negotiated bythethirdpartyisbinding,meaningworkersgo back to work with a new contract, even if their labourdemandsaren'tmet.Itis,inessence,backto-work legislation with the edges sanded off slightly,andnovoteintheHouseofCommons
In Canada Post's case, the Minister has stated recently that he's “ not looking at any other solution other than negotiation. Right now, every day is a new day in collective bargaining andwearegoingtocontinuetosupporttheparties inanywaywecanandmakesuretheyareableto try and get a negotiated agreement ” The statement seems almost purposefully vague Negotiations between the 55,000 striking postal workers and Canada Post is exactly what needs occur.Afairdeal,negotiatedbetweenbothparties, ingoodfaith,willresultinthebestoutcomesfor theworkersandforCanadians Buthisstatement doesnotindicatewhatkindofnegotiation,andhe doesnotseemtoberulingoutbindingarbitration Those postal workers have been attempting to bargainforalmostayear,andCanadaPosthasdug their heels in. While a special mediator has been
CanadaPost
appointed, the Minister has seemingly stopped justshortofbindingarbitrationsofar
Like most negotiations, better pay is part of the equation, but another major stumbling block is worker safety Postal workers have the second-highest Disabling Injury Frequency Rate inthecountryforfederallyregulatedworkplaces, behind only road transportation (predominantly truckers). Increased medical leave and improvements to group health benefits are also topofmindforpostalworkers
Thefederalgovernmenthasusedback-toworklegislationtoendpostalworkerstrikesinthe past,includingin2018,whenpostalworkerswere usingrotatingstrikestocontinueoperationswhile still committing to job action. The then-majority government pushed forward with back-to-work legislation, undermining collective bargaining It also happened under the previous Conservative government,withthen-LabourMinisterLisaRaitt
using legislation as a cudgel to force postal workers to work in 2011 The irony at that point was that postal workers weren't even on strike, CanadaPostlockedworkersout. While,atthetimeofwriting,CUPWand CanadaPostremaindeadlockedintheirpositions, it's vital that the right to free and fair collective bargaining continue. Obviously strikes are inconvenient. That's the point. Work action is intended to bring to light the disagreement workershavewithmanagementtodemandbetter wages and working conditions But because of howfrequentlybindingarbitrationhasbeenused recently,it'snotoutofthequestionthatcompanies aresimplyrefusingtocometothebargainingtable and are instead trying to wait out negotiating in hopes that the federal government would force a deal Thisentireissuecouldhavebeenavertedhad Canada Post negotiated in good faith in the first place
Desnégociationsdebonnefoiauraientpermisd'éviterlagrève
Cela commence à devenir un peu prévisible, mais les travailleurs d'une autre grandeindustriesousréglementationfédéraleont été poussés vers un conflit de travail pour la troisièmefoisenautantdemois.Lesemployésdu Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes (STTP) de Postes Canada ont voté massivementenfaveurd'unmandatdegrève.Ily aquelquessemaines,lestravailleursportuaireset lesdébardeursdelaColombie-Britanniqueetdu Québec ont été mis en lock-out à la suite d'importantsconflitsdetravail,etenaoût,cesont les travailleurs ferroviaires représentés par le syndicatdesTeamstersquis'étaientretrouvésen lock-out.Danscesdeuxcas,leministreduTravail a imposé un arbitrage contraignant aux travailleurs pour qu'ils reprennent le travail très rapidement. Les industries sous réglementation fédérale refusent-elles délibérément de négocier debonnefoi,sachantquelegouvernementagira de la sorte? Et qu'est-ce que cela laisse présager pourlestravailleurspostauxengrève?
En préambule aux grèves des secteurs portuaire et ferroviaire, le ministre du Travail a utilisélespouvoirsqueluiconfèrel'article117du Code canadien du travail pour ordonner au Conseil canadien des relations industrielles (CCRI) d'imposer un arbitrage contraignant Cette mesure est légèrement différente de l'adoption d'une loi de retour au travail (qui nécessiterait le vote des parlementaires), mais elle a un effet similaire. Elle oblige les employeurs à négocier avec les travailleurs par l'intermédiaire d'un arbitre tiers, et l'accord négocié par ce dernier est contraignant, ce qui signifie que les travailleurs reprennent le travail avec un nouveau contrat, même si leurs
àPostesCanada
revendications demeurent insatisfaites. Il s'agit essentiellementd'uneloideretourautravaildont onalégèrementarrondilescontoursetquin'apas faitl'objetd'unvoteàlaChambredescommunes. DanslecasdePostesCanada,leministre adéclarérécemmentqu'il«n'envisagepasd'autre solutionquelanégociation.Pourl'instant,chaque jour est un nouveau jour dans les négociations collectives,etnousallonscontinueràsoutenirles partiesdetouteslesmanièrespossiblesetànous assurer qu'elles sont en mesure d'essayer de parveniràunaccordnégocié».Onal'impression que c'est presque délibérément que cette déclaration est vague. Les négociations entre les 55000travailleursengrèveetPostesCanadasont exactementlavoieàsuivre.Unaccordéquitable etnégociédebonnefoientrelesdeuxpartiesest ce qui permettra d'obtenir les meilleurs résultats possible pour les travailleurs et pour les Canadiens. Mais dans sa déclaration, le ministre ne précise pas à quel type de négociations il fait allusion, et il ne semble pas exclure l'arbitrage obligatoire.Lestravailleursdespostestententde négocierdepuisprèsd'unan,maisPostesCanada demeureinflexible.Bienqu'unmédiateurspécial ait été nommé, le ministre semble hésiter à se rendre jusqu'à l'arbitrage obligatoire pour l'instant.
Commepourlaplupartdesnégociations, l'amélioration des salaires fait partie des discussions, mais la sécurité des travailleurs constituel'unedesprincipalesquestionsenlitige. Les employés de Postes Canada se classent au deuxièmerangnationalpourcequiestdutauxde fréquence des accidents invalidants sur les lieux de travail sous réglementation fédérale, derrière Cont’donP.7
OntarioGeneratingMoreEnergytoMeetSoaringDemand
Province exploring sites for energy generation in Port Hope, Haldimand County and St. Clair Township
The Ontario government has asked Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to begin discussions with Indigenous, community and municipal leaders on its existingsitesinPortHope,HaldimandCountyandSt Clair Township to determine community support for alltypesofnewenergygeneration,includingnuclear, tomeetOntario'ssoaringdemandforelectricity.
According to Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province's demandforelectricityisforecasttoincreaseby75per centby2050,theequivalentofaddingfourandahalf cities the size of Toronto to the grid. While the provinceisalreadyontracktomeetdemandsthrough 2035 with major projects already announced, including' andCanadasfirstsmallmodularreactor the largest competitive energy procurement in Ontario's history, the province will need 16,000 additional megawatts (MW) of generation, in addition to new transmissiontomeetdemandin2050.
“Our government is leading the largest expansionofelectricitygenerationinmorethanthirty years,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification “To meet soaring energy demands, we're working with communities to plan ahead and build for our future so that we can generate more power that is reliable and affordable for our families today and tomorrow Our plan will ensure we keep energybillsdownandthepoweronforgenerationsto come”
As Ontario's largest energy generator, OPG owns properties across the province. Three of these sites – Wesleyville in Port Hope, Nanticoke in Haldimand County and Lambton in St Clair – are already zoned for electricity generation, have
proximitytotransmission,andarelocatedinSouthern Ontario, within regions experiencing significant growth
Earlycommunityengagementisacriticalpart of the province's approach to new energy generation. These early conversations with communities will includehowtheywouldbesupportedandthepotential benefits,including:
· Equity participation for Indigenous communitiesingenerationprojects;
· The creation of a new fund with up to $50 million for municipal host communities across the three sites to support community infrastructure investmentsandattractionofco-locatedindustry;
· Additionalmunicipalpropertytaxesrelatedto new generaiton stations and co-located companies; and
· Associated jobs and economic development for municipalities and Indigenous communities from new generation, co-located industries, and supply chainspending
“As we prepare for the largest expansion of electricity generation in over thirty years, our governmentisembracinganimportantopportunityfor economicreconciliationamongFirst Nations communities and workers,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of IndigenousAffairsandFirstNations Economic Reconciliation “By working together with Ontario Power Generation, we are ensuring that First Nations communities are notjustpartoftheconversation,but active participants in shaping a
MPPMantha seeks update on NorthernHealthTravelGrant
During Question Period today
Algoma Manitoulin MPP, Michael Mantha, pushed the government to provide update Northerners on the enhancedNorthernHealthTravelGrant provision that were announced earlier thisyear
“Almost 7 months ago, the Minister of Health announced that the government would be enhancing the NorthernHealthTravelGrant.”Mantha said “Why are Northerners still waiting?”
Thegovernmenthasnotmadeit clearwhenthenewprovisionswilltake effect These included increased reimbursements for overnight accommodations, reducing travel distance requirements, digital receipt submission, and expanding travel
companioneligibility
“Over a year ago, I introduced legislation to improve the Northern Health Travel Grant.” Said Mantha. “I heard from hundreds of Northerners whowantequalaccesstohealthcareand whowantthisgovernmenttoaddressthe programshortfalls.”
Mantha said that his office has sentmultiplerequeststotheMinistryof Health on behalf of constituents who want to know when they can access the additional program provisions The Ministry has yet to acknowledge those requests.
“People in Northern Ontario deserve equitable access to healthcare. They shouldn't be deciding between gettingtreatmentandpayingtheirbills.”
prosperous,sustainableenergyfuture.Thisisacritical moment to build a stronger, more inclusive economy where Indigenous communities are positioned to thrivealongsideallOntarians”
“OPG places great importance on ensuring strong relationships and partnerships with our potential host communities, neighbours, and Indigenous Nations on whose traditional territory we operate,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO “Our strong record of safely building and operatinggeneratingfacilities,includingnuclear,will continue into any new generation opportunities OPG may pursue. We look forward to meeting with municipalities and Nations to understand their perspectivesandaspirationsfortheircommunities” Developingoptionsfornewenergygenerationisjust one part of 'Ontarios Affordable Energy Future, the government's vision as it plans for rising energy demand,whichincludes:
· EnergyPlanning–Developingtheprovince's first integrated energy plan, including all energy resources, such as electricity, natural gas, and other fuelstoensuretheprovince'senergyneedsaremetina coordinatedandlong-termmanner.
MOMENTS IN TIME
On Dec. 14, 1982, actor Woody Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, was convicted of murdering Judge John Wood outside his home in San Antonio, Texas, as he bent down to look at a flat tire on his car Wood was the first federal judge assassinated in the 20th century, and the FBI's three-year investigation into his murder was one of the most extensive sinceJohnF Kennedy'sassassination.
CanadaPostStrikeCouldHaveBeen AvertedwithGoodFaithBargaining
Cont’dfromP.4 lestravailleursdudomainedestransportsroutiers (principalement les camionneurs). L'augmentation des congés de maladie et l'amélioration des prestations du régime collectif d'assurance-santé sont également au centre des préoccupations des travailleurspostaux.
Legouvernementfédéraladéjàeurecoursà des lois de retour au travail pour mettre fin à des grèves de travailleurs des postes, notamment en 2018, lorsque les employés de Postes Canada avaient opté pour des grèves tournantes afin de mener des actions syndicales tout en assurant le maintien du service. Le gouvernement majoritaire del'époqueavaitrépliquéenfaisantadopteruneloi de retour au travail, minant ainsi le droit à la négociation collective. Cela s'était également produit sous le précédent gouvernement conservateur, alors que la ministre du Travail de l'époque, Lisa Raitt, s'était servie de la loi pour forcer les travailleurs des postes à reprendre le travail en 2011. L'ironie, à ce moment-là, c'est que ces derniers n'étaient même pas en grève, et qu'ils avaient plutôt été mis en lock-out par Postes Canada.
Mêmesi,aumomentoùj'écrisceslignes,le STTP et Postes Canada sont toujours dans l'impasse, il est essentiel que le droit à des négociations collectives libres et équitables soit maintenu. Il est évident que les grèves dérangent. Maisc'estjustementl'objectif.L'actionsyndicalea pourbutdemettreenlumièreledésaccordentreles travailleursetladirectionafind'exigerdemeilleurs salaires et conditions de travail. Mais devant la fréquence à laquelle on a eu recours à l'arbitrage obligatoire ces derniers temps, il y a lieu de se
www.algomalawyers.ca
demander si que les entreprises ne choisissent pas simplement de ne pas s'asseoir à la table des négociations et de retarder le moment des négociations dans l'espoir que le gouvernement fédéralforceralespartiesàconclureunaccord.Un faitdemeure:toutceproblèmeauraitpuêtreévitési Postes Canada avait négocié de bonne foi dès le départ.
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!
We also carry road trip snacks, which includes Subs, Chips, Pop, plus a whole lot more.
BERRY’S
TIMMINS FORQUALITYSERVICESAT INEXPENSIVEPRICES GIVE USACALLAT 1-705-264-4334
Monday to Friday Monday to Friday: 1 lb. to 10,000 lbs 1-705-363-7804
Local MARKETPLACE MARKETPLACE
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.
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
Hockey is truly one of my passions Hockey has long been and always will be Canada's sport With the whistling speed of the puck hurling toward the net and the flashing bladesastheplayersrocketupanddowntheice, whatcouldbemoreexciting?Iwillinglyadmitto beingloyaltoafaultofaparticularteamthathas experiencedadroughtthathaslastedlongerthan theyearsIhavebreathed.Butthat,too,ispartof thegame'smagic
Ireadilyjustifymyloyalty,evenintough times, arguing that a team's success does not dependjustonthesumtotalofaroster'soverall talent.Amyriad of factors come into play. The Harold Ballard bad years prove that a team can only perform if given the tools, skilled teammates and support from the top management, coaches,playersandeventrainers.
It occurs to me that understanding the above perhaps explains my passion for politics aswell.
Let'sbeginwithaquickreviewoflesson #1inCivics101.InCanada,therearethreetiers ofGovernment
· TheFederalGovernmentorGovernment ofCanada
· Provincial Government – ours being Ontario
· MunicipalGovernment
In these times, all levels of government are facing some pretty staggering challenges Looking from the inside out, politics is not a prettygametobeplayingthesedays.ButIcan't help but take special notice of the problems municipal governments are having as they desperatelystrivetodeliverontheneedsoftheir citizens.As I see it, Ontario municipal governmentsaregoingthroughroughtimesthatconjure memoriesoftheBallardbadyears Theyarenot receivingtheleadership,fundingorsupportthey need at the top (ie the Province) Like hockey players, municipal leaders' performance is directly impacted by the decisions that come downfromabove AndinOntario'scase,Isaythe Province has been absent from the table for a longtime.Now,itiscatchinguptous.
In the November 19, 2019, issue of Policy Options, Associate Professor Kristin R. Good of Dalhousie University explained that municipalities are actually part and parcel of provincial jurisdiction and hold constitutional significance. "Municipal acts and city charters decentralize power and embody the same constitutional values that underpin Canada's federalstructureanddemocracy"
ProfessorGoodisright Municipalgovernments are not a weak underling of provincial govern-
DougFordisputtingNorthernMunicipalitiesbacksagainstthewall
ments. They manage critical infrastructure, services, and security at local levels, which the provinces do not operate But in Ontario, Queen's Park is putting more problems on municipalities and washing their hands of offeringanyhelp
It is important to note that this lack of supportisnotlimitedtojustlargerurbancentres SmallerruralandNortherncommunitiesarealso suffering from this lack of support. Premier Ballard–ImeanPremierFord-effectivelytells municipal leaders, Here are the rules Here is what we want you to do Now, find the money andgetthejobdone
Case in point, Northern municipalities have been scrambling to fund OPP service contract renewals with impossible fee increases ofupto26percenttackedon Formonths,Ihave heard from municipal leaders in AlgomaManitoulin that they were virtually out of options.Alltheycandoiseitherimposecolossal taxincreasesoncitizensofatleast5or6percent or cut existing services to the bone Many northern communities lack the corporate or businesstaxbasetocushiontheblow.Northern Ontario families are already struggling with inflation and other necessary costs They certainlycan'taffordtaxincreases,too
Healthcare,forexample,istheprovince's responsibility Yetmunicipalitieshavehadtoget into the game because of dire shortages of doctors here in the North. Hospital emergency department doors have had to close so many times in recent years that citizens are suffering And people who need access to a family physicianhavebeenlanguishingastheywaityearsto get onto a family physician's roster Municipalities have had to step up to the plate acrosstheprovince,especiallyhereintheNorth People are literally suffering. The provincial government has been turning its back on local municipalitiesforyears
So, what are local governments to do? Their hands are tied, having to choose which need is more critical to their community: healthcare or policeservices.Askyourself,ifyouwereintheir shoes,whichwouldyousayisthepriority?
Theanswer,ofcourse,isbothareequally important Nooneshouldhavetochoose What kindofprovincialleadershipwouldsitbackand allow this to happen? Obviously, a government ledbyDougFordwoulddothis.
Northern Ontario municipal governments are experiencing the same issues. The Northern Ontario Large Uban Mayors group recentlymettoprepareforupcomingprovincial andfederaladvocacymeetings TheNovember9 issueoftheSaultStarreported;
"The Northern mayors – from the Sault, Sudbury,NorthBay,TimminsandThunderBay – share the same issues in their community, addictions and mental health crisis, physician
shortagesandhousingshortages.
"Allhaveonethingincommon:municipalities are facing issues and attempting to find solutions that are out of their jurisdiction and mandate Despite repeated requests, letter writing campaigns, contact with provincial and federalmembersofParliamentandlobbyefforts, theissuespersist"
The Star went on to report that the consensuswasthat"NorthernOntarioistreated as the poor sister of the north, the mayors also findthemselvescompetingagainsteachotherfor limitedfundingdollars."Themayorshaveheard that there will be funding for the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub. But they also understand that only 9 communities in Ontario will receive such funding. Don't forget the Star recently reported that the Sault had the highest number of deaths in the province from opioid overdose As I wrote in a recent NFTP column, it's a massive problem across Algoma-Manitoulin, one in which the Premier responded to my questions with lip serviceandcynicism
In early November of this year, Ontario mayorssentalettertoPremierFordaskinghim to help them deal with homeless encampment issues.Insteadoflisteningearnestlyandengaginginmeaningfuldiscussion,thePremierchose toinflametheissuebysaying,"Ihaveanidea ; why don't the big city mayors actually put in writingthattheywanttheprovincetochangethe homelessprogram,makesurethatwemovethe homeless along, and why don't they put in (to) use the notwithstanding clause, or something likethat….Let'sseeiftheyhavethebackboneto doit"
The antagonizing comment only served to spark dissension and division among the mayors'groupinsteadofhelpfuldialogue
ThegovernmentofOntarioisnotcoming tothetabletohelpwhenOntariansneeditmost ThePremierispreoccupiedwiththewhispering corporate supporters with deep pockets, like those who don't like sharing city streets with cyclists
Consider the damage Harold Ballard's leadershipbroughtonfortheMapleLeafs;a52yearStanleyCupdrought.TheFordgovernment is following Harold Ballard's lead to disaster. Ontarians need a Premier and government that doesn't avoid problems by downloading them ontootherswhoareill-equippedtohandleissues beyondtheirjurisdiction.Weneedapremierwho leads a government that puts its citizens' needs, health,welfare,securityandprosperityfirst
As always, I invite you to contact my officeabouttheseissuesoranyotherprovincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby email at mmantha-co@ola.org or call Toll-free 1-800-831-1899