11302023 November 30 2024

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

Local News Weekly

705 - 864 - 2785

Free to Every Household

Vol. 28, Issue 13, November30, 2023

705 - 864 - 0911

Holiday Train coming this afternoon The CPKC Holiday Train will roll into the town of Chapleau today at 4:15. The train is decorated in lights and visits stops along the route, with every pound of food and dollar raised at each stop stays with the community local food bank to help feed those in need.

Festive Ride Season Has Begun In Superior East

T

his holiday season, police will again be on the lookout for impaired drivers who are putting the public's safety at risk. The Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is conducting their annual Festive "Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere" (RIDE) campaign from Thursday, November 16, 2023 to Monday, January 1, 2024. Festive RIDE has become a familiar part of the holiday season and is one of the OPP's most important traffic safety initiatives.

Long Term Impairment from alcohol, Forecast c a n n a b i s , p r e s c r i ption/illegal drugs, or Thursday fatigue is a significant road High 1 Low -12 safety issue. Every year, countless lives are lost to Friday those individuals who High -3 make the decision to get Low -12 behind the wheel and drive Saturday High -2 Low -11

Sunday High -8 Low - 8 Monday High -4 Low -11 Tuesday High -5 Low -11

while impaired. So far in 2023, 44 people have been killed on OPP-patrolled roads in alcohol/drug-related collisions.

During Festive RIDE, officers will be utilizing Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) to identify impaired operators. Drivers are reminded that the MAS law allows police to demand a roadside breath sample from any lawfully stopped driver, without having reasonable suspicion that a driver is alcohol impaired. If you are a fully licenced driver and you refuse to take a drug or alcohol test, or register a blood alcohol concentration over 0.08%, you will face a 90-day 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 impaired driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, and drivers are subject to the same severe

penalties.

Expect to see officers out in full force this season, conducting RIDE in our communities and on our highways. Drivers are asked to be careful when approaching a RIDE location, as officers will be standing in live lanes of traffic. When you see flashing lights: please slow down and proceed with caution.

When you operate a motor vehicle, you have a responsibility to keep yourself, your passengers and other road users safe. Have a plan before you go out to celebrate this holiday season and make the decision not to drive impaired. Arrange for a designated driver, call a taxi or stay overnight.

If you suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol, drug or even fatigue, please call 9-1-1 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

The Superior East OPP wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

MISSION

MOTORS ofWAWA

61 Mission Road, Wawa, ON, P0S 1K0 Phone (705) 856-2394

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 2

Holiday Hurrah

By Keiko Larocque The Full Voice Academy will be hosting a Holiday Hurrah at the Sacred Heart Parish on Thursday, December 21st 2023 @ 7pm. Join us and our many musical partners for an evening of winter bliss!

Voice, piano, ukulele, choir, sing-alongs

and MORE!... this show is fun, festive, and fueled by our passion for music. Come share this special night in celebration of the gifts the holiday season brings.

Ticket proceeds support all partnerships in the Holiday Hurrah and will also go towards bringing in more guest performances for the community of Chapleau - the more the merrier!

There will be a small reception to follow the show."

Person Charged With Violating Release Conditions (CHAPLEAU, ON) - Criminal charges have been laid following a domestic dispute in Chapleau. On November 22, 2023, shortly after 1:00 a.m., members of the Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a domestic disturbance on Martin Road in Chapleau.

Investigation revealed an individual violated their release conditions by communicating with someone while on conditions not to. As a result, a 48-year-old person from Chelmsford was arrested and charged with: · Fail to Comply with Probation Order two counts · Breach of Recognizance The accused was released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in January 2024 in Chapleau. Due to the domestic

nature of the incident, the name of the accused will not be released to protect the identity of the victim.

Email us at chaexpress@sympatico.ca

Deadlines are on Wednesdays at 3 p.m.

Individuals Charged At Festive Ride A Festive R I D E check in Chapleau has led to multiple charges for several individuals.

On November 21, 2023, shortly after 2:00 p.m., members of the Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Festive RIDE on Highway 101 at Esher Healey Road, approximately 30 km west of Chapleau.

Multiple vehicles were stopped and checked, with two Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS) tests conducted and 4 individuals charged with a total of 8 provincial offences.

A 34-year-old from Wawa was charged with: · Driving motor vehicle with open container of liquor · Driving vehicle with cannabis readily available · Having care or control of vehicle with cannabis in open original packaging A 37-year-old from Sudbury was charged with:

· Driving motor vehicle with liquor readily available · Drive vehicle with cannabis in open baggage · Driver vehicle with cannabis readily available A 44-year-old from Sudbury was charged with: · Having liquor in an open container in an unauthorized place A 48-year-old from Sudbury was charged with: · Having liquor in an open container in an unauthorized place When you operate a motor vehicle, you are responsible for keeping yourself, your passengers and other road users safe. Have a plan before you go out and make the decision not to drive impaired. Arrange for a designated driver, call a taxi or stay over night.

If you suspect a driver is impaired by alcohol, drug or even fatigue, please call 9-1-1 or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 3

Chapleau Bucciarelli's Beach established especially for Chapleau children "in spirit of citizenship" Moments by

Michael J. Morris

Upon his arrival in Canada in 1902 from Italy, George Bucciarelli first worked at various jobs in several locations for the Canadian Pacific Railway.

By 1910, he was working in Chapleau and became fed up, so he caught a train for Sudbury, planning to return home to Italy.

However, while in Sudbury, he decided to look at the price of lumber, bought a carload and had it shipped to Chapleau.

He used it to start his store on Lorne Street but for a time it was only open early in the morning and in the evening as Mr. Bucciarelli went back to work for the CPR in the shops.

The town was installing the municipal waterworks system, and he had built several rooms on his store which he rented to workers on the project. He also worked on that project.

In 1911, Mrs. Bucciarelli and their son Angelo arrived and Chapleau became home for them.

In due course, he improved the store and

built a house and for a time had a second location in the uptown area.

By 1935, celebrating 25 years in business, Angelo had become the store manager, and they had become wholesale tobacconists and the agent for Canadian Oils Limited, supplying gasoline for the motor vehicles that were beginning to appear in Chapleau.

Mr. Bucciarelli was spending a lot of his time at the farm he established on the Chapleau highway, and the picnics for children were started in 1931. The area later became known as Bucciarelliville.

The picnics also included a show by "The Clowns" who were young men of Chapleau all attired for their role in entertaining the children.

In 1935, as a matter of interest, those w o r k i n g f o r M r.

Bucciarelli included Fred Barty, who the Chapleau Post described as the "1st Lieutenant", Emmett Brazel, Irene Godbout who later worked as head cashier at the Dominion store, Gertrude Roffey, Leslie Perfetto, Pat Frawley, and John Ciuffreda.

According to the Chapleau Post, John

looked after the "beverage" or "refreshment" room advising him that the writer would soon be there calling for "Two big jugs John!"

But Mr. Bucciarelli did not retire and pursue his own interests entirely. In fact, during the 1940s, he developed "Bucciarelli's Beach" for which he is likely best remembered by many Chapleauites.

After my column on the children's picnics, I received an email from Frank Bucciarelli, who arrived in Chapleau with his parents in 1953.

Frank included the photos of his Uncle George and the beach area, likely taken in the summer of 1949 as the area was being completed.

Frank wrote: "The back of the pictures that I sent you are stamped January 16, 1950. I believe that this is when they were printed in Sudbury; the pictures were taken in the summertime. When we came to Canada in 1953 the beach, as far as I remember had been completed just a few years before."

The "beach" had four small cottages, a dance hall with a juke box, and a small confectionery store open in the summer. It was also a great place to swim, complete with sandy area and diving board and became very popular.

Frank also noted there was great blueberry picking in the bush near the beach.

Chapleau High School held its annual wiener roast there to end the Grade Nine initiation each September, and dances were held in the hall on summer weekends Cont’d on P.5

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 4

Fall Economic Statement Touts Measures in Housing, but Comes Up Short REPORT missing in the fall economic statement that would including changes to the Competition Act designed from OTTAWA have made a big difference. Further investments in to enhance competition and bring down prices, but non-profit housing would go a long way to help it feels far too limited. They also refused to extend Rapport those who are least likely to be able to afford the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) shelter. The government could have also extended partial loan forgiveness repayment deadline, which d’Ottawa low-interest financing for post-secondary hurts small businesses. by/par

Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

On Tuesday, the Federal government tabled their fall economic statement. It comes at a vital time where Canadians' want to see their government tackle measures that will lower costs and put money back in their pockets.

Housing is clearly the focus of the fall economic statement, and on this measure, the results are a mixed bag. The update includes an additional $15 billion in loans over 10 years under the Apartment Construction Loan Program, and $1 billion over three years dedicated solely to affordable rental housing that will not be loans, but direct funding. Government estimates put the number of homes this will help build at 30,000.

This feels like a drop in the bucket compared to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's own estimates showing a need for an additional 3.5 million new housing units to be built by 2030.

Another clear issue with this funding is that it is delayed until 2025, bizarre when we consider the lack of available affordable housing right now.

The fall economic statement will repurpose more federal lands for housing, an issue that many, including New Democrats, have pushed for.

However, it feels exceptionally limited at a time when people are finding it harder and harder to secure an affordable place to live.

It also includes new mortgage rules that apply to homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure, including allowing temporary extensions of the amortization period for mortgage holders at risk, and eliminating the requirement of insured mortgage holders to requalify under the insured minimum qualifying rate when switching lenders to renew a mortgage, among other measures. It all feels very limited for people who are struggling to pay their mortgage.

New rules surrounding the denial of tax credits for short-term rental units is a welcome move, but one that is ultimately predicated on existing provincial tax rules. A 2019 McGill University report estimates that as many as 31,000 housing units could be freed up with more stringent regulations in the short-term housing market, and that number has likely grown since that time. Under the new proposal in the fall economic statement, owners of short-term rental units that use platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO would no longer be able to make tax deductions for expenses such as interest costs, property taxes, or repairs to the unit starting in the 2024 tax year. While some provinces, such as Quebec and BC, do have or are in the process of regulating short-term rentals, the new rules will do nothing in provinces where regulation is limited or nonexistent. It also includes $50 million, a very small investment, to municipalities to help them crack down on short-term rentals who aren't compliant with the applicable provincial or municipal licensing, permitting, or registration requirements.

As the cost and access to housing remains exceptionally high, there are certainly a few things

institutions to build affordable student housing, but those details were nowhere to be found.

Another area where the government could have worked to ease the financial burden on Canadians would have been to include measures to lower the cost of groceries, which continue to outpace the rate of inflation. Four years ago, the Liberals promised an expanded national school lunch program, and again in 2021 their platform promised such a program, yet it has been left completely off the parliamentary agenda, and there is no mention of it in the fall economic statement. In fact, the only real references to food costs in the fall economic statement were mentions of amendments that were made to the government's affordability bill, C-56, that were pushed for by New Democrats,

On balance, while investments in housing are clearly the focus of the fall economic statement, there are a few highlights that were a direct result of the work New Democrats have done over the years.

This includes improvements to the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to protect post-secondary institutions from using the act and declaring bankruptcy following the Laurentian University crisis. The government will also be removing the G S T from services from psychotherapists and counselling therapists.

While there are certainly positive elements in the fall economic statement, there's clearly a need to do more to make life more affordable for Canadians.

Des mesures en matière de logement qui ne font pas le poids dans l'énoncé économique de l'automne Le gouvernement fédéral a présenté mardi son énoncé économique de l'automne. Il arrive à un moment crucial, alors que les Canadiens veulent que le gouvernement prenne des mesures qui réduiront les coûts et qui leur permettront d'avoir plus d'argent dans leurs poches.

Le logement est manifestement au cœur de cet énoncé, mais les résultats varient. Le gouvernement y annonce un montant additionnel sur dix ans de 15 milliards de dollars en prêts dans le cadre du Programme de prêts pour la construction d'appartements ainsi qu'un montant de 1 milliard de dollars sur trois ans (sous la forme d'un financement direct et non de prêts) destiné uniquement à la construction de logements locatifs abordables. De l'avis du gouvernement, ces mesures permettront de construire 30 000 maisons, ce qui n'est qu'une goutte d'eau dans l'océan. En effet, d'après la Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement, il faudrait construire 3,5 millions nouveaux logements d'ici 2030. Autre problème : ces mesures n'entreront en vigueur qu'en 2025, ce qui est curieux si on considère l'actuelle pénurie de logements abordables.

L'énoncé prévoit également la réaffectation de terrains fédéraux pour le logement, ce que préconisaient de nombreux intervenants, dont les néo-démocrates. Toutefois, cette mesure semble extrêmement modeste en cette période où les gens ont de plus en plus de difficulté à trouver un logement abordable.

L'énoncé propose aussi de nouvelles règles hypothécaires pour les propriétaires dont les biens risquent d'être saisis, comme permettre des prolongations temporaires de la période

d'amortissement pour les détenteurs d'hypothèque à risque et éliminer l'obligation pour les titulaires d'hypothèques d'établir de nouveau leur admissibilité en vertu du taux minimal d'admissibilité assuré lorsqu'ils changent de prêteur au moment du renouvellement de l'hypothèque. Ces mesures semblent dérisoires pour les personnes qui ont de la difficulté à rembourser leur hypothèque.

Les nouvelles mesures visant à refuser des crédits d'impôt aux logements locatifs à court terme sont positives, mais dépendent en définitive des lois fiscales des provinces. D'après un rapport de 2019 de l'Université McGill, une réglementation plus stricte en matière de location à court terme permettrait de libérer jusqu'à 31 000 logements, un nombre qui a probablement augmenté depuis. Selon ce qui est proposé dans l'énoncé économique de l'automne, les propriétaires de logements locatifs à court terme qui utilisent des plateformes comme Airbnb et Vrbo ne pourront plus, à compter de l'année fiscale 2024, déduire aux fins de l'impôt des dépenses comme les frais d'intérêt, les taxes foncières ou les dépenses de réparation.

Certaines provinces, dont le Québec et la Colombie-Britannique, réglementent les locations à long terme ou sont sur le point de le faire, mais les nouvelles mesures seront inutiles dans les provinces où la réglementation est limitée ou inexistante. L'énoncé prévoit aussi un très petit investissement de 50 millions de dollars pour aider les municipalités à sévir contre les locations à court terme qui ne respectent pas la réglementation provinciale ou municipale en matière de permis ou d'enregistrement.

Suite P.7

Chapleau Moments Cont’d from P.3.

Ian Macdonald advised that he once did an Elvis Presley impersonation at one dance, but he couldn't find the picture. Keep looking Ian. That would be priceless.

Beverley (Swanson) Hamilton in an email reminded me that the only place where white cream soda was available in Chapleau, was at the beach confectionery store. I recalled it right away.

Former Chapleau resident Garry Remus wrote, "One of the things I liked about Bucciarelli's Beach was the opportunity, after swimming, to wander into the bush where there was a grand display of mayflowers. I have not found another chance to appreciate these beautiful growths since."

Writing in his book, "Pioneering in

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 5 Northern Ontario" Vince Crichton noted that Mr. Bucciarelli's "best friends were the children of Chapleau". On November 2, 1947, Mr. Bucciarelli was asked to attend at his property and was greeted by a large group of citizens and the Town Band.

A letter to Mr. Bucciarelli, signed by Reeve Frank Edwards expressed the community's sincere appreciation of the many improvements he had undertaken in Chapleau and for the spirit of citizenship that prompted him to make them available for the public pleasure and enjoyment. Particular tribute was paid for Bucciarelliville.

"We thank you Mr. Bucciarelli. We know that you desire much satisfaction in seeing the enjoyment the people -- particularly the young folk -find in visiting your grounds", the letter said in part.

G e o r g e Bucciarelli died on January 6, 1967, at age 88.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 6

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME

On Dec. 13, 1642, Abel Tasman, a Dutch explorer and merchant, reached the coast of South Island in New Zealand and named it Staten Landt. The first European in recorded history to land on the Australian island state of Tasmania, he claimed it for the Dutch crown, and it was named for him as well.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 7

Northern Lights Ford Sales Andrew G. McKenzie Travis Gendron

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Des mesures en matière de logement qui ne font pas le poids dans l'énoncé économique de l'automne Suite de la P.4 Étant donné que le logement demeure extrêmement cher et difficile d'accès, l'énoncé aurait certainement pu inclure d'autres mesures qui auraient eu une grande incidence. En effet, d'autres investissements dans des programmes de logement sans but lucratif aideraient énormément les personnes les moins susceptibles de pouvoir payer leur loyer. Le gouvernement aurait également pu prolonger le financement à faible taux d'intérêt accordé aux établissements d'enseignement postsecondaire afin de construire des logements pour étudiants abordables, mais l'énoncé ne contient absolument rien à cet égard.

Afin d'alléger le fardeau financier qui pèse

BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES

sur les Canadiens, le gouvernement aurait aussi pu prendre des mesures pour réduire le prix des aliments, qui continue d'augmenter à un rythme supérieur à l'inflation. Il y a quatre ans, les libéraux ont promis d'élargir le programme national de repas à l'école, un engagement qu'ils ont réitéré dans leur plateforme en 2021. Pourtant, il n'en est aucunement question ni dans le programme parlementaire ni dans l'Énoncé économique de l'automne. En fait, les seules véritables mesures touchant au coût des aliments sont les modifications qui ont été apportées au projet de loi gouvernemental (C-56) sur l'abordabilité qui ont été recommandées par les néo-démocrates, notamment des modifications à la Loi sur la concurrence qui visent à accroître la concurrence et à faire baisser les prix. Ces mesures semblent toutefois bien trop timides. Les libéraux ont également refusé de prolonger la date limite de remboursement des prêts du Compte d'urgence pour les entreprises canadiennes, ce qui nuit aux petites entreprises.

Cependant, il y a quelques points forts qui sont le résultat direct du travail effectué par les néodémocrates au fil des ans. Il s'agit notamment des améliorations apportées à la Loi sur les arrangements avec les créanciers des compagnies (LACC) afin de protéger les établissements d'enseignement postsecondaire contre le recours à cette loi et la déclaration de faillite à la suite de la crise de l'Université Laurentienne. Le gouvernement va également supprimer la TPS sur les psychothérapeutes et les thérapeutes en counseling.

Bien qu'il y ait certainement des éléments positifs dans l'énoncé économique, il est clair qu'il y a encore beaucoup à faire pour rendre la vie plus abordable pour les Canadiens.

FOR QUALITY SERVICES AT

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.

Call 705-864-2579

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, November30, 2023- Page 8

Ontarians are looking for action, not deflection

Former United States Vice President and Senator Hubert Humphrey once said, “To err is human; to blame someone else is politics.”

Humphrey was often referred to by his colleagues in U.S. politics as the “Happy Warrior” because of his commitment to improving the lives of the most vulnerable in society and his unwavering belief that it could be done in a positive way. But, as the quote above shows, even the Happy Warrior was not immune from the cynical worldview that politics can bring out in us.

Humphrey's quote was on my mind during the past couple of weeks at Queen's Park as the Progressive Conservative government decided to schedule several days of debate on two motions regarding the federal carbon tax. The first of these motions called on the federal government to “eliminate the carbon tax on grocery items.” The second asked the feds to “take immediate steps to eliminate the carbon tax on fuels and inputs for home heating.”

For anyone who is unaware, a motion or resolution is different from legislation. They have no legislative power, nor do they impose a policy change at any level of government. What motions and resolutions amount to is a statement

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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of the legislature's position without additional pay their hydro bill.

Unsurprisingly, I did not receive an follow-up.

In principle, there are merits to the ideas answer from the Ford government on why there behind the above motions. The federal price on were no measures in their fall economic statecarbon has been paused in Atlantic Canada on ment to provide relief on hydro to Ontarians. This home heating fuels by the government of Canada. government has decided that it is more politically I believe this should be extended to all Canadians expedient to use the time of the legislature and the given the challenging economic times we face. province's power to cast blame elsewhere.

It is incredibly frustrating to see that According to Environment Canada's most recent breakdown, heating and agriculture do not make nothing substantial was offered to help Ontarians up the most significant portions of greenhouse with the price of heating, hydro, or groceries in gas emissions in Canada. It follows that provid- the fall economic statement. I say that it is ing economic relief in these sectors aligns with frustrating because, at the same time, the governthe goal of helping reduce costs while maintain- ment announced that it would keep $5.4 billion in its contingency fund and reserve an extra $1 ing our goal of lowering pollution.

However, I do take genuine issue with the billion of planned spending from the spring motivation behind both motions, which is to try budget. Leaving 2.6% of our budget idle (it is not to turn the blame away from the provincial being applied to the provincial debt either) during government for its failure to help Ontarians and a time of looming economic crisis is bad fiscal place it at the feet of the parliament in Ottawa. It policy, plain and simple.

Those unspent billions could have gone bears noting that Ontario has its own price on emissions called the Emissions Performance to tangible measures to relieve the burden on Standards (EPS) program that sets an emissions Ontarians' pocketbooks, such as removing the target for industrial facilities and requires them to provincial portion of HST on home heating or pay for exceeding their limits. In January of this eliminating the ESP on the food industry. There year, CBC News released a report that estimated is an almost endless list of options that Premier Ontario would collect $2.2 billion through this Ford could choose tomorrow that would do more program, with no stated plan on how they would than toothless motions meant to stir up anger and division. spend that money.

“To err is human…” that remains true.

The Ford government would prefer that all the blame be on the federal program while not However, the deliberateness of Premier Ford and taking any initiative to use the tools they have his government's inaction on so many files feel within their jurisdiction. If the province wanted much more like a calculated political strategy to, they could exempt food industries from their than an error. And I know many Ontarians are just EPS program or reinvest the money they collect as frustrated as I am. And I am sorry to say Huber through the program to help bring down prices on Humphrey's rewording to the above age-old everyday goods. Or they could easily take that saying is spot on.

As always, please feel free to contact my $2.2 billion and use it to assist Ontarians by subsidizing efforts to retrofit their homes so office about these issues or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by people can save on their energy bills.

I put this question to the Minister of email at mmantha-co@ola.org or by phone TollEnergy this week. Given that the government free at 1-800-831-1899. spent days debating motions that amount to a strongly worded letter to the Prime Minister, I asked the Minister what action he is taking to bring down hydro rates in Northern Ontario. He came into office on a promise that energy would cost less under a Conservative government. Yet, today, we are paying more than ever when you factor in usage costs and delivery charges.

Hydro is also within the provincial government's jurisdiction, and the Minister has the power to make meaningful change for jnsigns@gmail.com Ontarians who are struggling to

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