

Hotontheheelsofitspremiereat Cinefest as a finalist in CTVs Best in Shorts program, the locally produced short film, THE LAKE has landed a slot in the upcoming Sault Film Festival in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The ten minute short was shot in Sultan last summer and stars Chapleau actors Logan and
and
ThefestivalwhichrunsinlateNovember willannounceascreeningdateandtime shortly.
“We had an absolute blast at Sudbury Cinefest and were so grateful forallthewellwishesandforallthelocal support,” says director, Steve Schmidt, “and we know that many people are
anxious to see the film.” For the time being the film will only be screening at festivals. “Butweareconsideringalocal screening at some point soon so the community can see what we've been up to,” adds producer Gabe Taylor For more information about the short film, search The Lake - a short film on Facebookandwatchthisspace.
The Northeast Community Network (NeCN) is deeply concerned about the announcedclosureoftheKapuskasingpapermill and is calling on all levels of government, industry leaders, and regional stakeholders to collaborate on a comprehensive transition plan. Such a plan must safeguard workers, stabilize forestry supply chains, and support long-term regionalresilience.
EconomicandCommunityImpact
For generations, the Kapuskasing mill hasbeenacornerstoneofNortheasternOntario’s economy, providing hundreds of good jobs and servingasananchorfortheforestrysupplychain.
Itsclosurewillhavecascadingeffectsnotonlyon workersandtheirfamiliesbutalsoonthebroader economic health of municipalities across the Northeast.
The mill has also played a vital role in supporting district sawmills and secondary processing facilities, which rely on a consistent fibre flow and stable regional markets Its shutdown threatens the viability of these operations,furthercompoundingtheshocktothe forestrysector.
Beyond forestry, the closure will reverberate throughout the entire district economy LocaltruckingCont’donP.4
Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the lands described below and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on October 23, 2025, at theTownship of Chapleau Municipal Office, 20 Pine Street West, Chapleau Ontario.
Description of Lands:
1. Roll No. 52 92 000 001 29500 0000; 93ABERDEEN ST. S, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0657 (LT); File No. 23-05; Minimum TenderAmount: $82,263.55
2. Roll No. 52 92 000 002 10000 0000; 93 LANSDOWNE ST. S, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0268 (LT); File No. 23-10; Minimum TenderAmount: $49,368.02
3. Roll No. 52 92 000 002 17100 0000; 17 BEECH ST. W, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0192 (LT); File No. 23-15; Minimum TenderAmount: $33,757.32
4. Roll No. 52 92 000 002 17200 0000; 13 BEECH ST. W, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0193 (LT); File No. 23-16; Minimum TenderAmount: $33,586.42
5. Roll No. 52 92 000 002 18600 0000; 29 BEECH ST. E, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0926 (LT); File No. 23-17; Minimum TenderAmount: $35,613.72
6. Roll No. 52 92 000 003 01600 0000; 73 KING ST. S, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095 -0697 (LT); File No. 23-19; Minimum TenderAmount: $20,464.79
7. Roll No. 52 92 000 003 16300 0000; 16 ELGIN ST. N, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0551 (LT); File No. 23-24; Minimum TenderAmount: $36,406.09
8. Roll No. 52 92 000 001 08801 0000; 34 MINTO ST., CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095 -0121 (LT); File No. 23-34; Minimum TenderAmount: $39,986.60
9. Roll No. 52 92 000 001 25400 0000; 100 PINE ST. E, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0540 (LT); File No. 23-36; Minimum TenderAmount: $40,017.59
10. Roll No. 52 92 000 001 30800 0000; 149ABERDEEN ST. S, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0669 (LT); File No. 23-38; Minimum TenderAmount: $18,492.84
11. Roll No. 52 92 000 001 32500 0000; CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0509 (LT); File No. 23-39; Minimum TenderAmount: $27,464.21
12. Roll No. 52 92 000 003 16100 0000; 39ASH ST., CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095 -0399 (LT); File No. 23-48; Minimum TenderAmount: $41,013.81
13. Roll No. 52 92 000 003 16600 0000; 45 MONK ST. S, CHAPLEAU; PIN 73095-0364 (LT); File No. 23-49; Minimum TenderAmount: $44,137.17
Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to or any other matters relating to the lands to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers.This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the MunicipalTax Sales Rules made under thatAct. Afull copy of the tax sale advertisement and further information about this matter is available on line at www.OntarioTaxSales.ca or you may contact Les Jones,Treasurer,The Corporation of the Township of Chapleau, 20 Pine Street West, PO Box 129, Chapleau ON P0M 1K0, Telephone: 705-864-1330 ext. 225
Marie Chambers Obituary 1929-2025
Marie was born in North Bay Ontario on January 13, 1929 and passed away September 22, 2025 after a fall in her apartment in Richmond Hill She is predeceased by her parents Isabella and Martin McNulty, by her sister Dorothy, and by two husbands Garth (Tee) Chambers and Aristide (Babe)Marion.
Mariespentherearlyyearsgrowingupona smallfamilyfarminBonfieldOntario.Shemovedto Chapleau in the late 1940's to work for Smith and Chapple where she met her first husband Tee. Together they owned and operated Chambers Cartageforover20yearsinChapleau.Mariestarted working for the Ministry of Natural Resources in Chapleau and spent the remaining 30 years of her career working for the Ministry in Cochrane and finally in the Ministry's regional offices in Sudbury She started as a District Manager's secretary and rosetobecomeaRegionalPersonnelManager She met and married Babe Marion in Sudbury and truly entered into a new and happy chapter of her life. Together the couple took active roles with several organizations in Sudbury Marie was a member of the CWL, Red Hats and several otherservicegroups. BabeandMarieenjoyedtheir retirement years in Sudbury after purchasing their firsthome.
MariemovedfromSudburytoRichmondHill RetirementResidencetobenearhersonandfamily in 2016. She quickly became a vibrant member of theretirementcommunityandadrivingforcebehind manynewactivitiesintheresidence.Theseincluded forming a bridge club, organizing a Christmas bazaarforcharity,andformingbothareadinggroup andsupportgroupforthosewithvisionchallengesin theresidence.
Mariewasadearfriendtoalmosteveryone she met socially or at work – no matter where she wasliving.Shelovedlife,shewantedtobeinvolved, tobepartofthecrowdandtohostagoodparty She simply enjoyed being with, and helping people –especiallyfamily ShewasadevotedCatholicanda member of St Patrick's parish in Sudbury and Our LadyofAnnunciationparishinRichmondHill.
MarieissurvivedbyhersonJim,daughterin law Nancy, her grandchildren Laura (Nick) and Martin (Julie) and 3 great grandchildren Alexis, OliverandArthur SheisalsosurvivedbyBabe's3 boys, Mike (Nicole), Johnny (Kathy), and Wayne (Liz), and their families including 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Cecelia Sloan (Dennis) wasMarie'sspecialfriendforover70years.
Many thanks to the staff and residents of RichmondHillRetirementHomewhowenttheextra miletosupportMarieoverthepast9years.
FuneralwilltakeplaceThursdayOctober9, 10:30atSt.Patrick'sCatholicChurch39WalfordRd in Sudbury This will be followed by a luncheon and Celebration of Life at Jackson and Bernard Funeral Home233LarchStinSudbury
Cremation has occurred. Internment will take place in Ste Bernadette Cemetery, Bluesea RoadBonfield11:00onFridayOct10.
In lieu of flowers donations in Marie's memorycanbemadetoMaisonMcCullochHospice inSudburyoracharityofyourchoice.
by MichaelJ. Morris Chapleau
Children'swardatLadyMintoHospitaldedicatedinmemoryofDr.J.J.Sheahan' belovedphysicianoftheentirecommunity'in1963ceremony
newlyrenovatedwingattheLadyMinto HospitalwasdedicatedtothememoryofDr J.J. Sheahan "beloved physician of the entire community" in a ceremony on August 7, 1963. Dr SheahanhadpractisedmedicineinChapleau from1907untilhisdeathin1942.
Inhiscomments,C.B.Greenlaw,chairof the hospital's management board spoke of the "vitalrole"Dr.Sheahanhadplayedinthehistory ofthehospital.Infact,Dr.Sheahanwasthefirst presidentofthehospitalboardwhenitopenedin 1914,andwas"housephysicianandsurgeon".
In dedicating the plaque, Rev J.G.M. Doolan, Rector of St. John's Anglican Church said that in honouring Dr. Sheahan, it paid "eloquent testimony to the affection and respect forDr Sheahanfromaprofessionalandpersonal standpoint." Rev Father Gustave Lampron, of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, gave similarcommentsinFrench.
The newly renovated wing housed the children'sward.
Mrs. Lionel Nolan, long associated with the Sheahan family spoke of his influence in the community and the warm place he held in the hearts of his patients,youngandold.
"Hisreadysmilewonthe heartsoftheyoungpatientswho considered him their ideal and hero. To adults, he was not only physician but counsellor, father confessor and friend He was always available in time in need, " Mrs. Nolan said, according to a story in the SudburyStar
E P E v e r e t t , superintendent of the CPR Schreiber Division commented: "Everything said here today would not bring out all the qualitiesthismanpossessed.He wasagreatmanineveryrespect. He practised through this northern country when times were very difficult, when dog teams and horses and sleighs provided the transportation However, when duty called, he wasthere."
Tourswereconductedby Mrs Frances Burrows, Mrs William Grinton, Mrs Ross Pellow,Mrs.RichardAvisonand Mrs.J.R.Keddie.
Writing in Snapshots of Chapleau's Past, George Evans wrote"In1916,thegoodpeople of Chapleau showed their apppreciation Of Dr Sheahan's service to the community by preseneting him with a brand new Ford... It was the first automobile in Chapleau and Dr Sheahan is reported to have quipped that 'instead of babies cominginalittleblackbag,they Con’tonP.4
Ifyouknowthempleaseletusknow.
Cont’dfromP.3 willnowcomeinalittleblackcar'".
CommentingafterDr.Sheahan'sdeathon October 26, 1942, the Chapleau Post said that residentsofChapleauandareahad"lostoneofits mostlovedandpublicspiritedcitizens".
"Commandingtherespectandtrustofhis fellow citizens from the first, he put his profession above all else. Never known to rest
whileworkwaspressinghetookfewholidays."
However, he was also involved in the communityasmemberofthehighschoolboard, honorarypresidentoftheChapleaubranchofthe Canadian Red Cross Society and supporter of SacredHeartRomanCatholicChurchaswellas being the Knights of Columbus. In 1940 he was KingoftheChapleauWinterCarnival.
AsamarkofthehighesteeminwhichDr.
Sheahan was held, on the day of his funeral service, conducted by Rev. Father Romeo GasconatSacredHeartRomanCatholicChurch, schoolsandstoreswereclosedinChapleau.The ChapleauPostreportedthat"everyonetheyoung andtheoldattendedthefuneralwhichwasoneof thelargestChapleauhaseverknown."
The plaque is now displayed at the Chapleau General Hospital. My thanks to the folks at the Chapleau General Hospital Foundationwhokindlyprovidedmewithaphoto ofit.Myemailismj.morris@live.ca
Today,business,union,andcommunity leaders from across Ontario voiced alarm in response to the latest escalation of the U.S.–Canada trade war. Yesterday, President Trump made the egregious proclamation that Canadian forest products represent a threat to U S national security, mystifying those impacted.
This decision, made under Section 232 of the Tariff Act, places an additional 10% on softwood lumber producers, who are already paying a 35% duty on exports. Market entry costs for Canadian softwood lumber producers arenowapproximately45%.Thisdecisionwill subject other products, such as upholstered woodenproducts,cabinets,andvanities,to25% tariffsattheborder
In response, Danny Whalen, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), stated, "Ontario's strength is built on a thriving forestry sector Every new tariff is a direct hit to our families, ourworkers,andourmunicipalities." Rick Dumas, President of the Northwestern OntarioMunicipalAssociation(NOMA),said, "We have a clear growth and strategic plan for
NorthernOntario,withathrivingforestrysector at its core. Today's announcement is a significant setback and threatens the future of our communities."
Market access and international trade areimpactingforestproductcompanies,service providers, and local businesses across the province President of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Charla Robinson, commented,"ThehikeinU.S.tariffswillharm businesses on both sides of the border, disrupt trade, and create uncertainty for workers and familieswhorelyontheseindustries."
Representatives from organized labour have been outspoken about the impacts trade disputes have on their membersandworkersacrossthe country and the need to find a resolution with Canada's largest tradingpartner "Ourworkersare counting on federal and provincialgovernmentstostabilizethe sectorwhilefindingasolutionto ensure market access," said
Cont’dfromP.2 companies, equipment dealers, energy producers, and even rail transportationarelikelytobeaffected.
Municipalities will face reduced tax revenues, creating untenablestrainonlocalservicelevelsand infrastructure.
“The closure of the Kapuskasing mill is not just a local challenge—itisaregionalcrisis,”said JohanneBaril,ChairoftheNortheastCommunityNetwork.
“Forestry is at the heart of our communities, and this decisionputsatriskthestabilityofmanytowns andFirstNationsacrossNortheasternOntario.Wemustensurethis doesnotbecomeanotherchapterin
Local 1, 2010 Thunder Bay –Kapuskasing. S
Boon, Northern Area Director at Unifor, stated, "We need a settlement with theUnitedStates that is fair and reasonable so that Canadian producers and forestry workers
cangetbacktoproducingthelumberandwood productsthatareneeded."
Ian Dunn, President & CEO of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, concluded by saying, "Placing additional tariffs on Ontario's forest sector under the false flag of national security is a disturbing abuse of Presidential power that will come at the expense of American businesses and consumers. We look forwardtodiscussionswithPremierDougFord to protect Ontario jobs, develop new markets, and pursue all legal avenues to defend the sector."
Today, Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources, and Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, issued thefollowingstatement:
“Ourgovernmenthasworkedcloselywith KapPapertohelpprotectjobsattheKapuskasing Paper Mill, providing more than $50 million to help cover operating expenses and provide businesssupportstohelpthecompanyestablisha viable,long-termplan
Wehavecontinuouslypushedthefederal government to come to the table as an equal partner, standing up for Canadian forestry jobs and treating Ontario forestry workers fairly We are deeply disappointed that the federal governmenthasfailedtojoinusinprovidingthe immediate support required to keep Kap Paper operating,asOntariohasdonerepeatedlytodate.
Despite Ontario's extensive support, Kap Paper has concluded there is no sustainable path to long-term viability without continuous significant financial assistance Our government cannot indefinitely provide this assistance withouttheactivesupportandengagementofthe federalgovernment
Ourgovernmentisfocusedonsupporting impacted workers and their families, and will continue to work closely with Kap Paper, local unionsandlocalgovernmentstodoso.Provincial programsandsupportsarereadytohelpaffected workersandwehavealreadyactivatedtheRapid Re-employment and Training Service (RRTS) supports We fully expect and will continue to advocateforthefederalgovernmenttojoinusin supportingforestrysectorworkers Ontario’ssupportsinclude:
Protect Ontario Workers Employment Response (POWER) Centres – Ontario has invested an additional $20 million this year to POWER Centres, which can be deployed in communities that face a confirmed closure. Funded by the province and set up by unions, employee or employer associations, or municipalities, these centres provide laid-off workers with wrap-around supports such as job search help, counselling, financial advice and referrals to local training and Employment Ontarioprograms
Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) – Ontario has
invested an additional $50 million this year to expand Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) for a total of $137 million. The program helps individuals retrain for in-demand fields, with financial assistance to cover tuition, living expenses, childcare,disabilitysupportsandotherexpenses
Skills Development Fund (SDF) –Ontario has committed $25 billion to the Skills DevelopmentFund,withover$13billionalready invested to train workers across the province Since 2021, our government has provided Northern Ontario with over $131 million for training and upskilling projects available in the skilledtrades,manufacturing,forestryandmore.
Employment Standards and Income Supports – Laid-off Kap Paper workers may be entitled to termination and severance pay under the Employment Standards Act. Workers can access information at Ontarioca/ESAguide or through the Employment Standards Information Centre (1-800-531-5551) For those in financial hardship, additional support is available through Ontario Works, and Service Canada’s Kapuskasing office can help workers access EmploymentInsurancebenefits.
Employment Ontario – Delivered locally by Collège Boréal, Northeastern Ontario’s ServiceSystemManager,EmploymentOntariois available to support laid-off Kap Paper workers with job search assistance, training and employmentopportunities
Ontario’s Trade Impacted Communities Program is available to help communities navigate significant economic challenges caused by U S trade disruptions The $40 million program will support municipal governments, economic development organizations, business incubatorsandindustryassociations.
In the face of U.S. tariffs and increased softwood lumber duties, Ontario has repeatedly stepped up for forestry workers and businesses with record investments to help the sector diversify their operations and expand into new markets Thisincludes:
Afurther $10 million investment to help sawmillscompeteinachangingglobalmarket
Over $72 million through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program to help Ontario forestry companies improve
productivity,increaseinnovation,expandmarkets and strengthen regional economies and supply chains
Nearly $50 million through the Forest Biomass Program in projects to increase wood harvestandfindnewusesandmarketsforOntario wood
An additional $20 million this year through the Provincial Forest Access Roads Funding Program,bringingthegovernment’stotalfunding fortheprogramtoover$79millionthisyear
Close to $3 million for wood-based construction education, research and training led by organizations such as the Canadian Wood Council and Canadian Wood Construction ResearchNetwork,tosupportbuildingwithwood
Over $1 5 million towards the construction of educational buildings incorporating mass timber at George Brown CollegeandtheUniversityofToronto
Over$750,000tosupportFPInnovations’ research and testing of wood-based construction materialsanddevelopmentoftechnicalresources
Over$300,000tohelptheUniversityofToronto’s MassTimberInstitutedevelopwaystousemore underusedwoodforadvancedwoodconstruction and study modular housing deployment to maximizeenvironmentalandeconomicbenefit
Almost $35 million in electricity rate relief to forestry sector businesses in 2024-25 through the Northern Energy Advantage Program
Ontario continues to step up with significant provincial support but cannot do so alone We have repeatedly called on the federal government to take immediate action to support workersandbusinessesinthisvitalsector,andwe willcontinuetodoso.”
Lastweekssolutions
On Oct 13, 1773, French astronomer Charles Messierdiscoveredthefirst-knownspiralgalaxyand named it the Whirlpool Galaxy. It would be another three centuries before scientists confirmed that our owngalaxy,theMilkyWay,isalsospiralshaped.
The Ontario government is investing a further$30milliontosupportbusinesses,workers and communities dependent on the province’s forestsector Thisfundingwillbuildandmaintain moreforestryaccessroadsandprovideimmediate support for Ontario sawmills to find new markets for their woodchips. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, these investments will strengthenOntario’sforestrysector,createjobsand increasethesector’scompetitivenessinthefaceof increased U.S. softwood lumber duties and the threatoftariffs.
“Forestry is a pillar of our economy and forest sector businesses are the foundation of strong,thrivingcommunitiesacrossOntario,”said KevinHolland,AssociateMinisterofForestryand Forest Products. “Our government is backing our province’sforestsectortoensureitisresilientand strong in the face of U.S. trade threats, and we’re calling on the federal government to join us in standingupforOntario’sforestryworkers.”
GIVE USACALLAT 1-705-264-4334 BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES
TIMMINS - CHAPLEAU - TIMMINS
FORQUALITYSERVICESAT INEXPENSIVEPRICES
NorthernLightsFordSales
Andrew G. McKenzie
Travis Gendron
Highway 17 North P.O. Box 1033 Wawa, ON. P0S 1K0 Business 705-856-2775
Fax 705-856-4862
tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca
Anadditional$20millionisbeinginvested through the Provincial Forest Access Roads FundingProgram,bringingthegovernment’stotal funding for the program to over $79 million this year TheCrownforestroadnetworkprovidessafe, reliable access for businesses to harvest and transport wood They are also used by local r e s i d e n t s , h u n t e r s , a n g l e r s a n d tourists supporting recreation and northern tourismeconomies.
The government is also providing immediate support to sawmills by investing $10 million in the Ontario Sawmill Chip Support Program.Thefundingprovidesimmediatesupport to sawmills while they find new, innovative markets for their wood chips such as energy production or alternatives for single-use plastics. This will help protect Ontario sawmill workers while helping the sector adapt, compete and grow inachangingglobalmarket.
“Today’s announcement is just one more example of the record investments Ontario is making to protect the workers who depend on the good-payingjobsintheforestrysector,”saidMike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “We have always stepped up to support forestry, and this additional $30 million in provincial funding will help build a stronger, more adaptive and resilient forestrysectorinOntario.”
These investments build on the strong actionsOntariohastakensince2018tostrengthen the forestry sector to help businesses expand into new markets, advancing innovation and making targeted investments that make the industry more
competitive and resilient. This includes over $72 million through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program and nearly $50 million throughtheForestBiomassProgram.
As Ontario continues to step up with significant provincial support, the province is calling on the federal government to come to the table in support of the workers and businesses in this vital sector and ensure Ontario gets its fair shareoffederalforestrysupport.
The forest sector is a pillar of Ontario’s economic strength and regional prosperity, generating close to $22 billion in revenue in 2023 and providing approximately 128,000 jobs, including many in Indigenous, rural and Northern communities.
The Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program provides up to $10 million annually to help Ontario forestry companies improveproductivity,increaseinnovation,expand markets,strengthenregionaleconomiesandsupply chains and positively impact the broader forest sector
Ontario’s Forest Biomass Program invests up to $20 million each year in projects to increase wood harvest, create forest sector opportunity and find new uses for wood in collaboration with stakeholders, industry and Indigenous communities.
Wood produced from Ontario’s Crown forestsissustainablysourcedandrenewable.Wood isarenewableresource,acleanenergysource,and a sustainable – and biodegradable – alternative to single-useplastics.
Ste. Marie Office T: (705) 253-3800
www.algomalawyers.ca E: info@algomalawyers.ca T: (705) 942-0142
(NC) Small business owners play many roles: CEO, accountant, sales manager, IT specialist andfraudpreventionagent.
Many owners feel they know their stuff whenitcomestofraudprevention.A2024study found that 63 per cent of businesses reported feeling confident about protecting themselves againstpaymentfraudandcybercrime.
But confidence isn’t always the same thing as knowledge, and for fraud prevention to work, everyone in the company needs to be prepared.
“Having open conversations about potentialscamshelpseveryonebemoreaware,” says Piraveena Tharmalingam, a Vice President in Canadian Business Banking at TD “It’s especially important for employees responsible for accepting or making payments on behalf of thebusiness,buteveryoneneedstoplayapart.”
Here are the most common fraud schemes,andvariations,thatallbusinessowners and employees need to watch out for, and some cybersafetytips:
Phishing: Fraudulent messages designed
to look like they’re from a legitimate source—theycanbeemails(phishing),SMStext messages (smishing), QR codes (quishing) or phonecalls(vishing).Theyaskrecipientstoenter sensitive or confidential information, usually to validate an account, then provide that information to the fraudster. Encourage employees to question unusual requests from external sources, double-check senders’ email addressesandneverclickonsuspiciouslinks.
Business email compromise: When fraudsterssendemailsimpersonatingacompany official or vendor to trick their victim into initiating a payment. They fake, or "spoof," a legitimate email addressbychangingoneormore characters from the actual address. Look out for unusual, urgentrequests,especiallyifthey seem rushed. If anything feels off,taketheextrasteptovalidate thattherequestislegitimate.
Malware: Software used to access computer systems and
gather sensitive information It's possible to download malware without knowing it, for examplefromclickingonaphishingemail,oran advertisement on the internet. If pop-ups or unfamiliar screens show up on your computer, disconnect from the network and contact an IT professional.
Ransomware: A type of malware that infectscomputers,locksdowndataandencrypts them until the victim hands over a payment to restore access. All employees should know it's not worth the risk to open attachments from unknown senders—legitimate companies trying togetintouchwithyouwillfindanotherway. Any business, no matter how small, can becomethetargetoffraud.Therearesimplesteps ownersandemployeescantaketohelpminimize risk: not clicking on links unless they’re from verified sources, reconciling business accounts regularly and talking to the bank about what securityfeaturesareavailable.Buildingaculture of employees who think critically and communicate openly can help keep businesses safeandpreventfraud.