09162021 September 16 2021

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS

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Vol. 26, Issue 3, September 16, 2021

Nefarious Crime on Cherry Street

C

hapleau is shocked and mourning the death of a well known resident, Leo Brunette.

On September 12, 2021 at approximately 12:21p.m.members of the Superior East Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to a death at a residence on Cherry Street in Chapleau.

Police located the victim, Leo Brunette, 62 years-of- age of Chapleau deceased.

As a result of the investigation, Jodi Wheeler, 57 years-of-age, of Chapleau has been arrested and charged with first degree murder and is currently in custody pending a bail hearing.

The on-going investigation is being conducted by the Superior East OPP Crime Unit under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Also assisting is the OPP Forensic Identification Service .

Any person with information Long Term regarding this inciForecast Thursday dent is asked to High 21 contact the Superior Low 15 E a s t O P P Friday Detachment at 1High 20 888-310-1122.

Low 9 Saturday High 17 Low 9 Sunday High 22 Low 14 Monday High 27 Low 15 Tuesday High 26 Low 15

Photo: Kari Luhtasaari

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 2

Ontario Takes Next Step to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Province launches new procurement process to connect hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses The Ontario government is taking the next step to help bring high-speed internet access to every community by the end of 2025. Today, the province launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) as part of a new competitive bidding process to connect more than 300,000 homes and businesses in unserved and underserved areas.

Under the new and innovative procurement process, qualified internet service providers (ISP) will later bid – through a series of reverse auctions in defined geographic areas – for opportunities to provide connectivity across Ontario.

“Our government is bringing access to high-speed internet to every home and business across Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “By taking this next step, we are closer to ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to participating in this digital world.

We’re saying that no matter where you live, you will have access to reliable, high-speed internet to work, learn, start a business, access vital services

like health care, and connect with family and friends.”

The new procurement process, led by Infrastructure Ontario, builds on the province’s recently announced investment of up to $14.7 million for 13 new projects under its Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program. This investment is providing up to 17,000 homes and businesses with access to reliable high-speed internet. It also builds on a range of other previously announced provincial initiatives that will connect another 70,000 homes and businesses throughout Southwestern and Northern Ontario.

“Infrastructure Ontario is excited to be launching this innovative new competitive bidding process,” said Michael Lindsay, President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario.

“These past 18 months of working, learning and receiving care from home have shown the value and importance of achieving high-speed connectivity for every region in Ontario. This

OBITUARY Tina Cappellani (July 11, 1957 - September 7, 2021)

Tina passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 7th, at Sault Area Hospital at the age of 64, after a long-fought, courageous battle with cancer. Predeceased by her parents Louis and Jeana Cappellani. She is survived by her loving husband Doug, and her cherished daughter Mya (Joey).

Step-mother to Lindsay (Jeff). Sister of Bonnie (late Clint), Glen (Donna) and Debra (John). Sister-in-law of Gary Prusky (Mary) and Steve Prusky (Sharon). She was a loving aunt who was always there to listen to Angela, Christina, Ryan, Jeffrey, Shayla, Jayce, Ryan, Lisa, Wayne, Ashley and Shannon. Great-aunt to many. She will be greatly missed by her fur-babies Shasta and Bonnie. Tina will always be remembered by her closest friends Suzie, Marjorie, Denise, Lori, Katie and Doug and a special thank you for their support over the last few years. She is now reunited with her best friend Paulette. Tina was proud to have been born and raised in Chapleau. Her working years took her to many different positions including the MNR, the Royal Bank, Chapleau Health Services and the Beer Store. Tina always took pride in serving the public and the people of Chapleau with an open heart and a smile on her face.

Tina devoted her off-time to her family. She loved to cook and bake (we will all miss her famous chocolate chip cookies). Tina's family would like to extend a very heart-felt thank you to the numerous healthcare workers who took part in her journey, including Dr. Kendra and Dr. Stephen Saari, Dr. Ljudmilla Jefremova, Dr. Noah Kosowski, the nurses and nursing students at SSCHS, Dr. Andrew Pierce, Dr. Mohammad Rassouli, Dr. Karen Booth, Dr. Sarah White, Dr. Mary Wilson, the nurses in Radiation and Oncology at SAH, the nurses on 3B at SAH, and her wonderful home-care nurses Marcia Leishman and Diana McCarthy. They would also like to thank Father Sebastien and Father Hamish. A special thank you goes out to the Dechamplain and the Raymond family, whom Tina loved so very dearly. Memorial donations in memory of Tina can be made to the Chapleau General Hospital Foundation, as well as the Tracy's Dream Foundation. Cremation has taken place at River's Edge Cremation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie. Funeral arrangements will be announced, and a celebration of life will take place at a later date. (Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home, Wawa, 1-800-439-4937). www.kerryfuneralhome.ca

program will help more than 300,000 homes and businesses across the province gain access to this connectivity."

Ontario is now one of the few jurisdictions in Canada with its own comprehensive and proactive plan to achieve 100 per cent connectivity. In the coming months, the government plans to announce the results of the reverse auctions, along with additional details on how it will help ensure every region in Ontario has access to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.

In March, the Ontario government announced nearly $4 billion to connect every region to high-speed internet by the end of 2025.

This is the largest single investment in high-speed internet, in any province, by any government in Canadian history.

Internet service providers interested in bidding on these contracts must register with www.merx.com to download the R F Q .

Infrastructure Ontario will review the RFQ submissions and those shortlisted will be invited to respond to a Request for Proposals to participate in the reverse auctions.

The reverse auctions allow internet service providers to bid on how much provincial funding they would require to supply the community with high-speed internet access. The winning bid would meet defined coverage and deployment requirements at the most competitive (lowest) price.

OBITUARY William “Bill” Courtemanche Passed away peacefully at his home in Sultan on Saturday September 11, 2021 at the age of 80 years.

Beloved husband of Julie.

Loving father of Gerald (Brenda), Guy (Jane), Liz (Pete). Proud grandfather of 7 and great grandfather of 2. Dear brother of Grace Michaud (late Clifford) and predeceased by his brothers and sisters. Cremation has taken place at River's Edge Cremation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie. There will a graveside service at Ste-Jean-Brebeuf Cemetery, Sultan, Ontario at a later date. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Sarnia, Ontario. Memorial donations made to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated by the family. (Arrangements entrusted to the Kerry Funeral Home, Wawa, 1-800439-4937). www.kerryfuneralhome.ca

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 3

Chapleau Moments by

Michael J. Morris Armand Ruffo was born and raised in Chapleau, and is a member of the Chapleau Fox Lake Cree First Nation. His publications include Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing Into Thunderbird (2014) and Treaty# (2019), both finalists for Governor General’s Literary Awards.

Other projects include “Sounding Thunder: The Song of Francis Pegahmagabow,” a musical based on the life of the renowned WWI sniper and political activist, and a collaborative video-poem, “On The Day The World Begins Again,” (https://vimeo.com/336947329) concerning the incarceration of Indigenous people.

In 2020, he was awarded the Latner Writer’s Trust Poetry Prize in recognition of his body of work.

Armand is a Professor in the Department of English at Queen’s University in Kingston, where he teaches Indigenous Literature and Creative Writing.

A bit about Armand: Ojibwe relatives were signatories to the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. His great-great-grandfather lobbied for inclusion of those left out of treaty in 1905 when the Government of Canada’s economic policies were causing starvation amongst his people.

R u f f o ’s p u b l i c a t i o n s i n c l u d e

Armand Garnet Ruffo's Treaty an examination of the nature and meaning of a treaty from Indigenous perspective Introduction to Indigenous Literary Criticism in Canada (Broadview, 2015), The Thunderbird Poems (Harbour, 2015) and Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing Into Thunderbird (Douglas & McIntyre, 2014), a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-fiction. He is currently the Queen’s National Scholar in Indigenous Literature at Queen’s University in Kingston.

Commenting on his most recent work a reviewer at his publisher Wolsak and Wynn wrote "A treaty is a contract. A treaty is enduring. A treaty is an act of faith. A treaty at its best is justice. It is a document and an undertaking. It is connected to place, people and self. It is built on the past, but it also indicates how the future may unfold.

"Armand Garnet Ruffo’s TREATY # is all of these. In this far-ranging work, Ruffo documents his observations on life – and in the process, his own life – as he sets out to restructure relationships and address obligations nation-tonation, human-to-human, human-to-nature.

Now, he undertakes a new phase in its restoration.

"He has written his TREATY # like a palimpsest over past representations of Indigenous bodies and beliefs, built powerful connections to his predecessors, and discovered new ways to bear witness and build a place for them, and all of us, in his poems. This is a major new work from an important, original voice."

In his review Placing Through Poems, Play, and Stories Michael Minor, Canadian Literature, 19/02/2020) wrote that “"Treaty # is not only about the end of the world that the treaties represent for Indigenous peoples.

It also leaves the powerful impression that a return to Indigenous teachings of 'Minobimaadizwin, The Good Life' is humanity’s last best chance to avoid 'the inevitable reckoning.' Through distinct and powerful rhetoric, each of these books reveals and reckons with the crises that this place, our home, is in. ,,,,, Who better than Indigenous peoples, who have already lived through the end of the world, to guide us through the many crises the world now faces?"

Amelia Eqbal wrote in Arc Poetry Magazine that Ruffo exhibits a masterful sense of control over the poetic form both through his words and his choices around how to display them. [...] Indeed, with

Treaty #, Ruffo presents the reader with a different story of Canada’s founding."CBC books: The best Canadian poetry of 2019 (CBC Books, 10/12/2019) Ruffo documents his observations of life from an Indigenous perspective, looking at belief systems and the complex, evolving connections and obligations between nation-to-nation, human-to-human and human-to-nature."

I extend my most sincere congratulations to Armand on his work, and apologize for not doing a column about TREATY while touching on some of his other work much closer to when it was published. I have for the most part included comments from those who have written about T R E AT Y.. My ermail is mikejmorris41 @outlook.com

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 4

Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy Province Continues to Expand Third Dose Eligibility for Those at Highest Risk of COVID-19 As the province continues to respond to the fourth wave of the pandemic driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant, the government is further protecting Ontarians through continued actions that encourage every eligible person to get vaccinated and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Today the government released the regulations and guidance for businesses and organizations to support them in implementing proof of vaccination requirements, which take effect on September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination will help increase vaccination rates, protect individuals in higher-risk indoor settings, and keep businesses open.

“High rates of vaccination against COVID-19 are critical to helping protect our communities and hospital capacity while keeping Ontario schools and businesses safely open,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “As we continue our last mile push to increase vaccination rates, requiring proof of immunization in select settings will encourage even more Ontarians to receive the vaccine and stop the spread of COVID-19. If you haven’t received your first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, please sign up today.”

In advance of September 22, all Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal. The Ministry is working on additional supports and services to assist Ontario residents who need help obtaining proof of vaccination, including requesting a copy be sent by mail.

Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833943-3900.

Ontario is developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code to make it safer, more secure and convenient to show that you have been vaccinated, when required to do so. The enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app will be available

by October 22, 2021. Ontario’s proof of vaccination guidance will be updated to reflect the new processes.

“Businesses need a smart, quick and safe solution to verify vaccination,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Associate Minister of Digital Government. “The made-in-Ontario enhanced vaccine certificate for the public and the verification app for businesses are tools to confirm that an individual has been vaccinated while protecting Ontarians’ health data.”

The proof of vaccination policy has resulted in a marked increase in vaccination rates. Between September 1 and September 8, 2021, the seven-day average for first doses administered increased by more than 29 per cent, from over 11,400 doses to over 14,700 doses.

During that time, more than 90,000 first doses and 102,000 second doses were administered in Ontario to individuals aged 18 to 59.

To further increase vaccine uptake, the province is continuing its last mile strategy to reach eligible individuals who have yet to receive a first or second dose. This includes: • The provincial call centre booking or rebooking more than 135,000 appointments; • The GO-VAXX bus administering more than 3,700 doses with 50 per cent being first doses, since launching on August 7, 2021; • Setting up a Provincial Vaccine Confidence Line that individuals can call to speak with an experienced agent or health specialist about COVID-19 vaccine questions; and • Supporting more than 550 vaccination clinics in or nearby elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools that are currently operational or planned for the near future.

“As we continue to see cases of COVID-19 in our communities, we must keep up the fight against the transmission of this virus and its variants to create a safer environment for ourselves, our families and our communities,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “The best defense against COVID-19 is

getting a vaccine and encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated too. Wearing a mask and practising physical distancing where possible are public health measures we all must continue to follow.”

To further protect those who face the highest risk from COVID-19 and the Delta variant, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health is following the evidence and recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and will begin offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to additional groups, such as individuals with moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency, individuals receiving active treatment for significantly immunosuppressive conditions and those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Locations and timing for third doses will vary by public health unit and high-risk population based on local planning and considerations.

“Getting fully vaccinated is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “To provide the best protection to some of our more vulnerable populations, we are offering a third dose to additional groups of immunocompromised people who are more likely to have had a less than adequate immune response to the initial two dose COVID-19 vaccine series. I continue to strongly encourage anyone eligible who hasn’t already come forward to get their COVID-19 shot, to do so today to do their part to help keep themselves, their loved ones and our communities safe.”

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 5

Comment débusquer les arnaques au nom de l’Agence du revenu du Canada

(EN) Bon nombre d’entre nous ont entendu parler d’arnaqueurs prétendant être un employé de l’Agence du revenu du Canada. Vous avez peut-être même reçu un appel ou un courriel.

Alors, comment savoir en quoi avoir confiance?

Il est plus facile d’éviter cette arnaque courante lorsque vous connaissez les façons d’agir de l’Agence. Celle-ci ne vous menacera jamais d’arrestation immédiate ou d’emprisonnement pour une dette fiscale, et

n’utilisera jamais de messages textes ou instantanés pour communiquer avec vous au sujet des impôts. Elle ne vous demandera jamais de régler une dette fiscale en achetant des cartescadeaux ou des cartes de crédit prépayées, ou en utilisant de la cryptomonnaie comme bitcoin, ou en vous offrant de vous payer un remboursement par transfert électronique.

Demeurez vigilant lorsque vous recevez des communications d’une personne qui prétend travailler à l’Agence, surtout lorsqu’on vous demande des renseignements personnels comme votre numéro d’assurance sociale, votre numéro de carte de crédit, votre numéro de compte bancaire ou votre numéro de passeport. Si vous avez un doute quant à la personne au téléphone, à savoir s’il s’agit d’un employé légitime de l’Agence, demandez-lui son numéro de téléphone et son matricule d’agent(e), puis composez le 1 800-959-7383 pour valider son identité.

Si vous recevez un appel exigeant un

paiement immédiat, prenez le temps d’y réfléchir. Si vous croyez que cet appel est légitime, vous pouvez vérifier le statut de votre compte en ligne.

Si vous utilisez les services téléphoniques ou en ligne, vous pouvez vous protéger davantage en cachant vos codes d’accès, votre code d’utilisateur, vos mots de passe et vos NIP, ainsi qu’en les changeant fréquemment. En activant les « avis par courriel » pour vos comptes en ligne de l’Agence, vous serez avisé par courriel des changements qui y sont apportés, ce qui vous préviendra d’éventuelles activités frauduleuses dans vos comptes.

Enfin, les appels téléphoniques ou les messages suspects peuvent être signalés au Centre antifraude du Canada en ligne ou par téléphone. Si vous croyez avoir été victime d’une arnaque, communiquez avec votre service de police local.

Pour en savoir plus, allez à canada.ca/impots.

Vous avez plus de 40 ans? Surveillez les premiers signes d’une cataracte (EN) Contrairement à ce que l’on croit, la cataracte n’est pas l’apanage des aînés. Même si, en vieillissant, les yeux subissent naturellement des modifications, les symptômes comme une vision floue, de la difficulté à voir en l’absence d’un éclairage optimal ou une sensibilité accrue à la lumière intense, peuvent indiquer la présence d’une cataracte.

Des études réalisées récemment ont révélé que plus de 2,5 millions de Canadiens ont des cataractes. Ce trouble de la vue est généralement causé par l’âge, mais d’autres facteurs de risque en favorisent l’apparition, tels que l’hérédité, le diabète, la prise de certains médicaments et une exposition prolongée au soleil sans protection adéquate.

En vieillissant, le cristallin de l’œil s’épaissit et l’image perçue devient floue. Il

s’agit d’une cataracte quand la vision est obstruée, comme quand on regarde par le parebrise sale d’une voiture. Les personnes qui ont une cataracte ont de plus en plus de difficulté à lire, et les couleurs des objets qui les entourent commencent à perdre de l’éclat. Heureusement, le problème peut être corrigé par une intervention chirurgicale. Pour réduire le risque de développer cette maladie, il est bon de porter une bonne protection solaire et de cesser de fumer.

Puisque la cataracte se forme lentement avec le temps, la personne qui en est affectée peut sous-estimer son problème de vision. La Société canadienne d’ophtalmologi e recommande de passer un examen de la

vue périodique pour détecter la présence d’une cataracte et de tout autre trouble oculaire pouvant éventuellement causer la cécité. Si vous éprouvez l’un des symptômes indiqués ci-dessus, il est important de consulter votre spécialiste de la vue pour obtenir un diagnostic et discuter d’un traitement.

Nul n’ignore qu’à mesure que nous vieillissons, le corps change et notre état de santé nous incite à ralentir. Cependant, si l’on prend bien soin de ses yeux, il est possible de bénéficier d’une bonne vision plus longtemps. Pour en savoir davantage, consultez le site cos-sco.ca.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 6

Last weeks solutions MOMENTS IN TIME On Sept. 28, 1928, a lab accident led Sir Alexander Fleming, a young bacteriologist, to one of the great discoveries of modern medicine. Having left a plate of staphylococcus bacteria uncovered, Fleming noticed that a mold that had fallen on the culture had killed many of the bacteria. He identified the mold as penicillium notatum, similar to the kind found on bread.

CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 7

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MONDAY September 27, 2021 FOR APPOINTMENTS CALL Larry Simpson at 1(705) 206-4313

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SUMMER HOURS will be from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week Drop by and check out our line of Authentic Native Crafts, Unique Gift Ideas, Jewellery, and Gift Certificates TOO!

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Local MARKETPLACE ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm. Narcotics Anonymous(N.A) every Tuesday same place same time.

NNADAP Worker @ 864-0174 info.

CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotional support, and information for women and their children who are in crisis situations. We have a Toll Free Crisis Line which is staffed 24 hours a day. We can arrange for free transportation to the Centre for women who live in the Algoma/Chapleau area. We also offer support to women who live in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and Hornepayne through our Outreach Program. Our Outreach Worker travels to those communities to meet with women who need emotional support as well as information about their rights and options. If you need to speak with the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a resident of the Centre in order to use our services. If you need someone to talk to or if you just need someone to listen, call our Toll Free Crisis line at 1800-461-2242 or you can drop in at the Centre. We are here for you.

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CHAPLEAU EXPRESS, September 16, 2021- Page 8 sat. When the Legislature recessed in early June, it left a long list lot of important bills and business on the shelf including: · Broadband is an Essential Service Act · Improvement to Healthcare Act · Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act · Single-Use Plastic Ban Act · United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Climate Crisis Healthcare Action Plan Pretty much anyone can be a leader in · calm waters. But being at the helm when strong Act Whether you are a parent, student or winds blow and seas become rough….well, it takes real skill, knowledge and confidence to educator who is worried about a safe September, navigate a ship safely to its destination port. a small business or worker hanging on during a Author and leadership coach John Maxwell says, precarious recovery, or a health care worker on “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the the frontlines of the fight against the fourth wave, way and shows the way.” They need to be visible Doug Ford has chosen once again to leave and heard so they can rally and inspire people to everyday Ontarians on their own. Case in point, his reluctance to bring in vaccine passports, work toward a common purpose.

The late US President Harry S. Truman wanting to dump all responsibility on small also wisely pointed out that, “Men make history business owners.

Summer has unofficially come to an end and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. with our children and youth starting back to Progress occurs when courageous, skillful school this week. The Premier has known for leaders seize the opportunity to change things for many months that COVID-19 is not just going to just blow away. He has known for over a year the better.”

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but as we that the central ventilation systems in our schools are clearly in the midst of the fourth wave, I get are not up to the job of keeping our students and the feeling we have all seen this movie before. education staff safe. Yet, he has taken virtually no Don't get me wrong; I do get the fact that life steps toward doing the right thing and installing happens. But as we march daily ever closer to proper, effective filtration systems. Instead, he is two years of having our lives controlled by a putting portable air filters with no scientific proof virus, it seems that whatever pathway our of their effectiveness in our children's government is following, it is not getting us out of classrooms.

Ontario families are looking today for this deadly mire. The people of Ontario are seeing matters deteriorate by the week in other hope that the disruptions in education are over. provinces and within Ontario. They are looking They're worn out from the anxiety and stress of for strong, confident leadership to navigate us worrying that schools won't be safe enough and that kids won't get the stability of uninterrupted through this peril safely.

Ontarians have heard the alarm from the in-class learning or extra support from caring Science Table which declares that we are adults. They are worried about their children's witnessing the onset of the fourth wave of mental health too.

We should never have had the first day of COVID-19. Time is of the essence, and Ontario needs its government to take immediate action. school come upon us without a robust Safe And what is Premier Ford's response? He September plan. That decision to delay falls decides that the best thing for him to do is to entirely upon Doug Ford. He made the big cuts prorogue the Legislature for three weeks. The and bad choices that got us to where we are today.

Premier's decision is to bury his head in the sand He chose to cut $800 million from education this like an ostrich while the deadly variant virus is year. He also chose not to make class sizes smaller. And Mr. Ford chose to take his taking down more and more people.

This is an unprecedented abdication by government into hiding in the middle of the Ford of his leadership responsibilities during a fourth wave by proroguing the Legislature.

In addition to making cuts to education crisis. A good leader makes themselves visible, accountable and instills confidence in staff and and failing to upgrade school ventilation systems, those they lead. It's bad enough that Doug Ford Doug Ford is also sitting on his hands rather than himself has gone into hiding for over a month, but making preparations to deliver the COVID-19 now he has chosen to hide his entire government. vaccine to students under 12 as soon as Health It is important to keep in mind that when a Canada gives it the necessary approval. Why government prorogues, it kills all of the bills and don't we prepare so we are ready when approval business left unfinished when the members last is given? NDP leader Andrea Horwath recently

said, "As soon as Health Canada gives us the green light, we can get every eligible child their first dose within just a few days — if we're ready to go. Doug Ford needs to invest now in a rocksolid plan to reach out to every family proactively in advance and be ready to deploy a vaccine clinic to every single school, immediately."

The Ontario NDP has been calling for a Safe September plan for school reopening that includes capped class sizes, more mental health, educational assistants and counselling supports for students; a minimum and enforced standard for ventilation; and paid sick days and family care days for everyone — all necessary to lower the risk of outbreaks and more disruption.

As former President Truman said, “In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.”

Ontario's Premier has been in hiding for over a month, playing politics, pinching pennies and making the same bad choices over and over again. And now he's not just hiding himself; he's hiding the whole government when the people of this province need leadership the most. So, I can't help but ask, is Ford a leader who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way? Ontarians are concerned and uncertain – but, unlike Doug Ford, they don't get to hide from life's realities and responsibilities.

As always, please feel free to contact my office about these issues or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or phone at 705-461-9710 or Toll-free at 1-800-831-1899.

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705-864-2579