CHAPLEAUEXPRESS
LocalFilmPremieresatSudburyCinefest
It shouldn't have worked”, says director Steve Schmidt. He and his youthful castLogan Taylor, Jeanmarc Robitaille, and NoahTaylor-hadbeentryingtofindawindow to shoot a short film for the better part of two summers - but their schedules never lined up. And then, suddenly as the 2024 Labour Day weekend approached, it happened. Everyone was available - except that Logan was scheduled to work at Collins Home HardwareonSaturday.
The short had beenwrittenbydirector Steve Schmidt's high school friend, John de Vries. He had seen
Schmidt's award winning feature film, The Road to Tophet and wanted Schmidt to direct. The script was perfect for northern Ontario, threekidsgofishing,tryingtohookthebigone. “It was Logan who was the impetus for the project,” says Schmidt. “He was interested in acting and the role - a nervous city kid - was tailor made for him.” With Logan's brother Noah cast as the hockey playing fishing guide and their friend Jeanmarc as the wisecracking sidekick, all they needed was a boat, some fishing rods and a couple of days where everyone was available. Gabe Taylor, Logan andNoah'sfather,agreedtoproduce.
“We contacted Josh Collins at Home Hardware and explained the situation. He graciouslyagreedtoreleaseLoganfortheday.”
The team went into high gear. Costumes and props were quickly gathered. Mitch Beaudry, Jeanmarc's mother, agreed to host the cast and cater the shoot. The film was shot in Sultan overthecourseofacoupleofdays. “Itwasso fast,” says Schmidt, “and last minute that I honestlydidn'tthinkitwouldbeanythingother thananinterestingexperienceforthekids. But when I started editing over the following winter, it soon became apparent that the performances were solid and the filmmaking, thoughhasty,heldtogether. Wehadafilm!”
With original musical score by Noah Taylor, THE LAKE makes its world premiere atCinefestSudburyaspartoftheCTVBestin Shorts program. It screens at SilverCity SudburyatnoononSaturday,September20th. For more information about the film, its cast, and future screenings, look for The Lake - a shortfilmonFacebook.
OntarioTakingNextStepstoImproveHealth-CareAccess
Proposed
To protect Ontario’s health-care system byprovidingmoreconnectedandconvenientcare topeoplearoundtheprovince,thegovernmentis consulting to expand the scopes of practice for a wide range of regulated health professionals, including optometrists, psychologists and physiotherapists.This expansion would improve access to timely care, reduce pressure on the health-care system and allow more providers to work to the full extent of their training and expertise.
“Across our province, qualified healthcareprofessionalsarereadytocontributemoreto their communities, ensuring doctors’offices and emergency departments are available for those whotrulyneedthem,”saidSylviaJones,Deputy
Premier and Minister of Health. “By working to expand scopes of practice for additional professions, we are building on our progress to makeitfasterandeasierforfamiliestoaccessthe caretheyneed,whenandwheretheyneedit.”
The government is currently consulting with partnersonproposedchangesthatcould:
• Grant optometrists authority to perform minor surgical procedures in the office under local anesthesia, use laser therapy to manage cataractsandglaucoma,orderdiagnostictestsand independentlytreatopen-angleglaucomawithout havingtoreferpatientstoaphysician
• Grant psychologists with specialized training and education in psychopharmacology authoritytoprescribecertainmedications,suchas antidepressants, for the management and treatment of mental health conditions and addictions, as well as order and interpret select diagnostictestssuchasurinalysisandbloodwork
Nipigon OPP–Bearenters House,InjuresCouple
A Nipigon couple sustained non-lifethreatening injuries after a bear entered their homelateonTuesday,September16,2025.
Theincidentoccurredwhentheresidents openedtheirbackdoortolettheirdogoutside.A bear entered the home and attacked both individuals. The couple was able to retreat to a bedroom,wheretheybarricadedthemselvesand calledemergencyservices.
Responding Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers locatedthe bear in the basement, whereitwasbeingcontainedbythefamilydog. Officers safely removed the homeowners from the residence, and they were transported to hospitalfortreatment.
The bear was dispatched without further incidenttoensurepublicsafety.
The OPP reminds the public that while bear intrusions into homes are rare, reports of sightings and encounters are becoming more frequentsofarthisfall.Residentsareencouraged to stay “Bear Wise” by visiting ontario.ca/bear wisefortipsandinformation.
For emergencies where a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911. For non-emergencybearencounters,callthetoll-free BearWisereportinglineat1-866-514-2327.
• Grant several regulated health professionals the authority to order and perform certaindiagnosticimagingprocedures,suchasxrays,MRIsandCTs,includingdentalhygienists, denturists, speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, chiropractors and chiropodists, whichwouldfurtherimproveaccesstocare
In addition, the government provided directiontotheOntarioCollegeofPharmaciststo develop regulatory changes that would further expand pharmacists’scope of practice, enabling pharmacists to assess and prescribe for an additional14ailments:
• Acutepharyngitis(sorethroat)
• Callusesandcorns
• Headache(mild)
• Herpeszoster(shingles)
• Minorsleepdisorders
• Onychomycosis(fungalnailinfections)
• Otitisexterna(swimmers’ear)
• Pediculosis(headlice)
• Rhinitis–viral(nasalcongestion)
• Seborrheicdermatitis(dandruff)
• Tineacorporis(ringworm)
• Tineacruris(jockitch)
• Verrucae(vulgaris,plantar)(warts)
• Xerophthalmia(dryeye)
If approved, pharmacists would also be able to administer additional publicly funded vaccines (including RSV, Pertussis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pneumococcal, and Shingles), and administer Sublocade® (buprenorphine) for opioid use disorder. Additionally, the Ontario College of Pharmacists will be consulted on the administration of point-of-care tests by pharmacists to support implementation of common ailment prescribing, like strep throat
testing. These changes would help alleviate pressures on primary care providers, walk-in clinics and hospital emergency departments, givingthemmoretimetohelppeoplewithmore complexneeds.
As part of Your Health: A Plan for ConnectedandConvenientCare,thegovernment is protecting the health-care system, including making it easier for highly skilled, regulated health-careprofessionalstoworktothefullextent of their training and expertise to provide people withmoreconnectedandconvenientcare.
Pharmacist assessment of common ailmentsbeganinJanuary2023,withaninitial13 ailments, and was expanded in October 2023 to includesixadditionalailments.
Sincetheprogramlaunched,pharmacists haveprovidedover1.8millionassessmentswith nearly 100 per cent of community pharmacies participatinginthisprogram.
Under the proposed changes, pharmacy technicians would also be able to contribute to preventative care in an expanded capacity for vaccinesastheyhavebeendoingforCOVID-19 andinfluenza.
Anyone with symptoms should contact their local pharmacy to confirm whether they provide assessment services for certain common ailmentsbeforevisitingthepharmacy.
by MichaelJ. Morris Chapleau
Ian
Macdonaldargues'thinkingoutofthebox'required tosaveChapleau'sremainingheritagebuildings.
Moments
Here is part two of Ian Macdonald's thoughts on Chapleau's heritage buildings. I appreciatesomuchthetimeandhoursofresearch Ian did to write these two articles. In the beginning, I thought I might just ask him a few questions. Ian has a sincere interest in the community,likesomanyofuswhoareChapleau "boys and girls" but no longer live there. Ian is retired head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba and Professor Emeritus. ThanksIan....MJM
Buildings are an important part of Chapleau’s cultural heritage including the original CPR depot opened in 1886 that was described in a previous article and presently located on Monk Street. In most instances, historically important buildings like this can be givenasecondorthirdlifethroughadaptive-use or adaptive re-use. Adaptive re-use is an approach where the original major elements ( window types, door types, finishes etc.) of the original building are maintained but
modifications are made to accommodate a completelydifferentoccupancythantheoriginal.
OneexampleofimaginativeadaptivereuseistheRotaryClubfacilityinStirlingOntario( population 2139 ). This building was originally oneofthefirstT-1typerailwaydepotsinCanada very similar to the first CPR depot built in Chapleau.Anewfoundationwasbuiltfortheold StirlingGrandTrunkdepotonamorecentralsite in the community and the building was literally pickedupandrelocatedthere.Abarrierfreeramp was constructed to meet present day building coderequirements.
The restored Stirling facility includes a tourist information centre and an antiques and collectiblesshop.DownstairsistheRotaryHall, where the Stirling Rotary Club meets every week.Thehallisrentedoutforparties,business events and meetings. This was part of the business plan that was developed to make the facilityeconomicallysustainable.
Another example of adaptive re-use closer to home was carried out by an ambitious groupinthesmalltownofDubreuilville,Ontario (population635).Theformer CPR/ACR depot atFranzwasacquiredandmovedapproximately twelvemilesfromFranztoDubreuilvillewhereit wasplacedonanewfoundation,restoredandis now a fully functional tourist information/ souvenirshop.
The Hudson’s Bay Company played an importantroleintheearlydaysofChapleau.The Chapleau post was, for a brief time, the headquarters of the Michipicoten district of the HBC.However,thefirstbuildingconstructedby the HBC was in 1884 as CPR construction was approaching what is now Chapleau. It was a small log sub-post (post with two outbuildings) on the Nebskwashi River approximately a mile southofthecommunityonwhatisnowIR61of theChapleauOjibweFirstNation.
The next buildings, which were built in 1886,werearetailstoreonthesouthwestcorner of Birch and Young Streets (site of the old Algoma Hotel) and a residence for their post manager at the west end of Pine Street. The log sub post south of town was abandoned in 1889 and the retail store apparently burned in 1895. The residence was sold by the HBC shortly thereafterandstillexiststothepresentday.P.5
EXPLORE CANADA THIS SUMMER
Original CPR stationatChapleau
Franzstation1940
CompletedDubreuilvilleproject2015
StirlingOntarioRotaryClub
OntarioInvesting$3MilliontoSupportFrancophoneCommunities
The Francophone Community Grants Program is helping 71 organizations and companies bolster Francophone culture and the economy
The Ontario government is investing $3 million to protect the province’s Francophone community by creating jobs and driving economic growth through the 2025-26 Francophone Community Grants Program (FCGP).Fundingwillhelp71organizationsand businesses around the province strengthen the cultural and economic impact of FrancoOntarians by expanding service offerings, improving employee training, increasing communityoutreachandexpandinghiring.
“Our government has a plan to make Ontario the most resilient and competitive economy in the G7, and we need a strong and vibrantFrancophonecommunitytoachievethat,” saidCarolineMulroney,MinisterofFrancophone Affairs. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we will continue to invest in the Francophone CommunityGrantsProgramsowecancelebrate Francophone culture and grow the economy for everyone.”
Eachyear, FCGPprojectsareselectedto improve access to French-language services in
theprovince,supporttherecruitmentandtraining ofbilingualstaff,andpromoteimpactfulcultural andeconomicinitiatives.
Someofthisyear’srecipientsinclude:
• The Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagarawillreceive$50,000tosupport theintegrationofFrench-speakingnewcomersin southwesternOntariobypromotingskilledtrades and other careers as future pathways through French-language career fairs and professional events.
• Société d’appui direct au développement économique et communautaire (SADDEC) will receive $49,000 to offer practical training in artificial intelligence (AI) for professionals, organizations, and Francophone communities in Ontario,includingentrepreneurs,newcomers,the generalpublicandresidentsofruralareas.
• TriangleMagiquewillreceive$49,000to addresstheshortageofqualifiedearlychildhood educators in Northern Ontario by developing bilingual support programs, recruitment and retention strategies, and a sustainable economic
modelforthesector.
The Francophone Community Grants Program is part of the government's plan to protect Ontario, which includes supporting the economic, social and cultural development of Francophonecommunitiesacrosstheprovince.
The call for proposals in 2025–2026, launched last April, attracted a record-breaking 179 project submissions, demonstrating that this program meets real needs on the ground by supportingFranco-Ontarians’contributionstothe province’seconomicandculturaldevelopment.
TheFCGPincludestwofundingstreams. This year, 62 projects are supported under the Community and Culture stream, and 9 projects undertheEconomicDevelopmentstream.
Thefederalgovernmentisprovidinga$1 contribution million to FCGP under the Canada–Ontario Agreement on MinorityLanguageServices.
The launch date for 2026–2027 applicationsforFCGPwillbeannouncedinearly 2026.
NDP:DougFordisputtingourkids'futureatriskwithhis movetocut
parentsandcommunitiesoutofourschools
Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition NDP and Shadow Minister for Education Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West –Nepean) joined parents, education leaders, and advocates to call on the Ford government to put studentsfirst.
“Parents and families need someone in their corner,” said Stiles. “Every parent wants theirkidstohavetheresourcesandsupportsthey need in classrooms; we all want a strong public education system that sets our kids up for success. Instead of listening to parents, Doug Ford is cutting them out of our schools entirely, leavingthefutureofourchildreninthehandsof inexperienced political insiders. As a parent, I know how decisions made in Queen's Park can hurtourkidsintheirclassrooms.Toeveryparent dealing with the uncertainty and chaos from Ford's political games: I will be in your corner, and I will fight for our kids. It's time to stop playingpoliticalgameswiththeirfuture.”
“Students have returned to overcrowded classrooms, and educators are being stretched beyond capacity,” said Pasma. “These are symptomsofyearsofdeliberateunderfundingby DougFord'sConservatives.Insteadoffixingthe messtheConservativesmade,MinisterCalandra is now threatening to silence parents' voices entirely.CommunitiesacrossOntariodon'twant
political appointments from downtown Toronto makingallthedecisionsabouttheirkidsandlocal schools. This reckless plan will cut parents out, weaken our schools, and put our kids' future at risk. It's time for Ford to stop using schools as battlegrounds for his political games and start investinginourkids'futures.”
Ontario students are being left behind. Classrooms are overcrowded and violence is rising at an alarming rate. Education workers, whoprovideessentialsupport,areoverwhelmed and facing daily crisis conditions. This isn't becauseofelectedtrustees,buttheresultofyears ofchronicunderfundingbytheFordgovernment, causingsevereunderstaffing.Studentsneedreal investment — not political power grabs.
—JoeTigani,President,OSBCU
“Local governance ensures that our communities are well served and that decisions reflect local realities and meet the needs of our Francophone communities. Centralizing power and eliminating elected trustees not only weakensdemocracyandcitizenparticipationbut alsounderminesourinstitutionsandfrancophone vitality. Local governance is crucial: weakening itmeanscompromisingourchildren'sfutureand thestrengthofourcommunities.”
—GabrielleLemieux,President,AEFO
“Instead of addressing the Occasional
Teacher retention and recruitment crisis, the use of unqualified/uncertified individuals, overcrowded classrooms, rising violence in schools, and the lack of special education supports, the Ford government is focused on centralizing control and blaming school boards for the funding crisis it created. It is bad governmentdecision-makingthathasresultedin a cumulative funding gap in public education amounting to approximately $6.35 billion over the past seven years. Trustees are elected to representourcommunities.Theyknowourlocal needs and are best positioned to advocate for students and public education, and they are accountabletothecommunitiestheyserve.”
—MarisaGallippi,President,ETFO
ChapleauMoments
Cont’dfromP.3
ThestyleoftheHBChouseisn’tparticularly unique andissimilar tothemajority ofthe
SHOP LOCALLY
BUYCANADIAN
first homes built in Chapleau in the late nineteenthcentury.Itis,however,significantbecause ofitsrelationshiptotheHudson’sBayCompany era and was one of the first houses built in Chapleauintheearlydaysof1885and1886.The location of this house adjacent to one of Chapleau’s main intersections obviously providesthepotentialforrestoration asatouristinformationcentreor othersimilarfunction.
Many Important Chapleau buildings have been demolished but those remaining include St.John’s Anglican Church completed in 1908, the LegionHallopenedin1920and the Post Office building completed in 1950. Each of these buildings has historical significance.
There is no established formulaastohowtobreathelife intoanolderbuildingbutonehas to accept that the task is never easy. Church restorations in particular are complicated. St.John’s Church, for instance, obviouslyhastobesaveddespite not having a large enough congregationtosupportit.Inthis case, sentimental association withformertimesandtraditions has to be abandoned to ensure thatawiderangeofdevelopment possibilities is revealed regardless of the discomfort that this might first create. A good measureofthinking“outsidethe box” will be required to sustain the social usefulness of this building for future generations. The good news is that many churches in Canada have had to dealwiththesamechallengeand
developedawidevarietyofinnovative,practical andsuccessfulsolutions.
One can only hope that the people on Council,CDECandotherpositionsofinfluence inthecommunity recognize thatolderbuildings can offer opportunities a for a community’s future.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, people have increasingly turned to their local newspapers for reliable information. In just a few weeks, the number of readers of our digital version of the newspaper has increased by 55%. WEARE REACHING MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER BEFORE! If you want to benefit from this surge in web traffic, NOW’S THE TIME TO ADVERTISE.
Email us with your needs at chaexpress@sympatico.ca or call us at 705-864-2579 THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
TRAVELONTARIO &CANADA
HBC house2015
HBC house1886
Lastweekssolutions
MOMENTS IN TIME
On Oct. 5, 1892, the infamous Dalton Gang attempted a daylight robbery of two Coffeyville, Kansas, banks simultaneously. After someonerecognizedamemberandspreadwordofthecrime,the townspeopleranfortheirgunsandsurroundedthetwobanks,then tookjusticeintotheirownhands,killingallbutEmmettDalton,who, incredibly,survivedprisonandeventuallyendedupasaHollywood screenwriter.
MonettemakestheNorthresoundwith"UngarsdelaVallée"('ValleyBoy'), thefirstsinglefromhisnewalbumtobereleasedinspring2026
Monettesingsintarois–aFranco-Ontarianpatois–withoutshameorhesitation,aslapinthefaceofsilence
Monette, a prominent figure on the Franco-Ontarian music scene, returns to the stage with Un gars de la Vallée ('Valley Boy'), the title track and first single from his sixth album,scheduledforreleaseinspring2026.
Inthisopeningtrack,Monettedigsinto theValley East roots that stoked the fire of his youth,tracingthedestinyofanentirefamily–a lineage forged from hard work and quiet courage,forebearerswhostoodtallevenwhen everythingtriedtobreakthem.
Thesonofafeministaheadofhertime, and a Northern cowboy, his hands carved by labour, Monette was borne of country tunes blasting from the cab of a big rig, dreaming of grindinghisheelsonthegravelofChemindela Sultan,andofspiritsswirlingliketheoldcrows onShantyBayRoad.
Monette is a gars de laVallée.AValley
boy, born at the foot of the Canadian Shield, where rows of potatoes stretch between windbeaten jackpines and the Stack, spewing its whitesmoke,thedevil'sbreaththatleftabitter tasteinthebackofyourthroat.Butitwasalsoa land of hope, a place where, soon to mark its 50thanniversary,theFranco-Ontarianflagfirst flew – a green and white emblem, a trilliumand-fleur-de-lys with the brilliance of our verdantsummersandsnowywinters,casttooin theveinsoftheNorth.
“Monette is a Franco-Ontarian icon!" says singer-songwriterJean-Guy"Chuck"Labelle.“
Anartistdeeplyrootedwhocontinuesto asserthimselfthroughtheyears.It'swithgreat lovethatwefindhimagainonthisnewalbum. He'snotdonesharinghislifewithus!"
"WhatMonettesingsisn'tjusthislife–it's our silences, our tough stretches, our dirt roads.There'sgravelinhisvoiceandtenderness in his choruses. It's real people we hear," adds artistandactivistFélixSaint-Denis.
Arriving on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag (September25–DayofFranco-Ontarians),Un gars de la Vallée is a song about belonging, memory,andreclaimingalanguageotherstried tosilence–afittingtributetotheresiliencethat theflagrepresents.
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
Derailed train near Chapleau was ‘notcarryinghazardousmaterials’
TheOntarioProvincialPolicesayatrain derailmentjustoutsideofSultan,intheChapleau area,isnothingtoworryabout.
“Therearenohazardousmaterialsonthe train and there are currently no safety concerns forthesurroundingcommunity,”theOPPsaidon socialmedia.
The train is owned by Canadian Pacific RailwayCompany.
A train employee was injured in the derailment that happened yesterday afternoon (Sept.16)nearSultan,eastofChapleau.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada confirmed an eastbound Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway train derailed with 10loadedintermodalcars.
"Investigatorsarrivedattheremotesiteat approximately 2 a.m.," said Nic Defalco, a communicationspersonwiththesafetyboard. Heisn'tsureiftheemployee'sinjuriesare serious.
"Investigators are gathering information which will continue today to assess the occurrence."
BUYCANADIAN MADE PRODUCTS
FONOM EncouragedbyMovementTowardBailReform
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is encouraged by recent comments from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford signaling that reforms to Canada's bail system may be on the horizon.
"Our members and police services have long raised concerns about the revolving-door justicesystemthatallowsrepeatoffendersback intoourcommunities,"saidFONOMPresident Danny Whalen. "While we are encouraged by theattentionnowbeinggiventothisissue,what
matters most is that meaningful changes follow."
For more than four years, FONOM has been calling on both federal and provincial governments to strengthen bail provisions to better protect the public. The organization has issued multiple media releases, sent letters to both the Prime Minister and the Premier, and worked alongside law enforcement leaders to highlighttheurgencyofthisissueforNorthern communities.
"Therecentstatementsfromfederaland
provincial leaders are a positive sign, but our communitiesneedaction,"addedWhalen."We will continue to monitor the process and advocate for reforms that keep dangerous offendersincustodyandhelprestoreconfidence inthejusticesystem."
FONOM will remain engaged with governments, police services, and municipal partners to ensure that any changes introduced are effective, practical, and responsive to the needsofNorthernOntario.
WestNileviruspositivebirdreportedinGreaterSudbury
Lake St. Peter Provincial Park
Public Health Sudbury & Districts has receivedconfirmationthatanAmericanCrowin the Greater Sudbury area has tested positive for West Nile virus. The last infected bird reported wasinJulyofthisyear.
“Thelastpersonconfirmedtohavebeen infected withWest Nile virus in our area was in 2023.However,thisinfectedbirdremindsusthat although the overall risk of a person becoming sickwithWestNilevirusislow,thevirusisstill present,” said Jonathan Groulx, a manager with Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “Therefore, taking precautions to avoid mosquito bites and becoming infected with West Nile virus is important,”addedGroulx.
WestNilevirusisspreadthroughthebite of an infected mosquito. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms, but some
peoplemayexperiencemildsymptomsincluding fever, headache, body aches, mild rash, and swollen lymph glands. In very rare cases, the infection can affect the brain and cause severe illness.
Although the overall risk remains low, latesummeristypicallythetimeofgreatestrisk for contractingWest Nile virus. Mosquitoes can carryhigherlevelsofthevirusatthistimeofyear, and this is also when people might not be as careful about protecting themselves from mosquitobites.Simplemeasurescanprotectyou andyourfamily.
Reducetheriskaroundthehome
Install or repair screens. Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outsidebyhavingwell-fittingscreensonallyour windowsanddoors.
Removestandingwaterfromaroundyour homewheremosquitoescanbreed.
Personalprecautions
Wearlight-coloured,long-sleevedshirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when outside, especiallyfromdusktodawn,whenmosquitoes aremostactive.
Use an approved insect repellent and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Anyone with concerns about a dead bird can contact the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1.866.673.4781 or report online usingthetoolatcwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org.
For more information about West Nile virus, please contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200)orvisitwww.phsd.ca.
OntarioProtectingPublicLandsfromIllegalDumping
The Ontario government is safeguarding the environment and public safety by ensuring people do not unlawfully deposit hazardousmaterialsonpubliclands.
Andrew R.TheriaultofNorthBaywas convictedafteratrialinabsentiaofunlawfully depositing materials on public lands, which included shingles, wood, vinyl siding, fiberglass insulation, vapor barrier and assorted debris.Hewasfined$8,000.
ThecourtheardthatonAugust8,2023, a conservation officer discovered two large pilesofmaterialsthatweredumpedonCrown landoffHighway11,inBlythTownship,north
of the city of North Bay. The investigation determined that in June 2023, Theriault responded to a Facebook Marketplace advertisementtoremoveashed.Afterremovingthe structure and sorting through the valuables, Theriaultloadedtheunwantedmaterialsontoa trailer and transported them to a Crown land site north of North Bay where they were dumped.
Conservationofficerswereinitiallyled to the original owner of the structure who was unaware that his structure had been illegally dumped on Crown land. Officers eventually made contact with Theriault and determined
that he was responsible. The Ministry of NaturalResourcespaidtohavethesitecleaned upbeforethecasewasheardincourt.
Justice of the Peace Madeleine Paul heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, NorthBay,onApril24,2025.
Toreportanaturalresourceproblemor provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPSlinetollfreeat1-877-847-7667.Youcan also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca /mnrtips.