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Ontario government proposes expansion of strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
The Government of Ontario is continuing to bolster the unilateral decision-making powers of mayors across the province with a proposal to expand strong mayor powers to 169 additional municipalities effective May 1, including Stratford.
In 2022, through changes to the Municipal Act, strong mayor powers were first granted to the heads of councils in Toronto and Ottawa, and then to mayors in 48 additional municipalities in 2023. Though several municipalities declined the enhanced mayoral powers, a total of 47 mayors in Ontario now have these strong mayor powers.
“Heads of council are key partners in our efforts to build homes and infrastructure across the province,” said Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack in a press release announcing the latest proposed expansion. “By extending strong mayor powers to these additional municipalities, we are providing mayors every tool at our disposal to empower them to get homes and infrastructure built faster. Mayors know their municipalities best, and we support them in taking bold actions for their communities.”
Strong mayor powers include the ability to appoint a municipality’s chief administrative officer (CAO), hire certain municipal department heads and reorganize
CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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Liberal candidate David Mackey, Conservative candidate John Nater, New Democrat candidate Kevin Kruchkywich, and People’s Party of Canada candidate Wayne Baker gather for a debate on April 15 at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
Local federal election candidates agree, but mostly disagree, in Stratford debate
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
With the federal election in the home stretch now, the local race here in Perth-Wellington is heating up.
The four candidates in the riding went head-to-head on the debate stage at the Stratford Rotary Complex on April 15. David Mackey of the Liberal Party, John Nater of the Conservative Party, Kevin Kruchkywich of the New Democratic Party (NDP), and Wayne Baker of the People’s Party of Canada (PPC) were invited by the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce to participate.
Kicking it off, Aaron Martin, general manager of the chamber, asked the candidates if they support the construc-
tion of a trans-Canada pipeline. Mackey, Nater, and Baker were all in favour, though Mackey clarified that it would have to be done in consultation with the provinces.
Kruchkywich, on the other hand, said it is important “not to go backwards” and to invest in a “new green economy” rather than the oil industry.
Later in the evening, when the topic of curbing greenhouse gas emissions was brought up, Nater said that farmers across Canada, and in particular the local community, were already doing the hard work to be more sustainable, though hardly get the recognition for their efforts.
“If you look at the statistics for the agriculture community, they on their own have lowered their intensity. They
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Ontario government proposes expansion of strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities, including Stratford
departments, create committees of council, propose the municipal budget, propose certain bylaws the mayor says advances a provincial priority, veto certain bylaws the mayor says could interfere with a provincial priority, and bring forward matters for discussion by council if the mayor says they could advance a provincial priority.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma, just minutes after the announcement was made, originally told the Times that he is happy to be one member of council and didn’t ask for additional powers, though like other mayors poised to be given strong powers he didn’t know about the announcement prior to the media release being issued.
In a follow-up discussion, Ritsma said that after speaking with some area mayors about the powers, he understands the onus for dealing out the powers, though said that staff and council are united in intensifying and building as much housing as Stratford and area needs.
He further said that there are some powers he is not interested in using at all, such as vetoing; however, there are others that could be a boon for the Festival City, such as a mayor’s budget.
During the 2025 budget deliberations, Ritsma voted against its final approval indicating that he thought there was more work to be done to bring down the levy re-
quirements. Notably, he made a motion to suspend all staff expansion requests given the financial pressure facing residents –though that motion failed.
Ritsma said that the idea of a mayor’s budget intrigues him as a way to start the process, but not to sideline the role of council in developing the budget. As he had said during the most recent budget talks, the mayor’s vote is just one of 11 and he reiterated that point in discussion with the Times.
“(But) I think council would get a better appreciation of where I stood, if at the start of the process I was able to say to staff ‘This is what the mayor is looking at,’” Ritsma said.
Additionally, given the recent retirement of longtime CAO Joan Thomson, the powers could allow Ritsma to unilaterally hire the city’s new top staffer – though he said that he would not be in favour of that move and is happy to work with the selection committee just struck by council.
He further stated that he hasn’t said yea or nay to the powers, though summed up his thoughts by saying that he understands the arguments for and against the powers and would not operate in a vacuum if he secured them.
“But in the end, in the absolute end, it always comes back to council,” Ritsma said. “There's no way that the mayor of this
city would ever do anything that would go from my office to Queen's Park without council being involved.”
Yet instances like the recent use of strong mayor powers granted in the wake of the recent ice storm to reverse the hiring of a new CAO in favour of hiring from within by Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac, as well as public backlash to the proposed use of strong mayor powers in municipalities like Burlington and Caledon, have some worrying these powers have not yet been adequately tested and they may be a step too far.
In response to the recent announcement of the expansion from the province, the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), which has been tracking the use of strong mayor powers since they were first introduced in Toronto and Ottawa in 2022, said there is no evidence to suggest this legislation has any impact on the number of housing starts in municipalities that have been granted the powers.
Instead, AMCTO says its research suggests strong mayor powers have blurred the political-administrative authority between the roles of heads of council and chief administrative officers (CAOs), threatening the neutrality of the public service and politicizing local government leadership.
housing doesn’t really make a lot of sense.
“Ontario has a very elaborate planning system that has generally served the province well for decades going back to the Second World War,” he said. “As a result, we have fairly efficient housing production that’s fully serviced by water and sewer and that kind of thing. And if you look at other parts of North America, that isn’t necessarily a given. But I think there is a legitimate argument there is a housing shortage, it’s just is this the right way to address it and will this kind of thing make it happen? What we’ve seen so far is it’s really hard to find any kind of evidence that strong mayor powers have created any more housing than would have been created otherwise.
“ … I think a cynical perspective on it is this is a way for the province to transfer blame for the housing crisis onto mayors.”
Among the myriad issues he sees with strong mayor powers and this proposed expansion is the decision by the province to expand these powers to smaller municipalities with fewer staff.
“Looking at Ontario’s Housing Supply Tracker, there is no evidence to suggest that the use of strong mayor powers is helping to build housing,” said AMCTO spokesperson Jacquelyn Folville. “For example, of the 11 municipalities where mayors used powers in relation to staff and organizational structure, only three were on track to meet or exceed their 10year target. We have more so been hearing about instances where the powers have created confusion by blurring the distinction of mayor and CAO roles or responsibilities, and where there's been operational issues – for example, affecting a recent council decision at the Town of Orillia.”
Zack Taylor, an associate professor of political science at Western University and a fellow at the Institute of Municipal Finance and Governance, has been among those sounding alarm bells about strong mayor powers since their introduction in Ontario in 2022.
“If we buy the argument that these powers can be used to expand housing in rapidly growing areas, it’s the larger municipalities in rapidly growing areas that already have these powers,” Taylor said. “So, bringing this to much smaller places, many of them slower-growth places, I’m not sure if it’s something that would move the needle.”
Taylor said the expansion of these powers is based on the premise that councils across Ontario are “gridlocked” when it comes to dealing with issues deemed as priorities by the province, something the associate professor doesn’t see a lot of evidence to support. He says the idea that giving “soft-dictatorial authority” to heads of council to move the needle on
“If we think this entire policy basically emerged out of Doug Ford’s special interest in Toronto, the City of Toronto’s administrative structure with 30,000-plus employees is enormous and multi-layered, so the idea of having the mayor being able to play a role in hiring and firing senior staff means that you’re only really looking at that top layer. When you go to smaller places, we know you can fit the entire staff of a municipality in one room. … So, what does it mean to give the mayor hiring and firing power over that kind of thing? I think what it really risks is arbitrary decisions getting made, people playing favourites – you hire uncle Joe or whatever,” Taylor said.
“ … The mayor can install anyone they want.”
Another red flag for Taylor, specifically among smaller councils with as little as six members, is the notion a strong mayor can introduce a bylaw that supposedly advances a provincial priority and see it passed with just one-third of council’s support. For a council with six members, one of whom is the mayor, that means it would require just one other councillor’s support to pass.
While Taylor said these powers could see some benefits when it comes to limiting council debate during budget deliberations to ensure annual budgets are passed in a timely manner, he sees this expansion of power as opening the door to mayoral candidates in future municipal elections running with the intention of using strong mayoral powers to advance their own agendas instead of what’s best for their communities. And, in many smaller and rural communities, Taylor said mayoral candidates often run unopposed.
“Next time around, they’ll run with the knowledge of having these powers,” Taylor said. “ … You could imagine in small places that don’t really have any local media – there isn’t a lot of scrutiny – that things could go off the rails pretty fast.”
With files from Connor Luczka, editor.
Local federal election candidates agree, but mostly disagree, in Stratford debate
have increased their sustainability, but they don't get credit for it when the government comes calling,” Nater said. “And then, thirdly, let's actually plant trees. The Auditor General reviewed the so-called two billion tree program, and you know what the Auditor General found? She found there was actually no requirement the trees stay in the ground.”
“I don’t understand what’s being said here,” Kruchkywich said in response. “We just had two parties talk about increasing pipelines to increase leaning on oil, fracking for natural gas, more oil, more gas. That's our industry. But also we're going to hit 50 per cent (greenhouse gas emissions reduction). I don't know how it's possible.
“The government should invest in clean renewable energy, not lean on oil and then turn around and say, ‘Let's plant some trees,’” Kruchkywich went on to say.
“Trees aren't going to do it. We've had enough of that lip service. We really have. I don't want to get too fired up, but I just can't believe that we heard about investment in pipelines, pipelines, pipelines, but also we really care about the planet.”
“I care about the planet, and I think we should invest in pipelines,” Baker retaliated, arguing that most of the greenhouse effect is caused by gas that humans have “absolutely no control over.”
In the face of economic uncertainty, Mackey said that to promote the economy the Carney-led Liberals would invest in Canadian infrastructure and build an “east to west trade corridor.”
Nater agreed that the interprovincial trade barriers were a detriment to the economy at the moment. In 2017, 2018, Nater served as opposition critic of internal trade when the Liberal government negotiated a Canadian free trade agreement. Nater claimed that half of the the 300-page document were exceptions to free trade. His motion to scrap the exceptions and have true free trade did not pass.
The CBC was also on the table during the debate, when Martin asked the candidates what their party is doing to assist the civil society in the riding and nationwide. On that subject, Kruchkywich argued that it was important to invest in Canadian culture and “who we are.”
“We can’t do that if we cut CBC,” he said. “I grew up in Southern Alberta. I only knew about Newfoundland through the CBC, but I have a real sense of what Newfoundland is because we had a national cultural institution that taught us about each other and unified us.”
“I grew up with the CBC. I was a very firm advocate for the CBC until it became a propaganda tool for the government,” Baker said to a smattering mix of laughter and applause.
Nater, who went first during that question, did not respond to the question of defunding the CBC, though Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has long promised
to defund the national broadcaster.
Mackey, who serves on the Stratford Public Library board, said that through his time there he has learned that librarians have superpowers.
“They are able to tell fiction from non-fiction,” Mackey said. “We need to make sure the politicians listen to the librarians. I also think it's important that libraries tell stories, that we tell Canadian stories and our local stories. The CBC is an institution that does tell Canadian stories, for a long time in the past and for a long time to come in the future. It's about protecting our national identity, defending from the American threat that we make Canada strong. We need to protect our culture from the winds of politicians by enshrining into law the right for the CBC to exist without interference from politicians.”
When asked about retaliatory tariffs in response to the steep U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump last month, Baker said he does not support them.
“We’re just not going to win, so why play the game?” Baker argued.
Mackey supported the tariffs, as did Kruchkywich, but Nater did not plainly state if he is supportive or not, though said that Canada needs to be strategic in how it fights the trade war, listing a few incentives like cutting GST on Canadian made new vehicles as long as the auto tariffs are in effect.
On the carbon tax, Mackey and Kruchkywich reiterated that their parties are in favour of scrapping the consumer portion. Baker and Nater said that they were in favour of scrapping the whole tax.
“I think it's a cruelty tax, especially for Canadians,” Baker said. “With the technology and environment we live in, we're dependent on carbon fuels.”
On the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic, and potential lessons learned from the crisis, Kruchkywich said that it is important to not politicize science, which Mackey agreed with, while Baker said he never understood how the Germans fell into the throes of Nazism until he lived through the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that it was a dictatorship and “mass psychosis.”
Nater said one of the lessons he learned was the fragility of the Canadian supply chain.
“Over the last number of decades, under multiple governments, we've lost that capacity to manufacture things in Canada,” Nater said. “So one of the greatest lessons learned, I think, is the need for us as Canadians to stand up once again and reinforce the need for us to build things, make things, and develop things here in Canada.”
Many more important topics were discussed in the one-and-a-half-hour debate.
To view it in full, visit https://www.youtube.com/live/bWO6_jsO7tY?si=Bz87F6b4eNutewJB.
Election day is April 28. To find out more on how and where to vote, visit Elections Canada’s website.
There are some changes behind our curtain …
CONNOR LUCZKA Editor
To address the elephant in my byline, effective this edition, I am now the editor of the Times.
Don’t worry! Our regional editor Galen Simmons is still going to be contributing to the Times and assisting me with the transition as I get used to the new role. Before I get too far into the topic of the column, let me just say that I owe a lot to Galen and his leadership this last year I have been with this paper (has it been a whole year already?) and I can’t thank him and our publisher Stewart Grant enough for trusting me with this huge responsibility. By giving me the reigns, Galen can focus on the two other papers he manages
(The Wilmot Tavistock Gazette and the St. Marys Independent) and some space has opened up for another reporter. I am very pleased to say that Amanda Modaragamage is returning as a reporter to the Times. As of press time she has been officially working a whole of 72 hours, but already you can find her byline included in these pages. A reporter’s work is never done, huh?
Amanda worked tirelessly for the paper before I came along and I cannot be more pleased that she is back. To put simply, this paper would not be as successful as it is today without her hard work.
Along with Amanda we have a stellar group of contributors at the Times, all working very hard to tell the stories that are important to this community. With
Letters to the Editor
Stratford Live Music & Food Festival needs an olive branch, not speed bumps
I just read the recent letter to the editor regarding the Stratford Live Music & Food Festival coming June 9, still two months away. I believe his main point, embedded near the end of the letter, was suggesting that such an event should be located outside of downtown.
I felt compelled to respond, as I too, live close by, but possess an opposing view of that of Mr. Lemon. My husband and I attended this event and danced to the music. We were pleased to see so many people of varying ages enjoying themselves, being in community – something we all desperately need at this period in history.
I believe that there are many solid reasons to keep this event in its current location. I wonder how many individuals could not attend easily if moved to the outskirts, due to a lack of a vehicle. This location is central for everyone. I have no doubt that the music and food fest attend-
Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
STRATFORD Editorial
such a team, I feel very confident that we are going to publish great work in the coming issues and grow this already successful paper into another stratosphere. Now to the brass tax.
Opposite this column you can find an oped from Nick Cadotte of The Ranch radio station in Listowel, entreating you readers to support local journalism by advertising with local media. We pride ourselves on being hyper local here at the Times and while Listowel is a little far for us, Mr. Cadotte’s sentiment is one we feel very passionate about. At the risk of repeating his arguments for why advertising with local media is so important, whether it is with us or one of the other high-quality publications Stratford is blessed to have, I’ll just say that we support every line of Mr.
ees are also enjoying other aspects of downtown Stratford and bringing revenue. Perhaps the city could measure this and share with the readers.
As a “mature” adult, I have certainly witnessed firsthand a NIMBY (not in my backyard) response all too frequently. However, this is not permanent, but a short-lived event. We get the privilege of living here 365 days of the year and how wonderful that we have such a beautiful city to share. Destination Stratford and city council are working tirelessly to bring more visitors and more revenue to our business owners who need and appreciate these opportunities, while offering a fun event for residents and visitors.
If the festival is not our vibe, then we can turn up our own music or make an out-of-town visit to a relative. All who are working behind the scenes to make these types of events a reality need to be extended an olive branch, not a series of speed bumps. I will accept the joyous noise of music and laughter and spicy smells over a shuttered,
STRATFORD TIMES
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Cadotte’s message, now more than ever. It is our goal to take this bi-weekly paper weekly, to deliver the quality and thorough journalism our team is so passionate about to you readers more frequently. We can’t and shouldn’t do it alone, however. So if you have a news tip, if you have an opinion or idea you want shared, if you’re starting up a new business, if there’s an event you want Stratford to know about, if you want one of our contributors to hear how much you appreciated their work, or if you think there is more to a story and would like to see more – if supporting your bi-weekly neighbour is important to you – give us a call. We will always pick up. Although there are some changes behind our curtain, that is and will always be the case.
empty downtown any day of the week. Let’s get behind this.
Julie Ashley, Stratford
Make every vote matter
Dear Editor,
In times of crisis, Canadians have expressed EVERY CHILD MATTERS in support of our Indigenous peoples and BLACK LIVES MATTER in support of our Black brothers and sisters. Most recently and impressively, CANADIANS STAND TOGETHER is being displayed widely as a testament of our unity against threats to our sovereignty. All so very good.
Hopefully in the weeks to come, those of us who can will be ready and eager to show the world that together we mean every word – and more – and make EVERY VOTE MATTER demonstrate as forcefully just how strong Canada really is.
James Colbeck, Stratford
PUT YOUR MONEY
WHERE YOUR HOUSE IS
The importance of supporting local media
Editor’s note: The Stratford Times received this op-ed from Nick Cadotte, general manager of a number of area radio stations including The Ranch in Listowel and Shoreline FM in Goderich, Kincardine, and Port Elgin.
As a local business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how the “shop local” movement has helped bring awareness to the importance of supporting businesses in our own community. However, in this growing movement, I believe that one key element is being overlooked: the importance of advertising through local media.
There seems to be a misconception spreading that local media – whether it be radio, newsprint, cable, or billboards – are either too expensive or primarily owned by large corporations. This narrative has led many businesses to allocate their advertising dollars to American-based social media platforms. While social media can serve its purpose, it’s essential to recognize that local media outlets are experiencing a resurgence as many people move away from American-owned platforms, streaming services, and satellite radio. More and more, local media is where we find meaningful, relevant content that directly connects us with the community.
This is not just about my business; it’s about the future of local media as a whole. Just as we ask customers to support local
businesses, we need to ensure that we, as business owners, are investing in the media channels that are vital to the economic and social fabric of our community.
Local media does far more than deliver news – it plays a critical role in our local economy. These outlets employ local people, pay taxes here, and provide targeted exposure that connects businesses directly to the community. By choosing to support local media, we are helping to ensure the vitality of our region and giving back to the very networks that keep us informed and engaged.
By diverting advertising dollars to American platforms, we are undermining the core message of supporting local. We’re inadvertently contributing to the same practices that we are trying to avoid – similar to choosing to shop on Amazon instead of supporting our local shops.
When we invest in local media, we are investing in our local economy. I encourage the Chamber of Commerce, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), and all business associations to remind their members of the essential role local media plays. We must lead by example and direct our advertising dollars to local, Canadian-owned businesses and media outlets.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Together, we can make a significant impact on the success and growth of our local economy.
A huge group of Stratford residents and visitors gathered along the water for the annual Swan Release on April 6, corralling 10 swans into the Avon River that crisp spring morning.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
April 14 council briefs: Councillors oppose strong mayor powers
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Although Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma previously told the Times that he was in favour of some, though not all, of the strong mayor powers dangled by the Government of Ontario earlier this month, some of his counterparts are not convinced.
Many Stratford city councillors spoke in opposition to the powers at the April 14 council meeting, when Coun. Mark Hunter requested a staff report on how these powers stand to affect the municipality if implemented.
“My intent is to bring a motion forward at the April 28 meeting that our city not use those strong mayor powers,” Hunter said. “But I think with that report brought forward, if we could have it in time for that meeting, it would let the public see this information, allow us to have a fulsome discussion.”
Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach and Coun. Larry McCabe shared his hesitation. McCabe alluded to the troubling autocratic developments in U.S. politics at the moment and said that he suspects the province wants to work with one individual rather than a collective council as a way to avoid complexity – something he opposed.
Burbach said that she is unconvinced that advancing housing starts is the reason for the powers, arguing that there is no correlation between the powers and the number of houses being built by any municipality in the province.
“I would oppose the use of strong mayor powers anywhere really in Ontario,” Burbach said. “And I don’t think it’s a particular issue with this council or this mayor, but in the future I have great concerns about the democracy being eroded in our system with the stronger powers going forward.”
Coun. Lesley Biehn didn’t agree or disagree with the other councillors sharing their concerns; however, she believed that the province was not looking for feedback from council and she worried that by opposing this matter, they would appear as oppositional and that would negatively affect the municipality’s prospects.
Ritsma, after being asked his opinion by Coun. Bonnie Henderson, largely repeated his position in the Times’ cover story this edition – that his office, whether he is granted the powers or not, will be one voice among council, though he can see the
benefit of some of the powers on the table.
Furthermore, he invited any member of council to discuss the matter with him if they have concerns.
City-run affordable housing units move ahead
The city is moving ahead with plans for three affordable housing developments that are meant to be a whistle-stop approach to the housing crisis in Stratford.
First, council approved the two-bedroom unit renovation at 246 Railway Ave., which was awarded to Collard Properties for $179,765.58, after it had the successful bid among the 10 proposals received by investStratford (which is overseeing the project in conjunction with the municipality).
The small bungalow is city-owned and was previously used to store Christmas decorations, before Kendra Fry, housing specialist with investStratford, recommended renovating the space into a housing unit that will be run by the city’s social services department.
The project is expected to be completely finished by autumn of this year.
“I just don't think there's another way to have a two-bedroom rental unit at this kind of price,” Biehn praised. “I think it's a fantastic addition.”
Updates on the similar, though larger in scope, affordable housing projects at 161 East Gore St. and 38 Coriano St. were also provided to council. A request for expression of interest (RFEOI) was issued early 2025 and will be less straight forward than the Railway Avenue project, being surplus land rather than a surplus building.
The RFEOI is expected to be awarded and agreed to by late summer of this year.
Staff investigating changes to land lease procedure after airport deal falls through
Hunter put forward a motion to have staff prepare a report on implementing a deposit system for future lease opportunities, after council had to repeal an earlier agreed to RFEOI award to Peter Koot and Rachael Berta for leasing farmland at the Stratford Municipal Airport.
As Hunter said, the municipality was fortunate this time around that the second lowest bidder was still available to take on the project, though in the future a broken agreement could cost the municipality a lot of money if the second lowest bidder
was not available.
He proposed accepting deposits from all bidders, which would be refunded if unsuccessful, but would be unrefundable for the winning bidder if they were to not go through with a project after an agreement had been made.
Hunter’s motion passed unanimously.
Community grants awarded, Stratford Arts and Culture Collective lose out
Council awarded $753,292 in community grants that evening. Most organizations received what they asked for; however, some didn’t receive any funds whatsoever.
The Stratford Arts and Culture Collective was one of those organizations. It requested $15,000 but the evaluation committee, and ultimately council, did not award it any funds this year.
After Burbach asked why the committee saw fit to recommend $0, Hunter (who sits on the committee) put it simply:
“One of the things we review is how the money was spent the previous year,” Hunter said. “And last year, that group donated money to another cause. So although it's not directly (linked), effectively, they took our city grant and gave it away, which violates the rules of our grants.”
The successful grant winners are:
• Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee, $1,000.
• Off the Wall (Stratford Artists Alliance), $2,000.
• Playmakers! Theatre School, $7,500.
• Stratford and District Horticultural Society $9,000.
• Stratford Concert Band, $2,060.
• Stratford Division of Tillsonburg Power and Sail Squadron (Razzmajazz), $4,000.
• Stratford Lawn Bowling Club, $10,000.
• Stratford Summer Music, $15,000.
• Stratford Winterfest, $5,000.
• The Local Community Food Centre, $15,000.
• United Way Perth-Huron, $33,232.
• PTSD The Truth Behind The Smile, $2,000.
• INNERchamber, $1,500.
• Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund, $500.
• Kiwanis Festival of Performing Arts, $10,000.
• Stratford Symphony Orchestra, $10,000.
• Stratford Perth Pride Festival, $5,000.
• L’Arche Stratford, $15,000.
• Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Ceremony, $1,000.
• St. Marys Healthcare Foundation, $6,000.
• Stratford General Hospital campaign, $500,000.
• Stratford Pride Community Centre, $5,000.
The last five organizations on the list are part of a multiyear plan from the municipality. Although the Stratford General Hospital campaign netted $500,000 this year, the city has pledged $5 million over 10 years, for instance.
As Karmen Krueger, director of corporate services and treasurer, said, there is an appeals process in place, where applicants can apply to be relooked at should they want another opportunity to make their case. Indeed, last year the Playmakers! Theatre School successfully xappealed and received a community grant after being left off the list originally.
National Stadium washrooms getting nearly $175k for renos
Council approved $174,686 for the washroom renovations at National Stadium, located at 251-261 Norfolk St.
The RFP was issued to Feltz Design Build, which was the lowest bidder. Still, the award was about $75,000 over the initial, now outdated, budget. According to the staff report, in 2020 staff developed a four-phase approach for implementing capital projects at the stadium, with each phase expected to cost $100,000 at the time. As noted, that budget is not sufficient anymore.
Still, Ritsma praised the renovations, saying that it was positive seeing projects at the stadium advance.
Former Stratford Legion president and current zone commander receives King Charles III Coronation Medal
GALEN SIMMONS
Regional Editor
A former Royal Canadian Legion Branch 8 president and current Legion zone commander who has served the Stratford community in many capacities over the past 60 years was recently recognized for that community service with a King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Currently serving as the C2 Zone Commander and second vice president at the Stratford Legion, Ken Albert was awarded the medal on March 22 by Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command vice president Lynn McClellan at the Zone C2 Convention in Preston.
“I kind of knew it was coming, but I expected it months ago,” Albert said with a laugh, having waited for months after first being notified of the honour. “ … They asked me to send in a bio, and I said, ‘Am I getting it or not?’
“It’s awesome, actually. It’s great to be recognized for what you do, the volunteer work you do. It was at a convention – I’m chair of the convention because I’m zone commander – and it was nice. They had another ceremony for another member in my zone in Elmira, so it was really nice.”
For 41years, Albert worked with Sea and Air Cadets, first as a Cadet Instructors Cadre officer and then as a civilian instructor, until 2022.
Albert has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for the past 30 years. He holds a life membership and was previously awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. He’s
held many positions at the local Legion from executive member to two-term president. He has served on numerous committees, as sergeant-at-arms and he’s helped organize the branch’s Decoration Day and Remembrance Day parades, ceremonies and church services.
During the first two weeks of November every year, he works with the poppy campaign delivering, refilling and collecting the donation boxes, and rolling the money
to be used to help Stratford and area veterans in need. He also helps the Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary by setting up the hall for their fundraising meals, driving to get groceries and, since the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering meals to shut-ins.
As zone commander, Albert regularly travels to 11 other Legion branches offering advice and helping their executives run those branches efficiently.
While Albert has enjoyed his work on be-
half of the Legion, he is concerned about the future of the Legion in Stratford. As membership continues to dwindle without the influx of younger members the local branch needs to remain active, its members and volunteers are struggling to raise enough money and do the work necessary to keep the doors open and the lights on at the Branch 8 hall in Stratford.
“That’s the problem we have here is we’re all getting too old. It’s a struggle,” Albert said. “The ladies that work the kitchen and do the funeral lunches; there’s three of them who are over 80 and the rest of them are over 75. And they gave notice to the branch, they said in three to five years, they won’t be here. The ladies pay half the rent from the meals they put on and things like that.”
Albert says the work the local Legion does is still important, whether it’s raising money for the care of veterans at the Stratford General Hospital through the annual poppy campaign, connecting local veterans with the supports and services they need with the help of Legion service officers who work directly with Veterans Affairs Canada, or helping get homeless veterans off the street.
“It’s not your father’s Legion anymore. The Legion was formed by veterans to help veterans. Now, we don’t have that many veterans in the Legion. Now, it’s civilians who need to step up,” he said.
Outside of his work with the Legion, Albert coached a girls softball team for two years and a boys minor bantam hockey team for six years. He was also a member of his church council for two years.
Its onwards and upwards for the Facile PerthHPCDSB partnership
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Since partnering with Facile Perth, a Stratford-based non-profit which serves people with disabilities across Huron and Perth counties, the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) has seen a marked increase in success stories across the region.
The partnership was started in the 2022/2023 school year to empower students with disabilities and help them transition to post-graduation life. As Tara Boreham, superintendent of education for the board, said, not only has the partnership helped students transition to post-graduation life through Facile’s facilitators, it has also empowered the board’s teachers.
“As educators, we have a ton of knowledge, but Facile Perth also has a ton of knowledge and they have transition facilitators that know a lot about funding oppor-
tunities, workplace opportunities, etc.,” Boreham said. “Teachers want the absolute very best for every child and the involvement with other community agencies to help us in support planning has made them feel more confident that we are doing the very best.”
Since partnering, the HPCDSB has increased their service levels for students with disabilities year over year. During the 2023/2024 school year, the board served 15 students. This year, it is currently serving 21 students. In the upcoming 2025/2026 school year, it is expecting to serve 25-30 students.
The HPCDSB has renewed its partnership with Facile Perth, extending it for another three years (which it is in the first year of). During this period, Facile will continue to share knowledge and co-create presentations that will provide school teams with insights on building collaborations, community development, increasing
access to future pathways, and meaningful planning for life after graduation.
Additionally, Facile will aid students and families in finding meaningful opportunities within each students’ home communities, with a focus on active citizenship, the world of work, and post-secondary and life-long learning opportunities.
The board and Facile will continue to work with community partners, employers, colleges, and service providers to identify and plan pathways to adult life beyond high school.
“It has had an incredible impact,” Boreham said about the partnership. “I believe that families are feeling more well held by both education and by community partners. … When you put heads together, you know you can come up with some pretty great things. And I feel that
the community collaboration is extremely important and has made it so that we have reached more kids, and we have supported more kids, than ever before. A community raises a child and I think that's the most important part of this. We need to all work together to help students.”
Boreham clarified that they have a longterm plan in place at the board with Facile in mind, meaning that when this most recent agreement comes for renewal in two years, they are looking to expand the partnership with an even more fulsome program.
Stratford Legion second vice president and C2 Zone Commander Ken Albert was presented with a King Charles III Coronation Medal at the Royal Canadian Legion C2 Zone meeting in Preston on March 22. Pictured are Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Command vice president Lynn McClellan and Albert.
(KEN ALBERT PHOTO)
CONNOR LUCZKA
Ritsma recounts highs and lows in 2025 state of the city address
Last year had some staggering highs for the City of Stratford, according to Mayor Martin Ritsma, but it also struggled with some troublesome lows.
Looking forward to 2025, Ritsma is hopeful that the community will remain as resilient as it has in the past.
On April 9, the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual state of the city address, where Ritsma went over all that the municipality accomplished and was faced with in 2024, as well as looked ahead to 2025 and beyond.
“It’s pretty difficult to scale all the amazing things that are going on in Stratford,” Ritsma said. “So I apologize for the length, but I won’t apologize for the great deeds that I’m going to acknowledge here this moment. … Stratford is a vibrant, engaged and a growing community with a strong foundation. We are resilient. We strive to make Stratford inclusive for all residents, as well as our visitors, employers and employees.”
In an over hour-long speech, Ritsma went through the city’s strategic priorities, particularly praising each department at the city. He thanked retiring CAO Joan Thomson for her dedication to the city and its residents and thanked interim CAO Adam Betteridge for stepping up as the city looks for a new top staffer.
He praised the manufacturing and industrial sectors of the city, particularly highlighting the Wright Business Park expansion, which will see the construction
Stratford
of over 300,000 square feet in new industrial buildings through a number of Stratford-based companies.
With the U.S. tariffs placed on Canadian goods, capital expansion has largely paused among corporations, investStratford previously told the Times. After his address, Ritsma confirmed that while that is true, the expansions he spoke about in his address are carrying forward.
He further stated that there are some areas in the manufacturing sector he wants to see expanded, chiefly food processing.
“So much of our product that's produced in our local area, (an) area that produces $2 billion a day … we ship it as raw product to China, to the United States of America,” Ritsma explained. “I think one of the things we need to see is more food processing here, and then ship that finished product abroad.”
The development of the 2025 municipal budget was a huge undertaking for staff and council last year, not least because of the consistent downloading of responsibilities to municipalities by the province and
the increase in capital and operating costs due to inflation.
Ritsma particularly praised Karmen Krueger, director of corporate services and treasurer for the city, for her dedication to responsible financial planning.
Many stakeholders in the city like the YMCA of Three Rivers, the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, the Stratford Public Library, the Stratford Festival, and Destination Stratford were likewise praised by the mayor, who went through some of the developments which occurred for each of them this year.
In terms of tourism, there were a lot of highlights in 2024. Lights On Stratford had its fifth festival that year and “did not disappoint,” according to Ritsma, and while the Stratford Festival posted a $1.1 million deficit, the season was a critical success that had a rise in ticket sales.
All in all, 1.7 million tourists came to Stratford in 2024, largely due to the efforts of the Festival and Destination Stratford working to make the city a year-round destination.
Concluding his state of the city address, Ritsma entreated everyone to lead with compassion as 2025 continues with just as many challenges, if not more, as 2024.
“To those here today and to our residents, thank you for your support and dedication to making our city a place that we can all be proud to call home together,” Ritsma said. “We are building a community that is vibrant, welcoming, and full of opportunity. I look forward to continuing this journey with you as we shape an even brighter future for our city.”
Festival ended 2024 season with $1.1 million deficit, lower revenue compared to 2023, and less
than expected attendance
STRATFORD TIMES STAFF
stratfordtimes@gmail.com
After its annual general meeting earlier this month, the Stratford Festival revealed that although it attracted 430,000 theatre-goers, it was a challenging year financially for the company.
“Contributed revenue was $36 million, down 8.7 per cent from 2023, when the bottom line was bolstered by the proceeds of a special relaunch campaign introduced in the wake of the pandemic crisis,” a media release on the annual report reads.
“Despite cutting expenses by four per cent, the 2024 season ended with a deficit of $1.1 million, as attendance fell short of expectations.”
“As we look at attendance in the performing arts in this post-pandemic world,
we do so with a knowledge of just how bad things can be,” said Executive Director Anita Gaffney in that same release.
“When we marked the fifth anniversary of pandemic closures last month, we were forced to take our minds back to 2020 when, poised to present our largest season in our 70-year history, we instead shut down for more than a year.
“The challenge of winning back audiences has been felt around the globe, and we know it is a challenge we must surmount. What drives us to attract people into our theatres is not just the very real need for ticket revenue, but more importantly the difference we can make for people, people who over the past few difficult years may have forgotten what it is to commune with others around a brilliant piece of entertainment, to laugh, to cry, to
think, to consider another viewpoint, to feel empathy or anger or sheer joy. And to do it together.”
Artistically, the Festival notes that there were many highlights. Three new plays, Get That Hope, The Diviners, and Salesman in China were produced and are poised to have success outside of Stratford. Eight young actors participated in the Birmingham Conservatory and six mid-career directors developed their talents through the Langham Directors Workshop.
Additionally, the other aspects of the Festival were successful. About 19,500 attended Meighen Forum events and 46,000 streamed productions on Stratfest@Home. Roughly 40,000 students from 500 schools attended performances and sales to school groups were up 14 per cent.
“The work of the Stratford Festival stretches far beyond the work seen on our stages,” said Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “Yet we are careful to ensure that everything we do has a positive impact on stage and for audiences. Even at this time, when finances are tight, we deeply understand the importance of developing the talent – and the theatregoers – who will ensure the Festival’s success as we look to our 100th anniversary and beyond. The support of our donors and of government is essential for this work and we are extremely grateful to them.”
The Stratford Times reached out to representatives from the Festival for comment on the annual report, though did not receive a response as of press time.
CONNOR LUCZKA
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma gives the state of the city address at the Stratford Country Club on April 9.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
Perth County council rejects proposed budget cuts, passes 2025 with 11.3% tax increase
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Despite county council’s previous request to have staff bring the proposed tax increase this year down to an even 10 per cent, Perth County councillors couldn’t stomach the cuts proposed by staff and instead passed the 2025 budget with an 11.3 per-cent tax increase, inclusive of growth.
At a special meeting of county council April 10, councillors reviewed a list of cuts proposed by department managers and directors to the departmental budgets for the CAO’s office, economic development, archives, legislative services, information technology (IT), human resources, paramedic services, council and planning that would have the least operational impact on the county while reducing the proposed 2025 levy by nearly $286,000 or 1.29 per cent.
In presenting the list of proposed cuts to county council, county treasurer Corey Bridges suggested that instead of using the savings realized through cutting items like professional development for staff and deferring projects and purchases to the 2026 budget to reduce the impact on county ratepayers, council use that money to bolster the county’s capital roads reserve to offset the impact of planned drainage work by the lower-tier municipalities and the possible impact of 2025 winter maintenance costs based on the first two months of this year, which has already eaten up approximately 62 per cent of the county’s winter-maintenance budget for 2025.
“The items within that list are indicated by management to be mild in nature (when it comes to) the effect on their operations,” Bridges said. “(They’re) to be deferred but returned again in 2026 for the purpose of moving the organization forward. What we have provided to council now is that there are some major components within public works that are impacting the operation a little more significantly than the mild changes that were identified within the (list of cuts).
“ … The impact of municipal drains, the impact of winter maintenance; we haven’t seen a winter like this since, I think, I was born in 1977. Those components are where we reside when we talk about 2025 operations, and the recommendation to hold that money in the capital roads reserve (so it can be) utilized by council to deal with the impacts of where 2025 might reside at the end of the year, I think, is prudent on council to consider.”
Councillors, however, balked at the idea of making cuts only to “squirrel the money away” for future uses. Simultaneously, they disagreed with, on principle, the cuts themselves. Councillors Todd Kasenberg and Rhonda Ehgoetz, and deputy warden Dean Trentowsky each spoke against the cuts.
Ehgoetz, who led the charge in having staff bring back proposed cuts to the budget at a previous council meeting, said she felt it was unfair some departments like economic development, IT and paramedic services seemed to bear the brunt of the proposed cuts while other departments
like public works and facilities seemed to get away without any cuts to their budgets.
“Why is our budget process so convoluted and hard?” she said. “… We’ve been at this for six months. This is ridiculous what we’re doing. Why is there not (cuts) from every department? Some departments got hit really hard and there’s some departments that aren’t here at all.
“To me, we’re all in this together. Everybody needs to give something up. … We’ve hit economic development pretty hard; they’re the ones trying to get businesses to come here. If we don’t have the businesses, we don’t have any economic development in our communities.”
Kasenberg and Trentowsky, meanwhile, suggested it isn’t prudent to cut professional development at a time when new technologies are making municipal operations more efficient amid rising inflation and an unstable global economy.
Ultimately, council voted unanimously to abandon the proposed list of cuts they had asked staff to bring forward and approved the budget as it stood.
The approved 2025 budget includes a tax levy of just over $25.1 million, an increase by $2.9 million or 11.6 per cent over last year’s levy. In 2024, the county saw 1.77 per cent in assessment growth, bringing the net impact on ratepayers down to an increase of 11.34 per cent.
This amount represents an additional $103.32 annually per household – about two dollars per week – based on the average 2016 MPAC household value of $282,000.
“Make our whole city sparkly clean”: Stratford to host Thames River Cleanup
utes cleaning up around their homes and neighbourhoods.
With spring cleaning well underway, Stratford residents can clean up their city and remove trash outside.
Stratford will hold their 26th annual Thames River Cleanup on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a choice of four locations for residents to meet with local manufacturers:
• TJ Dolan John Street entrance, to join Futaba Industrial Ontario (FIO) employees.
• Roadhouse drain between Shoppers Drug Mart and Giant Tiger on Huron Street, to join AISIN employees.
• Waldie Drain behind Heritage Memorials on 520 Erie St., to join Schaeffer Aerospace Canada Inc. employees.
• Cooper Standard Plant 2 on 703 Duro St. to meet employees and Unifor 4451.
"We have a lot of drains that lead into waterways, so different factories over the years have picked an area they like, and they go every year,” said Coun. Bonnie Henderson, part of Stratford’s civic beautification and environmental awareness committee (CBEAC).
Henderson also encourages residents to spend 20 min-
"We can make our whole city sparkly clean,” she said. Events like the Thames River Cleanup ensure that the river stays clean, and wildlife is protected.
“You don't want all that junk that's either been thrown in the river or blown into the river from some place else because it makes a mess by the dams and the birds and different creatures that live in the water, or the swans or the geese or the fish, they get it caught in themselves or sometimes it gets tangled around them,” Henderson said. “Plus, it just looks nicer."
Most Thames River Cleanups in municipalities southwest of the Thames River will hold their cleanup events on April 12. However, Henderson explained that Stratford usually has theirs later because the water levels are usually too high right after the winter.
“Luckily, we did pick the later date around here because the water is high and you want to be ensuring people are as safe as possible,” she said. “You don't want it too mucky, so people are slipping."
For more information, contact Henderson by either sending an email to cbeacstratford@yahoo.ca or by calling 519-271-4545.
“Council understands the financial pressures faced by municipal governments,” county Warden Doug Kellum said in a press release issued by the county. “The 2025 budget was carefully reviewed to ensure all opportunities for cost-saving measures were considered while still maintaining current service levels. In light of inflationary pressures, council worked to mitigate this year’s increase by pausing some proposed projects for consideration in future budget years.”
“We appreciate the support of council with the approval of the 2025 budget,” added CAO Lori Wolfe in the release. “Staff work hard to ensure that the annual budget reflects the needs of the county for critical projects and services required each year to support the goals of the strategic plan while being mindful of budget pressures.”
The county’s annual budget allocates funds for both operating and capital expenses. The county also budgets for contributions toward reserves which are established to fund long-term goals and to mitigate unpredictable or fluctuating nature of some annual costs such as winter maintenance or drainage. The reserve contribution for 2025 represents 1.33 per cent of the total levy increase to stabilize annual costs. This investment also serves to close the gap and cover costs downloaded by the province.
A bylaw will be brought forward at the next regular council meeting on April 17, which will complete the 2025 budget process.
EMILY STEWART Times Correspondent
Neighbours strongly oppose two developments on Mornington and Huron
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Dave Messer didn’t mince words about a proposed development near his home on Huron Street.
“I live two doors away from this mess, whatever it’s going to be,” Messer began.
“(I’m) trying to stay polite and calm but this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen in my life. We’re going to put two big cement blocks in an area that is meant for just normal housing … We have these bylaws that regulate the building of houses and what the neighborhoods are supposed to be like. And we come along with these two big stone monstrosities with no space around them. These people that are building this are just in it for the money.
“I love the neighbourhood. This is going to destroy it,” Messer went on to say.
Messer made those comments at the public meeting portion of the April 14 council meeting, when council and staff heard resident comments about the development at 315 and 317 Huron St. and another development at 672 Mornington St.
As Messer alluded to, the Huron Street development is proposed as two three-storey apartment buildings with 12-units
Adam’s Barber Shop
Anna Mae’s Bakery & Restaurant
Andy’s Legendary Pizza
Annies Fish & Chips
Appleberry Lane
Athens Greek Souvlaki
Boler Mountain
Bosco Pool & Spa
Boston Pizza
Canadian Tire (Stratford)
Chocolate Barrs
Corner Store Candy Company
Costco (Waterloo)
Crunch Fitness
Daisies and Doilies
David Butler Law
Eastpark London
Ellis Home Hardware (Milverton)
Fabricland
Fellini’s
Fenton Electric
spread throughout. There is limited, if any greenspace due to the need for parking, and the lots currently have a number of old-growth trees that would be taken down. Messer wasn’t the only one who opposed the development and called it incompatible with the current neighbourhood.
Shane Carty, like Messer, expressed incredulity that such a proposal was on the table at all. He spoke with some neighbours before the meeting and shared that they all had a laundry list of similar concerns.
“We have concerns about drainage, we have concerns about noise, we have concerns about the height of the buildings. We have concerns about privacy. We have concerns about healthy trees being cut down so that we can put down a parking lot. That's a big concern,” Carty said. “… Why are we putting two buildings into a space that should hold one? It doesn't make any sense.
“I think it's unconscionable. My neighbors may disagree with me, but I think it's absolutely unconscionable to let something like this (be). Because all this is is about someone making a profit.”
The Mornington development, which is
currently a proposed 123-unit subdivision, likewise saw opposition at the meeting. Many neighbours expressed concern with the lack of parkland being proposed, the removal of trees, and how the development would affect their own properties. Donna Castle said she was worried about water management and possible flooding that may spill over onto her home, for instance, and Kelvin Martin said that, among other concerns, he does not know who the developer is and could not find information online about them – which is a red flag.
“I'm curious as to whether they are a land purchaser who is going to then engage a development company or a construction company to do it on their behalf,” Martin said. “And if that's true, I'd like to sort of know what the history of this particular developer's history is on actions of this similar nature in development of land.”
Aliyah Richards, a land use planner speaking on behalf of the applicant, said that she could not share the personal details of the applicant in such a meeting. No decision was made on the developments at the public meeting. The matter will be before council for a decision on the proposed zone changes at a later date.
An overhead view of the subject lands in the Huron Street proposal, vehemently opposed by a few neighbours during a public meeting for the proposal.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
94 cases identified in Huron-Perth during ongoing Ontario measles outbreak
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Local public-health officials are continuing to do everything they can to curb the spread of measles in Huron and Perth counties as the number of identified cases continues to rise both locally and across the province.
Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) Medical Officer of Health Dr. Miriam Klassen and her team are working around the clock to curb the spread of measles in both counties as part of the provincewide response to the outbreak that first arrived in Ontario in October 2024.
“On Oct. 18, 2024, there was an exposure through a travel-related case in New Brunswick that was then connected to Ontario and introduced measles into Ontario,” Klassen said. “While New Brunswick declared their outbreak over on Jan. 7, 2025, unfortunately in Ontario that was not the case. From Oct. 18 – that first introduction – to April 9, there have been a total of 816 measles cases involving 15 health units.
“For HPPH, we reported our first measles case on Feb. 28, but quickly there were several others and it was apparent that local spread was happening among people who live, work and play in Huron-Perth. As of April 9, we are reporting 94 confirmed and probable cases, and I can tell you in the next weekly report, there will be more.”
Measles is a highly contagious virus. It is airborne and can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. The virus can spread to other people when someone with measles coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes. Measles can result in complications such as diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. Rarely, measles can cause brain inflammation, respiratory failure and death.
Measles symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to the virus and include:
• fever
• runny nose
• cough
• red eyes (watery)
• small white spots on the inside of the
Shelf Help
BRITTANY MEADOWS
Stratford Public Library
The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore
@SPL: FIC Moor
Dark secrets are kept hidden beneath the serene façade of Camp Emerson. It is the summer of 1975 and another Van Laar child is missing. Thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of a prominent banking family and owners of the camp, has vanished from her cabin without a trace. More than a decade previous, her brother Bear disappeared in similar circumstances, never to be found. As the investigation unfolds, the detectives uncover a web of deceit that stretches back generations. The spectre of Bear’s disappearance casts a long shadow,
mouth and throat (not always present)
• a red, blotchy rash on the face initially, and then spreads down the body (normally appears three to seven days after symptoms begin).
Someone who has measles can be contagious from four days before the rash starts until four days after the rash starts. Most people fully recover from measles within two to three weeks, but sometimes measles can cause complications. Rarely, those who contract measles can develop subacute sclerosing panencephalitis – a progressive, disabling and deadly brain disorder – seven to 10 years after recovering from their initial infection.
“In Ontario, measles has been rare and that’s because Canada successfully eliminated measles in 1998 … and that happened as a result of high immunization coverage,” Klassen said. “So, while there are still occasional imported cases, those would be quickly contained without a lot of community spread.
“Prior to the COVID pandemic, the average number of measles cases in Ontario ranged between seven and 22. So, very infrequent. … Now, as observed around the world, … vaccination rates have been declining. That was happening before due to increased vaccine hesitancy, and then during COVID, vaccination rates fell even more because of decreased capacity (and) decreased access in a lot of places to vaccines as people all around the world redeployed for the COVID response.”
As a result of decreased vaccination rates globally, more cases of measles are being introduced to Canada and Ontario from abroad. Since Ontario’s vaccination rate has also decreased, measles has quickly spread across the province, with most new cases in Ontario now resulting from spread within and between communities like those in Huron-Perth.
“That’s because there are people who are un- or under-vaccinated due to reasons such as medical reasons, kids are too young to be vaccinated and also conscience or religious beliefs,” Klassen said.
“So unfortunately, there are more individuals and clusters of people like that now, and once measles is introduced, it spreads
very easily. It’s very, very contagious.”
With the rising number of measles cases identified in Huron-Perth, both counties are considered areas of concern. HPPH is hosting measles vaccine clinics for infants, children and people born in or after 1970 who are not up to date – the people who are most at-risk for contracting measles. Meanwhile, HPPH communicates information about infection prevention and control, testing advice, and vaccination recommendations with the public and its health-care partners, and primary care doctors are ordering more measles vaccines and sharing important information with their patients.
HPPH completes case management and contact tracing for confirmed cases of measles, similar to the process employed by local public-health officials when cases of COVID-19 were discovered during the pandemic.
“For every confirmed case of measles that is reported to us … we contact that person and provide advice about their own care, when to seek medical advice, how to isolate and ensure they’re not spreading the infection, and then also their contacts. We try to reach out to all contacts, find out if they’re up to date on immunization or not and provide them advice on what to watch for, if they’re eligible for … treatment to try and prevent them developing infection, … and then what they can do to help prevent further spread of the illness,” Klassen said.
Anyone who believes they have been exposed to measles should report to HPPH by calling 1-888-221-2133 ext. 3299 and follow public-health advice. Until they are contacted by public-health officials, they should do the following:
• stay home, avoid contact with other people and avoid having visitors in their home;
• if medical care is needed, call ahead before attending a health-care facility to inform staff of the potential measles exposure so they can prepare and prevent the
fueling speculation and mistrust amongst the townsfolk. As investigators rush to untangle the truth, tensions rise, alliances are tested and the line between friend and foe blurs. Will they solve the disappearances of the Van Laar children and bring closure to the family's enduring nightmare?
A haunting and emotionally engaging read that deftly captures the raw, untamed beauty of the Adirondacks. Moore invites her readers to piece together this literary mystery revealed slowly through shifting timelines and multiple perspectives. Intricately plotted and emotionally engaging, it is a novel that delves into themes of family, class and survival. An evocative read that will resonate with readers who appreciate a deep and multifaceted narrative.
virus from spreading to others; and • wear a well-fitted mask while leaving home for medical care.
“The main difference between COVID and measles is COVID was a brand-new virus,” Klassen said. “No one had immunity and we didn’t have a vaccine, and we didn’t fully understand it either – we were learning as we went along. Whereas with respect to measles, we have a good understanding of this virus and we have a very effective vaccine with a proven track record. … Really, for most people the risk is low. For people who are up to date with their measles vaccination, we know it’s 97 per cent effective in preventing a measles infection. No vaccine is 100 per-cent effective, but people who have been vaccinated who develop the disease, which is not very common, tend to have a milder disease and less onward transmission.
“Adults born before 1970 are generally considered to have natural immunity. They likely contracted the virus in childhood. Individuals born in or after 1970 ought to check their vaccine record to make sure they have two doses of measles-containing vaccine.”
People who are at higher risk for contracting measles include those who are pregnant, people with weakened immune systems and children younger than five, particularly those who are two and younger.
For more information on measles in Huron-Perth, visit www.hpph.ca/health-topics/diseases-viruses-and-illnesses/measles/#.
By Jake Grant
1. What year did the Toronto Maple Leafs last win the Stanley Cup?
2. What country is Easter island located in?
3. NASA's third mission to the moon was called what?
4. What does DM mean on social media?
5. What part of the cell contains genetic material?
6. What do Pandas primarily eat?
7. What temperature scale is based on absolute zero?
8. What’s the name of the current that pulls swimmers away from the shore?
9. What is the largest muscle in the human body?
10. What day is Queen Elizabeth II birthday?
Optimist Club’s popular Bike Day returns after pandemic pause
on it,” said Laughton.
It has been five long years since Bike Day was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions. Finally, the highly anticipated event has returned courtesy of the Optimist Club of Stratford and the Festival City Optimist Club. On Saturday May 10, beginning at 10 a.m. at Avondale United Church, kids 16 and under can come with their bike and enjoy the free festivities.
“Avondale is a good place to do it because we’re off to the side and there’s minimal traffic,” said Dennis Laughton, president of the Optimist Club of Stratford.
Safety is the theme of the event with planned activities in support of bicycle safety and education. Const. Darren Fischer will be there with a bike course, teaching hand signals and road safety, as well as a radar gun for those stunt bikers that might attend.
“Rob Staffen of Brain and Mind Matters Community Foundation will be there offering helmet safety checks. He will inspect the foam and test that the fit is good. That’s really important, and I don’t know that people really know that. He’s taken courses on it and should have information
Continuing the safety theme will be the physical fitness of bikes with Joel Curtis of Totally Spoked who is offering free tune-ups for the occasion. “He has a mobile trailer and will offer free bike tuneups. He can adjust the brakes to make sure they are functioning properly and gears, too. Bike seats can be adjusted or even check air pressure in the tires,” said Laughton.
The event is geared to youth 16 and under. As added enticement to attend the event, there will be six gift certificates available in a draw for $450 each to Totally Spoked. In previous years they gave away bikes but this year they thought that gift certificates could be more versatile. Not everyone needs a new bike but they may need a new helmet or new gear.
What is an event geared towards kids without hotdogs? Free hotdogs and drinks will be available.
“Safety is number one. This is community building and getting people out and coming together with kids,” concluded Laughton.
Bike Day is May 10 beginning at 10 a.m. at Avondale United Church, located at 194 Avondale Ave.
Full Time Position
Underwriter & Administration Support
South Easthope Mutual is a regional mutual insurance company with our head office in Tavistock, Ontario. Operating as a true, member-owned mutual insurance provider, we have been providing insurance to farms and rural homes and businesses for over 150 years. We are dedicated to providing member-first service, as a company that values Respect, Honesty, Reliability, Loyalty and Community.
An opening in our underwriting department has created a career opportunity for an enthusiastic individual who is a team player and demonstrates good judgement and attention to detail. The successful candidate will ensure accurate and efficient processing of insurance applications, endorsements and renewals as well as provide administrative support.
Key Responsibilities:
• Primary focus will be automobile underwriting while providing general support for other lines of business
• Review & accurately process insurance applications, endorsements and renewals within service standards
• Collaborate with agents, brokers, and other stakeholders to gather necessary information
• Maintain organized and up-to-date records of underwriting files and documents
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of underwriting reports and documentation
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the underwriting department
• Provide administrative support
Experience & Skills Required:
• Underwriting knowledge preferred
• Previous experience in an administrative or support role
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Proactive and positive approach to customer service
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
Preference may be given to candidates currently enrolled in the Chartered Insurance Professional designation program, or have other experience or training relevant to this position. A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are necessary. The successful candidate should be willing to pursue further insurance related courses when opportunities are offered.
If this position is of interest to you, and you feel you have the attributes we are looking for, please submit your resume and cover letter by April 25, 2025 to info@southeasthope.com More information about our Company can be viewed at www.southeasthope.com
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted. Appropriate accommodations will be provided upon request during the recruitment process.
LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent
The Optimist Club of Stratford is active and generous within the community with two recent donations to L’Arche Stratford and the Children’s Health Foundation (pictured here). Pictured bottom left to right: Casey Himburg, Paul Barton, Vicki Hayter, Rany Fortune, Dennis Laughton. Middle left to right: Stuart MacCuaig, Dean Listman. Top: Brian Pearson.
The donation from the Optimist Club will benefit the new, soon to be constructed L’Arche Stratford building. Pictured left to right: Brian Pearson, Dean Listman, Randy Fortune, Stuart MacCuaig, Dennis Goforth and Elaine Clark-Siberry.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Transportation-planning consultant recommends transfer of three sections of Perth South roadway to Perth County
A transportation-planning consultant has recommended three sections of Perth South roadway – two abutting the City of Stratford and one southwest of St. Marys –be uploaded to the responsibility of Perth County.
As part of a county road-rationalization study aimed at improving maintenance and ensuring limited municipal resources are being directed toward the best-possible optimization of the county’s 496-kilomtre road network, Tatham Engineering transportation planner David Perks presented to Perth County council the results from the study’s first phase, aimed at determining whether any current county roads should be transferred to the control of the county’s lower-tier municipalities, and whether any current local roads should be transferred to the control of the county.
“We want to make sure that the county road network is serving the county and, by serving the county, it services the municipalities especially with respect to economic growth,” Perks said. “For getting people in out of the county and moving goods and services, it needs to be maintained properly. If you have a road network that’s not rationalized properly, you end up with roads that just fall into disrepair, and that just hurts everyone, especially when you’re trying to keep them to a county standard.
“We understand that there’s finite resources available for road maintenance and maintaining the road network, so those resources have to be focused and efficiently spent.”
In determining whether a county road should become a local road, Perks and his team divided the county’s existing road network into 89 sections and scored each section based on criteria including traffic speeds and volumes, whether they connect drivers to urban centres like Stratford and St. Marys, whether they are continuous through the county and beyond the county’s borders, and whether they serve heavy-industrial traffic among other criteria.
Each road section is then evaluated using a list of principles including whether they provide appropriate north-south or eastwest service, whether they complement the provincial-highway system, whether they are direct, succinct and along the shortest possible route, and whether they are capable of being improved and maintained. Finally, the roads that did not meet the standards for a county road were reviewed by county staff, who provided local usage information that may not have been considered prior.
Based on their findings and conversations with county staff, the consultants recommended responsibility for two of the 89 sections of existing county roadway – Perth Line 88A between Perth Road 178 and Perth Line 88 in North Perth, and Perth Road 151 between Whalen Line and Perth Line 8 in Perth South – be downloaded onto their respective municipalities.
During the road-rationalization process, the consultants also evaluated 11 sections of local roadway totalling 1.5 kilometres that were submitted by their respective municipalities to the county for consideration as to whether they should be adopted as county roads. Two of those road sections – Lorne Avenue between Perth Road 122 and Stratford city limits, and O’Loane Avenue between Perth Line 32 and Stratford city limits, both in Perth South – were identified as meeting the criteria for becoming county roads.
“Some of the issues when we looked at the local roads; they were either providing service that was very close to either a highway or another county road. Especially in and around Stratford area, there’s a lot of county roads and there’s a highway system coming through there – there’s a lot of redundancy – so it just didn’t make sense to bring them into the county road network to add more county roads in an area that is already saturated with them. … We did identify Lorne Avenue and O’Loane Avenue in and around the city limits because they provide connectivity and serve a high volume of traffic.”
Consultants also recommended a third section of Perth South roadway – Whalen Line from Perth Line 151 to Highway 7, southwest of St. Marys – be taken over by Perth County because it extends an existing county owned road, connects to a provincial highway and is a boundary road for the county.
Now, the consultants will take the findings and recommendations from the first phase of their road-rationalization study and present them to each of the county’s four lower-tier municipalities for feedback, a report on which will be brought back to county council. Then county council will need to greenlight the second phase of the study, which will include information on financial impacts, road and road-infrastructure condition assessments, and a strategy for implementing those recommendations.
Perks and county director of public works John McClelland said implementation of the consultant recommendations could take upwards of a year to implement, and could be completed in stages to reduce the financial impact on all involved.
GALEN SIMMONS
Regional Editor
Home Improvements 2025
Conway Furniture offers aboveand-beyond customer service
Regional Editor
A local, family-owned furniture business that has served customers for more than half a century is continuing to provide a level of customer service that is a cut above the competition.
First started in 1968 as a downtown flooring business, Conway Furniture – now located east of Listowel –has grown into a 30,000 square-foot destination for quality furniture employing 20 people full time. With a focus on Canadian-made products first, the business features a wide variety of living room furniture and accents, dining room and bedroom sets, a wide selection of mattresses, and a flooring-design centre.
“A big thing is we really pride ourselves on our service here,” said Cory George, one of Conway Furniture’s helpful and knowledgeable salespeople. “All of our prices include tax, delivery, setup. We make sure everything is looked over before it’s delivered. The guys who do the delivering, they fully set it up; you just tell us where you want it and that’s where we put it for you. And if you do have any issues down the road, we don’t hesitate to make repairs. Even if it’s outside of warranty, we’re not going to leave you stranded.
“We’ve always tried to have as much Canadian products as we can. … We have probably five or six great-quality Canadian brands that are Canadian made with quality craftsmanship. We definitely try to have as much of that in stock as possible, so it gets to the customers quicker. Canadian made is always good right now.”
One benefit of shopping with Conway Furniture is the business’ digital storefront. At Conway, the team works
hard to improve product selection on its website. If a customer sees a photo of a piece of furniture on the Conway Furniture website, it was taken onsite and it’s available. Don’t hesitate to call or visit in person to check out whatever piece catches your eye! Conway Furniture makes the whole process easy for its customers, so they offer free delivery across southwestern Ontario, and they’ll even take your old furniture away for you.
“We try and have our website be as up to date as possible,” George said. “In today’s day and age, it’s definitely very important with how much people are looking online. We do have a virtual tour on our website, too, so you can take a walk through the store online and see everything instead of just looking at individual pictures. It really helps people get a feel for what the store is going to look like or where items they might be after are going to be.”
Having been in business for as long as it has, Conway Furniture has built a helpful, knowledgeable and experienced team of staff. While longtime shoppers may notice a few new faces, the legacies of now-retired employees like Julie, Penny, Al and Paul ensure those who have taken up their positions carry forward that same knowledge, experience and dedication to customer-service excellence.
“Julie, Penny, Al and Paul were here for 20, 30, 40 years, and they’ve all recently retired, but they do still pop in from time to time,” George said. “They did train a lot of us when we first started, too. We have a younger staff right now … and we have a good team that all works together well, which is nice.”
For more information and to check out the store, visit www.conwayfurniture.com, call 519-291-3820, or stop in at 5663 Perth Line 86, east of Listowel.
over 45 years
GALEN SIMMONS
After more than half a century in business, Conway Furniture is still providing the excellent customer service it has become known for.
(CONWAY FURNITURE PHOTO)
Our Building Tell a Story: Rhéo Thompson Candies
Times Contributors
Rhéo Thompson Candies is a Stratford success story. In 1959, Rhéo took an after-school job at Olin Brown Candies at 88 Wellington St. He liked it so much that when he finished at the Stratford Collegiate Institute (SCI), he decided making candy would be his career. He worked at Olin Brown Candies until 1969. "To better myself, I decided I would not stay with the new owners," he says. Rather, he and his wife, Sally, thought they should at least try starting their own business.
They began making candy in the basement of their home at 32 Glastonbury Dr. Directly behind their house was the city's farmers’ market. They took a small stall there in 1969, and business was good. They were then befriended by John Sinclair, who had a drugstore on Wellington Street in downtown Stratford. He had recently lost his building to a fire and was about to move into his newly built store. He told the Thompsons he had 1,000 square feet of excess space downstairs if they were interested in moving in. He made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
They opened their store on March 2, 1970, and after five months, both businesses were running out of room. So, the Thompsons moved into “old Odbert building” at 26 Brunswick St., where they remained until October 1996. Then they bought a third of the "old Woolco building” on Albert Street. There, they renovated the front facade to make it look like a free-standing building, which enabled them to have a much bigger retail store and more room for manufacturing. The front of the store was designed to blend with the other Victorian-style buildings on the street. The interior of the store was finished in cherry wood.
Their store became one of the busiest candy shops on either side of the Atlantic Ocean selling “just candy.” In
December 2002, they sold their business, but it continues to operate as Rhéo Thompson Candies, and their signature "mint smoothies" are still on the shelves. Mint smoothies are the iconic chocolate that built the Rhéo
Thompson reputation and became the unofficial "official" chocolate of Stratford.
For more on our buildings, visit www.streetsofstratford.ca.
Climate Momentum to host fourth annual Street
Party on April 27
AMANDA MODARAGAMAGE
Times Correspondent
The fourth annual Climate Momentum Street Party is an all-ages event at Factory 163 in Stratford on Sunday, April 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Community groups and vendors from across Stratford and the surrounding area will be present to discuss and promote initiatives related to improving the environment.
Kaitlyn Kochany, a Climate Momentum group member and lead organizer of the event, says the street party started as a way to connect people in Stratford with environmental organizations throughout the region and with each other. “We want people to care about the environment; we want to give them a place to go, more information, and a chance to meet their community,” she said.
Kochany noted that the event is meant to connect community members and local climate initiative groups and ease anxieties around climate change. “There can be a lot of anxiety around
climate change and how it will affect us all,” she said. “So, we (Climate Momentum) aim to bring people together and offer folks conversations within their own community. If someone is interested in a pollinator section for their garden, or if someone is interested in working on environmental issues in their own lives, we want them to feel affirmed that they have someone they can reach out to and connect with.”
As far as vendors, there’s something new each year. Attendees this year can look forward to Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, The City of Stratford’s energy and environment committee, the Rotary Club of Stratford and the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), who will all be there to provide information about their environmental initiatives and natural resource initiatives. “It's really like an opportunity for community organizations to come and talk about what they're doing and to get people involved with them,” said Kochany.
For kids, Patsy Day, Indigenous educator, will offer a kid’s
learning program. The Stratford Public Library will have an all-ages table, and a Climate Momentum member will have
an interactive kid’s table where plant-based diet and veganism will be discussed. The Stratford BIA and Cycle Stratford will
also be there, offering an interactive booth while discussing this year’s upcoming car-free Friday initiative.
New this year, vendors will sell local art and clothing based on environmental change. Liz Emirzian, a local artist and illustrator who created the posters for the street party, will be set up to sell her artwork, and Claire Upcycled will sell her one-of-akind, eco-fashion, gender-neutral streetwear. Claire takes screen-printed designs and sews them on curated second-hand clothing to create wearable art. The annual street party is also a great way to try local foods. Attendees can look forward to different food options from Curry Zone, Taylor's Delicatessen and Camp Coffee Co. “It’s going to be a great party vibe. We want people to have some food and wander around throughout the day,” said Kochany.
For more information about Climate Momentum, please visit their website at www. climatemomentum.ca or reach out to them directly at info@climatemomentum.ca.
PAUL WILKER AND GORD CONROY
The iconic Rhéo Thompson Candies building on Albert Street. Although that is where Rhéo and wife Sally eventually moved their thriving business into, the candy-makers had their start in a few buildings across Stratford.
Rhéo Thompson got his start in the business of candy-making at Olin Brown Candies, working after school.
The 2024 Climate Momentum Street Party was a hit with kids and adults of all ages. Pictured is the 2024 Stratford Public Library booth, where attendees enjoyed learning about books related to environmental change.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
(KRIS VON KLEIST PHOTO)
Celebrating 100 years of community with the Stratford Lions Club
It’s been a century since the Stratford Lions Club became charted and the organization is looking to celebrate with the greater community.
The Stratford Lions Club will be celebrating its 100th charter anniversary on May 3 at the Army and Navy Air Force Hall. The social will begin at 5 p.m. and the dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m. The event is business professional and magician/comedian Ray Anderson will perform.
"Everybody's invited and we'd like to have the people from the community come and celebrate with us,” member Paul Stitt said.
The Stratford Lions Club was charted on January 13, 1925, with L.F. McCaul as the first president and with sponsorship from the Seaforth Lions Club. The club’s first fundraiser, the Lions Fancy Dress Ice Carnival, was held shortly after it was charted.
Over the years, the club has awarded scholarships to students, sent optometrists, eye doctors, and Lions Club members in Guatemala to provide vision care, sponsored dog guides, and provided toy lions for the Perth County Paramedic Services and the Stratford Police Service to give to children in crisis.
The Stratford Lions Club participated in Canada Day and Christmas parades, as well as organizing the Victoria Day Parade in the 1920s. The club also held events such as a charity chili cookoff, Lobsterfest, and
walk-a-dog-athons for Canine Vision Canada. The Stratford Lions Club supports the community through several fundraisers that support organizations such as CNIB, the Emily Murphy Centre, ShelterLink Youth Services, and the Salvation Army.
Stitt joined the Stratford Lions Club in 1987 and has been part of the club for 38 years. He called the 100th charter anniversary “quite the milestone.” The club brought several landmarks to Stratford such as the swimming pool, bandshell, Lions Dufferin Arena, Romeo Court and the Hospital Triage Room.
For Stitt, he likes to hear from community members how the club changed their lives for the better.
"We'll be standing out there collecting bottles and some woman will drive by on a
scooter and yell at us 'I can hear now! I can hear now!' because we donated a hearing aid to her, so little things like that make a big differences,” he said.
Stitt hopes that the Stratford Lions Club continues and reaches its 200th anniversary.
"We hope to be around here to celebrate our 200th,” he said. “Of course, it won't be you or I, but I would like to see the club being still active in the community 100 years from now because the last 100 years, we made a big difference, and we'd like to keep doing that."
Tickets for the 100th charter anniversary celebration will be $60 and can be purchased from any member of the Stratford Lions Club or by sending an email to stratford@a15lions.org.
EMILY STEWART
Times Correspondent
Stratford’s Diane Sims named honorary champion for MAiD-support organization
As she continues her journey through the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) process, Stratford author, journalist and accessibility advocate Diane Sims is now helping spread word of an organization dedicated to supporting people across the country on similar journeys.
Sims, a member of the Order of Canada who is living with end-stage multiple sclerosis (MS) and has been approved for MAiD, was recently named an honorary champion for Bridge C-14, an organization that provides peer-to-peer support for Canadians, their caregivers and their loved ones before, during and after MAiD.
“We are honoured to welcome Diane Sims as an honorary champion for Bridge C-14,” said Lauren Clark, the organization’s executive director. “Diane brings a powerful combination of lived experience, public advocacy and deep compassion to this role. Her personal journey through serious illness and her courageous engagement with end-of-life conversations reflect the very essence of what Bridge C-14 stands for.”
As honorary champion, Sims will help amplify the voices of individuals and families impacted by MAiD while promoting the importance of peer-based, trauma-in-
formed support. The role was created to recognize those who use their story, platform and passion to advance awareness of the emotional, relational and psychosocial dimensions of MAiD.
“Diane’s insight and visibility will be instrumental in fostering greater public understanding, compassion and connection,” Clark said. “At Bridge C-14, we know that change happens when people feel seen and heard. We believe that lived experience is not only valid, it is vital. Diane’s voice helps make that possible. Her presence in this role will help ensure that compassion
and community remain central to how we support people through one of life’s most profound and complex transitions.”
For Sims, sharing her own experiences living with MS and choosing to end her life on her own terms is something she is very familiar with. Sims has written extensively about living with MS and her personal MAiD journey both for national publications and in her recent autobiography, Living Beyond the Shadow.
She wants to continue sharing her story while providing information about the supports offered by Bridge C-14 to help re-
duce the stigma around MAiD and guide others living with chronic, terminal and debilitating illnesses in considering MAiD as part of their palliative-care plan.
“To me, it’s an honour,” Sims said. “It means I get to advocate on (Bridge C-14’s) behalf in any format that I desire. … I want to support the mission, which is to provide a network of peer-to-peer connections and community supports through all stages of MAiD – for individuals choosing MAiD and for supporting them through the journey. I want to be a champion for them.
“ … We are committed to creating a culture where dignity, grief and choice are honoured and valued. This is where an honorary champion can really help by elevating the value of the choice, and the dignity and the honour of the choice, as well.” Sims said her job as honorary champion will be to share her story and discuss how Bridge C-14 can provide support to people like her through media interviews and speaking engagements.
“It’s that person-to-person contact that I value,” Sims said. “I didn’t have anybody with MAiD to help me. I only had doctors going through the assessment process. It’s very clinical. I wish I had known about Bridge C-14.”
For more information about Bridge C-14 and what supports it provides, visit www. bridgec14.org.
GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor
Stratford’s Diane Sims has been named an honorary champion for Bridge C-14, an organization that provides peer-to-peer and community supports for Canadians and their loved ones before, during and after Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTO)
STRATFORD SPORTS
U11 C Girls Aces win WOGHL Championship
The Swanson’s Jewellers U11 C Girls Stratford Aces won the WOGHL Championship on April 5 with a 7-4 win over the Bluewater Hawks.
According to head coach Jessie Jacob, a hot start to the game by the Aces led them to their eventual victory.
“From the moment the puck dropped, the girls were ready to play,” Jacob told the Times. “Our girls started the game with confidence, and they set the pace of the game. The first period was back-and-forth, but after the first period, our girls found their stride and just kept going. They won the game because they didn't give up. They worked really hard to get to this game, and they were ready to show everyone that they deserved to be there.”
Stratford emerged from the first period with a 3-2 lead after the two teams traded goals in the opening frame. Erin Kalbfleisch opened the scoring, but Bluewater tied the game exactly two minutes later. Ruthie Bilyea responded for the Aces just 13 seconds after the tying goal to put Stratford back up by a goal. Sofia Bitzer and Paisley Morrow picked up the assists.
A little over a minute later, the Hawks equalized the game at two apiece, but once again, it took less than a minute for Stratford to answer back with the second goal of the game for Kalbfleish, a powerplay marker assisted by Sydney Langis and Lucy Nahrgang.
Bilyea’s second goal of the game came early in the second frame, with the assists going to Nahrgang and Anne Laverty. Later in the period, Bitzer scored the eventual game-winning tally.
In the third, Kalbleisch completed the hat-trick, with Bilyea and Mie Larsen recording the helpers. Bitzer added her second goal of the contest with just over four minutes left, assisted by Kalbfleisch and Larsen.
Bluewater clawed back to a three-goal deficit, but the Aces hung on for the 7-4 win and their division’s title. Coach Jacob noted that “growth and determination” were the defining descriptors of the team’s season.
“What stands out most about our team is that every time they stepped on the ice, they were growing, learning
Donna L. Hinz
to play together, and learning to believe in themselves. We often watched our girls play their best hockey when they were playing in the quarterfinals of a tournament.
As the season went on, those best games started to come out more often.
“As the season went on, every player was growing, either in their skating skills, believing that they could skate with the puck, or that they could play the entire game and be successful,” Jacob continued. “They realized that they were not balloons; they don't deflate when a goal or two gets scored on them. They were determined to get it back and learned not to give up.”
When reflecting on the season leading to their league championship, Jacob explained how far the team has come from where they were at the beginning of the campaign.
“At the start of the season, we were losing the majority of our games. Our coaching team knew that it would be a year of development. During practice at the beginning of the season, we focused on growing each girl's skills,
which was a mix of skating skills, puck handling, and just being aggressive. As we made it into November, we won a couple of games, but still were not playing consistent hockey.”
Jacob said when the WOGHL was reseeded in late January, the team had hopes for a more successful second half of the year, which is precisely what occurred.
“Our team's confidence started to grow,” began Jacob. “We watched our girls come together. They were passing to each other, going to the net, covering the girl in front of the net, and doing defender-to-defender passes in the offensive end. They believed in themself and did not give up.
“Winning the last three games of the season showed our girls that they can do hard things. Becoming the WOGHL Champions means that with determination, hard work, and teamwork, our girls rose to the top of their league. It will hopefully be one of those memories they will take with them throughout their Aces hockey era.”
The Swanson’s Jewellers U11 C Girls Stratford Aces defeated the Bluewater Hawks 7-4 on April 5 to win the WOGHL Championship. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Sofia Bitzer, Erin Kalbfleisch, Lucy Nahrgang, Lana Minhinnick, Briegh Preistap, Hazel Thompson, Ruthie Bilyea, and Anne Laverty. In the back row, from left, are Brynlee Schenck, Summer Cutone, Charlie McKay, Mary McCadden, Sydney Langis, Mie Larsen, Raelynn Jacob, Vivienne Cheney, and Paisley Morrow. Not pictured are Ian Schenck, Kayla Minhinnick, Nicolai Larsen, Kate Bilyea, Alexandra Langis, and Jessie Jacob.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Times Regional Reporter
U11 Boys Revolution take silver at Ontario Cup
SPENCER SEYMOUR
Times Regional Reporter
The U11 Boys Stratford Revolution earned the silver medal at the April 4-6 Ontario Cup in Durham Region.
Coach AJ Moses noted the team overcoming being a smaller centre (small drawing area of players) to rise to the podium position at the provincial competition.
“The Stratford Revolution basketball club is one of the smallest clubs in Ontario, if not the smallest,” said Moses. “So, for us to get the silver medal is very impressive. Our team has improved so much over the season. They are a special group of athletes who all get along, have great attitudes, give consistent effort, and really enjoy the game. Their understanding of the game at such a young age, both on the offensive and defensive sides, is amazing.”
In the team’s pool play, the Revolution beat the Burlington Force 55-38. Mathias Gerwing led the charge offensively for Stratford, posting 18 points. Beau Masse and Cohen Cassone chipped in with 10 points, while Holden Craft, Blake Robinson and Marcus Peters each had six.
Stratford’s second game saw the team pick up a 39-32 victory over Sudbury. Cassone scored a team-leading 10 points, with Gerwing, Masse, Robinson, and Hugo Black each tallying five.
The Revolution’s final pool play contest against Cambridge for a spot in the gold medal game, and the two teams had a hard-fought battle that Stratford won 32-29. Masse had seven points to lead the team offensively. Black and Cassone each chipped in six. The game featured a dramatic moment in the final moments as, with under 30 seconds left and Stratford ahead by just one point, Masse picked off a wing-to-wing pass and took the ball
down the court for a lay-up to give the Revolution the three-point lead they eventually finished the game with.
In the championship final, several fastbreak baskets and strong shooting led the Revolution to an early lead. However, their opponent, a tall squad from Milton, got on in the second half to take a 35-25 victory over Stratford. Once again, Masse led the Revolution with six points, and Jeter Moses and Beau Venchenko each added four.
Moses described the well-rounded growth of the team during the season.
“The whole team has developed their individual and team skills and understanding of the game. We had three new-to-basketball players join us this year, and they drastically improved and contributed throughout the season at both ends of the court. Team skills such as defence and our offensive strategies, such as full-court pressure and our fast-breaks, have all greatly improved. Our ability to share the ball is better, and every athlete has improved their ball-handling and shooting.”
The team’s execution of their fast-break offense and their ability to withstand the raucous environment of the venue also left a positive impression on coach Moses.
“Our transition game helped us get our three wins and stay competitive against Milton. We won two very close games in pool play, thanks in part to our ability to share the ball, play solid man defence, and support our teammates through positive encouragement.
“Also, the fact that the team was able to play so well in the loud and chaotic environment was impressive. The tournament was held in an old warehouse in Whitby-Oshawa. It had nine courts with no walls, and it was so loud and packed with people that the players couldn’t even hear us as coaches from the bench.”
The U11 Boys Stratford Revolution captured the silver medal at the Ontario Cup in Durham Region on April 4-6. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Cohen Cassone, Holden Craft, Jeter Moses, and Beau Venchencko. In the middle row, from left, are Lake Baron, Hugo Black, Duncan Johnston, Beau Masse, Mathis Gerwing, Erik Burtenshaw, Blake Robinson, and Marcus Peters. In the back row, from left, are coach Chris Cassone, coach AJ Moses, coach Aaron Gerwing, and coach Devin Robinson. Not pictured are managers Carla Cassone and Missy Robinson.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Warriors eliminated in seven games by Maroons
A valiant effort by the Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors saw the team come back from being down 2-0 and 3-2 in their Western Conference semi-final series, but in the end, the Chatham Maroons won the seventh and deciding game to advance to the conference final.
The Maroons will face the St. Marys Lincolns, who defeated the London Nationals in seven games.
The Warriors began the series by losing Games 1 and 2, falling into a two-game hole to the high-flying Maroons, with the series heading back to Chatham for the third game. However, head coach Dave Williams credited the team’s ability to find success in the high-pressure situation.
“The thing that really jumps out to me is our resilience going down to Chatham for Game 3, and that was really a Game 7 for us,” Williams told the Times. “We have to win that game because it’s a tall order to lose that one and think you’re going to
win four straight against a team as good as Chatham. To our guys’ credit, they went in there, won on the road, and then came back and won again at home the next night. In a lot of ways, I felt like our group played a lot of do-or-die-type games to get to that final game.”
Six minutes into Game 3, goals by Colin Slattery and Kaedyn Long put the Warriors ahead by two, before Quinn Kipfer buried his fourth of the post-season en route to the Warriors taking their first of the series by a score of 3-1.
“Getting that first goal was big for us,” noted Williams. “I think if you asked both teams, I'm sure both coaches would feel like they played better when they were able to get that first goal and play with the lead rather than chase from behind, even with the offensive firepower they have. But our guys are smart. They know that team has a lot of skill and scoring ability, and we got behind early in a couple of games, and it felt like an even taller task to start from the position earlier in games.”
One night later, a wild back-and-forth
contest, headlined by a seven-goal first period, resulted in the Warriors tying the series at two wins apiece when they edged out the Maroons for a 6-5 victory. Kipfer had a two-goal game, while Rhyse Brown picked up three assists. Dracen Campbell and Joseph Curtin each had two helpers. Both teams made goalie changes during the first frame, which ended with Chatham up 4-3.
According to Williams, the wild start to the game made it one of the most unusual nights of his tenure behind the Warriors’ bench.
“That was one of the stranger games that I have been a part of,” Williams admitted. “It’s not too often you see all four goaltenders play in the first period. We got out of that first down by a goal, and at that point, you’ve got lots of hockey left, so the intermission was it was about trying to settle the group down and focus on chipping away and finding that tying goal.”
With the series evened up, the Maroons managed to take back control of the semi-final, winning Game 5 by a score of 6-3. This gave Chatham the chance to advance to the
West Final 48 hours later when the series shifted back to Stratford for Game 6, but, as Williams stated, the lively Warriors’ faithful helped propel the team to tie the series and force a seventh game.
“Going back home is always a big thing for us. We have had a good record at home all year. We’ve played some of our best hockey on home ice, and (in Game 6), we had an outstanding crowd behind us there. The buzz and the atmosphere were really good. The rink was quite loud. The group did a really good job feeding off the energy of the fans that night. The fans definitely played a significant role in helping to push us to Game 7.”
Hunter Nagge potted the game’s first goal just over halfway through the second frame, with Kipfer and Brown scoring in the final four minutes to lift Stratford to a 3-1 win. Carter McDougall made 26 saves in between the pipes.
The win forced the series back to Chatham for a winner-take-all clash on April 13, which seemed early on to be leaning in
Western division continues for Fighting Irish after playing with heart and soul in first three bouts
MICHAEL WILLOUGHBY
Times Contributor
Forward Graham Brulotte scored a hat trick, and goaltender Zach Weir made 36 saves in the Stratford Bentley's Fighting Irish 6-2 win over the Strathroy Jets in the opener of the Western Division final on April 5.
Fighting Irish head coach Marco Alexander praised his team's performance in game one and dedicated the win to the city. "The boys played really, really well. I mean, that dressing room has got a ton of heart. I mean, their heart and their souls. They're playing for this town, you know, for the town of Stratford, for people who can't play."
Alexander also dedicated the win to the victims of the 2018 Humboldt bus accident, in which a moment of silence honouring the victims of the tragedy was held before the game. "That was our message today, Humboldt strong. So we dedicated this game to those poor young boys and those families. We don't want to forget about that. It's 2018, but it still lives with everybody every day. So that's what we dedicated this game to."
Stratford opened the scoring at 8:52. In
front of the Strathroy crease, Matt Montgomery buried the loose rebound on the second chance past the left pad of Strathroy goaltender Evan Debrouwer for his fourth of the playoffs.
The Irish extended their lead with 5:56 left in the opening frame. On the powerplay, Brulotte redirected a shot past Debrouwer for his second of the night. Strathroy got on the board early in the second period by forward Justin Mcintrye, but the home side quickly responded with a goal 33 seconds later by defenceman Ryan Obonsawin.
Stratford extended the lead with over three minutes left in the middle frame by Brulotte's second marker of the night, but a goal from Cole Thiessen over a minute later gave the Jets hope going into the third period. But the Fighting Irish pulled away in the final frame, courtesy of the hat-trick goal from Brulotte and Montgomery's second of the game.
Despite the Jets' second-period pushbacks, Alexander said the team's mentality from the first-round series against Petrolia proved instrumental in the gameone victory.
“I think that's been the focus – has been just playing our game,” he said. “It doesn't
matter what's going to happen, right? In our Petrolia series, they gave us a tough, tough time. There are high-scoring games, but you know what? At the end of the day, the last shot wins, right? And that's just been the mentality, we keep shooting the puck, we keep working, we keep skating. We're playing for something bigger than hockey right now. That's just what this whole team's about."
On April 11, the Fighting Irish overcame an early deficit to beat the Jets 6-4 at the West Middlesex Memorial Centre in Strathroy to take a 2-0 series lead. Brandon Buck opened the scoring for the Jets 46 seconds into the contest, but Stratford answered with three unanswered goals in the opening twenty minutes, including two from Zach Magwood and one from Cameron Stokes.
Both teams traded goals in the second period, setting the stage for the third, with Stratford leading 4-2. Buck's third goal of the night put the Jets within one. But a goal by Matt Henderson with 12:09 left iced the game for the Fighting Irish. Stratford Goaltender Zach Weir made 27 saves in the win.
In game three, the Fighting Irish sought to stifle the series. But the Jets cooled off
their plans with a dominant 5-1 win at the William Allman Memorial Arena on April 12.
Stratford struck first over five minutes into the first period from Colin Martin.
The Jets tied the game with seven minutes to play in the opening frame on a goal by Brandon Buck, his fourth goal in the last two games in this series. Strathroy then took the lead for the first time less than three minutes after on a 2-on-1 breakaway goal by Dalton Jay.
The Jets poured on the goal tally in the second period. Goals from Kobe Ferreira and Buck less than ninety seconds apart gave the visitors a 4-1 lead. Weir was benched for Jonah Capriotti following the Buck goal. The Jets' Blake Griffiths gave the visitors a commanding 5-1 lead, which it would hold after a scoreless third period. Alexander acknowledged the team wasn't at its best but is confident things will turn around for game four.
"Just had a role and little bit of penalty trouble. Hey, that's hockey. When we brush it off, we'll return stronger on Thursday."
Game four was held April 17 in Strathroy, after press time. The series returns to the Allman Arena for game five April 19. Game time is 6 p.m.
Warriors eliminated in seven games by Maroons
the Warriors' favour.
“I was happy with how we played,” began Williams. “I thought we had a really good first period. I thought we found our game as well and as quickly as we had at any point in the playoffs, which was great considering the stakes were so high. We were on the road in a pretty tough environment, but despite that, we had a really good first period.
“We were moving our feet really well. Like we’ve said all year, I think we're most effective when we're playing with lots of pace and using our feet to get on top of pucks, and
using our feet to take away time and space, especially when we’re facing a team like Chatham that has so many skilled players and can get up the ice as fast as they can. We just managed the puck well, imposed ourselves physically, and had a really good energy.”
Their strong first period went unrewarded as the game stayed scoreless after 20 minutes, only for the Maroons to storm back to life in the second and jump out to a 2-0 lead. Slattery buried the Warriors’ only goal of the game less than 30 seconds into the third, but Stratford failed to bring the game back to even, falling 2-1 and having their season ended by the Maroons.
“In hindsight, I feel like the game could have maybe played out differently if we had been able to find that first goal in the first period, given how well we started,” Williams remarked. “Chatham came and pushed back in the second, which we knew would happen at some point, they’re too good a team to not tilt the ice in their favour for a little bit. We stuck with it and had some really good energy on the bench after scoring our goal in the third, but we just couldn’t find a way to tie it.”
Although not the result the team had hoped for, Williams was not at all disappointed in the hard work and determination displayed by this year’s young Warriors’ squad.
“I'm immensely proud of the group. We had a significant turnover from last year. A lot of our team was made up of first-year guys, and we battled right until the last 10 days of the regular season for second place. To go into Chatham in a Game 7 and lose 2-1 in such a close game just speaks volumes to the dedication and character of the group and the way we win hockey games.
“We weren’t a team that was going to score at will every night,” Williams continued. “Goals were a little more challenging for us to come by at times. Our margin of error most nights was a single goal. We were really battle-tested and we had to be incredibly competitive to get where we did, so I’m very proud of the season we had.”
The Stratford Hunter Steel Ltd. Warriors salute their fans after one of their Western Conference semi-final games against the Chatham Maroons. The Warriors fell in seven games to the Maroons, ending their season with a hard-fought second-round series.
(PAIGE CAMPBELL PHOTO)
Kelly Walker concert at Avondale to remind audience to follow dreams
Musician Kelly Walker will inspire the audience at Avondale United Church as he performs a selection of music that encourages people to follow their dreams.
Walker will bring his “Gotta Have a Dream” concert to Avondale United Church on May 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. The concert will also feature performances from his friends Rachelle Shubert, Judith Lander, and Roy Lewis.
Attendees can expect to hear music from George Gershwin, Gordon Lightfoot, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Jacques Brel, and Walker’s own music, as well as songs by Broadway greats such as Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers and Hammerstein.
"It's really a celebration of the community coming together to experience the dreams we have for life, for future, for relationships, for wellbeing,” Walker said. He will also be getting the audience to sing along during parts of the concert.
“Music speaks louder than words and
Gotta Have A Dream
we can have deep transformations sometimes just by coming together and singing,” he said.
Walker’s accomplishments in music began when his father purchased a piano the day he was born. Walker directed the St. Theresa Parish Choir in Toronto at just 12-years-old and was the organist and choir master for the Christian Brothers’ College at 15-years-old. While he was working with the college, Walker was working towards his music degree with the guidance of William Burke at the Western Conservatory.
Walker’s dream has always surrounded performing music for a living. His song
“You Gotta Have a Dream,” is about following your goals and dreams and was inspired by a conversation with a little girl who asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.
"I said I wanted to be able to do music in my life and I said 'What do you want to do?' and she was a first-born child and she put her head in her hands for a few minutes and she said 'I want to be everything,'
and I thought 'Way to go,' so I wrote this song for her and its ‘You Gotta Have A Dream,’” he said. “I think it's really important that we don't give up our dreams and when we get old, it's important to keep the dreams alive that we had at our very core of our being when we were younger.” Proceeds from the concert will support Avondale’s ministries.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. To purchase tickets, either stop by the church’s office, call 519-271-7946, send an email to avondaleuc@wightman. ca, or visit online via www.ticketscene.ca/ events/51662.
The Bunker Performance Lounge nominated for major music award
up comedy nights and fan-favourite weekly karaoke and open mic nights.
Something exciting is happening in Stratford’s vibrant arts and culture scene. The Bunker Performance Lounge & Café, a beloved downtown venue known for its commitment to live entertainment and community connection, has been nominated for Live Music Venue of the Year at the prestigious Forest City London Music Awards (FCLMA).
Now, they need your help to bring the award home.
The FCLMA celebrates excellence in music and performance throughout southwestern Ontario. Each year, the awards shine a spotlight on artists, producers, and venues that are making an impact in the music community.
This year, public voting is open until April 24 – and that means Stratford locals have the chance to support one of their own by visiting fclma.ca and casting a vote for The Bunker.
Located at 104 Wellington St., The Bunker Performance Lounge & Café officially opened its doors in 2022 as a café and recording studio. It was co-founded by Stratford’s own Jeremy Berg, who later partnered with John and Candace Crawford, all passionate music lovers and entrepreneurs who wanted to create something truly special in the heart of the city. What began as a cozy café hosting open mic nights and intimate Saturday live shows quickly grew into something much more impactful.
By the summer of 2023, The Bunker had evolved into Stratford’s newest cocktail lounge and one of its most dynamic cultural venues. Offering craft beers, handcrafted cocktails, and a rotating schedule of events, the space now hosts everything from Friday Night Sessions to monthly Yuk Yuk’s stand-
“We always wanted this to be more than a bar or a music venue,” says Crawford. “It’s a community space. A place where artists can grow, experiment, and connect with their audience.”
That mission shines through in every event hosted at The Bunker. From emerging local talent cutting their teeth on stage for the first time to touring acts from across Ontario and beyond, the venue offers a supportive platform for performers of all kinds. This mission is reflected in tools like The Bunker’s community music board – perfect for networking and advertising local shows, and of course the Bunker Alumni Playlist, available on Spotify, featuring artists who have played the stage. It was also one of the two main venues for the new OnRush Music Festival, further cementing its role as a key player in Ontario’s music scene.
Patrons describe the atmosphere as intimate, welcoming, and inspiring. The venue’s signature style combines the rustic warmth of a speakeasy with the bold energy of a live stage, creating a setting where audiences and performers feel like they’re part of something special.
Crawford and his team have worked hard to keep the space inclusive and accessible.
“We’ve had artists of all genres – folk, rock, R&B, jazz, even spoken word and comedy,” he notes. “We’re proud of the diversity on our stage and in our audience. This is a place where everyone feels they belong.”
Beyond entertainment, The Bunker also plays a vital role in supporting Stratford’s downtown economy. By drawing in regular crowds of music lovers, the venue contributes to the vibrancy of local nightlife and provides
opportunities for artists, sound engineers, photographers, and other creatives to hone their craft.
Being nominated for Live Music Venue of the Year at the FCLMA is a major accomplishment. It places The Bunker alongside some of the best and most respected performance spaces in the region, recognizing not only the quality of its shows but the heart behind every performance.
“Just being nominated is such an honour,” says Crawford. “It’s a reflection of all the hard work, late nights, and passion we’ve poured into this place. But to win? That would be something truly incredible – for us and for Stratford.”
With public voting determining the winner, Crawford is hoping his hometown community will rally behind The Bunker and show their
support. It only takes a moment to cast a vote, but it could make a big impact – not just for the venue, but for Stratford’s reputation as a cultural hotspot.
Voting is open now and runs until April 24. Stratford residents – and anyone who’s ever enjoyed a show at The Bunker – are encouraged to visit the official FCLMA website, navigate to the "Vote Now" section, and cast their ballot in the Live Music Venue category. Every vote counts, and with enough community support, The Bunker could take home the award and bring even more attention to the amazing talent and experiences available right here in our own backyard.
To learn more about upcoming shows and some very exciting news coming later in 2025, visit www.bunkerstratford.com, or follow them on Facebook to stay in the loop.
With singer, songwriter, author, and speaker KELLY WALKER &
SCOTT DUNSTALL Times Contributor
Jereme Berg, Candace Crawford, and John Crawford in the foyer of The Bunker Performance Lounge & Café. The QR code in the corner of the picture leads to the voting page for the Forest City London Music Awards
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Stratford-Perth Pride unveils new initiative to promote inclusivity in region
inclusion, build awareness, and strengthen community ties through education and allyship.
Stratford-Perth Pride is going through tremendous changes in the coming months, and one of their biggest secrets have just been released. They are proud to announce the launch of their newest project, the Proud Community Project, a long-term initiative designed to promote inclusion, unity, and understanding across Stratford, Perth and Huron counties.
The process to create this initiative has been a long time coming, as stated by A.J. Ashley, who is spearheading this project with Stratford-Perth Pride.
“The grant application was originally submitted over a year ago by the Stratford Pride Community Centre,” Ashley explained. “Since then, Stratford-Perth Pride – now amalgamated with the community centre – was notified at the end of last year that their application had been successful. The organization is now excited to share the Proud Community Project with Stratford and the surrounding communities.”
Ashley noted how the planning and implementation of this project is a long time coming. The project aims to address the increasing divisive tensions that have developed in rural areas while also celebrating the diversity and unity within those communities through a community workshop. This workshop will be to support local efforts in order to foster a sense of
“Our project’s a significant step towards reducing the barriers and misunderstandings that sometimes arise in rural communities. It will strengthen ties between area residents and ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals feel safe, seen and sup ported,” said Ashley.
He isn’t working on this project alone.
The creation of this project has been a group effort.
“The project is currently being led by Stratford-Perth Pride and myself as project coordinator, with collaborative support from Huron Pride and North Perth Pride. These partnerships will play a key role in helping to communicate the initiative’s goals and in planning upcoming events across their respective communities. As the project moves forward, the team will continue to grow,” Ashley explained, happy to think about the growth of the project in the coming years.
of ground both metaphorically and physically, such as community conversations within areas such as Stratford, Goderich, Listowel, and St. Marys to garner feedback and shared experiences to better spark a dialogue. Information gathering will be a key component throughout the region to better understand the local needs and build necessary connections. Development and delivery of a community workshop will be designed to equip local businesses with the tools and resources they may need in order to better support inclusion and solidarity.
With the support of a $166,505 grant from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), this initiative will offer rural communities new tools and opportunities to create safer, more inclusive spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The key components of the Proud Community Project aim to cover a wide array
“We’re a small but determined organization,” Brock Hart, chair of Stratford-Perth Pride explained. “This new federal funding allows us to expand our reach and impact. It’s a meaningful investment in the united social fabric of our region.”
Stratford-Perth Pride encourages all members of the community – allies and local organizations alike – to take part in this important initiative. Further details on community events and workshops will be announced soon.
“The project will begin with a series of community conversations happening in June and July across Stratford and surrounding communities in Perth and Huron Counties,” said Ashley. “These sessions are designed to gather feedback directly from 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals about their lived experiences, the challenges they face, and the gaps that exist between them and the broader community. The insights collected will inform the development of a tailored program, which is expected to roll out to the public by late 2025 or early 2026. The goal is to offer practical tools and strategies that support lasting inclusivity and stronger community connections throughout the region.”
To stay up to date on this project, sign up for Stratford-Perth Pride’s free newsletter at www.stratfordpride.com, or email proudcommunityprojectspp@gmail.com. It can also be reached via social media at proudcommunityproject on Instagram or the Proud Community Project Facebook group.
Editor’s note: Sydney Goodwin is a program coordinator for Stratford-Perth Pride.
SYDNEY GOODWIN Times Correspondent
Local Flavour
RESTAURANT GUIDE
Celebrating 20 years of ownership at Annie’s Seafood Restaurant
It has been two decades since Sean Robinson assumed ownership of Annie’s Seafood Restaurant, where today he and his wife Virginia have developed it into a destination food venue. It is a milestone that seemed hard to believe way back then.
“It doesn’t seem like 20 years; it seems more like 6. The time has flown by,” said Sean.
“When a restaurant has been opened this long, and this restaurant opened at this location 27 and a half years ago, we have our manager June (Stafford) who has been here full-time, still, since it opened,” added Virginia.
Twenty years has seen a lot of changes and challenges, both personally and professionally. Life events have been celebrated and mourned, and a pandemic that altered the world’s landscape was endured. It was during the pandemic that Virginia, a marketing expert, joined the business.
“Once we figured we were going to make it through the pandemic, because our take-out was always strong, we changed the whole restaurant. We repainted, we did the wallpaper, we did the chairs, we did everything. This restaurant looks totally different than it did 6 years ago,” said Sean.
With Virginia on board, many ideas and changes were made, much to the consternation of Stafford and Sean, who don’t like change. But change they did and with success. Sean wanted to create a signature dish, or something that they would become known for. Enter the gluten-free menu.
The first mention of gluten-free menu items in the restaurant was thought to be 2014. Today, the menu has evolved so that all items on the menu are also available gluten-free prepared in a safe environment.
“It started with one of our regulars was diagnosed (celiac) and she said to June, ‘What am I going to do for gluten-free fish and chips?’ June said, ‘Leave that with me.’ So it started with one customer and one fryer that grew into this conglomerate that we are now and we are the go-to place in southwestern Ontario,” said Sean.
People who suffer from celiac disease come to the restaurant and are emotional to know that they are in a safe place and they won’t get sick.
“When we leave the restaurant everyday, we know we made someone’s day, everyday. Somebody comes in and they are a newbie and we explain everything we do and they are like, ‘Wow, you do all this for us?’” said Sean.
They are certified with the Gluten-Free Food Program in the restaurant, making them the only such restaurant in southwestern Ontario. Their gluten-free food
truck is the only one of its kind in Canada.
“That is special, but what makes it remarkable is we try to roll back time when you walk through the door to prior to when that diagnosis or decision that made that person go gluten-free to begin with in the first place, because they are normally looking at the menu thinking ‘Okay, I’m going to get sick anyway so I’ll just have this salad.’ Deep fried food is so unusual and if it does exist it’s probably still not safe because of contamination.
Just one crumb can make someone sick,” said Virginia. Deep fired mushrooms, cheese sticks, and colossal onion rings, which are their signature product, are among the items they sell wholesale. They have been selling wholesale for about a year and a half and are growing successfully.
Their success can be attributed directly to their staff and food quality. They changed the menu and improved processes. The regulars come in thanks in part to Stafford, who “knows everyone” and provides the heartwarming Newfoundland hospitality. Their chef Jarrod Hackett has been with them for about 17 years providing consistency and reliability. Dex, one of the other cooks, has been there for four years.
“We are welcoming and inclusive and develop our staff,” said Sean. “When we hire, we generally hire based on personality before skill. You can always get that skill level up, but we like to have fun here and everyone get along. Dex, when he was first hired, had troubles but we kept on with him and is now the per-
son we thought he would turn into four years ago. Our staff say this is the best place to work.”
“It too is the customers that have been the driving force to create this safe place. Our gluten-free food we are told everyday is good. We had a food scientist in whose job it is to taste the food. So I gave her two Colossal onion rings and asked her which was gluten-free. She pointed to one and I said no, they are both gluten-free. She was surprised,” said Virginia.
Wednesdays are gluten-free days which has been a twomonth trial. People have been accepting and tried it and found it to be just as tasty. In addition to the full menu options, the Robinsons are proud to have the best Irish Whiskey selection in the city. They are currently stiving to become entirely Canadian sourced ingredients for their products.
Their patio will be set up in time for their May 15 celebration of 20 years of ownership, when they are throwing a traditional kitchen party. There will be live music provided by Rick Bauer and in the evening, there will be an appearance by the band Maggie’s Wake.
“Bring your guitar and singing voice, bring your lawn chair and sit out and enjoy the day. We are going to do something quite unconventional as well. We decided to roll back the price to 20 years ago on the top seller, haddock and chips,” said Virginia. “We are giving back to the community and the people that support us.”
Annie’s Seafood Restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday and is located at 698 Ontario St.
LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent
To celebrate 20 years of ownership at Annie’s Seafood Restaurant, Sean and Virginia Robinson invite the community to a traditional Irish kitchen party on May 15, with food and music to enjoy.
(LISA CHESTER PHOTO)
SDSS Robotics Club is off to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas this May
For the first time in the history of the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB), a Stratford team is going to the Vex World Robotics Championship to be held in Dallas, Texas this May.
The Stratford District Secondary School (SDSS) Robotics Club 29295A, and the club as a whole, has worked very hard and qualified by designing, building, programming, testing and troubleshooting their robot to compete at the highest level.
This is an extremely exciting outcome especially after a most devastating defeat at provincials last year. After a season of dominance, they encountered confounding variables beyond their control that led to defeat. Not this year, though, as the team of seven prepares to travel with their robot to compete against teams coming from the world over. There will be 800 teams from 60 countries represented.
“It’s a pretty big deal; none of us have ever been there before and I have been speaking with other coaches who have been there to get some tips for how to get things set up,” said Andrew Bradshaw, club mentor and consultant, as well as an engineering teacher at SDSS. “That has been extremely useful. Even things like meals; we’re at the competition all day long and no outside food is allowed. The food there is overpriced and not a lot of variety, so I’ve gotten tips to get catering delivered to the door and there is a park across the road to go and eat. Just logistics like that can be challenging.”
This year, SDSS had three of the four teams in the club qualifying in competitions with Team A named tournament champions at one. This was expected to
University
be a rebuilding year for the club because many students graduated last year, and a younger crew is now on board. Yet the level of talent and experience elevated their performance and, as a result, the clubs were very successful at provincials with Team B finishing seventh and Team A qualifying for worlds.
“It’s been hard because at competition, we had a lot of teams that had more experience than us, and because we are a school team without the same funding, we can’t go to as many competitions or we can’t buy a certain part for a competition, so we have to budget,” said Declan O’Neill, Team A member.
“This year, the A team did a really smart thing where before the last competition they went to, they stopped developing as much and they practiced and worked on their autonomous code and got things to work really, really well. That was the secret to them winning the championship and provincials,” added Bradshaw. The game this year is called High Stakes. There are two teams of two robots each, so four in the arena at a time. There is the red alliance and the blue alliance, and the goal for each team is to get as many of their coloured rings onto the stakes as possible. There are five mobile stakes and two wall stakes; additionally there are two
alliance stakes that can only be scored on by each team’s alliance. Points are scored by putting the rings on stakes. Each game scores points during autonomous driving followed by manual driving.
Fundraising will be key to this endeavour. There are flights, hotels, cancellation insurance and food to cover. They even had to buy a special case for the robot to travel in.
“One of the teachers has made up a special t-shirt design for us to sell and we get $12 from each. There is a letter-writing campaign blanketing the community and CTV is going to come in for an interview at some point so we can hopefully get some fundraising there,” said O’Neill.
Additionally, there is a private sponsor interested, so two of the club members are planning a presentation for them.
Donating is an investment in the future of Stratford, said Bradshaw. It’s really hard to keep talent in Stratford, but by investing in the students, they are more likely to return. They have charitable status for donations, with tax receipts available.
The seven team members that will be travelling to the Vex Robotics World Championship in Dallas are Declan O’Neill, Matthew Olsen, Marek Carter, Gregor Harris, Pasha Rusin-Franke, Derrick James and Mario Banuls. While this is the group going, every single member of the club is responsible for the team’s success through support and cooperation. The club has been building for 10 years and each year brings more and more success as teams learn and evolve.
Those interested in supporting the club can contact the school or contact Andrew Bradshaw at andrew.bradshaw@ ed.amdsb.ca. The Vex Robotics World Championship is held May 6-8.
graduates display their final projects to the
Stratford community and
industry partners
Students conclude their final semester at the University of Waterloo’s Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business by showcasing their service design projects, aimed to reduce bias in society.
This year’s 2025 service design challenge consisted of 24 groups of students participating in a three-month research capstone project by gaining insight from mentors and industry professionals. Final capstone projects are designed with the purpose to be implemented with real-world functionality.
“After three months, we have accumulated a wide spectrum of topics,” said Will Zhao, assistant professor of organization and human behavior and course coordinator at the Stratford campus. “We talked about international student immigration, transportation for the elderly, and we discussed one thing that is very applicable in today’s time: combating media misinformation, along with
technological innovation through AI.”
Greg McIntyre, the digital media manager at the school, said that witnessing the students' energy and fresh approaches to the world, along with being willing to take feedback from mentors and instructors and implement the ideas, was rewarding.
“There’s a large group work component to many of the courses that are involved and no matter what job you're doing, you need to work well with others. So, our students are prepared from the courses,” said McIntyre.
“Students work together in a safe space and thrive in it when they go into the workforce. There are some significant alumni stories that I get to follow and celebrate their success.”
Zhao said that the curriculum focuses on three keywords, design, technology, and business. He continued by saying that one of the benefits of this challenge is for students to experience what large scale projects look like within a professional setting.
“These graduate students are serving the
society in a much larger capacity,” said Zhao.
“What makes this school very unique is that our programs are designed to give students exposure to those three keywords. It’s set up to provide them with the best expertise.”
Following the design showcase, an intimate graduation ceremony was held for fourth years, which featured Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma in attendance and provided a sendoff toast to the graduating students.
LISA CHESTER Times Correspondent
SDSS Robotics team have done it! Their entry into the Vex Robotics Competition has qualified for them to travel to Dallas, Texas, for the world competition.
(ANDREW BRADSHAW PHOTO)
ALEX HUNT Times Correspondent
Anita Voi, Aileen Chen, and Avery Slote discuss their senior transportation system for Grand River Transit in the Kitchener-Waterloo Region, as apart of their annual capstone projects for the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business.
(ALEX HUNT PHOTO)
Despite winter rearing its head in April, 2025 Canadian Dairy XPO posts big numbers
While the 2025 Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) didn’t reach the numbers of attendees that founder Jordon Underhill expected, largely due to the freezing rain which crashed into Stratford and other parts of the province on its opening day, this year’s event was still a huge success.
“It was an incredible year, despite the adversities,” Underhill told the Times after CDX wrapped up. “The best measurement of the success of the show are the companies, you know. … The companies that are rebooking, 85 per cent said for sure they're returning for CDX 2026, and basically the rest are just undecided in terms of scheduling. We have several companies wanting more space and those are kind of the key signals that tell you the show was successful.”
CDX ran this year from April 2-3 at the Stratford Rotary Complex and the WeCover Cow Coliseum. Over 350 companies from around the globe, representing 30 different countries, came to the XPO – as did a total of 17,600 dairy producers, just shy of the 18,000 Underhill was expecting to see. As he said, given that many were concerned about leaving their operations while their businesses and homes were out of power due to the storms, it is a testament to the quality of the sector.
“These guys got pickup trucks and they're bounded and determined to get to the show,” Underhill explained. “For me, again, speaks to the resilience of the category. These guys are battling factors
every day on the farm, so for them to drive in the truck through some inclement weather is not a huge deal.”
In addition to the sheer number of people that braved the weather, there were a number of promising metrics that Underhill and the team shared. As previously mentioned, 85 per cent of exhibitors plan to return, 98 per cent of attendees plan to return in 2026, 82 per cent of exhibitors reported quality sales leads, 56 per cent of those that attended were under the age of 35, and 26 per cent attended CDX for the first time.
For Underhill, the highlight of the whole show was the fact that everything went smoothly. As the organizer, public safety is always top of mind and there were a total of 6,000 lifts in and out of the trade show, on top of the thousands of people all crammed into the space. Due to a lack of parking spaces at the complex, visitors parked their vehicles all down McCarthy Drive, itself a huge undertaking.
Additionally, the annual Calves for a Cause live auction raised $35,500 for the London Children’s Hospital.
Underhill also said that having the
product of the dairy industry front and centre has grown to be a huge part of the show.
Every year since the first show, area 4-H members are able to volunteer and raise money for local clubs. This year, about 50 4-H volunteers served up 2,100 grilled cheese sandwiches, 950 milkshakes, coffee, and ice cream, with the proceeds going right back into 4-H programs.
This was also the first year that CDX operated under new ownership. Underhill and the German Agricultural Society (DLG), a non-profit organization based in Frankfurt, Germany, announced the acquisition in September of last year.
Underhill, who at the time of sale said that they agreed to the purchase because DLG didn’t want to make and “material changes” to the event, said that the location, organizing team, culture, planning, and spirit of the event has indeed remained the same and congratulated DLG on a successful entry into the North American market.
Reflecting on the many years operating and the milestones he and his team accomplished, Underhill said that it has been a pleasure watching multi-generational families walking through the exhibits year after year. As he said, CDX has taken on a life of its own.
“It started out as a business show,” Underhill said. “Then the trade show becomes an event and culture is built around it … And what I've seen is this culture built around the trade show, making it more than a trade show and an event – a place to be seen, a place to connect, a place to share success stories and also challenges. And I think those are both important.”
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
Despite the winter weather in April, about 17,600 dairy producers came to the 2025 Canadian Dairy XPO, taking over the Stratford Rotary Complex and the WeCover Cow Coliseum on April 2 and 3.
Oxford County 4-H volunteer members Janae Snyder, Lexi Dill, Jade Dill, with Mom Kirsten Dill, were all excited about serving great food and nutritious dairy treats for large crowds that attended.
Perth County 4-H dairy members Addison Hyatt and Nadine Egger were working in the Mueller Ice Cream booth, selling Markdale, Ontario’s own, Chapman’s ice cream.
(CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO)
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Support, not punishment, is needed to end homelessness in Ontario
UNITED WAY PERTH-HURON SOCIAL RESEARCH AND PLANNING COUNCIL
As Ontarians brace themselves for the impacts of tariffs from the United States, we need to address the cracks in our province’s foundations.
According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), more than 81,500 people are experiencing homelessness in our province, many in one of 1,400 encampments often located in public spaces and municipal parkland.
In Perth and Huron counties, it is now normal to see small encampments. Too many households (286 in January) are without a home, and most of them have been for extended periods of time. On any given night, some of these households will sleep unsheltered, outdoors, in a tent or a sleeping bag.
Encampments are not a solution — not for the people forced to live in them, not for surrounding residents, and not for municipalities struggling to respond.
The right response matters. As Doug Ford begins his third term as premier, we call on him to face a hard truth: punishment is not the answer.
Evidence shows that we cannot police our way out of this problem. Breaking up encampments without providing viable housing and essential supports doesn’t solve homelessness — it shifts it temporarily, pushing people into more unstable situations and reinforcing unjust disparities for marginalized groups.
Instead, the Government of Ontario can address poverty at its roots and break the cycles of poverty and exclusion. They can invest in holistic mental health and housing solutions that will meet immediate needs while promoting long-term stability and dignity for all.
With a new majority, Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government has a major opportunity, and a duty, to address this crisis.
Rural communities are succeeding with compassionate approaches
AMO reports that homelessness is increasing faster in rural areas than in urban centres. This reflects the underlying fact that rural areas typically see lower wages without necessarily having a lower cost of living. In 2024, the region, including Grey, Bruce, Perth, Huron and Simcoe counties, had the second highest Living Wage in the province, with only Toronto having a higher cost of living. At the same time, it has the lowest average wages in the province.
For those facing homelessness, rural areas have limited shelter, transitional housing and specialized support options. Vulnerable individuals must travel a greater distance to access services with fewer transportation options. Marginalized groups like racialized communities or people with disabilities will find it even harder to access supports that meet their particular needs.
Even with these challenges, our rural communities are already developing compassionate and effective responses to encampments. Encampment evictions are costly and degrading without reducing homelessness. Engagement-based models cost less and deliver better outcomes, helping people move from survival to stability.
The Heart to Home Bridge Housing Program in Huron County combines low-barrier transitional housing with intensive supports to help clients access stable housing. In its first three months, one-fifth of clients have graduated to longer-term housing solutions. This partnership between the County of Huron, CMHA Huron Perth and United Way Perth-Huron demonstrates a successful rural model for reducing chron-
ic homelessness.
The City of Stratford social services department has a strategy for responding to encampments across Perth County. They work persistently to build relationships with individuals sleeping outside and connect them to the housing supports they need.
Rural communities are developing approaches that work for managing encampments in their regions. What we need from the province are the resources to create concrete mental-health and housing solutions for people living in encampments, not steeper penalties.
Provincial investments are needed in mental health and housing
A full range of mental-health services, including harm reduction, crisis intervention and long-term treatment, must be part of Ontario’s housing strategy.
Without adequate mental-health and addiction supports tailored to varying needs, individuals in crisis end up in emergency rooms, shelters or with law enforcement, without the care they need. Strengthening community-based mental-health services prevents crises, improves outcomes and reduces costs in other systems.
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario estimates the cost of housing with supports is $2,200 per month ($72 per day). This provides significantly greater stability than a bed in a shelter ($2,083 per month), a correctional facility ($4,300 per month) or a hospital ($13,500 per month). Low-barrier, permanent supportive housing is more cost-effective while being more compassionate and successful.
Research shows that every $10 invested in supportive housing saves $21.72 in healthcare, social-services and justice-system costs. Yet Ontario has not made that investment, leaving many people cycling through crisis systems.
The new Ontario government has an opportunity to prioritize mental-health and housing solutions that address the problem at its roots. This is about more than doing the right thing — these are smart investments that help people stay housed and reduce the burden on other public services. This is about more than encampments — it’s about dignity
At its core, this isn’t about tents in the park. It’s about helping all Ontarians live with dignity, with sufficient income to meet basic needs. That means increasing social assistance rates and ensuring the minimum wage reflects a living wage so people aren’t forced into homelessness. As recommended by more than 400 non-profit housing experts convened by United Ways and partners, it’s about protecting the existing affordable housing we have and developing a new pipeline of affordable co-op and non-profit housing so people can find an affordable place to live.
The current government wants to protect Ontario from Donald Trump’s tariffs. If tariffs raise construction costs and put people out of work, homelessness, mental health and addiction may become even greater challenges.
All Ontarians deserve leadership that prioritizes their basic needs and human rights. Ontario is much stronger when its most vulnerable residents are supported. The Ford Government can act now to address poverty at its roots, prevent rising costs in emergency services and fortify the foundation of a strong Ontario.
This piece may not represent the views of all organizations and individuals who contribute to the United Way Perth-Huron’s Social Research and Planning Council. A version of this piece was developed by United Way Greater Toronto with input from United Ways across Ontario.
4-H Association looks back at another successful year in Perth County
There are organizations throughout the surrounding counties of Perth, Oxford and Waterloo, who have tremendous 4-H programs for youth interested in a number of clubs that are provided each year, through their various counties.
The Perth County 4-H Association held their annual meeting recently in the Kinkora Community Centre. Jessie Nyland, president of the local association, thanked all members and volunteers for “another successful 4-H year in Perth County in 2024.”
“The county organization has continued to offer some amazing clubs and opportunities for the participants to enjoy,” Nyland shared.
Last year, there were 21 clubs on offer, two of which were online and welcomed members from all across Ontario.
It also had three graduating members and several longtime volunteer awards presented, while at the same time welcomed all its new members and leaders that came aboard in 2024.
Nyland said “they had many members and leaders participating in provincial opportunities this year as well, including future leaders in action, the impact conference, discovery day, youth adventure camp, and the 4-H show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.”
She congratulated all those who represented Perth County with pride, at the provincial level.
The Perth County 4-H Association is always happy to reimburse a portion of the cost of attending provincial opportunities upon receiving a report on each member’s experiences.
She thanked “the amazing leaders we have in Perth County 4-H, and without
those volunteers, we would not be able to offer such a wide range of clubs and opportunities for young members to participate in.”
She also thanked “all the amazing members and parents who make it all worthwhile for the leaders to run and provide youth with resources and opportunities to develop into responsible, contributing and
caring leaders who create positive change in the world as we know it.”
Nyland also wanted to thank all the sponsors in the county, because without their interest, it would be hard to run the programs they run in 4-H each and every year.
She said the association is looking forward to another successful year of 4-H in Perth County in 2025.
Members of the Perth County 4-H Association met earlier this month to plan for another year of 4-H programming.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
GARY WEST Times Correspondent
Continental drift: the gradual movement of continents resulting from the motion of tectonic plates
In amongst the mess of emotional response from north and south of the Canadian/American line, concerning how we all want to live our lives, there is a somewhat unexpected and humbling phenomenon happening right now, bubbling up from beneath the surface of both countries’ combined anger and hurt. It extends deep. It reveals the fault line that no compassionate citizen put there, the fissure between the earth as it splits, where we stand upon the two halves staring at the gap, and feel, not divisiveness, but the loss of a profound connection that seemed to run through the Canadian and American soul –empathy.
Some might say that it is a quintessentially Canadian trait,
but we do not hold the rights to it. We can’t claim it as our own communal heartbeat, yet when it starts to drum, it can be deafening, and I will follow. It is the sound of the heart that knows, and it has spread within the earth's core to rise and reveal a groundswell of likeminded people all over the world, who simply want to accept differences and live in a state of peace alongside one another. War begins with a lack of empathy – always.
According to the 2025 World Happiness Report, Finland is the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year –with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and The Netherlands following closely behind. Why is that do you think, when we all live on this blue and green planet together? Because it is those countries that have the highest degree of equality (where people feel they have the rights everyone else does), diversity (where difference shine out), equity (where those differences are learned from), acceptance (where people know they matter because they are recognized), and belonging (because they can be who they are without judgement). Canada ranks higher (considerably) than the United States of America.
Not a surprise.
The results of the report say much about what works in the world of political activity. People do want to be united. People do want community. People do want to be recognized. It is a yearning from both sides of an opinion, otherwise we wouldn’t defend our point of view so vehemently. We want, in the very least, acknowledgement of our side.
Most recently I heard some very sad news from a friend who works in a company that has, for decades, transcended any divisions of vitriolic patriotism. He told me that the American arm of the company is concerned and afraid to carry on with the friendly and familiar comings and goings into our fair land, for fear of how they might be treated. My heart sank. I immediately recalled my own parents who, upon coming to Canada in the late 1950s from Germany, were themselves chastised in part for simply being German. It was, to say the least, unpopular at the time.
While it is true that Canadians are, for the most part, a friendly, polite, and welcoming people – it’s also true that when we are slighted, we get hurt and we get angry as any human being
would. I’m proud to say however, that most often we hold the ability to rise above, set an example and remain decent people. But what may be noticed around the globe, if one is paying attention, is a coming together amidst the chaos which is nothing short of miraculous. And not merely on this continent alone. There is an intuitive understanding of the adversity of the players on the stage, through personal and communal stories of misfortune – that cause those who are opposed to the insanity to not only say “We see you, hold strong, we are your friends and recognize your humanity” but also to say earnestly, on both sides, “We are sorry for what is happening to you.”
That small gesture of empathy speaks volumes about just how similar we all are. We have been forced to recognize the hurt that our countries have inflicted upon each other, and we are sorry for the hardship. That flies in the face of blind self-serving practices. Here we are serving up actions that neither side wants, for the most part, because individuals who are lacking in moral character have caused it to be so. That recognition of what actually is and the consequential embarrassment of it all, is at least, a
shred of hope and understanding in a time of stupidity and lack of judgement.
There are thousands of people coming together in recognition of a shared humanity, and if sincere enough and strong enough, no would-be king can put it asunder, as long as the strength of conviction extends itself beyond “I,” “me,” and “mine” and focuses on “us.” Quite simply, if an entire country refuses to cooperate, that country’s agenda cannot be carried out. That is precisely how India became independent of British rule.
Right now, Canadians and Americans have come together like never before through a shared sense of shock, a shared sense of fear and loathing, and countries around the globe are doing so through a recognition of what one faces in light of dictatorship. Some sense of freedom for all can surely be real, and love – well – it can certainly overcome if enough of us want it to.
UNTIL SOON. LIVE WELL. Stuart is a celebrant and the manager of Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services. It is his privilege to serve, dispel myths, and give information concerning his field of compassionate service.
Joy versus happiness: Why we need both to live a fulfilling life
In a world that constantly chases happiness – through success, wealth, or the next big moment – it’s easy to forget that there’s something deeper, quieter, and perhaps more sustaining than happiness: joy.
Though often used interchangeably, joy and happiness are not the same. Understanding the difference between the two can help us live more intentionally and discover a more rooted sense of well-being. Let’s explore what sets them apart, why both matter and how to cultivate each
one.
Happiness is typically tied to external circumstances. It arises when things go well –when we achieve a goal, receive praise, take a vacation, or enjoy a great meal. It’s often event-based and can be fleeting. Think of happiness as sunshine: warm and uplifting, but changeable depending on the weather.
Joy, on the other hand, is more internal and spiritual. It can exist even during difficult times.
Joy doesn’t require perfect circumstances; it emerges from meaning, connection, gratitude, and a sense of purpose. Joy is the steady flame that continues to glow even when the winds of life blow strong.
In short, happiness is a reaction while joy is a state of being. Therefore, we need to cultivate more moments of joy in order to feel fulfilled and deeply content. Why we need happiness
Happiness matters. It lifts our spirits, fuels our energy, and gives us moments to celebrate. These highs can motivate us, reward us for our efforts, and
deepen our appreciation of life’s pleasures.
Cultivating happiness is about giving ourselves permission to enjoy life. It’s okay to savor that dessert, laugh during a movie, or feel proud of an accomplishment. These moments are not superficial – they remind us we’re alive and deserving of delight.
To foster happiness, we should make time for activities we love, celebrate small wins (no matter how small), spend time with people who lift you up, and practice self-compassion. These are not luxuries. They are part of a holistic self-care.
Why we need joy
Joy runs deeper than happiness. It’s the sense of peace that comes from knowing who you are and living in alignment with your values. Joy can be present even in grief, stress, or uncertainty. It’s the warmth of holding a friend’s hand during hard times. It’s the stillness after meditation. It’s the quiet contentment of watching a sunrise.
Unlike happiness, joy doesn’t always look or feel exciting.
Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s sacred. But it’s powerful – and often more enduring.
To cultivate joy, we should reflect on our values, connect regularly with nature and the present moment, express gratitude daily, engage in acts of kindness and service, and nurture spiritual or creative practices. Joy is less about chasing and more about noticing. It often shows up when we pause long enough to receive it.
Living a life with both happiness and joy
True fulfillment comes not from choosing joy over happiness or vice versa – but from learning how to hold space for both.
Happiness adds sparkle to life. Joy adds depth. When we aim only for happiness, we risk disappointment when life inevitably gets hard. When we focus only on joy, we might forget to embrace the simple pleasures that make the journey enjoyable.
The key is integration. We should let happiness be our play and joy be our anchor. By cultivating happiness, we learn to sa-
vor the good. By cultivating joy, we build resilience for the hard. Together, they create a life that’s both light and grounded, exciting and peaceful.
A daily practice
If you want to begin cultivating both joy and happiness, try this simple daily check-in: What made me smile today (happiness)? What gave me a sense of peace or purpose today (joy)? By naming these experiences, you train your mind and heart to recognize both forms of fulfillment. Over time, this awareness becomes a lifestyle – one that invites more laughter, deeper connection, and lasting satisfaction. Therefore, joy and happiness aren’t in competition, they’re actually companions. One lights the way forward, the other steadies your steps. In a culture obsessed with feeling good above all else, don’t forget to also feel whole. Cultivate happiness through presence and pleasure. Cultivate joy through meaning and gratitude. When you do, life becomes not just something you endure, but something you truly live.
IRENE ROTH Times Freelance Columnist
STUART LENDER
Times Contributor
As I see it from America
PATRICK D. BURK Times Contributor
At the time of this writing, my wife and I are planning a trip to Stratford to be with friends over the Easter season. Since we visit so frequently it is wonderful for us to be in your beautiful city and surrounding area. From our discussions with our friends and family in Canada, we find it very interesting that the negative impact of our administration has not stopped or lessened in the past few weeks. In some cases, it seems to have increased. It is our hope that our Canadian
neighbours, family and friends understand that the position of the current American government reflects the minority and that this is not the feelings of all of us here in the United States.
We are very impressed with the statements, actions and advocacy that have come from the Canadian people. I read with wonder how the citizens of Quebec lined up on the border to protest statements and policies of the current administration. I have seen many of the purchase Canada promotions and news stories.
I am in awe of the pride and love that you all have for your country and your ideals. It is refreshing to see that as this president continues with the tariff charade and revolving door rhetoric that you Canadians stand up and fight back. You must continue the fight. As U.S. citizens, we cannot thank you enough.
The overall impact of this chaotic government that we are being forced to endure is not what we had expected as a nation to be our foreign policy plan. We
hoped that we would be good neighbors and participants in a caring and sharing world where one country assists its allies and provides a sense of security around the globe. It has become the exact opposite. In this, our “annus horribilis,” we are forced to watch as we become more isolated and alone. From threats of invasions to economic machinations, we persevere and hope that we all will see the end of this mess. The threats made to the people of Greenland are enough to send chills down our spine.
I do tend to look at some things as being positive these days as there does seem to be a sense of push back amongst the American people. Less people polled find the foreign exchanges and threats to be a good thing for our country. More people are finding out that the agenda of this administration is affecting them personally. We see veterans’ services being limited and cut off. Trucks of food and supplies to food banks are halted and not being delivered to the very poor
and those that serve them. Social Security for the elderly (and this includes me) and the disabled is threatened, and people are being picked up and jailed for no legal reasons other than they oppose what is being said in Washington or they do not have an acceptable skin color. Despite all of that, we are more aware, and we are speaking up louder than ever. Recent special elections have not gone the way of the current administration and more and more victories are coming from the courts and judicial system.
The public broadcasting system, National Public Radio and Voice of America, are being silenced and funding threatened and our arts organizations and the treasured Kennedy Center, as well as the Smithsonian Museums, are being trashed and burned to reflect the views and visions of this administration. Books are being yanked from educational institutions and finances threatened to colleges because of diversity and inclusion initiatives. This is NOT Ameri-
ca.
As we plan our Easter weekend in Stratford, we can only hope that we can be a source of information as well as be able to enjoy and spend time in what we consider to be a sane and safe environment that we love. It is impossible for us to believe that our wonderful neighbours and friends north of the border have been treated to this extreme. I would like to remind you that our situation and its policies are a result of roughly 39 per cent of registered voters casting a ballot for this person. More Americans voted for someone else or stayed home. That in itself is a sad state. It is NOT a mandate. It should be a lesson for all.
With that being said, your national elections are coming up at the end of this month. I am confident that you will elect true leaders and people that really do care about the citizens of Canada. It is imperative that you keep up the fight. We will be watching with interest and hope. That’s as I see it from America.
Earth Rise: We must use or lose public transit
gas-powered vehicles which is, of course, devastating our planet.
This installment is a follow-up to “Earth Rise: The transit solution,” which can be found at https://www.granthaven.com/ post/earth-rise-the-transit-solution.
We have been battered, lately, by illwinds of many kinds and from many directions including those, most foul, emanating from south of the border. But we must not allow these challenges to divert us form the task at hand: finding cleaner ways of living so that future generations can continue calling this beautiful planet home.
In the first installment of this series looking at Stratford’s transit system, we looked at the various ways in which Mike Mousley, manager of Stratford transit, has been able to improve our city’s bus service over the ten years that he has held the post. We also looked at the changes that still need to be made for the system to become a more convenient and reliable solution to our over-dependence on
But, of particular concern to me was that not one of the environmentalists I know here in Stratford, including Mike himself, has any intention of using public transit on a regular basis or even at all. Without delving too deeply into the mysteries of the human psyche, this installment will be looking at possible reasons for these baffling contradictions.
The Christian faith cautions us on how easy it is (and please forgive my embellishments here) to spot the splinter in our neighbour’s eye and miss the log in our own. Eyes aimed forward, we humans see exactly how others are missing the mark, exactly how others are being environmentally non-compliant, and are almost entirely unaware that we too are part of the equation. To a person, my fellow environmentalists will consistently and insistently declare that public transit is key to solving our besieged planet’s environmental crisis, and these good souls genuinely fret over the fact that people are
Remember that time when Amazon sponsored your church fundraiser?
simply refusing to use it. When asked how often they, themselves, use public transit, their concerned faces go blank, as if they had just been spoken to in Klingon. “Oh no,” one dear lady almost shouted at me, “I can’t use public transit, I need my car!” Splinter and log.
And now comes the part where I must tread lightly indeed. Though I may be mistaken, I’m suspecting that there is also an element of classism at play here.
A car, as we all know (because advertisers have told us so), is not just a means of transportation, it is a message to everyone around us: “I earned this car and I deserve this car. I am far too busy and my work is far too important for me to be having to wait around for anything, especially for a bus, in the rain, rubbing elbows with the hoi-polloi.” If this has hit a nerve, and it was (ever-so-slightly) meant to, please take note and make the changes that are so desperately needed.
Whatever the reason, 42 per cent of respondents to an online survey (please see City of Stratford, Transportation Master
Remember when Facebook bought a case of Girl Guide cookies to support your daughter?
Plan, pg. 95 ex. 4.36) indicated that there were no improvements that could possibly be made to interest them in using the Stratford transit system. We know that 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) come from transportation. So it seems, sadly, that unless these folks are all driving EVs, which means that they are only contributing to the 30 per cent GHG emissions of the mining and manufacturing sectors, a significant number of Stratford’s good citizens are choosing not to do their part in averting environmental disaster. ‘Splain that to the grandkids.
If Stratford’s environmentalists won’t use public transit – if even the manager of the Stratford transit system won’t us public transit – what message are we sending to our young people, and what hope is there for our world?
Use it, folks, or lose it… all.
If you know of an individual, company or organization that deserves recognition for their innovative and sustainable environmental practices, please contact me at frogs-a-leaping@tutamail.com.
Remember when Google provided free pizza to your child’s soccer team when they won the championship?
ANNA KOWALCHUK Times Contributor
OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: More than just a bucket list destination
This article is about St. John’s, Nfld., but let’s start in downtown Toronto, specifically, at the fascinating attraction called Little Canada.
During my visit to Little Canada, I was “littlized.” Sadly, this does not indicate an effective diet plan. Instead, a miniature of me – three quarters of an inch in height – was produced through a 3D photography and subsequent molding process. I was asked where I would like my mini-me to be placed in Little Canada. And about three weeks later, I received a photo of the tiny Paul loitering just outside the YellowBelly Brewery in St. John’s, Nfld. Why there? Two reasons – because St. John’s is an amazing place to visit, and because the YellowBelly tavern is a terrific source of excellent beer, good food and great stories.
It probably says everything you need to know that when registration opened for our 2024 Travel Media Association of Canada conference in St. John’s, the 250 available spots were filled in two hours, and a waiting list was growing by the minute. St. John’s is clearly one of Canada’s bucket-list destinations, and deservedly so. I
suspect it will become even more popular as more Canadians opt to explore Canada.
I loved a lot of things about St. John’s. There is, of course, Signal Hill, the iconic location at which Guglielmo Marconi received the first-ever transatlantic wireless signal in 1901.
Oddly, that’s not where the name originated. Signal Hill was a key post used for military signaling (initially by flags) as early as 1704.
As communication became more modern, Signal Hill became the terminus of eight telegraph cables connecting Newfoundland (and points south and east) to Ireland.
Signal Hill boasts an historic tower and amazing views, but this being Newfoundland, home of the friendliest folks you’ll meet, one of the biggest attractions is a man and his dog – Ed Jackman and his 140-pound Newfoundland named Sable Chief. They come to the hill almost every day, and Sable Chief
happily poses for photos – no charge – with visitors.
Of course, visitors to St. John’s also have to capture photos of the colourful houses in Jelly Bean Row – although I find this rather amusing, since it would seem that at least half the homes in the older sections of St. John’s are equally brightly hued.
Every attraction in St. John’s comes with a story or three. The home of the governor general, in the midst of a beautiful park, has a rather quixotic feature – a moat! Our guide, Jeff Howard, told us when the stately home was constructed, the governor of the time held that office both in Newfoundland and in Bermuda. He ordered the construction of an official residence in each place and wanted a moat around the Bermuda building. But the plans got switched, and here, on high ground in peaceful Newfoundland, the official residence of the
King’s representative is protected by an entirely unnecessary moat.
One of the most popular districts in St. John’s is Quidi Vidi, home to the amazing craftspeople housed in the Quidi Vidi Artisan Studies, as well as a terrific brewery named for the village. That’s just one of the unique small communities within easy distance of downtown St. John’s, all worth a visit!
Of course, most visitors to St. John’s – and thousands of locals –spend a lot of time in the pubs and clubs of George Street. Heck, the Great Big Sea song, “The Night Pat Murphy Died,” pays homage to this party central.
“They stopped the hearse on George Street outside Sundance Saloon; They all went in at half past eight and staggered out at noon.”
And that brings us back to the YellowBelly Brewery. It’s ideally located; its front door is on Wa-
ter Street, its rear entrance on George.
And don’t get the impression it is named for cowards; YellowBelly is the name of hurling teams from Wexford, Ireland – and they don’t come tougher than Irish hurlers.
Brenda O’Rielly owns the place. She told me it has stood on Yellowbelly Corner since before the 1700s and has been occupied by a lot of different businesses. She bought the building 22 years ago and, before opening, spent five years doing renovations and turning it into the thriving enterprise it is today.
YellowBelly’s beers are unique creations, brewed onsite. But there is still room for a total of 700 patrons – not counting the patio, open in warmer weather. The beer labels reflect the Irish/ Newfoundland connections of the place: Wexford Wheat, Come From Away, Fighting Irish Red Ale and, my favourite, YellowBelly Confederation Ale with a can featuring a wildly colourful portrait of the first premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood. St. John’s may be a bucket-list destination, but for me, it certainly isn’t one I would check off as been there, done that. This hospitable, unique community is a place you will want to spend time in, again and again. And when I do, you’ll be able to find me right there at the YellowBelly Brewery. Although unlike mini-me at Little Canada, I will probably be inside with a pint close at hand.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and President of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@ golden.net.
YellowBelly Brewery owner Brenda O'Rielly spent five years renovating the historic St. John's building before opening.
PAUL KNOWLES Times Contributor
The famed Jelly Bean Row in St. John's.
The "littlized” Paul Knowles outside the scale model of the YellowBelly Brewery at Little Canada.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
Stratford Legion hosts
Burger and Fry Night
The Stratford Legion held its final Burger and Fry Night of the winter on March 28. The barbecue team of Dave Mewhinney and Ernie Jordan weathered the wind and rain to prepare burgers for 140 hungry guests. Organizers thanks their 11 volunteers who did the barbecuing, cooked the fries, plated and served guests of all ages. They hope to see everyone again in the fall.
The winning teams of the final spring euchre tournament held at the Stratford Legion on April 11 were Tim Bossence and Elg Pfaff in first (centre), Brenda Powell and Jack Noxell in second (left), and Dave and Anne-Marie Beneteau in third (right).
Legion representatives thanked all the players that attended the four evenings this past winter and spring, helping with fundraising efforts. Another tournament will start again in October.
(STRATFORD LEGION PHOTO)
(STRATFORD LEGION PHOTOS)
CLASSIFIEDS
Victoria Young Fink (nee: Yatychyshyn), formerly of Rostock / Larder Lake, died peacefully in London, Ontario on April 13, 2025, at the age of 98. She is predeceased by her husband Gordon Edward Fink (2017), her two children Ardene and Dennis, nine siblings, her nieces Vera and Alice, her nephew Randy and is lovingly remembered by her remaining children Dianna and Gerald (Kris). She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren: Jennifer (Steven), Jeremy, Anthony, Tracy, Mary, Shay (Derek) and Arlene (Keith) as well as many great-grandchildren and extended family – Randy’s wife Barb, sister-in-law Joan, step daughter Betty (Brent) and best friend Ann Bald. She also leaves behind, from her Ukrainian side, her nephew Boris Yatcyshyn and his family.
Victoria had many things that she loved to do when she wasn’t working in her vegetable garden or picking apples in Gordon’s orchard. She enjoyed baking, making delicious jams, apple cider and pickles. She loved to crochet and made many afghans for family and friends. She read romance novels, and watched Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and played Bingo. Her grandchildren, while loving her dearly, considered her stubborn at times, outspoken and occasionally harsh but also were taught that love does not come easy.
Victoria will be celebrated at a casual gathering for her family and her friends on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services, 804 Ontario St., Stratford, 519-271-5062, between 2 – 4 pm. Formal words will be spoken at 3 pm.
Donations in her memory may be made through the funeral home to a charity of one’s choice.
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: DIAMOND DOGS MUSIC 114 Ontario St. Stratford / 226-972-5750
WANTING TO BUY – All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals. Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.
Fair value offered for your vinyl records, cassette tapes & hifi components. Please contact Sound Fixation, 519801-5421, 4 George St. W, Stratford.
I WILL PAY CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES – Coca Cola Pepsi any pop company, Brewery items Kuntz, Huether Labatts etc. Old radios and gramophones, Wristwatches and pocket watches, Old fruit jars Beaver Star Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs Red Indian Supertest etc. Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me - 519-570-6920.
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. Mon-Sat 7:00am to 6:00pm Martin's Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
SHOP LOCAL.
SAVE LOCAL
Support the local businesses that support your local newspaper.
Wildwood Care Centre (Retirement Living). Private room accommodations for Senior living available, can accommodate couples. Price $2800 to $4600 monthly. Meals, basic care, medication management and staff available 24/7. For tours call Lisa at 519-284-3628.
Crystal Varley, a volunteer with FIO, and Major Elaine Honcharsky of the Salvation Army stand outside Giant Tiger collecting donations during the Easter Food Drive. Their warmth matched the spring sunshine as they rallied support for local families in need.
The Easter Bunny made a special appearance at the Stratford Rotary Complex for the Easter Market on April 6, spreading smiles, hugs, and Easter cheer to visitors of all ages.
(JULIA PAUL PHOTO)
(JULIA PAUL PHOTO)
Riddles
Why did the Easter egg hide? It was a little chicken!
What do you call a bunny who tells jokes? A funny bunny!
Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? It might crack up!
How does the Easter Bunny stay in shape? Egg-cercise!
What kind of stories do Easter eggs tell their children? Yolk tales.
What do you call an Easter Bunny who gets kicked out of school? Egg-spelled!
Why did the Easter Bunny cross the road? Because the chicken had his day off.
What do you get when you cross a rabbit with a shellfish? The Oyster Bunny.
How do you send a letter to the Easter Bunny? By hare-mail!
Why was the Easter Bunny so upset? He was having a bad hare day.
BOURBON
Say help to Bourbon. Your next outdoor adventure buddy with a big voice and an even bigger heart! This energetic, large-breed pup lives for the outdoors and thrives on scent work, tracking, and trail games. He’ll need a home that can keep up with his zest for adventure and provide plenty of enrichment to keep his nose and brain busy. Bourbon is best suited to an active, outdoorsy family who appreciates his enthusiastic (and sometimes vocal) personality. Though he's always ready to hit the trail, he’s also happy to cuddle up after a long day. Ready to roam with Bourbon? Visit kwsphumane.ca to learn more!
