Manotick Messenger November 18, 2022

Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair Nov. 22-23 at EY Centre

Last week, it was an honour to attend several Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Carleton riding.

Remembrance Day is special because it makes us reflect. Some reflect on family members or people they knew who lost their lives serving our great country. For others, it can be more general as we pay tribute to the multitudes of Canadians who have made sacrifices for this country – from the Battle of Sommes in the First World War to Vimy Ridge and D-Day in the Second World War, the Korean War, and more recently, the wars in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

It also reminds us of the important role that our local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion play in the community and in the every day lives of veterans and their families.

If you have not been to any of the local Remem-

brance Day services, or have not been for many years, I hope you will consider attending one in your community next year. While the services are somewhat sombre, they always give us a poignant reminder of the incredible sacrifices made by Canadians who have made our country, and the world, better for all. We will remember them.

Gingerbread Man

This week, our hearts go out to Richard Palframan and his wife, Kaori, of Manotick, owners of the Gingerbread Man. The building on Tighe Street served as both their storefront, and their home. While no one was injured

in the blaze, the losses they suffered are unimaginable to most of us.

While it will take a long time for them to rebuild their lives and their business, the silver lining in this darkest of clouds has been the response from the community. The genuine care and support shown by the residents of Manotick and the surrounding communities who have been patrons of the Gingerbread man for the past generation is truly remarkable and inspiring.

Fines Doubling for Unethical, Illegal Home Cancellations

The Ontario government is doing more to protect new home buyers by doubling the maximum fines for unethical builders and vendors of new homes who unfairly cancel a new home project or terminate a purchase agreement.

Proposed changes under the New Home Construction

Licensing Act (NHCLA), would, if passed, increase existing maximum financial penalties from $25,000 to $50,000 per infraction, with no limit to additional monetary benefit penalties. Under these new changes, unscrupulous developers could now be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for each unfairly cancelled contract. Unethical developers who engage in these practices could also face the risk of permanently losing their builder’s licence.

The proposed changes will also enable the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) to use the money received from these penalties to make payments back directly to consumers who have been adversely affected by builders and vendors who break the law. This change would make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide such compensation to

consumers.

Once proclaimed into force, the HCRA would have the authority to impose financial penalties retroactively to contraventions that occurred on or after April 14, 2022 – the date the More Homes for Everyone Act,2022 received Royal Assent.

The government is also doubling maximum financial penalties for repeat offenders of the NHCLA, with individuals now facing charges of $100,000 and corporations of $500,000, up from $50,000 and $250,000 respectively. Individuals found guilty may also face a sentence of up to two years in prison.

This builds on the government’s previous efforts to deter unethical builders and vendors, most recently in the More Homes for Everyone Act. The government doubled financial penalties for individuals and corporations who breach

the HCRA’s Code of Ethics by trying to rip off Ontarians to $50,000 for an individual and introduced a new fine for corporations at $100,000.

This is the government’s next step in holding builders and vendors of new homes to professional standards under the More Homes For Everyone plan.

Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair

The Ontario government is working for workers by launching career fairs this fall to prepare the next generation of young people for rewarding and well-paying jobs in the skilled trades. These fairs address labour shortages in high-demand sectors and help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031.

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goldie

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Level Up! is a series of dynamic, multi-day career fairs highlighting the 144 different skilled trades. For the first time, students in grades 7 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about these lifechanging careers. The first career fair kicked off October 25 to 27 in Mississauga, with subsequent fairs planned in London, Sudbury, Ottawa, and Thunder Bay.

The Ottawa Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair is scheduled for Nov. 22 (open house in the evening) and Nov. 23 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) at the EY Centre, 4899 Uplands Drive.

Additionally, the government is bringing the province’s apprenticeship system into the 21st century. Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) — the provincial agency leading the transition to a simplified, modernized skilled trades and apprenticeship system — is introducing digital logbooks that allow apprentices to electronically track their progress, instead of carrying paper books. This new online solution coincides with the launch of the agency’s official logo and branding, now on their website.

These initiatives build on the government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support, and protect workers, making Ontario the top place in the world to work, live and raise

a family.

Ontario Supporting Paid Internships for Postsecondary Students

The Ontario government is providing over $10 million to help Mitacs — an organization that builds research partnerships between postsecondary institutions and industry — create 2,700 paid internships for postsecondary students which will help them gain the skills they need to secure indemand jobs after graduation. This latest investment supports high-quality research in the province and demonstrates Ontario’s commitment to experiential learning.

Through partnerships with Mitacs, the government is continuing to fund thousands of research internships for undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. These internships range widely in discipline, with support for key provincial priorities like critical minerals, manufacturing, and health care.

For example, interns with the University of Toronto recently worked on a project with local start-up Quantum Bridge Technologies that focused on building a faster, more secure internet for everyday communication and commerce.

Ontario’s latest funding for Mitacs builds on the government’s ongoing efforts to help advance Ontario made research and innovation at postsecondary institutions across the province and helps pos-

ition businesses and students for success.

Mitacs internships are paid learning placements that last four months and may be online, on-site or a combination of both.

The investment will fund internships in the following programs:

- Accelerate enables college, polytechnic, and university students across all disciplines to participate in applied research projects, while allowing industry and not-for-profit organizations to

benefit from students’ talents to achieve their innovation goals.

- Elevate is a two-year research management training program and postdoctoral fellowship designed to develop critical career skills while completing a collaborative research-based project with a partner organization.

- Globalink offers programs designed to promote two-way international research collaborations for senior undergraduate and graduate students. Globalink builds international networks and

experiences, and positions Canada as a top destination for innovation and research.

- Business Strategy Internship is a program that offers collaborative internships and matches students with businesses or not-for-profit organizations to apply their technical expertise to support business innovation activities.

- Since 2017, Ontario has allocated over $57 million to Mitacs to support up to 14,205 research internships.

The government is investing more than $500 million over the next 10 years to

support high-value research undertaken across Ontario’s universities, colleges, research institutes and research hospitals.

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Inspirations gallery

GOLDIE

- Goldie Your voice at Queen’s Park

The Manotick Art Association tried something new for their Inspirations Fall Art Show, held at the Manotick United Church Oct. 29-30. Rather than have each artist with a display of their work, the show was set up like an art gallery, showcasing the works of local artists. The show was well-attended and deemed a success by organizaers.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari attended Remembrance Day services in the Carleton riding Sunday. Above, she lays a wreath in Kars, while later on, she assisted with the firing of the cannon during the North Gower ceremony.

Community rallies to support Gingerbread Man after devastating fire

By Manotick Messenger staff

Manotick and surrounding area are rallying to support the Gingerbread Man, an iconic local business that was devasted by fire Fri., Nov. 4.

Firefighters from the Manotick Fire Department were the first on the scene. According to one of the firefighters, their work went beyond fighting the fire as efforts were made to save any inventory and supplies they could. Among the items that were saved were the recipes that were the backbone of what the business was built on.

“It’s devastating for us,” said Richard Palframan, whose baked delicacies have been part of the fabric of the village for the past generation. “Obviously this could not have happened at a worse time for us, but the response from the community and the support we have received is incredible. It is very hum-

bling.”

Palframan and his wife, Kaori, live upstairs from their business on Tighe Street. Palframan was in the bathroom, about to get in the shower.

“I heard something downstairs and at first I thought it was my wife,” he said. “Then I realized it wasn’t, and I went to see what was happening. I was barely dressed.”

Palframan went downstairs and the wall of heat burned his hair. The fire would quickly destroy their business, as well as their lives.

“It only took about 30 minutes for the fire to consume everything,” he said.

Palframan said the fire started between two walls adjacent to the kitchen. It completely destroyed the kitchen, including the equipment and special instruments used. He said that investigators had not yet been able to determine the cause of the blaze.

“This is a 150-year-old

building,” he said. “It could have been one of a number of things.”

The Worst Timing

The timing could not have been worse for Richard and Kaori. Their business is geared for the Christmas season. Palframan estimates that the business will lose about $150,000 in orders and business.

“Sure, there is insurance that will cover some things, but it will take us a long time to recover from this and rebuild,” he said. “We are going to have to try and raise at least $100,000 in order to keep going. We work for about eight months to prepare for about six weeks leading up to Christmas. All of that work was lost.”

Palframan apprenticed under a five-star chef for seven years and perfected his abilities as a baker. He moved to Manotick in 2001, and over the next decade saw his business grow organic-

ally. By 2011, he had opened the Gingerbread Man. The store became a fixture in the village and drew many visitors to the community.

“People come to Manotick to experience the shops and restaurants, but one of the businesses that brings people to the village is the Gingerbread Man,” said retiring Manotick BIA Executive Director Donna Smith in a 2019 interview with the Messenger.

One of the biggest showcase days of the year for the Palframans is Manotick’s annual Women’s Day. They were able to set up a display on a table in front of their store with some of the gingerbread houses and baked goods on display. Rather than talk about their gingerbread houses, famous butter tarts, and Kaori’s signature banana breads and shortbread, they talked to customers about how they hoped to be back.

The kitchen was the hardest hit of the rooms in the Gingerbread Man building. gingerbread continues on page 5

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Customers, whether they were regular or occasional, all offered their best wishes and support. There were tears and promises of prayers from many who stopped by.

GoFundMe campaign

Palframan started a GoFundMe page to assist with his fundraising efforts. Within 48 hours, close to $20,000 had already been raised.

“Unfortunately, the fire destroyed the shop at the busiest time of year, with Christmas fast approaching. Richard and Kaori had been working tirelessly to fulfill the

gingerbread house order book and keep the shelves stocked with Christmasthemed cookies and delicious baked goods. All food, including the freshly decorated gingerbread houses, kitchen equipment, and, most importantly, family treasures/ memorabilia, have all been lost.

“While we may not have many answers, we hope to rebuild and bring back the Gingerbread Man to Manotick,” the GoFundMe page says.

There is a link to the GoFundMe campaign at the bottom of the story on the fire on the Manotick Messenger website at manotickmessenger.ca.

gingerbread

The Gingerbread Man building will have to come down and be rebuilt following the fire that destroyed it Nov. 4.

Visitors to the Gingerbread Man offered their best wishes and support on Women’s Day in the village.

Many dairy products have been priced out of the market

The Canadian Dairy Commission has just released its recommendations for 2023. Unlike last year’s shocking 8.4 per cent, which was almost double the previous record, the increase won’t be as dramatic.

MESSENGER EditoRial from the other side

According to Statistics Canada, food prices overall are up 10.3 per cent over last year, and dairy products are now 9.7 per cent more expensive compared to last year. The attention grabber in the dairy section was butter. In many parts of the country, butter is 20 per cent more expensive than last year. Many people have just given up on the product and are now opting for non-dairy alternatives.

The Canadian Dairy Commission’s work has priced many dairy products out of the market, impacting demand for many products. And once you lose consumers, it may be for good.

With Canada Day approaching next week, it is a good time for us all to reflect on what it means to be Canadian.

The best thing about open borders

So the land border at the Prescott-Ogdensburg bridge a little more than a half hour down the 416 is not completely wide open.

But it’s more open than it was. The ArriveCan app is gone. As the border agent on the Canadian side of the bridge told me last week, “That app was useless.”

Visitors from Canada are required to be vaccinated if entering the United States, but there is no American version of the ArriveCan app.

Do we take being Canadian for granted?

Prices need to be kept under control as much as possible. In Eastern Canada, which includes eastern Ontario, retail prices aren’t even discussed. It’s all about prices on the farm.

Better yet, how do new Canadians feel about being Canadian? Some of us look upon immigrants and refugees as opportunists, not wanting to give but very willing to take. Perhaps, for some people, that is true, but when you attend a celebration for new Canadians, such as the one hosted by NepeanCarleton MP Pierre Poilievre at Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven last month, you can see the excitement and the thankfulness in the eyes of every new Canadian.

Last year, that group won, which is why we saw farm milk prices increase by more than 11 per cent. This year, the strategy appears to be about market retention while covering rising production costs. Unlike in other years, the Canadian Dairy Commission actually invited the media to a press conference to announce price hikes and answer questions. Such an approach was very refreshing. Typically, the Commission would just post a brief, 200-word abstract on its website, announcing the increase. It was simply insulting.

A recent trip to pick up some early Christmas shopping at the Ogdensburg UPS store from a “Does not ship to Canada” website prompted my first trip to the Burg in what seems like forever. When my package arrived, it was time to pry open my passport and dust off the cob webs.

Chicken McNuggets became so popular that other QSR chains quickly rolled out their own versions. As a result, there was a chicken shortage in the food supply chain. The McRib was an alternative. Arend said the sandwich would have been cheaper and easier to produce if it was a round patty on a hamburger bun. But he is an executive chef. He wanted the McRib patty to look like a rack of ribs on a bun. It even had ridges. I wonder if anyone ever thought they would think there were bones in the sandwich and that they would chip their teeth? I guess when people say, ‘there is no such thing as a stupid question,’ we just blew up that theory.

They understand, perhaps better than all of us, what it means to be Canadian.

So how can the rest of us have that feeling?

The Conservative government has a solid idea.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Andrew Cohen, President of the Historica-Dominion Institute, are challenging middle and high school students to take the citizenship test.

Last year’s 8.4 per cent increase was a complete disaster, undermining consumer trust. Social media massacred the Commission due to its lack of compassion or sincerity.

At the school’s 50th Anniversary Party, Manotick Co-operative Nursery School honoured its longest-serving teacher/volunteer with a memorial garden bench, which will be installed with a plaque in the school’s playground. Left to right, MCNS Director Sandy Erler and June Hodge celebrate June’s 29 years as a supply teacher, teacher and volunteer.

This year, not only was the presentation thorough, but journalists were also able to ask questions. The Commission is showing signs of openness, but more must be done.

The Canadian Citizenship Challenge, funded in part by CIC and run by the Historica-Dominion Institute, will see students study Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship and then take a mock citizenship test.

The key is to understand how efficient our dairy farms actually are and what types of farms are included in the sample design. All these things matter when calculating costs. And as we witnessed this year, retail prices are strongly affected by how much dairy farmers end up getting. For every dollar paid for fluid milk at retail, about 40 to 60 per cent of the cost goes back to the farmer, depending on the brand and location of purchase.

“This will be a fun way for students to learn about Canada and feel proud of our shared history and accomplishments,” said Minister Kenney. “As we learn about our past and the people and events that made Canada what it is today, we become more proud to be Canadian. We are inspired to see how we can defend our rights and live up to our responsibilities and we feel much more strongly how valuable it is to be a citizen of Canada.”

Sometimes it’s best just to say nil

I’m finding myself at one of those bizarre crossroads where everything I love about sports is about to collide with a large swatch of the population working diligently to grate my nerves.

It’s this whole World Cup thing. Don’t you find that people are just a little too into it?

The governance of the Commission also needs to change. Right now, the Commission is controlled by two individuals severely compromised by their relationship with the dairy sector. The number of commissioners needs to expand to at least five academics, and foodrescuing agencies should be included. Right now, the perception of conflict of interest is nothing less than disturbing.

“Our schools need to be training our young people to become the citizens of tomorrow. Citizenship is not only about new Canadians, it’s about all Canadians, young and old,” said Andrew Cohen. “The Canadian Citizenship Challenge will encourage students to learn more about what it means to be Canadian and then put that knowledge to the test.”

Starting this summer, the Historica-Dominion Institute will be encouraging more than 5,000 middle and high school teachers to register their classrooms for the Challenge. Each classroom will receive a set of the new citizenship guide, along with specially designed learning activities. The teacher will also receive copies of a mock citizenship exam. Students will take the citizenship exam as a class and the teachers will return the completed exams to the Dominion Institute for grading.

I found myself in line in front of two nouveau soccer fan moms at Your Independent Grocer the other day.

FROM THE OTHER SIDE

By having a press conference, though, the Commission showed respect toward the Canadian public. That’s a start. Now some real changes are needed, and let’s hope it doesn’t stop there.

Results will be announced by the Dominion Institute on Flag Day (February 15) each year for the next three years. For more information about the Challenge please visit the Historica-Dominion Institute website at www.historica-dominion.ca.

CIC’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program will be investing $525,171 in this 32 month project which promotes civic memory, civic pride and integration.

Staff/Contributors: Ryan Birtch, Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, David Brown, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton, Charlie Senack, Irene Staron.

Advertising deadlines: DISPLAY Thursday prior 10 am. All layouts and composition of advertising produced by employees of Manotick Messenger Inc. are protected by copyright invested in the publishers of the Manotick Messenger

I was kind of in my own little mental world in the checkout line, scanning the tabloid and magazine covers and wondering what Justin Bieber’s first major scandal would be. I was just about to reenter the world after some quality time on Planet Jeff and launch into my weekly way-to-reward-your-customers-bycharging-us-five-cents-per-bag-and-claiming-it’sto-save-the-environment rant when I unexpectedly locked in on the conversation behind me.

By Jeffrey Morris

I got to the UPS Store and chatted with Mike, the owner, whom I had not seen since Christmas of 2019. From there, it was off to Walmart across the road. I had the radio in my car tuned to WSLB 1400, Ogdensburg’s ESPN sports radio affiliate. The high school playoff game between the OFA Blue Devils and Canton Bears was about to start. Walmart had the items I was looking for, including Whoppers Malted Milk Balls and Genesee Cream Ale. But none of my old Amish friends and their horses were in the parking lot, which meant no friendly chats and no selfies. They must have been at the game.

wonder about things like how come “underneath” is a word but no one ever says “overneath” when the discussion pulled me back into soccer.

“Chelsea is learning so much by watching the World Cup,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “We are studying each country before the game. She has really become a fan of Arr-hayne-TEE-na, and she even wants us to go there on our vacation next year. Perhaps we can even go to Brrra-seeel.”

That caught my attention.

The McRib patty is made from restructured ground pork shoulder. Meat restructuring was a process developed by the US Army to deliver low-cost meet to its troops in the field. The process was not patented, and McDonald’s used the work of meat scientist Roger Mandigo, who had been funded by the National Pork Producers Council. Using Mandigo’s techniques, McDonald’s developed the McRib patty using small flakes of pork shoulder meat.

The McRib has come and gone, and come and gone again. Rarely does it appear in Canada. But Ogdensburg is not too far away.

Arr-hayne-TEE-na? Are you kidding me?

The other mom – the one with the Birkenstocks – piped in.

I was about to drive home, but then I heard an ad on the radio. It changed my trip plans. It was trip-changing. No, wait, it was life-changing.

“I wish some of the stores would carry the vuvuzela horns so that we could bring them to Chelsea’s games,” said the mom who was wearing Crocs.

© Troy Media

“They are a wonderful football nation,” she said. “My husband, of course, wears the azure and cheers for Italia, but Zachary’s favourite team has been MAY-heee-co. They did a school project on MAY-heee-co last year and he has even insisted that we go to out to eat and watch the games when they are playing.”

The man’s soothing voice talked about the McRib Farewell Tour. Yes, the McRib was back for a limited time. I stopped. I salivated. On cue, my stomach growled.

“Oh, I know,” said the one wearing Birkenstocks. “Zachary has a tournament next weekend and it would have been so in the spirit of the World Cup to have all of us blowing our vuvuzela horns. They lost two-nil and then three-nil. They need all of the support they can get.”

Nil? Who says nil? Really.

I bit my tongue.

‘I have to get one,’ I thought. ‘It might be my last one ever. What am I thinking? I’m hungry. I’m getting two.’

“Oh, I know,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “The horns are such a beautiful part of the South African culture.”

I wanted to jump in and say something, but I refrained. I couldn’t do it.

In an effort to keep my blood pressure down, I looked out the big window at the big parking lot and scoped it out, looking for a puppy or a bird or anything that would pry my mind out of the shackles that these two soccer moms had put me in with their conversation.

After my McRib sandwiches, I went back home, stopping at the border to pay the duty for my UPS pick up and my Genesee Cream Ale, which was $14 for a 30-pack. There was a big mirror inside the customs building. I noticed I had McRib sauce smeared all over my face. I looked at my hands. They were covered in McRib sauce. It was under my finger nails. It was on my wrists. It was everywhere.

I got to McDonald’s, ordered on the big giant employee-replacing tablet, and waited anxiously like a kid at the front of the line at the mall when Santa decides to take a pee break just before it’s his turn.

If you are unfamiliar with the vuvuzela horn, then you have not tuned into CBC over the past two weeks. If you stumble across a World Cup soccer game on CBC, you will hear what sounds like 50,000 bees swarming the field. They are not bees. They are people blowing on cheap, plastic, gimmicky horns.

The funny thing about these horns is that they have become what has defined the 2010 World Cup.

People who have been following the World Cup and people who have only seen 20 minutes of it in passing have commented on these annoying yet relentless horns. Ironically, while the world has learned to adapt these horns as the one thing they now know about South African culture, the horns aren’t really a part of their everyday lives. South African sports enthusiasts have commented that they had never seen nor heard a vuvuzela horn at a sporting event, and that the South African people find the noise just as annoying as the rest of the world does.

A busload of seniors from a nearby retirement home had pulled up and passengers were getting off. I was trying to, in my head, name all of their walkers as an escape.

Unfortunately, they pulled me back in. “My cousin lives in Australia, and he was devastated when Germany beat them 4-nil,” said the mom wearing Crocs.

At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. Mount Patience erupted and out came sarcasm lava.

‘I’m basically wearing McRib cologne,’ I thought to myself. ‘Why don’t they have that?’

That one was absolutely not a stupid question.

I think I even got some McRib barbecue sauce on my passport. We will find out next time I use it if the pages are stuck together.

“I saw that match,” I said. “I can’t believe AusTRY-lier looked so insipid against Deutschland.”

The mom with the crocs was not impressed.

The mom with Birkenstock’s wasn’t either, but she did acknowledge me with a response.

“Who is your team?” she quipped, condescendingly.

I did the only thing I could do, shouting as loud as I could.

“USA! USA! USA!”

They turned their heads in disgust. The next 45 seconds were incredibly silent and awkward.

But a McRib. This was better than Christmas. This is the sandwich that I grew to love through my teenage years and beyond. It was perfect. As I would say when I was at Carleton, it was sandwich adroitness bordering on superfluity. I spent a lot of money to go to school there just to learn words like that. If only I knew then that I would only use expensive words when the McRib was back.

At that point, it was my turn. The cashier scanned my Diet Coke and V-8 Fusion, and I was all set.

When I got home, I knew what I was in for.

“Look at yourself!” the Diva said, in disbelief yet not in disbelief. “Of course you would come home covered with McRib sauce. I will do a laundry, and I want you to go have a shower because you’re not going to bed smelling like a McRib.”

Apparently, some now wealthy marketing genius came up with the idea to mass produce and market these horns as a World Cup novelty. The plan worked, and now the rest of the world must endure the shrilling sounds of his quick buck.

I was just about to drift back into ADD world and

“Would you like plastic bags?”

“Yes please,” I replied.

I had never been so happy to pay five cents for a plastic bag just to get the hell out there.

The McRib was developed by McDonald’s executive chef Rene Arend in 1981. He is from Luxembourg. Arend also invented the Chicken McNugget. He may be the most influencial creator in quick service restaurant history.

Jeffrey Morris was the 2008 OCNA Columnist of the Year. His book, From the Other Skide, is available at Manotick Office Pro, Barrhaven UPS Store, and Pages in Prescott.

So much for the cologne idea.

Now, I sit here every day, thinking of a reason to get back to Ogdensburg before the McRib is gone forever.

At least until its next Farewell Forever Tour!

Bev McRae photo

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Ontario government in the black creates an unexpected dilemma for Ford Government

The Editor,

It seems Doug Ford can’t get anything right! It was almost surreal to see Ontario’s “aw shucks, folks” Premier tossing education workers under the bus for no apparent reason. This from a guy who recently got re-elected by reinventing himself as some kind of a champion of the Labour movement!

It’s astonishing when we consider that Ford’s Bill 28, the euphemistically-named “Keeping Students in Class Act” was so eerily-similar to a 2012 Bill introduced by Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals, known as Bill 115. Also a bill that forced a contract on education workers while violating their charter rights, Bill

115 was equally euphemistically-named as the “Putting Students First Act,” because whether you’re a Liberal or a Tory, it’s never about shafting workers, it’s always all about the children, don’t you know? No doubt Doug found himself having to back down when his new-found union chums discovered that rather than electing a champion for their cause, they’d seemingly managed to elect Dalton McGuinty 2.0.

Of course, Ford’s attempt to railroad education workers was based on his “the cupboard is bare’’ fiscal narrative, which he’s been preaching since 2018. But as last week’s Messenger editorial pointed out, the Ford government is

actually currently in surplus, but “he doesn’t want you to know about it.” Ford’s done his darnedest to keep the province in deficit by eliminating charges for license stickers and reducing the gas tax, and yet he’s still running a surplus, which makes it almost impossible to justify the wage freezes, service cuts and privatizations he’s itching to impose on Ontarians.

Amazingly, for his party, a balanced budget is actually bad news. Ford’s fiscal fauxpas is the result of increased tax revenue resulting from inflation, which has generated an additional $31 billion. (The Ford government had predicted a $19.9 billion deficit.) It is the ultimate irony that

Ford’s fiscal predicament is the direct result of the Harper government’s passing of Bill C-62 (the bill harmonizing provincial and federal sales taxes in Ontario) on December 9, 2009. That bill--so proudly supported by Pierre Poilievre-slapped an 8% provincial tax on all forms of energy in the province of Ontario. (Former Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak described it as “the largest sales tax grab in the history of this province.”) It is precisely that tax revenue on the skyrocketing price of fossil fuels that has put the Ford government into the black, even though they apparently don’t want to be there.

Andy Braid, Kars

Wise words, wise thoughts from some great purveyors of wisdom

I read an article some time ago by Robert Fulghum who said that most of what he needed to know he learned in kindergarten. These are the things he learned: Share. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that are not yours. Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work some every day.

Take a nap in the afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick

THis week, THIS MONTH

together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows why, but we are all like that. Goldfish, hamsters, white mice, even the little seed in the cup – they all die. So do we.

Will Rogers said – Live so you wouldn’t be afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.

by Larry Ellis wisdom

The MVCA would like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Councilor Scott Moffatt for his 12 years of dedicated service to our community. Scott worked closely with the MVCA on a number of issues and was successful in getting our new sidewalks on Main Street (in response to our Walkability Audit), installing more traffic calming measures throughout the village and including us in the discussions on development applications at an early stage. He also worked closely with our Task Force on Revitalization of the Village of Manotick and supported our community events. His personal experiences with rural living and appreciation for the historic roots of our community have served him well in advocating on our behalf. Scott, we wish you all the best in your future endeavours. And as is said, we’ll see you around ‘the Tick’!

We at MVCA would also like to thank Steve Levecque who has been a valued member of our Board. Steve took the lead on the important traffic and safety file, advocating for important changes and improvements and keeping local issues at the forefront with stakeholders and decision makers. We are sad to announce that Steve is stepping away from the Board role. Thank you Steve for all you have brought to MVCA and all you have done for our community.

MVCA has an opening on the Board of Directors for an MVCA Member who may be interested in working on traffic and safety issues in the community. If you are a member in good standing, over the age

of 18 and interested, please contact us at president@manotickvca.org

Planning Update

There has been a lot of activity on the provincial front that has implications for how the City of Ottawa plans development in the future. Here is a brief overview of all of the pieces and what they mean.

Bill 3, called the Strong Mayors Bill, has been passed and gives municipal Mayors rights to override Council votes on development, if needed to speed up the process. Further details on this Bill will be posted on our website shortly.

Bill 23 is designed to streamline the development process to facilitate the construction of 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years. Concerns about the Bill include removal of development charges for new construction. This means the City will have to find the funds to build roads and parks from other sources This bill also removes the community consultation step for developments of 10 units or less and the ability of the City and community to ensure new development designs fit within the surrounding neighbourhood. In addition, it diminishes protection of wetlands and environmentally sensitive lands with the removal of the oversight of conservation authorities such

as Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. The objective again is to streamline the approval process for housing developments but this could result in a negative impact on area ecosystems and increase flooding risk in some areas. This bill is currently in Committee and is expected to come back to the Ontario legislature for final reading after November 21.

City of Ottawa Official Plan

The Province has finally approved the City’s Official Plan, but with amendments. As part of the Province’s efforts to build more housing faster, the plan has been amended to include an expansion of the urban boundary - adding in an additional 500 hectares of land in Riverside South, Kanata, Findlay Creek and other areas while still keeping the Tewin development - a 445-hectare satellite community to be de-

veloped near Carlsbad Springs as a partnership between the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) and Taggart Investments. Most of these lands were identified in an earlier version of the Plan and removed to accommodate this development.

The provincial changes also include higher height provisions for buildings along minor corridors and hubs in downtown and surburban areas. This does not apply to villages. The main change to the Rural components of the Official Plan amendments are adjustments to Greely’s boundaries to include a southwest parcel of land. NOTE: The City cannot appeal these changes under provincial law. Details on the changes are available at The New Official Plan | Engage Ottawa

Vacant Unit Tax

In our August 18 newsletter we informed you of the Vacant Property By-laws announce-

ment. The subsequent Vacant Unit Tax will come into effect in 2023. This will be a 1% tax to be applied to vacant residential properties. Regardless if your property is vacant or not, every home owner will have to make a declaration online in early 2023 stating if their residential property or properties are vacant or occupied. If a residence falls into the vacant category, this 1% tax will be applied based on the 2022 assessed property value. Residents may want to become familiar with this tax, the exemptions and possible audits before those declarations are required. https:// ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/ taxes/vacant-unit-tax#section8597e389-ce20-4106-881c677c8d61f614

Around the Village Manotick was shaken last week with the news of the fire at The Gingerbread Man. After

the past few years of struggle for all local businesses, this was yet another undeserved blow for Richard and Kaori. The outpouring of support from loyal friends and families has been immense and the sentiments reflect all that the iconic Gingerbread Man means to our community. We hope to see and smell the beloved treats again soon.

Roadworks in the Village - Highcroft Dr. at Manotick Main St. has reopened and the temporary detour removed. Sidewalk work on Main Street is scheduled for completion pending a future date by the City to complete the unfinished section between O’Grady Street and Currier Street.

The vacant house at the corner of Highcroft and Main has finally been demolished after being unoccupied for a number of years. Plans are to build a commercial building on the site.

Watson speaks fondly of Manotick during his last interview as mayor

By Charlie SenaCk

Jim Watson is busy packing up his office after sitting in the Mayor’s chair for the past 12 years.

First elected to the top city position back in 2010, Watson was no stranger to politics: He served as a city councillor from 1991 to 1997, when he then became Mayor of Ottawa for the first time. He served in that capacity until 2000, when he took a short break from politics.

Watson returned to public life in 2003 after becoming the member of provincial parliament for Ottawa-West Nepean, a role he served in until 2010. During that time he was an Ontario cabinet minister, including as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing under Dalton McGuinty.

Now after a lifetime of representing others, Watson said it was time to step aside and let new blood run the City of Ottawa.

“It’s bittersweet; On the

one hand I’m looking forward to a less stressful job,” he told the Manotick Messenger. “It’s also a little bit sad because you stay in one job for a long period of time and you develop a lot of good relationships with your staff, the city staff, community associations, and community leaders. I’ll miss the aspect of getting out in the community.”

During his time as Mayor of Ottawa, Watson has seen a number of infrastructure upgrades made to Manotick.

“I think Scott Moffat did a great job to get the funding to expand the Manotick Arena and create more space up there. The fire was a bit of a setback but they have opened it and it looks great. It’s an impressive facility,” Watson said.

“We have tried our best to invest in roads and infrastructure in and around Manotick to make sure that we are not forgetting our rural communities that are important,” he added.

Watson said when visitors come to Ottawa and ask where they should visit, he always recommends Manotick due to its historic prevalence and culture.

“The veterans garden beside Watsons Mill was a beautiful addition to Manotick,” he said. “I think that little area in there with Dickinson’s House and the carriage areas is one of the nicest spots in all Ottawa.

It’s beautifully kept and preserved.”

Watson said his only regret while in office was not doing more to combat loneliness, particularly in seniors. It’s an issue that was made worse during the COVID-18 pandemic and he credited former British Prime Minister Theresa May for creating a ministry of loneliness.

Throughout the last 12 years, Watson, Ottawa’s longest serving Mayor, has been at the forefront of many crises which have struck the city. From the 2013 bustrain crash at Fallowfield train station to the tornadoes which struck in 2018, and a global health pandemic two years later, Watson has had to deal with many emergency operations scenarios.

“It can be an emotional roller coaster because in some of the instances lives were lost and that is tragic in itself,” he said. “In other

instances property damage was extensive— whether it was from the flooding, the tornadoes or the big storm from a couple months ago. People of Ottawa have been through a lot but what it’s taught me is the generosity of the public.”

Not worrying about his future yet, Watson said he plans to take time off and travel. After that, he wants to get involved in local community organizations and charity work.

“I still have a lot of energy and I’m still relatively young,” the outgoing Mayor said. “That’s one of the reasons why I thought if I’m going to have another career, I better decide to stop being Mayor and move on to something else. I haven’t really talked to anyone about that. I think it’s important to finish this term and then worry about my future after that.”

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has always been fond of Manotick and visited the village often before and during his tenure as mayor.

Charlie SenaC k ph OtO

Darouze survives campaign smears to win another term at council

By Charlie SenaCk

Osgoode councillor George Darouze will get a third term in office after narrowly winning Oct. 24’s municipal election.

Darouze, who was up against four other candidates, won with 4,353 votes, totalling 40 per cent. The main challenger Doug Thompson — who was the former mayor and councillor in Osgoode for many years — came in second place with 4,115 votes totalling over 38 per cent.

“I’m feeling humbled that the residents put their faith in me for a third term and for allowing me to take their voice to city hall,” Darouze told the Manotick Messenger. “I’m thankful to my campaign team and volunteers who helped me throughout.” It was a campaign full of personal attacks on Darouze, with Thompson accusing his counterpart of purchasing a campaign tent with office funds.

The tent, with Darouze’s name on it in big letters, was used at the Metcalfe Fair. Darouze, who denied the allegations during the campaign, said previously the new tent was purchased with campaign funds after his previous office-funded tent was destroyed in a wind storm.

Thompson asked the city clerk to investigate how the $3,505 tent was purchased, saying he wanted to “prevent Darouze from continuing to use taxpayer resources to campaign.”

City Clerk Rick O’Connor investigated the complaint under the Election-Related Resources Policy and concluded that no city resources were used for the tent. Invoices and designs of tents were reviewed during the investigation.

Thompson still isn’t satisfied with the decision, calling it a “Frankenstein tent”. He believes it was built with parts of the previous tent that was destroyed.

Darouze said his campaign didn’t give into the “false” claims during the election and won’t start now. The Osgoode councillor said he received a third term in office because of his record.

“It was a tight race for sure but we took the high road,” said Darouze. “We have been smeared by other candidates who ran against us but we didn’t give into fear. We stayed on the high road. We had to defend our record and we ran on our record. Other candidates gave empty promises and they gave false information

about our vote at council.”

This term Darouze said it’s about going back to the basics and living within our means. The first order of business will be approving the budget which will be tabled soon.

Improving emergency services, cracking down on speeding, and fixing roads is what Darouze campaigned on, and he’s aiming to ensure the new term of council prioritizes rural wards.

“Bottom line is we need

to focus on the services. That is what we heard on the campaign trial,” he said. ‘I heard them loud and clear: infrastructure, roads, and community. We heard a lot about emergency services from policing to paramedics and fire. We need to make sure our number one priority is community safety and cutdown on speeding.”

Over the last four years Darouze has served as deputy mayor and sat in the big seat during record-break-

ing floods in 2019. Outgoing mayor Jim Watson was off getting eye surgery and a state of emergency was called. Darouze toured flooded neighborhoods in Constance Bay with Premier Doug Ford and held briefings with emergency officials.

Darouze said he’s excited to start work with new mayor Mark Sutcliffe and the 11 other new councillors who were elected. Now as one of the longest serving members, he wants

to be available to offer advice and expertise to the newbies.

“I’ve been around the table for the last eight years and I’m well diverse on the files and what’s going on,” said Darouze. “I can work with all the new councillors to help them. I remember when I got elected in 2014, the first year you were drinking from the fire hose. There is lots of learning ahead of them and I look forward to being part of that learning process.”

Osgoode Ward Councillor George Darouze hung on to win a third term in office.

Charlie SenaC k ph OtO

the temperature was mild and the rain held off long enough for Manotick’s first full remembrance Day ceremony in three years. Scott Cameron once again served as the piper for the ceremony, while a crowd of more than 1,000 was on hand to watch. Gre

End of an era as Moffatt says goodbye after 12 years as councillor

By Charlie SenaCk

It’s the end of an era for Scott Moffatt who is leaving council chambers after 12 years in office.

The Rideau-Jock coun cillor decided to not seek re-election after three terms. While Moffatt isn’t sure what’s in store for the future, he plans to spend the next little while relaxing.

“I’ve got no regrets with my decision but it’s odd be cause you know when the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday, it all disappears,” he told the Manotick Mes senger. “You work, work, work, and then it’s dead. The email will be gone, the iPhone gone.”

The North Gower resident has been a vocal member of council, oftentimes taking unpopular stands on issues. He won the 2018 election with over 55 per cent of the vote.

Looking back at his time in office, Moffatt said there are no particular accom plishments he’s most proud of, but believes teamwork, collaboration, and discus sions led to his success.

“I’ve never been really reflective. I’ve always tried to focus on what comes next,” said Moffatt. “When I first ran for council, I was focused on getting things

done through respect, collab oration, and teamwork, and I feel like that’s what I’ve done for the last 12 years. I’m most proud of the team work and that we stuck with it the entire time.”

On Nov. 9, Moffatt at tended his last council meet ing in-person. He said it felt like a normal day, despite an important chapter of his life coming to an end.

The council agenda was light, and almost all coun cillors were in attendance. While no final goodbye’s were scheduled for the meet ing, Capital ward councillor Shawn Menard asked for outgoing representatives to have the chance for a final goodbye.

Gloucester-Southgate representative Diane Deans, one of the longest remaining councillors, was the first to speak. She reflected on big decisions council has made over her eight terms, and the division seen over the last term of council.

Disgraced councillor Rick Chiarelli, who appeared over zoom with his family by his side, was called upon next. As he thanked residents for their support, many coun cil members got out of their seats and left, resulting in quorum being lost.

Outgoing mayor Jim Wat son cut off Chiarelli, saying

the meeting could not con tinue. A flustered Chiarelli fought back, but his plea went unanswered. The meet ing concluded, bringing an end to a chaotic term of council.

“Rick Chiarelli is unfortu nately someone who took advantage of his position and power,” said Moffatt, who filled in for Chiarelli when the College ward representa tive was on medical leave.

“My guess is he probably thinks that we prevented him from something. I think many of us probably feel that he prevented us from hav ing our meeting the way it should have been,” Moffatt added. “It’s just unfortunate that his behavior over the last many years led to all the nonsense that came. It’s not the way any of us would have wanted our last council meeting to go, but it’s so typ ical of the last three years.”

The latest term of council has been filled with division, name calling, and personal attacks, which Moffatt says streamlined from only a few members around the table. While issues were present before the COVID-19 pan demic, the outgoing RideauJock representative said a switch to zoom meetings made the divisiveness worse.

“It separated us all from one another and took away

the collegiality that often comes after a council meet ing,” Moffatt said.

From the pandemic, to severe weather events, and a trucker convoy which shut down streets, the 2018-2022 term of council brought a lot of surprises which weren’t expected four years ago.

Since he didn’t seek reelection, Moffatt doesn’t feel it’s appropriate to offer much advice to the incoming team of elected officials, who will bring their own unique per spectives and ideas.

But with 11 new faces coming to the council table,

and a new Mayor leading it all, Moffatt said it’s import ant for residents to not dwell on past issues.

“It’s a fresh slate,” he said. “It’s a huge turnover of council in two terms so move ahead and work together.”

Moffatt always had an in terest in politics, and first ran for city council in 2006. He lost to Rideau Township’s former mayor Glenn Brooks, but gave it another run four years later and won.

Now saying goodbye to city hall, Moffatt wanted to thank Rideau-Jock residents for their trust in him over the

last 12 years.

“It was a great experience to be a member of council and it’s something I worked hard to achieve,” said Mof fatt. “I ran twice to get there and a lot of people told me I could not do it. There is a lot to look back on and be proud of. I’m grateful to have been surrounded by a great team.”

Ward 21, which has new ward boundaries, will now be known as Rideau-Jock.

David Brown, a former staffer of Moffatt’s was sworn in as the ridings new councillor on Nov. 15.

Scott Moffatt smiles after completing his final meeting as the Rideau-Jock councillor at City Hall.

C H a R lie SenaC k p H oto

Brown humbled and thankful to be new Ward 21 Councillor

Hello everyone! This is my inaugural message to the residents of Ward 21.

The new term of Council began on November 15th, and I would like to say how thankful and humbled I am to have the privilege of representing our ward and its residents at City Hall.

I would like to recognize and thank my fellow candidates who joined me in the election process to represent our residents. I would also

Rideau-Jock Report

By Councillor David Brown

like to thank our out-going councillor for his service during his tenure at City Hall. During the campaign, I promised to hit the ground running, and I have. There are many priorities and a “laundry- list” of items to tackle

over the next four years.

I’ve already arranged meetings with City staff on several issues, including: planning files in Richmond, North Gower, and Manotick; the heavy truck traffic issue in Manotick; the 283 OC Transpo bus route serving Munster & Richmond; the 176 OC Transpo bus route serving Manotick; and, roads repairs across the ward.

I am currently in the midst of organizing meetings with

every community association in the ward to introduce myself, invite feedback on local issues, and listen to the concerns and needs of each. I look forward to working with the many volunteers who are so important and work so hard to bring the community together.

I heard a similar message throughout the campaign in every area of the Ward - Be accessible!

Therefore, I plan to have

Mills family supports Richmond Legacy Pavilion with donation

The Richmond Legacy Community Association is pleased to announce another major contribution by a local area family, the Mills Family.

Edward and Ann Mills along with their children immigrated to Canada in the early 1800’s from Ire-

land. They settled in the Richmond area and like many others with land grants began the arduous tasks of clearing bush lots, erecting fences, building homes and out buildings.

Over the years they became prominent farmers in the area and were actively

involved in the growth and politics of Marlborough Township. The original stone farmhouse still proudly stands near Mills Corners just south of Richmond on Goodstown Rd.

The current members of the Mills family are proud to support the Richmond

Pavilion so that future generations may gather under its roof for years to come.

For more information on the Richmond Community Pavilion and on how you may contribute please visit richmondlegacy.ca.

a constant presence at both the old Goulbourn Townhall building on Huntley Road and at the old Rideau Townhall building on Roger Stevens Drive in North Gower.

I am also inviting residents to connect with my office to arrange meetings on matters of concern, whether it be virtual, in-person or on-site.

As the holidays are approaching, I would like to encourage you to participate in the many community events

happening in our ward to celebrate the holiday season. This is a wonderful way to enjoy our community, meet our neighbours and support our local shops and restaurants.

I look forward to serving you as your Councillor. Please feel free to contact my office any time with questions or concerns.

David Brown Councillor Ward 21

Pictured in the photo (L-R) are Helen Mills with her children Cathy Green and Terry Mills. The Mills family is challenging all Richmond families to support this great community endeavour.

Kaz Samujlo plays the bugle during the Kars Remembrance Day service. G R e G Newto N photo S

Scott Moffatt lays a wreath during his final Remebrance Day ceremony in Kars. the creek made a picturesque backdrop for the North Gower Remembrance Day ceremony.

YAY MANOTICK!!!!

As I walked around the village on Women’s Day; all I saw were women laughing, smiling, and enjoying their day in Manotick. Our Businesses were all in their element, helping and attending to all their customers’ needs. AND… The weather was out of this world!

As we can all appreciate, an event of this magnitude could only have been put together with countless hours of organization, an amazing sense of village pride and a great spirit of Business and Communty.

I would like to take this

opportunity to thank all our local businesses for a record participation in making this event a huge success! Our Businesses in Manotick ROCK!

I absolutely love Women’s Day! It is such a joy to see everyone out and about. The Village was buzzing with music, laughter, and joy!!

I would like to thank our volunteers for helping with Women’s Day. Firstly, A very warm Thank You and Shoutout to our fantastic Manotick Firefighters, for agreeing to hand out all the gifts to the women!

Also a SPECIAL THANKS to our amazing individual volunteers that helped with the different aspects of Women’s Day:

Wendy Eberwein, Dr Victoria Clarke, Liyan Haroun; a student from St Mark’s. Thank You!! Thank You!!! Thank You!! Thank You!! Thank You!!! Thank You!!

I absolutely love Women’s Day! It is such a joy to see everyone out and about. The Village was buzzing with music, laughter, and joy!!

Nne of this could be possible with our beautiful community! It literally takes a Village!

Thank You to our outstanding community members for your participation in all our business events! We always appreciate your participation.

We’re now getting ready for the Holidays! Remember to shop local this holiday season!

See You Around in the Village!

Regards, Dr. Salima Ismail (Chiromax of Manotick) Chair, Manotick BIA

Women’s Day returns to Manotick with warm sunshine and open patios

For the first time in the history of Manotick’s Women’s Day, the patios were open at local restaurants.

The early November event is an opportunity for local retailers and businesses to showcase themselves to well over a thousand women who spend the day shopping, receiving gifts, being entertained and pampered, and getting ideas for Christmas shopping and future days out on the town.

The weather could not have been better, as the traditional grey skies, chilly winds and occasional snow or cold rain was replaced with warm sunshine and re-

cord temperatures.

Thank you to all of you for your participation in making this Day so awesome,” said Manotick BIA Chair Dr. Salima Ismail. “I was out and about the whole day and all of the feet to the street were so happy and many were carrying bags of newly purchased treasures!”

The Manotick firefighters were once again greeting ladies throughout the village, giving out a pair of gloves as a gift for the first 1,000 women out on the streets shopping.

The Manotick BIA will be holding its AGM Nov. 23 at the Manotick Legion.

Warm sunshine and a beautiful say resulted in large crowds for Manotick Women’s Day, which was held Sat., Nov. 5. It was the first full Women’s Day since 2019.

Unique reasons to shop at small businesses

The numbers don’t lie. Locally owned businesses may be classified as “small,” but they have a big impact on the national economy.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics report, small businesses created 10.5 million net new jobs between 2000 and 2019, accounting for 65.1 percent of net new jobs created since 2000 in the United States.

The Government of Canada reports that the number of small businesses in Canada in 2020 was far greater than the number of medium and large businesses, accounting for 97.9 percent of all

the businesses in the country.

Supporting locally owned businesses is a great way to support a neighbor, but that’s not the only attraction. Here are several reasons to shop small.

The feel-good factor Doing for others certainly has an impact on the person on the receiving end, but also benefits the do-gooders. A November 2020 survey by Union Bank found that 72 percent of Americans said supporting small businesses was more important than getting the best deals. That may be due to the feeling of helping out a fellow neighbor.

Create job

opportunities

Shopping at small businesses keeps those establishments afloat, and it also keeps their employees afloat. Small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. That’s also true in Canada, where 68.8 percent of the total labor force works for a small business.

A person may never know when he or she - or a relative - will need a job. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals.

Keep more money in the community

The Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend

the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

Enjoy a more local flavor

National retailers and other businesses follow a global business model that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve. These same small businesses also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

These are just a few of the many reasons to seek out small businesses when in need of products or services.

“Thank you for supporting your community-minded, locally-owned hardware store. It is your support that allows us to give back to the community.”

Large community presence at Richmond’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony

crowd

had seen

South Carleton High School student Corbin Perkins reads ‘In Flanders Fields’.

Manotick’s Ron Cohen invested into the Order of Canada

By Jeff Morris

Long time Manotick resident Ronald I. Cohen, C.M., M.B.E. is among the 114 people named to the Order of Canada.

The Order of Canada is one of our country’s highest civilian honours. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.

This honour recognizes Mr. Cohen’s dedication to promoting and preserving literary and cultural heritage in Canada and abroad. Among his many hats: lawyer, film producer, bibliographer, inveterate book collector, Mr. Cohen graciously donates his time and experience to supporting Canadian heritage. He is a Director on the Library and Archives of Canada Foundation Board, the

past President and member of the Friends of Library and Archives Canada, as well as the inaugural President of the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Ottawa.

Additionally, between 1999 and 2003, Mr. Cohen donated his entire Lucy Maud Montgomery collection to Library and Archives Canada, which contains 420 items, including more than 40 copies of Anne of Green Gables, many of them first editions. In 2019, Mr. Cohen was awarded the LAC Scholar Award, which recognizes the outstanding contribution of Canadians who have dedicated their lives to the creation and promotion of our country’s cultural, literary and historical heritage.

Cohen, one of 10 Ottawa residents to receive the honour, was named to the Order of Canada for “his dedication to promoting and preserving literary and cultural heritage in Canada and abroad.”

In 1998, he established

the Ronald I. Cohen Lucy Maud Montgomery Collection at the National Library and has since provided LAC with five subsequent accessions of her works and related materials, and, in 2019, with an extensive collection of Governor-General John Buchan’s writings.

Being named to the Order of Canada is the second major honour that Cohen has received. In June 2014, he was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to British history. He was one of two Canadians among the 100 recipients of the honour that year.

Cohen lived in London during the last six months of Sir Winston Churchill’s life. Upon receiving the honour, he said it was the outpouring of emotion and respect for him by Britain and indeed the world that inspired him to spend a half century collecting, studying, writing and speaking about the “greatest Briton”.

Ron Cohen of Manotick, pictured with Governor General Mary Simon, was invested into the Order of Canada last month. Ph OtO C R e dit: MC P l Ani S A S SAR i, Ride Au h A l l

Royals win six straight, move into first place tie

The Richmond Royals have moved into a four-way tie for first place in the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Martin Division.

The Royals beat the Winchester Hawks 7-2 Sunday. It was their sixth consecutive win and gave them a 9-3-0 record for 18 points. During their six-game winning streak, the Royals have outscored their Junior B opponents by a 38-13 margin.

Win in Alexandria

On Fr. Oct. 28, the Royals travelled to Alexandria to face the Glens. Richmond scored four third period goals and road the goaltending of Gabe Arrigo for a 5-0 win.

For nearly two full periods, Arrigo and Jason Van Wieren were locked in a goaltending duel. With less than a minute left, Tyler Hames scored for the Royals on the power play from Dylan Rorwick and Jaidon Genereux to give Richmond a 1-0 lead.

In the third, it was all Royals.

Ryan Sullivan scored from Jackson Dallaire to put the Royals up 2-0. Rorwick then scored on the power play from Hames and Simon Yang. Jackson Miller scored the third Richmond power play goal from Ryan Sullivan and Giulio Carulli, and then Hames added a shorthanded marker from Shane Sullivan to complete the scoring.

Arrigo made 37 stops for the shutout. Despite letting in five goals, Van Wieren was the game’s first star after stopping 45 of the 50 shots he faced.

On Sun., Oct. 30, the Royals beat the Ottawa Jr. Canadians 8-2.

Justin Williams scored a pair of goals, while Dylan Rorwick had a goal and two assists. Tyler Cutts, Jaidon Genereux and Reid Johnston each had a goal and an assist, with Ryan Sullivan and Tyler Hames also scoring. Robbie DiSilverstro

and Drew Russett each had two assists with one each going to Ryan Pollard, Giulio Carulli, Jackson Miller and Shane Sullivan drawing one each.

Gabe Arrigo stopped 32 of 34 shots for the win in goal.

Sixth straight win

The Royals earned their sixth straight win and grabbed a share of first place Sun., Nov 6 with a 7-2 win over the visiting Winchester Hawks.

Once again, it was a balanced scoring attack with six different Royals scoring goals.

Dylan Rorwick had two goals and two assists to lead the way, with Robbie DiSilvestro, Tyler Cutts, Leo Kluchert, Shane Sullivan and Ryan Sullivan each adding goals. Cutts also had two assists with one each going to Ryan Sullivan, Shane Sullivan, Cole Haughton, Tyler Hames, Sam McElheran and Reid Johnston.

Gabe Arrigo stopped 37 of 39 shots for the win.

Win Streak snapped

The Royals’ six-game win streak was snapped Thursday night as they were edged 3-2 by the Ottawa West Golden Knights at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena.

After Sean Ireland scored in the first period for the Knights, the Royals squandered three straight power play opportunities, including a five-on-three for 1:16.

Ireland scored his second of the game in the second period to put the Golden Knights up 2-0 before Richmond’s Robbie Disilvestro stepped out of the penalty box and found himself open for a pass to beat goalie Jordan Provost for the Royals’ first goal.

Logan Bohm put the Golden Knights back up by two later in the period, as he scored from Wade Boudrias and Justin Graham.

The Royals got that one

back to cut the lead to one before the end of the second period. Jaidon Genereux scored his sixth of the year from Tyler Cutts and Jackson Miller.

In the third period, the Royals took a pair of minor penalties and failed to sus-

tain an offensive attack. They pulled the goalie with just over a minute left, and then had another two-man advantage when Adam Cater closed his hand on the puck with 32 seconds left. The tying goal eluded the Royals, and their six-game

win streak was snapped.

With Richmond losing to the Golden Knights and the Ottawa Canadians beating the Casselman Vikings, the Royals, Vikings, Golden Knights and Embrun Panthers are all tied for first place with 18 points, while

a tie fir first place.

the Canadians are right behind with 16.

The Royals host Embrun Sun., Nov. 20 and then take on Char-Lan at home Sun., Nov. 27. Both games have a 1:20 p.m. face off at the Richmond Memorial Community Centre.

Royals goalie Gabe Arrigo backstopped a six-game win streak for the Royals that vaulted them into

Kemptville, Winchester hospitals implement ‘Epic’ new health information system

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) and Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) went live with the Epic health information system in November 2022, ushering in tremendous benefits for patients and their care providers.

Epic is a powerful digital health information system that uses the latest technology to securely store, organize, and access patient records while maintaining patient privacy. It provides a comprehensive digital health record for every patient, enhancing standardization, information sharing and continuity of care.

Simply put, patients will get better access to their own health information and more seamless care from their providers.

With Epic’s private MyChart portal, patients will have their health story at their fingertips. Anywhere, anytime, MyChart subscribers can see their

medical history, diagnostic test results, upcoming appointments, lists of allergies and medications, and even educational materials.

“Epic replaces the current hospital information systems made up of multiple electronic and paperbased systems containing different parts of a patient’s health record,” explained Cholly Boland, CEO of WDMH. “Epic gives the patient’s care team the information they need at their fingertips and is proven to reduce wait times, length of stay in hospital, and readmission,” he added.

By implementing Epic, KDH, and WDMH become part of a digital network of nine hospitals in the Ottawa region using the world-class health information system.

“The driving force behind the decision to implement Epic now was our commitment to continually improve patient care and the patient experience,”

said Frank J. Vassallo, KDH’s CEO. “Once live with Epic, we will be able to provide seamless care as part of a fully integrated network of hospitals in the Ottawa region all using the same system.”

This means that when a patient is transferred between hospitals who use Epic, critical information will be available immediately to their new healthcare team and the patient will not have to repeat their medical history over and over. Within each hospital, the information will be available and up to date everywhere in the facility, improving communication, quality care and patient safety.

While the switch to Epic requires a large amount of internal planning and training, staff at each of the three hospitals are embracing the change.

KDH and WDMH went live with Epic on November 5, 2022.

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40-bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an evergrowing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new model of health care delivery that puts patients,

families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system. For more information about KDH services, visit www.kdh.on.ca.

Winchester District Memorial Hospital cares for families throughout our region, with a patient and family-centred approach region. It is a full-service hospital from childbirth to seniors’ care – and a hub site for cancer care, dialysis and cataract surgery. WDMH has a 24/7 Emergency Department and Diagnostic

Imaging services including digital mammography and CT scans. Day surgery and specialty clinics, with visiting specialists from Ottawa hospitals, mean that patients can receive care without travelling to the city. Research and education initiatives drive quality and best practices. WDMH has an award-winning reputation for compassionate excellence. For more information about WDMH services, visit www.wdmh. on.ca

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Looking forward to the Holidays?

While many look forward to the get-togethers and catch up sessions that the Holidays have to offer, for some of us the experience can be quite frustrating and disheartening. With even a slight hearing loss, conversations can be difficult. What once were cherished interactions have become onerous and exhausting tasks. The good news is that alleviating some of the difficulties is possible. The key is implementing a customized hearing solution.

Customization is most important because although the negative impact of untreated or improperly treated hearing loss is universal, the details of your hearing abilities and your hearing needs are unique to you. Consequently, overcoming your hearing loss is best achieved if the solution selected is just as distinctive as you are. To realize this, all products available need to be considered and discussed. Fortunately, at Hearing Freedom, this level of personalized detail is held paramount.

Locally owned, grown and operated, this Manotick clinic adopts a unique and refreshing

approach to patient care which drastically differs with that of retail settings, larger clinics and manufacturer owned chains.

In 2001, as a newly graduated Audiologist, Rosanne McNamee, Doctor of Audiology, had many interviews for positions at local dispensaries. At each establishment she was disappointed to find the same thing; the interviews had nothing to do with her knowledge and skills, they instead focused on the number of hearing aid units she was expected to sell and the company’s affiliation to a given Manufacturer.

“That was not my idea of proper hearing health care,” says

McNamee. “The product cannot be determined before the patient is seen. The patient must be assessed and the needs determined first, then, everything available must be considered, not just the product lines providing the employer the biggest profit margins.” And so she decided to set up her own business, doing it her way and putting patients first, offering true Hearing Freedom. Now, over 20 years later, she and her team continue to help patients stay young, active and socially connected due to their truly customized care.

To further ensure top quality care, all consultations are with a bilingual Audiologist. There

are no Hearing Instrument Practitioners or Hearing Instrument Specialists on staff. Hearing Freedom patients are rather seen by regulated health professionals, with a Master’s or Doctorate degree in hearing healthcare, qualified to service both children and adults, whether they are private pay or third party supported (WSIB, VAC, etc.).

“Hearing is complex and so are today’s hearing aids,” McNamee explains. “Dealing with the most qualified health care professional, in the most independent setting, is crucial. Customization is the only way to ensure the right solution is found for each unique individual. ” At Hearing Freedom you will never worry whether or not you have chosen the best place to trust with your hearing needs.

So, if you believe in your right to the best, fullest and most customized service available, make sure you go to Hearing Freedom in Manotick. You won’t regret the short drive!!

Parking is free. Home visits optional. Wheelchair friendly. For more information visit www.hearingfreedom.com.