Class 1: 1st Place Wingham Advance Times September edition
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Terry Fox Run raises $33,538
Nicole Beswitherick photos
The annual Wingham Terry Fox Run was held on Sept. 15 with about 250 participants walking, running and rolling to raise funds for the Terry Fox Foundation. Organizer Scott Miller told the Wingham Advance Times that another 250 people online donated/pledged funds as well. Topping last year’s total of $30,345 for the cause, this year the Wingham Terry Fox Run raised $33,538 as of Sept. 17. Donations will be accepted after the event, online at run. terryfox.ca/55966. Organizers Steve Jackson and Miller said they are “absolutely ecstatic with the turnout of Terry Fox supporters.” Above: Wingham Terry Fox Run participants gather before the run. Right: Participants head out on their route, to the sound of bagpipes.
North Huron proceeding with application to be designated Senior Active Living Centre
NICOLE BESWITHERICK
nbeswitherick@midwesternnewspapers.com
NORTH HURON - Council
here received a report at the Sept. 3 meeting from the township’s director of recreation and children’s services regarding a Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) application.
After receiving the report for information, council gave direction to proceed with an application to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to designate the Township of North Huron as a Seniors Active Living Centre.
“The Senior Active Living Centers exist throughout Ontario, and they have for a little bit of time, and they have just opened up the opportunity to expand to include more centers,” said Kelly Steiss, director of recreation and children services.
She added those eligible to apply
include rural areas, Indigenous, and non-profit organizations.
“I’ve been able to do some research, and most recently reached out to OneCare [Huron County] and had a meeting with Roxanne Cerson Wright, and really looked at the opportunity for us to partner with OneCare, to be able to meet some of the needs of seniors in our community … across the townships,” she said to council.
Steiss explained that on the morning of the Sept. 3 meeting, she received an email from Wright indicating One Care would provide in-kind support worth upwards of $26,000.
“If council believes that this is a good direction to go, we could have an application that would go to the province to ask for us to hire a Senior Active Living Coordinator who would be able to meet some of the needs that exist within our Master Plan, but
also to help coordinate some of the services and needs of seniors across the township.”
In the report about SALC, it states that social isolation is a growing issue facing Ontario’s aging population, and it can drastically impact seniors’ mental and physical well-being. It is estimated that over 500 Ontarians turn 65 every day.
The aim of the application under the Seniors Active Living Centres Act of 2017 to facilitate creaton of am official SALC to provide support to alleviate isolation for seniors in the area.
Steiss gave out some more statistics in the report, noting locally the Population and Housing Projections Follow-Up Report from Huron County indicates that 22.9 per cent of North Huron’s population is aged 65 or older. This compares to the provincial average of 18.5 per cent.
Section 7.8 of the Township of North Huron Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan confirm the growth trends for the township; and the Master Plan also recognizes the limited resources from the Township to support the provision of services for this selected age group, the staff report states.
The Master Plan recommends that the township establish a Seniors Advisory Committee, contribute in the development of an Age Friendly Strategy, and seek external funding to support the delivery of opportunities for seniors.
“While One Care Huron County and Listowel-Wingham and Area Family Health Team provide services to older adults, the closest SALCs are located in Goderich and in Listowel. With this application, there is an opportunity for the Township of North Huron
to address some of the gaps in services and programs for older adults across the Township,” the report says.
The application to become a designated Seniors Active Living Centre would include a request for funding of $40,000 to cover the cost of hiring a part-time seniors coordinator. This would cover costs of wages, mileage, training, registration with the Older Adults Centres’ Association of Ontario, advertising and marketing, and tech support.
The application also requires the township to provide $10,000 in funding or in-kind support which includes access to office space, use of community rooms to deliver workshops and administrative support.
Overall, the report states there are no financial impacts with the submission of an application
Continued on page 2
Local cadets travel to Borden, Vancouver Island for training camps
‘I loved my camp experience,’ Flight Sgt. Laura Dawson
WINGHAM - This past summer, a handful of students of the 543 Wingham Air Cadets travelled to either Borden, Ontario or British Columbia to participate in summer training camps.
Two current Wingham Air Cadets attended CFB Borden, which is the largest training establishment in the CAF (Canadian Air Force) and is home to several other military and Defence Team organizations, according to Canada.ca.
“Overall, I loved my camp experience,” Flight Sergeant Laura Dawson told the Wingham Advance Times She added with humour there were only a few setbacks from her experience doing training for the month of July – that was being on bed rest for two days due to poison ivy.
This is, however, Dawson’s third time being able to go to a summer training camp and said she
recommends other cadets go if the opportunity arises.
“It’s a good experience, too, because you get yourself out of your own comfort zone,” said Flight Sergeant Enrique Anaya Hang, who also attended training camp in Borden this summer.
“It’s just all about getting into that routine, and you get to meet people from all over Canada,” Dawson added.
A third current member of the Wingham Air Cadets, Sergeant Caleb Wilkins, also attended a training camp this summer on Vancouver Island for two weeks at the end of August – more specifically HMCS Quadra.
“I liked the experience there, we went to the classrooms about ATA (Aviation, Technology and Aerospace), and we went into the airports and had a few behind-thescenes looks there,” said Wilkins.
He later explained that, “I remember I wanted to do ATA because it included airplanes, and I was very interested in that.”
In order to attend these training
camps, Dawson explained that each cadet sits down one-on-one with someone or all together in a group setting to go over who would like to go, and to which location.
She added there are different camps with different programs for different levels of cadets.
“So for me, they told me all of the camps that were for Level Three and above, because I’m [Level] Four…we got to pick three choices,” said Dawson, who participated in the SIC (Survival Instructor) course.
With summer vacation now over, the 543 Wingham Air Cadets have begun another year of the program.
The Wingham Air Cadets welcome youth aged 12 to 18 that are interested in survival, flying, air studies, marksmanship, citizenship and leadership to join the program at no cost.
For more information, visit registration.cadets.gc.ca/get-started. html?unitId=513.
Bruce County to stick with one-year term for warden
PAULINE KERR
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter pkerr@midwesternnewspapers.com
BRUCE COUNTY - Bruce County council has voted to stay with a one-year term for the warden and deputy warden positions. Durham the Sept. 5 meeting, council discussed the possibility of amending the terms to two years from the current one year.
As stated in the staff report, the matter had been discussed by the striking committee, which did not make a recommendation. The staff recommendation was for two-year terms, since it was “reflective of the results of the elections held since 2010.”
The report presented pros and cons for both one-year and twoyear terms. A one-year term provides an annual opportunity for members of council to be nominated for warden or deputy warden, and allows the workload of the positions to be shared over the term of council. However, of the past six wardens, only one – John Close – has served a one-year term. Mike Smith, David Inglis, Janice Jackson and Chris Peabody have each served two years, while Mitch Twolan served six consecutive terms. Benefits of a two-year term include better continuity, longer-term goals, and reduced staff time for elections and orientation.
Deputy Warden Luke Charbonneau commented that a one-year term allows more members to serve. People would still have the option of running for a second year if they wished to do so.
He reminded council that serving as warden, in addition to being mayor, is a big job. The current system provides flexibility.
He went on to say that although he’s “not particularly supportive of making the change,” if council were going to implement a twoyear term, it should be at the beginning of the next term of council rather than part-way through.
County Coun. Kennety Craig (Kincardine) took the opposing view, that there would be great benefits from changing to a two-
year term. He noted that it takes time to make contacts and achieve policies. His preference would be for a two-year term, with the proviso that a warden could decline to serve a second year. County Coun. Don Murray (Huron-Kinloss) agreed with Charbonneau, saying the one-year term allows more people to run for office, and greater flexibility.
County Coun. Mark Goetz spoke of geography, and noted the distance travelled by his colleague, County Coun. and past warden Milt McIver of North Bruce Peninsula.
He said he wouldn’t want to see the commitment of a two-year term deter someone from serving as warden. He commended Peabody for “setting the bar pretty high” during his two years as warden. However, he noted some councillors may have outside commitments that may deter them from running for a two-year term.
County Coun. Jay Kirkland (Southern Bruce Peninsula) suggested better utilizing the deputy warden’s position, so “he’s better prepared” when he steps in as warden.”
Peabody commented the deputy doesn’t always move up –Brockton has never had a deputy become mayor.
Potential electoral downside Peabody also commented on what he described as a contentious issue – that fourth year of the council term. He noted the last three wardens have lost their municipal elections. He said that if it’s a difficult election, “you’re not going to get any votes from doing the warden’s work” as it could put the person going into that second year as warden at a disadvantage. McIver said he did see the advantages of a two-year term, but said his colleagues had made some excellent points in favour of a one-year term, especially County Coun. Goetz. McIver’s three terms as warden have been separated, not consecutive.
Township seeks Senior Active Living Centre designation for North Huron
Continued from front page to become a SALC, and if approved, the cost of the program would be covered by the grant.
Coun. Chris Palmer then asked a question for clarification once discussion opened, wondering if the $40,000 grant is a onetime thing, and if council would have to pay the salary thereafter.
Steiss clarified that this is an on-going grant. Once designated as a SALC, North Huron would be eligible to apply for this
funding annually as long as the grant and act is valid.
Deputy Reeve Kevin Falconer then asked how it would work out “being as the township is currently providing services that are covered by membership for the same services” being proposed to “give away for free.”
Increased mobility the target
The Director of Recreation and Children’s Services responded saying, “The exercises
that OneCare offers are exercises – they’re really targeted to help people increase their mobility and be able to stay at home or to decrease falls.
“There would be a delineation between the program that we offer at the complex and throughout our classes that are offered throughout the township, they’re more fitness classes. So there’s the difference between fitness and exercise, and certainly, some of our fitness instructors have taught the exercise programs, but someone who’s
much more active wouldn’t be seeking out the exercise classes of One Care,” she explained.
Reeve Paul Heffer read a motion calling for council to received the report and directed Steiss to proceed with an application to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to designate the Township of North Huron as a SALC.
This motion was carried, being moved by Coun. Anita van Hittersum and seconded by Coun. Mitch Wright.
Nicole Beswitherick photo
Cadets from left: Flight Sergeant Laura Dawson, Sergeant Caleb Wilkins, and Flight Sergeant Enrique Anaya Hang.
MAIN FLOOR
Housing
cost increase plays major role in rise in food bank use
News last week that more than a million people living in Ontario turned to food banks over a 12-month period starting in the spring of 2023, should be concerning to us all.
Patrick Raftis
From this angle
According to new data collected Feed Ontario, a network of more than 1,200 food banks and hungerrelief organizations across the province, said a recordbreaking number of people visited a food bank in the province between April 2023 and March 2024. That’s an increase of 25 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year, and means about 6.5 per cent of Ontarians turned to food banks during that time.
The organization also shared that food banks in the province were visited 7.6 million times over the course of the year, a 134% increase from 2019-2020. This represents a continued trend in the rise of food bank visits, marking the eighth consecutive year of growth.
Alarmingly, according to Feed Ontario, working people are among the fastest-rising groups accessing food bank services.
Feed Ontario’s data shows that the main drivers of food insecurity in Ontario are a result of the rapid spike in the cost of living, which many incomes have not kept up with, and a heightened economic vulnerability that is being felt throughout the province. The organization points to policy decisions like the erosion of social support programs, a failure to adequately invest in affordable housing, and the growth of precarious work as key causes of why Ontarians can’t keep their head above water.
“Food banks were only ever designed to be a temporary measure. They were never meant to patch holes left in our weak social safety nets. We need to act now,” stated Feed Ontario
CEO Carolyn Stewart.
But it’s not just the failings of the social safety net in play here. One of the main reasons more people are struggling to feed themselves relates to another absolutely essential commodity – housing. Trying to keep rental payments under 30 per cent of gross income is considered a pretty standard benchmark for budgeting. That’s exponentially tougher to accomplish than just a few years ago, due to the rapid rise in housing costs that has put low-end apartment rents at $1,400 to $1,500 a month.
In 2023 United Way PerthHuron’s social research and planning council put a living wage in the local reason at just a shade under $23 an hour. Lots of folks not making that, and those earning right around that minimum target are seldom more than a missed paycheque or a major car breakdown away from financial calamity.
As noted last week in this space, federal and provincial elections are a both a possibility any time next year. It’s unlikely any party will be offering a platform that guarantees a quick turnaround to the generational housing crisis we currently face, but we should pay close attention to which ones appear to be approaching the problem with the seriousness it deserves.
In the meantime, those of us that can must make our best efforts to offer support where we can. A donation to the local food bank is often the best place to start.
***
Patrick Raftis is the editor for Midwestern Newspapers: Reach him at editor@ midwestern newspapers. com
Time to take a look at what voters care about
Before we cast our ballots in the next election, be it federal (could happen any time, Oct. 20, 2025 at the latest), provincial (June 4, 2026 at the latest) or municipal (Oct. 26, 2026), we had better figure out what we are voting for – or against.
The list of key issues at all levels of government is looking disturbingly similar. Topping that list would be health care and housing.
Health care is supposed to be primarily a provincial matter. However, in recent years, municipalities have been taking on more of the financial burden, not through any profound policy change but in small, random increments that add up to quite a bite out of the municipal tax dollar.
One example is the cost of participating in the bidding war to recruit health-care professionals – everything from handing out promotional items to students and paying to send recruiters to job fairs, to offering prospective recruits gift packages and bonuses.
Municipalities are asked to make significant contributions to hospital renovation and construction projects, and to support other hospital and health-care-related fundraising campaigns.
There may have been a time when health care was not a municipal issue, but those days are long gone –municipalities are deeply involved. They have to be, for the benefit of their residents.
A municipality that cannot offer its residents decent health care is one that will not be able to keep the people and businesses it has, much less attract new ones.
Housing is another matter that falls on all levels of government, although provinces have authority
over housing policy and programs.
Throughout the 1990s, both federal and provincial governments reduced their involvement in affordable housing. The federal government ended its co-operative housing program in 1992 after building nearly 60,000 affordable homes for lowand middle-income households, and froze its investments in social housing the following year. The provincial government followed suit, passing on to municipalities the responsibility for social housing.
Over the next decade, the number of affordable housing units in Ontario decreased, while the number of luxury condos with high rents increased, according the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. Both senior levels of government were beginning to get back into the affordable housing business when COVID struck. Job losses and homelessness increased.
Despite recent federal and provincial investments in housing, waiting lists for subsidized housing are getting longer by the day. Rent increases are outpacing the ability of many people to pay, especially seniors and others on fixed incomes. Communities that never had a visible homeless problem, have it now.
No candidate running for office in a supposedly civilized country like Canada should expect to get votes if they are willing to tolerate senior
citizens living in tents on the municipal office lawn. The appropriate response is not a yawn but a combination of outrage and action. The issues of health care and housing are volatile, but they are not the only topics of coffee shop debates. The opioid crisis continues to claim lives at a disturbingly high rate. In addition to acknowledging the personal tragedies suffered by families and friends of loved ones who have lost the battle with drugs, we must consider the loss to society of so many young people with so much potential.
Land use is an issue that has widespread impacts for every level of government. Canada has a relatively small amount of good agricultural land, and unfortunately, it tends to be right where cities want to expand. Yes, we need more houses, but we could survive in neighbourhoods with a much higher population density. Food is another matter. Sacrificing agricultural land for housing is dangerously short-sighted. So is depending on imported food. And in all honesty, so is expecting food banks to feed far too many of our neighbours.
And then we have education, always a hot-button issue, especially when we are unsure our children are getting the skills and knowledge they will need to prosper. Our children are our future.
As for what the average voter does not give a hoot about – we might start with booze in variety stores.
***
Pauline Kerr is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Midwestern Newspapers. She can be reached at pkerr@midwesternnewspapers.com
The Advance Times welcomes your submissions and letters
As The Wingham Advance Times works to provide an interesting and accurate reflection of Wingham and the surrounding area through our news pages, we urge local citizens to ensure that their community organization is represented through submissions of news tips, articles and photographs. The contributions are appreciated
and, although we can’t promise publication of all submissions, every effort is made to ensure those that arrive make our print and online editions. Our reporters provide coverage of local councils, schools, service clubs, hospitals, community events, sports and more.
However, we can’t be everywhere, so it’s important to see that numer-
ous stories and photos in each edition have been supplied by dedicated correspondents or interested community members. We truly appreciate and support your efforts to make the Wingham Advance Times your own. Submissions and news tips are welcome at editor@midwesternnewspapers.com or you can reach us at 519291-1660.
Pauline Kerr Off The Record
TURNBACKS
FIFTY YEARS AGO
1974 - Prophecies of unwieldy bureaucracies, the establishment of regional “health cares” and loss of local voice in health affairs abounded as the Board of Governors of the Wingham and District Hospital discussed what Board Chairman R.P. Ritter only half in a jeet labeled the “infamous Mustard Report” at a board meeting. He explained his view of the report was that the voice of local hospital boards, especially in the region that will incorporate Wingham and District hospital will disappear beneath a bog of 15 regional areas, and district committees which would be set up by the report’s recommendations.
SIXTY YEARS AGO
1964 - The appointment of Mayor R.S. Hetherington of Wingham, local barrister and solicitor as Huron County judge is expected to be made. This appointment will fill the vacancy on the Huron bench, created when Judge Frank Finglanf, of Clinton, was forced to retire due to poor health.
SEVENTY YEARS
AGO
1954 - Despite bad weather which threatened to mar the whole proceedings, Belgrave’s 34th annual school fair drew a large throng of people to the community on Wednesday last, and continued to uphold its tradition as the largest school fair in Canada. Approximately 2,000
exhibits were on display in the hall and in the surrounding grounds, covering subjects ranging from samples of handwriting to dairy calves.
EIGHTY YEARS AGO
1944 - The annual initiation of the Wingham High School was held on Monday. Last year there was no initiation thus both Freshmen and Sophomores were initiated by the senior students. This year the initiation took the form of a giant parade down John St. and up Josephine to the Town Hall where the School Yell was given by the Freshmen and Sophomores. The students undergoing the initiation were dressed in the usual comic costume which is so symbolic and traditional of all initiations.
NINETY YEARS AGO
1934 - We were shown in this office what is probably one of the oldest tax receipts in this district. It was dated at Westfield December 7th, 1854 and it shows that Jason Ellis, father of J. E. Ellis, east half Lot 38, Con. 4, East Wawanosh, paid for the same property on which his son now lives, the sum of 15 shillings for his year’ s taxes. The receipt is signed by Hezekiah Helps, who was Reeve at that time. By way of comparison in taxes of that time and now, Mr. J. E. Ellis’ taxes on this property for 1934 are $67.28. This shows that since 1854 the taxes on this property have risen from about $ 3.75 to
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
the present rate or about 18 times as much.
- While lowering a window during the storm, last Wednesday night, Miss Mary Robinsgn, daughter of Mr. and. Mrs. James Robinson,, Lower Wingham, was knocked unconscious by a bolt of lightning which struck their home and entered the adjoining room. The lightning knocked the chimney off the house and entered the room where the charge appeared to have split, as there was a hole torn in the base of the chimney tearing off the plaster and springing the casing of the window, while the main force seems to have followed the stove pipe which was torn apart, down to the stove in the dining room where after leaving the stove, it tore its way through the floor into the cellar. Fortunately there was no fire, although the lamp was knocked off the dresser, Miss Robinson did not receive any injury but suffered considerably from shock.
ONE HUNDRED
YEARS AGO
1924 - The Bluevale School Fair was a grand success in point of exhibits, attendance and receipts. The cold weather did not prevent those interested from coming to enjoy what has become an annual community event. This is the eighth year of the Fair, and there has never been a failure and the exhibits reflect credit on the pupils of the four schools taking part.
Embrace the future in South Bruce
Dear Editor,
My family and I are very fortunate to live in the beautiful rural community of South Bruce, where we are facing the important decision of whether to host Canada’s Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for Canada’s spent nuclear fuel. We are also fortunate to have family in the beautiful Northern Ontario community of Sudbury, where we faithfully visit each summer, to visit relatives, pick wild blueberries, and enjoy the local parks and restaurants.
Why do I mention Sudbury? We’ve recently noticed the Sudbury streets falling into progressive disrepair, and a bit of research reveals the difficulty their Council is having maintaining the city’s basic infrastructure. Besides the notoriously bad streets, signs of aging and groaning infrastructure are everywhere, including 14 arenas ranging in age from 30 to 73 years, swimming pools over 40 years old, and aging emergency service stations. Faced with a huge funding gap, city leaders are desperately trying to attract more people to the city, to increase the tax base, providing more infrastructure funding. But opportunities are scarce.
The city of Sudbury was built on mining jobs, but many of those jobs have dried up, as mining has become more automated. More troubling than the crumbling infrastructure are the numerous families who have now seen a generation of their young people move “Down South” to get jobs. What does this have to do with South Bruce? Well, our little community was built on agriculture, which used to be fairly labour-intensive. When I grew up in Bruce County, nearly every 100-acre
Local unemployment rate up nearly one per cent
WALKERTON - The unemployment rate for the Stratford-Bruce Peninsula Economic Region increased by 0.9 percentage points in August, to 3.7% - the largest percentage increase of all regions in Ontario although the region’s unemployment rate remains the lowest in Ontario. Meanwhile, the provincial unemployment rate increased by 0.5 percentage points to 7.6%, both unadjusted for seasonality.
A press release from the Four County Labour Market Planning Board (FCLMPB) notes the region’s overall population increased by 400 in August whereas the labour force size increased significantly by 3,300, resulting in the size of population not participating in the labour force to decrease by 2,800. This drove the participation rate up by 1.1 percentage points to 62.5%. The region experienced an increase of approximately 1,600 in total employment size, as a result of 200 full-time employment gains and 1,500 part-time employment gains.
The number of goods-producing sector employees increased by 5% (3,000) this month. Utilities once again experienced the biggest percentage gain this month (1,800, 20%), followed by Agriculture (1,800, 16.2%). On the other hand, Construction experienced the biggest loss (300, 1.6%), followed by Manufacturing (100, 0.1%).
Employment in the services-producing sector decreased by 1.3% (1,400) in August. With a 1,000 employment increase, information, culture and recreation experienced the biggest percentage gain this month (22.7%), followed by professional, scientific and technical services (1,400, 11.4%) and accommodation and food services (900, 8.9%). However, transportation and warehousing experienced the biggest percentage loss this month (down 700, 12.7%), followed by wholesale and retail trade (down 2,200, 10.6%), rinance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing ( down 800, 7.8%) and business, building and other support services ( down 300, 6.1%).
“Although we continue to be one of the lowest unemployment rates in the provinces, it is encouraging to see another increase in participation rates” says Dana Soucie, executive director for the FCLMPB.
“We continue to watch for sector trends and will be monitoring these changes over time,” Soucie adds.
Current job postings for the Bruce, Grey, Huron, Perth region have increased overtime since the pandemic and can be found at www.connect2JOBS.ca. The current number of job postings was at 1,800 as of Sept. 6.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
GREAN lends support to ‘Public Healthcare not Greenbelt Highways!’
To the Editor:
The following is an open Letter to Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Perth Wellington MPP and Perth Wellington MPP Matthew Rae
lot supported a farm family. Most of my classmates came from farms, and the local villages were growing and thriving. The town of Teeswater had a thriving little retail sector, where my Mom used to take me Christmas shopping - imagine that! But agriculture has become much more automated and consolidated, with bigger machinery and far fewer farmers required, and now we often see our young people moving away to the city to find good jobs.
Unlike Sudbury, our little municipality is now looking at the economic opportunity of a lifetime - the DGR. This fully-funded, multi-generational project promises to bring hundreds of high-paying, high-tech jobs to our area, with a government mandate to build, operate and maintain the facility decades into the future. In addition to the resulting, sustained increases in tax revenue, the municipality has negotiated a Hosting Agreement that will see direct payments to offset any new infrastructure costs. Money isn’t everything, but when it comes to building and maintaining roads, swimming pools, fire stations, arenas and medical clinics, more money is better. In my opinion, this is the sort of deal other communities can only dream of.
Now our community has an important decision to make, whether to reject the deal, or embrace the future possibilities, job opportunities for our kids, and funding for our municipal infrastructure. The referendum happens October 21st through 28th.
Tony Zettel, Mildmay
GREAN (Growing Rural Environmental Action Network) adds its support to the province-wide coalition event “Public Healthcare not Greenbelt Highways!” on Sept. 14 and 15 with rallies in Barrie, Burlington, Fort Erie, Hamilton, Mississauga, Newmarket and Toronto and open letters from Brampton, Cornwall, Durham Region, Minden and Bruce and Grey Counties.
As environmental activists in Huron-Bruce, we stand with Saugeen resident Marie Millette and her letter expressing her disgust “with overspending on damaging and ineffective highways through the Greenbelt at a time when our province is underfunding our public health care system.”
Unprecedented and Worsening: Ontario’s Local Hospitals Closures 2023, a study by the Ontario Health Coalition “paints a stark picture of a healthcare system that has tipped into collapse,” especially for rural areas, like the riding of Huron-Bruce.
Among the emergency departments, maternity and obstetrics, outpatient laboratories and intensive care units across Ontario
that have been subject to repeated closures over the past three years, HuronBruce hospitals such as Chesley have been closing evenings, overnight and on weekends since Dec. 5, 2022, Clinton’s emergency department has been closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. since December, 2019, Seaforth has had 17 temporary emergency department closures, Walkerton has had 20 and Wingham has had 31. In Perth County, St. Marys Memorial Hospital’s emergency department closed overnight five times, and Listowel’s emergency department closed once. Staffing issues have been a concern in the region, which prompted the Listowel Wingham Hospital Alliance to recommend that residents confirm that other hospitals in the region are open before heading to the next nearest hospital.
“The cause of the closures is staff shortages that have grown over the last three years into the worst crisis anyone has seen, compounded by the Ford government’s wage suppression legislation (Bill 124), privatization of staffing through forprofit staffing agencies, the government’s decision to end emergency COVID funding for locums and extremely short-term funding arrangements announced after short staffing has become critical,”
the 2023 report points out. As ridings that lead all regions of Ontario in total value of agricultural production, we are all too aware of the value and scarcity of the province’s productive farmland. We are baffled why you, Lisa Thompson, current Minister of Rural Affairs and former Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, aren’t fighting fiercely against the paving of prime agricultural land and instead, seem to be standing by while the province pays upwards of $10 billion to destroy 2,000 acres of farmland, 220 wetlands and dozens of waterways for a savings of 30 to 60 seconds of commute time, according to Environmental Defence. In Huron-Bruce, we are also losing far too much farmland to unfettered gravel mining, which aggregate companies are justifying as needed by unnecessary new highways like the 413. We would expect that you would instead be as concerned about the future of local healthcare facilities as we are. Please tell Premier Ford to stop under-funding our rural healthcare system and stop enriching his developer friends using our tax dollars.
Sincerely, Susan Hundertmark, Growing Rural Environmental Action Network, of Huron-Bruce-Perth
The 102nd Elementary School Fair in Belgrave had perfect weather for a day devoted to celebrating local agriculture – getting back to rural roots. While some activities at the
have changed with the times, others, like tug-of-war and bicycle decorating, have not, much to the delight of participants.
102nd Elementary School Fair gets ‘back to its roots’
PAULINE KERR
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter pkerr@midwesternnewspapers.com
BELGRAVE - The 102nd Elementary School Fair in Belgrave on Sept. 11 celebrated a tradition that goes back to the fair’s roots in 1920.
It’s the only fair in Canada that’s open just to exhibits and school work by local students. The fair includes elementary age students from Maitland River Elementary, Sacred Heart, Hullett, Brookside, F. E. Madill and home school students in the catchment area. The fair has changed with
the times. Where there once were entries for such things as milk stool building and home churned butter in the days of one-room schools, today’s fair has everything from alpacas and the Loonie-Toonie search, to the photo competition and learning how to handle a fire extinguisher.
The focus of the 2024 fair was one that students from the fair’s early days – and yes, many of them still attend as volunteers – would recognize and enjoy, as a fun celebration of agriculture and rural life.
In addition to indoor exhibits, there were plenty of outdoor activities – tug-
of-war, potato sack race, showing animals, a blacksmith display, and the everpopular parade.
As North Huron Reeve Paul Heffer said in the opening ceremonies, it’s all about the younger generation. “Kudos to them … and all the effort they put in.”
Morris-Turnberry Mayor Jamie Heffer congratulated all the volunteers who keep the fair going.
MPP Lisa Thompson, minister of rural affairs, is no stranger to the fair, and commented that the students are maintaining a tradition that’s been going on for 102 years. “You’re
participating in something very special,” she said.
MP Beb Lobb thanked everyone for their commitment to the fair, stressing how unique it is. “It’s all about the next generation,” he said.
The final speaker for the opening ceremonies was the 2024 Elementary School Fair Ambassador, Revel Beck, for whom participating in the fair is a family tradition. She said she has been coming to the fair since she was a baby. Pronouncing the fair open was only the beginning of Revel’s duties as ambassador – she was busy handing out ribbons to competitors.
2024 Elementary School Fair Ambassador Revel Beck.
Morris-Turnberry Mayor Jamie Heffer helped out with the judging at the Elementary School Fair in Belgrave
Pauline Kerr photos
school fair
Ironmen down Capitals 6-2 in PJHL season opener in Wingham
PATRICK RAFTIS editor@midwesternnewspapers.com
WINGHAM - The Wingham
Ironmen downed the Walkerton Capitals 6-2 in the first Provincial Junior Hockey League regular season action for both teams on Sept. 13 at the North Huron Westcast Community Complex.
Although Wingham carried much of the play through the early first-period going, Walkerton struck first with a power play goal by Aiden Stanley, assisted by Nathan Doran, with just over two minutes left in the opening period.
The Ironmen evened things up with a goal by Noah Bloemberg just 2:20 into the second period.
Brandon Bishop and Austin Becker drew assists.
Goals by Micah Kraayenbrink and Dawson Dietz put Wingham up 3-1 before the Hawks closed the gap on an Owen Troyer marker, assisted by Andres Alves with 35 seconds left in period. Bleomberg, Tanner Dietz, Logan Burnham and Tate Fritz assisted on the Wingham goals.
The third period was all Wingham as Kraayenbrink and Noah Bloemberg each scored their second of the game, the latter a power play marker, and Nate Bloemberg wrapped up the scoring with another power play goal 8:41 into the period. Nate Bloemberg, Tanner Dietz, Tysan Fischer, Krayenbrink and Burhnam drew assists on the Ironmen’s third period goals.
Ironmen netminder Noah Ricci stopped 16 shots, while his teammates fired 33 shots at Talen Hope in the Capitals goal.
More weekend action
On Sept. 14 the Capitals dropped a 9-6 decision to the Mount Forest Patriots in Mount Forest.
Walkerton’s Aiden Stanley recorded a hat trick, while Nathan Doren, Owen Troyer and Nate Binkley scored singles.
Andres Alves, with two, Binkley, Josh Johnson and Malcolm McDonald drew assists on the Walkerton goals.
The Ironmen continued their winning ways on Sept. 14 with a 4-2 win over the Bulldogs in Kincardine.
Tyson Fischer, Tanner Dietz, Adam MacRobbie and Noah Wettlaufer scored for Wingham.
Dietz, Tate Bramhill, Austion Becker and Brandon Bishop drew assists.
Coming up
The Capitals home opener is set for Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Walkerton Community Centre.
The team travels to Goderich for an 8 p.m. game on Sept. 21, then hosts the Ironmen in an afternoon rematch at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 22.
Next action for the Ironmen is Sept. 21 in Mitchell against the Hawks in a 7:15 p.m. start, followed by a rematch with the Capitals in Walkerton on Sept. 22 at 2:30pm.
Permit required to hunt on Maitland Conservation properties
MAITLAND VALLEY - Mait-
land Conservation is reminding hunters that a permit is required to hunt on designated conservation lands.
Hunters must pre-purchase a hunting permit from Maitland Conservation before hunting on designated properties. According to Stewart Lockie, Conservation Areas Coordinator, permits provide access to all Maitland Conservation properties where hunting is permitted.
“Hunting is allowed at 12 of
our properties,” reports Lockie.
“Obtaining a hunting permit is required under the Conservation Authorities Act.”
Hunters must have $2 million personal liability insurance (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters or similar insurance policy) and provide proof of insurance when they apply for a permit.
The fees for 2024 are:
- Resident (an applicant who resides or owns property in a MVCA member municipality):
$84.75 including tax ; and - Non-Resident: $141.25 including tax.
In addition, hunters must have all appropriate and valid hunting licences and permits and all federal and provincial regulations, seasonal and species restrictions, and Conservation Area rules must be followed.
Additional information and the 2024 permit application form are posted in the ‘What’s New’ section of Maitland Conservation’s website at mvca.on.ca.
Huron Chamber of Commerce raises $1,910 for Habitat for Humanity at annual charity golf tournament
HURON COUNTY - On
Friday, Aug. 23, the Huron Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the scenic Woodlands Links Golf Course.
This year’s tournament was not just a day of friendly competition and camaraderie but also a resounding success in supporting a great cause.
“We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to the incredible generosity of our participants, sponsors, and local businesses, we raised $1,910 for Habitat for Humanity – Huron County. These funds will go directly toward building homes and hope within our commu-
nity,” a press release states.
The day kicked off with a shotgun start at noon, setting the stage for a funfilled afternoon of golf. Teams of two and four took to the greens, vying for the longest drive, closest to the pin, and other exciting prizes.
The competition was fierce, but the atmosphere remained light-hearted, with plenty of laughter and good-natured ribbing among participants.
After the game, everyone gathered for a mouth-watering steak dinner, where the day’s winners were celebrated, and more prizes were handed out.
Patrick Raftis photo
Marcus Ptok of the Walkerton Capitals (20) attempts to elude a check from a Wingham Ironmen player during the PJHL season opener for both teams in Wingham Friday night.
Huron Chamber of Commerce photo
From left: Executive Director of the Huron Chamber of Commerce Colin Carmichael. HuronTel General Manager Ryan McClinchey, Habitat for Humanity Director Angus Cline, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Cheryl Jefferson, and Director and Tournament Chair of Huron Chamber of Commerce Tom Williscraft.
Howick Council considers implementing local landfill with front-end receiving area
NICOLE BESWITHERICK
nbeswitherick@midwestern newspapers.com
HOWICK - During public meetings and a delegation at its recent meeting, council here received report PW-2024-16 regarding the Howick landfill for information.
The purpose of the report was for Howick Council to consider options for improvements to the landfill. Due to a last minute urgency, Al Bringleson of GEI Consultants could not present the report, but will later be available to answer questions of council.
On behalf of Bringleson, Clerk and Administrator Caitlin Gillis presented the report, beginning with some background in how the current ECA (Environmental Compliance Approval) is run.
“Our existing ECA is for the operation of the 3.5 hectare landfill site within a total site area of 35.6 hectares. How they determine volume capacity is airspace. And we have 140,000 meters cubed of our capacity under our current license. We’re only using about 55,800 of our current licensed airspace,” she said.
Prior to 1989, waste was placed below grade in an area between Areas A and B listed (as shown in Figure 2 above). This is where the attendants office and recycling area are currently located. Waste was placed in Area A (most southerm part of used land, south of Harriston Road, Highway 87) from 1989 to 2003 in four trenches perpendicular from Highway 87.
In November 2004, the ECA was amended to allow above-grade filling at the site. It initially proceeded in both areas, and construction and demolition wastes were placed above the former trenches in Area A and domestic waste was filled
Howick Council agenda photo
Pictured here is Figure 2 of report PW-2024-16, showcasing the site plan from the 2022 Howick Monitoring Report. Area A is shown at the bottom with its vertical trenches, while Area B is at the top. The orange outlines the total site boundary. The full report and images can be found at howick.ca/agendas-minutes on page 13 of the Sept. 10 agenda.
above grade in Area B. Due to a high water table, above-grade filling in Area A was discontinued indefinitely in November 2005, due to a notice from the MOE (Ministry of Environment) that imposed further approval requirements that must be satisfied before filling in this area can resume.
“The township also submitted a revised Contour Plan for above-grade filling in Area B, as required by the November 2005 notice. The ECA was amended in September 2007 to include the revised contour plan. Waste filling in Area B is currently proceeding according to this Place,” states the report.
Gillis explained to council that Howick Township has not submitted an amended contour plan to propose
above-grade filling in Area A again since 2005 when that changed. The report states this would extend the remaining site life expectancy of the landfill by utilizing more of the maximum approved airspace capacity.
Options for landfill site improvement
Bringleson, prior to the meeting informed council, that, as the report states, the most valuable commodity at any landfill is the remaining approved airspace capacity. Once it has been exhausted, the landfill closure is required.
“Basically they take our average annual fill levels and compaction, and that’s how they determine our remaining useful life,” Gillis explained to council and staff.
She added that, “one of the most effective ways of achieving efficient and effective use of the approved airspace is through systematic waste placement and compaction. So it equates to packing more waste into less space.”
Bringleson included in his report a list of benefits of long term and effective waste compaction:
- extending landfill life;
- absence of or reduction in voids and a resultant decrease in waste settlement;
- reduction in windblown litter and exposed waste at the surface of the active area;
- fewer rodents/pests/insects;
- reduced daily cover requirements;
- reduced rainfall/surface water infiltration into the waste which results in reduced leachate generation and migration;
- a more stable surface for machine and vehicular traffic; and
- less land taken out of productive use.
Financial implications
Financial implications listed in the provided report include the cost of 18 yard bins with hinged attachment for front end loaders valued in 2018 at $8,000, as well as the cost of a used steel-wheeled landfill compactor valued at $350,000$400,000.
“They’re not cheap, but they really do help expand the life of [the landfill],” said Gillis referencing the landfill compactor, adding that North Huron uses one “and it makes quite a difference, even though there’s a significant cost to it.”
The report also provides two new proposed preliminary designs for council to consider for the Howick landfill.
The first involves locating a scale and scale house at the back of the landfill with an estimated project
cost of $261,000, and the second proposes amending the landfill to a front-end receiving area near Highway 87 with an estimated project cost of $432,000.
“The more we could do in-house with the tree removal, clearing and grading ... if we were to move to a front end receiving area, then those costs could come down as well,” Gillis said.
Going forward
The clerk shared that Bringleson said he felt if Howick could reapply under its ECA to use the approved licensed airspace, they would be looking at 40 plus years of additional life for the landfill.
“I think as much as we can maximize our existing landfill, we’ll be in a good position. Yes, there’s going to be costs. They don’t all need to be done in one year, but I think there’s potential there. Sounding how others are run, that we’re missing out on some revenue sources as well,” she said.
“Any expansion of (the landfill’s) lifespan that’s left will be a great asset to Howick.”
Coun. Rosemary Rognvaldson added it will also be cheaper than getting a new landfill.
Gillis also told council and staff that “if we decide on a proposed plan, Al will move forward with more quotes and a better detailed design.”
She explained that from Bringleson’s perspective too, many other townships in the area are moving to a front-end system. Due to other factors, there may be additional changes to the report’s proposed options in the future as well.
“By moving the operation to the front of the landfill, you have far better control over how the landfill is managed,” said Rognvaldson. “My feeling is you need to bite the bullet, pay
the money, have it at the front, have good control, which therefore means you can collect revenue and make sure that your landfill has the longest possible life.”
Gillis agreed with Rognvaldson saying, “I think the other costs, like the compactor, can be considered as we hire a new manager of public works and as we develop the plan; but I think, the front end is not dependent on that part. It’s more just going to be a quick attachment for the loader to be able to move things – and then knowing there’s an associated cost – but I think we need to be there more than we are now.”
“I think you’re going to pretty much have to pick your poison first, like if you’re going to pick that second option of moving to the front, we’ve got to start clearing some land and stuff like that first,” said Reeve Doug Harding. “This is my concern, is getting a process down here that [Howick] can still do what [it’s] doing now, as poor as it may be, while [we] start expanding the way [we] want to go.” Coun. Rognvaldson added, “We also need to know which of the steps are the most efficient in moving forward, rather than saying, ‘oh, we’ll do this and we’ll do that.’ That may not be the most cost effective and overall effective way of doing it.”
By the end of the discussion council was in agreement to get an estimate for moving to a front-end receiving area, and to create a proposal with time and cost included.
A motion to get started on planning changes to the Howick landfill, after consulting more with Al Bringleson, was moved by Coun. Marvin Grimes, seconded by Coun. Rognvaldson and approved by council.
Restoring Balance: How Indigenous knowledge can guide ecological renewal
CORY BILYEA
cbilyea@midwesternnewspapers.com
TURTLE ISLAND - Conservationists, environmentalists, and communities are recognizing the urgent need for environmental restoration and conservation, and many are turning to Indigenous knowledge and practices to help revitalize the land.
From seed-keeping traditions that preserve biodiversity to holistic approaches that seek to re-establish balance in the natural world, Indigenous perspectives offer valuable insights that can complement Western scientific methods.
Midwestern Newspapers spoke with Terre Chartrand, an Indigenous food sovereignty activist, seed keeper, artist, and traditional beader based in the Waterloo Region, to learn more about how Indigenous knowledge can inform environmental restoration.
Chartrand has dedicated her life to preserving traditional seed varieties and cultivating a deep understanding of the interconnected web of life that sustains healthy ecosystems.
Chartrand discussed environmentalists’ ongoing efforts, stressing the need for collaboration and partnership between Indigenous groups, conservation organizations, and scientific researchers to develop integrated, balanced approaches to environmental restoration.
She explained, “Indigenous knowledge is science, and it is real knowledge. From an Indigenous point of view, naturalization means that we are taking care of our relations and our relationships with everything around us. So, when a space becomes naturalized, we’ve restored the balance between us and everything else in creation.”
Chartrand understands that many people view Indigenous knowledge as “kind of airy-fairy, or like a child’s storybook,” she said, “but the undertaking of restoring balance within all of creation is an involved and difficult scientific process. What I tell people is Indigenous knowledge and science is integrated within a system of thought and not isolated as a thing to test and prove alone, but we do test and prove.”
She explained further, stating, “It’s integrated with a full structure of thinking, in a worldview way of thinking. For instance, it takes us so long to make decisions about things, which is why some of our land restoration projects seem to lag, because we wait, and we wait. And we wait for the right conditions, and we wait to see certain things. And people will be like, ‘Oh are you waiting for a sign? And it’s like, Yeah, but not in that way,’” she laughed.
“It’s not like we’re waiting for the
eagle to fly over and tip his wings a certain way; it might be that an eagle flew over but that’s a signal of spring, or we know that they migrate to a certain place. So, we know it’s time for things to happen, because when they migrate, there is that sense of a sign.”
Wildlife returning
Chartrand shared her thoughts on why some wildlife are returning to areas where they have not been seen for a long time and the connection between the environmental restoration efforts.
“Some of it is because environmental toxins and pollutants have finally dissipated enough. But there’s a whole bunch of things that we’re seeing that I don’t know how to explain. Like, there’s someone who saw moose regularly in the Durham area. And to me, that is so far south from what we know. So, these are things that people are watching and paying attention to because it represents something in the relationship that we don’t understand yet.
“And having moose that far south; with bald eagles returning to traditional ranges after the dissipation of DDT in the environment, that’s something that we can see, a direct cause and relationship that is based on some type of restoration, where we’re not using a poison that you know absolutely ends the lifespan of things like eagles and pileated woodpeckers.”
Chartrand spoke of hunters she knows who have noted a return of the caribou in Northeastern Ontario, and she saw wolverine tracks as far south and east as North Bay.
“So that’s a return as well,” she said. “And there’s a lot of that.”
While some single instances, like the bald eagle in a Toronto suburb, can be explained by pointing out the obvious, like the removal of DDT, Chartrand cannot find an explanation for the return of wildlife in the north that has returned.
“What’s going on with that?
When we see all of those, and there hasn’t been a push around a breeding program to those areas, yet they’ve returned. So, I don’t know what that is yet. Indigenous knowledge requires that I watch, I listen, and I learn.”
Chartrand doesn’t live in the
morth at this time, so she now relies on her family and friends “who do watch and do live on the land and do see these relationships” to help her with this.
“I tell people that Indigenous people are an indigenous species on the planet. So, when I talk about us and our connection, I’m talking about the same type of connection as the bald eagle, or the cedar trees or any other things that has a presence and a currency that’s the depth of time and understanding of what’s around them.”
Fortress Conservation
Chartrand spoke about fortress conservation and suggested that a more holistic, collaborative approach integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices is essential for successful, long-term environmental restoration rather than the fortress conservation model isolating human activity from the natural world.
Fortress conservation refers to the practice of setting aside certain areas as protected conservation zones, where human interaction and activity are restricted or banned, such as conservation areas.
Chartrand noted that these conservation areas, while well-intentioned, often become overrun by non-native and invasive species, as the lack of human stewardship and management allows them to increase unchecked.
“And you’ll see that these areas have the most intense take over by non-native species, so conservation areas tend to be absolutely choked in Phragmites, European buckthorn and things like that because no one is harvesting. Proper Indigenous relationships, Indigenous people are indigenous species, and we steward our spaces and our relationships. And in that, it means that we practice stewarding things like buckthorn and garlic mustard and stuff like that. So Indigenous care for certain spaces would have those things kept in balance,” she explained
Chartrand emphasized that Indigenous peoples are an integral part of the local ecosystem and that their traditional land management practices are essential for maintaining balance and biodiversity. This suggests that proper ecological restoration requires the active involvement and stewardship of Indigenous communities, who possess deep, generational knowledge of adequately caring for the land.
Seed Keeping
The role of a seed keeper is more than just saving and storing a variety of seeds. Chartrand discussed the profound connection to the land, cultural heritage, and the future sustainability of local food systems and ecosystems.
Seed keeping is a traditional role in many Indigenous communities that have been passed down through generations.
“All people are given different gifts,” said Chartrand. “So, there’s people who come forward with this extraordinary ability, and desire and love to hold things like seeds.” She spoke about one of her mentors, the late Terrylynn Brant from Six Nations, who created and ran the Mohawk Seedkeeper Gardens there, how she held such a special relationship with seeds, and the stories that are passed down through her family.
Indigenous seed keepers maintain the physical seeds and the cultural knowledge and histories connected to them. They preserve the stories of where the seeds came from, who has cared for them, and the conditions in which they were grown.
This generational approach to seed keeping is seen as a way to maintain connections to the land and to future generations. The seeds represent a tangible link between the past, present, and future.
Indigenous seed-keeping practices are often more diverse and holistic than modern industrial agriculture, which focuses on a limited number of high-yield hybrid varieties. Indigenous seed keepers maintain a wide variety of heirloom and indigenous plant species.
So, in a broader seed-keeping initiative, where we’re establishing a more traditional seed bank, we want to honour the story of those seeds,” said Chartrand. “So, there’s always traditional stories around, like the three sisters and those types of stories. But we also liked remembering what happened to those plants, for those seeds to be built that year.
“Often, we track it, these seeds are from the drought year or the seeds were from a year that we had flood because it changes the story of those seeds and how those stories, those seeds sit in the balance of things. The other thing about seed keeping and seed sharing, you establish a connection to the next seven generations in such a tangible way; it’s sort of like when people talk about planting trees, they say that you don’t do it for yourself, you do it for 100 years from now.”
Chartrand added, “With seeds, it’s the same thing. But it’s not just next year that we’re thinking about, we’re thinking and of cycles of four and 10 and 12 years, because that’s how often a seed needs to be regenerated. Depending on the seed, some of them need regeneration every year. So, we’re thinking of these seeds in their lifetimes and the generations of those seeds, but also how they impact the lifetimes of all of our relations.”
Chartrand shared an example of 5,000-year-old squash seeds that were discovered and successfully germinated, demonstrating the resilience and longevity of traditional seed varieties when properly cared for.
“So I always thought that was an interesting story, because that squash has not been grown in like thousands of years. And then they find these seeds in a clay vessel that was buried. And plants have been propagated off of that,” she said.
However, she also noted the threat that climate change poses to many Indigenous seed varieties, as the loss of critical cold stratification periods can prevent proper germination.
One of my biggest environmental concerns is the disappearance of cold stratification. Native species in most of Canada require between two and up to eight weeks of cold stratification, which requires a certain depth of cold and a certain amount of frost for them to germinate.
Chartrand, who is instrumental in cultivating an Indigenous Garden in Kitchener, said they are currently in the beginning stages of a practice she calls assisted migration. They are bringing plants from further south to replant in the cooler climate to make them heartier and grow in this environment.
“But people have to remember that we have this thing called the polar vortex now, which often isn’t long enough to cold stratify. But it’s cold enough to kill off any southern species, or most, right? So, it’s leaving us in a bit of a catch 22 with regards to Indigenous forestry, Indigenous meadow keeping, Indigenous grasslands, Indigenous understories. There’s a few of us who are kind of counting the amount of time that we have a good frost or good cold to see what plants we’re going to lose. And when.”
As work continues to restore balance to local environments, the insights offered by Indigenous knowledge keepers like Chartrand provide a vital roadmap forward. By integrating traditional ecological practices, such as seed-keeping and holistic land management, with Western scientific methods, conservation efforts can move beyond isolated projects and toward a more comprehensive healing of the land.
Though restoring centuries of disruption may take generations, Chartrand and other Indigenous leaders hope this collaborative approach can help revive the natural abundance and biodiversity that once thrived in the region. As one species after another returns to its rightful place, it serves as a powerful reminder that when we listen to the wisdom of the land, the path to renewal becomes clear.
Company offers funding for community-led learning initiatives
LINDSAY - Community-led initiatives throughout eastern, central and western Ontario are eligible for up to $50,000 in funding through a program offered by an Ontario insurance company.
A Sept. 12 press release from the Commonwell Mutual Insurance group states: “Ontario’s small communities can often feel left behind when applying for government grants and funding. Yet locally-based educational programs are essential for communities to grow and thrive, and to address budget shortfalls in local, provincial and federal funding.” Ontario communities throughout “Commonwell Country,”
which the press release described as the smaller places and wideopen spaces of Eastern, Central and Western Ontario that the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group serves “now have the green light” to apply for grants from $10,000 up to $50,000 to fund community programming and infrastructure programs on the local level.
In response to steadily growing funding requests, in this, the fourth year of the Learning and Engagement Accelerator Fund (LEAF) Commonwell has topped up their available funding by $50,000 to continue reenergizing learning, education, and engage-
ment in these communities.
LEAF is continuing to zero in on funding learning initiatives. Eligible projects must have a goal related to learning in their community and building strong communities for the future.
“We created LEAF to find creative ways to fund important learning and community initiatives that might normally be denied funding or overlooked for larger initiatives,” said Tim Shauf, president and CEO of The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group.
“As a mutual insurance company committed to giving back to the communities where we
live and work, The Commonwell knows how important these programs are on the local and hyperlocal level. They are making a huge difference in the lives of Ontarians,” Shauf added.
What projects are eligible?
Local community-led initiatives in the areas that The Commonwell operates across Ontario that support learning programming or the places where communities gather to learn.
“Think libraries, schools, and community centres,” Commonwell officials state.
For communities to earn their share of the fund, residents can
nominate an eligible project through the submission portal at thecommonwell.ca/leaf. Once projects have been submitted The Commonwell will be looking to those communities to rally support for the project by commenting and sharing photos on the project’s page at thecommonwell.ca/leaf.
“Community engagement is a factor in deciding the winning proposals,” the press release notes.
Applications for the program close Nov. 8. Community support pages for projects close Nov. 15. Recipients announced in December 2024.
Submitted photo Indigenous food sovereignty activist, seed keeper, artist, and traditional beader, Terre Chartrand.
Growing Rural Environmental Action Network promoting Heat Pumps for All campaign
HURON-BRUCE - The Growing Rural Environmental Action Network (GREAN) is encouraging Huron-Bruce residents to sign a nationwide petition promoting free heat pumps for all Canadians.
GREAN is participating in a Heat Pumps for All campaign, launched by 350 Canada this summer, that urges the federal government to create a Universal Heat Pump Program overseen by a new publicly owned entity that produces, distributes and installs free heat pumps in homes across the country.
“Our members are gathering signatures both online and in person to support this great initiative,” says GREAN member Susan Hundertmark.
A Sept. 11 press release from GREAN notes heat pumps are appliances that both heat and cool homes using electricity. The release states heat pumps can reduce Canadians’ energy bills by between $350 and $1,000 a year.
GREAN officials also point out the number of heat pumps installed in Canada doubled between 2013 and 2021, according to Statistics Canada.
“Making heat pumps accessible to Canadian homeowners is imperative to reach the country’s climate goals. As the second highest emitters per capita of greenhouse gases, Canadians produce a third of those emissions through the oil and gas industry, 13% of which comes from buildings,” GREAN officials state.
The press release quotes Hadrian Mertens-Kirkwood, a senior researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, stating at a recent 350 Canada online meeting: “Not only do they reduce greenhouse gas emissions when we’re displacing oil or gas heat, but you save money over the lifetime of these units.”
Mertens-Kirkwood added that the difficulty is the upfront costs of heatpumps, which are only affordable for most Canadians with public programs.
The federal government recently shut down a Greener Homes Grant, which provided up to $5,000 to the 82,000 households across the country that bought and installed a heat pump. The demand for heat pumps outstripped all other retrofits offered in the program and yet, the spring budget did not provide more funds to continue the program across Canada. It did announce a grant that provides heat pumps solely to PEI households with incomes less than $129,000 a year.
GREAN officials note 15 MPs, from the NDP, Liberal and Green parties, have pledged to champion the Heat Pumps for All campaign and the organization hopes to encourage Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb to become the first Conservative MP to make the pledge.
“Championing 350 Canada’s initiative would show that Canada is serious about meeting its 2030 emissions reduction target,” said Hundertmark.
“We hope to see Ben Lobb make that commitment.”
Midwestern Newspapers reached out to Lobb’s office for comment but did not hear back by deadline.
GREAN is inviting anyone who is interested in signing the Heat Pumps for All petition to do so at: https://community.350.org/petitions/heat-pumps-forall-target-location_name-safer-cheapercleaner-ben-lobb
The petition will also be available to sign at the GREAN booth at Froggy Fest in Goderich on Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Huron County accessibility awards nominations now open
HURON COUNTY - Each year, the Huron County Accessibility Advisory Committee (HCAAC) Awards recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in Huron County. These awards honour those who actively work to remove barriers, enhance accessibility, and foster a more inclusive community. The HCAAC Awards consist of two distinct honours:
Sandra Thompson Memorial Accessibility Champion Award
This award was established by HCAAC in 2022 to honour the memory of Sandra Thompson and to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Sandra Thompson was a devoted advocate for accessibility in Huron County, inspiring others to enhance accessibility in the community. She served as the County of Huron’s Accessibility Coordinator until 2016 and was a proud resident of the Bluevale area. This award honours an individual in Huron County who:
- Shows exceptional dedi-
cation to promoting accessibility;
- Demonstrates strong leadership in advancing accessibility;
- Works to create a more inclusive community; and
- Makes a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
To make a nomination for the Sandra Thompson Memorial Accessibility Champion Award visit: https://forms.office.com/ Pages/ResponsePage.aspx ?id=FEfutWtAUUmn9TzI ilBP1QJQ eGr4O3hJmXbeg4UtmM1UQlRZUUdCQ1VMVzg0T1VKSktWMTdLUkZHNS4u.
Award of Merit for Barrier-Free Access
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to creating spaces and experiences that remove barriers and foster a more inclusive community. This award honours those who have demonstrated excellence in designing spaces, products, or services that enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. It celebrates a commitment to innovation and design that promotes inclusivity and equity. This award has two categories:
- Public: The Public category honors efforts made by governmental bodies, non profit organizations, and public institutions to create inclusive and accessible environments for all members of the community.
- Business: The Business category recognizes private enterprises that have demonstrated a commitment to accessibility, ensuring that their spaces, products, and services are welcoming and accessible for people with disabilities.
To make a nomination to the Award of Merit for Barrier-Free Access visit: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FEfutW tAUUmn9TzIilBP1QJ Q eGr4O3hJmXbeg4UtmM1UMTI5WkE0Slc4OTc0U0k3NTBFWU83OTJZWS4u
Please submit nomination forms no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2024. If you require assistance, please email the County of Huron Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility@ huroncounty.ca with the subject: Nomination Form Assistance.
Help us tell the story…
Reporter and photographer positions are open in several communities our award-winning newspapers serve.
The news never stops and interested candidates understand that. Seasoned reporters with experience and a journalism degree are preferred, but a candidate with demonstrated enthusiasm and a desire to learn the trade will be considered.
Midwestern Newspapers has offices in Listowel, Walkerton and Kincardine. Each community offers an enviable suburban lifestyle within the counties of Bruce, Huron and Perth. The natural beauty of these areas is well known.
Most assignments involve civic journalism, covering local government and institutions that directly affect quality of life for locals. Human interest and events coverage chronicle hometown pride and serve as a celebration of the people and strong communities.
Some qualities we seek include:
• Excellent organization skills
• Exhibited attention to detail
• Solid grammar and accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Reliable transportation and valid license
• Grasp of social media concepts and use
• A curious nature
Please drop us a note including qualifications, experience and preferred hours of work (part-time or full-time) and office of interest. Co-op students welcome.
Applications close September 13, 2024.
Michele Russell – accounting@midwesternnewspapers.com
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Manager of Building and Planning/Chief Building Official
Visit the Township of Huron-Kinloss website to view this employment opportunity. https://www.huronkinloss.com/town-hall/careers/
LTD. - from Walkerton, Ontario is looking for 30 Chicken Hangers. Unload poultry from the transport truck, Hang poultry on a conveyor line for slaughtering. Slaughter livestock and remove viscera and other inedible parts from carcasses. Work site environment; Noisy, Odours, Dusty, Hot, Cold/refrigerated work setting. Work conditions and physical capabilities; Repetitive tasks, handling heavy loads, physically demanding, manual dexterity, attention to detail, hand-eye co-ordination, standing for extended periods, bending, crouching, kneeling. Weight handling Up to 23 kg (50 lbs). Own transportation required. Salary $22.00 hourly / 40 hours per Week. How to apply; Direct Apply By email jobs@ moonfleetpoultry.com. By phone 1-519881-0146, between 9:00am and 4:00pm. By mail 106 Colborne Street North, Walkerton, ON N0G 2V0
CHICKEN CATCHERS - Moonfleet
FARM FOR SALE BY TENDER
By Larry and Susan Ropp
Part of the property municipally described as 333 Paradise Lake Street, R.R. #5, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 and legally described as Part Lot 20, Concession 3 being Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, 3R-10875; Huron-Kinloss; 50 acres more or less. Approximately 48 acres being workable. Vacant land. Certified Organic. Primarily gravel bottom. Purchaser to contact Township of Huron-Kinloss regarding building potential. Vacant possession on Closing.
Selling in as is condition without representation as to exact acreage. Purchaser must rely on own inspection. Closing Date Monday, December 2, 2024 with early access to Farmland to Purchaser. To view the property please contact Larry Ropp at 519955-1257.
Tenders shall be in the prescribed form available from the Vendors’ Solicitors: CRAWFORD, MILL & DAVIES
Attention: Conor T. O’Keefe 567 Campbell Street, Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0 519-528-2818
Tenders to be submitted by 12:00 noon on Thursday, October 3, 2024 with a $20,000.00 deposit by regular cheque payable to Crawford, Mill & Davies, In Trust. Highest, or any tender, not necessarily accepted.
Poultry Services Ltd., chicken catching company from Walkerton, Ontario URGENTLY requires 260 chicken catchers for work in various parts of Ontario including Walkerton, Hanover, Harriston, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, Brantford, Hamilton and Niagara Falls area. Positions are available immediately, permanent full time employment, salary $18.00/ hr for 40 hrs a week or piecework, whichever is greater. No skills or minimum education required, however previous experience would be an asset. Duties include catching poultry, loading poultry into transport crates, loading crates into transportation trucks, unloading poultry from crates, may be required to do additional poultry farm related duties. Please apply via email at jobs@moonfleetpoultry.com. via fax at 15198814577 or in person at # 11, 106 Colborne Street North, Walkerton, Ontario, N0G 2V0.
- Moonfleet Poultry urgently requires 25 Poultry Farm Labour - Chicken Catcher Supervisors for work in various locations involving travel in surrounding areas of Walkerton, Guelph, Cambridge, Hamilton and Eastern Ontario. Permanent fulltime positions are available immediately. Wages: $22.00/hr for 40 hrs a week or piecework whichever is greater. No education required, however previous experience of 6-12 months supervising or chicken catching would be an asset. Duties include organizing and driving crews, setting up farm, catching and loading poultry into crates, cleaning area after work is completed. Must have a valid driver’s licence and criminal record check. Company transportation van provided for work. Please send resumes to: email at jobs@moonfleetpoultry.com or fax to: 519-881-4577 or send by mail P.O. Box 9, Walkerton, Ontario, N0G 2V0.
Mom and Dad!
Donald and Lorna McKague were married in September of 1959 in Toronto. They will be celebrating 65 years of marriage at Braemar Retirement Centre (719 Josephine Street North, Wingham, ON N0G 2W0) on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the “Activities (orange) Room”. Please stop by for cake and punch. Cards and well wishes only. Love from your children, David, Chris, and Vicki McKague and Mark W. Keller
TAKE-OUT THANKSGIVING HOME COOKED MEALS - Friday, October 4, served from 11am - 1pm and 4:30 - 7pm. Home baked pie and ice cream served between 11am - 7pm. Details/ RSVP by October 3. 226-971-2395, Maitside Orchards, 23 Orchard Line, Brussels.
GERBERS’ FIREWOOD – Your #1 source of quality slabwood and bodywood, for over 10 years! Order today, beat the rush! Delivery included! 519-656-2057 or 519-441-2085.
RELIABLE FINANCIAL GROUP INC
– Broker #10215. Funds available. No income, bad credit. Use your equity, farm, residence, commercial. Up to 90% ltv. Private funds. ALSO – investors needed. 12% return on first mortgage. 70% ltv. Call Dave at 519-379-7282. Mortgage Agent Level 2.
ARMSTRONG - Brian and Elaine would like to sincerely thank everyone who dropped in to our party for a visit. We were truly overwhelmed! Thank you for your generous donations to the Food Share, the beautiful cards and messages, and treats for us too. We have appreciated hearing from those who were unable to attend, as well. Thanks also to our family for helping with all the preparations. The celebration ended up being everything we hoped it would be and more! Thank you to all for
Bruce Fredrick Bates
Bruce Frederick Bates of Teeswater, passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by his family, at Windsor Regional Hospital on Monday, September 9, 2024, after a short, but courageous battle.
Bruce was born in Orangeville near his family dairy farm in Grand Valley, Ontario. Later his family moved to TeeswaterCulross where Bruce attended public school and later graduated from F.E. Madill in Wingham while helping on his family farm.
Bruce acquired many trades including plumber, H-Vac and Stationary Engineer. Bruce was very active in the community as a church elder, cemetery board director, member of the church, church board manager, member of the municipal tree committee and one of the founding members of Team Farmall.
Bruce and Margie (née Ropp) were married at Atwood, Ontario on September 24, 1971. They enjoyed many years together residing in Kincardine, Monkton, St. Marys and settled on Thomas Street in Teeswater in 1977 and later moving to their present location at their farm on the 6th concession of Culross.
Bruce enjoyed boating, canoeing, agriculture, sailing, woodworking and carpentry. He also had a gift for mechanics. He could fix everything.
Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and passed many of his gifts and passions onto his children and grandchildren.
Survived by his wife of 53 years Margie.
Cherished father of Melynda (Rob) Henschel, Casey Bates (Joey Coxon), Shannon (Bill) Henry, Ryan (Carolina) Bates.
Adored by his 8 grandchildren; Kassandra (Nicholas) Young, Lauren Henschel (Michael Dirven), Ty Henry (Sadie Scott), Spencer Bruce Henry (Kristen Ross), Jessie Henry (Whyatt Wilken), Simon Henry, Gordon Bates, Gwen Bates and great-grandchildren, Rhett Dirven, Stetson Henry, and Brooks Young.
Fondly remembered by in-laws: Edith Schalk, Bill Ropp, Fred (Verna) Ropp, Doug (Valerie) Ropp and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Bruce will be missed by many lifelong friends and neighbours.
Predeceased by his parents Bill and Jessie (née Jenkins) Bates, father and mother-inlaw, Bill and Gladys Ropp, and in-laws, Ruth (Martin) Brand, Lynn Ropp and Gerard Schalk.
Visitation took place at the Tiffin Funeral Home, Teeswater on Friday, September 13th, 2024 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The funeral service to honour Bruce’s life was conducted from Knox Presbyterian Church, Teeswater on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Harvey Osborne officiating.
Interment Culross-Teeswater Cemetery. Memorial donations to Knox Presbyterian Church or Friends of Algonquin Park appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Portrait and memorial on-line at www. tiffinfuneralhome.ca
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed 45.0m Communications Tower Site ON8422 Located at 45358 Spencetown Road, Fordwich, ON
PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed 45.0m Communications Tower Site ON8422
OBITUARY
Bob McKague
At Huronlea, Brussels on Friday, September 13, 2024, Mr. Robert John McKague of Wingham, at the age of 95 years.
Beloved husband of the late Helen (Walters) McKague. Dear father of Ron & Nancy McKague of Walkerton, and Murray & Shirley McKague of Wingham. Loving grandfather of Ruth Anne & Steve Stewart, Matt & Stephanie McKague, Courtney & David Bognar, Olivia McKague & fiancé Devon Christiensen and Jason & Jessica McKague. Great-grandfather of Natalie, Tyler, Leah, Emma and Eleanor. Brotherin-law Audrey McKague of Kitchener. Predeceased by his parents, John & Jessie (Currie) McKague; son, Gary; sister Jean
Leitch and her husband Ken, and by his brother Ken McKague. Visitation will be held at McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., where the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior. Interment in Wingham Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Wingham or the Wingham & District Hospital would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences at www. mcburneyfuneralhome.com
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed 45.0m Communications Tower Site ON8425
Located at 89372 Gorrie Line, Gorrie, ON
PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed 45.0m Communications Tower Site ON8425
e Inc. (Xplore) has proposed a 45 0m tall lite duty steel lattice style communication tower and related radio equipment private property at 45358 Spencetown Road, Fordwich, ON The proposed new structure will enhance internet and data coverage and capacity for the surroundings areas.
Located at 45358 Spencetown Road, Fordwich, ON Xplore Inc. (Xplore) has proposed a 45.0m tall lite duty steel lattice style communication tower and related radio equipment on private property at 45358 Spencetown Road, Fordwich, ON. The proposed new structure will enhance internet and data coverage and capacity for the surroundings areas.
Xplore Inc. (Xplore) has proposed a 45 0m tall lite duty steel lattice style communication tower and related radio equipment on private property at 89372 Gorrie Line, Gorrie, ON The proposed new structure will enhance internet and data coverage and capacity for the surroundings areas.
The geographic coordinates for the proposed site are as follows: Latitude: 43.850809 & Longitude: -81.020806 The facility is proposed in an agricultural area and will occupy a ground area of approximately 3m x 3m.
The geographic coordinates for the proposed site are as follows: Latitude: 43.884494 & Longitude: -81.111996 The facility is proposed in an agricultural area and will occupy a ground area of approximately 3m x 3m.
THIS NOTICE serves as an invitation to any interested members of the public to submit comments/ questions to the individual(s) listed below by October 30th, 2024
Located at 89372 Gorrie Line, Gorrie, ON Xplore Inc. (Xplore) has proposed a 45.0m tall lite duty steel lattice style communication tower and related radio equipment on private property at 89372 Gorrie Line, Gorrie, ON. The proposed new structure will enhance internet and data coverage and capacity for the surroundings areas.
THIS NOTICE serves as an invitation to any interested members of the public to submit comments/ questions to the individual(s) listed below by October 30th, 2024
The geographic coordinates for the proposed site are as follows: Latitude: 43.850809 & Longitude: -81.020806. The facility is proposed in an agricultural area and will occupy a ground area of approximately 3m x 3m.
tual public meeting will be held the evening of October 16th, 2024 at 6:00PM. Public comments and attendance are welcome. To register, please contact Sarah Duncan using the contact details below prior to October 14th, 2024
A virtual public meeting will be held the evening of October 9th, 2024 at 6:00PM. Public comments and attendance are welcome. To register, please contact Sarah Duncan using the contact details below prior to October 7th, 2024
The geographic coordinates for the proposed site are as follows: Latitude: 43.884494 & Longitude: -81.111996. The facility is proposed in an agricultural area and will occupy a ground area of approximately 3m x 3m.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the approval of this site and its design is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). For more information on the federal process pertaining to these installations please contact the local ISED office at: spectrumwodo-spectrebdsoo@ised-isde.gc.ca
THIS NOTICE serves as an invitation to any interested members of the public to submit comments/ questions to the individual(s) listed below by October 30th, 2024.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the approval of this site and its design is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). For more information on the federal process pertaining to these installations please contact the local ISED office at: spectrumwodo-spectrebdsoo@ised-isde.gc.ca
THIS NOTICE serves as an invitation to any interested members of the public to submit comments/ questions to the individual(s) listed below by October 30th, 2024.
FB CONNECT:
B CONNECT:
Sarah Duncan, Government Relations Suite 130, 482 South Service Rd E Oakville, Ontario, L6J 2X6 (587) 894-0773 Email: sduncan@forbesbrosltd.ca
A virtual public meeting will be held the evening of October 16th, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. Public comments and attendance are welcome. To register, please contact Sarah Duncan using the contact details below prior to October 14th, 2024.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the approval of this site and its design is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). For more information on the federal process pertaining to these installations please contact the local ISED office at: spectrumwodo-spectrebdsoo@ ised-isde.gc.ca
FB CONNECT: Sarah Duncan, Government Relations
Suite 130, 482 South Service Rd E
Oakville, Ontario, L6J 2X6
Tel: (587) 894-0773
Email: sduncan@forbesbrosltd.ca
SITE LOCATION MAP (not to scale)
SITE LOCATION MAP (not to scale)
Sarah Duncan, Government Relations
Proposed tower site
Suite 130, 482 South Service Rd E Oakville, Ontario, L6J 2X6
Tel: (587) 894-0773
Email: sduncan@forbesbrosltd.ca
A virtual public meeting will be held the evening of October 9th, 2024 at 6:00PM. Public comments and attendance are welcome. To register, please contact Sarah Duncan using the contact details below prior to October 7th, 2024.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the approval of this site and its design is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). For more information on the federal process pertaining to these installations please contact the local ISED office at: spectrumwodo-spectrebdsoo@ ised-isde.gc.ca
