ND Times Issue 15 2021 April 21

A/C Tune-up with guarantee from

$15 a month plus tax

No service call fee for broken down A/C – guaranteed If you get an A/C tune-up and follow-up with all recommendations by our certified technicians we will guarantee no breakdowns this summer.

Call or email us today!

If there is a breakdown the service call fee will be waived.

www.atelair.ca Williamsburg, ON

888-535-2720

Reaching by direct mail to over 5,500 homes and businesses in Winchester and area

The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 2, No 15

April 21, 2021

Stay at home!

613.774.2323

www.oldford.ca Award Winning Real Estate that Goes the Extra Mile

BUY 4 OIL CHANGES & GET THE 5TH ONE FREE! Toyo Tires Open Country AT 3, R/T & C/T

Available Here!

•Standard Oil Change •Battery test •Inspect wiper blades •Check all belts and hoses

Service • Repair • Tires 567 St. Lawrence St, Winchester

613-774-2520

by Lorraine Rekmans The Ontario government, under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, has extended the provincial declaration

of emergency and the StayAt-Home order (O.Reg 265/21).

Effective Saturday, April 17, police officers and other provincial offences officers will have the authority to require any individual to

provide their home address and purpose for not being at their residence. In addition, police officers, special constables and First Nation Constables will have the authority to stop vehicles to inquire about an indi-

YOUR LOCAL AGGREGATE SUPPLIER - SERVING DUNDAS & GRENVILLE COUNTIES

Honest, Easy, Auto Parts Come see Mike for old-school service, product knowledge & competitive pricing.

613-822-6226 12024 Dawley Drive Winchester

www.nolimitsautoparts.ca

"Proudly serving our Community" Dan Pettigrew Owner & friendly neighbour T: 613.774.1958 Dan.Pettigrew@sobeys.com foodland.ca 12015 Main Street Winchester, ON

cont'd on page 2

P: 613-258-0223 admin@wkcltd.ca

DELIVERY AVAILABLE » TOPSOIL » SAND » GRAVEL

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

Proud Supporter of Our Community and Its People

vidual's reasons for leaving their home. This additional enforcement tool will be in effect during the Stay-atHome order and exclusively to enforce the Stay-at-Home order.

Premier Doug Ford made the announcement following consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and other health experts, who recommended strengthening enforcement of the province's Stay-atHome order. New travel restrictions are being imposed along with further strengthening of public health measures. The order currently in effect requires everyone to remain at home except for specified purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely.

As a result of the rapid increase in transmission rates of COVID-19 and its variants, Ontario has declared this third provincial order.

As part of Phase Two of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, people living in regions with the highest rates of transmission will be prioritized to receive a vaccine, starting with the most at-risk in the Peel and Toronto public health regions. This initiative will

WWW.WKCLTD.CA

The North Dundas Times

Check out our new website:

www.simplybakedcatering.com

• • •

• • • •

hicles Flat Bed Tow Truck Brakes Suspension Tire Sales

613-989-3839

Open Tuesday to Saturday weekly Available Daily: Soup, Sandwiches, Scones, Bread, and other goodies.

Ask us about our custom baking and catering

1748 County Rd 1, Mountain Ontario

North Dundas High School News

cont'd from front page be expanded to additional “hot spot” regions based on established patterns of transmission, severe illness, and mortality. The vaccine distribution plan will dedicate 25 per cent of future vaccine allocations to the 13 public health regions with historic and ongoing high rates of death, hospitalization and COVID-19 transmission.

As part of Phase Two of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, people living in regions with the highest rates of transmission will be prioritized to receive a vaccine, starting with the most at-risk in the Peel and Toronto public health regions. This initiative will be expanded to additional “hot spot” regions, based on established patterns of transmission, severe illness, and mortality. The vaccine distribution plan will dedicate 25 per cent of future vaccine allocations to the 13 public health regions with historic and ongoing high rates of death, hospitalization and COVID-19 transmission.

As of April 17, the following measures will be in effect: • Prohibit all outdoor social gatherings and or-

Vehicle repairs Class “A” Mechanic Sale of Quality Pre-Owned Ve-

• •

•

•

ganized public events, except for with members of the same household, or one other person from outside that household who lives alone, or a caregiver for any member of the household; Close all non-essential workplaces in the construction sector; Reduce capacity limits to 25 per cent in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted.

This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food and pharmacies; and, Close all outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, soccer fields, and playgrounds with limited exceptions; Limit the capacity of weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies to 10 people indoors or outdoors.

Social gatherings associated with these services, such as receptions, are prohibited. Drive-in services will be permitted.

• All other public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail (i.e., curbside pick-up and delivery only), will continue to apply.

"As we see the trends in key health indicators deteriorate to levels far exceeding anything we have seen before, it is necessary to follow public health and workplace safety measures given this continued and rapid case growth," said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

"By staying at home and limiting travel for essential purposes only, such as getting groceries or going to a medical appointment or to get vaccinated, we can reduce mobility and help interrupt transmission of this virus."

Quadmester four begins with remote learning

by Jamie Wilson Welcome back, North Dundas! We hope that everyone enjoyed the long-awaited Spring Break. The last quadmester of the year began on Tuesday, April 20. We have now switched to the virtual learning model.

Students must check in for attendance every day.

If this is not possible for them, they must discuss the problem with their teacher. Students and parents will be informed as more information arrives regarding the duration of the remote learning.

It can be challenging to stay motivated during online learning, but now with the beautiful spring weather, we recommend taking breaks and getting outside when you can.

http://myshoplocal.ca/

April 14 was the International Day of Pink.

It is a day where countries worldwide join together to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of all forms of bullying by wearing pink. The day acknowledges bullying and violence based on race, disabilities, gender, or sexuality. It is important to stand up against hateful behaviour and continue to fight for acceptance for individuals and communities facing discrimination, because these experiences can negatively impact them for the rest of their lives.

Did you know that Thursday, April 22 is Earth Day? Since the 1970s, Earth day has existed to celebrate our planet and act as a reminder to make

active progress towards protecting and restoring our Earth. There are a wide variety of activities you can do at home to celebrate our beautiful planet. Get outside and plant a vegetable garden, start a compost pile, make a bird feeder, create art from recycled materials, pick up litter on your road, or brainstorm ways that your family can be more sustainable. If nothing else, get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature that we take for granted.

Contact Joselyn Morley if you need an event covered. joselyn@ndtimes.ca 613-989-1980

April 22 - Earth Day

Photo Credit: Earth Day Canada This year, April 22 will mark the 51st anniversary of the history of Earth Day. It was first celebrated in 1970 and has grown to a campaign that mobilized more than 1 billion people worldwide to take action and raise awareness about the state of our planet.

As part of the 2021 Earth Day campaign, under the theme of Take Care of the Planet, Earth Day Canada hopes to raise awareness among Canadians about the urgency of taking action for the environment and to encourage them to take concrete action to take care of the planet on a daily basis. These can be simple things like cooking an extra vegetarian meal every week and picking up trash, or doing larger projects like shoreline cleanups with your community. This year’s national campaign is featuring the irony of animals cleaning up after us.

April 21, 2021

2

www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

UCDSB calls for Royal Commission to look at future of education in Ontario

by Hilary Thomson The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) board of trustees passed a motion at their April 7 meeting calling on the Ontario government to establish a Royal Commission on the future of education.

The motion was put forward by board Chair and Trustee for Ward 4, John McAllister, in response to news from the province that they were looking into legislation that would make online learning a permanent fixture in the Ontario school system.

"I'm very much against remote learning as a permanent option," he says. "I understand it's necessary now because we are in a pandemic emergency crisis. However, to make that as a concrete feature of our schools in the future is not good."

Trustee for North Grenville, Lisa Swan, agrees that adding e-learning as a permanent option for students is not the way to go. She says that, overall, parents and students in her ward have been really struggling with online learning throughout the pandemic. Lack of access to appropriate broadband has been a huge issue for students, especially in North Grenville, and many students also don't have access to the proper devices to be able to engage in online learning effectively.

Lisa says the UCDSB does

try to provide the technology needed for students to learn at home, as well as free highspeed internet in their school parking lots to help those with connectivity issues.

While some students do really well in an online format, Lisa still worries about lack of socialization when kids are learning in isolation.

"They're not getting feedback, they're not building relationships with their teachers, because it's really hard for staff to build a relationship over a computer with a classroom full of kids," she says.

John says that remote learning doesn't support Ontario's most vulnerable students. "Some of them may just disappear from our learning spectrum because they'll fall into the cracks and out of our radar reach. That's a real concern."

According to an article published by the Globe and Mail in March, a ministry document suggested that in the new online learning model, high school students would have the option of enrolling in a teacher-supported online course, or an independent learning course offered through a centre operated by TVO in English, and TFO in French. The document says school boards would be required to transfer a fee to either broadcasting company for operating the program.

Lisa agrees with many of the critics of this plan that this is a move towards privatizing

education in Ontario. "They want to have their own elearning platform that they are going to privatize," she says.

"I don't think that this is beneficial to our local youth or students because what do they know of local rural Eastern Ontario? Everything's always Toronto centric."

According to Lisa, this possible move to permanent online learning will also have a huge impact on rural schools, many of which have already been forced to close since she became a trustee.

"Rural learning is very important to me, being in schools is very important, because if they keep pushing this online learning, we're going to be closing more rural schools."

According to John, the Royal Commission on the future of education in Ontario will be an important step towards creating a school system that benefits students as we move into the postCOVID period. "I believe it's time for an objective view, with recommendations based on evidence from experts and stakeholders," he says.

John believes the Royal Commission would be able to provide the government with a roadmap to direct the future of education in Ontario which would be relevant, purposeful and meaningful. "I don't know if we're ever going to get back to the old normal, but whatever the new normal is, let's plan for it and let's do it right," he says.

The accused was held in custody (bail) and was scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall court on April 15, 2021. The above charges are in relation to incidents involving a young girl.The name of the accused is being withheld in order to protect the identity of the victim.

Driver charged with impaired On April 13, 2021, Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police officers intercepted a motor vehicle for driving improperly on Highway 138, North Stormont Township. An investigation revealed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Further investigation revealed the accused was breaching a conditional sentence order.

A 22 year old male was arrested and charged with; Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs Criminal Code (CC) sec.320.14(1)(a) Operation while impaired - over 80 sec.320.14(1) (b) Operate a motor vehicle with no insurance - CAIA Sec 2(1)(a) The accused was held in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on the April 14, 2021.

Excessive speeds On April 14, 2020, Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police officers conducted speed measuring enforcement on SD&G roadways and intercepted a vehicle for traveling at excessive speeds. The

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca

April 21, 2021

• • •

3D Design Interlock Natural Stone

613-316-7710

The Lion nobody sees

OPP NEWS Charges laid related to sexual assault As a result of a sexual assault investigation conducted by members of the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry Ontario Provincial Police, a 45-year old male resident of South Stormont was arrested on April 14, 2021. Investigation indicated the male had sexually touched a young female known to him on multiple occasions. The 45-year old male resident of South Stormont faces charges of: Sexual Assault - Criminal Code Sec. 271 Invitation to sexual touching under 16 years of age - CC Sec. 152 Sexual Interference - CC Sec. 151 - two counts Sexual Assault on a person under 16 years of age - CC Sec. 271

Services

3

• • •

Lighting Planting Water Features

www.ardron.ca

by Bob Porteus There is a sense of pride in being a "LION", for it is truly an honour, something to be proud of. There's a feeling of pride and satisfaction that goes with the pin as you fasten it to your lapel, and it might just be my imagination, but it seems as though we stand a little more erect and walk a little taller when we put on the purple and gold. We wear the emblem because we are proud to be Lions, and we want to be associated with all that it stands for. We want to be seen.

And people do see us.

How could they not? Everyone sees the Lion who stands at a roadblock amid rushing traffic and asks, "Will you help buy a kidney dialysis machine", or who knocks on the door while winter wind whistles under his collar, and asks the stranger who answers, "Would you care to donate to the Canadian Institute for The Blind?" Or how could they not help but see the Lion who stands behind the counter serving people their Easter Dinner? Or maybe the Lions who work at the Bingo by donating their off time, or the Lions who haunt the streets and shopping centres seeking broken glasses or old wheelchairs, other people's cast-offs, to give to someone who needs

but cannot afford them?

Everyone sees that Lion and their eyes reflect their admiration. The Lion, of course, truly deserves it. But there is another Lion, the one they never see. (S)He is the Lion who sits long hours in Committee deliberations; (S) He is the Lion who silently creeps back home, tired after a long and fruitful roadblock; the Lion who takes their shoes off after walking the streets to knock on a hundred doors for the Blind; the Lion whose legs ache after standing cooking and serving dinners; the Lion who feels discouraged after being unable to complete a successful fundraiser; and the Lion who pulls the blankets up over their tired shoulders and drifts off to sleep, content in the knowledge that they have given their best to help someone else's life be just a little bit better.

People will see the blind man with his guide dog, and they will know. They will see the wife and child hug the father who has just been provided with a life-saving kidney dialysis machine. But they'll not notice the Lion standing back in the shadows, but that LION WILL KNOW. They'll not see the food delivered to the hungry family or the cheque given to the crippled

vehicle was impounded and their driver's permit seized for seven (7) days in accordance to policy.

The vehicle was stopped for travelling 144km/h (80km/h zone) on County Road 25, South Glengarry.

A male driver, aged 53, was charged with Stunt Driving (Highway Traffic Act).

Anyone having information on the above incidents or any other crime is asked to call SD&G OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or you can submit a TIP online at www.seawayvalleycrimestoppers. ca

AL'S WINTER-SPRING CLEAN UP

child, but the LION WILL KNOW. You see, that's the reward of Lionism - having that wonderful and blessed experience of being THE LION THAT NOBODY SEES! VOLUNTEERS Many will be shocked to find when the day of judgement nears, That there's a special place in Heaven set aside for volunteers.

Furnished with big recliners, satin couches, and footstools, Where there is no committee chairman, no group leaders nor carpools, No eager team that needs a coach, no bazaar, and no bake sale, There will be no campaigning for funds, not one thing to fold or mail.

There will be nothing to staple, telephone lists will be outlawed, There will be no buildings in need of repairs, nothing to be painted or sawed.

'Cause a finger snap will bring cool drinks and rare treats fit for a king.

Who will serve these privileged few and work for all they are worth?

Why, all those who reaped the benefits and not once volunteered on earth!

Property - Home - Clean - Up (Interior - Exterior) Carpentry - Fencing - Roofs - Basements

DUMP RUNS: everything goes FULLY INSURED

C: 613.295.0300

Hayley Bedford

Marketing Consultant

Phone: 343-777-2702 Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

The Voice of Our Community

www.ndtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Dundas Times

Happy Earth Day Earthlings!

by Lorraine Rekmans Please forgive me. It wasn't my intention to write another editorial about sustainability, but tomorrow is Earth Day, and I just couldn't help myself.

Here we are again, in the 51st year of celebrating Earth Day. Many of us are from a generation that got to see that little blue planet, in colour, third from the Sun, on television, from images taken from the Apollo 8 in 1968. It was the first time that humans captured this

image on film.

At that moment, we were mesmerized by this blue ball that we all live on. We saw it there surrounded by dark space and finally recognized, this is it - the place we call home. This is everything we have.

I was a child when this image appeared in the media, yet it is forever burned in my memory. Whenever I think of Earth Day, I see the image of our planet, the blueness of the water, then I think of the 'nothingness' that surrounds us, out there. I know there are other planets out there, but the image is so striking that it highlights the fact that we are orbiting on our own. We are the ones who live here, making the journey around the Sun together every day.

We hear the talk of making other planets habitable, in case we mess this

one up too badly. We hear about missions to Mars. It has been said, that if we have the technology to make another planet habitable, shouldn't we use that technology here, to keep our planet livable?

In just one generation, we have moved from a species who have been able to see their home from afar, to a species who dream of living on another planet, and doing it with an understanding that we have wreaked ecological havoc on this one.

Dr. Glen Barry, wrote: "Humanity is hell-bent upon destroying their habitat and the natural capital which makes possible and enriches their existence.

As the collapse of global ecosystems intensify, together we face a brief period of unimaginably grim social strife that threatens decades of conflict and pain; before humanity,

all life, and the biosphere die."

It is pretty safe to think not all of us will be in a position to afford that golden ticket to buy our way out of here. So, once we recognize that truth, we have to take action. We must then enter a new age, an age of ecological restoration so that we can avoid the collapse of societies, and ultimately, the biosphere.

As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people retreated to the sanctity of their homes, first to panic, and then to rethink how we are all living. We hear, quips, such as: "We cannot return to normal, because normal wasn't all that great." Yet now people are baking their own bread, planting gardens, growing vegetables. The crowds working from home actually contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions. We

started to think a little more seriously, and deeply, about how we live here, on this little 'blue ball'.

When I worked with the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada, we were challenged to develop a forest management system to protect the Caribou habitat. While I am no expert, I became earnestly engaged in the effort as I had seen a front page story in the Globe and Mail warning that Caribou herds are on the decline and on the list of endangered species because of the decline in their habitat quality. That front page news shook me up, and alerted me to the need for every single one of us to take action.

If you think about the threads that connect us all, and how intricately our ecological systems are interconnected and interreliant, what would it mean

zeria, Morewood Lucky Mart, MacEwen's Chesterville, The Planted Arrow, and Simply Baked Catering. There are also 144 business card sized ads over 9 pages. 9500 copies were printed, with 8500 copies mailed out in mid-March to residents of North Dundas, Russel, Finch, Avonmore, and Berwick.

Waste management, and the Counties' involvement, was discussed at the meeting.

Although waste management is not the mandate of the Counties' Council, they nevertheless created a presentation for the Counties' council.

Mayor Fraser and Deputy Mayor Armstrong were very emphatic that the other councillors should pay attention and make sure they read and understand what the Counties Council has presented. North Dundas is unique in its waste management practices, and very efficient. There will be future meetings to explore what kind of information was presented at the County level.

Finally, the cost for various building permits is being examined, and some will be adjusted. There's a careful balance to be found between

ensuring that the cost of the permits pay for the service, but not to the point of making a large profit. Deputy Mayor Armstrong said "we don't want to start making permits punitive."

North Dundas will have a leaf and yard waste pickup as follows: May 3: Village of Winchester; May 10: Village of Chesterville including Thompson Subdivision; May 17: Villages of Morewood and South Mountain, Hamlets of Inkerman, Mountain, Hallville, and Ormond, and Forestwood Heights Subdivision.

North Dundas Council Meeting

by Joselyn Morley The North Dundas Council meeting of April 13 was held via zoom and streamed live on the township's Facebook site.

Development continues in North Dundas. Dan Belleau, Director of Public Works, reiterated that, of each request for water and sewer units, the allocations are, "above the anticipated unit requests" but, "still within available capacity."

There were seven requests at this meeting, for a total of 20.5 water and sewer units allocated. There will be some decisions made in the coming months about what North Dundas will do to increase water and sewer capacity.

The Council accepted Annual Reports from the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) regarding the drinking water system in North Dundas, as well as both the Winchester and the Chesterville Wastewater Treatment Systems. The spring discharge of the Chesterville sewage lagoons in April 2020 contained higher than acceptable levels of total suspended solids (TSS), caused by algae growth in the polishing cells. At Winchester's Wastewater Treatment System, the ECA limit of total ammonia nitrogen was exceeded during the fall discharge, caused by lack of precipitation and high sumApril 21, 2021

mer evaporation.

Three Community Grants of $400 each were awarded to Seaway Surge Baseball Club Inc., Mountain Lions Club, and St Paul's Presbyterian Church. There are 5 grants available, and the deadline for applications is April 1 and September 1 of each year. Nine applications were received by April 1. SDG Library is installing a "Little Free Library at the Morewood Community Centre. A Summer Pool Co-ordinator has been hired for 2021, which is a hopeful sign for the upcoming summer.

Section 2.2 was removed from proposed zoning bylaw amendments following the public meeting, but the rest were passed. These bylaws included standardising the size and setback of front yards in townhomes in Winchester and Chesterville to allow enough space for parking, and exempting ramps and other barrier-free structures from all setbacks. The zoning bylaw amendments to the Sevita property that requires the raising of the Sandy Row road passed as well.

The Township received

a $7,300 Fire Safety Grant from the Office of the Fire Marshall, intended for increased training and virtual inspections. Due to a onetime doubling of Gas Tax Funds, soon to be rebranded Canada Community-Building Fund, North Dundas received an extra $343, 851, for a total of $701 535, for this year.

North Dundas also received $5,000 from the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund, intended to help with the implementation costs of recreational cannabis legislation.

The Local Business Expo will not be held in person again this year. Instead, the Economic Development Office is planning a series of short, professionally created videos highlighting some businesses. The videos will be released on the Township and Chamber of Commerce's social media. This is dependent on funding from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative grant of $127,500 under the Digital Solutions funding.

The Explore North Dundas magazine is now complete.

It features six businesses: Doyle's Pub, Iron Forge Piz-

The North Dundas Times is published weekly by North Grenville Times Inc.

Production

Email: production@ndtimes.ca 613 215 0735

Marketing/Sales

Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca 343 777 2702

4

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, Baldwin's Birds has become my very favourite feature in your newspaper, and this week is no exception!

What an absolutely charming photograph of a Swallow.

Please thank Mr. Baldwin for getting such great photos of birds that, sometimes, one can only see from a distance. It is most enjoyed!

Janice Atkey

http://myshoplocal.ca/ ISSN 2291-0301 www.ngtimes.ca

Mailing Address P.O. Box 1854 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0

Accounting Pat Jessop cfo@ngtimes.ca 613-258-4671

Staff Reporter joselyn@ndtimes.ca

OFFICE 613-215-0735 Editor editor@ndtimes.ca 613-215-0735

to other species once the Caribou were gone? It's a pretty big thread to rip, and could result in an unraveling of a lot of ecological fabric.

On Earth Day, let's take a moment to acknowledge other species who are orbiting with us on this planet we call home. Let's do something meaningful as an act of ecological restoration. Let us help wherever, and however, we can. Happy Earth Day Earthlings! It is a pleasure to be making this orbit in your company.

www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

Baldwin’s Birds

ARE YOU LOOKING TO DRIVE NEW EQUIPMENT? ARE YOU LOOKING TO BE PAID BY THE HUB MILE? If so, one of Canada's Best Managed Companies is looking for you.

JED Express Ltd. is hiring cross border long haul AZ drivers.

Good morning everyone, I hope this finds you all fit and well, and managing to keep a smile on your faces. Our returning birds are certainly managing to do just that, in our household, despite the change from beautiful sunshine to the cooler rainy days that we are now experiencing. My initial enthusiasm at the first sightings of the Blue birds and Tree Swallows, has been slightly dampened by the fact that they all seem to have been just passing by! They also took with them the last members of our winter flock of Redpolls. However, all is

not lost, since we still have our resident flock of Rock Pigeons showing off their colorful Spring plumage, as are all the other birds too, such as the Red and White-breasted Nuthatches, (Slate Grey) Dark Eyed Juncos, Cowbirds, Grackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Song Sparrows and our familiar Robins and Cardinals. The latter two are also filling the air with their prolonged loud singing too, as they perch very high up in the tallest trees and regale us, to brighten our days, but mainly, - of course, to attract a female! It’s amazing that a bird so brightly colored

We train new to the industry drivers.

can only be seen with great difficulty, when high in a tree. Look very carefully and you will see one too. I got a couple of pictures of a male Cowbird, at a feeder, along with a striated female and red epauletted male Red-winged Blackbird. The Cowbirds, being either very clever, or just plain lazy, lay their eggs in another birds nest, having first removed the owner's egg(s), and leaves the upbringing of its offspring to an unwitting surrogate mother! Stay safe and well and keep on smiling, Cheers, John Baldwin

Contact us today! 800. 387.0 387.0504 504 x 223

Sustainability: Planting Trees

by Joselyn Morley Trees play a huge role in the struggle for sustainability. They produce oxygen, prevent soil erosion, help in sequestering carbon, reduce water runoff, help cool our houses, produce food and materials, and reduce our carbon footprint. Forests sequester carbon as they take carbon dioxide from the environment, and through photosynthesis, transform it into biomass. There are programs to encourage people to plant trees, and to support them with financial help and knowledge.

North Dundas is in the South Nation Watershed, and thus under the protection of the South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC). Kemptville is in the Rideau Watershed, and as such, under the protection of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). Each of these Conservation Authorities have a huge amount of information on their websites. I highly encourage you to check them out. Rideau Valley Conservation Authority: rvca.ca. South Nation Conservation Authority: nation.on.ca.

Both SNC and RVCA have programs that help people plant trees, whether you want a couple of trees, or thousands. SNC has helped landowners plant 3 million trees in the last 30 years. This only slows down deforestation a bit. If you have a bit of land and you would like

Tanner, the Chesterville cat, decided to take a break from napping and get caught up on local news.

Photo submitted by: Phil Geerts April 21, 2021

5

to plant trees, get in touch with the SNC or RVCA. You can plant on as little as a few acres. The program is heavily supported financially, so you can plant trees on your land for very little cost. They help plan and carry out the planting. If you already have trees, they provide a Woodlot Advisory Service.

There are tax incentives for managed woodlots, and support both financially and practically for achieving status as a managed woodlot.

The Forests Ontario 50 Million Tree Program was cut by the Ontario government shortly after the 2018 provincial election.

The federal government ended up saving the 50 Million Tree Program with $15 million over 4 years.

Currently the program is supported by the Federal government, corporate sponsors, and donors. The goal is to make tree planting easier and more affordable for Ontario landowners and municipalities. The 50 Million Tree Program helps plant trees, and in turn helps a landowner increase the value of their land, improve their soil quality, increase wildlife habitat, enhance recreational opportunities, improve the overall health

of the local environment, while at the same time leaving a legacy. As of 2020, Forests Ontario has planted over 30 million trees through the program, producing over 16,500 hectares of new forest. check out forestsontario.ca The Ferguson Forest Centre participates in the Forests Ontario Over the Counter Program for Spring every year. They are sold out for this year, but keep it in mind when you're planning your planting for next year.

The program offers a small discount on some of the bareroot seedlings such as White Spruce, Eastern White Cedar, European Larch, Jack Pine, Red Pine, and Norway Spruce.

There is a "Kemptville Environmental Group" on Facebook. It's a new group. I am always so excited when another forum for sharing ideas pops up! Even if you're not in Kemptville, join and share ideas.

“Wise is a person who plants a tree, knowing they will never enjoy its shade.” This sentiment has been attributed to everyone from Socrates to Buddha, to a Roman Poet called Caecillius Statius; a sound sentiment, regardless of who said it first!

Hayley Bedford

Marketing Consultant

Phone: 343-777-2702 Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

The Voice of Our Community

www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

Osgoode Township Museum calling for entries for the Rural Ottawa Barn Quilt Trail 2021

Showcasing rural landscapes and communities The Osgoode Township Museum is announcing its second year of the Rural Ottawa Barn Quilt Trail Project.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, we are looking at ways to engage community members and bring visitors to our community, while maintaining physical distancing.

We are inviting families, farm owners and agricultural businesses, to create a barn quilt as a way to celebrate our rural

heritage. This project, which is open to submissions from May 1 to September 30, 2021, is a combination of a tourism attraction, a business marketing tool, and a showcase of our unique community history. As a permanent part of our landscape, it will build community and provide the perfect opportunity to expand cultural tourism in the Osgoode Ward.

What is a barn quilt?

It's a piece of wood (normally 8'x8') that's been painted to look like a quilt

No-Till Gardening

by Joselyn Morley

No-Till Gardening is simply a method of gardening that values the soil as its own important ecosystem.

Tilling can cause soil erosion and disturbs the organisms and microorganisms that help feed the plants we grow. No-dig methods of gardening help to regulate April 21, 2021

soil moisture, and make crops more resilient to extremes such as heat, rain, or wind.

Climate change is increasing the volatility of our environment, causing more extreme weather events, longer or shorter seasons, and altering the pests we have traditionally dealt with.

Most no till methods focus on adding organic matter to your soil, usually from the top, the idea being that nature doesn't come in and clean up after the summer. The leaves fall, the grasses die, the organic matter is left on and in the soil, just like the leaves in the forest or the grasses in the meadow. Furthermore, the rich, nutrient-dense soil allows many beneficial insects and other organisms, such as earthworms, to flourish. Notill gardening is working with nature, rather than against her.

Mulching provides a layer of organic matter that gradually breaks down, providing rich nutrient-dense soil. Mulch can be almost anything: straw, leaves, hay, or woodchips, for example.

square. Some barn quilts are replicates of traditional quilt block patterns, while others are unique designs featuring a favourite dog, type of livestock or a farm logo.

Barn quilts tell stories about individual farms, historical events or communities, while also adding visual interest to the countryside and increasing rural tourism.

What barn quilts can do: Barn quilts draw attention to Canada's disappearing rural landscape Rural communities find a way to get themselves on the map and connect with travelling public Farms and businesses install barn quilts as part of their promotion strategies People paint and install barn quilts as part of their outdoor gardening and landscape projects, and tell a story of their family history ABOUT OSGOODE TOWNSHIP MUSEUM The Osgoode Township Museum has been serving our community as a museum (formerly as an historical society) since 1973! The OTM tells the story of Ottawa's agricultural and rural heritage, with a focus on agriculture in the former Osgoode Township. The Museum houses a collection of approximately 10,000 artefacts, ranging

from housewares and clothing to full sized tractors and other farming equipment in our two main exhibition spaces.

If you visit during the spring, summer, or fall, you'll get a chance to wander around the grounds, orchard, and 10,000 square foot heritage garden modeled after a 1907 School Garden. Inside the museum, our brand new permanent exhibition space displays the incredible story of our township and its people. Learn stories of how Indigenous people and the first European settlers paved a path for our current day rural community members, and how these residents are cultivating their connections with the past, present and future! The museum hosts a variety of family-friendly online workshops, talks and programs, and creates connections through partnerships with other organizations in the community. Our largest event of the year is the Harvest Festival, a true celebration of our rural heritage.For more information on the Rural Ottawa Barn Quilt Trail, please check out our website, or contact the Osgoode Township Museum at manager@ osgoodemuseum.ca or visit our Facebook page.

Often, no-till gardeners leave everything they grow that they do not consume, in or on the soil. Many "chop and drop", meaning that dead plants in the fall or spring are snipped at ground level, and laid on the soil to decompose. The roots in the ground, now dead, will decompose, providing more nutrients.

But what about weeds? The few that do get through the deep mulch, consider them free mulch, growing where you need it. In actuality, few weeds get through. Those that do, just "chop and drop.” You won't need to water as often.

There are some weeds that I personally do not “chop and drop”, such as wild parsnip (poison parsnip), for example.

If any of those leaves get through the mulch, they gets cut at ground level, and the leaves get composted, but I wouldn't compost huge quantities of wild parsnip.

I always garden with bare hands, and sometimes in bare feet, best to keep wild parsnip at bay. Besides, it takes two years for that stuff to grow to

flower. The first year it only grows leaves. As to weed seeds, or seeds from hay, they don't germinate when covered with mulch. Those that do, get chopped and dropped.

There are a few different names you might hear when practicing no-till gardening.

They each have some notable differences, but are essentially the same: organic matter on top of the soil. Ruth Stout's system features a thick layer of mulch, about eight inches.

Purportedly, her husband was too busy to till her vegetable garden, so she started mulching, and planting seeds right into her favourite mulch, piles of hay, or spoiled hay.

Your garden won't mind if the hay has gotten wet at some point in its post-harvest existence. Ruth was born in June of 1884, so this method has been around for a while!

A book of hers, published in 1955, was titled: How to have a Green Thumb without an Aching Back. Now who can't embrace that goal!

Back to Eden uses wood chips for mulching. Same

6

Grand Opening

Inside Secure monitored building, climate controlled Secured outside storage Please see our wesite at www.ebstorage.com Or phone 613.774-6161 12054 Main Street, Winchester

Tid-Bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Historically parenting was of the "Authoritarian" style. One did as one's parent dictated, immediately and without question.

This no-nonsense approach produced compliant yet reserved individuals, afraid of expressing emotion or questioning validity. This still has a place in today's world when it comes to moral or life-threatening situations. Definitely in the military there is no hesitation or questioning of getting the hand grenade out of your clutches. It is a concrete rule of no driving under the influence of substances, legal or illegal, and seatbelts are compulsory. There is no discussion of loopholes. It is what it is.

The polar opposite is the "Jellyfish" parenting style. Everything is willy-nilly, no consistency and in general a free for all or free-spirited as some say. For a person already suffering anxiety, this exasperates the ambiguity and clarity. Sometimes the jellyfish style can be deployed as in spending your allowance however you wish.

Ideally, the aim is to be an "authoritative" parent. You teach a child "how" to think rather than "what" to think. Allow some frame work and freedom of choice. You as a toddler can wear this outfit or that outfit, you can choose this or that for breakfast. The consequences still must be predetermined, clear and enforceable. You could not stand grounding your teen forever! Implementing a consequence without prior discussion or determination is punishment. The choice must be there.

You will fluctuate between the styles on occasion, but if at all possible, employ the authoritative style as consistently as you can. Those little ones did not come with a manual and if they did, it would be in a language we don't understand! We often strive to either emulate our parents or do the opposite.

Remember God had two kids, Adam and Eve and He had problems: so the pattern was set from day one! You have an invested interest in shaping tomorrow so parent wisely! idea, different mulch. Charles Dowding practices no-till gardening in the UK. He favours compost as mulch, in part because of the dampness of the UK climate. He claims that compost doesn't attract slugs in the damp. There are many people on YouTube showing how it is done. There is a couple who reputedly live somewhere in eastern Ontario and practice the Ruth Stout method. I don't know who or where exactly they are, but their YouTube channel is called Back to Reality.

Healthy soil draws down and sequesters carbon. Regenerative agriculture is an important tool in our efforts

to combat climate change.

Soil stores carbon and no-till methods of growing maximizes soil bio-diversity. If you are starting a brand new garden, start by laying a decent layer of cardboard, which will break down, wet it well, top it with compost and a good bunch of mulch.

If you can plan ahead, start the cardboard the year before, in the summer or fall. For those of you trying the no till method, let me know how it works! Joselyn@ndtimes.ca

www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

SNC asking residents to help cleanup spring litter

Litter can have a detrimental impact to humans, wildlife, and the environment, and can eventually end up contaminating local water sources, soil and pollute the air. And, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the COVID-19 Pandemic has Canadians using more single use plastics than ever before.

With the last bit of snow finally gone, a winter’s worth of garbage accumulation and litter is now revealed and ready to be picked up.

This is the time of year when South Nation Conservation (SNC) would be mobilizing community volunteers to help clean up trash in public

King Henry VIII of England offers an excellent example of how too much wine, rich food and obesity trigger the agony of gout. But why did Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Isaac Newton, and Benjamin Franklin, to name a few, develop this excruciating disease? And how can you decrease the risk?

More than nine million North Americans suffer from gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis in which the body produces too much uric acid, or the kidneys fail to excrete enough.

Genes play an important role. Gout and diseases such as diabetes are more likely to occur if there is a family history. But given the rise from only 3 million cases just over a decade ago, more than genetics is driving the problem.

Uric acid is not friendly to joints. Dr. Larry Edwards, professor of medicine at the University of Florida, says, "People with high levels of April 21, 2021

spaces and along waterways.

But, with the COVID-19 Emergency Stay-at-Home Orders in place, annual river clean-ups and SNC’s popular Cache-In-Trash-Out event are again cancelled for 2021.

Instead, SNC is hoping to mobilize residents venturing outdoors for recreation and mental health to consider bringing along gloves and a garbage bag to pick up trash and join this year’s efforts to keep our communities litter-free leading up to the Provincial Day of Action on Litter on May 11.

“Social gatherings may be on pause, but doing our individual part to keep our communities clean doesn’t have

to be,” says John Mesman, SNC’s Outreach Lead. Residents can submit before and after photos of their cleanup areas to SNC through social media, or by emailing info@ nation.on.ca for a chance to win a prize of local products!

When picking up litter, always use personal protective equipment, including gloves or a litter grabber.

Always separate recycling from garbage.

Community groups and residents are encouraged to reach out to SNC to borrow supplies if needed, including litter grabbers, safety vests, disposable gloves, and garbage bags.

Also, be mindful around

uric acid can be accumulating crystals and damaging joints for years before they have their first gout attack."

Dr. John Fitzgerald, professor of medicine, at the University of California and co-author of the American College of Rheumatology's latest clinical practice guidelines for gout, says, "Gout is part of the metabolic syndrome," and that people diagnosed with gout suffer first from the early stages of Type 2 diabetes and obesity, which increase the risk of gout. It is a classic example of the Gifford-Jones Law that states one disease often leads to another and another.

The first attack of gout is a huge wake-up call. Dr. Thomas Sydenham, "The English Hippocrates", died of gout in 1698. He wrote, "The victim goes to bed and sleeps in good health. About 2 o'clock in the morning, he is awakened by a severe pain in the great toe; more rarely in the heel, ankle

or instep… Now it is a violent stretching and tearing of the ligaments - now it is a gnawing pain and now a pressure and tightening. So exquisite and lively meanwhile is the feeling of the part affected, that it cannot bear the weight of bedclothes nor the jar of a person walking in the room."

Will one attack inevitably mean another? If you do not have high levels of uric acid in the blood, kidney disease, and are fortunate to have the luck of the Irish, there is a possibility that years may pass without another attack.

On this premise, your doctor may decide to "wait and see" alongside regular checks of uric acid levels.

But as another attack may occur at any moment with increased risk of injury to kidneys, your doctor may decide it is prudent to start urate-lowering therapy (ULT). There are several drugs that taken daily will lower uric acid and help stop crystals from forming in kidneys.

Studies from the University of California show about one-third of gout patients now receive URT. This

Dundas County Annual Hike for Hospice watercourses as slopes could be unstable or slippery. Consider wearing a safety vest or brightly coloured clothing if collecting litter along a roadway. And never pick up dangerous materials such as shards of glass, syringes, barbed wire, or chemical waste (instead please contact your municipality).

Residents without a personal method of garbage or recycling disposal can reach out to their municipality for information on public garbage disposal, such as using a city street garbage can and recycling bin.

Please follow health guidelines and exercise physical distancing with those you may pass.

“And of course, have fun!

Getting outside and safely cleaning up your own backyards and neighbourhoods can be a great learning experience for the whole family,” adds John.

For more information on how to safely cleanup litter during the pandemic, the Government of Ontario provides various litter cleanup resources and guides online at www.ontario.ca/page/littercleanup-guide.

treatment may take as long as six months to control the blood level of uric acid. Until lowered, there may be more attacks.

Other studies in the U.S. and the Netherlands have identified genes associated higher levels of uric acid in the blood, including up to a 40-fold increase in the risk of gout. Diet can play a role in treating gout. Some doctors suggest cutting down on foods that increase uric acid such as red meat, shellfish, alcohol, and sugar. But results are limited.

Genetic testing holds promise in identifying cases before symptoms appear.

For now, prevention is the best course. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to keep gout from suddenly causing a painful wakeup call during the night.

Sign-up at www.docgiff. com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff. com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

7

by Joselyn Morely Join the Dundas County Hospice throughout May for Hike for Hospice: Virtual Hike 2.0. The Hike for Hospice Palliative Care is a national fundraising event held on the first Saturday in May across Canada. This is the second year that Dundas County Hospice has gone online with their hike in order to continue with their fundraising efforts. Hike where and when you walk.

Snap some pictures of yourself in action. Send the pictures to the Hospice, and they will share them online through their website and Facebook. Visit dundascountyhospice.ca to find a pledge message you can share with your family and friends, as well as a printable sign to let people know that you're Hiking for Hospice. There is a prize for the most money raised: one for kids 15 and under, and another for adults.

Dundas County Hospice is a non-profit organization. The Government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, provides 55% of the funds needed by the Hospice. The other 45% is obtained through fundraising and donations. The Hospice provides a variety of services to anyone suffering from a life-threatening or terminal illness. Hospice staff and volunteers provide free, in-home, non-medical care and support to clients and their families. Many services have gone virtual, but contact is still maintained through phone or video, complementary therapies are still being provided by qualified professionals, caregiver and bereavement support is still being held online or by phone, and equipment loans are available.

Pledges must be in by May 31. Online pledges can be made through CanadaHelps.ca. You can mail cheques to Dundas County Hospice, 4353 CR 31, PO Box 278, Williamsburg, ON, K0C 2H0. Etransfers can be sent to info@dundascountyhospice.ca. Call the Hospice at 613-535-2215 with any questions.

Lactalis addresses odour concerns

by Joselyn Moreley Residents of Winchester and surrounding areas have complained in the past about the stench of the organic matter from the Lactalis plant that has traditionally been held in on-site lagoons, or spread on nearby fields. Hopefully the stench is a thing of the past, as Lactalis has recently completed a project to modernize their wastewater treatment process. The effort to address the issue began in 2017, and now the new wastewater treatment system is up and running. This five-phase, state-ofthe-art wastewater treatment system, is also designed to reduce odours and reduce power consumption.

Starting in mid to late April, old organic material currently stored in the on-site lagoons must be removed. In order to facilitate removal, the lagoons will be stirred, then the organic material will be piped to a field north of Winchester. This process is expected to create odors, as it has in the past. The removal will take approximately ten days, and will be carried out sometime between now and the end of May. Going forward, organic matter will only be stored in lagoons as backup in the event of a power outage, or during maintenance. Lactalis has a Winchester community email address for residents: winchester. community@ca.lactalis.com In 2019, Lactalis (Parmalat) was charged with five violations against the Environmental Protection Act after the stench got to be too much. The Ministry of the Environment explained the charges briefly as "discharging odours into the natural environment that are likely to cause an adverse effect, and failing to comply with conditions of a Ministry approval for the on-site sewage treatment plant." According to Sarah Sutton, Manager of Corporate Communications at Lactalis, the case is still before the courts, so they cannot comment on it.

Hayley Bedford Marketing Consultant

Phone 343-777-2702 Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

SDG Warden Prevost pleads for more vaccines- suggests curfew is the only way to keep people from gathering

by Joselyn Morely SDG Warden Frank Prevost called on senior levels of government to get more vaccines to the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). At a recent press conference, he asked other local Wardens of neighbouring counties, and mayors and councillors in the townships of eastern Ontario, to follow his lead and demand action from the province and the federal governments.

His call to action follows the cancellation of 10,000 vaccine appointments at two locations in Scarborough.

Frank says, "In short, we are fed up." Noting that countries like the United States are opening up thanks to mass vaccination, he insists that due to a lack of adequate vaccine supply, and the fact that COVID-19 Variants of Concern are well entrenched in Ontario, Eastern Ontario is again in a lockdown that could have been prevented. Businesses are shuttered, and residents are suffering. He hopes the provincial and federal governments, as well as the MPs and MPPs, will "turn heartfelt words into concrete action."

In order for EOHU to vaccinate the 170,000 residents in the region who are eligible for vaccination, they need vaccines.

He notes that, although the EOHU has administered 35,000 vaccines, there are still another 35,000 that need to be done, and asks both federal and provincial governments to be open and honest with residents. He explains that "We keep hearing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel - but this seems like an awfully long tunnel. The yo-yoing our residents have been forced to grapple with these last few months is unacceptable.

In one breath we are told vaccines are coming and hope is on the horizon. But at the same time, some vaccine clinics are being cancelled due to lack of supply, schools are shuttered, and businesses closed." He sees a double standard, where large grocery or box stores can open, but small businesses, such as barber shops, where numbers could be controlled and the environment sanitized, are forced to be closed.

Frank says that if our numbers of COVID-19 cases are increasing substantially because of gatherings, which is indeed the current message from the EOHU, that Ontario must implement a curfew similar to Quebec. He maintains that instituting a 9 pm curfew, and setting fines of $1000 for breaking the curfew, is the only way to keep people from gathering. Paying the fines, he says, should be tied to the ability to renew a drivers licence. He notes that he has three daughters who go out and mingle with friends in groups of more than 3. The only way to make sure his daughters and other young people stay home is by imposing a curfew.

Kids Corner

Biker organization helps victims of child abuse and bullying

with, it becomes very rewarding when the perpetrator is brought to justice in court."

GOC has chapters all over North America, but this chapter locally services Ottawa and surrounding areas, including North Dundas.

They take part in many children's events in the area as well. They organize and host their own annual charity ride called the "Empower the Children Ride", which is their biggest fundraiser. The group also takes part in children's festivals such as Comiccon, Kidsfest, and the Children's Pow Wow, which brings public awareness about their organization and the realities of child abuse and bullying.

GOC has an ongoing bottle drive that helps generate funds, where members collect bottles from people in the community willing to

However, if you don't ride there are other ways that you can contribute to their organization. There are many support positions available to those who would like to volunteer their time for a good cause.

The organization deals with many sensitive issues in the community, and members make it a practice to use “road names” to protect the anonymity of the members, as well as the anonymity of the children they help.

When asked what the most rewarding part of their job is, Vice President, "Road Dog" (not his real name) says, "It's a volunteer position, so when you see the honest smile and difference you've made in a child's life, and their family's life, it makes it all worth it. In some of the extremely sad cases we sometimes deal

by Stephanie Seaver Guardians of the Children (GOC) is a community of like-minded motorcycle enthusiasts who are dedicated to protecting the victims of child abuse and bullying.

They serve as a public benefit organization. Their vision is to improve the quality of life in the community and to recognize and take responsible action regarding the reality of child abuse and bullying.

What kind of a person does it take to become a member of GOC? They look for individuals who recognize the reality of child abuse and bullying and want to make a difference in their community. One question they are frequently asked is, "Do you need to ride a motorcycle to join?"

Yes, if you want to become a full patch member.

Bicycling C B J L O C K A A Q U E B E B K F B C T R L H R T R A I L S U L X Y A S I A J E L X L CMK OGMB E S D I P C E X H F S T MR G E H S T T OOMO R HD A Y V R P V A G F T A I E QO P DNQ B S L N 8

April 21, 2021

brakes

donate. One hundred percent of the funds that they generate go to the children and families that they help. They support many other motorcycle organizations in the community, because GOC receives a lot of support from them as well.

Any words of advice for someone who may be suspecting child abuse or bullying is occurring?

"Road Dog" says, "If you see something, say something. There are many resources to reach out to. Do not take the law into your own hands. Call our hotline at 613-806-8335 if you need our assistance; we are here to help in any way that we can."

For more information, please visit www.guardiansofthechildren.com, email gocguardians@outlook.com or call 613-806-8335.

bright

trails

lights

brakes rules lock bright pedal stop trails road bell lights chain www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole announces climate change plan

by Lorraine Rekmans At the recent virtual Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) convention, delegates voted down a policy motion that stated climate change was real, and that the CPC had to take action to address it. Now, here in the weeks following that party decision, the Honourable Erin O'Toole, Leader of Canada's Conservatives and the Official Opposition, unveiled the Conservative climate change plan. He told delegates in a recent speech that the debate on the reality of climate change must end, because climate change is real.

A CPC press release an-

nounced that Canada has an important role in combating climate change. It stated that this plan will achieve the same emission reductions by 2030 as the Liberal government's current plan, while creating jobs and growing the economy.

"Our plan takes swift action on climate change," said the Honourable O'Toole. "Our plan trusts Canadian families to be part of the climate change plan. When compared to the Trudeau Carbon Tax, our plan is just as effective in emission reduction, but vastly superior in preserving jobs and growing the Canadian economy."

The issue of Canada’s targets in relation to the

Home thoughts

by David Shanahan Isn’t it surprising how much we miss hugs and handshakes? Parents and grandparents miss hugging their children and grandchildren.

Friends miss handshakes and hugs, the normal signs of affection and friendship that we never thought about very much, until we couldn’t share them any more. Those forms of physical contact go deep in our cultures and history, and seem to satisfy a genuine psychological function, a way to make contact with others.

Business people break the ice by shaking hands, a sign of welcome, an invitation to trust and collegiality.

Shaking hands goes back along way. It is said that it was used between enemies

to show a willingness to trust and be trusted. The right hand was used to wield a weapon, a sword or dagger. By stretching out the right hand, it showed that there was no weapon, no threat. Instead, an open hand was being offered as a sign of friendship. We don’t need that kind of gesture today, perhaps, but offering your hand to another makes the same point: we can be at ease with each other.

Giving someone a hug goes even further, it is an act of affection, of openness to the other. It says: “Look, I am hiding nothing from you, and I am being vulnerable, trusting you not to take advantage”. Is that reading too much into things? I don’t think so.

Paris Accord has been an issue of some contention in the House of Commons since the targets were set.

A current analysis of the climate reduction efforts by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) found that the current climate-related policies that are in effect would only take us 63 per cent of the way to the 2030 target, which already falls short of what is recommended by science.

This target was the same target that was set by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and later adopted by the Liberal Government of Canada.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Canada committed to reducing its Green

House Gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030, which means a reduction from the 730 megatonnes of carbon dioxide released in 2005 to 511 megatonnes of carbon dioxide in 2030.

The criticism about the target is that it falls short of what is recommended, and that is to cut emissions roughly in half by 2030 in order to keep the window open of holding to 1.5° Celsius global temperature increase.

In February, the United Nations released a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) report analyzing the updated climate action plans submitted by 75 na-

tions. At that time, the United Nations SecretaryGeneral, António Guterres, expressed concerns that the report was a red alert for our planet, and demonstrated that governments are nowhere close to the level of ambition needed to limit climate change to 1.5 degrees temperature increase and actually meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The Conservative Party plan includes scrapping the federal carbon tax, but maintains a price on carbon.

They plan to work with the provinces to implement an innovative, national Personal Low Carbon Savings Account. It includes several other measures, including: requiring automakers to

sell more zero emission vehicles; lowering industrial emissions; increasing use of natural gas; and implementing a low carbon fuel standard.

The Personal Low Carbon Savings Accounts will work like the loyalty rewards plans offered by retailers, financial institutions, and airlines. Each time a hydrocarbon-based fuel is purchased, the consumer will be putting money into a tax-free savings account simply by using their personal account card as you do with loyalty plans at the gas pump or in the store, states the CPC press release.

But we have been denied these gestures for more than a year now, even when we have been able to be in physical proximity to family, friends, or colleagues. It has sometimes been hard not to reach out a hand, or open your arms for a hug; but we have learned (most of us, anyway) to care for others by not reaching out.

We are protective of them by keeping our distance, as the newly-learned phrase has it, we are together apart.

I watch football (soccer to some) a lot, and teams were told to give each other an elbow bump, instead of a handshake before and after games.

You could see how awkward it made them feel, and very often they forgot and shook hands anyway. It is so hard to

break the habits and traditions of a lifetime, of generations.

But we have become deeply conscious of those gestures, and how dangerous they can be in a pandemic.

Many people have related how uncomfortable they have felt watching a movie where there is a crowd scene. There is a sudden alarm: they’re not keeping their distance! Why aren’t they staying safe? The new realities have seeped deeply into our thinking.

I wonder what will happen after we are once more free to shake hands or hug each other on a more general level? Will we literally embrace the freedom? Will we want to hug everyone we meet, no matter who they are? Or will there be a linger-

ing reluctance, perhaps an unconscious distance that we will keep with those around us. I hope that’s not going to be the case. It may take a little time to get over the past year and feel that freedom again, a freedom we were never really aware of before.

I hope we come to really appreciate that freedom once it’s restored to us. I hope we

can be aware every time we shake hands, or give and get a hug, just how precious and wonderful it is to be able to show that sign of friendship and affection. May that day some quickly.

Hayley Bedford

Marketing Consultant

Phone: 343-777-2702 Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

The Voice of Our Community

North Dundas Public Meeting: Zoning By-law Amendments

by Joselyn Morley The Township of North Dundas held a public meeting to discuss some proposed zoning amendments, including a change that would see the minimum amount of land required to own livestock jump from 5 acres in the former Mountain Township, to 20 acres. This move would match the zoning requirements from the former Township of Winchester. Any zoning by-law amendments require a public meeting, and that the notice of the public meeting be posted 20 days prior to the meeting. In this instance, the notice of the public meeting was posted on the Township's website, and in the Chesterville Record on March 18.

The meeting drew a great deal of interest on social April 21, 2021

media, and many concerned residents in the area of the former Mountain Township contacted the Township office prior to the meeting to comment on the proposed changes, or to register to speak at the meeting. The meeting was held virtually on Zoom, and streamed on the Township's Facebook site. The proposed zoning amendments were outlined and explained by Calvin Pol, Director of Planning, Building, and By-law Enforcement.

It quickly became apparent that the Council had no desire to push through the controversial zoning change, and was quite willing to table this section of the amendment.

Calvin spoke to some of the questions and comments that had been submitted by the community prior to the meeting. Land use is grandfathered

and Councillors, stated they would like to see agriculture organizations, such as Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and Dundas Federation of Agriculture (DFA), at the table to help inform a discussion going forward. The purpose of the amendments was purportedly to make the zoning the same across the entire Township. The Mountain Township by-law that stipulated five acres was the minimum land required for livestock in 1979. The Winchester Township by-law that prescribed 20 acres was passed in 1993. Amalgamation that joined Winchester, Chesterville, Winchester Township, and Mountain Township occurred in 1998.

Alongside the OFA and the DFA, some indicated they would like to see some smallsize market gardeners at the

in law, meaning that even if zoning does change, the land can continue to be used for the same purpose. There is no separate category for "Hobby Farm" in Ontario land use legislation. Any proposed zoning amendments would not affect a landowner's ability to grow and harvest; the by-law only concerned livestock. People who have purchased land in the hopes of having a small acreage would have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

When it came time in the meeting for the Mayor and Councillors to speak, they all supported the idea of holding a public meeting and discussion in the future, at a time when the COVID-19 restrictions and pandemic lockdowns are lifted, so residents can bring their ideas forward. Calvin, the Mayor

9

table to provide input. Some stressed that bio-diversity is important. Increasingly, faced with questions about food security and vulnerable supply chains, people are looking to grow a bit of their own food. Housing and land price increases have been dramatic since the beginning of the pandemic, with many people leaving the bigger cities or suburbs in hopes of having an acre or two of land. Some at the meeting mentioned animal units, or nutrient units, indicating how many animals a property could support. Although some townships are looking at allowing backyard chickens, chickens on small town properties in North Dundas are not permitted, based on zoning. Those who are keeping chickens at the moment, remain for the most part, unchallenged, as long

as there are no complaints.

North Dundas may be able to lead the way to encouraging small farms. Deputy Mayor Al Armstrong notes that "people can do amazing things with smaller lots." He suggests that, we, as a Township, "take whatever amount of time it takes" to work together and get a decent by-law.

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

CROSSWORD

Rita MacNeil, First Lady of Cape Breton, is 'Flying on Her Own' into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

One of Canada's finest music icons and First Lady of Cape Breton, Rita MacNeil, is the newest Inductee to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF). On the anniversary of her untimely passing, MacNeil's legacy will be indelibly remembered with a permanent place in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in Calgary. A special tribute is planned for the 2021 East Coast Music Awards Show on Thursday, May 6, taking place in the songwriter's hometown of Cape Breton, NS. The induction presentation will include a musical tribute performed by a cast of former bandmates, friends and more.

Some of MacNeil's bestknown songs often spoke of Nova Scotia, however, her cross-genre appeal and immense talent resonated with Canadians across the country and globally. With her shy

persona, MacNeil endeared herself to grassroots audiences nationwide and enjoyed commercial success despite not conforming to the music industry's expectations.

Her melody-driven, heartfelt songwriting resisted classification - sometimes country, sometimes hinting of folk, gospel and blues.

"Through her lyrics and songwriting, Rita allowed us into her heart and soul," said Vanessa Thomas, Executive Director, Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. "The love between songwriter and audience was mutual. Rita didn't sing to people, she sang for people; and her audiences, in return, gave her strength to overcome her shyness and stage anxiety. There are few artists who have such an intimate and authentic connection with their fans, and that bond lives on through her songs."

"We're thrilled to partner with the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame to honour the tremendous legacy of Rita MacNeil," said East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) CEO Andy McLean. "As we celebrate the best of today's East Coast artists, it's also important to look back and

recognize the impact that songwriters like Rita had on our region and its history. She was a phenomenal talent who represented the very best of our East Coast music community, and we're very proud to be a part of her induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame."

Before reaching commercial success, MacNeil was involved with the women's movement in the early 1970s writing feminist protest songs. Gradually, her songwriting evolved into a broader folk-pop autobiographical style, and she performed for rallies, at coffeehouses, folk clubs, the Mariposa and other folk festivals.

She recorded three albums independently beginning with, "Born a Woman" (1975), but it was "Flying On Your Own," her 1986 debut album with Virgin Records, that became her commercial breakthrough. With the successful single Flying On Your Own and the doubleplatinum album of the same name, MacNeil won her first JUNO Award in 1987 as Most Promising Female Vocalist, and ECMA Female Recording of the Year in 1989-1990 and 1993.

ACROSS 1. Tiny balls strung together 6. Incline 10. Sandwich shop 14. Group of 8 15. Dogfish 16. Send forth 17. Gleamed 18. Insulation 19. Skin disease 20. A person who writes advertising copy 22. Abound 23. On the left or right 24. Not these or those 26. Wise men 30. African antelope 31. Not high 32. Age 33. Sister of Zeus 35. "Yippee!"

39. Excesses of revenues

41. Small hardy range horse 43. Submarine detector 44. Render unconscious 46. Hint 47. Not bottom 49. Belief 50. A flexible pipe 51. Bring into harmony 54. Fastened 56. Carbamide 57. Estate 63. Hue 64. Twinge 65. Condominium 66. Double-reed woodwind 67. Anagram of "Live" 68. Prevent legally 69. Transmit 70. Risqué 71. Beach

DOWN 1. Pear variety 2. Reflected sound 3. At the peak of 4. Declare untrue 5. Seethes 6. Unrestrained enthusiasm 7. Neophyte 8. Small amount 9. Guard 10. Wake 11. Master of ceremonies 12. A protective covering 13. List components 21. Correct 25. Drags 26. Geographic illustrations 27. Relating to aircraft 28. Thug 29. Enamored 34. In an entertaining manner 36. Angel's headwear 37. Burden 38. Curved molding 40. Weightlifters pump this 42. Not fulfilled 45. Historic ship 48. Usually accompanies salt 51. Cars 52. Clan 53. Mortise and _____ 55. Small freshwater fishes 58. Magma 59. Nonsense (British) 60. Moving within 61. Smell 62. No

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

The Food Corner

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville We are not quite into balmy weather yet. Even as we enjoy nice days of 18 degrees Celsius, we are also getting cooler ones at 8 and 9 degrees. So, it's probably a good idea to keep our internal heat up with a nice hearty beef stew. Today's recipe takes advantage of this year's Maple Syrup, so guess what? It's called Hearty Maple Stew (clever, eh?) You might serve this with a dollop of sour cream on top, with some buttermilk biscuits and accompany it with a full-flavoured beer.

Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Hearty Maple Stew

Ingredients A couple of pounds of stewing beef ¼ cup of flour in a plastic bag ½ teaspoon of crushed ginger 1 teaspoon crushed garlic 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup of sliced celery 1 large tin of stewed tomatoes 2 medium sized onions, sliced 1 cup of water ½ cup of red wine (just drink the other half cup…) ½ cup of maple syrup 2 cups of potatoes cut into chunks 2 cups of carrots cut into chunks Salt and pepper to taste Preparation 1. Place the flour in the plastic bag, add the beef and shake to coat.

2. In a large pot (a Dutch oven), brown the coated meat in the vegetable oil.

3. Add tomatoes, onions, water, garlic, wine, crushed ginger and maple syrup.

4. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer at low heat for 1 ½ to 2 hours until the meat is tender.

5. Add the potatoes, celery and carrots and simmer some more till they are tender.

6. If you wish to thicken the mixture prior to serving, use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water and mix it into the stew slowly.

If you are feeling particularly lazy, just use a Crockpot, remembering that your potatoes, carrots and celery only go in three quarters of the way through the cooking cycle.

Stay well as you get set to garden your heart out! Please be in touch at: pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

April 21, 2021

10

www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

$10M for school enhancements and Joint investments by improve air quality, installing have prioritized education ience Infrastructure Stream upgrades

$27.6 Million to upgrade infrastructure for local School Boards Canada and Ontario will upgrade infrastructure in schools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep students and staff safe. The federal and provincial governments are providing $27.6 Million to Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes area school boards to upgrade infrastructure at local schools to protect against COVID-19. The funding is being provided through the COVID-19 Reliance Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The funding for these school boards will support building retrofits, updates and upgrades to their schools and co-located childcare facilities. Projects can include HVAC renovations to

water bottle refilling stations to improve access to safe drinking water, and space reconfigurations such as new walls and doors to enhance physical distancing.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce said, “Ontario’s government is focused on protecting the lives of students, staff, and their families.

We put a plan into action that leads the nation — delivering air ventilation improvements to over 95% of schools, 7,000 additional staff, and improved cleaning, testing, and stronger screening.

Minister Lecce, also addressed the issue of vaccines and said, “We also recognize that in addition to these school-based infrastructure investments, Ontario’s plan to defeat this pandemic includes vaccines for school staff. We

of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Ontario is contributing $131.3 million to the projects.

Ontario is conducting voluntary targeted testing for asymptomatic students and school staff as an added layer of protection against the transmission of COVID-19.

The funding allocated by School Board is as follows; Upper Canada District School Board - $10,280,215 Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario $4,361,820 Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario - $4,035,000 Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Centre-Est de l'Ontario - $8,924,000

staff in high priority communities and all special education staff across the province, and will expand to all staff as supply becomes available.”

Supported by provincial funding, 95% of Ontario schools have reported upgrades or enhancements to their air filtration systems, with over 40,000 HEPA filters and other ventilation devices in classrooms.

“Schools are inherently a congregate setting, and as a society, the protection of our young people is paramount, said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $525.2 million towards these projects through the COVID-19 Resil-

We’re here for you

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca

The Upper Canada District School Board is happy to announce that our school board will be receiving $10.2 million from the federal and provincial governments, as part of the COVID-19 Resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

With this funding, 73 schools plus three additional T.R. Leger School of Adult, Alternative and Continuing Education sites will see enhancements made within their buildings. Some of the enhancements and upgrades that our schools can expect from this funding are: upgrades to HVAC and controls at three sites; 2 new replacement portables at one site; window replacements at two sites; 302 bottle filling stations; and 445 power doors with touchless sensors.

Additionally, some child care facilities within our buildings will see some major renovations, as well as upgrades to outdoor fencing, air conditioning, new washrooms or fixtures, video intercoms and improved Wi-Fi. "We fully appreciate the funding being provided by the federal and provincial governments, as any enhancements we do in our schools and buildings have a direct and positive impact on our students and staff," says Director of Education, Stephen Sliwa.

Projects will begin immediately in our schools, with the plan to have them completed by late fall of 2021. The funding received was based on an application process, which outlined the type of projects that would qualify for this funding and timelines that the projects needed to be completed by.

UCDSB Chair of the Board John McAllister adds, "Any day we receive funding news of this nature is a good day for Upper Canada. We want to truly thank our provincial and federal partners for their investments in our schools."

Loralee Carruthers Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) is working closely with local hospitals to support patients and families and respond to the latest directions from the Ministry of Health. At this time, there are no changes to outpatient clinics and diagnostic tests at WDMH. Surgical services will also continue for patients who do not require an inpatient bed post-surgery. Cancer surgeries will not be impacted.

“Our patients are our top priority, and we are here for you,” says CEO Cholly Boland. “If any services are affected, we will ensure our patients and our local communities are informed immediately.”

WDMH is preparing to open some additional beds to accept non-COVID-19 patients from other hospitals as needed. “We are working to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible for April 21, 2021

these patients,” adds Cholly Boland.

In addition, the WDMH Emergency Department is open 24/7 and ready to care for patients with serious health concerns. “We appreciate that members of our local communities are taking the recommendations to stay home seriously, but it should not come at the cost of your health or safety,” says Cholly Boland. “Everyone who comes to WDMH is screened when they arrive, and stringent precautions are in place.”

As the situation progresses, we will continue to keep everyone up-to-date on any changes. Please visit the WDMH website at www. wdmh.on.ca or follow the hospital on Facebook - https:// www.facebook.com/WinchesterDistrictMemorialHospital - for the latest updates.

If you would like to provide comments or suggestions about hospital services, please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Winchester District Memorial Hospital at 613-774-1049 or by email at cboland@wdmh.on.ca.

Great opportunity to purchase prime real estate property.

8.2 acres, 4 bedroom 2 storey home, 25,000sqft warehouse with a 1 bedroom apartment attached and many other outbuildings can be yours. Warehouse offers 3 loading docks for tractor/trailer on the south side of the warehouse.

Many uses for this property and easy access to major highways! $1,100,000

Taylor’d Safety Services Inc. Safety services tailored to your business needs James Taylor, General Manager

613•797•3032

james.taylordsafety@gmail.com www.taylordsafety.ca

loralee.carruthers @century21.ca

47 Christie Lane Winchester

11

OFFICE (613) 918-0321 CELL (613) 407-8869 www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

OFA encourages farmers to make this year's planting season safe and productive

Larry Davis, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture As the days start to get warmer, farm equipment across the province will begin hitting the roadways for planting season. Many farmers spend a lot of time on the road throughout the spring, travelling long distances between fields and back to their farms.

Similar to the farm, there are several best practices and protocols to follow to ensure the safety of all vehicles on the road, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reminds everyone to remember the rules of the road and take the time to put safety first.

Farm and road safety has always been a top priority for OFA. Following proper road safety procedures helps to ensure farmers, as well as motorists, stay safe. To farmers, travelling on the road with large equipment is part of doing business and a necessary day-to-day task of spring planting. As we begin to move our farm equipment out of the barn and onto the road, it may be time to pause, talk to

everyone on your farm team and consider the many steps we can take to ensure our roadways remain safe.

Some roads, bridges and traffic circles aren't built to accommodate heavy machinery and a lot more motorists are increasingly impatient around slowmoving vehicles. It is our job as the drivers of our farm equipment to ensure we are doing everything we can to ensure safe travel.

It is important to always ensure that your farm tractors, combines or other self-propelled implements have a visible slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign on the back of your equipment.

It is also important to use lights, taillights and signals to make your equipment visible to all motorists.

While you are required to use lights on equipment from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise - why not keep them on all the time, then you'll always be visible.

Turning may pose many safety risks if you are not properly using your signals.

When slowing down and making your turn, it is vital to indicate this movement to the motorist behind you to prevent collisions or confusion. I tell my employees to be extra cautious during left-hand turns. In my experience, I have seen many motorists try to pass farm equipment, not seeing that they're preparing to make a left-hand turn. Therefore, it is essential to always

be cautious and use your indicators when turning on roadways. I often advise my employees to take the time to check twice when turning on and off busy roadways to remain safe.

Another aspect of safety is to always remain alert and aware of your surroundings. I always encourage my employees to stay alert, regardless if there are other vehicles on the road. Attentive drivers are safe drivers. OFA encourages all farmers to keep it hands-free and stay off smartphone devices while operating farm equipment.

The road requires our full attention to ensure safe trips. Although our equipment may look different, we are still required to follow the rules of the road.

On the road, it's important to drive your equipment on the main part of the highway. It is not illegal to drive on the shoulder, but it can be dangerous as it may not support the weight of your equipment. When driving on back roads, there may be cases where a sign indicating a soft shoulder is not present. By driving towards the middle of your lane, you ensure that your farm equipment remains safe and on the road.

OFA also encourages farmers to be mindful of their speed and stopping times. Many of us travel with heavy loads that have the capability to overpower our brakes. It is imperative to watch our stopping times and ensure that we are mindful of the distance between vehicles and steep grades. It's also important to remember that all farm equipment on the road, including trucks that are towing farm implements,

must not exceed the 40 km/h speed limit.

Lastly, always complete your safety checks to confirm that your farm equipment is safe to drive on the road. Check that your brakes and lights are working correctly, and be sure that every piece of farm equipment travelling on roadways has a slowmoving vehicle sign that is visible to motorists. Following these best practices and regulations will help make sure that everyone has a safe and productive planting season.Remember to take the time to put safety first on the roadways, on your farm and for your family.

For additional information on road safety, visit ofa.on.ca/roadsafety or check out our fact sheets on transportation.

Phil Carkner, Owner

613.774.2733

www.dscollision.com

admin@dscollisioncenter.com 12029 Dawley Drive, Winchester, ON Certified collision center.

Insurance approved.

Lifetime warranty on repairs.

24 Hour Towing Assitance 1.800.663.9264

It ’s your choice , choose local

YOUR LOCALLY OWNED, LOCALLY EMPLOYED FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM

North Dundas’ Financial Services Professionals Cynthia Batchelor Financial Advisor

Sarah Chisholm Financial Advisor

877.989.1997 | OFSI.CA | FUTURE@OFSI.CA BROCKVILLE CORNWALL KEMPTVILLE RENFREW WINCHESTER

Financial Cup of Tea – How do I Build my Financial Plan?

By Sarah Chisholm Financial Advisor, O'Farrell Financial Services Grab your favourite cup of tea or coffee and let us protect your Financial Plan.

In addition to building assets and reducing debts, a comprehensive Financial Plan should provide risk mitigation.

Your wealth is growing – you are building your retirement equity in RRSP, TFSA, rental properties, business ventures and perhaps workplace pensions.

You have an income that supports your lifestyle expenses including mortgages, car payments, vacations, and retirement savings. Have you considered what happens if you become sick or injured?

How do you continue to fund your lifestyle and grow your wealth?

If you are currently 35 years old and are making $50,000 per year, you will be generating $1,500,000 of income over the next 30 years! Is your ability to earn an income protected?

The good news is that you may already have some level of protection against illness or injury. In Ontario, the Workplace Safety Insurance Board provides

SEND IN YOUR CLASSIFIED to classified@ ndtimes.ca

BUY AND SELL LOCALLY

April 21, 2021

COLLISION CENTER

12

coverage for work-related illness and injuries, providing income replacement until you can return to work. Not all industries, however, are covered through WSIB. Employment Insurance may also be an option. If you meet the required number of hours in the 52-week time frame, you could be eligible for 15 weeks of taxable benefits after a 2-week waiting period. EI comes in as a taxable benefit and is based on a percentage of your income.

You would receive 55% of your weekly paycheque, up to a maximum of $595 per week.

For the self-employed, there are very specific requirements to meet to be eligible for EI. Canada Pension Plan Disability Benefit is a monthly payment available to those who have a severe and prolonged disability. A doctor must sign off on a portion of the application. The candidate must also meet CPP contribution requirements based on a six-year time frame. The maximum monthly payment in 2021 is $1,413; however, the amount received is based on past CPP contributions and the average received is only $1,031.

You may also have coverage through other plans including creditor insurance,

auto-insurance, critical illness policies.

Finally, you may also have coverage through a group disability insurance policy or an individually owned disability policy. Depending on the specific policy, multiple factors could change; your start date for coverage, is your coverage taxable or non-taxable, how long does the coverage last, does the coverage exclude any conditions, and is there a refund of premium option.

The possibilities may seem overwhelming, but your Financial Advisor can help you explore all the options, identify any gaps in your plan, and provide recommendations on how to strengthen the risk mitigation portion of your Financial Plan.

Please reach out to us with any questions you may have. See our ad in this week's North Grenville Times or follow us on Facebook @OFarrellFinancialServicesInc.

Help Support Your Local Businesses SHOP LOCALLY www.ndtimes.ca