ND Times Issue 4 2021 February 3

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The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 2, No 4

February 3, 2021

Return to School, Dr Paul at EOHU, and March Break Come see Mike for old-school service, product knowledge & competitive pricing.

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by Joselyn Morley The kids in North Dundas headed back to in-person learning on Monday, February 1. Dr Paul Roumeliotis of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit spoke about students returning to in-person learning during his twice-weekly Covid-19 news update.

The numbers have gone down throughout the province, and although the schools are opening in our area, Dr Paul reminds us to be vigilant. The decision to re-open schools was based on a number of factors. There are fewer cases of Covid-19 in the community. While Dr Paul maintains that schools are safe, he agrees that it was a prudent move to close them while the numbers continued to rise after the holiday. When community transmission rates are high, schools are in danger of becoming sites of outbreaks, and asymptomatic

children can unknowingly carry the virus home to more vulnerable people. Currently, hospitalisation rates have stabilised. Outbreaks have stabilised. The reproduction rate has gone below one. The reproduction number is, in short, the number of people being infected by one case, or the average number of secondary cases generated by an index case. When that number is greater than one, it means that community transmission is on the rise.

Currently reproduction rate has dropped below 0.8.

New measures will be in place, and measures such as rapid testing will be added as needed. The province is planning asymptomatic testing to detect and isolate cases of Covid-19 early. Dr Paul explains that as it stands now, our area will not be doing large numbers of asymptomatic testing on children in schools.

Most likely in our area, rapid

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testing will take the form of a child presenting at school with symptoms, being tested using one of the rapid testing methods with cooperation of the parents, giving the health unit the opportunity to isolate a case and prevent transmission in schools. They are creating a province-wide menu of approaches, including access to two different rapid testing systems, as well as the ability to fast track testing at regular testing centres should the need arise.

Nurses will be going into all schools to answer questions, review pandemic protocols, instruct staff and students on new guidelines, and possible responses to outbreaks going forward.

Masks are now mandatory for all students from grades 1 to 3, as well as grades 4 to 12 as previously mandated. Masks must now be worn outdoors if the children cannot stay 2 meters apart. Kindergarten

children are encouraged to wear masks. Schools will be required to validate that all students, staff, and visitors have been screened for symptoms of Covid-19 prior to entering school. The screening tool can be accessed at https://covid-19.ontario.ca/ school-screening/ The screening tool is available on the website, but also a version is available for download in English, French, and a variety of other languages.

Dr Paul spoke of his concern for children over the March Break. He has raised the possibility of cancelling March Break. He acknowledges that staff, teachers, and students need a break, and notes that it is not the decision of the EOHU whether or not to cancel March Break, but that he is very concerned given what happened to the Cont'd on p;age 2

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The North Dundas Times

Mountain Township numbers over the Christmas will receive their second break. Cases of Covid-19 dose between 21 to 27 days District Lions Club in in children between 4 to after the first dose. Others Times 13 years of age increased currently being vaccinated, Pandemic • Brakes • Vehicle repairs Return to School continued

dramatically after the break, reflecting the behaviours of parents and children over the break. Dr Paul maintains that parents must prevent their children from mingling with others during March Break if it goes ahead.

He also spoke of current status of Covid-19 in the EOHU. There are still unresolved cases in the EOHU, and there are current outbreaks at Long-term Care Homes, but that numbers are decreasing. Every resident in a Long-term Care Home has received their first dose of the vaccine. The EOHU received only 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine this past week, and no doses of the Pfizer vaccine. The vaccination of high-risk individuals at Retirement Homes will continue. The decision has been made to ensure that all those receiving vaccinations in Long-term Care Homes

such as those not high risk in Retirement Residences, will receive their second doses between 35 to 41 days from their first dose.

Dr Paul spoke of the need to remain vigilant, especially with the three new variants of the Covid-19 virus being on our horizon. There have been no cases reported of any of the three new variants in our area, but there has been in Ottawa, Toronto, Peel, Durham, and elsewhere. He explained that, whereas in the past we might have gotten away with a lapse in social distancing, the new variants are much more contagious. They spread between people much more easily. He described the new variants as having a protein that is much more able to stick. The three variants most concerning for doctors, epidemiologists, and scientists are from South Africa, UK, and Brasil.

pandemic continues to •challenge service clubs. The Suspension • TheClass “A” Mechanic Mountain Township District Lions Club is no different. They • Sale of Quality Pre- • Tire Sales cannotOwned hold regular meetings because of Covid-19 restrictions, • Air Conditioning Vehicles nor can they hold fundraisers while the current lockdown and • Flat Bed Tow Truck • Alignments stay-at-home order is happening.

613-989-3839 They are, however, still renting their signs in the community, bringing C o uinn some t y R dfunds 1 , to M othe u nClub. t a i nThey O n thave a r i o11 signs that they rent out for $30 a week; a very reasonable cost for effective advertising, that helps make a positive difference in the community. You can see their signs within the area formerly called Mountain Township.

They have recently made donations to The Ophthalmology Fund of the Winchester District Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Community Food Share, and the Easter Seals of Ontario.

They thank the community for their ongoing support, and remind everyone to stay healthy, stay safe, and keep getting your mental and physical exercise.

Chesterville Legion Wing Night

Paths to Eliminate Anti-Black Racism

On February 17, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) will be hosting an online event entitled Leadership in Action: Paths to Eliminate Anti-Black Racism.

Academics and public servants leading anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion initiatives will share some of the actions currently underway to address and eliminate anti-black racism.

A call for dedicated actions to address systemic Anti-Black racism within our institutions, organizations, and communities has generated new pathways to develop and strengthen leadership. Public sector leaders have committed to lead differently and foster diversity and inclusion in their respective departments and agencies, as well as in the delivery of their service to Canadians.

This event is free.

Tickets available through Eventbrite. IPAC Leadership in Action: Paths to Eliminate Anti-Black Racism.

Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/leadershipin-action-paths-to-eliminate-anti-black-racism-tickets138282880819?aff=erelexpmlt

Shannon Lever

Marketing Consultant

Phone 613.791.8317 Email: shannonlever@ndtimes.ca February 3, 2021

Adhering to Covid-19 pandemic protocols, Chesterville Legion will hold their Wing Night as a Take-Out Only Event on Friday, February 5.

Call 613-448-1997 to order your wings, fries, onion rings, mozza sticks, or chicken tenders. Wings are $10 per dozen, with your choice of sauce. Sides are $5 or under.

Pickup time starts at 4:15 pm on Friday evening. When you call to place your order, you will be given an estimated time for pick-up.

Please help keep everyone safe, and help the Legion adhere to pandemic protocols by following the pick-up instructions provided by the volunteers at pick-up time. Please wear a mask and social distance.

Thank you for continuing to support the Legion during these strange times, and thanks to the Legion for their commitment to continue with their fundraising efforts during the pandemic!

Baldwin’s Birds

With the cold weather upon us and garden and window feeders being used like mad, a tip off of owl activity, provided a lovely chance for

a brief change of own habitat. Being in a fairly isolated location, and no personal contact with anyone envisaged, my wife and I went 2

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Appointment only. Patients should call 613 801 2333 to book their test. Can test all ages.

Free parking available. Accommodates wheelchairs and mobility devices.

Monday Friday: 12 p.m. (noon) to 6 p.m.

Phone number: 1 800 267 7120 Website: eohu.ca/en/covid/covid 19 testing assessment centres.

WE NEED HEROES ACT NOW to investigate. We did get to see two female Snowy Owls, one at quite a distance, the misty atmospherics making photography very difficult and the other a little bit closer.

However, before we got to this location, road side activity caught our eyes in the form of Snow Buntings. Yes, those little flocks of birds you often disturb, as you drive down the road, are Snow Buntings, which seem to the naked eye to be just another plain old sparrow type looking bird.

Well we actually stopped and took another look and, as you

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can see, they are a very pretty and striking bird indeed. Of course they are very protectively skittish and always on the move, so any photograph getting of them is quite challenging. My wife, with her less sophisticated camera than mine, with car window open, managed to get a couple of beautiful shots of the flock in flight! What a lovely surprise for both of us! We hope you like them too!

Stay safe and well.

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The North Dundas Times

Canadians continue to receive guide dogs during the pandemic Shawville, Quebec, and his guide dog Tosca, are one of the teams who graduated in 2020. Michael says, “I’m in a white world, not a dark world.

Everything’s white to me, I have no focus. I can see some shades of colours, but it’s like someone threw a white blanket over my face. When I put the harness on my guide dog, it’s like flicking a light switch. If I didn’t have a guide dog, I’d be straining going around with a cane, trying to feel my way, or walking on someone’s elbow, and so, this way, I can go out by myself and I don’t have to hang on to that person’s elbow.

We’re partners, and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has given me independence.”

There are other qualified Canadians like Michael Hodgins who are currently awaiting their guide dog, and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind is eager to serve them, but they need your support to do so. Whether you need to apply for a guide dog, or would like to make a donation, please visit guidedogs.ca for more information.

Michael Hodgins with guide dog Tosca and retired guide dog Nellie Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind [CGDB] marked its 37th anniversary on January 12, 2021. CGDB is proud to have successfully created and supported over 900 guide dog teams over the years.

They are a proudly Canadian organization that provides Canadian bred and trained guide dogs, changing the lives of Canadians by improving their safety, freedom, and independence.

Their own well established breeding program ensures a quantity and quality of dogs suitable to the job, and enables the continuance of producing and training guide dogs during the pandemic. 2020 also marked an exciting milestone, as Canadian Guide Dogs for

the Blind opened their new kennel on the property of their National Training Centre in Ottawa. The state of the art facility only enhances their service, and provides an even better home for the comfort of these incredible future guide dogs as they undergo training.

All of CGDB’s funding comes from Canada, and is then spent here in Canada as they fulfill their mission.

They are a national charity that heavily relies on donations and does not receive any government funding.

Despite the numerous unforeseen challenges, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind continued to successfully place guide dogs in 2020. This past year, they matched and part-

nered guide dog teams across the country, from British Columbia all the way to New Brunswick. Understanding the need for their services, CGDB only restricted placement of new teams for the first two months of the pandemic, while they strived to put in new procedures to keep everyone safe.

They continue to update their procedures as new information becomes available, and adhere to, or exceed, public health guidelines and laws.

Thanks to thirty seven years of proven success, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has been able to continue with its mandate and ensure that Canadians who require guide dogs can still get them.

Michael Hodgins, from

Following an announcement by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education, elementary and secondary schools in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit have been allowed back to in person learning as of Monday, February 1. This includes students in these School Boards: Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Centre Est de l'Ontario Upper Canada District School Board In his statement, Minister Lecce noted that the province is adding “stronger masking protocols to include grades 1 3, expanding access to targeted asymptomatic testing, and implementing stricter screening protocols."

It was also announced that, in the Health Unit areas affected, before and after school child care programs may also resume and emerFebruary 3, 2021

gency child care will end. In the Health Unit areas where schools are continuing with remote learning, before and after school programs continue to be closed and emergency child care remains available to support children of frontline workers.

All schools in the Upper Canada District School Board reopened on Tuesday, February 2.

UCDSB Director of Education, Stephen Silwa, issued a statement on behalf of the Board last Thursday, in which he stated: “As you know, Grade 1 8 students attending UCDSB schools located within the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit region returned to in person learning on Monday, January 25, 2021 and will continue in this state going forward. Grade 9 12 students attending schools located within the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will continue with plans to return to in person learning on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.”

Applications are open for the Ontario Small Business Support Grant, that helps businesses that are significantly affected by the Provincewide Shutdown. Starting at $10,000 for all eligible businesses, the grant provides businesses with funding to a maximum of $20,000 to help cover decreased revenue expected as a result of the shutdown.

The business must demonstrate they experienced a revenue decline of at least 20% when comparing monthly revenue in April 2019 and April 2020. Alternative revenue decline comparatives are available if a business is not operating in the month of April. New businesses established since April 2019 are also eligible, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Businesses will be able to use the support in whatever way makes the most sense for them. For example, some businesses could use the support to pay employee wages, while others may need support maintaining their inventory.

Eligibility Requirements Include: Fewer than 100 employees at the enterprise level Business number. If a business does not have a business number, they will be directed to apply for a business number before they can proceed with their application.

Application deadline is March 31, 2021.

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Director Silwa also reiterated that all students in Grades 1 12 are required to wear non medical or cloth masks indoors at school, including in hallways and during class times, on school transportation and outdoors during recess where students cannot maintain physical distancing. Masking in Kindergarten is optional but encouraged.

In Secondary Schools operated by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, in the Eastern Ontario Health Unit region, Grades 9 to 12 and all Special Education Programs reopening was delayed until Wednesday, February 3, as Monday was a planned Professional Development Day, and Tuesday was a scheduled turnaround day in order to prepare for the new quadmester and therefore schools were closed to students.

Elementary Schools and all Grade 7 & 8 students in High Schools reopened on Tuesday, February 2.

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Editorial

The North Dundas Times

It’s a small world after all

by David Shanahan

Who would have thought that the response to having viable vaccines against covid-19 could be a source of discord and introduce a new form of nationalism? But that’s what’s happened over the past couple of weeks, even as more vaccines are approved and more people are getting “the jab”. What is happening is that the basic inequalities in the world are being highlighted by the ability of richer nations to buy up the supply of jabs, against the lack of capacity of poorer countries. And Canada is right in the centre of the issue.

We generally like to think that the world sees Canada and Canadians as among the good guys, the nice, polite, strong without being pushy kind of country. But we have been getting some bad press recently and, compared to places like New Zealand,

Canada is not looking great these days.

The vaccine situation came to the fore last week, when the European Union tried to block vaccines from getting to the United Kingdom, claiming that their contracts with one firm, AstraZenica, gave them the right to millions of jabs that they said were being diverted to the U.K. This raised the matter of “vaccine nationalism”, as it is being called. The statistics that were revealed cast a wider shadow than just the EU-UK dispute.

It seems the EU has ordered enough vaccine doses to give each of their citizens twice as many jabs as they need - 1.6 billion. The United States has bought 1.2 billion doses, enough to give each of their citizens 3.7 doses.

But the really big surprise, and something of a scandal in the eyes of the world, is that Canada has ordered 362

be vulnerable to variants of covid that would most likely develop in unvaccinated nations. All the restrictions would need to be maintained in the long term, to ensure that we didn’t import a variant that the current vaccinations might not be able to handle.

But it’s not all bad, and it is certainly not inevitable.

There is a growing movement to transfer unused vaccines from places like Canada to where there is a lack. The WHO has set up the Covax group, to ensure that vaccines are shared equitably around the world. It has agreed deals for 1.1 billion doses so far, though that is less than half of the combined total for the EU, UK, and US. There is even a move to have a Canadianmade vaccine in action this year, and the more vaccines that are developed, the more people will get vaccinated.

Yes, Canada is looking a little greedy right now, and

million doses, enough to give each one of us almost 10 jabs (remember, we probably only need two). This is, by far, the most excessive amount of any country in the world.

Compared to Canada, other countries are lacking enough vaccine doses to provide adequate protection for their people. The African Union countries have only enough to give .2 doses per person, one-tenth of what they need. The World Health Organization [WHO] has called the situation “a looming catastrophic moral failure”. It has the potential to undermine the effectiveness of the vaccine program worldwide. The fact is that vaccine nationalism is pointless and even dangerous.

This is a global pandemic, which means that, even if each and every Canadian got the 9.6 doses of vaccine the government has ordered, we would still not be safe if the rest of the world continued to

An urgent letter to the Dear Editor, for his crops but not willing Government of Canada In her letter to the Editor to pay him for his trees. This

Letter to the Editor

(The North Dundas Times, January 13, 2021) Janice Videto was certainly correct in enumerating the benefits and services provided by trees. Many, if not most, of these benefits and services are enjoyed by all of us, no matter where we live or where the trees are growing. By absorbing carbon dioxide, as pointed out by Janice, trees represent one of the most efficient and effective ways of combatting global warming.

In addition to tree planting programs for public lands, governments are increasingly encouraging and providing financial assistance to landowners to plant trees on their land. It is ironic, however, that while there seems to be money available to plant new trees, there seems to be none available to save mature trees already growing. One only has to drive a short distance around North Dundas to see the devastation being inflicted on the few trees we have by farmers seeking to grow more corn. It is very sad to see and our first reaction is to blame the farmers. However, they aren’t the root of the problem.

The problem is that while all of us benefit from the presence of the trees on the farmers’ property, only the farmer pays for them to be there by being denied the income he could realize by removing them and growing more crops. In other words, we are willing to pay him February 3, 2021

has to change. The services provided by the farmers’ trees clearly have value to society as a whole, and we should be prepared to pay for this. The value of these services should be determined and the farmer should be offered payment for them or, conversely, he should be compensated for the crop revenue he would give up by retaining the trees. At least then, his decision to retain or remove the trees will be made with the benefit of complete information. As things are presently, with his trees being seen as having no value, it is easy and understandable to sympathize with his decision to remove them. While I have referred to farmers in this manner, because they highlight the problem in North Dundas, any landowner who depends upon revenue from his land should be treated in the same way.

Again referring to Janice’s letter, I agree that we need to point out the errors in the present situation to our elected representatives, and urge them to act to save the few trees we have left in this area.

Doug Long

We have very a serious situation in this country.

Google and Facebook, two of the richest companies in history, control the onramp to the internet highway in Canada. They decide what we as a sovereign nation see and don’t see in the news. To make matters worse, they take the news produced by Canadians and don’t pay for it.

Meanwhile, all Canadian news media companies, big and small, are suffering for two reasons: First, they don’t get paid for their content by Facebook and Google; Second, Facebook and Google take over 80% of all Canadian digital advertising industry revenue. These massive American companies get virtually all of the revenue and don’t pay for content.

Movie content doesn’t work that way in Canada. Music content doesn’t work that way. TV show content doesn’t work that way. So why is news content treated differently?

We only have to look south of the border to see what happens when real news companies disappear and

social media platforms distribute divisive, fake news.

We need to support healthy, independent, diverse news companies as the backbone of our democracy. This is urgent. It’s a fact that news companies across Canada are going out of business.

COVID-19 is accelerating the decline. Journalism jobs are disappearing. That means real news keeps disappearing and hate and fake news will be all that’s left to distribute.

Let’s not let this happen in Canada.

But there is good news.

Australia has figured out the solution. They created a law that forces the trillion-dollar monopolies to pay fairly for news content. This costs the taxpayer absolutely nothing.

We strongly encourage the government to move quickly.

Canada needs your leadership.

John Hinds President/CEO News Media Canada

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

Production

Pat Jessop Email: production@ndtimes.ca 613 258 4671

that comes on top of a few other bad news stories coming from here. Internationally, we’ve grabbed headlines for that despicable couple who traveled to a northern community and pretended to be locals in order to get vaccinated. They’ve been fined a couple of thousand dollars, but he earned some thing like $46 million last year, so that hardly hurts him. There is some talk of turning the fine into jail time, and that might be more effective in deterring other selfish millionaires.

Then there was the story about our late Governor General and her diva-style treatment of staff and taxpayers’ dollars in Rideau Hall. And she seemed such a nice lady!

That scandal didn’t do Justin Trudeau any good either, as people began to wonder why he hadn’t known about her previous departures from jobs under similar clouds.

Yes, Canada’s reputation has

4

Editor editor@ndtimes.ca 613-215-0735

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

Food Freedom Day is February 9, 2021 The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has calculated that by Tuesday, February 9, 2021, a Canadian household of average income will have earned enough to pay their entire year’s grocery bill.

Each year, CFA examines the proportion of income that Canadians spend on food as a way to explore year over year expenditure changes and raise consumers’ understanding of Canada’s food system, from Farm Gate to Plate.

With the arrival of the new year, CFA has had a chance to look back at a difficult 2020 for Canadians and assess what Canadians spent on the groceries that feed their families. Canadians spent 11% of their disposable income on food in 2020, which slightly higher than the 10.9% of disposable income spent on food in 2019. With a significant increase in per capita food and beverage expenditures, up nearly $300 from 2020 to an estimated $4,091, Food Freedom Day has moved back a day to February 9, 2021.

This rise in food expenditures would have seen a more dramatic effect were it not for an increase in household disposable income in late 2020 to mitigate some of the increased cost. With continued inflation in the price of many food prices expected through 2021, amidst a challenging financial environment for many Canadians, Food Freedom Day presents an opportunity to highlight all the work producers undertake to produce food efficiently and affordably every day.

Farmers only receive a small percentage of the price that consumers pay for food, particularly when the costs of production are taken into account. Canadian farmers continue to adapt to widely varying costs for inputs such as fuel and fertilizer, and to balance their plans against uncertainties in the marketplace.

Food Freedom Day demonstrates the value that Canadian farmers deliver to ALL Canadians – the agriculture industry translates into vital economic contributions for our rural communities.

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taken something of a beating recently, but nothing that will make a permanent dent in the world’s image of us.

It may be surprising and rather irritating to realise that Justin Trudeau is almost as popular a world leader as Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand. Except, naturally, in Canada, where he is not perhaps equally well thought of. But then, we know more than the rest of the world. They only get the headlines and photo ops. We get the whole scoop. And five times as many vaccine doses as we need.

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The North Dundas Times

Municipality Matters

Local business essential Queen's Park Update Ontario government sup- pandemic and be ready to classroom is our top priority to the local economy ports municipalities by in- invite us back for the 2021 and supported by the Chief

by Eric Duncan, M.P. Now more than ever, this past year has showed us the need to support our local businesses, especially during these trying times. Small businesses are the backbone of the Canadian economy, and employ nearly half of the people in the country’s private sector.

Please remember that most retail businesses and restaurants are still open during lockdowns for curbside pickup and delivery. Give them a call or email before making an order elsewhere to see if you can make your purchase locally.

Since the pandemic began, MPP Jim McDonell and I have visited dozens of local businesses to check in on their owners and staff. We worked to ensure they were able to tap into business loans, wage subsidies, and other financial supports to get them through

OPP Report Fatal crash On January 27, 2021 shortly after 3:00 p.m Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry (SD&G) OPP officers responded to a two vehicle collision on Highway 401 Westbound (between Upper Canada Road and Church Road), South Dundas Township.

Initial Investigation has indicated that shortly after 3:00 p.m , a westbound tractor trailer(1) collided with another westbound tractor trailer(2) from behind on Highway 401, for reasons under investigation.

The male driver Dilpreet Singh RAI ,age 46, of Brampton, Ontario of the westbound passenger tractor trailer (1) was pronounced deceased at scene. The driver of the tractor trailer (2) was not injured. SD&G OPP continue to investigate with the assistance of OPP Traffic Collision Investigators (TCI).

A section of Highway 401 was closed to traffic for multiple hours.

February 3, 2021

COVID-19. If you are a business owner that would like a visit, please contact our office and we’d be pleased to safely connect with you.

Our Conservative team in Ottawa has fought hard to pressure and make important changes to key federal support programs during the COVID-19 pandemic that have allowed more businesses to qualify for help and reduce unnecessary red tape; - Increased Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) from 10% to 75% to keep millions of Canadians in their jobs - Expanded eligibility to $40,000 Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to help more small businesses qualify - Stopped CRA audits during COVID-19 as businesses fight to survive - Removed requirement to have landlord apply for Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) I will continue to be a strong voice for our businesses across Stormont-DundasSouth Glengarry. Together, we will get through this pandemic and come out stronger than before.

OPP Street Crime Unit seizes meth, fentanyl and cocaine The OP SD&G Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) has charged three people after the seizure of illegal drugs in Long Sault and Cornwall.

On January 28, 2021, members of the CSCU, assisted by the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Cornwall Police Service and OPP Canine Unit, executed two search warrants at a residence on Simcoe Street and Pitt Street (Cornwall).

Officers seized a quantity of suspected fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as a conducted energy weapon (Taser) and items typically associated with drug trafficking. Three people were arrested at the scenes.

A male, age 27, of South Stormont was arrested and charged with: - CDSA 5(2) Possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine - CDSA 4(1) Possession schedule I Fentanyl - CC 92(2) Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition

vesting an additional $40 million through the Municipal Modernization Program, announced by Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark. This program's previous funding has produced excellent results, including improvements to speed up residential and industrial developments. At the ROMA conference, Minister Clark told attendees that municipalities responded quickly to the pandemic, and the Government wants to ensure municipalities can balance their budgets. He also announced $200 million for small, rural, and northern regions through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. Our local municipalities will receive $3.5 million through this initiative to maintain important transportation links and ensure safe water and wastewater systems; all necessary components to boost economic growth and investment, and create jobs.

On another note, I'm sure most of you missed our popular fairs last summer. To enable their return, OMAFRA Minister Ernie Hardeman announced $5 million for the agricultural and horticultural societies to get through the

by MPP Jim McDonell This past week, municipal leaders met virtually with Premier Ford, cabinet ministers, MPPs, and Ontario's ministry officials at the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference. I am confident the progress will continue on the issues specific to rural and eastern Ontario.

I was called upon to chair 10 of these zoom meetings as Parliamentary Assistant to the Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister. The issues were varied and spoke to the challenges of limited broadband coverage, COVID 19, and expensive red tape regulations. The delegations were upbeat and appreciative of the progress made so far. I look forward to moving ahead on their concerns.

COVID 19 has presented its share of challenges across the province, making it harder to access health, childcare, and business services. The

fair season. By this summer, I trust the vaccination programs will be nearing completion, allowing us to enjoy our tremendous festivals, fairs, and events. And finally, we announced the extension of electricity rate relief for families, small businesses and farms to support those spending more time at home in response to the provincial Stay at Home Order. The Government will continue to hold electricity prices to the off peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour until February 9, 2021. This lower rate will be automatically applied to your bill and available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for Time Of Use and tiered customers.

The provincial shutdown and stay at home order are chipping away at the number of active COVID 19 cases. As of this past Thursday, we had 293 active cases, down from 390 last week. Although this is good news, our local hospitals continue to be stretched, so every case reduction helps.

Some good news was released Thursday, with the announcement that our local schools can return to in person learning in the upcoming week.

Getting students back into the

Medical Officer of Health. He reports that schools have been safe places to learn and that over 99.66 percent of the in person learning students did not report a case of COVID in the fall session.

With the Pfizer vaccine plant's retooling in Belgium, the Eastern Ontario Health Unit is experiencing a slowdown in shipments. The EOHU team has completed the distribution of the first dose to all eligible residents in our region's LTC homes.

I expect the vaccination program will pick up quickly when supplies do arrive.

Province wide, we can administer 20,000 vaccines per day, capitalizing on retired General Hillier's team to distribute the doses.

As always, remember to stay home, stay safe and save lives. Your health and that of your loved ones may depend on it.

Regards, Jim McDonell MPP for Stormont Dundas South Glengarry

Theft at Winchester Kennels

A female, age 23, of South Stormont was arrested and charged with: - CDSA 4(1) Possession schedule I methamphetamine - CDSA 4(1) Possession schedule I Fentanyl CC 92(2) Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition A male, age 27, of Cornwall was arrested and charged with: CC 354(1)(a) Possession of property Obtained by crime under $5000 CDSA 4(1) Possession Schedule I Cocaine CC 117.01(1) Possession of firearm or ammunition contrary to prohibition order two counts The accused were all release from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on April 1, 2021.

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.

by Joselyn Morley Talk about kicking someone when they're down! The pandemic has wreaked havoc on businesses everywhere, including most definitely here in North Dundas. One local business already suffering from lack of clientele since the first lockdown in March 2020 has been dealt another blow.

Sometime between Sunday, January 10, and Thursday January 14, a thief entered the office at Winchester Kennels and stole a breadbox-sized safe. It's a 0.5 cubic feet coded-entry safe, so the only way into it is through breaking it. The safe held emergency back up cash, and jewelry.

Taunya Van Allen, owner and operator of Winchester Kennels, is a member of our community, a businessperson, and an employer. Aside from her substantial personal loss at an already awful time for businesses, if her business closes, people lose their jobs and income.

The crime was made all the worse by the fact that it was most likely perpetuated 5

by someone who knew Taunya. Taunya was not home at the time of the theft. There were periods of time on those days where staff were also away. Only people who were aware of her friend's serious illness would have known when the office would be unattended with a safe inside.

Nothing else was removed or disturbed. This theft was targeted, and has left Taunya heartbroken, as well as financially bereft.

Taunya asks that you keep your eyes open for any jewelry on kijiji or marketplace, hear of anyone suddenly having a larger-than-usual quantity of cash, or someone needing a sledge hammer, or plasma cutter or tig welder.

The Covid-19 pandemic has already reduced the kennels' income by 85%. This

theft has left the future of the business even more uncertain.

Contact Winchester OPP at 613-774-2603 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477(TIPS) Here is the link to the GoFundMe page set up by Daniel Tucker for Taunya and Winchester Kennels. Or search Winchester Kennels in the GoFundMe search. https://www.gofundme. com/f/help-taunya-winchester-kennels?pc=fb_tbe_ campmgmtbnr_w&rcid=r01161195305081bd44566d50a041e1&utm_ source=facebook&utm_ medium=social&utm_ campaign=p_lico%2Bban ner&fbclid=IwAR0j1w2q 8m_xTGewa3H9rPgqXD7jHdXkiackS8VKNOMp2_ BCT1OtMpALQRo

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Agricultural Digest • Forecasts • News • Views

OFA reflects on impacts of sudden loss on farm communities

by Brent Royce, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture Loss has the power to shake a whole community.

Like a pebble in a pond, the waves ripple across the water and the effects can be felt by everyone near. In rural communities, when someone is lost to suicide, a direct impact is felt by many people. From nearby family and friends, to neighbours and acquaintances, to stakeholders across the entire sector, suicide has the power to send shockwaves and cripple a community.

My community has recently said goodbye to members who have lost their lives

to suicide. This has left everyone feeling shocked, sad, and wishing there was more that could have been done. Now more than ever, farmers feel the stress of pushing through everyday personal issues, coping with the loneliness of living remotely, and feeling the pressure to maintain a business with so many changing protocols stemming from the pandemic Oftentimes, we see farmers push their mental health to the backburner. Our custom as farmers is to take care and prioritize our livestock, crops and families first. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that talking about our

mental health struggles makes us weak or less of a farmer.

Yes, our community is strong and resilient, but we are not superhuman. We need to work collectively to end this stigma. For those struggling with mental health, having someone to talk to may be the key to saving their life.

As we continue into this new year, we are seeing too many lives being lost to mental health. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) believes that now, more than ever, it's time to break down the farmer stereotypes and bring conversations about suicidal thoughts and feelings to the forefront.

People experiencing suicidal thoughts are often in great mental anguish and believe the world around them would be better without their presence. They start believing they are a burden and slowly begin losing faith in themselves. Without proper resources and services in place, many are left to deal with their dark thoughts alone – and during a pandemic, those who are most vulnerable are at serious risk.

As we proceed through another demanding year, the focus on work ethic and striving for consistency in a world that’s currently unstable can result in missing warning

signs of stress and burnout, which can leave farmers both physically and mentally depleted. It can also be difficult to separate our identity as a person from that of a farmer, which makes setbacks in the farm business feel personally devastating.

In the past few weeks, my daughter has been collecting data from farmers on mental health for a school survey as a grade 12 project. Out of 239 participants, 80.8% stated they believe there continues to be a stigma around mental health, while 32.2% said they are uncomfortable discussing the topic with others. This stigma prevents farmers from seeking out and obtaining appropriate resources. These results suggest that further conversations, acceptance, support and guidance are still needed so people don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when they’re struggling. The Farmers’ Toolbox initiative in my region features testimonials in video clips that tell the story of farmers moving from hopelessness to reaching the point of seeking help. Resources like this one, created by the Listowel Agricultural Society, help put a face on this crucial topic.

Deciding to ask for help is only the first step. Many rural communities feel secluded from the necessary supports and services. My daughter's study showed that 34.7% of farmers were not sure if there were resources available to them, and 17.2% believed they did not have access to mental health resources.

OFA wants to ensure you and your loved ones have the

resources necessary to cope with struggles and crises to help prevent more lives from being lost. If you or someone you know is in distress and needs help, there are people and resources available. Please reach out for 24/7 support by calling the Ontario Mental Health Line at ConnexOntario. Reach them at 1 866 531 2600, or use their online chat function.

For additional resources, visit the ConnexOntario website, or ofa.on.ca/mental health.

A loss can devastate an entire community, but it can also help bring perspective about how and when to open up about these important conversations. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to please seek help today. There is always a reason to keep moving forward. Just know that you are valued, loved and not alone.

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Gardening.... in February

Sustainability: Local Food

by Joselyn Morley The topic of sustainability can be overwhelming.

It's easy to get tangled up in big ideas, and overwhelming concepts. Trying to live a greener life, with less waste, is tough. Consumerism says more is better. Debt is encouraged to fuel production, to keep the economy functioning. We have already heard about how much we will all need to spend in order to kickstart the economy after the pandemic. Our lives revolve around a culture of disposable products.

Consumables. Fast fashion.

Products that cost more to fix than to replace. If you want to change something, where do you start?

Maybe start with food.

We all need to eat. Catch phrases, like locavore and 100 Mile Diet, popped up several years ago. The idea behind 100 Mile Diet is that you source your food from within a hundred miles of your home. And that doesn't mean having a Loblaws within a hundred miles!

Locavore is a trendy way to say that you value local food and go out of your way to source it. Our society has become used to being able to get anything we want to eat, at any time of year, such as tomatoes and asparagus in January. Or to get foods that we could never grow here with our short season and cold winters, like avocados, mangoes, and oranges.

Focusing on local food represents a huge shift in thinking, and then following up the shift in thinking with a conscious change in behaviour. Living in Eastern Ontario requires a very conscious shift in thinking if you want to prioritise local food. No one expects you to wander outside in January and stumble upon an apple, a head of lettuce, or a potato.

Why do we care about where our food comes from?

Why care when we can work, make money, drive to a supermarket, buy whatever we want (or what we can afford), go home, and make whatever we want. Well, there are a February 3, 2021

lot of reasons. Supply chains aren't always secure. Think of all the weird things that seemed to vanish off store shelves as the pandemic progressed. One break in the supply chain, one factory, plant, greenhouse, or distribution hub closes down, and we're scrambling to find things we never thought we would miss.

The pandemic has shone the light on some of the biggest issues around supply chains and the need to look for local sources. When people got scared, they bought things in a panic, often creating a perceived shortage of some product (think toilet paper!). When it was time to harvest fruit and vegetables in southern Ontario, but the people from other countries who we rely on to pick the food either couldn't get to Canada, or were quarantined, food rotted in the fields and in the trees.

Another reason to care is the environment. Crops grown in California and destined for the North American market are often the foods that take a huge amount of water, such as almonds or avocados. California imports water to satisfy our demand for avocados and almond milk. Trucks, boats, planes, trains, transport food all over the world. Our February lettuce travels across a continent, using massive amounts of fossil fuels and creating huge amounts of pollution.

Another reason to care is taste and nutrition. Tomato varieties, over the years, have been designed to withstand travel rather than to taste good. There is more vitamin C in a tomato from your garden, or the farmers market, than in the one picked green several days ago. Once you start tasting real tomatoes from local gardens in August, you won't be happy with the rock-hard January offerings.

A well-known gardening YouTuber, Jessica Sowards, says that a winter tomato tastes like disappointment.

Changing the way we think about food makes us think about how things grow, as well as when and where they grow. It requires us to

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learn about what actually grows in our area, and when.

Asparagus grows very well in this region, but not in September. Turnips store well over the winter, but you have to know how to store them. It means planning meals around what is in season, or what you can buy in winter that didn't travel across the continent. It takes some education.

It's not a matter of just individual choice, although consumers do have power to influence suppliers with their purchasing power. The majority of our current food chain is based on the belief that we need avocados in January.

If consumers believe that, suppliers will do their best to fulfil that demand. Even the foods that we do grow locally, that can overwinter with a bit of effort, often come from across the continent, rather than from our own province.

Carrots, turnips, potatoes, rutabagas, cabbages, amongst others, can all grow plentifully and affordably in Ontario, and stay viable through the winter. Nevertheless, our food chain relies on imported food rather than locally grown.

Local food needs to be accessible. Not everyone has a garden to grow carrots, or a cellar to store them. Growing food takes land, and land is expensive. Growing food takes knowledge. A lot of knowledge, about how to grow and store local food, has left with the people when they packed up their small acreages and moved to the cities.

People who have the knowledge need to teach those who don't know. Food can be grown in cities and towns.

The irony is that we are living with so many thousands of acres of agricultural land around, yet we lack access to land on which to grow food.

I keep talking about vegetables. Our need to seek out and secure local food chains applies to animals too. Right now, as an example, there is a shortage of viable options for processing meat. Abattoir businesses are reminding people to book their processing now for the fall. The demand for abattoir services far exceeds the availability.

by Joselyn Morley The beginning of February finds many of us planting pepper seeds, wondering just how long they will take to germinate this year! Sweet potatoes suspended over water glasses begin to line the counters. We're crawling around our attics, rummaging through our garages, looking for our grow lights and heat mats.

The pandemic seemed to encourage anyone who had ever thought about growing a tomato to search out a seed catalogue. Just as hoarding in March 2020 saw empty shelves where toilet paper should have been, it seems as though people are stocking up on seeds. There are a lot of online suppliers currently sold out of certain seeds. With our current lockdown, the options for seed buying are less than we might hope for.

Hardware stores or box stores don't generally catalogue their seeds, so they don't necessarily have the system in place to allow people to shop online for seeds. Some places are

It feels overwhelming at times, especially after reading this laundry list of all that is wrong with the system. There are people out there, though, who are seeking out local food and access to land to grow food. There are food share programs and farmers markets, roadside stands, and egg sellers.

Kemptville has a facebook page called Local Food Initiatives. North Dundas will have one shortly. Jump on, and share how you access local food and what it means to you.

7

trying to get them online, but it's a huge job, and spring is fast approaching! We are lucky in North Dundas and Kemptville to have stores doing curbside pickup from telephone orders. Often you can pick up the phone and order what you need. Ritchie's in Winchester, for example, has put some of its seeds online, so you can either shop online and pick up locally, or give them a call. Give any local store that sells seeds a call, and they will most likely help you out.

You can buy all sorts of seed-starting kits. Many of them have drainage trays, and places to put tiny individual pots. They are lovely, but not necessary. Many gardeners start their seeds in bulk in a plastic tray from a grocery store, the kind you might find salad or bakery goods in. If you are using heat mats, make sure that the container is thin enough to let the heat through.

Most seeds you will be starting now, and for the next month or two, yield remarkably hardy seedlings! You can put many seeds in a container to germinate, then transplant them once they start growing past their first two little leaves. You can plant onions and peppers like this now.

When you start tomatoes and eggplants at the beginning of March, you can start them the same way. It saves space, light

resources, heat resources, and allows you to transplant only those seeds that germinate.

Remember though, some pepper seeds take seemingly forever to germinate. Do not give up on a tray of pepper seeds until the absolute last moment!

Seeds are also available through seed swaps. Obviously, Covid-19 and pandemic restrictions make seed swaps problematic, but organisers are creatively devising ways to have people deposit and collect seeds, while maintaining no contact guidelines and pandemic protocols. Kemptville's Gardeners are having their Third Annual Seedy Saturday this year, modified to allow people to drop off seeds, hopefully re-packaged in small quantities, and to allow people to pick up seeds they choose. Everything is different this year, including seed swaps!

Many people save seeds from one year to the next.

Depending on the source, and variety of plant, what grows from the seed you saved might not necessarily be what you expected! Heirloom varieties of plants tend to be stable. Cross pollination is a possibility too, so sometimes a pepper seed from a mild pepper you saved will yield a somewhat more spicy fruit if you planted your jalapenos nearby! Seed saving is fun and rewarding, and often times surprising.

If you've never grown anything, give it a try. You can grow a couple of tomato plants on a deck or balcony, or some kale alongside your geraniums in your flower garden. If you need seeds, and can't find them, reach out to neighbours or friends or to an online community. Most seed savers have some to spare!

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The Burns Racing Team Depleted Soil at the Root of Poor Health We recently wrote about the gut microbiome – the remarkable digestive ecosystem that influences how nutrients and bacteria contribute to weight management, organ function, and even our mental health. But did you know there is a soil microbiome, and that this too affects your health? It turns out, we’ve not taken good care of it.

Perhaps you already worry about the air you breathe and the water you drink. You are, at least, choosing healthy foods that deliver the nutrition you need. You don’t buy processed products, don’t drink soda, and limit salt intake.

Maybe you are even vegan, feeling good about both your health and your carbon footprint. But you may need to consult with a farmer, not a doctor, to learn about the risks facing your vegetables.

At its best, good soil is home to worms, beetles, bugs, and untold numbers of microscopic organisms that serve important functions. In life and death, they furnish the soil with nutrients. Their busy work helps the soil absorb and retain water. Some of them help control harmful pests.

But farming practices have been unkind to these critters.

Relentless tilling of fields and applications of fertilizers have lessened the quality of topsoil across North America. It is dry, unable to hold nutrients or water. It blows away. And the water run-off, polluted with nitrate, a common fertilizer, is a major concern.

Regulatory limits determine acceptable levels of nitrate in public drinking water supplies. But the degradation of groundwater from over-application of nitrogen fertilizers is a major concern to researchers studying human health. A report in the “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” warns of a relationship between nitrate ingestion and colorectal cancer, thyroid disease, and neural tube defects, including at water nitrate levels below regulatory limits.

The United Nations considers soil degradation one of the central threats to human health in the coming decades.

For now, studies show that farmed vegetables still provide all the necessary nutrients for good health.

February 3, 2021

Your practice should be a diet containing the recommended number of servings per day of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

But there’s also something to be said for turning to natural supplements when you don’t regularly achieve the daily 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables and 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit. Further, there are notable health benefits to natural supplements.

Take Healing Earth, for example, which offers relief for joint pain associated with osteoarthritis. These vegetable capsules contain humic acid, found in healthy soil as a result of microbial decomposition of plant matter, and MSM, another organic compound that contains sulfur.

Sulfur is sometimes called “the forgotten nutrient”, although it is essential for a healthy liver, connective tissues and even stress response.

The earliest descriptions of medical uses for humic acid are found in Sanskrit, Roman, and Chinese texts.

Its chemical nature was determined in the early 1800s.

More recently, the “World Journal of Gastroenterology” published a study that tested the effects of humic acids on microbial communities of the colon. The results showed a 20-30% increase in concentrations of these healthy colonic inhabitants, suggesting an alternative to fecal transplants or probiotics for restore weakened health gut.

A report in the journal “Nutrients” notes MSM “may have clinical applications for arthritis and other inflammatory disorders such as interstitial cystitis, allergic rhinitis, and acute exercise-induced inflammation.”

It’s depressing what’s happening to our natural environment. But there is, at least, some hope that scientists are getting better at explaining the health benefits of mystically revered organic substances like humic acid and MSM, and that convenient and safe products are available on store shelves.

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by Joselyn Morley

across Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, including: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Shannonville Motorsports Park in Belleville, Ontario, Grand Bend Motorplex in Grand Bend, Ontario, Autodrome St. Eustache in St Eustache, Quebec, and Atlantic Motorsports Park in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

In 2021, Burns Racing will attend two other regional series: Southern Ontario Association of Racing (SOAR) that operates out of Grand Bend Motorplex, in Grand Bend Ontario, north west of London, and Pro6GP, a brand new series out of Calabogie Motorsports Park in Calabogie, Ontario.

The Covid-19 pandemic forced many cancellations during the 2020 season, although there were a few race rounds that continued with pandemic protocols such as not allowing spectators,

Aaron Burns started riding motorcycles at three years old. His father, Alan Burns, has been racing motorcycles since 1986. Growing up around motorcycles, combined with a racing father and a competitive nature, it was only logical that the father-son Burns Racing Team formally kicked off in the Spring of 2015. Now 26 years old, Aaron competed in his first race in September 2014. He's been racing ever since, with the team participating in anywhere between five to ten rounds of racing at various series across Ontario and Eastern Provinces every summer.

The primary racing series that the Burns Team is planning to compete in is the Canadian National Superbike Championship. (www. csbk.ca) From 2016 to 2019, this series traveled to tracks

therefore allowing some riders the opportunity to keep up their skills. Aaron competed at Calabogie for one round, while Alan raced at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville.

The pandemic continues to challenge the 2021 season. Currently, the tentative schedule sees them competing at Grand Bend for the first round, and Calabogie for the second round, followed by Atlantic Motorsports park, depending on restrictions imposed for the east coast, and finishing off at Bowmanville.

The races are divided into two categories, professional and amateur. Alan competes in the professional rankings, while Aaron still races in the amateur category. The national series is comprised of three sub-classes: Pro/Am Superbike (1000cc inline 4 engines such as Kawasaki ZX10R, BMW S1000RR, and Yamaha YZF-R1); Pro/ Am Sport Bike (600cc Inline 4 engines such as Kawasaki ZX6R, Yamaha YZF-R6, Suzuki GSX-R 600); and Amateur Lightweight (250500cc entry level bikes EX: Yamaha R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400, Honda CBR 500). The lightweight class was new in 2018 and Burns Racing had two bikes on the grid for the entire 2019 season, because they brought in a

North Dundas High School news

North Dundas is back in school for the new quadmester school and on school transportation; and, hand sanitizing needs to be done each time students enter the school.

The only change to our routine is that the cafeteria food service is no longer available.

To welcome the new quadmester in a fun way, we are having Funky Sock Day. Everyone is encouraged to put on their best pair of socks this Friday, February 5. They can be colourful, tie-dyed, have a cool pattern, or be covered in your favourite animal! We hope this fun spirit day will lead us into our new classes with some great school spirit and cozy feet; we cannot wait to see your socks North Dundas!

Wednesday, January 27, was Family Literacy Day across Canada. This is a national initiative to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Though the day has passed, this message will always hold true. Hope-

by Jamie Wilson Students at North Dundas started new classes last week as we welcomed the beginning of the third quadmester.

In person classes have also resumed, and we are happy to see everyone for the first time since December. As this is the first time we are returning to the school in the new year, it is important to remember our simple rules that help keep everyone safe. All students are required to complete the daily COVID-19 screening prior to coming to school; masks must be worn in the 8

fully, you can take some time to read an inspiring story, or share funny family stories with loved ones. Taking some time to listen, laugh and share some family time is not only a wonderful way to appreciate the importance of literacy, but it is also uplifting and has the power to affect our mental well-being in a positive way.

second amateur rider, Justin Marshall. Despite the pandemic upheaval, the season ended well, with both riders finishing in the top ten in the standings. The lightweight class is the perfect entry level class for new racers looking to join the sport.

For the 2021 season, Burns Racing will be fielding two bikes. Aaron will be running a Kawasaki ZX6R in the Amateur Sport Bike division, and Alan will use the same bike in the Pro Sport Bike Division. Along with the ZX6R, they still have a lightweight bike, a Yamaha R3, that Alan will compete in select endurance races at SOAR. Aaron is focusing on the sport bike series with his eyes on the amateur sport bike championship.

Burns Racing would like to thank their 2021 Confirmed Sponsors, especially appreciated in these uncertain times: Motul Lubricants, Pazzo Racing, Windmill Motorsports and Machine, DP Brakes, Snowcity Cycle Marine, Forsaken Motorsports, 613 Motorsports, VnM Sport, and Hindle Exhaust.

Burns Racing welcomes an email from any interested sponsors: a.burnsracing@ gmail.com

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The Brown murders of 1879 – revisited with new discoveries

by Susan Peters, Dundas County Archives There is no doubt that the Brown murders of 1879 were a tragedy for the family and for the community. After submitting my piece about the case, I had felt that this would have been the end of the story.

Such was not the case. A couple of days later, the North Dundas Times office received a call from an individual in Winchester. What happened next certainly got my attention. The caller said he had found the original trial transcripts in a sealed envelope hidden between two walls in his home. He was willingly donating them to the Dundas County Archives.

As an archivist, one is often offered a donation of documents from estates.

Sometimes, people have met me in the grocery store with an offer of an old newspaper that was found in an attic. I have found items left at my doorstep. This is not ideal, as there is a process of determining if the donation meets the protocols. This includes a determination of whether the items fulfill the collection criteria. Namely, does the ma-

terial tell the story of Dundas County, or some aspect of it.

The next step is to accept the donation with a deed of gift, which Identifies that it is now legally owned and maintained by the archives. After all, we are using our resources to preserve and store it. The question is, who is the legal owner of these documents?

In this case, the documents in question were originals of the inquest of Lydia Brown, who was charged with complicity in the murder of her husband, Robert Brown. As we read in my article a couple of weeks ago, the son, Clarke Brown, confessed to the crime of brutally murdering his father and little sister. He was convicted of the crime and executed by hanging on October 25, 1879.

The inquest records for this are held by the Archives of Ontario, as well as being well documented in local newspapers of the time.

There was a further inquest held in Morrisburg a couple of months later. This was because Thomas Brown officially submitted a written charge to the Justice of the Peace. He claimed that Lydia

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had conspired and solicited other parties against the life of Robert Brown, and claimed that she was an accessory to the murder.

All that we had previously known about this event was from the local newspapers of the time. The Ontario Archives had no record of this second inquest, however.

That was likely because the documents were never submitted to the Department of

Justice. Why not? That is the million-dollar question. The original documents of the inquest were not at the Archives of Ontario, because they were sealed in an envelope and placed between the walls of a farmhouse near Winchester.

Who put them there? Why were they placed there?

This is anyone’s guess, but, apparently, the house, which was built in 1865, was originally owned by an employee of the court system.

Clearly, it was not customary to file original transcripts of an inquest for murder between walls. What would

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have been the motivation for doing this? Were they a supporter of Lydia Brown, and did they feel it would erase this part of history? Did they think that the documents could be sold to the highest bidder? We will never know the answer to these questions.

All we know for sure is that the package of documents contained the original transcripts of the inquest of Lydia Brown on December 17, 1879. They included the original charge by Thomas Brown, her brother-in-law.

The original document is in the file, along with the court seal and signatures. The rest of the file contained the handwritten transcripts of the testimony of those who were called to witness, along with notes and signatures. None other than James P. Whitney had acted as prosecuting attorney. He was a native of Morrisburg who became the sixth premier of Ontario from 1905 until his death in 1914.

The result of the inquest found that the testimony of those who felt that Lydia had plotted the murder of her hus-

47 Christie Lane Winchester

band, and even offered to pay someone to assist in the task, were dismissed. The lawyers did not feel that the witnesses were credible. Several testified that Robert Brown was abusive when drunk. This was not mentioned in the newspapers.

In the end, the outcome was that the charges were dropped. Lydia Brown lived out the rest of her natural life with her remaining daughter, youngest Winnifred. But the question remains, why were these inquest documents hidden in a sealed envelope in the wall of a farmhouse? This adds more questions than answers. However, it does all add to the story. It just goes to show you, you honestly never know what will come up for a County Archivist. After consultation with the Archives of Ontario, the original documents will be home in the RG 22-4979, Dundas County Coroner Investigations, and Inquests Collection. Colour copies will be available for researchers to examine at the Dundas County Archives. dundascountyarchives@ gmail.com.

RVAS Presentation: A Guide to Fact Finding and Archival Exploration

"My son is turning 4 this year and I'm registering him for Kindergarten with the UCDSB."

by Michael Whittaker Tracing ancestry, investigating local history, or preparing a talk can present research challenges. Through more than 20 years’ experience, Jennifer DeBruin has acquired the skills and knowledge to guide people into the daunting paths of research.

Ms. DeBruin addresses the Rideau Valley Archaeological Society Sunday February 14, 1:30 pm on the RVAS Microsoft Team meeting. She is conversant with North American history, genealogy, research methods, and the importance of historical context and perspective.

Her ancestral roots in New France/Quebec, Upper Canada/Eastern Ontario, and Colonial America, allied with her commitment to education, led her to write fact based historical fiction, contribute historical articles to periodicals, and deliver dynamic presentations.

Register online or call your local school

www.ucdsb.on.ca February 3, 2021

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Her unbound curiosity powers her engaging talks on the intriguing world of Loyalist spies, slavery on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, Loyalist migration from New York to Upper Canada, and women hidden in the shadows of colonial history.

In her current novel for young readers, she shares her ancestral connection to the French English colonial conflict in North America, and Loyalists in the American Revolution.

RVAS Teams Meeting Sunday, February 14, 1:30 PM Join on your computer or mobile app. https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup join/19%3ameeting_NjFiZTdlMWQtZmE5YS00MD M5LTg4NTgtNDZmODJl Nzk2NTBi%40thread.v2/ 0?context=%7b%22Tid% 22%3a%2252bbe07f 4ccd 4058 90d6 986618f6816f% 22%2c%22Oid%22%3a% 229fe0cff5 81a1 47d0 9a65 ad574229e4ab%22%7d. www.ndtimes.ca

The North North Dundas Grenville Times The Times

Thurler, Therese (Nee Yerly)

CROSSWORD

CLASSIFIEDS

ACROSS 1. Vipers 5. Cards with 1 symbol 9. Haul with a tackle 14. Salt Lake state 15. A young male horse 16. Quickly 17. Recorder 19. Artificial waterway 20. Catkin 21. Disciplinarian 23. Pleads 25. Equip 28. Child 29. Directed 32. A woman chaperon 33. Record (abbrev.)

34. Brownish purple 35. Wings

36. Candid 38. Violent 39. Mousses 40. Effeminate 41. Violet 43. S 44. European peak 45. Detained 46. Greatcoats 48. Curative 50. Equestrian 54. Vestibule 55. Additive 57. Deservedly receives 58. Brother of Jacob 59. Biblical garden 60. Delete 61. Transmit 62. Classify

The Voice of North Grenville

DOWN 1. Emanation 2. Flower stalk 3. Use a beeper 4. Tibiae 5. Perform 6. Girdle 7. Gladden 8. Afflicted 9. Supported 10. Opaque gems 11. Diminish 12. Stigma 13. Snake-like fish 18. Mug 22. Garbanzo 24. Snapped up 25. Proverb 26. Whines 27. Knells 29. Not smooth in texture 30. French school 31. Faked out an opponent 33. Beam 34. Leeches 37. Repeats 42. Extreme 44. Reluctant 45. A hussar's jacket 46. Portents 47. Stimulate 48. Lion sound 49. Tropical American wildcat 51. Prank 52. Always 53. Lease 54. Charge 56. Muck

Peacefully at Dundas Manor on Sunday January 24, 2021. Therese Thurler age 82 of South Mountain.

Beloved wife of the late Jacques Thurler. Loving sister of Sœur Marie, residing in Switzerland and predeceased by ten siblings in her country of origin. Beautiful and Loving Mom of Nick (Lynn), Rachel (Gerry) Westenbroek, Eric (Ginette), Val (Felix) Von Gunten, Martine (Chris) Guy and Oliver (Jayme). Cherished Grandma of 19 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, the late Mike Von Gunten and Beau Westenbroek. A Private Memorial Mass and celebration of life will be held in the spring. Family request donations may be made in Therese’s memory to the WDMH Foundation for “The New Dundas Manor” by visiting https://www.wdmhfoundation.ca/ onlinegiving/tribute or the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario https://alzheimer.ca/on/en (Please select " notify the family" when making your gift) Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-989-3836). Online condolences may be made to www.byersfuneralhomeinc.com

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

SERVICES email classifieds@ndtimes.ca HANDYMAN RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, SERVICES bathrooms, additions, Painting, Demolition, decks, home repair.

Drywall, Call George at Carpentry, etc 613 462 7637 Bill at 613-774-2922

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February February3, 4,2021 2021

The Food Corner

Medium

Solution to last week’s Crossword

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Last August, I gave you the recipe for Peanut Butter Pie. With today’s thermostat sitting at -16C with a windchill of -26, I believe that a strong cup of coffee and a nice, warm slice of peanut butter bread (mmcake) might help, especially since we are now over the January diet.

Our family has an addiction to peanut butter and we thank our lucky stars that none of us are allergic to peanuts or peanut products. Even Shine – short for Moonshine – my very own Australian Shepherd, enjoys her piece of toast and peanut butter in the morning. So, you can place this recipe among the other breads and cakes I have posted here in the past year.

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Peanut Butter Bread (or Cake) Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder ¾ cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup butter (softened) 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 2/3 cup milk, preferably whole Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a metal or glass loaf pan with oil.

Combine the flour and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, beat the peanut butter and butter with sugars with a mixer at low speed until blended, scraping the bowl often with a spatula.

Increase speed to mediumhigh. Beat until creamy, about 3 minutes, occasionally scraping the bowl.

Stoodley, Deborah Ellen (Nee McDonald)

Registered Nurse Winchester District Memorial Hospital Peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Friday January 22, 2021. Debbie Stoodley age 62 of Winchester. Beloved wife of John. Loving Mom of Tim (Ashley), Melissa (Scott) Strban and Jonathan (Amber).

Cherished Grandma of Elizabeth, Ellie, Emerson; Paisley, Weston, Adelyn; Slater, Lilah and Julie. Dearly loved sister of Carole (Freeman) Acres, John (Helen), Kenny, Glenn (Brenda), Larry (Nancy) and sister-in-law of Lois (Dale) Presley, Doris (Garry) Baker, and Darlene (Jeff ) Broad. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. A private family funeral service will be held with a Celebration of Life to follow at a later date. Donations in Memory of Debbie may be made to the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to the Byers Funeral Home, South Mountain (613-9893836).

Online condolences may be made at www.byersfuneralhomeinc.com email

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Reduce the speed back to low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between.

Also beat in the vanilla.

Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat just till smooth.

Spoon the batter into pan and spread evenly. Bake for about an hour or until a tester comes out clean.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then, loosen the bread from the side of the pan and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.

If you want to get completely silly, you can glaze the cooled bread with a chocolate glaze (just Google it). And don’t forget that cup of coffee (how about a flavoured bean for a change?).

Kindly let me know how it turned out at pcormier@ ranaprocess.com. www.ndtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

BACKYARD ASTRONOMY

Orion The Hunter

by Gary Boyle - The Backyard Astronomer For obvious reasons, winter in Canada does not entice people to venture outdoors to stargaze. The nights can be long and cold, but can also be a thing of beauty. Your reward for braving the frosty still of the night is seeing the most iconic constellation of the entire sky. The seven bright suns that form Orion the Hunter is part of the larger picture of a dozen bright winter stars belonging to other nearby constellations.

Of course, we can look through the window from the warmth of our comfy homes; however, to experience the true wintry celestial landscape, bundle up and, if you can, travel to a dark site away

from stray light sources on a moonless night. Here, the ghostly silence of the night allows one to hear their own heartbeat. Along with seeing imaginary Taurus the Bull (to the upper right) while battling Orion, look at the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, the heart of the angry bull. Also referred to as the Seven Sister, the Pleiades resides about 450 light-years (ly) from us.

To the upper left of Orion are the Gemini Twins consisting of the bright stars called Pollux (yellowish) and Castor (blue), located 33 and 51 light-years respectively from us. Use binoculars to locate a beautiful open star cluster catalogued as M35 near the right foot. Appearing about the size of the full moon, the

Halville & Morewood rinks open, but Hallville needs Volunteers

by Joselyn Morley Hallville and Morewood Rinks are now open for skating!

With South Mountain and Inkerman open previously, there are now four rinks in North Dundas to enjoy. It's taken hard work, commitment and dedication by volunteers, members of the North Dundas Fire Department, team members from the Recreation & Culture Department, and Camouflage Property Maintenance.

The Hallville outdoor rink needs volunteers!! They will be trained on flooding and maintaining ice, lights, and the facility. Please contact Meaghan Meerburg at 613-774-2105 or mmeerburg@northdundas.com if you can help out.

Rules are in place at these four rinks to help protect residents during the pandemic. Games and sports where it is not possible to keep a two meter distance from others are not allowed. You are not to share equipment. Enjoy the rink when there are only a few people. If the rink is very busy, try to come back later. Wear a mask if possible. Keep two meters between people at all times. Adhere to the maximum number of people posted at each rink. Rink houses and accessory buildings are closed. If you are sick, or self-isolating, stay home.

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the imaginary sword hanging down with a fuzzy-looking object in it. Welcome to an emission nebula called for obvious reasons, The Great Orion Nebula, or simply M42.

This stellar nursery is slowly collapsing and condensing pockets of gas and dust in the nebula to eventually form a couple thousand stars. The belt stars from left to right are named Alnitak 817 ly, Alnilam 1976 ly, and Mintaka 916 ly, while the nebula itself is around 1,500 ly away.

Embrace the night sky for all it has to offer, no matter what time of year.

Till next time, clear skies.

Known as “The Backyard Astronomer”, Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest speaker and monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

He has been interviewed on more than 50 Canadian radio stations and local Ottawa TV. In recognition of his public outreach in astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has honoured him with the naming of Asteroid (22406) Garyboyle. Follow him on Twitter: @astroeducator or his website: www. wondersofastronomy.com.

cluster containing a couple of hundred stars is some 2,800 ly away. Above the Twins is the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. The bright star is named Capella and resided 42 ly away. There are three open star clusters located in the southern part of the constellation. Appearing in a somewhat curved line from left to right, they bear the catalogue numbers M37, M36 and M38. They are all in the 4,200 to 4,500 ly range from us, meaning the starlight from these clusters left around the time the Great Pyramids in Egypt were built.

The winter sky is also where we find the fainter and less dense edge of the Milky Way Galaxy on the left side of Orion. Opposed to the heavy concentration of hundreds of millions of distant stars signifying the centre of the galaxy in the constellation Sagittarius seen in the night sky from in the south from June to October, dark skies are required to see the winter portion of our galaxy.

Focusing now on the main pattern of stars, the hunter is outlined by two stars for his shoulders, two for his feet, and three in a row for his belt. From the belt, look for

Community Food Share adapts to covid

Empty Bowls is an annual Community Food Share event that serves 150 guests homemade soup in locally handcrafted bowls. The event raises awareness about food insecurity in Dundas and Stormont counties and is one of our organization’s most important fundraisers.

We regret that, due to public health restrictions, the 5th annual event scheduled for February 13, 2021, has been postponed until February 12, 2022. We cannot wait to share this meal with our community when it is safe to gather again.

To avoid in person ticket sales for our Cash Calendar, another successful fundraiser has also been put on hold.

Instead, Community Food Share has started running a monthly online 50/50 raffle as a contact free fundraiser.

The first draw was Monday,

February 1.

Visit www.communityfoodshare.ca/5050 to play and spread the word for a chance to win even more! When you buy a ticket, you are helping feed your community.

We understand that many individuals and families in our community are struggling with challenges due to Covid 19 restrictions. If you need extra support during this time, please do not hesitate to reach out. It’s a simple process and you can visit us once or continue longer term.

We have food and we’re ready to help!

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca 11

Wolf Moon January 2021

by Joselyn Morley The Wolf Moon rose in the east shortly before 5 pm on January 28, which also happened to be a few minutes before sunset. The air was very cold, the sky was clear.

This moon was the highest full moon of the year. The moon appeared to be full for three days, from Wednesday morning, to early Saturday morning. The full moon in January is called the Wolf Moon, because in the 1930s the New England Farmer’s Almanac started to publish what they called the "Indian Moon Names." The original source of these names is unclear, and most likely not universal, but we can thank the Farmer’s Almanac for tagging each full moon with a name, based on the time of year. The Wolf Moon is also a European name of old, designating the second full moon of the winter, or the midwinter moon. This full moon was also called Candles Moon, from Candlemas on February 2.

Full moons are marked throughout the world. The full moon that occurred on January 28 is called Shakambhari Purmima in Hindu celebrations, marking the end of

an eight day celebration.

After this moon, a month of self-imposed austerity follows. The Tamil community of Hindus celebrates the festival of Thaipusam.

In Myanmar, they celebrate the Ananda Pagoda Festival for a week, commemorating the Buddhist temple dating from 1105. In Sri Lanka, Buddhists celebrate Duruthu Poya, commemorating Siddhartha Gautama Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka. Most calendars are based on the moon, the months change on the new moon, and the full moon falls in the middle of the month. The full moon of January 28 falls on the middle of the twelth month of the Chinese calendar, Shevat in the Hebrew calendar, and Jumada al-Thani in the Islamic calendar. If you are interested in more about the full moons, or anything celestial at all, NASA's website is the place to go! Check out solarsystem. nasa.gov Incidentally, I have challenged myself to learn more about how to take a good picture of the moon for the next 28 days. Let's hope that the next full moon on February 27 (the night of February 26) is clear, and possibly a bit warmer!

Grieving a Pet

Dundas County Hospice is hosting a workshop on dealing with the death of a pet, via zoom, on February 22 from 6:30 to 8 pm.

The death of a pet is a traumatic event. Dundas County Hospice is reaching out to those who have lost pets, and offering a workshop on ways to cope with loss, grief, and sadness after the death. Our pets provide so much comfort and affection, that their deaths can leave us heartbroken. Pets have always held a huge place in our hearts, but their presence has become even more important during the pandemic.

Registration is required. Contact Linda at dsc@dundascountyhospice.ca to register and to receive the zoom link. You are asked to have a picture of your pet with you when you participate in the workshop. www.ndtimes.ca

The North Dundas Times

The Planted Arrow Flowers and Gifts

by Joselyn Morley The Planted Arrow is Winchester's funky flower shop, filled with lots of fresh flowers and plants, and great environmentally-friendly gift ideas. The shop features both local garden flowers and tropical imports, and they have a large selection of plants and planters. You can find locally created, unique, environmentally friendly gifts by a select group of skilled artisans. Kelly Windle and her husband Stefan Kohut purchased the former Durant's Flowers in 2015. After the birth of her first child, her seasonal position with her former employer was replaced, so she and her husband decided it was time to go into business for themselves. An expansion, a move, and a new name allowed her the space for the creative freedom she craved.

The name incorporates her two oldest sons' names, Ar-

thur and Rowen (Arrow), and they are planting their roots (Planted) in this community.

Kelly has over 20 years experience in the floral business. She has an extensive clientele list who seek her out for weddings and events.

She specialises in wedding and event design, creating bouquets and centrepieces, as well as unique backdrops and large event pieces. In the last five years, Kelly has participated and initiated styled shoots with other wedding vendors to grow her brand in the industry. The Planted Arrow won Faces Magazine Award in 2020 for Best Wedding Florist.

She has worked with other local businesses to develop more unique shopping experiences with initiatives such as Moonlight Madness in December, and the Garden Party Market launched in 2020, which was a huge hit for both the flower shop and the com-

Planted Arrow. Flowers and plants make people happy, and as such, they have seen great support from the community as they buy flowers for loved ones. At times, they have not been able to secure products such as flowers and containers. They are currently sourcing new suppliers.

Kelly has worked with the township to get roads closed during the Garden Party Market, in order to allow customers and vendors to spread out. This year, it has been a challenge to get up to date and clear information from the EOHU because of all the rules and restrictions that were implemented.

She misses the customers! Personal interactions are a big part of the flower shop.

They enjoy helping people find the perfect gift. This still happens through the internet or phone, but, as Kelly says: "When the customer is in the shop and does a little happy dance, it is so much fun!" They consider themselves blessed to be in this community. Kelly notes that Winchester and the surrounding areas have some great people and businesses that are very supportive. The area has lost some good businesses in 2020. Extra support is always appreciated. Remember, if you can't get to a business to shop, then please follow them on social media and "like" their posts, share their social

munity. Garden Party Market already has six vendors on board for their 2021 version.

Kelly started her career at a small florist in Renfrew, Ontario. Rays Flowers introduced her to floral design and plants. This experience allowed her to express her creative soul, and helped open a new path in life, allowing her to share her art every day. She pursued the Floral Design program at Algonquin College. She honed her craft by working with various employers, each teaching her a new skill and lesson about herself. Flowers can express some emotions that words cannot.

The focus of the Planted Arrow is to provide quality flowers and giftware, while supporting local Canadian businesses. 90% of the giftware items are Canadian made, and feature local artisans. They are committed to becoming more environmentally friendly by eliminating single-use plastics in the industry and by composting the waste. Kelly has an interest in greenhouse operations and landscaping. This spring, they are going to begin some large gardens on the flower shop property, which will grow flowers for use in the shop. This will both help to secure product, and also keep it local.

The pandemic has brought unique challenges to the

Sustainability: North Grenville's Green Bin Program

by Joselyn Morley Some people are celebrating. Others are grumbling.

Regardless of your outlook, Green Bins have arrived in North Grenville. A new waste management plan came into effect on February 1, and with it, came the municipality's first ever program aimed at diverting organic waste from the landfill.

Ontario plans to ban all organic waste from landfills by 2023. Although this ambitious plan is a little light on details, municipalities are nevertheless faced with the task of redirecting organics.

Many are instituting Green Bin recycling programs, or considering doing so. Ontario will be the third province to ban organic waste from landfills, after Nova Scotia in 1998, and PEI in 1999.

Aside from the provincial requirement that organic waste be diverted from landfill, redirecting organics makes February 3, 2021

financial and environmental sense. Over 50% of all waste sent to the landfill in North Grenville was organic material that could be composted.

Backyard composting is not an option for everyone. In the five years between 2013 and 2018, North Grenville residents generated over 300 tonnes more garbage.

North Grenville's Green Bins will be collected weekly.

Bag tags are not required for Green Bins. Bins were delivered to all residences in mid-January. A small kitchen bin was delivered in addition to the Green Bin for curbside pickup, as well as a guide with instructions for the Green Bins and the new collection schedule.

Two of the biggest reasons people have for not using Green Bins is that they are dirty and smelly, and they attract animals. The municipality has some tips to help avoid both of those scenarios, and these are included in an

media content and contacts, comment on their posts, provide a google review and a reference.

The Planted Arrow is currently sponsoring local musicians through the Rays of Sound Project. This is a program for local sound artist. If you are a local living in North Dundas, and you would like the opportunity to have your song professionally produced, they want to help.

Beginning March 1, until December 31, submit your original sound piece to Raysofsoundproject@gmail.com.

Each month, the Planted Arrow will choose the most fully formed original sound piece for professional production at Kemptville's Fusion Recording Studio. Include your name, address, and phone number. At year’s end, Rays of Sound Project will produce an album of the winners for

sale, with proceeds going towards further funding the Rays of Sound Project, and remaining revenue being donated to a local arts initiatives. If successful, this will be an ongoing annual project.

Songs will be owned by their creators.

In an effort to support local, The Planted Arrow is offering their porch to local vendors for daily or weekly rentals. These Porch Pop-Up Shops will run from April to October.

The Planted Arrow hosts Spring Plant Swap. For $5 and one plant, you can participate. The $5 will be donated to Naomi House Women's Shelter in Winchester.

The Planted Arrow.

535 St Lawrence St, Winchester. 613-774-3825. info@theplantedarrow.com www.theplantedarrow.com

COLLISION CENTER

In 2018, Ontario generated over 3.6 million tonnes of food and organic waste.

Approximately 60% of that was sent mostly to landfill.

When food ends up in the landfill, it starts to decompose, and releases methane. It also contaminates the ground and water with lechate. Organics also do not decompose quickly, as they require oxygen to break down. The landfill is not an ideal decomposing environment. Composting needs to be an end solution though.

Before it gets thrown out, we need to think about food waste, and how to redistribute food to people and animals.

At the end of October 2020, Minister of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, Jeff Yuek, and the Ontario Government committed over $5 million to help food rescue organizations, First Nations, and other Indigenous organizations buy storage space, freezers, and

informative brochure that accompanied each bin.

Reaction to the Green Bins’ arrival has been mixed.

Some people, already well into backyard composting, are happy because the Green Bins can take many items that you shouldn't put in your average backyard compost pile or bin, including dog waste and cat litter, as well as bones, meat, and shellfish. Some residents who have been unable or unwilling to have backyard composters are happy because they can now reduce the amount of garbage they put at the curb for collection by using their Green Bin. January saw a flurry of Green Bins changing hands on social media, with those who wanted nothing to do with the program quite happy to pass their green bins off to other residents willing to fill them. Some expressed surprise at the small size of the bins, and others frustration with the mechanics of them.

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refrigerated trucks under the Surplus Food Redistribution Infrastructure Program.

The Federal government has also set targets for reducing food waste. More than half of Canada's food supply is wasted each year, and $49.5 billion of that wasted food is avoidable. Food is wasted from farm to plate, during production, processing, distribution, retail, food-service, and also at home.

Another part of the Made in Ontario Environment Plan, includes a plan to transition the Blue Box Program to a producer responsibility model. In short, the goal is to take the cost of recycling off of users, municipalities, and

Phil Carkner, Owner

613.774.2733

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admin@dscollisioncenter.com 12029 Dawley Drive, Winchester, ON It ’s your choice choose local

tax-payers, and putting the responsibility for the cost of recycling onto the producer.

Producers will begin to be responsible for recycling in January 2023, and by the end of 2025, producers will be fully responsible for providing blue box services all across Ontario. Furthermore, each municipality, no matter how small or remote, will have some sort of blue box recycling program under the responsibility of the producer.

Currently the cost of the recycling system is unsustainable, and is expected to rise significantly.

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