$170,000 in Community Grant funds awarded for 2023 Committee agrees to set aside $180,000 in the hospital rebuild fund

By Casandra Turnbull

The County of Brant Grants Committee took a slightly different approach this year when discussing how to approve and distribute $360,000 in community grant funding.

The committee, who has the duty of overlooking how money is passed along to various community agencies, organizations, non-profits and applicant groups annually, met on April 11 to review staff recommendations on how to allocate the funds set aside for 2023.

Before diving into the specifics, the committee discussed whether the Brantford General Hospital new build should be included in the application process in the future or as a separate line item in the capital budget

Dr. David McNeil asked councillors last month to create a redevelopment fund to support major renovations planned for the Brantford General Hospital and Willett Urgent Care Centre. He reiterated that community support will be vital to the success of long-term project. Part of the stipulation of health funding from the province outlines the need for the surrounding communities to fundraise 10% of the project. Based on initial figures, that would equate to a $130 million contribution from the County of Brant and the City of Brantford combined

After a bit of discussion, Councillor Brian Coleman made a motion to allocate 50% of the $360,000 in grant funding towards the Brantford General Hospital new build reserve fund. His motion passed.

That left $180,000 in community grants to be passed out to applicants whose applications were carefully reviewed and scored based on pre-determined merits set out by County of Brant staff.

As discussed, and supported in last year’s grant review process, the Burford Agricultural Society and the Paris Agricultural Society were approved right away for $5,000 each. It was also recommended that the 2023 grant requests for ongoing, pre-approved funding from Victim Services of Brant, Grand River Council on Aging and St George Apple Fest be considered as operational grants for 2023 and referred to staff for discussion with the organizations in advance of the 2024 Community Grants process. The committees recommendations were passed by council this week.

Here's how the remaining $170,000 was assigned:

Victim Services of Brant $2,086.15

Five Oaks Centre $4,172.30

Paris Horticultural Society $1,043.07

The Brantford Music Club $938.77

Brant Artistic Swimming Club $2,086.15

Ayr-Paris Band $1,564.61

Grand River Council on Aging $2,086.15

Coltons Fun Farm $2,086.15

Paris Agricultural Society (Capital) $3,129.22

Canadian Council of Muslim Women $782.31

Filican-Paris $3,650.76

Paris Plains Church Cemetery Board $2,086.15

Organized Kaos $4,172.30

Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant Haldimand Norfolk Branch $2,086.15

West Central Summer Showdown $1,043.07

Paris Figure Skating Club $2,086.15

St George Garden Club $1,460.30

Bethel Stone United Church $4,172.30

Paris Museum & Historical Society $6,258.45

St Paul's United Church $5,215.37

Sacred Heart RC Church $2,086.15

St George Lawn Bowling Club $2,503.38

Playful Fox Productions $3,129.22

Continued on page 6

Brant Food For Thought $2,086.15

Brant For Nature $2,418.89

Brantford Symphony Orchestra $2,086.15

The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise (Paris Presbyterian Church) $2,086.15

Grand Valley Educational Society $1,564.61

Burford Saddle Club $1,043.07

Mackenzie Creek Music Festival $1,043.07

Brant Agriculture Awareness Committee $834.46

Salt Springs Church - Church Cemetery $2,086.15

South Dumfries Historical Society $4,172.30

Paris Presbyterian Church $4,693.84

Brant-Brantford CrimeStoppers $1,877.53

St George Minor Ball $2,086.15

St George Business Association $938.77

St George Minor Hockey $5,736.91

The Brant Branch of The Ontario Genealogical Society

$782.31

Child & Family Services of Grand Erie Foundation

$2,086.15

Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead $7,301.52

Federated Women's Institutes of Canada $5,215.37

Kids Can Fly $2,086.15

Brant Land Trust $2,086.15

Scouts Canada - Camp Impeesa $2,190.46

Salt Springs Church Heritage Society $6,300.17

Paris Youth Softball Association $1,564.61

Brant Railway Heritage Society $3,337.84

Mount Pleasant School $4,172.30 Paris Community Safety Group $365.08

Paris FC $1,043.07

Sanderson Centre Foundation $2,086.15

Paris Minor Hockey $6,675.68

Paris Port Dover Pipe Band $4,172.30

The Children's Safety Village of Brant $2,086.15

Brant Historical Society $5,228.41

Brant Men of Song $5,736.91

Arnold Anderson Sport Fund $3,129.22

Riverside Reading Series $1,564.61

Brant County SPCA $1,564.61

Paris Santa Clause Parade $625.84

County of Brant Fire Department- Camp Phoenix $1,043.07

St George Apple Fest $2,877.01

BCHS moves to Mask-Friendly Policy effective May 1st

Brantford, ON – On May 1, 2023, Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) will be shifting from a Universal Masking Policy to a Mask-Friendly Policy

This means that patients and families, visitors, employees, professional staff and volunteers will no longer be required to wear a mask within hospital sites.

Please note the following exceptions which will continue to require masking:

*The Oncology Clinic at Brantford General Hospital, a high-risk environment caring for vulnerable patients.

*Patients with acute respiratory symptoms

*Visitors may be required to wear a mask in outbreak units.

*Visitors may be required to wear a mask while interacting with patients who have specific isolation precautions that must be followed.

This decision has been informed by the recent updates from Public Health Ontario, which include masking requirements for hospitals and advising that Ontario is considered to be in a “non-high risk period ” This shift is also supported by regional and hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control experts.

Masks will continue to be available at both BCHS sites for those who would like to wear one, and individuals will be respected and supported in their decision to do so For visitors, if you are feeling unwell, please stay home This will help us continue to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff, patients and community.

Like all COVID-19 policies and practices, the need for universal masking will be subject to ongoing evaluation in relation to the spread of COVID-19 and will be revisited if needed. All decisions will continue to be based on provincial guidance/direction and informed by subject matter experts. Details/rationale will be communicated widely

Buckets of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Earth Day volunteers

TO THE LEFT: Mayor David Bailey and Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council Services, Spencer Pluck during a rather wet Earth Day tree planting last Saturday morning. Despite the very April-like weather, residents still gathered to plant trees at Lion’s Park in Burford. Photo credit Mayor David Bailey

ABOVE - Not even a little (okay a lot) of rain could dampen the spirits of the 5th Paris Embers who showed up in their best rain gear to get the job done.

LEFT - County of Brant photo shows the number of people who braved the weather to help plant 600 trees!

ABOVE - Hudson managed to find some sunny skies last weekend just on time for his Earth Day clean up around Northward School. Thank-you Hudson!

LEFT –We asked how you spent Earth Day. Karen sent in this picture of her grandsons (ages 7 and 5), taking a dryer approach to Earth Day activities by preparing two new bird houses.