The Paris Independent for March 11, 2023

A group of students from PDHS participated in a planned walkout on Thursday in protest of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022. Paris Councillor Lukas Oakley attended the walkout, organized by Grade 11 student Isaac Halsey (pictured beside Lukas). See the full story on pages 5-6.

Photo by Joan Faux

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Emergency: 911

Police Department: 519-442-2242

Fire Department: 519-442-4500

Willet Hospital: 519-442-2251

County of Brant Office: 519-442-6324

Paris Public Library: 519-442-2433

Paris Public Schools:

Paris High: 519-442-4477

North Ward: 519-442-2311

Paris Central: 519-442-4163

Cobblestone: 519-442-2500

Paris Catholic Schools:

Holy Family: 519-442-5333

Sacred Heart: 519-442-4443

Paris Councillors & Mayor:

Mayor - David Bailey

Ward 2 - Steve Howes

Ward 2 - Lukas Oakley

Ward 3 - John Bell

Ward 3 - John Peirce

Paris Customer Service Office 66 Grand River St. N. 519-442-7268

Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Main Services include:

- Accounts Receivable invoice payments

- Blue Boxes and Composters (pre-arrange pick up of composter)

- Brant Transit punch cards purchase and pick up

- Building Permits may be submitted and Building staff consulted

- Calendar pick up (free)

- Commissioner of Oath is by appointment only

- Dog license and tag

- Dog Park membership and key

- Parking ticket payment

- Property Tax payments and inquiries

- Public Works permits may be submitted

- Use the computer to meet with a virtual Planner to ask questions.

- Water testing sample bottles may be picked up. Drop off water testing samples on the last Wednesday of the month before 2 pm at the Burford Customer Service Office

Brant Sports Complex & Other Facility Booking

519-442-1944

226-387-2490

519-442-4955

226-216-3037

519-209-2277

519-442-7134

Administration & Bylaw: 519-442-7268

Articles,

Open Monday - Sunday, 8:30 am - 8:00 pm.

Main services include:

- Dog Park membership and key

- Dog license and tag

- Tennis Court membership and key

- Camp registration and recreation program registration

email to:

Publisher Managing Editor

Advertising Sales Photographer

News Reporter

News Reporter

Chris Whelan

Casandra Turnbull

Chris Whelan

Michelle Malvaso

Carolina Saenz

Bailey Zimmer

STATEMENT

We are an independently owned organization made up of like minded volunteers from within our community with the main purpose of providing Paris and area with a trustworthy and reliable source of local news. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of everything we publish, we regret any errors that may occur. We limit our liability to that of printing a retraction upon notification of such errors in the next available publication. Our mail and Email addresses are listed below:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FREE MARCH BREAK SKATES!- Free skates county wide. Paris’ Brant Sports Complex Skates will be offered on Monday March 13 from 2 – 4 pm and free beginner skate on March 13 from 3 pm to 4 pm., Tuesday March 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm (cost for this skate is $3), March 16 from 3pm to 4 pm and March 17 from 9 am to 10 am. Thank-you to free skate sponsors Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, Nathan Ackland - Desjardins Insurance Agent, Stubbe's Precast and Grand Erie District School Board Occasional Teachers.

PARIS COMMUNITY SAFETY GROUP

MEETING– Monday, March 13 at 7 pm at the Brant County OPP Detachment Community Room on Bethel Road. Guest speaker will be Penny McVicar from Victim Services speaking on Elder Abuse ‘It’s Not Right.’Everyone is welcome.

KIWANIS CLUB MEETING - The Club will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday March 14th at 6:30 PM, at the Paris Legion #29. Doors open at 6:15 PM. Food4Kids Brant-Haldimand Director Laura Sabatino will be the featured speaker. Our monthly meeting is an excellent way to meet our members and find out about how Kiwanis helps our community. If you would like to attend email Kiwanisparisbrant@gmail com for more information.

HOMECRAFT DIVISION MEETING – Did you ever wonder what role the Homecraft Division plays in the Paris Fair? Come out to a monthly meeting to find out – next one takes place on March 13 at 7 pm at the fairgrounds.

HEART OF ONTARIO TOUR – A weekend of Food, Music and Art in Paris! March 17 at 6 pm –March 19 at 7 pm. Tickets are available online. See more details on page 17.

SHAMROCK LUNCHEON EUCHRE, BRIDGE & 5 CROWNS – Friday, March 17th at 12 pm at St. Paul’s United Church, 48 Broadway St W in Paris. Tickets are $15 each and include a beef stew lunch and includes all your games. Everyone is welcome. Please call 519-442-4223 for more information or to reserve your tickets Capacity is Limited

CRAFT BEER & CAMPFIRES - Experience a campfire the way it’s meant to be experienced, in the forest with friends, snacks & Craft Beer! Join Paris Independent Columnist Tiffany Martin from Travelling Pint around the campfire for a beer and snack pairing you will not forget! Tiffany will guide you through four classic campfire snacks and beer pairings. Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 pm at 301 Jenkins Rd, Norfolk County Tickets available online

HINDSIGHT IS 2020 – A COVID MUSICAL – A true story of Covid and it's impact it had on our youth. April 1st , two shows at 2 pm and 7pm at St. Paul’s United Church (side entrance). Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for those under 18 years old. Written by Christopher Mallon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Community Music. Presented by a cast of 12 youth, all of whom were affected by the pandemic in one way or another, this hour-long musical journey spans the entire year of 2020 with a serious yet hopeful tone

GROUNDING THROUGH GREIF – Join us for Grounding Through Grief: A Renewal Retreat for Living in a Climate Emergency, April 21-23, 2023, at Five Oaks Centre. Looking for a way to acknowledge Earth Day? Consider dedicating this weekend to connect deeply with the earth in the company of others who both love and grieve for the earth. This retreat welcomes all people of all faiths and spirituality. For more information please register online.

Affordable Housing, Protecting the Greenbelt

PDHS students protest against Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act

By Casandra Turnbull

You’re never too young to stand up and advocate for issues that will impact your future. Just ask a group of PDHS students who participated in a staged walkout on Thursday in protest of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

A handful of students, including members of the school’s Eco Club, planned a walkout to take a stand against Bill 23, which will allow development on previously protected Greenbelt land and to make their voices heard with regards to concerns surrounding affordable housing. The walkout was organized by Grade 11 student Isaac Halsey and included members of the school’s Eco Club. Halsey said his biggest concern is that Bill 23 will result in more housing, but not the type of housing that will positively affect the current housing crisis.

“The biggest thing for me is this won’t decrease the price

of homes for Ontarians to buy. We don’t need more million-dollar single-family houses, we need affordable housing close to cities for people who can’t afford cars/gas. I, and many other students at PDHS, may never be able to afford a house at this rate, and Bill 23 will only make it worse ”

Halsey’s also disturbed by the lack of communication with Indigenous leaders before Bill 23 was presented in October and passed in November.

“I hope this walkout brings awareness to how valuable and

Students protesting Bill 23 Thursday afternoon in front of Paris High School. They were joined by some members of the public as well. Their concerns centre around affordable housing and protecting the Greenbelt land.

important our Greenbelt is and why it needs to be protected I also hope people realize students have voices too, and that we can advocate for change because we are the future.” Halsey also invited other schools to participate in the planned protest as an act of solidarity, hoping to make it a county-wide initiative, but some didn’t respond and others politely declined but still offered up words of encouragement and support, he said

Continued on page 6

Photos submitted by Joan Faux

This was the first time Halsey organized any sort of student walkout While Bill 23 was in the news earlier this year, Halsey stumbled across an Instagram account for a PDHS walkout in 2018 protesting changes to the sex-education curriculum. It inspired him to start planning his own walkout to make his voice heard.

“I reached out to the organizers of the 2018 walkout, and they were very helpful in guiding me in the right direction.”

So he started by creating his own Instagram account to gather student support He was in touch with Green Party of Brant candidate Karleigh Csordas and local environmental activist and resident Joan Faux, both who guided him in the right direction and helped him contact local media. Halsey did inform some teachers and the principal, out of courtesy, but understood they had to remain impartial, even though some were very supportive of the cause Bill 23 is part of the Ontario government’s plan to fast track 1.5 million new homes in the province in the next 10 years In early December, a group of concerned citizens, now identifying as Brantford Brant We Care, organized a rally in front of MPP Will Bouma’s office. The group was joined by Paris Councillors Steve Howes, Lukas Oakley and John Bell. The rally had a sharp focus on a certain section of the Bill that will allow the government to remove 7,400 acres of Greenbelt land in 15 different areas of the protected stretch to allow for development. The Greenbelt has remained undeveloped since 2005 because

of special legislation

Joan Faux, one of the rally organizers, was pleased to join students on Thursday to help them share their message to Doug Ford: Keep your promise! “It was very encouraging to see youth who are engaged, willing to get involved and take action. They made it clear they know that the decisions being made now will impact their future The enthusiasm was contagious,” said Faux. While speaking with numerous students, Faux said she was impressed that many had created their own signs and shared a genuine concern for the environment and protected lands.

“Many students said they are frustrated that Doug Ford is breaking his promise and quite a few mentioned they are concerned about affordable housing. They know that opening the Greenbelt will not do anything to make homes more affordable.”

Faux said she’s hopeful that some students will continue to advocate and participate in future rallies over the coming weeks and months.

In other related Bill 23 news, Councillor Steve Howes recognized the county’s planning staff this week for executing a council request to create a webpage intended to help residents understand changes stemming from the new Bill. You can view the webpage here.

According to the webpage, The County of Brant is not included in the list of 29 municipalities for the 2031 accelerated housing targets or directing the County to create a ‘Housing Pledge’ in the next 10 years. This has been focused on fast growing municipalities over 100,000 people. Instead, the County has a future population forecast of approximately 59,000 residents by the year 2051, which has not changed through Bill 23.

Howes shared similar sentiments as the students who walked out this week. In a social media post, Howes stated, “One of my biggest concerns with Bill 23 is that while it strives to create opportunities for ‘More Homes Built Faster,’ in my opinion it does little to encourage or incentivize developers in the creation of modest, truly affordable homes for those who need them.”

CORRECTION

The article headlined ‘Bring Some Farm Life to Your Home’ featured in our February 25th edition contained an error. Sarah Rodrigues co-owns Rodrigues Farms with her husband Yvan, not Ivan. We are not sure who Ivan is!

We apologize for the error.

In case you missed that story, here’s a link to the article on pages 13&14. The farm recently announced the chick hatchling rental program is returning for its fourth year in a row. From now until May, you can sign up to foster two baby chicks and watch as they grow and develop into chickens.

Introducing Paris Agricultural Society’s new General Manager, Amy Warner

By Carolina Saenz

The Paris Agricultural Society welcomed a new general manager this year. Starting on January 3rd, Amy Warner was appointed in this important role. She shares a bit about her position and the exciting events coming up this summer at the Paris Fairgrounds.

An essential part of Paris, The Paris Agricultural Society runs their business year-round The famous five-day fair is just one of the many events offered, in addition to many other things like festivals, tradeshows, races and thrill seeking performances. The venue supports local community groups such as the Paris Lions Club, Brant County 4-H, Paris Quilting Bee, the Horticultural Society, and many more. For Warner, this is what makes her position as general manager exciting. When asked what she’s found to be the most rewarding part of her role to date, her answer is simple: the people.

“All organizations such as ours would not be able to exist without our volunteers. And the mix of people and perspectives is really our most valuable asset If we were all the same, life would be boring – but the variety of people we have at the PAS is honestly, my favourite part I have enjoyed getting to know our members and look forward to working with them all and supporting them throughout the year,” Warner shares.

She currently lives in Sheffield and prior to her appointment, she spent many years involved in the Rockton Agricultural Society. Through her experience she has come to deeply appreciate the effort of volunteers.

“We would not be able to run so successfully without our volunteers and thank them for their continued commitment,” explains Warner. She continues by adding that new volunteers are always welcome for their events throughout the year. “It is a great way to feel a part of your community and make new friends!” she writes.

As for events to look forward to, the list is long and very exciting, from vendor shows, to a Rodeo and livestock shows of course! The Paris Agricultural Society will also be hosting their Super Pull Event again this year on June 10th The Monster Trucks will be held on July 8th and 9th. And of course, the highly anticipated Fair will return on Labour Day weekend. Keep an eye out for their announcements to learn who will be performing at the concerts! Without a doubt, this year will be busy and very successful for Warner and the rest of The Paris Agricultural Society as they prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to the grounds. Congratulations on your new ventureAmy and welcome to Paris!

Pictured left to right, recently elected PAS Homecraft Division President Dora Kuilboer, PAS General Manager Amy Warner and PAS President Jay Wood.

Paris man returns from Turkey, shares his experience at recent Optimist Club of Paris meeting

On March 6, Logan Barrett was the guest of honour at the Paris Optimist Club meeting. Logan, a long-time Paris resident and Brant County Firefighter, shared an enlightening and heart wrenching presentation of his work with Operation Orphan. Most recently, Logan’s humanitarian efforts took him to Istanbul to aid with rescue and recovery efforts following a major earthquake that rocked Turkey and parts of Syria in the early hours of February 6th. He is the only Canadian member of Operation Orphan’s Crisis Response Team, based out of the United Kingom, but flies into disaster situations to provide aid and assistance in rescuing children and keeping them safe from kidnappers and human traffickers amid crisis situations. His first deployment was last March when the Crisis Response Team was sent to Moldova following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Operation Orphan’s efforts in places like Istanbul, Moldova and Sierra Leone, and the reality and horror they witness was not lost on anyone in attendance at Monday’s meeting, according to Optimist Club members. “Thank-you Logan, and your team of heroes for what you do,” on behalf of the Optimist Club of Paris. Pictured above is Logan Barrett with long-time Optimist Club member Marilyn McCulloch.

Photo Credit: Paris Optimist Club

Road crews stay on top of messy weather

435 tonnes of salt and sand laid on slippery roads March 3rd and 4th

By Casandra Turnbull

Up until recently, it’s been a fairly tame winter. Then March came in like a lion with three winter storms that left residents digging out their gloves, shovels and well just digging themselves out in general. The first taste of winter hit on February 27th with snow squalls that started in the afternoon and brought about 70 km/h gusts of wind and freezing rain. It also dumped 10-20 centimetres of snow. That blast was followed by an encore performance of sorts on March 3rd and 4th and the white stuff came one more time with upwards of 10 centimetres of snow blanketing the area yesterday It's been a busy month so far for the County of Brant Roads Department.

“The weight of the snow was very challenging as vehicles had to work hard and consumer greater amounts of fuel,” said Greg Demers, Director of Roads. Crews put in lots of hours making sure Brant County roads were as clear as can be The wet snow presented a challenge, especially during the March 3/4th snowfall. The county maintains approximately 2,200 kilometres of roads. During that particular storm, 410 tonnes of salt and 25 tonnes of sand were applied to area roads. Plow and salt operators travelled a total of 8,500 kilometres, consuming 7,250 litres of fuel while keeping up with the fastfalling flakes.

“Visibility was a concern at certain times of the storms for the operators

as they moved through their routes cautiously,” said Demers “With the county having many steep grades, the plows could not be everywhere at once and a few vehicles had traction issues when travelling up the hill.”

Another hazard for operators were the number of cars parked on the roadway. “The largest obstacle for our crews during plowing operations and clean up efforts for these events were the parked vehicles. If residents could park off the road this would help us service them with greater efficiency,” he said.

Those without driveways are impacted the most. Demers suggested those residents, where possible, could make alternate arrangements during significant weather events such as parking in a neighbour’s driveway or finding a spare space at the municipal parking lot if it’s an option.

The recent storms have also prompted the county to notify residents of scheduled snow clean up efforts.

Continued on page 10

County road crews cleared and groomed 8,500 kilometres of messy roads following the March 3-4th snowfall.

Following the February 27th storm, in anticipation of another storm set to hit days later, 20 tandem loads of snow were removed from the downtown core. This increases access to businesses and reduces the chance of ice formation from thaw and freeze cycles, which creates hazards for everyone. As good Samaritans lent a hand to one another, clearing driveways and sidewalks, some of the town’s most vulnerable citizens were stuck at home. The County of Brant operates a Snow Buddy program, where volunteers 12 or older help those in need with basic snow removal services

Unfortunately, not everyone who tried to access the Snow Buddy Program was matched with a buddy because there is a wait list. Demers confirmed the county is in need of more snow buddies. Those who take part in the program could receive volunteer hours or a small fee for their removal services. For more information on that program visit www.brant.ca/snowbuddy

“Other than a handful of concerns, the county did receive a lot of positive feedback,” said Demers of the road crews’recent efforts

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION ALERT!

“Thank you, Sean for all the time, energy, and heart you give to our Paris Agricultural Society. We are fortunate to have you as a part of our fair family.

~ On Behalf of the PAS

Gypsum Mining – a look at Paris’ rich history!

Find out more about the history of your community and attend next weekend’s seminar hosted by the Paris Museum & Historical Society

By Bailey Zimmer

Celebrate 201 years of Gypsum

mining in Paris with Jean Farquharson and the Paris Museum and Historical Society on March 19.

The Paris Museum, located downtown at 51 William St. in the Syl Apps Community Centre, will be hosting a speaker series from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. about the history, impact, and importance of Gypsum mining in the town of Paris.

“People who are interested in history or in Paris generally, or who have curious minds get to learn something new and connect with other people who have the same sorts of interests,” said Vice Chair of the Paris Museum and Historical Society, Judy Moore.

Admission for this event will be through donation, which can include cash and debit. The donations will go directly back to

the museum to help fund future events. No pre-registration will be required to attend this informative seminar.

This Gypsum mining seminar is the second in a planned three-part series Jazmin Beddard hosted an introduction to conservation of objects and archives as the first seminar in January

Next weekend, speaker Jean Farquharson, a Director of the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre, will be presenting on the subject of gypsum mining for about an hour and a half while leaving a time period at the end of the session for questions and answers.

She plans to focus on Paris’ town history by examining the richness both in history and wealth from Gypsum and all it did for the town.

“The Paris Museum and Historical Society has many stories to tell and make them come alive again. It is

Calling

all Seniors in Brant!

important for Paris/Brant people to understand its resources and its stories about the people who built it,” said Farquharson.

As Paris is home to the first recorded Gypsum mine in Ontario, Gypsum was very prevalent in the town. It was often used for fertilizer, or made into Alabastine, which is a fine-grained variety of Gypsum. Gypsum was also made into plaster of Paris, which is the namesake of the town.

The Gypsum which was made into plaster is similar to that of which was found in Paris, France, which is also linked to the origin of Paris, Ontario’s name.

“Paris’ founding has an interesting story that its citizens should know,” said Farquharson. “Gypsum and water power were what brought the first settlers to the forks of the Grand and Nith rivers.”

Continued on page 12

The County of Brant was successful in receiving a federal grant through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) to develop a Seniors Active Living Guide. The NHSP funds projects that empower seniors in their communities and contribute to improving their health and well-being. County staff are currently in the process of gathering information on Seniors groups, programs, and activities to highlight and share Do you run or participate in a program/activity or group for adults 55 years + within the County of Brant? We want to hear from you! If you have a program or resource you would like highlighted, please reach out to staff at 44BRANT (2 7268) or email community@brant.ca by March 24, 2023. The Seniors Active Living Guide will be launched in late spring. Follow us for updates @BrantCommunity

COMMUNITY NEWS

Farquharson is passionate about learning and teaching residents about the history of their land and how it shaped the community. Founder of Paris, Hiram Capron, was also passionate about Paris and the opportunities it could lead to, especially after seeing the natural resources the land had to offer.

“He [Capron] spotted the beautiful view at the Forks and dreamed of creating a town on the site,” said Farquharson. “He had the land surveyed into streets, developed the grinding mill that Holmes had built, built a dam, dug out a larger mill race, and, by offering free land, brought in a blacksmith, millers for grist and gypsum, a woollen mill…,”

Farquharson will be teaching about

the resources that were and still are within Paris that helped its early development and why Gypsum played such an important role in the town’s growth At this speaker event there will also be a multitude of showcases available for attendees to examine at the end of the session, including Gypsum products and a display of the industry that was working within Paris. There will also be artifacts from the Alabastine Company Ltd., such as paint, old catalogues showing stencils for ceiling trim made from the Alabastine and a sample of a stencil used in an old Paris house All ages are encouraged to attend the event and learn the history about the town. The event is

expected to have a decent crowd coming out to learn about the rich town’s history and how it affects residents today.

Farquharson and museum staff will be delighted to answer any questions attendees may have and are excited to share a part of Paris’ past.

“We need to understand and show respect and pride for all its [Paris’] features and learn about the character of the people who built it, their personalities and philosophies and the struggles they overcame to be successful,” said Farquharson. “It is an important part of Canada’s history and strong democracy.”

Touring local industry!

County Councillors had the opportunity to tour the Paris production facilities at Tiger Cat Industries this past week. This internationally successful company is on a fast track to growth and with another planned expansion underway (on Consolidated Dr), the number of local employees is set to DOUBLE from 500 to 1000. Tigercat is a privately owned, vertically integrated Canadian corporation with deep expertise in engineering, fabrication and manufacturing. Tigercat has decades of experience in the forest harvesting sector with the expertise to design complex structural, mechanical, hydraulic and electronic systems that perform every day in extreme and adverse conditions. Aside from the Paris location, the company’s head quarters are in Brantford and there are 10 other Ontario locations, along with facilities in the USA and Sweden.

Photo credit: Steve Howes

LOCAL HISTORY

Paris Among the Earliest Towns to Have Telephones

Yesterday, March 10th , marked the anniversary of Alexander Graham Bell’s historic 1st telephone call, made in his laboratory in Boston in 1876. Next, we all know the story of Paris being the site of the world’s first ever “long-distance” phone call on Thursday, August 10, 1876. But what happened after that? Less than four years after Alexander Graham Bell's historymaking “long distance" call between Paris and Brantford, Paris was one of 32 towns and cities where Bell Telephone Company exchanges were in operation. The Bell company was incorporated in 1880 and in the summer of the same year, purchased the Dominion Telegraph Company George Stanton became the first Paris agent. According to a report by the company in December 1880, the company then owned and operated more than 2000 miles of wire and served approximately 2000 customers In April 1881, William Duncan, a Paris Bookseller replaced Mr. Stanton as agent and a switchboard was installed in the rear of his store on Grand River street. In the same year, a long-distance line was constructed between Paris and Brantford. By the end of 1883, a

28-mile line had been constructed between Paris and Woodstock with an 11-mile loop to Brantford. Paris had also become connected with Hamilton. The Paris directory for January 1889 still listed Mr. Duncan as agent and subscribers numbered 25. Miss Anne Chambers was chief operator and E. Rehder (formerly Ella Brown) her assistant. Office hours were ordinarily from 8 am to 8 pm on weekdays and from 10 am until noon Saturday and 2 pm to 4 pm on holidays. John Kay succeeded Mr. Duncan as Paris agent in September 1889 He in turn was replaced by George Brown less than a year later and the Bell office was transferred to Mr. Brown's premises on Grand River street

The years that followed brought

many improvements to telephone service in the town and the number of telephones increased noticeably. A Paris to Galt long-distance line was built in 1891 and the directory for that year listed 38 telephones. By December 1892, the number of telephones had risen to 50. Telephone numbers were assigned to customers in 1894. By this time the title “Agent” for telephone people had become obsolete and persons representing the Bell Company throughout Canada had become known as local managers. The Paris local manager's office number was 50 The town suffered a serious setback in September 1900 when fire swept through the business section.

Continued on page 14

Many establishments were destroyed, including the Bell office which contained a great deal of valuable equipment. However, that year also marked an important step forward in Paris. Residents were informed they could place a telephone call anytime of the day or night something that had up until then been unheard of. Following the fire, the Paris exchange was re-established first in temporary quarters and later in a building constructed for Mr. Brown not far from the site of his old store. After almost 18 years of lengthy and distinguished service to company and community, Mr Brown gave up local managership in 1905 and was replaced by Clifford Barker The Paris directory for 1907 listed William Street as the Bell exchange's address. More than 142 telephones were now listed An outstanding event in the telephone history of the town was the changeover in 1912 from magneto to common battery. Apart from greatly

improved service, the change meant residents no longer had to turn a crank to place a phone call. Other achievements during the year 1912 included the construction of a new company office in Paris and the construction of long-distance lines connecting Paris with both London and Princeton. W. H. Patterson replaced Mr Barker in 1913 as local manager at Paris a position he held until 1917. Mr. Patterson was succeeded by R. Calcott, who in turn relinquished his post to J. L. Dixon in 1920. Listed as representative at that time was Mrs Agnes Emerson The Paris directory for September 1923 listed R. L. Stratton as manager. Like his predecessor Mr Stratton was manager at Brantford where he resided. Mrs. Emerson attended to the business details in Paris. R. W Emerson was appointed by Mrs. Agnes Emerson who had served the Bell Company in Paris as chief operator and local representative and retired from

active service in June 1932 Not only was she a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America but she also was mother of two Pioneer sons. Mrs. Emerson's successor as chief operator was Miss Delia May Fielding. Miss Fielding served from 1932 until her retirement in July 1949 and she moved to Hamilton. The retirement of Miss Irene Hood in 1951 after 25 years' service with the company served to accentuate the important contribution of Parisians to the company and community alike. The advancement of Paris in the field of industry is indicated by the fact that in 1881 just five years after the world's first long distance call was placed the population was 3,173. By 1941 the number had increased to more than 4,500. In conformity with this Industrial growth the number of telephones also had increased considerably. There were more than 2,400 telephones in Paris by 1956

Friday, March 17

March Break Kinderplay on the Turf at the Syl Apps Community Centre! Kinderplay is for ages 1 to 6 years.

Monday, March 13-Friday, March 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Paris Bohemian Gallery has floor to ceiling creativity and a crafty complexity!

Residents celebrate New exhibition

‘Quattro Grandi’ and the gallery’s fourth anniversary

March 1st was a chilly Wednesday evening and as we rushed through downtown Paris towards the Paris Bohemian Gallery for a very special event, I was head down and spirits high.

It was dark and icy as we made our way down William Street but I could feel the buzz and the warmth before we even got to the door of the gallery, leading to the festivities. Tonight’s special event was a double celebration: a new exhibition of fantastic local artists launching AND the 4-year celebration of Paris Bohemian Gallery’s presence in our fair town. Paris is one part arty, one part sporty and one part natural beauty, and I love that this small and mighty gallery platforms the arty people of Paris and surround area in such a generous way

The turquoise facade of the Paris Bohemian Gallery is such a warm welcome and as we entered the bright space I was hit immediately with all

the sights I expect in their exhibitions: tons of colour, a mega mix of mediums, floor to ceiling creativity, crafty complexity and excellent energy

PBG owner and curator Katherine Pickering, an excellent host, greeted us almost immediately, winding through the bubbling guests and artists in attendance with the same great energy and focus as her space holds. She welcomed us, champagne’d us and promised to cake us later, as we wanted to snack on the art first! The Paris Bohemian Gallery has two exhibitions rooms, attached, with high ceilings and there was - as is - art at every turn, in every corner, on every surface and it was wonderful. I especially loved the huge range of arts, crafts and products on display: paintings, sketches, carved wood sculptures, wearable art, felted pieces, collage and more.

Continued on page 16

photo credit: Duncan Graham (director)

An interested resident checks out the exhibits at the Quattro Grandi opening on March 1st .

Photo by Rubyyy Jones

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

This new exhibition is called Quattro Grandi and features seventeen artists, and they deserve it, so here’s a shout out to them all! Bravo to: Adam Munce, Anna Olszowka, Carol Shortt, Chris Allaway, Danielle Petti, Danine Mroz, Davoud Khosravi, Dean Ellis, Heidi Hirschmann, Jen Lados, Julie Sperling, Lisa Verbakel, Karen Murray, Marcia Pensa, Marijo Swick, Meredith Sexton and Navneet Nishant. The Paris Bohemian Gallery has something for everyone, and I love that in this exhibition and celebration they really summarised their ethos of supporting local artists and artisans, bringing bombastic beginner art and established fine art into the same room, and the ways that they show and share all the possibilities for artistic expression.

Mounties Report

It’s easy to go into a gallery and think that if you don’t paint, it’s not the place for you; if you don’t paint flowers or something ‘nature-y’, it’s not the place for you; if you don’t paint for the masses a gallery isn’t for you and if you don’t have thousands of dollars it’s not the place for you either.

Paris Bohemian Gallery smashes the stuffy gallery standards and makes a space where all artists and all art lovers are welcome and valid. If you haven’t visited, make some time soon. You can find them on William Street in downtown Paris, they are open Wednesday to Saturday from noon until 5 PM and Quattro Grandi runs until May 15th 2023.

“The turquoise facade of the Paris Bohemian Gallery is such a warm welcome and as we entered the bright space I was hit immediately with all the sights I expect in their exhibitions: tons of colour, a mega mix of mediums, floor to ceiling creativity, crafty complexity and excellent energy.” ~Rubyyy

PARIS CELEBRATION, MARCH 17, 18 & 19

This spring, join in a celebration of the many things that make the small towns of Hamilton Halton Brant one incomparable community! The Heart of Ontario Tour is an immersive three-weekend event showcasing so many of the things we love about where we live. From amazing local music performances and regional cuisine to local artisans, creative installations and hands-on activities, this all-ages event truly offers something for everyone.

PARIS FAIRGROUNDS

139 Silver Street, Paris, Ontario

How do we love The Heart of Ontario?

Join in celebrating some of the many ways this March when The Heart of Ontario Tour kicks off in Paris. From a live concert with a sit-down dinner, to a vintage pop-up, hands-on activities for the kids and art installations that you must see to believe, this is a weekend that’s not to be missed!

MAR 13-15 UNLEASH THE MAGIC OF SCIENCE – With Freddy Fusion on March Break at the Hamilton Family Theatre

Get ready for the ultimate blend of magic and science with Freddy Fusion's Magic Science Show! Watch as our expert magician and scientist, Freddy Fusion, dazzles you with mind-bending tricks and aweinspiring experiments You won't believe your eyes as Freddy fuses science and magic to create a show like no other. But that's not all! Freddy's interactive show is perfect for kids and adults alike Kids will love the hands-on demonstrations, while adults will be amazed by the scientific explanations behind the magic. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience. Book your tickets now for Freddy Fusion's Magic Science Show and be prepared to be amazed! This March Break at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge and the King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguisene! Family Fun Event – get your tickets online https://wwwdraytonentertainment com/freddyfusion?fbclid=IwAR0hFv-LU2kxbNsSlX-nOfxeK-k0V5kubqueR_Eb9mSz2LT8N4nkEUNN0o

Live music performances by Golden Feather with Bernadette Connors

PDHS Boys Hockey heading to O.F.S.A.A

Paris Panthers claim 4-2 victory over Hanover during C.W.O.S.S.A championship game in Delhi

The PDHS boys’ hockey team has earned a spot at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association ‘AA’ championships following a 4-2 championship victory at C.W.O.S.S.A against Hanover’s John Diefenbaker Senior School this week. The team posted a perfect 5-0 record at C.W.O.S.S.A to claim the title, including a 4-2 semi final win over Simcoe’s Holy Trinity School. Following the team’s Brant Haldimand Norfolk championship win on March 2, teacher coach Joshua Gowing said, "They were (team coaches) able to keep this group focused on the main goal of not just winning our division, but having a successful run in C.W.O.S.S.A and potentially O.F.S.A.A.” The team travels to St. Catharines March 21-23 to compete in O F S A A

Photos by Michelle Malvaso

Local man’s love for the race track stronger than ever after 72 years

Paris’ Jim Bray honoured with NASCAR Icon Award, inducted into Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame and was the second Canadian to race in the Daytona 500 back in 1964

By Casandra Turnbull

Not too many people are fortunate enough to say they've spent 72 years chasing and fulfilling their dreams, but Paris resident Jim Bray has done just that and at 90 years of age, there's no end in sight.

Bray was recently honoured by NASCAR with an Icon Award, another milestone in a long list of on-track accomplishments Upon receiving the award, Bray immediately thanked his present pit crew, who he admitted would have led him to a more successful and competitive run as a car owner, if he’d found them earlier in his career.

While he is no longer behind

the wheel, those days ended in Dover, Dela., in 1974, Bray is still very much in charge and heavily involved in the racing circuit long after his debut ride in 1952. He currently owns four NASCAR Pinty's Series race cars, with a fifth one under construction. He also cherishes his restored 1960 Ford Starliner.

Success isn’t always measured by the number of checkered flags you achieve, but by the accomplishments, dedication and friendships you savour along the way A couple years ago, Bray was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. Remaining modest, when asked how

that felt, he responded "I was honoured but questioned whether I should be there rather than some of the other competitors from the past "

Bray's love for the sport grew when he started to follow the careers of local drivers and Indianapolis 500 drivers. Before long, he found himself behind the wheel of a 1935 Ford Coupe at Pinecrest Speedway in 1952. It was the start of a lifelong passion

Over the course of his career as a driver, Bray competed in a total of 15 cup level NASCAR events.

Continued on page 20

Jim and Pam Bray at Delaware Speedway last year, in front of one of Jim’s Pinty’s Series cars. Jim’s interest in motorsports developed over 70 years ago and is still going strong today. He currently owns four NASCAR Pinty’s Series cars.

Jim’s final race behind the wheel took place at Dover, Dela. in 1974. Pictured above is Jim at that speedway. To the top right, Jim beside his #56 ride during his first Daytona 500 race in 1964. He was the second ever Canadian driver to compete in the famous race. To the right, he gears up for a race in 1963 at Bristol Tennessee. Below, Jim’s other hobby includes piloting airplanes. He could very well be Canada’s oldest licensed pilot! All photos provided by the Bray family

He was the second Canadian ever (behind Richard Foley) to take part in NASCAR'S Daytona 500 famed race as an owner/driver in 1964 and in 1965 as a hired driver for Bobby and Shorty Johns.

“Bobby had a factory Ford deal for '65 so I drove their year-old Pontiac,” Bray recalls. He’s raced alongside US racing icons like Richard Petty, Rex White, David Pearson and Junior Johnson among many others. There has been a lot of memorable races and moments over the decades, but Bray can easily reflect on his favourites.

"I guess the most memorable was Daytona, Riverside California and USAC races at Langhorne, Pa. and the first stock car race at Mosport in 1962 because of the famous racetracks," he answered.

His family has always taken a keen interest in his accomplishments and experiences, but no one followed in his footsteps on the track. He does have a granddaughter who was a world calibre racer – on the water. She won two gold medals in kayaking in the Pan American games in Peru and competed in the 2020 Olympics in Japan, which “Made us very proud of her and the hard work she did over the years to get to where she was,” shared Bray.

Bray celebrated his 90th birthday last month with an open house to mark the occasion. While most people often slow down as they age, Bray is continuing with the pedal to the metal mentality, quite literally.

“As long as I have the mental and physical capabilities and the support of family and teammates, retirement never enters my mind,” he said

Jim owns Jim Bray & Associates Inc, a family-owned dealership of quality trailers with locations in Cainsville, North Bay and Appin. He still works six days a week and insists he’s too old to retire now.

“So, we will keep on racing and selling trailers to support the racing,” he added He said he hopes to have two fulltime NASCAR Pinty’s Series teams running this upcoming season The Pinty’s Series races across Canada.

Jim was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Originally from Long Branch, Ontario, Jim now resides in Paris with his wife, Pam

Bray’s not only a thrill seeker on the ground but in the sky as well He’s quite possibly the oldest licensed pilot in the country, another fun hobby he practices out of the Brantford Municipal Airport.

“Why retire when we are enjoying it all?” he questioned.

Bray moved to Paris in 2006 to be with his wife, Pam While there are far too many people to thank over the span of his racing career, he acknowledged none of it would be possible without the love and support of Pam.

Jim & Pam Bray at Jim’s 90th birthday open house on February

Paris Ringette teams dominate at Niagara Falls Tournament

U14B team brings home silver and gold from last two tournament appearances

The Paris U14B team focuses on teamwork, inclusion and most importantly, having fun. We have players that are only in their second year of Ringette and some who have been playing for up to 8 years. Bringing together a group with such a wide range of experience, it is amazing to watch how they support each other and push each other to be better every time we hit the ice. There have been some great friendships developed in this group as they get together at other times to practice their skills off ice, not because they have to, but because they want to. So far this season we have reached the semi final at the Paris Tournament, achieved Silver in St Catharines and just this past weekend we brought home gold from Niagara Falls. Regionals in Oshawa is going to be exciting, and we can't wait!

Submitted photo

U12B team beats Burlington in sudden death overtime championship game

The Paris U12B won their pool at the Niagara Falls tournament last weekend. After a close 3-2 loss to Richmond Hill to open the tournament, the team rallied with a 10-7 win against Burlington and a 9-7 win against Mitchell. The team beat Burlington again 6-5 in the Gold Medal game in sudden death overtime on a goal scored by Kate Amos. Congratulations team!

Submitted photo

Paris Curling Club hosts

March Fest Men’s Bonspiel

Teams from across Ontario gathered for the Annual Men’s Bonspiel at the Paris Curling Club last weekend. This year marked the return of the popular bonspiel that was put on hold during Covid. Pictured to the left is the winning team in the ‘B’ event. The team’s skip, Max Todd (second from left) is a Paris Curling Club member. The team represented the University of Waterloo. The ‘A’ event winners were Team Allen from the Brant Curling Club and the ‘C’ event winners were Team Park also from the Brant Curling Club and the ‘D’ event winners, Team Moffatt came from Burlington Paris Curling Club Photo

SCOREBOARD MARCH 2 – MARCH 8

*U11 Rep sponsored by Pelton Transportation loses 4-3 to Ayr Flames

*U9 MD sponsored by Desjardins ties 3-3 against Tillsonburg Tornadoes

*U13 Rep sponsored by Paris Optimist Club ties 0-0 against Ayr Flames

*U15 Rep sponsored by Comfort Plus Climate Care wins 83 over Ayr Flames

*U18 Team 1 sponsored by Cobblestone Medicine loses 21 to Delhi Rockets (2)

*U15 Team 2 sponsored by Burford Foodland ties 2-2 against U15 Team 1 sponsored by Adkins Financial

*U9 Team 1 sponsored by Cobblestone Medicine loses 4-3 to Ingersoll Coyotes

*U11 Team 1 sponsored by Brant Sports ties 2-2 against Simcoe Warriors (2)

*U9 MD sponsored by Desjardins loses 4-3 to Tillsonburg Tornadoes

*U11 Rep sponsored by Pelton Transportation wins 5-3 over Delhi Rockets

*U18 Team 2 sponsored by Hoogs Installation loses 2-1 to Burford Coyotes

*U18 Team 1 sponsored by Cobblestone Medicine ties 2-2 against Delhi Rockets (2)

*U15 Team 2 sponsored by Burford Foodland wins 7-2 over Port Dover Pirates

*U15 Team 3 sponsored by Paris Canadian Tire loses 4-2 to Tillsonburg Tornadoes

*U18 Team 2 sponsored by Hoogs Installations loses 2-1 to Delhi Rockets (1)

*U15 Team 1 sponsored by Adkins Financial wins 5-2 over Tillsonburg Tornadoes

*U11 Rep sponsored by Pelton Transportation ties 2-2 against Burford Coyotes

*U13 Rep sponsored by Paris Optimist Club 5-3 over Burford Coyotes

*U18 Team 1 sponsored by Cobblestone Medicine wins 3-1 over Norwich Knighthawks

*U18 Team 2 sponsored by Hoogs Installations loses 3-2 to Simcoe Warriors (1)

*U11 Rep sponsored by Pelton Transportation wins 6-3 over Ingersoll Express

*U13 Rep sponsored by Paris Optimist Club loses 4-1 to Delhi Rockets

*U11 Rep sponsored by Pelton Transportation wins 6-3 over Ingersoll Express

*U18 Team 3 sponsored by Branch 29 Paris Legion loses 3-1 to Simcoe Warriors (1)

*U15 Team 1 sponsored by Adkins Financial wins 3-2 over Tillsonburg Tornadoes

Mounties prepare for playoff series against Norwich

Mounties Report with George LeGresley

The PJHL hockey regular season has concluded and the Paris Mounties ended up with a 5-32-2-2 record ended in 6th place

They are now in a playoff series against the Norwich Merchants. The word around the division is that the Mounties have improved since the beginning of the season and will be a contending team moving into next season.

In past matches this season, the Norwich Merchants team has beaten the Mounties in all every meeting, including last Saturday at the Brant Sports Complex. The Mounties had brilliant moments in that game, however with both of their roster goalies substituted by a midget level goalie, who had never played in Junior C action, combined with being short some of their regular skaters, it was a safe bet that the Merchants had the advantage.

Tuesday night the Mounties practiced with a full squad and they looked sharp skating hard, making good passes and being aggressive on offense. This team, comprised of rookies, played game 1 last night in Norwich (final details were not available as of press deadline).

The series returns to home ice action at the Brant Sports Complex tonight at 7:30 pm. Game three goes back to Norwich on Sunday and game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 7 pm in Paris. The challenge they face will be difficult, but if they follow the coaches' tactics and communicate with each other on the ice and bench, there might be a win or two or more in this series.

U9 MD has some fun in Niagara Falls

Nothing brings a team closer than a weekend long tournament! The U9 MD team, sponsored by Desjardins, travelled to Niagara Falls March 3-5 to compete in a tournament. During their first game against Amhersburg, they tied 2-2. In their second game against North London, they lost 3-1. They faced a tough Lambeth quad next and lost 81. They finished the weekend out with a 3-3 tie against Ingersoll in their fourth game. The team finished 3rd overall in their group. Submitted photos

Paris Mounties player Tye Wetzel during a game against the Merchants last week. The Mounties face Norwich tonight in the second playoff game of the season. Puck drops at 7:30 pm at the Brant Sports Complex.

Work begins at site of new main library branch

Did you notice a little movement at the site of the new main library on Burwell Street this week?

Construction crews were on site to start work on the new branch that is expected to be open to the public by 2024.

Crews were assessing the condition of the bell tower and inspecting underground soil conditions of the heritage building Machinery was on site most of the week and fencing was erected to signify the start of the project This initial work will help inform the development of a heritage restoration plan as the project gets underway, according to a press release issued by the County of Brant Library this week.

Located at 13 Burwell Street in Paris, Ontario, the Bawcutt Centre (formerly known as the Paris Old Town Hall) was built in 1854 and is one of the oldest Gothic Revival-style buildings in Canada. In 2020, the location was designated a National Historic Site and on September 24, 2021, it was announced as the future location of the County of Brant Public Library’s new Main Branch Library. At the heart of its community, the building will be restored as a cultural cornerstone for County of Brant residents.

The project is guided by a Steering Group composed of Library Board members and the

As work got underway at the site of the new main library branch at 13 Burwell Street this week, Paris Councillor Steve Howes took the opportunity to chat with TV and Film Producer and author, Linda Schuyler about the new building. Schuyler was at a book launch in Brantford promoting her new book The Mother of All Degrassi: A Memoir. Linda grew up in Paris, and after a great career in TV and Film production, she returned in 2016 to donate $1 Million to the County towards the purchase of the old Town Hall. The building is now named the Bawcutt Centre, in honour of Linda’s family. Her dad Jack Bawcutt was the Mayor of Paris for many years. He passed away in 2021.

Bawcutt Centre Advisory Committee. Pending Council approval of the final project design and budget, construction is expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in 2024

Last month, DPAI Architects & SZA Architects unveiled the new design which incorporates the heritage of the Old Town Hall with a sleek, modern addition

Coming up with a design that couples both history and modern day was an exciting challenge, said primary DPAI Architect David Premi.

“With an eye on sustainability, the greenest building is something that already exists, and it’s a Nationally dedicated building,” he said, referring to the Old Town Hall built in 1854, and now called the Bawcutt Centre.

“We needed to find architectural language that looks contemporary but speaks to the heritage ”

Photo credit Steve Howes

Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie’s newly released labour market plan focuses on change

BRANTFORD (March 3, 2023) –Some employers may need to adjust the way they think and act to avoid major labour market changes from hurting their business, says a new report. Change Leadership in Uncertain Times in Grand Erie lists increased retirements, reskilling, remote working and employees seeking better work-life balance as generational changes that can’t be ignored.

Danette Dalton, executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie, which published the report, said being proactive and managing change is crucial “The struggles many employers are experiencing hiring new workers and retaining existing staff are not temporary,” Dalton said. “As we approach a new age in the world of work we must adapt, including adopting new attitudes and practices.”

Dalton said that that some companies have successfully shifted to the “new normal,” while other are still figuring out how to adjust. “Focusing on change leadership will encourage the development of new local policies and practices that put people first.” The report provides an in-depth analysis of trends in the labour market in Brantford, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and

Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk counties.

Among the more noticeable trends from 2022:

• A higher number of retirements, as the Baby Boomer generation leaves the workforce, something that’s been called a Silver Tsunami;

• An aging workforce that will lead to further retirements and skills shortages in many industries, including the trades, health care, trucking and farming;

• Workers wanting better work-life balance, choosing to devote more time to their families and nonwork interests to reduce burnout;

• Workers wanting a better quality of work, including looking for opportunities for additional training, advancement and to use all their skills; • More employees wanting to work from home, either fully or partially.

The findings are based on data for the Grand Erie region, including employment levels, the number of businesses and labour demand, as well as statistics released last year from Statistics Canada’s most recent Census. Dozens of businesses and community organizations also provided their insights, with another 250 employers answering the recent EmployerOne survey.

The 2023 Local Labour Market Plan can be found on the Workforce Planning Board’s website at: workforceplanningboard org/locallabour-market-information/ Dalton said the report is meant to lead to community actions

“The labour market plan isn’t meant to be a report collecting dust on a shelf. It is a catalyst for change, resulting in community projects designed to address current and future challenges,” she said

Past labour market plans have led to initiatives that have helped employers, employees and job seekers. This includes Grand Erie Jobs - the region’s largest online job board – Skills2Advance free job training programs, the Workforce Gateway and Newcomers Gateway information hubs, and a new self-guided career planning tool called Career Pathways.

The Workforce Planning Board, one of 26 non-profit organizations in Ontario that play a leadership role in labour force planning, can assist employers and community organizations by providing them with local labour market data that can support their decision making Anyone looking for this type of support can reach out to the board.

How to help your retirement portfolio stay ahead of inflation

Rising inflation particularly the kind of record inflation seen recently will always make the headlines While many people worry about how they’ll be able to afford increasingly expensive products, retirees tend to worry more about how much it will cause their savings to lose value.

When “safer” investment options, such as corporate and government bonds, are delivering returns considerably lower than the rate of inflation, this is an understandable concern.

Let’s take a closer look at the impact high inflation can have on your portfolio, why keeping money in cash can be a mistake and how to help your retirement portfolio become inflation proof.

How inflation can impact your retirement savings

Many retirees wonder if they’re going to be OK in

retirement; will they have enough to spend and will their savings last?

Inflation can certainly make your investments less valuable unless your retirement income is able to keep up with it

That’s why it’s important to know the details of all of your sources of retirement income. Many of them, such as the Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan and Old Age Security are adjusted regularly for inflation.

Other income may not be inflation adjusted, however, such as some company pensions and retirement savings (for example, investments in your Registered Retirement Savings Plan and Tax-Free Savings Accounts). These investments’ ability to outgrow inflation will depend on their performance. During a situation like we experienced in 2022, with

high inflation and a financial market downturn, some retirees could find part of their retirement savings drop in value, at least over the short term.

If inflation does bring about a considerable shortfall in retirement income, there are a number of options available. You could delay retirement, work part-time in retirement, lower your retirement spending or downsize your home and use the cashed-in equity to cover the shortfall. None of these are ideal, but there are ways to help avoid them from happening.

Converting investments into cash isn’t the solution

A common reaction when financial markets start to lose value is to sell stocks, bonds and mutual funds, and convert them into cash accounts.

Your Money Team with Jacob Gaudet

FINANCIAL MATTERS

From a purely investing perspective, this can be an unwise move, in that you will lock in your losses and could miss out when the market bounces back Your portfolio could take a long time to recover.

And from an inflation-proofing point of view, this is a losing strategy. Most savings accounts offer interest at 23%, which would be considerably less than inflation in 2022 (it peaked at 8.1% in June). At 8% inflation, cash savings that increase by 3% interest will effectively lose their value by 5%.

Thankfully, there are several strategies that can help protect your retirement savings from the ups and downs of inflation.

How a long-term financial plan can overcome inflation

A solid, long-term financial plan will take into account a number of potential variables, such as longevity (how long you’ll live), market dips and inflation.

At IG, we stress test our clients’ financial plans for a number of possible scenarios, such as what would happen if investments performed worse than expected, or if inflation were to shoot up? We also revisit every plan, every year. It’s a living plan, so we adjust it to adapt to changes in the markets and your personal circumstances

Our financial planning formulas help to account for inflation in your plan, so that, even if it does rise considerably, you’ll be more likely to have the retirement income you need, for the length of time you’ll need it

Also, the earlier you start saving, the longer you have for your investments to grow and enjoy the benefits of

compound returns. The larger your savings, the bigger your safety net against inflation

How a well-diversified portfolio protects against inflation

It’s worth remembering that inflation in Canada has rarely exceeded 3% for most of the last 30 years. When planning for the long term, the Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada recommends using an annual inflation rate of 2.1% for retirement plans

Portfolios that contain a healthy percentage of equities (stocks or mutual funds containing stocks) have historically always outpaced inflation considerably, over the long term. You would also need your portfolio to be well diversified it should contain a good spread of industries and geographical locations.

Also, investing in companies that can pass on increased costs to customers, such as grocery stores and other retail outlets, will also help to protect your investments from inflation.

Other strategies to protect retirement savings from inflation

Certain investment assets can perform better than others during times of high inflation

Commodities, such as oil, gas, wheat, etc , tend to have a fairly consistent demand, so price increases usually have little effect on their consumption levels.

Inflation-protected assets, such as real return bonds and Treasury Inflation

Protected Securities (TIPS) are designed to deliver cash flow that

keeps up with the cost of living. Both are available in mutual funds.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) provide an easy way to invest in real estate without becoming a landlord Pooled money means that your risks of unpaid rents are much lower The value of Canadian real estate has, on average, grown considerably above the rate of inflation over the last 15 years.

Make sure your retirement portfolio

is inflation-proofed

Your IG advisor can discuss your retirement needs with you and develop a robust financial plan that will help you understand the steps you need to take to provide the income you need, when you need it. These plans can be stress-tested for inflation, as well as other variables, such as market volatility and increased lifespan.

Written and published by IG Wealth Management as a general source of information only. Not intended as a solicitation to buy or sell specific investments, or to provide tax, legal or investment advice Seek advice on your specific circumstances from an IG Wealth Management Consultant

Jacob Gaudet is a financial consultant on the wealth advisory team Gaudet Group Private Wealth Management. He helps clients get more out of their money, so they can get more out of life. Jacob specializes in six key areas: Investment, Retirement, Mortgage, Estate, Tax and Insurance Planning. With more than 60 years of combined experience, Gaudet Group Private Wealth Management is committed to making clients’ interests their top priority. Do you have questions you’d like Jacob to Answer? Email him at jacob.gaudet@igpwm.ca.

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire)

–This week you feel shaky and unwell This is from emotional stress building up You want your love life to take off, but you are afraid of your true feelings. You have to focus on the small things that bring you joy. Baby steps get you through this week unscathed

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth)

– Time to face the music You need to take your health more seriously, you need to listen to your loved ones advice and you need to stop procrastinating on everything It is time to go back to this simple plan and start to follow it again

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) –

The Universe is on your side this week You seem to be intentionally ignoring all the signs that are placed in front of you Your love life is in need of more love Your career is feeling stale Take a you moment your feelings matter and they need to be recognized.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) – You have been struggling with your love life You are over thinking a lot you want to just be happy You have to have some real heartfelt talks to accomplish that. You will have clarity and a change of heart by the end of the week.

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire)

– You will be tested this week. You will see great triumph and disappointment. Your love life will endure most of this. You will decide if you're all in, or it's time to be out This has been planned out for a long time Do not make choices while in the moment

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – Try and focus on what is going right in your life You easily slip into ‘poor me’ and ‘I wish mode ’ This will not serve you at all If you get trapped in this negativity, your week will be a complete right off You are the only one that can change this to a positive outcome

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air)- You have learned some tough lessons in love lately this week you will begin to feel lighter and hopeful again You will bring out the positive in all situations and work hard on planning a fun weekend for yourself. Self love is more important than any other love.

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – You feel anxious at the beginning of this week. This is because you have big ideas and you want to start them. Your love life brings changes into your life path, you will decide if this is good or bad? Your career is what needs the most focus this week, you have more control on changing things there

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – You made some new connections last month Those people now come into play this week and help you get things done You see new potential in your career, show up at work and be heard or nothing changes for you.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – You are very intelligent, it is time to let the others around you see it. You have negative and positive talk in your love life this week. If you want growth you have to have uncomfortable conversations in love and career If you can get these out of the way quickly, you could have a very relaxing week

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – You are throwing out tons of chemistry Do not waste that stuff Try to use it sparingly, sprinkle it on all aspects of your life Your love life becomes steamy, your career attracts the people that can make you more successful Or just turn this internally and you will look and feel amazing all week.

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – You turn serious this week time to buckle down and focus Your love life can be a great support for you. Use your loved ones to help you get back on track. You will have to take a break from work and catch up on some much needed healing You can make this choice or it can be made for you, that is up to you

Tina Graziano was born an energy reader. She uses her gifts to heal and guide others as a life coach. If you need support and insight in life, contact Tina for an energy reading directly online at https://www.facebook.com/ Tina.Graziano.Energy.Reader /?ref=page_internal

Horoscopes with Tina Graziano Energy Reader

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford For Saturday, March 11, 2023

The Way of Water

Magic Mike's Last Dance