Two Row Times, April 3, 2024

Grand River Enterprises donated $250,000 to the Six Nations Language Commission, bringing the total donations from the tobacco manufacturer to just over $1 million since 2021.

The donation coincided with National Indigenous Languages Day on March 31, which was established in 1993 to promote and revitalize Indigenous languages in Canada.

The decade from 2022 to 2032 has also been declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages in a bid to focus on, and revitalize, Indigenous languages worldwide.

The Six Nations Language Commission (SNLC) says all six Haudenosaunee languages are considered to be critically endangered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Those languages are Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora.

The introduction of residential schools in Canada in the 1800s, aimed at assimilating Indigenous children into Canadian culture, played a role in the reduction of Indigenous language speakers in Canada, as the children were not allowed to speak their native languages at the government-sponsored schools.

The SNLC thanked GRE

for their “generous and ongoing commitment to Indigenous language revitalization efforts at Six Nations of the Grand River.

In recognition of National Indigenous Languages Day, GRE has announced a $250,000 donation to the Six Nations Language Commission, bringing GRE’s total contribution to language revitalization to nearly 1 million dollars since 2021.”

GRE presented a

cheque for $250,000 to the SNLC at the Oneida Business Park on Friday morning.

“GRE is proud to continue our support of Indigenous languages,” said Steve Williams, President of Grand River Enterprises. “We think language is very important for the community and for youth in the community. We hope our contribution will help our people have more language learn-

ing opportunities in the future.”

Amos Keye Jr., Six Nations Elected Councillor, said, “Community support for language revitalization is critical.”

Keye Jr. is also the ViceChair of the Six Nations Language Commission Board.

“There are many ways community members and community businesses can support this important work,” he said. “I

applaud GRE for their significant contributions and would welcome any other businesses who would like to offer their support as well to come forward and talk with us.”

Karen Sandy, coordinator of the Six Nations Language Commission, said stable funding plays a “critical role” in sustaining language revitalization efforts.

The SNLC has operated on donations since its inception.

“Over the last ten years we have focused heavily on adult immersion language programming,” said Sandy. “Research has confirmed time and time again that adult immersion is the most impactful way to create speakers and help people develop language capacity. We’ve also heard from community that we need a variety of resources, programs and pathways for different levels of learning readiness. This funding will help us respond to both needs, and create more stability for the adult immersion programs we support.”

The Six Nations Language Commission currently supports two adult immersion programs on the territory focusing on the Mohawk and Cayuga languages.

It is involved with projects that also promote the Onondaga language but eventually hopes to work on programming for all six Haudenosaunee languages. & 8AM-9PM

“GRE is proud to continue our support of Indigenous languages,” said Steve Williams (left), President of Grand River Enterprises. “We think language is very important for the community and for youth in the community. We hope our contribution will help our people have more language learning opportunities in the future.”

DONNA DURIC donna@tworowtimes.com

Four Ontario school boards sue major social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok allegedly disrupting classroom learning

think, behave and learn, leaving teachers and schools to deal with the consequences.

Four of Ontario's largest school boards are suing the parent companies of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok, alleging the social media platforms are disrupting student learning, contributing to a mental health crisis and leaving educators to manage the fallout.

The Toronto District School Board, the Peel District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board filed four separate but similar cases in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday.

The lawsuits claim the social media platforms are negligently designed for compulsive use and have rewired the way children

Students are experiencing an attention, learning, and mental health crisis, the suits claim, because of prolific and compulsive use of social media products.

“The fallout of compulsive use of social media amongst students is causing massive strains on the four school boards' finite resources, including additional needs for in-school mental health programming and personnel, increased IT costs, and additional administrative resources,” the school boards wrote in a news release.

“The goal of the litigation is to provide school boards with the resources needed to support student programming and services, and to respond to the school-based problems

social media giants have caused.”

The boards are seeking damages in excess of $4 billion for disruption to student learning and the education system.

The allegations in the lawsuits have not been proven.

Meta Platforms Inc. owns Facebook and Instagram, while Snap Inc. owns Snapchat, and ByteDance Ltd. owns TikTok.

When asked for comment on the lawsuits, a spokeswoman for Snap Inc. said Snapchat helps its users stay connected with friends.

“Snapchat opens directly to a camera — rather than a feed of content — and has no traditional public likes or comments,” Tonya Johnson said. “While we will always have more work to do, we feel good about the role Snapchat plays in helping close friends feel

connected, happy and prepared as they face the many challenges of adolescence.”

A spokesperson for TikTok said it has “industry-leading safeguards” like parental controls, an automatic 60-minute screen time limit for users under 18 and age restrictions on features like push notifications.

“Our team of safety professionals continually evaluate emerging practices and insights to support teens' well-being and will continue working to keep our community safe,” the spokesperson said. Meta did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Hundreds of school boards in the United States, along with some states, have launched similar lawsuits against social media companies.

Richard Lachman, an associate professor of

digital media at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the lawsuits are part of a broader conversation about the impact of social media on day-to-day life.

While research on the topic is complicated and mixed when it comes to the general population, “study after study” has shown that adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of social media, he said.

The boards' approach is “very interesting,” in that they aren't just calling for a technological solution to the issue, but rather for support in addressing the impact on youth, he said.

“That feels like a subtle difference, but it's one that I feel is much more in alignment with how do we not just say ‘technology is bad and we should ban it for young people,’ because there are positives we can gain from it,” he said. “And

it's also a way of just saying, it's not just a tech fix, it's not just a tweak to the algorithm and then everything's fine.”

It seems to be “embracing a care for young people” and arguing resources cannot be spent the way school boards would like, he said. “I don't know if the courts will find that's a stronger argument, but I think as a society, we should find this a compelling argument,” he said.

Lachman added that suggesting school boards simply ban phones isn't the answer. “It is not just a few hours, where you just need to turn your device off ... these effects are wide-reaching,” he said.

The four Ontario boards, in their statements of claim, allege the online platforms have deliberately sought to draw in students and prolong their use of social

Ec-Dev Trust handing out another $500,000 to community

By Donna Duric

The Six Nations of the Grand River Economic Development Trust has announced it has over $500k in extra funding to hand out to community groups this year.

The amount is in addition to the $784,000 the Trust (EDT) approved in early March for its 2024 funding requests.

Every year, the EDT announces how much money it has available for community groups and projects.

The funds from annual SNGREDC profits.

This extra $502,300 is surplus funding that was not previously allocated as part of the first 2024 call for EDT applications. That makes the total amount going out in 2024 to well over $1.2 million.

The EDT is calling on community groups and organizations seeking funding to apply to the trust for the surplus funds.

However, the EDT said

the surplus funds are not available to community organizations that were already approved for funding from the first round of EDT profits.

The two largest recipients of EDT funding recipients announced in early March were the Six Nations Language Commission, which was approved for $365,000, and Kayanase, which was approved for $214,845 for a conservation project.

The EDT is encouraging applicants to take advantage of the pre-screening process, which it says allows applications to be reviewed prior to the final deadline to ensure that all sections are completed, and all proper documentation is included to give applicants the greatest chance of success.

Applicant presentations will take place in the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) boardroom on June 29, 2024. All suc-

cessful applicants will be notified on July 5, 2024.

Since 2016, the EDT has handed out over $18 million to Six Nations community groups and organizations.

The EDT funding comes from annual distributions of surplus profits from SNGRDC.

The SNGRDC manages Six Nations’ economic interests in 20 renewable energy projects and numerous economic development opportunities in and around the Six Nations territory, which provides the bulk of its revenue.

SNGRDC said its current green energy portfolio is capable of producing over 1300 MW of renewable energy through its direct or indirect involvement in seven solar and 13 wind projects.

Applications for this round of funding are now available online at www. sixnationsedt.ca. The final application deadline is May 3, 2024, at 4 p.m.

Looking directly at the uncovered sun without protection can cause:

Retinal burns

Blurred vision

Permanent vision loss

Your retinas do NOT have pain receptors, so you can not feel if damage is being done.

TRAVELLING TIPS

Stay updated on road conditionsbefore, during, and after the eclipse. Do not stop or get out of your car to view the eclipse. Avoid looking at the eclipse while driving.

Expect increased traffic and road congestion.

Glasses with specialized filters adhering to ISO 12312-2 international standards can be worn for proper protection. If proper protection is unavailable, consider other viewing methods (eclipse box, livestream) Please visit www.asc-csa.gc.ca to learn more about proper Solar Eclipse safety. WARNING:

EYE SAFETY

Do NOT look at the sun without proper protection.

$15 million to Indigenous organizations affected by 2023 wildfires

Last year’s wildfire season was the country's most destructive recorded

uations, loss of personal property, and damage to critical infrastructure.

Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories Michael McLeod announced $15 million to support Indigenous organizations impacted by Canada’s destructive 2023 wildfire season on March 26.

Last year’s wildfire season was the country's most destructive ever recorded, resulting in evac-

During the wildfire season, Indigenous governments and organizations stepped up to support communities their communities during evacuations in the Northwest Territories, which forced 70 per cent of the population from their homes. The Government of Canada is working with Indigenous partners in the NWT to ensure resources are in place to manage future emergencies.

The announcement was made on behalf of the Minister of Northern Affairs Honourable Dan Vandal to reimburse the governments and organizations for expenses incurred supporting their members.

In providing this funding, the Government of Canada recognizes that Indigenous governments and organizations know best how to serve their communities. Canada is working with Indigenous organizations in the North to support emergency responses and preparedness and together toward a healthy and resilient

Northern environment.

“Northern communities are bearing an incredible burden of the impacts of climate change. The 2023 wildfires that the Northwest Territories experienced were a stark reminder of these destructive impacts of climate change for Northerners. This funding reflects Canada’s commitment to helping Northwest Territories communities recover from their worst-ever wildfire season,” said Vandal. “The funding will support Indigenous governments and organizations who stepped up to provide aid and shelter to their evacuated neighbours to ensure

they can continue to be there for future emergencies.”

Between May 4 and October 15, 2023, 304 wildfires burned over 4.1 million hectares across the Northwest Territories. Many of these wildfires threatened NWT communities and resulted in many community evacuations, displacing nearly 70 per cent of NWT residents from their homes.

“When our communities were evacuated this summer, we really saw everyone banding together to help get people out safely. Now we want to make sure that Indigenous partners aren’t negatively

impacted as a result of providing culturally appropriate supports during those challenging times. This funding will help ensure they can continue to operate and provide for their communities and membership as they build back better,” said McLeod.

Many Indigenous governments and organizations used their own funds to help their community members, through chartering flights, paying for accommodations, and providing cultural supports to those who were evacuated.

OPINION

Canada condemns Israeli strike on aid workers in Gaza, demands investigation

The Canadian Press Canada joined multiple allies including the United States, Poland and Australia in demanding a full investigation Tuesday after an Israeli airstrike killed seven aid workers trying to deliver desperately needed food in the Gaza Strip.

The workers, including a dual Canadian-American citizen, were in a convoy leaving a World Central Kitchen warehouse in Deir al-balah in central Gaza Monday night. They had just delivered 100 tonnes of food shipped in via boat from Cyprus.

The strike took place despite extensive efforts to co-ordinate the movements of World Central Kitchen workers with the Israel Defence Force, the aid group said in a statement.

The attack also killed three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national and a Palestinian. All but the dual Canadian-U.S. citizen have now been identified.

"This is not only an attack against (World Central Kitchen), this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war," said the organization's CEO Erin Gore in an emailed statement.

"This is unforgivable." Gore's group suspended its operations in Gaza following the attack. One image from the scene shows a white truck, the World Central Kitchen logo clearly visible among

the charred remains of the roof.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is "absolutely unacceptable" to attack aid workers.

"This is something that never should have happened, and we are heartbroken for the families and for the organization that has been putting people in harm's way to counter the extraordinarily devastating humanitarian crisis going on in Gaza right now," he said.

"We obviously need full accountability and investigation in this."

Trudeau said there needs to be "clarity" about how it happened and repeated a call for a ceasefire "so more aid workers are not in danger as they try to respond to the suffering on the ground in Gaza."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that the Israel Defense Forces car-

ried out the "unintended strike" that killed "innocent people."

He said officials are investigating and "will do everything for this not to happen again."

The U.S. Aid Workers Security Database said more than 200 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the latest conflict escalated there in the fall.

On Oct. 7, Hamas, a designated terrorist entity in Canada, launched a terrorist attack against Israel that killed 1,200 people, many of them living in agricultural communes near the Gaza border. More than 200 hostages were taken, and about 100 remain in captivity in Gaza.

The Netanyahu government responded with tremendous force, pledging to destroy Hamas. More than one million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced, and aid agen-

cies warn the situation is dire, with access to food and medicine extremely limited.

The health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas, said more than 32,000 people have been killed in the territory since October.

World Central Kitchen recently reported that it had set up 68 kitchens across Gaza, providing millions of meals to desperate people.

Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés in 2010 following the deadly earthquake in Haiti, the charity partners with local chefs and restaurants as much as possible to rapidly scale up food delivery aid following a natural disaster or amid war. It currently has operations in multiple countries dealing with armed conflicts, including Haiti and Ukraine.

It also often responds quickly following hurri-

canes and earthquakes. In 2022, it partnered with Canadian restaurants in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador to provide meals to families affected by the post-tropical storm Fiona. In mid-March, World Central Kitchen became the first aid group to bring aid to Gaza by sea in more than 20 years, with security provided by Israel. Making it happen required building a makeshift pier from rubble trucked in from around the territory. A second sea shipment left Cyprus on Saturday. The workers delivering that aid were the ones who were hit.

Just a week ago, Lalzawmi Frankcom, known as Zomi, was on the charity's X account, sharing a video from the same warehouse where she was killed on April 1.

Britain summoned the Israeli ambassador to explain what happened following the death of three of its citizens. Poland and Australia have also demanded explanations from Israel. It was not clear if Canada had spoken directly with Israeli officials.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Tuesday she was "horrified" by the airstrike, but her office said that as of late afternoon, she had not yet connected with her Israeli counterpart.

"We condemn these strikes and call for a full investigation," she posted on X. "Canada expects full accountability for these killings and we will

convey this to the Israeli government directly."

Speaking in Paris on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his government had already made entreaties with Israel's government for a "swift, thorough and impartial investigation to understand exactly what happened."

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East said Tuesday it defies belief that the airstrikes accidentally targeted aid workers.

“This is far from the first time that Israel has targeted an aid convoy or killed humanitarian workers," said the group's vice-president Michael Bueckert.

He called on Canada to sanction Israeli leaders. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs in Canada also called for accountability, describing the airstrike as "deeply regrettable."

"The Israeli government must carry out a thorough investigation and hold those who made the error accountable," the group said in a statement.

"Humanitarian aid into Gaza is essential, as are Israel's efforts to destroy Hamas military capabilities. We express condolences to those who were killed."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2024.

W a n t t o G e t I n v o l v e d i n o u r M i s s i o n ?

D o n a t e t o d a y t o h e l p u s i m p l e m e n t o u r i n t e r i m w a t e r fi l t e r s o l u t i o n t o v a r i o u s F i r s t N a t i o n c o m m u n i t i e s .

E l e c t r o n i c a l l y ,

T o D o n a t e

ET r a n s f e r : fi n a n c e @ d c f u n d . c a

W a t e r D o n a t i o ”n

w i t h t h e m e s s a g e “

Call for Integrity Commission Members

The Six Nations Election Code Committee is seeking at least (10) qualified members of the community to serve as members for the Integrity Commission.

The Integrity Commission is established to ensure that confidence in the governance of the Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council is upheld in an ethical and respectful manner. It serves to restore, uphold and maintain a positive political reputati on to promote the general welfare of the Six Nations people.

The Integrity Commission is established to improve, enhance and maintain: pride, trust and confidence in the Six Nations Elected Chief and Councillors, by ensuring that all Six Nations codes, rules and regulations are strictly adhered to. All members of Co uncil must always be accountable and take full responsibility for their deeds and actions. The Integrity Commission, through a fair, unbiased and organized process, will accept, validate and investigate complaints of suspected violations. The Commission sh all also impose penalties for non -compliance and proven violations.

The Commission will therefore advise and educate members of Council, and include the community in this process, to seek, advance and maintain open, honest and accountable governance.

The term of service is to be four (4) years (renewable) with, ideally, no more than one half of the qualified Integrity Commission members being replaced on an annual basis, to ensure continuity.

Qualifications for members of the Integrity Commission

1. must be at least 18 years of age

2. must be a resident Band Member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory

3. proven community participant with knowledge of community dynamics

4. be honest, honourable, and of good character as demonstrated by providing two letters of reference and a clean CPIC report

5. possess the ability to be impartial and non-judgemental

6. have no employment with Band Administration, or personal financial gain/interest in work undertaken by the Band

7. have no involvement in political campaigning/endorsements

8. must uphold and honour the oath of a member of the Integrity Commission

9. must not hold an elected political position, nor be related to an elected official (Conflict of Interests – Code of Conduct)

“Family Member” – means:

a) Spouse, including but not limited to common -law spouse and same sex partner;

b) Child, mother, father, sister, brother, grandchild, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece and nephew;

c) Mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law; and

d) Step-mother, step-father, step-sister, step-brother and step-child.

10. will be removed for violation of the Integrity Commission Oath (Appendix

Those interested, are required to provide a cover letter indicating why you would like to become an Integrity Commissioner and a recent Resume with t wo (2) letters of reference by non family members (work related/volunteer/personal) to:

Six Nations Election Code Committee

“Integrity Commission”

Oneida Business Park, 50 Generations Drive

Box 24

Ohsweken, Ontario N0A 1M0

Email: chair.snecc@gmail.com

Deadline Date: Posted until ten (10) Commissioners are in place. Packages can be submitted by email.

Only those selected for interview will be contacted. Please ensure you have accurate contact information as you will be contacted immediately.

Please email for further information or if you have any questions.

Four Ontario school boards sue major social media platforms

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

media, knowing school boards would have to deal with the effects on youth and their mental health.

They allege the social media companies have acted in a “high-handed, reckless, malicious, and reprehensible manner without due regard for the well-being of the student population and the education system,” which they say warrants punitive damages.

The boards allege the platforms facilitate child sexual abuse and harassment, “intentionally amplify and push harmful content to maximize engagement” and refuse to remove harmful content such as threats unless compelled by law enforcement.

The boards list a series of measures they say they've had to take in response to growing social media use among students, including pouring increased resources into investigating cyberbullying and online sexual exploitation of students, developing policies and programs to

educate students on social media harms, and investigating and responding to threats made against schools, staff or students on social media.

Threats of bombs, shootings and death are growing more common, “facilitated by anonymous usernames,” the boards allege, causing school closures and putting an increased burden on administrators, teachers and IT experts. The boards say they have had to shift resources to “proactively monitoring social media” for such threats and have had to urgently respond to threats after hours.

Students are also increasingly struggling to vet information and spot misinformation on social media, pushing teachers to spend “disproportionate” amounts of time and resources to help students counter misinformation and prevent them from adopting the “harmful, prejudicial, or discriminatory ideologies that they are constantly exposed to on social media,” the boards allege.

In order to educate students and parents about the potential dangers of social media, boards have hired speakers, organized presentations, and curated other resources, they say.

The boards say they are also using up resources responding to spikes in vandalism and other risky behaviour encouraged by viral social media challenges.

“Students may slap the teacher’s butt or trash the school bathroom and then post this misconduct to social media. Students may engage in reckless behaviour for views, likes, and comments, such as scaling school buildings,” the documents allege.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford suggested school boards should “put all their resources into the kids” rather than legal fees for “this other nonsense that they're looking to fight in court.”

The school boards said, however, that they will not incur any costs for the lawsuits unless they are successful.

The Six Nations community spirit was alive and well on Easter Monday after a local man decided to give away 25 skateboards for kids to hunt for at Veteran’s Park. Six Nations man Marcus Johnson alerted community members to the skateboard giveaway in a community group on Facebook on Monday morning and almost instantly, local kids and their parents went hunting for skateboards. Johnson said he decided to do the skateboard giveaway for kids who didn’t get a present for Easter. Here, Malia stands proudly with her pretty new yellow skateboard! SUBMITTED

Ontario autism program gets $60M boost; advocates say many kids still in need

By Allison Jones

Ontario is boosting its funding for autism services by $60 million over last year, and while advocates say new money in the recent provincial budget is welcome, thousands of children will still be unable to access therapy.

The budget announced $120 million for the autism program, but the government later clarified that includes a $60-million "one-time" addition to the program's funding last year. It brings the total for the Ontario Autism Program to $720 million, a significant amount of money even within the province's $214-billion budget, but it won't come close to meeting the demand.

The Progressive Conservative government has tried several times to either tweak or completely overhaul the program — as did the previous Liberal government — but in the time it has taken to get the latest iteration up and running, the demand for services has caused the wait list to balloon.

Alina Cameron, president of the Ontario Autism Coalition, said the new money is a great step forward, but the autism community still has a lot of questions.

"There's over 60,000 children presently waiting and this program, as it sits,

will not help the majority of kids," she said. "So while it is a welcome increase, how much do we celebrate when there's that many children still waiting?"

That number is the total of children and youth registered in the program, and many have received some form of support, though for the most part that has been through a piece of onetime funding or an entryto-school program. What many families seek is core clinical services, such as applied behaviour analysis. NDP critic Monique Taylor said the $120 million is not enough.

"We know that it's a troubled plan," she said. "They need to get back to the table and ensure the kids are getting the services they need, when they need them."

When Children, Community and Social Services Minister Michael Parsa took over the file last year, ministry officials told him in his transition binder that the program budget of $667 million would only serve about 20,000 children in core clinical therapies.

Documents obtained by The Canadian Press through a freedom-of-information request show that at the end of 2023, about 17,000 children were enrolled in core services, though fewer than 14,000 of them had actually received funding to purchase

those services.

Tuesday's provincial budget says the $120 million "will support the government's commitment to enrol 20,000 children and youth in core clinical services."

That language is a bit problematic, said Cameron, of the Ontario Autism Coalition.

"We were under the impression that the size of the budget from last year, according to Minister Parsa's transition binder, was enough to get 20,000 children through the door for core services," she said. Does the new budget mean more than 20,000

children will now get access to core services, or does it mean that the $667-million budget was, in the end, not enough to help 20,000 children, Cameron wondered. Parsa did not clear up those details in an interview, but said the new investment shows the government is dedicated to supporting those families.

"Our commitment remains the same in making sure that every child, and every youth, every family receives the support and services that they need," he said.

The government is still working on adding more capacity within the treat-

ment system, so that when families get funding there are enough service providers to help them.

"We'll do everything we can to make sure the supports are available," Parsa said.

The Progressive Conservative government's relationship with the autism community has been a rocky one, particularly under its first minister Lisa MacLeod. Families say the changes she made gutted the program.

The coalition then complained that under the previous minister, Merrilee Fullerton, there was almost no communication and she

was "ghosting" them.

But that relationship may be turning a corner, Cameron said. She has been happy to see that Parsa and his team have been reaching out to members of the community, looking for input.

"None of our questions have really been answered yet, but we hope that in the coming weeks, months, that we get some more clarity and transparency," she said. "We're hopeful that the office doors are opening up and we're being welcomed in to chat. So that's a good thing."

Norfolk General Hospital invites applications for new Board Members

(SIMCOE) - Have you ever thought about making a real difference in your community’s healthcare? Norfolk General Hospital (NGH) is seeking remarkable individuals ready to help shape the future of healthcare in our area and beyond. Right now, there’s one open spot on our Board of Directors for a dedicated, forward-thinking individual. This is your chance to play a key role in our healthcare journey.

“We are in pursuit of exceptional individuals eager to contribute their time, energy, and wisdom to drive significant improvements in our healthcare system. Our Board of Directors is actively seeking volunteers dedicated to ensuring our hospital excels in providing top-notch, patient- and family-centric care,” remarked Stephanie Pongracz-Clarysse, Chair of the Norfolk General Hospital Board of Directors.

As a highly skilled-based Board, we are seeking to fill a vacancy with an interested candidate who will:

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with health or legal expertise, though it’s not mandatory. Our board values diverse perspectives and skills to guide our healthcare decisions effectively.

NGH is committed to diversity and inclusivity, welcoming applicants from every background and experience. We understand that diverse perspectives fuel innovation, challenge existing norms, and guide us toward a more equitable and inclusive future.

For details on how to apply for this position, please contact Charlene Charles, Executive Assistant to the President & CEO and Coordinator of Board Affairs at ccharles@ngh.on.ca Application deadline: April 25, 2024.

Solar eclipse expected to bring largest tourist crowd in Niagara Falls history: mayor

By Fakiha Baig

The chance to observe a natural celestial spectacle alongside one of the Seven Wonders of North America is expected to draw about a million people to Niagara Falls, Ont., for next month's solar eclipse, the city's mayor said Saturday as he urged community members to prepare for the largest influx of tourists in local history.

Jim Diodati says "all hands are on deck" from all levels of government, and first responders are helping the iconic southern Ontario city known for its waterfalls prepare for something they've never had to plan for on April 8 -- a total solar eclipse.

"Seeing the great natural wonders of our planet, the Niagara Falls, with one of the incredible celestial events of the universe, a total solar eclipse, same place, same time is a magical experience and people are drawn to that," Diodati said in a phone interview. The rare eclipse is expected to be observed in Mex-

ico first at around 11:07 a.m. PT, when the moon will move in between Earth and the sun before shifting towards parts of southern Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

It's set to cast a partial shadow in several parts of southern Ontario, while observers in Niagara Falls — as well as the nearby communities of Hamilton and Grimsby — can expect total darkness for about four minutes sometime between 2 and 4 p.m. ET.

Astronomy experts have said the eclipse is unique because of both the spell of total darkness and the opportunity to see beams of light shooting out from the darkened sun that would otherwise be invisible due to the star's blinding brightness.

Diodati said the Niagara region has declared a state of emergency so locals and visitors alike can be prepared for traffic and make sure to obtain eclipse glasses, which are necessary for safely viewing even a partial eclipse without risking eye

Notice of Public Information Centre

St. Andrews Drive Wastewater Pumping Station Upgrades

Project Information

The City of Brantford’s (the City) recent Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Master Servicing Plan Update identified critical municipal infrastructure upgrades required for the St. Andrews WWPS to continue servicing an upstream catchment area consisting of a residential neighbourhood in Brantford’s Northwest Industrial Area. The planned improvements to the St. Andrews WWPS, located on 119 St. Andrews Drive, include upgrading structural, mechanical (including new pumps) and electrical equipment and installing emergency storage as proposed by the most recent Master Servicing Plan that projected required upgrades to the City’s pumping stations up to 2051.

Public Involvement

A Public Information Centre (PIC) is scheduled to take place on:

Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course and Learning Centre (Clubhouse) 320 Balmoral Drive, Brantford, ON N3R 7S2

damage.

"Make sure your car's gassed up because roads will be jammed," Diodati said. "Charge your devices. If you need medication, bring it with water."

The mayor also encouraged people to travel to the region by train if possible.

He said the crowd of visitors — which is expected to include scientists from NASA and Canada's Space Agency — is projected to be so large that the majority of the city's hotels are booked and people are now renting out their driveways and backyards to those who want to camp out ahead of the big day.

Diodati said the last time the city saw its largest group of visitors was in 2012 when Nik Wallenda made history by crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope.

"We had around 150,000 people that day. It was unbelievable. It was for me the biggest event I ever did and we still talk about it 12 years later," he said. "I can't imagine what we're going to be saying

about the eclipse. This event is going to make that one pale in comparison."

Diodati said workers with the Guinness Book of World Records have also been invited to the event. "We're going to attempt to break a world record for most people wearing an identical sun costume," the mayor said, adding the getups will be distributed to the thousands of people riding the iconic Hornblower Niagara City Cruises during the eclipse.

Diodati said drones, helicopters and a slue of first responders are expected to roam the city and will be in position near a live stage set to be erected next to the Falls. The Niagara Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to play music when the crowd is plunged into total darkness.

After the eclipse passes, Diodati said the city has invited Canadian bands to entertain the audience, a trick that safety officials have learned helps with crowd management.

We want to hear from you!

The City would like anyone with an interest in this study to have an opportunity to provide input, which will help the project team in the decision-making process. If you have any comments or would like additional information regarding the project works, please visit the project website Brantford.ca/StAndrewsWWPS or contact the project team for any comments or questions:

Shahab Shafai, M.Sc., P.Eng. City Project Manager

City of Brantford 519-759-4150 ext. 5745

sshafai@brantford.ca

Joan Thompson, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Consulting Team Project Designer

GM BluePlan Engineering Limited

519-748-1440 ext. 4275

Joan.Thompson@gmblueplan.ca

Note:

The GREAT Job Board is brought to you by Service Canada. Only local positions are posted in the paper. For more positions in the surrounding area, visit our job board at www.greatsn.com! To apply for funding, book your intake appointment with an ETC by calling 519-445-2222 (Toll-Free long distance at 1-888 218-8230 or email us at info@greatsn.com.

October 19, 1954 - April 1, 2024

Peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Monday, April 1, 2024 at the age of 69 years. Loving mother of Neil & Michelle, Nicola, and her fur baby Otis. Second mom to Allen. Dear grandma to Alexis, Raylyn, Ethan, Harlee, Owen, and Timmy. Daughter of the late Steve & Eula LaForme. Sister of Geraldine, Daniel (deceased) & Lorraine, Ben (deceased), Shirley, Vicky & Andy (deceased), and Paul & Janice. Aunt to many nieces and nephews. At her request cremation has taken place. A gathering to celebrate her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Hyde & Mott Chapel, Hagersville. www.rhbanderson.com

LAFORME: Cheryl Yvette

Answers for April 3rd, 2024 Crossword Puzzle

SUDOKU

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Grit and guts will get you what you deserve this week, Aries. You may have an opportunity to make a good deal of money, so give this plan careful consideration. Ask for advice if the need arises.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, there has been change in your life and you may want to blame the stars. Things will move out of your comfort zone and you will have to sharpen your ability to adapt.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you may be questioning the relationships in your life at the time being, but don’t worry too much. If you hit a rough patch, things will clear up in a few days.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

A big shift in your perception and attitude will bring new components to your life that you may not have anticipated. This week you’ll certainly have a few eyes-wide-open moments.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

There will be no hiding out this week, Leo. You will soon learn that things will come your way at a rapid pace. Do your best to keep up, mighty Lion, as it’s bound to be exciting.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, you might be willing to throw caution to the wind and get away on a moment’s notice. There are affordable ways to do this if you are willing to do your homework.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, even though some drama may be swirling in your universe, you find it tolerable because it’s coming at you in small portions. Just stay on the sidelines as much as possible.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, if boredom has set in, it’s better to look to new experiences instead of doing something rash just for the thrill. See which classes you can take or find new restaurants to explore.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Self-care and healing are what you should focus on right now, Sagittarius. You may have been pushing your needs to the side lately and you need to make this a priority.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

You are not normally characterized as “impulsive,” Capricorn. But you may surprise everyone this week. An opportunity to travel or another adventure could drop in your lap.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Try to create some tranquil spaces at home, Aquarius. You can use a haven, especially when a lot of stuff is thrown at you outside your home.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

Pisces, you may be on a mission this week to get things done. Don’t rush in your efforts to complete everything or you are bound to make mistakes that are not easily fixed.