Barrhaven Independent April 28, 2023

We are temporarily reducing our opening hours during the pandemic to reduce the strain on our staff & so we can continue to provide an essential service in helping you stay healthy.

For Hannah Otto, even the darkest cloud can

By Barrhaven Independent Staff

It’s not that the memories are fading.

There are just not enough of them.

“When you think about it, we were only together for a few years,” Hannah Otto said. “I have memories, and I miss her, but we were both so young. We didn’t have a lot of time together as sisters.”

Hannah was seven when her little sister, Maddy, passed away at Roger Neilson House at the age of five. She thinks about what Maddy would be like as a younger sister. She would be 21 now, and the special bond they had would only be deeper and stronger. But in Hannah’s thoughts and memories, Maddy is forever five.

Maddy’s Gala, which has become one of the marquee philanthropic events of the year, takes place Sat., April 29 at the Infinity Centre. The event is in its 14th year and has been the cornerstone of the Otto family’s legacy fundrais-

ing work for Roger Neilson House. The Otto family recently surpassed the million dollar mark for the children’s hospice, located adjacent to CHEO.

While Dean and Jeanine have been front and centre telling their story over the years, Hannah will be sharing her story and her memories Maddy at this year’s gala.

Each year since Maddy’s passing, family and friends gathered at the Pinecrest Cemetery to do what they have done every year since January, 2008. They gather at Maddy’s grave, they sing happy birthday, and they release balloons into the sky. Many of them were superhero balloons with Batman or Spider-Man on them. Maddy loved superheroes.

“I remember sometimes my friends and I would be dressed up like princesses and we would all be wearing pink,” Hannah recalled with a smile.

“And then Maddy would always be there in her Batman costume.”

otto continues on page 4

Sixteen years ago, Hannah Otto lost her little sister, Maddy, to an inoperable tumour. Since then, her family has created a legacy for Maddy by raising more than a million dollars for Roger Neilson House, the children’s hospice adjacent to CHEO. Ka R EN J OyN ER p H OtO

Joshua’s Law introduced to prevent children from drowning in boating accidents

Recently I was honoured to introduce Joshua’s Law, my private member’s bill, in the Ontario Legislature.

Joshua’s Law (Lifejackets for Life), 2023, was first introduced by Norm Miller in February 2022 and I’m happy to have worked with a constituent of mine, Cara McNulty, and Life Jackets for Life to reintroduce it.

Joshua’s Law is named after Cara’s son, who tragically drowned during an unfortunate boating accident at the age of 11 when he took his life jacket off at some point during an afternoon of boating. Joshua would have turned 16 this April.

Bill 93, 2023, An Act to enacts Joshua’s Law (Lifejackets for Life), if passed, requires parents and guardians to ensure that their children who are 12 years

of age or younger wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket while on a pleasure boat that is underway or while being towed behind a pleasure boat using recreational water equipment. If the child is not under the supervision of the parent or guardian but is under the supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older at the relevant time, the requirement applies instead to that person. The requirement does not apply if the child is in an enclosed cabin.

Ontario recognizes the important role that parents, guardians and other persons play in protecting the

physical safety of children while on provincial waters. Requiring parents, guardians and other persons to ensure that children under their supervision wear a personal flotation device or lifejacket while on a pleasure boat that is underway or while being towed behind the boat while using recreational water equipment will protect the welfare of those children, increase awareness of water safety and reduce the number of drownings.

Joshua’s Law will be debated in the Ontario Legislature on April 25, 2023.

Ontario Introduces Next Steps to Support Housing Supply Growth

The Ontario government introduced the Helping Homebuyers, Pro-

tecting Tenants Act as it continues to take a responsible, targeted approach to deliver on its plan to build 1.5 million homes while laying a strong foundation to make life easier and more affordable for people across the province.

If passed, the proposed changes would further strengthen homebuyer protections, support tenants and streamline the rules around land-use planning.

The Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Plan includes:

- A $6.5 million investment to appoint an additional 40 adjudicators and hire five staff to improve service standards and continue to reduce active applications and decision timeframes at the Landlord and Tenant Board. This increase more than doubles of the number of full-time

adjudicators at the Landlord Tenant Board.

- Further strengthening protections against evictions due to renovations, demolitions and conversions, as well as those for landlord’s own use, as well as clarify tenants’ rights to install air conditioners.

- Expanding deposit insurance for First Home Savings Accounts to Ontario at credit unions, and exploring a cooling-off or cancellation period on purchases of newly built freehold homes, as well as mandatory legal review of purchase agreements for all new home purchases.

- Freezing 74 different provincial fees at the 2023-2024 level. This includes fees that directly or indirectly increase the cost of housing.

Ontario is undertaking a 60-day consultation on

the proposed new Provincial Planning Statement until June 5, 2023. This new provincewide planning policy document would provide municipalities with more flexibility, reduce duplication, create more homes in urban and rural communities, support local economies and create jobs while continuing to protect the environment (including existing Greenbelt protections), and public safety. It would also require coordination between municipalities and school boards to consider school and childcare needs earlier in the planning process, so that families moving to new housing can expect that local schools will be available for their children.

goldie continues on page 3

goldie continues from page 2

The government continues to work with municipal partners to ensure that cities, towns and rural communities grow with a mix of ownership and rental housing that meets the needs of people across the province.

Quick Facts

- Despite significant external economic pressures, Ontario is seeing strong progress resulting from its housing plans. The first plan, More Homes, More Choice, was released in 2019. In the spring of 2022, More Homes for Everyone was released. More Homes Built Faster was released in fall of 2022.

- In 2022, Ontario saw the second highest number of housing starts since 1988, with just over 96,000 new homes. This is 30 per cent higher than the annual average for the past 20 years. Ontario also broke ground on nearly 15,000 new purpose-built rentals, the highest number on record.

- Ontario will continue to call on the federal government to defer the Har-

monized Sales Tax (HST) on all new large scale purpose-built rental housing projects to tackle the ongoing housing affordability crisis. Ontario would support this measure, as it would help spur the construction of more rental housing units while helping to create jobs, encourage economic development and support growth.

- The province’s Housing Supply Action Plan Implementation Team, made up of municipal leaders and industry experts,

will evaluate progress and provide advice on tackling Ontario’s housing supply crisis.

- The province is continuing the process of launching third-party audits of select municipalities to get a factual understanding of their finances, including their reserve funds and development charge administration, as part of its commitment to ensure there should be no funding shortfall for housing enabling infrastructure as a result of the More Homes

Built Faster Act, provided municipalities achieve and exceed their housing pledge levels and growth targets.

- Ontario is looking at modular construction and other innovative options to reduce the cost of building attainable housing and speed up the creation of housing. As part of this work, we will engage with the housing sector, municipalities and Indigenous communities to consider different opportunities to build housing – using mod-

ular and other technologies – in communities across the province.

- In 2022, Ontario started its consultation on a housing-focused policy review of the Provincial Policy Statement and A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, as well as on municipal rental replacement by-laws and how to build more housing while continuing to protect tenants. These consultations for the More Homes Built Faster Plan informed the development of

the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Plan.

Office Notice: My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Goldie

otto continues from page 1

Maddy had been with her family at the cottage when she awoke from a nap and her parents noticed something was wrong. She was taken to CHEO. Maddy had an inoperable tumour on the stem of her brain, and it was bleeding. The doctors told Maddy she had about 48 hours to live.

Two days later, Maddy passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and closest friends, at Roger Neilson House.

Dean and Jeanine Otto, and Maddy’s older sister, Hannah, had their world turned upside down.

But somehow, these two shocked parents and a devastated little girl seized Maddy’s spirit and used it to better the community. In an effort to create a legacy for their daughter, the Otto family began one of the greatest philanthropic journeys of courage and strength that Barrhaven, and Ottawa, have ever seen. They have also touched the lives of many other families who have grieved, passing on some of that hope and inspiration.

While Dean and Jeanine Otto have became pillars of strength and inspiration both in the community and for other families grieving a lost child, Hannah has been right beside them. She has grown up working on the gala, and listening to

her parents deliver a message of hope that has touched countless people. Hannah spoke in a video at the 2020 Maddy’s Gala, the last gala that was held before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a story that begins the same way as the one told by her parents.

“We were at the cottage, about an hour-and-a-half outside Ottawa,” Hannah recalled. “Maddy was having a nap and we were playing a board game. When she woke up and came out of her room, we saw that something was wrong.”

The Otto family packed up their car and headed back to Ottawa to go to CHEO. They did not know the severity or urgency of Maddy’s condition. They dropped Dean off at home in Barrhaven and then Jeanine and the girls headed to CHEO. Dean took everything in the house and then he headed to CHEO behind them.

“Maddy was put in a room and was in a coma, and my mom left the room for a few minutes to go to the washroom,” Hannah said. “When she was gone, Maddy had a seizure. I was scared. I was only seven so I didn’t really know what a seizure was, but I knew something wasn’t right. I ran to find a nurse as quickly as I could.”

Before long, Dean and

Jeanine learned the news no parents could ever imagine hearing. Maddy’s tumour was inoperable. She had about two days left to live. They contacted family and friends from all over Canada.

“I still didn’t really know what was going on,” Hannah recalled. “But we had family from across Canada arriving, and everyone was hugging so I knew it must have been serious.”

On July 17, 2007, Maddy Otto passed away peacefully at Roger Neilson House.

“When it really hit me was when they put her in the vehicle and she was taken away,” Hannah said. “That’s when I realized I would never see my sister again, and that she was gone. I cried and kicked and screamed. It was awful.”

Although Maddy’s stay in Roger Neilson House only lasted for a few hours, her passing marked a starting point for the Otto family to become connected with the children’s hospice for life. They were in bereavement groups and had access to counselling. A year after Maddy’s passing, the Otto family became ambassadors for the first ever Barrhaven Run for Roger Neilson House. The first Maddy’s Gala, organized by some close family friends, was held at the Monterrey Inn on Prince of Wales Drive with

a goal of raising $10,000 for Roger Neilson House. Little did they know that their work for Roger Neilson House was just beginning.

“After Maddy’s passing, we spent a lot of time at Roger Neilson House,” Hannah said. “There were support groups and I met other kids who were going through similar things. I didn’t realize it then, but looking back, it really helped me get through some difficult times.”

One of the toughest challenges for Hannah was to return to Jockvale Public School after the tragedy.

“I felt like everyone was

looking at me, waiting for something to go wrong,” Hannah recalled. “It was a difficult situation for them. They would have me seeing counsellors and doing the things they thought were best for me. But even though I was young,

I just wanted to show them I was strong. I really missed my sister, and I still wish she was here with us, but I had not changed as a person.”

Maddy Otto has inspired her family to raise more than a million dollars for Roger Neilson House through Maddy’s Gala and other initiatives.

otto continues from page 4

Maddy and Hannah shared a bedroom. As you would expect, the room felt empty for Hannah.

“We shared a room and had

bunkbeds,” Hannah said. “She was on the bottom bunk, and I was on top. We were always talking and laughing. I remember I would be just about to fall asleep, and Maddy would kick my bed from underneath, and she would be giggling and laughing. I would get really mad, but then I would do something to her when she was about to fall asleep, and I would be giggling and laughing.”

Through the years, Hannah also has some keepsakes. She still has a few pieces of Maddy’s clothing in her drawers. She also has something very special.

“One day a friend of my mom’s asked if she could have some of Maddy’s clothing,” Hannah said. “We gave her some things, not really knowing what she was doing. Eventually, she showed up with a quilt she had made out of Maddy’s clothing. It was so beautiful and so thoughtful.

I slept with it every night for years. I’m trying to save it and keep it safe and in good condition.”

While Maddy’s Gala has grown through the years, Hannah has grown with it. Children were not at the first few galas, but eventually, Hannah became a part of the event.

“I think during the first one I went to, I fell asleep after dinner and slept on a chair beside my grandparents most of the night,” she said. “But through the years there are things that really jump out. I remember walking into the room with my parents the music playing as we were introduced. And we see the same people back every year. They come every year to support us and to remember Maddy, and we are so thankful for them and for the gala’s sponsors.”

The gala has grown into one of the largest events of the year for the Sens Foundation and Roger Neilson House. But it is

still as raw and emotional as it was in its first year. It may not be Ottawa’s biggest event of the year, but it is certainly the most powerful.

“I am so proud of my parents for everything they have done and how hard they have worked on the gala,” Hannah said. “Sometimes I can’t believe that they have been able to keep it going and for it to keep growing. But I think a lot of it has to do with Maddy. She was such a magnetic person. Everyone is so drawn to her, just like I was.”

Hannah believes her sister would be pleased with the legacy they have created for her.

“I think she would be proud of us,” Hannah said. “My mom and dad have been able to take the darkest moment of our lives and create a silver lining. You can never turn what happened into something positive, but something good has come out of it.”

Hannah said that raising a

million dollars seems unthinkable, but there is something even more important than the money.

“Through the gala, we have given hope to a lot people who need it,” Hannah said. “That’s a lot more important than any amount of money we have raised. I know what I went through and what we went through as a family. Making it

easier for the next people who have to go through what we did is more important than any amount of money we could raise.”

And that’s why Maddy’s Gala has become the light at the end of so many dark tunnels.

For ticket information to this year’s Maddy’s Gala, visit www.maddysgala.com.

Friends and family gather before releasing balloons at Pinecrest Cemetery for Maddy Otto’s birthday.

hannah Otto places flowers at the grave of her sister, Maddy. hannah was seven when Maddy passed away.

Karen J Oyner P h OtO

The Inflation Cookbook helps stretch your grocery dollar

Everybody is trying to figure out ways to save at the grocery store these days.

The average grocery store will carry over 20,000 different products. Add in daily specials, flyers, coupons, and confusing rebates, and it gets complicated. Designing menus for your household based on what’s more affordable that day, or that week, is complicated.

With a food inflation rate of around 10 per cent, Canadians need all the help they can get. A new tool that cuts through all the noise to help you set menus based on the most affordable food, depending on where they live, is now available.

It’s called the Inflation Cookbook. SkipTheDishes and its rapid grocery and convenience delivery service, Skip Express Lane, has launched the very instinctive digital cookbook that changes weekly. It is believed to be Canada’s first-ever AI-powered meal-planning tool designed to help Canadians source affordable and nutritious food items and optimize their weekly grocery budgets.

Using the power of AI, the digital cookbook curates seven healthy recipes that consumers can generate using the best-priced items from that given week. After selecting your province, your budget, and how many people are in your household, recipes are generated within seconds. All recipes are typically quite different from one another, which will satisfy any palate or even dietary preferences or allergies.

The tool is not overly specific, but it gives you an idea of what food items to go for and which to avoid. Canadians will likely be able to find better deals that the tool could miss, but the Inflation Cookbook gives you a sense of market trends so that you can show up at the grocery store more informed. Knowing which food category to look for will also save you some time. Most importantly, you get all the inspiration you need to bring more variety and quality to your menu design skills. It is, essentially, your financial compass for food purchases while compiling a menu ideal for your household. Frankly, such a tool should have been launched a long time ago.

The Inflation Cookbook eliminates most of the guesswork required when balancing healthy choices and affordability. There is no guarantee that prompted recipes are the best deal possible for anyone’s area. You can always find better daily deals here and there. But it will give you a sense of what is possible and achievable based on your budget. Not sure a simpler tool is possible.

The tool is so practical that it wouldn’t be surprising to see other companies create something similar within the next few months. This is likely the first of many to come. And for Canadian shoppers, the more, the better.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. © Troy Media

BARRHAVEN

Operation Golden Orb is almost complete

Is it just me, or is it kind of excited that Canada will be graciously represented at the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III by Governor General Mary Simon, who is a former Barrhaven resident?

Is that going to make anyone want to get up on Sat., May 6 and watch the ceremony, which starts at 6 a.m. local time?

We got up early to watch the Royal Wedding when Charles married Princess Diana. It seems that happened before 6 a.m., and I remember that it was unseasonably cold on that summer day. And of course, we all stopped what we were doing to watch Diana’s funeral. No one who watched it will ever forget Elton John’s special rendition of Candle in the Wind that he wrote for the occasion.

So as we prepare to get up early, we thought that From the Other Side could break down the upcoming wedding and tell you what you need to know.

And we don’t know if you are aware of this or not, but it on the inside the coronation planning is called Operation Golden Orb.

Charles and Camilla will ride from the palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. The Australian coach is drawn by six horses and has a comfortable ride with air conditioning. They will return to Bucking ham Palace in the Gold State Coach. It is pulled by eight horses and has been used for every coronation since King William IV in 1831. It was built in 1762. After her coronation, Queen Elizabeth was not impressed with her ride in the 261-year-old and described her bumpy ride as “horrible.”

Westminster Abbey has been the site for every coronation since 1066. If that seems like a long time ago, it is. The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup 13 times since that first coronation in the Abbey. There were actually two coronations in 1066. William the Conqueror, who was also known as William the Bastard, was crowned there on Christmas Day, 1066. Earlier that year, Harold II had his coronation on Jan. 6. There is no documentation that his coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, but it is widely believed that it was the first coronation at Westminster Abbey.

be wearing “day dress”, and men would be attired in either a morning coat, a suit or a military uniform. Even hats are optional.

While we are assuming that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be at the ceremony, one world leader who will not be is President Joe Biden. American First Lady Jill Biden will represent the United States at the coronation. No sitting president of the US has ever attended the coronation ceremony of a British sovereign.

And have you ever wondered how the invitations are sent out or what are they like? Does someone email everyone, or do they have a Facebook event set up?

No. It’s done the old fashioned way.

The invitations were designed by Andrew Jamieson, whom the Royal Family describes as a “heraldic artist and manuscript illuminator whose work is inspired by the chivalric themes of Arthurian legend.”

The invitations are hand-painted in watercolour and detailed with gold foil. The imagery features a wildflower meadow replete with wild strawberries, lilies of the valley, a sprig of rosemary, a bee, a ladybug and a robin. It also features both Their Majesties’ coats of arms. Even included is the Green Man, an ancient folklore figure who symbolizes spring and rebirth.

But that doesn’t mean that Operation Golden Orb isn’t social media savvy. The Royal Family unveiled an emoji modeled after St. Edward’s Crown that will appear when the #coronation Twitter hashtag is used.

St. Edward’s Crown, by the way, is the crown that will be used in the ceremony. It stands a foot tall and weighs about five pounds. It is 360 years old and it is 22 karat gold and features 444 precious and semiprecious stones. If you want the breakdown, the crown includes 345 rose-cut aquamarines, 37 white topaz, 27 tourmalines, 12 rubies, seven amethysts, six sapphires, two jargoons, one garnet, one spinel and one carbuncle.

5567 Manotick Main St., P.O. Box 567, Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5

News and Editorial: manotickmessenger@gmail.com

Advertising and Marketing: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com

Website: www.manotickmessenger.ca

Staff/Contributors: Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, David Hill, Wilson Lo, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton, Irene Staron.

The Barrhaven Independent is published every other FRIDAY in Manotick, Ontario. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display rates are available on request. The Barrhaven Independent is not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other material used for publication purposes.

Buckingham Palace sent out approximately 2,000 invitations to King Charles III’s coronation. There were 8,000 invitations sent out for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and King George VI’s coronation in 1937.

The dress code is more relaxed at this ceremony compared to others. It has jokingly been referred to as the casual Friday of coronations.

Members of the House of Lords have been instructed to wear for business attire or the standard robes they wear for the opening of Parliament rather than their special coronation crimson velvet-’n’-ermine robes and coronets (silver circlets with ermine trim and velvet linings). As for the regular guests, like you and me if we were invited, women would

And if you are wondering, Camilla gets a crown too. She will be crowned with Queen Mary’s Crown, which has a gold frame and 2,200 diamonds.

If you are looking for a reason to bash Camilla, she will hold a scepter made of ivory. That’s kind of interesting because Prince William has campaigned against the ivory trade.

Prince Harry will be there, but Meghan will remain in the US and not attend. She will be with the children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The coronation day is Archie’s fourth birthday. Perhaps Meghan can watch on the big screen at Chuckie Cheese.

We hope that gives you at least some insight into the big day.

I wonder if there are coronation prop bets at Rideau Carleton Raceway and online gaming sites?

Barrhaven Independent’s From the Other Side named top column in province

The Barrhaven Independent has had another big year at the 2022 Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s annual Better Newspaper Competition.

The annual competition is judged by some of the top journalists and professors in the country. The best submissions from among the more than 200 community newspapers in the province are judged each year. The top three finalists in each category were named in February, with the winners announced last Friday.

The judging window for the 2022 awards was for material published between Sept. 2021 and Sept. 2022.

Jeff Morris was named the OCNA Columnist of the Year for his ‘From the Other Side’ column, which runs on page 6 in the Barrhaven Independent. It marks the second time he has been named the top columnist in the province. He is also a two-time Ontario humour columnist of the year

award, and a two-time winner of the Stephen Shaw Award as Ontario’s Reporter of the Year. He has been among the three finalists for either the Column of the Year or Humour Column of the Year awards in 13 of the last 16 years.

Chris Foulds, editor of Kamloops This Week and a former Columnist of the Year in BC, called Morris’s From the Other Side columns “well written columns that flow extremely well. And the topics are compelling.”

Jim Poling of the Minden Times was second in the category, while Laurie Weir of the Perth Courier was third.

A feature story written by Morris was a finalist in two categories.

In November, 2021, the Barrhaven Independent ran a feature story on how 100 years ago, farms in and around Barrhaven played an essential role in a secret distillery near Manotick and was part of a complex bootlegging operation run by notorious gang-

We should make our greetings meaningful when we meet people

ster Al Capone.

The feature placed second in the province for Best Heritage Story.

Chris Clegg, editor of the South Peace News in High Prairie, Alberta, judged the category. Clegg said he “could not pull himself away from this story. A terrific read, well done!”

Ashley Kulp of the Carleton Place/Almonte Canadian Gazette placed first in the category, while Cory Bilyea of the Wingham Advance Times was third.

The Al Capone feature placed third in the Best Feature Story category.

“The many stories which centered around the Manotick Tea Room were given a full airing in this very interesting feature,” said category judge Frank Bucholtz, a retired editor from Black Media and the Langley Times in BC. “Figures such as Al Capone, J. Edgar Hoover and Gene Krupa make this story a fascinating read.”

We often begin a conversation with “Hi, how are you?” without any interest in an answer. Sometimes, we are shocked when the person responds with honesty and being willing to express the truth of the time or situation.

The “National Canadian” greeting challenges our desire to be self-sufficient individuals. We are reminded that we become our best in a community, a community created by the people we meet along our path, a community of our friends, family, and neighbours.

We must “work together” should run through our minds every time we shake hands, fist bump, or smile at someone. We should look for the joy in every relationship. Every relationship is a partnership. Together, we can

partner to do things we are powerless to do alone.

We share our towns and cities with people who have different con-

by Larry Ellis Manotick

victions than we do. Even when people are different from us, we can work together gladly. No matter what our background or beliefs, we all share in the same human condition. People and partnerships should always spark joy as we work together to build a community where everyone can flourish.

hOuRs Of OpeRaTiON:

Monday-Saturday 8aM-6pM

Sunday 9aM-5pM

1166 Beaverwood Rd, Manotick, ON

The Mews Of MaNOTick

(613) 692-3591

proudly serving Manotick & surrounding area since 1964

Barrhaven in need of trees to improve quality of life in community

Early-April’s hot weather notwithstanding, the surest sign spring is here is the leaves budding on trees across our community.

Each autumn, the city’s forestry services (under Public Works) plans out locations and species of trees to plant across the city next year, including those in parks, commemorative trees, and trees in trust on private properties.

Trees in city parks are straightforward. City forestry crews plant and maintain them. Berry Glen (20 trees) and Ken Ross (11 trees) parks will have thirty-one trees of various native species planted this year.

Residents who wish to plant a tree in memoriam, usually at a park, can request a commemorative tree. In consultation with forestry staff, the resident chooses a location and species, and the

East Barrhaven Ward Report

Wilson Lo, Councillor

planting occurs next season.

The resident has the option of including a plaque beside the tree. Commemorative trees are $400 without a plaque, $900 with a plaque. There will be one planted at Stonecrest Park this year.

Lastly, trees in trust are trees planted by the city free of charge on private property with street frontage, like a front or side yard. The resident pledges to maintain the tree for the first three years of its life. Through this programme the city will plant 29 trees in our community this year.

The Rideau Valley Con-

servation Authority also plants trees across the Rideau River watershed, which includes large areas of our city, focusing on large empty fields that are longstanding or newly vacant. The RVCA will be planting its seven millionth tree later this year!

We need this more than ever. Our city’s trees can’t

catch a break.

Since the late-1990s (at least that’s how far back my memory goes), event after event, whether it’s pests or weather, we lose trees every year despite policies and efforts to continuously protect and expand our tree cover.

Aside from municipal programmes and through the

RVCA, I plan to engage other community and non-profit partners to increase the number of trees in our community.

Trees are not only good for the environment, but they also provide valuable shade for people, protect soil from erosion, improve our quality of life, and just look good. Once mature, roadside trees

also contribute to traffic calming and drainage!

Our community has large areas that will benefit from increased tree cover, including along our major avenues like Fallowfield and Woodroffe. Let’s start a journey to becoming Ottawa’s leafiest (or needle-iest, for evergreens) suburb!

Gentle Ways for Our Planet was joined by volunteers from the Lebanese-Canadian community and various church groups to plant 125 trees at Neil Nesbitt Park in October. Barrhave

Pap-apalooza Pap test clinic scheduled for May 5 in Barrhaven

For some women, getting a pap test can be intimidating. Thanks to an event coming up in Barrhaven, getting a pap test can be part of something that brings the community together.

Three Ottawa doctors are organizing a daylong Pap Test Clinic for women who do not have a family doctor and are due for cervical screening tests.

The pop-up clinic will be at the Rideau Valley Health Centre on 1221 Greenbank Rd. in Barrhaven from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fri., May 5.

Pap-apalooza events and promotions have been very popular over the past five years in the Thunder Bay/ northwest Ontario region, as well as in British Columbia. With the shortage of family doctors being a national problem stretching across Canada, Ottawa finds itself in a crisis with a shortage of family doctors that is hitting the suburban and rural areas of the city particularly hard.

One of the event organiz-

ers, Dr. Lesley Spencer, said a lot of people who are overdue for Pap tests as it was not an urgent essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I heard about the event in Vancouver on an online doctors’ forum, and I thought it would be a great idea to do something like that here,” Spencer said. “I reached out to them and we are more or less following their template and plan for the event.”

Spencer said there are five doctors willing to work at the event and there is a team of volunteers and students who will be on hand to help out. There will be refreshments, snacks and loot bags available while they last.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm about the event, from the doctors, nurses and volunteers,” she said. “Getting the test done can be very intimidating and a lot of women feel vulnerable. This event will take some of those feelings away and make them feel more comfortable.”

To screen for cervical

cancer, the Ontario Cervical Screening Program recommends having a Pap test every three years if you have a cervix, are age 25 to 69, and are or have ever been sexually active. Sexual activity includes intercourse (sex) and digital (using the fingers) or oral (using the mouth) sexual activity involving the genitals with a partner of any sex.

Dr. Spencer and Dr. Kaitlyn Orton-Shmitt both rent clinic space at the Rideau Valley Health Centre and are among the doctors looking to grow the Pap-apalooza program to other areas of the city such as Kanata, Orleans and downtown Ottawa. The clinic will also provide an opportunity for medical students to get hands-on experience by working at the clinic.

If the program is successful and there is a demand, clinics could be added outside the City of Ottawa boundaries in communities like Kemptville and Arnprior. Many Barrhaven and area residents already use the Kemptville

PAP-APALOOZA

Needapap?Don'thaveadoctor?CometoPAP-a-palooza!

May5,20238am-4pm

RideauValleyFamilyHealthServices

1221GreenbankAve

Barrhaven,ON

Tobook, call:343-644-9877x4 (Janis)

Online: https://rvhc.ca/ Walk-insalsoavailable

Criteria:

●dueforapap(25-70yearsold,nopapin3+years)

●validOHIPcard

●nofamilydoctor

Wewillhavesnacksandcoffeeandmusic!Comeenjoythepap-party!

District Hospital, which is less than a half hour drive from the community.

OHIP is covering the cost of testing supplies and the doctors are paying for staffing

at the clinic.

To be eligible for Pap tests at the Pap-apalooza event, patients must have valid OHIP cards and not have family doctors. Doctors will contact

patients with abnormal results.

To book a Pap test at the event, call 613-258-8710 extension 4. Walk-ins will also be available at the clinic.

Chapman Mills trail reopens with new, more accessible bridge

The trail at Chapman Mills Conservation Area has fully reopened just in time for spring – and it’s more accessible than ever.

A new pedestrian span was installed overnight on Sunday, March 19, replacing the old wooden bridge that had reached the end of its lifecycle. The new bridge is wider with more accessible slopes and railings. The ramps on either end are also longer and safer.

“We are thrilled to reopen with even more accessibility and safety features at one of our busiest properties,” said Chelsey Ellis, RVCA’s conservation lands manager. “We thank the community for their patience while we completed this critical project.”

The 23-acre conservation area on the shores of the Rideau River is in walking distance from two seniors’ resi-

dences and surrounded by family-friendly neighbourhoods.

While the trail still includes some steep slopes, the new pedestrian bridge will allow people of all ages and abilities to more fully enjoy the site’s 1.5 kilometre boardwalk trail, which connects to multiuse pathways south of Vimy Memorial Bridge.

The Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation (RVCF) secured funding to complete the project, including $150,000 from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Local donations and community support were also key to bringing the project to life.

RVCA staff have been working with renowned accessibility consultant Marnie Peters to create a matrix of the world’s best outdoor accessibil-

ity solutions and apply them to all infrastructure projects going forward. Another accessible bridge project is also underway at Baxter Conservation Area south of Manotick.

About Chapman Mills Conservation Area: Chapman Mills Conservation Area is located on the west bank of the Rideau River on Prince of Wales Drive between Winding Way and Lodge Road. It consists mainly of natural river shoreline, wetlands and flood plain areas that are unique in the City of Ottawa.

Visitors can enjoy a covered picnic shelter, scenic lookouts, walkways and boardwalks that lead pedestrians on a 1.5 km stroll through some sensitive and beautiful habitats. Interpretive signs along the way tell the site’s environmental story. At the trail’s north end visitors can also enjoy an accessible dock for

launching canoes, kayaks and other paddlecrafts, as well as a viewing platform. The south end has a shoreline entrance for paddlecrafts. Parking is located off Winding Way.

The land for Chapman Mills Conservation Areas was a gift to the people of the Rideau Valley from the South Nepean Development Corporation, along with additional land

ceded from Parks Canada. Minto Development Inc. provided the development funds necessary to carry out the improvements for public use of Chapman Mills Conservation Area.

Today’s Best Hearing Aid

If you have gone online or spoke to friends in the quest to find THE best hearing aid, you were likely left confused by all the conflicting reports. This is normal because, truth is, there is no one device that will be perfect for everyone. Why? Well, because there is no one type of hearing loss profile, no one type of hearing need, no one type of person. Your “Best Hearing Aid” is the one that will address your hearing levels, your hearing capabilities, and all of your unique wants and needs.

The good news is that across the many Manufacturers, there are some great products to choose from. Some have a great wind manager for outdoor enthusiasts, others are geared to the musicians, others excel in connectivity, and so on and so forth. So, finding your best device is possible.... the key to finding it is to have ALL the Manufacturer products assessed with your unique set of needs and wants in mind, something only possible if the dispenser carries all product lines. If the business has a pre-determined product port-folio, it is not in

your best interest.

Offering just that is Hearing Freedom, a locally owned and operated clinic. This practice of customizing the solution to the individual is rare in today’s market, where clinics are often Manufacturer owned or have limited their product offerings to a few preferred Manufacturers. Hearing Freedom is therefore a gem worth seeking out.

The unique and refreshing approach that sets Hearing Freedom apart from other providers was established over 20 years ago by Rosanne McNamee, Doctor of Audiology. After interviewing for employment at many local clinics, she was disheartened to discover Manufacturer limitations and a focus on sales tactics and sales targets.

“One-size-fits-all solutions just don’t cut it.” says McNamee, “To properly treat hearing loss and to maximize a person’s quality of life, everything available in the market must be considered for that individual. Furthermore, I must do so with their particular needs and wants in mind, not my

employer’s profit margins.” And so she decided to set up her own business, doing it her way and putting people first.

At Hearing Freedom, there are no predetermined products or plans. Each and every intervention plan is as unique as the person seeking help. The experience begins with a thorough hearing evaluation which is followed by a detailed needs assessment. Throughout, the person’s input is held paramount. “We offer pre-purchase demos as well as a 90-day trial period on purchased hearing aids. These options give you the confidence that you have chosen the right solution for you, your lifestyle and your hearing needs.” Thereafter, invaluable rehabilitation and continued support is provided under the clinic service plan. This assures essential hearing checkups and hearing aid care.

In addition, there are no Hearing Instrument Practitioners or Hearing Instrument Specialists at Hearing Freedom. Rather, you will be seen by experienced, fully bilingual, Registered

Audiologists. With Masters and Doctorate-level degrees, Audiologists are the most qualified in their field. They service both children and adults, whether they are private pay or third party supported (WCB, VAC, etc).

“Not only is hearing complex, so are today’s hearing aid options,” McNamee explains. “Dealing with the most qualified health care professional, in the most independent setting, is crucial to success.” At Hearing Freedom you can be certain that you have chosen the best place to trust with your hearing needs.

So, if you believe in your right to the best, fullest and most customized service available, go to Hearing Freedom. They are the right choice because they give you choice. You won’t regret your short drive to Manotick.

Parking is free. Home visits & Remote Care is available. Location is wheelchair friendly. For more information visit www.HearingFreedom.com

Knighthawks attracting new players as field hockey continues to grow

Local youth got a chance to try out a sport they may have never played before.

On Monday, April 17, the Nepean Knighthawks hosted a special Try-it Night at the Nepean Sportsplex Minto Field. Youth were required to pre-register, but the evening was free. They had to bring only running shoes, shin pads and water bottles.

The program was intended to introduce the sport of field hockey to boys and girls aged 8-14 in the community. The club provided sticks, and players were taught the basic skills of field hockey by experienced players and coaches.

The Knighthawks are running youth programs for boys and girls from U10 through U18:

U10, U12 Co-ed: The program will run for 12 weeks from April until the end of June. Sessions will be Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings. This program includes the Nepean Junior Fest Tournament. Any additional tournaments will require an extra fee.

U14, U16, U18 Girls, and Junior Boys: The program

will run for 12 weeks from April until the end of June.

Sessions Sunday afternoons and Tuesday or Thursday evenings. This program includes the Nepean Youth Fest Tournament. Any additional tournaments will require an extra fee. The club also has a Stick Together Program, which includes free programming for both Indigenous and newcomer youth. Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in the above

listed programs barrier free.

Training Group 1 (TG1) is a competitive training program for Junior Nighthawk athletes to excel in competition. This program is supplementary to regular club training and will include hockey training, fitness, and sport-psychology preparation. For the 2023 season TG1 will be for U16 and U18 Girls.

For adults, the Knighthawks offer a 17+ Pick Up co-ed adult program from April to August. This program is not recommended for beginners. Sessions will be once a week on Monday nights and will be in pick-up format.

The Nighthawks also have men’s and women’s adult teams that train and travel for competition.

Last fall, plans for a $4 million field hockey complex on Colonnade Road were unveiled.

“The power of team sport can unite people in all walks of life, keeping them active and healthy both physically and mentally,” said Sandeep Chopra in a release sent to the Independent. “Everyone, in any stage of their life, deserves to have access

to a space where they can develop their skills and feel welcome in their community.”

With 220 million players worldwide, field hockey is the world’s second largest sport, behind only soccer. Field hockey in Ottawa has seen an explosion of growth in the last 15 years. Seventy per cent of all players in Ottawa are female.

The Nepean Knighthawks held a Try-It Night for new players April 17.

Amateur sports play a big role in bringing community together

Well spring is springing and with that we get some amazing 67s playoffs and soon the season opener for the Ottawa Titans - and I can’t wait!

Some of my fondest memories have been watching local baseball, chatting with friends and watching my girls running around to catch fly balls. Amateur sports has long been a passion for me. I played most of them either back in my school days, university and the army. More recently, I can remember many evenings walking home from Ken Ross Park with the family only to get sidetracked and watch a game or two – Eagles Football, East Nepean Little League, Barrhaven Scottish Rugby, Ottawa South United Soccer or even some adult slow pitch. There is something real and engrossing about the energy and passion that sports bring – Even if the players aren’t bringing home NHL calibre salaries. The smiles tell the whole story. This year will be another interesting outdoor sports season here in Barrhaven after the disruption of the last few years. I

Barrhaven West - Report

David Hill, Councillor , Ward 3

am genuinely hoping that I get a tonne of phone calls trying to deconflict the bookings due to over-subscription … that would be awesome! We need it.

It has been a tough slog for many and the opportunity to just have some fun with friends, get a bit of fresh air and exercise, it builds community spirit. I am so grateful to all of our local sports associations, volunteers and coaches. You are the backbone of the spirit that shapes so many of our kids into the adults that they become, and for our adults it allows for some comradery that forces us out of the house for some healthy activity.

If you haven’t been sporty in the past, the pandemic is the perfect excuse to take a risk on community sports. And if you can’t participate, I highly encourage you to watch and enjoy some fun

in the spring/summer sun or consider helping out as a volunteer or assistant with one of our local sports associations – my office can connect you! Find a few friends, join a forfun league or take the season to go watch and build up your confidence. Batter up! You

wont be disappointed!

The Ward three office has office hours from 9am to – 3pm daily at 100 Malvern Drive (next to the Ruth E. Dickinson library). Email is the best way to connect

(David.hill@ottawa.ca) , and it is recommended that you include your phone number and address so that we can best support your request. Regular updates on community activities are dispatched

through a weekly email – if you are interested in community activities and events, please reach out to be included or consider following our office on facebook at David Hill Barrhaven.

The Nepean Junior Eagles made Barrhaven proud as they were Ontario champions last year.