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BARRHAVEN
Year 32 • issue 9
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www.barrhavenindependent.ca
FRIDAY • april 29 • 2022
Ukrainian family settles in Barrhaven after fleeing terror By Charlie Senack It was early in the morning on February 24 when Tetiana Maslova woke up to the sound of missiles outside the window of her Odessa home. The Ukraine native first thought it was the sound of fireworks, but terror quickly kicked in. She hid under the covers of her bed worried about a war that was just beginning. Tetiana’s husband, Andrey Maslov, was away on business as a marine captain for the Arab Emirates. Time apart was normal for the family of four, but this time it was different. It may have also played a factor in their safety. Tetiana, Andrey, and their two children, Alex, 20, and Igor, 14, now call Barrhaven home. They came here to seek refuge from a country in the midst of terror. Andrey was in the middle of a critical work moment
when he got a call from his eldest son, who had just arrived in Ottawa to study as a foreign exchange student at Carleton University. “He said ‘Dad, do you know what is happening? Russians have started an invasion.’ I thought he was joking, but he sent me horrible video and I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Andrey said in an interview with the Barrhaven Independent. “I was about to lose my consciousness on the bridge, but I didn’t do that because we were in a critical moment and I didn’t want to stress the captain or chief officer who are also from Ukraine.” Andrey asked his boss for emergency leave, but it was not immediately available. Desperate to reunite with his family after over a month away, he finally met them in Moldova a few weeks later. Tetiana and their youngest
Andrey Maslov and Tetiana Maslova fled Ukraine in February. They and their two children have settled in Barrhaven. Charlie Senack photo
son Igor fled to Moldova as soon as they heard the missiles
flying overhead. Their old life with all their belongings now
sit untouched in Ukraine. “You can imagine the next two weeks were among the worst weeks in my life,” said Andrey. “I was watching the news all the time, talking non stop with my relatives, but thank God I finally got back to Moldova and disappeared as far as we could from the disaster.” If it were not for being overseas when war broke out, Andrey would have been unable to leave the country. Most Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 must stay in the country in order to fight if needed. Only women and children are allowed to flee. The last time Andrey stepped on Ukrainian soil was January 5, before leaving for a family vacation in Abu Dhabi. With many family members and friends back home in Ukraine, Andrey feels some guilt not being there to fight. He’s considered going back
to enlist, but for now he’s going to do his part from here in Canada. “I’ve been thinking too much about returning to my country to protect my motherland, but my wife was begging on her knees, crying out of her eyes, saying ‘please don’t do this’. You can imagine what’s going to happen. You are going to put the cross on all our futures. At least you can work and support your friends and family.’”
Journey to Canada
After meeting his family in Moldova, located south of Ukraine, Andrey and his family flew to the United States where they had visas. From there, they chose Canada to be close to their eldest son, also believing it’s the safest place they could be.
fleeing
continues on page 4
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FLEEING continues from page 1 made worse by a lack of time and not having all the required legal documents. Andrey reached out to Zolo Reality, which has a large database of local rental listings. He was assigned realtor Jacquie Weldon, who immediately hit the ground running trying to find a place for them to rent. “I found out who he was, what his story was, and that he possibly would not have the required paperwork to find a good rental in Ottawa,” said Weldon. “I took the listings he was interested in and called and begged. Andrey had all sorts of backup documentation and things like that, but he did not have what is normally required for an Ottawa rental like paystubs, a credit report, and that kind of thing because his family took off running overnight.” Weldon finally found a Landlord who was accommodating and rented Andrey and his family a home in the Stonebridge neighborhood of Barrhaven. “Andrey was just a normal guy working, supplying for his family, his wife was raising the kids, everybody had jobs, and then the world turned upside down,” she said. “It is terrible.” After getting the keys, Weldon put a call out on a local realtor Facebook page to see who could help furnish the space. Peggy Blair, who’s also a real estate agent and retired lawyer, used her large social media presence to put the call out on Twitter. “I wanted to make sure they did not end up with five
beds and no chairs, so I started to organize donations, and within about 12 hours, we had enough donations to have the house fully furnished,” she said. “There was an amazing response from former cabinet ministers, journalists, and single moms who brought them enough prepared meals to last a while; everyone just wanted to help,” added Blair. “They had everything from pots and pans, food, gardening supplies, patio furniture, and bedding.” For Andrey and his family, the support was incredible. Not only did they find refuge, but a sense of community and new lifelong friends. “I just opened my garage door and people brought some furniture, some food, everything. It was just unbelievable,” he said. “I didn’t need to buy anything. There are so many Ukrainians who are looking for this support but for me it was more than enough. It’s really amazing. I will never forget this kind of attitude.” Unlike many other families fleeing Ukraine, Andrey has a job which will help his family get by, and allowing them to rent a place of their own. Blair, who is also a mystery author, has helped dozens of Ukrainians find host families who will provide accommodations for Canada’s newest residents. Recently, she helped Ukrainian foreign exchange students who were left homeless after the school year ended. Not able to return home, they were sleeping on friends’ couches until she stepped in.
Ukraine resilience
War has ripped apart the lives of Ukrainians for over two months, and signs of peace are still distant. Before the rockets started firing and military equipment gridlocked streets, Odessa was a quiet Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea. Andrey spent his mornings going for a jog on the seaside, and spent his evenings socializing with neighbours on nearby streets. “It was a normal and enjoyable life,” he said. “In the summertime we’d go to the beach everyday, and it was really nice and a happy life. But all of a sudden Russia ruined our life.” The concern of Russia attacking Ukraine has been on high alert since 2014, when ‘The Revolution of Dignity’ started. The protests turned deadly, and resulted in The ousting of then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Russian President Vladimir Putin had hoped Ukrainians would change sides, but if this war has done anything, it’s reunited the country. “I had many friends — half who were pro Russians and half pro Ukrainians — but now they are all pro Ukrainians,” said Andrey. “They changed sides because our President (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) reunited all nations. Nobody can accept that kind of war against civilians. If you are a human being you will never accept this kind of attitude. It’s unbelievable what’s happening.” Andrey believes Putin thought he’d be welcomed
Andrey and Tetiana spent Easter in Barrhaven with their sons, Alex and Igor.
with open arms when war began, but now over 60 days in, it’s clear the Russian president is more isolated from reality than ever. “I think Putin has been living with the idea that once they stopped moving forward into Ukraine, that Ukrainians would be waiting for him with bread and salt, the red carpet,” he said. ‘But all of a sudden Ukrainians reunited and changed their attitude towards the Russians, who didn’t expect this kind of resistance. I’m proud to be Ukrainian and that we have this kind of bravery.”
What’s next for Andrey and his family is unclear. They plan to call Barrhaven home for at least the next year. With a life in Ukraine and a new one in Canada, it’s too soon to say where they will settle permanently. For now they are hoping to help some of their friends and family in Ukraine, but not all want to flee. Andrey’s mother won’t leave her homeland, refusing to leave an apartment she bought only a year ago. It’s a common reaction from many of the older Ukrainians who don’t want to escape from the
only place they know. But with tens of thousands already dead and entire cities totally destroyed, Ukraine will never be the same. “Russians took away a piece from my country,” said Andrey. “For retired people who are supposed to enjoy their life, they cannot do that anymore. For the kids who are supposed to grow up and enjoy their happy childhood, they can not do this at the moment. You see these rockets and military jets flying over your heads. It’s just unbelievable. It’s just unacceptable in the 21st century.”
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FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 Page 5
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
St. Luke students raise cash, collect food for Barrhaven Food Cupboard By Charlie Senack
Students from St. Luke Elementary School on Mount Shannon Drive have raised over $1900 and 60 boxes of food for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. School resource teacher Ruth Peddle said it’s something they try to do at least a few times a year. “Every year, the students and staff participate in a Lenten Project where we raise money to go to a local charity,” she said. “We chose the Barrhaven Food Bank this year as our selected charity, so we could help those so close to home.” To make it a fun activity, an incentive was created. “If the students could raise a total of $800, the class that brought in the most money would get the advantage of duct taping our principal, Mrs. Weisenberg to a wall,” said Peddle. “Competition was high, and the total amount highly surpassed our goal, we collected an amazing total of $1976.72 plus 60 boxes of food.”
The most money was watched by a grade ½ class, which brought in a little over $400. Students said they wanted to do their part to help those who are struggling in the community. “Giving food to the community makes me feel better, because I’m gonna help somebody who needs it,” said grade 6 student Emma. “I liked bringing in food and money because I want people to have food,” echoed Hunter, who’s in grade two. “I was excited when our class won and we will get to tape Mrs. Weinsenberg to a wall.” That’s expected to happen sometime in May. The Barrhaven Food Cupboard has recently called on the community for more support in recent months, after their demand for service has increased. Calls for assistance have raised about 12 per cent during pandemic times, with more people out of work and the cost of groceries climbing. A Canada Food Price Re-
port says grocery bills this year are expected to rise anywhere from five to seven per cent — the highest increase reported in 12 years. Dairy products have seen the highest jump of about six to eight per cent, with bakery products and vegetables going up five times seven per cent. For fruit, that number is anywhere from three to five per cent. Those additional costs are also impacting food cupboards, who are also having to pay more. Earlier this year the Barrhaven Food Cupboard needed to purchase an additional fridge to store their products. Anyone who wishes to donate to the Barrhaven Food Cupboard can make a financial donation online, or drop food items off in bins located at most local grocery stores. Students at St. Luke Catholic Elementary School raised money and collected food items for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. Submitted photo
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
The little apartment that helped change the world
INDEPENDENT Editorial
Get ready for another big tax hit from Trudeau
The Trudeau government is planning to hit Canadians with a big new tax on their trucks and sport utility vehicles. The proposed tax would cost an extra $1,000 on a Ford F-150, and a Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck would get hit with a $4,000 tax. This new tax will come as a surprise for most people, as neither Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nor his Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault held a big press conference to announce their latest war on working folks. The recommendation to whack trucks with a big tax is buried deep in a new 271page report from the Ministry of the Environment posted on the Government of Canada website on March 31, 2022. “This is our ambitious and achievable roadmap to reach our emissions reduction targets,” writes Guilbeault in the opening of the report. The report recommends broadening an existing tax that currently hits large SUVs so that it would also hit trucks such as Ford F-150s, Toyota Tacomas, Chevrolet Silverado 1500s and Dodge Rams. The tax bill would range from $1,000 for light duty pickups to $4,000 for the super duty trucks that tow horse trailers and construction equipment. These pickups are also the most popular-selling vehicles in Canada. The current tax hits new SUVs that use more than 13 litres of fuel per 100 km. For example, the GMC Yukon Denali and the Lincoln Navigator are currently subject to the tax. The tax also hits the Nissan Armada with a $3,000 tax bill. As is common with all governments, these types of taxes always start with a small, select number of people to tax and then broaden it little by little every year until everyone pays more. Your little SUV could be next in the chutes. Think about the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 that gets you to the grocery store even when the streets haven’t been cleared in the winter. And how long will it take for the Trudeau Government to hike the taxes on the sale of used SUVs and trucks while they’re at it? The federal and provincial governments already hit poorer people with sales taxes when they buy used vehicles, no matter how many times the car has been bought and sold. While many people struggle with record-smashing prices at the gas pumps and the soaring costs at the grocery store, the Trudeau government even opposes Ontario and Alberta’s temporary reduction in provincial gas taxes. We don’t know exactly when Trudeau will implement the new truck tax but, based on his minister’s pedal-to-the-metal approach, it could be here tomorrow. Buckle up your seatbelts, folks. Kris Sims is the B.C. Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. © Troy Media
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Rachel Robinson has lived through 99 sum- her linen and her china.” mers. fromRachel Robinson paused to catch her And still, to this day, there is onethe specialother breath. summer that stands out. “Being Black in the 1940s, it was imposShe and her husband spent the sible to rent anything,” she resummer of 1946 in a small and called. “We had been beaten unassuming apartment in Montdown by every type of racism real. You would hardly expect and discrimination imaginable the little place at 8232 Avenue de when we arrived in Montreal. So Gaspe to be a home that tourists to be welcomed like that, I can’t would flock to. In fact, had you even begin to tell you how wonnot been aware of the historical significance derful that felt.” of that home, you would wonder why it was a While Jackie Robinson was endearing himsite revered by the U.S. civil rights movement. self to the people of Montreal for his incredBut it was. ible talent, his exciting style of play and his Last weekend, locals, visitors and tourists humble nature, Rachel Robinson was soaking lined up to see the old apartment. It was Old in everything good about Montreal. Montreal meeting the long line of cars end“There was a family with eight children lessly snaking their way to Kevin Costner’s living upstairs,” she recalled. “Even though baseball diamond in the middle of a corn field they couldn’t speak English, we formed a during an Iowa sunset. close friendship. We communicated through For an Black American couple who had just gestures and smiles. I would leave a bowl of been married, moving to Canada and, specif- fruit for them outside the door in the morning. ically, to Montreal, the summer of 1946 was a When they saw me bringing groceries home, dream come true. It wasn’t just a dream come they would rush to help me carry the bags. true for Rachel Robinson and her about-to-be“That’s what I remember most about Montfamous husband, Jackie. It was a dream that real and that little apartment. It wasn’t so much millions lived vicariously through them. the building; it was the people who lived there. Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager It was the people of Montreal who made that Branch Rickey had wanted to pick the right year special.” person to break the archaic and cruel colour Jackie and Rachel Robinson were newlybarrier in professional baseball. While, today, weds, but because of the demands of Jackie’s baseball is just a game, generations ago it was baseball schedule, they were never able to more than that. People clung to baseball like have a proper honeymoon. Rachel would many people in Canada cling to hockey. The often say that their summer in Montreal was World Series was like the gold medal hockey their honeymoon. game at the Winter Olympics. People followed In Montreal, Jackie Robinson became a baseball, both literally and figuratively. Base- hero. His popularity had equalled the great ball gave us our greatest heroes of their time – Maurice Richard. The Royals had even given from Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio to Mickey Robison the Rocket’s iconic number 9. People Mantle to Willie Mays to Roberto Clemente to looked up to both of them. They were celeReggie Jackson, and so on. brated symbols of hope. There was no greater hero than Jackie RobMy father used to tell me stories about inson. Jackie Robinson and that summer. Years ago, In the movie, 42, Rickey is portrayed by we saw the little monument at Delorimier Harrison Ford. He knew that young Jackie Downs, which was once a stadium where the Robinson was going to go through hell as Ma- Royals played. He would tell me that while jor League Baseball’s first Black player inte- Jackie Robinson was the subject of threats and grated into white baseball. His most poignant abuse in the United States, he was treated with line in the movie was when he told a young admiration, dignity and respect in Montreal. Jackie Robinson that he didn’t want to sign a Robinson would lead the Montreal Royplayer brave enough to fight back, he wanted a als to the Little World Series as minor league player brave enough not to fight back. baseball champions that year. After the final Rickey felt that Montreal, home of the game, the crowd cheered loudly, until RobinDodgers’ farm team, was the perfect place to son made a curtain call. After more than a half start changing history. hour of cheering, Robinson emerged from the “They gave us a list of apartments that dugout, already showered and changed, to a were available from the newspaper,” Rachel thunderous ovation. The fans even followed Robinson recalled in an interview years ago. Jackie Robinson to his home on Avenue de “I remember walking up the steps of the first Gaspe, literally chasing him down the road. apartment we looked at. I knocked on the door Sam Maltin, a Montreal sportswriter and and even though the woman was French, she a friend of Robinson’s, captured the moment greeted me in English. I was expecting to have with words that will be forever linked to 1946. the door slammed in my face. She offered us “It was probably the only day in history the apartment, furnished, and then invited me that a black man ran from a white mob with in for tea. She insisted that we use her things – love instead of lynching on its mind.”
side
FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 Page 7
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Local company hoping to eliminate the need to expand Trail Road landfill By Charlie Senack With Ottawa landfills reaching capacity, one local green energy company is hoping to prevent the need for an expansion at the Trail Road facility off Moodie Drive between Manotick and Richmond. Landaira, which is dedicated to global environmental improvements that foster a sustainable future, is trying to reduce dependence municipal landfills are facing. By eliminating the solid waste footprint, Landaira mission statement is to make a greener tomorrow. Their goal is to reduce greenhouse gases and create full-time employment in Ottawa and other parts of the world. The group has developed a Thermal Conversion technology that transforms solid waste into carbon, char, and a clean-burning synthetic gas, which can be used to produce heat or electricity. The technology has been in the testing stage since 2009, with work being done
at Landaira’s R&D facility in Dunlap, Tennessee. They are now trying to get the City of Ottawa on board to eliminate the need for an expansion to the Trail Road landfill. The Trail Road facility is expected to run out of space in less than 15 years, and all Ottawa area landfills could reach total capacity by 2036. With time running out, the local company is trying to develop a viable solution that reduces the need for landfill expansion projects and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “Our company could help the City of Ottawa reduce the amount of garbage entering the Trail Road landfill by 600 tonnes per day at zero capital cost to taxpayers,” said Johannes Ziebarth, CEO and President of Landaira, who lives in Manotick. “Our patented Thermal Conversion technology will reduce greenhouse gases by up to 99 per cent while eliminating the need for a landfill expansion and reducing the volume of mu-
nicipal solid waste going into any existing landfill site by up to 95 per cent,” he added. Ziebarth and other representatives from Landaira have met with members of Ottawa’s Standing Committee on Environmental Protection to propose the solutions. “We’re excited in hopes of building a partnership with the City of Ottawa to help combat the landfill issues,” said Spencer Warren, Vice President of Operations at Landria, and also Barrhaven Catholic School Board Trustee. “These are real issues, and Landaira has real solutions,” he added. “We have designed a self-sustaining cost-effective operational facility to help the environment and generate new fulltime jobs.” As Ottawa tried to tackle new climate action goals, concern over landfills includes the release of methane gas. “As organic mass in landfills decomposes, methane gas is released, and data
Landaira says its Thermal Conversion technology will reduce greenhouse gases by up to 99 per cent while eliminating the need for a landfill expansion and reducing the volume of municipal solid waste going into any existing landfill site by up to 95 per cent.
indicates that it does that for over 20 years,” said Warren. “Methane is much
more effective at absorbing the sun’s heat than carbon dioxide, making it one of
the most potent greenhouse gases and a massive contributor to climate change.”
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
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FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 Page 9
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Whistleblower questions city’s accommodations to Caivan for new development By Charlie Senack
A former City of Ottawa whistleblower is sounding the alarm on changes to the Barrhaven flood plain. On April 14, Ottawa’s planning committee approved developer Caivan’s request to build 942 houses in a new subdivision off Strandherd Drive. The land, 66.6 hectares in size east of Borrisokane Road near the Jock River, will see 701 detached homes and 241 townhomes. They will be built offsite at a nearby manufacturing facility which just opened. In 2019, Caivan asked the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority for a permit to make alterations to the site. It would remove land in some areas to create volume for water, and other areas would be filled in for development. That would allow for homes to be built on
a portion of land which was part of the old flood plain. For the RVCA, it’s the largest volume of fill request
to ever land their desk at 407,000 square feet. The RVCA said the application met their high criteria,
and would not have been approved “If they didn’t have a high degree of confidence that the tests under the Con-
servation Authorities Act had been met,” according to Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s director of
science and planning, Glen McDonald. McDonald appeared at planning committee to reassure councillors on the changes to the flood plain, and answer any questions they had. But while he had high confidence in the altercations, not everyone agreed. City engineer Ted Cooper presented to the committee as a private citizen, sharing his worry about how the situation was handled, and ramifications that could follow. “What the fill permit has done is rewarded the developer with an unprecedented flood plain development opportunity, while placing residents and their properties in (GloucesterSouth Nepean) at unknown risk,” he said.
whistleblower
continues on page 11
Page 10 FRIDAY, April 29, 2022
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Summer parks clean-up is now underway in Barrhaven
Summer staff is back from Roads Winter Operations and has begun parks summer clean-up. Duties consist of setting out additional waste containers at all our sports fields, busy Parks/Pathways, and Facilities. We will not add additional cans at this time as the Parks are too wet for our trucks to access the cans/containers also with the frost coming out of the ground we try and limit driving on Parks pathways to prevent major damage. On a side note, Solid Waste will be taking over the servicing of all Parks garbage as of April 19th which means all new staff, so it may take a while to figure out all the can/Parks locations, etc. Understand that the City of Ottawa does not provide a garbage can for dog waste, that is the responsibility of the dog owner to dispose of it under the City By-Law (Section 37, 38, 39). Dog waste is a public health hazard, takes the pleasure out of outdoor activities, and pollutes the environment. Help improve public opinion of dogs and dog owners -
LET’S TALK
BARRHAVEN by Jan Harder
make it a habit to pick up after your dog and take the waste home to dispose of it on your own premises. The City encourages flushing pet waste down the toilet, as it will be properly treated at the sewage plant. Dog owners can also place the waste in their regular garbage as long as it is properly wrapped in absorbent paper and placed in a sealed, leak-proof bag. Failure to pick up after your dog is a by-law offense. Failure to take it home and dispose of it on your own premises is also an offense under the bylaw. Cleaning Up the Capital Volunteers The West Barrhaven Community Association, in partnership with the City of Ottawa’s Cleaning the Capital program, is looking for volunteers to help clean up the larger parks in our neighborhood.
When: Saturday, May 7th from 10-11:30; Rain date is May 14th Where: There will be teams cleaning the following parks: Burnett Park, Clarke Fields Park, Houlahan Park, Moloughney Park, Mowat Farm Park Neill Nesbitt Park, Weybridge Park, (note Larkin Park is covered by a group of cub scouts). Who: all are welcome, including families with young children; garbage bags and gloves will be provided. The park leader can sign volunteer forms for high school students. How: email wbca. eventscoordinator@gmail. com to indicate your interest and advise on which park(s) at which you would prefer to volunteer.
Barrhaven Lions Club - Mushroom Compost for Sale In the next couple of months, the Barrhaven Lions Club will be making a positive impact to the environment by providing Mushroom Compost to the community, and Recycling Electronics. It is said that more than half of what we
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throw in the garbage could be recycled or composted. Therefore, on April 30, 2022 our Club will be hosting a Mushroom Compost sale. Drop by the Barrhaven Crossing mall, 3500 Fallowfield Road between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to purchase your bag at a cost of $10 per bag. Cash only. Mushroom Compost sales are affected by the weather, and if it rains a lot, we may not be able to sell any Mushroom Compost. For inquiries, please call 613-800-2596. Mushroom Compost sales are affected by the weather, and if it rains a lot, we may not be able to sell any Mushroom Compost. For inquiries, please call 613-800-2596. News from Ruth E. Dickinson: your local library branch Current Services: Enhanced In-Person Services • The Ottawa Public Library is offering modified hours of operation at library branches and the Bookmobile • Masks are no longer required for the public when visiting the library. Those who prefer wearing
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masks are welcome to do so • OPL staff are no longer required to wear masks but have the choice to do so • To view the hours of operation at the Ruth E. Dickinson branch please click here In-Person Children’s Programs Are Back! Staff at Ruth E. Dickinson are happy to welcome children and families back for in-person programming this spring! Join us for Babytime, Toddlertime, Family Storytime, book club, coding, robots, and more! Programs start next week! Please note: Some programs require registration with a library card. Don’t have one? Get one here or visit us in branch.
Stroll Through a Story at the Library Families are invited to enjoy a stroll through a whimsical StoryWalk® at six OPL branches across the city until May 24, 2022. The Ottawa Public Library has partnered with local author/illustrator Timm Holmes to create a unique and original Pieced Together StoryWalk®. This im-
mersive concept allows families to choose their own adventure and make choices along the way so that there’s multiple endings to the same story! You can find Ruth E. Dickinson’s StoryWalk® on the lawn in front of the Barrhaven Food Cupboard! It will be out during our hours of operation, weather permitting. If you can’t make it to one of the six branches, you can still experience the Pieced Together StoryWalk® virtually on our website. Ruth E Dickinson Recommends (for teens!): We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres-Sanchez In an epic journey to escape the harsh realities of gangs and violence in Puerto Barries, Guatemala, three teens who consider themselves family act out of desperation to travel through Mexico and ride La Bestia to what they hope will be a safe new beginning in the United States. But, as Pulga, Chico and Pequeña travel, not everyone from their past is willing to let them go.
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT whistleblower continues from page 9 In the early 2000’s, Cooper was concerned that a development in Kanata near the Carp River could be at risk of flooding, despite many city officials saying the land in question would remain dry. The error was blamed on a prediction error caused by coding in a computer model. The city engineer and stormwater expert was terminated by the City of Ottawa in 2013, but fought for his job back and won. Now taking the stand again, Gloucester-South Nepean councillor Carol Anne Meehan called it a brave move. “What you are doing as a member of the city staff is
pretty brave actually,” Meehan told Cooper. “You are coming out and challenging the staff reports.” Cooper believes that in this case Caivan has not laid out the typical ponds to manage the stormwater and hold runoff, a problem that could be made worse after snowmelt in the spring. He wanted the RVCA to finish a subwatershed study they drafted before the rezoning was approved. His concerns aren’t regarding flooding at the new development site, but east of the river in Hearts Desire. “I believe the Hearts Desire community dates back to the 1970’s, so it was constructed
before the province adopted a policy-based system,: said Cooper. “Likely parts of that development wouldn’t have been allowed to be built, (and) in fact there are some lots on Goodwood (Drive) that are in the 100 year floodplain. Those residents had the right to object to having to take on water that once occupied the lands upstream.” Due to climate change Cooper said there will be an increase in rainfall during the spring, but he is most concerned about an inch or two of rain occurring during the spring freshet, which can last anywhere from one to two weeks on the Jock River. That
users is also a consideration however. The Animal Care and Control By-law provides for a variety of park usages or “designations” for dogs and there is a Dogs-in-Parks Designation Policy (DIPDP) that applies. • Dogs Allowed: Dogs may be off leash
• Dogs on Leash: Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times • No Dogs: Dogs are not permitted Some parks may be subject to a mixed designation meaning that one part of the park may designate differently than another. Other parks may have time
In their defense, Frank Cairo, the CEO of Caivan, said 42 experts looked at the file, and no development would take place in the new land now labeled as part of the flood plain. “To allege that we haven’t considered erosion, to allege that we haven’t considered storm water management, to allege that we don’t have a sub-watershed study, those are all complete (and) factually incorrect statements,”
he argued. Once built, the development will be among the first of its kind in Ottawa. Cairo says that architecture is being reinvented with urban design streetscape patterns. It will also include one of the biggest river restoration projects that exist in this region, and will replant the agricultural edge of the Jock River which is currently in an erosive state. During the nearly three hour-long planning committee meeting, councillors were shown drawings of what the community will look like once complete. Walkways, trails, parks, forest, and a turtle bank will be part of the riverfront
complex. An artistic rendering also showed families skating on the river in the winter with a bonfire nearby. The houses themselves feature many triangular elements, wood paneling, large windows, and are mainly gray in colour. Caivan has also filed another application for 1,000 additional homes to be built in a future phase of the Conservancy development. It will be located west of Borrisokane near Highway 416 on 67 hectares of land. The rezoning for the current subdivision will head to council for approval on April 27.
restrictions during which dogs are prohibited, due to the proximity of community centres or other such facilities. As a reminder, please remember the Stoop and Scoop bylaw: Dog waste is a public health hazard, takes the pleasure out of outdoor activities and pollutes the
environment. Help improve public opinion of dogs and dog owners - make it a habit to pick up after your dog and to take the waste home to dispose of it on your own premises. The City encourages flushing pet waste down the toilet, as it will be properly treated at the sewage plant. Dog owners can
also place the waste in their regular garbage as long as it is properly wrapped in absorbent paper and placed in a sealed, leak proof bag. Failure to pick up after your dog is a by-law offence. Failure to take it home and dispose of it on your own premises is also an offence under the by-law.
mixed with uncontrolled runoff could cause erosion during a vulnerable time, he said.
Experts Validated Caivan Plan
harder continues from page 10 Dog Parks In the City of Ottawa, dogs must be on-leash and under control at all times, unless they are on private property or in a designated off-leash area. Parks can provide a pleasant and safe environment in which to exercise dogs. Safety for other park
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Ghamari announces new schools in Riverside South, Findlay Creek By Charlie Senack
The Ontario government has announced two new elementary schools will soon be built in the community to help with overcrowding. The total investment of $34.4 million dollars will see a new Catholic elementary school built in Riverside South, and a new public elementary school in Findlay Creek. Both will include two licensed childcare rooms. Once built the $15.2 million Riverside South school will house 507 student spaces and 39 licensed childcare spots. The new Findlay Creek school, 6.3 acres in size, comes with a price tag of $19.2 million. It will include 674 student spaces and 39 licensed childcare spaces. Land for the school has already been chosen and will be located at the northwest corner of Brian Good Avenue and Solarium Ave, which is south of Earl Armstrong. Carleton MP Goldie Ghamari announced the news during a press conference at nearby Vimy Ridge Public School on April 21. Since being elected four years ago, Ghamari has fought and succeeded in having nine new schools funded in her riding. Ghamari said she learned about overcrowding concerns last fall, and then pressured the province’s Education minister to invest more in the community. Having this announcement come six months later, she believes it’s
a record. “Building public schools is one of my top local priorities. I am thrilled that the Ontario Government has approved funding to build a second public elementary school in Findlay Creek, and Riverside South,” Ghamari said. “These are not just investments in bricks and mortar, our government is investing in the future of Ontario’s children by creating modern, state of the art schools so that all children can have a better learning environment in these growing communities.” Education Minister Stephen Lecce was not at Thursday’s announcement, but said in a statement the province is investing nearly $500 million to support new school and childcare spaces. “We are building new schools, building more affordable childcare spaces, and building hope and opportunity for Ontario students as they learn in more normal and safer classrooms,” Lecce wrote. “We believe that students deserve to learn in-person in state-of-the-art facilities that are internet connected, accessible, with modern ventilation systems, which is why our government is delivering a major investment that accelerates construction to get it done for parents, students, and communities.”
Schools to help with overcrowding
In late 2021 it was an-
nounced that Vimy Ridge Public School was considering transferring over their grade 7 and 8 students to Steve MacLean Public School in Riverside South to help with overcrowding they were facing. That would mean kids would be getting their education roughly 10 kilometres away from home. It was just one of multiple options the Ottawa Carleton District School Board was considering, and it didn’t sit well with parents. By the 2022-2023 school year, Vimy Ridge is expected to be at around 200 per cent capacity. The school currently has 18 portable classrooms and will be getting five more next school year. Kaveeta Agwani, who is chair of Vimy Ridge’s parent council and has two children at the school, is excited to see this new school built to help with overcrowding concerns. “I am a community member who has been watching a fast growing community with only one school at almost twice its capacity and bursting at the seams,” she said. Agwani was among multiple parents to share their frustrations when the board began debating the transfer of students. “It came as a shock to everyone,” she said. ‘Though I was glad that the overcrowding was finally being acknowledged, I was not happy about the option of moving them. This would have affected our kids soon
enough.” Aahmed Fawal, Vimy Ridge’s co-parent council chair, was at the breaking ground ceremony for the school in 2016. His two children attend the school and are currently learning in portable classrooms. “It is not an ideal situation, there is no running water or easy access to washrooms,” he said. “The school yard has been consumed by portables.” A new public school in Findlay Creek was listed as fourth place on the capital priorities list. This February, Vimy Ridge’s parent council was able to have it moved to first place, resulting in this recent funding announcement. With thousands of new homes going up yearly in Findlay Creek, it’s one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario, nearing 7,000 homes. “This is really exciting news and it shows what teamwork can do,” said
Carleton Progressive Conservative MPP Goldie Ghamari was at Vimy Ridge Elementary School Thursday to announce funding for new elementary schools in Findlay Creek and Riverside South.
Vimy Ridge School Principal Cheryl Sevigny. “When Vimy Ridge was first built, our school board recognized that we were going to need two schools in Findlay Creek just to service all of our students, and now that it has become reality, I’m just so
grateful.” It’s unclear when the two new schools will have shovels in the ground, or when they will open for enrollment. Ghamari said if the Ottawa Catholic school was built a year ago, it was slated to open in 2023.
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FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 Page 13
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
With Spring finally here, it’s time for us to Clean Up the Capital If you’ve run into me this spring while out walking, you know I have a bee in my bonnet. I hate trash, discarded coffee and drink containers, plastic water bottles, pop cans, sandwich wrappers, Covid masks, cannabis packaging, and dog waste. The list is a lot longer, but you get the point. I’m one of those people who carries a bag to pick up what others leave behind. I cannot turn a blind eye when I see a piece of garbage tangled in the undergrowth in my local park. I drive around the Ward growling at the unsightly remnants of winter now clearly evident along our roads and in our ditches, and I wonder what you feel about it. Conscientious Ottawa residents have participated in Spring Clean the Capital for twenty-nine years. The campaign got underway on April 15th and runs until the end of May. I am
gratified that hundreds of people have registered to participate this year. Teams of volunteers will clean up their communities. I thank them for their effort, but the Spring campaign has a start and end date.
Garbage is a problem year-round.
Ottawa is currently spending a lot of money studying trash. We’re implementing a new Solid Waste Master Plan that will, in all probability, result in residents having to pay more to have their household waste hauled away. We’re promoting recycling and composting and trying to find ways to encourage more residents
to take it seriously. That’s why I find the city’s approach to trash - especially in local parks so confusing. Since the pandemic, all parks are getting heavy use. More people means more trash. For this article, I’ll use Claudette Cain Park in Riverside South as an example of what I find frustrating. Every time I walk there, I fill a grocery page with garbage. The six metal garbage bins scattered around the park are always full of dog waste bags, which, when emptied, end up in the dump. Dog waste should be composted! The seasonal bins have yet to be set out in the two parking lots, so people drive in, leaving their garbage on the pavement. Yes, really. Pleas to people to take their garbage home doesn’t work. I have been unsuccessfully asking city staff to have bins for garbage, re-
cycling, and compost installed to make it easier for park users. They tell me they’ve just wrapped up a pilot project on the threebin strategy, and while they’re studying results, no more bins will be purchased for parks. This is so illogical. I’ve told staff to put out receptacles and most people will use them! Here’s another head-scratcher. Garbage cans are removed from large parks, like Claudette Cain Park in the fall. Staff explained that they were not needed over the winter. That’s not my experience. Park users tell me they want garbage bins in the winter, too. Honestly, I’m not asking for much. I want the city to provide garbage, recycling and compost cans for well-used parks yearround and empty them as often as needed. My plea to residents? Set an example for others. Pick up garbage when you
see it. It’s not that hard. Let’s work together to keep the beautiful natural spots we all enjoy clean year-round.
It’s not too late to join the Spring Clean the Capital Campaign. Please join us! Carol Anne
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
LDHSS student preparing to study business and management in the fall Name: Hannah Eddy Age: 17 School/Grade: “I’ve attended Longfields Davidson Heights for six years. and currently in grade 12.” Parents: “Mom is Kathie Eddy, and married to my stepdad Bobby Paquette. My dad is Darren Eddy and he is married to my stepmom Carole Ayotte.” Siblings: “I have a twin sister Reghan Eddy who also attends Longfields Davidson Heights, and a 15-year-old stepbrother Jessen Paquette.” Pets: “I have a 7-year-old bunny named Ginger, and a 13-year-old cat named Cuddles.” Pet Peeve: “My biggest pet peeve is being stuck behind slow walkers. I hate it when I’m in a rush for my next class, and there are a bunch of slow walkers blocking my way through the school halls.” ‘Part-time Work: “I work a part-time job at barBURRITO which is a fresh Mexican grill. We serve a variety of signature Tex-Mex foods, such as burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. It’s located in Barrhaven Centre in the Loblaws parking lot.” Favourite Subjects: Of course, my favourite course this year is Tourism and Hospitality with Chef Van Dyk. I’ve been in the culinary program for the past 6 years. I participated in the 2019
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and 2020 Food for Thought Culinary Gala. As well, I won the LDHSS Academic Achievement for Tourism and Hospitality and taught the younger grades cooking classes as an extracurricular activity. Thanks to my amazing culinary arts teacher Chef Van Dyk, every year in the cooking program I have improved my skills and developed a true passion for international cuisine. I’m excited to see where the future takes me! I’m also a highly active person. I’ve been doing personal fitness for the past 4 years, which led to winning the LDHSS Academic Achievement for Personal Fitness. Greatest Accomplishment: - I have achieved Honour Roll in grades 9, 10, and 11; - Represented first place for LDHSS in Nordic Skiing competition. (That was the first time I ever put on a pair of cross country skis.); - Multiple awards for Junior Girls’ Track and Field, and attended OFSAA for Junior
Girls’ Discuss; - Multiple awards for LDHSS Swim Championships; - Awards for LDHSS Junior Concert Band School Activities: “Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 I have not participated in many school activities this year. Throughout the past 6 years I’ve participated in dozens of sports activities, such as junior girls badminton, track and field, nordic skiing, and ultimate frisbee. As well, I joined Concert Band for 3 years and played the flute for 4 years.” Other Activities/Interests: “My passion is cooking. I love to learn new styles of cooking from different areas of the world. Every chance I get I’m cooking or baking something for my family, coworkers, and my parent’s friends. During my free time, I watch cooking shows like Chopped and MasterChef. “I started my interest in cooking when I was 3 or 4 years old and ever since, it’s been my biggest passion. Throughout my entire childhood, I would watch cooking shows on TV every day and help bake with my mom on the weekend. When my father was a single dad for a few years of my life, my sister and I loved helping him make meals and lunches for school. We would come up with new dishes every week that we all
enjoyed. I really thank my mom and dad for helping me develop my passion for cooking and baking.” Career Goals: “I’m attending university for Business and Management programs. Hopefully, I’ll attend Carleton, but I’m still eagerly waiting for my acceptance. I have been accepted into U Ottawa to attend the Telfer School of Management for several programs.” Comment: “Due to COVID-19, the past few years at school haven’t been the best. Thankfully, things are starting to become more “normal”. During grades 10 and 11, it was hard to maintain a social life when you were at school stuck in 1 classroom two to three times a week. Other than that, we were all isolated at home.”
Hannah Eddy is a student-athlete and musician who also has a passion for cooking. Submitted photo
FRIDAY, April 29, 2022 Page 15
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Ottawa lawyer Taayo Simmonds running for Barrhaven Ward Council By Kassia Skorzewska As the upcoming municipal elections are coming up in the fall, Barrhaven resident, Taayo Simmonds, will be running for Ottawa City Council in Barrhaven West. “I think we need change at City Hall,” the council hopeful said. “I think there’s too much infighting and there’s been a lot of political battles, and I feel like it’s getting more expensive to live in the city.” Among issues top of mind, Simmonds said it’s becoming harder to get around and property taxes continue to rise. “The LRT isn’t working properly, so I think we need to elect a councillor with professional experience and background to confront these problems and get results on day one,” he said. Simmonds runs a law firm downtown, called Simmonds Law, and believes with his experience in the Justice system, he is uniquely positioned to turn things
around in council chambers. “We do litigation, so I represent individuals and businesses on a number of legal disputes. I’m very familiar with bylaw enforcement, municipal bylaws, it’s something I deal with regularly in my legal practice,” said Simmonds. “We have rapid population growth, and our services and infrastructure need to keep pace with that, and that requires to read legal agreements, policies, to get into the detail, and while there are city staff that assist councillors, I think it’s helpful to already have that background,” he added. Simmonds is living in the Stonebridge area of Barrhaven with his wife and two children, and besides his day job in law, is very involved in the community side of things. Nationally, following his mother’s death, Simmonds set up the Gwen Simmonds Foundation, a charity which gives out bursaries to single mothers going through post-
secondary education. “I know since 2018 it’s given out over 20 bursaries. It’s a nationally recognized charity, so we’ve given out bursaries from British Columbia, to the Territories, to the East Coast, some in Ottawa, as well, so that’s something I’m very proud of,” said Simmonds. “I grew up in a single mother household. My mother valued education and ended up going to university when I got older so this was the inspiration behind the idea,” he added. Locally, Simmonds will be involved in a park cleanup on May 7. “There’s a cleanup coming up in Old Barrhaven. There are two residents that are helping organize it. Essentially, we have park leaders at all the major parks in Old Barrhaven, and the park leaders recruit volunteers, and we go to the park and we pick up litter and ensure that the park is clean,” said Simmonds. Simmonds has also been
going door-to-door and hearing residents of Barrhaven talking about issues they’re concerned about. “Some people find the door knocking to be intimidating, but it isn’t at all. People are happy to talk about issues, and talk about their hopes as well. One thing I found, is people in Barrhaven really care about the community, so that’s what makes it really easy and very invigorating going door-to-door,” said Simmonds. While meeting with residents at the doors, the lawyer by trade said the common concern he hears is regarding traffic. “A priority is there’s a speeding issue in Barrhaven, there’s cut through traffic, there’s stunt driving, some local roads are essentially being turned into raceways,” said Simmonds. Simmonds says he enjoys
Stonebridge resident Taayo Simmonds, an Ottawa lawyer, is running for the Barrhaven West council seat in the next municipal election. Kassia Skorzewska photo
interacting with the residents of Barrhaven, and is proud to call this community home. “I think Barrhaven, truly, is the most generous community, certainly in Ottawa.
The amount of generosity and kindness. I love that about Barrhaven. People really care about each other, they care about the community, and I love that,” said Simmonds.
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A total of 175 boats were registered for the 2022 Jock River Race Sat., April 16. A number of Barrhaven residents took part in the annual event, which included solo and tandem kayakers and canoeists. The race, which finishes in Richmond, had been postponed due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Barrhaven Independent photo
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
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