BARRHAVEN
By Charlie SenaCk
A refugee encampment may soon be constructed in Barrhaven to deal with the overwhelming number of newcomers calling Ottawa home.
A shortlist of three locations have been identified for the ‘spung” tent-like structures which could open as soon as summer 2025. Multiple sources have confirmed to the Barrhaven Independent that one possible location is on an empty parcel of land at Highbury Park Dr and Greenbank Rd. It was previously set aside for Phase 3 LRT out to Barrhaven, but those plans are expected to be shelved for a few decades due to low ridership and increasing costs.
If constructed the tents would house 150 people each with two built in Ottawa. They would include private rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and spaces for social services to be delivered. City staff said their target would be to house the residents for no more than 90 days before they find permanent accommodation, but recent statistics suggest
the average stay at another Ottawa-run site is 184 days.
Barrhaven councillors David Hill and Wilson Lo said their concerns are not as much about the geography as it is with the concept as a whole. The pair brought forward a motion in early July to take away city staff’s authority to look at locations, but it was fiercely shot down.
“These are people that are coming from conflict zones and they are probably coming from refugee camps. It will be demoralizing for them to come here and stay even longer in a tent,” Lo told the Barrhaven Independent. “I know staff have this aspirational timeframe that they will be there for 90 days, but that’s nothing more than aspirational.”
Lo noted that temporary solutions would only add to Ottawa’s growing shelter system rather than dealing with the root cause of the problem. He said organizations like Matthew House and Samaritan House are already housing newcomers in a more controlled and manageable environment.
“The mark of the success of these programs is they are located in housing dotted through Barrhaven and nobody knows they are there. It helps them adjust properly to life here instead of putting them in a communal setting with 150 other people under heavy scrutiny of security guards and the local community,” said Lo. “These houses have seven to 10 people per building. Support comes when they need to help the clients get visas, language classes, and get their feet under them.”
Barrhaven West representative Hill added that a more permanent option would be more suitable. He referenced projects in cities like Kitchener that were built in a relatively similar timeframe for almost the same cost.
“Having lived in sprung structures myself before and having worked in areas overseas where there are refugee camps, I can attest that living in a cloth structure, especially for communal living, is not ideal,” said Hill. “We could put something better up in the same timeframe with
Refugee encampment could be built at Highbury Park by 2025
proposed
refugee shelter will be similar to the one on Heron Road, pictured above. C H a R l ie SenaC k p H oTo
multiple floors that gives the advantage of density which our official plan speaks to. A number of developers have said they could do this from soup to nuts in a year. That’s a more dignified housing first model.”
Hill’s comparison to a sprung structure being like refugee camps angered some urban city councillors who said this short-term plan would be more dignifying than living on the streets. Both Hill and Lo agree, but said council should not settle for
less than what it could give.
Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster said she was disappointed to see the homelessness and addictions crisis be “underwhelmed” by the suburban councillors, noting that her downtown area ward along with others has done its part to help the vulnerable.
“There was some really inflammatory rhetoric at the Community Services Committee comparing these structures to encampments. Well I have to tell you what a real encampment looks like and
it’s happening all the time in downtown Ottawa,” Troster said at a recent council meeting. “I think it’s profoundly unfair that low income marginalised communities like Vanier and Heron Gate have lost the use of their community centres for years on end. To call this an entirely new shelter system is absurd. I think it’s fear mongering to people who have an aesthetic complaint to poverty. Guess what? Poverty is everywhere.”
encampment continues on page 5
Lyne and Dave
The
Barrhaven
Legion banner program inspires us to take a moment to remember our heroes
By Goldie Ghamari,mPP for Carleton
Today more than ever, it is important for Canadians to know who we are, why we live in the wonderful country that we do today, and who the men and women are that made sacrifices to make Canada the best country in the world.
The Royal Canadian Legion has a national banner program that the Legions in Manotick and in Stittsville are participating in. The Memorial Banner Program recognizes and pays tribute to veterans from the area who have served in the Canadian military.
This program brings the past to life, and it has made the descendants of each individual in the community very proud. While we all learn about Canada’s role in various wars and military
missions, sometimes the facts and the focus on dates leaves out the personal impact that these events have had on local communities and families.
If you see these banners, please take a look at them. They should not be treated by optical white noise. Take a moment. See who these people are. Ask questions. They are people who were in our communities many years ago and went to war to make our lives better. Some made it home alive, but many did not.
Regardless, these heroes should hold a special place in our hearts, even if they served generations ago.
Ontario Expanding Seniors Active Living Centres
The Ontario government is expanding access to services and activities for seniors through a call for proposals for new Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) programs. These programs provide social, cultural, learning, and recreational opportunities for seniors to stay fit, healthy and connected in their communities.
Due to the overwhelming success of the more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centres being delivered by municipalities, new changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect June 1, 2024 that enable more types of organizations to deliver Seniors Active Living Centre programs.
The call for proposals is now open to eligible organizations until Septem-
ber 12, 2024, at 5 p.m. In addition to municipalities, other local and community-based organizations such as Legions, Lions Clubs, and recreational clubs, are now welcome to apply.
This expansion is in addition to the more than $15 million announced last month to support all current SALC programs across the province, an increase of approximately $1 million from last year. This will result in a majority of SALC programs getting a maintenance and operating funding increase from $42,700 to up to $50,000. Organizations that deliver SALC programming contribute 20 per cent of the cost of delivering the program, with the province providing the remaining 80 per cent.
Quick Facts
- The number of seniors aged 65 and over is pro-
jected to increase significantly, from 2.8 million or 18.4 per cent of population in 2022, to 4.4 million, or 20.3 per cent by 2046.
- While more seniors live in large urban centres, smaller or rural regions tend to have a higher proportion of seniors in their communities.
- There are now 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario.
- Seniors can use the online search tool to find a program near them. Visit https://www.ontario.ca/ page/find-seniors-activeliving-centre-programnear-you
Ontario Bolstering Nursing Workforce in Emergency Departments
The Ontario government is continuing to build a stronger, more re-
silient health care workforce by investing $10 million to help more than 1,000 nurses upskill their training to provide emergency department care. This will help bolster, stabilize and maintain the nursing workforce in emergency departments across the province, especially in rural and remote hospitals, to connect more people to critical care close to home. Since its launch last year, over 400 nurses from 72 rural and remote hospitals received this upskill training. Today’s investment enhances the program this year to allow more than 1,000 nurses working in small, rural and remote emergency departments across the province to access four crucial training and education programs:
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A&W (both locations)
Anabia
Barley Mow
Barrhaven Legion
Booster Juice
Boston Pizza
goldie
Virtual Training Modules to deliver high-quality, interactive sessions for general ED orientation, core competency skills and more. Over the last year, 847 sessions were attended by nurses from 72 small, rural, and remote hospitals.
Immersion Programs that provide multi-day, in-person, skills training to educate new emergency department nurses in small, rural, and remote hospitals. Over the last year, 53 nurses from 26 small, rural, and remote hospitals attended three Immersion Programs and were able to get hands-on upskilling.
Specialty Training Fund to provide training education grants to support nurses to complete training courses for core ED nursing skills. Last year over 2,600 courses were funded to break financial barriers for nurses to upskill.
Establishment of Regional Educator Program that will increase access to important continuing education and training resources for ED nurses in their region.
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the On-
tario government continues to take bold and decisive action to support the province’s highly-skilled workforce and ensure people and their families have access to highquality care where and when they need it, closer to home.
The Emergency Department Nursing Education, Retention and Workforce Program is furthering nursing skills in the emergency department to better meet the needs of communities. The program enables access to education, particularly for nurses in small hospitals that do not have ready access to emergency department nurse education and those in remote areas who would otherwise have to travel long distances. Access to the program supports the retention and recruitment of emergency department nurses.
Quick Facts
- Since 2018, Ontario has seen a record-breaking number of new health care professionals join the workforce, adding 80,000 new nurses with another 30,000 nurses currently studying at Ontario
colleges and universities, and adding over 24,000 new PSWs since 2020.
- Since expanding the role of registered nurses to prescribe medications, 122 registered nurses have been authorized to prescribe, after meeting specific requirements, with close to 900 more prepared to take the required education.
- The province continues to work with the College of Nurses of Ontario to break down barriers for internationally educated nurses. The Supervised Practice Experience Partnership provides internationally educated nurses the opportunity to demonstrate their current nursing knowledge, skill and language proficiency while working to meet the requirements to enter practice as a nurse. This program has funded more than 3,400 internationally educated nurses since it launched in January 2022.
- Last year, over 17,000 new nurses registered to work in the province, a record number of new nurses registered to work in the province, with another 30,000 nursing
students currently studying at one of Ontario’s colleges and universities.
- Ontario is investing $743 million over three years to continue to address immediate health care staffing needs, as well as to grow the workforce for years to come.
Ontario Investing More Than $200 Million in Postsecondary Infrastructure
The Ontario government is ensuring publicly assisted colleges and universities have modern facilities, learning tools and equipment so students develop the skills to succeed in the workforce through an investment of $201 million in 2023-24. Part of this investment requires postsecondary institutions to receive matching contributions from a private sector partner to help deliver the high-quality education and training to meet needs of employers.
This investment includes:
- $171 million through the Facilities Renewal Program (FRP) to help publicly
assisted colleges and universities with the critical maintenance, repairs, upgrades and renewal of existing facilities.
- $20 million through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF) to help colleges buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources.
- $10 million through the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund to help universities renew and buy modern, state-of-the-art equipment and learning resources.
Colleges and universities can use the funding for projects that support the renewal and modernization of campuses including major building systems upgrades, heating and ventilating system upgrades, and mechanical and electrical system upgrades. The funds can also be used to buy instructional equipment and materials, such as new computers and software for teaching purposes, specialized equipment, or machinery for use in labs and classrooms, and tools for shops. For example, Brock University has used the funding to create a design studio
and collaborative space to support expanded engineering programs and Mohawk College established an electric vehicle and automotive innovation lab.
This investment ensures students, including those in micro-credential programs, have access to the latest instructional equipment to meet business and industry standards, while supporting Ontario’s economy.
Inspiration for the week
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.”
- Walt Whitman
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 Your voice at Queen’s Park
MacLeod speaks out against threats of violence toward politicians
Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod has spoken out again about the threats of violence toward politicians. After the assassination attempt on Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a political rally, MacLeod penned an essay for the National Post on the subject.
The six-time local MPP has been active on the X platform throughout the year posting about the topic. MacLeod, who takes more than her share of criticism from detractors on the platform, was the victim of death threats which led to legal action against the detractor and protection for MacLeod.
“Death threats, harassment, violence and vandalism directed at Canadian politicians have been present for some time” wrote MacLeod in the National Post article. “As Canadians, however, we have convinced ourselves that it doesn’t happen here. That the politician who does make the news for a safety incident somehow deserved it. Still others prefer to contextualize and make excuses for why the incident occurred in the first place. Like in the U.S., the toxicity that exists in extremities of party politics can be found right here. It has to stop. Your political opponent is not the threat to democracy. Our collective ambivalence in stopping undemocratic incitements, however, is.”
When MacLeod was the Minister of Children, Community and Social Servies, a 41-year-old mother of a five-year-old autistic boy
was charged with Criminal harassment, alleged to have occurred between Feb. 8 and March 1, 2019, that caused MacLeod “to reasonably fear for her safety,” according to court documents. The woman was also charged with uttering a threat to cause bodily harm, allegedly by email, on Feb. 26, 2019; uttering a threat to cause bodily harm, allegedly by email, on March 1, 2019; and uttering a threat to cause death, allegedly via a telephone message between Feb. 8 and March 4, 2019.
“In the tragic comedy that was my life for three years, a woman was arrested not once, but three times, for describing in explicit detail how she was going to kill me,” MacLeod wrote in her National Post column. “I was hurt, not angry or disappointed, when academics, fellow politicians and a coalition she belonged to all justified the harm that she caused me. I once locked myself in my Toronto apartment for three days, and by the time the past Ontario election rolled around, I couldn’t take anyone else’s desired harm toward me for a second more, so I harmed myself. Don’t underestimate the psychological impact that physical threats and acts can have.”
Premier, was the subject of a demonstration by Black Lives Matter, again at her home. MacLeod wrote that it also happened to Christine Elliott, Stephen Lecce and Premier Doug Ford whose family, and neighbours, feared for their safety. Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles had her constituency office vandalized, as did Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock Conservative MPP Laurie Scott.
which includes Riverside South, Manotick and South Gloucester. He went into the office asking for her, but she was not there at the time. He waited until the office closed and then made a hateful video.
the Toronto Star reported that Al Najim dressed as an orthodox Jew to get into an event held by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto, where he harassed an elderly woman who was a Holocaust survivor.
A month later, Al Najim was charged for dangerous driving after driving at a high rate of speed toward a crowd that was protesting the IRGC regime. “The accused stopped the vehicle abruptly, squealing the tires while yelling at the protestors,” police alleged in a news release. Al Najim was released after a night in jail.
Firas Al Najim is known in Canada for supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the terrorist organization that controls Iran and is the main financial supporter of Hamas.
to go back to India,” Arya wrote. “We Hindus have come to our wonderful country Canada from all parts of the world. From every country in South Asia, many countries in Africa and Caribbean, and many other parts of the world, we have come here and Canada is our land.
“We have made and continue to make immense positive and productive contribution to the socioeconomic development of Canada. With our long history of Hindu culture and heritage, we have enriched the multicultural fabric of Canada.”
In her National Post column, MacLeod said that people often don’t see that a threat to a politician is a threat to democracy.
Earlier this year, MacLeod pointed out that the youngest person ever elected to Ontario’s Legislature, Sam Oosterhoff, was protested at his home for his Christian beliefs. Kathleen Wynne, who was Ontario’s first female and LGBTQ+
Melissa Lantsman, the deputy Leader of the federal Conservative Party and Jagmeet Singh, leader of the federal New Democrats, were both under police protection for threats which were deemed dangerous enough to warrant it.
In November, Hamas supporter Firas Al Najim, known to police in Toronto and Ottawa travelled to MPP Goldie Ghamari’s office in the neighbouring riding of Carleton,
In his post, Al Najim calls Ghamari a “racist”, “a crook”, and “a prostitute”, as well as accusing her of having “mental health issues.” He also criticizes the head of the Ottawa Police Service Hate Crimes Unit, Sgt. Ali Thogrol, who like Ghamari, is an IranianCanadian. Sgt. Toghrol arrested Mohammed Assadi in Toronto in November after he was allegedly caught on video inciting hatred and expressing antisemitic views.
Al Najim is the head of the not-for-profit organization, Canadian Defenders for Human Rights, which is a pro-Iranian regime and anti-Israeli organization. In September 2022,
Nepean Liberal MP Chandra Arya, who has represented Nepean on Parliament Hill since 2015, is also in the middle of an angry dispute between Indian Canadians. Arya, a Hindu, stated that the country “was being polluted by anti-Khalistani extremists” on X. The statement came after a Hindu temple in Edmonton was vandalized.
“In response to my condemnation of the vandalism of the Hindu temple BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton and other acts of hate and violence by Khalistan supporters in Canada, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice has released a video demanding me and my Hindu-Canadian friends
“We like to think we are nice and polite and, for the most part, as Canadians we are” she wrote. “Sure we can get passionate with our politics — I’ve been known to show my Celtic flair on occasion — but my fear is we have collectively remained complicit in not taking threats against politicians more seriously and in a timely manner.
“Often we hear about threats to our democracy, whether it’s foreign influence, terrorism or war. Tellingly we don’t equate a threat to democracy as an assault on a politician who was elected in a free and fair vote. It’s at that moment, however, that our democracy is weakened and its resulting fragility made increasingly more difficult to reverse.”
encampment continues from page 1
Community Centres would be used to house homeless instead, city says Newcomers who arrive in Ottawa are currently being housed in community centres across the city, some of which have been closed for up to five years. That has put a strain on neighbourhoods that have lost access to their community rooms, ice pads, and other public amenities.
Another shortlisted location for a “welcome and stabilizing centre” as they are also branded is in Alta Vista. Dempsey Community Centre recently reopened after being closed for almost a year, but the Heron Road Community Centre remains closed with 200 people calling the arena home.
Alta Vista Coun. Marty Carr said she would be happy to have one of these structures built in her ward, and said two locations off St. Laurent have been proposed.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding over who is in these community centres. I’ve had the privilege of sharing my ward office with the Huron Road Community Centre since November. Every day that I walk through those halls I’ve seen people who have left their country with nothing but two suitcases, who have nowhere to go, who are stuck living with 40 people in a room,” said Carr. “It was so sweltering there last week that I took my privilege and worked at home. These people don’t have that choice. So to say the conditions in a semi permanent structure are unacceptable, I wish that you could see how these people are now.”
Rideau-Vanier Councillor Staphanie Plante asked Lo and Hill if they have visited any of the current recreation centres converted into shelters and both replied no. She said the image of bunk beds piled on ice pads is “jarring” and that solutions are needed now.
Riley Brockington, the councillor from River ward, said he currently has homeless residents sleeping under the Hunt Club Bridge, in McCarthy Woods, and the Carlington Forest.
“The sprung structure is definitely a step up. It’s not ideal, we want to be aiming for something better, but when you’re in a crisis it requires you to think of multiple options,” he said.
All councillors agreed part of the blame needs to go on the federal government which has allowed for an influx of migrants to enter the country without any real support in place. The Ottawa Mission said that a surge in migrants created “significant impacts on frontline and emergency services, meal services, clothing room operations, and other shelter programs,” a recently published report read.
A $105-million funding request has been submitted to
the federal government to pay for the sprung facility, which includes $32.6 million to cover capital costs.
The city said if the tentlike structures or another solution is not found soon, it would most likely mean the closure of community centres in other neighbourhoods to keep up with the demand.
The top three locations were shortlisted from a bigger list of 94 across the city and then narrowed down to 10.
Lo said the third location is in Orleans. In May councillors asked to see the detailed list to get a better sense over the rationale and scoring process for staff recommendations. At the time of publication it had still not been released.
Barrhaven residents have raised concerns over the pressures the community is already facing. Schools are overcrowded, transit is unreliable, crime is on the rise, and the neighbourhood is often
seen as far from the rest of the city. Hill said he believes the report will address all those questions.
“I welcome the scoring metrics that the city staff are working on in order to identify how they are going to work down the top 10 steps,” he said. “We will get that and I do believe that due diligence will be applied to that analysis to see what is the right fit, the right type of community to support asylum seekers.”
The vacant lot on Highbury Park and Greenbank is the proposed location for the sprung structure to house refugees in Barrhaven.
INDEPENDENT EDITorIal
You’ll soon be eating cloned meat without knowing it
Imagine savouring a steak from a cloned animal or sipping milk from a cloned cow. Investigative journalism by Thomas Gerbet of the CBC has revealed that this could soon be a reality. However, many agricultural producer groups have not been directly consulted about this development.
Health Canada’s recent round of consultations, conducted with minimal public awareness, suggests that these products may soon be available without consumers’ knowledge, as there will be no mandatory labelling. The absence of such information on Health Canada’s website only adds to the opacity surrounding “cloned products.”
The consultation, which concluded on May 25th, focused on updating the “Policy on Foods Derived from Cloned Animals by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer and Their Progeny.” This update proposes that cloned products be exempt from pre-market evaluation under Part B, Title 28 of the Food and Drug Regulations. This approach differs from other nations like the United States, Japan, and New Zealand.
But what precisely is animal cloning? The process aims to create a genetic replica of an animal by replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized egg with that of a somatic cell from the donor animal, forming an embryo. This embryo is then implanted into a surrogate mother’s uterus, where it develops to term.
Artificial insemination, a well-established industry practice, involves collecting sperm from a male and artificially introducing it into a female’s reproductive system to facilitate fertilization, preserving genetic variability. Cloning, however, produces genetically identical animals, eliminating this variability.
From a food safety perspective, cloned products do not pose a threat to human health. However, the social and moral acceptability of cloning remains in question. It is doubtful that consumers will unconditionally accept this technology, especially in the absence of labelling. For traditional producers, integrating cloned products into the market could also taint consumer perceptions across entire categories, particularly meat and dairy.
This situation mirrors the backlash against genetically modified salmon, which faced immediate retail rejection despite being deemed safe. Irrespective of the safety profile, it is crucial to explain the technology and ensure consumers comprehend the rationale and necessity for such practices, both for their benefit and that of the industry.
For the industry, the imperative to amend regulations is less evident. Cloning is an expensive process, and the argument that reduced production costs will translate into lower retail prices for consumers is tenuous at best.
Without mandatory labelling, offering consumers a truly informed choice becomes problematic. We have witnessed similar issues with genetic engineering and GMOs. Health Canada appears poised to embrace technological advancements impacting our agri-food sector without adequately considering consumer rights and preferences. Quite shameful.
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
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Staff/Contributors: Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, David Hill, Wilson Lo, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton.
The most forgotten Olympic team in Canadian history
They are perhaps the most forgotten team in Canadian history.
In fact, they are so forgotten that they do not even have a name.
One of the only crumbs of information that exists on the 1904 Canadian lacrosse team that won a bronze medal at the St. Louis Olympics includes the names of the players.
Almighty Voice.
Black Eagle.
Black Hawk.
Flat Iron.
Half Moon.
Lightfoot.
Man Afraid Soap.
Night Hawk. Rain in Face.
Red Jacket.
Snake Eater.
Spotted Tail.
Each player deserves his own paragraph as a Canadian Olympic medal winner. All we know about these men is their names.
The team is known only as the Mohawk Indians. Historians have determined that the team likely came from the Six Nations Reserve in Brantford, Ontario.
Canada won six medals at the 1904 Olympics, with four of them gold. The United States led the way with 78 gold medals and 238 overall medals. Germany, Cuba and Canada were all next with four gold medals. The Germans won 13 total medals, Cuba had nine, and Canada had six.
Although it was the third Olympiad of the modern era, it was the first in which Canada would compete as a nation.
Canada won the gold medal in the lacrosse tournament, with the Winnipeg Shamrocks, Canada’s national amateur champions, winning the tournament. They beat the St. Louis Amateur Athletic Association 8-2 in the final. The Mohawk Indians, who had tied St. Louis 2-2, were awarded the bronze medal. A fourth team, the Brooklyn Crescents, were scheduled to appear in the tournament, but they had been ruled ineligible for using a professional player in the spring of 1904.
Deer, an Iroquois Indian who was a mechanic from Montreal, would become the first athlete in Canadian history to represent Canada in an international competition held outside of our country.
It is important to note, as well, that Canada had been represented in international lacrosse games before, but only in Canada. The first international game of lacrosse ever recorded took place at the Fort Wellington field in Prescott, as teams of white players from Prescott took on a visiting team of white players from Buffalo, NY in 1868.
Lacrosse made its second and final appearance as a medal sport in the Olympics in 1908, although it did come back as a demonstration sport in 1928, 1932 and 1948. In 1908, Canada would, for the first time in any sport, select a national team represented from coast to coast.
The 1908 Olympics were originally to be held in Rome, but the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Naples in 1906 triggered a move to London for financial reasons. The Games were held at newly built White City Stadium. Canada and Great Britain fielded the only two lacrosse teams in the Olympic event, as South Africa had dropped out of the competition. There was a large crowd for the final, as it was held immediately before the soccer final.
The Canadian team was represented by players from as far west as New Westminster, BC to the west, and Montreal to the east. The team featured Paddy Brennan, Gus Dillon and Henny Hoobin (Montreal Shamrocks), Ernie Hamilton and Clary MacKerrow (Montreal Lacrosse Club), Jack Broderick (Cornwall Lacrosse Club), Doc Campbell (Orangeville), Frank Dixon (St. Catharines Athletics), Richard Duckett, Tom Gorman (Ottawa Nationals) and George Rennie and Sandy Turnbull (New Westminster Salmonbellies).
The Canadians led the Brits 5-1 after one quarter and 6-2 at halftime, but the Brits came back in the second half and tied the score at 9-9. Canada would eventually win 14-10.
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.
The Mohawk Indians, in their only game, tied St. Louis 2-2. We do not know why St. Louis earned a berth to the final to play the Shamrocks, but it would be a two-game tournament and we suspect organizers wanted the home team in the final.
The story of the Mohawk Indians goes a little bit deeper than a list of names.
The Olympic Games have a rich history of notable native North American athletes competing and succeeding. Jim Thorpe, Billy Mills, and even Canadian hockey gold medalist Theo Fleury are on the long list of Indigenous Americans and Canadian to compete in the Olympics and become national heroes.
But there is something special about the Mohawk Indians.
They remain the only all-Indigenous team to ever represent Canada at an Olympics.
The Mohawk Indians were not the only native Canadians competing for Canada that year. In fact, 800m and 1500m runner Peter
The 1908 Olympics did leave their mark on history, even today. The marathon was lengthened from its previous distance of 25 miles to its current distance of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 km). The change was made from 25 to 26 miles so that the race could begin at Windsor Castle, and then the distance was changed to its current length after a request that the race start under the palace’s nursery windows.
Although no Indigenous Canadians were selected to play for Canada’s Olympic lacrosse team, one native Canadian of note did compete. Tom Longboat, an Onandoga runner from the Six Nations Reserve in Brantford, was the world’s top marathon runner of his era. In the 1908 Olympics, he was one of several runners who collapsed during the race and did not finish. The following year, at a rematch held in Manhattan, Longboat would win. He would ultimately turn professional, barring him from any future Olympic Games.
Proposed sprung structures do not give refugees dignified housing
By Wilson lo Barrhaven east CounCillor
Two weeks ago, I spoke about how the sprung structures don’t meet Council’s goal of supplying dignified housing options, is a poor use of valuable city-owned land and addressed claims about the funding of these projects.
My position remains the same.
Since then, it’s become known one of the short-listed sites for a temporary sprung structure shelter is in Barrhaven. Staff have agreed to share the full list of sites considered and the scoring criteria that led to the short-list, so I’ll give them the chance to fulfill that request.
Over the last two weeks, I have been engaging with the Mayor, our MPP and MP,
noring better solutions with shorter timelines and higher return on taxpayer investment.
Staff have collaborated with different stakeholders to properly house hundreds of emergency shelter users, add to the supportive housing stock, and resolve hundreds of encampment cases, so we know they can do better. There’s been significant success so far, so why take five steps back?
The city has acquired/ retrofitted vacant buildings, continued to use hotel rooms, and made use of new funding from upper levels of govern-
the project. We need more advocacy with the non-profit sector, but the start has been encouraging.
However, the advocacy and engagement from us alone is not enough.
The Mayor needs to hear where our community stands on providing refugees with proper, dignified housing to ensure their success.
The Mayor needs to hear sprung structures are not an acceptable form of housing.
The Mayor needs to hear the impact prolonged communal living and poor supports will have on the mental well-being of those refugees.
Most importantly, the Mayor needs to hear it from you. Please email the mayor, Mark.Sutcliffe@ottawa.ca. We need your voice to help us.
For now, please know that nothing is going ahead, but I will continue working hard over the summer to achieve the best outcome for everybody involved.
The lack of concrete information from staff may be a good sign that I have runway to change their decision before it’s finalised. However, if Councillor Hill and I learn that the project will have an impact on Barrhaven, we will organise multiple public engagements to discuss its implications as soon as possible. I’m grateful for your continued engagement on this issue.
One of Ottawa’s tallest towers proposed for Marketplace in Barrhaven
By Charlie SenaCk
One of Ottawa’s tallest residential buildings could soon be towering over Barrhaven’s Marketplace district.
Two high-rise buildings of 26 and 35-storeys tall have been proposed for the corner of Marketplace Avenue and McGarry Terrace. They would include 592 units ranging from bachelor suites to three bedroom apartments. Commercial units would be located on the ground floor alongside a publicly accessible courtyard.
The two buildings proposed by Kionas Construction would be connected by a 10 floor link which would house “amenities including a party room, exercise room, golf simulator and an infinity outdoor pool at the roof. With a rooftop terrace and an infinity pool on the 12th floor level,” says the design concept report.
Ottawa’s tallest building is currently the Claridge Icon in Little Italy which towers over the city at 45 storeys. Proposals are in the works for a 65 storey building called Trinity Centre near LeBreton Flats, and a new tower at Lansdowne which will rise 40 storeys. Barrhaven’s tallest structure is currently an 18 storey rental also located in the Marketplace area. It is located near two other buildings which are 15 and 17 storeys.
Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill is support-
ive of the proposal but would like to see a few amendments made.
“Two issues that I plan to represent hard before this file comes to committee in October is that I would like to encourage the developer to maximize the building usage for local seniors looking to downsize, and to ensure good safety measures on the McGarry Terrace drive as it becomes completed to Marketplace,” Hill wrote in his weekly newsletter.
Hill noted to the Barrhaven Independent in an interview that he would like to see a series of cheaper and smaller units be constructed as part of the plan.
“One of the problems I hear from people is we have apartments in Barrhaven, but they are on the higher end and they are difficult for someone on a fixed income to afford,” he said. “What we can do on the market rate side to keep them affordable is to have less premiums. That could include laminate countertops instead of quartz, laminate flooring instead of hardwood, and smaller square footage.”
A series of public consultations is expected to occur in the following weeks, including one possibly on Aug. 12.
The Marketplace corridor has seen massive transformation in the last few years and is expected to see further growth as officials work to build the new “Barrhaven Downtown” Civic Complex. Plans for
the six-acre site began in the 1990s but received a boost in 2022 when all three levels of government stepped up to fund the project.
It proposes a new linear park along the Jock River, a new Civic Complex which would house a new library and event space, public art installations, a seniors facility, outdoor plaza and residential units. If ever built, Stage 3 of Ottawa’s LRT line is also slated to reach Marketplace Station in Barrhaven.
“The city is in the land acquisition process. That’s the first phase that really is going to kick off planning,” said Hill. “The city is unable to move forward with detailed planning until the acquisition. That’s a standard process.”
Community reaction is mixed
After news of the new proposed towers was announced, Barrhaven residents were quick to share their views on the controversial development. Some felt it was a prime location right in the middle of shopping amenities, whereas others worried of losing the community’s suburban charm. There were also corners over the lack of affordable housing options and the need for more public transit.
“Parking, walking and driving is already a challenge around there,” Barrhaven resident Jodi Parker wrote on councillor Hill’s Facebook page. “Not to mention during the school day when many Pierre Savard students are out. I
would want to consider their safety.”
Barrhaven Ottawa Catholic School Board Trustee Spencer Warren also echoed the need for better safety and infrastructure improvements including the Greenbank Road realignment which has been in the books for two decades. Developments in the Half Moon Bay community were given the greenlight to be built with the promise of this essential crossing being built. Construction is currently scheduled for 2030 with completion in 2032, however parts may be fast tracked.
Barrhaven resident Jeni Bekha said there does not appear to be
any long term strategic plan for the growing community of over 100,000 people and fears developers are winning over residents.
“It’s build cram, build cram; let the residents figure it out,” said Bekha on Facebook. Until basic needs are met for the community that exists right now [like] schools, affordability, transit, and greenspace, adding more people will just exacerbate the existing problems and create new ones.
If approved, the new buildings would be constructed by Stantec and Kionas. The file is expected to go before Ottawa’s planning committee in October.
Two towers that would be 35 and 26 storeys tall have been proposed in Barrhaven.
Hospital workers demonstrate in front of MPP Lisa MacLeod’s office
(Business Wire) - Hospital workers showed up in front of Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod’s office Mon., July 22 to protest the Ford government’s rapid expansion of healthcare privatization outside Ontario.
In June, the government announced it would nearly double private delivery of MRIs and CT scans.
“The Ford government says the status quo isn’t working – but it’s a status quo of their own making,” said Michael Hurley, President of CUPE’s Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU/CUPE).
“They have been underfunding and starving the public system and dangling privatization as a solution. But privatization is twice as expensive and comes with longer waiting lists. We are calling for real solutions to the hospital crisis, like concrete measures to attract and retain new staff and the addition of new beds.”
The union pointed out a recent Ontario Health Coalition report that found private clinics are illegally billing patients up to $8,000 for medically necessary services in violation of the Canada Health Act.
“Premier Ford famously claimed that Ontarians would never have to pay with their credit card, only their OHIP card.
However, patients at forprofit clinics are being charged thousands of dollars,” said Sharon Richer, Secretary-Treasurer of OCHU/CUPE. “People have been told they can either pay for medically needed surgeries or face extreme wait times.”
John Jackson, OCHU Eastern Ontario VicePresident, said healthcare workers are concerned that the government is not investing sufficiently in the public system, all while funnelling money away to private operators.
“How is it justifiable that most hospitals in
Ontario are facing deficits due to underfunding, while public money is being funnelled to private clinics?” he said. “Staff in public hospitals are overwhelmed, overworked, and under-resourced. But somehow, the government has found more money for the much more expensive private clinics – it’s baffling.”
Jackson said it was surprising that surgeries were being outsourced to private clinics while operating rooms across the province remained closed on evenings and weekends.
“You would think that if the main concern was improving surgical waittimes, they would make better use of existing capacity in public hospitals,” Jackson said. “They are moving in the wrong direction. Health care workers know that the surge of demand for surgeries and diagnostics can best and least expensively be delivered in public hospitals.”
Barrhaven-Riverside South traffic blitz results in charges laid
The Ottawa Police Service crackdown on stunt driving and street racing is continuing.
Members of the Ottawa Police Service Traffic Escort & Enforcement Unit and frontline patrol officers were out on the weekend of July 19-20 as part of the Residents Matter (#ResidentsMatter) late-night traffic enforcement initiative.
On Friday, July 19th, officers were deployed to the Barrhaven and Riverside South area. Forty-one provincial offence notices (PONs) were issued during the July 19 enforcement, including 16 for speeding and seven for improper or no mufflers.
Five drivers were charged with stunt driving/street racing on Friday, July 19.
The charges were laid after the following incidents:
- 125 km/h in a 70 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive /
Aura Avenue
- 112 km/h in a 70 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / Chapman Mills Drive
- 126 km/h in a 70 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / Claridge Drive
- 141 km/h in an 80 km/h zone – Limebank Road / Tom Roberts Road
- 181 km/h in a 70 km/h zone – Strandherd Drive / Kennevale Drive
Aside from the stunt driving charge, the motorcyclist doing 181 km/h in a 70 km/h zone was also charged with seven other offences, including careless driving, driving while suspended, not having a motorcycle licence, using plates not authorized for the vehicle, and having no insurance.
Saturday, July 20th, officers were in the Orleans area. 18 PONs were issued, including two for speeding, two for failing to display two licence
plates and five for improper window tints.
Upon conviction, a stunt driving charge may result in a minimum $2000 fine, six demerit points, a possible six months in jail, and a further 1-year licence suspension.
“Some of the speeds we are seeing on our roadways are shocking,” said Cst. Phil Kane of the Ottawa Police Traffic Escort & Enforcement Unit. “Not only are their lives in danger, but they are also endangering the lives of every other road user. The streets are no place for this reckless and foolish behaviour.”
Do you have any information about a late-night traffic-related problem location? Traffic complaints can be filed online at: ottawapolice.ca/report. It only takes a few minutes, and the data collected assists us in the allocation of enforcement resources.
CUPE protestors gathered in front of the office of MPP Lisa MacLeod on Greenbank Road.
Firefighters react quickly to battle fire at terrace home complex
Firefighters battled a fire in a multi-unit terrace home in Barrhaven Friday night, July 26.
The Ottawa Fire Services Communications Division received multiple 9-1-1 calls at about 9:45 p.m. reporting a multi-unit terrace home complex was on fire in the 2600 block of Longfields Dr.
Firefighters arrived on scene two minutes after being dispatched to the call and confirmed the back side of the threestorey complex was engulfed in flames from the main floor unit right up to the attic.
Firefighters initiated a fast attack and advanced a hose line inside. Fire crews began searching all the units for any occupants still inside. Firefighters pulled down sections of soffit to extinguish the flames inside.
Two full searches were done of the entire structure and no occupants were found inside. Firefighters used chainsaws to cut holes in the roof to extinguish the flames in the attic. Balconies were at risk of collapsing creating a hazard on scene for Firefighters. The fire was declared under control at 11:21 p.m. An Investigator was dispatched to the scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire. A “fire watch” system was put into place to have a truck remain on scene to monitor for any flare ups.
Barrhaven firefighters responded to calls regarding a fire in a terrace
West Nile Virus confirmed in area mosquitoes,
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites and West Nile virus. Mosquito trapping and testing — components of Ottawa Public Health’s West Nile virus (WNV) prevention program — have confirmed the first positive mosquito testing pool by lab result. This is the first positive testing pool since the annual monitoring season began on June 1, 2024. Ottawa Public Health has also received lab notification of the first confirmed human case of West Nile virus infection in an Ottawa resident for the 2024 season. In 2023, there were no human cases in Ottawa and 54 in Ontario.
West Nile virus is an infection spread primarily by the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens) that, in a small number of cases, can cause serious illness. Most people will not develop any symptoms if infected, but about
20 per cent may experience flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches and, possibly, a rash. The risk of more serious illness — occurring in less than one per cent of infections, in which WNV impacts the central nervous system — increases with age, with older adults, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems being at higher risk.
Ottawa Public Health urges residents to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites by:
Applying a Health Canada-approved mosquito repellent containing DEET or icaridin to exposed skin and clothing
Protecting yourself, especially between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active, and any time you are near shady, bushy, or wooded areas
Wearing light-coloured, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing,
such as long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes and socks, to protect exposed skin
Making sure all windows and doors in your home have screens that are in good condition
Removing, or emptying once per week, standing-water sites around your home, such as bird baths, toys, flower-pot saucers, swimming-pool covers, old tires, wheelbarrows, buckets, and cans
Keeping all openings to rain barrels covered with screen mesh at all times
Ottawa Public Health has a proactive plan to help reduce the risk of West Nile virus, which includes weekly surveillance and mosquito larvicidal treatment of natural and human-made standing-water sites on City property, like ditches and stormwater management ponds. As part of this plan, Ottawa Public Health regularly applies larvicide in Cityowned stormwater man -
first Ottawa human case of 2024
agement ponds, roadside storm-sewer catch
basins and private catch basins (by request) to reduce the mosquito population.
home complex on Longfields Drive.
Photo By o FS Photogra P her Jean La Lon D e
Businesses have opportunity to have a booth at Barrhaven Harvest Fest Market
The Barrhaven BIA has announced that there is a limited number of booths for local businesses available at the second annual Barrhaven Harvest Fest Market to take place Sun., Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The BIA is hosting the event in partnership with the Ottawa Farmers Market and Locally Crafted Markets. According to the BIA, last year’s event drew about 5,000 people.
A limited number of booths are available for Barrhaven BIA Member Businesses to showcase their offerings, which could in-
clude:
- The selling of products,
- An activity for either families,
- Swag giveaways,
- An info booth or promotional set up,
- Food sample giveaways
The BIA said it cannot allow food to be sold at the booths out of respect to the Ottawa Farmers’ Market hot food vendors.
Booths will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Please make sure to read all the details below before signing up.
There is no cost for local businesses to participate. Businesses will be respon-
sible for:
- Tents are recommended as there is no shade or protection from the elements otherwise (up to 10’x10’). Each tent leg must be weighed down to prevent injury. We require four weights (one per leg) that are each at least 40lbs.
- Tables and chairs and other equipment as required.
- All promotional materials etc.
There will be no electrical or water access available. There will be bathrooms and drinking water available.
For more information, visit barrhavenbia.ca.
Free Mind Psychology announces name change to Four Wings Psychology
Free Mind Psychology is excited to announce that it is changing its name to Four Wings Psychology, effective August 2, 2024.
Four Wings says this change reflects their commitment to growth, transformation, and a renewed focus on their four core values: evidence-based practice, client-centered services, genuineness, and community engagement.
“We are committed to continuing to offer our current and future clients the best possible services. We are excited to re-introduce the community to our practice and continue to grow and expand our services and reach,” said Dr. Sarah Bellefontaine, Clinic Director.
Four Wings Psychol-
ogy continues to provide exceptional mental health services with an expanded vision that embodies their mission to support and uplift their clients and the broader community.
The name “Four Wings” symbolizes the balanced and holistic approach they take in guiding their clients toward mental wellness.
About Four Wings Psychology
Four Wings Psychology, formerly known as
Free Mind Psychology, is a leading mental health clinic dedicated to providing high-quality psychological and psychotherapy services. Their team of licensed professionals offers a wide range of services, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family counseling, and psychological assessments. We are committed to supporting their clients on their journey to mental wellness through innovative and compassionate care.
For more information about Four Wings Psychology and their services, visit their website atwww. fourwingspsychology.ca or contact themat 613435-3344 or sarah@fourwingspsychology
Junior A Nepean Raiders add depth to coaching staff, front office
By Tommy young nepeanRaideRs.com
The Nepean Raiders are proud to announce that Mark Minion, Maxime Piquette, and Joshua Furlotte will be joining Brad Smyth behind the Raiders bench for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Associate Coach Mark Minion brings 34 years of coaching experience to the Nepean Raiders. A former Raider himself in the 1992-93 season, he has experience coaching at all minor hockey levels in Eastern Ontario, including the GTHL, the OJHL, and most recently, the HEO U18 level. Winning a championship with the Kemptville 73’s U18 AAA program in 2022-23, and working with a number of Raiders prospects this past season with Ottawa Myers Auto U18 AAA, Mark
has seen 11 of his players drafted to the OHL and a further 13 move on to the CCHL. Mark’s firm but fair approach comes with high expectations of his players to be disciplined, accountable and continually compete for the team’s success. Mark brings his passion for player development and building confidence in each player to the Raiders.
Assistant Coach Maxime Piquette brings five years of junior hockey experience splitting time at the Jr. A and Jr. B level. Following his playing career, Maxime has been working as a player development coach at SHIFT Performance, helping improve athletes both on and off the ice. He spent last season as a Assistant Coach with the Eastern Ontario Wild U16AAA.
“I’m thrilled to join the Raiders experienced coaching staff of Brad Smyth,”
Piquette said. “His knowledge and experience will help bring this team to success, while also helping me develop as a coach. I look forward to contribute in building a winning culture throughout the organization.”
Assistant Coach Joshua Furlotte has spent the past two seasons working as a video coach for the Rockland Nationals. He also served as an assistant coach for the AAA Wild, most recently, the U18 age group. On top of that, he’s coached two seasons with the Alexandria Glens as an assistant. He’s very detail oriented, passionate about player development, and fosters a positive team culture.
As well, the Raiders would also like to announce that Nathan Hisko has been named as Assistant General Manager. A native of the Ottawa Valley, he joins the
Raiders with an immense background in several facets of hockey and education.
Nathan has spent several decades in the world of hockey and brings a wide variety of perspective and analysis to the Raiders program. Following his
playing career and time as a junior referee, Nathan got into the world of scouting and began working for Neutral Zone, an independent scouting service based out of Vermont, where he honed his craft. In 2020, he was hired as a scout with the Sarnia Sting of the
OHL, becoming a part of their franchise-record-setting playoff run in 2023 that culminated in a conference final loss. He has recently been given an expanded role within the Sting organization for the ‘24-’25 season, as well as joining the Raiders.
OSU new clubhouse officially opened at George Nelms Park
The latest phase of Ottawa South United’s home field at George Nelms Park at Mitch Owens Road near Limebank Road has been unveiled.
The new clubhouse was officially opened in a cere-
mony that included club executives, city councillors, and players.
The new facility will house the club’s administration offices, which for nearly two decades had been located in the village.
The clubhouse includes a gym, meeting rooms, and a wall with pictures of OSU’s most notable players, and another wall with the logo of every college or university that an OSU player has gone on to be a student-
athlete with. There is also a large trophy case featuring some of the most impressive local, provincial, national and international awards won by club teams
in the 21 years since the club was founded.
The clubhouse was a long time in the making, according to OSU President Bill Michalopulos. The building had been in the club’s plans since they opened George Nelms Park 13 years ago. The project had been delayed by COVID-19 and the labour
City councillors Wilson Lo, George Darouze, OSU president Bill Michalopulos and Coun. Steve Desroches were at the OSU Clubhouse official opening at George Nelms Park, while coaches and staff showcase the new building . OSU / FaC e B OO k P h OtO S
10 Years Ago in Barrhaven: Blue Jays legends help turn Eagles Nest into Field of Dreams
Duane Ward, Jesse Barifeld and Devon White part of entourage during $35,000 Jays Care Foundation donation to upgrade Barrhaven baseball diamond that will host 2015 Canadian Little League Championships
From the Barrhaven Independent, July 31, 2014
A generation ago, kids playing baseball with the East Nepean Eagles would dream of sitting in the same dugout as Toronto Blue Jays legends Duane Ward, Jesse Barfield and Devon White.
Today’s Eagles will get that chance, as the former Blue Jays stars came to the Eagles Nest to officially open the refurbished Eagles Nest diamond that will be the home of the 2015 Canadian Little League Championships.
Through the Jays Care Foundation, Canada’s Major League Baseball team invested a $35,000 Field of Dreams grant to the City of Ottawa for the reconstruction of two player dugouts at the Eagles Nest Baseball Diamond on Longfields Drive. The endeavour will impact more 390 East Nepean Little League Baseball members
throughout the 2014 season and beyond. The three baseball legends then put on a Blue Jays Baseball Academy Instructional Clinic for local players and children from the Ottawa Boys and Girls Club.
“The donations we made here in East Nepean were to ensure that you have a safe place to play,” Jays Care Executive Director Danielle Bedasse told the gathered members of the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa for Rookie League and we’re especially excited for you to get some special tips during today’s clinic from our Blue Jays alumni.”
With the resurgence in popularity of the Blue Jays, fueled in particular by a weekend series in Montreal in March that brought Major League Baseball back to that series and an amazing run in May and June that has the Jays in playoff contention, the Jays Care Foundation and the Blue Jays Academy is creating connections with children across the country. They have turned the entire country into their clubhouse. The Jays have donated $720,000 to various community charities and baseball organizations to build safe parks across Canada.
“We’re taking our commitment to Canada seriously,” said Bedasse. “We’re giving opportunities to kids exposure to baseball and the chance to play.”
Bedasse said that one of the measureable signs of the program’s success is that she now sees kids playing stickball in the streets in Toronto. She also talked about a young man who entered the program at the age of six and stuck with baseball, who said that if it wasn’t for his involvement in youth baseball, he would likely be on the run and selling drugs.
Another situation happened in Regina. The Boys and Girls Club had a beautiful park and baseball diamond beside their clubhouse, but they were unusable because there were too many discarded needles from drug abusers on the field. The Jays Care Foundation provided the means to clean up the field, and the kids can now play.
“It’s all about building long term partnerships,” she said. “We are investing in the youth of the country. In Montreal, we donated $250,000 to the children’s hospital to the physical therapy ward. There
was tremendous energy in Montreal when we were there, and we were happy to bring baseball back to the city.”
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson put on his East Nepean Eagles jersey and stood in the newly refurbished dugouts and spoke about his appreciation for both the field refurbishment and the Blue Jays’ continued presence in his community.
“We’re very appreciative of Jays Care Foundation and the fact that they contributed $35,000 for these amazing new dugouts,” said Watson. “There’s a strong baseball tradition in South Nepean and ... we wanted to have the best field and dugouts. We’re very, very grateful for not only receiving the funding, but having three great players come out and give some tips to these kids from the Boys & Girls Club [of Ottawa]. The Jays are obviously Canada’s team; being Canada’s capital, it’s great that they’ve come out here to a city outside of Toronto and helped support our local kids.
As Mayor, I’m very proud of the work the Jays are doing across the country to help young kids become great ath-
letes.”
Duane Ward, a former relief pitcher and a member of the Blue Jays’ World Series championship teams in 1992 and 1993, knows how much difference programs like this can make in the life of a kid.
“I never got the chance to go to camps,” said Ward, who grew up in New Mexico and was part of the Boys and Girls Club. “I would watch a clinic like this, but I was always on the other side of the fence, watching. Then, I was sponsored and I got the chance to take part in a camp like this. It was a great opportunity for me.”
Ward is enjoying travelling across the country and meeting kids and their parents to be an ambassador for the game as part of the Jays Alumni.
“Baseball is America’s past time, but here in Canada, hockey is number one,” Ward said. “But not every kid can play in the NHL, and not every kid can afford to play hockey. Baseball is a great game, and it’s very rewarding to be involved at growing the game at the grassroots level here.”
Ward has fond memories of playing with the Jays, and he says the team’s fanbase is unique.
“When you play for any other team, you are playing for a city,” Ward said. “But with the Blue Jays when we were in the World Series, we knew we were playing for a country.”
Ward said that no matter how successful he was or how big the game was, his love of baseball stemmed back to playing sandlot ball back in New Mexico.
“You always think about where you come from,” said Ward. “When I see parks like this and clinics like this, it takes me back to my time at the Boys and Girls Club. I’m thankful for the opportunities I had, and it’s rewarding to give back to the game and help kids everywhere we go.
“I know the importance of these clubs ... what they can do for a kid who doesn’t think he or she can amount to something. To be able to come out here and watch what Jays Care does with the kids from this club ... it’s a great feeling to be able to be part of it.”
Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Duane Ward talks to the participants in the Blue Jays Academy rookie League Clinic at the Eagles Nest in South Nepean Park. Ward was joined by former Jays Jesse Barfield and Devon White in the Barrhaven clinic.
Former Jays’ outfielder Jesse Barfield (background) looks on as two Blue Jays Baseball Academy rookie League participants from the yMCA mimic Edwin Encarnacion’s homerun trot at a Jays Care Foundation baseball camp held at the Eagles’ Nest Friday July 18, 2014.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Spiritual leaders
7. A solution
13. Fortified wine
14. Edible mollusk
16. Blood group
17. A way to compare
19. Gov’t lawyer
20. Actor Ciaran
22. Calendar month
23. Very willing
25. __ ex Machina
26. Satisfies
28. Type of berry
29. Distinctive practice
30. Popular pickup truck model
31. Dekagram
33. Naturally occurring solid material
34. Company officer
36. Villains
38. Cricket frogs
40. German founder of psychology
41. Endured
43. A female domestic
44. A situation you can be in
45. Cigarette (slang)
47. Fiber optic network (abbr.)
48. Belgian composer Walter
51. Employee stock ownership plan
53. Belonging to the bottom layer
55. Musical or vocal sound
56. Yankees’ great Judge
58. Dickens character
59. Beloved late sportscaster Craig
60. South Dakota
61. Exposing human vice or folly to ridicule
64. Atomic #79
65. Former Braves pitcher Julio
67. Humor
69. Shawl
70. Hospital unit
CLUES DOWN
1. Animal disease
2. Commercial
3. Arts and crafts supplies
4. Containers
5. Investment vehicle
6. A way to greet in a friendly way
7. Bulged downward
8. “A Day Without” singer
9. Lay about
10. Intestinal
11. Negative
12. Caused to be loved
13. Prominent in Islamic eschatology
15. Sincere
18. Not in
21. Number above the line in a fraction
24. Bill Murray chased one
26. Pouch
27. Swedish krona
30. Start over
32. Wild white or
yellow flower
35. Fourteen
37. Visual way of interacting with a computer (abbr.)
38. Up-to-date
39. Campaigns
42. Touch lightly
43. “Boardwalk Empire” actress Gretchen
46. Violent seizure of property
47. One who
supports the Pope
49. Malaise
50. Body fluid
52. Inauthentic person
54. Title of respect
55. Chilean city
57. Central Japanese city
59. Garment
62. Draw from
63. Automobile
66. The man
68. Top government lawyer
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