Barrhaven Independent February 17, 2023

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Tangled in a web of red tape

After spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a new property and plans, exhālō Spa’s expansion to a new location at Woodroffe and Deerfox are facing an expensive delay because of a city moratorium that blindsided owner Tanya Farlinger. For the full story, see page 5.

Arrest made in Barrhaven ‘Grinch who stole Christmas’ theft

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Ottawa Police Service has made an arrest in the theft of Christmas toys, gifts and gift cards that were destined to be delivered to needy children and families in December.

A 43-year-old man has been arrested and faces 54 charges contrary to the criminal code. The charges include mischief, possession of property or thing obtained by crime within Canada not exceeding $5,000, and possession/use of credit card obtained by offence.

In December, a load of toys, gifts and grocery gift cards were earmarked to be delivered from the Haven in Barrhaven to Blake House in Vanier. When Adrian Benjamin,

the Manager, Community Engagement and Volunteers of Multifaith Housing Initiative arrived at Blake House and opened up the back of his vehicle, he was shocked to find nothing but empty boxes.

“I was stunned,” he said. “We wrapped the toys and gifts the previous night at the Haven in Barrhaven and loaded them up so that we could get going early the next morning. Who would steal toys that were wrapped and labelled and ready to give to five year olds? What kind of person would do that? These toys may have been the only presents these children would receive at Christmas.”

The Multifaith Housing Initiative is a coalition of over 70 faith commun-

ities including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Unitarians, Baha’i and other faiths from across the city of Ottawa. These members are dedicated to achieving MHI’s goal to create more affordable housing in Ottawa while promoting tolerance and respect among residents of all faiths.

Currently, MHI owns a total of 179 units, housing between 300 and 400 people, at five different property sites: Blake House, The Haven, Kent House, Somerset Gardens, and Veterans’ House: the Andy Carswell Building.

Benjamin said that the Christmas items were delivered to the other buildings before Christmas. However, because of the storm and bad weather,

the Christmas items for Blake House were delayed.

The toys that were distributed were from the various Toy Mountain drop-off centres in Barrhaven and throughout the city. Toys were also collected at the Toy Mountain Parade in Riverside South in late November.

Tenants were also to receive Food Basics gift cards. MacKay United Church of Rockcliffe and Barrhaven United Church also made donations.

Benjamin said he could not put a dollar figure on the value of the items stolen.

After the story of the stolen Christmas gifts was published, MHI received many donations to purchase new gifts and gift cards.

“Due to the assistance from members of the media our story touched the hearts of many residents in Ottawa who gave gracious donations of money and toys,” Benjamin said. “We were able

to significantly increase the offering of food gift cards and the number of toys given to the families living at MHI’s Blake House.”

grinch continues on page 3

When Adrian Benjamin arrived at Blake House after loading up his vehicle with Christmas toys and gift cards, he was shocked to see nothing but empty boxes when he got to his destination. (Su B m itted p H oto/Adri A n Benj A m in)

Police looking to identify suspects in mischief incident

The Ottawa Police Service West Criminal Investigators are looking to identify three suspects involved in a mischief incident on August 28, 2022, in the 3700 block of Strandherd Drive.

At approximately 6:30 pm, a man confronted three individuals attempting to steal from a local store. After a brief exchange of words, the man returned to his vehicle, however, he was followed by the three suspects.

One suspect pushed the man, another sat on the hood of his vehicle, and the third damaged his vehicle using a belt.

The three suspects fled the area on foot.

The man did not sustain any injuries.

Suspect 1 is described as a light-skinned male, with long brown hair and a beard. At the time he was wearing a grey t-shirt, blue jeans and a white hat.

Suspect 2 is described as a light-skinned female, with green hair. At the time she was wearing a white t-shirt, blue jean shorts, wearing sunglasses, and carrying a black purse.

Suspect 3 is described

as a white male. At the time he was wearing a blue Captain America tshirt, blue jean shorts, black sneakers with white soles, white socks, and sunglasses.

Anyone with information about this incident is

asked to contact the West Criminal Investigations Unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 2666.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca

grinch continues from page 2

Each Gift Was Special

“The toys were all very nicely wrapped at the Haven and sorted out by each child’s gender and age,” Benjamin said. “We wanted every gift to be special.”

Between the time he got home on the night of Thurs., Dec. 29 and when they left for Blake House the morning of Fri., Dec. 30, his vehicle was broken into.

Benjamin said something seemed strange when he got into his vehicle.

“I had mints in my car, and someone had eaten the mints and left the wrapper on the seat,” he said. “Neither my wife or I would ever do that. We wondered if the kids had done it. But it wasn’t until we got to Blake House that we saw that everything was gone.”

Benjamin said his initial reaction was to worry about what to tell the children.

“They were excited

and they were expecting me,” he said. “I wanted to leave before they saw me so that they wouldn’t be confused or upset. When I got back to Barrhaven I let our Executive Director know, and then we had to let them know at Blake House that everything was stolen. Here were 26 families that would have no gift cards and no toys.”

Before the arrest was made, Benjamin said he was happy with how seriously the Ottawa Police were taking the theft and investigation.

“Due to the assistance from members of the media our story touched the hearts of many residents in Ottawa who gave gracious donations of money and toys,” said Benjamin. “We were able to significantly increase the offering of food gift cards and the number of toys given to the families living at MHI’s Blake House.”

What is your child doing this March Break?

So, school’s on break! Time to squeeze in some family fun, get some fresh air on the slopes and race one another on ice. It’s also a great time to make sure your kids have all they need to succeed the remainder of the school year. One of the most important tools for learning in school is often overlooked or forgotten … the child’s hearing ability.

Much like proper vision, adequate hearing is essential to a child’s learning and to their positive school experience. Most children undergo an infant hearing screening shortly after birth, but few undertake the recommended rechecks every five years. This is unfortunate because it is expected that 2-in-3 children will suffer at least one episode of ear problems, and 1-in-6 will have 6 or more episodes. Due to the illusiveness of hearing loss, many go unnoticed. The loss, even if mild or one-sided, makes it difficult for a child to navigate their little world.

And even when temporary, the difficulties can have long term impacts because they can lead to frustrations and eventual disengagement, needlessly impacting a child’s ability to thrive.

In addition to academic struggles, children with hearing loss can also experience trouble socially because communication, which requires both verbal and auditory skills, is vital to social interactions and peer relationships.

Consequently, much like your child has a dentist, they should also have an audiologist. The Audiologist, the only healthcare professional qualified to assess children’s hearing abilities, can confirm your child’s hearing levels every five years as well as whenever there is a shift in attention or behaviour. The good news is that your audiologist is also able to assist your child in overcoming hearing loss if need be. Should your child have permanent hearing loss or a temporary episode of hearing

loss, there is no need to suffer in the silence. Technology continually evolves. The hearing aids and cochlear implants for those with permanent hearing loss are better than ever, and now, even those with temporary hearing loss

can get help. No longer do these children have to suffer through weeks of dampened hearing. They can now overcome the temporary hearing loss with the use of an effective, non-invasive product. And, with nothing in the ear canal, this product will not interfere with the treatment plan. It is simply a fantastic way for anyone suffering from either an outer or middle ear infection to regain proper hearing levels as they wait for the medications and/or time to clear the congestion.

So, what is your child doing this March Break? …. Skating, skiing, and a session with Hearing Freedom, where their bilingual Audiologists will be happy to assess your little one’s hearing abilities!

For a comprehensive hearing evaluation, or to learn more about all the exciting new products, make sure to reach out to Hearing Freedom. It will be worth it!

The Ottawa Police Service West Criminal Investigators are looking to identify three suspects involved in a mischief incident on August 28, 2022, in the 3700 block of Strandherd Drive.

City says 2023 budget investments lay groundwork for a better Ottawa

Ottawa’s Draft Budget 2023, tabled Feb. 1 at City Council invests in the services residents rely on every day, and key priorities to make Ottawa better. Priority investment areas include:

- Safe and reliable roads, sidewalks and pathways

- Reliable and affordable public transportation

- A cleaner and greener city

- Affordable housing and protection for those most at risk in our community

“Draft Budget 2023 reflects what I have heard from my Council colleagues, residents and businesses over the past year,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “People and families are concerned about affordability, but they want their municipal government to deliver the services they rely on and to make the necessary investments that will make their city better. The modest tax increase and investments is a big step forward for all of us to work together to realize our shared goal in making Ottawa a place where all residents are proud to call home.”

The budget was drafted with a goal of combining affordability, needs and investments.

“We have tabled a draft budget that balances the affordability challenges of our residents with investments that are important to our residents and the quality of life in our community,” said Interim City Manager Wendy Stephanson. “It reinforces our commitment to deliver frontline services that our residents use every day. It also invests in priorities to ensure our residents can get around our city safely and effectively while also investing in efforts to tackle climate change and preserve our environment. It commits to safety, well-being and better affordability, and it also respects equal opportunities for all residents.”

Greater equity, inclusion and diversity

Building on the City’s

established record of fiscal responsibility, the budget presents a prudent approach to affordability by capping the overall municipal tax increase at 2.5 per cent. Factoring in assessment growth, that increase would deliver $91.9 million in additional funding to address budget pressures and make priority investments. The average urban homeowner would pay an additional $104 per year, while the average rural homeowner would pay an additional $85 per year.

Working together to make our communities better for everyone

Draft Budget 2023 includes $4.55 million for community safety, well-being and social investments, including funding for community agencies in support of Ottawa’s Community Safety and WellBeing Plan, with interventions to support racialized youth, prevent gender-based violence against women and girls and improve community-based access to mental health programs. Funding will also support the integrated, on-the-ground Community Engagement Team that links residents in need to services like housing, food and mental health supports.

A commitment of more than $100 million will help fund replacement or rehabilitation of parks, recreation, cultural and City facilities across all wards. Additionally, through creative partnerships with developers, Ottawa will see more than 25

parks developed in new residential communities across the city.

Draft Budget 2023 builds on the City’s ongoing commitment to road safety with an investment of $31.7 million to support initiatives such as Safer Road Ottawa’s awareness and outreach safety campaigns, temporary traffic-calming measures across the city, low-cost cycling safety improvements, and more automated speed enforcement cameras – especially near school zones.

Investments in new major urban renewal projects are also a priority, and the budget commits $245.9 million citywide to design and construct integrated sewer and road projects. Draft Budget 2023 also invests more than $136 million to renew roads, including paving and resurfacing work, and $7.7 million to renew sidewalks and pathways.

To protect the health and well-being of residents as Ottawa continues to grow, the City will invest $1.8 million to hire 14 paramedics and to procure emergency vehicles. The City will also commit to hiring 29 additional Ottawa Police Service personnel.

The City continues to invest in affordable housing, in line with Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan. This budget supports the goal of creating more affordable housing options every year, with funding from the capital budget coupled with federal and provincial funding. In addition to those

ongoing investments, the budget includes $15 million in new funding for 2023. Taken together, these investments will see work start or continue for more than 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in communities across Ottawa.

The City continues to prioritize our environment, protecting our greenspaces, waterways and the air we breathe. This is the first year a climate lens has been applied to all new capital budget requests – the first step towards building a climate change accounting framework to support decision makers. The draft budget introduces an incremental $5-million annual capital commitment to help implement the City’s Climate Change Master Plan, supporting efforts to reduce GHG emissions and enhance climate resiliency through initiatives such as Energy Evolution projects, building retrofits and zero-emission buses.

Providing help to offset household expenses

The budget freezes transit and Para Transpo fares for 2023 to help all customers, residents and households who are coping with the high-

er cost of living. The cost of the EquiPass for low-income residents and the Community Pass for Ontario Disability Support Program recipients will also remain frozen at 2018 rates.

Additionally, the City proposes an increase in funding for the hand-in-hand program to help low-income families and youth, a 10-per-cent reduction in camp enrollment fees and free recreation and cultural services in areas of need.

Households with young children will benefit from a $193-million commitment to reduce child care fees and support workforce compensation through the CanadaWide Early Learning and Child Care system.

Opportunities for resident feedback

The proposed budget will be considered by all Standing Committees in the coming weeks, then adopted by Council on Wednesday, March 1. Residents have multiple ways to have a say about Draft Budget 2023:

Visit Engage Ottawa for an up-to-date list of Councillor-led budget consultation sessions or submit your ideas directly to your Ward Councillor.

Register as a public delegation to make a five-minute presentation at a budget review meeting of any committee, board or commission. Visit ottawa.ca/budget to learn about meeting dates.

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tape

By Barrhaven Independent Staff

One of Barrhaven’s most successful small business owners has had a roadblock thrown at her plans to grow and expand.

Tanya Farlinger, owner of exhālō Spa. was planning on expanding into a new location this year.

Farlinger’s plans, however, have been sucked into a financial abyss that has left her wondering what she should do next.

Farlinger bought one of five properties in the Woodroffe and Deerfox Ave. that is un-serviced. After a year of working on the deal, doing her due diligence, and crossing every T and dotting every I, she learned in December that her plans have been put on hold due to a city moratorium. Not only will Farlinger may have to wait until at least the end of 2024 to move her business into the building she paid top dollar for last June, but getting servicing to the property may cost her and her neighbouring properties as much as $1 million.

“We were hoping to be open in the new location by Christmas, 2022,” Farlinger said. “Now, I am not sure what to do next. I don’t know what my options are, if I even have any.”

Farlinger had been looking at the property for several months before the deal closed. She then spent $80,000 on architectural fees and $50,000

expensive curve ball at exhālō Spa expansion plans

on city fees and required services. What she did not know was that there was a moratorium in place on any work on Stoneway Ave. until the end of 2024. City planners were seemingly also unaware. In order to bring servicing to the five properties, construction would have to take place on Woodroffe to have the necessary pipelines under the busy road.

Now, she is stuck carrying the mortgage of the new property and is unable to move her business. The lease that exhālō has at the RioCan Marketplace runs out in one year.

Farlinger said her rent has gone up by $2,000 a month over the last five years. Her only choice at the moment is to re-sign with a lease that has an increasing sliding scale. She purchased the property at Woodroffe and Deerfox to get away from paying high rental fees. Barrhaven’s commercial rental rates are now among the highest in the City of Ottawa.

“To think I purchased a multi-zoned commercial use property last year to expand exhālō seems like a joke now,” Farlinger said.

The costs of the new building go beyond the mortgage. Increasing interest rates are hitting Farlinger hard. She adds that commercial mortgage rates are higher than residential mortgage rates.

cancy insurance for seven months now,” she said.

“This property is still deemed Residential in every-way until the city allows me to connect to a currently unavailable water supply. This is because select few properties have a former H or hold on commercial use, even though they are zoned for commercial. This was set up to protect the then residential neighbourhood. I was aware of the connection of city services required, but I was not aware of the extensive city processes to take over an entire year, and to then be surprised by a moratorium on road construction of any kind.”

Farlinger has been working extensively with her realtor, Jason MacDonald, who is also the Chair of the Barrhaven BIA. Former Councillor Jan Harder has been working diligently to help her, and she is also getting assistance from Barrhaven East Councillor Wilson Lo and his staff. Ottawa Board of Trade Executive

A web of red tape and unforeseen road blocks have exhālō Spa’s plans for expansion on hold.

Director Sueling Ching is currently drafting a letter of support to the city.

Farlinger is not alone, as exhālō is one of three business tangled in the city’s web of red tape.

“My small business, along with a local dentist

office and small developer are now being held up for two years,” she said.

“I’ve been paying a hefty commercial mortgage and commercial va-

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INDEPENDENT EDITorIal

Just Transition comes with big costs

Ottawa seems to have only one message about its Just Transition policy: “trust me.”

The Liberal Party promised to pass a “Just Transition Act, giving workers access to the training, support, and new opportunities needed to succeed in the future economy” during the 2019 election.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously stated that “we can’t shut down the oilsands tomorrow; we need to phase them out.”

The feds haven’t introduced legislation, so Canadians are left reading between the lines. The government will force Canadians out of some jobs, then use taxpayers’ money to subsidize the new jobs.

Fortunately, a government memo reported by Blacklock’s Reporter shines some light on potential costs.

The memo asks, “what sectors and regions will be most affected by a transition to a low-carbon economy?” The memo then explains the Just Transition “will have an uneven impact” and “create significant labour market disruptions.” What does “significant labour market disruptions” mean?

The government doesn’t say.

Here’s what the memo does say. “We expect that larger-scale transformations will take place in:

- “Agriculture (about 292,000 workers; 1.5 per cent of Canada’s employment),

- “Energy (about 202,000 workers; one per cent of Canada’s employment),

- “Manufacturing (about 193,000 workers; one per cent of Canada’s employment),

- “Building (about 1.4 million workers; seven per cent of Canada’s employment) and

- “Transportation sectors (about 642,000 workers; three per cent of Canada’s employment).”

Politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa are asking entire sectors of the economy to trust them. But they either don’t know their own numbers or aren’t willing to explain them.

Here’s what we do know: taxpayers will be left holding the bag for Trudeau’s Just Transition.

The salaries associated with the 2.7 million jobs where the “larger-scale transformations will take place” is $219 billion per year, according to Statistics Canada’s average income data for these sectors. The cost to taxpayers would be crushing if even a fraction of those jobs face “disruptions” or have to be replaced with government subsidies and programs.

“We have been particularly interested in the approach taken by Scotland,” states the government memo. Scotland’s “Just New Deal” costs about $4.9 billion. That equals a $35-billion hit for Canadian taxpayers, after adjusting for Canada’s larger population, if Trudeau followed Scotland’s approach.

Why should workers in these sectors put their blind faith in the government?

Farmers might have trouble trusting the government after it floated putting limits on fertilizer. The energy sector might have trouble trusting a government that roadblocks pipelines. And why should taxpayers trust a government that has added about $560 billion to the national debt and missed its own pre-pandemic balanced budget promise by $20 billion?

The onus is on the government to be transparent, not on taxpayers to trust the government. The last thing Canadians need is another costly government scheme that threatens jobs.

Franco Terrazzano is the Federal Director and Kris Sims is the Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

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I have always had a hard time fitting in anywhere, but there has never been anything more socially isolating for me than the coffee culture. The coffee people hang out in coffee houses wearing their coffee clothes acting like coffee drinkers.

from the other side

I remember the first time I went into one of these coffee houses to meet an ecommerce expert who was doing a freelance project for the company I worked for at the time.

They look at me when I walk into the coffee house, knowing I don’t belong.

You may be a coffee person. In fact, you may be reading this column in a coffee shop. It seems that everyone I know is a coffee person.

When did the subculture of coffee people become mainstream? I’m not talking about the drive through double-double at Tim Hortons people. It’s the whole designer coffee scene.

Living in Seattle, home of Starbucks, may have been the vortex of me not fitting in. I was too conservative for the Democrats and activists, and too liberal for the Republicans. I can’t stand salmon, I don’t relate to hippies, I’m terrified of earthquakes and volcanoes, I like seeing the sun at least once or twice during the winter, and I don’t get the whole obsession with Jimi Hendrix.

But the real reason I didn’t fit into Seattle’s culture is that I detest coffee. Once, in 1985, I tried a half a cup of coffee during exams and it was the worst thing I have ever tasted. I have never had so much as a sip of coffee since.

Driving around the northwest, I would see little java stands littering each and every main road. People cannot drive for 10 minutes without a fix. What is funny about this is that Seattle’s traffic is brutal. If you are going to roll through a 90-minute commute each way, stopping and starting and speeding along at about five miles a week, do you really think it’s a good idea to be wired up on a king size mocha espressalattachino?

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.

While the commuters were driving around getting wired up on Joe, the coffee people were lazing around and aimlessly drifting to the designer coffee houses. It started with Starbucks and kind of grew from there. Other chains began popping up, and the coffee house culture was born.

The coffee people usually drift into the coffee houses in the mid-morning. Many of them work virtually. They lounge around the coffee house couches and lounge chairs as if they are in their own living room. They read things like the New Yorker, hoping that others will see them reading the New Yorker because it is a sign of intellectual sophistication.

They want every outsider like me to know right away they are regulars and they belong. I am in their territory. If they could pee latte around the property line, they would just to mark their social and virtual turf.

“I don’t drink coffee. What should I get?” I asked him, making every head in the room turn.

“Oh, you have to try the scones. The scones here are fabulous. Everyone loves the scones.”

So I got a scone, which tasted something like baked chalk, only drier. It would take two Diet Cokes to gag it down.

After I ordered, the girl behind the counter looked at me, and non-challantly slid a jar labeled “Baristas” in front of me, and stared at me, waiting for something.

“What’s that?” I asked. Boy, did I have nerve.

“It’s the jar for the baristas,” she said. “The who?” I replied.

“The baristas… us,” she said, as if I was a moron.

Were the Baristas a gang? Was she a member of the Flying Baristas trapeze family? Then, I figured out the baristas were cashiers.

“I’m supposed to tip the cashiers?” I asked, kind of confused.

“Well, you don’t have to, and we’re baristas, not cashiers” she said sarcastically.

She was pretty challant this time.

I threw a buck in the jar and sat down, but as I talked to our freelancer, it began to bother me more and more.

We tip them? They pour someone a cup of coffee in a paper cup with a squirt of vanilla or almond or caramel syrup or whatever and some whipped cream, and they charge you six or seven bucks for it even though they probably have about a quarter invested in it. In my case, they handed me a buck-fifty can of Diet Coke and some glazed wall plaster. They don’t come and wait on you, or seat you, or ask if you have questions, or tell you about the specials, or ask “did we use enough cement mix to make your scone?” They are cashiers. But they want tips. You don’t tip at McDonalds. In fact, at McDonald’s they have a jar for Ronald McDonald House, a charity I strongly believe in. At Tim’s, the jar sends kids to camps.

The coffee houses are all over the place now. I’d like to go in and hang out like everyone, but they all know I’m not one of them. Maybe if they put frozen whipped cream in Diet Coke like a latte float or something, well, then maybe I could blend in. I’d gladly tip for that.

But until then, I’ll just look in through the window, wondering if there is anyone else out there who doesn’t like coffee, and who doesn’t fit in.

time to wake up and smell the coffee

Virtual budget consultation to be held Wed., Feb. 22

Last week, Councillor David Hill and I had the pleasure of meeting residents from across Barrhaven East and West to discuss the 2023 municipal budget.

East Barrhaven Ward Report Wilson Lo, Councillor

I had the chance to “nerd out” and discuss the budget process, numbers, and how different rates were determined. I’m also thankful to the several residents who

Independent

The Editor, I agree with the editorial in the last issue of the Independent on grocery store thefts written by Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, but I am afraid he has only scratched the surface.

Dr. Charlebois is often seen commenting on our food supply chain and its problems on CTV Ottawa in the morning.

had questions about the budget and general concerns.

Meetings like this are invaluable opportunities to connect with neighbours to keep Councillors grounded (Gen Z would say “based,” but I’m not hip enough for that). I’m grateful for the

chance to have engaged with residents.

The budget was created with several pressures in mind, including the rising cost of living, that taxpayers are not an infinite source of revenue, and the need to maintain the quality of city services.

Part of the 2023 budget also follows through the end-of-term priorities of the previous Council (201822). Next year will be our first opportunity to create a budget that’s truly ours (2022-26 Council).

I believe this budget balances those needs, all else

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

considered. I hope you will agree.

I will be hosting another budget consultation, this time virtually, with Councillors David Brown, David Hill, and Steve Desroches at 6:30 pm on Wednesday 22 February 2023. Details are available at ward24.ca.

editorial only scratched the surface of the problem

As the pandemic has gone on, it’s been interesting to see just how important the things Dr. Charlebois has been talking about.

Unfortunately, he has only scratched the surface. Nothing is being done to prevent these thefts from happening, and the thefts are occurring at more places than just grocery stores.

Take, for example, the LCBO. The LCBO stories in Barrhaven, and many of the other bigger stores in the city, get robbed on a regular basis.

Gas stations are also being hit by thieves, as some are filling up with gas and then taking off instead of paying. It’s a problem that has been going on since the price of gas went out

of control last year when the price to fill at the pump went out of control.

Any retail store is going through the same thing. Theft is a big thing right now, and the grocery stores, LCBO and other retailers are easy targets. Rather than groan about the price increases caused by theft, why not crack down on them.

We have a system in place where police catch the shoplifters, and somehow they are right back on the streets. The cops are catching these perps, but our lenient judges let them go and send them right back onto the street where they can go back and rob again, knowing that what they do illegally will probably be consequence free.

Until our judges start getting hard on these petty crooks, our grocery stores and LCBO outlets are easy targets. That won’t change unless there are serious changes put in place by our legal system. Until then, we are the ones who will get hit with the price increases until something can be done.

Cindy Ferguson

Petition started over planned bussing of JK-Grade 5 students to Bells Corners

A frustrated parent has started an online petition in hopes that the Ottawa Carleton District School Board will look at options other than bussing elementary school students from Barrhaven’s Half Moon Bay community to Bells Corners.

Fadi Mankal started the petition and it has been receiving support from families affected by the decision. Half Moon Bay Public School is beyond capacity, and the opening of the new elementary school in Half Moon Bay has been delayed until January, 2024.

“After much discussion with fellow parents in person and online, it has become clearly apparent that the proposed changes for the upcoming school year are causing a great deal of difficulty, stress, and frustration for most parent affected by this,” wrote Makal. “Some of the issue being raised are the disruption to our kids education and post school lives, the start and end times, the EDP scenarios, the length of time

away from home for kids, the logistics and impact on parents employment, separation of siblings as well as several other concerns.”

Mankal emphasized that the parents have had little to no input in the process.

“Further exacerbating the issue is parents are to trust this is only for three to four months on a project that has been delayed twice already,” he wrote. “Given the turmoil and disruption of school over the last two years this is a lot to ask of kids and families. Yes, a meeting was held in the fall where some information was shared but no proper consultation with parents was done where we could raise our concerns on how much of an impact this will be and explore more local or reasonable options. We ask to have our voice heard by all stakeholder in this matter in a town hall style meeting whether in person or virtual.”

Capital funding for the school was initially announced in July 2020. A release from the OCDSB said

the board “has been working diligently with our architects, partners at the City of Ottawa and Ontario Ministry of Education to secure all of the necessary approvals in order to proceed with this project.”

In June 2021, the OCDSB approved the attendance boundary, grade and program offering for the new school, which is being referred to as Half Moon Bay Elementary School #2 until it is officially named. The school was tentatively scheduled to open for September, 2022.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on the scheduling, causing the school board to announce a new timeline.

“Given current construction timelines, and limitations of the supply chain of critical construction materials, the new elementary school is now scheduled to open the new elementary school is scheduled to open in January 2024,” the OCDSB announcement said.

From September, 2023 until the opening of the new

school in January, 2024, students who were directed to the new school by means of the boundary study will be attending D.A. Moodie Intermediate School. More than 600 students from JK to

Grade 5 will be bussed about 12 kilometres to the school. Moodie has been retrofitted and most recently accommodated students from the Shingwakons Public School in Stittsville until it was ready.

Moodie was also used by the city as a COVID-19 testing facility in 2020-21.

D. Aubrey Moodie Middle School, which was used as a COVID-19 Centre in 2020-21, has been retrofitted and will house JK-5 students from Half Moon Bay who are waiting for their new elementary school to be built.

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“We don’t like that people are frustrated but our hands are tied and there are simply no other options,” said OCDSB BarrhavenKnoxdale-Merivale Trustee Donna Blackburn in an interview with CTV Ottawa’s Tyler Fleming. “The property backs on to NCC land, which has trails and the [previous] students totally enjoyed being out on the trails and experiencing nature, something they wouldn’t be able to do at the home school.

“We know now that we need a new high school in Barrhaven,” says Blackburn. “So I would really encourage people to reach out to members of provincial government to let their voice be heard and get the funding before we get to a crisis situation, because people need to know that a high school takes a lot longer to get built than an elementary school.”

As Mankal’s petition is gaining traction, many people signing the petition are adding comments.

“Absolutely ridiculous to

move a boundary before the school is even built,” says Kyle Robillard. “We moved out here so my kids could go to school in Barrhaven, not in Bells Corners. I don’t want my four-year-old bussing 45 minutes each way.”

Kimberly Nonnweiler is the mother of a special needs child who is on medication.

“Not only does this mess with her schedule and routine which is important for her, it messes up her dose times for medication, and it will be impossible for us to change work hours. The long bus ride will be horrible for my kid with her mental health issues. They didn’t take into account any of this when making the decision, even though we were told at the beginning of the year no you wont be moved and we’ll grandfather you in.”

Nadira (no last name given) brought up issues of safety regarding the plan.

“How can they expect our kids to be such a long bus ride with no car seats or seat belt? This has caused an

Committee approves OC Transpo budget

extreme level of stress and panic in our house. I drove by the new school, and there is no way we will be opening on time. And most of all having immune comprised children, I do not at all feel safe for my children to attend an institution that is extremely old and has been shut down for a Covid centre. Our kids’ health and safety should be top priority.”

Veronica Proulx commented that the plan will have a major financial impact on her family that could result in them losing their home.

“We are devastated by these changes and do not see how these will be possible for our family... We did not sign up for this when moving to this neighbourhood. We are so sad and disheartened that due to poor planning, the board of education is leaving families to flounder in these new changes with no care as to how we will be affected.”

Mankal’s petition can be found online at https:// www.ipetitions.com/petition/ halfmoon-bay-ps-2.

The City of Ottawa Transit Commission has approved the OC Transpo 2023 Draft Operating and Capital Budget. The budget freezes OC Transpo and Para Transpo fares for 2023. The cost of the EquiPass for lowincome residents and the Community Pass for Ontario Disability Support Program recipients will also remain frozen at 2018 rates.

Budget investments include expanding OC Transpo’s zero-emission bus program, hiring 360 new operators, and the upcoming launch of OTrain Lines 2 and 4.

The cost of operating OC Transpo sits at $567 million, an increase of $27.5 million compared to 2022. Budgetary pressures include:

- Ridership levels continuing below pre-pan-

demic levels

- The 2023 fare freeze

- Inflationary costs such as diesel fuel, wages, and vehicle parts

- The upcoming launch of O-Train Lines 2 and 4

- Legislative changes to the Canada Labour Code

Some savings were realized, including the conclusion of enhanced COVID-19 touchpoint sanitization requirements and a plan to realign the fleet from 855 buses down to 738. This fleet reduction will not impact service, as the buses being removed are not required to meet current service levels and are nearing the end of their useful lifespan. The City is also counting on receiving at least $39 million in Provincial Safe Restart Agreement funding.

The Transit Commission also passed a motion to extend free transit service to children 12 years old and under starting July 1, 2023. Currently, free service is available to children 7 years old and under.

The Transit Services 2023 Draft Budget will rise to Council on March 1.

O-Train Line 1 and conventional bus ridership was at 5.1 million customer trips in December 2022, a significant increase compared to 3.8 million in 2021. In January 2023, key performance indicators show that the O-Train line 1 service disruption from January 4 to 10 had an impact on O-Train Line 1 service and heavy snowfall during the month impacted conventional bus service delivery on occasion.

and dine LOCaL

How consumers can show their support for local businesses

The road back to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic figures to have some twists and turns. Even after the rollout of vaccines began in late 2020, public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization emphasized the importance of people keeping their collective guard up, as previously unseen variants of the virus were still being discovered.

A slow march toward recovery has begun, but the uphill nature of that march underscores how important it is that communities continue to come together to support each other as well as the locally owned businesses that make towns and cities so unique. Consumers who want to help the local businesses in their community rebound and thrive in the months and years ahead can show their support in various ways.

• Take charge of your togo order. Convenience became the name of the game when ordering food during the pandemic. Curbside pickup service was offered as a safety measure, and many restaurants that never previously offered delivery or takeout started to do so to generate revenue at a time when in-person dining was limited if not disallowed. Some restaurants began offering delivery through apps like Grubhub or Uber Eats, and though that may be convenient for diners, restaurants must pay a fee to utilize those apps. In lieu of ordering through a third party delivery service, consumers can take charge of their to-go orders and pick up the food themselves. That saves restaurants the delivery app surcharge, allowing them to increase net profits on the meals they sell.

• Continue to be loyal. A recent study from research-

ers at the Harvard Business School found that a customer’s eighth purchase was an average of 80 percent higher than his or her first purchase. That highlights just how valuable repeat customers are to small businesses. Consumers who have had positive experiences with small businesses in their communities in the past can continue to support those companies by looking to them first when they need new products or services. Doing so not only helps small businesses retain more customers, but it increases the likelihood that consumers will again have positive buying experiences.

• Share experiences via social media. Small businesses recognize the value of social media. A 2021 survey from Visual Objects found that 74 percent of small businesses in the United States are active on their social media accounts at least once

each week. Social media can become even more valuable to small businesses when their customers utilize such platforms to share positive

experiences and encourage their friends and neighbors to patronize local businesses. Consumers can take various steps to support small

businesses in their communities as such establishments look to regroup and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic

CLUES ACROSS

1. River in Tuscany

5. A way to represent

8. Rocker’s guitar

12. Civil Rights group

14. Brew

15. Scratch

16. W. Asian country

18. The Eye Network

19. Clarified butter

20. Part of the Cascade Range

21. Downwind

22. A way to steer

23. Loop

26. Not ingested

30. Swampy coniferous forest

31. Musician

32. Signing

33. Containing iron

34. Part of a theorem or proof

39. Veterans battleground (slang)

42. Of enormous proportions

44. Italian city

46. Come before

47. Balm

49. Undergarments

50. Male parent

51. Ropes

56. Ear part

57. Investment vehicle

58. Dictator

59. Cain and __

60. A type of code

61. Border river along India and Nepal

62. It’s what’s for dinner

63. Consume

64. Christian __, designers

CLUES DOWN

1. Cuckoos

2. Skin issue

3. City in central Japan

4. Sorrels

5. Twinned diamond

6. Canadian province

7. Monetary units

8. Head honcho

9. Goddess of wisdom

10. Part of a play

11. Get rid of

13. Applicant

17. Bowling alleys have many

24. Explosive

25. “The Say Hey Kid”

26. Ultrahigh frequency

27. No (Scottish)

28. Make a mistake

29. Credit card term

35. Keyboard key

36. Woman (French)

37. In the middle of

38. Score perfectly

40. Coat a metal with an oxide coat

41. Deadly disease

42. A place to dock a boat (abbr.)

43. Belch

44. Member of U.S. Navy

45. “In __”: separate from others

47. Examine extensively

48. Adjust

49. Tattle

52. Actor Pitt

53. Gulls

54. Within

55. Exceptionally talented performer

Please

Us

Hydro One is committed to delivering safe and reliable power to meet the growing needs of the City of Ottawa now and in the future. That is why we are working to modernize the Merivale Transformer Station (TS), one of two major transformer stations that together supply approximately 60% of the homes and businesses in Ottawa.

We are pleased to invite you to our second community open house to share updates on the Merivale TS Modernization project and planned construction activities.

In 2022, our team initiated a “Class Environmental Assessment for Minor Transmission Facilities (2016)” (Class EA for MTF) established in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. An important part of this process involves gathering feedback from residents, community associations, elected officials and other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by this project. Since our Notice of Commencement and Open House in November, our team has conducted a review of project effects and mitigation opportunities based on a variety of feedback received from elected officials, community members, local associations, and stakeholders. Input received has informed the detailed planning and construction of this project.

We invite you to join our next community house to learn about the next steps in the Merivale TS modernization project and speak directly with members of the project team. A map of the station and planned modernization is shown on below.

We’re here to help

For more information, to sign up for the project contact list, or to ask questions, please contact Hydro One Community Relations:

Tanglewood

All personal information included in your request – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, under the authority of section 30 of the Environmental Assessment Act and is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public. As this information is collected for the purpose of a public record, the protection of personal information provided in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) does not apply (s.37). Personal information you submit will become part of the available public record unless you request that your personal information remain confidential.

Celebrations for Black History Month throughout Ottawa underway

February 1 marked the start of Black History Month in Ottawa. Black History Month was officially recognized by the federal government in 1995 to honor the contributions and legacy of African, Caribbean and Black Canadians and their communities and acknowledge the role they played in shaping our heritage and cultural identity.

Throughout the month, you are invited to learn more about African, Caribbean and Black history, culture and art. The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Library(link is external) are offering events both in-person and virtually that are open

to anyone who is interested in attending.

In Living Colour: Showing the Creative ACB Experience in Ottawa

Come explore artwork created by African, Caribbean and Black artists from all around Ottawa at the In Living Colour exhibition. This exhibition will be held starting today until Friday, March 3 at Jean Pigott Hall inside City Hall. There is no fee for entry.

Author Conversation with Leslie Roach

Ottawa-based author and

poet Leslie Roach will be speaking in-person at the Ottawa Public Library Sunnyside branch to talk about her past experiences with racism and how she broke through in the literary world. You can join her on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

Arts can Teach – Poetry workshops with Ariel Clarke

Youth between the ages of 13 and 18 can join educator, writer and artist Ariel Clarke for a four-week virtual poetry

workshops. With a focus on Maya Angelou and Amanda Gorman, you will be able to examine and explore Black Poets and their work to make powerful statements. You will learn multiple poetic forms to use and express your own voice as well as learn to perform spoken word. Themes include: Using your voice, the power of voice and expression, Self-identity. The first session begins on Tuesday, February 7 at 6 pm. For more information on and how to register for these sessions, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

Retracing history with

Black History Month makes us think of Viola Desmond and our $10 bill

Look at the new Canadian $10.00 bill in your wallet or purse - on one side you see a picture of the Museum of Human Rights :- on the other side you will see a portrait of Viola Desmond.. The bill is unique as the pictures are vertical: all other bills are horizontal.

Viola Irene Desmond (July 6, 1914 – February 7, 1965) was a Canadian Black Nova Scotian businesswoman and a cosmetics pioneer for black women in Atlantic Canada. Following in the footsteps of her father, a Halifax barber, Ms. Desmond started out in business at a time when few beauty schools would accept black students. After training in Montreal, Atlantic City

THis week, THIS MONTH

by Larry Ellis

and New York, she founded her own institution, Halifax’s Desmond School of Beauty Culture, selling her own line of hair and skin products across Nova Scotia. But on one business trip on Nov. 8, 1946, when her car broke down in New Glasgow, Ms. Desmond would become famous for another reason.

Viola Desmond challenged racial segregation at a cinema in New Glasgow,

Nova Scotia, in 1946. She refused to leave a whites-only area of the Roseland Theatre and was convicted of a minor tax violation for the one-cent tax difference between the seat she had paid for and the seat she used which was more expensive. Desmond’s case is one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian history and helped start the modern civil rights movement in Canada.

Each individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination..........Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 15.

Dr. Amadou B

Join historian, political scientist, researcher and writer Dr. Amadou Ba for a virtual talk on some of the history and contributions of the Black community in Canada. The event will be held in English on Monday, February 13 at 6 pm, and in French(link is external) on Wednesday, February 15 at 6 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

What Would Ms. Hina Do?

Themes and lessons from the novel Scarborough. Allyship, community, in the context of Black History Month.

The Ottawa Public Library,

in partnership with the National Arts Centre, will showcase award-winning author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez who will be presenting her speech “What would Ms Hina Do?” The performance explores the themes of community and allyship in the context of Black History Month. This event will be held in-person at the National Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca

Ottawa Police Service draft 2023 Operating and Capital Budget

Focus is on investments in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; the City’s Community Safety and Well-being Plan; staffing; and modernization

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) tabled its 2023 Draft Operating and Capital Budget with the Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) at a special meeting of the Board this morning.

“This Draft Budget is designed to make strategic investments in public safety that ensure we have the resources to properly respond to calls for service and emergencies,” said Chief Eric Stubbs. “This includes how we develop our operational and partnered response to public events and demonstrations.”

The 2023 Draft Budget is focused on ensuring that our community can see and experience its return on investment in policing, including improved public safety, social change, and community building.

Draft 2023 Budget highlights:

The draft budget includes a detailed and transparent spending plan as well as operational and policy decisions that are designed to build public trust, prioritize the care of all residents and members, and supports the City of Ot-

tawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan (CWSB).

• Allocation of 25 new full-time equivalent positions

• New and ongoing investments in strategic priorities, including promotion and implementation of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and CSWB initiatives, to support the health, safety, and wellness of our communities and our members

• Advancement on strategic, operational, and partnered responses to public events and demonstrations

• Modernization of policing services, and delivery on commitments made in the Facilities Strategic Plan (FSP) through the advancement on the South Facility Project

The OPS has continued to make meaningful progress on its strategic initiatives in 2022. Many of these projects will continue through 2023. Work has been primarily focused on advancing EDI, addressing anti-hate, anti-racism, the rise in mental health and substance abuse calls for service, and improving collaboration with community partners and stakeholders.

“The budget is an extreme-

ly important document for the Board and the Service as it provides a financial map for how we will achieve our policing priorities in the coming year,” stated Chair Suzanne Valiquet. “We look forward to hearing from the community as part of our budget process.”

Budget Financial Highlights

The gross operating budget totals $401.2 million under the draft 2023 proposal. With the deduction of onetime revenue, non-taxation revenue and recoveries, the net operating budget for the OPS is $359 million. This level represents an increase of $15.2 million over 2022. With the assessment growth assumption of 2.2 percent, the resulting net increase to the police taxation revenues is 2.5 percent. This equates to an approximate $17 increase in taxes per household, which brings the total to $680 for the average Ottawa residence.

Efficiencies

The OPS Draft Budget is a declining portion of the overall City Budget. In 2017 it represented 9.7% of the City

Budget. In 2023, it would be 8.9%.

The OPS has identified and implemented efficiencies as part of its annual budget process to ensure that the organization operates in a way that is lean and fiscally re-

sponsible. On average, during the previous 10 years, efficiencies achieved have been in the $2 million range per year. The 2022 Budget included $7.05 million in efficiencies. The Service identified $5.05 million in perma-

nent budget base reductions, and the Board reduced the budget by an additional $2 million.

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Barrhaven residents are paying close attention to the police budget process after many complained that the community is under-policed. Barrhaven had the largest increase in crime among all communities in Ottawa last year. budget continues

A large contingent of runners from Barrhaven took part in the annual Richmond Run, which took place Sun., Jan. 29 in the nearby Village of Richmond, a

kilometres southwest of Barrhaven. The run, which usually takes place in cold, wintery conditions, is hosted by Run Ottawa and generally kicks off the season for competitive and recreational running enthusiasts. budget continues from page 15

The 2023 efficiencies amount is less than what has historically been achieved annually due to the ambitious $7.05 million efficiency target from 2022 that is still being finalized. The $500,000 ef-

ficiency identified for 2023 has been reinvested into the organization in the form of four new positions to assist in reducing the growth requirements for the OPS.

The OPS wants to hear from residents and busi-

nesses about their thoughts on the 2023 Budget. Please consider completing the 2023 Draft Budget questionnaire, located at https:// www.ottawapolice.ca/en/ who-we-are/budget.aspx Public delegations

and questions from Ottawa City Councillors are welcome at the February 15, 2023, Finance and Audit Committee meeting starting at 10 a.m. via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.

zoom.us/j/82194776002 [us02web.zoom.us]

Comments are also welcome at the beginning of the regular meeting of the OPSB on February 27, 2023, starting at 4 p.m. (via Zoom - link to be an-

nounced by OPSB).

The OPS 2023 Budget is scheduled for approval by the OPSB on February 27, 2023. It will later be reviewed and scheduled for approval by Ottawa City Council on March 1, 2023.

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