When we make small talk or chat with strangers or acquaintances, we always seem to default to talking about the weather.
How many times has someone said, “Hot enough for you?” to you, or conversely, “Cold enough for you?” in the winter.
The weather has certainly been a conversation topic in Carleton, mainly because of the landscape and demographics of the riding.
In the suburban parts of the riding like Riverside South, Findlay Creek and Stittsville, as well as in the villages in the southern part of the riding, the heavy rains this year have affected the recreational programs that our youth participate in. Soccer games and practices, softball and Little League games and practices, and just about any other summer outdoor recreational
programs have seen a lot of cancellations.
Through June, the rain was frustrating for many families, as it only seemed to pour rain on the weekends.
The majority of the land in the Carleton riding is farmland. It’s devastating to the local economy to see farmers suffer with dry or even drought conditions.
Farms are businesses – like outdoor food manufacturing factories with machinery, technology, a lot of employees, and an entire sector of support industries like trucking, packaging and shipping that all work together in Carleton. A good summer of rain is
good for our farms and local economy, but we are also walking a fine line of getting too much rain to the point where it is also a problem.
In June, we had close to 145 mm of rain in the riding. According to Environment Canada, that’s roughly 50 per cent more than usual. With the air stream coming up from the Gulf of Mexico, we have had some steamy days with the humidex pushing 40 degrees.
That’s not even counting the record rainfall that the remnants of Hurricane Beryl dumped on us last week. Some areas got the same amount of rain in this storm as they would get in a normal summer month.
We often talk about being prepared when you go out in the winter, but the same applies to the summer in the weather we are having. If you are enjoying
the outdoors, weather it is gardening, riding a bike, participating in sports, or even just walking, make sure you are hydrated. If you are planning a big outdoor activity in high temperatures and humidity, it is often good to drink a lot of water the day before.
And speaking of farms, if you get a chance to get out and enjoy one of the many farmers’ markets in the Carleton riding, please do. I am guessing that our local farmers and vendors will have a bumper crop of local produce for you and your family to enjoy this year.
One of my favourite parts of the Carleton riding is Rideau River Provincial Park, which is located
near Becketts Landing and across the Rideau River from North Grenville.
It is a true hidden gem in the southernmost part of the riding. On a sunny summer day, there is no better place in Carleton for a family gathering or picnic.
As part of Healthy Parks Healthy People Day on Friday, July 19, the Ontario government is making it easier to explore provincial parks and experience the benefits of spending time in nature by offering free day-use access. This annual celebration is part of a global movement to promote the incredible health benefits of getting outside in nature.
As the largest provider of outdoor recreational opportunities in the province, Ontario Parks offers programs and facilities to enjoy nature year-round –in most parks, you can go
hiking, cycling, paddling, swimming and more.
The Ontario government is enhancing those recreational opportunities by building 300 new campsites and bringing electrical services to 800 existing campsites at several parks throughout the province, the largest addition of new and electrified campsites in Ontario Parks’ history. Since 2018, the province has invested $55.4 million to help maintain and build more facilities including roofed accommodations in provincial parks to help meet the demand of the province’s growing population, while ensuring an enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Throughout the summer, Ontario Parks offers numerous ways to engage with nature including:
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School is out and your child’s summer fun begins!
Time to squeeze in the favourite summer camps, have giggles around a campfire, eat yummy bbq foods, swim, and spend time with friends, cousins, and grandparents. Come August though, the attention slowly shifts back to school as all get ready to return to classrooms and classmates. In preparation, parents stampede the stores for backpacks, pencils, and clothes. One of the most important tools for learning in school however 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 abil-
ity 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 is the only healthcare professional qualified to assess children’s hearing abilities. Not only can they test your child’s hearing levels every five years as well as whenever there is a shift in attention or behaviour, they are 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 summer? …. Camps, campfires, bbqs and a session with Hearing Freedom, where their 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!
For more information visit www.hearingfreedom.com
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- In-park Discovery Programs which allow kids and adults to gain confidence in nature and around wildlife through activities such as guided hikes to explore a new trail and other educational programs.
- The 30x30 Nature Challenge to encourage people to spend 30 minutes in nature for 30 days during the month of August.
- Take a Hike Day on August 10, providing guided hikes at provincial parks around the province. Visitors can join in on one of the many events happening across the province.
To guarantee access on Healthy Parks Healthy People Day, visitors are strongly encouraged to obtain a daily vehicle permit up to five days before the celebration, at no charge, for the 75 parks that offer this service.
Studies show spending time in nature can improve
our mental, physical and social well-being, including lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety.
Every dollar spent at Ontario Parks, from seasonal passes to merchandise, is reinvested into Ontario Parks, helping to create a better park experience for visitors, improve services, programs and amenities and protect over 630 provincial parks and conservation reserves across the province.
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 universi-
ties 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.
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.
- On February 26, 2024, the government announced an additional investment of $167.4 million over three
years, starting in 202425, for capital repairs and equipment at publicly assisted postsecondary institutions.
- Established in 1986, the Facilities Renewal Program provides annual funding to help colleges and universities renew and modernize their campuses by repairing and renovating existing facilities, including major building systems upgrades, roof repairs, heating and ventilating system upgrades, and mechanical and electrical system upgrades.
- Established in 2002, the College Equipment Renewal Fund provides annual funding to help colleges buy and renew instructional equipment and learning resources, such as specialized equipment, machinery or tools for use in labs, shops and classrooms.
“It’s your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.” - Rumi
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.
Your voice at Queen’s Park
- Established three years ago, the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund provides annual funding to help universities buy state-of-the-art equipment that supports in-person or virtual learning, helps to meet industry or business standards, or supports enrolment growth.
Residents in the neighbourhood near Kennevale Drive and Merner Avenue were unhappy with the result of a meeting held July 3 regarding a planned cell tower.
Several concerned residents of the area attended the meeting with Rogers Wireless Site Specialist Eric Belchamer and West Barrhaven Councillor David Hill.
“We were asking for a solution to satisfy both parties,” said Tracy Townson, who lives in the immediate area. Townson said the residents were asking “for the cell tower project to be relocated to an area that has more greenspace instead of right by resident’s homes, thereby providing the service to customers and mitigating the radiation exposure to residents.”
The tower, according to Rogers, is being built to improve cell coverage in the area and to meet the rising demands of service in the area. Rogers stated that it considered an existing Freedom Mobile tower 1.7km away, however it was determined that the structure was too far away to provide service to the targeted area. The location of the proposed tower, ear-
marked for 3023 Cedarview Road, was selected by Rogers on the basis that it would have minimal impact on the community while providing its goals of service improvement.
While many towers require a public consultation process, the Rogers tower is exempt from that process. Only towers 15 metres and taller require the public consultation. The planned tower is 14.9 metres in height.
The residents in the area are also upset with the lack of transparency regarding the tower. They said only six households were notified of the tower.
“How can they sign a contract without having proper good faith public consultations with the people who will be most affected?” Townson said. “They sent only six letters out. I can attest to the fact there are way more than six households in the vicinity.”
David Hill is the city councillor in the area, and although he was invited to the meeting, it is out of his jurisdiction. Cell towers are regulated by the CRTC, which falls under the federal government . The tower would be just a couple blocks from
Nepean MP Chandra Arya, whose office at Kennevale and Strandherd falls in the zone where the service would be improved because of the tower.
“It’s a tricky situation because the improved service is badly needed in the area, but people close to the site don’t want it near them,” Hill said. “They are worried about their safety, they don’t like looking at the tower, and they don’t want it to affect their property values.”
Another issue that was raised by the residents regards exposure to radiation, particularly for the children living in the area. One of the tenants in the strip plaza at 3023 Cedarview is a daycare centre.
Belchamber told those at the meeting that the contract for the tower is already signed for 20 years.
Although concerns were raised at the meeting and in the multiple communications received by the Barrhaven Independent from concerned residents over health risks association with cell towers, Health Canada says they are safe.
“Based on the available scientific evidence, there are no health risks from exposure to the low levels of radiofrequency EMF which people are exposed to from cell phones, cell phone towers, antennas and 5G devices,” states Health Canada.
“Thousands of scientific studies have evaluated the safety of radiofrequency EMF. Evidence from these studies establishes only two adverse health effects that can occur at levels above the
Canadian limits: tissue heating, such as the warming of your skin, and nerve stimulation, which can cause a tingling sensation in your skin.”
Health Canada also states that there are misinformation and opinions on the health risks from exposure to radiofrequency EMF are increasing on the internet and social media.
According to Health Canada, “the scientific evidence does not support a link between cancer and exposure to radiofrequency EMF at the levels permitted by Canadian exposure guidelines. There have been some studies reporting an increase in incidence of brain cancer among long-term, heavy cell phone users. However, other studies conducted around the world, including studies assessing brain cancer trends among large populations, do not find changes in brain cancer incidence. This is despite widespread use of cell phones over the past 25 years…
“There is no established scientific evidence that those who use cell phones are at in-
creased risk of experiencing adverse health effects with the Canadian limits in place. This includes children and teenagers.”
While there appears to be no way the local residents will be able to stop the tower, they are still unhappy with the lack of transparency during the process.
Julie Gant, who originally contacted the Barrhaven Independent about the tower last month, says there has been a lack of communication in the process, said their concerns are being ignored and dismissed. She also said the 14.9 metre height “appears to be a deliberate attempt to circumvent regulations and undermine our ability to oppose this project. Despite our persistent email campaigns and letters to Rogers, Wireless Site Specialists, ISED, and City Hall, we have received no meaningful responses.”
Hill, meanwhile, is trying to stay positive about the situation.
“I completely understand the concerns of everyone, but
as the city councillor, I really have no say in what happens as it is not a municipal issue,” he said. “The most important thing is safety. We have to trust the experts at Health Canada who say that the tower is 100 per cent safe.
“Despite the negatives that were brought up, the improvement in internet service will be welcomed. Parents won’t get as many complaints from their kids about the internet, especially if they are playing video games. I told one parent that if the kids were at the meeting, the conversations would have been a lot different.”
But while Hill tried to be positive, the residents at the meeting did not share the same sentiment. They were unhappy with the inflexibility of Rogers, but more unhappy with the process.
“Everyone left the meeting disappointed, to the point one resident was visibly upset,” Townson said. “Most people in the area aren’t even aware the cell tower is going to be placed there. Public consultations are necessary.”
Students in the public relations program at Algonquin College (ACPR) launched the #ShatterTheSilence campaign on Monday, July 15 in Algonquin College’s Student Commons (Building E) to fundraise for The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (The Royal), a research and teaching hospital dedicated to helping people living with mental illness and addiction recover faster. Inspired by stories of their mental health
challenges in the context of their varying cultural backgrounds, these students are advocating to shatter the silence and reduce the stigma around mental health.
“This campaign is continuing an essential conversation about a topic so close to so many of our hearts, and we are so excited to shatter the silence and support The Royal,” said Co-Campaign Manager, Sophia Wojdak. During their research, ACPR students discov-
ered many valuable tools about providing mental health support and being an active ally. Throughout this campaign, they will be hosting four events that are related to improving mental wellbeing in unique ways: 1) Food for Thought; 2) Garden and Grow; 3) SereniTEA Café; and 4) Mic Drop the Silence.
“These events will bring the community together, teach coping strategies, and put a voice to a common experience,” said
Isabella Aires, a student in the program.
One in five Canadians experience a mental illness each year, with many struggling to seek help. The Royal shatters the silence by providing specialized care through inpatient services, community partnerships, and free virtual workshops. They advocate for public health education and foster discussion about mental health, connecting with people beyond their hospital walls. In partner-
ship with The Royal and Algonquin College facilities, these students aim to promote awareness of mental health issues and encourage the community to shatter their silence.
For more information about the #ShatterTheSilence campaign and The Royal, events, and donations, please visit www. acprcampaign.com.
The ACPR program is a two-year diploma program that teaches students how to act as the bridge between organ-
izations and the public, helping them navigate complex issues and protect their brand reputation. For more than 30 years, the program has raised over $500,000 for Ottawa-area charities, including Candlelighters, LiveWorkPlay, and the John Howard Society. Starting with a zerodollar budget, ACPR students obtain theoretical knowledge and gain real-world experience by fundraising for not-forprofit organizations.
The Ottawa Police Service was busy in Barrhaven and Riverside South on the night of Sat., July 5.
The OPS was on a traffic enforcement blitz in the area. Traffic officers conducted the “Residents Matter” enforcement that night, which led to a total of 63 Provincial Offence
Notices and Summons being issued.
Six of the summons wer e for stunt driving, including one for a motorist driving 87 km/h above the speed limit on Strandherd Road.
The traffic enforcement blitz lasted for six hours.
The following Court Summons were issued for Stunt Driving:
- 157km/h in posted 70km/h zone (Strandherd Drive / Madrid Avenue)
- 118km/h in posted 70km/h zone ( Strandherd Drive / Borrisokane Street)
- 135km/h in posted 80km/h zone (Woodroffe
/
- 109km/h in posted 60km/h zone (Greenbank Road / Foxfield Drive)
- 96km/h in posted 60km/h zone (Greenbank Road / Foxfield Drive)
These drivers had their licences suspended for 30 days and their vehicles impounded for
14 days. Each driver could also face further penalties upon conviction in court.
The enforcement also resulted in 56 provincial offence notices being issued, including:
- 21 speeding
- 7 improper lights - 4 fail to surrender
licence
- 4 improper/no muffler
- 4 fail to display two plates
- 3 driving while using a cellphone
- 2 novice drivers with a blood alcohol level above zero – 3-day licence suspensions were also issued
Achieving net-zero emissions is a critical goal in the fight against climate change. It refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed. To reach net-zero, a comprehensive set of energy transition actions is required:
Building public awareness and support for climate action is essential. Governments, civil society organizations, and educational institutions should undertake widespread public outreach campaigns to communicate the following:
1. The urgency of climate change.
2. The benefits of transitioning to a net-zero emissions future.
3. Individual actions people can take to reduce their carbon footprints.
4. Correcting the significant amounts of misleading and erroneous assertions about climate change, the energy transition and the meaning of net-zero.
The discussion around addressing climate change through the energy transition has focused almost entirely on cost, disruption, and finding someone to blame. The potential benefits of achieving net-zero have received little air time to date. It’s as if saving the planet is considered insufficient.
Addressing climate change requires global cooperation. Air circulation and water courses do not respect country boundaries. Progress toward net-zero will be faster when countries collaborate to share best practices, exchange technology, and provide financial and technical assistance. International agreements like the Paris Agreement (COP) provide a framework for countries to work together and achieve their climate ambitions. Collaboration is always good. However, some countries use gaps in collaboration as a convenient excuse to delay transition action they could take independently.
To maintain social support for transitioning to a net-zero emissions future, minimizing inequities imposed on affected workers and communities is crucial. The transition will cause job losses and spawn new industries with new employment opportunities. Maintaining social equity involves providing the following:
1. Retraining programs.
2. Income support.
3. Job opportunities in new industries, including clean energy industries.
Some have promoted the idea that we should use the transition to redress various social issues and inequities. This idea will likely slow the transition as efforts to increase its scope will lead to more disagreements and require more consultation and resources.
Achieving net-zero emissions requires a comprehensive approach encompassing all economic sectors and all nations. It demands ambitious, even daunting, actions to decarbonize the energy sector, electrify transportation, improve energy efficiency, promote sustainable land use and agriculture, decarbonize industries, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, invest in research and innovation, foster international cooperation, raise public awareness, and ensure a just transition.
By implementing these measures collectively and urgently, we can make significant progress toward mitigating climate change and securing a sustainable future.
Yogi Schulz has over 40 years of information technology experience in various industries. Yogi works extensively in the petroleum industry. He manages projects that arise from changes in business requirements, the need to leverage technology opportunities, and mergers. His specialties include IT strategy, web strategy and project management.
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Website: www.manotickmessenger.ca
Staff/Contributors: Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, David Hill, Wilson Lo, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton.
The world she’s-a flat, like-a your head
If you ever want to get the pulse on what is happening in the community, in the country, or in the world, just park it in a chair at Tim’s and keep your eyes and ears open.
It’s amazing what you will hear.
If you ever wondered why former Ontario education minister Stephne Lecce introduced a back to basics strategy in our schools maybe he sat at Tim Hortons and parked it and kept his eyes and ears open.
It’s maddening when you hear young people spit theories that the Holocaust was exaggerated or throw out some anti-Semitic rhetoric that the over-educated seem to be clouding the minds of our young people with.
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse from the first group in three thousand years that can’t write cursive, a new contender in the bottom-this game of conspiracy believers emerges.
I nearly choked on my Dutchie when I heard one student tell a group of others that he joined something called the Flat Earth Society. It sounds like something satirical and fun, like something Rick Moranis would be talking about in an old SCTV skit, or maybe a Kids in the Hall skit.
But, no, this kid started explaining the theories that the world is a disc, like a big pancake of land and water. There is a big wall of ice surrounding the disc so that no one falls off. That wall of ice is Antarctica.
As I listened to this, I didn’t know what was sadder. Was it that there actually are conspiracy theorists putting flat earth theories on the internet for anyone to believe? Or is the saddest thing about this that our school system, and our educators, have eroded to the point where people are actually graduating from high school thinking that the world is flat.
I kept thinking about that Bugs Bunny cartoon called ‘Hare We Go’.
Remember Christopher Columbus arguing with King Ferdinand?
“The world, she’s a round,” Columbus said.
So fat earthers, what do have to say bout that?
And what about the Superman movie with Christopher Reeves, where he flies around the world so fast against its rotation that the world starts spinning the other way and he turns back time.
How do the flat earthers explain that?
And what about the Trueman Show? It’s a good thing Jim Carey hit that wall before his boat fell off the earth.
The flat earth believers have always been around. Some are more educated than others, though we imagine there to be a bit of an education deficit when they get together.
Sadly, the flat earth movement is gaining momentum at an alarming and uncomfortable rate. Social media has got some people so wound up in conspiracy theories that they believe everything is a conspiracy. The government wants us to think the world is round, and they made up this entire orbit around the sun, and moon orbiting around the earth thing to control us.
Conspiracy theorist also have a tendency to not believe things they see on the news or learn about at higher levels of school unless they came up with the theories themselves.
There are different theories floating around between the flat earthers. The most common one is that the world is a disc. The arctic circle is in the middle of the disc, and the disc rotates around the North Pole, which is in the exact centre.
Some flat earthers a partially in agreement with the disc theory, though they believe that Antarctica is not a wall of ice. They believe that Antarctica extends infinitely in each direction. You could go east, for example, and once you hit Antarctica, it would go on forever. Same with the west, north and south.
That theory sort of wrecks the trilogy of Star Wars trilogies, or those Bell Fibe cable speed spaceship commercials.
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 world is flat, like-a-your head,” the King would respond.
I have often thought that the problem with the Gen Z generation is that they didn’t grow up watching Bugs Bunny cartoons. How on earth would they know anything about history, humour, or classical music? To their credit, they have figured out that Amazon is pretty much the Acme of today. Thank goodness there were no porch pirates when Wile E. Coyote was ordering the bat suit and the giant magnet and all the other cool stuff he ordered.
Eventually, Bugs Bunny proves the world is round by throwing a baseball so far it comes back to him on the other side. It has stickers from all the different cities it went through on the way back.
In their blog on theflatearthsociety. org, the flat earthers claim that Einstein’s Equivalence Principal and Einstein’s Relativity proved the world was flat. They also claim that Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion also prove the world is flat.
I don’t know what you believe, but I am going to stick with the whole world is round theory and assume that pictures of the earth from space are legitimate. If the world really was flat, don’t you think a photo would have been leaked by now?
Then again, if you have ever been to Saskatchewan, well, we’ll give them that one.
So the next time the Ministry of Education puts in a mandate for teachers to actually teach relevant material between threats to go on strike, let’s add the world is round to reading, writing and arithmetic.
The Ottawa Multifaith Housing Initiative hosted a barbecue at The Haven community off Longfields Drive across from Ken Ross Park on Sat., July 5. The event featured a bouncy castle, face painting, popcorn served up by Sequoia Community Church, music and more. Volunteers from the Manotick United Church and other community organizations were on hand to help out. The Multifaith Housing Initiative of Ottawa was established as a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization in 2002, which has grown into a coalition of over 70 faith communities 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 134 units, housing between 300 and 400 people, at three different property sites: Blake House, The Haven, and Somerset Gardens.
It was a birthday party for kids who often don’t get to take part in birthday parties.
Barrhaven’s annual “Unbirthday Party” drew
a crowd of close to 100 children and youths, and their families at Larkin Park Sat., July 13.
The idea for the unbirthday party came from
Brantford resident Nicole Callander, who was at the party in Barrhaven Saturday handing out loot bags to children attending.
“We had to take two years off because of COVID, but we brought the event back again last year,” she said. “There was rain last year, but this year, the weather co-operated.”
Callander said that there were four parties throughout the province, but this year they are focusing on the parties in Barrhaven and Brantford.
The first unbrithday party Callander held was for her daughter, who is now in her 20s. Her daughter, Caitlin, has Williamson Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body.
“She was in grade 12 and was upset that she wouldn’t have the same milestones as typical kids in grade 12, so I asked friends and family members to send birthdays cards to her,” Callander said. “It went viral, and with those birthday cards I
got hundreds of messages from parents who said my child never gets invited to birthday parties, and I felt bad, so for Caitlin’s birthday 18th birthday, I invited every child who has never been invited to a birthday party before.”
More than 200 kids from all across Ontario and the United States attended that party, and that’s when Nicole decided to form Friends 4 Kindness.
Callander partnered with Barrhaven mom Tara Neville to organize this year’s event at Larkin Park.
“The response has been strong, and the community has been really supportive,” she said.
One of her four children, Kade, has a physical disability. Although Kade is well-liked at school, he
would often be excluded from social events like birthday parties.
“The unbirthday party is a special day for a lot of kids,” Neville said. “Kade and my other kids are all volunteers now. It is something our entire family gets involved in.”
In addition to stations for kids to get their faces painted and play games, there was a bouncy castle, the Lions Club train,
and visits from the Ottawa Police and Ottawa Fire Department. Special guest appearances were made by City Councillors David Hill and Wilson Lo, the Count from Sesame Street, Barkley the mascot from John McCrae Secondary School, Elsa, and Spider-Man.
Anyone who wants to learn more about friends 4 kindness can visit: https:// friends4kindness.ca/.
By Ralph Tweedie ManoTick kiwanis cluB
The Kiwanis Club of Manotick’s primary focus is on youth. One way we achieve this is to recognize the achievements of local high school students and to encourage them as they continue with their studies.
Our tradition has been to provide a scholarship for students as they enter a new chapter of their lives. We are excited to announce that we have expanded our program. We now provide scholarships of $2,500 to graduates at five local high schools. To show support for our Key Club Members, we also award a scholarship of $500 to a member of each of our four Key Clubs.
In addition, the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada provides a $500 Mel Osbourne Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a graduating Kiwanis Key Club member who is pursuing a post-secondary education at a recognized institution. The chosen recipient has shown an outstanding commitment to community service.
We are proud to announce this year’s winners.
We have had a strong relationship with South Carleton High School for many years. This year’s winner of the $2,500 scholarship is Corinne Yantzi. Corinne will be attending the University of British Columbia to study Engineering. Our Kiwanis presenter, Marg Demers, was seated with Corinne and her parents. Marg was very impressed with this year’s winner.
The winner of this year’s Kiwanis scholarship at John McCrae Secondary School is Abdullahi Qalinle. This year’s graduating class numbered 400 and our presenter, Bernard Doiron, was very impressed with the young adults.
Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School combined our award with a donation from the Kiwanis Club of Nepean. They then divided it up equally among four deserving students. Each student received $875. Carol Luce, our Teacher Advisor
and Kiwanian Jennifer Murphy, were the presenters. The three recipients of the Manotick Kiwanis awards were Rand Habani, Connie Liang and Sidharth Sajan.
Our Kiwanis Advisor for St. Mother Teresa High School, Bruce Tomkins, made the presentation to Hailey Reynolds-Middleton. Hailey was selected by the school for her strong grades, active involvement in the school community and financial needs.
Our Kiwanis Advisor for St. Mark High School, Terry Tomkins, made the presentation of $2,500 to Julie Decelles. Julie was chosen for her work in organizing and promoting local community service events and for her fantastic attitude toward community service.
The $500 dollar scholarships to Key Club members for their outstanding commit-
ment to community service were awarded as follows:
• St. Mark High School –Julie Decelles
• Longfields-Davidson
Heights Secondary School –Candy Barasa
• John McCrae Secondary School – Cynthia Wu
• St. Mother Teresa High School – Jiwoo Kim
This year’s Key Club recipient of the Mel Osborne Scholarship has been a contributing member of the St. Mother Teresa HS Key Club for 3 years, where she served as Co-President and more recently served as the District Lieutenant-Governor for Key Clubs in the Ottawa area. The Kiwanis Club of Manotick is very proud to present the award to Jiwoo Kim. It is with your continued support that the Kiwanis Club of Manotick is able to assist these impressive young adults in their pursuit of a higher education. Our Kiwanis presenters always leave the ceremony inspired by the caliber and aspirations of our youth.
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Katie Koebel, Audiologist
What time is it? It’s summertime
By DaviD Hill, CounCiilor for WarD
3 BarrHaven West
Another school year has come and gone, bringing excitement for many, but the question for many is: what’s the summer plan? Whether it’s summer camps, sports, or vacations, we all want to take advantage of the warm weather before - dare I say - winter returns. How ever you plan to enjoy the summer, make Barrhaven part of it! Community events play an important role in building that special, and highly coveted, community spirit, and Barrhaven is fortunate to have many upcoming gettogethers!
Kicking off the fun is the first annual Barrhaven Community BBQ, hosted by the Half Moon Bay Community Association! Nothing describes summer better than firing up the grill with neighbors, friends, and family on a warm sunny day; so join Councillor Lo and I, along with Mayor Sutcliffe on July 27th for an afternoon of free food and fun! We’ll be taking
Barrhaven
David Hill, Councillor , Ward
over the Minto Recreation Complex for gym activities and music to keep the vibes high. It’s also important to stay cool during those midsummer days, so bring your swimsuit for a public swim or bring your skates and hit the ice for a free public skate!
Whatever your preference, there is sure to be family fun for everyone!
The first half of August is packed with more fun, starting with the Barrhaven Family Fun Fair, featuring rides, midway games, and more! The fair will be at Clarke Fields from August 1st to 5th. If you’re not going away for the Civic Holiday long weekend, this is the place to be!
Just a few days later, Clarke Fields will be hosting yet another event during the weekend of August 10th; the Rhythm Culture Festival! This annual festi-
val celebrates finding common ground through music and culture, while creating a platform for all ages to experience and learn from each other. Enjoy the weekend with live local and international artists, folk dances, stories, ethnic cuisine, traditional games and more.
Wrapping up the events, in the dog days of summer, the fun times will be moving to Guinness Park for the Half Moon Bay Community Association’s Family Fun Day on August 17th! Guinness Park is relatively new in our growing community and serves as a good example of quality greenspace to enhance our neighborhoods. When it’s not in use for the Family Fun Day, it’s a great spot to take a walk and let the young ones burn some energy at the splash pad or playground. Most notably, Guinness has a set of tennis courts for free public use! Guinness Park is a nice addition to our community, made even better with the Family Fun Day!
Community events provide an amazing opportunity
to connect with neighbors and friends, while meeting some new ones! I am a big believer that community spirit is key to a vibrant Barrhaven, and I’ll continue to promote our great community-building events and initiatives, in-person and through my newsletter. So,
as the summer begins, the next time you’re looking for something to do, check out the Barrhaven West Weekly Newsletter! (davidhillbarrhaven.ca/subscribe).
I hope you have a safe and rewarding summer, and I can’t wait to see you at one of these amazing community events!
Ps: With a more relaxed legislative schedule this summer, my goal is to chat with residents about their concerns and to prepare for the 2025 budget cycle; so if you have a concern or issue, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
By Wilson lo, BarrHaven east CounCillor
Last week staff presented the Integrated Transition to Housing Strategy (ITHS) update at Council.
Among its initiatives are the use of temporary sprung structures to house newcomers, mostly refugees and asylum seekers.
In the ITHS report, City staff mention three cityowned land parcels have been shortlisted for potential newcomer reception centres, using sprung structures. The structures may also evolve to address shelter system overflow as needed over time.
Sprung structures are tent-like in appearance and consist of metal arches connected by an outer shell of fabric or fibreglass. The fully serviced structures,
East
Wilson Lo, Councillor
with water and sewers, have internal services like communal toilets, showers, and a kitchen, with space to supply proper on-site social services.
The structures have a typical lifespan of 25 to 50 years and can house 100 to 200 individuals. However, it does not meet Council’s goal of supplying dignified housing options for Ottawa’s unhoused residents and newcomers, nor is it an effective use of land, considering the sprung structures will be on cityowned land parcels, ripe with potential for vertical density.
Imagine escaping a conflict zone or persecution,
only to live in a tent-like communal structure. What dignity is there in that? Additionally, we already have an existing programme with support from other levels of government to house newcomers in hotels and motels.
Staff claim that not going ahead with sprung structures will jeopardise up to $185 million of provincial and federal funding, which is untrue.
Provincial funding is conditional on federal funding, through the Interim Housing Assistance Programme (IHAP), which mentions the provisioning of temporary accommodations for newcomers. Staff claim sprung structures are the only temporary accommodations allowed. In fact, they include options like hotels and motels which are currently in use.
The city is experiencing concurrent housing and homelessness crises. Governments, organisations, and even residents will point all sorts of fingers passing blame and buck between themselves. But the bottom line is using sprung structures makes no progress towards permanent housing— it just shuffles people into another shelter system with a different name and look.
Community partners including the Alliance to End Homelessness expressed concerns about sprung structures, urging Council to prioritise housing investments rather than short-term shelter responses.
The attitude of using “crisis” to do everything now and deal with the consequences later needs to change. There are better options.
Affordable multi-floor
rapid construction structures are dignified options for newcomers and other unhoused individuals. YW Kitchener-Waterloo (successor to the local YWCA chapter) built and opened a four-storey women’s shelter using modular mass timber construction in less than a year. The same construction method can work for permanent housing options outside the shelter/transitional realm.
Given all that, I moved a motion at Council last week to cancel the implementation of sprung structure projects going forward. However, since I’m writing this the day before Council, I don’t know how it turned out—but it’s all still relevant. And thank you to Councillor Hill for supporting me.
Administratively, sprung structures solve nothing and
just move the problem into another silo.
Strategically, this proposed use of city-owned land stunts any potential the parcel has for permanent housing solutions (including subsidised and affordable housing), private development, or other uses by the community.
Most importantly, there is no human dignity in the sprung structure setting. It’s easy to blame the federal government as they have responsibility for immigration, but solutions at the municipal level can’t come at the expense of our fellow residents who now call Canada home.
Sure, it’s better than an actual tent in a warzone, but does that mean we subject them to conditions that would be uncomfortable compared to the way we live?
The Barrhaven Business Improvement Area (BBIA) proudly unveils a vibrant display of community artistry with the introduction of 18 newly wrapped traffic control boxes, with designs created by talented students from three local high schools.
This initiative marks a significant milestone as the first of its kind in the City of Ottawa, showcasing the artistic talents of youth on traffic boxes while enhancing the visual landscape of the community.
Barrhaven West Councillor Hill noted, “It’s great to see our creative Barrhaven youth express
themselves. They have so much potential - our future is bright!”
In collaboration with the City of Ottawa, the Barrhaven BIA embarked on this innovative project to enliven the streetscape and foster a sense of pride and identity among residents. Following the success of a previous initiative in 2023, which featured original designs by a local artist on 20 traffic control boxes, the BIA sought to engage the creative minds of area students for the 2024 installment.
The result is a stunning collection of five unique designs, each reflecting
the personal experiences, interests, and spirit of Barrhaven’s youth:
Silly Box- St. Mother
Teresa High School, Artist: Sarah Lyne Bactol; Skates - Longfields
Davidson Heights Secondary School, Artist: Heyab Berhe;
The Bigger PictureSt. Joseph Catholic High School; Artist: Amal Khan; Dog Box - St. Mother
Teresa High School, Artists: Sarah Lyne Bactol (art) & Vinny McMillan (design);
Pizza - Longfields
Davidson Heights Secondary School, Artist: Ali Jardine.
The Ottawa Police Service West Criminal Investigation Section is seeking public assistance to identify a suspect responsible for multiple commercial thefts across the city dating back to February of this year. The female suspect enters the store, selects merchandise from the shelves, conceals it, and leaves on foot.
The suspect is described as a white female, approximately 5’3” (160 cm), heavy set, and 30-40 years old. In each incident, she is wearing different clothing. She has also changed her
hair multiple times over the months (see photos).
Anyone with information about this individual’s identity or about this in-
cident is asked to contact Det. Ste Marie of the West Criminal Investigation Section at 613-236-1222, extension 2731.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.
Barrhaven high school students were among those recognized by the OttawaCarleton District at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The board publicly honours its senior student leaders through this recognition program, which serves as part of the OCDSB’s long-term goal to strengthen its commitment to creating a learning and work environment that encourages positive outcomes for all students and staff.
Each year, the OttawaCarleton District School Board Student Recognition Awards celebrate excellence in student leadership. Students are chosen by their principals and vice-principals for their demonstration of initiative, supported by the will to succeed, the dedication to finish what they started, and the commitment to achieve their personal best.
In addition, the Excellence in Equity Student Recognition Award recognizes the initiative students have
taken to achieve a positive, safe, and inclusive school climate.
Below are the Barrhaven students recognized. The OCDSB withheld last names of the students.
Joanna’s personal initiative to achieve a positive outcome at John McCrae Secondary School has been exemplary! She is involved in many leadership opportunities at the school and takes on meaningful work to improve the school community. Joanna is consistently involved in bringing positive initiatives to fruition. From the living wall, to student council, to grad committee, to Key club, to many more clubs and activities, Joanna has made a significant impact at John McCrae. She is
Joanna D.
a strong leader who is willing to step into whatever role is presented to her. In class, Joanna is positive and gives her best effort each and every day. She is a wonderful role model and provides enthusiastic support to her peers.
Secondary
Mariem arrived here last year from Egypt and immediately started getting involved in school initiatives. She volunteered with intermediate volleyball and the coach raved about her energy, initiative, and sense of responsibility. She also joined
the senior girls’ volleyball team this year. Mariem has tried to carry Student Council on sheer enthusiasm alone! She has been hands-on in all Student Council-organized activities, including overseeing every day during spirit weeks. She never gets discouraged, is always looking to do more, and often leads by example. Mariem was CoPresident on Student Council this year and has been a friend to everyone in the building, both staff and students. She even participated in School Council meetings and welcomed visitors to LongfieldsDavidson Heights Secondary School on behalf of students.
Sage C. – John McCrae Secondary School
Sage has been an exceptional student throughout her high school career. She is extremely creative and has used that creativity to make John McCrae Secondary School feel like a more inclusive space. She created a trompe l’oeil mural of diverse hands signing the words “You Are Welcome,” accompanied by the message in braille relief. Sage is an incredible student who demonstrates unbelievable personal initiative in
everything she does. She was an excellent peer-teacher and is a wonderful role model.
Kiishi D. – LongfieldsDavidson Heights Secondary School Kiishi has demonstrated commitment to, participation in, and leadership in a variety of roles that she has undertaken during her tenure at Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School. These include involvement in the Black Student Union, the Black Youth Forum, and a range of other inclusion- and diversity-related activities and initiatives.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board recognized outstanding graduates with various awards at each school earlier this month.
The awards are intended to applaud the differencemakers who have graduated with honours across the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) community of high schools. These outstanding students were recognized with an OCSB graduate award at their graduation ceremony this year.
The Director of Education Award for Academic Perseverance is given to a graduating student who has persevered in completing all the requirements for obtaining an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, including the community service component and has demonstrated courage and determination while facing and overcoming adversity. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and a $1,500 bursary.
Local winners were Katherine Morin of St. Mother Teresa, Jacob R (full last name withheld) from St. Jo-
seph, and Kaz Coons of St. Francis Xavier.
The Director of Education Graduate Student Award was presented to students who exemplify the Ontario Catholic School Graduate expectations and have been accepted at a university or college. Each award winner achieved a high academic average in their Grade 11 and Grade 12 subjects while consistently demonstrating positive social attitudes throughout their high school years. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and a $1,500 bursary.
Local winners were Jack Mouannes of St. Francis Xavier, Nana Adoboa NuamaMensah of St. Mother Teresa, and Poorni Munasinghe of St. Joseph.
The Walking Towards Reconciliation award was presented to students who have been involved with an initiative, project or event that has tried to encourage reconciliation, demonstrating empathy and understanding of the context, culture, perspectives or history of Indigenous peoples. Through daily
actions and behaviours, they have shown an appreciation of the value of Indigenous cultures to Canadian society. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and a $1,000 bursary.
Local winners were Julia Pine Bisson of St. Francis Xavier High School, Curtis Schwendt of St. Mother Teresa and Sydney W. (full last name withheld) of St. Joseph.
The Inspire Award Inspire Award is given to a graduating student in an Inclusion, DE or ECL program who was eligible for “school to 21” programs. The recipient of this bursary displays a positive attitude toward their studies and demonstrates good citizenship through a positive contribution to life at school and/or in the community.
Local winners were Anand Raguraman of St. Mother Teresa and Faisal Jabrah of St. Francis Xavier.
The Destination Employability Award was given to graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Destination Employability program
at their high school. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and a $500 bursary.
Local winners were Faisal Jabrah of St. Francis Xavier and Kwame Wallace of St. Mother Teresa.
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Award is given to graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program at their high school. They also have attained outstanding success in the view of their employers and cooperative education teachers; demonstrated a well-rounded achievement in their education and community involvement; and attained exceptional achievement in the context of economic, cultural or social barriers.
Local winners were Adam Lamothe of St. Francis Xavier, Dante Chiarello of St. Joseph, and Campbell Sevigny of St. Mother Teresa.
The Archbishop Graduate Award exemplifies student dedication to spiritual and social growth within their
parish. Each award winner has participated in school and parish events that enhanced the character of their Catholic high school.
Local winners were Antony Punnassery of St. Francis Xavier, Rosa Reitano of St. Joseph, and Michael Zagon of St. Mother Teresa.
The Graduate Expectations Award honours a Catholic graduate from each OCSB high school who demonstrates the distinctive expectations defined in the Catholic Graduate Expectations. They have participated in school, community and parish initiatives throughout their high school career, attained a minimum 75% average. They receive a certificate and a $1,000 bursary.
Local winners were Ella Villeneuve of St. Francis Xavier and Landry Ouedraogo of St. Joseph.
The Ottawa Catholic Teachers Association Graduating Student Award is presented to a student who demonstrates a commitment to the principles of Catholic social teaching and social justice
throughout their secondary school experience.
Local winners were Layan Kanaa Alhalabi of St. Francis Xavier and Venika Sem Mbimbi of St. Mother Teresa.
The Trustee Service Award is given to a graduating student who demonstrates initiative and leadership through extensive service in high school activities and community or fundraising involvement. They have also completed all the requirements for obtaining an Ontario Secondary School diploma.
Local winners were Shanaz Sabir of St. Francis Xavier, Stephanie CardozaValbuena of St. Mother Teresa, and Lily Couture of St. Joseph.
The Be Community School Award is given to a graduating student in recognition of outstanding service to their community. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and a $100 bursary.
Local winners are Annmaria Rajan, Olivia Lafleur of St. Joseph, and Joel Foley of St. Mother Teresa.
Last month, the Ottawa Swans became the first Australian Rules Football Club in North America (which boasts 41 Clubs in Canada, 47 in the USA) to have an Indigenous Round.
The idea started in 2019 when Indigenous players on the team wanted to do something akin to the Indigenous Round that occurs in Australia, that would be a recognition and celebration of Indigenous Culture.
Jordan Harcombe and Rob Harbic set about trying to find an artist to design
a jersey to commemorate the occasion. After a while searching, they came across the work of Kanyen’keha/ Mohawk Artist Kory Parkin, who has previously designed jerseys for the Belleville Senators (AHL), Toronto Rock (NLL), Hamilton Bulldogs and Erie Otters (OHL) who was commissioned by the Club following some fundraising. As the ball started rolling, Blyth Academy Glebe came aboard as a community partner to sponsor full sets for the Men’s and
Women’s+ teams.
The jersey is of an indigenized Swan interwoven with lines representing the importance of rivers in the Ottawa-Gatineau area as a means to travel, and the circles representing meeting places, acknowledging the importance of the region as a traditional area of trade. ‘Ottawa’ is derived from the Anishinabe word ‘Odawa’ which means ‘to trade’.
The jerseys made their debut at the Swans Doubleheader home opener vs the Hamilton Wildcats at Man-
otick Polo Grounds at Highway 416 and Bankfield, just south of Barrhaven, where all those attending, players and spectators alike, where invited on the field for a special opening ceremony. Swans player Connor Adair, Metis, offered tobacco to Mr. Greg Meekis, Ojibwe Cree from Sandy Lake First Nation, Knowledge Keeper and Cultural Resource Coordinator with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, who then provided a land acknowledgement and smudging followed by a song and drum. This was followed by a spectacular display of Hoop Dancing by Makhena Rankin-Guerin, Anishinabe.
The Men took to the field after, and following 80 minutes of play they came out victorious 80 - 8. The Women+ capped the special day with a strong 32 - 8 victory.
The Swans will continue to wear the Indigenous jerseys for the remainder of their home games this season, and look forward to beginning to offer free Aussie Rules clinics for Indigenous Youths through a collaboration with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre this summer.
The Swans next home games are July 20th starting
at 2pm at their home field (1600 Bankfield Rd) admission is free, a BBQ and concessions are available for
purchase and a free junior football clinic is offered for children of all ages during the halftime.
Barrhaven native Tyler holmes of the Toronto argonauts got to play in front of his friends and family during the first ever Ottawa RedBlacks game at the new TD Place Stadium July 18, 2014.
holmes, who went to Merivale high School, played college football at Tulsa before spending a year with the Minnesota vikings. his father is legendary running back Richard holmes, who starred for both the argos and the Ottawa Rough Riders. another Barrhaven native, Brander craighead, was also excited to get the chance to play in front of his friends and family with the calgar y Stampeders as they visted the RedBlacks Sun., aug. 24, 2014
CLUES ACROSS
1. Letter of the Greek alphabet
4. Cause to become entangled
10. Swiss river
11. Conversation
12. “Magnum” was one
14. Small integer
15. Christmas
16. Of a specific mountain region
18. Burrowing bugs
22. Of a symbol worthy of veneration
23. A type of syndrome
24. Cephalopod mollusks
26. Metric ton
27. Ornamental box
28. As quickly as can be done
30. “Hoop Dreams” subject Arthur
31. Old TV part
34. Extinct flightless birds
36. Former CIA
37. Successor
39. Archaic form of you
40. Within
41. Danny Hurley’s alma mater
42. Not sacred or biblical
48. Written law
50. Popular hairstyle
51. Congressman
52. Type of font
53. A predetermined period in office
54. Pouch
55. Hormone that stimulates ovulation (abbr.)
56. One from a particular Asian region
58. One’s sense of self-esteem
59. Headgear used to control a horse
60. The habitat of wild animals
CLUES DOWN
1. A right conferred through legal means
2. American island state
3. Inflexibly entrenched
4. “Pollock”
actor Harris
5. Foolish person
6. Follows a particular Chairman
7. Choose
8. Sunrooms
9. One hundred grams (abbr.)
12. A symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
13. South American hummingbird
17. “Girl Chopping Onions” painter
19. Wild dog
20. Units of land
21. Footwear
25. Possessing a constant temperature
29. Hormone that promotes water retention (abbr.)
31. Popular game
32. Pension (German)
33. Giant of industry
35. Inferred
38. One who revolves
41. Kept possession of
43. Loss of electricity
44. Stoppered bottle
45. Everything
46. First to walk on the moon
47. Engrave
49. Female organs
56. Equal to 1,024
