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Year 31 • issue 14
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Police say ‘no indicators’ that Barrhaven violence on rise By Charlie Senack
Orange ribbons and signs decorated this fence at Neil Nesbitt Park and others in Barrhaven on Canada Day as the community showed its support for Indigenous Canadians in the wake of the discoveries of bodies on the grounds of old residential schools. A Barrhaven woman is driving to Saskatchewan this week with gifts and messages of love and support from Barrhaven for the Cowessess First Nations community. For the full story, see page 5. Charlie Senack photo
FRIDAY • July 9 • 2021
Ottawa Police say there are currently “no indicators” to suggest the community is seeing an increase in violence, including swarmings, after a teen was seriously injured outside the Greenbank Farm Boy parking lot after being jumped in early June. The attack, which left a 16-year-old with a concussion and a broken nose, is just one of many incidents the Barrhaven Independent has heard of in recent months. Gloucester-South Nepean Councillor Carol Anne Meehan says her office has also heard of an increase in incidents over the past year, but Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder says police tell her any incidents that are taking place are isolated. In an emailed response to the Barrhaven Independent, Ottawa Police offered little in the way of comments, but noted the skatepark on Ber-
rigan has been on their radar “for quite some time”, and that “patrol is very aware of the youth gathering there and do extra patrols when able.” Police have also noted that patrols in Barrhaven increased following the incident outside Farm Boy, and Councillor Harder said in her weekly newsletter that undercover police would also be monitoring the area. Many families the Barrhaven Independent spoke to who asked for their names not to be published, said their teens have been swarmed, beaten up, and had items stolen, adding they were randomized and untargeted attacks. Many of these incidents took place at the skatepark, various bus stations, and around the Marketplace parking lot. In the incident where a large group of teens swarmed a 16-year-old outside the Farm Boy, Councillor Harder said police have told her it was a targeted attack, and that the
individuals knew each other. Councillor Carol Anne Meehan says regardless of if the attacks are randomized or not, there is a cause for concern and that parents are worried. “They are disturbing, and I think one incident is too many,” Meehan told the Barrhaven Independent in an interview. “Too much can go wrong when kids are swarmed, whether it’s for their shoes, or their cell phone, or whatever.” Meehan, who also sits on the Police Services Board, has long advocated for more police resources in Barrhaven, and she says they are coming. “I have been talking in support of neighborhood police officers and we are going to be getting them,” she said. “The Deputy Police Chief gives me assurances that we are going to be getting them sooner rather than later.”
violence
continues on page 3
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Page 2 FRIDAY, July 9, 2021
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Strandherd Drive reduced to one lane for watermain installation Strandherd Drive (from the Home Depot West Entrance to Jockvale Road) – Strandherd Drive is reduced to one lane in the eastbound direction, as necessary, for the installation of the watermain. Andora Avenue – Andora Avenue is fully closed to traffic at Strandherd Drive for approximately two months. After the full closure, Andora Avenue will reopen as a right-in/ right-out intersection, with no left-turn movements permitted, until the spring of 2022. Local access is maintained via Chapman Mills Drive. A pedestrian traffic signal was installed just west of Andora Avenue to facilitate pedestrian crossing at Strandherd Drive. Tallgrass Lane – Tallgrass Lane is fully closed at Strandherd Drive until the spring of 2022. Aura Avenue – Aura Avenue is fully closed at Strandherd Drive for a few weeks. Tartan Drive – Paving of Tartan Drive is planned for next week. Traffic delays are expected. Local access will be maintained. Dealership Drive – Lane reductions on Dealership Drive, as necessary, for watermain and sewer work.
LET’S TALK
BARRHAVEN by Jan Harder
• Strandherd Drive – Various work continues along the corridor. To accommodate the work, there will be off-peak lane reductions, as necessary along the corridor.
Canadian Girls Baseball Find out about the nationwide non-profit organization called the Canadian Girls Baseball (CGB). The CGB serves to deliver baseball programming to girls across Canada aged 4-16 and it is here in Ottawa! The CGB have a girls baseball program coming up this summer in Ottawa! The program runs from Saturday, July 10, 2021, to Saturday, August 28, 2021. The program duration is 7 weeks and includes 7 sessions that take place each Saturday morning. All playing levels are welcome, including girls who are new to the game of baseball, and offering a pricing accommodation for those who might need financial assistance.
Canadian Girls Baseball program details link: https:// www.canadiangirlsbaseball.com/copy-of-programs
Homeowners will get funds for energy-efficient upgrades The federal government has launched Canada Greener Homes Grant (CGHG), which will provide Canadian homeowners with up to $5,000 to help make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. It also provides up to $600 towards the cost of home evaluations. Whether homeowners are replacing windows and doors, improving insulation to keep their homes warm, or installing solar panels, the Canada Greener Homes Grant will lower Canadians’ energy bills and make their homes more comfortable and affordable. This program will also create jobs, starting with the 2,000 new Energy Advisor positions announced last week. Climate action starts at home, and together we will make life more affordable, create jobs, and cut pollution. The Canada Greener Homes Grant will create more than 110,000 direct
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rental permits for organized and league team play. Step Two allows outdoor team sports to restart. Play must be non-contact or modified to avoid contact. Groups and teams are asked to respect health protocols and measures – which require players and spectators on the sidelines to maintain a two-metre distance from others and wear a mask when maintaining that distance is difficult. Spectators will be limited to 25 per cent of the bleacher or sideline capacity.
Update on City outdoor rentals for events, meetings and organized sports
Outdoor event and meeting rentals
With the Ontario government’s second step of its reopening plan relaxing more outdoor restrictions, the City is providing an update on rentals for events, meetings and organized sports – with the requirement for participants to follow all public health measures and protocols.
Outdoor team or group sports now permitted Grass and synthetic turf sports fields and ball diamonds are now available for
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and indirect jobs across Canada over the next seven years, in addition to the recruitment of 2,000 energy advisors that is currently underway to meet the increased demand for home evaluations. Home retrofits means lower energy bills, more jobs, and less pollution. With the Canada Greener Homes Grant, Canadians can lead the way by taking part in net-zero solutions. Please visit www.canada.ca/greener-homes-grant for more information.
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Step Two limits capacity of organized outdoor events or meetings at 25 per cent capacity of the rented space – based upon the type of event. Table sittings can now accommodate up to six people per table, with each table separated by at least two metres. Visit ottawa.ca for a list of the City outdoor rental spaces that will be available. Outdoor tennis and cycling summer programs for adults and youth will also resume in early July as scheduled. Spaces remain available. Visit the Summer 2021 eGuide on ottawa.
ca/recreation to view and register for these programs. In addition, spaces are still available in July and August for the City’s lowratio Summer Day Camps, which provides physically distanced activities, game and crafts for children between the ages of 4 and 12. You can register and view our 2021 Summer Camp eGuide on ottawa.ca/recreation. Visit ottawa.ca/recreation for more information on outdoor recreation facility locations and rental information, as well as COVID-safety protocols. Residents will be required to follow all COVID-safety protocols and measures.
One million reasons to celebrate – and other vaccine milestones The City of Ottawa’s vaccine roll-out just reached a significant milestone. We’ve topped the one million mark for the total number of doses administered. We’ve achieved this thanks to the exceptional efforts of public health and City of Ottawa staff, pharmacies, paramedics, family medicine practitioners, partners and residents across the city.
harder continues on page 3
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FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 3
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT violence continues from page 1 “I have been talking in support of neighborhood police officers and we are going to be getting them,” she said. “The Deputy Police Chief gives me assurances that we are going to be getting them sooner rather than later.” Meehan says an increased police presence will act as a deterrent for teens who are up to no good, and is a good com-
munity partnership between police and Barrhaven teens. She says the patrols should hopefully begin in the fall and will be 24/7, with a couple cars in the community at any given time. A Barrhaven Community Watch Group has also been formed on Facebook, and has garnered hundreds of members in just a few weeks. The group,
started by Gina Sutton, is working with community partners including community associations, resource centres, police, and politicians, to help spark change. They are advocating for more activities for teens to do in Barrhaven, and have suggested starting a drop-in centre. A public meeting is also on the works so police can address the issue, and members of the
public can have an opportunity to share their concerns and ask questions. Meehan says she’s pleased to see the group has been started, and will support their efforts in any way she can. “It has to be a community response and that is why I’m gratified that these parents got together and they are going to be working to find solutions,
and I think solutions need to start at home and in the community,” she said. “We need to start asking parents “do you know where your kids are? What are they up to?’ We need to monitor them a little more; we need to direct them a little more; we have to educate them more on how to protect themselves.” Police say the incident
which took place at the Greenbank Farm Boy is still an active investigation, so they couldn’t comment on if the teens engaging in these activities are from Barrhaven or elsewhere in the city. In some of the other incidents we have been alerted to, the Independent has been told the teens are coming from other areas of the city including Bayshore and Orleans.
• Also, on Monday, more than 120,000 appointments were booked in one day. These are milestones we can be proud of. But we can’t fully celebrate yet. If you have not received your first vaccine, or accelerated your second dose, now is the time. We have a steady supply of vaccines and many appointments available. To book a first or second dose appointment, visit Ontario.ca/bookvaccine to access the provincial booking system or call the provincial vaccine
booking line at 1-833-9433900 between 8 am and 8 pm, seven days a week. You may also be eligible for vaccination at a local pharmacy, at a popup clinic, or at the Bruyère vaccine clinic. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a community clinic, a pop-up clinic or a pharmacy for your vaccine; what matters is that you get your COVID-19 immunity started now with a first dose or completed with that critical second dose. Let’s keep knocking off
these encouraging milestones so we can all more quickly get back to safely doing the things we’ve all been missing. Visit ottawa.ca or OttawaPublicHealth.ca for more on Ottawa’s vaccination distribution plan.
Do you need a space to self-isolate safely?
• Access to mental wellness support: counsellingconnect. org • Supports for seniors & adults with a disability: communitysupport.covidresponse. ca • Delivery of food & supplies - Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: 613591-3686 • CRB- Canada Recovery Benefits information & support – Service in English & Arabic: Email hanadi.alashi@ occsc.org or fidaa.osman@ occsc.org
Harder continues from page 2 Milestones are now being met at a rapid pace: • Last week, Ottawa administered 127,623 doses to Ottawa residents. • On Monday, we passed the 30 per cent mark for residents 18 years of age and older now fully vaccinated. This came only three days after achieving the 20 per cent mark. • In the coming days, we expect to top 80 per cent of residents 18 years of age and older with their first COVID-19 vaccine.
Help During Self Isolation
Do you need help during self-isolation? Call 2-1-1 for information on resources from the Community and Social Services Line.
The Voluntary Isolation Centre (VIC) is for people who do not have access to an adequate shelter or cannot self-isolate safely in their own homes. To find out more or to apply please call 613580-2424 ext. 25890 or email OPHisolationcentre@ottawa. ca. Here are some resources that might help: • Access to food: goodfoodottawa.ca
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Page 4 FRIDAY, July 9, 2021
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Transformation from diesel to electric buses begins in Ottawa Last week, City Council took the next step in transforming Ottawa’s transit fleet from diesel buses to electric. Now, this fleet transformation will not happen overnight, nor will it be done all at once. Beginning next year, Ottawa will replace its ageing diesel buses with electricpowered buses on a one-toone basis. Ottawa is already set to receive the first four electric buses this year, and by 2036, fourteen years from now, the entire fleet will be electric. Many are concerned about the cost—almost a billion dollars over the next five years alone. Having voted against the last two Transit budgets, many were surprised that I voted for zero-emission buses. I, like many, still have concerns. First of all, we don’t even know if electric buses will stand up to Ottawa’s harsh winters. We also know that the infrastructure needed to maintain and oper-
ate a fleet of electric buses is entirely different than what is required for a diesel-powered fleet, meaning that all of the necessary infrastructure to provide a city-wide transit service needs to change as well. We also must ensure that these buses are just as reliable as our current fleet. Conventional diesel buses run as long as fuel is in the tank, and when the fuel gauge is low, a quick fill-up and the bus is back on the road. There is limited downtime when it comes to refuelling. Electric vehicles take longer to charge, and their fuel range is less. So why did Council unanimously endorse a significant
policy change that has many outstanding questions? First, Council has declared a climate emergency and has committed to reducing GHG’s. One of the City’s major polluters is its transit fleet. Second, electric technology has come a long way over the past decade and will continue to progress as time goes on. Third, Council did not approve a “blank cheque, jump in with both feet with our eyes shut tight” strategy for this decade and a half purchasing plan. If it had, I and several of my Council colleagues would have voted against it. A motion was moved that essentially did two things. First, that the City purchase zeroemission buses for all future transit bus fleet needs, on the basis that the buses are available to meet the City’s operational requirements, including the buses’ functionality in Ottawa’s winter. Second, that the financial arrangements remain affordable under the
City’s Long Range Financial Plan. These were two major pieces that were lacking in the original motion put before
Council. With these safeguards in place, Council was able to approve the 2021-2036 strategy. Ottawa needs to con-
tinue to innovate, and with the operational and financial safeguards in place, I believe this was a positive step in the right direction.
While Canada Day celebrations at Clarke Fields were cancelled, many groups of local residents got together to put on their own fireworks shows in Barrhaven. Many neighbours got together to put on their own Canada Day fireworks show at Nesbitt Park.
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FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 5
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Barrhaven woman driving to Sask. with gifts for Cowessess First Nation By Charlie Senack A Barrhaven woman who is travelling to Saskatchewan has collected messages and items of support to share with community members in Cowessess First Nation, where 751 unmarked graves of Indiginous children were recently discovered. Saskatchewan native Alison Kinahan said she re-
cently made the last-minute decision to return home and visit family after COVID-19 restrictions started to loosen. After hearing the news of countless unmarked graves at former residential schools, she wanted to do something to show support with Indiginous communities. “This was an opportunity to bring messages of support
and solidarity to the people of Cowessess First Nation, and to let them know that we believe them; we stand with them; we support them; and we know that we must do more as settlers,” Kinahan told the Barrhaven Independent. Kinahan, who is an educator, said she studied First Nations, Inuit and Métis cultures, while in teachers col-
lege in the 1990’s, and is one of her teachables. Now, as Kinahan becomes vice principal of Holy Trinity High School in Kanata, she plans to bring her knowledge to the table in order to ensure everyone knows about the devastation residential schools caused. Roughly 20-30 items were collected, said Kinahan, from residents all across the city. The educator put a post on Twitter saying she’d be collecting posters or signs with messages of support, at her Barrhaven home up until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. “I say items because I got traditional cedar that I was gifted to bring; it’s one of four sacred medicines and it’s not very well grown in Saskatchewan,” said Kinahan. “I have some handmade pieces of clothing; they are beautifully handmade and they are a ribbon skirt and a ribbon shirt for
young children. A beautiful blanket; some cards were dropped off from people across the city; and a beautiful painting by a 15-year-old student from Ottawa. There are so many items for children and young adults so it’s a great range in age.” In late May 2021, 215 Indigenous children’s remains were found at Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. A few weeks later, as many as 751 unmarked graves were discovered at Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. Shortly after Kinahan launched her initiative, 182 unmarked grave sites were discovered near the location of a former residential school in the South Interior of British Columbia. Now that ground radar searches are continuing, it’s expected hundreds, if not thousands of unmarked graves will be found, adding to Canada’s dark past with
residential schools. Kinahan has started her 30 hour-long drive from Barrhaven to Saskatchewan, and says she’s excited to see her family for the first time in two years. She’s also honoured to have the opportunity to share these acts and gifts of kindness with the Cowessess First Nation community. Kinahan says the items will be dropped off at the lands or health office sometime in mid July. Along with the gifts heading from Barrhaven to the Cowessess First Nation community were messages of love and support.
A container of gifts from Barrhaven residents is being driven to the Cowessess First Nation community by local educator Alison Kinahan, who is originally from Saskatchewan.
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT Editorial
Is the handshake a thing of the past? The blame must extend far beyond Sir John A. Macdonald In the last few years, Sir John A. Macdonald has had his reputation soiled. His legacy has changed from builder of a nation to racist responsible for the residential schools program. Statues of Canada’s first Prime Minister have been defaced and toppled. Buildings and highways bearing his name are in the process of being renamed. Macdonald will always be Canada’s first Prime Minister. Some argue that the times and the culture were different 150 years ago, and that Macdonald should not be vilified. Today, however, the vocal majority wants Macdonald’s name erased on any public building or street name. Blame for the residential schools program has to extend far beyond Macdonald and the program’s architect, Egerton Ryerson. Statues of Ryerson have also been defaced, and it’s only a matter of time that Ryerson University will get a name change. But let’s dig a little deeper into this. The residential school program continued for more than century, with the last one in Canada closing only 25 years ago. It was also 105 years after Macdonald’s death. If Macdonald has blood on his hands from this program, so does every Prime Minister from Macdonald and Sir Wilfrid Laurier all the way to Jean Chretien. And we won’t even get into the involvement of the Catholic Church in this mess. Wilfrid Laurier seems to have somehow escaped any vilification from the Canadian public. In 1885, the Macdonald Conservative government proposed a sweeping electoral reform bill. Included in Macdonald’s reform bill were proposals to extend the right to vote to single women and widows, and extend the right to vote to Indigenous people. Opposition to Macdonald’s reforms were widespread, and most of what he wanted was taken off the table. Women’s voting rights were taken off the table, and women would not fully gain the right to vote until the end of the first world war. As for Indigenous people’s right to vote, there were so many restrictions placed on Macdonald’s reforms that very few Indigenous Canadians won the right to vote. In 1898, they lost those rights. Laurier was elected Prime Minister. In 1898, he reinstated the voting restrictions of the Indian Act. Things finally changed in 1957 when John Diefenbaker was elected Prime Minister. He nominated James Gladstone as Canada’s first Indigenous senator, and he gave Indigenous Canadians full voting rights. But the residential school program continued. The Canadian government has already announced that there will be a new $5 bill, without Laurier on it. His legacy has, to this point, been unaffected by his actions against the rights of Indigenous people. There is no doubt that everything will come to light when his $5 bill is retired. Residential schools are something that will always be part of Canada’s history. It is a shameful part of our history. But it’s even more shameful that most Canadians are just learning the realities of what happened at those schools today.
BARRHAVEN
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The Barrhaven Independent is published by Manotick Messenger Inc. biweekly at P.O. Box 567 in Manotick, Ontario. The Barrhaven Independent is not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or other material used for publication purposes. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display, National and Classified rates are available on request.
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We’re not in the life is normal lane yet, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is a but it seems that we get to shoulder check total germaphobe. The exact medical term and move a bit closer to it every two or for his condition is mysophobia, which is three weeks. an irrational fear of germs. Have you thought about how life will be Mandel helped make the fist bump a different once we are out of this pandem- mainstream thing, though it has always ic mess? Will we be obsessed with Lysol seemed to be a guys and sports thing. It’s Wipes and hand sanitizer? Will we wear been called the bro fist, the power five, PIB masks occasionally? Will we not tolerate (pound it bro) and knucks. It’s origin, most close-talkers? believe, stems from What about when we boxing, where the opgreet people we haven’t posing fighters bump seen in more than a FROM THE OTHER gloves at the beginning year? I think about that of a match. one, because I think the St. Louis Cardinals biggest change is that baseball legend Stan Jeffrey Morris the handshake might be Musial used the fist a thing of the past. bump in the 1950s and How is that first en1960s. He was concounter going to play out? I saw something vinced he was catching colds from too like this play out last week when I saw two many germs passed on through handshakes old friends greet each other. One stuck out during his career, so he started to bump his hand for a shake, the other extended his fists. It has, for years, also been the mainfist for a bump. stream celebration in the sport of cricket. It was one of the most awkward moAnd then along came Barrack Obama. COUNCIL ments I have ever seen. And somehow I Regardless of policies, hope, change, and wasn’t even a part of it. Obamacare, his lasting legacy as President CORNER The handshake guy kind of Mayor covered may eventually be that he was solely reSuzanne Dodge the fist bump guy’s hand like paper just sponsible for making the fist bump an smothered rock. Then they had this awk- acceptable greeting at all social levels. ward shake that came from their shoulders. Though the handshake is still Coke, Obama It looked like a two-man team cheer be- elevated the fist bump to Pepsi status. fore a volleyball game, or maybe like the I’m warming up to the fist bump, though handshake guy was driving a stick and was I still have the feminine gopher flashbacks shifting gears with the other guy’s fist. THE NOTfrom SO Pinnacle. And the other thing is that My first fist bump happened when I there are so few rules in a fist bump. You NEW worked in Dallas about 20 years ago. It GUY don’t have to make sure to be too limp or Tim Ruhnke wasn’t comfortable, and because of its untoo firm with your handshake. You don’t easiness, I have always had a bit of a mental have to worry about body language, or your block when it comes to the fist bump. The smile and your eye contact, or any of the guy who was my direct boss in the seven- other things that life coaches will drill you layer dip of management at Pinnacle was on. an avid fist bumper. He overused it. He was During the last federal election cama serial fist-bumper. paign, I covered a Liberal Party event in We were sitting in his office, and he was Manotick in which Prime Minister Juslooking over a presentation I had to give to HOUSE tin Trudeau gave a stirring speech. I took WALKER our sales force. He loved it and as he went photos of him working the crowd and got through each page, he stuck out his fist for some good quotes from him. Although I a fist bump. But it wasn’t a cool thing. Susan He Vallom had covered events he was at in the past, stuck his fist out but kind of curled his elbow this marked the first time I got to meet up so his limp fist was in front of his chest. him. He was a world class handshaker. He It was, well, way too feminine for two guys looked me in the eye and had a firm grip. to be doing that. I mean, seriously, it was a It was a confident grip, but not a G.I. Joe presentation for an NHL licensed product. Kung Fu grip. It was a brief exchange and He went into this gopher pose and wanted he told me to keep up the good work with to do this soft little fist bump thing, overBLAKE’S our newspapers. TAKES and over. I was sitting there thinking that As he de-handshaked and moved on to when the presentation was over, we may as the Blake McKimnext person, I had a sinking feeling like well curl up with a tub of Haagen Dazs and I had just struck out. I didn’t even fist bump two spoons and watch The Notebook. him. The fist bump has become less awkward And sure enough, Prime Minister True for me over time. I guess Howie Mandel Bro went on to become the worldwide leadis sort of the guy who took the fist bump er in fist bumps. How could I have missed mainstream. He didn’t use it to be hip or this opportunity? cool or trendy. He used it because he has Shame!
SIDE
NEWS
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 7
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Classic car parade, orange ribbons highlight Canada Day in Barrhaven By Charlie Senack While Canada day festivities were cancelled at Clarke Fields for a second year in a row due to COVID-19, a drive-by classic car show took over Barrhaven streets on July 1. This is the second year a Canada Day drive-by car show took place in Barrhaven, and organizer Keith Goebel says it was a big hit. The classic cars left the new Hampton Inn and Suites located at Strandherd and Tartan, before travelling to all six retirement and long-term care homes in Barrhaven. They also took a quick drive by the multifaith housing on Longfields, also known as ‘The Haven.’ About 20 cars took part, says Goebel, and well over 300 people lined up to watch. The whole route took about an hour to complete, finishing up at Carleton Lodge before heading to the Heart and Crown for refreshments. Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod was also part of the parade
and waved at onlookers as they passed by. Goebel, who also organizes the yearly classic car show at Clarke fields, says they are always looking to find ways to support the community. With seniors feeling isolated due to the pandemic keeping everyone apart, they wanted to drive by all six retirement and long-term care homes in Barrhaven. He says it’s a way to connect seniors with their past. “We always want to try and do something for somebody else,” he said. “If somebody else can enjoy the day, whatever we can do be it with classic cars or Canada Day, it’s important we do it and get people out to enjoy the day and the classic cars.” Canada Day is usually celebrated big in Barrhaven with a week-long midway taking place at Clarke Fields. In a normal year, the festivities wrap up with a family breakfast in the morning; followed by multi cultural performances; games for the kids; and a big firework dis-
The Canada Day classic car parade was enjoyed by several hundred onlookers.
play to wrap up the night. All of that had to be cancelled again this year due to the pandemic. Darrell Batraw, who organizes the annual Mattamy Home Canada Day in Barrhaven celebrations, says while it’s disappointing festivities had to be cancelled again, he’s glad they were able to find a way to commemorate Canada’s 154th birthday. “Everybody loves to see a classic car,” he said. “Whenever you see one drive by, everyone’s heads turn, and you see all these beautiful cars that Keith and his friends restored to bring back their natural beauty.” Bartraw says he’s hopeful and confident that Canada Day celebrations will resume in Barrhaven in 2022, when they will finally be able to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The planning is already well underway in order to make next year’s event an even bigger success. “We never would have thought last year when Canada Day was cancelled, that it would be cancelled again this year,” he said. “Unfortunately, because of the pandemic and all the new strains of the virus, it made holding any big celebrations impossible.” With so much success with the drive-by car show in Barrhaven, Goebel says he’s hopeful another car show can be held in the community sometime later in the summer. With Ontario now in Phase 2 and hopefully weeks away from Phase 3 thanks
Orange ribbons throughout the community served as a sombre reminder and sign of love and support on Canada Day for the injustices done to Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
With no formal Canada Day celebrations for a second year, Darrell Bartraw and Keith Goebel organized a classic car parade that wound through Barrhaven and visited seniors homes in the community. Charlie Senack photos
to vaccination efforts being well underway, the local car enthusiast says the wheels in his brain are already turning. “If we can because of the restrictions being loosened, maybe we can do a mini car show somewhere in July or August, just to get everyone together again and see everybody, because we have been restricted in the house for so long, and just talk, mingle, and look at the cars,” said Goebel. For others they spent Canada Day more quietly this year. After the news of mass unmarked graves of Indiginous children at three former
residential schools across the country, there were calls to cancel all July 1 events. Instead of wearing red and white people were encouraged to wear orange, to show solidarity with the Aboriginal people. As you walked around the streets of Barrhaven, countless families were decked out in orange, and at Neill Nesbit Park located on Foxfield Drive, hundreds of orange ribbons were hung on the fence with signs reading “Every Child Matters.” It was a similar site along the Vimy Bridge which connects Barrhaven to Riverside South,
where thousands of orange streamers were also hung. And while all firework displays were cancelled around Ottawa this year, including the one in Barrhaven, many families joined together to create their own firework displays in backyards and parks. Well over 200 people gathered at Neill Nesbit Park at around 9:00 pm to watch a 45-minute firework display put on by neighbours in the Old Barrhaven Community. The snowbirds also flew over the community at around 1 pm, offering an opportunity for most of Barrhaven to catch a glimpse.
Page 8 FRIDAY, July 9, 2021
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Jan Harder steps down as Chair of city’s Planning Committee By Charlie Senack Councillor Jan Harder has stepped down as Chair of the planning committee, following a damning 101page report by the city’s integrity commissioner, questioning her friendly connection to a well-known Ottawa developer. Harder told her council colleagues that she’d be stepping aside from the planning committee chair during Ottawa’s council meeting on Wednesday, June 23. The Barrhaven councillor who was first elected in the former city of Nepean in 1997, has been the chair of Ottawa’s planning committee since 2014. “The hyper-aggressive online attacks and libels directed at me and others since Friday threatened to curtail the city-building work that must continue at planning committee,” Harder told council Wednesday morning. She also stepped down from the municipal lands development corporation and the planning advisory committee. Harder’s decision to step aside came nearly a week after a report was brought forward by Integrity Commissioner Robert Marleau, who said Harder violated the councillor code of conduct by hiring Alison Stirling (now Clarke), daughter of well-known Nepean developer Jack Stirling. Mr. Stirling has been involved in many key planning files and is well known in the planning community. Marleau said given Harder’s relationship with the Stirling family, it “tainted” the city’s planning and development process. Harder violated Section 4 of the code by hiring Clarke, according to the report, and Section 13 for gifts, benefits and hospitality. An investigation was launched by the integrity commissioner on October 7, 2020, after a complaint was filed by a member of the public, who cited a “triangular” relationship between Harder and the Stirling family. The
complainant said by Harder hiring Clarke, alongside the councillor’s long-standing relationship with her father Jack Stirling, it provided a real advantage to The Stirling Group. Harder told investigators she has known the Stirling family since the late 1990’s, according to the integrity commissioners report. Harder claimed she first met Jack when he was planner for the former City of Nepean and she was a newlyelected councillor. Despite Harder’s relationship with Mr. Stirling spanning over two decades, she did not know his daughter personally. Clarke worked for Harder as an employee from August 2017 to July 2018, and was first made aware of a planning assistant position in the councillor’s office after running into Harder in the city hall cafeteria following a meeting. Clarke had just started working at Stirling Group and was preparing to eventually take over the family business, but left that position to work for Harder and gain new planning skills. After leaving Harder’s office about a year after beginning work in the councillor’s office, Clarke returned to Stirling Group and worked as a consultant for Harder from November 2018 to October 2019, and from March 2020 to February 2021. A large portion of her role was to provide briefings on reports. The group was paid $3,000 a month, working out to a roughly $36,000 per year contract. A third contract for the same yearly sum was signed on March 18 of this year, but the integrity commissioner didn’t include that because his investigation was coming to an end. During the portion of time between contract one and two, Harder said she would often call Mr. Stirling and Ms. Clarke for planning advice, “free of charge.” Clarke also provided six briefing notes during this time.
Councillor Jan Harder stepped down as Chair of Ottawa’s Planning Committee.
“I get free service from Jack, and a few others, anytime I want,” Harder told investigators, according to the report. “This is the thing. It formalizes the relationship having that contract, it’s important to me to have the quality of the briefing notes that I have from Alison, but that’s the extent that Alison’s role is. Jack, just like [name of other individual removed], I’ve called him on some pretty significant issues and he has – because
we have a relationship and he’s so right about the, the size of the, the fish swimming around in the planning pool, really in the City, OK?” As a result, integrity commissioner Marleau recommended city council vote to remove Harder as chair of planning, dock 15 days pay, remove the Barrhaven councillor from the Ottawa Community Lands Development Corporation board, and to make sure Harder reimburs-
es any legal fees charged to her office budget. During council on Wednesday, Harder repeated claims that she did nothing wrong and said the report was “politically driven.” Harder said the reason why she’s stepping down is because the report was getting in the way of planning issues and was “too disruptive.” “There was no violation in the hiring process; no violation of the municipal
Staff photo
conflict of interests act; and no evidence of conflict of interest,” she said. At first Harder appeared as if she wanted to fight the report. Her lawyer, Michael Polowin, obtained another legal opinion by law specialist John Mascarin, whose firm acts as integrity commissioner for over 40 municipal governments.
harder
continues on page 9
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 9
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT harder continues from page 8 Mascarin told Ottawa city council in his own report that the recommendations by the integrity commissioner “are not appropriate remedial measures” authorized by the Ontario Municipal Act. He said the proposed penalties “are not reasonable and are not supported by the jurisprudence.” But in the end Harder decided to step aside to make sure planning work can continue. “Over the last few days I have faced online harassment from what appears to be an organized campaign from a driven loony group,” Harder added. “Aside from me, many individuals, including some from around the council table, have had their good names tarnished. This vocal group of opponents seems to be against the
testimonial development we have been witnessing in this city.” Harder said the only findings from the integrity commissioners report is the city needs to review and revisit its hiring policies. She also apologized to her council colleagues for putting them in this difficult position. “That was never my wish, and for that I am sorry,” she said.” The Barrhaven ward councillor also said she’s sad for how her longstanding position on the planning committee is coming to an end, and plans to now devote more time to her constituents. Previously, Harder has announced she won’t seek another term on council after two and a half decades representing Barrhaven resi-
dents. “This decision hurts me as I have worked tirelessly with great commitment over the last six years — actually more than the last six years — as the chair of planning,” she said. “I am proud of my contributions to the development of our city. I will continue to work harder than ever for my constituents in Barrhaven. I am looking forward to having increased availability and spending more quality time with constituents in my ward.” River Ward councillor Riley Brockington was the only council member to publicly thank Harder for her many years of service on the planning committee. He said she was always very accessible and was always there to answer any questions other
members had. Brockington, however, stressed that council’s role during this meeting was to “restore public trust and confidence which has been fractured.” Diane Deans, who is councillor for GloucesterSouthGate, said the public is losing “good faith” in this term of council and that rules must apply to all members. She said if it was other councillors’ integrity being questioned — a member who is not typically on Team Watson — the recommendations would be fully applied. Somerset ward councillor Catherine McKenney, echoed Dean’s sentiments and said “it is obvious there are two sets of rules in this city.” McKenney referred to previous investigations showing misconduct on cur-
rent councillors conduct, where they got off. “Sorry is all it took,” she said. Mayor Jim Watson didn’t comment much on the integrity commissioner’s findings regarding Harder, but said he agreed with her decision to step down as the chair of planning. After Harder announced her resignation, Watson moved a motion for council to accept the integrity commissioner’s report, but to forgo many of the sanctions in the report while saying Harder did no wrong. In the end, Harder was reprimanded, with council voting 14 to 9 in favour of Watsons motion, which was tweaked at the last minute to reprimand the Barrhaven councillor while noting she
at least did some wrong. It meant while Harder stepped down as the chair of planning, the city would pick up her legal fees which currently sit at $7,100 as of the end of April. The three and a half months of free work provided by The Stirling Group also doesn’t have to be registered in the gift registry. Before the council meeting got underway, Horizon Ottawa, Ecology Ottawa, ACORN, and CAFES, held a joint virtual rally calling on Mayor Watson and city councillors to listen to the integrity report’s findings and follow through with its recommendations. The next chair of the planning committee will be chosen during the next council meeting.
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Company claims it can extend life of Trail Road Landfill by 150 years By Jeff Morris An Ottawa company met with the City of Ottawa’s Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water and Waste Management Tuesday, and claimed that their waste to energy system can divert waste from landfills to substantially extend their life. “We can create clean power to reduce environmental emissions,” said Johannes Ziebarth, President and CEO of Landaira. “Our model requires no up front capital from the city.” The presentation came at a time when the Trail Road Landfill just west of Barrhaven has become a hot topic at City Hall. Staff says the landfill is now at 70 per cent of its capacity, and that it will be full in 15-17 years. Landaira told the committee it can help solve the potential crisis. “We could extend the life of the Trail Road Landfill by 150 years,” said Alannah Bird of Landaira. “We are also able to do landfill reclamation, so that could push that out even further.” Ziebarth explained how Landaira’s thermal conversion system works. The molecular structure of hydrocarbons in carbonbased waste is continuously broken down by combining low temperature heating in pressurized containers with controlled, low-volume air circulation to create a completely controlled decomposition process. He outlined a five-step process for this process. 1. Waste destined for the landfill is collected and packaged into manageable bales — without sorting, drying, or shredding. Bailing removes the issues of smell and leeching. 2. The bales are placed in the patented Landaira thermal conversion processing containers, which are then lowered into an autoclave. 3. The thermal con-
version is initiated to bring the waste in the autoclave up to 600° C to 800° C at a low pressure of up to 150 PSI to start the decomposition process. 4. A very low volume of air is circulated in the autoclave chamber to enable the thermal conversion until the waste is reduced to carbon and ash residue, and any remaining recyclables. 5. Waste is reduced to carbon/ashe residue, any recyclables, and a synthetic gas used to generate clean energy. Committee Chair and Ward 21 Councillor Scott Moffatt first met with Landaira in 2019. He said the company can process 75 tonnes of garbage per day, but added that the city takes in almost 2,000 tonnes of garbage per day at Trail Road. If the city entered a pilot project with Landaira, it woud be for 75 tonnes of garbage per day. Based on the success of the pilot, a contract would likely be for 400 tonnes per day. “The challenge will be to find someone who can process that kind of volume,” Moffatt said. “Even if we explore an opportunity like this, we would only be talking about a portion of our waste.” Moffatt also referenced the city’s attempt at a pilot project in plasma gasification with Plasco at the Trail Road Facility. “We’re talking about multiple technologies offering the site potentially
multiple groups to come forward and process waste, rather than the ‘all our eggs in one basket’ approach used 15 years ago.” In addition to the reduced amount of waste by up to 95 per cent, Landaira also claimed it could help the city achieve its carbon reduction goals at the landfill sites. “We have extremely clean emissions,” Bird said. “Landaira can reduce the emissions created by up to 99 per cent.” Councillor Allan Hubley finally addressed the elephant in the room and asked Ziebarth directly how his company differed from Plasco. “Plasco was my client, so I got to know them quite well,” Ziebarth said. “Where we differ is that Plasco was an open, continuous flow gasification using a very high energy output and very high temperatures to eradicate the waste. The big difference for us is that we aren’t attempting the continuous flow. We have a very scientifically controlled environment that we thermally convert the garbage in inside of the autoclave. We’ve certainly kept it to moderate temperatures to do the thermal conversion – just the right temperature to molecularly decompose the components in the garbage. And we keep it at an almost zero oxygen level inside of the autoclave. “Those two things com-
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FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 11
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Trustee personally delivers gift bags, cards to 2020-21 graduates By Jeff Morris While the 2020-21 school year was unlike any before it, Ottawa Carleton District School Board Trustee Donna Blackburn wanted to do something special for this year’s graduates. Blackburn, the Trustee for Barrhaven, Knoxdale and Merivale, has been driving throughout Nepean to personally deliver gift bags and handwritten notes to this year’s graduating high school students. She came up with the idea last year, delivering gift bags to graduates when it was announced that in-person graduation ceremonies would not be held. “It was an especially dif-
ficult year for the graduating students,” Blackburn said. “Over a matter of just a few days, high school was over because of the pandemic. I wanted to do something to put a smile on their faces.” Blackburn reached out to students on social media and they responded. She delivered the gift bags wearing a mask, rang doorbells, and then backed away “four or five feet.” The gift bag also contained a personalized, hand-written card from the trustee. The year, Blackburn posted on social media that she was doing the same thing again. She has been delivering graduation gift bags to approximately 300 people.
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“It doesn’t make up for how difficult this year has been on the graduating class,” she said, noting that the Class of 2021 had to cope with online learning, literally no social time with friends, no sports and no extra-curricular activities. Ontario Premier Doug Ford stated late last month that he would like to see every school in Ontario hold an outdoor graduation for its students. “I was totally happy when I heard that and I hope we can make it happen,” she said. “We are lucky in our schools that we have such dedicated administration and school staff. I am confident the students will get some sort of safe, in person graduation. They really deserve it.”
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Page 12 FRIDAY, July 9, 2021
CLUES ACROSS 1. Plant of the mint family 7. Hand tool 13. Made of the color of gold 14. A volume of several novels 16. Type of degree 17. Good job! 19. Seventh tone in major scale 20. Fevers 22. One’s mother 23. Fertile desert spots 25. Large integers 26. Plate for Eucharist 28. Tennis matches have them 29. Peyton’s little brother 30. Monetary unit of N. Korea 31. Head movement 33. Twelve 34. Renaissance musical instrument 36. Behavior showing high moral standards 38. Letter of the Hebrew alphabet 40. Notes to be sung 41. Women’s garment 43. Coarsely ground corn 44. One point south of due east 45. A way to deplete 47. Rough, prickly
covering of a seed 48. LA hoopster, but not a Laker 51. Hindquarters 53. Franz van __, German diplomat 55. Liquid body substances 56. Rhythmic patterns 58. A beaver might build one 59. Police officer’s tool 60. Indicates who you are 61. Pinwheel 64. Exist 65. Ornamental molding 67. Closes again 69. Verses 70. Come into view CLUES DOWN 1. Short stick used as a weapon 2. An alternative 3. Laws 4. Sense organs 5. One from Utah 6. Mariner 7. People in charge of cattle 8. Health insurance organization 9. Ornamental box 10. Forest-dwelling deer 11. One quintillion bytes (abbr.) 12. Atomic #71
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
13. Become less intense 15. Cowards 18. Body ornament (slang) 21. Applicable to all cases 24. Multiplied by 6 26. Afghanistan monetary unit 27. Calendar month 30. Cena and Lennon are two 32. Monetary unit of Serbia 35. First time on the market 37. Georgia rockers 38. Free from contamination 39. Coastal region of Canada 42. Clothing retailer 43. It rises and sets 46. Fathers 47. Stain with mud 49. Suitable for crops 50. Feels concern for 52. Orange-brown 54. Buddy 55. Late sportscaster Craig 57. Used to align parts 59. Wake up 62. Solid water 63. Semiprecious stone 66. Atomic #45 68. Top lawyer
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 13
Page 14 FRIDAY, July 9, 2021
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Student artist raises money for orphaned and disabled Afghan children
Name: Huda Amin
and broadened my horizons.”
fOCUS ON
Age: 17 School: St. Joseph High
YOUTH by Phill Potter
Grade: 12 Parents: Rita and Omar Amin Brother: Omran (14), grade 9, St. Joseph High Pet Peeve: “People who chew really loudly, especially if they’re chewing gum really loud during a test. It makes me lose focus!” Favourite Subject: “My favourite subject would definitely be Biology. It’s a challenging subject with many ups and downs. However, it’s always exciting and fun to learn. When I study biology, I’m learning about myself and the world around me, and how the micro and macro of our world are all interconnected. Out of all the topics, human biology is the best.” What do you enjoy reading for pleasure? “I’m an avid book reader. I absolutely love reading, because it makes me escape from reality and live in a new world. I especially enjoy reading non-fiction, fantasy novels and mystery, because of how fun they are to read. The best books are ones that make you forget the worries and frustrations of this world, and wander your brain to imagine new creativities.” Who is your favourite author? “Khaled Hosseini –
an Afghan-American novelist and author of the famous Kite Runner book. As an Afghan myself, his books connect me with my background, and tell a minimal piece of a story that many Afghans have faced. Although his books have more of an orientalist view, his writing style and story building are packed with emotion and power in every book he writes – making him my favourite author.” What is your greatest accomplishment? “My greatest accomplishment is being proud of the person I have become and achieving the goals I had set. For example, I recently got accepted into my program of choice, Health Science, at both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. “Another one, would be stepping out of my comfort zone and presenting my art at an Afghan Charity Week event over Zoom, where the money raised would go towards orphaned and disabled Children in Afghanistan. This event was organized by Student initiatives in the UK. I didn’t know anyone and it was pretty nerve-wracking. However, I felt accomplished in the end. I was part of an amazing initiative that made an impact on people’s lives,
School Activities: “Throughout high school I’ve participated in many school clubs: LINK Club, Student Council, Diversity Club, etc., but the one that stuck out to me the most was LINK Club. We focused on promoting Mental Health and Wellness in the school through many activities, events, and fundraisers, while also helping the greater community during holidays, like Christmas. “The LINK Club will always be a high school experience I will hold dear, because of the amazing students and teachers that made the Club welcoming and memorable – shoutout to Mrs. White and Mrs. Briglio! This year, due to the pandemic, many school clubs were unfortunately cancelled, Nevertheless, I took a position as a Media Executive for the Student Council, and created posts to promote school events.” Other Activities/Interests: “I’ve always loved creating art. The pandemic really pushed me to showcase my art to a greater audience, and step out of my comfort zone. Because of that, I recently opened an art account on Instagram that combines aspects of my Afghan identity and personal interests, which has gained lots of love from many people. I want to use my art to showcase the beautiful side of Afghanistan that the media disproportionately displays, and use art as a tool to advocate for change, not only in Afghanistan, but
St. Joseph grad Huda Amin is heading to the University of Ottawa in the fall to obtain an Honours Bachelor of Health Science degree. Submitted Photo
the world.” Career Goals: “I will be attending the University of Ottawa to obtain an Honours Bachelor of Health Science. My future career goal is to work in a Healthcare setting to make a difference, and have a positive impact on other people’s lives.”
Comment: “With my High School journey coming to an end – during a pandemic. As well as many others, it’s clear to say that this year for us was confusing, disappointing, but still unique in its own way. I’m sad that I won’t be able to say a proper goodbye to the
last six years of my life as I turn the page, but I’m satisfied that through these challenges, we still made it to the finish line. Nurses, Doctors, and frontline workers are the ones working the hardest during this time, so hopefully all together, we can quickly reach the finish line to this pandemic.”
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FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 Page 15
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Barrhaven residents start charity to help disadvantaged youth play golf By Jeff Morris A pair of local hockey players have joined forces to share their love of golf with children who may not have ever had the chance to experience the game. Will Brown and Keenan Reynolds have partnered with the OSEG Foundation and Ottawa Community Housing Foundation to create the Front Nine Project. The aim is to provide youth in Ottawa with the opportunity to learn how to play golf by removing the financial barriers associated with beginning such an expensive sport. Brown grew up in Barrhaven and golfed at Cedar Hill Golf Club. He played junior hockey with the Nepean Raiders and Ottawa 67s before moving on to Queen’s University to spend three seasons with the Gaels. He is now studying law at Osgoode Hall and will be playing hockey for York University this season. Reynolds, meanwhile, learned to paly golf in Rockland and was one of the top junior golfers in the city. He went to John McCrae Secondary School in Barrhaven and played junior hockey for the Owen Sound Attack and Flint Firebirds. He finished his junior hockey career with the Navan Grads and Carleton Place Canadians, and then spent part of the 2019-20 season with the Carleton Ravens. He is studying political science at Carleton and holds a 4.0 grade
point average. He will be studying law at McGill in the fall. “We always wanted to do something together,” Reynolds said. “We wanted to get into the golf industry and there has been a huge influx of new golfers because of COVID.” Reynolds and Brown grew up playing against each other, but became friends when they were roommates at the Ontario U15 tryout camp. “I hated playing against him,” Reynolds said of Brown. “He was a defenceman and I was a forward, and he was really tough to play against. Off the ice, we obviously didn’t hate each other, and when we were roommates we became good friends.” The golf industry experienced a boom in 2020 despite the pandemic and the late start to the season. As provinces began reopening from the initial wave of lockdowns in late April and early May last year, golf courses became one of the few safe spaces that Canadians could seek out much-needed healthy recreation outdoors. This led to an unprecedented boom for the golf industry as over 20 million rounds of golf were played in Ontario alone, despite the late start to the golf season. This drastic influx of new golfers represented the single largest year of growth for golf since 1997, the year that Tiger Woods made his debut on the PGA Tour. While some youth golf programs are focused
on trying to develop the next Brooke Henderson or Mike Weir, Reynolds and Brown wanted to approach their program from a different angle. They wanted to give youths from financially disadvantaged families a chance to learn the sport. “We presented the idea to OSEG and then talked to Ottawa Public Housing,” Brown said. “Things have moved pretty quickly.” For this year, the goal is to have a group of five to eight youths in a six-week program. They would receive a golf shirt and hat, have lessons at the driving range, and also learn the rules and etiquette of the game. Graduates of the program will be able to continue playing golf once their time with the Front Nine Project has come to an end. If the youths decide that they want to continue playing golf the following year, the Front Nine Project will help pay for the junior golf memberships of those participants. “Originally, we wanted to approach companies for corporate sponsorships, but with COVID going on, there were not a lot of philanthropic funds available,” Reynolds said. “This year, we are trying to raise as much money as we can for the program. Not one person has told us this is a bad idea.” While Brown and Reynolds are running the program, they are taking no payments or salary from it. They have started a
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Keenan Reynolds and Will Brown have established a charity to help disadvantaged youth experience playing golf. Front Nine photo
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