Barrhaven Independent May 24, 2024

Government of Ontario protecting people both online and on the road

By Goldie Ghamari mPP for Carleton

Sometimes people ask me what the best thing about the Carleton riding is.

One of the answers I give them usually catches them by surprise.

“Fishing,” I tell them. Maybe it’s not the absolute best thing about Carleton, but it’s up there.

And before you say anything, yes, I was born in Iran and came to Canada as a child and grew up in Toronto before coming to Ottawa to go to school and then making my home here. But fishing is big in Iran, especially among anglers. And although there are some fish native to Persian waters, you will also find perch, catfish, and rainbow trout there, just like here.

On Mother’s Day weekend, Ontario offered free fishing to Canadian residents anywhere in Ontario. The free fishing weekend is a great way for families to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Additional annual free fishing events coming up this year include Father’s Day weekend (June 15 and 16), and Family Fishing Week to celebrate Canada Day (June 29-July 7).

The Osgoode Township Fish, Game and Conservation Club holds a Kids Fishing Day during that week in July, and in the past, they have offered free rods and reels to kids. The event takes place at Alfred Taylor Park along the Rideau River near Osgoode.

I promised Osgoode Councillor Goerge Darouze that I would not mention that I caught a fish before he did at the 2022 event. Or maybe I didn’t promise him I wouldn’t mention it…

Canadian residents taking part in free fishing periods

need to carry physical identification issued by the provincial or federal government, showing name and date of birth.

Ontario fishing licenses can be purchased online at huntandfishontario.com. If you are buying online, always look for the Ontario logo. You can also purchase your license in person at participating ServiceOntario or license issuer locations.

Outside of free fishing periods, most Canadians between the ages of 18 and 64 must have an Outdoors Card and a fishing license.

All veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members residing in Ontario can enjoy free recreational fishing in the province any time of year.

For more information on fishing in Ontario, visit Ontario.ca/page/fishing.

Ontario Strengthening Cyber Security and Protecting People Online

The Ontario government

introduced legislation that, if passed, would provide new tools to prevent and respond to cyber security threats and safeguard critical public services, such as health care and education. By enhancing cyber resilience, the government is ensuring these essential sectors remain secure and operational, protecting the safety and privacy of all Ontarians while providing them with more connected and convenient services across government.

The Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 would also strengthen safeguards for children’s personal information and lay the foundation for the ethical use of artificial intelligence in the public sector.

The legislation works to better protect the people of Ontario by:

- Strengthening cyber security in the public sector. This includes critical sectors such as hospitals, schools, and children’s aid societies. The

legislation will help these organizations prevent and rapidly respond to cyber threats and attacks and minimize service interruptions, ensuring these organizations can continue to operate even when breaches occur.

- Safeguarding the data of children and youth from being stolen or used inappropriately with stronger privacy protections when they are in settings like schools. Future regulations could prevent the misuse or sale of student data for predatory marketing by

third parties, ensuring children are not unduly targeted or exploited by technology providers.

- Modernizing privacy protections. Increase the authority of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) to investigate and respond to privacy breaches and inappropriate use of personal data and mandating organizations to complete privacy impact assessments.

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The fish that Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari caught wasn’t very big, but it was the first one caught during the 2022 Kids’ Fishing Day in Osgoode. goldie

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- Building a strong foundation in artificial intelligence (AI) governance to solidify Ontario’s leadership in the responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies. AI has the potential to transform vital programs and enhance services for the people of Ontario and we are ensuring it is used in a transparent, accountable, and ethical way.

- Improving online customer service delivery. With the proposed changes, Ontarians who choose to opt-in can enjoy a more efficient experience with government services. The introduction of “tell us once” features mean users will not have to repeatedly enter the same information during their interactions. This not only speeds up processes but also reduces the potential for errors, making government services more user-friendly and effective.

With more than 400 artificial intelligence firms and institutions, our province is at the centre of an AI-enabled future. As part of our on-

going work to develop safe and responsible AI applications while encouraging collaboration and fostering new partnerships, the Ontario government provided the Vector Institute with up to $27 million in June 2023, to help more Ontario companies connect with Vector’s AI experts. By continuously working to strengthen our partnerships with organizations like the Vector Institute, we are ensuring Ontario stays at the forefront of AI innovation, retains top AI talent and enhances the delivery of smarter, more efficient government services.

Our government will consult key public sector stakeholders, Indigenous partners, academia, technology and AI experts, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and the IPC as it develops regulations. As technologies continue to rapidly evolve, we are committed to continuously working with all partners to better protect Ontarians, especially our children.

Quick Facts

- Ontario is implementing new and improved digital health care tools and services to improve patient care and enhance health system coordination. By strengthening cyber security and privacy measures, Ontario is safeguarding personal data to ensure a safe and seamless health care experience for people in Ontario.

- Ontario is requesting comments on the draft bill from the public through the Ontario Regulatory Registry until June 11, 2024.

- Ontario’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence provides guidance, best practices, and education on cyber security to the broader public sector to ensure our schools, hospitals and children’s aid societies have the best and most reliable access to every resource Ontario has to offer to prevent and respond to cyber threats and attacks.

- Ontario is engaging the AI Expert Working Group, experts from tech and AI industry and academia to provide advice and recommendations on

the development of Ontario’s Trustworthy AI Framework and responsible use of AI within the public service.

- According to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, cyber-attacks are a growing threat to Ontario. IBM reports that the average cost of an incident in 2023 was $6.94 million.

Ontario Taking Impaired Drivers Off the Road

The Ontario government is cracking down on impaired driving by introducing legislation that, if passed, would impose stiffer penalties for those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs – including a lifetime license suspension for those convicted of impaired driving causing death.

Additionally, the government will require anyone convicted of impaired driving to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle and undergo mandatory remedial education and treatment for first and second-time alcohol and drugrelated offences respectively.

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The proposed legislation would also increase immediate roadside license suspensions for first and second-time alcohol and drug-related offences and clarify police authority to stop vehicles and/or administer sobriety tests for drivers on or off the highway.

In response to increasing instances of cannabis-impaired driving, the government will also work to provide additional tools and training to help police officers detect drug-impaired driving and launch a provincewide campaign to highlight the dangers of drug-impaired driving, with a focus on cannabis and young drivers.

Quick Facts

- In Ontario, one in three roadway fatalities involves impaired driving.

- A 2022 roadside survey found that one in five drivers tested positive for drugs, alcohol, or both.

- The percentage of drivers killed while under the influence of cannabis more than doubled between 2012 and 2020.

- Ignition interlocks are in-car alcohol breath screening devices that prevent the vehicle’s engine from starting if it detects alcohol in the driver’s system.

- For alcohol and drugrelated offences, the province is proposing to increase the first and second-time roadside license suspensions from three and seven days to seven and 14 days, respectively.

- To keep communities safe, the Ontario government is also cracking down on auto theft by introducing legislation that, if passed, would suspend driver’s licenses for people convicted of the crime.

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

Goldie, Your voice at Queen’s Park

What everyone needs to know about women and heart disease.

● Heart disease is under-studied, under-diagnosed and under-treated in women.

● It is the number one killer of women over 35 worldwide, accounting for more deaths every year than all cancers combined

● Better understand how to prevent women’s heart disease and ways to develop a heart healthy lifestyle.

● We Welcome Men & Women of All Ages and All Cultures

Presenter

Marion Martell, Women@Heart Program Ambassador, Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

MacLeod stands with Jewish community at Israel Independence Day ceremony

By Charlie SenaCk

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod called herself a proud Zionist as she stood with the Jewish community at Israel!s Independence Day ceremony held in a secured area at City Hall on May 14.

MacLeod had already been vocal about her views online, repeatedly writing that Israel had the right to defend itself amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. She also openly supported the keffiyeh ban at Queen’s Park, despite Ontario Premier Doug Ford stating it should be revoked.

“The rules in a democracy are here to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. That is what happens each and every single day in Israel, and it’s what happens each and every single day in Ottawa,” MacLeod told the cheering crowd.

“Today the minority group that I’m standing to protect is

protection afforded to you as a Canadian citizen.”

The Independence Day ceremony and Israeli flag raising ceremony almost did not happen due to security concerns raised by Ottawa Police. Less than a week before it was to be held, municipal officials said there would be no formal gathering.

Objections and uproar soon came from the Ottawa Jewish community who felt like they were being ripped away from their traditions.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe advocated for a ceremony to be held safely.

Tuesday’s gathering was by invite only. Participants had to show proof that they registered. Rows of police officers in tactical gear kept a close watch on pro Palestinian demonstrators who marched over from an encampment set up at nearby UOttawa. The two sides were separated from large metal fencing.

loons, and waved the blue and white Israeli flag as chanted for remaining hostages to be freed. “Bring them home,” they said. Then the names of each person held in captivity were read aloud.

On the opposite side, there were calls for Palestine to be free as demonstrators held signs that read “stop the killings.”

Since the war began on Oct. 7, it’s estimated that 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli invasion of Gaza, including 7,800 children. Israeli lives lost sit at around 1,410.

“They can be loud. They can try and disrupt us. But they will never build a city quite like the people in front of me who have contributed to major sports organizations , to major arts organizations, to running a city,” said MacLeod.

There were some tense moments. One person held a

phobia too. A video posted to X showed a person yanking a hijab off of a Palestinian woman at the City Hall gathering. The Muslim Advisory Counsel of Canada said it is in contact with Ottawa Police.

In her speech, MacLeod said she once visited a town in Israel called Sderot, where she saw firsthand how it’s one of the only Middle Eastern countries which protects

women’s rights, embraces the LGBTQ2S+ community, and offers support to disabled residents.

“I went to a very small community — one not very different from Barrhaven where I represent — where there are lots of families with small children,” said MacLeod. “I went to the police station and I had an opportunity to look at some of the

safes and some of the areas where they held the bombs which actually were coming from Israel to Gaza to support water and sewer. They were turned instead to acts of war against Israeli citizens. I remember standing in a bomb shelter and it was disgusted as a caterpillar as the children who would go in it wouldn’t be afraid. I saw what you’re fighting for.”

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod spoke to the crowd about her visit to Israel.

Financial pitfalls put Barrhaven Canada Day at risk, organizers say

By Charlie SenaCk

The future of Canada Day in Barrhaven is in question after financial cuts from all levels of government are putting a hole in the festival’s operating budget.

Darrell Bartraw, organizer of the annual volunteer-run event, said this year, no funding from the provincial or municipal governments came in. The main stage’s Barrhaven business title sponsor also decided to no longer support the neighborhood festival at Clarke Fields.

“This is an annual event the community looks forward to every year. For many it’s become an annual tradition. We see many of the same faces coming back year after year,” said Bartraw. “We keep grow-

ing in size as the community of Barrhaven rapidly grows. But now we fear we will need to cut back, and that will impact the experience for attendees.”

Some of the costs have been picked up from community donations including through a GoFundMe page set up to keep the attraction alive. A contest has been launched where those who donate a minimum of $10 will be entered to win free festival tickets.

New sponsors including the recently opened State & Main Restaurant have also stepped up to ensure Barrhaven residents can celebrate Canada’s birthday, but there’s still a $15,000 gap.

Pinching pennies

Last year, Canada Day in Barrhaven received a

$52,500 grant from the Province of Ontario’s Experience Ontario program. Recent changes capped the contribution to $20,000, but no money has flown in this year.

The festival will get $10,000 through the Canadian Heritage Grant Program — $4,000 less than last year.

The annual tulip festival which draws in tens of thousands of visitors to the Capital every year had to lay off staff and try to do more with less after also receiving little government money. Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the tulip festival had more than $800,000 in funds to work with. This year, it’s about $550,000. The City of Ottawa may not fund the festival at all next year.

The Ottawa Festivals Network said funding from the federal level is down 25 to 60 per cent and 50 to 70 per cent at the provincial level. The 27-year-running Ottawa International Writers Festival was almost forced to shut down last year due to tight bank accounts. It asked for $66,000 from Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport — but received nothing — and had to take funds out of its emergency reserve.

In the case of Canada Day in Barrhaven, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod said she planned to advocate to Ontario Premier Doug Ford for more financial assistance.

Reduced attractions

Bartraw said he hopes attendees will not notice any considerable changes

this year but said they’ve had to go with cheaper bands.

“We’d love to bring in bigger names for entertainment, but this will save us literally thousands of dollars. It’s not what we want to do, but there will still be performances to get people up and dancing to the music,” he said.

The 42-year-old festivities will still end with a firework performance in the evening, and will include the regular midway, kids zone, food trucks, and seniors breakfast. Vendor village, an outdoor farmers market with over 20 stalls, will also happen throughout the day.

“Everything that makes Canada Day in Barrhaven will still be there. We’ve been working all year to make sure it happens.

When one year’s event ends, we start planning for the next one the following day,” said Bartraw. “We will have games, entertainment and activities for people of all ages.”

New this year, the midway will run for 10 days with a two-day break in between. A cultural day will be held on the Saturday with performances on the main stage from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The following day, a country music festival will take place during the same time.

An upcoming comedy show held at the Barrhaven Legion on June 1 will also help offset some of the expenses. A trivia night will also occur at the Cedarhill Golf Course on June 15. Details on both events can be found on the Canada Day in Barrhaven website.

INDEPENDENT EDITorIal

Kaplan-Myrth gets it right with comments made in Ottawa Citizen editorial

We have been critical of OCDSB Trustee Dr. Nili Kaplan-Myrth since the first meeting she participated in as an elected official.

She went to here first meeting six-guns-a-blazin’, wanting to impose a long-term mask mandate for everyone at OCDSB schools. We saw it as grandstanding, regardless of the intent of the motion that failed.

We were critical of her when she shut down a parent with concerns over teenage boys who identified as girls sharing a washroom with his 12-yearold daughter. He was accused of transphobic for simply raising the issue, even though his concerns were for the well-being and comfort level of his daughter.

We were critical of her antics when she was reprimanded for her actions on the board that led to sanctions. At one point, she took offence to being called a white woman, claiming she was Jewish. Our comment was along the lines of Crayola did not recognize Jewish as a colour, because is it a region or faith. No one can deny that they are white because they are Catholic or Protestant.

Kaplan-Myrth was also quick, regardless of what the argument was, to drop in that she has been receiving death threats because she is Jewish. We all became numb to the comments. This was going on long before the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

But in a recent editorial she wrote in the Ottawa Citizen, she checked all of her previous nonsensical actions at the door and delivered a solid account of how the world has changed in the past eight months.

Kaplan-Myrth is upset that the Ottawa Carleton District School Board was driven by a philosophy of there being no room for hate in their schools. There would be no room for hate against the LGTBQ2+ community. There would be no hate toward transgender people.

But somewhere along the line, she points out, that hatred toward Jews has become acceptable. She, along with other members of the local Jewish community, have to listen to people from various nationalities in Canada and around the world side with those who feel that what happened to Israel on Oct. 7 was justified.

Politically, the woke, the NDP, and the extreme left were quick to side with Hamas. This, she points out, is regardless of their mandate to wipe out Israel and Jews. It had to be especially hard for her as she had made alliances on the ODCSB board with the woke regime led by failed NDP political candidates.

It’s a stone cold, lead pipe lock

It seemed like such a simple question.

I was in line at the cash at Your Independent Grocer two weeks ago and the person behind me asked me a simple question.

“So, is this the year the Leafs are finally gonna win it all?”

from the other side

“The Olympics is the greatest stage to showcase a nation. Even if the Olympics are in Moscow, there is no way the Americans and Canadians would boycott them.”

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I looked at him and smiled.

“I hate two things,” I said. “Black olives and the Leafs, and not in that order. But, having said that. They look really good and after coming all the way back to tie the series against Boston, I can’t see them losing. If they’re going to win the Cup, they have a really good shot this year. I think it will be between them and Vegas in the final.”

Of course, then the Leafs lost in overtime and Vegas imploded against Dallas.

In history, there have been some bad predictions. In 1943, IBM Chairman Thomas Watson proclaimed that the worldwide market would “maybe want five computers.” In 1968, Business Week proclaimed that Japanese-made automobiles would never take a big slice of the U.S. car market. And in 1974, Margaret Thatcher said that it would be years – not in her time – that a woman could become Prime Minister.

I’m the last guy in the world you want to hear a prediction from.

I have always had a knack for being spectacularly wrong in my predictions. Let’s take a look at some of them through the years.

In 1987, on the heels of the hits Only in My Dreams and I Get Lost, I boldly predicted, “Debbie Gibson would become the most successful female singer of the 20th Century… even better than Madonna.”

Yup. I was a little bit off on that one.

Ten years later, here was another classic prediction.

“Pop music will die in another decade because we are mathematically running out of combinations of notes that would be appealing. We will have exhausted all musical possibilities, so no one will be able to write music.”

Actually, if you listen to Drake or Kendrick Lamar, I may have been on to something.

In 1980, not only did I predict that U.S. President Jimmy Carter would soundly thrash Ronald Reagan in an election, but after Reagan won the election, I predicted that World War III would begin within six months.

“No one would ever vote for Ronald Reagan,” I told everyone who would listen at South Grenville District High School. “He’s a war monger. If he wins, and with all the stuff going on in Afghanistan and with our close ties to the U.S., guaranteed that they will bring back the draft and we will all be graduating from high school and stepping into a war in the Middle East.”

That one was followed by this classic from 1980.

I fancied myself to be a bit Charles Darwinesque. And it might be noted that Darwin said that he did not expect that his theories would offend anyone. But I bet even Darwin never came out with this classic that I told my co-workers in the newsroom as a cub reporter.

“Within two generations, we won’t have finger nails or toe nails. If you look at the human race over the last couple of hundred years, we are evolving. We are getting taller and healthier. Nails serve no purpose. We just cut them off. Within a hundred years, humans will be born without them.”

In the 1980s, I bought my first video recorder.

“I’m going to spend the extra money and get a Betamax. No one will ever use VHS.”

Within a year I couldn’t rent movies anywhere.

I seemed to really be out of touch when it came to technology.

“I don’t know why you guys are wasting your money on CDs,” I told my friends around 1988. “Cassettes are so much better and they will be around forever.”

Finally, in 1998, I bought my first CD player. About 10 minutes later, everyone was getting an iPod. By the time I got an iPod, everyone was on Spotify.

How about a fashion statement from the 1980s?

“Once these rugby pants catch on, they won’t make pants with belts, buttons or flies anymore. The drawstring is the way of the future.”

I’ve always been a step ahead of all of the movie critics.

“Why would they bother making a second Star Wars movie? Sequels never work.”

Or how about this classic from 1990?

“Oh my God, did you see the trailer for Congo? That is going to be, like, the best movie ever made!”

And should we even bother with sports?

“Tom Brady’s not athletic enough to make it in the NFL.”

“Daniel Alfredsson would never leave the Ottawa Senators. It just can’t happen.”

“The Expos will never leave Montreal.”

“The NHL will never use a shootout to decide games. That’s ridiculous.”

As for politics? I believe this gem is from 2014.

“There’s no way Tim Hudak will lose to Kathleen Wynne.”

So what is in store for us this year?

Don’t ask me.

Somebody one said, “Don’t ask the questions you don’t want to know the answers to.”

Go ahead and ask me. I don’t have a clue.

BARRHAVEN

Local hockey tournament to promote diversity and inclusion

By Charlie SenaCk

A number of Ottawa residents are getting ready to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport of hockey during a tournament being held at UOttawa on May 25.

The initiative was first started three years ago by students at R.I.S.E Academy, a virtual not-for-profit high school founded by Osgoode resident Rebecca Chambers, who used to teach at Barrhaven’s John McCrae High School.

Chambers, who brought a new approach to education after feeling the Ontario curriculum was lacking, said the event has continued to grow in size.

“Overall the discussion or feedback is that a lot of people found it eyd opening that this wasn’t something they considered; It wasn’t a conversation that went through their kinds,” she told the Barrhaven Independent. “As a hockey player you often show up at a hockey arena, do your thing, and then leave. As a white hockey player you don’t often

think about the issues that need to be dealt with.”

During the 2021 to 2022 Hockey Canada season, over 900 cases of on-ice discrimination were reported. The incidents included verbal taunts, insults, and intimidation. An internal study done in the NHL in 2022 found that 83.6 per cent of its workforce were white and that men made up nearly 62 per cent of its staff.

Former Barrhaven resident Paige Welburn will be a panelist at the Challenge Hockey Tournament and Summit.

The 20-year-old who battles cerebral palsy began playing sledge hockey five or six years ago after being inspired by Humboldt Broncos players who survived the bus crash.

“It’s been really good both mentally and physically — even though sledge hockey is really physically tiring. It puts a lot of effort on your arms,” said Welburn. “Mentally it takes my mind off of life for a little bit and gives me something else to think about. I’ve got really good and supportive teammates.”

The road to get here wasn’t easy. Welburn was bullied in elementary and high school for being different. She was taken advantage of several times for having a disability, the sledge hockey player said.

“I want people to learn from my experience and see that even if you have a disability, it’s not the end of the world,” she said. “There is more opportunity out there; you just need to look for it. It is harder because there is a huge stigma to having a disability and not being able to have access to certain things.”

For Manotick resident Jaclyn Hawkins, she hopes students will learn that it’s ok to be different.

The proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community will be moderating a panel with the granddaughter and grandson of Herb Carnegie, a Canadian Black hockey player who never made it to the NHL because of his skin colour.

“I’m excited to have such a meaningful and powerful conversation. It’s going to

surround bringing attention to how everyone is different and the importance of making people feel included,” said Hawkins. “The greatest gift you can give anybody is accepting them for who they are, regardless of their upbringing or presence. Herb pushed for that.”

The R.I.S.E. Challenge Hockey Tournament promotes diversity and inclusion in the sport. tournament continues on page 15

Hawkins is a former Canadian ice hockey player who used to be part of the Connecticut Huskies women’s ice hockey program, the ZSC Lions Frauen of the women’s Switzerland ice hockey league, and the now defunct CWHL Boston Blades team.

After her career on the ice,

Hawkins founded a website called Women’s Hockey Life, which was created to “fill voids in the game.” It focuses on empowering women and girls in hockey while helping youth find opportunities to play in university.

Mixed testimony leaves unanswered questions over fire station assault

By Charlie SenaCk

A non-binary Barrhaven firefighters account of an alleged assault in the Half Moon Bay station’s kitchen was “fantastical,” said a lawyer representing the accused.

The incident occurred at Station 47 on Greenbank Road near Cambrian Road on Sept 14, 2022.

According to statements from police investigators and the deputy fire chief, alleged victim Ash Weaver is said to have claimed colleague Eric Einagel threw dishes at their hands and slammed their body into the kitchen counter with the force of his body. Weaver also stated Einagel wrapped his hands around their neck and lodged them from the floor while making insensitive comments about their gender identity.

Weaver, who was in their first year of firefighting, said they could not breathe and could feel the sharpness of fingers digging into their neck.

“I’m going to die,” the rookie firefighter thought to themself, according to court proceedings. “There’s nothing I can do. I wasn’t strong enough. I’m just going to die.’”

After an internal investigation, Einagel was fired and charged with choking, assault causing bodily harm and harassment by threatening conduct.

In the Ottawa courthouse last week, Weaver testified that Greg Wright, the firehouse captain, advised against reporting the incident, fearing it would be blown out of proportion and jeopardize their colleague’s career.

Wright was charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm and threatening to discipline the complainant if they were to proceed. He was also suspended for three days without pay.

According to Weaver, the station’s captain did not offer encouraging remarks when he came to check on them.

“When I saw him I said I

was hurt, I’m in pain, can I go to the hospital?” Weaver told the court according to CBC. “He said, ‘You’re breathing, you can move, you’re fine… I had just been assaulted and I could feel all the pain from it and I didn’t feel fine.”

Following the incident, the Barrhaven crew was deployed to a nearby neighborhood to knock on doors as part of a safety outreach program. Weaver was allegedly told to forget the incident ever happened. Too upset to participate, Weaver stayed in the truck until a family of four came for a tour. They then slipped out the back.

Once back at the station, Weaver said they sat in a supply closet to get away from the worry. That’s when Wright came in and said to keep it quiet. The captain allegedly said “we don’t report on our brothers and sisters,” according to the complainant.

“I remember him shutting the door and telling me how I needed to calm down and then shutting the lights out,” said an emotional Weaver. “I told the captain that Eric wants to kill me for who I am, I told the captain how I was in pain, how I want to go to the hospital.”

To ensure the two disgruntled colleagues had some space, Wright agreed to move Weaver to the pump truck, but they never returned back to work. The complainant said they spent the rest of the day driving around the city and “wanted to die.”

It was reported to the Ottawa Fire Services safety officer the next day and a report was filed with the Ottawa Police a week later.

Joshua Clarke, Wright’s lawyer, argued the fire chief bent over backwards when Weaver first joined the station. He said extra lockers were added to the female dorm and a desk was moved.

The lawyer for the fire chief also noted the new hire was “downright standoffish” to everyone in the station. Clarke also claimed it was Weaver — not Wright — who wanted to forget about

the incident.

Mixed reviews

While Weaver said Einagel was not accepting of their gender identity, the former firefighter’s lawyer painted a different picture.

Co-counsel Dominic Lamb said Einagel wanted to have a better understanding of what it meant to be non-binary, and stated those conversations only happened a few times.

Lamb also shared a smiling selfie dated August 2022 of the two firefighters together and supportive text messages proving the pair had an admirable relationship. According to the Ottawa Citizen, the writings spoke of flight discount codes and changing shifts. In one text exchange, Einagel even invited Weaver to a FireFit practice, aimed at bettering emergency skills. “It would be great to have you out,” it read.

The co-counsel for Einagel argued this showed their client was accepting and saw Weaver as a “real human being.” The complainant replied: “I didn’t see it that way.”

When Weaver transferred to a new station, Einagel is said to have encouraged them to bring in an Oreo cake for the station, which they saw as an act of meanspiritness. Lamb argued it was just a joke.

Shenanigans in fire halls is typical, stated Lamb, who noted Weaver would also engage in playful pushing, shoving, body checking and tackling.

On at least one occasion, Lamb said the complainant tackled Einagel in the kitchen over dishes, a harmless tradition for junior firefighters. Weaver, who used to play Australian rules football for Team Canada, said they didn’t remember that particular moment but said “Eric was very physical.”

Blown out of proportion

Megan Hills, a firefighter at the station who witnessed the altercation take place, told court it was “mutual”

until Einagel placed a hand on Weaver’s neck for a second. Weaver for that matter said it was two hands and longer.

According to Hills, Einagel allegedly told his teammate three times to do the dishes themselves, but didn’t hear any other comments. She also didn’t see Weaver get slammed, shaken, or picked up off the ground.

Weaver said Hills told them to “run and hide,” after the incident, but Hills testified that was not true, confirming she did break up the fight. Lamb accused the complainant of “mischaracterizing” conversations, and argued they did with other discrepancies as well.

About 30 hours after the alleged assault, Weaver went to the Montfort Hospital to receive X-rays and other tests. They revealed no fractures, concussions, or hearing damage. They were told to stay home for five days and take some Advil. Still, Weaver has testified under oath the opposite.

But Weaver hasn’t returned to firefighting and remains off on medical leave.

An application with the Workplace Safety Insurance Board stated they have injuries to the head, face, neck, ears, upper body, shoulders, hands, and feet, alongside “acute PTSD.”

“I’m not the same person. I can’t sleep alone at night. I had to move out of the city to not be so scared for my life. For a job I wanted so badly, I can’t even imagine

going back to it now,” said Weaver, who added their child is now in the primary care of their ex-partner as a result.

Despite these apparent grievances, Weaver ran a 30-kilometer race in Hamilton that March and a 50-kilometer race two months later, according to lamb.

Weaver maintains they feared for their lives and believed Einagel wanted to kill them. The trial is scheduled for two weeks.

Ash Weaver and Eric Einagel pose for a photo.

OPS’ new district-based model aims to improve local policing

By Wilson lo, Barrhaven east CounCillor

Three weeks ago, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) presented its plan for transitioning towards a districtbased policing model.

Recognising the challenges posed by the geographic size of the city, different requirements in each area, and the resource draws by events related to the federal government, there is a need for change to improve the OPS’s ability to provide effective service in communities across Ottawa.

To achieve that, the command structure will be decentralised into four new districts, each overseen by a district inspector.

The central district includes the ByWard Market, downtown, Glebe, Vanier, and Westboro. The west district has Kanata, old Nepean, old Ottawa West, Stittsville, and West Carleton. The east district encompasses Alta Vista, Beacon Hill, Cumberland, Gloucester, Greenboro, and the rural east.

We will be in the new south

East Barrhaven Ward Report

Wilson Lo, Councillor

district along with Manotick, Richmond, Riverside South, and the rural south.

Last week, I had an introductory meeting with our area’s new district inspector and shared the concerns that residents have shared with me.

These include traffic safety, street racing, commercial thefts, car thefts, and general mischief in parks and forests.

I also mentioned instances of hate/bias-motivated crimes, including an instance of racist and hateful graffiti found at one of our parks two weekends ago.

I also highlighted a general need for an improved presence in the community, whether it is front-line officers monitoring a stop sign or booths at local community events. OPS are also refreshing their community engagement strategy to improve accessibility, trans-

parency, and cooperation.

The inspector also shared the ongoing challenges facing the OPS, including continuing personnel shortages (not helped by the lack of space allocations at the Ontario Police College) and the varying demands of different areas of the city which led to the need for a more locally focused model of policing.

Full transition towards the district model will happen in phases until the full and complete rollout coinciding with the opening of the new police station on Prince of Wales, which will become the south district’s headquarters. Construction of the facility remains on track for a mid-2026 opening.

Changes will not happen overnight, given the phased approach, but as the OPS navigates through the transition and its strategy to fill staffing vacancies, the understanding is a greater focus on community policing with officers who know their communities will lead to more effective, collaborative work and public safety.

Record-breaking year for 2024 edition of CN Cycle for CHEO

The 17th annual CN Cycle for CHEO broke every record for attendance and fundraising. This massive show of support from our generous community to the children, youth and families facing cancer is humbling, inspiring, and deeply appreciated. The total of $2,175,200 from registered participants, energetic fundraisers and devoted sponsors will go to work supporting care and research at CHEO.

This event includes cycling routes offering special access to some of the most beautiful roadways in Ottawa, walking routes along the picturesque Ottawa River, activities and entertainment for kids of all ages, and a joyous finale presenting the total raised that never fails to get a huge cheer from the crowd.

Friends and Family Team is

Griff’s Gang, raising $324,274; and the top Individual Fundraiser is Tamy Bell, who raised $61,389. Proceeds from CN Cycle for CHEO will support care and research right here in our community so that children and youth facing a difficult treatment journey will have every chance to live their best life.

The partnership between CN and the CHEO Foundation is one that truly makes a difference in the lives of oncology patients at CHEO and around the world. “We are very proud to have been a part of the CHEO journey for 17 years, the CN Cycle for CHEO is an event that means so much to everyone at CN,” said Melissa Cotton, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for CN.

The 2024 McDonald’s Dream Team, representing

all CHEO cancer patients, included seven-year-old Sameer Hafizi, 12-year-old Luca Munguia-Donato and 16-year-old Carissa Marcotte.

“The CN Cycle for CHEO event is one of my absolute favourite days of the year,” said Steve Read, CHEO Foundation President and CEO. “With the help of so many generous sponsors and this dedicated community the positive impact for children and youth facing cancer will be felt for years to come. We often say we are stronger together and what I witnessed today surely proves that. We can make a difference for families facing a scary diagnosis by standing with them and supporting the care and research happening at CHEO. I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved in today’s successful event.”

From our archives: Chiarelli says Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak “is a loser”

complishes them. “She achieved her goal of becoming the first woman Premier of Ontario,” he said.

From the Barrhaven Independent, may 22, 2014

If there were ever any thoughts that this would be a cordial election campaign, Ontario Energy Minister and Ottawa West-Nepean MPP Bob Chiarelli stuck a dagger in those misconceptions at the Nepean-Carleton Liberal nomination meeting.

“He is a loser,” he said of Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak in his fiery speech. “He always has been. And a lot of people in this party feel that way, too.”

Chiarelli delivered jabs about Hudak’s character throughout his speech, refer-

ring more than once to Hudak’s “grin.” He also referred to Hudak as a “Mike Harris clone.”

“I knocked on a door yesterday,” Chiarelli said, “and the person who answered the door said, ‘I’m a Tory. I will vote Tory, and I always will. But I wish I could exchange leaders with you.’”

Chiarelli said that the popularity of Premier Kathleen Wynne has been gaining momentum early in the campaign. “It is stronger than we expected,” said Chiarelli. “People like her honesty, and they like her style.”

The Minister praised the Premier for being a person who sets goals and then ac-

One of the first challenges Wynne faced after replacing Dalton McGuinty as the Premier was to establish peace and mend bridges on the education front. Teachers were carrying out a work-to-rule campaign in protest of Bill 115, introduced by the McGuinty Liberals in 2012.

“Within three to four months, she had calmed the whole sector,” said Chiarelli. “She had both sides talking and making agreements. They were the most collegial discussions I have ever seen between the government and unions.”

Chiarelli also defended the spending of his party and the recent budget, which was rejected by the NDP and the Progressive Conservatives. While Hudak has been particularly aggressive over Ontario’s debt and deficit, Chiarelli said that his party has a strong policy in place for the province. He

called his party’s budget a “jobs budget”, which built partnerships with the automobile industry, the tech industry, and many other private and corporate sectors.

“We have the lowest per capita spending of any province in Canada,” he said, citing an audit by the Ontario Auditor General. “(Premier Wynne) is very strong fiscally.”

Chiarelli said that in the last 24 months, the Ontario Government has invested $300 million in the high tech sector in Ottawa to create jobs.

“Tim Hudak would call that corporate welfare,” said Chiarelli. “Tim Hudak would not have put that money on the table.”

Chiarelli’s attack on Conservative leaders extended beyond Hudak and into the federal scope. He was critical of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

“He’s the first Prime Minister in the history of Canada who won’t talk to the Premiers collectively,” Chiarelli said.

He added that Ontario is establishing its own pension plan, as the average Canadian Pension Plan amount of $6,700 per year is not nearly enough for a person to live on.

“Tim Hudak would call this a payroll tax,” Chiarelli said. “He stands up with a grin on his face and glibly says it’s a payroll tax.

Wynne, according to Chiarelli, “has got it right.” He said her plan to balance jobs and pensions will help the growing number of people who do not have a pension plan.

“Could you imagine if people had to rely on CPP?,” he asked. “They would need help to survive. With this plan, we pay a little bit now and invest rather than pay a lot later.”

As Energy Minister, Chiarelli touched briefly on the program that would take $180 per year off the energy bills for moderate and low income families.

“That’s what Tim Hudak voted against,” Chiarelli said. “Tim Hudak cannot win this election. People see right through him.”

Indo-Canadian businessman Jack Uppal wins Liberal nomination for 2014 election

in every riding.

“Jack has a good shot at knocking Lisa MacLeod right off her chair, and we will fuel (his campaign team) with the truth and the facts to do it.”

Uppal was gracious in accepting the nomination for the riding.

Vanier, Don Dransfield and Jay Aggarwal.

You could say that Jack Uppal has had a head start in getting his signs out for the 2014 provincial election.

For example, Uppal’s name and face are on a large sign at the corner of Prince of Wales and Jockvale. As a real estate broker with Royal LePage, his recognition could be an advantage.

Uppal, a businessman in Ottawa and leader in the Indian and immigrant communities for the past decade, won the Nepean-Carleton Liberal nomination last Thursday. He was surrounded by his wife and two daughters and his extended family, as well as past Liberal candidates Rod

While speaking to the Nepean-Carleton Liberals at their nomination meeting, Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli said that no Progressive Conservative seat in the June 12 election is safe, including the Nepean-Carleton seat that has been held by Progressive Conservative candidate Lisa MacLeod through the last three elections.

“I want to thank Jack for putting his name forward,” said Chiarelli. “He brings a lot to the table, and he makes a very credible candidate.”

Chiarelli said that the Liberals are not conceding any ridings in the province to the Tories or the NDP, saying that his party wants to earn a win

“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent the Nepean-Carleton riding,” he told his supporters. “I shall strive hard to live up to the expectations.”

Before coming to Canada, Uppal earned his Masters Degree in Chemistry from the University of Bombay. He came to Canada in 1997 under the skilled category and has lived in Ottawa since 2003. He has 25 years of corporate and international business experience, spanning both India and Canada, in the fields of advertising, publishing, information technology, real estate and finance. He has been an active volunteer and community leader since coming to Ottawa. He is a member of the Board of Directors and the Past Chair of the Indi-Canada Ottawa

Business Chamber, and has been involved as a sponsor and supporter of numerous community events. Uppal is also a supporter and sponsor of cricket in the area.

As a philanthropist, Uppal is a patron donor to the IndoCanadian Wing at the Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital, a patron donor to the Ottawa

Heart Institute, and a patron donor to the Mahatama Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa.

“Jack is very involved in the community and he should be a good candidate,” said Dransfield. “When I ran, I ran because I thought this riding is winnable. I believe it is still winnable.”

Uppal said the focus of his

campaign will be on business and infrastructure within the riding. He also followed his party’s commitment to “going green.”

“We have to look at how each family can contribute,” he said. “We have to think global, and act local. “I want to put this riding on the world map.”

From the Barrhaven Independent may 22, 2014

Jack Uppal was joined by his family for the announcement of his winning the NepeanCarleton Liberal nomination for the 2014 provincial election.

Tyler Watt to once again seek Ontario Liberal nomination in Nepean

Tyler Watt, a Registered Nurse and 2022 Ontario Liberal Party candidate, launched his campaign to seek the Ontario Liberal Party nomination for the riding of Nepean.

“Nepean is where I grew up–it’s a place to learn, to work, and a great place to call home,” said Watt. “Two years ago, I set out to represent the voices of Nepean

at Queen’s Park, and we came so close,” Watt said in his launch video.

Watt, who finished second to Progressive Conservative incumbent Lisa MacLeod in the 2022 Ontario election, grew the Ontario Liberal Party’s share of the vote in Nepean by almost 15 percentage points, and came within 2,000 votes of winning the election. He finished with over

15,000 votes, the party’s best showing ever in the riding.

“I’ve talked to thousands of our neighbours who call Nepean home, and what I heard was clear. They want a provincial government that supports them. They want a better healthcare system that provides timely care, and schools where kids can achieve their very best”, said Watt.

“Nepean deserves someone who listens, who stands up for our needs, and who will bring the change we’ve been waiting for. I want to finish what we started two years ago, and be that new, strong voice for Nepean”, said Watt.

Tyler Watt is seeking the Liberal nomination for the 2026 Ontario election.

Development fee increase for new homes will

The Planning and Housing Committee has approved a new schedule of development charges and a new development charges by-law to help ensure essential infrastructure and services keep pace with growth in Ottawa. The average fee increase per new home will be in the $12,000 range.

Development charges are one-time fees levied by municipalities on new residential and nonresidential developments. They are used to fund infrastructure that is essential for the growth of a city, such as water supply systems, wastewater systems, stormwater management, public transit, roads,

parks, recreation facilities, libraries and paramedic services.

The City’s development charges by-law was set to expire on May 22. To ensure the city can continue to collect fees, Council had to enact a new by-law before that date. This will ensure that those benefitting from new growth

within Ottawa are the ones paying for the associated initial capital costs needed to service it. The development charge costs would still represent about five to seven per cent of the cost of new homes in Ot -

average $12,000

The new by-law reflects revised development charge rates, based on two background studies approved today: the primary development charges background study as well as a study of individual stormwater management ponds and drainage systems. The Development Charges Act requires the city to update these studies before it can update its by-law.

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Riverside South Community Table Food Bank opens in YIG

It did not take long for the Riverside South Community Table to make an impact when it opened its doors for the first time earlier this month inside Brierley’s Your Independent Grocer.

“Within the first minute of entering The Community Table, our first two guests broke down in tears, unable to comprehend the events that brought them to the point of needing a food bank,” said Linda Cudmore. “Yet at the same time, they were so full of gratitude that we were here for them, serving with compassion, care and without judgement.”

The new food bank took about two years to come to fruition. The idea came from The Gathering, a Riverside South Christian Church.

The Gathering’s Pastor, Jeff Jantzi, was leading prayer groups outside on summer evenings. The group noticed that no one was outside on beautiful evenings as the community was coming out of COVID-19.

“The mission was to identify a need and do what we can with the people and resources we have to help fill that need,” Jantzi said. “We were open to whatever God was calling us to, no matter how big or small. We simply wanted to care for

our neighbours.”

A quickly growing community in the past 25 years, Riverside South now has a population of over 20,000 people. When a demographic study was complete, the outreach steering committee was shocked to learn that between four and five per cent of households in Riverside South were living under the poverty line. That represented over 600 families.

The Gathering decided to explore deeper. Visits to more than a dozen food banks across the city were affirming that they were overburdened with families in need of food and so many other resources, that they were seeing double and in some cases triple the amount of families since before COVID-19.

“If you look at a map of Riverside South, you will see that there is a big, gaping hole where there are no resources whatsoever. No easily accessible food bank. In fact, there is only one church, and we are it!” Cudmore said. “It was becoming clearer and clearer the direction we were headed. But as a portable church that sets up every Sunday in a high school gymnasium, where could we possibly find affordable space to set up a food bank?”

When Jeff Brierley, owner of the Your Independent Grocer in Riverside South, found out there was a need for space for a new food bank, he immediately offered space in his building. He also gave the group the use of two fridges, and donations began to be made at the store.

“In all my time with Loblaws, I’ve always tried to do my best to help out in the community as much as possible,?” said Brierley. “Specifically, my stores have always worked closely with the Ottawa Food Bank.”

When Brierley heard the Craig Cudmore from the group talk about the need for a food bank in Riverside South, he wanted to be involved. One of the biggest obstacles the group faced was space for the food bank.

“I knew we could make an impact with a large empty room that was being used for storage,” Brierley said. “I realize how expensive rent, refrigeration and power is. Food diversion is very important to us at the store and we know we can support by having our food that is close to the best before date diverted to the Community Table, but we realize housing the Community Table in the store would help get the group started up

earlier with less financial burden. Even if it’s just a few families to start, that’s a few families’ lives that will be that much better and that’s what matters the most in our community.”

Linda Cudmore said having a food bank operating in a grocery store presented a unique opportunity.

“Naturally our first concern was how to become invisible in the store so our guests know that we are doing our best to respect their privacy,” she said. “We have not found any model like this in North America. We know there will be apprehension but we hope they trust us enough to reach out.”

The Community Table officially launched service on May 6th. They have been showered with support from the community and first guests all expressed deep appreciation that there is now a place closer by to receive food help. In addition, they noted that the needs in RSS have mostly gone unnoticed until now.

“We are thrilled to bring our community together in this way, and impressed with how quickly people are embracing this initiative, neighbours helping neighbours,” Cudmore said.

The committee has also

received great support from City Councilllor, Steve Desroches throughout the planning stages.

“Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who have brought this important initiative to our community in support of those that need it most,” Desroches said.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari, who often shops at the store, stood up in Legislature at Queen’s Park and praised the group publicly in a Member’s Statement earlier this month.

“As the MPP for Carleton, I could not be more proud of the volunteers in Riverside South who have turned a need in the community into a reality’” said Ghamari in her

statement. “Poverty and hunger is all around us, and more often than not, we don’t see it. Our lives are measured by the impact we have on others. The Community Table will have an immediate impact on hundreds of people in our community. Before long, it will impact thousands.”

The Community Table is available by appointment to any resident of Riverside South who is in need of food. To receive food assistance, to make a donation, organize a food drive or for more information, contact The Community Table at www. thecommunitytable.ca or call them at 613-416-3993. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Jeff Brierley, owner of the Your Independent Grocer store in Riverside South, is hosting the Community table food bank in his store.

tournament continues from page 7

Hawkins said she’s been lucky as a Gay hockey player; her teammates have been supportive and has faced little discrimination for her sexual preferences. But there have been negative encounters.

“The ice opponents try to get under your skin and make some demoralizing spurs to try and get to you. I always thought ‘try and beat me. I’ll show you on the ice.’ But I did face it in my personal life,” recounted Hawkins. “One time I was stopped at the border. All was going fine until I said I was visiting my wife. The demeanor changed and I got pulled over.”

It was a moment of learn-

ing and growing, said Hawkins.

A 2022 national survey produced by the Trevor Project found that 73 per cent of gay identifying youth and 72 per cent who identify as Lesbian dealt with some kind of discrimination. That same year, Canada had at least seven openly-out LGBTQ members on their team at the Beijing Winter Olympics, more than any other participating country. While trends are changing, discrimination is still a key issue, particularly in sports. Hawkins said it’s her hope that by having difficult conversations, people will share their stories and stand up to injustices.

“Hockey has been my whole life. I wish I had this in high school. I think I would have thrived a lot more,” she said.

The R.I.S.E Challenge Hockey Tournament on Diversity and Inclusion will begin at 9:00 p.m. with the keynote speaker series. That will be followed by a viewing of the “Beyond their Years” documentary, profiling sports and social justice Icons Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil. Following lunch, youth panel discussions will take place and the hockey tournaments will resume.

More formation and tickets for the game can be purchased at riseacademy.ca.

Committee approves secondary plan for Riverside South

The City of Ottawa Planning and Housing Committee has approved amending the City’s Official Plan to add a secondary plan for Riverside South.

The secondary plan would update and replace the community design plan for Riverside South, which has been in effect since 2005 and was last updated in 2016. By repealing and replacing the community design plan and making it part of the Official Plan, the new secondary plan would carry greater weight and enforceability in guiding the continued development of Riverside South.

Riverside South was initially planned around a bus rapid transit (BRT) network, but the approval of the OTrain South Extension signaled a change toward LRT. The secondary plan updates community design plan guidelines to help deliver a transitoriented community that is designed around both LRT and BRT, outlining a range of housing options and nonresidential land uses. The secondary plan places the densest development around O-Train stations, medium density development near BRT stations and the lowest densities in areas farthest from transit.

A vibrant, high-density, mixed-use and transit-oriented town centre is proposed around Limebank Station,

and the plan identifies opportunities for housing and jobs, as well as a school, a large park, a community centre and a public library branch. The plan forecasts about 9,000 jobs, with nearly 1,400 in the town centre and more than 7,600 jobs outside of it, primarily within the lands south of the airport.

in Barrhaven. The revision to the Conservancy East subdivision, southwest of Borrisokane Road and Strandherd Drive, and the Conservancy West subdivision, southeast of McKenna Casey Drive and Highway 416, would facilitate development of more than 1,900 dwelling units. In both cases, the amendments seek primarily to change the zoning to allow residential development. The amendments would only come into effect if the City and applicant agree on cost sharing for a BRT corridor through these lands. That corridor is identified in both the Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan.

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The keynote speaker series will pay tribute to social justice icons Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil.

Your Hearing Journey Decisions

Embarking on the journey of addressing hearing loss is an important step, one worthy of careful considerations and scrupulous decisions, to ensure you receive the most appropriate care and treatment options for your needs. Here are some details on the important decisions you’ll have to make.

Choosing your Hearing Care Professional. The Hearing Care Professional who assesses your hearing, evaluates your needs, and provides you with the necessary equipment and support to overcome your struggles, plays a crucial role in your journey toward better

hearing. In Ontario, prescribing hearing aids is a controlled act reserved to Audiologists and Physicians. Two professionals can fill that prescription, the Audiologist and the Hearing Instrument Practitioner. Audiologists, armed with a Master’s or Doctorate degree in audiology, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They are regulated by the College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO), guaranteeing the highest standard of care. Whether for adults or children, Audiologists offer comprehensive evaluations and tailor-made

solutions to meet your specific needs. Whereas Hearing Instrument Practitioners possess a college diploma in Hearing Aid Dispensing and are adept at determining adult hearing aid candidacy and fitting them accordingly.

Choosing your Dispenser. There are three main types of dispensing businesses: independent clinics, manufacturer-limited dispensaries, and manufacturer-owned chains. Independent clinics, often locally owned and operated by hearing care professionals, offer a vast selection of hearing aid options from various manufacturers. This means

personalized solutions crafted just for you. Conversely, manufacturer-limited dispensaries restrict their offerings to preferred brands, while manufacturer-owned chains exclusively dispense their own products.

Making the Right Decision. While your decision ultimately hinges on your preferences and priorities, opting to see an Audiologist in an independent clinic presents compelling advantages. Here, you’ll find not only highly qualified professionals but also a diverse array of hearing aid options to suit your individual needs and preferences.

The personalized care and unbiased recommendations offered in these settings ensure that your journey to better hearing is as seamless and effective as possible.

In closing, the choice to address hearing loss is a deeply personal one. By carefully choosing a professional and dispenser that aligns with your preferences and priorities, you are optimizing your success on your path to better hearing.

Parking is free. Home visits and Remote care is available. Wheelchair friendly. For more information visit www.HearingFreedom.com

The John McCrae Bulldogs and South Carleton Storm junior girls soccer team opened their NCSSAA high school soccer season in Richmond earlier this month. The Storm shut out the visiting Bulldogs 2-0.

The St. Mark Lions scored on this play in their 20-0 win over the St. Francis Xavier Coyotes in NCSSAA girls flag football action in Manotick.