Barrhaven Independent October 28, 2022

No one has ever loved Canada quite the way longtime Barrhaven residents Frank and Wanda Stopa did. Growing up in Poland, they survived the horrors of World War II and found a new life after moving to Canada. Frank, who stood up and cried every time he heard the national anthem, passed away several years ago. Wanda passed away recently, causing those who knew them to reflect on their love and passion for Canada. For more, see From the Other Side on page 6.

Lyne and Dave

Lisa MacLeod back at work after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder

By Charlie SenaCk

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and metabolic disorder, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod said she is returning to Queen’s Park.

On June 24 the local representative announced she was taking time off to focus on “health and healing.” In a statement released on Oct. 20, she said the decision came after a mental health crisis which occurred in May.

“While I began a gradual return to work in August with the blessing of these same healthcare professionals I continued with therapy, assessments and testing,” MacLeod wrote. “Throughout this period my family and I have learned I am living with both bipolar and metabolic disorders. While initially it was difficult to come to grips with these diagnoses, I recognize these are realities many people also have to manage.”

MacLeod said that with the right medication, regular therapy and changes to her nutritional and exercise routines, she will be able to manage these concurrent diagnoses.

The Nepean MPP has battled mental illness before, and considered leaving politics altogether at one of her lowest points. MacLeod’s latest mental health crisis came in the midst of the June provincial election which she won with 39 per cent of the vote, a weaker margin than in the past. She celebrated her win differently this spring with a private victory party which the media was barred entry from.

On June 24, the same day MacLeod announced she was taking time off, the Barrhaven-area representative wasn’t picked for a cabinet position.

MacLeod served as the minister in charge of community and social services for one year before moving

to the tourism, culture, and sport profile.

In her letter to constituents MacLeod thanked a long list of people including her family, medical professionals at various local hospitals, Premier Doug Ford, and a number of Progressive Conservative MPPs.

Now back at work after a four-month break, MacLeod said she would continue to take her duty of serving Nepean residents seriously.

“I will also spend my time working on public policy matters such as women’s leadership and protection issues, children’s sports, recreation and culture as well as mental health, anti bullying and suicide prevention as I have done since the beginning of my career,” she wrote.

MacLeod also thanked local councillors Jan Harder and Scott Moffatt, along with Mayor Jim Watson and federal Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre.

Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod is returning to Queen’s Park this week.

Police report filed against Barrhaven West candidate David Hill

By Charlie SenaCk

Barrhaven West council candidate David Hill is facing public scrutiny after a video surfaced of him removing opponent Taayo Simmonds’ campaign literature from a home mailbox.

In the video posted to Twitter by Simmonds, Hill is seen approaching the mailbox, where he then removed his opponents’ flyer and threw it on the ground. Hill can then be seen putting his own campaign material in the box.

“This is something residents of Barrhaven West need to know about,” Simmonds wrote on Twitter. “As you can see in the video below, Mr. Hill saw my hand delivered campaign material in a Barrhaven West resi-

dent’s door. This was not a volunteer; it was Mr. Hill himself. This is not right.”

About five hours after the video was released, Hill posted an apology to Twitter, saying his actions were a “lapse in judgment.”

“The other day when I was canvassing, I removed and dropped to the ground my opponent’s flyer,” he wrote. “This was wrong, I have already reached out to apologize to Taayo Simmonds.”

While Hill said the incident happened a few days ago, the video was dated Sept. 21.

Hill has been seen as the frontrunner to replace outgoing councillor Jan Harder. He has said many times that he is running a respectful campaign. Harder, who hasn’t en-

dorsed any candidates publicly, filmed a video with Hill talking about Barrhaven’s growth and development.

“I have always strived to ensure that my entire campaign team and I remain focused on the needs of the residents of Barrhaven and that we refrain from engaging in any form of personal attacks or disinformation and conduct ourselves with the utmost integrity,” said Hill. “In this particular incident, I failed to live up to those standards, and I apologize unreservedly.”

The Barrhaven Independent reached out to Hill, but his campaign team said no further comment would be given.

Since being posted, the video has been viewed over 45,100 times and has

received over 1,000 likes and 560 retweets.

Some voters called Hill’s actions “immature and pitiful” while others said he should drop out of the race.

On Oct. 14, Barrhaven East council candidate Kathleen Caught said she filed a report with Ottawa Polie over Hill’s “selfaddmited tampering” of Simmonds’ camapign materials.

“This morning, on the advice of City Clerk Rick O’Connor, I filed a police report against Ward 3 City Council candidate David Hill,” she wrote.

“While I am not a candidate in Ward 3, I felt compelled to raise my objection to Mr. Hill’s behavior to Mr. O’Connor, and now to the police,” Caught added. “Had Mr. Hill had a conscientious

thought prior to being caught and apologized, no problem, we all make mistakes. Waiting to apologize once its public, its unacceptable behavior of a military employee with 25 years of service

and an officer.”

Simmonds said he’s also sent a complaint about Hill to City Clerk Rick O’Connor’s Office.

For the latest municipal election coverage, visit BarrhavenIndependent.ca.

Security footage shows candidate David Hill removing campaign literature from a home’s mailbox.

CBC host learns that ‘Farhaven’ now an integral part of the city

By Charlie SenaCk

face with new ideas.

late September I was approached by CBC’s Ottawa Morning to do a drive around tour with wellknown radio host Robyn Bresnahan. It’s become a tradition for the Barrhaven Independent to provide context on radio programs during city elections.

With longtime councillor Jan Harder not seeking re-election in Barrhaven West after two and a half decades, the ward was an open playfield for a fresh

Harder has been a household name in local politics for 25 years. Her connections to the community run deep; she’s been involved with various associations in the community over the decades, even before becoming a politician in the 1990s.

On Sept. 29, Bresnahan and I met at Tutti Frutti on Strandherd Drive to begin our journey of a suburban community not well understood by those who live on the other side of the Greenbelt.

We started our conversation by discussing Barrhaven’s rapid growth and development, climbing from a population of 40,000 residents in 2001

— the year I was born — to over 100,000 now.

“It’s a community that’s gone from cows to condos,” I explained to Bresnahan, whose knowledge of Barrhaven primarily came from previous municipal election coverage.

The land near the popular brunch spot was among the most recent to be developed, providing another shopping destination to the growing community.

With many big names like Costco, Marshalls, Value Village, East Side Mario’s and Lone Star, it’s become one of the neighborhood’s busiest destinations.

It wasn’t long ago Barrhaven got its first fast food restaurants: McDon-

alds and Wendy’s. When name brands and chains first started to open in the once tiny suburb, they finally put Barrhaven on the map.

Amazon, one of Barrhaven’s biggest employers, just opened their doors, creating 1,000 new full-time jobs. The fulfillment centre — which towers over the community — is just one of many big names looking to call this community home.

We took a drive down Strandherd to Jockvale, where the community has long called for a safer pedestrian crossing to be built. Newspaper clippings from the mid 1990’s expressed the need for better walkways on the Barrhaven United Church side of Jockvale, but now almost three decades later, no action has been taken.

A community meeting was held last month where Steepleview Crossing residents expressed their worry of crossing the road. Some said they don’t leave their homes in the winter over fear of getting their wheelchair stuck in the slush and snow.

Out of the 88 people living in the affordable housing complex, roughly 40 per cent struggle with health challenges and 20 of the residents use mobility devices.

Various plans and drawings have been released over the years, proposing different ideas for the fu-

ture of Jockvale road. In 2019, a $6 million underpass was unveiled, which would go under the train tracks. While it was seen as a step in the right direction — and city council did approve the plans — no money was ever brought forward.

The next part of our journey included a fight through Barrhaven traffic to the Greenbank Road Bridge, which is one of the only access points to Half Moon Bay.

“This is it? It’s tiny!” gasped Bresnahan as we crossed onto the other side of the Jock River.

Data released last year showed that about 35,000 residents live on the south side of the river, a number which is increasing by the day as Half Moon Bay expands closer to Manotick.

To keep up with the demand of primarily young families, plans were brought forward in the early 2000’s to realign Greenbank Road. An Ottawa Citizen report from 2007 showed people camping out overnight to build a home in Half Moon Bay, all under the pretense of easier access.

farhaven continues on page 5

Barrhaven Independent reporter Charlie Senack gave CBC Ottawa Morning listeners a tour of Barrhaven to discuss issues going on in the community leading up to the municipal election.

The Greenbank Road bridge was an eye opener for CBC host Robyn Bresnahan, who was surprised with the large number of residents in Half Moon Bay who depend on the tiny bridge.

on the Greenbank

expected in

realign-

would then finish two years later in 2032. Many community members have called these

saying

Mayoral candidate Mark Sutcliffe pledged to fast track the process if elected, but didn’t give any clear timelines.

Our tour of Barrhaven West ended at the Minto Recreation Complex in Half Moon Bay, a facility Bresnahan commented she’s familiar with. We spoke about the constant need for community space in Barrhaven and the push for more youth activities.

As we spoke, the bell rang at nearby St. Cecilia School, where students were finishing up their morning recess.

Barrhaven is now home

to about 30 schools with even more already planned.

The demand for pupil space has led to a sea of portable classrooms in many local school yards. Despite their best efforts, the province of Ontario hasn’t been able to fund new schools fast enough. When a new one opens in Barrhaven or Riverside South, it’s already at over 100 per cent capacity on day one.

Elections always matter, but this one was crucial. With 10 councillors not seeking re-election and a new Mayor to lead the pack, change will come to Ottawa.

From OC Transpo to safety, Barrhaven is expected to make the headlines when the next term of council reconvenes. A community commonly known as “Farhaven” is now an integral part of the city.

along Strandherd Drive and Woodroffe

CBC Ottawa Morning did a live show from Tutti Frutti to discuss the election issues in Barrhaven.

Loblaw to freeze food prices until January 2023

Loblaw Companies Ltd. has become the first Canadian grocer to voluntarily freeze prices for a variety of food products.

In an unprecedented move, the number one grocer has frozen prices for over 1,500 privately labelled products sold across the country until the end of January 2023. It was long overdue for Canadian shoppers, especially the 25 per cent having a hard time coping with food inflation.

Consumers and politicians have been continuously criticizing Canadian grocers – all of them – for price gouging. The criticism even pushed Ottawa’s standing parlia mentary committee in agriculture to launch an investigation on the matter just a few weeks ago. The industry desperately needed to do something for its own reputation.

While Loblaw’s numbers are slightly higher than usual this year, it’s nothing like in other economic sectors.

Take banking, for instance. Last year, the Royal Bank of Canada alone made more money in one single quarter than all Canadian grocers – including Loblaw, Sobeys, and Metro combined – made during the entire fiscal year.

Banks are making a killing while shelter costs are also impacting food afford ability. Many Canadians are paying more to have a roof over their heads, mainly due to higher interest rates. Paying more for shelter will compromise food budgets eventually.

According to Statistics Canada, 56 per cent of Canadians are currently concerned about whether they can afford housing or rental costs. Also, in a recent survey, more than seven per cent of Canadians are now using a credit card to pay for groceries with out knowing when they will pay their balance back. Interest rates charged by banks add to these outstanding amounts.

While some will appreciate Loblaw’s empathetic gesture, the grocer’s latest cam paign will likely bring some cynicism along the way.

Some will state that freezing prices for a while is an admission of guilt by Loblaw. Not necessarily. Food inflation is a worldwide phenomenon. Higher costs have se verely impacted the entire global agri-food sector. Even if Canada has the third-low est food inflation rate amongst G7 countries, Canadians could not have been spared.

Some will also claim that other products will increase even more, penalizing those who don’t want to buy products that are part of the campaign. That is certainly pos sible, but freezing prices for more than 1,500 products for more than three months in food retail is quite the statement. Anyone involved in the industry will appreciate that.

In the grand scheme of things, Loblaw’s move was easy to execute. Negotiating with contract manufacturers who support the grocer’s brands is not that challenging. It just needed a plan. The campaign is powerfully symbolic and will show that grocers in our country do have a heart. Let’s hope other companies follow suit.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

© Troy Media

Do they make perogies in Heaven?

People come and go in our lives.

Some leave an impression and we can’t get enough time with them. Some teach of us of a lifetime lived generations ago. Their memories and experiences are pre cious.

And when people leave this earth, their experiences go with them. We can no longer learn from them.

polio, and he had a number of health problems that were attributed to Eng land’s climate.

from the other side

Looking for a new life, he went to Can ada House for some information.

“I didn’t think I would be able to come to Canada,” he said.

“I had two big strikes against me.”

Last month, Wanda Stopa left us at the age of 89. Our hearts are with their entire family. Wanda lived with her daughter Krysia and son-in-law Gary in Manotick after Frank’s passing. The couple had lived in Barrhaven for many years.

It’s hard to think that it has been that long.

Frank Stopa taught me how to be Can adian. In fact, I will never forget the first time I watched an Ottawa Senators game with him on television. Frank insisted we stand up for the national anthem. As I looked over at him, a tear was slowly crawling down his cheek. In fact, after he became a Canadian citizen, he cried every single time he heard the anthem.

Sometimes it takes someone who had to go through living hell to get here to ap preciate and understand what being Can adian is. Frank Stopa never took being Canadian for granted.

Frank and Wanda Stopa are both from an area of Poland that is now part of the Ukraine. Frank was painfully sweet. If you burned his house down, he would worry that you might have burnt your thumbs.

The first strike was polio, as Canada was not accepting polio victims. The second was Frank’s criminal record. One of the jobs he had in England was helping in a bakery. “At the end of the day, we would throw out the leftover bread and dough and make it fresh the following day,” said Frank. “Rather than throwing out the bread, I brought home a loaf and some rolls to share with my landlord. Police man stopped me with my loaf of bread on the street and asked where I got it from, so I told him. He asked if I paid for it, and I said no, because it was going in the garbage. He arrested me. At the police station, they apologized to me and said I should never have been arrested. It was a new police officer who had just started and he wanted to make an example of me. The charges had already been processed, and I had a criminal record.”

Despite all of that, Canada accepted the Stopa family.

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Their journey to Canada is one that would send chills through an average Canadian. As wartime children in Po land, they faced the fears of Hitler and then faced being sent to Siberia by the Russians. There was a seemingly endless train ride to Siberia with 2,400 people crammed onto a train that could fit only 460. The passengers were surrounded by bodies and human waste and they lived in a human holding tank of diphtheria, dys entery, typhoid, tetanus, and just about any other plague that would cripple the human body.

Wanda and her family were sent to a Siberian labour camp. At seven years old, she was one of 22 children on the train. She was the only one to survive. Frank ended up joining the Free Polish Army at the age of 15 and serving in the Middle East.

After years of struggle and hardship, their families ended up in England. While their mothers had known each other in Af rica, it was in England where Frank and Wanda met.

But even though the war had ended and they now lived in England, there were still struggles. Frank’s health was rapidly deteriorating. He had been stricken with

“I remember the day we became Can adian citizens,” said Wanda. “It was excit ing for us. We finally had our own country. We finally had a country we knew was our home. We don’t call ourselves Polish or even Polish-Canadians. We are Canadians. We still have some Polish customs that our family has kept, such as birthday traditions and some of the food we make, but we are Canadian.”

Frank piped in with words that have stayed with me, and he spoke them with a conviction that I will never forget..

“When people come here, they should become Canadian. If people don’t stand up for Canada, we are going to lose our coun try. People who come here need to become Canadian. If not, they will just come here and take everything without becoming part of Canada. We know what it’s like not to have a country, and people here take it for granted.”

I imagine that Wanda has joined Frank in Heaven, and he was waiting for her with open arms and his warm smile. I smile when I imagine that the first thing she would do there is make Frank some perogies.

We have forever lost two of the greatest, most passionate Canadians who ever made our country their home.

When I go to the first Sens game of the year next week, I will think of Frank and Wanda when the national anthem plays.

I’ll cry.

How could I not?

Police asking to make a report when you see stunt driving

Slow Down Signs

If you are a Barrhaven resident, send an email to mark.bouwman@ottawa.ca with your contact information to order one or more ‘Slow Down For Us!’ signs for your front yard and we will schedule a pick-up time at the ward office (located at the Walter Baker Sports Centre - 100 Malvern Dr.).

Barrhaven Garden ClubHoliday Florals on Wednesday November 23rd

Our traditional event returns with Jessica Barrett and Sophiane Laib of Mill St. Florist. Join us and watch this amazing duo create fabulous holiday arrangements and learn tips to create your own. All arrangements raffled off and net proceeds donated to Barrhaven Food Cupboard. 7:30 p.m. Barrhaven United Church, 3013 Jockvale Rd., Doors open: 7:10 p.m. BGC members free, Guests $5.00, Info: barrhavengardenclub.ca

Artists of Stonebridge

Visual artists in the Barrhaven area are invited to consider joining the Artists of Stonebridge, an active community art group. These energetic and talented artists have been exhibiting artwork in the community since 2009, have hosted many special events, and have contributed to various community charities. If you are interested in joining this active group of artists, check out the organization at www.artistsofstonebridge. com or send an email to the Membership Coordinator at artistsofstonebridge@gmail. com

TALK BARRHAVEN

by Jan Harder

Queensway Carleton Hospital - fitting tribute for a very a special person

The Tom Schonberg Park on Cedarhill Drive off Cedarview Road is now open! Our PFAC Chair, Tom Moss, shared some great photos with us. He said: “In my view Tom would be pleased, honoured, and humbled in having this unique park named after him. The park has a paved walk-around path, benches, children activity PlayStations, multiple varieties of newly planted trees and a large adjacent pond with wildlife. A great compliment to Tom who so much enjoyed the outdoors and an excellent location to simply sit, relax, and enjoy nature.” For those of you who are new to QCH, Tom Schonberg was the CEO of our hospital for more than 20 years. He passed away in 2019.

Ruth E. Dickinson Library Update Media Literacy Workshops for Parents

Join us in celebrating Canada’s Media Literacy Week from October 24 to October 28! Parents are invited to join us for a special workshop“The Parent Network: Social Media and Your Kids” Workshop for Parents on Thursday October 27 at 6:30 pm and Saturday October 29 at 3:30 pm at the Ruth E. Dickinson

branch. Parents will learn how their kids are using social networking and gain tips and tools to ensure their online experiences are positive.

Navigate Online Information: Friday October 28 at 1:30 pm on Zoom. This workshop covers internet search skills, including how to choose different online sources of information for different needs, and how to verify information you see online.

Storytime For Little Ghouls!

Happy Halloween! Join us on Saturday October 29 at 10:30 am for a special Halloween Storytime featuring not-so-spooky stories, songs, a craft and a costume parade that will take place in the library! Costumes are strongly encouraged!

Volunteer French Conversation Group Leaders Wanted!

The Ruth E. Dickinson branch is currently looking for 3 adult volunteers to facilitate a French Conversation Group! We are looking for volunteers who are completely fluent in French who are patient, work well in a team, and have an interest in helping others learn. Individuals with previous teaching experience are especially welcome. If you are ready to dedicate two hours per week to enriching your community, please apply online here: https://tinyurl.com/55xfptzh

• Must be 18+, willing to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check and complete required training.

South Nepean Satellite Community Health Centre: Information on Services & Programs

Join us on Thursday October 27 and Thursday November 24 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm on the second floor of the branch to learn more about programs and services for children, youth, families and older adults in the Nepean area.

City of Ottawa Messaging

Trick or Swim or Skate Trick or Swim or Skate is back! Purchase 10 tickets for $10 to swim or skate at City pools and select arenas. This healthy and fun alternative to the traditional candy overload will have all your ghouls and goblins pleasantly surprised. Tickets are valid for ages three to 15 years. Tickets can be used from November 1, 2022, until January 31, 2023. Available near and in Barrhaven: Minto Recreation Complex-Barrhaven, Nepean Sportsplex, Walter Baker Sports Centre.

Trick or Treat with the Mayor Trick or Treat with the Mayor and a cast of costumed characters in the “Weird and Wonderful” Heritage Building, where you will be welcomed by the Enchanted Witches of Elgin Street!

See what’s brewing inside City Hall and meet your best-loved characters in Jean Pigott Place. Meet the Tooth Fairy and decorate your very own miniature pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch.

The City of Ottawa is

proud to partner with Treat Accessibly(link is external) to help make trick-or-treating accessible and inclusive for everyone.

Details: Saturday, October 29 from 5pm to 8pm at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier St. W. Heritage Building (Elgin Street) and Jean Pigott Place.

Admission: A non-perishable item or cash donation to the Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Basics Program

The Ottawa Food Bank’s Baby Basics Program helps parents in need by providing items in high demand such as formula, baby food and diapers. Chronic shortages of these basic needs make stocking the baby supplies one of the Food Bank’s most expensive, but most precious priorities.

Please email ProtocolRSVP@ottawa.ca(link opens email application) to advise us of any accessibilityrelated accommodation.

Crime Prevention Ottawa – Street Violence Crime Prevention Ottawa has been working collaboratively with partner agencies to address street violence in the city. The Ottawa Street Violence and Gang Strategy (OSVGS) seeks to address both the root causes that lead to street-level violence as well as the immediate trauma of violent incidents. These root causes include poverty, trauma, marginalization, racism and the global drug trade. Individuals involved in street-level violence are for the most part young men who grew up in poverty and

experienced marginalization and racism. There are many needs that must be addressed to achieve systemic change. We have also been working to change the way that we build a common understanding about these issues through our collaborative discussions about messaging. The OSVGS is a collective impact strategy which is evaluated then refreshed, every three years

The OSVGS strives to tackle the problem of street violence holistically. The strategy focuses on individuals, their families and affected communities.

Ottawa Police Reporting

- Stunt Driving & Excessive Noise

Make a report when you witness stunt driving and hear excessive noise to the Police Reporting Unit at 613-2361222, ext. 7300.

Online reporting is another way the Ottawa Police Service enhances its service to the community. It’s easy, timely, and effective. Online reports are only reviewed during the Police Reporting Unit’s hours of operation from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Once you submit the report, you will receive a temporary reference number until it is reviewed by an online agent (approximately 24 hours).

Once reviewed, you will be contacted with further information. Should there be any difficulty filing the report online, a member of the Police Reporting Unit will be pleased to help. Visit www.ottawapolice. ca to access the Ottawa Police Report.

RemembRance Day

Barrhaven Legion 2022 Poppy Campaign and Remembrance Activities

The Poppy Campaign enables branches of the Royal Canadian Legion to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need. This includes providing food, shelter and medical attention for them or their families when necessary. Thanks to the generosity of the Barrhaven community, during the 2021 Campaign the branch raised $84,000 which was used to support Veterans’ causes in the community. Branch 641 donated funds to community organizations including the Ottawa Heart institute, Perley Health, Queensway Carleton Hospital, five cadet squadron/corps (Navy, Army and Air), Military Family Resource Centre, Heroes Mending on the Fly, Operation: Leave the Streets Behind, Operation Service Dogs, Veterans’ Ski Program, Ruck to Ruck, bursaries, as well as providing monetary prizes for poster and literary contests for youth attending local schools.

The 2022 Poppy Campaign commences October 28 and ends on November 11. Legion and cadet volunteers will be distributing poppies during the Campaign period at several local locations, including Costco, McDonough’s Independent, Walmart, Metro, Loblaws and both Farmboy stores. We thank you for your continued support.

Barrhaven’s annual November 11 Remembrance Day Ceremony will once again be held at John McCrae Secondary School, 103 Malvern Drive. The parade will start at 10:45 a.m. and the Ceremony at 11 a.m. Military/RCMP/Police, Veterans, Legion members, Scout/ Cubs, Guides/Brownies/Sparks and other community groups are welcome to participate in the parade.

Form-up begins at 10:30 a.m. Following the Ceremony, the Barrhaven Legion will host a reception in Halls A and B of the Walter Baker Centre. Everyone is welcome. Veterans and members of the Barrhaven Legion are welcome to join us back at Branch 641 located at 3500 Fallowfield Road.

Did you know that you don’t need to be a Veteran to join the Legion? Come by Branch 641 and learn about the various services you can enjoy as we support our Veterans. Have questions? Want to find out how you can help? Contact Lyle Brennan CD, Poppy Chair at 613-297-0775.

** Supporting the Poppy Campaign means supporting Veterans in need and Veteran and local community programs. *

Ghamari adds powerful voice to protests against Iranian treatment of women

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari has been front and centre over the past month, giving a strong voice that resonated both locally and nationally during the large downtown Ottawa protest against the brutal treatment of woman in Iran.

The protest was triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran. She died in custody after being detained by the country’s morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. Her death has caused wide spread protests in Iran, and the protests are spreading to cities around the world where there are large Iranian popu lations.

Ghamari spoke at the first Ottawa protest, which took place late last month. Many people from Barrhaven and Riverside South attended the event. Ghamari’s Carle ton riding includes Riverside South, which neighbours Barrhaven to the east, as well as the Rideau-Jock Ward, which borders Barrhaven to the south and west.

While the expected crowd was less than 100, an esti mated turnout of more than 1,000 jammed downtown Ottawa. The crowd chanted Mahsa Amini’s name. Many of the protestors had their faces covered in fear that their images would be seen

by the Iranian regime in their home country, and that they would retaliate by killing or torturing the family members of the protestors.

Ghamari posted on Twit ter during the event that she was “honoured to join the hundreds of people in Ottawa who came out to support the people of Iran. Say her name. Be her voice.”

According to human rights organizations, at least 54 demonstrators have been killed by Iran’s security forces. They add that hun dreds have been detained and beaten. Ghamari, as the first ever Iranian-Canadian woman ever elected in Can ada, offers an important voice in Canada for the people in Iran.

Ghamari arrived in Can ada as a one-year-old with her parents. Her father, an electrical engineer, survived a random roadside execution attempt and made the deci sion to come to Canada to raise his daughters in a free and democratic society where they were safe. The family arrived in the mid 1980s with one suitcase full of clothing and $50 cash.

“Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old young woman who was brutally murdered by the illegitimate and terror ist regime in Iran just because she was not wearing her hijab

properly,” she said.

Hijabs were not compul sory in Iran until the coun try’s Islamic revolution. Cur rently, only hijabs are only compulsory in Iran and Af ghanistan.

Ghamari said that what makes the riots in Iran unique is that they are being organ ized and led by women. She added that the death of Mahsa Amini was the final straw.

“The people in Iran want to live in a free and demo cratic society,” Ghamari said. “There are women of all ages in Iran out in public without their hijabs, and they are burning their hijabs in protest even though they are aware of the potential conse quences.”

Sanctions against Iran

Prime Minister Justin Tru deau announced that Canada will levy sanctions against Iranian entities and individ uals. Although he was not specific in his announce ment, one of those entities will be Iran’s morality police.

To the women in Iran who are protesting and to those who are supporting them: We are with you, Trudeau said.

In a CBC story posted ear lier this month, Trudeau was quoted as saying, “We join our voices — the voices of all Canadians — to the millions

of people around the world demanding that the Iran ian government listen to its people, end their repression of freedom and rights, and let women and all Iranian people live their lives and express themselves peacefully.”

In January, 2020, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down Ukraine International airlines Flight 752 on its way from Tehran to Kyiv. There were 57 Canadians on board, in cluding family members of residents in the area.

The IRGC shot down the plane shortly after take off, killing all 176 passengers and crew members aboard. The shooting was in response to the assassination of IRGC major general Qasem Solei mani, who was killed by a US Air Force drone strike at Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani was con sidered a brutal mass mur derer by the people Iran.

Since Iran shot down Flight PS752 there have been calls for Canada’s federal government to take a harder line on Iran and declare the country’s Islamic Revolu tionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Trudeau told CBC that Canada already has one of the strongest sanctions against the regime.

“We have sanctioned some individuals, members of the IRGC, and we’re go ing to keep on considering

anything else we can do with regard to sanctions,” he said.

Ghamari said that the sanctions announced by the Prime Minister were a step in the right direction, though she would like to see more done.

After Flight PS752, there were also riots and protests in Iran.

“After the riots two years ago, the Iranian regime shut down the internet for three days and murdered 1500 people.”

In the past, Ghamari has been critical of the Trudeau Government on social media for its inaction on terror ist activities by the regime. Ghamari is from the city of Ahvaz, which is the capital of the Iranian province of Khoozestan. In 2021, there were protests over the lack of clean drinking water in Khoozestan. Some of the protestors were shot and killed by the IRGC.

“The people of Iran are held hostage by a terrorist and illegitimate Islamic Re gime,” she posted on Twitter in July, 2021. “They’re be ing murdered every day for peacefully protesting the lack of resources, lack of democ racy, and lack of basic human rights.

“Where is #Trudeau? This self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ and leader of democracy’? Why has he remained silent.”

Ghamari posted a Global News photo of the Prime

Minister smiling and shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Mun ich a month after the down ing of flight PS752.

Canada must do more

As the Carleton MPP was interviewed by numerous news agencies both locally and nationally last week, she called for more to be done to help Iran and make people aware of the situation there.

Ghamari said that while Iran is a country rich from oil, the economy is terrible and people have no opportun ity. The money is being used to fund terrorism.

“The young people of Iran are highly educated, and more than 70 per cent of young people in Iran have univer sity degrees,” she said. “But when they graduate, there are no jobs for them. When they ask the government why or if they speak out about the situ ation, they are thrown in jail.”

As the riots grow not just in Iran but throughout the world, Ghamari is sensing change. The riots in Canada and in Iran are being organ ized by women rather than being spearheaded by young men. Iran, she said, is a high ly educated country with re ligious, political, cultural and ethnical diversity.

“What unites Iranians is our love of freedom and the desire for a free and demo cratic Iran,” she said.

More than 1,000 show up to protest against brutal treatment of women in Iran by terrorist regime

MPP Goldie Ghamari’s social media posts about the protest went viral globally. On Thurs day, she appeared live on Iran International, a London (UK)-based television network. Gha mari, who was one when her family fled Iran to come to Canada, is Canada’s first elected Iranian-Canadian female politician.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari spoke at the Ottawa rally for the rights of Iranian women, who have been beaten, tortured and killed by the country’s morality police.

By Barrhaven Independent Staff

A Barrhaven seniors home resident is calling on Canada’s political leaders to solve the country’s health care crisis.

Subhas Bhargava, 84, and his wife have filed a Petition e-4084 to the House of Commons, sponsored by Nepean Liberal MP Chandra Arya.

“It’s a call to action to our political leaders to provide a platform for a national conversation to find solutions for our deepening health care crisis,” Bhargava said. “Long lineups at Hospital Emergency, doctors’ appointments or no avail-

ability etc. are painfully familiar to all of us.”

Bhargavas believes that seniors, disabled and disadvantaged Canadians have particularly been neglected in care and treatment for a long time.

“The terrifying and shameful events and deaths in Canadian Nursing homes were exposed during the pandemic,” he said. “We are an ageing society with low birth rates potentially creating an out of control and permanent Health care crisis. Dementia care alone in eight years, will require the equivalent of the entire health care budget of today.”

Barghavs says the

crisis can be turned into an opportunity, if Canadians work together.

“Canadians have the talent and resources to solve the crisis by working together with researchers, technologists, experts and the public to rebuild the healthcare system with an action plan,” he said.

For information on how to sign Petition e-4084, visit yourvoiceforseniors.ca.

The Ottawa Police Service is warning the public of an active scam targeting people contacting escort services and dating sites.

In the last month, the number of reports to police involving extortion or threats has doubled.

Here’s how it works: A person contacts an escort service or dating website. During the course of communicating, the victim is asked for a masturbation video. Once received, the suspect threatens to expose the video to the victim’s friends or relatives unless bitcoin or cash is paid. If they don’t pay, victims receive threatening phone calls or videos stating the victim and family will be killed if payment isn’t made.

“Beware, the person you think you are conversing with may not be who they say they are,” says Sgt. Robert Mills, Case manager for the Central Investigations Section. “And all the while, they’re gathering personal information about you.”

Sgt. Mills says this is an International scam. “The chance of finding the suspects is low. That’s why we are warning people so we

can prevent this from happening in the first place.”

Here’s how you can protect yourself:

- Set your privacy controls on all social media platforms to the highest security setting;

Don’t provide images or photos of yourself;

Don’t move your conversation to a platform

where your contacts can be accessed.

If you do receive a threat:

- Stop all communication with the extortionist;

- Report it to your local police service;

- Make a report through Cybertip.ca.

“They are counting on victims to be too embar-

rassed to come forward,” says Sgt. Mills. “You will not be judged. Police involvement may be enough

to make them back off, or your report may help us find the individual(s) responsible and stop them

from victimizing others.”

For more tips how to protect yourself online, go to ottawapolice.ca.

125 trees planted at Neil Nesbit Park in Barrhaven

By Charlie SenaCk

Gentle Ways for Our Planet is a small organization looking to make a big impact.

On Sept. 24, they made their mark in Barrhaven by planting 125 trees in Neil Nesbitt Park. The new “urban forest” as it’s called, will offer a new home to birds and young animals while bettering the environment.

“We know from City of Ottawa reports that Barrhaven and Hunt club have low tree canopy coverage,” said Aida Warah, founder and executive director of Gentle Ways for Our Planet. “They proposed Barrhaven and we said sure. We want to help rebuild urban forests and increase tree coverage.”

Barrhaven has the second worst tree canopy growth in all of Ottawa, reports show, with many of its suburban streets lacking places for shade. Tree coverage currently sits at only 23 per cent, but aims to one day soon reach 40 per cent.

Warah retired early from her public service job to dedicate her time to environmental issues. That’s when Gentle Ways for our Planet was born. The former University of Ottawa professor created the planet-action group in 2019 after seeing the picture of a whale that washed up to shore with 15 kilograms of plastics lodged in its stomach.

“Our focus and mission is to work with individuals,” said Warah. “We don’t lobby the government or organizations. We want to urge individuals to take environmental action to reduce their carbon footprint and general footprint on the planet.”

Efforts ramped up just as the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to in-person advocacy. Their mission is to have everyone reduce their carbon footprint by 50 per cent in the next eight years.

Warah would also like to plant one million trees by 2030, a goal she’s realizing might be hard to ac-

complish.

The 125 native trees were planted in Neil Nesbitt Park by youth from the Lebanese-Canadian community and various church groups.

“It was really awesome, everyone had a great time, and they are still talking about it today,” said Warah.

“We only had 125 trees and I wish we had 500. We have plans to plant more trees in the spring, if not next fall.”

Christina Thompson, who lives near the park, said she’s asked the city many times to plant more trees in the Old Barrhaven neighborhood.

“Trees are such an important part of fighting climate change,” Thompson said. “Having an entire new forest planted right in our community will show our kids and grandchildren that we can make a difference.”

Mayor Jim Watson, who was on hand at the tree planting event, said the city has increased efforts to plant more trees around the suburbs.

“The city of Ottawa is proud that it’s coming up close to 500,000 trees planted this term alone,”

he said. “We saw just a few months ago the devastating storm where we lost literally thousands and thousands of trees.”

In the Pine Grove and Pinhey’s Point forests owned by the National Capital Commission, it’s expected 70 per cent of their tree canopy was destroyed during the May long-weekend Derecho storms.

The forested area on both sides of Slack Road near Woodroffe will never look the same again and will take decades to regenerate. The straight lines of red pines were planted in the 1960’s and 70’s to one day be used as utility poles. The damaged and fallen trees take up about 170 hectares of land.

Due to the loss of mature trees and the need already to plant more, Warah said urban forests make communities more vibrant for everyone.

“Forests are great everywhere, but urban forests don’t just promote the wellness of people, but of all living beings,” she said. “They help rebuild habitats. Spending time in nature promotes not only physical health but also mental health.”

Gentle Ways for Our Planet founder and executive director Aida Warah was joined by volunteers from the LebaneseCanadian community and various church groups to plant 125 trees at Neil Nesbitt Park. Ch A r L i e Se N AC k P h OtO S

The St. Joseph Jaguars remained unbeaten atop the NCSSAA high school football standings with a 10-0 win over the St Mark Lions. The Jags will try to end their regular season with an unbeaten record as they take on St. Patrick at Minto Field at the Nepean Sportsplex Oct. 28 before hosting North Grenville Nov. 2.

The St. Mother Teresa Titans senior girls basketball team heads into the NCSSAA playoffs with a 4-2 regular season record, despite suffering as loss a the hands of the unbeaten South Carleton Storm last week. Longfields Davidson heights finished the season with a 2-4 record while John McCrae was winless with an 0-6 record.

After catching a touchdown pass from Teo Latendresse, Nathaniel Holder of the St. Mother Teresa Titans ran straight from the end zone to sideline to celebrate with his schoolmates. The Titans evened their record at 2-2 with a 21-0 win over the North Grenville Knights in NCSSAA high school football action. The Titans visit the St. Mark Lions Oct. 28 before hosting Arnprior Nov. 2.

Amazon’s 2.6 million square foot YOW3 fulfillment centre opens in Barrhaven

One of Canada’s most elaborate and technologically-advanced buildings has now opened in Barrhaven.

YOW3, the new Amazon fulfillment centre building in Citi Gate near the 416/Fallowfield interchange has opened.

The 2.6 million square foot building is Ottawa’s largest building. It features 12 kilometres of conveyer belts and will operate 24 hours per day.

The building is one of only five of its kind in the world. It will employ approximately 2,500 people in the region. There are currently 1,500 worker in the Barrhaven facility, with another 300 to be added by the end of this month.

The facility features 5,000 robots, capable of scanning and sorting as many as 20 million items per day for shipping local, nationally and globally.

The YOW3 building has three special robots on its staff.

Robin is a robotic arm with the ability to grasp, manipulate, identify and place packages onto a sortbot, which takes items from one department to another. Kermit is a trolley that focuses on towing around empty containers, RWC4 is a large robotic arm which sorts totes by destination and builds pallets for shipping.

“The idea behind the technology is to be able to make the job safer for our team,” said YOW3 General Manager Jawad Kamani in a CTV Ottawa interview. “In addition to that what we’ve been able to do is really condense the floor space that we have at large Amazon fulfillment centres. By bringing in technology, we are able to get into city centres, get into an area like this where there are closer

neighbourhoods, associates have closer access to the building and it allows us to be closer to our customer.”

Harsh Khaitan, Amazon Canada’s regional director of operations, says that despite a Canada-wide labour shortage, Amazon is continuing to recruit staff with a focus on a competitive wage. Jobs at Amazon begin at $19-21 per hour and come with a benefits package.

For more information about job opportunities with Amazon in Barrhaven, visit www. amazon.com/ottawahourlyjobs.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Nepean MP Chandra Arya, and Barrhaven BIA Executive Director Andrea Steenbakkerstoured YOW3 and met Amazon employees at the opening of the Amazon Fulfillment Centre.

Ah, Fall - Hear! Hear!

This time of year is fantastic! The air is crisp, the colors are changing, and the cozy flannel sweaters come out. Also great is Hallowe’en night when children’s creativity is in full force. Question is, will you be hearing the leaves crackle under your feet and the sweet ghost’s “trick or treat”?

Unfortunately, one in ten of us have hearing loss. If ignored, even the slightest hearing loss has significant consequences. You become disconnected from your world as loved ones be come mumblers and asking to repeat becomes a nuisance. Your safety and independence are compromised. You risk misdiag noses, diminishing cognitive abilities, depression, and brain reorganization. Indeed, untreated or improperly treated hearing loss has a pronounced negative impact on your quality of life.

Although the negative impact of untreated hearing loss is universal, how to go about maximizing hearing capabilities is extremely individual. One size does not fit all! The good news is that with nearly a dozen Manufacturers offering a variety of products to Canadians, finding the right match for you is pos sible. But to do so, you must have an Audiologist that will evaluate all products available, across all Manufacturers, for you with your unique profile in mind. Offering just that is lo cally owned and operated, Hearing Freedom.

This approach is rare in today’s market as Rosanne McNa mee, Doctor of Audiology, discovered when she interviewed for Audiology positions at local dispensaries. At each estab lishment she was disappointed to find the same thing; the in terviews focused on the number of hearing aid units she was expected to sell and which Manufacturers she was to limit her self to.

“That was not my idea of proper hearing health care,” says McNamee. “I wanted to focus on my patients’ needs, not sales. I wanted to be able to consider everything available in the mar ket, not just the product lines providing the employer the big gest profit margins.” And so, she decided to set up her own business, doing it her way and putting patients first. Now, over 20 years later, Hearing Freedom continues to help patients stay young, active, and socially connected.

At Hearing Freedom you can be confident your optimal so lution will be found because you, your unique hearing profile and your individual hearing needs are held paramount. Un like retail settings and Manufacturer-owned chains, at Hearing Freedom there is no predetermined product or plan…everyone gets customized care. In addition, to ensure maximum hearing potential is achieved, Hearing Freedom offers short-term dem

os as well as a 90-day trial period on all purchased hearing aids. Furthermore, at Hearing Freedom, your services are provid ed by the most qualified professionals in the industry. There are no Hearing Instrument Practitioners or Hearing Instrument Specialists on staff, only University trained and professionally regulated Audiologists who are qualified to service both chil dren and adults, whether they are private pay or third party sup ported (WCB, VAC, etc).

“Hearing is complex and so are today’s hearing aids,” Mc Namee explains. “Dealing with the most qualified health care professional, in the most independent setting, is crucial to max imizing your hearing potential.” At Hearing Freedom you will never worry whether or not you have chosen the best place to trust with your hearing needs.

So, if you believe in your right to the best, fullest and most customized service available, make sure you go to Hearing Freedom in Manotick. You won’t regret the short drive!

Parking is free.

Home visits & Remote Care is available.

Location is wheelchair friendly. For more information visit www.HearingFreedom.com