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BARRHAVEN
Year 31 • issue 19
FREE
www.barrhavenindependent.ca
FRIDAY • September 17 • 2021
Nepean candidates head into final days of election campaign By Charlie Senack The federal election is less than a week away and candidates are busy making a final campaign push. Election signs from all parties have added colour to Barrhaven streets, and reminders to vote have been hung on doors. The riding of Nepean has been Liberal since being formed in 2015, with Incumbent Liberal MP Chandra Arya running in his third election. The Conservatives are hoping to win over the riding with Matt Triemstra as their candidate, and Sean Devine is running for the New Democrats in his second election. Carleton resident Gordon Kubanek is running for the Greens in Nepean. During the last federal election in 2019, the Liberals won Nepean with over 45 per cent of the vote. Arya won with 8,613 ballots ahead of
then-Conservative candidate Brian St. Louis. Because of the pandemic, no all candidates debates have been held in Nepean during this election cycle. The Barrhaven Independent asked all candidates in Nepean to answer the same questions. Gordon Kubanek from the Green Party was the only candidate who didn’t respond to our request for comment.
Chandra Arya
The federal election has been called in the midst of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, all parties besides the Liberals have called it unnecessary. Arya has said in the past he feels the snap election was a good move, giving Canadians a chance to vote in the government they feel will do the best job rebuilding the country following COVID-19. But because of restric-
tions, this has been a campaign unlike any other. “I am knocking on doors everyday, while respecting physical distancing and wearing a mask, and I must say I am struck by the degree to which Nepean residents are engaged on the important issues being discussed during this election,” said Arya. “Compared to my previous campaigns in 2015 and 2019, I would say people have been closely following the key policy issues, and are looking for strong leadership in managing the economy and ending the pandemic.” Arya says while knocking on doors, the issues he’s hearing most are regarding the pandemic. “The residents of Nepean want the federal government to do everything possible to end the pandemic, including by increasing our vaccination rates even further, so we
Voters in Barrhaven will go to the polls on Mon., Sept. 20. Liberal incumbent Chandra Arya is looking for a third term as the local MP while Conservative candidate Matt Triemstra is trying to be the riding’s first Conservative MP since Pierre Poilievre. Charlie Senack photo
can recover and build back better,” he said. “Voters also want strong leadership on making housing more afford-
able and combating climate change, as we are already seeing the negative impacts of extreme weather in our
community and across the country.”
canidates
continues on page 12
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Page 2 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Wayfinding signs promoting active transportation to local schools Barrhaven Traffic
Strandherd Drive (from the Home Depot West Entrance to Jockvale Road) – Strandherd Drive is partially reduced to one lane in the eastbound direction in front of the Home Depot. Andora Avenue – Andora Avenue is fully closed to traffic at Strandherd Drive. After the full closure, Andora Avenue will reopen as a right-in/ right-out intersection, with no left-turn movements permitted, until the spring of 2022. Local access is maintained via Chapman Mills Drive. A pedestrian traffic signal was installed just west of Andora Avenue to facilitate pedestrian crossing at Strandherd Drive. Tallgrass Lane – Tallgrass Lane is fully closed at Strandherd Drive until the spring of 2022. Kingsview Lane – Kingsview Lane is fully closed at Strandherd Drive for a few weeks.
LET’S TALK
BARRHAVEN
Claridge Drive and Longfields Drive. This project is under the 2021 Crack Sealing Program.
by Jan Harder
Slow Down Signs at the Ward Office
Madrid Avenue - Madrid Avenue is fully closed at Strandherd Drive for a few weeks. Aura Avenue – Aura Avenue is fully closed at Strandherd Drive for a few weeks. Dealership Drive – Lane reductions on Dealership Drive, as necessary, for road reconstruction work. Strandherd Drive – Various work continues along the corridor. To accommodate the work, there will be off-peak lane reductions, as necessary along the corridor. Berrigan Drive -There will be lane reductions with traffic being controlled by flagging personnel for an expected one day in the next few weeks at Berrigan Drive between
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 time for a pickup at the ward office located beside Ruth E. Dickinson Library. Ruth E. Dickinson Messaging Current services • Browse our shelves, borrow museums passes and day-use passes for provincial parks, and read newspapers and magazines in branch • Use a public computer, print, scan, or photocopy • Visit the Imagine Space and Labs • Place holds on up to 200
items at a time • Return any time, via our 24/7 external book drops • We’ve returned to our pre-pandemic hours of operation! • Masks remain mandatory when visiting the library Service Update: Sunday hours are resuming starting Sunday September 12, 2021! Sunday hours will resume at 10 branches and Infoservice starting this Sunday September 12, 2021 from 1 pm to 5 pm! • Branches open on Sundays include: Main, Beaverbrook, Cumberland, Greenboro, Nepean Centrepointe, Ruth E. Dickinson, North Gloucester, Orleans, Hazeldean, Stittsville and InfoService Mango Languages Interested in learning a new language? Improving your English or French? Try Mango Languages! This free language learning resource offers over 70 language
courses, including 21 English courses for non-English speakers.
Virtual Author Visits Kick off your fall reading with OPL’s virtual author visits! Join us from the comfort of your own home to discover new authors and titles to add to your reading list! • Thursday September 16 at 7:00 pm - Join us for a virtual evening with author Ben Philippe as he talks about his recent nonfiction book. Sure, I’ll Be Your Black Friend is a conversational take on topics both light and heavy, universal and deeply personal, which reveals incisive truths about the need for connection in all of us. • Thursday September 23 at 7:00 pm - Join us for a virtual evening with author Uzma Jalaluddin as she talks about her latest rom-com, Hana Khan Carries On, inspired by the movie “You’ve
Got Mail” set in rival halal restaurants o Register for each event to receive a Zoom link. They will also be streamed live on the OPL Facebook page!
Envirocentre Wayfinding Signs You may have noticed school wayfinding signs around Half Moon Bay Public School. As part of the School Active Transportation Program, these fun, simple signs let walkers and bikers know how long it will take to get to school from the sign’s location. The signs are placed along a few different routes at 5- and 10-minute walk distances from the school. The purpose of the signs is to build awareness around active transportation, build a culture of walking and health in the community and encourage families to discover it’s not that far to walk to school.
harder continues on page 4
Temporary Hearing Loss… No more! As a Doctor of Audiology, I should have immediately picked up on the fact that my son’s hearing was impacting his ability to thrive at school, but even I was tricked by the elusiveness of hearing loss. My son would cycle through months where no concerns were noted and phases where he was inattentive, poorly behaved, and not thriving at school. With each cycle my husband and I would try to find the underlying contributors to his downturns… a bully? a learning disability? too little extra-curricular activities? too many? and on and on. It finally dawned on me…recurring ear infections! His ear infections rarely caused him discomfort and were often one-sided, making them particularly difficulty to pick up on. It was only upon implementing monthly hearing assessments that it became clear that his resulting mild hearing loss was the underlying cause of many struggles. Despite excellent medical supervision, and two sets of tubes, his congestion returned regularly from the age of 4 until he was 10, each time taking weeks to clear! I cringe when I think that he spent months on end going through life as though he had his fingers in one or both ears! It made it so difficult for him to navigate
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his little world. Oh! The frustrations he must have felt! The disengagement he must have lived! Unfortunately, our story is a familiar one. Ear infections are commonplace among children and nearly half go undetected by parents and teachers. It is expected that 2-in-3 children will suffer at least one episode of ear problems, and 1-in-6 will have 6 or more episodes. But as elusive as these periods of reduced hearing are, their negative impact on these children is undeniable. The resulting inattention, frustration, confusion, and poor behavior can occasionally be misinterpreted as learning disabilities. During early critical years, hearing loss, even of mild degree, can cause delays in the development of speech and language, and those delays can then lead to learning problems, often resulting in poor school performance. In addition to academic struggles, children with hearing loss can also experience trouble socially because communication, which requires both verbal and auditory skills, is vital to social interactions and peer relationships. And it does not always end in grade school. For some, recurring ear infections will become a life-long battle. With repeated periods of hearing loss, adults struggle at work as
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well as at home. Quality of life suffers. The good news is that technology continually evolves. Though not available when my son was experiencing his years of struggles, I am thrilled that there now exists an effective, non-invasive product to overcome the temporary hearing loss caused by ear infections. And, with nothing in the ear canal, this product will not interfere with the treatment plan. It is simply a fantastic way for anyone suffering from either an outer or middle ear infection to regain proper hearing levels as they wait for the medications and/or time to clear the congestion. Goodbye weeks with dampened hearing! Hello smoother living! If your child, or anyone you know, suffers from recurring ear infections, be sure to reach out to Hearing Freedom to learn more about this exciting new product that enables them to overcome the struggles of their resulting hearing loss. It will be worth it! Parking is free. Home visits optional. Wheelchair friendly. For more information visit www.hearingfreedom.com.
FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 Page 3
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT harder continues from page 2 Walking to school is a great way to get fresh air and exercise that benefits our mental and physical health as well as the environment. Recent data shows 80% of Ottawa families are choosing active and sustainable transportation to bring children to school. We look forward to seeing students walking and wheeling to school! 529 Garage App Introduced in 2019, in partnership with Bike Ottawa and Safer Roads Ottawa, the 529 Garage app is an easy way for cyclists to register their bicycles to help police locate them faster if they are stolen. The app also creates a network with other Ottawa cyclists to alert riders to missing or stolen bikes. “If you haven’t already
received your 529 Garage shield, now is a good time to pick one up,” said Constable Samson Vo, with the Neighbourhood Resource Team. Introduced in 2019, in partnership with Bike Ottawa and Safer Roads Ottawa, the 529 Garage app is an easy way for cyclists to register their bicycles to help police locate them faster if they are stolen. The app also creates a network with other Ottawa cyclists to alert riders to missing or stolen bikes. “We find the app really useful in helping police to reunite bikes with owners after they’ve been stolen,” said Cst. Vo. “register on the app or the website, you can still use it without having a 529 shield.” For more information about 529 Garage, please
visit ottawapolice.ca/endbiketheft.
Ottawa Police Service Budget The Ottawa Police Services Board (OPSB) and the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) are asking residents to provide their feedback in a public survey being launched today, to help us determine priorities in line with our annual budget. We encourage everyone who lives in Ottawa to participate in the survey to let us know how we can best invest our resources. Ottawa is a diverse community, and to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard, the survey will be issued in eight different languages: English, French, Arabic, Cantonese (Trad-
itional Chinese), Mandarin (Simplified Chinese), Farsi, Somali and Spanish. To participate in the survey, please visit ottawapolice.ca/2022Budget and click the appropriate language link.
2021 Household Hazardous Waste Depots Remaining Household Hazardous Waste Depot events for 2021 as indicated in the memorandum dated June 1, 2021. The first extended Household Hazardous Waste Depot that took place at the Conroy Snow Dump (3100 Conroy Road) in June, was very successful. Almost 4,300 visitors diverted a total of 175 tonnes of household hazardous waste from landfill.
We are pleased to provide the dates and locations for the remaining Household Hazardous Waste Depots in 2021. The upcoming HHW events will be one-day depots opened between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. The events provide a full city-wide coverage. For more information visit: Ottawa.ca/hhw
Help During Self Isolation Do you need help during self-isolation? Call 2-1-1 for information on resources from the Community and Social Services Line. Do you need a space to self-isolate safely? The Voluntary Isolation Centre (VIC) is for people who do not have access to an adequate shelter or can-
not self-isolate safely in their own homes. To find out more or to apply please call 613-580-2424 ext. 25890 or email OPHisolationcentre@ ottawa.ca. Here are some resources that might help: • Access to food: goodfoodottawa.ca • Access to mental wellness support: counsellingconnect.org • Supports for seniors & adults with a disability: communitysupport. covidresponse.ca • Delivery of food & supplies - Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre: 613-591-3686 • CRB- Canada Recovery Benefits information & support – Service in English & Arabic: Email hanadi. alashi@occsc.org or fidaa. osman@occsc.org
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Page 4 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Masks for kindergarteners, vaccines for teachers as school resumes By Jeff Morris Ottawa Carleton District School Board trustees voted to extend its mask policy to include kindergarten students. The decision was made at a meeting held Aug. 31. The OCDSB was the last of Ottawa’s four school boards to pass a motion to extend the mask policy to kindergarten students. The Ottawa Catholic School Board, as well as the French public and French Catholic school boards had also passed similar motions. Provincial regulations in place for COVID-19 only require masks to be worn by students from Grade 1 and up. Each school board, however, had the option to implement stricter mask policies. Ottawa Public Health supports the move to include kindergarten students in the mask policy. Another motion that
passed at the Aug. 31 OCDSB meeting was that all volunteers, including coaches, at OCDSB schools are to be fully vaccinated for the 202122 school year. Trustee Lyra Evans had six motions on the table. In addition to the motions for extending masks to kindergarten and mandating that volunteers are fully vaccinated, there was also discussion of requiring all staff members at OCDSB schools to be fully vaccinated. Mandatory vaccines for students, a medical education policy for students, and the continued provision of medical-grade masks to staff members were not discussed.
Not Enough Time
The meeting ran until 11 p.m. After the designated end time, the board must vote to continue the meeting. BarrhavenKnoxdale-Merivale Trustee Donna Blackburn voted against continuing
Manotick
the meeting. The board had gone through the first round of voting for mandatory vaccination of staff members. However, after some wording adjustments and discussion, trustees ran out of time before a ratification vote could be held. The draft marked Sept. 30 as the date in which the rules for the vaccination of staff members would be put in place. Exemptions for human rights, such as medical and religious reasons, would be put in place. Blackburn defended her decision to end the meeting at 11 p.m. “Had we agreed to complete the entire agenda, we would have been debating and making decisions at two in the morning,” she said. “This is not how decisions of this magnitude should be made. We have to do better as a board. Think of the parents. These are the most important decisions of the school year for
them. Would they want people making these decisions at 2 a.m.?” The board was back at it the following night and passed the motion to mandate teacher and staff vaccinations. Speaking on CTV Morning earlier this month, OCDSB director of Education Camille Williams-Taylor said that implementing mandatory vaccinations for staff is just one of the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools. She said that staff will also be wearing PPE, with masks on in class and throughout the school. Hand hygiene and social distancing will also be a big part of the board’s in-school plan. “We’re still mindful of the number of the number of contacts that students have so we’re making sure our structures enable as tight a cohort as possible,” Williams-Taylor said. Williams-Taylor add-
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ed that she believes the board’s numbers for students over 12 being vaccinated are in line with the city’s numbers. She said that in Ottawa, 73 per cent of students were double vaccinated, while the percentage of students who had received at least one dose was well into the 80s.
OCSB Guidelines in Place
The Ottawa Catholic School Board released its back to school policies a week earlier.
masks
continues on page 5
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In addition to extending it masking policy to include kindergarten students, there were also a number of other issues addressed. School assemblies will be held either outdoors or online. Field trips can be held but will be limited to outdoor venues, and no busing will be permitted. The school’s meet-theteacher and school council meetings will also be held virtually.
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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT masks continues from page 4 Fully-vaccinated students who are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 do not need to self-isolate as long as they do not have symptoms and are not directed otherwise by Ottawa Public Health. If a child is not vaccinated and is exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19 and is considered a high-risk contact, they will be required to isolate for ten days as directed by Ottawa Public Health. OCSB schools will work with Ottawa Public Health and follow their direction. As per the Ministry of Education directive, all OCSB staff members are required to provide proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 by Sep-
tember 7, or provide a documented medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19, or be tested regularly and participate in a vaccination education program. This requirement applies to all School Board employees, School Board Trustees, student transportation drivers, frequent essential visitors and other professionals who deliver school services. An individual’s vaccination status is private information and is not permitted to be disclosed. By September 15th, all School Boards in Ontario will post on their websites non-identifying data indicating the percentage of staff across the School Board who have not been fully vaccinated.
Students returned to St. Mother Teresa Catholic High School on Sept. 7. While students in the English Catholic Board returned to class the day after Labour Day, students in English public board schools returned to classes Thurs., Sept. 9. Charlie Senack photo
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Page 6 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT Editorial
Taxpayers still waiting for a credible plan to balance the books If the federal government’s fiscal policy stays on its current trajectory, Canada’s trillion-dollar debt will be a major drain on taxpayers’ wallets for generations to come. In this election, voters will need to closely examine parties’ plans to plug that drain. Unfortunately, the current Liberal plan would keep the federal budget in deficit territory for another half-century. The Conservatives and New Democrats have been critical of the Liberal government’s record, but neither party has found any clear way to save taxpayers money. Let’s look at the options, starting with the Liberals. Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office nearly six years ago, Canada’s debt has ballooned. Trudeau was elected in part on a promise to run a few “modest” deficits for three years and balance the books by 2019. But instead, Trudeau has steadily increased government spending to levels never before seen in Canadian history. If Trudeau gets re-elected, at the end of his next term in office, years after COVID-19 has come and gone, the Liberals will increase permanent government spending by $100 billion above already high 2019 levels. Budget 2021 will nearly double the pre-pandemic federal debt within a few short years, but data from the Parliamentary Budget Officer shows that’s just the beginning of the bad news. On the Liberals’ current trajectory, the feds won’t balance the budget until 2070. What about the Conservatives? Taxpayers shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for Erin O’Toole’s party to balance the budget. The Conservatives’ platform vaguely promises to balance the budget within the next decade, but offers few plans to save money and no credible targets to shrink the deficit. In fact, O’Toole is proposing to spend billions the government doesn’t have on new programs. Rather than finding savings in a bloated budget, O’Toole is betting the farm that he can erase the deficit by relying on economic growth. But what if reality isn’t as rosy? Will O’Toole find savings, or let the debt continue to balloon? Finally, there’s the NDP. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh plans to increase income taxes, business taxes and capital gains taxes. He also wants to impose a wealth tax, excess profits tax, luxury taxes, a tax on foreign home buyers and a tax on so-called internet giants. Despite all of those taxes, the NDP still offers no clue as to how it would balance the budget. The bottom line is that none of Canada’s three major parties have presented a credible plan to deal with the deficit that’s adding $424 million to the debt every day. Canadians deserve better. With politicians trying to avoid talking about how they’ll balance the books, it’s up to Canadians to ask tough questions about the deficit when politicians come knocking. Franco Terrazzano is the Federal Director and Jay Goldberg is the Interim Ontario Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. © Troy Media
BARRHAVEN P.O. Box 567 Manotick, Ontario www.barrhavenindependent.ca The Barrhaven Independent is published by Manotick Messenger Inc. biweekly at P.O. Box 567 in Manotick, Ontario. The Barrhaven Independent is not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or other material used for publication purposes. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display, National and Classified rates are available on request.
Publisher: Jeff Morris Managing Editor: Jeff Morris Advertising and Marketing: Gary Coulombe Photographer: Greg Newton Reporter: Charlie Senack
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Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself In the 16 years I have been writing this road from my office was a Gold’s Gym, and I column, there is one topic I have never writ- went there every morning. I got on the treadmill and started my workten about. out. There was a row of TVs above the row of Nine Eleven. I still remember that day minute-by- treadmills, and they alternated between CNN minute. How could 20 years go by so quick- and ESPN. Just after 6 a.m., which was 9 a.m. New York time, a plane flew into one of ly? I was living in Seattle at the time, and my the towers. Before long, everyone in the gym job required me to travel about once or twice headed over to watch what was going on. “I wonder if the pilot passed out or had a a month. When I had to go to New York, I alheart attack or something,” ways stayed at the World I said to the guy beside me. Trade Center Marriott. He was a senior who had If you had ever been to FROM THE OTHER been in the military. He the twin towers in New wasn’t buying it. York, the Marriott was “That wasn’t an accithe seemingly smaller Jeffrey Morris dent,” he said. “That was and flatter building bebin Laden, that lunatic from tween the towers. On the morning of September 11, 2001, I Afghanistan.” I think most of us had never even heard was supposed to be in the Marriott. I had a meeting scheduled in New York with a com- of Osama bin Laden before that day. As the pany that was close to the Marriott. I was to second plane crashed into the other tower, fly in Sept. 10, stay at the Marriott, have my it was clear that America was under attack meetings for the day, and then return home and hijacked commercial flights were the COUNCILweapons. Sept. 12. CORNER I went to my office that day and we just Had I gone to New York, I would have sat walked out of the hotel about fiveMayor minutes Suzanne Dodgearound talking and watching the news. On before the first plane struck one of the tow- my way home, I picked up a special edition copy of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that ers. had been printed hours earlier. I still have the But I didn’t go. Every now and then, you have to put your newspaper. We celebrated Jack’s birthday with delivfamily ahead of work. Sometimes, it’s tough er from Pizza Hut. It was his favourite. The to do. This time, however, it wasn’t. THE NOTcelebration SO was sombre, but I was happy to Sitting at the dinner table, I told my family be home. I would be heading to New York for NEW a few GUY days. My son, Jack, started crying. Tim Ruhnke As far away as Seattle was from New York, “I can’t believe you’re going to miss my the attacks affected everyone. One of our neighbirthday,” he said through tears. Jack’s birth- bours was a firefighter in Tacoma who, like day is September 11. He was about to turn many firefighters from across the country, travnine. elled to New York to help with the clean up. As Jack cried and begged me not to go After returning, he told ne about the worst thing to New York, I realized how big the price of he saw. constant work travel was. “I found a hand,” he said. “I opened it up, WALKER “Please don’t go Dad,” he continued. “I HOUSE and there was a child’s hand inside. There was was just getting to know you.” a daycare under the towers, and we guessed this And there it was. That comment made Susan by Vallom was someone trying to lead a child out of there.” a kid a few days short of his ninth birthday He started crying as he told me. completely shattered me. I called Amer“I was doing well and holding it together up ican Airlines and cancelled my flight. The until that moment,” he sobbed. next morning at 6 a.m. pacific time, I called Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in the everyone involved and informed them I 9/11 attacks. It pales in comparison to the more could not make it because of “a family situa- than 650,000 Americans who have died so far tion.” I didn’t dare say it was for my son’sBLAKE’S from COVID-19. birthday. The one thing that bothered me the The Marriott, meanwhile, was destroyed TAKES most about living and working in corporate when the towers came down. Blake McKim America was that too many guys trying to get Today, we have an entire generation that ahead treated their family as nothing more has grown up only having a vague idea of what than objects to pose for portraits and photos 9/11 was. They don’t have a reference point. To so that they could be in frames and look nice them, it’s like World War II was. There are movon their desks. ies and it’s in history books, but it seems so far I didn’t want to be that guy. away and unimaginable. On the morning of Sept. 11, I did what I And now, with the Taliban taking over Afdid every morning. I woke up at 4:30, drove ghanistan just days after the US pulled out its from my home in Puyallup, Washington to troops, let’s hope this piece of history never rethe Seattle suburb of Lynwood. Across the peats itself.
SIDE
NEWS
FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 Page 7
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Changes are coming to our garbage and recycling services
Ottawa’s residents are being told to prepare for changes to our garbage and recycling services that will also hit our pocketbooks. Seventy-two options are on the table, part of our new Solid Waste Master Plan for the next thirty years. Three are contentious because of the potential cost to homeowners. They are: Partial pay-as-you throw: Households would be allowed to place a set number of garbage items out for collection. Households with more than this limit would purchase garbage tags for each additional item. Recycling, organics, and leaf and yard waste would still be picked up without any tags and with no limits. Reduced item limits: Households would set out a reduced number of garbage items for collection. Anything above the limit would
not be collected. Clear garbage bags with recycling and organics bans: Households would set out their garbage in clear bags. Recyclables and organic waste would not be permitted in the garbage. We’ve already heard from residents upset with the possibility of paying more for curbside collection. We’d all compost and recycle in an ideal world, and plastics would not exist, but that’s not our reality. Ottawa continues to grow, and we’re producing more garbage. Trail Road Landfill has approximately
15 years left before it hits capacity. I’d like to see Ottawa consider existing technology such as incineration, which incorporates new practices to address our garbage problem. Incineration methods in other countries are improving. Why aren’t we exploring that? And an Ottawa-based company has briefed the city on its patented thermal conversion technology that transforms waste into carbon, ash and a non-toxic, clean synthetic gas. Synthetic gas can then be used to produce clean power. This company promises it can reduce the volume of waste going to the landfill by ninety-five percent. Its backers would like to see a pilot project at the Trail Road facility that would not cost the city a penny. Ottawa should think seriously
about this offer. If the company’s claims are accurate, Ottawa could be a leader in trash reduction. Ottawa should be open to new innovations without feeling the need to reinvent the wheel. Although Plasco failed, this should not deter the city from taking a chance on new technology. After years of failing to meet diversion targets, Ottawa’s residents are being asked to weigh in on a new Solid Waste Master Plan. My greatest concern is that cutting back on service or making it more restrictive will mean more dumping and cheating. Even those advocating for pay as you go and garbage bag limits acknowledge that will happen. We must find ways to make diverting our waste easier, not by penalizing our residents but by imple-
menting new and innovative solutions for a very old problem. The survey is now over,
but you can still participate in the online workshops. Visit Ottawa.ca/wasteplan
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Page 8 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Labour Day Fun Fair first major Barrhaven event since start of pandemic By Charlie Senack There was a sense of normalcy in the air in Barrhaven over the Labour Day long weekend, as a family fun fair took over the events park at Clarke Fields. It was the first major event to make a comeback in the community since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the first fair in Barrhaven since Canada Day celebrations in 2019. Darrell Bartraw, who runs the annual Mattamy Homes Canada Day in Barrhaven event, says it was a huge success with 13 rides, four food stands, and over six games.
“The fair exceeded the numbers that they predicted, so it went very well,” he said. “With COVID we have been doing nothing out here in Barrhaven, and I am involved with 10 major events that take place in the community, and we have not been able to do any of them. A few weeks ago we had a classic car show and now the fair, so we are starting to make a small comeback.” Bartraw hopes that if the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t start to worsen, the annual Santa Claus Parade will make a comeback this November, along with a family skate day in Decem-
ber. There are also hopes the Santa Claus pancake breakfast which normally takes place at St. Mother Teresa High School can also be held in some capacity. The fair ran at Clarke Fields from September 2-6, and had a maximum capacity of 499 people at a time. Masks were needed on any of the rides, and were encouraged but not necessary while walking the fairgrounds. It cost $25 a person to get in, which some thought was expensive. “There were a few comments on Facebook from people who were concerned that it was $25 to get in if
you were going on the rides or not, but that worked out to only $5 a person if you think about it,” said Bartraw. “If two parents went with their child and then grandma and grandpa came to take photos, that would be five people coming out of the 499. So we had to charge everyone so that we could still make money with the reduced capacity — which we did max out a few times.” Despite the price, many Barrhaven residents were
pleased to finally get out of the house and taste a sense of pre pandemic life. “We were there for four hours yesterday with our five-year-old granddaughter,” said Janet Thibaudeau McGlade on the Barrhaven Bulletin Facebook page. “Their were hardly any line ups so she had so much fun going on the rides . And the guys that run the rides gave them a good long time on it.” “I took my 11 and 13-year-old with a friend
each. It wasn’t too busy so they got to run and go on rides multiple times each,” echoed Krista McMurchy. “Barely a line up. There weren’t many rides, but the operators were so friendly, there was enough variety for all of them and they had fun.” Canada Day in Barrhaven received a proceeds of the funds raised at the fair, and hopes to put on a bigger and better Canada Day celebration in Barrhaven next year.
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The Barrhaven Fun Fair during the Labour Day weekend was the first major event in the community since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Chantal Paquette
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FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 Page 9
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
CLUES ACROSS 1. Religion native to some in China 5. Nursemaids 10. Coats a porous surface 12. Garment of long cloth 14. Containing a broader message 16. University of Dayton 18. Patti Hearst’s captors 19. Insane 20. Bristlelike structures in invertebrates 22. Taxi 23. Trainee 25. Comedian Carvey 26. Some couples say it 27. Belong to he 28. High schoolers’ test 30. Young goat 31. You drive on one 33. Denotes a time long ago 35. Space between two surfaces 37. By and by 38. A way to sell 40. A line left by the passage of something 41. Indicates near 42. Where wrestlers compete 44. Prosecutors 45. Body part
48. Soluble ribonucleic acid 50. Indicates silence 52. NFL’s Newton 53. Ancient Roman garments 55. Drunkard 56. Expression of satisfaction 57. Thus 58. Noisy viper 63. Plants of a particular region 65. Communicated with 66. Latches a window 67. Swarm with CLUES DOWN 1. Split pulses 2. Brew 3. Ask humbly 4. Distinctive smells 5. Digressions 6. Partner to cheese 7. Father of Araethyrea 8. Made a cavity 9. Tin 10. Appetizer 11. Presenting in detail 13. Compound in guano and fish scales 15. Cool! 17. “__ than a doornail” 18. Popular literary form __ fi
21. Be the most remarkable 23. “Final Fantasy” universe character 24. Buffer solution 27. Muslim physician using traditional remedies 29. Fantastical planet 32. S. American plant 34. Domesticated animal 35. The tops of mountains 36. Expression of disapproval 39. Skeletal muscle 40. Game show host Sajak 43. One’s interests 44. Identify the existence of 46. Partner to “oohed” 47. Does not accept medical help (abbr.) 49. Hammerin’ Hank 51. Lowest point of a ridge between two peaks 54. Elaborately draped garment 59. Check 60. Car mechanics group 61. One point east (clockwise) of due north 62. Austrian river 64. A command to list files
Page 10 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
‘Bushels of Fun’ as Log Farm Fall program now underway Autumn is in the Air around the Log Farm! The farm’s fall program opens September 12th with a corn maze, wagon rides, scarecrows, farm animals and pumpkins. The corn maze will be open for those who want to try their skills at finding their way through the maze. We are excited to announce that Wagon Rides will be returning to our Fall program. There is a designated area where the wagon leaves from and it runs throughout your sessions, so if it is busy just come back to it later. At the farm, we have lots of friendly animals to see, feed and touch and the kid’s barn has some imaginary play areas and the famous corn sensory table. Make sure to take a walk in the woods down scarecrow lane, don’t worry everyone is friendly. There are three different hay play structures to climb and explore. Bring
some snacks and enjoy the picnic and play area. The Log farm is part of Ottawa’s history, the farm was originally settled in 1854 and the home and farm buildings were built over the next few years. You can walk through the original home of the Bradley’s and take in how they lived right here over 150 years ago! Note that the corn maze, like most of the activities at the farm, is designed for families with children under 10. Please note that masks will be required to ride on the wagon. The entire experience is outside and we are continuing to limit the number of guests during each session so that you can spread out and enjoy your time at the farm! Relax and enjoy the outdoors while you explore and play down on the farm. To pre-book your tickets visit www.thelogfarm.com.
The corn maze is one of many features at the Log Farm on Cedarview Road, just north of Barrhaven.
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Page 12 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT canidates continues from page 1 Arya says the Liberal platform presents a “bold plan” to move Canada forward and make the investments needed to keep Canada a great place to live for everyone. He rhymed off many numbers the party has pledged saying they are elected again. “We will implement $10 a day childcare to make life more affordable for families. We will build 1.4 million homes over four years and introduce a tax-free First Home Savings Account to allow Canadians under 40 to save up to $40,000 towards their first home. We will introduce 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers so they will no longer need to choose between their health and paying their bills. We will work to make sure every Canadian has access to a family doctor, and will invest $10 billion to eliminate waitlists, and $3 billion to hire 7,500 family doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners,” said Arya. “Finally, we are going to move forward to deliver better care for seniors, which as we have seen during the pandemic is absolutely essential. We will train up to 50,000 new personal support workers and raise their wages, and work with the provinces to make long-term care homes healthier, safer and more accessible. We will also make life more affordable for seniors by increasing the GIS by $500 for single seniors and $750 for senior couples.” This campaign has seen election signs vandalized more than usual. On Greenbank Road, NDP signs had an ‘x’ marked through them, and on Longfields Liberal signs were
knocked down and folded in half. In some communities, signs have been targeted with racial and sexist slurs. Arya says he is disappointed to see this happening. “No matter what party one supports, election campaigns are critical to keeping our democracy healthy,” he said. “Vandalism like this is very discouraging to hard-working volunteers, many of whom are young people taking the time to get involved in their community. And in various parts of the country, we have seen racist and hateful graffiti on signs, and that is simply not reflective of who we are as Canadians.”
Matt Triemstra
As polls show Conservatives leading slightly in the polls, the party is hoping the riding of Nepean will be one of many they will pick up. And because calling an election now is an unpopular opinion, they hope that will also act to their advantage. “Everything about this election is different - which is why I am hearing at the doors that people are not happy that during the pandemic, Justin Trudeau would call an election. It is blatant political opportunism,” said Triemstra. “The pandemic has changed who and how people can volunteer and vote. People are not always comfortable answering the door. It has changed many parts of the election - but the goal remains the same - finding ways to hear from voters and tell them about our Conservative plan for Canada and Nepean.”
Liberal incumbent Chandra Arya says that local residents want the federal government to do everything they can to end the pandemic, including increasing vaccination rates.
And the pandemic is also what the Conservatives are hearing mainly at the doors. They also hear Nepean residents complain about how life is becoming unaffordable. “People are frustrated with how hard life has become under the Liberals — with rising housing costs, and paying more for gas and groceries. Many families and seniors are having to make difficult choices,” said Triemstra. “I am hearing really positive thoughts for Erin O’Toole and his plan to make mental health and health care a real priority again. “And every small business I have spoken with wants a change because they think that the Trudeau Liberals are not there to help local, small businesses who are struggling,” he added. “Every day we are out knocking on doors and I meet another person in the community who says they are switching their votes to Conservative because they don’t support Justin Trudeau and our local Liberal MP.” In the growing riding of Nepean where areas like Barrhaven are expanding by the day, Triemstra says the Conservative recovery plan for Canada should have something for everyone in Nepean. “Conservatives have a real plan to deal with crime that has risen every year under the Liberals and is a real concern to many in the community. They want a government who will do more than just talk about crime, who will act to support police and victims. That’s what the Conservative plan does, while the Liberals are continuing with their failed plans,” he said. “And I have heard loud and clear that many in our communities want to feel free to live their lives free from hate, harassment and feel safe in their communities. And not enough is being done to prevent crime, and combat hate and that’s why Conservatives have a good plan to add more police in tackling these growing issues.” Triemstra says his main goal is making life better and easier for Nepean residents. He noted party plans for seniors, workers, and families. They include, for child care, for our economy and a plan for 1 mil-
lion jobs. “We have a plan to balance the budget responsibly without deep cuts but through economic growth,” said Triemstra. “And giving Canadians a clear plan has more people saying they can support that.” When it comes to damaged election signs the Conservatives say they have also dealt with that in Nepean. “I am concerned about some of the spray-painted messages that we have seen on our and other signs, some of which have been hateful,” the Nepean Conservative candidate said. “I and most of the candidates have renounced these messages and I don’t think it reflects the views or values of our community.”
Sean Devine
Nepean NDP candidate Sean Devine is running in his second federal election. He decided to put his name on the ballot again after thinking of the future world he wants for his children. Deviance ran last in the 2015 election, coming in third place with a little over eight per cent of the vote. But this election is different as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, and campaigning has had to adapt as a result. “Campaigning has been great, actually. Of course the pandemic has altered the approach, since campaigns are an attempt to engage as many constituents as possible in a limited time, and COVID has made that a challenge,” he said. “But my campaign is showing very impressive results, judging by the number of lawn signs we’re seeing, as well as the overwhelmingly positive responses on social media and at the doors.” On September 7, Devine and the NDP were busy campaigning on Thistledown Court in Barrhaven. Devine said on Twitter that residents were looking to vote in a better future for others, focusing on issues such as supporting Indigenous communities. “Nepean is such a diverse riding that the ‘key issues’ shift from neighbourhood to neighbourhood, and form house to house, really,” he said. “Many people are concerned about climate change, that’s for sure. Many people say that we need
Conservative candidate Matt Triemstra says people that they are unhappy that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would call an election during the pandemic, calling it “blatant political opportunism.”
to change the way we tax Canadians so that the wealthiest start paying their fair share. But if I were to identify one issue that I’m hearing from people more than any other, it’s dissatisfaction and disappointment with Justin Trudeau. People who voted for him in 2015 are finally admitting to themselves that he has not lived up to the important promises he made.” When it comes to NDP policies and announcements, Devine noted the party had their platform ready before the election was even called. “The NDP released our platform before the election was even called! And here’s the interesting thing. The Liberals — and to a lesser extent the Conservatives —wait as long as they can before releasing their platform,” said Devine. “That’s because they don’t have their own core set of beliefs and principles. They make promises based on what’s popular, and what they think will get them more votes. “So they make big promises during the campaign, and then they break them. That’s especially true for the Liberals, unfortunately,” he’s added. “If I were to identify some elements of our platform that
will benefit Nepean, our commitment to addressing the affordable housing crisis will certainly benefit those living in Barrhaven, especially the thousands of new residents who will be coming to Barrhaven over the next decade. And our commitment to strengthening public transit infrastructure will also be extremely beneficial.” When it comes to damaged election signs, Devine admits some of his signs have been tampered with, but has chosen to take a positive approach. “I’m not letting it get me down. The other day I saw one of my signs with a big, black ‘X’ spray painted on it. So I joked on Twitter that it meant someone was casting their vote for me with their ‘X’!” he said. “Yes, it’s frustrating because it’s a huge waste of time and resources, and no one likes that. But what I’m most concerned about is why this is happening, and what it says about society. When people vandalize or pull out an election sign they are basically eliminating someone’s right to freely and safely express their opinion. As a society, we do not want to head down that road.” Voters go to the polls Mon., Sept. 20.
FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 Page 13
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Pepper-Heads travel from far and wide to Ottawa’s first Hot Sauce Expo
Angela Thomson, Haico Krijgsman (left) of Haico’s Hot Sauce Co. of Barrhaven organized Heating up the Capital, Ottawa’s first hot sauce expo. Jamie Parisie and Greg Frank Marcus (right) assisted to make the event possible.
Michael and Chris Corvese of Purple Tongue Hot Sauce took home a first place in the Hot category and the King of Sauces with their Honey Garlic sauce. Skyler Fraser photos
Hundreds of people flood in and out of Smokie Ridge Vineyard on September 4, during Heating up the Captial Hot Sauce Expo.
For entertainment at the expo Daddy Thunder swallowing two swords during Fenyxfyre Stranger Danger Thrill Show.
Mike Jack of London Ontario won the title of League of Fire Americas Champion in the League of Fire pepper eating contest. After eating a line of hot peppers it went into a sudden death challege of who can eat the most ghost peppers. Jack ate 150 grams of ghost peppers.
Fenyxfyre himself tries to escape from handcuffs with water filled in his mask, razor blade in his mouth, while standing on two swords on a moving wagon.
Nicolas Battistin of Hunt Club celebrates as he finishes his final pepper in the Heating up the Capital pepper eating challenge.
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Page 14 FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
OSTA says it is short 80 bus drivers as new school year begins By Jeff Morris While children and teens in the community are finally back to school, getting them to school has been a little more complicated than expected. More than 30 bus routes have been cancelled throughout the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board due to a lack of bus drivers. The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) announced before the start of the school year that 24 bus routes for OCDSB schools and another eight for OCSB routes were cancelled due to a driver shortage. Students from those routes have been rerouted to OC Transpo buses. There are approximately 55,000 students riding the school buses in Ottawa between the two English school boards. The bus driver shortage and the cut routes will affect about 2,000 students throughout the city. The cuts have affected every region within the city. The students transitioning to OC Transpo buses are Grade 7-12 students. Families with younger children, however, have had to find alternative solutions for getting their
children to school. Vicky Kyriaco, the OSTA General Manager, says that the city is short 80 bus drivers. School bus drivers are paid about $18-19 per hour, and the work is considered part time season. There are no benefits for the drivers. “There are cancellations because we don’t have enough drivers,” Kyriaco told CTV Morning Thursday. “That’s what it boils down to.” While the OSTA would like to change the way it compensates its school bus drivers and offer them a competitive package of wages and benefits, they are handcuffed by the amount of funding they receive from the province. Last year, school began with a shortage of drivers that affected 2,300 students within the two school boards. Most of the shortage was attributed to the fact that many of the drivers are seniors who did not want to put their own health at risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, many of those drivers have either moved on to other jobs with better compensation or less stress, or they have just decided that driving a school bus is not worth it. “We ended up having a planned system for just over
600 buses, and we are missing about 80 drivers,” Kriaco said. “Since we found out that 80 drivers were not going to be coming back, we started to replan the system.” While the situation affects local families getting to schools in Barrhaven, it has had a major impact on students who leave the community to attend schools such as Canterbury or Colonel By. Students from Barrhaven attending Canterbury for their specialized arts program are finding themselves taking a bus to Tunney’s Pasture, then transfer onto the train and go to Hurdman Station, and then take another bus before ending the journey with a 10-minute walk. What was once almost an hour commute by school bus to the school at Walkley Road near St. Laurent has nearly doubled. OSTA posted on its Twitter account before the school year started and linked an information sheet for parents. “OSTA is working on finding creative solutions to ensure the greatest number of students continue to receive transportation during these unprecedented circumstances. Find out what we’re doing to help mitigate the driver shortage.”
The OSTA says it is short 80 bus drivers as many routes across the city have been cancelled. Charlie Senack photo
FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 Page 15
BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT
Richmond Fair is almost here! Here’s what you need to know
From the Richmond Fair Board of Directors
Since the announcement that the 176th Richmond Fair would be taking place, the community support has been tremendous. This Fair will look different, there is no question about that. The volunteer Board of Directors would like to do our best to answer some of the common questions we are receiving. Q: What will you have at the Fair? A: At this time, we are planning for a Demolition Derby, Horse, Cattle and Sheep shows, midway rides and an outdoor entertainment area, a Sunday pop-up market, Homecraft displays, a Sunday Church Service and much more. Q: Will there be a Parade A: Unfortunately, due to
Ottawa Public Health Restrictions, there will not be a Parade this year. Q: What bands are playing at the Fair this year? A: The outdoor entertainment area will run from Thursday evening, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Thursday will feature an 11-piece band with a 5-piece horn section playing the sounds of jazz, funk, soul and pop. Eastbound of Bytown will be playing on Friday from 6:30pm10:00pm Saturday will showcase the Bedrockers from 1:00pm to 4:30pm and Sussex from 6:30pm to 10:00pm. Sunday the Lorne Daly Band will play from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and the weekend will end with one of our best friends, Wayne Rostad who will be playing classic country from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
The outdoor entertainment area is included with the price of admission. Q: Do you have to reserve your admission ticket to get into the Fair? A: There are no reserve or pre-sale tickets. Tickets are being sold at the gate. COVID-19 has presented different challenges for the volunteers who work all year to host our annual Fair. This will look different and we are doing our best to host something for our community. We ask that you be understanding if last minutes changes need to be made. As always, if you have any questions, please contact our office team at richmondfair.ca, call 613838-3420 or visit our website at richmondfair.ca. We look forward to seeing you at the Richmond Fair!
September 16-19, 2021 Thursday, September 16th
4:00 pm Gates Open (FREE!) 4:00 pm Robertson Amusements Midway Opens 7:00 pm Lawn Tractor Pull 6:30 – 10:00 pm Outdoor Entertainment Tent
Friday, September 17th
9:00 am Gates Open 10:00 am Agricultural Awareness Open 11:00 am Senior Visits 11:00 am Open Junior Dairy Show 11:30 am Dairy Mystery Relay 12:00 pm Robertson Amusements Midway Opens 7:00 pm Demolition Derby 6:30 – 10:00 pm Outdoor Entertainment Tent
Saturday, September 18th
9:00 am Gates Open 9:00 am Saddle and Harness Show 9:00 am Heavy Horse Show (line classes)
9:00 am Children’s Entertainment (Kiddyland) 10:00 am Homecraft / Agriculture Awareness Open 11:00 am Robertson Amusements Midway Opens 11:30 am Open Junior Beef Show 1:00 pm Heavy Horse Show (hitch classes) 1:00 pm Shorthorn, Angus & Hereford Beef Show 1:00 – 10:00 pm Outdoor Entertainment Tent
Sunday, September 19th
9:00 am Gates Open 9:00 am Miniature Horse Show 9:00 am Children’s Entertainment (Kiddyland) 9:30 am Western Horse & Pony Performance 10:00 am Homecraft / Agriculture Awareness Open 10:30 am Non-Denominational Church Service 10:30 am Sheep Show 11:00 am Robertson Amusements Midway Opens 11:00 am Open Junior Beef Show 12:00 pm Rise to Fame Talent Show 1:00 pm Simmental & Limousin Beef Show 1:00 – 6:00 pm Outdoor Entertainment Tent
***Events Schedule Subject to Change Without Notice*** ADMISSION General - $10.00 per day Ages 7-12 $5.00 per dayKids 6 and under - FREE!
CECCE has six positive cases of COVID in first week back to school By Jeff Morris A week after a return to classrooms, Ottawa’s French Catholic School Board has confirmed six different cases of COVID-19. Students in the board’s 58 schools, which include Pierre-Savard High School and Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau Elementary School, returned to school a week before students in the city’s English school boards went back to classes. “Coming back to school full time we were expecting certain cases,” said Jason Dupuis, the board’s Super-
intendent of Education, in a CTV Ottawa interview Sept. 9. “COVID-19 is still around and we are starting to live with the virus. And obviously bringing students back and staff full time, we’re collaborating with Ottawa Public Health and we are well aware that there are going to be some cases.” The six schools had not yet been identified at press time. One of the issues the board is dealing with the same thing that all school boards and private schools will have to address this year. Elementary schools
have a combination of students who are 12 and over and eligible for the vaccine, and many who are 11 and under who are not yet able to be vaccinated. “Vaccination rates are high for our 12-plus students so situations are changing when it comes to isolation,” Dupuis said. “We’re cooperating with Ottawa Public Health and we’re dealing with these cases. There are many factors, not just vaccination, but certainly a student who is fully vaccinated, 14 days after their second vaccine, will be treated differently
than a student who is not vaccinated and has been exposed for a longer period of time. There are a number of factors that are being determined but a student who has been double vaccinated and does not have any symptoms most likely will not be isolated.” While the city’s English school boards voted to mandate vaccinations for staff and teachers, the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) opted to follow the guidelines laid out by the province, and not make staff vaccinations mandatory.
“This was a decision that was made by our school board and we have been discussing it with our trustees as well,” Dupuis said. “We’re following provincial guidelines. We are asking our staff to show us their proof of vaccination, and I can tell you the turnout has been very positive.” Dupuis added that although staff and teacher vaccinations are not mandatory, a high percentage of the staff has been fully vaccinated. “This is an evolving issue” he said. “With the fourth wave upon us,
things could change, but things could change at the provincial level as well. We’re collaborating with the health experts and we’ll follow any guidelines that they recommend.” There have been other safety measures put in place at the CECCE schools. Ventilation has been improved in the schools over the summer. Also, each staff member goes through self-assessment measures. “People are happy to be back,” he said. “I can reassure parents that we’re offering a safe environment for their child.”
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