Barrhaven Independent March 5, 2021

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FRIDAY • march 5 • 2021

Barrhaven residents protesting in support of farmers in India

By Jeff Morris

Members of the local Indian community were protesting at Greenback and Strandherd last weekend to show support for India’s farmers.

Jeff Morris photo

They stand at the corner of Greenbank and Strandherd every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. They wave at the Barrhaven motorists passing by, waving their signs.

The protests are part of a global movement – one of the largest the world has ever seen. It directly affects the families of many of the people demonstrating.

Yet very few, if any, of the Barrhaven people passing by know what the support is for.

Three different laws enacted in September by Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi’s government have sparked the demonstrations.

The laws would change the landscape of the farming industry in India, allowing farmers to negotiate their own prices as they sell their crops to private businesses and corporations. Previously,

they sold their crops directly to the Indian government at guaranteed minimum prices.

While the government is arguing that the changes will give India’s farmers more freedom, the farmers say the new laws will threaten their livelihoods and drive their prices lower. They also say the laws will make them vulnerable to corporate takeovers and exploitation.

Each weekend, members of the local Indian community are protesting in Barrhaven. Weekend protests are also being held in Kanata. There are daily protests in front of the Indian Embassy.

Kenwar Hazrah of Barrhaven, one of the protest organizers, said that the protests are held in Barrhaven and Kanata because of the large Indian communities within those suburbs.

India continues on page 3

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Page 2 FRIDAY, March 5, 2021

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Having new information on vaccine roll out is an improvement

March is coming in like a lamb, temperature-wise. You know the old saying though, “in like a lamb and out like a lion” but all considered we don’t have much to complain about weather-wise.

On COVID, having a better idea of how the vaccine program will roll out is an improvement and hearing some kind of schedule, of course based on vaccines received, is also good. It has been a long haul.

City of Ottawa Messaging Give your feedback on the proposed Vacant Unit Tax The City is looking for feedback from residents as it considers a residential Vacant Unit Tax, which would help the City fund more affordable housing. Go to engage.ottawa.ca/VUT to fill out the brief survey – it is

resilient.

LET’S TALK

BARRHAVEN

by Jan Harder

quick and easy. The deadline is Wednesday, March 31.

The Vacant Unit Tax is a secondary tax to the regular property tax. It would be applied to residential properties that remain vacant over an extended period. The tax would help motivate owners to place the vacant residences back on the market for rent or sale, preventing them from falling into disrepair or becoming derelict.

The funds from this tax would also help to pay for the construction of more affordable homes. Affordable housing remains a key priority for the City to ensure our community remains equitable, inclusive and fiscally

Have your say on the future of municipal parks & recreation facilities The City will be holding six bilingual online facilitated consultation sessions to get your opinions and ideas on the City’s first-ever combined Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (PRFMP), in support of the new Official Plan (OP).

You are invited to share your knowledge and experiences to help us plan for the future of municipal parks, recreation and community activity spaces. We want to hear from residents, community associations, sports organizations, arts and cultural organizations, the homebuilders, residents interested in accessibility, equity and diversity and other recreation partners and

user groups. Targeted stakeholder outreach with school boards, colleges and universities and the Nation Capital Commission are also being planned.

For those who cannot attend the live virtual sessions, you can have your say: On Engage.Ottawa.ca Indoor Recreation Facilities survey: open now until Friday, March 12th. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca.

Browse April Break eGuides and register for City’s in-person and virtual camps March Break has been rescheduled to April, so we have moved our popular in-person camps to April and added virtual activities that you can do from home.

Check out the April Break Camps eGuides starting today at ottawa.ca/recreation

and get ready to register on Thursday, March 4 at 9 pm.

The April Break camps provide interactive in-person and virtual activities in English and French for children and youth between the ages of 6 to 14.

The full-day, in-person day-camps will be offered at select locations throughout the city. These camps provide participants with the opportunity to delve into arts, games and other fun activities – all practised with physical distancing and safety protocols in place.

The virtual offerings allow you to mix and match half-day sessions to pique your child or youth’s interest in the arts or technology.

Virtual programs are being offered in both languages and include: - Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) exploring ro-

botics and using LEGO® for construction and design - Hip hop dance - Animation - Visual arts Registration on Thursday, March 4 at 9 pm Registration is easy. Just sit down with your child and explore the in-person and virtual eGuides for any activities that spark their passion. Then follow these simple steps: Go to ottawa.ca/recreation for in-person camps and ottawa.ca/virtualprograms for online programs and click on the guide links.

Click the relevant barcode – it will take you to join.ottawa.ca and the course page, with details about the number of spaces available, fees and dates.

Add the class to your cart and then proceed through the check out. We’ll email you your receipt.

harder continues on page 3

BARRHAVEN PROUD Ward Office

Walter Baker Centre, 100 Malvern Drive Nepean, ON K2J 2G5

613-580-2473

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jan.harder@ottawa.ca Find us on: https://twitter.com/BarrhavenJan https://www.facebook.com/BarrhavenJanHarder

FRIDAY, March 5, 2021 Page 3

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT india continues from page 2 “What’s going on in India is unfair and unjust,” Hazrah said.

“We are protesting to show our support for the farmers in India.

The government is giving away public riches to private interests.”

More than 50 per cent of India’s workers work in the agriculture sector. Most are small farmers, sharecroppers or labourers. Most farms in India are small, with less than a hectare of land. According to the National Institute for Transforming India, the average family income of a farming household in 2017 was the equivalent of $642 CDN per year. Many farmers live handto-mouth, with nothing left over to sell.

While the protests began in the state of Punjab, they spread to other Indian states.

Hazrah, a double-MBA from Queen’s and Cornell who is a policy expert with the Canadian government, comes from a farming family in India. He said the protests in India have been growing steadily, receiving support from labor unions, transporter unions, bar councils and farmers from other Indian states.

The Punjab farmers used the momentum to take their protest to the capital city of New Delhi. As hundreds of thousands of farmers and their supporters prepared to march toward India’s capital, the government responded with tactics such as digging up the highways and setting up illegal barb wires with blades along

the route. Farmers that got past this were greeted with a baton charge, water cannons, and tear gas.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Party Leader Erin O’Toole, and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have had a unified voice supporting the democratic rights of the farmers in India. Last month, Trudeau spoke out in support of the protestors, which drew criticism in India.

Canada’s high commissioner was summoned, and Trudeau’s comments were referred to as unacceptable interference and “ill-informed,” and a threat to the bilateral ties between Canada and India. The Indian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that said “issues relating to Indian farmers constitute an unacceptable interference in our internal affairs.”

Trudeau defended his comments, saying that Canada will always defend the right of peaceful protest around the world.

Hazrah said that in the local community, support for repealing the laws is not unanimous.

“You can never have 100 per cent support for any issue,” he said. “There are a number of people in Barrhaven who are strong supporters of Prime Minister Modi and will support him no matter what. The majority of Indians in Canada are supporting the farmers.

And the people who are not supporting the farmers are not opposing them.”

He added that while only a small percentage of Indo-Canadians are farmers, the issue hits home for almost everyone.

“Many of us come from farm families,” he said. “Even families that have been here for generations still have families back home. Maybe this issue doesn’t directly affect us in our lives here in Canada, but it has a huge impact on our families in India.”

Hazrah said the protests will continue in India and around the world until the laws are repealed.

“There is no middle ground,” he said. “These bills are biased toward the corporations. I have gone through the bills thoroughly, line by line, and to amend them would take years, not months. These bills with any kind of amendments will not be digestible for the farmers in India. The bills are so flawed that it would be much faster and easier to repeal them and draft new bills.

“It’s in the best interest of the Indian population for the bills to be repealed.”

One of the most frustrating things for Hazrah and the other people protesting is the lack of media coverage both locally and nationally.

“It is quite frustrating,” Hazrah said. “We make up only a small percentage of the population in Canada. The sad story here is that the media only covers things that matter to the majority.”

The weekend protests in Barrhaven are expected to continue into the spring.

Barrhaven’s Indian community has been protesting new laws in India which they say will devastate farmers in that country. Many members of Barrhaven’s Indian community come from farming families.

Jeff Morris photo

harder continues from page 2 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 selfisolate safely?

The Voluntary Isolation Centre (VIC) is for people who do not have access to an

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adequate shelter or cannot 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: 613-5913686 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, March 5, 2021

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Only one positive result at Barrhaven Rapid COVID-19 testing clinic

By Charlie Senack It was a busy weekend at Pierre Savard High School where 1,904 people received COVID-19 tests at a popup clinic aimed at spotting community transmission in schools.

The third COVID-19 rapid testing clinic which ran from February 13-15, was available to anyone who is connected to one of Barrhaven’s 28 schools. A total of 781 students were tested alongside 1,123 others which include: school staff and family members.

Out of the 1,904 tests that were processed, only one student test came back positive, according to data released by Ottawa Public Health.

The first rapid COVID-19 testing took place in the Gloucester community from January 30 to 31. Out of 165 students that were tested two results came back positive.

92 “others” were tested as well which resulted in three more positive results.

The second clinic was held for select schools in the city’s east end. 48 students were tested which resulted in six positive COVID-19 cases. 127 others were also tested which brought back an additional eight positive cases.

A fourth clinic which was held after the one in Barrhaven resulted in zero positive cases after 409 students and 595 staff members and family members were tested during a two-day testing clinic at St. Patrick’s High School.

“The purpose of the clinics is to improve access to testing and identify any students, staff or family members with COVID-19 infections,” said Ottawa Public Health in a newly released report. “People who are symptomatic, asymptomatic, or high-risk contacts

with connections to the invited schools are eligible for this targeted testing.”

“The goal is to prevent COVID-19 spread at home, in our schools and in our community, and ultimately keep our classes and schools open for in-person learning,” they added.

While the results come back within a matter of hours, their results aren’t always 100 per cent accurate.

“While rapid testing allows for same day results, it also requires confirmation with a lab-based test which was also available on site,” a statement from Ottawa Public Health said. “These individuals will stay home until confirmatory lab-based results are received and if confirmed positive, they will complete their isolation period. The individuals and their families are being supported by Ottawa Public Health case managers.”

In January, Barrhaven

reported an increase in new COVID-19 cases. According to data released by the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, Old Barrhaven East had 83 new, confirmed COVID-10 infections, the sixth community with the highest number of new cases. Old Barrhaven West reported 48 new cases and Stonebridge/ Half Moon Bay/Heart’s Desire reported 54 new cases.

Chapman Mills had 21 new cases and Rideau Crest/ Davidson Heights had 28

new cases.

Manotick saw almost double the amount of their average monthly case count at 21 new infections; a similar number in Riverside South/Leitrim where 24 new cases were reported.

As of February 21, there were 57 active cases of COVID-19 in 22 of Ottawa’s schools. There are more than 300 in the city.

Two student cases at St. Joseph High School in Barrhaven has meant two

classes and one cohort at the school had to close, according to information on the Ottawa Catholic School Boards website.

Starting last week, school boards in Ontario will be required to conduct asymptomatic testing of staff and students in at least five per cent of schools within their jurisdiction every week. In Ottawa, that means at least 16 schools in the city will be required to do a symptomatic testing every week.

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

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FRIDAY, March 5, 2021 Page 5

Too many levels of gov’t involved, but none wanted to take responsibility

A harmless coffee break can do more harm than you think.

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A few weeks ago, I polled residents in my ward to find out how they felt about the design for the latest proposed addition to Ottawa’s iconic Chateau Laurier Hotel. To a person, they told me to vote against it; that’s what I did this week at Council. Nine of my colleagues also voted to reject the design, but we were defeated in a vote of 14-10.

As council votes go, it was close, but the outcome was never really in doubt. The Mayor wanted the controversial issue to be dealt with and put to bed. The fact that Heritage Ottawa approved it – despite not being thrilled with the design - was one of the many reasons we were told we should be supporting this design.

This is a huge disappointment for many in the city who fought to preserve the “look” of the Chateau Laurier. Those who followed the lengthy process describe it as an exercise in frustration and question why a clear set of rules was not in place to protect the hotel’s historic character. Anyone who knows how Ottawa works will tell you it’s a prime example of what can go wrong when too many levels of government are involved and none wants to take

responsibility.

Let’s start with the National Capital Commission. It had the authority to approve or reject the designs for the Chateau addition. For reasons that remains a mystery, the NCC pulled out of the design review process.

Parks Canada could have also influenced the design. It has the authority to weigh in on any project that impacts the views along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It did express some displeasure with the designs, but ultimately demanded nothing be changed.

So it was left to the City of Ottawa’s planning staff, pushed by impassioned citizens, to wrangle the best design possible for the Chateau addition.

In no way do I blame City staff for the protracted process that led to 6 less than imaginative designs.

It’s Larco, the hotel owners, who I feel were tone-deaf to what residents wanted. In the end, we have approved a compromise design – that, while better than the previous ones, is still bland and wanting.

Ottawa, our Capital city, is the biggest tourist draw in the country.

The Chateau Laurier is perhaps the most photographed building, next to Parliament Hill.

What is clear is that so many decisions Ottawa makes on major projects are dogged by controversy and dissatisfaction. I know I’m not the only one who finds that discouraging and sad.

Page 6 FRIDAY, March 5, 2021

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT Editorial

Municipalities have options to cut taxes In addition to COVID-19, Canada has two major problems we must grapple with: high unemployment and high government spending.

While many families are currently struggling with job losses or lost income, there are signs Canada’s economy could face even more challenges. A recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey suggests one in six small businesses are now “seriously contemplating” shutting down for good.

One solution to help struggling businesses and families would be to cut property taxes. To do that, municipal politicians will need to make tough decisions and reduce spending.

While municipal politicians gasp in horror, the rest of society should note that if municipal governments don’t reduce spending and property taxes, they could potentially stall our economy’s recovery.

Municipal governments are heavily dependent on property taxes for their revenues.

A business may see their revenue evaporate before their eyes due to lockdowns, but they could still face a hefty property tax bill. For a gym or restaurant that is barely hanging on, a property tax hike, or even a freeze, could serve as the nail in the coffin.

Fortunately for municipal governments, there are plenty of opportunities to reduce expenses without cutting essential services like policing and fixing potholes. In the new report Cost-cutting options for municipalities, SecondStreet.org and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation highlighted 10 initiatives municipal governments could pursue to reduce expenditures and lower property taxes.

The most impactful decision would be to address the largest spending envelope at city hall: salaries and benefits. Government employees tend to earn more than those outside government doing similar work, and the pandemic has exacerbated this divide.

Outside of government, stories of pay reductions and lost income were common in 2020. Everyone from Cineplex and CFL teams to media outlets and the energy sector reported pay reductions publicly. Yet, 2020 research by SecondStreet.org couldn’t locate a single example of any major Canadian city reducing pay for their unionized employees.

Even a small reduction to municipal salaries of, say, five per cent, could help municipal governments save a small fortune. Municipal governments could pair such a decision by grandfathering-in even larger wage reductions for future hires.

Government employee unions will likely reject the idea of opening up existing contracts to find savings. However, many working outside of government had their contracts renegotiated during the downturn. It’s a far better outcome for government employees than the alternative – layoffs.

These are just a few examples of ways municipal governments could reduce spending and property taxes. If they refuse to do what the rest of society has done – tighten their belts – then we can expect a longer recovery period than necessary.

Troy Media – Colin Craig is the President of Secondstreet.org, a new Canadian Think Tank. Franco Terrazzano is the Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

BARRHAVEN P.O. Box 567 Manotick, Ontario www.barrhavenindependent.on.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

email: Advertising: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com News/sports: manotickmessenger@gmail.com

DEADLINE FOR ALL ADVERTISING IS THURSDAY PRIOR AT 12PM All layouts and composition of advertisements produced by employees of Manotick Messenger Inc. are protected by copyright invested in the publishers of the Barrhaven Independent.

My Governor General job application cover letter Of course, there are qualities I possess as a Dear Prime Minister Trudeau and Queen person that would be considered unconventional Elizabeth II, I would like to apply for the vacant position for the role of Governor General and what the staff at Rideau Hall would be used to. of Governor General, Canada.

For one, I like people. I like talking to people I believe I have a lot of the qualities that would allow me to pivot my career and become and meeting people. I love to hear their stories.

As a columnist, I have learned a good Governor General that every single person out and an asset to both of your there has a story to tell. Everyorganizations.

FROM THE OTHER one has a passion for something.

I familiarized myself Unfortunately, that would make with the role of Governor me the type of Governor GenGeneral of Canada by lookJeffrey Morris eral that treats people with deing it up on Wikipedia, and cency and respect, and to make the first thing it says is that, the entire staff feel like part of a if I am successful in landing this position, I would be the federal viceregal team. I understand that would be an unorthodox representative of the Canadian monarch. I be- pill for the Rideau Hall staff to swallow.

Julie Payette holds engineering degrees from lieve I have the skills to be the type of viceroy in McGill and the University of Toronto. She was a Canada that will revolutionize the role.

Having watched all four seasons of The research scientist and then became an astronaut.

Crown, most of it twice although I did fall asleep COUNCILShe went to outer space, and also worked as a in a few episodes, I am thoroughly familiar with capsule communicator at NASA Mission ConCORNER the duties and responsibilities of the monarch.

I trol Center in Houston. also understand some of the challengesMayor you Suzanne have DodgeMaybe she treated everyone like she did befaced throughout your career as the Queen, espe- cause she was better than everyone else. She was cially balancing your career and family life. (If I the ultimate overdog.

Me? I’m an underdog. I went to Carleton, was the Governor General I totally would have stepped in and advised you not let your husband before it was the great school it is now. I was Phil send your son Charles to that brutal board- a student-athlete, maintaining my pedestrian BMinus average while playing football. It wasn’t ing school.)

THE NOT SO I also know and understand your deep love of the same football you play in the UK, where NEW GUY everyone runs around and then falls down to roll horses. The first thing I would do as Governor around on the ground and pretends to be hurt General is undo the mess that the Wynn Liberal Tim Ruhnke Government made of the harness racing indus- until the trainer comes out with Madame Pomtry. They are going to build a hotel near Rideau frey’s magic soccer spray that heals them. It is Carleton Raceway, and when you visit Ottawa Canadian football on the gridiron. At Carleton, when I am Governor General, maybe you could I was a punter and kicker, kind of the bottom stay there. I sure wish Porchie was still around. feeder of the football food chain. And every time He could totally come with you and hang out at I missed a field goal, I got one point, which made me feel better. All of those one points help me the stables.

WALKER relate to the Millennials and their feelings and As the Governor General, I would rebuild the HOUSE relationships that have eroded under previous their participation trophies.

Governor Generals. As the Queen, you showed As for you Mr. Trudeau, the first thing I Susan Vallom a remarkable ability to manage relationships that would do as Governor General is help you fix the COVID-19 vaccination roll out. At some have taken unique twists and turns.

For example, who would have thought that point, some day, Canada will get the doses of Winston Churchill would become such an im- the vaccine that every other country in the world portant figure in your life, especially after he seems to already have. It will be a big undertakburned all those books and tried to ban dancing ing, and there is only one organization that can handle a task that big. in Footloose and then ended up being an alienBLAKE’S The WE Charity. high commander sent to Earth by the Big Giant TAKES Unfortunately, I don’t have any family memHead?

Blake McKim But even more difficult must have been your bers working there.

I look forward to hearing from you about this sister. By the third and fourth seasons of The Crown, the world was shocked to see that your job opportunity in the near future. I would recsister was actually Bellatrix LeStrange. I always ommend that you act upon this application with suspected that even though the monarchy is pri- a sense of urgency, as I have also applied for my marily a Muggle institution, I knew there were dream job to replace one of my longtime idols, closer ties to the wizard world than any of us the late, great Alex Trebek, as the host of Jeopardy! suspected.

Sincerely, And who knew Agent Scully would change Jeff Morris so much when she became Margaret Thatcher?

SIDE

NEWS

FRIDAY, March 5, 2021 Page 7

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Barrhaven Independent a finalist for six provincial newspaper awards Special to the Independent The Barrhaven Independent is a finalist for six provincial newspaper awards.

The Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA) announced the three finalists for each of their 2020 Better Newspaper Competition Premier Awards Tuesday. There are close to 300 community newspapers in Ontario.

Only the Haliburton County Echo is a finalist in more categories, with nine.

A series of features that ran in the Barrhaven Independent called ‘30 Years, 30 People’ is a finalist for the Best News/Feature Series. To celebrate the Barrhaven Independent’s 30th anniversary in 2020, the newspaper has been running

a feature over 30 issues that profiles someone who has made an impact on the community since the newspaper was launched in 1990.

A feature story on country music star Brett Kissel, which ran in both the Barrhaven Independent and the Manotick Messenger, is among the three finalists for best arts and entertainment story. Kissel gave a heartfelt interview about what it has been like to be a performer during the COVID-19 pandemic. He gave three drivein concerts at the Richmond Fairgrounds in September, and the feature not only previewed the concert but also gave Kissel the opportunity to express his love of visiting the Ottawa area and share some special memories of playing at the

Richmond Fair over the past decade.

Another story that ran in both the Independent and Messenger has been named a finalist in the Best Feature Writing category.

In February, 2020, Barrhaven Independent editor Jeff Morris gave a detailed account of what he went through both physically and mentally during his recent battle with bone marrow cancer. In ‘A Battle Fought, A Battle Won,’ he told the story of how he thought he had a concussion after a hitting his head on the seatbelt shoulder strap clip in a minor fender bender at a stop sign in Barrhaven. He eventually went to the Kemptville General Hospital to get checked out, and was shocked to learn that a tumor

caused by bone marrow cancer had eaten a large chunk of his skull. Within weeks, Morris was rushed into emergency brain surgery at the Ottawa Civic Hospital’s neuro centre, as the tumor had penetrated his brain and was about 36-48 hours away from claiming his life.

“It was a positive story,” Morris said. “People associate cancer with doom and gloom, but I wanted to share my story because cancer may change your day-to-day life, but it doesn’t have to change who you are or take away your spirit, your passions or your sense of humour. Beating cancer isn’t surviving, it’s how you live your life every day.”

In addition to the feature writing award, Morris is also up for the Ontario

Humour Columnist of the Year Award. He has won the award multiple times in previous years, and this is the 13th time in the past 16 years that his From the Other Side column has been a finalist for the award. Steve Galea of the Elmira-Woolwich Observer and James Culic of Niagara This Week are the finalists.

“Usually I lose to Steve Galea in this category, but for the last year or two we have both lost to James Culic,” Morris said. “And then Steve and I are like, what’s with the new guy and who does he think he is? But seriously, Steve and James are both brilliant columnists and it’s an honour to be a finalist with both of them.”

Skyler Fraser, who is the graphics manager for the

Barrhaven Independent, is a finalist for two awards – Best Creative Ad and Best In-House Promotion.

“We’re a very small team here,” Morris said. “Gary Coulombe, our advertising manager, brings passion and experience and enthusiasm, and is the glue that holds us together. Charlie Senack is a great young reporter with a bright future. Skyler Fraser and Ryan Birtch are extremely talented and hard working in our graphics department. Al Erler does a fantastic job with our circulation making sure we’re out there and visible.”

Judging was done by newspaper industry and journalism experts from across Canada. The OCNA Awards Gala will take place later in the year.

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Page 8 FRIDAY, March 5, 2021

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

La Porto a Casa announces it will close its doors March 20

By Charlie Senack After 16 years in the community, popular Italian eatery La Porto a Casa has decided to close their doors.

Making the announcement over Facebook, owners Caroline and Ozzy Rossi said “it has been the hardest decision we have ever had to make”, adding “it comes with heavy hearts.”

“Over the last couple of weeks everyone keeps asking if COVID is the reason we are closing,” the couple wrote. “In truth if the past year had not happened, I would not be writing this.

The past year has definitely taken its toll on us so with our lease coming up for renewal, we decided we just need a break.”

La Porto a Casa first opened their doors on Fallowfield Road in 2005. The concept then was take-home food, hence the Italian name La Porto a Casa which

means “bring it home.”

But as the restaurant continued to become a well-known eatery in Barrhaven, the fridges full of homemade sauces and fresh pastas disappeared, being replaced with tables and chairs for indoor dining.

The restaurant also opened at a time there weren’t many restaurants in the Barrhaven community.

The development near the Costco wasn’t built and Rio Can hadn’t yet expanded.

“Although it’s sad, we take with us so many wonderful memories. I think in 16 years I can count on two hands the number of days that we have not come over to the restaurant,” wrote Caroline Rossi. “Even when we were closed on Sundays we were there, checking our fridges, making orders for the upcoming week, catching up on things we didn’t have time to do when open.

When we walk through the door here, it feels like our

second home.”

That’s a sentiment many long-time restaurant goers can agree with. Since posting the announcement on February 17, the post has had over 332 comments, 295 shares and 676 reactions.

Many of the diners commented on the restaurant’s hearty portions and friendly service.

“Caroline and Ozzie, remember your opening day!,” wrote Heather Tessier on their Facebook page.

“What a treat it is to have Ozzie’s pasta! We are going to miss you!”

“Hands down my favorite restaurant,” added Jacob Duberville. “Beautiful people, amazing food and incredible atmosphere.

From the multiple occasions I’ve been their, it was always a 10/10.”

“Thank you for all the delicious meals, wonderful service and welcoming restaurant,” commented Pa-

tricia Smith. “You were the first restaurant we ordered from post COVID and we have been amazed at how well you have pivoted during this time; but doing so requires a lot of work in the background without the joy of seeing diners enjoying what you are doing.”

La Porto a Casa will officially close their doors on March 20. In the post, Caroline and Ozzy Rossi did not

mention what their retirement plans are, but paid homage to their longtime customers.

“It has been a pleasure to share this dream with you.

So many of you started out as customers and became our friends and family,” said the Rossi’s. “You allowed us to share many special occasions with you. Birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, and

even weddings. Your love and support throughout the years has meant the world to us.”

La Porta a Casa is just one of many well-known Ottawa restaurants to close their doors this year due to the pandemic. Others include Tucker’s Market in the ByWard Market, Bar Laurel in Hintonburg, and Central Bierhaus in Kanata to name just a few.

Councill approves plans for warehouse on O’Keefe Court beside 416 Special to the Independent Ottawa City Council voted Wednesday (Feb. 24) to approve zoning change that will permit a large warehouse to be constructed on O’Keefe Court, beside Lytle Park and near the Fallowfield/416 interchange.

Council also approved an amendment to introduce a new cap on the size of a single warehouse building that states that “no single warehouse building and/or use can be greater than 8,175.5 square metres of gross floor area in size.”

The zoning change application was in front of the city’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Feb. 4.

It was approved, though a motion by Barrhaven Councillor deferred the zoning change from going to Council until the Feb. 24 meeting, rather than the Feb. 10 meet-

ing.

A 7,000 square metre warehouse is proposed as part of an accompanying Site Plan Control application. This application is a phased Site Plan, where Phase 1 illustrates a multitenant warehouse, on private septic services. Access to the site is directly from O’Keefe Court, with a future entrance off a new proposed north/south road that is to be constructed along the shared property line with Lytle Park. The site is serviced by municipal water.

The 6.9-hectare site is located at 4497 O’Keefe Court, in the rural area of the Barrhaven Ward (Ward 3). The Cedarhill Golf and Country Club and estate residential subdivision is located approximately 350 metres to the east with an expansion of the Onnasa Springs estate lot subdivision to the north. The

lands across O’Keefe Court to the south are within the city’s designated urban area, where O’Keefe Court is the divide between Ottawa’s urban and rural areas.

Those lands to the south are planned and developing as ‘Prestige Business Park’ in the South Nepean Secondary Plan Areas 9 and 10, and zoned Business Park Industrial Zone (IP). This business park is intended to develop in a low impact industrial, employment nature, with a high proportion of lot area devoted to landscaped area.

The IP zone limits uses that generate noise, odour and other environmental impacts and generally permits a range of uses including research and development facilities, light manufacturing and production facilities, offices, and hotels.

The subject site was zoned for rural industrial uses and

is located across O’Keefe Court from the Prestige Business Park bound by Fallowfield Road and O’Keefe Court. The site directly abuts Highway 416 and is adjacent to the Fallowfield and Highway 416 interchange.

Although direct interchange access is not available, there is relatively good access by utilizing O’Keefe Court and Fallowfield Road, to access the highway ramp approximately 1,200 metres away.

“We have the compliance of the applicant, and they will be advised and on record of understanding how important this land is to the integrity of this community,” said Barrhaven Councillor Jan Harder. “It’s very important, and they are always going to be on the watch.”

Susan Brownrigg-Smith of the Cedarhill Community Association opposes the rezoning and made a

five-minute presentation to ARAC on Feb. 4.

“The size of the building is a red herring,” she said.

“And the intentions of the developer are a red herring.

This zoning amendment, as currently written, would allow 100 per cent large scale distribution and warehousing complex. The building size restriction does not achieve the net benefit outcome that we are looking

for, which is to ensure that the development proceeds in a manner where the type of traffic is scaled back to that of the original concept for the site.

“What we’re not seeing here is any net benefit to any stakeholder other than the applicant,” BrownriggSmith added. “It actually incentivizes the very type of development that we all agree is not optimum.”

FRIDAY, March 5, 2021 Page 9

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Tim Hortons card, survey used to trick suspect into providing DNA Ottawa detective testifies about how she obtained Gurpreet Ronald’s DNA during Jagtar Gill murder trial

By Jeff Morris The third week of the trial for the death of Jagtar Gill wrapped up with a story that could have been right out of an episode of CSI Special Victims Unit.

Detective Krista Hill of the Ottawa Police Service told the court how she obtained the DNA of Gurpreet Ronald as part of an undercover operation conceived by Detective John Monette. Ronald and the victim’s husband, Bhupinderpal Gill, are both on trial for first degree murder. Both have pleaded not guilty. They are being tried together, but are being represented by different legal teams.

This is the second trial in connection with the Jagtar Gill killing. A new trial was ordered after a successful appeal by Bhupinderpal Gill’s team that found that the judge who oversaw the first case failed to properly

instruct the jury to allow for the option of a guilty verdict for second-degree murder.

Jagtar Gill was beaten and stabbed, with her throat and wrists slashed, on Jan. 29, 2014. Her husband was with his eldest daughter and her cousin at Sobey’s in Barrhaven.

It was the couple’s 17th wedding anniversary, and Jagtar Gill was at home recovering from surgery.

Crown prosecutors are alleging that Gill isolated his wife at home to give Ronald the time and opportunity to come into their home and kill her.

“The plan was to her attend her residence,” Detective Hill said of her visit to Ronald’s home on Towhee Crescent in Barrhaven on Feb. 28, 2014.

Hill said she conducted a door-knock on the street to fill out a survey on newer construction builds.

“She lived in an area

that was just developed, so it was a newer home,” Hill said. The detective added that she “had her lick an envelope to obtain a DNA sample.”

Police had already obtained an unknown DNA sample from a then-unknown female was obtained at the crime scene.

Staff Sgt. Ugo Garneau had earlier testified that he was brought in to examine bloodstains at the Gill home. He said a sample from the living room rug was linked to Ronald.

Hill said the police were looking to obtain a DNA sample from Ronald to compare to the sample found in the house. She also noted that a warrant had been obtained allowing her onto the property to conduct the survey.

“I went onto Mrs. Ronald’s street, Towhee Crescent, and pretended to knock on (the doors of) other homes, Hill re-

Income Tax Preparation

called. “This was just for optics sake, in case Mrs. Ronald was looking out the window.”

Hill knocked on Ronald’s door at 12:16 p.m.

She said she knew it was Ronald who had answered the door because she had seen her driver’s licence photo as well as the video of her questioning done by Staff Sgt. Alison Cookson. That video was shown to the court earlier in the week, when Cookson was on the witness stand.

“I introduced myself

as a representative of the Ontario Construction Association, and I was in the area to conduct surveys about newer builds,” Hill said. She offered Ronald a $10 Tim Hortons card to complete the survey. Ronald invited Hill into her home. She took her boots off, and they sat at the table. Hill took the survey out of a plain white envelope.

“Mrs. Ronald filled out the survey and I asked her if she could seal the envelope and put her address on the front of the

envelope to be entered in various draws for different prizes, including six months of free mortgage payments,” Hill said.

Ronald licked the envelope to seal it, and gave it back to Hill.

Hill’s testimony wrapped up the third week of the trial. Earlier in the day, Det. Tena Gallichon testified that a woman who was later identified as Ronald appeared as “a concerned neighbour.”

She later recognized Ronald after seeing her picture in a news article.

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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

St. Joseph student heading to Queen’s in fall to play soccer Name: enko

Nyah

Slusar-

fOCUS ON

YOUTH

Age: 17 Address: Barrhaven

by Phill Potter

School: St. Joseph High School Grade: 12 Parents: Patrick and Kirsten Sister: Neve (14), grade 9, St. Joseph High, competitive soccer player Ottawa South United (OSU) Pet: Niko Favourite Subjects: “My favourite subject is Math. I enjoy solving difficult problems that require me to analyze and use the strategies I’ve been taught.

It just clicks very fast for me. This year I’m taking all three sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Advanced Functions, Calculus and Vectors, Religion, and French.”

What do you enjoy reading for pleasure?

“When I get the chance, I enjoy reading crime fiction and true crime. I love the suspense that they entail.”

What is your greatest accomplishment?

“I plan on attending Queen’s University in the fall and have committed to play for the Women’s Varsity Soccer Team (Gaels) in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics). Queen’s offers an excellent combination of athletics and academics, and I am thrilled to join the team and become a student-athlete.”

School Activities: “The hybrid learning this school year due to COVID-19 has been tough. I have always

Manotick Hours of Operation: Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday ‐ 8am‐9pm Monday – Friday 8am 8pm Saturday – 8am‐6pm Saturday – 8am 6pm Sunday – 9am‐5pm Sunday – 9am 5pm

been more of an active learner. School is more difficult this year for me personally, because we are not in the classroom as much, and we are unable to play any school sports. However, I am learning how to adjust and trying to keep positive.

“Teachers and staff this year (and last year) have been so supportive and understanding about the situation we are in, so it hasn’t been too bad. Besides academics, I’m President of Athletic Council this year, and over the past two years, I’ve been playing for the varsity Touch Football Team and Volleyball Team. I really miss playing school sports. I’m hoping there will be a chance to play one more season before I graduate.”

Other Activities/Interests: “I’ve been playing competitive soccer with Ottawa South United (OSU) for over five years.

All the coaches and staff

have been great role models. I would not be where I am today without their hard work in shaping into the player and person I am today.

“In addition, I’m a certified lifeguard, and I hope that I can start working this summer.”

Comment: “Two people in my life that I think deserve a special mention, are my parents.

They have sacrificed so much for me throughout my whole life, and have always put my sister and I first over everything. Both have been super supportive when it comes to my athletics and academics. They continue to push me to do the best that I possibly can everyday.”

Career Goals: “My ultimate career goal is to work within the medical field. I have a strong passion for helping people, and would like to help make the world a better place.”

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Nyah Slusarenko is the President of the St. Joseph High School Athletic Council.

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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Pantonium app could help stop Ottawa’s transit madness

It’s almost a year that COVID-19 derailed the world as we knew it. While most of us have had to learn to cope and pivot, the same cannot be said for Ottawa’s expensive transit system.

Last April, when ridership on LRT and the bus network plummeted to record lows of twenty percent, many of us around the council table wanted to know when service would be scaled back to save money.

We were told it just wasn’t possible, too cumbersome to change, and the buses had to be there when riders returned.

So we’ve lost a million dollars a week for ten months.

You do the math. As I watched another empty double-decker on Longfields this week, I decided it’s time to stop the madness. Surely there’s technology, I thought, that can reduce the need for fixed routes through the suburbs when few people are taking the bus.

It turns out - there is.

A Canadian company called Pantonium has developed a rideshare app for transit. It was used in a pilot project in Belleville a few years ago, replacing latenight bus loops that were mostly empty.

Anyone who needed a

Para Transpo already operates on a similar callfor-service model. All we need is for those in charge to show a willingness to consider any option.

Before the pandemic, no bus booked one using the app. It cut down on fuel costs and prevented long waits for frustrated riders.

Belleville, Stratford, Regina and Saskatoon, and several American cities have all partnered with Pantonium, transforming public transit into demand transit.

The president and CEO Remi Desa told me the app can be used in any city, not to replace all routes but to augment service along with under-utilized ones. Riders choose where and when they travel.

It would allow Ottawa, he says, to scale down the size of vehicles on the road on specific routes. Data is in real-time, so the app responds immediately to any change in information or requests.

Paul Buck, transit manager in Belleville, can’t say enough about the app. He is a native of Edmonton, where demand for service in lowvolume areas has existed for twenty years.

We have the technology to solve some of our transit problems. It’s 2021, after all.

So why aren’t we using it?

one thought so many of us could work from home, now look at us.

With a Transit-on-Demand app, we could provide better service to customers, save money AND the wear

and tear on all those empty buses now rattling around our suburbs.

Isn’t it time OC Transpo management started exploring the option? I am not asking for wholesale change,

but I am asking for some ingenuity and creativity. I hope I am not asking for too much. It is our tax dollars on the line, after all.

Carol Anne Meehan

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BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

30 Years, 30 People: Glen Dicks was Barrhaven’s heart and soul

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary, the Barrhaven Independent will be featuring 30 people who have played a prominent role in building and shaping our community from the time we were a sleepy little suburb in 1990 to the thriving city of more than 100,000 we are now.

In this issue, we are featuring Glen Dicks, a former Barrhaven Independent employee who, like no other person we knew, gave his heart and soul to Barrhaven.

By Jeff Morris The sun shone brightly and it was warm for a February afternoon.

The minister had never met Glen Dicks, but he had learned enough about him to tell the congregation exactly what everyone was thinking. If they had Mustang convertibles in Heaven, Glen would have the top down at that very moment.

It was hard to say goodbye to Glen on that day in 2009.

On Tues., Feb. 17, 2009, we got a call at our office in Manotick. Glen’s wife, Debbie, had called to let us know that Glen had passed away, peacefully, in hospital. Glen was battling a number of health issues, including diabetes and liver failure. We all had a gut feeling that this day was coming, yet we were all still in shock.

Through the decades, Barrhaven has had some people who have been “heart and soul” people in the community. Glen was more than that. He bled Barrhaven. He lived for community engagement and community involvement. He was at absolutely every community event, no matter what it was. He always offered a helping hand. He was at community association events, pancake breakfasts, barbecues, skating parties, Canada Day events. That’s the kind of person he was.

He was everywhere. The

community has never seen a person more ubiquitous than Glen.

He had two stints as our advertising manager. We loved working with him.

He always had a smile on his face. His enthusiasm and passion for the community were contagious.

His love of the Barrhaven Independent was an extension of his love for the community. The newspaper was a vortex of the community then, as it is now.

Glen was also cut from the old school cloth. He loved golf. In fact, he went to college in Florida on a golf scholarship. I don’t know how many advertising deals were sealed on the links at Cedarview or Stonebridge.

He also loved to laugh.

He always had a joke – likely something he had heard on the golf course – and he loved to hear them.

We always picked on each other – he loved to dish it out, and he was the first one to laugh at himself.

Glen went on medical leave in December, 2008.

He was having some serious health issues, far more complicated and serious than a 48-year-old should be facing. Despite being off on medical leave, he made sure to come out to a book signing I was doing at the bookstore in the plaza at Cedarview and Jockvale. He was seriously jaundiced. He called his tone “Lakers jersey yellow.”

It was the last time I saw him alive.

When there are fewer than a dozen people in your workplace, you get to know each other very well.

You care for each other.

You becoming more willing to open up and share things going on in your own life. You become a family.

We knew that Glen was not well and that his time with us was going to be limited. It could have been a sad time, but Glen made sure that it wasn’t.

He maintained his big smile and his jovial manner through it all. We were more than worried for him.

We were scared.

Glen’s body shut down very quickly. The finality was sharp and real.

How can a guy like that who filled every room he walked into with such life and laughter and gusto suddenly be gone?

It’s funny how your emotions can run amuck during a funeral service.

You smile at times. You laugh, and then you cry.

The emotions strike you suddenly and unexpectedly. They are triggered by the most random thoughts and memories that drift into your mind.

I spent a lot of the time between Glen’s passing and his funeral alone in my car, crying. I was proud that I only broke down once in the service. It was the stupidest thing. The minister was talking about Glen, relaying a funny story, and then suddenly, without warning, jettisoned us into the Lord’s Prayer. For me, that did it. I found myself laughing and sobbing at the same time. The harder I laughed, the more forceful the tears were in pushing their way through my eyes.

It made my mind drift back to the office.

While so many of our day-to-day conversations were about the Ottawa Senators or the Dallas Cowboys, there were some that were mindlessly driven by irreverence. I remember one day, we compared stories about being kids, and how everyone seemed to have a friend who could burp the entire alphabet. We decided to guzzle a Diet Coke and see how far we could make it.

He didn’t get bery far before bursting out in laughter. When it was my turn, I decided to throw a curve ball at him and I tried to burp the Lord’s Prayer.

I ran out of breath after “Thy will be done.”

Glen was doubled over, laughing, with his always red faced now a brilliant Crayola shade of purple.

He commented on how I had just flatlined the political correctness metre.

I argued that God probably thought it was funny, and added that He would be impressed if someone made it through the entire prayer.

“Or, you’re just going straight to Hell,” he said through his laughter.

Eventually, I climbed out of my mental rabbit hole and I was back at the service, sobbing.

It took a long time for

the random crying to stop.

Now, when I think of Glen, I just think of happy memories and the laughter we shared. I went through the same process when Bob Stephen passed away.

Same with Ken Ross.

Same with Melanie Gauthier. Why are the people who give the most to our community taken from us?

Glen’s essence was his passion for the community, and his passion for people. It’s hard to put that into perspective. Simply put, Glen was the type of guy who turned a bunch of mass-manufactured coolkie-cutter homes and turned them into a community.

Glen enjoyed life more than any of us will ever get a chance to. He enjoyed life not because of what it gave him, but because of what he gave to Barrhaven.

When football season

started several months later, I found myself choking up again. We had always talked about taking a weekend and road tripping down to Dallas, where I lived for several years, to see the new stadium and watch a Cowboys game.

We always said in Dallas that the roof is not closed at the stadium so that God can watch his favourite team play.

I couldn’t help but think of Glen on opening day of the football season, with a Johnsonville brat, a cold Bud, and a smile wider than the Texas sky at dusk as he went into his luxury box seating in Heaven.

“Um, God, you’re in my seat.”

And anyone who knew Glen would know that God would absolutely apologize and slide over one spot.

Page 14 FRIDAY, March 5, 2021

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Wildcats girls’ hockey players blow the whistle on racism

By Charlie Senack A group of students from the Barrhaven and Manotick areas are doing their part to bring an end to racism on and off the ice.

The students are part of Rise Academy, a virtual notfor-profit high school for youth ages 13 to 21. It’s geared towards young individuals who are interested in social action and social justice issues. They use their passions, motivations and strengths to create meaningful work and change.

Back in July as the problem around racism surfaced following the death of George Floyd, the students, who are also part of the Nepean Wildcats hockey team, wanted to find a way to mix their love of sport and change.

“The girls were listening to everything going on around thrum and wanted to do something,” said Rise founder and principal Rebecca Chambers, who used to teach at John McCrae High School. “I think what a lot of people are finding is that it’s a really big issue and they are looking up police brutality and racism to find out more.”

Chambers and the group of students started to brainstorm a list of ideas and decided to create a campaign which mirrored the ice bucket challenge, which went viral in 2014 as a way of raising money for ALS. On Saturday, February 20, the girls kicked off their ‘Blow the Whistle on Racism’ campaign during a virtual gathering over Zoom. During the roughly two-and-a-half hour event, The students had an opportunity to interview 11 guests who are passionate

about bringing an end to racism. Many of them had some sort of connection to hockey, but all shared the same common goal: becoming allies and agents of change.

It was also held during Black History Month which recognizes the hardships people of colour have faced and the change they are trying to create.

Among the well-known guests in attendance were Ron MacLean, host of Hockey night in Canada, Bob Dawson, the first Black player in the Intercollegiate Hockey League, and Fred Brathwaite, a former NHL goalie who grew up in Barrhaven and lives in the area.

MacLean, who has recently tried to bring a light to racial injustice issues through his platforms, talked about his upbringing and how he didn’t fully recognize racism still existed until after the death of George Floyd.

“I think for me it really took the death of George Floyd to really allow me to understand the scope of my own ignorance,” said MacLean when asked why he was passionate about the cause.

“I always had this feeling that we as humans were all the same. I didn’t even appreciate that women may leave their house checking both ways before they walk to the car,” he added. “I was just so naive. I grew up picking out my favourite hockey cards and my favourite pair of jeans and I was oblivious to my privilege.”

Gracie Sacca, a student at St. Marks High School in Manotick, was the one tasked with interviewing MacLean.

She says speaking with the

broadcasting legend helped her understand why racial injustice and discrimination was a topic she was so passionate about.

“When I was speaking to Ron MacLean he basically put my thoughts into words,” said Sacca. “I wanted to do something but I did not think I’d make an impact at all. When I started this I told Rebecca that I wanted to work on racism and help with the issue.”

Sacca’s classmate Maia Peters, a student at St. Joseph High School in Barrhaven, agreed saying the social justice movement in the summer sparked her interest and passion on the topic.

“When we first started I think we decided to go with this topic because I think everyone knows what was going on at the time and it was heartbreaking to see what was going on — especially in the United States,” she said. “We thought that we should rake something that we love like hockey — because it isn’t always so inclusive — and try to do something about it and I think it’s been amazing so far.”

Other students involved in the project include Naomi Chambers, a student at Castor Valley Elementary School in Greely, and Savannah Smith, a student at St. Francis Xavier High School in Riverside South.

The students have been working with Bob Dawson, a Black hockey player himself, who says he’s experienced firsthand racism in the game he loves. He’s now using his experiences to spark change and is a Black hockey historian and writer. He’s now also the project advisor on the

Maia Peters, Naomi Chambers and Savannah Smith are part of the Nepean Wildcats Blow the Whistle on Racism campaign.

‘Blow the Whistle on Racism’ campaign.

“For me, being on the receiving end of racial slurs and harassment and physical abuse in playing hockey — especially in 1967 when I was the first Black person to post in the Atlantic Collegiate hockey league — makes me proud and happy to be part of this project,” he said. “During the course of warmups stretching by the boards I’d hear the N-word, coon, snowflake, and that sort of thing. During the course of a game I would hear the N-word and players would be very physical.”

While this sort of behaviour is no longer as common, it still sadly takes place on and off the ice, says Dawson, adding that’s why it’s so inspiring to see young individuals from the community try and spark change.

Fred Brathwaite, a former NHLer who used to play for the Edmonton Oilers

and Calgary Flames, agrees saying every action counts.

Brathwaite now lives in the Stonebridge area of Barrhaven but is currently in Las Vegas where he is a goaltending coach with the Las Vegas Knights.

“I think it’s great. I think people need to know the stories and I think people need to know how things have been and how we can try to change things,” he said.

For Chambers, a teacher who uses non-traditional methods as a way of engaging students, says she’s received countless comments from people who have learned a lot through the students initiative. She saw conversations are being held around diner tables — including her own — about important topics that can sometimes be uncomfortable to talk about.

“By teaching this way and giving these kids the opportunity to do things that

they care about, I learn so much about things I necessarily would not dive this deep into,” she said. “I feel like I’m a better person, my family is a better group of people, because of these things. I come home every night and we end up having these conversations about all these projects we are working on.”

The students are encouraging everyone to get in on their ‘Blow the Whistle on racism’ hockey challenge. All you have to do is take a video of you doing your favourite hockey shot, or trick, and post it on social media under the hashtag #blowthewhistleonracism. You are also asked to nominate and tag three others who you want to get in on the campaign.

To find out more about the student-led initiative and how you can support their efforts, visit www.letsblowthewhistleonracism. squarespace.com.

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FRIDAY, March 5, 2021 Page 15

BARRHAVEN INDEPENDENT

Winners announced in Youthful Expressions Black History Month Competition Special to the Independent Three Barrhaven youths were recognized as winners of the Barrhaven United Church’s Youthful Expressions Black History Month Competition.

Amanda Benjamin, Angelyn Joseph and Ethan Fletcher received their prizes at the church Feb. 25 from Rev. Carla VanDelen and Nepean Liberal MP Chandra Arya.

Grade 7 and 8 students from schools in Barrhaven were invited to participate in a competition expressing their experiences, understanding or feelings of racism. Submissions could be original stories, poems, drawing, painting or songs.

An Anti-racism and Inclusion working group from Barrhaven United Church (BUC) has been meeting after the death of George Floyd and other racist acts locally and internationally, to discuss, learn and take action on racism.

This competition is one result of this working-group.

The judging exercise was no easy task or the esteemed judges of the contest.

“The submissions

were all very insightful, creative, thoughtful and

well executed,” said Rev. Dianne Cardin. “We were

really amazed at the depth of expressions from these young boys and girls.”

Three winners were pre-

sented with awards of an 8 inch tablet and case, a $100 Indigo Gift Certificate and Wireless Headphones from

Rev. Carla VanDelen, Ethan Fletcher and Nepean MP Chandra Arya.

Rev. Carla VanDelen, Angelyn Joseph and Nepean MP Chandra Arya.

Rev. Carla VanDelen , Amanda Benjamin and Nepean MP Chandra Arya.

Barrhaven United Church.

MP Chandra Arya presented the winners with Kindles and a Certificate for all the contestants.

The awards were presented to the winners in a COVID safe manner on

by BUC’s Reverend Carla VanDelen and Competition Co-ordinator, Adrian Benjamin on February 25th, 2021 at the Church at 4:00pm. Member of Parliament for Nepean, Chandra Arya was in attendance.

This award ceremony was included in the worship service on February 28th, 2021 which can be viewed on You Tube.

Please feel free to visit Barrhaven United Church website at: www.barrhavenunited.org .

Page 16 FRIDAY, March 5, 2021

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