Private Member’s Bill supports Ontario’s community newspapers
You are reading this because you are reading a community newspaper. No matter what part of the Carleton riding you live in, you understand the importance of a community newspaper. For families, particularly in rural communities, towns and villages, community newspapers play an essential role in delivering hyper-local information that is not available anywhere else, in print or on social media, to local residents.
While most locally-owned businesses had to fight to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and the many challenges that have come in the aftermath of the measures and restrictions that came with it, community newspapers have also been hit hard.
We are fortunate in Carleton to be among the communities that did not lose our community newspapers dur-
ing the pandemic. The Manotick Messenger services Manotick, Richmond, North Gower, Kars, Osgoode, Greely and surrounding areas. Its sister publication, the Barrhaven Independent, is distributed in and covers events in Riverside South.
The Ottawa Community Voice has a Stittsville edition to cover that community. While many community newspapers that have come and gone in Ottawa were owned by TorStar, the community newspapers that serve the Carleton riding are locally owned and operated with local residents as staff members.
Bill 73, Supporting Ontario’s Community, Rural and Agricultural Newspapers Act, 2023
Before the pandemic, there was an obstacle facing newspapers that was hurting their chance of survival. In 2018, Manotick Messenger owner Jeffrey Morris brought this to my attention. He and Orleans Star owner Fred Sherwin had a meeting with me to discuss the situation.
Their newspapers, along with the Ottawa Community Voice, are among the many publications that have used the model of printing every second week. This biweekly model has helped many of Ontario’s rural community newspapers remain in business.
Unfortunately, this model works against them in an unfair way. According
to the Province of Ontario, the definition of a newspaper includes a clause that the publication must be printed weekly or more frequently. Publishing every second week has resulted in the Community Voice, the Manotick Messenger, the Barrhaven Independent and other bi-weekly and monthly newspapers to fall outside this definition.
The City of Ottawa, for example, is extremely restricted in the type of advertising they can do with our local media. Because our local newspapers don’t fall into the provincial definition of newspapers, the city is not able to use our community newspapers for much of their important messaging and advertising. The same restrictions are in place for all Ontario community newspapers who have switched to bi-weekly
or monthly formats in their dealings with their respective municipalities.
This definition also hurts newspapers that are currently published weekly but are wanting to switch to a bi-weekly format but can’t because they are handcuffed to municipal advertising. Including bi-weekly publications within the definition of a newspaper would give them the opportunity to make a change to their publication schedule without jeopardizing that advertising revenue.
Out of these discussions, I introduced Bill 73, Supporting Ontario’s Community, Rural and Agricultural Newspapers Act, 2023. This is a Private Member’s Bill, if passed, would change the definition of a newspaper to include bi-weekly and monthly community newspapers.
It unanimously passed its second reading on March 28, 2023. I was very proud to speak to this Bill and the importance of community newspapers in the Legislature. It is my first Private Member’s Bill, and it was a bill that originated in the Carleton riding that will help Ontario’s rural communities.
I was very proud to speak to this, as it is not only my first Private Member’s Bill, and because it was a bill that originated in the Carleton riding that will help the communities in my riding. I would also like to thank the hard work and support of Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Stephane Sarrazin, who spoke on the positive impacts Bill 73 would have in the communities in rural Eastern Ontario.
newspapers continues on page 3
newspapers continues from page 2
Our community newspapers not only inform our constituents with hyper local news, profiles and current events, but they also provide a market specific advertising vehicle which helps local businesses advertise to a hyper-local marketplace.
So thank you for reading my column in the Manotick Messenger, something you would not be able to do without community newspapers.
Governments Helping Agri-Food Processing Businesses Lower Costs
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $10 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help food processing businesses increase energy efficiency and lower their costs.
This is of particular interest in Carleton, where agriculture is the largest industry in the riding.
The Agri-Food Energy
Cost Savings Initiative is a new, cost-share initiative to help food processors lower their costs to be more competitive and sustainable. The focus is on supporting projects that prioritize reducing greenhouse gas emissions by investing in new technology, equipment, as well as building or facility modifications to help achieve this goal.
The Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative was developed following discussions with Ontario’s food manufacturing industry and builds on other actions the government has taken to support the sector, such as the $10 million investment through the Food Security and Supply Chain Fund, $22 million through the Agritech Innovation Program and the launch of the $25 million Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund.
Under the Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative, applicants can receive up to 20 per cent cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $300,000,
per business. Eligible businesses can apply for support through this initiative starting on April 27, 2023.
The Sustainable CAP will inject up to an estimated $1.77 billion in Ontario’s agri-food industry over the next five years, to strengthen Ontario’s agri-food competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes up to $569M for Sustainable CAP costshared strategic initiatives, and an estimated $1.13 billion under Business Risk Management programs for Ontario producers.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federalprovincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in costshared programs and activities by federal, provincial
and territorial governments.
Quick Facts:
- The Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative will be delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. More details about the initiative and its application process will be available online or can be obtained by calling 1-877-424-1300 later in April.
- Applications for the Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative will be received as of April 27, 2023. The final day for submitting an application will be June 5, 2023. Applications will be reviewed based on merit criteria.
- Sustainable CAP will help enable the goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which include increasing the production of food by 30 per cent over the next 10 years, growing agrifood exports by eight per cent annually, and to build and maintain world-class research infrastructure.
- Enhancing sustain-
ability and innovation in Canada’s agri-food sector were among priorities set for Sustainable CAP by the federal-provincial-territorial agricultural ministers in The Guelph Statement.
Office Notice:
My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.
- GoldieYour voice at Queen’s Park
Spreading Awareness of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder
Ashley Tremblay welcomes you to join her family in spreading awareness of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare genetic condition, in memory of her late nephew who passed away in 2016 at the age of 3 years old. They are kicking off their second year by holding a bottle drive throughout the year, hosting a walkathon in May (date TBD), a golf tournament at Madawaska Golf Course on June 10 (registration link available on our “Events” page on website), gathering at the “OTTAWA Sign” downtown on June 17 from 6:30p-8:00p and a bowl-a-thon in October (date TBD). The family has raised just over $6,000 to directly support CDKL5 Canada’s efforts of continued research to one day find a cure. They can be contacted by email at jakobrcdkl5@gmail.com or by visiting their website www.jakobruestcdkl5.ca where you can find links to their Facebook group and Instagram account.
complaints leave pickleball players without a place to play
It may be the fastest growing sport for adults in Canada, but pickle ball will not be played at the Manotick Tennis Club anymore.
The club had created four pickleball courts, enough to accommodate four games and 16 players at a time at the end of their row of courts. The courts were widely used as the popularity of pickleball continues to explode.
However, the clacking and popping of the hard plastic balls and the hard rackets was too noisy for some residents who live close to Centennial Park. Noise complaints were being made to the city, and the city has responded by shutting down pickleball at the tennis club.
CTV reported that City of Ottawa General Manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services issued a statement on the pickleball ban.
“The City and the Club explored solutions that in-
cluded reducing hours of play, testing lower-noise racquets and balls, and installing sound-absorbing panels on the fence that lines the perimeter of the courts. The modified play options were not seen as viable without significantly impacting play, while the panels proved to be costly and could present a safety issue since the fencing was not designed to hold up panels or withstand the sail affect that occurs during high winds that could damage or bring down the fencing.”
The Manotick Tennis Club had plans to build six pickle ball courts on the southernmost parcel of land in Centennial Park, adjacent to the Manotick Tennis Club parking lot. That piece of land is closer to the homes than the current pickleball location, so the plans have been shelved.
While tennis is a sport that has seen declining participation over the last gen-
eration, pickleball is a sport that have put rackets back in the hands of much of the adult population looking for recreational sports. The Manotick Tennis Club’s membership has doubled in the past five years, with a big reason being their offering of pickleball.
“We really are a victim of our own success,” Lori Gadzala, a board member with the Mnaotick Tennis Club, told CTV. “We had to cap our membership last year at 825 people and that left a lot of people on a waiting list. We worked really hard to create a community environment here.”
The city is working with the Manotick Tennis Club in finding a home for its pickleball players. One area being looked at is Alfred Taylor Park in North Gower. The city is also looking at moving the sport indoors to the arena surfaces in Manotick, Richmond and Osgoode. The arenas have no ice from April through August.
Councillor David Brown said the indoor option is not only weather protected but it also eliminates the noise
program.
However, some pickleball players say the concrete surface may not be ideal for pickleball as it would be too slick. They also wondered why pickleball is being targeted by complaints when nothing has every been said about the basketball courts at the other end of the park, or the nightly softball games that have gone on at the park every night for the past 50plus years.
Katherine Blake of Manotick was interviewed by CTV. She said she cannot hear pickleball games from her home, but can when she
goes for a walk near the park.
“It’s deafening, really,” she told CTV. “It seems to anywhere you are in the park even if you are on the other side of the park you still hear it quite clearly.
“I have family liv-
ing on that street, friends and young children, they couldn’t use their backyards because of the sound. You couldn’t stand to be out there. It’s just the ball hitting the courts and when the bats hit it, it just goes right through you.”
OCDSB meeting calm inside as police deal with crowd outside
For the third time this year, the Ottawa Police Service found itself at an Ottawa Carleton District School Board meeting.
An estimated crowd of more than 300 people showed up for the March 28 meeting, triggered by an incident that happened earlier in the month when Manotick parent Nick Morabito was silenced by the board less than a minute into his presentation.
Morabito spoke on the board’s washroom policy, and how it created an uncomfortable situation for him and his daughters. Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth cut him off, saying he was creating “an unsafe environment for people who identify as gender diverse.”
Kaplan-Myrth’s actions sparked unrest among the spectators at the meeting. The board took a recess and
called the Ottawa Police.
The topic of washrooms became divisive over the two weeks leading up to the March 28 meeting. This came on the heels of the debate when Kaplan-Myrth, a doctor, put forward a motion that masks should be mandated for students and staff at all OCDSB schools.
The OCDSB washroom policy states that all students have the right to use the washrooms, and other facilities, that they feel most comfortable with, including ‘boys’, ‘girls’, and all-inclusive facilities.
Morabito’s March 7 presentation stated that this policy had a loophole as any male could go in a female washroom under the premise that they identified as female. He said that this policy could potentially open the door for sexual predators.
Morabito registered to
speak again at the March 28 meeting, insisting that he was not coming from a place of hostility, bigotry or transphobia.
That prompted a large and divided crowd to show up to the OCDSB headquarters on Greenbank Road. Some carried or wore LGBTQ2+ flags. Others carried bibles. Chants went back and forth. A video posted by 17-yearold student and social media influencer Josh Alexander went viral after the meeting. Alexander, a social conservative, was walking through the crowd and faced a barrage of shouts and insults from the transgender supporters. He also had debris thrown at him, including a cup of coffee.
He posted the incident, recorded by @CarymaRules, on his Twitter account, writing, “Got a free coffee at the @OCDSB. As a 17yo Can-
adian citizen, I present to you the tolerant left...” Alexander’s tweet had more than 675,000 views at press time.
Because of the hostility of the crowd and the potential for yet another disrupted meeting, only 75 spectators were admitted into the gallery for the meeting.
Morabito was able to give his presentation without interruption.
Shannon Boschy spoke in support of Morabito. Boschy ran for Trustee in the last municipal election and was easily defeated by transgender trustee Lyra Evans, who is now the OCDSB Chair. His son, Andy Boschy, also spoke. Andy is transgender and delivered a speech calling for the assurance that the safety and dignity of students is protected. The speech drew applause from most attendees at the meeting.
Frances McCrae, a parent
of two non-binary children, gave a detailed presentation detailing how transgender youth are disproportionately bullied due to discrimination and fear for their safety.
While the meeting and the incident outside the OCDSB building was focused on transgender rights, Morabito said his presentation had
nothing to do with that. His presentation was about washroom safety.
Morabito is calling for retrofitting school washrooms and having floor-toceiling stalls.
According to the OCDSB, 95 per cent of their schools have gender neutral washrooms.
Transgender persons are more at risk than anyone of being harassed or assaulted LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
The Editor, I’m completely astonished at the subject matter that appeared on the front page of the last edition of the Manotick Messenger! For those who may have missed it, the story concerned a Manotick parent who attended an OCDSB meeting wanting to talk about transgender washroom policy, but who found himself dismissed from public delegation before he had delivered the
first two minutes of his presentation. The Messenger didn’t print his speech verbatim, but it did say his comments, “were aimed at protecting his children from potential predators,” which probably explains his dismissal. If anyone reading the article felt a sense of deja vu, it’s possibly because every decade or so, it seems someone feels the need to revisit this issue despite the fact that it was debated and
settled years ago. The last time I saw anyone trot out the old “transgender predator” canard was in an article by Ken Gallinger that appeared in the Toronto Star on January 4, 2014, which elicited the following, still-relevant response from Barbara Hall, then Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights commission:
“There is a stereotype of connecting transgender people with wrongdoing
and being sexual predators. We have never seen a documented case of a heterosexual man gaining access to a woman’s change room by posing as transgender. In fact, in washrooms and changerooms, and in society at large, transgender persons are more at risk than anyone else of being harassed, abused, assaulted, or even killed. Also, there is no new transgender “bathroom” policy. For more
than 15 years, transgender people in Ontario have had the legal right to use the washroom – or changeroom – according to their lived gender identity. The elected Ontario legislature, not the human rights tribunal, put these laws in place.”
I’m not sure where this Manotick parent got the idea that school boards in Ontario have the power to ignore the Ontario Human Rights Code
when they draft policy, but he really ought to get himself up to speed. As Hall clearly states, “the elected Ontario legislature...put these laws in place.” That would seem to indicate that instead of disrupting school board meetings, this fellow would be better advised to take his concerns directly to his MPP, or to Premier Doug Ford.
Andy Braid, KarsThere was nothing hateful or transphobic about Manotick parent’s concerns
The Editor, The exercise of authority in shutting down a parent’s delegation at the March 7th meeting of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board was shocking, but it can serve as a wake-up call to the parents of
children in the board’s schools. In fact, it should concern us all, since all ratepayers provide school funding, and the recent display of such authority at St. Joseph’s High School in Renfrew shows it afflicts Catholic schools as well.
Nick Morabito had good reason and every right to raise the issue of trans-identifying biological males using girls’ washrooms and change rooms. As he noted, the schools have ungendered, private washrooms that can be used without
causing anyone discomfort, regardless of their gender orientation. That’s supportive and in no way discriminates against an individual. To be denied the right to respectfully raise an issue for discussion is inexcusable. To be told that merely at-
tempting a discussion is transphobic, is creating an unsafe environment and can’t be allowed is a senseless insult and a shameful exercise of authority that deserves condemnation. The school board’s statement following the meeting
showed that they not only feel no shame but fail to understand the meaning of their “commitment to cultivating safe working and learning spaces”. Safe for whom, OCDSB?
concern continues on page 9
Many of you are expressing interest in the residential developments planned for the Village, in particular the proposed apartment projects. While we’ve received no new information about the planned developments at 1185 Beaverwood, 4386 Rideau Valley Drive, 5497 Manotick Main since our March 21 update, we can share the City’s answer to one resident’s inquiry as to how the City notifies residents. As dictated by the City’s Planning Act, all properties within 120 metres of a proposed development will receive a notification in the mail regarding the applications submitted, signs are posted on the property to notify members of the community not located within the notification area, and information is posted on the City’s DevApps website https://devapps.ottawa.ca/ en and circulated to Community Groups which have registered to receive notification. The MVCA is one such community group. If you’ve missed an update or wish to learn more we invite you to visit our Planning and development page on the Manotickvca.org website and view the summaries and links to the applications and plans on the City’s site. https://www. manotickvca.org/planningdevelopment
Transportation Master Plan
We are in the process of
VILLAGE VOICE
by Irene Staron, President, Manotick Village and Community Association (MVCA)updating the MVCA website with the Manotick projects on the City’s Active Transportation List and will keep you posted with additional information as it becomes available. Visit https://www.manotickvca. org/transportation-masterplan
Guiderail Replacement on Bankfield Road
Residents using Bankfield Road may have noticed roadworks recently. The City’ Asset Management Group identified several locations where existing guiderails needed to be repaired and installed. The work was carried out at night to provide a safer operation to motorists and other road users.
Spring Alert – High water level reminder
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority advisoryresidents on the flood plain to prepare for possible flooding over the next few weeks due to mild weather, precipitation levels and above-normal water levels in upper watershed lakes. Caution is advised near the river to keep children and pets safe. For preparedness recommendations go
Grade: 12
Parents: Heather and Dennis Wyche
Name: Melita Wyche
Age: 17
School: Osgoode Township
High
Grade: 12
by Phill Potterto RVCA website https:// tinyurl.com/vb6fv95a
Sisters: April (20), OTHS, UNB Fredericton. Violet (20), Canterbury (vocals), Carleton University. Ivy (22), St. Mark, Algonquin College.
Parents: Heather and Dennis Wyche
City-Wide Topics
The MessengerFOCUS ON YOUTH
FOCUS ON YOUTH
lem solving. Since the concepts are not broad, and there isn’t much interpretation to be done, it’s more just problem solving, which is what makes me enjoy those classes the most.”
by Phill Potter2.0 or the future of the proposed baseball stadium.
Sisters: April (20), OTHS, UNB Fredericton. Violet (20), Canterbury (vocals), Carleton University. Ivy (22), St. Mark, Algonquin College.
Pets: Two dogs, Ewok and Pixie, and a cat.
lem solving. Since the concepts are not broad, and there isn’t much interpretation to be done, it’s more just problem solving, which is what makes me enjoy those classes the most.”
Part-time Work: “Cheerleading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)
Pets: Two dogs, Ewok and Pixie, and a cat.
Favourite Subjects: “Math and Chemistry. I enjoy doing labs and prob-
Part-time Work: “Cheerleading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)
Favourite Subjects: “Math and Chemistry. I enjoy doing labs and prob-
Interested in learning more about projects the City is working on? Go to https://engage.ottawa.ca/ to find support documents, timelines, opportunities to share opinions and find contact information for City Staff on specific projects. While the MVCA focuses on projects relevant to our community, you may wish to have your say on projects such as Landsdowne Park
What is your Greatest Accomplishment? “Earning the title of Student Council President at my school. The process was not easy, but I persevered and made it through, even though there were setbacks along the way. It has also been a very rewarding accomplishment, as I’ve gained so many opportunities, and gotten to network with other youth like myself.”
Activities/Interests: “Both inside and outside of school, I enjoy participating in several different sports. These include soccer, futsal, volleyball, coed volleyball, and touch football. I also enjoy traveling and learning about different locations and cultures. I’ve travelled to many places and I find it very interesting how every culture has unique traditions and subcultures. My favourite place is Norway, because there is such beautiful places all over the country and amazing hiking. The next location I wish to travel to is Iceland, because it’s a very open country, with very kind citizens, and lots to see.”
What is your Greatest Accomplishment? “Earning the title of Student Council President at my school. The process was not easy, but I persevered and made it through, even though there were setbacks along the way. It has also been a very rewarding accomplishment, as I’ve gained so many opportunities, and gotten to network with other youth like myself.”
Around the Village Village Spring Clean Up
The Kiwanis Club of Manotick will once again be coordinating a Village clean up in the coming weeks. A date will be confirmed once outdoor conditions allow (snow melts). Stay tuned for more details when available.
a difference in my school, and to get a different perspective on all aspects of the school. I was a cheerleader for 10 years, but I could no longer continue due to concussions, so I turned to coaching. It has given me an opportunity to continue in the sport, even though I can no longer participate in it.”
Career Goals: “After high school I hope to go to university somewhere near the east coast; hopefully in kinesiology. My top choice schools are University of New Brunswick in St. John, and Dalhousie in Halifax. After that, I hope to pursue a career in either athletic therapy, or education.”
volleyball, and touch football. I also enjoy traveling and learning about different locations and cultures. I’ve travelled to many places and I find it very interesting how every culture has unique traditions and subcultures. My favourite place is Norway, because there is such beautiful places all over the country and amazing hiking. The next location I wish to travel to is Iceland, because it’s a very open country, with very kind citizens, and lots to see.”
ing Home Maintenance workers for local seniors to assist with home maintenance tasks such as replacing light bulbs, hanging shelves, small gardening jobs, repairing dripping taps, shoveling sidewalks, and more! Cost is $32 an hour. All ROSSS employees are insured and have their Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check. Call 613 692-4697 for more information or to book.
Why did you get involved in what you do? “I got involved in Student Council because I saw it as an opportunity to make
due to concussions, so I turned to coaching. It has given me an opportunity to continue in the sport, even though I can no longer participate in it.”
Career Goals: “After high school I hope to go to university somewhere near the east coast; hopefully in kinesiology. My top choice schools are University of New Brunswick in St. John, and Dalhousie in Halifax. After that, I hope to pursue a career in either athletic therapy, or education.”
beloved annual events returns! Organized by the Kiwanis Club of Manotick. If you plan to participate in the parade on the Friday evening, please contact Neil Usher at neil@neilusher. com The Crafter’s Market on Saturday is a destination for everyone on Dickinson Days weekend. Registration is now open for booths that day https://forms. gle/1YjJ3226qbs8GN767
After suffering numerous concussions, Melita Wyche turned to coaching.
PHILL POTTER PHOTOROSSS’ NEW Program
ROSSS is now offer-
• Ottawa Futsal Club entering their 29th season indoor soccer. Youth boys & girls, women, men & coed. Players / teams wanted. All skill levels. League starts October ends April 2020. Please go online at www.futsalottawa.com. Early bird ends September 21st
Why did you get involved in what you do? “I got involved in Student Council because I saw it as an opportunity to make
After suffering numerous concussions, Melita Wyche turned to coaching.
Dickinson Days 2023 (June 2,3,4)
One of Manotick’s most
PHILL POTTER PHOTOInterested in becoming a sponsor or partner for the event? Please contact the organizers manotick@ ca.inter.net
April 13 - Babytime - Manotick Public Library - for parents or caregivers with babies (under 18 mos) to enjoy stories, songs and activities. For details visit https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en
April 15 – Garden Art Workshop hosted by Manotick Horticultural Society. Find out more on their website https://manotickhorticulturalsociety.com/
• Ottawa Futsal Club entering their 29th season indoor soccer. Youth boys & girls, women, men & coed. Players / teams wanted. All skill levels. League starts October ends April 2020. Please go online at www.futsalottawa.com.
Announcement
• Old Time Fiddle Music & Dance - East Osgoode Greely Assoc, First Friday of each month, invites & welcome all Musicians, Dancers & Listeners. Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely. For additional info call 613 489-2697.
April 22 - Progressive Euchre Tournament at the Manotick Legion Branch #314. The 4th Saturday of the month. 12:30 pm registration. Play begins at 1:00 pm. $10 per person. All entry fees will be paid out. Contact Dan Spitzig danspitzig@gmail.com
Early bird ends September 21st
• Ottawa Newcomers Club - For women who have recently moved to this area; (and those who have experienced a significant life change), and would like to meet new people of similar interests by joining our many group activities. More information at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca or by contacting newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com.
April 15 – Watson’s Mill Used Book Store opens for the season! Used books, jigsaw puzzles, audio books, CDs, and DVDs at the store all donated by the public. Proceeds are used for operations of the Store, Watson’s Mill and Dickinson House. https://watsonsmill.com/bookstore/
• Old Time Fiddle Music & Dance - East Osgoode Greely Assoc, First Friday of each month, invites & welcome all Musicians, Dancers & Listeners. Greely Community Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely. For additional info call 613 489-2697.
• Friday Night Country Music & Dance Club The Greely Legion the fourth Friday of each month. Bring along an instrument to play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. Admission is FREE. Greely Legion, 8021 Mitch Owens Road, ON. Information: 613-822-1451 or 613-826-6128.
April 29 – Spring Fling hosted by Manotick BIA. Say hello to spring at this one day community event of shopping in the village, demonstrations, music, activities and more. https://manotickvillage.com/event/manotick-villagespring-fling/
• Friday the fourth play, Greely 613-822-1451
April 19 – Growing Mushrooms at Home Workshop hosted by Manotick Horticultural Society. Interested? Go to https://manotickhorticulturalsociety. com/
• Thursday Fun Night for adults and children. An optional supper at 5:45 pm. Indoor soccer/games, crafts, or nursery for ages 0-11. Parenting course, Alpha course, or Growing in Faith/Hearing God course for adults, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. To try it out contact, discipleship@trinitybiblechurch.ca
April 20 – Fitness on a Park Bench hosted by Manotick & Area Culture Arts and Wellness (MACAW). For details visit https://www.manotickmacaw. com/
• Ottawa Newcomers Club - For women who have recently moved to this area; (and those who have experienced a significant life change), and would like to meet new people of similar interests by joining our many group activities. More information at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca or by contacting newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com.
April 21 & 23 – Inspirations Art Show & Sale Manotick Art Association at the Manotick Curling Centre. This independently juried, Fine Art Show offers a selection of high-quality artwork from forty local artists. For more information go to https://manotickart.ca/
April 22 – Spring Tea at Dickinson House 1:30 pm. Reservations required. Contact 613-692-6455
Paul’s Pharmacy
(across from Tim Hortons) 613-692-0015
Transferring a prescription is easy to do
These cards accepted Monday-Friday: 9am-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 10am-4pm
Transferring
These cards accepted
9am-8pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday Dance Party The Greely Legion hosts live music on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Bring along an instrument to play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. Admission is FREE. Greely Legion, 8021 Mitch Owens Road, ON. Information: 613-822-1451 or 613826-6128.
May 5-7, 12-14 – ITR Presents “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong”. Tickets are on sale through their website https://www.itrtheatre.com/shows
May 6 – Manotick Musicale supporting Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS). There are two shows this year 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. This year’s theme is Fabulous Fifties. For tickets contact ROSSS https://rosss.ca/ Friday afternoon Euchre at Manotick United Church - free drop-in. No experience necessary.
• Thursday Fun Night for adults and children. An optional supper at 5:45 pm. Indoor soccer/games, crafts, or nursery for ages 0-11. Parenting course, Alpha course, or Growing in Faith/Hearing God course for adults, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. To try it out contact, discipleship@trinitybiblechurch.ca
Free Puzzle Swap at Manotick United Church every Friday from 10 – noon. Youth of Manotick Association (YOMA) – Celebrating 10 years YOMA offers social programs and activities for youth in the area in Grades 4-12. We also have volunteer opportunities, special events and outings. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, visit the website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. https://www.yoma.ca/
• Tuesday the 1st pm. listen Mitch 826-6128.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, most community have been postposed or cancelled. For updates community, please visit the Manotick Messenger page and the RichmondHub.ca website.
Community saddened by passing of longtime local journalist and photographer
Our community received some very sad news recently. John Brummell passed away leaving many of us with heavy hearts. John was very devoted to his wife Rosemary, daughter Deborah and, son-in-law AJ, as well as many family and friends. And his life is a reminder of the importance of local newspapers, journalists, and reporting to our communities’ cultures and vitality.
John was our newspaper man from the Stittsville News for decades. So many of us recall seeing him because he connected the community with his newspaper photos. He captured photos of kids playing sports, graduation ceremonies, Lions Club presentations, Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides, Legion presentations, the
concerns
continues from page 7
Accusing people of transphobia is the language used by radical trans-activists, who seem to feel oppressed and therefore have a right to ignore the rights of non-trans people, especially girls and women, and demand free access to gendered spaces that differ from their biological sex. (Trans-activists also have replaced the scientific term “biological” with “assigned at birth”, as though a baby’s sex can’t be determined by observation.) Anyone who objects is likely to be called a “transphobe” and creating an “unsafe” environment by such activists and, increasingly, by those who go along with their view. Objections are even erroneously called “hate”. This bullying view has obviously infected school boards, including the OCDSB, with the appalling consequences we’re witnessing. The real danger is in having schoolboards corrupted by such ideology to the point of ignoring biology and creating danger. There’s good reason to wonder how and when this happened, but Canadian institutions, including even the Ontario Human Rights Code, are leading us down that path. Human rights
Rideau-Jock Report
David Brown, Councillor , Ward 21Richmond Fair, 4-H club banquets, the Goulbourn Historical Society and Horticultural Society, for as long as I can remember.
John was everywhere. We loved seeing our activities, fundraisers, local BBQs, and special events covered by him in the newspaper. And, everyone knew John. He loved his work, and it showed. He always greeted people with his big smile.
As an active volunteer in the community, John was a member of the Goulbourn Historical Society, Goulbourn Horticultural Society, and a Director
matter and deserve respect, but apparently real human rights are now of less importance than “special” rights.
Transphobia is an odd term that appeared only in the early 1990s. A phobia is normally defined as an exaggerated fear of something. Trans people are more likely to elicit sympathy than fear, but “transphobia” has been expanded well beyond its expected meaning and, as with the school board, is applied to any comment or policy that doesn’t embrace this new ideology. Perhaps the most accurate meaning of transphobia is fear of discussing trans issues, demonstrated by the truly transphobic school board members.
Things change over time, some for good, others not. But the fundamental principle of equality, treating people of all kinds as worthy of respect, being heard and not discriminated against, is one that should never change. Mr. Morabito is following that principle, but the board is not. The school board may be under the illusion that its policies are virtuous, but it has some important lessons to learn.
David Wieland, Karswith the Richmond Agricultural Society, just to name a few. His lifelong contribution as a volunteer was his commitment to making our communities a wonderful place to live. John received a City of Ottawa City Builder’s award in 2017 because of his incredible success at bringing the community together through his involvement and love of photography.
Our memory of John Brummell must also include his best friend, John Curry, whom he missed tremendously this past year. Known as the ”Two John’s”, they both had some great stories of events they covered together for so many years. The two men also received many awards for their outstanding achievement as newspaper men.
With John’s passing, it truly is an end of an era for our community. John was a pillar of the Goulbourn community and encapsulated what it meant to be a friend, neighbour, community volunteer and mentor.
But his passing is also a chance to reflect on the value of local media and journalism. John’s legacy is so strong and positive because his work enriched the lives of others. It is the unique duty of the local reporter to be all throughout his or her community, connecting residents, businesses, and causes that may otherwise never know of one another. John was exceptional in this job, and his work is an example for others to aspire to.
I hope that residents reading this note about
John in the Manotick Messenger recognize that their readership of local media helps strengthen their communities. It helps support those who seek to make a living by bringing their communities to life on the pages of the paper, just as John did.
Consider what’s written on the other pages of this very paper: local stories that matter to our community. Tales of accomplishments by young people in our neighbourhoods, or issues that while serious don’t find coverage elsewhere, or even advertisements from local businesses, artisans, and tradespeople who are making our communities a better place.
Without support of residents, without the dedicated readership that
is entirely vital to the success of local papers, they would fade away, and with it, we would lose a part of what makes our communities so vibrant. We owe it to newspaper men like John, and indeed we owe it to ourselves, to continue supporting the invaluable institution of local media. Many might not realize how valuable the Manotick Messenger is to our community. Jeff, Gary and their team work hard to publish a fantastic paper every two weeks. The Manotick Messenger embodies the very essence of “community”. May our dear friend, John rest in peace. And may his cherished memory serve as a reminder about just how positively all our lives can be impacted by dedicated, local media.
Church Directory
*All churches wheelchair assessable*
ACCESSIBLE Manotick ..United .Church
5567 Manotick Main Street, Manotick, Ontario, K4M 1A5
We welcome all, who with God’s help, work to build a better world. Sunday Worship at 10 am
Office hours are: Mon, Wed-Fri
admin@manotickunitedchurch.com www.manotickunited.com
613-692-4576
ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH
1138 Bridge Street, Manotick
–Serving South Barrhaven, riverSide South and Manotick–
Sunday Services
Holy Eucharist at 8:15 & 10 a.m.
“A Christian community joyfully serving & growing in God’s love”
(Elevator Access Provided)
Church Office 613-692-2082 Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 9-4
The Reverend Kerri Brennan
e-mail office@stjames-manotick.ca
Web site: www.stjames-manotick.ca
ST. LEONARD ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
5332 Long Island Road, Manotick
Pastor: Rev. GeRaRd Plant Mass tiMes
Saturday 4:30p.m., Sunday 9a.m. 11a.m
Weekdays Wed., Thu. 9a.m., Fri. 9:30a.m.
Office: 692-4254 www.stleonardsparish.ca
Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
EMAIL: office@stleonardsparish.ca
Province helping more Ontario students become doctors at home in Ontario
The Ontario government is further expanding the number of medical school spots to historic highs while helping Ontario students become doctors in the province, whether they studied at home or abroad. Starting in 2023, the government is investing an additional $33 million over three years to add another 100 undergraduate medical school seats and another 154 postgraduate medical training seats beginning in 2024, both now prioritized for Ontario residents.
“Too many Ontario students are having to go abroad for medical school because they can’t find residency spots here in their home province while international students learn here then leave,” said Premier Doug Ford. “That’s why we’re expanding the number of undergraduate and graduate medical school spots and putting qualified Ontario students at the front of the
line. We’re training the next generation of Ontario doctors right here in Ontario to stay here and care for Ontario communities.”
The new investment in Budget 2023 builds on the expansion of 160 undergraduate and 295 postgraduate medical training seats announced last year, the largest expansion of Ontario’s medical school system in over a decade.
“Medical seat expansion in the province’s postsecondary sector is a critical element of our plan to connect people to care close to home,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Expanding postsecondary education opportunities that prioritize Ontarians will make it easier for the homegrown doctors of tomorrow to receive training and provide world-class health care right in their own communities.”
This expansion is part of
the government’s Your Health plan, which includes initiatives to hire more health care workers.
“Increasing the number of doctors and other health care workers will make it easier for Ontarians to connect to world class health care right in their own communities,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We will continue to implement our bold plan to grow our health workforce so Ontarians can continue to receive care closer to home for years to come.”
“By investing in Ontario’s health workforce, our government is connecting people to the care they need where and when they need it,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Training more doctors here in Ontario is part of our plan to build a strong Ontario that is supporting people today while laying a strong
foundation for the future.”
The Ontario government’s 2023 budget, Building a Strong Ontario, is helping to drive economic growth, attract jobs and investments, and build key infrastructure projects faster. The government’s plan is also training skilled workers to fill indemand jobs, keeping costs down for those that need it the most, and providing better health and public services for Ontario families.
“The University of Ottawa is pleased to receive new medical school seats at its Faculty of Medicine and help build strong and sustainable frontline healthcare services across the province, including in rural and northern communities,” said Jacques Frémont, President and ViceChancellor, University of Ottawa. “The University trains over 90 per cent of Ontario’s bilingual health care profes-
sionals who are in great demand throughout the province’s healthcare system and provide francophones with critical services when they need them most.”
Quick Facts:
- The government is also investing $100.8 million to expand and accelerate the rollout of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education that was announced as part of the 2022 Ontario Budget.
- 60 per cent of the new postgraduate training seats will be in primary care and 40 per cent will be in specialty care.
- The new medical expansion will bring the total number of undergraduate seats and postgraduate training seats to 1,212 and 1,637 respectively, by 2028.
- The province has expanded the Ontario Learn and
Stay Grant which provides full, upfront funding for tuition, books and other direct educational costs to students in return for working in the region where they studied for a term of service after graduation. In addition to nursing programs, the grant will now include paramedic and medical laboratory technologist programs in priority communities.
- To strengthen the health and long-term care workforce, Ontario invested $342 million for 2021-22 to add over 5,000 new and upskilled registered nurses and registered practical nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers. In addition, Ontario invested $57.6 million for 2022–23 to hire 225 nurse practitioners in the long-term care sector.
To learn more about careers in health care, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/ page/careers-health-care.
Register today for the spring Cleaning the Capital campaign
As the snow starts to melt, you might notice a winter’s worth of litter scattered around the city. Twice a year, thousands of residents help keep our community spaces clean and green through Cleaning the Capital(link is external) and you can join them by registering for the spring 2023 campaign!
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Cleaning the Capital campaign. It is estimated that over one million kilograms of waste has been removed by more than
1.4 million volunteers since the campaign began in 1994.
We are grateful for the long-term commitment of many volunteers who have continued to participate in cleanup projects every year. We encourage any residents interested in participating, including high school students looking to complete community involvement hours, to register now.
Registration is open until Monday, May 1. You can choose from a variety of places to clean up, including community parks and
greenspaces, shorelines, roadsides, or even areas around bus stops.
Important dates for the spring campaign:
Wednesday, March 15: Registration opens
Saturday, April 15 to Wednesday, May 31: Spring Cleaning the Capital campaign
Saturday, April 22: Earth Day 2023
Monday, May 1: Registration closes
Thursday, June 15: Deadline to submit your online
Starter cleanup kits are
available upon request. To learn more about the campaign or to register your project, visit ottawa.ca/clean.
Committee receives review of City response to derecho storm
The City of Ottawa’s Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee has received the results of the after-action review of the city’s response to the May 2022 derecho storm. The review assessed what worked well in terms of the city’s emergency preparedness, response and communications, along with potential areas for improvement. Although many organizations contributed to the storm response, the review focused
on the City’s actions and its role in managing emergencies.
The derecho storm devastated areas in and near Manotick, Richmond and Fallowfield Village. Many homes were without power for as long as a week.
While the impacts of the sudden historic storm were severe, the city conducted a wellcoordinated response. The review found that the city:
- Has a comprehensive emergency manage-
ment program that provided a strong, guiding framework for responding in the aftermath of the storm
- Has staff with the knowledge and skills to support both the emergency operations centre and frontline operations
- Mobilized quickly and efficiently, and secured additional support early on
- Focused on helping residents in need and providing community supports
- Used a range of communications to provide timely and accurate information to residents
- Quickly engaged with hydro agencies and telecommunications providers to understand challenges and coordinate recovery activities
The review recommends some areas for improvement, including that the city:
- Continue to build greater depth in its capacity to staff crucial roles
- Enhance public education
and awareness of emergency preparedness at the individual and community levels
- Develop formal response protocols for key supports, including food security, wellness visits and volunteer manage-
ment
- Build a formal network of external partners to enhance collaboration before, during and after an emergency
- Seek additional ways to communicate effectively with
the public during prolonged power outages
Staff will address all recommendations and report back to this committee on progress through the Public Safety Service annual report.
50-acre Gateway Industrial Park to bring more jobs to area
Colonnade BridgePort is now pre-leasing up to 900,000 sq. ft. at Gateway Industrial Park, a multi-building development in Barrhaven, ideally suited to logistics, distribution, and eCommerce businesses. With frontage on Highway 416, Gateway Industrial Park provides ready access to Highways 417 and 401; and its proximity to seven Canada-US border crossings, makes it an optimal location for access to Canada’s most populous region and to key points throughout Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the United States.
Gateway Industrial Park will feature four buildings of 150,000 to 220,000 sq .ft. with the ability to accommodate larger users. Colonnade BridgePort is overseeing leasing, construction, and management of the park on behalf of owner CanFirst Capital Management.
“Gateway Industrial Park is providing much needed distribution and warehouse space in the Ottawa region – an
emerging gateway to several major markets,” said Colonnade BridgePort‘s Director of Industrial Leasing, Scott Craven. “There has been a lot of buzz about this development, and we are looking forward to getting the design finalized, leases signed, and shovels in the ground in the fall of 2023.”
One of the key players behind the scenes in the Gateway project has been the Barrhaven BIA. For the past several years, the BIA’s mandate has been to attract career-level jobs to Barrhaven to provide professional opportunities to residents of the community. This would provide options to local residents beyond commuting downtown.
“The Barrhaven BIA is a strong supporter of local employment-based economic development. For many years, we have worked collaboratively to foster smart growth with elected officials, leading organizations and commercial land developers,” said Barrhaven BIA Executive Director Andrea Steenbakkers. “We
are excited to welcome Colonnade BridgePort, and the Gateway Industrial Park, to our community. Its prime location along the Highway 416 corridor in Barrhaven provides quick access to Highways 417 and 401. With close proximity to the US, Toronto, Montreal, the Ottawa Airport, VIA Rail’s Fallowfield station, Area X.O and the Kanata North Technology Park, we anticipate that this development will be a great catalyst for the growing R&D and technology hub in the area.:
Industrial users will benefit from Gateway’s prime location in one of Canada’s most business-friendly cities. With a growing population of over 1 million people, superb access to talent from its four postsecondary institutions, and a global network of support industries, Ottawa has become an established hub for R&D, and technology.
Gateway Industrial Park is adjacent to the amenityrich south Ottawa community of Barrhaven and neighbors
Amazon’s new 2.8 million sq.ft. fulfillment centre, located just off Highway 416 at Strandherd Drive and Citigate Road.
“Our investment in this land and this development shows our confidence in Ottawa and in the growth of Ottawa’s industrial market,” said CanFirst Executive VicePresident Mark Braun. “With Colonnade BridgePort’s expertise, we have no doubt that Gateway Industrial Park will provide tenants with the space they need to meet and even exceed their business objectives.”
About Gateway Industrial Park
Gateway Industrial Park is a four-building +/- 900,000 sq.ft. Class A industrial development project located at 444 Citigate Drive in south Ottawa. With easy access to Ontario’s 400-series highways and to seven Canada-US borders, this multi-year, multiphase project will bring much
needed industrial space and distribution opportunities to Ottawa – an emerging gateway to several major markets.
Pre-leasing is now available, with shovels in the ground in 2023. www.gatewayindustrialpark.ca.
Garnet David Walker
April 15, 1977 – September 9, 2022
With great sadness, the family announces the sudden and tragic passing of Garnet David Walker on Friday September 9, 2022. Garnet will be forever cherished in the heart of his daughter, Teagan Walker-Young. He was the adored son of Duffy and the late Debra Walker and will be sadly missed by his sisters, Alison Walker-O’Brien (Shawn) and Rebecca Walker. A dear and loving uncle to Aubrey, Ruby and Peyton O’Brien. Garnet always greeted everyone with a warm smile and a big hug. He will be missed by everyone - whether in the work place, on a sports field or captaining the Red Dragon out on Georgian Bay. Friends are invited to join in celebrating the life of Garnet on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at the Metcalfe Arena from 2 – 5 pm.
In the winter, it’s hard to tell which tees are alive and where the wildflowers will bloom. Everything looks dead, dormant, and hopeless. Then, stillness gives way to activity. Spring begins flourishing. Sap starts to flow as buds swell on bare branches, leaves and blooms are not far away. Last year’s grass yields to fresh, green blades as the green blanket of earth is renewed.
Spring is undeniable
THis week, THIS MONTH
by Larry Ellisin its tender new shoots.
The birds build their nests in preparation for chicks, and calves and colts bring their wobbly dance to the pasture. The coyote cubs playfully roll and fight,
MANOTICK 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT
Main level - River Road, Manotick executive 1 bedroom apartment with full ensuite bathroom. Stackable washer & dryer. Open concept with fully equipped kitchen (flat top range with overhead fan, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave) with 2 pantries. Dining and living room area with large picture windows overlooking private scenic setting. Areas available for garden, bonfire pit and barbequing. $1,850.00 per month (heat, hydro, water, internet, parking, separate storage included).
April occupancy. Call 613-612-3653
as speckled fawns rely on their mother to keep them safe.
In the spring, winter is forgotten, for the dead has once again come back to life.
The cold flees as the sun warms our skin, as if for the first time. The marvel of spring is the mystery renewed.
Spring reminds us that a new life is possible. Things can change, even when they look bleakest.
When all appears to be over and done, the sweet sap of life can flow again. We can grow again. There is hope. Allow the sap of new life to flow through your branches. Receive warmth into your soul to melt away the coldness. Nourish the buds of friendship as they burst into flower. Spring is a time for renewal, a time to leave the cold behind, a time to tend the tender shoots of friendships.
Emerald Links Cook Wanted
If your passion is cooking, come join the Emerald Links Team!
Send your resume to administration@emeraldlinks.com
For further information, contact us at 613-822-6353
Emerald Links Golf & Country Club
6357 Emerald Links Drive, Greely, ON K4P 1M4
If you have any questions for our area professionals, email us at: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com
PHARMACY
Q: What can I take for spring allergies?
A: Allergies are the body’s immune system reacting to a foreign substance such as pollen, pet dander, or shellfish. When the body comes into contact with an allergen it reacts. This reaction can vary from mild to severe and can also change or develop throughout one’s life. The most common symptoms of spring allergies are runny/ stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy skin, and watery eyes. There are various over-the-counter products that can help deal with these symptoms such as antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Your pharmacist is best suited to help select the product(s) that are right for you.
Paul’s Pharmacy
990 River Road, Manotick, ON 613-692-0015
To be a part of our Professional Forum, e-mail Gary Coulombe at
As springtime nears, it’s time to let buds bloom
Pap-apalooza Pap test clinic scheduled for May 5
Finally, there is some good news for some of the many people in the area who do not have a family doctor.
Three Ottawa doctors are organizing a daylong Pap Test Clinic for women who do not have a family doctor and are due for cervical screening tests.
The pop-up clinic will be at the Rideau Valley Health Centre on 1221 Greenbank Rd. in Barrhaven from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fri., May 5.
Pap-apalooza events and promotions have been very popular over the past five years in the Thunder Bay/ northwest Ontario region, as well as in British Columbia. With the shortage of family doctors being a national problem stretching across Canada, Ottawa finds itself in a crisis with a shortage of family doctors that is hitting the suburban and rural areas of the city particularly hard.
In an interview with Post Media, Dr. Lesley Spencer said a lot of people who
are overdue for Pap tests as it was not an urgent essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Spencer is a family physician with a practice focusing on women’s health and one of the organizers of the event.
“We’re almost using (the event) as a reminder to people to get this done because I think a lot of people put it off,” Spencer said in the Post Media interview.
To screen for cervical cancer, the Ontario Cervical
Screening Program recommends having a Pap test every three years if you have a cervix, are age 25 to 69, and are or have ever been sexually active. Sexual activity includes intercourse (sex) and digital (using the fingers) or oral (using the mouth) sexual activity involving the genitals with a partner of any sex.
Dr. Spencer added in the Post Media interview that the success of Pap-apalooz events around the country where physicians work with
medical students to provide pop-up pap smear clinics provided a template for the Barrhaven event.
“It was one of those things where it was like, ‘Oh, it would be great,’ and then somebody in B.C. was doing it. So why not just model off what they’re doing?” she told Post Media.
Dr. Spencer and Dr. Kaitlyn Orton-Shmitt both rent clinic space at the Rideau Valley Health Centre and are among the doctors looking to grow the Pap-apalooza
program to other areas of the city such as Kanata, Orleans and downtown Ottawa. The clinic will also provide an opportunity for medical students to get hands-on experience by working at the clinic.
If the program is successful and there is a demand, clinics could be added outside the City of Ottawa boundaries in communities like Kemptville and Arnprior. Many Barrhaven and area residents already use the Kemptville District Hospital,
which is less than a half hour drive from the community. OHIP is covering the cost of testing supplies and the doctors are paying for staffing at the clinic.
To be eligible for Pap tests at the Pap-apalooza event, patients must have valid OHIP cards and not have family doctors. Doctors will contact patients with abnormal results.
To book a Pap test at the event, call 613-258-8710 extension 4. Walk-ins will also be available at the clinic.
The Department of National Defence has announced a $1.4 billion infrastructure project to upgrade the Joint Task Force (JTF 2) special operations forces’ facilities at the Dwyer Hill Training Centre. The project will create several hundred jobs in the South Carleton area.
The announcement was made by the Honourable Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Tues., March 21.
Created in 1993, JTF 2 is an extremely high-readiness and precise special operations forces unit. JTF 2 protects Canadian national interests and combats terrorism and threats to Canadians at home and abroad, and is based at the Dwyer Hill Training Centre at Dwyer Hill Road and Franktown Road, just west of Munster.
“Our Special Forces personnel risk their lives to keep Canadians safe –and we are dedicated to delivering them the tools and training that they need to stay ready,” said Minister Anand. “This project will more than double the unit’s current work and training spaces with modern, green facilities and create considerable economic opportunities for local businesses and workers in the National Capital Region. Whether at home or abroad, our Special Forces make incredible sacrifices to defend Canada, and we thank them for their service to our
country.”
The investment secures the future of the JTF 2 facilities in South Carleton after years of local uncertainty that the JTF 2 training centre would be relocated to Trenton.
“The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is pleased to see this infrastructure project moving forward,” said MajorGeneral Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. “An upgraded and modern purpose-built training centre ensures our members remain prepared to support Canada’s efforts to respond to a range of complex threats now,
and in the future.”
The 10-year construction project will provide more than 100,000 m2 of purpose-built space to meet JTF 2’s long-term growth, training, and high-readiness operational needs. The work includes replacing 89 aging and temporary structures with 23 new facilities; renovating seven buildings; and upgrading the site’s utilities.
Approximately 2,000 jobs will be created throughout the project, with as many as 250 to 300 people working on-site during peak construction periods. Construction is set to begin in May 2023.
The unit’s training and operations will continue on-site while this work is underway.
This project will include more than 150 subcontracts to provide greater opportunities for local and smaller contractors to bid on work. The construction management contract was awarded to EllisDon Corporation of Mississauga, Ontario, which will tender all sub-contracts and oversee construction work.
Five percent of the value of all contracts are targeted for award to Indigenous businesses to create economic benefits for Indigenous Peoples.
The new facilities will be net-zero ready and built to meet Two Green Globes energy and environmental design standards. This project will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Defence buildings to meet the federal target of netzero emissions by 2050. New or renovated buildings will include modern office, operations and technical shop spaces, as well as new range, training, warehouse, medical, accommodations, access control, kitchen, mess, ammunition, equipment and vehicle storage facilities.
According to the De-
partment of National Defence, this investment demonstrates their commitment to providing Canadian Armed Forces personnel with modern, green, and functional infrastructure in which to work and train. As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, investments in critical infrastructure enhance military capabilities while helping reduce the government’s carbon footprint.
The Department of National Defence announced a $1.4 billion investment into the Dwyer Hill Training Centre for the JTF 2 special operations forces.
Province gives boost to support long-term care residents
The Ontario government is investing $2,103,000 in four projects in Ottawa to help seniors with complex medical needs like dementia and bariatric care connect to specialized care and supports in their long-term care home instead of a hospital. This is part of a $20 million investment this year in 189 projects provincewide through a new Local Priorities Fund operated by Ontario Health.
“Our government is increasing our investment in bold, creative and innovative solutions that conveniently connect long-term care residents to the specialized care they need in the comfort of their longterm care home, instead of a hospital,” said John Jordan, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care. “Initiatives like the Local Priorities Fund ensure Ontarians are being connected with the right care in the right place, close to their family and friends.”
Some of the local projects will do this by helping residents get the specialized care they need in their longterm care home without having to go to an emergency room or be admitted to hospital. Others will support the admission of people into long-term care homes who no longer require acute care in hospital, but who have complex needs that are difficult to accommodate without specialized services and supports.
“Long-term care residents have been clear: they need care in the comfort of a home rather than a hospital,” said Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari. “Our government is getting it done
for long-term care residents in Ottawa by making investments to ensure that they can access specialized services and supports in a comfortable environment.”
The projects in Ottawa that are receiving funding are:
- $174,300 to Perley Health long-term care home for bariatric equipment, specialized equipment and training for wound care, and renovation costs to convert an existing unit to a secure unit to support the needs of residents with dementia;
- $1,700,000 to Royal Ottawa Place for the continued operation of this long-term care home, which specializes in care for residents with complex responsive behaviours, complex cognitive challenges, and chronic mental illness;
- $183,758 to Royal Ottawa Place long-term care home for specialized bariatric equipment, diagnostic equipment, and an enteral feeding pump; and
- $45,266 to West End Villa for a specialized model of care in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital that meets the complex medical care needs of residents.
The Local Priorities Fund is part of an investment of over $120 million in 2022-23 to provide access to a range of specialized services and supports that are helping long-term care residents with complex needs access connected and convenient care in the right place.
The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. This
work is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and providing seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.
Quick Facts:
- Ontario’s over $120 million investment in specialized services and supports in 2022-23 includes up to $20 million for the Ontario Health Local Priorities Fund referenced in today’s announcement, $5.91 million for four new Behavioural Specialized Units in long-term care homes, an additional $5 million for Behavioural Supports
L.a. sicoLi
Ontario, $2.6 million for Baycrest’s Virtual Behaviour Medicine program, and $4.5 million to build dedicated spaces for health care at a new seniors’ housing complex in Kenora.
- Through a $6.4 billion investment, the province is also adding nearly 60,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds and increasing the amount of care residents receive so seniors can live with dignity. This will increase the number of available beds to help address wait lists for longterm care and ensure seniors are being cared for in the right place, where they can connect to more supports and recreational and
social activities that may not be available if they are being cared for in a hospital while waiting to move into a long-term care home.
- The province has also made a $4.9 billion commitment over four years to increase the average daily direct care time provided by nurses and personal support workers to four hours per resident by March 31, 2025. This also includes increasing the system average direct care provided by allied health professionals to 36 minutes per resident, per day by March 31, 2023.
As part of this commitment, the Ontario government is providing $673 million to long-term care homes in
2022-23 to hire and retain thousands of long-term care staff across the province.
“I want to thank the Ontario Ministry of LongTerm Care for its continued support throughout the pandemic, and assistance as we work to adapt and reopen services closed in 2020. With today’s announcement, we will be able to provide enhanced training in wound care to benefit all residents and open a new secure unit for veterans living with dementia. These and other improvements enhance the quality of life and safety of residents,” said Margaret Tansey, Chair of the Board of Directors of Perley Health.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Millisecond
5. Narcotic drug
11. Accident
14. Formal submissions
15. Popular 70s rock band
18. Discourage from doing
19. More socially elite
21. Arid
23. A way to look
24. Heroes
28. A surfer rides it
29. Potato state
30. Insect repellent
32. Cool!
33. Have already done
35. Collegiate women’s fraternity
36. To the __ degree
39. Gasteyer and de Armas are two
41. Blood type
42. Looked over
44. Language of Cameroon and Chad
46. Species of armadillo
47. Touch softly
49. Part of your upper body
52. Large, stocky lizards
56. Lack of social or ethical standards
58. Congressman
60. Unofficial force
62. As a result of this utterance
63. A main branch of Islam
CLUES DOWN
1. Woman (French)
2. Province of Pakistan
3. This (Spanish)
4. Transportation device
5. Greater in importance or priority
6. The human foot
7. Within
8. Consumed
9. Respectful Malaysian term
10. Therefore
12. Ceased to exist
13. Type of macaroni
16. English composer
17. Wooded tract
20. Tall, slender-
leaved plant
22. 36 inches
25. Take too much (abbr.)
26. Allow
27. Individually
29. Journalist Tarbell
31. Bar bill
34. Hong Kong food stall:__ pai dong
36. Not messy
37. Species that includes reedmace
38. Former MLB catcher Ed
40. Northern U.S. state
43. Wilt
45. Commercial
48. Bolivian river
50. Nursemaid
51. A car needs four
53. Guns (slang)
54. American state
55. Clusters of fern fronds
57. Body part
58. A person’s brother or sister
59. Breed of sheep native to Sweden
61. Of I
Jock River Race confident April 22 will hold as race date
There is less than one month before the Jock River Race and things are looking good. Winter is still hanging on but we’re finally starting to see the first signs of spring and some sections of the river opening up. It’s always difficult to predict what conditions will be like in a month from now, but at this point it looks like April 22nd will be a go.
Some things to note:
- Current registration trends indicate this will be a very busy year and parking will be limited. We’ll be looking at options for traffic control particularly around the bridge before the river. You may want to look at options to have your boat dropped off earlier in the morning or expect to walk further than usual.
- As of last year waiver forms have moved online which makes morning check in much more effi-
cient. If you’ve registered but haven’t signed your waiver form drop us a line at jockriverrace@yahoo. com and we’ll set you up. We’ll contact all racers without waiver forms ahead of the race.
- Reminder that boat numbers will be issued to racers at the start line on Munster Rd. You no longer need to drive to the finish line to pick up your boat stickers, you can head directly to the start line where your boat stickers will be waiting for you.
- For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to paddle the Upper Jock before, there are some videos of the river on the website. We plan on having updated videos for this year’s conditions once the ice comes off. You’ll want to review the videos as you prepare yourself.
If you questions, comments or suggestions, email jockriverrace@yahoo.com.
Manotick Art association welcomes new artists to 2023 Inspirations
By Giedre ABromAitis mAnotick Art AssociAtionThe Manotick Art Association is very excited to announce that we will be welcoming several new artists to this year’s Inspirations show. This year’s show was juried by an independent jury as we wanted the focus to return to fine art. We believe that the roster this year will be very exciting and inspiring to our visitors. Here is just a glimpse of some of the artists that are new to Inspirations this year.
Ingrid Black brings a stunning array of recognizable famous figures to the show that are full of humour, colour, surrealism, and rock and roll. She has the imagination and painterly panache of Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte.
Jim Moran, a resident of nearby Kemptville, brings to us his en plein air forest landscapes. After a 30 year career with the Ministry of Natural Resources he draws inspiration from his years spent in Algonquin Park and Sudbury areas.
Barb Sohn paints the natural environment that surrounds her in Eastern Ontario where she lives.
Her paintings reflect her fascination with the interaction between light, colour, pattern in water and landscape. Because of the many layers of design in the transparency of water, the possibilities are endless. She works to capture these mesmerizing qualities with bold colour and solid design.
For as long as she can remember, Libby Sim has been drawing or painting and this love of art led her
to a career in advertising and product design. She has always been an observer and is inspired by the “every day”. Working in acrylics, she aims to capture ordinary life and objects, with a side order of whimsy, through realism and colour, hoping to capture a moment in time, invoke memories and bring a smile to the viewer’s face.
Carolyn Sàndor-Weston loves the diverse
beauty of the Canadian landscape. She is drawn to the immense colours and movement of the trees, the sky, water and stone - elements that make up her paintings and her sculptures. Carolyn’s artwork is a translation of her experiences of the world around her. She plays with the moments that were nearly missed, fleeting, or where she dared to revel in, revealing a truth or a serpentine folklore.
Jules Beauregard is an artisan woodturner whose specialty is beautiful crafted vases in many different shapes and styles. Jules is now painting many of his works making the pieces decorative
and that can enhance the décor of any home.
Please come visit Inspirations 2023 April 21-23rd at the Manotick Curling Club, 5519 South River Drive, Manotick, Ontario. Doors open Fri-
day, April 21 from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There is lots of free parking and an accessible entrance at the farther end of the building. Entry is free.
Dream season ends for Royals as Vikings win series in seven
One of the most exciting seasons in local Junior B hockey history came to an end Wednesday night as the Casselman Vikings rolled into town and picked up a 6-2 win in Game 7 of their rollercoaster of a best-of-seven series.
The game was played in front of a packed Richmond Memorial Community Centre and easily the Royals’ biggest crowd of the year. There was a large and vocal group of Vikings supporters that made the trip from Casselman.
With their win, the Vikings captured the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Martin Division crown. They will now face the Perth Blue Wings for the Barkley Cup and the EOJHL championship.
The Royals had a late first period rally and looked to be in the driver’s seat after the period. Jacob Knickle scored for Casselman in the first period, but then in the last minute of the first, Shane Sullivan and Tyler Cutts scored unassisted goals 11 seconds apart to give Richmond a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.
In the second period, the Vikings grabbed the momen-
tum of the game and the series. Brayden Besner’s goal tied the score, and then Nico Pozzebon and Deklyn Campbell scored 12 seconds apart to give the Vikings a 4-2 lead.
Tyler Stewart put the Vikings up 5-2 with a goal late in the second period.
In the third period, the Vikings went into lockdown mode. Occasionally the puck found its way into the Vikings’ zone, but it was quickly cleared. The frustrated Royals took three consecutive minor penalties in the third period.
The Vikings got their sixth goal after a face off in their own zone. The puck went back to the point, and it took a weird bounce over the stick of the Royals’ defenceman. Besner raced down the ice and blasted a shot into the top corner of the net to make the final 6-2.
Teams Trade Blowouts
With the series tied 2-2, the teams traded blowout shutouts to force a seventh game.
On Sunday, March 26, the Vikings came into Richmond and routed the Royals 9-1.
Tyler Stewart had a hat trick and Alexis Stewart
scored twice for the Vikings. Mathieu Clouthier, Kyle Filion, Sebastien Ouimet and Vincent Bastien also scored for Casselman.
Richmond’s lone goal was scored by Simon Yang from Jackson Miller and Thiery Demers.
Two nights later, the Royals were facing elimination
as they headed to Casselman. Royals goalie Gabe Arrigo made 37 saves as he shutout the Vikings in a 7-0 Richmond win.
Shane Sullivan, Ryan Sullivan, Robbie DiSilvestro, Tyler Cutts, Dylan Rorwick, Cameron Donaldson and Jackson Dallaire all scored for the Royals.
Game 4 shoutout
The Vikings got a 26save shutout performance from Mael Gendron as they blanked the Richmond Royals 3-0 Saturday, March 25.
The Royals had an early power play, but after that there was a parade of white jerseys heading to the penalty box. Richmond had 32
minutes in penalties to Cassleman’s 14 minutes. The Royals’ penalty killing unit successfully kept the Vikings off the scoreboard nine times. However, the Royals were not able to gain very much offensive momentum throughout the game.
royals continues on page 23
royals continues from page 22
After a scoreless first period, the Vikings finally beat Royals’ goalie Gabe Arrigo twice in the second period. Affiliate call-up Cedric Hughes scored first with Alexis Lafrance adding another.
The Vikings continued to pressure the Royals in the third period. With the Richmond net empty, Lafrance potted an empty netter for his second of the game to make the final score 3-0.
Lafrance had two goals and an assist, while Hughes had a goal and two helpers. For the Royals, Arrigo turned in a strong performance, stopping 43 of 45 shots.
Double OT
The Royals jumped into a 2-1 series lead Thursday, March 23 in Cassleman with a 3-2 win in double overtime.
The teams exchanged power play goals in the first 40 minutes, with Sheldon Lyons scoring for the Royals from Tyler Cutts and Ryan Sullivan in the first, and Marc-Olivier McCarthy scoring in the second period for the Vikings.
Shane Sullivan put the Royals ahead 2-1 with a power play goal from Sam McElheran just 32 seconds into the third period. The Vikings, who peppered Arrigo with 18 shots in the third as the Royals were assessed five straight minor penalties in an eightminute span in the period. With 4:47 left in the third period, Lafrance netted the
tying goal.
After a scoreless first overtime period, Shane Sullivan scored an unassisted power play goal to give the Royals a 3-2 win. Arrigo stopped 50 of 52 shots for the win.
Vikings Win Game 2
After the Royals won Game 1, the Vikings bounced back with a 3-2 Game 2 win in Richmond Wednesday.
After a scoreless second period, Kyle Filion scored twice to put the Vikings ahead 2-0 in the second.
With less than a minute left in the period, Dylan Rorwick scored his first of the playoffs from Jaidon Genereux and Shane Sullivan to make the score 2-1.
Deklyn Campbell scored midway through the third to restore Cassle-
man’s two-goal lead. The Royals got one back with Reid Johnston scoring from Sam McElheran with
16 seconds left to play, but it was too little, too late as the Vikings tied the series with a 1-1 win.
Adult Softball Registration
The Mill Pub on Main Street
Saturday April 8 & 15 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Mixed Slow Pitch
Men & Women 18 years and up One game a week on Monday or Tuesday Info 613-859-6291 $80.00
Men’s Masters Softball
Men Over 35 (Conventional Pitch) One game a week on Thursdays Info. 613-791-1151 $100.00
General Information
manoticksoftall@gmail.com
For all your fencing and decking needs!
Wide selection of building materials for all your construction projects.
Full line of pressure treated spruce, #1 pine, plywood, insulation, caulking, and builders’ hardware supplies.
Proudly serving you since 1936! www.perkinslumber.ca
NOTE: Players are drafted onto new each year, teams to balance competition.
Season starts May and ends in early September
Games at 7:00 pm or 8:30 pm at Centennial Park behind the Manotick Arena
Racing season at Rideau Carleton underway as of April 2
Despite fears the call to post would not sound this year, the 2023 racing season will go on after all at the Rideau Carleton Raceway (RCR) starting Sunday, April 2nd, 2023. The season, which was originally set to kick off on March 19, was delayed after a 2-alarm fire destroyed the Raceway’s staging barn on February 15.
Thanks to the immediate actions by first responders, no animals, people or other facilities were harmed in the fire.
“Watching those flames engulf the barn on that fateful night, I honestly feared the racing season may have been lost,” said Rideau Carleton Raceway Racing Manager Peter Andrusek. “We have the horse racing community to thank for this quick turnaround.”
Over the past six weeks, RCR employees, horse people and contractors
have banded together to retrofit an unused stable barn to be able to paddock horses and their teams on race days. With this temporary installation in place, and with the support of the racing community and regulatory bodies, the season can go on.
“The racing team’s unwavering commitment and dedication to salvaging the season has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Helen MacMillan, General Manager, Rideau Carleton Casino. “I want to thank them for their creativity and hard work during this challenging time.”
Amended 2023 racing schedule
Because of the 2 week delay, the original schedule has been amended to remove all previously scheduled March dates, and to add Wednesday night cards through the
month of April.
Throughout April, live harness racing will take place on Wednesdays (post time 7 p.m.) and Sundays (post time 6:30 p.m.). The RCR will switch to its original weekly schedule of racing Thursdays (post time 4 p.m.) and Sundays (post time 6:30 p.m.) in May and for the rest of the season.
The revised 2023 racing schedule, which has been approved by Ontario Racing, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, is available at https://www. rideaucarletoncasino.com/ racetrack.asp.
Last September, the raceway celebrated its 60th anniversary with a fireworks display, and a special invitation-only event inside the casino with over 200 guests gathering to share stories and pay tribute to those who
contributed to the success of the raceway over the years. Rideau Carleton Casino officially opened as Rideau Carleton Raceway on September 1st, 1962, as Canada’s first-ever fiveeighths mile oval and has been a key part of On-
tario’s harness racing community ever since. Since the gaming site was added in February 2000, the City of Ottawa has received approximately $6 Million annually and over $93 Million in total payments for hosting Rideau Carleton Casino within the National
Capital Region. An additional $1+ Million per year is invested in local sponsorships and nonprofits, benefiting local communities and the people within. In May 2017, OLG selected Hard Rock Ottawa as the successful new Casino partner for this site.