Manotick Messenger February 10, 2023

You’re invited: MPP Ghamari hosting Farmer Appreciation breakfast!

Please join me for a Farmer Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday February 25th from 8am-11am at the Richmond Memorial Community Centre, 6095 Perth St, Richmond, ON K0A 2Z0.

All are welcome to join for a free breakfast!

For more information, contact my office at 613-838-4425 or goldie.ghamari@pc.ola.og.

Manotick’s St. Mark Lions

It was an exciting week for the St. Mark senior boys basketball team as they travelled to New Waterford, Nova Scotia to take part in the Coal Bowl High School Basketball tournament.

For four decades, this has been one of the largest and most popular basketball tournaments in Atlantic Canada. Teams from the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario take part in this annual event, which draws huge crowds and media

attention.

While playing basketball in front of big crowds and against great competition will be exciting for St. Mark, the real benefit of trips like this are cultural. For many players and their families, it may be their first and only time to experience the beautiful landscapes and wonderful people of the Maritimes.

Our constituency office made sure they went to Nova Scotia armed with Ontario flags and pins to give to their hosts and other people they meet in New Waterford. I want to thank Chris Napior for coordinating that effort with our office.

We are all proud of the Lions, not just as a team, but

for representing our community and the riding of Carleton as ambassadors during this tournament.

Team Padbury and Team Rowe

The St. Mark basketball team is not the only Manotick sports team representing us proudly.

Team Padbury from the Manotick Curling Club won the provincial U18 Women’s Curling Championships Jan. 15. They are representing Ontario at the Canadian Curling Championships this week. Team Padbury is coached by Doug Johnston and Kim Cooper, and the players are Sydney Anderson, Megan

Zwolak, Kaitlyn Dumoulin and Emilie Padbury.

Team Rowe won the provincial U18 Men’s Curling Championships on Jan. 15. and will be representing Ontario at the Canadian Curling Championships this week. Team Rowe is coached by Gary Rowe and the players are Nick Rowe, Jonathan Bie-

mans, Tyler Biemans, Liam Rowe and Joe Stachon. It was an honour to meet the teams and congratulate them with a certificate on behalf of the Province of Ontario and wish them well before they went to the nationals.

MPP Goldie Ghamari was busy helping the Greely Firefighters serve pancakes during the 50th Greely Winter Carnival.

goldie continues on page 3

goldie continues from page 2

Winter Carnivals

What a whirlwind two weeks it has been in Carleton.

The 50th Greely Winter Carnival was a huge success, and it was great to see everyone Saturday morning at the Greely Firefighters Pancake Breakfast. The Greely Community Association and a large group of volunteers made this winter carnival a huge success.

I enjoyed being at the breakfast and meeting new friends and seeing many familiar faces. I even got to watch a magic show by the Great Arjunia!

Manotick Shiverfest also returned with big crowds and a lot of activities from the bonfire and skating exhibition by Rideau Skating Club members Friday a day full of activities throughout the village.

North Gower was also buzzing with activity for their winter carnival last weekend.

It had been three years since we have had winter car-

nivals in our riding, and because of that there seemed to be an extra bit of excitement in the air as we celebrated winter in our communities.

One Stop Talk

The Ontario government is investing $4.75 million to expand the “One Stop Talk” virtual “walk-in” counselling program to connect children, youth, and their families with more convenient and timely ways to access mental health counselling no matter where they live.

Our government is making it easier and more convenient for children and youth in every corner of the province to access mental health care. This program offers modern, convenient options for youth to connect to help in ways that they’re used to communicating.

The “One Stop Talk” service offers convenient ways to talk to a clinician by phone, video conference, text, and chat without an appointment.

The program began as a pilot in November 2022 with six participating mental health organizations and is now being expanded to additional organizations and their waitlisted patients. When fully implemented, the program will eventually be available to all children, youth, and their families.

The government is also significantly expanding the number of Youth Wellness Hubs across the province to make it faster and easier for young people to connect to mental health and substance use support, primary care, social services, and more. Through the Addictions Recovery Fund, the government is adding eight new youth wellness hubs to the 14 that were created since 2020, bringing the total to 22 across the province.

These hubs help fill the gap in youth addictions services and also provide children and youth aged 12 to 25 a range of other services, such

The Miller Luxury Seniors

as vocational support, education services, housing and recreation and wellness.

Through our Roadmap to Wellness, we are focused on improving our mental health and addictions care system. Significantly expanding our network of Youth Wellness Hubs is one more way we’re creating a system where Ontarians of all ages have convenient access to the highestquality mental health and addictions supports, when and where they need them.

Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness plan – the province’s mental health and addictions strategy – has so far provided $525 million to use innovative solutions to improve the quality and access to mental health supports while shortening wait times and removing gaps in service. The plan is built on four central pillars –improving quality, expanding existing services, implementing innovative solutions, and improving access – that are designed to work together

to support the delivery of the services people need, where and when they need them.

Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.

If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me

at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

- Goldie

Your voice at Queen’s Park

If you're not ready for Retirement but want carefree living, this boutique seniors apartment building is right for you! We offer a collection of just 45 luxury suites with spectacular views of the Watson Mill. Reserve today! They are almost gone!

Seniors who want choice in how they enjoy their retirement choose us. From spectacular views of the majestic Rideau River to main street shopping right next door, Manotick Place is right at the heart of the Village of Manotick, Offering the best of town and country.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari met with provincial U18 girls champions Team Padbury of the Manotick Curling Club last weekend before they headed to the Canadian Curling Championships.

Cost of Prince of Wales Police Station goes from $118M to $178M

Gasoline and eggs are not the only thing that have gone up in price over the last two years.

The cost of the new Ottawa Police Service facility has gone up by $60 million.

The new police facility will be located on Prince of Wales Drive, adjacent to Carleton Lodge just north of Manotick’s village boundary. It will replace the Greenbank and Leitrim police stations. The 218,000 square foot facility will include a new 911 Communications Centre.

Ottawa Police Chief

Eric Stubbs presented a report to the Ottawa Police Services Board last week.

“There are two main facilities that have reached their end of life and are identified to be returned to the City once their operations can be accommodated at other locations; this includes the Leitrim and Greenbank facilities,” the report said. “A 2020 Building Condition Audit

of Greenbank identified that funding of over $9 million would be required to simply address basic building maintenance and operating costs over a 13-year period. Leitrim will be further impacted by City road works along Bank Street and Leitrim Road as early as Q2 2023, making operational deployment from this location nearly impossible. Therefore, time is of the essence to relocate operations and dispose of this facility.”

In 2021, the Ottawa Police Services Board approved the new facility with a price tag of $118.2 million. The plans for the station were drawn up in 2013.

During the COVID pandemic, plans for the new facility were put on hold as labour and material shortages resulted in a high cost for construction. The new cost of the police facility is $178 million.

“Since 2013, the OPS has only added our

Queensview location to our facility portfolio, with an expansion to the facility in 2017,” said the report. “In 2019 our Swansea location was updated with seasonal storage. The last significant new acquisition of space to OPS facilities occurred in 2009 when our Huntmar location in Kanata was added, meeting the needs of population growth and demands in that area.

“However, steady staff growth, demands for service, and adjustments to operations translate to capacity issues and space pressures on the existing real estate portfolio.”

The report says that the OPS will need more space for an expanding staff.

“It is expected that the City of Ottawa will grow by more than 1.4 million residents over the next 25 years, according to the City’s Official Plan. This growth directly impacts calls for service, and the OPS must keep pace. Additionally, the City

and Province are poised to increase residential development to address an ongoing housing crisis. As it pertains to OPS staffing levels, the Mayor has pledged to grow the sworn complement and the OPS has developed its own staffing plan after several years of no growth. An increase to the staffing complement is anticipated to require a minimum increase of 54,000-squarefeet of facility space by 2026.

“As city growth, densification, and demand for service increases, so does the requirement for adequate facilities to support police operations. Investment in the OPS by means of new, realigned, or expanded facilities is critical in ensuring the infrastructure exists for police to deliver its required services in the appropriate and corresponding geographical area.”

If a contact is awarded for construction in 2023,

the new facility could be operational by 2026.

MacLeod called inspirational with her public mental health struggles

As mental health issues were in the forefront last week during Bell Let’s Talk Day, Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod broke some of her media silence and sat down for an interview with TVO personality Steve Paikin.

MacLeod announced in 2022 that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and that she had been struggling with depression since 2014, when she was the local MPP in the former riding of NepeanCarleton.

With her mental health struggles, the intensity of the campaign and the scrutiny of various groups who were protesting her and politically attacking her became too much. MacLeod said she suffered a mental-health crisis in May, which led her to take time off to

look after her personal and mental well-being after winning her seat in the Queen’s Park legislature for the sixth straight time.

In an October interview, Paikin asked how MacLeod was. She replied that it depended on the minute, and that she was okay, but fragile. Paikin noted fragile was a word he had never heard used to describe her.

“They’ve seen me take my knocks and get back up again,” she told Paikin.

“They see me give a feisty answer at question period or ask a frightening question. But I’m a different person than that.”

Throughout her political career, MacLeod had always had a strong relationship with the Barrhaven Independent. The first indication for this

publication that something was not entirely right with MacLeod happened on election day in 2014. MacLeod was an easy winner in what was then the riding of NepeanCarleton. The Progressive Conservative Party was not so fortunate. The Ontario Liberal Party was becoming less and less favourable to Ontario voters under the leadership of Premiers Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne. The Tories failed in that election, as they once again could not come up with a leader that the province could get behind.

MacLeod was visibly shaken as she briefly attended her victory party at the Black Dog Bistro in Manotick. She would not make eye contact with the Independent or other

media.

MacLeod said in the interview that she had been struggling with depression before that time, with the first signs happening during the parliament between 2011-14.

“The only reason I say that now is I recognize I was losing my hair and I was probably in a state of mania,” MacLeod said. “But I definitely knew between 2014 and 2016 I was dealing with depression.”

MacLeod drew praise and was even called a hero by the head of the Canadian Mental Health Association for taking her battle with mental health issues public.

“It took a tremendous amount of courage,” Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario said in an interviews with the

Ottawa Citizen Tuesday. “I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa in the past and I can tell you that she did a tremendous service by speaking out, which was exceptionally brave.

“She was so honest and genuine and really gracious about it. That’s going to help many people who are struggling, who are reluctant to speak out or to tell loved ones.”

In last week’s interview with Paikin, MacLeod said she wrote herself a letter to say she would not run in the Feb. 23 election.

That was nearly one year ago. She said time kept going by, and she ran again. It was not an easy campaign for her, and she was getting mental health help during the campaign.

“You’re actually in

the middle of an election campaign with your psychiatrist taking layers of you away and trying to depoliticize you as a politician,” she said.

MacLeod is still guarded and sheltered from the public and the media while she focuses on getting better. She did host a Christmas pancake breakfast for supporters in Barrhaven in early December, and many of her former Carlton supporters from Manotick and the surrounding area attended. She was in good spirits and seemed like the old Lisa MacLeod – a big smile, a big voice, and a big hug for everyone.

“Maybe let’s not judge people,” she told Paikin. “It’s okay not to be okay, or mental health is health. That’s not a slogan for just one day a year.”

City says 2023 budget investments lay groundwork for a better Ottawa

Ottawa’s Draft Budget 2023, tabled Feb. 1 at City Council invests in the services residents rely on every day, and key priorities to make Ottawa better. Priority investment areas include:

- Safe and reliable roads, sidewalks and pathways

- Reliable and affordable public transportation

- A cleaner and greener city

- Affordable housing and protection for those most at risk in our community

“Draft Budget 2023 reflects what I have heard from my Council colleagues, residents and businesses over the past year,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “People and families are concerned about affordability, but they want their municipal government to deliver the services they rely on and to make the necessary investments that will make their city better. The modest tax increase and investments is a big step forward for all of us to work together to realize our shared goal in making Ottawa a place where all residents are proud to call home.”

The budget was drafted with a goal of combining affordability, needs and investments.

“We have tabled a draft budget that balances the af-

fordability challenges of our residents with investments that are important to our residents and the quality of life in our community,” said Interim City Manager Wendy Stephanson.

“It reinforces our commitment to deliver frontline services that our residents use every day. It also invests in priorities to ensure our residents can get around our city safely and effectively while also investing in efforts to tackle climate change and preserve our environment. It commits to safety, well-being and better affordability, and it also respects equal opportunities for all residents.”

Greater equity, inclusion and diversity

Building on the City’s established record of fiscal responsibility, the budget presents a prudent approach to affordability by capping the overall municipal tax increase at 2.5 per cent. Factoring in assessment growth, that increase would deliver $91.9 million in additional funding to address budget pressures and make priority investments. The average urban homeowner would pay an additional $104 per year, while the average rural homeowner would pay an additional $85 per year.

Working together to make our communities better for everyone

Draft Budget 2023 includes $4.55 million for community safety, well-being and social investments, including funding for community agencies in support of Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, with interventions to support racialized youth, prevent gender-based violence against women and girls and improve community-based access to mental health programs. Funding will also support the integrated, on-the-ground Community Engagement Team that links residents in need to services like housing, food and mental health supports.

A commitment of more than $100 million will help fund replacement or rehabilitation of parks, recreation, cultural and City facilities across all wards. Additionally, through creative partnerships with developers, Ottawa will see more than 25 parks developed in new residential communities across the city.

Draft Budget 2023 builds on the City’s ongoing commitment to road safety with an investment of $31.7 million to support initiatives such as Safer Road Ottawa’s awareness and outreach safety campaigns,

temporary traffic-calming measures across the city, lowcost cycling safety improvements, and more automated speed enforcement cameras – especially near school zones.

Investments in new major urban renewal projects are also a priority, and the budget commits $245.9 million citywide to design and construct integrated sewer and road projects. Draft Budget 2023 also invests more than $136 million to renew roads, including paving and resurfacing work, and $7.7 million to renew sidewalks and pathways.

To protect the health and well-being of residents as Ottawa continues to grow, the City will invest $1.8 million to hire 14 paramedics and to procure emergency vehicles. The City will also commit to hiring 29 additional Ottawa Police Service personnel.

The City continues to invest in affordable housing, in line with Ottawa’s 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan. This budget supports the goal of creating more affordable housing options every year, with funding from the capital budget coupled with federal and provincial funding.

In addition to those ongoing investments, the budget includes $15 million in new funding for

2023. Taken together, these investments will see work start or continue for more than 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in communities across Ottawa.

The City continues to prioritize our environment, protecting our greenspaces, waterways and the air we breathe. This is the first year a climate lens has been applied to all new capital budget requests –the first step towards building a climate change accounting framework to support decision makers. The draft budget introduces an incremental $5-million annual capital commitment to help implement the City’s Climate Change Master Plan, supporting efforts to reduce GHG emissions and enhance climate resiliency through initiatives such as Energy Evolution projects, building retrofits and zero-emission buses.

Providing help to offset household expenses

The budget freezes transit and Para Transpo fares for 2023 to help all customers, residents and households who are coping with the higher cost of living. The cost of the EquiPass for low-income residents and the Community Pass for Ontario Disability Support Program recipients will also remain frozen

at 2018 rates.

Additionally, the City proposes an increase in funding for the hand-in-hand program to help low-income families and youth, a 10-per-cent reduction in camp enrollment fees and free recreation and cultural services in areas of need.

Households with young children will benefit from a $193-million commitment to reduce child care fees and support workforce compensation through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system.

Opportunities for resident feedback

The proposed budget will be considered by all Standing Committees in the coming weeks, then adopted by Council on Wednesday, March 1. Residents have multiple ways to have a say about Draft Budget 2023:

Visit Engage Ottawa for an up-to-date list of Councillor-led budget consultation sessions or submit your ideas directly to your Ward Councillor. Register as a public delegation to make a five-minute presentation at a budget review meeting of any committee, board or commission. Visit ottawa.ca/budget to learn about meeting dates.

Op Ed: Private health insurance would ease Canadians’ suffering

By Maria LiLy Shaw

Over 660,000 Canadians are waiting for surgery at the moment, with many waiting long months and even years.

For these people, each day stuck on a waiting list is 24 more hours of sore knees, of pain when walking, of risking that their condition deteriorates, and so on.

And we know these people: they’re our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues, and our parents.

Unless they have enough money to go abroad or have the means to pay out of pocket to go to a private clinic, waiting and waiting is their only option.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to take precautions against such an eventuality with an insurance policy, either. In Canada, if a governmental

health insurance plan covers a treatment, private insurance is excluded from providing relief.

This is not the norm for countries with universal health insurance. In the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia, to name just a few, a market exists for so-called duplicate health insurance that provides access to private treatment options, even if those treatments are covered by the governmental system.

The benefits of allowing private insurance policies to provide these services are twofold:

1. the insured avoids languishing on waiting lists waiting for governmental health care treatment, and

2. the pressure on the public system is alleviated.

People in other countries seem satisfied with their twotier system. In Australia, for

example, almost one in two people has such a private insurance policy, which allows a sizeable share of the middle class to have access to care in the private sector when the public sector is not keeping up with the demand. The rate of satisfaction is 73.7 per cent, according to a poll conducted in 2020 among over 25,000 Australians.

In comparison, a recent poll found that 49 per cent of Canadians are dissatisfied with their provincial health care system.

While you can’t buy duplicate insurance here, it’s not because there’s no demand or market for it. It’s because it’s either prohibited outright or there’s a set of laws that makes it unfeasible for insurance companies to offer such a product.

Currently, only four prov-

inces allow such plans to exist: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Unfortunately, these provinces likely do not have sufficiently large populations to make it worthwhile for companies to offer duplicate insurance. Saskatchewan, the largest of them, has just 1.2 million inhabitants, about as many as in the Ottawa metropolitan area if you don’t include the city of Gatineau.

To this are added restrictions on billing, and the banning of mixed practice, making it difficult for a market to develop.

Following the Chaoulli decision, Quebec authorized duplicate health insurance, but only for three very specific procedures. For all other procedures, the law formally prohibits duplicate insurance.

Not surprisingly, an insurance market has not developed that would cover just total hip or knee replacement or cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. These procedures are too specific and too limited for a critical mass of the population to choose to insure themselves.

The five other provinces have not complicated things with exceptions, simply prohibiting the sale of such insurance completely.

The result is that the only treatment option for the vast majority of Canadians is to languish on the waiting lists that have become characteristic of our provincial health-care systems.

But as former Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin noted, “Access to a waiting list is not access to health care.”

For 660,000 of our fellow Canadians, the inaccessibility of care is anything but theoretical. They live it every day as they wait for their operations. It’s a safe bet that many of them would choose to be treated in the private sector, if insurance lowered the financial barriers to doing so.

After all, waiting is never fun, but it’s worse when you’re in pain.

The best thing our provincial governments could do to help is to allow other options, like duplicate insurance, so patients can better access the care they need.

Maria Lily Shaw is an Associate Researcher at the Montreal Economic Institute and the author of Spending Your Golden Years at Home: Developing Home Care Services in Quebec. © Troy Media

Grade: 12

Parents: Heather and Dennis Wyche

Brown, Mayor’s office addressing

To all our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and participants of Shiverfest 2023, a huge thank you for your energetic support and enthusiastic commitment…we look forward to having you back for Shiverfest 2024!

Talking about Trucks

On January 10, Councillor Brown and a representative from the Mayor’s office dedicated to addressing Manotick’s truck traffic issues joined the MVCA in our first Board meeting of 2023 to rekindle the conversation about truck traffic in Manotick and reaffirm election commitments from both offices to work on these issues. While there are no significant updates at this time, MVCA remains steadfast on this as one of our key priorities for 2023. Updates will be posted here as available.

Transit in Ward 21

We hear from residents occasionally that transit availability is a concern for some. Councillor Brown is conducting a survey about public transit in the Ward if you would like to share your thoughts with him on the subject. https://www.ward21.ca/

Public Consultation 1185 Beaverwood Development

On January 24 MVCA hosted a virtual meeting regarding the 3-storey apartment development proposed at the corner of Beaverwood and Scharfield. 42 people were in attendance to hear and see what the current plans are and to offer feedback. Thank you to everyone who joined us. On the MVCA website there is a comprehensive document about the development and a video of the meeting. There is still time to offer comments that will appear on public record. If you have feedback about the development you can send them to Erica OgdenFedak, Planner II, Development Review, Rural Services, Planning, Real Estate and Economic Development at erica. ogden-fedak@ottawa.ca or call 613.580.2424 ext.26510

Hydro Ottawa

Presentation to

VILLAGE VOICE

by Irene Staron, President, Manotick Village and Community Association (MVCA)

Manotick Residents

On January 17 MVCA hosted a presentation with representatives from Hydro Ottawa. ‘Keeping Communities Connected’ provided some insight into what Hydro Ottawa is doing in response to the numerous outages in recent years. MVCA recorded the presentation and it will remain on our website’s home page for a few weeks more should you wish to watch it.

2023 City Budget and MVCA’s Recommendations

As part of the City’s finalizing its municipal budget for 2023, the MVCA has submitted a list of 10 recommended priorities for improved traffic flow and walkability and safety for budgetary consideration to our Councillor. To see this list go to www.manotickvca. org. Councillor Brown is offering public consultations on Monday, February 6 (inperson) and 6:30 February 22 (virtual). To register go to https://www.ward21.ca/ events-1/in-person-budget2023-consultation. Residents can also submit input on the 2023 budget through Engage Ottawa.

City’s Economic Development Survey

The City has a survey open through Engage Ottawa where residents can comment on impacts to economic development strategies and priorities for the future. MVCA shares information like this and encourages interested residents to complete these surveys so there is a rural voice on these city wide subjects that may impact our community. https:// engage.ottawa.ca/new-economic-development-strategy

Of interest to Property Owners – City Loan Program (City’s Climate Resiliency Plan)

The City of Ottawa has announced the recapitalization

Sisters: April (20), OTHS, UNB Fredericton. Violet (20), Canterbury (vocals), Carleton University. Ivy (22), St. Mark, Algonquin College.

by Phill Potter

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

The Messenger

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

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

Being

Name: Melita Wyche

Age: 17

Pets: Two dogs, Ewok and Pixie, and a cat.

School: Osgoode Township

High

Grade: 12

of the Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program. Ottawa residents are invited to apply to receive a low-interest, 20-year loan from the City of Ottawa to finance energy efficiency and climate adaptation retrofits for their homes and rental properties. Applicants are eligible to receive a loan of up to $125,000. Learn more and apply at betterhomesottawa.ca

Part-time Work: “Cheerleading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)

Parents: Heather and Dennis Wyche

FOCUS ON YOUTH

by Phill Potter

Favourite Subjects: “Math and Chemistry. I enjoy doing labs and prob-

Sisters: April (20), OTHS, UNB Fredericton. Violet (20), Canterbury (vocals), Carleton University. Ivy (22), St. Mark, Algonquin College.

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.”

Of interest to Eligible Property Owners – Federal Grant for Converting from oil heat to Electric cold-climate heat pumps (included in City’s Climate Resiliency Plan)

Pets: Two dogs, Ewok and Pixie, and a cat.

Part-time Work: “Cheerleading and tumbling coach at Kemptville Infinity in Kemptville.)

Favourite Subjects: “Math and Chemistry. I enjoy doing labs and prob-

Natural Resources Canada has announced a new grant of up to $5,000 to help low to moderate income residents currently heating their homes with oil to make the transition to affordable electric cold-climate heat pumps. Eligible homeowners will be able to combine

What is your Greatest Accomplishment? ing 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.”

el to is Iceland, because it’s a very open country, with very kind citizens, and lots to see.”

and Dalhousie in Halifax. After that, I hope to pursue a career in either athletic therapy, or education.”

Why did you get involved in what you do?

the grant with existing rebate or financing programs, including the City’s Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program and the

“I got involved in Student Council because I saw it as an opportunity to make

• 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

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

Canada Greener Homes Grant. The program is currently being finalized and applications are expected to open in early 2023.

To learn more, go to www.nrcan.gc.ca Oil Affordability Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Grant.

Announcement

After suffering numerous concussions, Melita Wyche turned to coaching.

• 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 the fourth play, Greely 613-822-1451

• 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.

Fridays at YOMA – Youth of Manotick Association offers regular programs and activities for youth in Grades 4-12. See their website for details. https://www.yoma.ca/

page

MACAW – Manotick and Area Centre for Arts and Wellness – See the calendar on their website for available classes

Paul’s Pharmacy

990 River Road

from Tim Hortons)

613-692-0015

Transferring a prescription is easy to do

9am-8pm

9am-5pm

10am-4pm

and events. https://www.manotickmacaw.com/

February 8 – Family Storytime, Manotick Public Library. For information about this and all of their activities, visit the website at https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/branch/manotick

• 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.

• 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

February 11 – Rural Youth Expo 10 am – Noon in the Kiwanis Community Hall, second floor at the Manotick Community Centre. This is an opportunity for local youth to connect with potential employers in the area and to learn about resources for youth in our community. Free for all. There are still spaces available for employers. Contact them at youth.of.manotick@gmail. com or call 613-296-1202 Details at https://www.yoma.ca/ruralyouthexpo

• 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

• Tuesday the 1st pm. listen Mitch 826-6128.

• 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.

Councillor David Brown (top left in photo) was at the Manotick Protest against truck traffic in September.

visit the Manotick SHADES SHUTTERS DR

Messenger

and the RichmondHub.ca website.

Friday Puzzle Swap – 10:00 am – 11:30 am at Manotick United Church. Borrow a puzzle for free and return it when you are done. Easy-piecy!

Friday Night Family Skate at Centennial Park (Manotick Arena), 5-7 pm Free. Compliments of Manotick Culture Parks and Recreation Association.

Motion to council will address and clarify rural energy production

Earlier this week, I submitted a notice of motion to Council regarding energy generation.

At issue is the Independent Energy System Operator – or IESO – and it’s ongoing efforts to procure energy projects across the province. Though energy projects generally receive support from municipal councils before proceeding, the authority is unclear; IESO could attempt to work with a project proponent without the approval of Council. This means that an LNG power plant, a wind turbine, a solar farm, or any other project could arise without the support of the community.

Additionally, Ottawa is in the process of updating its by-laws. Once completed, these updated by-laws will help future development better conform to the objectives

Rideau-Jock Report

David Brown, Councillor , Ward 21

of the City’s official plan. This includes energy infra-

structure in general, and wind turbines in particular. It is essential that new by-laws be finalized and approved before wind turbines are brought to Council’s attention for consideration and approval.

These are the issues that my motion seeks to address. The goals of this motion are

to ensure that Council is able to act as the final authority on energy generation in our City and that new generating infrastructure respects our City’s soon-to-be updated bylaws.

As new energy generation capacity is likely to be placed in the rural areas of Ottawa, it

is vital that new facilities be well-considered and respect residents’ needs and our communities’ interests. No project should be advanced without being in the clear interests of those who live close to it. By advancing this motion, I am hoping to better protect our communities against pot-

entially harmful overreach. Of course, there is much more work to be done on this and many other issues to ensure that our communities’ interests are protected. Residents with ideas about how to do that can reach me and my office any time by email at ward21@ottawa.ca.

Gather & Grow becomes a supporter of Richmond Legacy Pavilion

The Richmond Legacy Community Association is pleased to announce another partner in its fundraising for the construction of a multi functional community pavilion for both public and private events in the Village of Richmond.

Gather & Grow Recreational Cannabis is pleased to partner with other local businesses to see this ex-

citing project completed. They are a local, veteranowned and operated cannabis retailer located in Richmond Village. They focus on providing our customers a knowledgeable and comfortable shopping experience. Visit them in store at the Richmond Shopping Centre or on line at gatheringrow.ca. to browse their selection of CBD and THC products including Oils,

Capsules, Edibles, Drinks, Vapes, Pre-rolls, Flower and cannabis accessories.

For more information on the Richmond Community Pavilion and on how you may contribute please visit richmondlegacy.ca.

Tiffany and Glenn Fisher are the owners of Gather & Grow Recreational Cannabis.

Council votes to rename portion of Metcalfe St. after Mahsa Amini

Ottawa City Council has voted to rename the section of Metcalfe Street in front of the Iranian Embassy after Mahsa Amini. The approved motion also calls for plaques to be placed at the intersections along Metcalfe Street between Somerset St. West and McLaren Street. The signs will be installed for at least one year.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Theresa Kavanagh.

Amini died in custody in September after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for violating Iran’s strict dress code as it was alleged she was wearing her hijab improperly. Kavangh noted during the debate of the motion that her death sparked protests around the world in support of women’s rights in Iran. Several protests have been held across Canada, including in Ottawa.

Kavanagh said the plaque will, “in a small measure, give voice to those in Iran who cannot tell the truth for fear of their lives.”

One local politician who has been working diligently at giving Mahsa Amini and the women of Iran a voice is Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari.

“I am pleased to see Ottawa City Council pass this vote,” Ghamari I would like to acknowledge and thank Bay Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, who was moved enough by a display at City Hall to bring this motion

forward. This action will not go unnoticed in Iran.”

Ghamari, who was born in Iran and was just a yearold when her family left Iran to move to Canada, has been vocal at protests in Ottawa and Toronto. Her social media posts have raised awareness to women’s rights in Iran worldwide, leading to numerous radio and television interviews in Canada, the U.K. and Europe.

Locally, Ghamari’s work on the issue has resonated. Signs of support for women’s rights in Iran in the name of Mahsa Amini are popping up, including in front of the Royal Bank in Manotick.

“The IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) is a terrorist entity of an illegal regime that seized

control of Iran in 1979. As the first Iranian-Canadian woman elected into Canadian politics, I believe it is my responsibility to give the protests in Ottawa, Ontario and around Canada a voice. Since the murder of Mahsa Amini, Canadians have become more aware of the horrors facing women through these protests, which continue to grow and increase awareness among Canadians. The steps taken by Ottawa City Council are important. Of Course, the big step that we all want to see is the Canadian Government finally recognize and acknowledge that the IRGC is a terrorist entity.”

The motion passed by City Council also calls for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling

for continued and increased sanctions against the Iranian government until the people of Iran have access to freedom, justice and the totality of human rights guaranteed under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari, the first Iranian-Canadian woman ever elected into Canadian politics, has become a global voice for women’s rights in Iran.

A sign in support of women’s rights in Iran is posted in front of the Manotick RBC.

Celebrations for Black History Month throughout Ottawa underway

February 1 marked the start of Black History Month in Ottawa. Black History Month was officially recognized by the federal government in 1995 to honor the contributions and legacy of African, Caribbean and Black Canadians and their communities and acknowledge the role they played in shaping our heritage and cultural identity.

Throughout the month, you are invited to learn more about African, Caribbean and Black history, culture and art. The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Library(link is external) are offering events both in-person and virtually that are open to anyone who is interested in attending.

In Living Colour: Showing the Creative ACB Experience in Ottawa

Come explore artwork created by African, Caribbean and Black artists from all around Ottawa at the In

Living Colour exhibition. This exhibition will be held starting today until Friday, March 3 at Jean Pigott Hall inside City Hall. There is no fee for entry.

Author Conversation with Leslie Roach

Ottawa-based author and poet Leslie Roach will be speaking in-person at the Ottawa Public Library Sunnyside branch to talk about her past experiences with racism and how she broke through in the literary world. You can join her on Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary. ca(link is external).

Arts can Teach –Poetry workshops with Ariel Clarke

Youth between the ages of 13 and 18 can join educator, writer and artist Ariel Clarke for a four-week virtual poetry workshops. With a focus on Maya An-

gelou and Amanda Gorman, you will be able to examine and explore Black Poets and their work to make powerful statements. You will learn multiple poetic forms to use and express your own voice as well as learn to perform spoken word. Themes include: Using your voice, the power of voice and expression, Self-identity. The first session begins on Tuesday, February 7 at 6 pm. For more information on and how to register for these sessions, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

Retracing history with Dr. Amadou B

Join historian, political scientist, researcher and writer Dr. Amadou Ba for a virtual talk on some of the history and contributions of the Black community in Canada. The event will be held in English on Monday, February 13 at 6 pm, and in French(link is external) on Wednesday, February 15 at

6 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

What Would Ms. Hina Do? Themes and lessons from the novel Scarborough. Allyship, community, in the context of Black History Month.

The Ottawa Public Li-

brary, in partnership with the National Arts Centre, will showcase award-winning author and screenwriter Catherine Hernandez who will be presenting her speech “What would Ms Hina Do?” The performance explores the themes of community and allyship in the context of Black His-

tory Month. This event will be held in-person at the National Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 pm. For more information and how to register, visit biblioottawalibrary.ca(link is external).

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca

AGCO reinstates betting on UFC events throughout Ontario

UFC fans looking for some sweet action are back in the game.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has announced that regulated sport and event betting operators in Ontario may resume offering bets and betting related products on Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events.

On December 1, 2022, following alleged incidents, including possible betting by UFC insiders, and reports of suspicious betting patterns in other jurisdictions, the AGCO required all registered gaming operators in Ontario to stop offering and accepting wagers on UFC events. Since that date, the AGCO has been actively engaged with regulated entities and stakeholders as they worked to address the issues.

The ruling meant that the large number of sports betters were unable to place bets at Rideau

Carleton Casino for a sixweek period.

“The AGCO is committed to protecting Ontario players and the integrity of its betting market,” said Tom Mungham, Registrar and CEO, AGCO. “With the legalization of single event betting last year, the AGCO created strong new rules to protect bettors in Ontario. We are pleased these rules are already working to strengthen the integrity of sports betting in Ontario and, as a result, of UFC competitions around the world.”

The AGCO said its Registrar’s Standards were set to protect the betting public. Those standards include rules to safeguard against odds manipulation, match-fixing and other sports betting integrity issues. Sport and event betting operators must specifically ensure that sporting events they offer bets on are effectively supervised by a governing body which must, at minimum, pre-

scribe rules and enforce codes of conduct that include prohibitions on betting by insiders. There must also be integrity safeguards in place, which are sufficient to mitigate the risk of match-fixing and other illicit activities that might influence the outcome of bet upon events.

The UFC announced it has updated its policies and procedures. Specifically, the UFC has:

• Amended its Athlete Conduct Policy to prohibit all insiders from placing any wagers directly or through a third party on any UFC match, including placing wagers on themselves.

• Made clear that these same prohibitions against wagering apply to an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, and other individuals affiliated with the athletes or UFC, and that violations by these Insiders may result in disciplinary action against related con-

tract athletes.

• Have provided assurances for enhanced monitoring and action against insider betting through the strengthening of their internal processes.

• Reiterated their expectation that their contracted athletes report any matters that might raise integrity concerns.

• Engaged in a betting integrity monitoring relationship with US Integ-

rity, an independent sports integrity monitor registered with the AGCO, to identify and analyze unusual wagering activity as indicative of possible integrity concerns.

Given these actions, the Registrar is satisfied that the betting integrity concerns raised have now been addressed and is therefore permitting registered gaming operators to resume offering UFC-

related bets. Operators must continue to meet all applicable Registrar’s Standards and the AGCO will continue to monitor compliance with the Standards. The AGCO is aware of ongoing investigations in other jurisdictions and will be monitoring the outcome and actions related to those investigations.

continues on page 13

Local sports betters can once again place bets on UFC fights. betting

Black History Month in Canada makes us think of Viola Desmond and our new $10 bill

Look at the new Canadian $10.00 bill in your wallet or purse - on one side you see a picture of the Museum of Human Rights :- on the other side you will see a portrait of Viola Desmond.. The bill is unique as the pictures are vertical: all other bills are horizontal.

Viola Irene Desmond (July 6, 1914 – February 7, 1965) was a Canadian Black Nova Sco-

betting continues from page 12

Business As Usual

While many who bet on UFC fights and cards watch the pay-per-view broadcasts faithfully, local UFC-driven events were not as effected by the ruling as one would think. Boston Pizza in Barrhaven saw the same enthusiastic crowds for their UFC nights.

THis week, THIS MONTH

by Larry Ellis

tian businesswoman and a cosmetics pioneer for black women in Atlantic Canada. Following in the footsteps of her father, a Halifax barber, Ms. Des-

mond started out in business at a time when few beauty schools would accept black students. After training in Montreal, Atlantic City and New York, she founded her own institution, Halifax’s Desmond School of Beauty Culture, selling her own line of hair and skin products across Nova Scotia. But on one business trip on Nov. 8, 1946, when her car broke down in New Glasgow,

Ms. Desmond would become famous for another reason.

Viola Desmond challenged racial segregation at a cinema in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in 1946. She refused to leave a whitesonly area of the Roseland Theatre and was convicted of a minor tax violation for the one-cent tax difference between the seat she had paid for and the seat she used which was more ex-

“We carry the UFC events and they draw a good crowd for us,” said Boston Pizza owner and Richmond farmer Russ Arthurs in December.

“Some of the regulars may have a bet on some of the fights, but they are not coming and watching because they are betting. They are

coming here because they are fans, and they want to have a night out with their friends and watch the fights.”

Arthurs said that the UFC Nights at Boston Pizza draw a consistent crowd.

“With everything back to business as usual, people are wanting to get out and

watch sporting events with their friends and with other fans,” Arthurs said. “We saw that during the World Cup. We will never capture a complete stadium or arena experience, but when people come and watch an event like UFC they will cheer and enjoy the atmosphere. It’s much dif-

pensive. Desmond’s case is one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian history and helped start the modern civil rights movement in Canada.

Each individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination..........Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 15.

ferent that renting the payper-view and watching it at home.”

The AGCO is responsible for regulating the alcohol, gaming, horse racing and private cannabis retail sectors in Ontario in accordance with the principles of honesty and integrity, and in the public in-

terest.

The AGCO is a regulatory agency with a governing board that reports to the Ministry of the Attorney General. The agency was established on February 23, 1998. It is a corporation under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019.

50th Greely Winter Carnival a big success for young and old

The Greely Winter Carnival returned in a big way Jan. 26-29.

The 50th winter carnival was one of the best ever, from people braving the snowstorm on opening night for a family board game night, to a sold out kids’ glow dance the following night to a weekend full of activities.

“It was great to see everyone here,” said Osgoode Ward Councillor George Darouze. “There was a good turnout. The highlight of the weekend was the dinner and comedy club night.”

The line-ups were long for the Saturday morning pancake breakfast served up by the Greely Firefighters at the Greely Community Centre. Outside the community centre, there were line-ups for the sleigh rides through the park by Gary Scharfe and his Clydesdales. There were also Beavertails for sale.

carnival

continues on page 15

Art Classes &

The Greely Firefighters braved the cold and manned the griddle during last Saturday’s Greely Winter Carnival Panclake Breakfast.

Gary Scharfe and his Clydesdales gave rides at the Greely Community Centre throughout the weekend.

The Beavertails truck was a popular stop all weekend in Greely for the winter carnival.

carnival continues from page 14

“There is no need to go downtown for a Beavertail, we’ve got them right here,” said Linda Brayman, President of the Greely Community Association.

Brayman noticed the demographics had changed a bit in the community since the last winter carnival.

“There are a lot more young families with young children,” she said. “We had a lot more children under five than in recent years.”

While Dr Kaboom entertained the children during the breakfast, the stage belonged to local magician, the Great Arjunia, after the breakfast. Now 16, the Great Arjunia has been at the last couple of Greely Winter Carnivals. His first big magic show in front of a crowd was at the Greely Winter Carnival four years ago.

“It’s great to come back,” he said, adding that he is specializing I children’s shows. “I spent a lot of time during COVID learning and practicing. A lot of magicians did things on Zoom and there were a lot of opportunities to learn from some great magicians.”

The Great Arjunia returned to the Greely Winter Carnival with his children’s magic show.

MPP Goldie Ghamari and Councillor George Darouze pose for a photo with organizers and volunteers of the Greely Winter Carnival.

Popular local entertainer Dr. Kaboom was busy making balloon animals for many kids in Greely.

Royals Restaurant re-opening after three years due to pandemic

It’s been nearly three years since the last of their famous breakfasts was served, but Royals Restaurant in Richmond is getting ready to reopen their doors.

“In a lot of ways, it will be like opening a brand new restaurant,” said Derrick Fisher, who is a co-owner of the restaurant with Nick Mamalis. “There are a lot of new people in Richmond since we were last open. Many of them have never been to Royals.”

The restaurant is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, as they first opened in 1973 as the Miss Richmond Diner. A couple years later, they moved to their current location on Perth Street. The restaurant closed during the pandemic, opting not to go the take out and curbside pick-up route and instead focusing on their catering business.

Fisher and Mamalis worked together at the Red Dot in Osgoode and bought the restaurant in Richmond from Mamalis’s parents, George and Helen, in 2008.

“This is a much different situation,” Mamalis said. “Everything was in place then. We are going to be starting over with an almost entirely new staff, and we have to build new relationships with some of the people we do business with.”

Fisher added that Royals tried to be as local as they can with their suppliers. Among them in the past have been places like Rideau Pines and Abby Hill Farms of Manotick.

While there is almost a 100 per cent turnover in staff, there will be at least one familiar face as Brittany

Walkway Snow Removal Services

Contact me at: 613-261-8283

McKenna is still on the management team. Royals held a job fair day which was well attended, and McKenna is happy with the level of enthusiasm both with the new staff and from the community.

“We only had a one day fair, and we did all of our hiring then,” she said. “We had a lot of interest from South Carleton High School students looking for work, and we had a lot of people in their 20s attend.”

The staff may be new and there may be a few tweaks on the menu, but Royals will be the Royals that the area around Richmond has known for generations.

“We have always been known for our breakfast,” Mamalis said. “We had been building our lunch crowd and in 2010 we opened for dinner. We always tried to be a family-oriented community restaurant with good food, good service and a friendly atmosphere.”

Fisher said that the restaurant had become a part of the everyday lives of many of the regular customers. He added that the restaurant did not have a bar atmosphere like many of the other area restaurants do.

“I remember one day where we had three generations of the same family all come in separately on the same day,” he said. “That’s the kind of place Royals had always been.”

The big question, of course, has to do with the sign out front. Will the most famous spelling mistake in Richmond be corrected? Will there be a new sign?

Mamalis embraces the

sing as he ponders the answer.

“We thought about making an announcement like, ‘you’re favourite dinning lounge is back!’ and we had a few other ideas,” said Mama-

lis. “That sign has been there for 30 or 40 years. It’s a sign of the times when my parents had to get things done in a hurry and at a low cost.”

While a date had not been

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set for an opening by press time, McKenna said hopes

are to be open in February at the earliest possible date.

If you have any questions for our area professionals, email us at: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com

PHARMACY

Q: Can pharmacists prescribe medication in Ontario?

A: Yes! Pharmacists can now prescribe for 13 minor ailments in Ontario. Examples of minor ailments included are uncomplicated urinary tract infections and hemorrhoids. Pharmacists have also been given the authority to prescribe Paxlovid for COVID-19. There is no fee for the prescribing service and a patient may bring a prescription written by a pharmacist to the pharmacy of their choice. Pharmacies and pharmacists may decide whether or not they want to participate in providing these services. If you are interested in these services it is best to contact the pharmacy first to determine participation.

Pharmacist

Paul’s Pharmacy

990 River Road, Manotick, ON 613-692-0015

Derrick Fisher, Brittany McKenna and Mick Mamalis have been working hard to get Royals Restaurant ready to re-open this month.

Sledding is fun but the dangers are often overloooked

By Brian Presley

For many of us, tobogganing or sledding, is a great childhood memory. Once you were able to make it up to the top of the hill, you were ready to fly. The 10 – 20 seconds of pure speed were well worth the 10-minute march uphill and you didn’t always need a real toboggan or sled.

Some kids had a Crazy Carpet (a sheet of plastic) or a Flying Disc (a round piece of plastic) while some would fly down on a large piece of cardboard. Others would use a type of snow bicycle that had small sleds for wheels but would never really work and usually bent after the second crash.

It was and is a great combination of fun, exercise and affordability. Unfortunately, it can also be deadly.

Years ago, when my kids were much younger, my wife and I would take them to a hill at a local park. They would start at the top and about halfway down it would start to curve about ninety degrees and go straight down

towards a baseball field. It was a great slide for the little kids. An adult could easily walk up the hill in no time and it wasn’t very fast, but we tried to add a sense of danger to it by calling it “Dead Man’s Curve.” Just to be safe however, one parent was at the top while the other was at the bottom of the run.

A few years later when Dead Man’s Curve was no longer a challenge, we decided to bring them to a much larger hill. This was a very large hill dedicated to sledding and it was always busy. It was so popular that the city installed lights for people to slide in the evenings.

It was a little intimidating for the kids (and us) but we agreed to take them as long as they wore their skating helmets. They complained at first but if they wanted to slide, they had to wear them. They were also told that once the ride was over, they were to immediately go to the side of the hill to start their long walk up. Never go up the middle when sliders are coming down.

Every time we went, I

noticed that the majority of kids didn’t wear a helmet which didn’t make sense since these parents would drive their kids to the hill in a vehicle made of metal and have them sit in a specially designed seat that held the kids in securely with a number of straps to keep them safe. Once they arrive at the hill however, they had no problem sending their kids flying down with a piece of plastic or inner tube with no control and with nothing to protect them should they hit one of a dozen other kids doing the same thing and all at 15 – 30 miles per hour!

Thousands of kids are injured every year and some fatally. Many of these injuries could be minimized or avoided with the use of a helmet. Kids wear them when they go biking, skating and skiing so why not sledding? Everyone should wear one but especially those 14 years of age and under.

If the kids don’t like the idea, have them decorate them. They can also wear their winter hat over them. If they’re young and still

don’t want to wear a helmet, keep them at home and show them online videos of kids getting hurt sledding. There are a lot of them. Tell them it’s better

to look different than dead. You should never assume (and you know what happens when you assume...) a hill is safe for sledding as well. Check it

out yourself, just to make sure. Some hills may end quickly with a lot of trees, rocks, a fence or even a road. If they do, don’t use it even if everyone else is.

With the recent snowfall, sledding has once again become a favourite activity.

How consumers can show their support for local businesses

The road back to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic figures to have some twists and turns. Even after the rollout of vaccines began in late 2020, public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization emphasized the importance of people keeping their collective guard up, as previously unseen variants of the virus were still being discovered.

A slow march toward recovery has begun, but the uphill nature of that march underscores how important it is that communities continue to come together to support each other as well as the locally owned businesses that make towns and cities so unique. Consumers who want to help the local businesses in their community rebound and thrive in the months and years ahead can show their support in various ways.

• Take charge of your togo order. Convenience became the name of the game when ordering food during the pandemic. Curbside pickup service was offered

as a safety measure, and many restaurants that never previously offered delivery or takeout started to do so to generate revenue at a time when in-person dining was limited if not disallowed. Some restaurants began offering delivery through apps like Grubhub or Uber Eats, and though that may be convenient for diners, restaurants must pay a fee to utilize those apps. In lieu of ordering through a third party delivery service, consumers can take charge of their to-go orders and pick up the food themselves. That saves restaurants the delivery app surcharge, allowing them to increase net profits on the meals they sell.

• Continue to be loyal. A recent study from researchers at the Harvard Business School found that a customer’s eighth purchase was an average of 80 percent higher than his or her first purchase. That highlights just how valuable repeat customers are to small businesses. Consumers who have had positive experiences with small businesses in their com-

munities in the past can continue to support those companies by looking to them first when they need new products or services. Doing so not only helps small businesses retain more customers, but it increases the likelihood that consumers will again have positive buying experiences.

• Share experiences via social media. Small businesses recognize the value of social media. A 2021 survey from Visual Objects found that 74 percent of small businesses in the United States are active on their social media accounts at least once each week. Social media can become even more valuable to small businesses when their customers utilize such platforms to share positive experiences and encourage their friends and neighbors to patronize local businesses.

Consumers can take various steps to support small businesses in their communities as such establishments look to regroup and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic

CLUES ACROSS

1. Not invited

6. Whale ship captain

10. One point south of southwest

14. Small cavity in a rock

15. Recidivists

17. City of Angels hoopster

19. A way to mark with one’s signature

20. OJ trial judge

21. Rice cooked in broth

22. One point east of due south

23. One point east of southeast

24. Complements an entree

26. Grouped by twos

29. Disfigure

31. Woods

32. Political action committee

34. Longer of 2 bones in the forearm

35. Kin groups

37. Philippine Island

38. Contrary to

39. Bluish-gray fur

40. Comprehend the written word

41. Natural depressions

43. Felines

45. Breathe noisily

46. Taxi

47. Pancake made from buckwheat flour

49. Swiss river

50. Foot (Latin)

53. Have surgery

57. Formal withdrawal

58. Monetary units of Peru

59. Greek war god

60. 2,000 lbs.

61. High points

CLUES DOWN

1. Green and yellow citrus fruit

2. A bright color

3. Thicket

4. Journalist Tarbell

5. A place to work or relax

6. Sharp mountain ridge

7. Helicopter

8. Mimic

9. Suggests

10. More musty

11. Large, flightless rail

12. Make beer

13. Soviet Socialist Republic

16. People who can account for you

18. Taunt

22. South Dakota

23. Cover the entirety of

24. Kids’ favorite visitor

25. A way to save for retirement

27. Fencing swords

28. C. China mountain range

29. Type of sandwich

30. Team

31. Paddle

33. Partly digested food

35. Most cagey

36. Shoppers make one

37. Cathode-ray tube

39. Food supplies

42. Backbones

43. Concern

44. Blood group

46. Broadway songwriter Sammy

47. Dutch colonist

48. Full-grown pike fish

49. Deity of a monotheistic cult

50. Type of bread

51. S. Nigerian people

52. Scottish tax

53. Young women’s association

54. Brazilian city

55. Hide of a young animal

56. Midway between north and northeast

Richmond Run returns as 550 racers brave the snow

The Richmond Run returned in a big way Sun., Jan 29.

Cold weather and an unexpected heavy snowfall did not stop the 550 runners from throughout the area who kicked off the 5k and 10k year by braving the cold temperatures.

It was the first Richmond Run since January 2020, as the last two were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“There was a lot of excitement in the running community about the return of this year’s Richmond Run,” commented Lisa Georges of Run Ottawa. “We had room for 550 runners, and the race sold out quickly.”

The gymnasium at South Carleton High School was used as a hub for the event. Runners could warm up and fuel up in the gym. After the event, they could warm up and get some much-needed nutrition. Many of the events sponsors also had booths set up in the gym.

Georges said most of the runners were local.

“We had a lot of local runners, as well as many throughout Ottawa,” she said. “There were some that came from out of town –like Kingston or Cornwall or Gatineau – but for the

most part it is a local event.”

Georges said the weather has never been a factor in deterring runners. Three years ago, the temperatures were in the minus-20s for the race.

“The runners are excited to get the year started,” she said. “A lot of them use this run to see where they are at heading into the spring. A lot of runners use this run as part of their preparation for the Ottawa Race Weekend.

The Richmond Lions Club was manning the route as some roads were closed during the event.

Henry Wins 10k

Scott Henry sprinted out to the lead and was easily recognizable in running shorts and an old, tattered New Jersey Devils 1980s Viachaslav Fetisov jersey. Henry won the M40-49 category and was first overall in the 10k race in 36:58, nearly three minutes ahead of second place Michael Blois, who was first in the M50-59 category in 39:40.

Jean Francois Desjardins was third, winning the M30-39 division in 39:40.

Daniel Eddy was fourth in 40:07 and Mark Kassing was fifth in 40:11.

Alexandra Hynes was the top woman, finishing

sixth overall and first in the F30-39 category in 40:19.

Jordan Grady was 10th overall and placed first in the M20-29 category in 42:19.

Erin Savoie was 17th overall and first in the F2029 division in 44:23; Stephanie Gordon was 20th overall, first in F40-49 in 44:56; and Hamid Behnia was 22nd overall, and first M6069 in 45:07. Dany Gagnon was first in the M0-19 division in 47:42, and Yvonne Mery was first in the F5059 division in 49:13.

In the 5k race, Matias Del Rio Raetegui was first in 18:50. Charlie Mortimer was second in 18:53; Sam Shi was third in 19:03; Robin Bruneel was fourth in 20:39; Callum Fraser fifth in 20:44; Randy Cocek sixth in 21:43; Kayla Jones seventh in 22:07; Jason Kincaid eighth in 22:44; Bryan Dickie ninth in 22:53; and Will Richardson 10th in 22:53.

Registration open for City of Ottawa March Break activities

The new year may have just started, but it’s already time to start making plans for March Break, scheduled for March 13-17. You can explore March Break programs and camps on the City’s new registration system register.ottawa.ca. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to create your account before online registration opens on Wednesday, January 25 at 9 pm.

March Break camps include a wide variety of activities, offered in English and French for children aged 4-14 years old. You can choose from both in-person and virtual camp options where children can learn new or enhance existing skills in activities such as skating, swimming, basketball, hockey, painting, drawing, junior science, cooking and babysitting.

With City of Ottawa Camp

Energy and Camp Adventure, kids can get creative with crafts, sing songs, play interactive games and make new friends. Inclusive programming for all ages is also available. Through the new registration system, you can explore these camps and more by using filters for activity, time and day, age group, and location.

To create a new account,

you will be asked to submit your email address and create a password. Fill in the form with your information and add other family members to your account. Saving your credit card information (Visa, Mastercard or American Express) in advance will also save you valuable time.

When preparing for registration day, it’s a good idea to browse and bookmark more

than one of your preferred activities by creating a wish list for easy retrieval during registration. If your first choice is full, you can quickly get to your second or third choices.

A reminder that if you have an active membership (fitness, swimming, sport, etc.) or had 2022 Ottawa Hand in Hand financial assistance, your account was transferred and you will need to recover your

password. Select “Forgot your password?” on the sign in page and request a password reset to receive a reset link in your email inbox.

The new registration system will continue to evolve and improve. Your comments and ideas are welcome as we continue our path forward to enhance your customer experience and keep you and your family active and engaged.

Vikings edge Royals in OT to hold onto first place

The Richmond Royals and Casselman Vikings are neck and neck heading into the stretch of the Eastern Ontario Junior Hockey League season.

Thursday night’s clash between the top two teams in the league’s Martin Division showed just how close they are.

With a 6-5 overtime win Thursday night, the Vikings increased their lead over the Royals to two points, but the Royals have a game in hand.

The teams traded goals in the first with Marc-Olivier McCarthy scoring for Casselman and Leo Kluchert scoring from Dylan Rorwick and Simon Yang on the power play for the Royals.

Richmond jumped ahead in the second period.

Giulio Carulli scored from Kluchert and Robbie DiSilvestro, and then Tyler Cutts scored from Brendan Lynch and Christian White to make the score 3-1.

Midway through the period

the Vikings tied the score as Jacob Knickle and Alexis Lafrance scored just seven seconds apart.

Tyler Cutts made the score 5-3 for the Royals as he completed the second period hat trick with a pair of goals. Both were assisted by Dylan Rorwick and Sheldon Lyons.

Nicolas Ouellette scored on the power play for the Vikings with 2:16 left in the period to cut the Royals’ lead to 5-4.

In the third period, Sebastien Ouimet scored for the Vikings to tie the score at 5-5.

In overtime, McCarthy, who scored the game’s first goal, ended it for the Vikings scoring from Vincent Bastien and goaltender Zachari Racine.

Win in Alexandria

Two nights earlier, the Royals travelled to Alexandria and beat the Glens 3-1.

Jackson Dallaire scored in the first from Robbie DiSilves-

tro, and Ryan Sullivan notched a goal in the second from Tyler Cutts and Leo Kluchert to give the Royals a 2-0 lead. Vincent Boyle netted one for the Glens before the break to make the score 2-1.

In the third period, Brendan Lynch scored an insurance goal for the Royals from Shelden Lyons.

Royals goalie Mavric Welk stopped 35 of 36 shots for the

win and earned the game’s first star honours.

Loss to the Knights

On Thurs., Jan. 26, the Ottawa West Golden Knights hosted the Royals at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena and continued to give the locals a hard time as they skated to an 8-4 win.

Jaidon Genereux of the Royals scored first from Dylan Rorwick and Tyler Hames, but then

the Golden Knights took over. Ryanlee Wadden scored twice, and Connor Platt added one to give the Golden Knights a 3-1 win after the first period.

In the second, Kyle Slingerland scored a pair of Ottawa West goals, with the second coming short handed to make the score 5-1.

The Royals made it interesting in the third, but it was not enough.

Sheldon Lyons scored an unassisted shorthanded goal, and then Robbie DiSilvestro scored from Tyler Hames and Guilio Carulli to make it a 5-3 game.

Connor Dickey of the Golden Knights and Carulli of the Royals swapped goals to make the score 6-4. Ottawa West added a pair of insurance goals late in the third as Sean Ireland scored and Ryanlee Waddell picked up the hattie with his third of the game.

Church Directory

ACCESSIBLE

Manotick ..United .Church

5567 Manotick Main Street, Manotick, Ontario, K4M 1A5

& 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.

Saturday

Jaidon Genereux scored the first goal of the game for the Royals, but it went south from there as the Ottawa West Golden Knights doubled the Richmond Royals 8-4 in local Junior B action.

Job Fair planned as casino brings 100 new jobs to Manotick area

Table games are reopening at the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock Ottawa, after being closed due to the pandemic. Starting April 1st, favourites like Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette will be back on the floor of the Casino.

“We are delighted to relaunch table games and are thrilled to welcome back our table games players and team members” said Helen MacMillan, General Manager of the Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock Ottawa.

Seeking more than 100 new team members to join the band!

In preparation for this grand reopening, Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock Ottawa, will be holding a job fair onsite from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9. The goal is to hire more than 100 new team members.

Available positions include table games dealers as well as supporting roles in security, surveillance, cash-

ier, finance and food & bev erage positions. Positions are also available in marketing, customer service, and human resources. Part-time and fulltime roles range from entry level with no experience ne cessary through to manage ment.

“We know it is a tight market for recruiters right now,” said MacMillan. “But what we are offering here is a career that truly rocks - an opportunity to join the Hard Rock International family, and all of the amazing bene fits that this entails.”

In 2022, Hard Rock Inter national was named one of Forbes’ best employers for women, for the fifth con secutive year. Forbes also named it one of America’s best large employers, and one of the world’s best em ployers. Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock Ottawa offers an outstand ing benefits package with health and dental care, flexible schedules, paid vacation and pension plans.

“Anyone joining the team right now is joining us at an extremely exciting time for

our establishment and our region,” continued MacMillan. Interested parties are in-

Rideau Carleton Casino near Manotick is going to be adding 100 new employees in April.