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Friday May 6, 2022

Ghamari calls on RVCA to pump the brakes on new flood plain regulations

By Manotick Messenger Staff

A crowd of more than 100 local residents turned out to a public meeting on flood plain mapping hosted by the RVCA at the Alf Taylor Community Centre in North Gower on Thurs., April 21.

Many of the residents in attendance were not happy with the RVCA over the organization’s remapping of the Steven’s Creek floodplain. They were upset because they were not consulted and had no input, and for many of the landowners near Steven’s Creek, there were huge implications which were both practical and financial.

Carleton Progressive Conservative MPP Goldie Ghamari pushed hard for the implementation of the new mapping to be put on hold until a public meeting could be held. Because of

COVID-19, a public meeting was not an option. Without Ghamari stepping in, the public meeting may never have happened.

RVCA Executive Director Sommer Casgrain-Robertson opened the meeting with a half hour presentation on the RVCA’s role and how the mapping of the 156 square kilometre area was done. She explained that previous mapping had been done in 1972 and 1995. She said sine the old mapping was more than 25 years old, it was time for it to be updated.

As a result of new data made available to the RVCA, the new flood line is anywhere between 18 and 55 centimetres higher than the previous one. Many of the landowners saw a significant amount of the properties fall below the new flood line. Since structures or buildings are not permitted to be built below

the flood line, much of the land in question has lost options for usage as well as its worth.

“Very rarely have we seen a study change this much,” Casgrain-Robertson said. “The results were a cause for concern. It made our staff step back and ask why. It made us go back and triple and quadruple check everything we had done.”

Casgrain-Robertson explained to the audience that the reason for the big change in mapping is that the numbers used for mapping in the 1972 and 1995 studies were based on spring flood levels. She said the data used for this study was from the summer.

“It was recognized in 1972 and in 1995 again that Steven’s Creek was more likely to have significant flooding from a summer rain event than the spring melt, but at the time there was not enough or any climactic data

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari met with many North Gower-area residents during the RVCA public meeting on flood plain mapping April 20.

Manotick Messenger photo

to be able to model a summer storm,” she said.

As a result, the flood mapping results showed a significant difference.

“It’s not that this new study is overestimating the flood risk,” CasgrainRobertson said. “It’s really understanding that 1972 and

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1995 were understating the flood risk.”

flood

continues on page 2

Page 2 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

flood continues from page 1 The RVCA used 39 years of data collected by Environment Canada. Casgrain-Robertson said that based on their data, a oncein-a-100-year summer storm event would receive 123 mm of rain over a 24-hour period. That model provided the extent of flooding that such a summer storm would cause.

The summer storm of July 2017 was referenced throughout the night. It caused significant flooding in the Steven’s Creek area as more than 100 mm of rain fell.

Residents unhappy

What the RVCA was selling, most of the people in attendance were not buying.

As the question and answer segment of the evening began, the people holding the mic became less and less patient with the reasoning the RVCA was giving for the new flood map.

“Why am I affected?

Why is my father affected?

Why are all these people here affected? Because of a hypothetical storm,” said North Gower resident Roger Wilson. “The overreach of what you’re doing is disgusting. You really should be ashamed of yourselves, because once you do this, what is going to happen?

You’re going to turn North Gower into Barrhaven or the next Kanata.”

Pat McCordick, who attended the meeting with her husband Dan, also got up to speak at the meeting.

“The proposed flood plain boundary elevation in no way represents the historical or reasonable level,” she said. “We have personally witnessed the flood of 1976 and the summer event of 2017. Our property never flooded beyond the current boundaries. The bulk of the RVCA 2020 report is focused on ‘what if’ modelling with synthetic rainfall events.”

After learning of the RV-

CA’s new flood mapping, the McCordick’s contacted the office of Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari to express their frustration with the RVCA. Ghamari took their actions to the top at Queen’s Park, and the McCordick’s received a phone call from Ontario Premier Doug Ford to discuss their situation.

McCordick was critical of what she called insufficient or incomplete information on the soil in the area, and added that the survey did not take drainage tiles into consideration. She also criticized the RVCA report for having all future developments within the flood plain boundary, while the majority of existing residences fell outside the flood plain boundary.

“If we’re going to dream about possible rainfall events, what about the possibility of modifying existing drainage tools to withstand a 100-year rainfall,” she said.

“We have ditches, culverts and drainage systems. Per-

A crowd of more than 100 turned out for the RVCA public meeting on flood plain mapping.

Manotick Messenger photo

haps the RVCA could come up with a list of modifications to the current drainage system to withstand the synthetic rainfall events we find in their report, rather than just regulating more land.”

McCordick added that the new mapping was an example of a conservation authority exercising excessive control over landowners.

“How do we protect ourselves as property owners?”

McCordick asked. “How do we fight a report that’s based on fictional numbers?”

Another issue raised from the crowd was the new warehouse that is being built at Roger Stevens Drive and Highway 416. The site for the warehouse would fall outside the permitted bound-

ary, but it is going ahead as planned as the new regulations have not yet gone into effect.

Jen Wallace of North Gower raised two more questions that caused murmuring in the crowd. Her family has lived on the farm since 1929.

flood

continues on page 3

FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 3

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Longtime Manotick resident Douglas LeBreton dies after long battle with health issues

By Charlie Senack Douglas LeBreton, the husband of former Government Leader of the Senate Marjory LeBreton, has died.

The longtime Manotick resident passed away at the Prince of Wales Manor on Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Known for living “an interesting and free-spirited life”, LeBreton, who would have turned 88 this May,

spent the past year and a half dealing with a myriad of health issues.

“With thanks to Dr. Jeff Hovey for the wonderful care he provided over the past decade, the staff of Prince of Wales Manor for their care and attention during the past year and to the staff at LHIN who provided assistance and guided us through this difficult time,” his obituary read. “Finally,

a special word of gratitude to Jessica Medina of Seniors Solution who quite frankly contributed greatly to Doug’s quality of life and well-being. Thanks as well to Laura Gagnon and Debbie Abfalter of Seniors Solution.”

On Twitter Senator Donn Platt, who is the Leader of the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Senate, shared his condolences.

“Saddened to hear of the passing of Senator Marjory LeBreton’s husband Douglas,” Platt wrote. “On behalf of the (Senate Conservative) caucus, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to our former colleague & her family. Please know that your political family mourns with you. Most sincere condolences.”

In 1959 LeBreton, an auto mechanic, married

Marjory Mulvagh (now LeBreton), who grew up on a farm in City View near the corner of what is now Meadowlands and Chesterton. They went on to have two children, Linda and Michael.

In 1996 Linda and her son Brian, 12, were killed when the car they were in was hit by a drunk driver on Greenbank Road between Hunt Club and Fallow-

field. Travelling back home from a family birthday party, Linda’s husband Ed Holmes, and their two other children, were injured in the crash.

In the years after their passing, the LeBretons became actively involved in Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which the family is now requesting donations be made to in Douglas’ memory.

direct in his criticism of the RVCA. “What we’re asking for here is a little bit of latitude,” Shouldice said. “Work with the community and come up with some solutions. There is nobody here who has any trust or faith in the conservation authority.”

Shouldice was also critical of how the RVCA is planning to designate farmland as a flood zone while a few kilometres to the north on Borrisokane Road north of Barnsdale, Caivan has been permitted to build a neighbourhood in Barrhaven.

“If that isn’t flood plain, I

don’t know what is,” he said.

“I farmed over there, and there is three feet of water in the spring. But they took them out of the floodplain, and now they’re building houses. But North Gower?

Nope. You’re in the flood plain.”

Shouldice said that in 2000, his farm went from having a half acre in the flood area to having 30 acres in the flood area.

“You folks are responsible for the issues that we’re having,” Shouldice said.

“You won’t let the water go in the spring, and you won’t let us clean the ditches.

Ghamari asks why rush things?

at after the election, as she transitions from MPP to candidate after the dropping of the writ and the campaign begins for the June 2 provincial election. A municipal election will take place a few months later. Ghamari pointed out that not only will the city have a new councillor with Scott Moffatt not seeking re-election, but there will also be a new mayor as Jim Watson will be stepping down.

“I’m hoping we’re able to hold off on a decision until after the election,” she said. “Because in a couple of weeks, the people sitting in

this room will have zero representation, and I don’t think that’s fair to anyone.”

“The decisions made are going to impact every single person in this room,” she said. “It’s important that we slow this process down and wait until we have a new government, both provincially and municipally, and then we can see what will happen with these regulations.”

After the meeting, Casgrain-Robertson thanked everyone and assured the attendees that their comments were heard and will be taken back to the RVCA staff.

flood continues from page 2 “What is this going to do to our insurance?” she asked.

Wallace also mentioned that the new mapping put her house in the new flood area.

“When our house meets its demise, where is it going to go?” she asked. “I won’t be able to build my house in the same spot that it is today because of your summer mapping.”

Wallace also said that no one has mentioned that the water levels are raised in the summer for the boasts to go through the area on the Rideau River.

Larry Shouldice was also

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari thanked everyone for coming and thanked the RVCA for hosting the meeting. She said the issue was taken very seriously by her and the province, to the point where Premier Ford got personally involved and called Van and Pat McCordick to discuss the flood plain situation. She added that Ontario’s Minster of Environment, Conservation and Parks David Piccini is also fully aware of the situation.

Ghamari said that these changes should be looked

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Page 4 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Richmond Algonquin student calls for changes to OC Transpo u-pass program

By Charlie Senack An Algonquin College student who lives in Richmond is looking for the city and OC Transpo to make changes to the u-pass program.

Adam Besner, who is a bachelor of public safety student, says living in Richmond, he doesn’t have access to a full transit system at his doorstep.

The community is currently served by only four buses in the morning, and another four in the evening.

Current rules state any college or university students could opt out of the u-pass program if they don’t live in an area served by public transit. That includes people who live in Carp, Almonte, or Ashton. But because Besner is technically in an area where buses run, he doesn’t qualify.

“In Richmond, Manotick, and Munster as well, the bus service provided is not a full service,” he told the Manotick

Messenger. “The last bus that gets to Richmond is around 6:30 pm and the last bus that leaves Algonquin college that makes a connection to Richmond is at 5:30 pm. I’ve had many classes in the past that go beyond 5:30 pm and could go as late as 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm.”

The Richmond Algonquin student says even if he wanted to use public transit, his school schedule wouldn’t allow for it. Algonquin is open for classes until 10:00 pm meaning many students who live on the outskirts lack the option.

“I find it unfair how I’m forced to pay for a transit pass that doesn’t cater to the school schedule and to my schedule,” Besner said.

The pass costs $218 each term, plus any administration fees which totals about $1,000 for someone in a two-year program.

When Besner reached out

to Algonquin looking for an exemption, they said nothing could be done since he lives in OC Transpo’s service area.

“The Universal Transit Pass (U-PASS) is offered through Algonquin College’s partnership with OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa,” the colleges registrar’s office said in an email to Besner. “The U-Pass program is the result of a successful referendum in 2014, organized by the Algonquin Students’ Association resulting in a legally binding agreement which provides a discounted transit fare to all eligible students.”

Algonquin College also went on to say the same rules would apply to Carleton and Ottawa universities, however Besner knows that’s not the case.

A friend of his from high school who attends Carleton and lives in Richmond was able to opt out when he put a formal request in.

Besner says if Richmond had proper access to the transit system like the rest of Ottawa, he wouldn’t have felt singled out with the fees. The community used to be serviced with a direct route into the city, but that changed once light rail transit started. Now it includes multiple connection buses, making the commute longer.

OC Transpo has their service labelled into three districts: Urban which includes the city core and suburbs, rural A which includes Manotick and Richmond, and rural B which is even further outside the city.

“First off I don’t think any students should be forced into paying for this, but if they are, it should be in urban areas which they have clearly made a map for,” Besner said.

“Then if you live in rural area A or B you can opt out of it because you certainly don’t benefit from the same service

as others who are fortunate to live in the city.”

In 2019 the City of Ottawa said the u-pass program brought in $30 million a year in revenue, and was concerned how they would cover costs if students were given the choice to opt out. The upass program started as a pilot project in 2010 and is credited for boosting transit ridership.

Algonquin said their stance is final, but Besner hopes they will have a change of heart given he wouldn’t benefit from the program even if he wanted to. The Richmond native is also encouraging the city to bring more buses to Richmond — and on a more regular basis — saying people would leave their cars at home.

“Whether it be for school, running errands or visiting friends in the city — driving in the city can be very difficult and costly at times — if Richmond was more serviced

Adam Besner it would be used by a lot more people,” said Besner. “But because it’s limited, it’s only beneficial to those who have a nine to five job in the city, who have very predictable schedules, and only work during those times. If they made it more accessible to people more people would use it.”

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Page 6 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

MESSENGER Editorial

Why has Canadian citizenship become an oxymoron?

Don’t cry over a bag of spilled milk

I’ve given up on cereal. up, too. But I knew she knew. She walked into No, it’s not the gluten in the Cheerios that the kitchen and gave me that why-do-the-cursits in my belly like a bag of crushed gravel in tains-smell-like-milk-and-cheerios look. The Page 6, Manotick Messenger, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 a muddy puddle. fromlook of failure hung on my face like a baggy Canadian citizenship is under attack. Over the past 20 years, the public’s comAnd no, it’s not the milk that the I rarely seem pair of pleated khakis. other mitment to Canada appears to be waning. With billions of dollars in emergency panto drink now that I am on the back nine.

And it’s not just milk and cereal. I make a demic assistance and promises of almost free childcare, a targeted dental program, It’s the packaging. protein shake every morning O ur C Ommunity new investments in housing and health care, and a stream of almost “free” social Or my motor skills. but somehow can’t manage to programs, one would think citizens would be lining up to declare their fealty to a Maybe both. get the little scoop of powder Editorial compassionateMessenger and supportive state.

On the rare occasions from the big plastic jar into Yet the opposite seems to have occurred. Countless commentators have identified the Magic Bullet. There is dissatisfaction with national progress.

Fault lines – regional, linguistic, ideological, that I attempt to get myAre you more Canadian historical, and policy-based – keep appearing across the country. A recent survey self a bowl of cereal, the vanilla powder on my hand, than a fifth grader? revealed that many immigrants are considering leaving. How can the honour of be- Diva Ussain Bolts into my wrist, my elbows, and all With CanadatoDay approaching next week, it is a good time for us all toas one of the best in the world ing allowed enter a country repeatedly described the kitchen in a panic over the counter. Luckily, you reflect on what it means to be Canadian. produce little loyalty or contentment? It cannot all be about the weather.

Do wesuch take being Canadian for granted? and desperately knocks can’t spill spinach and a baBetter yet, how doof newhighly Canadiansmotivated feel about being Canadian?regularly Some of us attack the symbols of history Small groups radicals me away from the pantry and fridge? nana. look upon immigrants and refugees as opportunists, not wanting to give but while inaccurate areis true, used attack veryhistorically willing to take. Perhaps, for somememes people, that butto when you national pride – and the vast She knows that I am, um, gotta be careful The powder would lodge itself into the attend a celebration for new sit Canadians, such as theTiny one hosted

by Nepeanmajority of Canadian by silently. groups of protesters appear to have more Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre at Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven last how I word this, packagely challenged. cuts I got from trying to open the blister pack political clout than the national and legislatures as a quivering month, you can see the excitement and the Parliament thankfulness in the eyesprovincial of every Who is the idiot who decided that Canof Gillette Fusion razor blades that morning. new Canadian. nation fails to come to terms with its past and to understand the meaning of 21stThey understand, perhaps better than all of us, what it means to be adians would have to buy their milk in plastic Have you ever tried to open those? You need century Canadian citizenship.

Canadian. how can the rest of us have that feeling? explain the con- scissors and plyers and a circular saw and photo ASo new book by Peter MacKinnon, titled Canada in Question: Exploring Our bags? I remember tryingBevtoMcRae The Conservative government has a solid idea.

At the school’s 50th Anniversary Party, Manotickcept Co-operative Nursery in School honouredbags its longest-servof milk plastic to my co-worka Q-Ray bracelet to open the blister pack.

Jason Kenney, of Citizenship, Immigration andtackles Multiculturalism Citizenship in Minister the Twenty-First Century, this sensitive and emotional topic ing teacher/volunteer with a memorial garden bench, which will be installed with a plaque in the school’s and Andrew Cohen, President of the Historica-Dominion Institute, are chalhead-on.

MacKinnon is students a distinguished Canadian – a lawyer, university president, playground.

Left to right, MCNS Director Sandy Erler Hodge celebrate June’s 29 years as a supersand inJune Dallas and Seattle.

Some gave me that Next time you see a guy at work with severe lenging middle and high school to take the citizenship test. and volunteer.

Canadian Citizenship Challenge, funded in part by CIC and runHis by thebookplyisteacher, and aThethoughtful analyst of Canadian realities. builtteacher around the belief dog-hears-master’s-voice look of sheer con- knuckle-scrape, ask him if he had just opened Historica-Dominion Institute, will see students study Discover Canada: the thatRights “there are growing centrifugal pressures that are changing, perhaps diminishing, and Responsibilities of Citizenship and then take a mock citizenship fusion, then felt sorry for us. Others laughed. a new pack of razor blades. it’s best just tothesay nil thing they had ourtest. sense of what it means to be Canadian.” This is a gentleSometimes way of saying that the All thought it was dumbest Of course, being a bag-of-milk-is-only“This will be a fun way for students to learn about Canada and feel proud country may history be falling apart.

I’m finding myself at one of those bizarre cross- wonder about things like how come “underneath” is of our shared and accomplishments,” said Minister Kenney. “As we ever heard of. half-spilled kind of guy, we must look at the roads where everything I love about sports is about a word but no one ever says “overneath” when the learn about our and the people and eventsthe that made what it is Canada in past Question explores mostCanada fundamental of all issues: what does it to collide with a large swatch of the population work- Idiscussion pulled methe back first into soccer. today, we become more proud to be Canadian. We are inspired to see how we remember trip to Your Independ- enormous strides forward in the packaging ing diligently to grate mythan nerves.leader“Chelsea is learning so much by watching the mean to beourCanadian? a our time when criticism is far more common can defend rights and live In up to responsibilities and we feel much ent World Grocer world.

It’s this whole World Cup thing. Don’t you find Cup,” saidafter the mommoving wearing Crocs.back “We are to Canada. more stronglythe how valuable it isof to bepublic a citizen of Canada.” has overtaken electors ship, when politics bribery and therefore all that people are just a little too into it? studying each country before the game. She has “Our schools need to be training our young people to become the citizens Couldn’t we just have a recyclable jug with a First off, I would like to thank the people I found myself in line in front of two nouveau really become a fan of Arr-hayne-TEE-na, and she political parties, and when theabout country does not evenallhave a vision of the future, it is of tomorrow.

Citizenship is not only new Canadians, it’s about soccer fan moms at Your even wants us to gothe there civilized on our Canadians, young and old,” said Andrew Cohen. “The Canadian Citizenship screw cap like the rest of world? at Heinz for participating in preventing me extremely hard to answer that question.

Independent Grocer the other day. vacation next year. Perhaps we Challenge will encourage students to learn more about what it means to be FROM was kind of in in my Canada, own little and canlittle even gobags to Brrra-seeel.”

Instead, we get and try to shoe horn from spraying ketchup all over the kitchen, Canadian and then put thatand knowledge to the test.”

By asking tough uncomfortable questions about Icitizenship THE mental world in the checkout line, That caught my attention.

Starting this summer, the Historica-Dominion Institute will be encouraging them into a little pitcher that you have to bang like I used to. Do you remember the old doing so with quintessentially Canadian decency and respect for diversity and social scanning the tabloid and magaArr-hayne-TEE-na?

OTHER more than 5,000 middle and high school teachers to register their classrooms zine covers and wondering to whatdream Are to you kidding me?milk in, and then for the Peter Challenge.

Each classroom reminds will receive aus set that of the it new justice, MacKinnon iscitizenship both possible and essential SIDE from the bottom fit the glass ketchup bottle? You would shake it like Justin Bieber’s first major scandal The other mom – the one with along with specially designed learning activities. The teacher will also

By Jeffreylet’s have our the of aguide, greater He makes clearwill that the would be. I only was justwith about to re- comBirkenstocks – piped in. to cut the top. kids use scissors an upside down Etch-a-Sketch trying to get receive copiesnation. of a mock citizenship exam.itStudents takeathecountry citizenship flourishes Morris the world after some to quality “They are a wonderful football exam asof a class and the teachers will country return the completed exams and to thewithenter mitment its citizens to the as a whole a national plan create a “Be carefulnation,” or you will“My end up with a glass ketchup to come out. Then you would jam time on Planet Jeff and launch she said. husband, Dominion Institute for grading. betterResults and stronger Canada. into my weekly way-to-reward-your-customers-by- of course, wears the azure and cheers for Italia, but will be announced by the Dominion Institute on Flag Day eye.” a Bic pen up there to try to loosen the stuck charging-us-five-cents-per-bag-and-claiming-it’s- Zachary’s favourite team has been MAY-heee-co.

(February 15) each year for the next three years. For more information about to-save-the-environment rant when I unexpectedly How They did often a school project year the hole to the Challenge please visit the Historica-Dominion Institute website at haveon MAY-heee-co you everlastcut ketchup. I can only imagine the delight of the locked in on the conversation behindand me. and he has even insisted that we go to out to eat and Ken Coates is a Distinguished Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute www.historica-dominion.ca. small to when have milk rainbow over your brand manager in the meeting when someone “I wish some of the stores would carry the watchonly the games theythe are playing.”

CIC’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program will be investing a Canada Research Chair in the Johnson Shoyama Graduate Public vuvuzela hornsSchool so that weof could bring them to I bit my tongue. $525,171 in this 32 month project which promotes civic memory, civic pride cereal onto counter?

Howdown, often have you Thomas Edison’d the idea to put the cap at the Chelsea’s games,” said the mom who was wearing In an effort the to keep my blood pressure I Policy at the University of Regina. and integration.

Crocs. looked outthe the big window at thehole big parking lotbig and had ever cut milk bag too bottom and make it a squeeze bottle. © Troy Media “Oh, I know,” said the one wearing Birkenstocks. and scoped it out, looking for a puppy or a bird or bag that Valdezed 1.25 And how about our friends who package “Zachary has a tournament next weekend and ait collapsing anything that would pry my mind Exxon out of the shackwould have been so in the spirit of the World Cup to les that these two soccer moms had put me in with litres milk all over your kitchen floor?

Oreo cookies? I could never open a cookie have all of us blowing our vuvuzela horns. They lost theirof conversation. two-nil and then three-nil. They need all of the sup- And A busload of seniors retirement what aboutfrom thea nearby cereal? bag with that fold over twist thing and then port they can get.” home had pulled up and passengers were getting Nil? Who says nil? Really. off. I was tryingmade to, in myso head, name alladvancements of their We have many in pull out the tray, get the cookies, and shove “Oh, I know,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “The walkers as an escape.

1165 Beaverwood Rd., P.O. Box 567, Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5 packaging, but have a in.box with a folding the tray back in and close it properly. The reshorns are such a beautiful part of the South African Unfortunately, theywe pulled me back www.manotickmessenger.on.ca culture.”

“My cousin lives in Australia, and heIwas devas-never in my tab that says “Lift Here.” have tickable cookie bag flap is pure genius.

The Manotick Messenger is published every Wednesday in Manotick, Ontario. The Manotick I wanted to jump in and say something, but I tated when Germany beat them 4-nil,” said the Messenger is mailed to bona fide subscribers in Rideau and Osgoode Townships for $36. The refrained. I couldn’t do it. wearing Crocs. lifemom been able to execute lifting here. I tend to But in order to have Oreos, you need milk. publication is available by carrier for $36 or at newsstands for $1.00 per copy. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display, National and Classified rates are available on If you are unfamiliar with the vuvuzela horn, then At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. Mount rip Patience here and the And we’re back to the stupid milk bag conrequest. The Manotick Messenger is not responsible for the loss ofMain unsolicited manuscripts, photos orBox you 5567 Manotick St., P.O. 567, have not tuned into CBC over the past two eruptedthen and outdestroy came sarcasm lava.little perforated other material used for publication purposes.

If you stumble across a World Cup soccer “I saw the that match,” I said.was “I can’t believe here Aus- is supposslot that tab that lifted cept again.

Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5 weeks. game on CBC, you will hear what sounds like TRY-lier looked so insipid against Deutschland.”

Publisher: Jeffrey Morris 50,000 bees swarming the field.

They are not bees.

The mom with the crocs was not impressed. ed to tuck into. Then we get to the wax paper I remember taking a photo for a story on Managing Jeffrey Morrismanotickmessenger@gmail.com News andEditor: Editorial: The Manotick Messenger They are people blowing on cheap, plastic, gimThe mom with Birkenstock’s wasn’t either, but Reporters: McRae Publisher: Bev Jeffrey Morris Phone: 613-692-6000 bag inside the non-properly-closing box.

The a community group that collected a gazillion EsauMorris micky horns. she did acknowledge me with a response.

Managing Editor: Jeff Jeffrey is published every other Advertising and Marketing: garyhcoulombe@gmail.com Fax: 613-692-3758 Reporters: Bev McRae The funny thing about these horns is that they “Who is your team?” she quipped, condescendonly thing more predictable than Lake Neilor so milk bags and made mattresses to send FRIDAY in Manotick, OnMarketing Mgr: Gord Logan Jeff Esau have become what has defined the 2010 World Cup. ingly.

Website: www.manotickmessenger.ca email: People Letters who have been I did the thing I couldcounter do, shouting is as loud son on theonlykitchen the imminent to people in third world countries. How Cantario. willfollowing be ed-the World Cup and Office: Marketing Mgr:Angie GordDinardo Logan Advertising: advert@bellnet.ca people who have only seen 20 minutes of it in pass- as I could.

Photographer: Mike Carroccetto Editor: newsfile@bellnet.ca Staff/Contributors: Ryan Birtch, Gary Coulombe, Larry Ellis, ited cereal explosion adian is that? Could you imagine the people forcommented length,on clarity ing have these annoying yet relent“USA! USA! USA!”from my attempt to rip open Office: Angie Dinardo News/ Sports: newsfile@bellnet.ca less horns. Ironically, while the world has learned to They turned their heads in disgust. The next 45 Photographer: Mike Carroccetto Skyler Fraser, Goldie Ghamari, Carol Anne Meehan, Scott and the seconds wax paper that spray Cheerios all that got them? ‘Oh look at what the Canadians adaptlibellous these horns statements. as the one thing they now know were incredibly silentwill and awkward.

Moffatt, Jeffrey Morris, Greg Newton, Phill Potter, about South African the horns aren’t really that house, point, it was my turn. cashier into the cat Display rates are culture, available over Atthe down theThe vents, sent us. It’s a mattress and it’s made out of…

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada a part of their everyday lives. South African sports scanned my Diet Coke and V-8 Fusion, and I was Charlie Senack, Grace Thrasher. through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. on request.

The Manotick litter box and the dog’s water dish, and behind whaaaat?... Canadians drink their milk out of enthusiasts have commented that they had never all set.

Advertising deadlines: DISPLAY Thursday prior 10 am.

All layouts and comAdvertising deadlines: DISPLAY, Monday 3 p.m.; CLASSIFIED; Monday 4 p.m. seen nor heardisa vuvuzela horn at a sporting event, “Would you like plastic bags?” position advertising produced by employees ofemployees Manotick Messenger Inc. are Messenger not responAll of layouts and composition of advertisements produced by of Manotick Messenger the fridge. plastic bags?’ and that the South African people find the noise just “Yes please,” I replied. protectedInc. byarecopyright in theinpublishers the Manotick Messenger protected byinvested copyright invested the publishers of of the Manotick Messenger. as annoying theofrest of the world does. The I had never been so happy to pay five cents for a sible for the as loss unsolast time I milk-and-cereal-papered Yes we do.

Member, Ontario Community Newspaper Association Apparently, some now wealthy marketing genius plastic bag just to get the hell out there. licited phoCanadian Community Newspaper Association came upmanuscripts, with the idea to mass produce and market the walls of our kitchen, the Diva was at work It’s a dumb idea. these a World used Cup novelty. The plan Jeffrey Morris was the 2008 OCNA Columnist of tos orhorns otherasmaterial andtheI Year. hadHisitbook, cleaned up before she got home.

But we guarantee you will like our fries worked, and now the rest of the world must endure From the Other Skide, is availfor thepublication shrilling soundspurposes. of his quick buck. able atso Manotick Office Pro, Barrhaven UPS Store, Okay, the dog and two cats helped lick it with gravy and melted cheese curds.

I was just about to drift back into ADD world and and Pages in Prescott.

OPINION PAGE

CONTROLLED

Letters to the editor welcome — email newsfile@bellnet. ca or fax 692-3758

side

FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 7

MANOTICK MESSENGER

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reader gives kudos to Braid for criticisms of Poilievre’s opinions on inflation The Editor, We were happy to see Andy Braid’s excellent Letter to the Editor in the April 22nd edition of the Messenger pointing out some of the follies of Mr. Poilievre’s opinions on inflation. Of course when

Mr. P. is not blaming inflation on the Bank of Canada, he is blaming it on Mr. Trudeau, the man Conservatives love to hate, probably a better path for one aspiring to Conservative leadership. Of course, federal economic policy is in the

hands of Ms. Freeland and her colleagues at the Department of Finance whose experience and knowledge of the subject is far beyond Mr. Ps , who, to my knowledge, has never had a job outside politics or any training in economics.

One might ask him, if Canadian policy is so bad, how is it we manage to have a lower inflation rate than, the UK, the European Union, the considerable majority of its major economies, and of course, the United States, who at last

count, had an inflation rate two and a half points above ours. Of course, populists of all stripes from Trump to Putin, will follow the basic precepts of mushroom growers.

That is, keep those you wish to support you in the dark and

feed them lots of “you know what”. I guess we’ll have to wait until September 10 to discover whether Conservative voters are “mushrooms” or not.

Martin Soutter Manotick

The Editor, Boy, you can’t make this stuff up! Isn’t that great news from Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari about the Ontario PC party’s “Natural Gas Expansion Program?” It’s almost surreal to read Ghamari’s words, breathlessly bragging that thanks to the

tireless efforts of the Doug Ford government, we, “will see 11 homes and businesses...connect to natural gas for the first time.” The PCs are so excited about this initiative they even used it to stage a photo op, showing six individuals (three of whom are politicians) holding polished

chrome ceremonial shovels.

The fact that that group of six is more than half of the number of customers hooked up didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s enthusiasm. As a long-time resident of rural Ottawa--now one of the most infrastructure-deprived jurisdictions in Canada--I wel-

come any initiative to bring natural gas or fibre-optic internet to long-suffering residents, but connecting 11 customers over four years isn’t really going to cut it.

I’m reminded of the words of my grade 12 history teacher back in 1971. He was responding to a student

who asked why the Ontario PC government did almost nothing for the riding, then also known as “Carleton.”

The teacher explained that the reason for that was simply because from 1923 to the present, without exception the riding had always voted Conservative. He went on to

say that if the Liberals ever formed government in Ontario, they would never do anything for the riding for exactly the same reason.

Here we are fifty-one years later and nothing’s changed.

Andy Braid, Kars

Connecting 11 customers to natural gas over four years is not enough

Visit us on Facebook for the latest news updates. www.facebook.com/manotickmessenger www.manotickmessenger.ca

To read each issue online, search Manotick Messenger at www.issuu.com

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volleyball, and touch foot-

due to concussions, so I

by Phill Potter ball. I also enjoy traveling turned experience Grade: 12 OTHS Student Council President to coaching. It has Being a rewarding lem solving. Since the con- and learning about different given me an opportunity to

Activities/Interests: Parents: Heather and Den- cepts are“Both notinside broad, and and outside nis17Wyche of much school, Iinterpretaenjoy particiAge: there FOCUS ONisn’t pating in several tion to be done, it’s different more YOUTH sports. These include socSchool: Osgoode Township Sisters: April (20), OTHS, just problem solving, which cer, futsal, volleyball, coed High UNB Fredericton. Violet is what volleyball, footmakes and metouch enjoy

by Phill Potter ball. Ithe also most.” enjoy traveling Grade: 12 Canterbury (vocals), those classes be(20), able to submit questions in Since hour and will an update and feature learning about different lem solving. the conCarleton and University. Ivy locations and cultures.

I’ve Parents: Heather advance through Denour web ourand2021 activities and apcepts site are not on broad, (22), St. Mark, Algonquin to many places What is your Greatest there isn’t interpretaatnis Wyche www.manotickvca.org Im-muchproval of travelled the financial stateinterCollege. tion to be done,Accomplishment? it’s more and I find it very “Earnportant topics ments.

We esting will also electing how be every culture Sisters: April (20),include OTHS, improvejust problem solving, which ing the title of Student Counhas unique and UNB Fredericton.

Violet care, ments to long-term newenjoy President andtraditions Treasurer. is whataf-makesa me Pets: Two dogs, Ewok subcultures.

My favourite (20), Canterbury (vocals), cil full President atwill my school. those classes theThe most.” fordable housing, and support agenda be posted place was is Norway, Carleton University. and Pixie, and aIvycat.

The not because easy, for line Algonquin workers. What is your on ourprocess webthere site isat such www.manbeautiful (22),front St. Mark, Greatest but I persevered and made it over the country College. otickvca.org . allRefreshments Accomplishment?

“Earn- places Part-time Work: ing “Cheerand amazing hiking.

The through, even though there the title of Student will Counbe served.

MVCA Annual General next locationalong I wish to travPets: Two and dogs,tumbling Ewok cil President leading coach at my school.setbacks were the Meeting and Pixie, and a cat.

The process not easy, el to is Iceland, because it’s at Kemptville Infinity in wasway.

It has also been a very a very open country, Around the Village with but ManI persevered and made it Don’t miss out on the Kemptville.) very kind citizens, and lots rewarding accomplishment, Part-time Work: “Cheer- through, even though there I wanted to take an opporotick Village and Community to see.” so many opleading and tumbling coach were setbacks as alongI’ve the gained tunity to thank Anne RobinAssociation Annual General at Kemptville Infinity in Subjects: way. It has also been a very Favourite portunities, anddidgotten to you get as inKemptville.)on May 26 atrewarding son who has Why stepped down accomplishment, Meeting 7 p.m.

“Math and Chemistry.

I sonetwork with youth volved inother what you do? as I’ve gained many opPresident of Manotick Culture, at enjoy the Manotick Arena.

The Favourite Subjects: doing labs and prob- and like portunities, gottenmyself.” to “I got involved in Student Parksyouth andCouncil Recreation.

Annit meeting last about 30-40with other because I saw “Math andwill Chemistry.

I network an opportunity make enjoy doingfollowed labs and probat thetosame minutes by alikesocial myself.” and I wereaselected Name: Melita Wyche

Page 8 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

a difference in my school, locations and cultures. I’ve and to get a different pertravelled many places spective on all to aspects of the school. was a it cheerand I Ifind very interleader for 10 years, but I esting how every culture could no longer continue hasto unique and due concussions,traditions so I turned to coaching. My It has favourite subcultures. timemeand it has been given an opportunity to a pleasure place is Norway, because continue in the sport,her even working with on communthere is such beautiful though I can no longerAnne par- has been ity initiatives. ticipate in it.” places all over the country

continue in theMESSENGER sport, even MANOTICK though I can no longer participate in it.”

May 8 is last chance for input on Solid Waste Master Plan May 8 is the final day to complete the survey on possible components of a draft Solid Waste Master Plan for the City of Ottawa. The survey looks at options to encourage residents to recycle more goods, to improve recycling of hazardous waste, to expand waste diversion at multi-unit properties, to reduce waste at City facilities, and to generate energy from waste among other things.

Details on the 64 options that are still on the table are available on Engage Ottawa.

The short list includes 7 options for education and promotion; 16 policy options for waste collection such as single use reduction, waste diversion from City facilities, limits on garbage for collection and waste diversion fee for new construction; and 7 options for reducing or recycling including repair cafes, community reuse events, and expanding the Take It Back! Program.

For example, the City is looking at limiting the number of garbage bags that could be put out at the curb for pick up.

They are also looking at ways to make people sort out recyclable and organic waste from their garbage. Another idea is focussed on holding more community recycling events to encourage the reduction of solid waste.

The results of the survey will be used along with internal expert consultations and a financial analysis of the options under consideration. The City will also be considering any impacts from federal and provincial requirements, the impacts of consumer behaviour

VILLAGE

VOICE

by Grace Thrasher, President, Manotick Village and Community Association (MVCA)

during COVID 19 and impacts on timelines due to construction limitations or contract requirements. City staff hope to table a draft Plan in early 2023.

Update on affordable housing legislation

Thank you to those who took the time to write to our local MPP about the affordable housing legislation, Bill 109. Unfortunately, the legislation was passed with very little debate and in spite of concerns raised by municipalities and community associations. The Province now has the authority to refer Official Plans to the Ontario Land Tribunal for review and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has the authority to impose zoning provisions to facilitate development without consideration of the Official Plan or the City’s zoning by-law.

MVCA to host Carleton All Candidates Meeting

Residents of Manotick and area will soon have a chance to ask questions of the four candidates running in the upcoming provincial election. An All-Candidates meeting has been set for Tuesday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Manotick Arena The candidates include incumbent Goldie Ghamari, Liberal candidate Tom Dawson, NDP candidate Kevin St. Denis and Green candidate Cody Zulinski. Residents will

instrumental in getting key and amazing“After hiking. The Career Goals:projects community completed next location Igowish high school I hope to to to travincluding the Mahogany Dock university el to issomewhere Iceland,near because it’s and the new Centennial Park the east coast; hopefully in a very My open country, with kinesiology. top choice basketball court/outdoor hockvery are kind citizens, lots schools of and ey Brunswick rink. University Manotick has been New in St. John, to see.” lucky to have her as an active and Dalhousie in Halifax.

After that, I hope to pursue member of the community and Why didathletic you get ina Icareer in either am sure she will continue to therapy, or education.” volved in what you do? be involved.

“I got involved in Student The Manotick Culture Council After sufferingbecause numerous I saw it Parks andMelita Recreation Associaconcussions, Wyche to make as an opportunity tion tohas a couple of openings turned coaching.

PHILLBoard POTTER PHOTO for new members. If you

Career Goals: “After high school I hope to go to are interested in learning more university somewhere near about how you can volunteer to the east coast; hopefully in work with this dynamic group, kinesiology. My top choice contact Sue Hale at sue.hale@ schools are University of rogers.com New Brunswick in St. John, The Watson’s Mill Book and Dalhousie in Halifax.

Store is open for business After that, I hope to pursue again! It is open on Saturday a career in either athletic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will therapy, or education.” open seven days a week on Saturday, May 21st. You can drop off books in the front lobby on After suffering numerous weekdays from 10 am. to 4 concussions, Melita Wyche p.m. turned to coaching.

Follow on Twitter PHILLusPOTTER PHOTO@ manotickvca and Facebook and Instagram

Community Calendar Community Cale

Announcement Announcem

Plant Sale, May 28, 9 – noon Suburban Standoff, May 6- 15 Tickets are now on sale for ITR’s spring play, a story The Manotick Horticultural Society is holding its annual • Ottawa Futsal Club entering their 29th season indoor • Old Time Fiddle Music & Dance - East Osgoode Greely • Friday Night Country Music & Dance Club The Greely Legion Planinvites Sale&atwelcome Watson’stheMill. early for the along bestanselection about a home that goes awry. soccer.

Youth boys & girls,invasion women, men & coed.

Players / Performances Assoc, First Friday of each month, fourth Come of each instrument to • are Ottawa Futsal Club entering theirCentre 29thand season indoor • Old Time Fiddle Music &Friday Dance -month.

EastBring Osgoode Greely back at the Osgoode Community include of perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables, teams wanted. All skill levels. League starts October ends all Musicians, Dancers & Listeners. Greely Community play, or come in to sing, listen and dance. shrubs Admissionand is FREE. soccer.

Youth boys & girls, women, men & coed.

Players / Assoc, First Friday of each month, invites & welcome indoorinfoplants, gardening advice and Road, much evening matinee presentations. For Centre, details and April 2020.

Pleaseand go online at www.futsalottawa.com.

Greely Legion, 8021 Mitch Owens ON.more!

Information: 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely.trees, For additional details at Dancers www.manotickhorticulturalsociety.com tickets, visit:All Box Office | ITR Theatre Company 613-822-1451 or 613-826-6128.Greely Community Earlyteams bird ends September 21st skill call 613October 489-2697. ends wanted. levels.

League starts allFull Musicians, & Listeners.

Community Garage Sale, June 11, – 2 p.m. info April 2020. Please go online at www.futsalottawa.com.

Centre, 1448 Meadow Drive, Greely.

For8 additional Tuesday Dance The Greely hostsweb live music • Ottawa Newcomers Club - ForEvans women Concert, who have recently • Thursday Fun Night for adults and children. optionalto •register Don’tAnforget yourParty garage saleLegion on our siteon Kelly-Lee May 7, 7:30 pm.

Early bird ends September 21st a supper at 5:45 pm. Indoor soccer/games, call crafts, 613 or 489-2697. the 1st and 3rd Sale TuesdayMap. of eachThe monthSale from 1:00 - 4:00 moved to this area;concert, (and those who have experienced nursery for inclusion on a Community willpmalso This rescheduled from 2019, will be a pm. Bring Guide along an instrument to play, come insotowe sing, significant lifefundraiser change), and for would like tosign meetfor newManotick for ages United 0-11. Parenting course, Alpha or Growing be acourse, fundraiser for Canadian Dogs for the orBlind partial a new listen and dance.

Admission is FREE. Greely Legion, 8021 people of similar interests by joining our many group in Faith/Hearing God course for adults, 6:30 7:30 pm.

To • Ottawa Clubeach - For who concert have recently •are Thursday Fun Night tofordonate adultsa portion and children. optional asking participants of theirAn proceeds to Church.Newcomers Tickets are $50 forwomen an intimate Mitch Owens Road, ON. Information: 613-822-1451 or 613activities. More information at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca try it out contact, discipleship@trinitybiblechurch.ca them.

If you not sure about the requirements, how to organize with Juno Award winner Evans at the Church.

Limited moved to this area; (and those who have experienced a supper at 5:45 pm.

Indoor soccer/games, crafts, or nursery 826-6128. or by contacting newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com. a sale or0-11. any public health restrictions sales, seats are available so get yourand tickets earlylike by contacting significant life change), would to meet new for ages Parenting course, Alphaaround course,food or Growing FAQs are available on our web site at www.manotickvca.org Terry McGovern at mcgovet@rogers.com For free advertising for your not-for-profit community events email editor@prescottjournal.com

• Frida the fo play, Gree 613-8

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, most community events have or cancelled.Pandemic, For updates in most the Duebeen to postposed the COVID-19 com community, please visit the Manotick Messenger Facebook • Tuesd the 1 have been postposed or cancelled.

For pm.u page and the RichmondHub.ca website. people of similar interests by joining our many group in Faith/Hearing God course for adults, 6:30 - 7:30 pm. To listen

community, please visit the Manotick Messe page and the RichmondHub.ca SHUTTER COemailwe Paul’s For Pharmacy free advertising for your not-for-profit community events ed

activities.

MoreWaste information at: ottawanewcomersclub.ca try itmake out contact, discipleship@trinitybiblechurch.ca Thanks to the volunteers these events possible YOMA offers weekly activities for local youth at Hazardous Depot, May 7, all 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.and sponsors who ~ Western Red Cedar or byYou contacting newcomersclubottawa@gmail.com. can get rid of your hazardous waste (old gas the~ Manotick Community Centre. Something different CREEK STEVENS CREEK cans, oil paint cans, chemical waste) at the upcoming every week.

There are Pre-Teen STEVENS nights for youth in Where

Mitc 826-6

Quality Grades 4-6.Cedar Drop-Ins for youth age 12-17. Sign up for Is a Family electronic updates, check out their website at www.yoma.

Tradition We have temporarily ca or follow them onSHADES Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. suspended operations Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who make thesedue events For Your Home Renovations to COVID19 SHUTTERS

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 9

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Ghamari announces new elementary schools for Riverside South and Findlay Creek

By Charlie Senack The Ontario government has announced two new elementary schools will soon be built in the community to help with overcrowding.

The total investment of $34.4 million dollars will see a new Catholic elementary school built in Riverside South, and a new public elementary school in Findlay Creek. Both will include two licensed childcare rooms.

Once built the $15.2 million Riverside South school will house 507 student spaces and 39 licensed childcare spots.

The new Findlay Creek school, 6.3 acres in size, comes with a price tag of $19.2 million. It will include 674 student spaces and 39 licensed child care spaces.

Land for the school has already been chosen and will be located at the north west corner of Brian Good Avenue and Solarium Ave, which is south of Earl Armstrong.

Carleton MP Goldie Ghamari announced the news during a press conference at nearby Vimy Ridge Public School on April 21. Since being elected four years ago, Ghamari has fought and succeeded in having nine new schools funded in her riding.

Ghamari said she learned about overcrowding concerns last fall, and then pressured the province’s Education minister to invest more in the community. Having this announcement come six months later, she believes it’s

a record.

“Building public schools is one of my top local priorities. I am thrilled that the Ontario Government has approved funding to build a second public elementary school in Findlay Creek, and Riverside South,” Ghamari said. “These are not just investments in bricks and mortar, our government is investing in the future of Ontario’s children by creating modern, state of the art schools so that all children can have a better learning environment in these growing communities.”

Education minister Stephen Lecce was not at Thursday’s announcement, but said in a statement the province is investing nearly $500 million to support new school and child care spaces.

“We are building new schools, building more affordable child care spaces, and building hope and opportunity for Ontario students as they learn in more normal and safer classrooms,” Lecce wrote. “We believe that students deserve to learn in-person in state-of-the-art facilities that are internet connected, accessible, with modern ventilation systems, which is why our government is delivering a major investment that accelerates construction to get it done for parents, students, and communities.

Schools to help with overcrowding In late 2021 it was announced that Vimy Ridge

Manotick

Public School was considering transferring over their grade 7 and 8 students to Steve MacLean Public School in Riverside South to help with overcrowding they were facing. That would mean kids would be getting their education roughly 10 kilometres away from home.

It was just one of multiple options the Ottawa Carleton District School Board was considering, and it didn’t sit well with parents.

By the 2022-2023 school year, Vimy Ridge is expected to be at around 200 per cent capacity. The school currently has 18 portable classrooms and will be getting five more next school year.

Kaveeta Agwani, who is chair of Vimy Ridge’s parent council and has two children at the school, is excited to see this new school built to help with overcrowding concerns.

“I am a community member who has been watching a fast growing community with only one school at almost twice its capacity and bursting at the seams,” she said.

Agwani was among multiple parents to share their frustrations when the board began debating the transfer of students.

“It came as a shock to everyone,” she said. ‘Though I was glad that the overcrowding was finally being acknowledged, I was not happy about the option of moving them.

This would have affected our kids soon enough.”

Aahmed Fawal, Vimy Ridge’s co-parent council

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari visited Vimy Ridge Elementary School April 21 and announced funding for new elementary schools in Findlay Creek and Riverside South.

Manotick Messenger photo

chair, was at the breaking ground ceremony for the school in 2016. His two children attend the school and are currently learning in portable classrooms.

“It is not an ideal situation, there is no running water or easy access to washrooms,” he said. “The school yard has been consumed by portables.”

A new public school in Findlay Creek was listed as fourth place on the capital priorities list. This February, Vimy Ridge’s parent council was able to have it moved to first place, resulting in this recent funding announcement.

With thousands of new homes going up yearly in Findlay Creek, it’s one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario, nearing 7,000 homes.

“This is really excit-

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ing news and it shows what teamwork can do,” said Vimy Ridge School Principal Cheryl Sevigny. “When Vimy ridge was first built, our school board recognized that we were going to need two schools in Findlay creek just to service all of our students, and now that it has

become reality, I’m just so grateful.”

It’s unclear when the two new schools will have shovels in the ground, or when they will open for enrollment. Ghamari said if the Ottawa Catholic school was built a year ago, it was slated to open in 2023.

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Page 10 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

A Mother’s Day recollection: What is home to us?

As Mother’s Day rolls around again let us centre our thoughts on “home.”

What is “home” to us?

Is it the place where we grumble the most and are treated the best? Is it a place where we hang our caps and have our meals? Home is a friendly place, home is an anchor, the resting place for the heart. Home is the

THis week,

THIS MONTH

by Larry Ellis

place of peace; the shelter from injury, terror, doubt, and division; a sacred place, often like a temple!

Home has a woman’s per-

Tickets still available for Richmond Lions Club annual Duck Race May 14 Members of the Richmond Lions Club were on hand at King’s Your Independent Grocer last week to sell tickets for their 14th annual duck race, which takes place Sat., May 14 at the McBean Street bridge at 12 noon. As part of the event, the Lions Club is also holding a BBQ in the park off York Street. First prize is $700, second prize is $500,

and third prize is $300.

Tickets can be acquired by sending an etransfer to richmondlions19@gmail.com, with your name, address, email and phone number.

For the security question “Who are we?”, the security answer is “Lions1”. Tickets can also be purchased from any Richmond Lions Club member. For more information, call (613) 299-0249.

sonality stamped all over it, she creates an atmosphere - the comfort, rest and arrangement of the home are largely her doing. The early training of children, hearing first prayers, teaching Bible stories, planning little parties all seem to come by Mother.

Maybe you are like me - I like to sometimes think of home during childhood years - and later too, sure they may have been a while ago, but memory is such a wonderful thing - the recollections come back pretty easily. Long years have passed, yet there remains a chain that binds me to the past, childhood memories that were made to last - and did.

Mother was a happy person, not that she didn’t have her share of trials and

tribulations, but she had faith and a golden humour, she mastered all situations in life. She was a great person, small in stature but large on life and had within her that truth and strong

faith in God. Her favourite book was the Bible followed by the Hymn Book.

She enjoyed “The Craigs” of the Farm Broadcast on radio and “The Family Herald and Weekly Star” news-

paper with Greg Clark; of years gone by. Mother loved flowers, music, poetry, birds, animals, people and they loved her back.

Mother was a good friend.

Schouten Corner View Farms becomes a sponsor 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.

Schouten Corner View Farms Ltd. is proud to partner with other local businesses to see this pro-

ject completed. Schouten Corner View Farms Ltd. humble origins began in 1952 when Bill and Wilhelmina Schouten immigrated from Holland. Having purchased their first farm in 1953 their hard work, dedication and desire of three of their seven children to participate in the family business led to a number of expansions with tremendous growth

including many industry innovations throughout the following generations.

Today Ed Schouten and daughter Jessica along with her husband Ben Forman are the present day owners of Schouten Corner View Farms Ltd. For more information on the Richmond Community Pavilion and on how you can contribute please visit richmondlegacy.ca

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

Building outdoors?

Choose Western red cedar, naturally!

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 613-489-3735 North Gower

Monday - Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH 1138 Bridge Street, Manotick –Serving South Barrhaven, riverSide South and Manotick–

Sunday Worship 8:15 & 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Protocols in place see website for details) Live & Posted via YouTube

“A Christian community joyfully serving & growing in God’s love”

(Elevator Access Provided) Church Office 613-692-2082 The Reverend Kerri Brennan e-mail office@stjames-manotick.ca Web site: www.stjames-manotick.ca

admin@manotickunitedchurch.com www.manotickunited.com 613-692-4576

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

FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 11

MANOTICK MESSENGER

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Page 12 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

SHOP LOCAL Hearing Freedom caters to the needs of each individual patient 528 Ann Street, Manotick (613) 692-7375

Shop Local by Krysia Kurylowicz When a young Rosanne McNamee graduated in 2001, she was discouraged in her quest to find work in her chosen field. Everywhere she applied, she found out that clinics were imposing quotas and limiting the choice of product depending on which manufacturer they were representing. When discussing her frustrations with her parents, they suggested she start her own clinic where the product source would be based on patient need. That is how Rosanne founded Hearing Freedom.

Without direct ties to any given manufacturer, this clinic offers the best solution to any given

hearing problem by utilizing a broad spectrum of products that can be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Hearing Freedom is also the only locally owned clinic in the area.

Rosanne has an exceptional team of experienced and qualified audiologists including Isabelle, Catherine and Claudia as well as two support staff Marie-Josée and Lyn. The goal is always to provide the best possible hearing solution for every patient and to maintain quality and satisfaction for the long term.

Hearing loss is one of those conditions that often progresses slowly over time. Consequently, it is now recommended that everyone have an as-

sessment every five years beginning with infant screening. Hearing loss is also the leading modifiable risk factor for dementia, and so, Hearing Freedom is equipped with a new computer based cognitive screening tool.

This glimpse into the cognitive abilities is part of the complete adult assessment protocol, giving everyone a baseline that can filter into their overall health.

One of the most amazing patient based perks Rosanne has implemented is the ability to provide patients with cost-free, commitmentfree demo hearing aids to use at their own discretion in order to truly experience the wonderful devices now available.

Technology has come

a long way over the years. There is now an 80 percent satisfaction rate in the industry! No one needs to sit alone in the corner because they can’t make out what people are talking about.

There is something for

every problem and every budget.

We take our hearing for granted. I for one will be heading down to Hearing Freedom to establish how well these priceless parts of me have fared over the years. I know

Carol Anne Meehan

City Councillor • Ward 22 • Gloucester-South Nepean

Support our local businesses! #ShopLocal contact me

carolanne.meehan@o�awa.ca 613-580-2424 ext. 17022 Subscribe to my newsle�er: www.carolannemeehan.com

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 13

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Dickinson Days set to be Manotick’s first big event in two years

By Kassia Skorzewska The Manotick Business Improvement Area (BIA) has had to hold off on holding events in two years due to COVID, and this year, are starting to get back into having events on.

“We are looking to move forward with everything as per usual prior to the pandemic. We’ve put all the annual events into our budget for 2022,” said Donna Smith, the executive director of the Manotick BIA. “So, we’re feeling very optimistic that we can move forward with these events that are very important to our business community,” she added.

The first event set to occur is the Dickinson Days in June, which will take place on June 3,4, and 5.

“This event has taken place over 36 years,” said Smith.

“It is happening the same as it has in the past,

with the parade on Friday, the children’s show following the parade, and then wrapping up Friday evening with fireworks. And then moving forward into Saturday, we are planning to do the same activities as in the past, starting with the pancake breakfast in Dickinson Square, and then the Family Varieties show, the Crafter’s Market and everything else,” she added.

With different COVID variants around, and with a new one taking precedence, the Manotick BIA will be closely monitoring the situation, and if need be, will postpone any events.

“At this time, we’re playing it by ear. We just had a meeting yesterday and there isn’t anything specific at this time that we’re putting in place,” said Smith.

Putting on an event in two years is huge, and Smith is looking forward to seeing people on the streets again.

“It’s a positive message

The Manotick BIA is hoping that Dickinson Days can return to its popularity of 201 and previous years.

Manotick BIA photo

with some hope, like looking forward, and bringing villagers and residents out to the village, giving them a reason to come, and showing everybody what we’ve got here,” said Smith.

“I’m looking forward to putting energy back onto the streets, and showing everything that Manotick has to offer, and positioning the village as a destination and something unique,” she

added.

As a historical village with a main street and many villages that are independent and unique to the Ottawa area, Smith is excited to showcase the Manotick

BIA again.

“One of our messages is we’re a vibrant village, and we like to put feet to the street, so following that theme, that’s where we’re headed,” said Smith.

SHOP LOCAL

Manotick

“Thank you for supporting your community-minded, locally-owned hardware store. It is your support that Open: allows us to give back THE MEWS OF MANOTICK Monday - Saturday 8-6 to the community.”

Sunday 9-5

613-692-3591

Visit us on Facebook for the latest news updates.

www.facebook.com/manotickmessenger

www.manotickmessenger.ca

To read each issue online, search Manotick Messenger at www.issuu.com

Page 14 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

City Hall is Facing Anything but Smooth Sailing The last few years have been tumultuous at City Hall, and COVID is not the primary reason. COVID has added to many challenges, however, the City has fared extremely well given that the provincial and federal governments have bailed them out to the tune of hundreds of millions of tax dollars. This has papered over the cracks, but it hasn’t solved them. The next term of Council will look very different from this one. We will have a new mayor, and several new councillors.

Roads, garbage, LRT, fixing community infrastructure, transit & community safety are all hotbutton items that have been simmering at City Hall.

Same old concerns, same old inaction.

After twelve years, Ottawa has a real chance to change how it provides

these important city services to its taxpayers and residents.

The route of these many issues, is what some might call the root of all evil, money!

There never seems to be enough of it. Have you tried to contact the City in the past about an important local concern, only to be told it can’t be fixed because it is not in the budget?

On paper, our City appears to be a sound financial manager with strong fiscal discipline, but in reality, we are stretched thin. City spending continued to sore over the past decade. The

approved 2022 budget being well in excess of $4.5 billion. All of that spending predestined years ago by one of the many “plans” that have been cooked up.

I’m not saying that planning is bad, because it isn’t.

Good planning is essential to delivering effective programs and services. The issue we have, is once these plans are in place, they are treated as sacred, almost gospel if you will. Good

plans allow flexibility. They allow for changes to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

Have you seen new sidewalks, traffic lights, community centers and parks in and around new communities when massive subdivisions are built?

Likely not. These are core concerns that residents have in our growing communities, but if the plan doesn’t call for it, or there isn’t any money, you are out of luck.

The other dirty secret that impacts everything mentioned above is the City’s addiction to debt. It’s a tough addiction to beat and we have no plans to quit. In 12 years. Ottawa has managed to pile up more debt than we ever have. The total cost of this debt with principal and interest payments is over $7.5 billion dollars with no signs of slowing down. At some point, council will have to pump

the brakes. You can’t borrow your way to prosperity, and every dollar we borrow today, reduces our ability to invest in our communities tomorrow. Afterall, the hedge funds and bond holders are looking for returns on their investment.

The next council will have to look at ways to continue to progress on our priorities, while cutting back on debt and tightening up its spending.

www.manotickmessenger.ca Visit us on Facebook for the latest news updates. www.facebook.com/manotickmessenger

To read each issue online, search Manotick Messenger at www.issuu.com

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 15

MANOTICK MESSENGER

We all pay for transit, but we don’t all pay the same To begin, I wanted to address some concerns I have received recently regarding a discussion about increased property taxes due to Council considering “free” transit. In recent months, we have provided transit at no charge to customers for one month. Of course, there is a cost to that.

Given the situation with the LRT system, we assessed the costs of the “free” month to the LRT contractor as per our project agreement. This has led to increased talk of providing permanent access to our transit system without fares.

To make this clear, this term of Council is not voting on this. Our Transit Commission, though, has asked for a report to get the full picture of what this means. As it stands, we all pay something for transit in Ottawa. However, we don’t all pay the same. There are three transit rates in Ottawa that appear on your property taxes as either the Urban Transit Area, Rural Transit Ar-

WARD 21 REPORT

by Councillor Scott Moffatt

ea-A or Rural Transit Area-B. The UTA pays the full share because the urban area is provided full access to transit service. In rural communities like Manotick and Richmond, we receive partial service and pay accordingly for that service. Rural residents don’t necessarily pay for urban transit rather we pay for the service we get. Outside of those area, where no transit exists, residents fall in that Area B and only pay for Para Transpo.

That property tax portion of transit covers approximately 55% of the total costs of operating OC Transpo annually.

The other 45% is covered by fares. If we eliminated fares, we would have to find another way to cover the 45%.

We have recently heard comments regarding the Federal Government contributing to operating costs of transit as well. If that were to occur, it would mean that municipal taxpayers would not necessarily see an increase. However, if the municipality did want to go in a direction of fare-free transit, we need to know the costs. That is why the Commission asked for that information.

I fully expect this to come up during the upcoming election and for the conversation to take place during the next term. Montreal and Boston are two other cities that are having similar conversations currently. When that information report becomes available, I will be sure to provide an update.

My Para Transpo Speaking of transit, Para Transpo customers now have more self-service options to book and track trips. Today, OC Transpo launched the new My Para Transpo online appli-

cation.

With this new application, Para Transpo customers can now: • Book a next-day trip • Cancel a booked trip • Track the location of a vehicle for an imminent trip • Manage their customer profile information The browser-based application is mobile friendly and can accommodate various device platforms.

My Para Transpo has been developed in collaboration with Para Transpo customers. Since December 2020, a working group of customers

has been testing the application and an early adopters’ group has been piloting the service since July 2021.

My Para Transpo will continue to improve as new functions are added and technology improves. Future releases will include enhancements requested through customer feedback, including functionality that allows designated support persons and institutions to book or cancel trips on behalf of their clients or loved ones, customer notifications for upcoming trips, and a downloadable mobile application.

To ensure a seamless transition to My Para Transpo, the existing web forms that have been available to customers for bookings and cancellations will be maintained for an overlap period of 12 weeks.

To learn more about OC Transpo’s My Para Transpo online application, you can visit octranspo.com.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please feel free to email me at Scott.

Moffatt@ottawa.ca or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.

For information on Ward 21 issues, please visit TeamTwentyOne.ca.

Register for the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Commission's Public Meetings The Commission invites the public to share their views on the light rail transit system.

May 25 and 26, 2022 | 7 - 9PM (EST) Shaw Centre, 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa To learn more and register to attend the meetings and deliver a statement, visit www.ottawalrtpublicinquiry.ca/public-meetings. The meetings can be watched on the Commission's website and on Rogers channels 22 (EN) and 23 (FR).

You can also contact the Commission at info@OLRTpublicinquiry.ca or by calling 1-833-5971955 if you have any general enquiries or to submit information that will serve the Commission's investigation.

We’ve reopened our doors with safety in mind.

Please help us keep our shoppers and team members safe by wearing a mask and following physical distancing guidelines in the store. We appreciate the opportunity to

Page 16 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Whistleblower sounds alarm over RVCA’s permission to Caivan to develop near Jock

By Charlie Senack

A former City of Ottawa whistleblower is sounding the alarm on changes to the flood plain near the Jock River.

On April 14, Ottawa’s planning committee approved developer Caivan’s request to build 942 houses in a new subdivision north of Barnsdale Road in what is still a rural area on the southern edge of Barrhaven.

The land, 66.6 hectares in size east of Borrisokane Road near the Jock River, will see 701 detached homes and 241 townhomes. They will be built offsite at a nearby manufacturing facility which just opened.

In 2019, Caivan asked the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority for a permit to make alterations to the site. It would remove land in some areas to create volume for water, and other areas would be filled in for development. That would allow for homes to be built on a portion of land which was part of the old flood plain.

For the RVCA, it’s the largest volume of fill request to

ever land their desk at 407,000 square feet.

The RVCA said the application met their high criteria, and would not have been approved “If they didn’t have a high degree of confidence that the tests under the Conservation Authorities Act had been met,” according to Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s director of science and planning, Glen McDonald.

McDonald appeared at planning committee to reassure councillors on the changes to the flood plain, and answer any questions they had.

But while he had high confidence in the altercations, not everyone agreed.

City engineer Ted Cooper presented to the committee as a private citizen, sharing his worry about how the situation was handled, and ramifications that could follow.

“What the fill permit has done is rewarded the developer with an unprecedented flood plain development opportunity, while placing residents and their properties in (GloucesterSouth Nepean) at unknown

Caivan will be developing an area north of Barnsdale Road off Borrisokane Road.

risk,” he said.

In the early 2000’s, Cooper was concerned that a development in Kanata near the Carp River could be at risk of flooding, despite many city officials saying the land in question would remain dry. The error was blamed on a prediction error caused by coding in a computer model.

The city engineer and stormwater expert was terminated by the City of Ottawa in

2013, but fought for his job back and won. Now taking the stand again, Gloucester-South Nepean councillor Carol Anne Meehan called it a brave move.

“What you are doing as a member of the city staff is pretty brave actually,” Meehan told Cooper. “You are coming out and challenging the staff reports.”

Cooper believes that in this case Caivan has not laid out the typical ponds to manage the

Charlie Senack photo

stormwater and hold runoff, a problem that could be made worse after snowmelt in the spring. He wanted the RVCA to finish a subwatershed study they drafted before the rezoning was approved.

His concerns aren’t regarding flooding at the new development site, but east of the river in Hearts Desire.

“I believe the Hearts Desire community dates back to the 1970’s, so it was constructed

before the province adopted a policy-based system,: said Cooper. “Likely parts of that development wouldn’t have been allowed to be built, (and) in fact there are some lots on Goodwood (Drive) that are in the 100 year floodplain. Those residents had the right to object to having to take on water that once occupied the lands upstream.”

whistleblower

continues on page 17

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 17

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Manotick Art Association’s Inspiration Art Show has successful return ByManotickMessengerStaff

After a two-year hiatus, the Manotick Art Association was once again able to hold its Inspirations Art Show as a live and in-person event.

The show took place at the Manotick Curling Club April 22-24. The vernissage held on the opening evening was not held this year, but for the rest of the weekend, it was business as

usual for the local artists.

Admission was free, with donations to Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind accepted at the door. Music was provided by pianists Scott Voelzing and mark Allen, fiddle player Chad Wolfe, and jazz trio Velvet Touch throughout the weekend.

The turnout for the event was good throughout the weekend.

“It is great for everyone

out to have the show in person again rather than online,” said Jaynie Coulterman of the Manotick Art Association. “We weren’t sure what to expect but everyone has been very positive. People have really enjoyed being here in person again.”

A portion of the proceeds from the event were donated to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation.

whistleblower continues from page 16 Due to climate change Cooper said there will be an increase in rainfall during the spring, but he is most concerned about an inch or two of rain occurring during the spring freshet, which can last anywhere from one to two weeks on the Jock River. That mixed with uncontrolled runoff could cause erosion during a vulnerable time, he said.

Experts Validated Caivans Plan

In their defense, Frank Cairo, the CEO of Caivan, said 42 experts looked at the file, and no development would take place in the new land now labeled as part of the flood plain.

“To allege that we

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haven’t considered erosion, to allege that we haven’t considered storm water management, to allege that we don’t have a sub-watershed study, those are all complete (and) factually incorrect statements,” he argued.

Once built, the development will be among the first of its kind in Ottawa. Cairo says that architecture is being reinvented with urban design streetscape patterns. It will also include one of the biggest river restoration projects that exist in this region, and will replant the agricultural edge of the Jock River which is currently in an erosive state.

During the nearly three hour-long planning committee meet-

ing, councillors were shown drawings of what the community will look like once complete. Walkways, trails, parks, forest, and a turtle bank will be part of the riverfront complex. An artistic rendering also showed families skating on the river in the winter with a bonfire nearby.

The houses themselves feature many triangular elements, wood paneling, large windows, and are mainly gray in colour.

Caivan has also filed another application for 1,000 additional homes to be built in a future phase of the Conservancy development. It will be located west of Borrisokane near Highway 416 on 67 hectares of land.

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Page 18 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

City Stream Watch welcoming volunteers after two-year break Ready to make a splash as you help your local environment?

You’re in luck: after a twoyear pause, the City Stream Watch program is finally back – with a lot of catching up to do.

The RVCA-led program has monitored Ottawa’s 25 urban and rural creeks and streams since 2003, relying on enthusiastic volunteers to help with annual garbage clean-ups, invasive species removals, fish and water sampling, habitat assessments and shoreline naturalization

projects.

But all of that came to a grinding halt in the spring of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic limited RVCA’s ability to welcome volunteers to help conduct this crucial work.

Two years is a long time to go without any maintenance (remember your pandemic haircut!) and now RVCA is keen to catch up with as many volunteer clean-ups and monitoring sessions as possible throughout the warmer months.

Garbage clean-ups will be

plentiful this season, according to RVCA aquatic biologist Jennifer Lamoureux.

She said the city’s creeks are suffering from two years’ worth of trash that has blown in from nearby neighbourhoods and roads.

“These urban waterways need special attention to remain clean and healthy habitats for the many fish and other aquatic species that live there,” Lamoureux said.

“Some of these areas are highly built up, so we need to ensure the habitat that exists is actually liveable for all of

the fish, frogs, turtles and waterfowl that rely on it.”

Volunteer groups will be needed on a variety of weekends to help clean up their neighbourhood streams, from Nepean to Orleans to Barrhaven and everywhere in between.

As well, the program is seeking a team of dedicated citizen scientists who can help staff measure water temperatures, assess shoreline and instream habitat characteristics and monitor local fish populations. This work will be limited to four

waterways across the city this year: Sawmill Creek in South Keys, Black Rapids Creek in Nepean, Cardinal Creek in Orleans and Barrhaven Creek in Barrhaven.

Monitoring efforts rotate annually between the 25 urban and rural streams, and this set hasn’t been monitored for more than six years. Volunteers will help staff collect this crucial data on dozens of sections of each stream between May and October.

Interested volunteers can sign up at www.rvca.ca/volunteer/city-stream-watch

or email citystreamwatch@ rvca.ca.

An orientation will take place May 28. RSVPs are required for all events.

The City Stream Watch Program is a communitybased partnership which includes the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, Heron Park Community Association, Ottawa Flyfishers Society, Rideau Roundtable, Canadian Forces Fish and Game Club, Ottawa Stewardship Council, City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission.

Police introduce Rural West area Off-Road vehicles Safety Project West Frontline Patrol officers, Suburban West Neighborhood Resource Team (NRT) and members of the Marine, Dive, and Trails Unit (MDT) continue education and enforcement with drivers of off-road vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) throughout rural areas.

Since early April, our focus is on ensuring that riders are following applicable laws, respecting the trails, and enjoying their vehicles safely.

More specifically, ensuring that off-road vehicles are be-

ing operated off-road and in authorized areas.

Last weekend, officers actively patrolled the rural West area of our City, specifically the areas of Constance Bay, Dunrobin, Carp and the Marlborough Forest and surrounding area. They had numerous interactions with off road vehicle users and residents of these areas. Provincial Offences Notices (PON) were issued, and several off-road vehicles were removed from the roadways.

The Ottawa Police Ser-

vice would like to remind the population that when driving your off-road vehicle on a trail, you would not expect and would not be prepared to react to a tractor trailer crossing your path. The same applies if you decide to drive your off-road vehicle on the roadway. Not only is it unsafe, but it is illegal under both the Ontario Highway Traffic Act and City of Ottawa By-law No. 2019-421. The only exception to this is a limited number of roads identified here and located in Osgoode

(Ward 20).

In order to use these roads, you need to be a member of the Nation Valley All-Terrain Vehicle Club (NVATVC).

The Ottawa Police urges off-road vehicle operators to stay off the roadway and use their vehicles safely in permitted trails and properties.

Some safety tips to keep in mind: - Wear an approved helmet and appropriate protective clothing.

- Take a course to learn proper off-road vehicle oper-

ation and maintenance. Visit the Canada Safety Council for a list of available courses.

- Read your owner’s manual before operating your off-road vehicle and be sure to follow safe operating procedures.

- Do not consume alcohol or drugs prior to or during operation of your off-road vehicle - Do not operate your off-road vehicle at excessive speeds.

- Choose appropriate speeds based on the terrain,

visibility, conditions and your experience.

Visit the Canadian Quad Council’s website for training and accredited courses, as well as additional safety information at quadcouncil.ca.

This safety project will continue over the next few weekends throughout the rural areas and is in response to community concerns. Police have received numerous complaints regarding offroad vehicles being operated on prohibited roadways and properties.

Visit us on Facebook for the latest news updates.

www.facebook.com/manotickmessenger

www.manotickmessenger.ca

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 19

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Richmond Royals looking to build for next Junior B hockey season

By Kassia Skorzewska Following a season which included a six-week shutdown halfway through due to COVID in the province, the Richmond Royals Junior B hockey team are now in their off-season and looking ahead to next season.

“We really believe that we have the players in place now to work towards that, we have a few holes that we need to fill and are working on that right now,” said Roger Chapman, the general manager of the Royals.

Among numerous injuries to members of the team, including one to the number one centre, the Richmond Royals had plenty of guys who stepped up throughout the season.

“We had a good group, and I think everybody would agree that we were able to have some fun,” said Chapman.

A few noticeable players, according to Chapman, were Curran Gilmour, Ryan Sullivan, Robbie Disilvestro, and Jackson Dallaire.

Gilmour was the captain

of the Royal this season, scoring 15 goals and notching 20 assists on his way to 35 points.

“Gilmour, was, in my opinion, our most valuable player this year. He’s certainly one of the top defencemen in the league, he did a great job keeping the guys positive in the room, even during losing streaks,” said Chapman.

Dallaire, a player who came from the AA program in Nepean, was a player who the Royals didn’t have on their radar before he came. He scored seven goals and notched eight assists throughout 41 games played.

“He progressed to the point where he was our top line centre,” said Chapman.

The Royals also had two sixteen-year-olds on their team this year, as teams are allowed to have no more than two.

Disilvestro was the Royals top prospect they were pursuing to sign, and as an affiliate, he played eight games this season, scoring two goals and notching four assists.

“We saw a lot of promise in his game. He’s a physical player, he puts 100% effort in at all times when he’s on the ice, and he’s very positive in the dressing room, and he’s the type of player we’re looking for to play on the Royals,” said Chapman.

Sullivan was the other 16-year-old, and as a player they did sign, he came onto the team as a rookie this season.

Sullivan scored seven goals and notched seven assists in 34 games played.

“He was one of our most productive players.

He works his butt off every game, he’s a positive guy in the room, contributed offensively, and he was a guy we leaned on in any situation whether it be power play or penalty kill,” said Chapman.

“All in all, I think the players worked hard, and we missed out on the playoffs by a few points,” he added.

The team will be losing six players as they age out of the league.

“Some of the seniors finishing up high school still

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have to make decisions on where they’re going to go to university, so we may lose another one or two that make decisions to go away,” said Chapman.

The team is in discussions with several players, and will be trying to sell their program to them over the off-season.

“We’ve got a couple already, kids we’ve had affiliated this year from the U18 program, so that’s encouraging. They enjoyed their experience with us enough so that they’ve agreed to sign and play with us next year,” said Chapman.

Royals GM Roger Chapman said that Curran Gilmour (44) was the team’s top player during the 2021-22 season.

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Page 20 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Australian Rules Football Returns with the Annual Pony Platter May 14 Australian Football, also known as footy, returns to Manotick at the Ottawa Polo Club on May 14th with the 2022 Pony Platter.

The annual Men’s and Women’s games have traditionally served as a preseason match between the Ottawa Swans and the Quebec Saints.

This year’s tournament will welcome the Nova Scotia Lions for the first time.

After a difficult two years where opportunities to play were limited by the pandemic, local players are looking forward to hitting the field again this summer.

“It’s been challenging for us to keep building the sport when we haven’t been able to play regular games,” said Swans President and Women’s Head Coach Yaser Elenein. “We’re really excited to welcome Quebec and Nova Scotia to •Manotick and continue to grow footy across Eastern Canada.”

Despite the challenges, the Swans have found new and creative ways to introduce people to the sport.

Last year, the club introduced AusKick, the first junior program aimed at children between the ages of 5 and 12. Following a successful round of sessions last fall, this year’s program will be

expanded to serve youth in both the east and west ends of Ottawa.

The club has also worked hard to keep players engaged by hosting regular training sessions, club events, and social nights. They even managed to host a Men’s and Women’s game against Quebec late last summer.

“The footy community is unlike any other,” Men’s Head Coach Greg Bridges explained. “From the volunteers and supporters to the players themselves, there’s an incredible passion for the game.”

The Ottawa Swans play games in Manotick throughout the summer, and anyone is welcome to try the sport or come and watch. To learn more, follow the Ottawa Swans Australian Football Club on social media or at www.ottawaswans.com.

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 21

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Hastings crosses the line first in 49th annual Jock River Race

By Manotick Messenger Staff For the first time since 2019, the annual Jock River Race took place between Munster and Richmond, Sat. April 16.

A total of 175 boats took place in the event.

Kayaker Warren Hastings was the first to cross the finish line in 56 minutes and 52 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of second place finisher Jeff Brainard, who was also in the men’s solo kayak division.

Bonnie Pankiw and Sarah Lessard finished fourth overall, and were the first of 81 canoe tandems to cross the line in 59 minutes and 32 seconds.

Gunther Krasbaur was the fastest in the men’s solo canoe division in 1:05:55. Laurie Baker was first in the women’s solo

kayak division in 1:13:24.

Sophie Coupal and Sarah Lavictoire were first in the mixed tandem canoe category in 1:01:44.

Brent Schmidt was first in the SUP men category in 1:09:27.

The race organizing committee expressed thanks to the Recreation Association Canoe Camping Club (RACCC) who has helped out the Jock River Race for 20 years with Sweep and Safety boats. They are all trained and capable whitewater paddlers, three of which are white water instructors. They brought far north paddling experience, first aid capable, Advanced Wilderness First Aid, river rescue training and even racing experience.

The RACCC is a diverse and inclusive canoe club for adults and families.

They have over 270 mem-

Theo Mallett and Joanna Falloon finished 14th overall, and third in the tandem mixed canoe category of the Jock River Race April 16.

Manotick Messenger photo ber of all ages and skill levels, over 250 events each year offered through

flatwater, whitewater and family programs as well as numerous training op-

portunities. You can find out more on their website http://raccc.ca.

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Page 22 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

St. Mark plays in Ottawa’s first high school girls lacrosse game

By Manotick Messenger Staff The St. Mark Lions hosted the first high school girls lacrosse game ever played in Ottawa last week.

The girls lacrosse team is new, and the school has become the first in the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association to start a girls lacrosse program. Boys lacrosse has been an NCSSAA sport for more than 20 years, but girls lacrosse has never been offered.

“We started the program in 2020, but because of COVID, we were not able to play until this year,” said long time local lacrosse coach Dan Leduc.

On Thursday, April 28, St. Mark hosted Everest Academy of Vaughn and Albert College of Belleville. The teams played mini games against each other

in the morning, before St. Mark played Albert in a full, regulation lacrosse game in the afternoon.

“Everest is one of the top three high school girls lacrosse teams in the province, and they have several girls heading to NCAA schools on scholarship to play lacrosse,” Leduc said.

The event marked the second time in the last three years that St. Mark has been trailblazers in Ottawa for developing high school girls teams in traditional boys sports. In 2019, St. Mark introduced high school girls football. While they did not have anyone to play against, they had enough players to field two full teams, and they played an intrasquad game at TD Place Stadium.

This year, the Lions girls football team will be playing a game against St. Joseph High School.

Leduc has been coach-

ing lacrosse in the area since 1982. He has coached many of the area’s top players who have gone on to play college and professional lacrosse.

He has a daughter who plays on the team.

“There are girls playing lacrosse at the club level, but Ottawa has never had high school girls lacrosse,” Leduc said. “In Ontario, girls high school lacrosse is growing.

The Oshawa area alone has 17 teams playing.”

Women’s lacrosse is also available at the university level in Ontario.

There are nine universities with women’s teams in the OUA (Ontario University Athletics). Lacrosse has always been a big college sport south of the border, and Leduc says women’s lacrosse is the fastest growing NCAA sport.

Like in hockey, girls lacrosse is non-contact.

Leduc said it’s an easy and

inexpensive sport to participate in. The St. Mark team receives no money from the school and is self-funded.

Because of the cost of buses, the team has been limited in its ability to travel for games or tournaments. COVID-19 has also made it difficult to get a schedule.

For next season, all 23 of the St. Mark players are back in school, and Leduc is hoping to give his team more game action. Section 10 in New York State has a high school girls lacrosse league with teams in Ogdensburg, Massena, Heuvelton, Canton, Potsdam and throughout the area. He would also like to take his team to Queen’s in Kingston or St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY to watch a university girls lacrosse game.

“With a lot of the border restrictions being phased out, that will give the team opportunities to play more

The St. Mark Lions girls lacrosse team played their first ever game last week, hosting Albert College of Belleville.

Manotick Messenger photo

teams and to be exposed to girls lacrosse at a higher level,” he said.

There is one tournament Leduc is eyeing for his team.

“We would like to represent the National cap-

ital association at OFSAA next year,” referring to the provincial high school girls championships. “We are the only team in the NCSSAA, so it would be great to take the team to the provincial championships.”

OSU Help Kids Play Fund to help Ukrainian families play soccer The Ottawa South United soccer club is supporting Ukrainian settlement efforts in the area this spring.

The Manotick-based organization was recently contacted to see how they could support the efforts of the Ukrainian Settlement Helpers Ottawa. The group is led by active community organizers, with the growing support of approximately 2,000 individ-

uals. Their mission is to help provide assistance for those in need and connect them with the resources that will assist individuals and families as they relocate to Ottawa.

OSU believes that sport can be a positive mechanism for helping newcomers to our local communities. As such, via the OSU Help the Kids Play Fund, OSU will be sponsoring participation for up to 20 youth

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or adults who wish to play soccer this year. Should the interest level exceed this initial number, the club will actively engage the community to support further participation.

“Soccer is the world’s game and it is important to us that our club does its part in supporting the broader community,” said OSU President, Bill Michalopulos. “Relocating is never easy, especially

during difficult times, and as such we can help with providing access to soccer programming.”

If you would like to learn more about their efforts, visit “Ukrainian Settlement Helpers Ottawa” on Facebook.

To donate or help provide soccer equipment for these children and families, please contact OSU. Their website is www.osu.ca.

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FRIDAY, May 6, 2022 Page 23

MANOTICK MESSENGER

Having brother with autism helps OTHS student grow as a leader Name: Amy McManus Age: 17 School: Osgoode Township High Grade: 12 Parents: Marcie and Paul McManus Siblings: Liam (14) and Wade (11) Pets: “I have two pets: a dog named Friday (Golden Retriever mixed with Lab and Bernese), and a cat named Jango (a Bengal).

They are both such loving pets and have amazing personalities.”

Pet Peeves: “Growing up with a brother with autism, I’ve witnessed several mean glances or remarks made about him whenever we’d go out in public. That’s why I’d say my pet peeve is people that judge too quickly. I think a great way to sum it up is through a quote: “Be curious, not judgemental”.

This is a quote by Walt Whitman, however, I only found out about it after watching the TV series: Ted Lasso with my parents.”

Part-time work: “I work as a swim instructor at Poplar Grove Campground. I teach kids of different ages, ranging from six months to fourteen. It’s so rewarding to see kids improve their swimming and become more comfortable around and in the water.”

Favourite subjects:

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“This year, I’m taking English, French, Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Functions, and Data Management.

While I do enjoy all of these subjects, my favourite would probably be Biology. I have always enjoyed the sciences, but there are certain topics in biology that are really of interest to me, such as evolution and genetics. I feel like I just have so many biologyrelated questions, and every day as I leave my class, I feel like more and more of them are getting answered.”

Reading: “I will read almost anything, whether it be books, magazines or news articles online. But what I enjoy reading most, are just plain old books. I think I owe my love of reading to my grandmother, who has always read with me since I was a little kid. I have some of the fondest memories of her reading me the Harry Potter Series, and her doing her best to put on different British accents (the accents were quite awful, but I appreciate her dedication and effort).”

Favourite Author: “As

I’ve gotten older, I’ve taken a liking to authors such as Kevin Kwan and Taylor Jenkins-Reid. They both write fiction novels about the rich and famous. I must admit that these books are a bit more on the soap opera side, but they are just so captivating (and funny) to read.”

Greatest Accomplishment: “An accomplishment I am most proud of, is that I was selected by the camp director of the Ottawa autism charity, Children at Risk, to lead a group of autistic campers at their summer camp, Camp Kaleidoscope, this past year. Camp Kaleidoscope is a summer camp that provides one-onone support to campers on the autism spectrum between the ages of four to twentyfive years. I was placed in charge of five children with moderate to difficult behavioural challenges, along with their respective counsellors.

Each week was a different challenge of ages and program requirements as my assigned group changed.

“Growing up with a severely autistic brother, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to deal with various behavioural challenges when I’ve assisted in taking care of him. I was flattered that the camp director identified that my skill set would be easily transferable to a larger setting with more varied and

difficult challenges.”

School activities: “Before COVID hit, I enjoyed taking part in school activities, such as Rugby and Leadership Camp. Now, with this year’s unusual circumstances, I’m so happy to be a part of my school’s Prom Committee. Our committee, which is comprised of four members, is tasked with organizing fundraising activities to fund the yearend Prom celebrations. I’ve found working in a team environment, with the aim of bettering the year for grads, very rewarding; I am committed to having a high level of grad student participation in all our activities, thereby signalling a more normal (pre-Covid) year.”

Other activities: “Outside of school, I enjoy spend-

ing time with my friends and family – playing sports like ringette, soccer and softball, and listening to (and also playing) music. This year is bittersweet for extracurriculars, as there are several that I feel I won’t continue as an adult. Specifically, ringette was a tough goodbye. I can easily say that this year was my favourite season ever, but it also meant I was devastated when it ended, because it meant saying goodbye to an amazing team. Luckily, several of my fellow teammates attend the same school as me, so I still get to see them every day - even if it isn’t on the ice.”

Career Goals: “Next year, I’m off to university!

Currently, I am not quite sure where I want to attend, but I will be majoring in biol-

ogy no matter where I end up going. In the long run, I don’t have a specific career in mind, but I think one that involves working with kids would be ideal.

OTHS student Amy McManus was selected by the camp director of the Ottawa autism charity, Children at Risk, to lead a group of autistic campers at their summer camp, Camp Kaleidoscope.

Submitted photo

Page 24 FRIDAY, May 6, 2022

MANOTICK MESSENGER

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