Manotick Messenger October 7, 2022

Province seeking feedback on plans to expand health benefits

It has been an exciting month with a number of events in the community.

We saw a full return of the Richmond Fair, and a big part of that weekend in Richmond was the return of the Richmond Fair Parade. There was easily more than 1,000 people along McBean Street and on Perth Street leading up to the entrance of the Richmond Fairgrounds. My staff and I met a lot of people and reconnected with many old friends and acquaintances we had not seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

The fair season in the Carleton riding did not end there.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take part in the opening ceremonies of the Metcalfe Fair. We were set up with a booth at the fair and had the opportunity to talk to many constituents from the Osgoode Ward and through-

out the Carleton riding.

Return to Play

Doesn’t it feel so Canadian when you see kids in hockey or ringette gear piling into mini vans and driving to the rink for minor hockey or ringette games or practices? How many of you have driven past high schools and seen a game of soccer or football going on?

It’s just great to see kids active again and for them to have sports back in full swing for the first time since 2019.

While we discuss sports, we must also discuss something very important. With the return of sports comes the need to

discuss the importance of concussion awareness and safety.

Wed., Sept. 28 was Rowan’s Law Day.

Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa, who died in the spring of 2013 from a condition known as second impact syndrome (swelling of the brain caused by a subsequent injury that occurred before a previous injury healed). Rowan is believed to have experienced three concussions over six days while playing for her high school rugby team. She had a concussion but didn’t know her brain needed time to heal. Neither did her parents, teachers or coaches.

Rowan’s Law and Rowan’s Law Day were established to honour her memory and bring awareness to concussions and

concussion safety.

For more information on Rowan’s Law, please visit https://www.ontario. ca/page/rowans-lawconcussion-awarenessresources.

Expanding health benefits

The Ontario government is seeking public feedback as it moves forward with plans to expand benefits like health, dental, prescription drug and vision care to more workers who need coverage. Results from an online public survey will inform the design and implementation of a proposed benefits plan that would make Ontario the first province in Canada to cover millions of precarious workers in sectors such as retail, the gig economy and hospitality.

goldie continues on page 3

MPP Goldie Ghamari spent time meeting constituents young and old at the Richmond Fair Parade.

goldie continues from page 2

Most workers in Ontario with full-time, permanent jobs have medical insurance and dental coverage. However, fewer than a quarter of people who work part-time or in precarious jobs have similar benefits, which means these workers and their families often have to make difficult choices between their health and other necessities like food and shelter. Independent contractors, gig workers, low-wage workers, newcomers, younger workers and racialized people are less likely to have workplace benefits.

Public feedback is open until December 16th and will help determine the Portable Benefits Advisory Panel’s recommendations, expected in Summer 2023.

- The Portable Benefits Advisory Panel was established in response

to a key recommendation from the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee.

- Two-thirds of people in Ontario agree that “it is important that we have government benefits available based on where [workers] live not who they work for,” according to a 2021 survey by Ipsos.

- Preparing to introduce portable benefits builds on legislation passed in Spring 2022 that established a minimum wage and other foundational rights for certain digital platform workers, mandated naloxone kits in high-risk workplaces and increased the maximum fines for businesses that fail to protect their workers.

- These measures also follow the government’s successful 2021 changes to ensure washroom access for delivery people, require certain work-

places to have a “disconnecting from work” policy, and ban the use of non-compete clauses in employment.

Creating more opportunities for women

The Ontario government is investing $6.9 million over the next three years to expand and enhance the Investing in Women’s Futures program. The program, which provides resources and training opportunities to help women develop in-demand skills for jobs, is being expanded to up to 10 new centres and further funding is being provided to the 23 centres currently offering the program.

The Investing in Women’s Futures program provides employment training opportunities and supports for women facing social and

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economic barriers, including abuse and isolation, so they can overcome barriers, increase well-being, build skills and gain employment. The new service delivery sites will be selected through a call for applications, which is now open to eligible organizations until Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

As a result of COVID-19, women and gender-diverse Ontarians have faced additional challenges, such as increased economic insecurity, greater burden of caregiving responsibilities and a rise in the incidence of domestic violence. Young women, mothers of young children, racialized women, single mothers, Indigenous women, immigrant women, women with disabilities and women without university degrees have been most affected.

This additional $6.9 million investment builds on the $18 million in funding the government is already investing from 2022-2025 in 35 community-based organizations and educational institutions. These investments support the Investing in Women’s Futures and Women’s Economic Security Program to help women facing socio-economic barriers develop in-demand skills to enter or re-enter the workforce.

In 2021-22, the Investing in Women’s Futures program helped more than 1,300 women across the province secure employment, start their own businesses or pursue further training and/or education.

In June 2021, the government launched Ontario’s Task Force on Women and the Economy to provide advice on ad-

dressing the unique and disproportionate economic barriers women face.

Enhancing the Investing in Women’s Futures program is part of the 2022 Budget: Ontario’s Plan to Build, the government’s plan to help deliver better jobs and bigger pay cheques for workers, help keep costs down for families, and get shovels in the ground for highways, transit, hospitals and other key infrastructure. Office Notice:

My office is open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you require assistance on any matter, please contact me at any time. My staff and I will be happy to assist. Even if it’s not a provincial issue, I’ll make sure to connect you with the proper office.

- Goldie Your voice at Queen’s Park

Community

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

Lauren Pederson using Miss Canada pageant to raise awareness for mental health

Manotick native Lauren Pederson will be representing Ottawa at the Miss World Canada contest in November.

Pederson is using the contest to raise awareness and advocate for additions to the mental health care industry in Canada.

Currently a Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Victoria, Pederson graduated from St. Lawrence College in Kingston in Child Youth Counselling and was a student representative and also on the Dean’s List.

Her eventual goal is to become a psychotherapist.

While in school, Pederson had been doing some modelling, and it was suggested to her that she should enter a pageant.

“I had never done anything like that or even thought of pageants,” she said. “But the more I looked into it, the more I realized that this was a great way for me to be an advocate for mental health.”

The Miss World contest uses the slogan ‘Beauty with a Purpose’. The program started 50 years ago, with the countries involved choosing a project. Each contestant is encouraged to create and execute their own personal project to be presented at the Miss World Canada contest.

“What really got my attention was that there was money available for the charities that you chose,” Pederson said. “If I placed well, then it would help the

cause I was working on.”

Pederson developed and facilitated a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The fund was used to purchase art supplies, gifts, and other items for CHEO’s mental health patients.

One of the main fundraisers was a monthly 80s and 90s Trivia Night, held at the Mill Tavern in Manotick.

“I worked at the Mill Tavern part time while I was finishing my clinical counsellor placement at CHEO,” Pederson said. “It was an absolute pleasure to be part of such a loving team. The Mill Tavern really made what I am doing possible.”

Miss Ontario Pageant Pederson competed in the Miss Ontario contest earlier this year. She was among more than 50 contestants, and she finished in sixth place.

She said that the experience was enjoyable, even though she felt a little bit like an outsider.

“There were different groups of people,” she said. “There were girls that had grown up doing pageants, and there were other people with dance or acting backgrounds. Then there was me. I didn’t really fit into any of those groups.”

The main part of the pageant for her was to use the experience as a platform to promote her mental healthbased project.

“I have worked first hand in CHEO’s inpatient psychiatric ward, Mental Health classrooms, non for profits, and homeless shelters,” she said. “I have seen a great need for much more accessible and affordable forms of therapy.”

By finishing in sixth place at the provincial level, Pederson has earned the title of Miss Ottawa – she was the top finisher from Ottawa and the Eastern Ontario – and she earned a spot in the Miss World Canada finals in November.

She has been very visible in the community, ap-

pearing at the Capital Fair and other local events in addition to the Mill Tavern trivia nights.

“My whole reason behind entering pageantry, was to broadcast my mental health based ‘Beauty With a Purpose project,’ The top 5 winners at Miss World Canada get funding for their project. The Mill Tavern empowered me with friendship and sponsorship for my Miss Canada pageant, so I hope to bring as much positive attention as possible to them too.

“I will be going further and competing at Miss World Canada in November, and I will make the most of having the title of being Miss Ottawa for the next year to raise awareness for mental health issues.”

line

helping hand

their lives,

youth

years ago they created their CHEO endowment fund and

a gift in their Will for CHEO. This was done with a sincere

in the importance of acceptance and community. Keenly aware

connection between teen suicide and identifying as LGBTQ2S+,

directed their fund to youth mental health and suicide prevention.

join Jean-Louis and George in this work to champion

contributing to their fund.

Miss Ottawa Lauren Pederson presents a cheque to CHEO’s Mental Health Professional practice leader, Sonia Lavergne.

RCMP looking into threats made against wife of Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre

By Charlie SenaCk

Carleton MP Pierre Poilievre said he’s asked the RCMP to look into threats made against his wife.

The recently chosen Conservative Party Leader said in a statement that Jeremy MacKenzie, the founder of a far-right group, and another man, made “disgusting” comments about his wife, Anaida Poilievre.

“They discuss(ed) sexually assaulting my wife,” wrote Poilievre. “These men are dirtbags. Frankly, like most Canadians, until about a month ago I had never heard of Diagolon & these losers. They are all odious.”

Diagolon was founded by 36-year-old MacKenzie, and shared affiliation with

the so-called “freedom” convoy which took over Downtown Ottawa streets in February. The group initially started to protest all COVID-19 mandates, such as vaccine passports, masks, and travel restrictions, which have now all been dropped.

Poilievre’s office brought Mackenzie’s comments to the attention of the RCMP, and asked them to investigate. A few days later, the extremist was arrested on a Canada-wide warrant in Nova Scotia for different charges. The Mounties said Poilievre’s request did not influence the arrest, which was related to charges laid in July.

MacKenzie has been charged with assault, pointing a firearm, mischief and using a restricted weapon in a careless manner. The

alleged incidents were reported to Saskatchewan police in November 2021.

During Poilievre’s leadership campaign, he was photographed shaking MacKenizie’s hand during a rally in Nova Scotia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the attacks on Poilievre’s wife, saying: “No one should ever be subject to threats of violence or that kind of hatred that we’ve seen increasingly, in the public discourse, and the public’s sphere. It’s important that we all stand up and condemn that.”

Anaida was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada at the age of eight in 1995. She works in the House of Commons and married the Carleton MP in 2017. The couple has two young children.

Pierre Poilievre and his wife, Anaida, greet the crowd at the recent Conservative Party of Canada leadership convention in Ottawa.

Ch A r lie Sen AC k P h OtO

MESSENGER EditoRial

The bleeding continues for restaurants

If you think that things are back to normal for the many restaurants in Manotick, Richmond and the surrounding area, think again. Over the past year in Canada, restaurant closures outpaced openings by a whopping 43 per cent. The industry is still shrinking.

Inflation-adjusted food service sales will be around 11 per cent below 2019 levels by the time we’re done with 2022, according to the latest report from Restaurants Canada. Traffic in full-service outlets is down nine percent, and for quick service, it’s down five per cent.

The annual report is, of course, imbued with the optimism and resilience characteristic of the sector. But with both a possible recession and higher interest rates on the horizon, consumers will have to make choices and change habits. With a tighter budget, many consumers will eat in restaurants less often.

With Canada Day approaching next week, it is a good time for us all to reflect on what it means to be Canadian.

Do we take being Canadian for granted?

Better yet, how do new Canadians feel about being Canadian? Some of us look upon immigrants and refugees as opportunists, not wanting to give but very willing to take. Perhaps, for some people, that is true, but when you attend a celebration for new Canadians, such as the one hosted by NepeanCarleton MP Pierre Poilievre at Mother Teresa High School in Barrhaven last month, you can see the excitement and the thankfulness in the eyes of every new Canadian.

People come and go in our lives.

Some leave an impression and we can’t get enough time with them. Some teach of us of a lifetime lived generations ago. Their memories and experiences are precious.

Our COmmunity

In fast food, only 16.5 per cent of consumers will eat their meals on site. Before the pandemic, that percentage was 33.9 per cent. Restaurant chains like Subway are relying heavily on their own app. SKIP, which just laid off 350 employees, knows this all too well. This e-commerce platform, as well as UBER EATS, Doordash, and others which offer meal delivery from partner restaurants, are seeing their turnover affected by competitors that recognize the potential of a virtual market.

Even grocers are improving their service and relying on online shopping, and they are getting better at it. Before the pandemic, the food service sector had almost a monopoly on delivery and counter service. This is no longer the case.

They understand, perhaps better than all of us, what it means to be Canadian.

So how can the rest of us have that feeling?

The Conservative government has a solid idea.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and Andrew Cohen, President of the Historica-Dominion Institute, are challenging middle and high school students to take the citizenship test.

The Canadian Citizenship Challenge, funded in part by CIC and run by the Historica-Dominion Institute, will see students study Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship and then take a mock citizenship test.

“This will be a fun way for students to learn about Canada and feel proud of our shared history and accomplishments,” said Minister Kenney. “As we learn about our past and the people and events that made Canada what it is today, we become more proud to be Canadian. We are inspired to see how we can defend our rights and live up to our responsibilities and we feel much more strongly how valuable it is to be a citizen of Canada.”

school’s

Of course, some major headwinds affecting the sector include inflation and labour issues. As prices on the menus increase with inflation, the number of food choices decreases. Less waste, less cost. We may see more and more restaurants with service that offers only one or two dishes on any given day because this provides more predictability for the back-of-house staff. Several European restaurants are already doing this. The demand becomes more manageable, and so do the costs.

As to labour issues, Restaurants Canada estimates that the sector has had between 150,000 and 170,000 vacant positions for some time. The sector currently employs 271,000 fewer people than in 2019, before the pandemic hit. The difference is enormous. Several establishments will close earlier or will open less often. Operators will rely more and more on robotics, which we already see in several businesses, both in the kitchen and dining room.

“Our schools need to be training our young people to become the citizens of tomorrow. Citizenship is not only about new Canadians, it’s about all Canadians, young and old,” said Andrew Cohen. “The Canadian Citizenship Challenge will encourage students to learn more about what it means to be Canadian and then put that knowledge to the test.”

Starting this summer, the Historica-Dominion Institute will be encouraging more than 5,000 middle and high school teachers to register their classrooms for the Challenge. Each classroom will receive a set of the new citizenship guide, along with specially designed learning activities. The teacher will also receive copies of a mock citizenship exam. Students will take the citizenship exam as a class and the teachers will return the completed exams to the Dominion Institute for grading.

Results will be announced by the Dominion Institute on Flag Day (February 15) each year for the next three years. For more information about the Challenge please visit the Historica-Dominion Institute website at www.historica-dominion.ca.

Do they make perogies in Heaven? from the other side

And when people leave this earth, their experiences go with them. We can no longer learn from them.

Last week, Wanda Stopa left us at the age of 89. Our hearts are with Gary and Krysia and their entire family. Wanda lived with them in Manotick for many years after the passing of her beloved husband Frank – Krysia’s father – 10 years ago.

It’s hard to think that it has been that long.

lems that were attributed to England’s climate.

Looking for a new life, he went to Canada House for some information.

“I didn’t think I would be able to come to Canada,” he said. “I had two big strikes against me.”

The first strike was polio, as Canada was not accepting polio victims.

Sometimes it’s best just to say nil

I’m finding myself at one of those bizarre crossroads where everything I love about sports is about to collide with a large swatch of the population working diligently to grate my nerves.

It’s this whole World Cup thing. Don’t you find that people are just a little too into it?

I found myself in line in front of two nouveau soccer fan moms at Your Independent Grocer the other day.

I was kind of in my own little mental world in the checkout line, scanning the tabloid and magazine covers and wondering what

The sector is clearly redefining itself, but the bleeding continues. As it emerges from a tumultuous period with a firm desire to adapt to a market that is difficult to predict, many establishments won’t survive. Interestingly, the report notes a few trends to watch for, including increased demand for local food, comfort food, and globally inspired foods and flavours. Talk about paradoxes.

CIC’s multiculturalism grants and contributions program will be investing $525,171 in this 32 month project which promotes civic memory, civic pride and integration.

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Bev McRae photo

Frank Stopa taught me how to be Canadian. In fact, I will never forget the first time I watched an Ottawa Senators game with him on television. Frank insisted we stand up for the national anthem. As I looked over at him, a tear was slowly crawling down his cheek. In fact, after he became a Canadian citizen, he cried every single time he heard the anthem.

Sometimes it takes someone who had to go through living hell to get here to appreciate and understand what being Canadian is. Frank Stopa never took being Canadian for granted.

FROM THE OTHER SIDE

wonder about things like how come “underneath” is a word but no one ever says “overneath” when the discussion pulled me back into soccer.

“Chelsea is learning so much by watching the World Cup,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “We are studying each country before the game. She has really become a fan of Arr-hayne-TEE-na, and she even wants us to go there on our vacation next year. Perhaps we can even go to Brrra-seeel.”

The second was Frank’s criminal record. One of the jobs he had in England was helping in a bakery. “At the end of the day, we would throw out the leftover bread and dough and make it fresh the following day,” said Frank. “Rather than throwing out the bread, I brought home a loaf and some rolls to share with my landlord. Policeman stopped me with my loaf of bread on the street and asked where I got it from, so I told him. He asked if I paid for it, and I said no, because it was going in the garbage. He arrested me. At the police station, they apologized to me and said I should never have been arrested. It was a new police officer who had just started and he wanted to make an example of me. The charges had already been processed, and I had a criminal record.”

Despite all of that, Canada accepted the Stopa family.

That caught my attention.

Arr-hayne-TEE-na?

Are you kidding me?

By Jeffrey Morris

Frank and Wanda Stopa are both from an area of Poland that is now part of the Ukraine. Frank was painfully sweet. If you burned his house down, he would worry that you might have burnt your thumbs.

Justin Bieber’s first major scandal would be. I was just about to reenter the world after some quality time on Planet Jeff and launch into my weekly way-to-reward-your-customers-bycharging-us-five-cents-per-bag-and-claiming-it’sto-save-the-environment rant when I unexpectedly locked in on the conversation behind me.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University.

“I wish some of the stores would carry the vuvuzela horns so that we could bring them to Chelsea’s games,” said the mom who was wearing Crocs.

“Oh, I know,” said the one wearing Birkenstocks.

“Zachary has a tournament next weekend and it would have been so in the spirit of the World Cup to have all of us blowing our vuvuzela horns. They lost two-nil and then three-nil. They need all of the support they can get.”

Nil? Who says nil? Really.

“Oh, I know,” said the mom wearing Crocs. “The horns are such a beautiful part of the South African culture.”

The other mom – the one with the Birkenstocks – piped in.

“They are a wonderful football nation,” she said. “My husband, of course, wears the azure and cheers for Italia, but Zachary’s favourite team has been MAY-heee-co. They did a school project on MAY-heee-co last year and he has even insisted that we go to out to eat and watch the games when they are playing.”

I bit my tongue.

In an effort to keep my blood pressure down, I looked out the big window at the big parking lot and scoped it out, looking for a puppy or a bird or anything that would pry my mind out of the shackles that these two soccer moms had put me in with their conversation.

A busload of seniors from a nearby retirement home had pulled up and passengers were getting off. I was trying to, in my head, name all of their walkers as an escape.

Unfortunately, they pulled me back in.

Their journey to Canada is one that would send chills through an average Canadian. As wartime children in Poland, they faced the fears of Hitler and then faced being sent to Siberia by the Russians. There was a seemingly endless train ride to Siberia with 2,400 people crammed onto a train that could fit only 460. The passengers were surrounded by bodies and human waste and they lived in a human holding tank of diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid, tetanus, and just about any other plague that would cripple the human body.

I wanted to jump in and say something, but I refrained. I couldn’t do it.

If you are unfamiliar with the vuvuzela horn, then you have not tuned into CBC over the past two weeks. If you stumble across a World Cup soccer game on CBC, you will hear what sounds like 50,000 bees swarming the field. They are not bees. They are people blowing on cheap, plastic, gimmicky horns.

“My cousin lives in Australia, and he was devastated when Germany beat them 4-nil,” said the mom wearing Crocs.

“I remember the day we became Canadian citizens,” said Wanda. “It was exciting for us. We finally had our own country. We finally had a country we knew was our home. We don’t call ourselves Polish or even Polish-Canadians. We are Canadians. We still have some Polish customs that our family has kept, such as birthday traditions and some of the food we make, but we are Canadian.”

Frank piped in with words that have stayed with me, and he spoke them with a conviction that I will never forget..

The funny thing about these horns is that they have become what has defined the 2010 World Cup.

At this point, I couldn’t take it anymore. Mount Patience erupted and out came sarcasm lava.

“I saw that match,” I said. “I can’t believe AusTRY-lier looked so insipid against Deutschland.”

“When people come here, they should become Canadian. If people don’t stand up for Canada, we are going to lose our country. People who come here need to become Canadian. If not, they will just come here and take everything without becoming part of Canada. We know what it’s like not to have a country, and people here take it for granted.”

The Manotick Messenger is published every other FRIDAY in Manotick, Ontario. Letters will be edited for length, clarity and libellous statements. Display rates are available on request. The Manotick Messenger is not responsible for the loss of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other material used for publication purposes.

Wanda and her family were sent to a Siberian labour camp. At seven years old, she was one of 22 children on the train. She was the only one to survive. Frank ended up joining the Free Polish Army at the age of 15 and serving in the Middle East.

People who have been following the World Cup and people who have only seen 20 minutes of it in passing have commented on these annoying yet relentless horns. Ironically, while the world has learned to adapt these horns as the one thing they now know about South African culture, the horns aren’t really a part of their everyday lives. South African sports enthusiasts have commented that they had never seen nor heard a vuvuzela horn at a sporting event, and that the South African people find the noise just as annoying as the rest of the world does.

The mom with the crocs was not impressed. The mom with Birkenstock’s wasn’t either, but she did acknowledge me with a response.

“Who is your team?” she quipped, condescendingly.

I did the only thing I could do, shouting as loud as I could.

“USA! USA! USA!”

They turned their heads in disgust. The next 45 seconds were incredibly silent and awkward.

After years of struggle and hardship, their families ended up in England. While their mothers had known each other in Africa, it was in England where Frank and Wanda met.

At that point, it was my turn. The cashier scanned my Diet Coke and V-8 Fusion, and I was all set.

I imagine that Wanda has joined Frank in Heaven, and he was waiting for her with open arms and his warm smile. I smile when I imagine that the first thing she would do there is make Frank some perogies.

We have forever lost two of the greatest, most passionate Canadians who ever made our country their home.

Apparently, some now wealthy marketing genius came up with the idea to mass produce and market these horns as a World Cup novelty. The plan worked, and now the rest of the world must endure the shrilling sounds of his quick buck.

I was just about to drift back into ADD world and

“Would you like plastic bags?”

“Yes please,” I replied.

I had never been so happy to pay five cents for a plastic bag just to get the hell out there.

But even though the war had ended and they now lived in England, there were still struggles. Frank’s health was rapidly deteriorating. He had been stricken with polio, and he had a number of health prob-

Jeffrey Morris was the 2008 OCNA Columnist of the Year. His book, From the Other Skide, is available at Manotick Office Pro, Barrhaven UPS Store, and Pages in Prescott.

When I go to the first Sens game of the year next week, I will think of Frank and Wanda when the national anthem plays.

I’ll cry.

How could I not?

Are you more Canadian than a fifth grader?

Pierre Poilievre needs to bring himself up to speed on 21st Century economics

The Editor,

Another week, another puff piece on Pierre Poilievre from the Manotick Messenger! I couldn’t help but laugh when I read that Poilievre, “is focusing his priorities around the rising cost of living.” That’s terrific news, but what ideas does he propose to fix the problem, because much of what he’s suggested so far has proven absolutely disastrous? He started out by telling Canadians to ditch the Canadian dollar in favour of bitcoin in order to “opt out of inflation.”

Interestingly, that exact idea was tried by the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who is now seeking a loan of $1 billion from the IMF in a desperate attempt to keep the country solvent since the value of bitcoin collapsed. Poilievre also suggested that if he were Prime Minister, he would fire the Governor of the Bank of Canada. That idea

has also been tried, notably by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who fired the head of Turkey’s central bank in March of 2021. Since that time the Turkish Lira has plummeted in value and Turkey’s rate of inflation is now 8th highest in the world at 36.1%, so maybe that’s not the solution either! To his credit, Mr. Poilievre has since apparently ditched those ideas and although he may have been mistaken previously, he is now confident that he understands the problem fully. Canada simply has too much debt, you see, and the Liberals have spent too much, which, according to Poilievre, means “another half trillion dollars bidding up the cost of the goods we buy and the interest that we pay.” That’s an interesting analysis, but how do we explain the fact that the most deeply-indebted country in the world, Japan (debt as of 2022 now 266% of gdp)

currently has the fourth lowest rate of inflation at .6%?

Where is this positive correlation between the size of debt and the rate of inflation?

Probably the most glaringly-flawed notion espoused by Poilievre is his belief that the Bank of Canada has some kind of exclusive control over the creation of money in Canada.

It’s complete nonsense, of course, because ever since 1991--when the Conservative government of Brian Mulroney introduced fractional reserve banking--most of the new money in the Canadian economy has been created by private banks. In Canada right now, loans from private banks to their customers represent some 95% of the created money in this country. The Bank of Canada does have exclusive control over the production of notes and coins, but who uses cash anymore?

In fairness to Poilievre,

most of his “ideas” about the economy are clearly based on the now-antiquated writings of economist Milton Friedman, who famously said in 1963 that, “Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon in the sense that it is and can be produced only by a more rapid increase in the quantity of money than in output.”

Statements like that made Friedman the darling of right-wing parties the world over, but it’s worth noting that he walked that statement back some years later, grudgingly admitting in 2003 that, “the use of quantity of money as a target has not been a success.”

Perhaps Mr. Poilievre needs to get off the bandwagon that went by sixty years ago and try to get himself up-to-speed on 21st century economics--preferably before the next election.

Andy Braid Kars, ON

Reader enjoys Andy Braid letters

The Editor, Funny that your banner says “letter” rather than “letters”.

I just wish they

I enjoy Andy Braid’s

John D May

Reader Andy Braid is critical of Carleton MP and Tory leader Pierre Poilievre’s economic policies.

City needs to stop dithering about truck problem before someone is killed LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor,

On Dickinson Day this year, two Seniors, residing at Manotick Place, sat at a table with a bold sign reading “Stop the trucks on Bridge Street”.

There was a book to sign, which eventually rose to 1,000 signatures!

On Thursday, Sept. 15, there was a “ Stop the Trucks “ rally, actually held on Bridge Street, and also spearheaded by the Seniors at Manotick Place.

I joined many others that day, as we were able to spend two hours watching regular traffic and many huge trucks

attempting the almost impossible right turn from Bridge on to Main Street.

Several trucks could not even make the turn without having to mount the sidewalk.

What a horrifying sight that was.

Why are we waiting for the day when someone is killed ?

Then there will be the mad scramble by City and Council, but knowing them, they will be still dithering for years to come, unless challenged.

I admire truckers.

They have long hours, many kilometres to cover, and deliver

most of our needs and necessities, for which I am truly grateful.

However, there must be the diversion, now, and not wait until someoneis killed.

As most of us are aware, we have the GPS in these modern times, which is a boon in replanning a route!

The City of Ottawa needs to stop dithering, and rectify immediately what will inevitably happen.

Divert the trucks away from Bridge Street

E.B. Spraggs, Manotick

Seniors protested in September to reduce the high volume of heavy trucks rolling through Manotick every day.

New council should shelf climate issues and deal with core services

The Editor,

While I agree with Andy Braid’s critique of Scott Moffatt’s failings, I note that he left out his championing of the Climate Emergency Declaration. But Councillor Moffatt isn’t running for reelection, so I see no point in belabouring his record. David Brown’s reasoned critique of the grossly expensive Energy Evolution Plan doesn’t qualify as a rant, and the fact that it didn’t also cover the topics that Braid wants addressed seems unremarkable.

The climate declaration is a glaring example of ideological virtue signalling that is far outside the scope of the services a municipal government is supposed to provide its residents. Although I doubt that all councillors are fully subscribed, the current council has kowtowed to the activists pushing climate ideology. Why have they done

this? Isn’t it well understood that a city government can’t actually affect the climate, even among those who think there’s some new climate danger that Ottawa hasn’t always faced? (Environment Canada’s actual climate data for Ottawa is available in graphical as well as numerical form at https://ottawa.weatherstats. ca/charts/. Temperature data goes back to 1872.)

It’s now apparent that the true value of the declaration is in providing implicit justification for massive spending on anything that can be claimed to help “fight climate change”. No cost-benefit analysis is required when addressing an “emergency”, is it?

I can’t tell if Andy Braid is in favour of City Hall’s proposal to use our “vast rural areas” for industrial solar and wind installations -- and the transmission towers and lines

needed to carry the power to central users. But I know I’m not alone in coming to realize that large scale “green energy” and battery-powered

transportation is problematic, rife with contradictions, and dependent on wishful thinking underpinned with baseless fear. Complex, expensive,

and damaging programs such as the Energy Evolution Plan are the “ideological stuff” my letter referred to. If a majority of the new council are ready

to shelve it and focus on reliable core services, we’ll all be better off.

David Wieland Kars, ON

Carleton MPP Ghamari adds powerful voice to Ottawa protest

More than 1,000 show up to protest against brutal treatment of women in Iran by terrorist regime

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari was front and centre last weekend, giving a strong voice that resonated both locally and nationally during the large downtown Ottawa protest against the brutal treatment of woman in Iran.

The protest was triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran. She died in custody after being detained by the country’s morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. Her death has caused widespread protests in Iran, and the protests are spreading to cities around the world where there are large Iranian populations.

While the expected crowd was less than 100, an estimated turnout of more than 1,000 jammed downtown Ottawa. The crowd chanted Mahsa Amini’s name. Many of the

protestors had their faces covered in fear that their images would be seen by the Iranian regime in their home country, and that they would retaliate by killing or torturing the family members of the protestors.

Ghamari posted on Twitter during the event that she was “honoured to join the hundreds of people in Ottawa who came out to support the people of Iran. Say her name. Be her voice.”

According to human rights organizations, at least 54 demonstrators have been killed by Iran’s security forces. They add that hundreds have been detained and beaten. Ghamari, as the first ever Iranian-Canadian woman ever elected in provincial or federal politics in Canada, offers an important voice in Canada for the people in Iran.

Ghamari arrived in Can-

ada as a one-year-old with her parents. Her father, an electrical engineer, survived a random roadside execution attempt and made the decision to come to Canada to raise his daughters in a free and democratic society where they were safe. The family arrived in the mid 1980s with one suitcase full of clothing and $50 cash.

“Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old young woman who was brutally murdered by the illegitimate and terrorist regime in Iran just because she was not wearing her hijab properly,” she said.

Hijabs were not compulsory in Iran until the country’s Islamic revolution. Currently, only hijabs are only compulsory in Iran and Afghanistan.

Ghamari said that what makes the riots in Iran unique is that they are be-

ing organized and led by women. She added that the death of Mahsa Amini was the final straw.

“The people in Iran want to live in a free and democratic society,” Ghamari said. “There are women of all ages in Iran out in public without their hijabs, and they are burning their hi-

jabs in protest even though they are aware of the potential consequences.”

Sanctions against Iran

On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will levy sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals. Although he was not

specific in his announcement, one of those entities will be Iran’s morality police.

To the women in Iran who are protesting and to those who are supporting them: We are with you, Trudeau said.

protest continues on page 11

Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari spoke at the Ottawa rally for the rights of Iranian women, who have been beaten, tortured and killed by the country’s morality police

a CBC story posted Monday, Trudeau was quoted as saying, “We join our voices — the voices of all Canadians — to the millions of people around the world

that the Iranian government listen to its people,

their repression of freedom and rights,

let women and all Iranian people live their lives and

themselves

In January, 2020, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) shot down Ukraine International airlines Flight 752 on its way from Tehran to Kyiv. There were 57 Canadians on board, including family members of residents in the Carleton riding.

The IRGC shot down the plane shortly after take off, killing all 176 passengers and crew members aboard. The shooting was in response to the assassination of IRGC major general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a US Air Force drone strike at Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani was considered a brutal mass murderer by the people Iran.

Since Iran shot down Flight PS752 there have been calls for Canada’s federal government to take a harder line on Iran and declare the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Trudeau told CBC that Canada already has one of the strongest sanctions against the regime.

“We have sanctioned some individuals, members of the IRGC, and we’re going to keep on considering anything else we can do with regard to sanctions,” he said.

Ghamari said that the sanctions announced by the Prime Minister were a step in the right direction, though she would like to see more done.

After Flight PS752, there were also riots and protests in Iran.

“After the riots two years ago, the Iranian regime shut down the internet for three days and murdered 1500 people.”

In the past, Ghamari has been critical of the Trudeau Government on social media for its inaction on terrorist activities by the regime. Ghamari is from the city of Ahvaz, which is the capital of the Iranian province of Khoozestan. In 2021, there were protests over the lack of clean drinking water in Khoozestan. Some of the protestors were shot and killed by the IRGC.

“The people of Iran are held hostage by a terrorist and illegitimate Islamic Regime,” she posted on Twitter in July, 2021. “They’re being murdered every day for peacefully protesting the lack of resources, lack of democracy, and lack of basic human rights.

“Where is #Trudeau? This self-proclaimed ‘feminist’ and leader of democracy’? Why has he remained silent.”

Ghamari posted a Global

MPP Goldie Ghamari’s social media posts about the protest went viral globally. On Thursday, she appeared live on Iran International, a London (UK)-based television network. Ghamari, who was one when her family fled Iran to come to Canada, is Canada’s first elected Iranian-Canadian female politician.

News photo of the Prime Minister smiling and shaking hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in Munich a month after the downing of flight PS752.

Canada must do more

As the Carleton MPP was interviewed by numerous news agencies both locally and nationally last week, she called for more to be done to help Iran and make people aware of the situation there.

Ghamari said that while Iran is a country rich from oil, the economy is terrible and people have no opportunity. The money is being used to fund terrorism.

“The young people of Iran are highly educated,

and more than 70 per cent of young people in Iran have university degrees,” she said. “But when they graduate, there are no jobs for them. When they ask the government why or if they speak out about the situa-

tion, they are thrown in jail.”

As the riots grow not just in Iran but throughout the world, Ghamari is sensing change. The riots in Canada and in Iran are being organized by women rather than being spearheaded by

young men. Iran, she said, is a highly educated country with religious, political, cultural and ethnical diversity.

“What unites Iranians is our love of freedom and the desire for a free and democratic Iran,” she said.

Concert promoter Ken Craig wins Ottawa Mayor’s City Builder Award

Ottawa concert promoter Ken Craig of Manotick was presented with a Mayor’s City Builder Award by Mayor Jim Watson in a ceremony held at Ottawa City Hall prior to a city council meeting.

The Mayor’s City Builder Award is a civic honour created to recognize an individual, group or organization that has, through their outstanding volunteerism or exemplary action, demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to making Ottawa a better place today and for the future.

Ken thanked Mayor Watson for the honour and wished him future success when he leaves the City of Ottawa Council following October’s municipal election. He also thanked a variety of mentors and partners in the live entertainment business that helped and supported him over the years includingBass Clef’s owner Harold Levin, who gave him his start, and promoter Dennis Ruffo.

He also thanked and praised Canadian industry titans Michael Cohl (President & CEO, S2BN Entertainment and Chairman, EMC Presents), Riley O’Connor(Chairman, Live Nation Canada), Donald Tarlton (Chairman, Donald K Donald),and Andre Hudon (President & CEO, Donald K Donald). Ken said that it was thanks to the collective experience, patience, and generosity of these gentlemen over the years that he was able to succeed in the challenging business of live entertainment. Ken said that he looks forward to working with them all in various capacities in the future while maintaining his close personal friendships with them.

Born and raised in the Ottawa area, Ken has spent 40 years in the live entertainment business which has seen him involved in the promotion and staging of more than a thousand events in Ottawa and all over the world. His events have entertained millions of fans and generated an amazing half billion dollars of total economic impact. The shows have been both big (e.g., Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sir Paul

McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Celine Dion, etc.) and small (local bands and events) but they have all contributed greatly to the economies and culture of the communities in which they were held.

Ken has the distinction of having played a role in every one of the City of Ottawa’s Top 5 concerts of all time including the largest ever held that featured The Rolling Stones at Lansdowne Park on August 28, 2005 in a partnership with Donald K Donald. The Stones concert attracted a sold-out crowd of 43,200 fans, direct revenues of $9 million and a total economic impact of $25 million.

Other major shows at Lansdowne Park that Ken worked on included David Bowie (1987), Pink Floyd (1988), New Kids on the Block (1998), AC/DC (2015) and Guns N’ Roses (2017).

“Ken Craig has been responsible for bringing in hundreds of events to the City of Ottawa, both big and small, including some that have been exclusive to the Ottawa area,” said Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “His concerts have drawn millions of paying spectators over the years while putting Ottawa on the map as a major concert destination! Many of these fans come to Ottawa from around the world and fill hotels, restaurants and bars while also supporting other tourism businesses. Without Ken, these shows and more importantly, their profound economic impact on the city and our tourism industry, would not have been realized. Ottawa Tourism congratulates Ken on this richly deserved recognition from the mayor.”

Also on the economic development front, Ken has served as a member of various development and design committees for some major Ottawa development projects (e.g., Wesley Clover Parks, Lansdowne Park, Hard Rock Casino Ottawa, etc.) to help ensure that their design elements would meet the existing and future needs of concert promoters and

event producers.

Ken is well known for his exploits as an accomplished live music impresario, but most Ottawans are unaware of his behind the scenes but significant volunteering and philanthropic work. He volunteered for 16 years on the Parent Councils of both the St. Leonard and St. Mark Catholic Schools while quietly helping to build the educational and recreational infrastructure of these same schools by personally contributing over $350,000 in funding and material support (e.g., recreational equipment, uniforms, PA systems, etc.).

“Ken Craig was totally dedicated to the parent councils of both the St. Leonard and St. Mark Catholic Schools on which he volunteered for 16 years,” said Janice Domaratzki, Portfolio Manager, RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and former long-time Parent Council Member, St. Leonard and St. Mark Catholic Schools.

“Ken did so much for rural

Aid Live concert (ice storm relief benefit) and 2018’s “After the Storm” Tornado Relief Benefit Concert.

Ken lives in Manotick with his wife Jane and is the proud

father of two academically inclined daughters: Madison, who at 24, is a Queen’s University graduate and is now in her 3rd year at the University of Ottawa Law School and Mack-

enzie, a 22-year-old Brock University graduate in Sports Business Management who has just completed a master’s degree in the same discipline at the University of Ottawa.

Ken Craig was joined by his family when he accepted the Ottawa Mayor’s City Builders

Fall/Winter C a r C a re

How to handle car trouble while driving

Sudden car trouble is something no driver wants to experience, but many a driver has been driving down the highway only to feel his or her vehicle start to sputter. Such sputtering might indicate a car is running low on fuel, or it could be a sign of something more serious that requires motorists to think as quickly and safely as possible.

When car trouble strikes while a vehicle is on the road, the first thing many drivers do is check their fuel gauges. A car that runs out of gas is certainly inconvenient, but if you can pull over to the shoulder or make it to the nearest filling station, then this unfortunate situation can be remedied rather easily. But when a car’s tank is full and it is still showing signs of trouble, drivers must take steps to protect themselves, their passengers and their vehicles. The following are a few simple tips motorists should keep in mind so they can safely handle any car trouble that may arise while

they are out on the road.

· Keep a first-aid kit, spare tire and tire jack in the car at all times. Flat tires are no fun, but they are even more of a nuisance when drivers are not prepared to address them. Always keep a jack and spare tire in your car, even if the spare is a donut you can temporarily use to replace a flat tire until you make it to a filling station or automotive supply store. As an added safety measure, keep a fully stocked first aid kit in your vehicle in case you cut yourself while changing the tire or need to address another medical situation. Visit www.redcross.org for a list of items to include in your automotive emergency kit.

Keep a blanket in the trunk as well so your passengers can stay warm should you experience car trouble on a cold day or night.

· Make note of your surroundings. Some car troubles can only be fixed by the professionals, so pay careful attention to your surroundings in case an issue arises

and forces you to pull over and call for help. Always pay attention to mile markers and any landmarks that might help you describe where you are. Car troubles can strike at any time and anywhere, so be sure to pay special attention to your surroundings when driving in unfamiliar areas.

· Pull over. Don’t panic if an issue arises suddenly. Remain calm and pull over onto the shoulder. The right shoulder is the area for pulling over on most roads, but you may also use the left shoulder on multilane highways with medians. Try to get as far away from traffic as possible without driving off of level ground, and always use your signals when pulling onto the shoulder. If the vehicle can’t make it to the median, put your emergency flashers on and get out of the car, moving away from both the vehicle and traffic. Immediately call for emergency roadside assistance, alerting the authorities if need be.

· Use flares or triangles to

alert other drivers. So long as you are not risking your well-being, you can place flares and/or warning triangles behind your vehicle so oncoming traffic knows to drive around it. The popular not-for-profit motor club AAA recommends placing the first flare or triangle 10 feet directly behind the side of the vehicle that is closest to the road. The second should be placed between 30 and 60 feet (increase the distances as the posted speed limit increases) behind the middle of the bumper, while the third flare or triangle should be placed between 120 and 360 feet behind the vehicle’s right side.

· Stay with the vehicle. Once you have called for help and set up flares or triangles, stay with the vehicle, though do so at a safe enough distance so you are not in harm’s way.

Sudden car troubles can be scary, but drivers who approach such issues calmly and quickly can reduce their risk for accident or injury.

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RVCA to host open house in Richmond Oct. 5 for updated floodplain mapping

The RVCA is concluding work updating floodplain mapping along the realigned portion of the Van Gaal Drain in the Village of Richmond.

Members of the public are invited to review the draft regulation and hazard maps during the public consultation period between September 12 to October 14, 2022. Draft mapping is available online at www.rvca.ca/vangaal and members of the public can connect with an RVCA Resource Specialist to understand how the mapping may affect their property. RVCA Resource Specialists can be reached by email (development@rvca. ca) or phone (613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1132 or 1193).

A public open house will also take place on October 5, 2022 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Community Centre (6095 Perth Street, Richmond).

The new mapping shows areas that are subject to natural hazards such as flooding and unstable slopes. The mapping will be used by the City of Ottawa when updating its Official Plans and Zoning Schedules and in the review of development applications under the Planning Act. RVCA will also use the mapping to guide the review of development applications submitted under the RVCA’s Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.

The RVCA stated that the goal of this mapping is to help ensure that sound plan-

ning decisions are made — keeping people and property safe.

Richmond and District Lions Club hosting bottle drop off Oct. 15

The RVCA is concluding work updating floodplain mapping along the realigned portion of the Van Gaal Drain in the Village of Richmond.

Members of the public are invited to review the draft regulation and hazard maps during the public consultation period between September 12 to October 14, 2022. Draft mapping is available online at www.rvca.ca/van-

gaal and members of the public can connect with an RVCA Resource Specialist to understand how the mapping may affect their property. RVCA Resource Specialists can be reached by email (development@ rvca.ca) or phone (613692-3571 or 1-800-2673504 ext. 1132 or 1193).

A public open house will also take place on October 5, 2022 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Richmond

Memorial Community Centre (6095 Perth Street, Richmond).

The new mapping shows areas that are subject to natural hazards such as flooding and unstable slopes. The mapping will be used by the City of Ottawa when updating its Official Plans and Zoning Schedules and in the review of development applications under the Planning Act. RVCA

will also use the mapping to guide the review of development applications submitted under the RVCA’s Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.

The RVCA stated that the goal of this mapping is to help ensure that sound planning decisions are made — keeping people and property safe.

Manotick

its construction of a multi functional Community Pavilion for both public and private events in the Village of Richmond. The Richmond Lions Club has generously donated $1000 toward the anticipated Pavilion slated for construction this fall in the Richmond fairgrounds. Pictured left to right are John Fraser and Dale Greene, President of the Lions Club with the Pavilion Co-Chair Maryan Wammes. The Lions Club began its years of stellar service, work, fun and fellowship in the Richmond community in 1964. Whenever a Lions Club gets together, problems get smaller and communities get better while helping those in need.

Paul’s Pharmacy

The Richmond Legacy Community Association is pleased

Manotick women spearhead donation campaign for refugee families

Thanks to two local women, it is now easier for residents in the South Carleton area to help refugee families from Ukraine and other countries who are now living in the area.

Barb Blair has spearheaded the House to Home campaign to assist refugee families who are settling in the region. She and Marjerie Toner, who are both very active with the Manotick Legion, have worked relentlessly to make their project become a reality.

“We started in April by collecting items, and it just grew from there,” Blair said.

Blair’s husband, Roy, and Marjerie’s husband, Allan Haan, have both been heavily involved in the Manotick Legion for many years. However, the husbands are quick to say that their involvement is only to support their wives, and occasionally to help carry things.

Blair said that they have been able to lease a building that was once a grocery store near Mooney’s Bay in Ottawa. Refugee families can arrange to pick up food, clothing

and household items at the store. Everything in the centre was donated.

Toner said that the project has received overwhelming support.

“We have people drop off a number of things,” she said. “We have had everything from clothes to small kitchen appliances and furniture. We have even had people drop off bicycles.”

Toner and Haan had been storing items at their home over the summer, making regular trips to the Mooney’s Bay area store to deliver the donations. Now, donations are being accepted at the Manotick Legion and taken to the donation centre on a regular basis.

On Wednesday of last week, Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari and her staff made a visit to the Legion to drop off several bags of gently used clothing that their families had donated. Ghamari and her staff had been casually chatting about decluttering when they came up with the idea of donating their items to the cause.

“It is getting bigger and bigger, and we are hearing from more fam-

ilies who want to help,” said Blair. “We are also hearing from refugee families who are moving into the area. When they are placed in a home to live, they show up and it is empty, and they have nothing but the clothes they were wearing, a cell phone, and maybe a backpack and their passports. People call us and ask what the families need. I tell them ‘everything.’”

While the focus is currently on helping Ukrainian families, Blair said that the project is intended to help all refugee families.

“When we started the project, most of the help was given to families who came here from Afghanistan,” Blair said. “But we are here for refugee families from all countries.”

Donations for House to Home are accepted at the Manotick Legion on Beaverwood Road at Ann Street every Saturday from 2-5 p.m.

House to Home organizers accepted donations from the staff at MPP Goldie Ghamari’s office in Richmond last week at the Manotick Legion.

Barb Blair and Marjorie Toner, pictured above with Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari and members of her staff, have been accepting clothing and household items to assist refugee families from Ukraine, Afghanistan and other oppressed nations.

Shades of red, gold and yellow will welcome you to Manotick

Manotick, a VillageFull of Discovery! Plan a visit to Manotick this autumn and you are in for a treat! There’s a warm welcome awaiting you in Manotick, a charming village on the Rideau River where oldfashioned, small-town service is alive and well!

Located just 15 kilometers south of Ottawa, you’ll find the best of rural and urban. This area is renowned for the beautiful fall colours

THis week, THIS MONTH

by Larry Ellis

that are usually at their peak in the first half of October. The shades of red, gold and yellow are breath-taking and have to be seen to be believed.

Visit historic Watson’s Mill, walk across the dam to Barney Mc-

Carney Park and feed the ducks or watch the Blue Heron wading in the river. Walk a little further to AY Jackson Park, pause by the stones honouring AY Jackson who lived in Manotick nearly 50 years ago. There are about fifteen parks in the Manotick area.

Visit the local businesses along Main Street and the Mews Shopping Centre; don’t forget the side streets as all showcase the fantastic spe-

cialty/gift stores, stylish clothing shops and many other services. The many restaurants are always open to serve great food from a variety of menus.

There is a certain health in transition; we need to take time and slow down, reflect on what opportunities the seasonal changes provide us. Notice how much darker the sky is and how much brighter the stars are as the nights become longer. Sum-

mer birds have flown away, frogs and crickets can’t be heard anymore; now we hear the Canada Geese, but we knew that’s the way it would be – it always is, year after year.

Fall is one of the wonderful, spectacular seasons in Manotick! In fall, the air is crisp and fresh with the promise/ threat of winter, and yet the warm sunshine keeps daytime temperatures mild. How long fall lasts

and the intensity of the fall colours depends a great deal upon the temperatures and amount of rain we receive. Sometimes we may wonder have we lost the small town neighborliness

And so, we will celebrate another Thanksgiving this weekend, how fortunate we are; be sure we give thanks. There are millions who would trade places with us, even just to witness our season of fall.

Part of Chapman Mills trail to close for bridge replacement

A section of trail at Chapman Mills Conservation Area will close on Monday, Oct. 3 so crews can install a new, state-ofthe-art accessible pedestrian bridge this fall.

The current wooden bridge near the northern trailhead of the beloved boardwalk has reached the end of its life cycle. Thanks to local donors, several significant grants and support from the Rideau Valley

Conservation Foundation (RVCF), the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority has secured the funding to do the work.

The trail will be closed on either side of the bridge for about six weeks. Visitors can still access the docks and picnic shelter from Winding Way Ave. Most of the trail will remain accessible from the southern trail connection beside Vimy Memorial

Bridge.

“This is a really exciting project that will improve accessibility and safety at one of our busiest properties,” said Chelsey Ellis, RVCA’s conservation lands manager. “We know the closure will be inconvenient in the short term, but it’ll be worth it.”

The current bridge has several accessibility issues: it’s not wide enough for two people with wheel-

chairs or strollers to pass, for example, leaving one person to back up beside the path’s steep shorelines.

The narrow bridge also led to temporary park closures in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic because adequate physical distancing couldn’t be maintained – leaving many local residents without their go-to nature escape just when they needed it most.

RVCA staff worked with the RVCF and local accessibility consultant Marnie Peters to ensure the new bridge is built to the gold standard of accessibility – not just the legislated minimums. This includes a wider deck, more gradual slopes, accessible sight lines and longer ramps.

“It’s critical that this urban oasis be as accessible as possible for the local community,” Ellis said.

“It’s close to two large seniors’ residences and is located in the middle of a family-friendly suburb. It was time to get this done.” Individuals can still donate to the bridge project directly at www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/73114.

To learn more visit www.rvcf.ca/ways-to-give/ chapman-mills-accessiblebridge or contact Chelsey Ellis at chelsey.ellis@rvca. ca.

RVCA to host open house in Richmond Oct. 5 for updated floodplain mapping

The RVCA is concluding work updating floodplain mapping along the realigned portion of the Van Gaal Drain in the Village of Richmond.

Members of the public are invited to review the draft regulation and hazard maps during the

public consultation period between September 12 to October 14, 2022. Draft mapping is available online at www.rvca.ca/vangaal and members of the public can connect with an RVCA Resource Specialist to understand how the mapping may affect their

property. RVCA Resource Specialists can be reached by email (development@ rvca.ca) or phone (613692-3571 or 1-800-2673504 ext. 1132 or 1193).

A public open house will also take place on October 5, 2022 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at the Richmond

Memorial Community Centre (6095 Perth Street, Richmond).

The new mapping shows areas that are subject to natural hazards such as flooding and unstable slopes. The mapping will be used by the City of Ottawa when up-

dating its Official Plans and Zoning Schedules and in the review of development applications under the Planning Act. RVCA will also use the mapping to guide the review of development applications submitted under the RVCA’s Development, Inter-

ference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation.

The RVCA stated that the goal of this mapping is to help ensure that sound planning decisions are made — keeping people and property safe.

‘Epic’ health information system ready to launch on November 5th

On November 5th, the new Epic health information system will be launched at Deep River & District Hospital (DRDH), Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) and Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH). Training is now underway as staff and physicians prepare for a new way of caring for our patients.

“November 5th is just over a month away and we will be ready,” said Frank J. Vassallo, KDH’s CEO. “Our teams have been working tirelessly to train and prepare for Epic. They see the benefits first-hand.”

Epic is a powerful digital health information system that uses the latest technology to securely store, organize, and access patient records. “The new Epic system will support both patients and their care providers,” noted Janna Hotson, the CEO of DRDH. “Simply put, patients will get better access to their own health information and more seamless care from their providers.”

The three hospitals will now become part of a digital network of nine

hospitals in the Ottawa region using the worldclass health information system. “Epic replaces the current hospital information systems made up of multiple electronic and paper-based systems containing different parts of a patient’s health record,” added Cholly Boland, CEO of WDMH. “Epic gives the patient’s care team the information they need at their fingertips and is proven to reduce wait times, length of stay in the hospital, and readmission.”

Another benefit of Epic is the private MyChart portal. Patients will have their health story at their fingertips, anytime, anywhere. MyChart subscribers can see their medical history, diagnostic test results, upcoming appointments, lists of allergies and medications, and even educational materials.

As part of the planning process, each hospital will be reducing some services at the time of launch to ensure that staff have time to care for each patient while learning to use of the new system. More

details will be provided on the hospital websites and social media channels leading up to November 5th. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Kemptville District Hospital (KDH) is a 40bed acute care hospital located in the rapidly growing Eastern Ontario municipality of North Grenville, 40 minutes south of Ottawa. We provide 24-hour emergency care, inpatient care, advanced orthopaedic surgery (as a satellite of The Ottawa Hospital), Convalescent Care, Interim Long-Term Care, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, an ever-growing list of outpatient clinics, and education and wellness programming including Diabetes Education and Support. Committed to advancing our mission of Building Healthier Communities, we are an integrated health services organization with deep partnerships in our community and region. With our partners in the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, we are collaborating on a new mod-

el of health care delivery that puts patients, families and caregivers at the centre of the health care system. For more information about KDH services, visit www.kdh.on.ca.

Winchester District Memorial Hospital cares for families throughout our region, with a patient and family-centred approach region. It is a full-service hospital from childbirth to seniors’ care – and a hub site for cancer care, dialysis and cataract surgery. WDMH has a 24/7 Emergency Department and Diagnostic Imaging services including digital mammography and CT scans. Day surgery and specialty clinics, with visiting specialists from Ottawa hospitals,

mean that patients can receive care without travelling to the city. Research and education initiatives drive quality and best practices. WDMH has an

award-winning reputation for compassionate excellence. For more information about WDMH services, visit www.wdmh. on.ca

The Richmond Curling Club has generously donated $1000 toward the anticipated Richmond Legacy Pavilion slated for construction this fall in the Richmond fairgrounds. Pictured from left to right are Barb Fraser (President RCC), Gerry Moore (VP RCC), Maryan Wammes (Pavilion Co-Chair), Brenda McConnell and Shirley Reddick of the Richmond Curling Club. The Club was founded in 1960 in the Village of Richmond in south Ottawa. They are proud to offer a safe and fun curling experience for all. They welcome all skill levels to come out and enjoy curling.

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. Lawn & Order is excited to partner with other local businesses to see this project completed. As a young entrepreneur run business based in Richmond and servicing the surrounding areas, they offer full service lawn care and maintenance, landscaping needs, winter snow removal and our new service of turf programs, pest and mosquito and tick control. For more information please contact Lawn & Order on Facebook or call 613-4071687/ 613-859-1687. For more information on the Richmond Community Pavilion and on how you can contribute please visit richmondlegacy.ca

Clinical Manager Michael Paglia and Jennifer Sanger, RAI Coordinator at Winchester District Memorial Hospital, check out the new portable Workstations on Wheels.

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Seven OSU players selected for national women’s development program

The Canadian National Women’s Soccer program will have a big injection of local talent.

The Canadian National Development Centre announced the 22 women’s

players for its 2022-23 player intake for the national team program. Eight of the 22 are members of Manotick-based Ottawa South United.

Ottawa South United

players Anabelle Chukwu, Isabelle Chukwu, Kayla DiTeiro, Katherine Ozard, Naomi Lofthouse, Mia Ugarte, Mya Angus and Felicia Hanisch were among the 22 players invited to

the development program. Two other players, Teegan Melenhorst and Maya Galko, were accepted into the program from the Ottawa TFC program. Most of the rest of the players select-

ed were from the GTA, with one coming from London and one from Caledon.

“Our club’s long-term strategic planning efforts to create the best possible environments for players to

grow and develop organically have never been so evident than this milestone moment,” said OSU President Bill Michalopulos. “We want to wish these players success in their futures.”

Ottawa South United has seven players who were invited to the Canadian national women’s development program.

How to help Main Street rebound from the pandemic

Main Street is the heart of many small communities. Small businesses have long been the drivers of both local and national economies.

The impact small businesses have on their communities may have been lost during the pandemic, when so many establishments were forced to close. The good news is that many small business owners were hopeful that the effects of COVID-19 would soon be a thing of the past. Data from Bank of America, Data for Good and JPMorgan Chase indicates that 59 percent of entrepreneurs expect the impact of COVID-19 to affect their bottom line for two years or less. That’s encouraging, but in the meantime community leaders can take various steps to promote everything Main Street has to offer.

· Create an inviting downtown atmosphere. Main Street America® is a grassroots network of small towns, mid-sized communities and urban commercial districts that work together to make downtown areas the heart of local communities. Ed McMahon, the chair of the National Main Street

Center Board of Directors, notes that a healthy downtown area is vital to having a healthy town. Towns that want to revitalize their downtowns should aspire to create an inviting, inclusive atmosphere that celebrates the character of the town, including its history. Main Street America® notes that people-centered, accessible public spaces can restore and revitalize downtowns, making them places locals and even non-locals want to visit.

· Make it a partnership. Business owners in community centers and downtown areas have a vested interest in revitalizing Main Street, but they can’t go it alone. Local government officials, chambers of commerce, private sector businesses, and civic organizations all have roles to play in making Main Street a place where people want to spend their time and money. Local leaders should make a concerted effort to hear every voice as they try to revitalize Main Street.

· Emphasize safety. COVID-19 changed how many people shop and dine, and those changes must be considered as

Main Street is rebuilt. The Mayo Clinic notes that outdoor fresh air is constantly moving and dispersing the type of respiratory droplets that contain the COVID-19 virus. Because that air is constantly on the move, individuals are much less likely to get COVID-19 when spending time outdoors compared to indoors. Communities may be ready to get back to normal life, but it’s important to do so safely.

Many small towns closed Main Street and downtown areas to automobiles during peak shopping and dining hours, such as weekend evenings and afternoons, so local businesses could bring their offerings outside. Communities can keep such rules in place after the pandemic, as more outdoor seating at restaurants and less crowded walking areas proved wildly popular among consumers.

In addition, communities must make a concerted effort to create and maintain a Main Street where residents and shoppers feel safe at all times of the day and night.

Communities can work together to ensure Main Street thrives as the world slowly emerges from the pandemic.

you for supporting your community-minded, locally-owned hardware store. It is your support that allows

Members of the South Carleton Storm and John McCrae Bulldogs battle for a rebound as the National Capital secondary school junior girls basketball season got underway last week. The Storm doubled the Bulldogs 50-25. In the senior game Monday, the Storm beat the Bulldogs 34-29. In other senior girls basketball action Mon., Sept. 26, St. Mark beat West Carleton 39-34. On Wed., Sept. 28, South Carleton won their second straight game by beating Earl of March 41-37; St. Mark beat Paul-Desmarais 30-27; and Osgoode beat Ashbury 62-29.

The South Carleton Storm opened up their junior boys soccer season with a win over Bell at SCHS Mon., Sept. 26. In senior boys soccer action, St. Mark earned a pair of 1-1 ties against Ridgemont and Merivale.

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Richmond native Jorian Donovan signs three-year deal with Sens

The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed Richmond native Jorian Donovan to a three-year entry-level contract.

The 18-year-old defenceman played U14 and U15 hockey for the Upper Canada Cyclones before joining the Kanata Lasers HEO U18 AAA team during the 2019-20 season.

After missing the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 shutdown, Donovan jumped to the Ontario Hockey League to play Major Junior A hockey with the Hamilton Bulldogs last year.

Donovan was named HEO U18 AAA Top Prospect and Top Defenseman during the 2019-20 season while he was a member of the Kanata Lasers U18 AAA program. He totaled 27 points (8G, 19A) in 38 games of action.

The 6’1”, 185-pound blueliner is expected to en-

ter his second major junior season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs following a 202122 campaign which saw him rank second among all firstyear skaters in plus/minus rating (+25) while leading Hamilton rookie rearguards in scoring with 22 points (three goals, 19 assists).

“We’ve been impressed with Jorian’s game since drafting him in July,” said Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. “He competes hard and will be a defenceman that Hamilton leans on in every situation this season. An athletic player who skates well, getting Jorian under contract is an important step for the future of the organization.”

A native of Richmond, Donovan, the son of Senators development coach (and former Ottawa forward Shean Donovan), skated in 77 of the Bulldogs’ 87 games this season as the club advanced to the

2022 Memorial Cup where the team fell 6-3 in the tournament final to fellow Senators prospect Philippe Daoust and the Saint John Sea Dogs.

The Bulldogs drafted Donovan with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2020 OHL Entry Draft. Team president Steve Staios commented at the time that the Bulldogs landed a player who would bring talent and character to Hamilton.

“We don’t pass go here in Hamilton on drafting players without knowing what the character of the individual is,” Staios said in an interview with draftprospectshockey.com. “Jorian’s a 10 out of 10. Incredible enthusiasm for the game, respectful young man, high work ethic, very, very strong student as well, so incredibly well rounded and highly motivated.”

Donovan’s father, Shean, played for the Kanata

Lasers before moving on to a 15-year NHL career. Having an NHL player and coach at home has certainly helped Donovan’s development.

“Having a dad that played hockey, he was a huge role model for me to follow in his footsteps to become a player at a young age,” Donovan told

draftprospectshockey.com.

“I believe that having a dad with that NHL experience is always a tool to use when I need help. I don’t think it’s tougher to play with my dad having that experience because he always has helpful advice that will keep me in line to fulfill my goals.”

Selected by the Senators with the first of the team’s

three fifth-round picks (136th overall), Donovan is the second member of Ottawa’s 2022 draft class to be signed.

Donovan is hoping to be the first Richmond native to play in the NHL since Pat Kavanaugh, who played for the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers from 2000-06.

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