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Vol. 9 No. 25

The Voice of North Grenville

June 30, 2021

ParticipACTION: Coming to a close with North Grenville still in the lead

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The North Grenville Times has been collecting images sent in by readers of all the ways they have been getting active to support North Grenville in being named “Canada’s Most Active Community.” (For full poster go to NGTimes facebook page)

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Throughout the month of June, North Grenville residents have been participating in the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge by staying active and logging their minutes in the ParticipACTION app. At the time of this printing, North Grenville has maintained

the #1 spot in the battle to be named “Canada’s Most Active Community.”

North Grenville has consistently been at the #1 position over the course of the competition, garnering attention from CTV Ottawa and CBC Radio. Over 1500 North Grenville residents have logged minutes in the ParticipACTION app, making good use of our wonderful municipal trails, waterways, and lo-

cal fitness businesses and services.

Though we may finish the month at #1, all of the top 50 communities across Canada will be invited to submit an application for the $100,000 prize from ParticipACTION. The municipality has been working on this application for a few weeks now. Here at The North Grenville Times, we hope the “Photo Wall” that we have been

building over the month of June will help build our case.

If you want to submit more evidence of your active lifestyle for North Grenville’s application, email Jill Sturdy at jsturdy@northgrenville.on.ca.

The application is due on July 12. The results will be announced July 26-29.

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Local woman needs the gift of life from a living donor!

by Joselyn Morley Tina VanBreugel needs the gift of life. She hopes that someone out there will be a match! Tina’s best hope is finding a living donor.

Tina has cirrhosis of the liver. When initially diagnosed, she was given 6 to 12 months. That was two years ago. She credits her family with helping her to keep a positive attitude. Tina has three children, ages 16, 17, and 30, a grandchild, and another grandbaby expected in October.

Tina worked at Dundas Manor for many years, then ran her own home daycare.

She had to shut the daycare down when she got sick. She now lives with her parents in Winchester. Her older daughter lives and works in Ottawa, and her younger two children now live nearby with their dad. They visit her every day.

Tina makes the trek to Ottawa every week for a

Millions of people across Ontario have received their COVID-19 vaccine.

Do your part.

Get your shot.

Kemptville Youth Centre gearing up for Book Fair-looking for books and volunteers

Health Canada-approved vaccines are conveniently available at hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and mass vaccination sites. And every dose brings us closer to what we’ve missed.

The Kemptville Youth Centre will begin collecting and sorting books on Saturday, July 3 beginning at 8 am, working until noon. Books will also be collected on Thursday, July 8 beginning at 4 pm until 7 pm. Books can be dropped off at these times, at the Ferguson Forest Centre.

The KYC will be collecting books every Saturday morning and Thursday evening until August 14.

The KYC is collecting books in advance of its annual Book Fair. Regret-

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paracentesis, where they drain up to 8 liters of fluid from her abdomen, and regular blood transfusions.

She does not currently drive, so relies on her parents to drive her to Ottawa weekly.

Her energy is gone, her joints ache and seize, she relies on a wheelchair or walker, and she has lost half her body weight. She takes a multitude of medications and vitamins, she has no appetite, and must avoid all salt.

In a living donation, a portion of the donor’s liver is transplanted into the patient.

The donor’s liver regrows within 6 to 8 weeks. Similarly, the donated portion grows to full size in the recipient. Transplants are done in Toronto, but initial tests to see if you qualify as a donor can be done closer to home. The transplant process is intended to be as stress-free on the donor as possible. Tests, such as blood tests, ultrasounds, and CT scans are not invasive.

If you decide to go ahead to see if you are eligible to be a donor, there is no obligation!

You can change your mind at any time. Do not let that stop you from reaching out to the transplant clinic and finding out if you’re eligible!

Donors must have a compatible blood type, and be similar in height, weight, and build. Donors can be 16 to 60. Tina’s blood type is A+, so blood types A+/- and O+/- are compatible.

Visit the University Health Network website to read more about how to become a living donor. Or call 416-340-4800 extension 6581. Or email livingdonorliver@uhn.ca uhn. ca/Transplant/Living_Donor_Program/Pages/living_ liver_donor.aspx Currently there are over 1600 people in Ontario waiting for an organ transplant to save their life. Every three days someone dies waiting for an organ. Please sign your donor card and register to donate. Go to: beadonor. ca. In Ontario, 90% of people support organ donation, yet only a staggering 35% are registered.

2

tably, KYC cannot take encyclopedia, magazines, or textbooks.

Kemptville Youth Centre will hold its 18th Annual Book Fair from August 20 to 22. The Fair will be held at the Ferguson Forest Centre who have graciously hosted this event for several years. Last year saw over 2,500 visitors and funds raised were of great help to KYC in a difficult year. Dates and times are found on the Kemptville Youth Centre website.

The Rotary Club of Kemptville, major sup-

porters of KYC, are offering two cash prizes for essays submitted at the Book Fair. There are two categories for submissions including, essays written by youth under 12 and essays written by 12 to 18 year-olds. Details will be available at the KYC website, and at the Ferguson Forest Centre sorting site.

KYC is looking for volunteers to help sort books – anyone interested is requested to contact Helen Pethick at hjpethick@gmail.com. www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Changes underway for North Memorial for Victims of Grenville’s Policing and Wellbeing Residential Schools removed municipality across On- United Counties of Leeds

by Rachel Everett-Fry tario submit a formal pro- and Grenville and the Town from grounds of St. Daniel’s posal to establish what of Prescott. Under the detachment boards would 2019 changes in the Police Church Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At the Municipal Council Meeting on June 22, Council approved the Grenville County Detachment Board Proposal, which proposed a three Detachment Board Model under the Community Safety Policing Act of 2019. This includes a stand-alone board for the Municipality of North Grenville, as well as an increase in size for the board from five members to a proposed seven. This proposal is being circulated to the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the Grenville County OPP Detachment area municipalities. As part of the changes in the Police Services Act, Council also approved a Community Safety and Well-Being plan.

In 2019, the provincial government passed the Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act and established the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA). CSPA is anticipated to be brought into force this fall. Once this occurs, the contracts and existing police service boards under the current Police Services Act will be dissolved. New OPP detachment boards were to be created to monitor and advise each OPP detachment within municipalities.

In March of this year, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones requested that each

best reflect the local community. In April, Mayor Nancy Peckford met with Mayors of the other municipalities that currently comprise the Grenville OPP Detachment; that is the Municipality of North Grenville, Augusta Township, EdwardsburghCardinal Township, the Village of Merrickville -Wolford, and the Town of Prescott. The proposal tabled on June 22 is a result of that meeting.

The proposal suggests establishing three detachment boards: one for North Grenville, one for the Town of Prescott, and one for the Township of Augusta, Village of Merrickville-Wolford, and the Township of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal combined.

This proposal is based on factors of geography, variations in population, and service demands. Each board will be composed of: the Mayor, a Council representative, three community representatives and two provincial representatives. This is intended to better facilitate community representation and meaningful engagement, as well as increased opportunities for Board member training. said Mayor Peckford.

Hillary Geneau, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, presented a draft of the “Community Safety and Wellbeing Act” for the

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unpack how we're going to the fact that things need to change, and that needs to Local Journalism Initiative Reporter move forward."

Mannie notes that be part of a conversation, Following the discov- many good people are then that's telling."

If you or someone you ery of the remains of 215 congregants at St. Daniel's, children at the Kamloops and that, "there's so many love is a survivor of a Residential School, Man- different emotions that are residential school, you can nie Giles of South Moun- valid: anger and frustra- call the National Indian tain erected a small memo- tion and confusion — you Residential School Crisis rial at the Church of St. name it" when processing Line at 1-866-925-4419 Daniel the Martyr in South tough news. But one's for support.

Mountain. It was a modest own manner of processing memorial, composed of a should not involve "dislantern, children's shoes, mantling other people's the north grenville and some flowers. On attempts to grapple with June 25, following the dis- this."

"These issues are more covery of 751 unmarked Gord Logan graves at the Marieval deeply ingrained than most Marketing Consultant Indian Residential School people have been aware Phone in Saskatchewan, Mannie of. I was never taught 613 258 6402 returned to the memorial about what happened to Email: with her children and more Indigenous communities." gord@ngtimes.ca flowers from her garden. Mannie, who attended St. She found that the memo- Michael's Catholic High School in Kemptville, exrial had been removed.

Mannie grew up at- plained, "our churches are tending the church. "My not teaching the truth, and mum brought me to that our schools are not teachchurch. So, the likelihood ing the truth." Further, "if of me knowing who it these organizations, the was (that removed the Catholic Churches and memorial) is high." The schools, are unwilling to removal of these symbols accept responsibility for comes across as continued erasure of the role played by the Catholic Church in Wondering how to look after an estate? the genocide against IndigWhat to do with extra money since you enous peoples in Canada. can’t go anywhere?

But erasure isn't the anHow to get ahead? swer.

Mannie said, "As painful and as uncomfortable as it is to hear the news and to be learning these things, it's imperative that we really sit down as people, especially if we belong to a Catholic Church, to really

Services Act, municipalities were required to prepare and adopt a community safety and well-being plan by July 1 of this year.

The requirements for the plan include: an advisory committee, consultation, and establishing priority risks. Hillary stated that “the plan identifies risks, and proactively develops evidence-based strategies and programs to address local priorities related to crime and complex social issues. These strategies can then be implemented.”

The development of the plan included collaboration across the municipalities and an environmental scan. Chief Administrative Officer Gary Dyke also noted that, “We will be reaching back out into our specific community of North Grenville to develop a more specific community well-being plan, one that focuses on our areas of need in alignment with our broader county-wide plan.

This is not a one and done process.” The issue will be revisited by Council this fall.

by Rachel Everett-Fry

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Kemptville Pride’s Pride Month retrospective

Kemptville Pride board members and staff at the Night Market of June 17. on Facebook. These posts

by Rachel Everett-Fry Local Journalism Initiative Reporter included colouring sheets and informative packets designed This June has been a for the whole family. For successful Pride Month for example, the June 18 Family Kemptville Pride. Though Fun Friday featured Marsha P. events were distanced this Johnson, a black transwoman year, and no Pride parade who championed LGBTQ took place, Kemptville Pride rights at the Stonewall Riots looks forward to in-person of 1969. events next June, as well as Each Monday, Kemptville implementing some much Pride shared a “Pride Picks” needed year-round support list of LGBTQ+ films, TV services for the local LG- series, and books. Kemptville BTQ2S+ community. Direc- Pride also organized home tor of Communication Fiona and business decorating conMcKenney told me playfully, tests for the month.

“The support in June is great, Kemptville Pride kicked but don’t forget that gay off the month with a pause people exist the rest of the of events in solidarity with year too!” the Indigenous community.

Kemptville Pride is a Though June is Pride Month, non-profit organization that it is also National Indigenous was established in 2019 to History Month. Fiona told support LGBTQ2S+ people, me, “because pride is so loud as well as plan, fund, and or- and proud and in your face, ganize Pride activities in the we didn’t want to take any Kemptville area. This year, more space away from InKemptville Pride mostly digenous communities. They organized over social media. already lost so much, they The theme for this year was are already fighting for so “show your rural pride.” The much.” This year, observing team at Kemptville Pride Indigenous History Month posted videos to make rural felt even more grave after LGBTQ2S+ folks more vis- the discovery of the remains ible, informational videos, of 215 children at the Kaand encouraged others to mloops Residential School. post under the #showyourru- Kemptville Pride paused for ralpride on TikTok. Each 215 hours to “honour the Friday, the team shared “Ed- children’s lives that were ucation Fun Friday” posts lost.” Fiona also noted that

the pause was offered with respect to “Two-Spirit” (the 2S in the LGBTQ2S+ acronym) members of the queer community. Two-Spirit is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous peoples of North America to recognize people who have both a masculine and a feminine spirit. Fiona says that, “there is so much that two-spirit people offer the community as a whole.”

When establishing the events to take place, Fiona explained, “No one really wants to do anything virtually this year.” Kemptville Pride, like many organizations, has noticed that people’s enthusiasm for Zoom events has worn off. But in the place of in person activities, “the local businesses really jumped in.” More than 30 local businesses and services have stepped up offering special pride products, fundraisers, or safe spaces in support of Kemptville Pride. Fiona noted that Smiling Moon, a Kemptville based gift shop, made a Pride necklace that, “sold out in like 37 minutes.” All of the money, not just proceeds, from these necklaces were donated to Kemptville Pride.

This money is going directly back into the community, in hiring their Executive Director Jen Crawford, and two students for the summer.

At the top of paid staff’s priority list is an environmental scan to find out what local members of the LGBTQ2S+ community really need. Fiona says, “It’s easy for people looking from the outside to tell you what you need. But it’s only the people who are actually living it every day that can really say.” Fiona suspects, from her long term engagement with the community, that the results of

this scan will point toward the need for workshops for workplaces and schools and for support networks.

Fiona says that, “education is key” to Kemptville Pride. Though there are always some that believe education is indoctrination, Fiona notes that if indoctrination were how young people acquired their sexualities, everyone would be straight.

“How do you groom people to be gay? We grow up in straight areas, but somehow we still grow up gay!” Until a full spectrum of human experience is recognized as normal, education will remain necessary.

Support networks are also a common need. Not only for LGBTQ2S+ individuals, but for their families as well.

Fiona notes that even for accepting parents, adjusting to the changes in children who are LGBTQ2S+ can be a, “lonely road to travel.” She says, “We need a club for parents whose children are off the gender spectrum or exploring their sexuality that can sit and talk, or share what has worked for them.”

It is supporting needs like this that the “Executive Director is in the process of doing.

To find out what we need, get the funding for it, and set up something full term, so that Kemptville Pride isn’t just something in June every year where we do a bunch of activities and have a parade. It would be 365 days a year, you can reach out to somebody on the pride committee, and we will get you what you need.”

For more information about Kemptville Pride visit www. kemptvillepride.com

École Élémentaire Rivière Rideau marks the Summer Solstice

écoles publiques de l'Est Local Journalism Initiative Reporter de l’Ontario (CEPEO), was invited to lead the On June 22, the École ceremony and speak to the É l é m e n t a i r e R i v i è r e students. She explained Rideau of the Kemptville that for Indigenous peoCampus held a smudg- ples, the solstice is not ing ceremony to welcome just one day but a number the beginning of summer of days that mark the half and the end of the school point of the year. Mme year. After the smudg- Katy emphasized that this ing ceremony, the event, time is one to recognize held in French, was put on and appreciate each eleFacebook Live to include ment of the natural world: the students who were not by watching them, said able to be there in person. Mme Katy, human beings Mme Katy Rankin- can learn so much about Tanguay, coach in sup- how to live. port of First Nation’s StuStaff at École Élémendents for the Conseil des taire Rivière Rideau said

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Photo ourtesy of École Élémentaire Rivière Rideau.

June 30, 2021

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It’s been a tough couple of weeks heading up to this Canada Day. Lots of terrible news of late that’s likely got a lot of people upset. I got a call from a woman who was complaining about the memorial for the Indigenous children who were found buried at Kamloops in unmarked graves. She was disturbed by the memorial that was placed at St. Daniel’s church in that the event was, “appropriate since the vocation of the school is Forest School, and we do teach some aboriginal culture through this vocation.”

South Mountain and wanted, what she called “garbage” removed. Yah, we all know the Pope has refused to apologize for the atrocities that occurred at these Indian Residential Schools- but people still have a right to mourn, grieve, and express their remorse, despite what this person thinks. In fact, things are changing in Canada as more information comes out to the masses.

New immigrants are asked to swear an oath to Canada that now includes the following statement, “..and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada, including the Constitution, which recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations.” Maybe an affirmation of citizenship for all people who are already Canadians wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

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The North Grenville Times

North Grenville a small but very active community North Grenville Times article in December 2020 about a dedicated group of volunteers that were planning to develop the Kemptville Winter Trail with groomed trails. I was impressed by the support from the Community, Council and the Mayor for the great local initiative. The Kemptville Winter Trail was very successful and the number of people skiing on it grew over the winter.

With all the active engagement and participation in the community, I wanted to contribute to North Grenville and applied to be on the committee in February. I was excited to be selected as a member and quickly learned that Darryl Kielec is a member of the HWFAC was an active group leading awareness of the North Grenville Health, health, wellness and fitness.

Wellness and Fitness AdviWith so many people still sory Committee (NGHWFAC). Darryl and his family being isolated from friends, family, and co-workers durlived in the Peterborough ing COVID-19, I believe that area for many years, and recently moved to Kemptville physical activity is an imporafter accepting a new job as tant means to elevate your mood and maintain mental the Head of Projects for a health. Prior to COVID recompany in Ottawa strictions, I would compete in

by Darryl Kielec races or fun runs (in-person) We enjoyed many out- to motivate myself to move. door activities in Peterbor- In the winter I signed up for a ough and one of the key Cronk’d Virtual Fitness Chalfeatures we were looking for lenge which motivated me to in a new town was a small, keep active. active community with acAt my first North Grencess to trails to walk, run or ville HWFAC meeting in cycle on. We looked around May, I learned of the Particithe surrounding Ottawa area pACTION Community Chaland were able to find a nice lenge and quickly saw that home in Kemptville, with North Grenville was ready many trails within walking to compete. The members distance. I shortly found that of the committee have done River Road was a great spot amazing work to reach out to ride my road bike, Settlers to the community, and the Trail was a nice spot to run, response from North Grenand Ferguson Forest had ville has been nothing less more trails where we could than impressive. The list of trail ride.

North Grenville community I was unsure where I participants is long, and it is would ski in the wintertime, great to see local neighborand was excited when I saw a hoods, schools, daycares,

The Confederation Party

fitness centres, clubs and organizations all contributing to our move minutes. In fact, Mayor Peckford and Tanya Deans (Vice Chair of the Health, Wellness and Fitness Committee) were so excited about our #1 standing, that they were doing cartwheels in downtown Kemptville!

To support the challenge, I have been running on a regular basis. I have also joined the Navy Bike Ride to push me to get more Participation minutes and support a fundraising initiative. Our subdivision has a Facebook page where we have been able to promote the Participaction challenge, create some teams, and continue to grow the friendly competition.

The engagement from North Grenville has been awesome as we continue to maintain our #1 position in Ontario and Canada. Being number 1 does not automatically mean we will win Canada’s most active community. When the contest is over (July 1), fifty finalists from across Canada will be invited to submit a bid to be named Canada’s Most Active Community. The winning communities will be announced the last week in July. We want to win the TOP PRIZE of $100,000 and be crowned Canada’s Most Active Community!

I can’t wait to see the results! Of course we want to win – and I believe we have a very good chance.

But let’s not lose sight of why we started in the first place – to bring the community together and be active.

When the dust settles after this challenge, let’s continue to Stay Active NG!

Thomas D'Arcy McGee, social convenor and prophet of Confederation

Climate Action Letter delivered to Carleton University’s President, Provost, and Board of Governors The Climate Action Letter, written and circulated by the Carleton Climate Commons, requests that the university act on a five-point climate plan. First, it asks the university to join over 7,000 other universities around the world and declare a climate emergency. Doing so would commit the university to a widely-endorsed three-point action plan. The letter also makes two additional requests. It asks the university to divest from fossil fuels to bring Carleton into line with many of the most prominent universities across Canada.

June 30, 2021

And, finally, it asks the university to establish an inquiry into the structural and systemic institutional practices that impede climate action at Carleton. To date the letter has been signed by over 440 Carleton faculty, staff, and students.

The letter outlines five key actions including, declaring a climate emergency, committing to going carbon neutral by 2030 or 2050 at the very latest; mobilizing more resources for action-oriented climate change research and skills creation; and increasing the delivery of environmental

The Voice of North Grenville

and sustainability education across curricula, campus, and community outreach programs. The plan also calls for the University to divest its funds from all fossil-fuel industries by 2025.

The Carleton Climate Commons Working Group brings together faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students at Carleton University to discuss climate change issues in relation to the humanities and social sciences, to share academic work, and to share ideas and articles.

5

by David Shanahan Canadians, when they think about the Fathers of Confederation, which is rarely, probably imagine them as rather stern and colourless individuals. They see the old photographs taken in Charlottetown in that summer of 1864, the old-fashioned clothes, the profusion of facial hair and the dour faces, and they judge them rather harshly. The rather odd fact of history is that the scheme of Confederation, as hammered out in September and October of that year, was carried through as much through long evenings and nights of parties, copious consumption of alcohol, and massive amounts of food, singing and dancing.

There was also, of course, serious discussion, constitutional debate, careful guarding of local and regional interests, and all the other aspects of creating a new country. But the long days of late summer of 1864 was the time in which Canada, as a new nation, was forged.

When the Canadians effectively forced the Maritimers to invite them to the conference they were planning in PEI that August, it forced the Lower Colonies to finalize plans for their meeting, which was to discuss uniting in a new Acadia, a single Maritime Province that would be stronger and more secure than its individual parts. But it cannot be said that there was a great deal of optimism among those politicians that such a union was possible, or even desired by most of the inhabitants. But

the arrival of the Canadians changed all that.

Before they left for Charlottetown, the members of the Canadian Coalition Government locked themselves away on August 4 to draw up a detailed plan of how a confederation of the British American colonies would work. They had already discussed the concept at length in George Brown’s Committee in May, and now they surprised themselves at how quickly, and with what unanimity, they were able to draw up a proposal to put before the Maritimers when they travelled there in September.

One member of that Government was not present for those sessions: he was away on a rather special mission. On the day the sessions began, August 4, Thomas D’Arcy McGee departed on the government steamer “Queen Victoria”, along with one hundred journalists and politicians, on a social visit to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. They had been invited by the St. John Board of Trade in an effort to improve commercial relations between the various British colonies.

The timing of the invitation has been the source of some controversy ever since. Was it simply coincidence that this tour took place just before the gathering at Charlottetown?

Was the invitation by the Board of Trade “inspired” by McGee and the Canadians?

Whatever its origins, the visit was a huge success.

Receptions, parties, dances, speeches, all followed each other in a blur of good times and fine fellowship. McGee’s

reputation as the best orator Canadian politics has ever known was enhanced, as he spoke again and again of the dream he had been promoting ever since he had arrived in Montreal in 1857: a New Nationality. This meant, not just a new nation, a new political structure, but a new nationality, a new identity and culture which would transcend the old divisions of ethnicity, religion and provincialism that had marked and retarded British American development for so long.

By the time the visitors re-embarked on the “Queen Victoria” and sailed back up the St. Lawrence, Maritimers were much more aware, and much more open to, these ideas of Union, Confederation and new nationality. McGee and friends had done a great deal to create the atmosphere which would make the Charlottetown Conference such a success.

He had hardly returned home to report on his success than he was back aboard the steamer, this time accompanied by the rest of the Canadian delegation, and was heading back down river to begin the series of meetings at which the new nation would be designed, new and revolutionary ideas of sovereignly and co-ordinate powers would be developed, and many long nights of dancing, singing and drinking would cement new friendships and associations which would dominate political life in the coming Dominion for decades to come. McGee’s role continued at Charlottetown.

As the only Canadian delegate to have actually toured the Maritimes in the past, speaking in halls and clubs on a number of visits since 1858, he introduced many of these men to each other for the first time, and became the common factor, the link between powerful personalities who might not otherwise have settled down to work together as quickly and openly as they did.

Ironically, the man who became known as Confederation’s Social Convenor, in addition to being the Prophet of Confederation, would be the one man among them who would not live to enjoy the fruits of their labours. The witty and eloquent McGee would effectively be the first martyr of the New Nationality.

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Mayor and Council’s message to congratulate graduates 2021

Dear Class of 2021, On behalf of my Council colleagues, I would like to congratulate all of our 2021 North Grenville graduates.

This past year has been

fraught with many challenges from online learning, lockdowns, social media overload, and many fewer opportunities to come together. Challenges come in many forms… and it is sim-

As a graduating class, your last year of high school will be forever marked by the challenge of learning differently, sticking with the plan, and looking to the future when it comes to education, employment and relationships. You have made it this far, and this is worth celebrating for three reasons.

1. You have persevered.

It’s not easy to adapt during unprecedented and difficult times - but you have. Life doesn’t always work out exactly as we had imagined.

You have pivoted, gotten used to new systems, and kept your eye on the prize.

Remember, as one door closes, another opens. There is a way forward. You have been forced to learn in new ways and to persist through many unknowns. Well done!

2. You can still dream.

ply the reality that we often don’t see them coming, and sometimes we are ready for them, and often we are not.

The test is how we manage them when they are right before us.

While no one quite knows exactly when this pandemic will end, it doesn’t take away your right to dream.

While you may not see it right now, you are more powerful than you may realize. Each and every one of you will shape how the rest of this century will turn out.

Being innovative, creative and passionate will serve you well. Our world needs these skills!

As individuals, you have a tremendous amount to offer, you deserve a life free of prejudice and fear, and the chance to be your best self – for everyone.

3. You got this: As Mayor, I am confident in your abilities and your vision for the future. Whether it’s climate change, leading medical discoveries, new efficient technologies for our homes, cars, and com-

munities, or quite simply a kinder and more compassionate world, I know you have what it takes to make a difference.

Remember, however, what will bring you the most meaning and satisfaction in your lives in the quality of your relationships, as a friend, colleague, partner, sibling, or parent. It is not always easy be kind, to be clear, and to be patient, but it will be your saving grace.

While this has been a most unexpected year, I fully expect that you will take your place in the world - and succeed. We are counting on you!

Congratulations Grads of 2021 and Good Luck! I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!

Sincerely, Mayor Nancy Peckford

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The Voice of North Grenville

Drive through, and small gathering graduation ceremonies and awards celebrate perseverance

Katelyn McGahey delivers her valedictorian address online to St. Michael’s graduates.

by Robert Matheson Special to the North Grenville Times Despite a difficult academic year, more than 100 local students persevered to be named Ontario Scholars. They, along with other graduates, were celebrated

by North Grenville’s two main high schools last week during pre-recorded commencement ceremonies and drive-through events. School officials were quick to acknowledge the hardships that this year’s graduating class had to endure. Extracurricular activities, such as sports

teams, were non-existent.

Students took two condensed courses at a time instead of the four in a typical semester, and spent large parts of the year learning online.

“One day I hope you look back on this and recognize what you went through now is part of world history,” UCDSB Trustee Lisa Swan told graduates of North Grenville District High School.

“This was not the grade 12 year you were hoping for, but you persevered and made it.”

Despite all the setbacks, students found ways to adapt.

They still found ways to

volunteer, work, and show leadership. North Grenville District High School principal Derek Cole praised his graduates’ important role in the community during the pandemic.

“Many of you were the essential and front-line workers that kept our community going. You stocked shelves, worked at the checkout, pumped gas, and delivered food and so much more,” Derek said in the school’s commencement video posted on Facebook last Thursday.

“The class of 2021 met the challenge of these unique and unprecedented set of circumstances that left the community in awe of their ability to adapt again and again,” he added. “They are worthy of our thanks and admiration.”

Derek and other NGDHS school staff were able to thank and congratulate many of the students in person last Friday.

Students signed up for “drive through” time slots that allowed them to pick up their graduation gifts and don their caps and gowns for a brief outdoor ceremony. Parents were able to take photos and videos from the comfort of

their vehicle.

Volunteerism; Filanie Olotu to Bridget Craig and Kevin St. Michael Catholic High and Lillie Wilson, Graduat- Streight.

School graduates also signed ing Athlete Award; MadiThe NGDHS ceremony up for time slots last week to son Chretien, Janet Cassidy was capped by the valevisit the school. They were al- Memorial Bursary; Melanie dictorian address given by lowed to walk across the stage Beres, The Patrick J. Maloney Samantha Kimball, one of to receive their diplomas Memorial Bursary; Emily Ca- the school’s many Ontario in front of a small group of icco, The Founder’s Award.

Scholars. Samantha won three North Grenville DHS’s awards for academics and family members. At the end, grads and their families were video celebration saw photos community service and was able to take a group photo and achievements presented presented with the Garnet to 140 graduates, including Baker Memorial Bursary inside the school.

“In the current circum- 58 who were named Ontario because she plans to pursue stances, I feel that the grade Scholars. More than $25,000 her education in Environmen12 community was very for- in bursaries were given out to tal Studies. She praised the tunate to have the opportunity graduating students at North achievements of her fellow to walk across the stage at Grenville DHS. graduates during her speech. school. Although it was not Zakary Berkelaar was “Graduating high school in front of close friends or presented with the Governor in a normal year is no easy family, it was still a happy General’s Medal for the High- feat, but with everything experience to be able to actu- est Overall Achievement. He we’ve been through this ally receive my diploma on also shared the Principal’s year, graduating is made that stage, in front of my parents,” Award for Leadership with much more impressive,” she said Katelyn McGahey, who Jake Adjeleian. Other awards said. “I’m proud of everyone was the valedictorian at St. of distinction at NGDHS who made it this far and you Michael. went to Owen Reuber, The should be very proud of yourKatelyn’s address was Lieutenant-Governor of On- selves.” part of the St. Michael cer- tario Volunteer Award; Tristan “As cliché as it sounds emony that was released on- Delport, the Dr. O.F. Beamish without the larger events line to students and families Award for Achievement; Ali- grade 12 would have offered, on Sunday. It celebrated the cia Rogers, the North Gren- we really were given the achievements, leadership and ville Top College Award; chance to appreciate our small volunteerism of the school’s Gold Pins were presented victories,” Samantha added.

122 graduates, including 55 who earned high enough marks to be named Ontario Scholars.

“Today’s celebration would normally be a time to reflect on all the memorable experiences our grade 12 year has provided us with,” said Katelyn, who injected humour and memories in her speech. “Whoever said senior year is the best year of high school clearly did not meet North Grenville DHS graduates, like Rory Matheson, had an COVID-19.” opportunity to take a quick photo outside their high school.

Katelyn, who will attend the University of Ottawa to pursue an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing, tried to impart some words of wisdom to her fellow graduates during her recorded speech. She reminded them that marks are not a measure of one’s worth.

“A grade does not define you as a person. You are not a piece of paper,” she said. “As long as you work as hard as you can and put your heart and soul into all of your goals, I know success is waiting for you to grab it.”

Several other St. Michael’s students were recognized during the ceremony for their achievements this past year. Sierra Vergette was presented with the the Governor General’s Medal and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario Bursary for Academic Excellence during the ceremony. Other major awards at St. Michael’s went to: Some graduates gathered in small cohort groups to take more Victoria Williams, The Lieu- meaningful photos such as this one with NGDHS grads Rory tenant Governor’s Award for Matheson, Caleb Kehler, and Brett Johnston.

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The North Grenville Times

Happy Birthday Canada

by David Shanahan Canada Day has become such a central part of the Canadian year that it is easy to forget that it is a very recent arrival on the scene. On October 27, 1982, the Parliament of Canada initiated Canada Day following the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution that year. Before 1982, July 1 was known as Dominion Day and had been acknowledged as Canada’s birthday from the date when the British North America Act came into force in 1867.

The following year, 1868, the Governor General at the time suggested that Canadians celebrate Dominion Day as their National Holiday.

Surprisingly, Dominion Day was not itself a major event for decades after 1867.

It took another ten years before there was any legislation passed in recognition of the holiday. In fact, the first official government celebra-

tion of Dominion Day only happened in 1917, on the 50th anniversary of Confederation.

The Canadian Government started organizing official celebrations in 1958, and following that, the name “Canada Day” started to be used. There was, however, great argument among Canadians about using that term, as it seemed a break with tradition. However, the plain truth is that there was very little tradition of Dominion Day celebrations before the 1950's.

In times past, Dominion Day was a hit and miss affair in this part of the world. Some years there were celebrations in Kemptville, other years the day passed without comment or activities of any kind. It seems that the day’s events depended on various groups and organizations within the community, just as is true today. In 1911, the events were sponsored by the local Catholic Church congregation. A

PARLIAMENT HILL

by David Shanahan There are very few more potent symbols of Canada and Confederation than the Centre Block on Parliament Hill, with its magnificent Peace Tower, which speaks

June 30, 2021

of Canada’s precious role in peace-keeping and peacemaking over the past 150 years.

But the Centre Block is not the original home of Canada’s House of Commons

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Canada Day History

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came second. The big event of the afternoon was the baseball match between Kemptville and Merrickville, which the home team won 3 -2. Music throughout was supplied by the Harmony Band of Smith’s Falls, this being one of those periods when Kemptville was without a band of its own. The people then adjourned back to the Hall for a supper, also served by the ladies of the Catholic Church. By the time a big storm blew in that evening, the crowds had already wound their way home.

In 1912, it was the Baseball Club that ran the day’s events. The day started with a parade, or a “Trade Procession” as it was called then.

It began at Riverside Park, wound around the streets, and ended up back at the Park again. The parade was led by the Texan Ranger Band from Ottawa. Who they were is unclear, but the Texan theme ran through the day’s festivities.

large dinner was held in the Agricultural Hall, put on by the ladies of the congregation, and was attended by the Secretary of State, Charles Murphy, as well as the local M.P.P., G. Howard Ferguson.

Murphy pointed out that the occasion was not “racial, not sectarian; but national”, and praised the rise of Imperial sentiment in Canada in the years since Confederation.

Ferguson, who would one day be Premier of Ontario, stated that the province was the best place in the country, and would “remain the Banner Province of the Dominion”.

After the speeches came the athletics. Races were held over various distances, from the hundred yards dash, to the two-mile marathon.

Needless to say, only males were allowed to race. No-one from Kemptville won a race, though in the Boys’ Race, W. McGovern of Oxford came first, and Harold McGahey

The Band, accompanied by two pipers, played for an hour outside the Advance building on Prescott Street, filling in the time before the main event of the day: the sports activities in Riverside Park, where there were races, both human and horse, and a wonderful event called “Catch the Greasy Pig”. The big baseball game was between Kemptville and Spencerville, and all went well aside from some Spencerville teenagers who took to insulting anyone not from their town.

In the evening, there was a special concert at the Oddfellows Hall, which included an escape artist, whose ability to free himself from handcuffs and the ‘torture cabinet’ amazed the audience. There were also “Scotch”dancers, and comedy from Sam and Guss, “comedians”. And, to round off the day, the Texan Concert Orchestra provided the music for a dance at the

Hall.

The following year, 1913, it seems there were no celebrations, possibly owing to the lack of an organizing group. But, looking at the reports of Dominion Day just over one hundred years ago, what is surprising is how little it has changed. They had Dominion Day, and we have Canada Day. In normal times, other than during a pandemic, we still have our parade, our activities throughout the afternoon, and an evening of music to end the day at Riverside Park. They had concerts and we have fireworks. But the event is still focussed on the celebration of Canada and its people. For years before the Government saw fit to celebrate the day officially, the people of North Grenville were marking the occasion with music, fun and sports.

May that return soon, and long may it continue.

Parliament buildings, May 1868, still unfinished. Photo: LAC PA-8976 and Senate. In 1916, after standing for just over fifty years, the first Centre Block was destroyed in a disastrous fire, leaving only the Library standing unscathed.

The first Parliament building on Parliament Hill was built between 1859 and 1865, before Confederation was a definite scheme, and was designed as the home of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council of the Province of Canada. The Assembly had been moving between Toronto and Montreal since 1844, and it was not until the last day of 1857 that Queen Victoria announced that the capital would move

permanently to Ottawa.

The contract for building the new Parliament building was awarded to Thomas McGreevy of Quebec City, Canada East on 27 November 1859 and the original contract cost, which covered both the Centre Block and Victoria

Happy Birthday Canada

Tower, was $348,500. The building had been scheduled to be completed by 1862, but delays and amendments meant that it was many years after that before the final scaffolding was removed.

Nevertheless, the Legislature began to use the building in

June 1866. The final cost of the Centre Block and Victoria Tower ballooned to $1,750,720, or around five times the original estimate.

Paul A. Jansen, BA, LLB. Rachel S. Jansen, B.Comm., J.D. Tel: 613.258.7462 Fax: 613.258.7761 info@jansenlaw.com

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Editorial

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The Voice of North Grenville

Canada Day, and the call for allies in justice

by Lorraine Rekmans I am writing this with the understanding that you will be reading this on the eve of Canada Day, and I hope it encourages you to make this a better country, to stand up for social justice, to stand vigilant in protecting your democracy, and to hold your governments and institutions to account, and to remember that Indigenous Peoples were originally partners in the founding of this nation.

The end of National Indigenous History month on June 30 precedes the celebration of Canada Day, which this year, will be darkened for many.

The province of Ontario has provided $10 million to aid in the search for unmarked graves containing the bodies of Indigenous children.

According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, there were 18 Indian Residential Schools in Ontario. The last residential school closed in 1991. Some of the sites where the schools were located since then have been repurposed, abandoned, or destroyed. First Nation communities across the province are beginning the work to

search for the bodies of children who never returned from these schools. There were 139 such schools in Canada.

The provincial government of Saskatchewan has pledged $2 million to search for unmarked graves, the province of Alberta created an $8 million fund. It was the province of BC that provided the funding resources for the work to uncover the secret children’s graves in Kamloops in May. It was done in spite of the federal government’s denial of requested funds to do this work. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission requested $1.5 million in funding to search for unmarked graves in 2009, but that funding was denied by the federal government.

The latest discovery of 751 children’s bodies in unmarked graves at the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan by the Cowessess First Nation is the second in what is expected to be many forthcoming discoveries as the work continues to research and uncover what was hidden from the nation. It should be chilling to learn that governments and institutions could perpetrate such horrors in a free and democratic country, and work

so hard to hide the evidence.

We may have to hear this story 130 more times, as sites at each of the schools are searched for thousands of children’s bodies. As the list grows, even though we know what is coming, it doesn’t make it any easier to know, and it doesn’t hurt us all any less.

The Prime Minister’s primary response to this was to acknowledge his shock and grief and demand that the Catholic church accept responsibility, and that the Pope offer an apology.

The fact that the federal government denied the support needed to uncover the truth is not lost on Indigenous Peoples, especially in this era of Truth and Reconciliation. It was only after provinces stepped up that Ottawa pledged $27-milllion to help communities locate and identify those lost. It took a nation-wide push from people who are outraged at this injustice to get this government to finally act, despite the knowledge that the Department of Indigenous Services (Indian Affairs) had for decades.

In recent news, the Prime Minister criticized the human rights violations in China’s systemic abuse against eth-

nic Muslim Uyghurs. China responded by criticizing Canada’s treatment of Indigenous Peoples. In international circles, Canada has lost any moral authority to criticize other countries on human rights. How far we have come from our shining days as an example of peacemaking and diplomacy.

In 1957, Canadian diplomat and soon to be Prime Minister Lester Pearson received the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in resolving the Suez Crisis, setting Canada onto the world stage as leaders, who would show the world the way to peace. In 1965, Canada unveiled its new Maple Leaf flag to thousands of cheers. How far we have strayed from our path of peace, diplomacy and social justice. Today we live in a country that is digging up the hidden bodies of children.

We live in a country where the state is today, denying the human rights of children, and our government is fighting in the courts to continue that denial. You may hear the pleas from Indigenous leaders that this abuse continues even today under federal policy.

They need your help to stop it.

When Justin Trudeau was elected, he announced that there was no relationship

more important to him than Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples. Despite his claims, his actions have been to deny support to communities, fail to provide clean drinking water, dragging First Nation foster children through the courts, and shirking responsibility by casting blame on the Pope.

On June 21, which was National Indigenous Peoples Day, here is what Minister of Indigenous Services MP Marc Miller had to say in the House of Commons, “Mr. Speaker, it is important to be clear to all Canadians and Parliament that as part of this process, not a single child has had to testify. Let me be clear once again that every single first nation child who has been discriminated against by the broken child welfare system will be fairly, justly and equitably compensated.” Imagine that these very words were spoken aloud by government in a democratic country just days ago. Imagine! Would we ever require children to testify because their human rights were being violated? What kind of place is this House of Commons?

The promises and the rhetoric continue, by a government that continues to

tarnish the people of Canada, with the shade of its systemic racism, denial of basic human rights, and abuse of children.

The images of tiny bodies exhumed from unmarked graves is fresh in my mind.

The anger at the continued denial and inaction of this government is fresh in my heart. I hear the chatter about a Fall election, and the confidence that the Liberal Party holds in that it may win a majority government, and it bewilders me that they could think they are so popular with all this going on.

It makes me think there are two Canadas. One for the privileged, and the other for the rest of us.

On this Canada Day, remember the contributions that Indigenous Peoples have made to this country. Remember we are Nations who were the original partners in the founding of Canada. Remember we were once your allies, and we need you now.

criminal and socially deviant behavior by our fellow citizens near and far. While autocratic societies have a broad range of blunt mechanisms for dealing with those who transgress social norms, those of a democratic heritage typically try to study behavior and then look for more humanitarian means to rectify disruptive tendencies.

Could we expect our local secondary schools to begin greater focus on the study of social or psychological anti-social behavior? Could that lead some graduates to pursue post-secondary studies in these professional fields?

They would certainly never be without work.

Would Carleton or Ottawa U ever consider undergraduate, satellite studies programs in sociology or psychology where classroom and lecture

halls may already be available? Might we see the arrival of branches of the John Howard or Elizabeth Fry Societies?

As upcoming provincial Infrastructure budget allocation discussions begin, with every other municipality also lobbying for a larger piece of the pie, will our urgent need for widening County Rd. 43 continue to be at the top of the list for our MPP and Queens Park House Leader?

If we reject construction of the new holding facility, how might this impact future provincial financial support for increased capacity of the wastewater treatment facility, or expansion of our hospital services, or to make the Riverside Park swimming pool a year-round facility benefitting both students and seniors?

I trust our members of

Council will consider the best long-term interests of the community.

Patrick McGahey

The presentation by JOG and CAPP showed how difficult, after a year and a half, it was to get information.

With Access to Information requests made and other efforts to get information, the SOLICITOR GENERAL and Ontario Government released only 10 pages of information and withheld 135 pages. Is this transparency? Why? The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Counsellors each took time to outline and highlight how they have been working on the "Jail File". They highlighted contacting/meeting with other mayors who also had or are facing a prison to be built in their backyard, so to speak. What came of these contacts? They met with stakeholders and on many

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, We are in a climate emergency and have a limited amount of carbon emissions left if we are to limit global heating to 2°C, the upper limit of the Paris climate agreement. It was therefore very disappointing to read that the Ontario government is investing $2.46 million to deliver natural gas to 67 residents. At a time when we need to be freeing ourselves from fossil fuel infrastructure, our provincial government is spending almost $37,000 per resident on a project that will lock in a dependency on methane for the foreseeable future.

At a time when the need to move away from fossil fuels, sensible political leadership would be to invest resources in deploying solutions such as solar power, geothermal energy, and heat pumps, in-

stead of connecting homes to natural gas. Unfortunately, provincial leadership on this issue is lacking, and we need local leaders to step up and stop new fossil fuel projects.

Steve Gabell, Founder, Kemptville Environmental Group Dear Editor, A pre-trial facility for citizens who’ve been criminally charged, or maybe an abattoir, or a chemical manufacturing plant, or a windmill farm testing facility, or, or, or, or (fill in the blank), may or may not be everyone’s first choice for growth in the community. But what benefits might it bring?

Even those of us with only a casual interest in daily news happenings beyond our own front door would be hard pressed to deny the growing

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Dear Editor, The North Grenville Council Meeting of June 22 included the participation of our MPP Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Mayor and Council of North Grenville, presenters Kirk Albert from the Jail Opposition Group (JOG) and Colleen Lynas from the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAPP), and various interested members of the Public.

The Agenda was to discuss and get information regarding this proposed prison, now 10 months since it was first announced. As a resident of North Grenville, I sat in by Zoom.

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letters cont'd occasions with the MPP, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Mr. Steve Clark. They assured attendees at the meeting that he was cooperative and supportive. An example of this is, the water and other infrastructure for the prison will be paid for by Ontario. But, is this institution not an Ontario Government Institution and should it not be automatic that they pay for its infrastructure and that all other costs be covered? Why is this seen as a "benefit" to the community?

A counsellor said that even though the jobs associated with the prison may not really accrue to North Grenville, the staff will spend money in this community. Is that enough benefit to convince me? No! And let's face it, a large majority of the existing Correctional Officers and other staff from OCDC that live elsewhere, will perhaps take the most direct route to and from work, Highway 416 to County Rd. # 44 and vice versa?

One counsellor said that we were a caring community and perhaps that will benefit the prisoners. I think two said their children or grandchildren attend school on the Kemptville Campus and are not concerned about the placement of the prison. Is that enough to convince me?

No! The most poignant arguments against the proposed prison have not been about whether people's lives were substantially more endangered by having a prison in our town. A major issue is that the character and potential of the town will be limited by the imposed edict by our MPP's use of his Ministerial power without asking for or consideration of compelling alternative data and ideas!

The governance style of our elected representatives, Local and particularly Provincial, seems to treat their constituents as quasi vassals. Is that a democratic approach? Is that what residents will accept without demur?

This "overview presented by each official was in a calm reasonable tone", why was it affecting my blood pressure?

How is it that this was not seen by these elected officials as not enough effort? How is it that in the face of proof that the Kemptville site did not meet fundamental criteria, they simply shrugged their shoulders and moved on to the next topic? They should be outraged that the Ministry hasn't been honest with them or us as residents.

What had been done to put together a picture of the opinion of the community?

June 30, 2021

The North Grenville Times What is the split between the yes and no proponents?

How can people have an informed opinion when the ECONOMIC BENEFITS have not been proven, and even our own Mayor doesn't believe it will bring much if any. The claims of benefits have been over-represented and not true. Also, somewhere a whisper of possible expansion was quickly left for another subject. We were told there would not be future expansion and yet there it is, in black and white – "potential for expansion". What is the real situation since much initially claimed is changed?

In the information obtained by JOG and CAPP, it turns out the criteria set out for locating a prison were NOT met by KEMPTVILLE. However, some were "sort of" met, and many guards and other present Correctional employees lived within an acceptable commuting distance. So Kemptville was declared enough. Is this a well-managed process? Why did my blood pressure react?

Has a real comparison of various sites actually been done? Most material is withheld. There seems to be a pushing through of the decision that from the start was declared by Mr. Steve Clark, our MPP, as unalterable. Two of the Prison projects are in Mr. Clark's riding. But that could be coincidence? Mr. Clark, as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, is the responsible Ontario Minister on situations involving Minister's Zoning Orders. Is that a conflict? I do not know. But the question remains.

I would ask our Mayor and Council to still work harder and actually find out what the community majority think and want! Is that too democratic a request?

Somehow I thought that was their primary job. Instead, it seemed anecdotal vignettes were provided of calls received from both opinions.

How many for? How many against? But in light of so unspecified an overview, no real gauge, just anecdote, what does this community want for the future of this land? But does it matter if from the start the decision was taken and announced by Mr. Clark as unalterable? It should matter a lot! ...But....

Then Mr. Clark, near the meeting's end, shared his bons mots. Well it seems this community should be very pleased to know that we have had more access and answers than other communities have had. Hmm, this redacted transparency is underwhelming. It may be that

this approach is the reason the Ministry of the Solicitor General withheld so many pages and have offered us so few explanations. As Ontario residents and taxpayers, are we satisfied with this style of management and governance? For me the answer is NO! What is it for you reader and resident?

Nadia Gray

The Voice of North Grenville

UPDATE For updates related to COVID-19 and the North Grenville Municipal Centre visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus Municipal Centre Office hours are between 9 am and 4 pm (Monday-Friday).

Sign up for weekly e-news that features activities from our events calendar and message from the Mayor at: www.northgrenville.ca/connect.

Dear Editor, Re: “Not what I think of as a tourist draw” by Nadia Gray I absolutely, and totally agree, with Ms. Gray and appreciate her article.

I live at the south end of Kemptville and already do not appreciate the traffic. It just keeps getting worse. Do I wish for a prison nearby? Not a chance. It still looks beautiful coming into town with the college grounds, trees and lawns kept beautifully maintained.

But a prison on the opposite side with drones, and probably drug gangs heading out from Ottawa to see their buddies?

Everyone seems to come in from the south to get to the ‘plaza’.

Unfortunately, I feel by sending a letter to any of the ‘office holders’ would be useless as I think they would ‘toss’ them immediately and pay no attention.

I agree and am grateful for the efforts of both JOG and CAPP and thank you Nadia Gray.

Kath Piché Dear Editor, I would like to give some examples just why there is a lot of deaths in these schools. First of all, I believe that when the RCMP came and took all the native children at age of five to the school of hate and torture.

Let’s look at what some of these children likely caught would be as follows: Small pox, Chicken pox, Typhoid fever, Scarlet fever, Measles, Mumps, Diphtheria and seizures, Whopping Cough, and let me tell you that there is likely many more diseases back then and there was not the vaccines for all these diseases. Now in all school systems we have good teachers and there is some who should never become teachers and allowed to be in charge of children. I do not know why the government did not step in and put an end to this stupidity. I do know that there are a lot of good Catholic People as well as Protestant. So what happened years ago, leave it there, and being a Veteran I personally know that nobody

The Kemptville Pool is now open. You must reserve your tickets in advance for public swimming. Registration for swim lessons begin 14 days prior to the start date. Details at: https://www.northgrenville.ca/play/recreation-programs-events/program-registration.

UPCOMING MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS

Council agendas (including for closed sessions) may be found here: https://www.northgrenville.ca/govern/governance/agendas-and-minutes

PLANNING PUBLIC MEETINGS

Council Meeting - July 14, 2021 Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 374 Donoghue Rd. Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – Oxford Village Subdivision Proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment – 2680 Concession Rd. (Habitat for Humanity)

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS Committee meetings will be conducted virtually via Zoom. For any members of the public wanting to attend the meeting virtually, pre-registration is required by e-mailing Jessica Workman at jworkman@northgrenville.on.ca •

Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee – July 5, 2021 at 3:00 pm

•

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – July 7, 2021 at 4:15 pm

•

Heritage Advisory Committee – July 8, 2021 at 7:00 pm

ACCESSIBILITY SURVEY

The Accessibility Advisory Committee of North Grenville invites you to complete a short survey to determine your accessibility needs and concerns. The survey can be completed at: http:// www.northgrenville.ca/surveys. If you would rather receive a hard copy of this survey to complete, or if you require any assistance with this survey, including receiving it in an alternative format, please email the Clerk’s Office at hbabcock-cormier@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613258-9569 extension 178.

Le Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité de North Grenville vous invite à répondre à un court sondage pour déterminer vos besoins et vos préoccupations en matière d’accessibilité. Le sondage peut être rempli à: http://www.northgrenville.ca/surveys. Si vous préférez recevoir une copie papier de ce sondage ou si vous avez besoin d’aide pour le remplir, y compris pour le recevoir en média substitut, veuillez envoyer un courriel au Bureau du greffier à hbabcockcormier@northgrenville.on.ca ou composer le 6132589569, poste 178.

TAX BILLS

All 2021 final tax bulls have been mailed. If you have not received your bill, please contact the Administration Office. The due date is September 30. Payments can be made by credit card when paying online through our website.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130, Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441 Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031 By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211 Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002

www.NorthGrenville.ca

wins in a war. I will close for now and remember the Priests are our Brothers as well, and if you do not believe this get your Bible out and start reading.

Capt Milfred W.A. Harper Fire Chaplain Catholic and Protestant

12

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6th Annual Memorial BBQ raises funds for charity in honour of Harry Pratt and Gerald Tallman

L-R: Dave Webster, RUSH Truck Centre General Manager; Margret Norenberg, KDH Foundation Chair; Don Tallman, RUSH Truck Centre; Steve Clark, MPP; Les Winter, Owner, Fat Les; Mayor Nancy Peckford; Allen McEvoy,Vice Chair, North Grenville Chamber of Commerce; Councillor Kristin Strackerjan; Karen Quigley, Chair, North Grenville Chamber of Commerce; MP Michael Barrett; Deputy Mayor Jim McManaman; George and Kevin Tackaberry of G. Tackaberry & Sons Construction Co. Ltd. Photo by Gord Logan

Dr. Ireland named Chief Veterinary Officer and Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health

Serving the Ottawa Valley!

Happy Canada Day!

An end and beginning

by David Shanahan Readers of the Times will have noted the announcement that our reporter, Hilary Thomson, is going on maternity leave and last week was her last.

I can honestly say that all of us who have worked with Hilary over the past six years were really sad to see her go, even if it is for the best of reasons. For her and husband Dan, this is a big change in their lives, the beginning of a neverending story, as they add to their family.

Of course, it is also an ending, the end (temporarily, we hope) of the latest stage in Hilary’s journalistic career. When she first contacted us about coming to work at the Times, I was really relieved and glad of the help. In fact, she has been more than a help: she is someone we could (and did) rely on at any time and place to cover a story, interview on tape, on video, or in her ever-renewed collection of notebooks.

We knew that she would produce the goods, as they June 30, 2021

say. You have no idea how precious a quality that is for a weekly newspaper, constantly under pressure to fill the pages, find the stories, and reflect the lives of this community. But Hilary did it, and wonderfully too.

When we first began working together, I encouraged Hilary to find her own voice, to break out of the strict formats she learned in journalism school at Carleton University. I remembered what those students were like when I taught them Canadian History, and I wanted Hilary to write as she is. Because what she is, is an interested, interesting, committed and professional human being, one who gained the respect and affection of those she worked with, wrote about, and came in contact with.

My goodness, even the politicians loved her!

We all look forward to Hilary’s return to the ranks of the Times when, and if, she is ready to do so. Having a first child was terra incognita, and no-one can ever predict the fun, joys,

sleepless nights, the effect of a smile or a gurgle, the expertise that is developed at changing diapers while remaining asleep, and all the other experiences of parenthood.

But whatever the future brings, Hilary Thomson has been an integral part of the Times, essential to its continued success, even its continued existence. She is welcome back in whatever capacity, at any time. Because we love her.

Help Support Your Local Businesses SHOP LOCALLY 13

Dr. Mary Jane Ireland has been named, by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Chief Veterinary Officer for Canada and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Delegate.

The Chief Veterinary Officer provides national leadership to ensure that Canada's animal and veterinary public health infrastructure is positioned to effectively manage current and emerging disease threats in order to protect animal and human health and to maintain international trust in Canada's inspection and certification systems in support of market access.

Dr. Mary Jane Ireland is the Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate, Policy and Programs Branch at the CFIA. She is also the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for Canada and the OIE

Delegate for Canada.

Dr. Ireland graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and post-graduate degrees in Veterinary Immunology and Business Administration.

She began her career in a mixed animal practice in eastern Ontario.

In 2002, Dr. Ireland joined the Veterinary Drugs Directorate at Health Canada and held various positions, including Director General. In 2020, Dr. Ireland joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as the Executive Director of the Animal Health Directorate.

As the Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Ireland leads Canada's efforts to effectively manage cur-

rent and emerging disease threats in order to protect animal health and human health, and to maintain international trust in Canada's inspection and certification systems in support of market access.

As the OIE Delegate, Dr. Ireland represents Canada on the international stage, and plays an integral role in Canada's participation in the OIE standard- setting process for the development and adoption of animal health standards and guidelines. In this role Dr. Ireland works to ensure that the standards are appropriately and consistently implemented in Canada. She is also responsible for notifying the OIE of reportable animal disease occurrences in Canada. Dr. Ireland is a resident of North Grenville.

THOMAS M. BYRNE Barrister and Solicitor

General Practice Corporate / Commercial Family Law Estates Real Estate Wills & Powers of Attorney tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville

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A Future Built on Our Heritage – work of Heritage Advisory Committee continues ford-On-Rideau Township.

In 1801, the three Harris brothers and their families became the first settlers near the confluence of the South Branch with the West Branch of the Rideau. Following a number of land sales beginning with the original grantee, Asa Clothier took possession of the property in 1819 to develop into Clothier's Mills. While investigating the construction of the Rideau Canal in 1829, Sir James Kempt never made the journey up the South Branch to Clothier's Mills, irrespective of which political sycophants renamed Kemptville. The small community's name was not placed on a map until 1836.

Salamanders Restaurant and Patio

There is much, much more to the establishment of communities across the township through the 19th century. Historian Dr. David Shanahan has written many much detailing the group and individual contributions to the growth of North Grenville. These histories are readily found online in the North Grenville Times, in published histories, and by Google searches.

Identifying, preserving, and promoting the diverse history of the Municipality of North Grenville is a challenge. As required by the province, the Heritage Advisory Committee advises the Municipality regarding our heritage, in-

cluding architecture, material culture, and historical and natural heritage. The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the committee's initiatives in conservation, restoration, education, and heritage designation of the built and natural environments.

The committee meets virtually once a month via Zoom. A subcommittee is examining the rehabilitation of the Oxford-onRideau Township Hall to identify options, along with monetary requirements, to assist Council in future use priorities, along with heritage preservation. Another subcommittee is taking a similar approach to the former courthouse in

Happy Canada Day!

28 Clothier St E, Kemptville

613-258-2630

Kemptville. The pandemic has slowed the efforts of the subcommittee evaluating a list of requirements for buildings to be added to the heritage register.

The documents held by the municipality are to be reviewed, updated, and evaluated. A subcommittee recently struck will focus on the pre-contact and historical archaeology of North Grenville.

The Heritage Advisory Committee has a work plan consistent with the priorities of the Council Work Plan and the forthcoming Community Strategic Plan.

Currently, the committee comprises seven volunteers (Michael Whittaker – Chair, Inge van Gemeren

PATIO NOW OPEN!

- Vice Chair, Robert Angi, Amanda Hutchins, Kenneth Mews, Neil Whyte, and Kevin Willey), and two members of Council, Nancy Peckford and John Barclay. All have voting rights. Amy Martin, Director of Planning and Development, also attends as a liaison to the Municipality.

So much more needs to be done. As the municipality grows, the task to identify and preserve North Grenville's heritage is a goal all residents can share. Our culture and lifestyles are founded on our history. Without honouring and remembering our past, what does the future offer?

UPDATE

A celebration of 230 years r ea ary 0 Y ers 3 2 niv An

JULY 2020. NO 1

by Michael Whittaker When considering the heritage of North Grenville, many people think first of the arrival of Europeans cutting farms into the forests along surveyed tracts, building mills on select water courses, and developing commercial interests. More than 8,000 years of First Nation history preceded recorded White settlement.

In the years after the American Revolution, and with the onset of Loyalist settlement, two preliminary surveys charted the West Branch of the Rideau River.

The township was incorporated in 1850.

But do not imagine families immediately settling in what was then Ox-

North Grenville

Heritage

Student Nutrition Programs reach 40,000 + students across Eastern Ontario in 2020-21 Submitted by Upper Canada Leger Centre for Education and Training (UCLCET) School buildings and student programming sites have become more than just a destination for children and youth to socialize and engage in learning; amongst the many other roles these sites play in our communities, for many children they have also become an important source of nutritious food.

Throughout this very different school year, student nutrition programs across Eastern Ontario have found unique and creative ways to continue to fulfill this role.

More than 200 schools and youth agencies throughout the counties of Prescott Russell, Stormont Dundas & Glengarry, Leeds & Grenville and Renfrew provided breakfast and snack programs for students in the 2020-21 school year.

In typical times, healthy June 30, 2021

food is offered by these programs at no cost to students through food bins, buffet settings or student selfpreparation areas. This year student nutrition programs in schools could only offer pre-packaged individual servings, with strict health guidelines for the preparation and distribution of foods. School building closures throughout the year, and the increased number of remote learners created additional challenges for offering nutritious foods to all students.

“School staff, teachers and administrators have gone above and beyond to ensure students continue to have access to nutritious foods for better learning outcomes in this unique year,” explains UCLCET Student Nutrition Program Manager, Jennifer Cuillerier. “To support families with increased food costs related to at home learning, they’ve helped to distribute vouchers redeemable for

healthy foods to more than dents with healthy food 12,000 students.” options to promote better “Local food banks have learning, wherever they also played an important may be learning. It has role in ensuring access to been a truly remarkable healthy foods for students response and through this this year,” added Cuillerier. we have a lot of optimism “Through the generosity for the future.” of our funding partners, Upper Canada Leger food producers, and dis- Centre for Education and tributors we partnered with Training (UCLCET) is a food banks that met the community-focused orgawell-established service nization that seeks to find and delivery models and innovative ways to spearstandards established by head unique projects supFeed Ontario, to provide porting education, diversihealthy food to families ty, health and well-being in with school-age children Eastern Ontario. UCLCET and youth in our commu- is responsible for distributnities.” ing financial support for “Traditional service student nutrition programs models have not been pos- from the provincial Minissible, but student nutrition try of Children, Commuprograms have still reached nity and Social Services, more than 40,000 students among other funding partthis year while ensuring ners, food producers and every safety precaution distributors. is taken,” Matthew Raby, UCLCET Executive Director noted. “Schools and communities have really come together to make sure we are still getting to stu14

31 EYE-CATCHING NEW FLOORING PRODUCTS

by David Shanahan It was in 1791 that the boundaries of Oxford-onRideau Township were laid out by Jesse Pennoyer, Land Surveyor, marking the beginning of what had grown into North Grenville. That same year, the old colony of Quebec was divided into two new provinces, Upper Canada and Lower Canada, the boundary lying along the Ottawa River. In 1867, Upper Canada became the Province of Ontario.

So we have two reasons to remember 1791, and that is why the North Grenville Times has published a special 68-page magazine to mark the more than two centuries of history

and heritage here in North Grenville. The magazine is available free of charge to every resident of the community and beyond who wants to have a souvenir of the anniversary.

Given the (thankfully, easing) restrictions we have all endured for so long, we have copies of the magazine available in stores and coffee shops around the municipality, as well as at our own offices and other centres.

We really hope you enjoy the publication. We’ve had fun and stress getting it ready, and perhaps it will be something to bring out of the archives when we celebrate 250 years in 2041! www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

Misunderstanding mythunderstanding

by David Shanahan When I first saw Don Palmer ’s article in last week’s paper responding to one of mine on Intelligent Design, I was delighted that someone was finally entering into a discussion on these things, as suggested by myself and Dr. Bill Adams in his recent contribution.

However, I’m afraid Don has misunderstood me. He thinks the article was a disguise, that “it was merely a subterfuge” by which I was trying to sneak in a piece of Christian propaganda. Unfair, Don. Everyone who reads the Times knows these articles are written by a Christian and are simply a means of clarifying incorrect ideas about what Christianity is and its historicity. No disguise, no subterfuge.

Anyway, moving on from that, my main comment about Don’s piece is that it lacks any attempt to support his argument with evidence, and simply rejects any argument that is not in keeping with his previously held belief system. Additionally, he is more than a little condescending in tone. He seems to believe that Christians, “jumped on the intelligent design argument,” once their belief in Creationism was discredited. People

as far back as Plato have considered intelligent design as a likely, if not inevitable, explanation for the universe as we find it. In his Dialogues, he has Socrates say: “Whether all this which they call the universe is left to the guidance of unreason and chance medley, or, on the contrary, as our fathers have declared, ordered and governed by a marvellous intelligence and wisdom”.

This is why I pointed out that I had not named Jesus or God, or whatever, in discussing the idea. You don’t have to be a Christian to see that the universal constants and the processes by which the universe operates are far more powerful arguments for design than for a random process.

My comments about Dawkins in his conversation with Ben Stein was in no way a recommendation of Stein.

It simply pointed out that Dawkins had no clearer or more likely idea of how life started on this planet other than “possibly” it was seeded by another civilization that had somehow evolved elsewhere. If he considers that a more likely possibility than that it was designed, then he has far more faith than I do, and it is a completely blind

kind of faith too.

It continues to astound me that Don, Dawkins, and others continue to state most categorically that evolution is a fact supported by evidence. That is simply not the case. It is one theory among others, and not one of the most cogent. The Cambrian Explosion, the information contained in DNA, the lack of any credible transitional fossil forms, all of this indicates something other than a macro-evolutionary process.

But aside from all of this, Don perpetuates an argument that Christopher Hitchens and others were very fond of using, and one which his quote from Elizabeth Anderson repeats. Anderson holds that “the prevalence of predation, parasitism, disease, and imperfect human organs strongly supports the view that the designer is indifferent to us". Now, I know that the Book of Genesis is not one Don and company read a great deal, but it does have something essential to add to the discussion. Whatever you think about the historicity of Adam and Eve, the main point of the book is to explain that this world is not how it was meant to be. There was a Fall, a rebellion, because of which the original state

was warped, spoiled. That is why things are as they are, and, incidentally, why Jesus came to redeem it. Paul talks about this in his letter to the Romans, where he says: “For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” [Romans 8.20-22] I don’t point this out thinking it will convince anyone, but simply to say that Christians do have an explanation for the state of the world. We chose to rule it, rather than God, and he has allowed us the freedom to live with our choices. Sadly, we continue to warp and destroy the world by our selfishness and greed.

But that is another topic for another day.

I wish we could have an open and honest discussion on issues like these, without resorting to claims and comments that only reflect implacable opposition based on a lack of research and facts. But maybe this can be a first step.

Outstanding UCDSB Employees honoured with 2021 Trustee Innovation Award

Trustee Corina Parisien (bottom left) presented virtually to the winners of the UCDSB 2021 Trustee Innovation Award through a Microsoft Teams meeting. Missing from the photo: Bobbi Moore. Submitted photo The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) recognized staff creativity and innovation by announcing the 2021 Trustee Innovation Award (TIA) winners this past week.

The annual awards program recognizes staff for innovative teaching and work practices, with the intent that these practices will be shared and used to improve the way the school board delivers education and other services to students and the community.

With the combination of inJune 30, 2021

person and remote learning taking place throughout the academic year, nominations highlighted a mix of innovative practices to connect with students remotely as well as ignite and inspire health and well-being during the pandemic.

“We’re so honoured to have staff who go above and beyond to engage our students in meaningful ways,” says Corina Parisien, UCDSB Trustee and TIA Committee Chair.

“This year’s winners truly demonstrated out-of-thebox thinking that inspired

us all.”

The TIA Award winners learned of this honour during a virtual Microsoft Teams event earlier this week. They will receive their award in person upon the return to school this fall and they will also be featured in a video presentation to the Board of Trustees.

Laura Oliver, Principal, of Oxford-On-Rideau Public School, Kemptville was one of the recipients.

Laura, with assistance from Dave Pier, coordinated and hosted COVIDEO 2020, as part of her role in leading the Drama Subject Council.

This was an opportunity for students from across our board to share their work in drama, music and visual art with each other during the time of remote learning. Laura hosted COVIDEO 2020 – an online film and art festival – to showcase the amazing work of UCDSB students from K to 12.

This platform has supported students working

with each other in their own schools and between schools to foster engagement during these times.

This is just one of many innovative ways that Laura has connected students to each other at her school and with the Dramatic Arts Subject Council she leads and can be adopted across the school board.

Other winners of this year ’s Trustee Innovation Awards include: Sam Crosby, Teacher, UCDSB Virtual Learning Program: Courtney Lauzon, Special Education Teacher, Viscount Alexander Public School, Cornwall: Sherry Leeder, Teacher, Toniata Public School, Brockville: Bobbi Moore, Parent Council Chair, Thousand Islands Elementary School, Gananoque: Jennifer Peters, Teacher, Chimo Elementary School, Smiths Falls: Bernadette Sauve, Educational Assistant, Cambridge Public School, Embrun, and Leanne Schachow, Teacher, Rideau District High School, Westport.

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The NG Photography Club

Photographer Trevor Meunier captured this image of the early morning eclipse recently in Johnstown, Ontario.

PINE RIDGE CABINETS Happy Canada Day

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The Streets of North Grenville Prescott Street from the river to Reuben, west side

Happy Canada Day!!

STORE HOURS Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 8:00am to 6:00pm Sunday 9:00am to 6:00pm

301 Rideau Street, Kemptville

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS! THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT AMAZING!

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immediately south of the river was the location of a tannery established in the 1830's by Sandford and Hunton, later sold to Surrager Barnes, and for years one of only two businesses on this side of the river. This building later burned down and was not rebuilt. When the present building was being built in 1902, the original vats and machinery of the tannery were uncovered.

A white frame building used to stand here, and housed a Chinese laundry, the building overhanging the river and using its water to clean clothes. Records state that the laundry was owned by Wong Shou, who came to Canada in 1918. However, the laundry appears on a 1917 map of Kemptville, so it was possibly opened by someone else, unless Wong Shu arrived earlier than thought. The wall mural of the steamboat faces this site.

The Holmes Block used to be the Hinton Block and was built in 1902. It’s made of brick, with iron girders throughout, an imposing and solid structure anchoring the north end of the street, and has housed a wide variety of commercial operations. It has also contained residential units on the upper floors, and the door leading to them is now

by David Shanahan These days, Prescott Street is considered the main artery of downtown Kemptville. But before 1872, it was just developing as a commercial and residential street, and Clothier was the oldest street in town. It is recorded, that cattle were grazing at what is now the corner of Prescott and Asa Streets around 1840, and the first businesses to be established south of the river started in the 1830's. A school was in place a decade before this on the corner of Prescott and Reuben, where the CIBC bank now stands.

In 1872, Prescott Street was lined with wood frame buildings containing stores, hotels, tailors, and saddlers; but Main Street, as Clothier West was then known, remained the centre of town. On May 13, 1872, a huge fire destroyed every building on both sides of the street between Water and Asa, and an enormous rebuilding program took place. This time, the buildings were primarily of stone or brick, some of which remain with us today.

Walking up the west side of the street today, it is possible to reconstruct what it looked like more than a century ago. Crossing the bridge, you look upstream where the original mills stood that gave Kemptville its raison d’être, now long gone. The empty space

June 30, 2021

funding of $4,999.200 in addition to the $69,605,226 received for 2020/21.

The Winchester District Memorial Hospital will receive an additional $576,900.

This is in addition to the $28,843,115 received for 2020/21.

“This new investment, which is above and beyond

fire, he built a new stone building and carried on his business there until 1895.

This was also the location of the very first Library in Kemptville, after 1900.

The building was taken over by the Bank of Ottawa in 1895, the first banking institution in Kemptville.

The Bank of Ottawa later became amalgamated with the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The Bank moved premises further up Prescott St. in 1910, and it became the site of the new Post Office and Cenotaph. The Post Office was designed

by David Ewart, who was Chief Dominion Architect from 1896 to 1914. The Post Office must have been one of his last designs in that position. A square tower on the building had four clock faces, one facing in each direction. On the rear of the upper portion of the building was a bell, and a large hammer rang out the hours.

This building became a landmark in Kemptville for decades, before being demolished in 1970. The cenotaph had been moved to the High School grounds the previous year. The once busy corner lot is now a quiet green space.

Help Support Your Local Businesses

Province provides additional funding for hospitals The office of MPP Steve Clark has announced that the Kemptville District Hospital will receive additional funding of $334,400 to meet demands for services. This is in addition to the funding of $16,715,040 received for 2020/21.

The Brockville General Hospital will receive new

blocked up, and can be seen between the first two stores.

The store at the south end of the building was once the Star Café, a Chinese restaurant owned by Henry Wong.

The remaining buildings as far as Reuben Street are all relatively new. Where the Crusty Baker is now, used to be a residence and a cake and pastry shop. Then came the store of W. A. Barnes, and an article dealing with the family and their business which stood on the site for almost a century appeared in the May 26 issue of the Times. All of these buildings were destroyed by fire. The Bodhi Tree stands on the site of another wellknown business. Mundle & Percival store burned down in 1915, after almost thirty years in business. The fire almost destroyed the new and unopened Post Office which had been built next door, and which sustained considerable damage. This delayed the opening of the new Post Office, which survived because of its stone construction.

The new building replaced a much older one on Clothier Street, and the site had already seen quite a lot of history before 1915.

Before the fire of 1872, John Magee, a tailor, had a store on this site. After the

includes overall sector increases of 2% in 2019-20, 3% in 2020-2021 and most recently, 3.4% in 2021-22.

Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy, brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health.

the typical increase to base funding, is just one way Ontario is supporting highquality and timely access to health care both during the pandemic and in the future,” said MPP Clark.

Over the last three years, the Ontario government has made significant investments in Ontario’s hospitals. This 16

SHOP LOCALLY the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca www.ngtimes.ca

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The Food Corner

The Voice of North Grenville

CROSSWORD

by Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville Some of you may be aware that Liane, Salamanders' resident culinary artist, is also a lover and breeder of Australian Shepherds. The LilyPond Australian Shepherds operation takes place at our family farm just north of Merrickville. So, this week I would like to offer you something delicious for the pooch – or pooches – in your family. It's what I feed Havoc, Willow, Shine and Indigo, our resident Aussies on a regular basis. They love it and so do I, because it's easy to make and guarantees that our gang is well fed and in good health.

Pooch Delight

Ingredients 4 cups of cooked rice 1 dozen eggs ¼ cup of milk 2 tablespoons of butter 1 pound of minced beef or pork Preparation 1. Break the eggs into a largish bowl, whisk in the milk until you have the makings for scrambled eggs.

2. Cook the egg mixture in half the butter until firm.

3. In the same pan, cook the minced meat until well done; use a potato masher to break up the meat if you have to.

4. Combine the scrambled eggs, meat and rice and let cool.

5. Refrigerate in sealed containers and serve to your pooches within 3 to 4 days of preparation.

Special Notes · You can up or down scale this recipe according to the size of your dog or the number of dogs that you have in your family; make as much as you need but don't store for too long. · Do not add any spices to any of the ingredients, i.e., no salt, no pepper, nothing that will upset your dog's tummy; · If your dog's coat is losing its shine, you can add 3 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil to the mixture. · If you don't wish to use minced meat, you can substitute 1 can of high quality canned commercial dog food. Be careful to avoid canned dog food that contain additives that are just fillers.

This is the season to get your dogs out into the fresh air for lots of good exercise. Our guys keep fit by running after and arguing over a tennis ball that I "chuck" out to them. Havoc then drops into the pool to refresh.

Stay well and be in touch at: pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

North Grenville marked the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism

Mayor Nancy Peckford issued a statement on June 23 to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

“Today, on the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, we remember victims of terrorism, including those from the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, bound for the United Kingdom from Canada, which killed 329 innocent people on board, including 280 Canadians. The attack remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history.

Unfortunately, in the last decade, Canada has seen more terrorist attacks. On October 22, 2014, Parliament and the National War Memorial in Ottawa were the

targets of an unprecedented attack by a lone gunman.

The shooter killed Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a ceremonial guard at the War Memorial, and then charged into Centre Block on Parliament Hill where hundreds of MPs were meeting, and was eventually shot to death by House of Commons Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, Parliament’s chief security official. The attack raised questions about parliamentary security and sparked a national debate over the nature of terrorism.

Earlier this month, on June 6, terrorism struck Canada again when a family of five were the victims of a hatemotivated terrorist attack as they were on a night-time walk. They have been survived solely by a nine-year-

ACROSS 1. Scrimp 6. Behold, in old Rome 10. Whacks 14. House style 15. Diva's solo 16. Dash 17. Lacquer ingredient 18. Obtains 19. Way in 20. Corridor 22. Dogfish 23. Enticed 24. Creek 25. Beige 29. Asserted 31. Metalworks 33. Very drunk (British slang) 37. Repleted 38. Characteristic of winter

39. Smiled contemptuously 41. Ductile 42. Paunch 44. Goulash 45. Bearing great weight 48. Alerts 50. Desire 51. Relating to frogs and toads 56. Principal 57. Chills and fever 58. Eagle's nest 59. Small island 60. Small slender gull 61. A group of lions 62. Accomplishment 63. Tall woody plant 64. Alleviated

DOWN 1. Stair 2. A city in western Russia 3. Midmonth date 4. French for "Names" 5. Courtroom event 6. Thirstily 7. Embroidery yarn 8. Stronghold 9. Not difficult 10. In spite of everything 11. San Antonio fort 12. Terrace 13. Move stealthily 21. Protected 24. Start 25. F F F F 26. Metal money 27. Govern 28. Made without yeast 30. Tartarus 32. Type of hat 34. Send forth 35. An exchange involving money 36. Killed 40. Widow 41. Terrestrial 43. Ripe 45. Damp 46. Delete 47. Spry 49. Anagram of "Space" 51. Insulation 52. Sister and wife of Zeus 53. Colored part of an eye 54. Orderly 55. Require

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

old son – three generations lost in a single night.

As difficult as this may be, we must recognize the reality that Canada is not immune to hate, division and racism. The number of police-recorded hate crimes, according to Statistics Canada, remains high compared to recent years.

Discrimination towards Muslims is not a problem simply for Muslims: it affects us all. When one group is attacked, we are all diminished.

Today, we pause to remember and pay tribute to all Canadian victims of terrorism, and to everyone living with the pain and trauma caused by these senseless acts of violence.”

North Grenville flags were flown at half mast.

Easy

Medium

Hard

Solution to last week’s Crossword

Puzzled over Real Estate.....Give us a call ** Broker

June 30, 2021

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Rekmans Automotive Inc. Kemptville SEEKING AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN

NOW HIRING

Rekmans Automotive is looking for a for a full-time fully licensed Automotive Service Technician. Are you a licensed technician who takes customer service and integrity seriously? Do you take pride in your work and pay attention to details? We would you like to work for us.

We are a family-owned local business located in Kemptville with a respected reputation as a local and trustworthy service provider.

We take a lot of pride in our products and the quality of our work, and we never hesitate to go the extra mile to earn the complete confidence of our customers.

If you are multi-talented and you enjoy a challenge, please submit your resume.

Cleaners for commercial & residential properties Bending, kneeling, repetitive motion All supplies & equipment provided Background check required Experience an asset Attention to detail

Willing to train the right candidate Must have reliable transportation Working in teams of 2 Monday-Friday and/or weekend

CONTACT: Heaphyscleaningservice@gmail.com

The successful candidate; - will have experience in drive line automotive and general repair

WANTED

- will be a licensed automotive technician or late apprenticeship (3rd or 4th year)

The Eric Gutknecht Memorial Bursary Charity (jams & jelly sales) is looking for 250ml canning jars, red and black currants, elderberry, gooseberry when in season. Drop off at 529 George Street or call 258-4529 Billy

Expected start date: June 14th, 2021 • Full time, permanent position • 8 Hour shifts from Monday to Friday.

Please apply to: Gerry Rekmans, Owner and Operator Rekmansautomotive@bellnet.ca

Help Support Your Local Businesses

COMMUNITY NOTICE ANNUAL VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

SHOP LOCALLY

Every year, CN is required to clear its right-of-way of any vegetation that may pose a safety hazard.

Vegetation on railway right-of-way, if left uncontrolled, can contribute to trackside fires and impair proper inspection of track infrastructure. The spray program is not being done for aesthetic reasons.

For safe railway operations, CN will conduct its annual spray program on its rail lines in the province of Ontario. A certified professional will be applying herbicides on and around the railway tracks (primarily along the 16 feet graveled area/ballast). All product requirements for setbacks in the vicinity of dwellings, aquatic environments and municipal water supplies will be met.

CN may use the following herbicides and active ingredients: VP480 (Dow), Esplanade (Bayer), Overdrive (BASF), Detail (BASF), Arsenal (BASF), Navius (Bayer), Gateway (Corteva), VisionMax (Bayer) using Glyphosate (480g/L or 540g/L), Indaziflam (200 g/L), Diflufenzopyr (20%), Dicamba (50%), Saflufenacil (29.74%), imazapyr isopropylamine (26.7%), Metsulfuron-methyl (12.6%), Aminocyclopyrachlor (39.5%), Paraffinic Oil (586 g/L), Alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants (242 g/L) CN only uses herbicides that have been approved for use in Canada and in the Province within which they are applied.

The program is expected to take place from June to October 2021.

Visit www.cn.ca/vegetation to see the list of cities as well as the updated schedule.

For more information, contact the CN Public Inquiry Line at contact@cn.ca or 1-888-888-5909.

cn.ca

Classifieds FOR SALE

jgharris@sympatico.ca MISCELLANEOUS

Firewood for sale - mixed hardwood, 3 cord minimum for delivery, $110 per cord, call Jon 613-227-3650

Looking to rent farmland for cash crops. Call or text Mitch @ 613-262-1204.

JENN-AIR BLACK SELF CLEANING WALL OVEN EXCELLENT SHAPE $ 50.00.

JACKIE 613 821 6161

Looking to harvest cedar trees for hedges off acreages from landowners. Please call 613-799-0958

SERVICES RETIRED CARPENTER Renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, decks, home repair.

Call George at 613 462 7637

Honda Generator 7000 watts, inverter series 613 258 6577 ask for Arnold

SEND IN YOUR CLASSIFIED

NEW AUGUSTA WOODBURNING FIREBOWL $80.00.CALL 613-258-0445

BUY AND SELL LOCALLY

Hardwood for sale. Milled black walnut. Merrickville June 30, 2021

email classifieds@ngtimes.ca for pricing HEDGE TRIMMING Tall or Small Free estimates, references call or text Rob at 613-795-1845

HANDYMAN SERVICES Call Bill 613 774 2922

to classifieds@ngtimes.ca

FIRST TEN WORDS FREE 18

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Arts Guild offers ten unique paintings for auction

Due to Public Health restrictions, the North Grenville Arts Guild Charity Auction will, unfortunately, not be held in person. This does not mean that the only way to view or bid on the one-time, original canvases created by process of co-operative painting, will be online. All of the completed works will be displayed in the north creek side, bay window of the North Grenville Public Library (the Children’s Department).

They will be in place on July 1 for revellers and the curious to take a look. Of course, they will still be viewable online

on the Guild’s Facebook page as well.

For those wishing to place a bid, there will be several methods. Bids can be placed through the following: - Library, silent auction paper located at the front desk -Facebook page (see North Grenville Arts Guild page for details) - Email, send your bids to northgrenvilleartsguild@ gmail.com with the canvas # in the subject line.

Bidding closes at 12:00 pm on July, 31.

Winning bids will be announced by 8 pm on July 31,

through the NGAG Facebook page, and winners will also be contacted personally.

Methods of payments accepted upon pickup: EMT, cash, cheque, debit and credit cards.

The proceeds of the auction of these paintings will be donated to the North Grenville Public Library for their very worthy community outreach programs. The NGAG hopes that the community will take the opportunity to view the work from the creek side Gallery and be moved to support this unique endeavour.

Happy Birthday Canada

www.natureswayselect.ca 2676 County Rd. 43, Kemptville 613.258.7772

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Property Maintenance Inc.

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&

Right Meets Might submitted by Jim Bertram The great 19th century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, is quoted as having said the following with respect to political practice: “I repeat...that all power is a trust … that we are accountable for its exercise... that, from the people and for the people all springs.”

Disraeli’s comment and similar comments by great and thoughtful leaders are important to consider in a country which assumes itself to be a democracy based on honouring the rights of its citizens, as opposed to leaving citizens at the mercy of the opportunistic and cynical sharks who so often ply the seas of politics.

Disraeli’s idea isn’t a new one. And it may not be the most eloquently said. But it reminds me of a comment our MPP made last year which was quoted in an N.G. Times article. In the article, MPP Clarke is quoted as having responded to a question about the right of North Grenville residents to be consulted before a provincial government decision was taken to build a large new correctional facility in Kemptville. Clarke’s answer was abrupt and to the point. He stated bluntly that the province was alone in having the power to decide this issue. And quite recently, our Mayor, Ms. Peckford seems to have spoken for all of NG Council when she repeated Mr. Clarke’s words on the subject of provincial power, word for word. Yes. That’s right. Just the province has anything to say about the issue. I guess neither June 30, 2021

Clarke nor Peckford are familiar either with Disraeli or the finer points of democratic decision-making.

At this time, both the province and Council are making mumbling and unhappy sounds about responding to some issues which I brought up vigorously (some poor souls would say ‘rudely’) in a series of seven articles which the N.G. Times published between August and November of 2020. The province has, for example, uttered words to the effect that they will provide funds for additional policing requirements following construction of the jail. Of course, the definition of additional requirements will be provided by… yeah- you guessed it! The province!

Additional words have been uttered to the effect that additional funds will be allocated for additions to the drinking and waste water systems made necessary by the addition of a prison to Kemptville’s water infrastructure. Town dwellers should really be paying attention here. The definition of what constitutes additional requirements here will also be defined by… hey, you guys are good. Right on. Yes .

THE PROVINCE. See a pattern here?

And what says the Mayor? She repeats the provincial wordplay which will not be put to the test for a few years. And who will remember then? She says the province has the right to build this prison. And I have seen not a single challenge of that power, right or prerogative from our Mayor or Council from August 2020 to now. I have seen

nothing from Council that betrays the slightest desire to stand for and represent the rights of our NG citizens. Not even a hint of reaction to the casually brutal and callous treatment of our citizens’ and Council’s right to be consulted on such a momentous issue.

Fellow residents, power does NOT confer or constitute right. The judicious and wise power of a democracy is not expressed in the tense and terse manner in which Mr. Clarke has brandished his “power”- his “sole power” - as a club to beat down fair and reasonable concerns of people who love their community and, to use one of the Mayor’s favourite terms, ‘care’ for each other. At the end of the day, neither Clarke nor Peckford may care much for what the Jail Opposition Group which I founded a year ago continues to do in alliance with CAPP, another jail opposition group founded by Colleen Lynas.

No, they may not be happy about our growing opposition efforts. But with the support of residents, our voices grow stronger. We know that might or power, even rooted in statute, does not automatically confer right. ONLY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE MAY DO THAT. Please join the groups of citizens opposing the imposition without true consultation of this jail on the people of Kemptville.

Join the growing numbers of people placing lawn signs on their property indicating their opposition to this project. All will pay, very few will gain if the jail is built.

vecteezy

(613) 258 6805

www.moexinc.com

Province reviewing recommendations of Tourism Recovery Report

The provincial government has released a report prepared by the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, which makes recommendations on how to support the province’s $36-billion tourism industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, was joined

by Tim Hudak, Chair of the Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force, to provide details about the report, which will feed into the ministry’s strategic five-year plan.

The report provides 10 key recommendations about how to rebuild and reshape the future of Ontario’s tourism industry. The recommendations include reducing red tape for tourism businesses, restoring consumer confidence in visitors through collaboration between public health officials and the tourism industry and encouraging Ontarians to experience the province through industry co-ordinated travel days. The report also suggests new opportunities to showcase the best Ontario has to offer through itineraries, packages and trails that will make it easier to find local Ontario products and experiences.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on Ontario’s tourism industry. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have listened to and worked closely with industry experts from across our sectors to help assess the impacts of the pandemic and how best to support them,” said Minister MacLeod.

The Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force was asked to provide strategies and advice to help position Ontario and its local communities as destinations of choice for travel, as well as identify products and experiences that enhance destination development.

The task force’s report is informed by industry research, advice and recommendations put forward by the 14 Ministerial Advisory Councils at the onset of the pandemic, and formal submissions received from individuals and sector associations across Ontario’s tourism industry.

Minister Hudak served as the Task Force’s Chair. He said, the task force was, “comprised of a membership of so many talented tourism leaders to help craft a plan that will help people create memories of a lifetime. The work of this group will also play a key role in getting Ontarians back on the payroll in our tourism and hospitality sectors.”

Ontario will carefully review the task force’s recommendations. This input will be critical to the development of the ministry’s strategic five-year plan and will help encourage essential sector transformation, ensuring Ontario tourism continues to be a key pillar of the province’s economy and regional employment while remaining globally competitive for tourists and investment.

The Tourism Economic Recovery Ministerial Task Force was created in March 2021 to provide advice and information to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. In December 2020, the ministry asked industry partners in the heritage, tourism, sports, and arts and culture sectors for their feedback on a White Paper. The paper, Reconnecting Ontarians, is a broad-based recovery strategy that touches on all industries represented by the ministry. Tourism is a key economic driver in Ontario – in 2018, the tourism industry supported more than 390,000 jobs and generated over $36 billion of economic activity for the province.

19

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COVID-19

Information for North Grenville Residents

Ontario has entered STEP TWO of the provincial ‘Roadmap to Reopen’ visit: www.ontario.ca/reopen.

• • • • • • • •

The Roadmap to Reopen

Municipal Updates:

The Roadmap to Reopen is a three-step plan to safely reopn the province.

The Municipal Offices are open Monday Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Kemptville Pool is Open

Step 2 includes: Outdoor gatherings/events up to 25 people; Indoor social gatherings with up to 5 people Essential retail at 50% capacity; Non-essential retail at 25% capacity; Outdoor dining up to 6 people per table; Personal care services permitted (some restrictions); Religious services & ceremonies at 25% capacity; Outdoor sports with restrictions.

Book your 45-minute swim block online (required).

Registration for swimming lessons will open 14 days prior to the start date of each program. More details can be found at northgrenville.ca.

Summer Camps YMCA Summer Camps are returning to North Grenville.

For more information and to register visit the YMCA of Eastern Ontario at www.eo.ymca.ca.

Please stay safe and follow Public Health protocols.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information As of June 23, 2021, over 76 % Ontarians ages 18 and over have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and over 29 % have received their second dose.

2m (6’)

Call our Health Unit at 1-844-369-1234 to book, change or cancel a vaccine appointment.

MAINTAIN 2M DISTANCE

GET YOUR SHOT

CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK

For more information on the provincial vaccine rollout visit covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine For information about COVID-19 visit the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit at: healthunit.org.

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

STAY HOME IF YOU FEEL UNWELL

The Municipality’s priority is protecting the health and safety of our residents. Visit: www.northgrenville.ca/coronavirus.

The North Grenville Municipal Offices is open Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Email us at: general@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569.

Thank you for supporting our local businesses.

Celebrate all that North Grenville has to offer!

Discover the Businesses that make our community great!

Visit: www.LoveNG.ca June 30, 2021

20

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Cleavers cleaving to brushy backyardsLooking for Cleavers' stories

Cleavers (Galium aparine) in the Schuelers' Manitoba Maple grove in Bishops Mills (photo by Aleta Karstad) Fred Schueler and Aleta Karstad, Fragile Inheritance Natural History The genus Galium is called Bedstraw because, back before mattresses cost $750, they were stuffed with the stems and whorled leaves of these sprawling plants.

This year, our un-mowed shady spots have been overrun with a species of Bedstraw, which we'd tentatively called "Cleavers," knowing that this was a pricklystemmed Galium, and looking it up we found that we were using the right English name for the species Galium aparine. This has a long list of other English names, including Sticky-willy, Hitchhikers, Catchweed, Grip-grass, and Velcro-plant, and the minute hooked hairs on leaves, stems, and tiny burr-like fruit "cleave" onto anything that brushes by them, including socks and pant legs.

This is apparently a native species, found all across the Northern Hemisphere, but this spring it's acting like an invasive around our homesite, clambering over Garlic Mustard and other invasives like a green surf, going a metre high up on fences and brushy areas, and dotting our clothes

HEAPHYS CLEANING SERVICE

June 30, 2021

with little green burrs. Before a couple of years ago, we never noticed much Bedstraw here, and Cleavers is missing from the list of eastern Ontario vascular plants we inherited from the MNR back in the 1990s.

Wikipedia warns that while Cleavers is too prickly to eat raw, it can be cooked as a potherb. A quick experiment conducted during the composition of this article revealed a mild and pleasant flavour, along with a tremendous amount of prickly fibre.

Wikipedia also says that while exposure to Cleavers may cause "an unpleasant localized rash" in some individuals, poultices and teas of the plant can be used to treat "a variety of skin ailments, light wounds, burns, poisonous bites, and stings."

I asked around by e-mail and facebook about the status of Cleavers, and got a variety of responses: Kristl Walek in Brockville hadn't seen any, Valerie Kirkwood in Actons Corners has "lots and lots of Bedstraw, but none of it is the prickly kind," Douglas Thompson in the Richmond/North Gower area says Bedstraw "has been on the ascendancy for the past

ALL NATURAL

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The Voice of North Grenville

N I JO S! U

couple of years. I do not see any prickles," Stew Hamill in Wolford Centre "first identified Galium aparine in 2001 but haven't seen any large increase lately," Matt Keevil on Craig Road noticed Bedstraw "seemingly increasing at my place too. We have had the clinging species in the past, which was probably seeded by birdseed, but the species we have in abundance now tangles feet but doesn't stick."

Across southern Ontario, some field-botanist respondents had seen increases in Cleavers, and others had other Bedstraws. Carla Carlson has Cleavers in Vineland Station: "For about 5 years it's been horrific in our sandy loam. Everywhere on all the properties and down the hill to the Twenty Mile Creek.

Covers all our gardens, all our flowers. And never had it before that to speak of."

We suspect that this year's long cool spring may have encouraged both the Cleavers and other Bedstraws. Galium is a huge genus (about 650 species), with many species that are hard to identify, and many spread around by human activity. Matt Keevil went after his "tangles feet but doesn't stick" species and "tentatively reached an identification of Galium mollugo that iNaturalist.ca calls Hedge Bedstraw and Go Botany calls Whorled Bedstraw. The other possible ID is Galium album (White Bedstraw). There's only a handful of flowers open so far and the last couplet depends on them, so it may be a bit early to be sure. Apparently both species are introduced to North America" (see https://inaturalist.ca/ observations/81626634).

Another introduced species is Yellow Bedstraw, Galium verum, which Wasyl Bakowsky recalled as "dominating old fields in Richmond Hill (houses now of course) around 1990, and now becoming more frequent in every direction," and which we've recorded as matting down roadsides along the Dwyer Hill Road.

If anyone has stories of increasing or decreasing Cleavers, wants us to try to identify photos of Bedstraws, or just wants to complain how hard it is to get the little green burrs off their socks, they can write to us at bckcdb@istar.ca.

21

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Eat healthy without breaking the bank

How would you like to have a cart full of healthy foods and still save money? Anyone who does the grocery shopping will tell you, it is more expensive to buy the ingredients for a healthy diet like vegetables, nuts, fruit and fish than the refined grains, processed prepared foods and meats of an unhealthy diet. Is there a way to buy healthy and keep costs down?

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, Professor of Nutrition at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, emphasizes that it is worth spending the time to spend your grocery dollars wisely.

“We have seen again and again that people who eat more fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancers and other chronic diseases.”

His colleague, Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, notes that planning makes a big difference in the food budget.

He says, decide what you need for a week’s meals and buy only those items.

Try to incorporate healthy meals that advantage of store deals. Build meals around items you already have in your pantry, and plan menus that are suitable for cooking extra portions that can be easily reheated for another meal.

Blumberg adds, look into the refrigerator to make good use of the things you already have.

For items that have a long

shelf life, buy bulk. Remember, when buying perishable foods consider what you will use promptly and freeze the rest.

Av o i d p u r c h a s i n g ready-made meals. They are invariably more expensive than buying the ingredients.

There is also a myth that organic selections are more nutritious than conventional counterparts.

Dr Alice H. Lichtenstein, professor of nutrition and science policy, also at Tufts, says all fruits and vegetables (whether fresh, frozen, cooked or raw, organic or conventional) are health promoting choices from a nutritional standpoint.

Another misconception is that gluten-free foods are better for health than those that contain gluten.

But Dr. Mozaffarian says replacing refined wheat products with refined rice and corn products may have some health gains but also possible harms.

Gluten-free diets, according to studies at Tufts, were significantly lower in protein, magnesium, vitamin E, dietary fiber and higher in calories that most people do not need.

The point is that unless you are in the one percent of the population that suffers from celiac disease or the six percent that are thought to have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, there is no need for gluten-free foods. Save your money.

A few years ago, re-

searchers showed that, on average, it cost $1.50 a day more to choose healthy foods when shopping in a supermarket. They also wisely suggested that you could save that much by saying “no” to coffee, dessert or some other goodie.

These savings translate to better health for individuals and tremendous savings for families and governments in terms of health care expenditures down the road.

Finally, consider the impact of smarter shopping in terms of food wastage and environmental concerns. It is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of the North American food supply goes unconsumed every year. That is a matter of disgraceful waste and economic inefficiency.

But the amount of food and food packaging that terminates unused in landfills is also an environmental problem that industry, governments and consumers all share. As consumers, when you shop, make a point of refusing to buy products in excessive or nonrecyclable packaging.

While there are still big challenges around easy and equitable access to nutritious and affordable food, you can take steps toward smarter shopping.

In this uncertain world, remember this sage advice: a dollar saved is also a dollar earned.

Visit www.docgiff.com for health tips and more.

For comments, contactus@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones

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Council faces continued opposition to proposed correctional facility

Part of the land, located on the former Kemptville College Campus, on which the proposed EOCC will stand. work together on, “opportunities regarding the use of the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter lands that will not be directly used by the facility, such as At the Municipal Council the municipality’s vision for Meeting on June 22, Council community-driven agriculreceived a Delegation from tural and related initiatives.”

Kirk Albert of the Jail Oppo- The letter also touched on, sition Group (JOG) and Col- and aimed to reassure, issues leen Lynas of the Coalition involving cost and upcoming Against the Proposed Prison environmental assessments.

(CAPP) on the topic of the The letter concluded that a Eastern Ontario Correctional follow-up engagement sesComplex (EOCC) proposed sion, similar to the one held for the former Kemptville in November 2020, will take College lands. Council’s re- place at some point this sumception to the delegation was mer. a somewhat resigned one: Colleen and Kirk picked while some council members up on the vague and repetitive clearly do not relish the pro- nature of a number of stateposed EOCC, they will not be ments included in SolGen’s opposing it either. letter. Colleen began the delThe Delegation follows a egation by stating: “Secrecy letter issued to Mayor Nancy and a lack of transparency Peckford from The Minis- - words best used to describe try of the Solicitor General the provincial government’s (SolGen) on June 10. The behaviour surrounding the letter detailed ways in which proposed Kemptville prison.”

SolGen, the municipality, and While JOG and CAPP oppose our MPP Steve Clark will the EOCC completely, the

by Rachel Everett-Fry

evening’s discussion zeroed in on issues of transparency and the lack of productive communication between individuals and groups involved in this process.

Readers who have been following the controversy in our community surrounding EOCC will recall last week’s article by Colleen and Kirk.

Their Delegation included much of the same material: that after the Access to Information Request was made, only 10 out of 145 pages of documentation on EOCC was made visible; that Kemptville doesn’t seem to meet the requirements initially set by the province for the facility; and that there is concerning language about “potential future expansion” within the 10 pages that were released.

Kirk also formally requested that Mayor Nancy Peckford, “formally correct the record, on erroneous comments that the prison would

bring 500 new, local jobs.”

Mayor Peckford proceeded to do so: those 500 jobs were actually declared by SolGen to refer to the whole province of Ontario. Mayor Peckford went on to say, however, that given the size of the facility, there will be, “some employment.”

Councillor John Barclay added that even if the facility does not provide any North Grenville residents with jobs, those coming into the community to work will, “take their wallets with them,” boosting the sales for North Grenville businesses. Later, Councillor Barclay was careful to add that potential economic benefits would not equate to his wholehearted support of the correctional facility. It seems Councillor Barclay’s full support is contingent on how things proceed.

Indeed, Council is dealing with a community that is divided over the proposed prison, and lands that are owned by the Provincial Government. Mayor Peckford acknowledged that council is aiming to, “do our best with our limited powers.”

Likewise, Councillor Kristin Strackerjan said that “a want for a prison is probably not realistic” but she seems to doubt that the provincial government has insidious plans in mind.

In the Delegation, Kirk pointed to language in the letter issued by SolGen that appears to commit to one-time rather than ongoing costs. The letter states that, “the project budget includes the necessary funding to support the servicing and road requirements for

Plowing Match (IPM) of 2022. Mayor Peckford recommended that residents “look forward to what can happen on the agricultural lands that will remain.”

These steps, however, did not address the points brought forward in the delegation.

Nadia Gray, a member of the public in attendance at the meeting, explained that her issue is that the proposed prison is being made to seem “non-negotiable.” And yet, no contracts have been signed for the proposed facility.

Colleen called the response from Council “shocking” and criticized the, “failure to really candidly debate and challenge and push back on the government.”

Mairéad Frizell, another member of the public in attendance of the meeting, pointed out that the land on which the facility is proposed to be built is, “still Indigenous land. And we’re going to use this facility to do what? Incarcerate a third of that population?” Though the letter from SolGen stated governmental collaboration with “Indigenous partners” it is yet to be seen what that will mean. Councillor John Barclay stated that, “issues of the justice system and Indigenous rights are really beyond the purview of this council.” But this seems to beg the question: if municipal council will not take a stand on issues with the justice system and indigenous rights that are brought to them by members of the community, who will?

the facility.” But a statement concerning on-going costs is limited to a commitment to “appropriately plan for the additional sewage capacity and to mitigate any impacts to municipal infrastructure.”

Chief Administrative Officer Gary Dyke also acknowledged Council’s limited powers in the situation, but stated that he is working with other Municipalities, through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), to address the “Heads and Beds” levy. “Heads and Beds,” or payment in lieu of tax, allows the provincial government to pay $75 per head/bed for occupancy in provincial colleges, universities, hospitals, and correctional facilities rather than property taxes or other forms of taxation.

Officer Dyke explained he is committed to continuing his lobby against the Heads and Beds levy in order to reduce any potential financial impact of the EOCC for North Grenville residents.

Mayor Peckford responded to the delegation, stating: “My job, and I think our job as council, is to focus on the well-being of this community.

And I believe as Mayor, that you elected me to have tough conversations and to not walk away from the table.” She also highlighted her enthusiasm for the possibility for use of the agricultural lands. MPP Steve Clark, who was in attendance of the meeting, said he is, “very excited about the Deputy Solicitor General’s response, and it does give us a focus to build upon.”

One of these focal points is the anticipated International

New builder Code of Ethics and improved claims processes coming into force The Ontario government is further strengthening protections for buyers and owners of new homes by introducing a new Code of Ethics for builders and vendors of new homes, clarifications to the simplified warranty and protections claims process for defects in new homes, and a mediation process for homeowners who dispute a warranty claim assessment. These changes come into effect on July 1, 2021 and will support a standard of work and professionalism that reflects the best of Ontario’s homebuilding industry.

Announced by Ross June 30, 2021

Romano, Minister of Government and Consumer Services, the new Code of Ethics – under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017 – will require licensed builders and vendors of new homes to operate in a professional manner with honesty, integrity, financial responsibility, and without intimidation or coercion. It also provides the Home Construction Regulatory Authority with a new discipline committee and an appeals committee process to hold bad actors accountable.

“Since taking on overdue changes to this important sector, our number one

goal has been to protect homeowners and support ethical practices and topnotch service by homebuilders and vendors,” said Minister Romano. “We all benefit when we raise the bar for quality new home construction in Ontario and make it easier for buyers and owners to get what they paid for. Our government is proud to be reaching the next milestone in this journey on July 1st.”

Enhancements are also being made to Tarion, the organization that administers Ontario’s new home warranty and protection program. The dispute resolution and new home war22

ranty and protection claims processes has been adjusted to simplify the claims process for consumers and improve transparency.

These changes add to other improvements for consumer protection including the Rebuilding Consumer Confidence Act, 2020 and the designation of the Home Construction Regulatory Authority as the regulator responsible for builders and vendors of new homes. These changes also address the Auditor General of Ontario’s recommendations in the 2019 Special Audit of the Tarion Warranty Corporation.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Darren Dwyer

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DWYER

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The Voice of North Grenville

MP Barrett opposes Federal Ban on Conversion Therapy

The signage on MP Michael Barrett’s office in Downtown Kemptville includes a toll free number for questions and comments from his constituency

by Rachel Everett-Fry

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Our MP Michael Barrett was the focus of some attention in social media last week after voting against a federal ban on Conversion Therapy. On June 22, the House of Commons voted on Bill C-6, a federal ban on conversion therapy. The bill passed with a 263-63 vote. MP Barrett was one of the 63 MPs who voted against the bill. This was the

third reading of the bill, which means it is on its way to pass through the Senate before becoming law. The LGBTQ+ community is celebrating this as a victory, though long overdue. Kemptville Pride issued a statement, stating that, it is “disappointing that people who are tasked with making major decisions like this are not prepared and knowledgeable to make an informed vote.”

Conversion therapy is defined in the bill as “a practice,

treatment or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual or gender identity to cisgender, or to repress or reduce nonheterosexual attraction or sexual behaviour.” In other words, conversion therapy takes a person’s non-heterosexuality or trans* gender identity as something to be fixed. Methods include talk therapy, shaming tactics, or physical ‘treatments’ such as shock therapy. There is no scientific evidence that sexu-

ality can be changed. Many conversion therapy methods have been linked to long term trauma: making a queer person believe they can, and in fact should, become straight is inherently damaging. And yet the practice remains legal in Canada, until this Bill comes into effect.

In a statement issued to the media, MP Barrett said, “I am unequivocal in my opposition to conversion therapy and attempts to forcibly change a person’s sexual orientation.

All Canadians deserve respect and protection, and members of the LGBTQ2 community, of course, deserve this protection. Conversion therapy is reprehensible, and it should be outlawed.” He stated that he supported the bill at the second reading in the House of Commons. He declines to, actually state, that he changed his vote in the third reading of the bill.

Conservative party statements indicated that the MPs’ intentions were to, “add clarity to the bill, specifically that, it exclude purely private discussions between an individual struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity and those seeking to

Creativity expressed through grafting

Photo of grafted potato/petunia approximately three weeks after grafting

by Dan Driedger The garden is a place of creativity and backyard adventure. It is for this reason that many choose not June 30, 2021

to seed grass from corner to corner. The introduction of variety of colour, texture, leaf formation, seasonal variation and hardscaping

all have a part in the creative grafted onto a potato stock backyard. since they are all plants There is another feature within the nightshade famto consider and that is graft- ily. In this manner, one ing. plant can produce potatoes Grafting can add variety, below ground and tomatoes, interest and art forms. I once peppers or eggplant above read of a university profes- ground. This could be an sor who had 60 grafts on obvious advantage if your one tree in order to achieve yard is small and you are interesting blooming. Graft- trying to use your space with ing doesn’t just happen in intensity. spring, but can happen at Recently, I tried grafting different times of the year petunias (another nightdepending upon what proj- shade) onto a potato stock ect and plant varieties are and found a measure of involved. This technique success. Here is the photo of has been used extensively my potunia or should I say in the production of fruit petato. It has just begun to trees and ornamentals. For bloom. Knowing that these instance, a rose produced varieties can be successfully and sold as a standard with grafted raises new possibilia two-foot main stem and ties. For instance, multiple attractive foliage and rose colours or sizes of blooms blossoms on top is the prod- of petunias could be grafted uct of grafting. Many plants onto one potato stock. It are grafted onto hardier root could mean that as you stock to accommodate our clean up your flower beds Canadian climate. in fall, you have a harvest Most grafting is done of potatoes. Or, better use of with trees and perennials space for as in a front yard simply because it is so la- which is normally reserved bour intensive. However, for flowers and ornamentals. the grafting of annuals also Or, just possibly, a hardy has its rewards. Commercial perennial rootstock might growers are now grafting help keep petunias alive cucumbers onto hardier over the winter (they are a root stock from squash and tender perennial grown as pumpkins for increased an annual). My next graft production. Eggplant, toma- will be to use a petunia scion toes and peppers can all be (grafted portion) onto a goji 23

support that individual, such as teachers, school counsellors, faith leaders, family members and friends.”

Since the version of the Bill that is on its way to Senate already has as a provision that allows consenting adults to undergo conversion therapy should it be voluntary and not in exchange for payment, it seems unclear what the wording proposed by MP Barrett and his colleagues would accomplish. The inclusion of “teachers and school counsellors” also leaves a disturbing allowance for minors to be subjected to such “purely private” discussions.

Nonetheless, in his statement MP Barrett insists that he has the best interests of the LGBTQ2S+ community at heart. He says more clarity in the bill would allow the queer community to “feel supported, not in spite of who they are or to change who they are, but for who they are.”

MP Barrett’s approach to this issue is similar to Canadian Christian groups like Free to Care and ARPA (Association for Reformed Political Action) who have attacked the Bill, also professing their

support of LGBTQ2+ rights.

For instance, Free to Care, a group with founding members who have undergone counselling to reduce homosexual desires, has flagged that the Bill’s definition of conversion therapy as an issue, arguing that it could prohibit queer people from seeking therapy while their heterosexual counterparts would be able to access such services. Whether or not the law will ever be applied in this way remains to be seen.

Likewise, ARPA professes their support, but yet, states on their website that sexuality is a blessing when it is “lovingly between one man and one woman who are committed to each other for life in marriage.”

The resounding response from the LGBTQ2+ community has been support for a full ban on conversion therapy.

Our own Kemptville Pride, an organization that does not merely claim allyship with the queer community but actually consults with the community, and has LGBTQ2S+ folks on its board, has formally invited MP Barrett to a meeting to discuss, “the very real-life impacts of conversion therapy.”

berry rootstock to see if this can be accomplished.

Potatoes are an interesting root stock as they are amazingly resilient. For instance, a potato plant can be grown from just a potato sprout that is a centimetre long. If you use an actual potato to start growth, there is a massive food reserve for the developing plant.

However, the challenging part of using potatoes for root stock is that they are extremely light sensitive. If light is withdrawn for too long, the entire plant will shut down. This has significance when grafting, as the plant needs to be placed in a low light environment, in order to slow metabolism during the healing process following grafting.

One of the challenges in grafting this year was that we had periodic heat spikes. In the first week after grafting, a heat spike

can increase evaporation from the scion to the extent that it wilts. The effect of evaporation can be countered by placing the plant into a black garbage bag in a cooler location. This reduces light and maintains a high moisture level in the air around the plant.

If you are interested in grafting, here are some pointers: Check out a website like pinterest to learn the appropriate grafting technique, and make certain that plants are compatible — meaning they belong to the same family. Start with clean and sharp instruments.

Make certain that it is the right time in the life of the plant to accomplish your desired end — such as graft a bud, not a full blossom. Be sure to place your grafted annuals in a low light setting following procedure.

the north grenville

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

www.ngtimes.ca

The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

House of Lazarus grateful for community support

Janet Carkner is retiring after 15 years of service with the House of Lazarus

by Joselyn Morley The House of Lazarus held its Annual General Meeting via Zoom on June 14. In the Land Acknowledgement to recognize the original Indigenous nations, at the beginning of the meeting, Reverend Dan Hayward spoke of reconciliation, referenced the 1986 apology from the United Church, and said, “the church had confused the gospel with European ways.” The House of Lazarus is a United Church Mission, and as such, began with a prayer by Reverend Christine Lowson of the Winchester and Hope Springs United Church.

Mark van Delst, as the

HOL Board Chair, encouraged anyone interested to join the HOL Board, or to volunteer in any capacity. There is always room for more help.

There are currently ten members on the Board.

COVID-19 has been a challenge for HOL and all its programs. HOL closed its stores to donations and purchases with the first wave of the pandemic. Staff were laid off, income from their stores stopped, and many of their in-person programs had to be put on hold. Programs offering meals in-person, such as Lunch & Learn and Dinner on the House, ceased.

The year has been very difficult for staff, volunteers, and clients of HOL. With sales down, and in-person fundraisers difficult to organize, the HOL worked very hard to access grants. The Board acknowledged the great amount of work of the HOL staff in identifying, applying for and accessing grants.

The community supported HOL exceptionally well. The Board, staff, and volunteers were amazed and moved by the level of community support throughout the pandemic. The community itself, through service organizations, fundraising such as Giving Tuesday, and individuals, donated $50K more than the previous year. Donations of household goods and clothing overwhelmed staff after the first lockdown. The

Lions Club of Morrisburg donated HOL two tents to help protect donations for sorting.

The HOL Food Bank Member Programs supported 240 families, or 641 people: 38% of those are children and 6% seniors. 24% of Food Bank clients are new. There were fewer clients but they needed more food. The Community Garden managed to produce a whopping 1036 pounds of produce. This is exceptionally important as food bank donations are often non-perishable goods. Other HOL programs included 94 Adopt a Family, 27 Adopt a Senior, and 44 Adopt a Couple. Medical supplies and school supplies were provided. The Clothing Program provided 398 adults with clothing vouchers, and 217 children. The Household Goods Program provided 57 Adults with vouchers, 64 children, and 166 families. 203 Crockpot Cuisine kits were given out with 6 crockpots.

The HOL Outreach Programs that went ahead this year included Heat for the Holidays that helped 38 families. Neighbours Helping Neighbours assisted 18 families, and Handyman Heroes 3 families. Starting Over program helped 12 adults and 4 children. 2 Adults were helped out through the Back to Work program. Operation Backpack served 168 children with 5632 backpacks providing meals and snacks.

HOL has a Youth Hunt-

ing program, whereby youth can take the Hunting Safety Course. This year, 10 youth benefitted from that. Restrictions were placed on numbers in attendance because of the pandemic.

Grants formed a huge part of the funding for HOL for this past year. HOL received over $225K in grants, from sources such as: Reaching Home – United Way Simcoe & Muskoka, and United Way SDG; Winter Warmth – United Way SDG; Social Services Relief Fund from the Provincial government; Food Banks Canada from the Federal Government $150 million Campaign; Rural Kids Grant – Newman’s Own & Feed Ontario; Landlord Registry & Advocate Training – United Way SDG; and UCLC School Nutrition Program. Grants covered needs such as rent, hydro, and heat relief for people impacted by the pandemic.

Janet Carkner, Assistant Executive Director, is retiring after 15 years with HOL. There was a photo montage, and many tears! She will be missed. She says she has really enjoyed it, and will miss the people. Janet gave flowers to Cathy Ashby, Executive Director, just because it was a really hard year. The Board, staff, and volunteers at HOL have indeed had a very challenging year, including laying off 75% of the HOL team three times.

UCDSB appoints Principal Chad Brownlee as New Superintendent of Human Resources

Chad Brownlee had been appointed as the new Superintendent of Human Resources with the UCDSB. Chad Brownlee, an experienced principal and human resources professional with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) – has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Human Resources and Schools for the Upper Canada District School Board. Chad will take over this role as of August 3. The role is currently held by Ron June 30, 2021

Ferguson, who will become the new Director of Education and Secretary of the Board for the UCDSB as of July 1.

Chad’s extensive human resources background and experience will serve him well in his new position. During his time with the UCDSB, he has served as a Human Resources Specialist in which he was a facilitator between the UCDSB and OSSTF, ETFO, and CUPE unions.

His leadership portfolio includes leading, facilitating and mentoring colleagues both within the board and across the province. He has served as a provincial executive member, councillor and mentor with the Ontario Principal’s Council (OPC), the UCDSB District-Wide Timetable Principal Lead as well as a Principal’s Qualification Program Facilitator at York University.

Chad also has more than

15 years of experience as a principal and vice-principal, most recently within his position as Principal of Safe Schools and Equity and Inclusion. He also served as principal at several schools, including Char-Lan District High School, Williamstown Public School, Tagwi Secondary School and as Principal of Student Engagement.

Chad has won several awards of distinction for his leadership and community involvement including the OPC Change Maker Award and the Director’s Extra Mile Award.

“With Chad’s demonstrated administrative, leadership and human resources experience, he is the best person to fulfill this role,” says Director of Education Stephen Sliwa.

“He has an innate ability to develop extensive relationships that have allowed him to leverage the skills necessary to serve students and lead

UCDSB stakeholders in the complex work of creating the safe, equitable and inclusive conditions necessary to increase student achievement and improve student wellness.”

Chad says he’s looking forward to starting the role this summer. “I’ve been fortunate to experience a range of opportunities within the UCDSB that are centered on the student experience and overall well-being for our school board. I am honoured to begin this position for the upcoming school year and will continue to work hard with the goal to have a positive and meaningful impact on our students and staff.”

services

Joe Gauthier Master Electrician

613.802.4608

joe@oldschool-electric.ca

"No Job Too Small"

Baldwin's Birds

Good day Dear Readers, I hope you are all healthy and well and starting to relax a little, as more of us reach the ultimate goal of full immunization against Covid 19. There is still a long way to go, but as long as everyone does the right thing, it will be over quicker.

Meanwhile nature proceeds in its own inimitable way and the weeds sprout in abundance and the birds nest and forage for food for their offspring. The birds not sitting on eggs or, seemingly, not having anything to do, regale us with their beautiful singing. Particularly prolific, in that regard, are the Cardinals who sit, hidden, in the tops of the tallest trees. It is amazing that such a brightly red colored bird can conceal itself so effectively, in the greenery, only giving its whereabouts away when it moves. The ones in our garden had a bit of competition the other day, when an equally raucous and persistent "beep beep" was heard and it wasn't a bird!

Going to my barbecue, I found, sitting on the soft black cover, the originator of the distinctive sound, - a beautiful little Tree Frog. (Note its lovely unique toes, for climbing.) Being still daylight, and not quite dusk, he wasn't making too much noise then, but did later. I had to move him to prepare our meal, but he only stayed in his new location for the one night, which was just as well, because he would have given us pretty sleepless nights with his "beep beeps" echoing in the darkness!

Yesterday, when restocking my bird (? squirrel !? ) feeders, I had to rescue from one of them a panicking Tree Sparrow, who had got into it through a hole gnawed by a marauding Red Squirrel in the perspex wall liner. A modification has now put glass panes in the feeder to, hopefully, prevent anything else from getting trapped in it. No doubt the red, gray, or black squirrels will find another way of getting in, but that remains to be seen! Until then, enjoy all your garden creatures and plants. Stay safe and well. Cheers!

John Baldwin

Ron's

Small Engine Repair 613.258.9720

ronssmallengines@outlook.com 1 Jayland Drive, Kemptville (across from old Bingo Hall)

the north grenville

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Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

24

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The North Grenville Times

Imagining anti-colonial and a food secure future for the Kemptville College Farm inventory of agricultural Local Journalism Initiative Reporter land sorts lands according to their suitability for agriOn June 23, the Coali- culture: the top three levels tion Against the Proposed are considered “prime” Prison (CAPP) held an agricultural lands. The land open online forum titled on which the EOCC is pro“Saving the Kemptville posed to be built is on prime College Farm.” The event agricultural land. This land featured three speakers is necessary to, “maintain to discuss alternate land the viability of any agriuses to the proposed East- cultural system.” She said, ern Ontario Correctional “Farmland also provides a Complex (EOCC), the range of ecosystem services importance of farmland, that benefit the surrounding and the intersections be- landscape. They can filter tween food security, envi- and store water, sequester ronmentalism, and social carbon, and provide habitat justice. The event was a for wildlife.” testament to the careful The final presenter for and innovative possibili- the evening, Dr. Ralph Marties wielded by a group of tin, argued that, “today it is concerned citizens, with necessary to heal income or without the support inequality and poverty, land of provincial and local (concrete free land), and regovernments. lationships with indigenous The first speaker for people.” His presentation the evening was Phil demonstrated that these Mount, director of Just are not separate concerns.

Food. Phil detailed the Explaining that, “farmpossibilities for a com- land is the foundation of a munity farm as an alter- sustainable food system,” nate use for the farmland. Ralph built on Emma’s Phil’s current project, Just presentation to explain that Food Community Farm, as the climate continues to is a 150-acre community change, ‘prime’ agricultural farm located in Glouces- lands are the ones that will ter. Inspired by commu- yield the most stable crops. nity farms in the UK, Yet, as Colleen Lynas noted Phil and his team use the in the discussion, it is our community farm to offer own province “paving over workshops and hands-on our arable lands.” experience with Organic Ralph went on to note farming methods, and that recently, “Bill C-15 permit members of the was passed to harmonize community to use the Canada’s laws with the UN lands to launch their own Declaration on the Rights of certified organic farms. Indigenous Peoples. And it Just Food Community affirms rights of Indigenous Farm contains everything people to self-determinafrom permaculture to a tion, their language, culcommunity food forest, ture, and traditional lands. not to mention that it pre- It clarifies the need for free, serves habitat for wild an- prior, and informed consent imals and the enjoyment from Indigenous peoples on of the local community. anything that infringes on Emma Jane Woods, of their lands or rights.”

Ontario Farmland Trust, There is no treaty beoffered the second presen- tween the Canadian Govtation. Emma emphasized ernment and the Algonthat 175 acres of farm- quin peoples for the former land are lost every day Kemptville College lands: in Ontario — a loss that this is to say the land is unwill only be accelerated ceded, and Bill C-15 is not with Doug Ford’s use of currently being respected.

Minister’s Zoning Orders The painful irony of the (MZOs), which allow situation, as Ralph pointed the province to override out, is that though Indigmunicipal councils for enous peoples make up 5% faster development. The of the Canadian population, Ontario Farmland Trust they are about 30% of prisis working to protect oners. One of the reasons farmland. The existing behind this disproportionby Rachel Everett-Fry

June 30, 2021

613.860.2539 www.dialachef.ca

Week-end special for July and August Back yard summer BBQ

Tomato, shallots, basil salad, balsamic vinaigrette.

Cucumber, fresh mint salad, yogurt dressing.

Summer mix with my own special vinaigrette.

Rosemary, peppercorn marinated steak.

Lemon garlic oregano chicken.

Salmon papillote with pastis and herbs de Provence.

Ratatouille niçoise.

Creamers potatoes.

Berry and custard crêpes.

Minimum 10 people, $37.50 per person plus HST

Tuesday July 6

1- Apple cider brined smoked pork tenderloin, BBQ sauce, Spicy corn & onions.

2- Spicy harissa Aubergine pie, spicy corn & onions.

Wednesday July 7

1-Mixed grill of beef, chicken and homemade sausage, grilled tomato and potato skewer.

2- tomato and chèvre tart with pine nuts, summer mix salad.

Thursday July 8

1- Grilled salmon, herbs & almond pesto, vegetables skewer.

2-Sweet potato with red pepper & Halloumi on the BBQ, vegetable skewer

Friday July 9

1-Stuffed rabbit loin with chorizo and ground veal, linguine in tomato sauce.

2- Stuffed tomato and pepper with rice and spinach, linguine in tomato sauce

Tuesday to Friday meals are $23.50 plus HST. $6.00 per delivery ate incarceration circles back to Ralph’s first point: the loss of connection between Indigenous people and their traditional lands directly produces poverty and food insecurity, factors that put any group at risk of participating in crime.

How to heal this situation?

Perhaps we could look toward Just Food Community Farm as an example.

During an open question period, audience member Nadia Gray applauded the, “concerted efforts” of CAPP and the speakers for the evening, but wondered about the practical methods of having these efforts recognized by higher levels of government. Ralph replied that governments do tend to, “respond very well to public pressure.” The power of CAPP is that it is truly 25

a coalition: the interests of a conservative farmer are reflected alongside the issues of prison abolition.

Dr. Justin Piché, Professor of Criminology at the University of Ottawa, reassured the group that though North Grenville’s municipal government is using language to lead the public to believe the prison is inevitable, no contracts will be signed until 2023.

There are municipal and provincial elections before then. He said, “this is not a done deal, far from it. It’s too bad that your municipality has positioned itself in this way, but you can still win.”

To learn more or get involved, visit https://www. coalitionagainstproposedprison.ca/

The Voice of North Grenville

Curbside Menu #68

Thursday July 8 - Friday July 9th

1:30pm - 4:30pm Pickup $37.50 meal for 2 $70.00 meal for 4 ...Preorder for the next day! 613-324-3136 Order and Pay online www.cateredaffairs.ca ST LOUIS STYLE RIBS or CAULIFLOWER STEAK (V | GF | DF )- House Made BBQ Sauce, Slaw, Corn Relish & Herbed Roasted Wedge Fries, Veggies & light dessert GENERAL TAO CHICKEN Sticky, Sweet n Spicy Fried Chicken Breast, Sesame vegetables, Fried Rice & Crispy Pork Egg Rolls w/ Plum Sauce, Wonton Soup (Chicken wontons) & light dessert

BBQ Kits for a Family

of 4 $90.00 or 2 $45 Fully prepared and ready for you to grill & reheat sides on the BBQ: Surf n Turf Beef Tenderloin & Lemon Herb Shrimp (6oz pp) with Chimichurri sauce Spatchcock Piri Piri Marinated Chicken & Lemon Herb Shrimp (Portugese BBQ)

My Local Market Shop ‘n’ Dine Patio Menu

3 Course Table D'hote Patio Thursday July 8th 4.30-7pm $60.00 p.p.

RSVP ONLY Sample products from various local producers on the Kemptville Campus 1st Course -Garlic Scape & Potato Veloute Soup Or SunTech Caprese Salad 2nd Main Course - Steak Diane (G/F & D/F) Or Salmon Wellington all accompanied with Roasted Baby potatoes and Vegetables 3rd Course- Flourless Chocolate Cake or Strawberry Shortcake Featured Cocktails & Craft Beers & Wine Available Split Tree Amaretto Sour | Tart Cherry Margaritas | Mojitos

Upcoming Events :

Alfresco Patio Lunch A la Carte: Tues - Wed - Thurs 11-2pm 3 Course Table D’Hote every Thursday RSVP $60 p.p.

Jac’s Boutique Fashion Show, Cocktails and Dinner( mid August) My Local Market ‘Shop n Dine’ every 2nd Thursday till October

As we can now start to get back together Book your event!

Catered Affairs-Heritage Hall 820 Heritage Dr.Kemptville Campus Weddings| Corporate Events | Social Events | www.cateredaffairs.ca

Catered Affairs is Hiring Cooks, Servers & Event Planners

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The Voice of North Grenville

Protecting access to water through the Blue Communities and Water Protection program

Sign up for a Voluntary subscription with the NG Times for your chance to Win!

Blue Communities are municipalities, Indigenous communities, and organizations that have adopted policies that recognize human and ecosystem rights to water and sanitation. These communities, through resolutions, have committed to protecting water sources and systems as well as resisting the takeover of water sources and systems by private corporations.

Becoming a Blue Community creates an opportunity for community residents, any unionized and/or municipal workers, Indigenous peoples, environmentalists, and students to come together to protect water sources and systems for future generations. A Blue Community ensures that current and future governments are accountable for providing publicly owned safe, clean drinking water for the future with no risk of ownership transfer to private corporations.

The North Grenville Environmental Action and Advisory Committee (NGEAAC) received a request from a local resident asking that NGEAAC look at this initiative to see how it could be implemented in North Grenville.

The Council of Canadians, the Blue Planet Project and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) initiated the Blue Communities Project in 2009 to support the idea of a water

All subscribers receive exclusive weekly newsletters and will also be entered into a draw to win this fantastic goody bag packed full of locally made products!

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Draw will take place July 1st WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE:

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commons framework, recognizing that water is a shared resource for all.

Responsibility for water protection is shared by all levels of government. This responsibility requires that all levels of government protect water sources and ensure safe operating systems ensure the right to clean and safe water for everyone. It is important that municipalities adopt a framework that recognizes the right to clean, safe water and sanitation for community residents and businesses in order to: • Protect against pricing methodology that would reduce access to wastewater and drinking water services.

•Ensure community residents have access to safe, clean water supplies and sanitation systems.

•Provide the public with information on the water services operations and water supply.

•Promote water source protection, treatment systems, re-use methodology and conservation recommendations to ensure water quality and continued quantities.

•Provide information and education regarding the ecological effects of human activity on water and land.

Municipalities are responsible for water quality, supply, treatment, and conservation.

The adoption of a water commons framework to address pollution, eutrophication, degradation, depletion, and privatization at the com-

munity level is crucial in the battle to preserve water and ensure fair access to all water and land.

Most municipalities in Ontario already have a framework in place that recognizes the right to clean, safe water and sanitation for all community residents and businesses.

However, to ensure the right to clean, safe water and sanitation at the municipal level, there is a need to pass local legislation that protects these rights for future generations.

Many municipalities have established Water Source Protection plans which include changes to the land use zoning by passing Bylaws to deal with these risks and to restrict or prohibit a water source contamination. Thunder Bay, Kingston, Ajax and Welland are all examples of municipalities in Ontario who have secured the Blue Communities designation.

The proposal for North Grenville to secure this designation has been proposed to Mayor and Council by the NGEAAC. The NGEAAC passed a resolution recommending to council that NG become a Blue Community.

The resolution was presented to Council via the committee minutes on Tuesday June 22, 2021. Upon review of the recommendation, Council directed NG staff to review and provide input for them to review before considering moving forward with this designation.

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26

TIMES Gord Logan

Marketing Consultant Phone 613 258 6402 Email: gord@ngtimes.ca

Send in your letters to the editor to editor@ngtimes.ca

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OFA targets leadership recruitment as a pillar for building strong organizations and communities

Paul Vickers, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture What makes Ontario’s agri-food industry strong is the abundance of strong, confident and spirited farmers we have leading our organizations and businesses, striving towards building a bright future for the next generation.

As an organization governed by grassroots, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) values the power of leadership. We understand the importance of utilizing the voice of our membership.

OFA aims to develop leaders within our 51 county and regional federations, encouraging a new wave to pursue a role at the provincial level.

OFA is committed to driving further success in our industry and rural communities by providing our grassroots with the opportunity to use their voice and evoke positive

change for our sector. Each year, OFA works to identify and recruit new leaders during the nomination period for the open Zone Director positions across the province. With a rolling governance structure for director elections, five zones are up for election annually during the month of June. The position is for a three-year term on the Board of Directors, representing members in a designated zone.

This year, nominations are open in Zones 4 (ElginOxford), 7 (Huron-Perth), 9 (Dufferin-Waterloo-Wellington), 13 (Peel-Simcoe-York) and 14 (Glengarry-PrescottRussell-Stormont). Nominations, which opened on June 1, will be accepted until June 25. All nominees must be active OFA members who reside in the zone.

Through ongoing advocacy work with government policymakers and industry partners, our Board of Directors are committed to enhancing the agri-food industry, rural and northern communities, and the business of farming for all farmers in Ontario.

Although it may seem intimidating, sitting on OFA’s Board as a Zone Director can be a very fulfilling experience for those interested in taking an active role in advocacy and

using their voice to influence policy and legislation that will benefit the entire agriculture industry.

OFA’s board is comprised of 18 dedicated, passionate and hardworking leaders elected by our membership to represent the diverse interests of our 38,000 farm business members. Each director brings their own unique voice and farm background to the table, offering a distinct perspective on issues impacting their local communities.

When I joined the board in 2019, I was pleasantly surprised by the open-minded and progressive individuals sitting around me at the table. Our sector is extremely diverse and there is a benefit to being able to look at issues

from all viewpoints.

The responsibility of a provincial director is to attend 11 board meetings throughout the year, including a board tour in the summer (COVID-19 notwithstanding) and the Annual General Meeting in November. It offers the opportunity to engage federal, provincial and municipal policymakers and staff by participating in meetings, roundtable discussions and lobby day events on issues facing the agri-food sector and rural communities. Directors are given the chance to connect with grassroots members and industry stakeholders on key priorities and opportunities to grow our dynamic sector.

This active role allows for collaboration with enthusi-

astic and passionate board members and staff to ensure the farming and food sector continues to thrive across the province.

What initially attracted me to the role of Zone Director was my desire to learn and give back to my community.

Through my leadership role in OFA, I was given the opportunity to serve agriculture in a different way by giving it a voice and striving to improve the sector for the next generation.

Joining OFA as a Director is not only an exciting opportunity to work alongside knowledgeable, experienced, and motivated members of the board and staff, but it’s also the chance to represent your local farming commu-

nity and positively impact the livelihoods of 49,600 Ontario farms. It’s a commitment that has the potential to benefit you and the agri-food industry.

We all have a duty to make things better and try to improve the industry that gives us our livelihood and provides the province with food, fibre and fuel. If someone in your community embodies what it means to be a strong leader and has the desire to make a difference for the industry and their community, take the first step in filling out a Zone Director nomination form.

For more information about the nomination and election process, please visit our website.

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June 30, 2021

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The North Grenville Times

The Voice of North Grenville

Sustainability - Earth Hub

by Joselyn Morley Very few of us can redirect everything that we use out of the landfills. Our society worships consumerism. Success is shown by owning more: bigger and better. In the eco-mantra “Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle,” the Recycling part is the last of the three. Recycling is obviously a great goal, but it’s important to remember that if we can avoid single-use, or expendable products in the first place, we have less to reuse or recycle. Before purchasing something, ask yourself if you really need it.

If the answer is yes, then ask around to see if there’s some way of buying it used, or better yet, getting it for free if someone is passing an unused item along. If we can reduce our demand for cheaply made products, we can keep more out of the landfill. If we can use something that we already have, or buy second hand, we aren’t creating a demand. If we can buy something well-made, and avoid fast-fashion for example, it will last longer, and stay out of the landfill. Admittedly,

Canadian Blood Services celebrates donors for loyalty to patients during pandemic

Canadian Blood Services celebrated blood donors during National Blood Donor Week (June 13-19) for maintaining consistent collections throughout COVID-19 and supporting patients in need of lifesaving blood products.

Donors are a critical link in Canada’s Lifeline. Their essential support has ensured patients in Canada receive blood where and when they need it.

“In a disruptive and uncertain environment where we’ve seen frequent shortages of products and services around the world and various pandemic waves, blood donors have ensured that no patient in need of blood or blood products went without,” says Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vicepresident of donor relations.

“Cancer patients, accident victims and people with blood disorders rely on blood, platelets, and plasma transfusions every day. Coping with the pandemic hasn’t been easy and we are extremely grateful to all donors across Canada for their commitment to meeting patients’ needs in these difficult times.”

Even with COVID-19 and its impacts, donors have helped maintain the national blood inventory, and they have also extended their support to other areas of Canada’s Lifeline.

“Whether you have donated blood, plasma, stem cells, cord blood or financial gifts that have helped us increase our donor recruitment this year, we appreciate all donors for keeping Canada’s Lifeline strong,” Rick says.

June 30, 2021

Canadian Blood Services has had enhanced safety measures in place in all its facilities across the country throughout the pandemic to ensure the wellbeing of donors, its volunteers and staff is safeguarded. Despite increasing levels of concern on the perceived threat levels of COVID-19, donors have shown unprecedented levels of confidence and trust in Canadian Blood Services to protect them.

Ipsos poll surveys led by the organization have tracked donor perceptions since the start of the pandemic. Findings over the last three months have supported the tremendous response from donors. The most recent findings among donors surveyed in May indicated that most donors (97%) continue to feel it is safe to donate blood at this time and a majority (99%) feel confident in the ability of Canadian Blood Services to protect their health and safety.

The continued support of donors provides a lifeline for patients like Jakob Guziak, a 20-month-old toddler from Edmonton, Alberta who has a very rare immune disorder.

He is treated with a medication made from plasma and urgently requires a stem cell transplant from an unrelated stem cell donor.

Jakob’s father, Kamil Guziak, is white, and his mom, Andrea AbdulRahin is Hispanic. His best match would likely be a donor who shares his mixed-race background. However, Hispanics and those with mixed-race backgrounds make up a small percentage of the prospective donors in Canadian Blood

Services Stem Cell Registry.

The family is pleading for more potential stem cell donors from diverse ancestry to join Canada’s Lifeline.

“At all times, donors play an essential role in meeting patients’ needs across Canada. The need is constant for blood, stem cells and plasma donors. To show your support as we head into summer, please encourage your friends, family, and community to donate,” says Eric Prinzen.

Legislated by the Government of Canada in 2008, National Blood Donor Week (June 13-19) recognizes and celebrates donors who selflessly help their fellow citizens.

In addition to booking appointments this summer to help hospital patients, we invite you to share how your connection to Canada’s Lifeline started at blood.ca/ reasons and on your social media channel(s). Tag us @ Canadaslifeline so we can like and share your posts and use the hash tags #CanadasLifeline #NBDW2021.

Download the GiveBlood app and join Canada’s Lifeline. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.

Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization. Regulated by Health Canada as a biologics manufacturer and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health, Canadian Blood Services operates with a national scope, infrastructure and governance that make it unique within Canadian healthcare.

there’s an element of classism in this philosophy. Not everyone can afford to buy good quality items intended to last. Many people buy what is available, when they need it. Understandable. And standing in judgement of their actions doesn’t help the environment at all, because it divides people. The best defense against mass consumerism and waste is a united, helpful community, working as a group to change policy, habits, and the culture of more, bigger, and better.

There are some things that are difficult to reuse, or recycle. Earth Hub helps to keep some of these things out of the landfill, and connects people with a surplus of something difficult to recycle, with people who can reuse it. It’s a movement based on volunteers; others who share a passion for keeping stuff out of the landfill! Collect the items. When you have a few, send an email to the specific address for your city. You will be directed to a volunteer where you can drop off your bulk items that need recycling. Drop-off locations

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are usually people’s homes; people who share a passion for keeping things out of landfills. Monetary donations from those who are able can help offset costs for collection. Some of the things Earth Hub helps to recycle include: prescription containers, used internationally for medical supplies; mascara wands, used for wildlife rehabilitation; pop cans, donated to raise money for Empties 4 Paws and similar animal rescues; big 4 liter milk bags, used by the Legion for their Leave the Streets Behind operation making sleeping mats; cardboard or plastic egg cartons, used by food banks and local farmers; broken and single-use crayons, lip balm, or glue sticks, melted down and used for various projects; old markers and toothbrushes, given to the TerraCycle Program; plastic bread tags and bottle caps, to reuse the plastic. The Ottawa email is Ottawa@earthub.ca.

In the Kanata and Stittsville area, ecowestenders.ottawa@ earthub.ca. Some more “Rs” to keep in mind while working to a more sustainable system: Refuse, is to express oneself as unwilling to accept the culture of waste and disposability. Reduce is to lower in degree, to bring down a bit, and to decrease our consumption and waste. Reuse is to use again when possible, including restoring or re-processing.

Repair is the action of fixing or mending, while aiming to acquire more durable items, and more things that can be fixed. Rethink means to change how we approach consumption. Recycle, means to process something used into something that we can use in another way. If saving bread tags and milk bags is just a bit beyond what you can manage, especially when there is so much more to do and deal with during the pandemic, that’s ok. If you do want to recycle egg cartons or prescription bottles, there is a place to do so. Remember, we don’t need a few people doing zero-waste perfectly, we need many doing it imperfectly.

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