ND Times Issue 26 2021 August 25

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The Voice of North Dundas

Vol 2, No 26

August 25, 2021

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Nearly 100 youth baited a hook at SNC's Youth Fish Camps this summer. The program was on hiatus last year, due to COVID-19, and sold out quickly when it made a return for its 12th season in 2021.

“These popular camps deliver an invaluable outdoor learning experience for youth, and help familiarize young people with the natural environment through responsible and sustainable fishing,” explains Kelsey Smith, SNC’s Stewardship and Outreach Assistant.

The young anglers reeled in some of the 72

fish species that call the South Nation River home, casting a line at the Cass Bridge Conservation Area in Winchester, High Falls Conservation Area in Casselman, and Jessup’s Falls Conservation Area in Plantagenet.

Special guests from the Water Rangers were also on-site to teach youth about water quality through citizen science testing kits, while members from the Ottawa Flyfishers Society provided participants with the basics of fly fishing.

“There is a lot of value in these camps, like promoting eco-health,” adds Kelsey.

“Kids are given the chance to

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fish all day, make new friends, and connect and learn about their local environment.”

Recreational fishing programs promote sustainable angling practices and encourage residents to explore fishing opportunities at Ontario Conservation Areas.

SNC works in partnership with its 16 member municipalities to share natural spaces and offer recreational opportunities on land and water. To learn more about recreational fishing opportunities: www.nation.on.ca/ recreation/fishing.

Nest

Les jeunes appâtent l’hameçon aux camps de pêche d'été de la CNS Près de 100 jeunes ont mis l'appât à la ligne cet été dans les camps de pêche pour jeunes de la CNS. Le programme avait été interrompu l'année dernière en raison de la pandémie de COVID-19 et a rapidement affiché complet lors de sa réouverture en 2021.

«Ces camps populaires offrent aux jeunes une expérience inestimable d'apprentissage en plein air et les aident à se familiariser avec la nature environnante cont'd on page 2

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The North Dundas Times

We’re eating well thanks in part to our neighbours!

At the 50s themed BBQ, resident Marion Porteous has fun with staff members Susan Poirier (left) and Victoria Cotnam (right).

Every Wednesday, our residents enjoy a summer BBQ organized by the Dundas Manor team. Lunchtime themes range from country picnics, to beach parties, to the Olympics. It’s a great way to get outside and enjoy the summer weather. Staff join in the fun as well. But they aren’t the only ones. Local businesses are also a big part of the events.

“We wanted to support our local businesses and purchase supplies directly from them,” explains Nutritional Manager, Stacey Williams. “It’s a great partnership!”

For example, in recent weeks, BBQ meats were purchased from Greg’s Quality Meats. Sunflowers for the table centrepieces were bought at Planted Arrow Flowers and Gifts. St. Albert’s Cheese has been used to make poutine. Fresh produce was purchased at J&L Produce. And yummy desserts have come from Loughlin’s Country Store in Hallville.

This week, Dundas Manor residents will enjoy a Chinese food dinner from Mary’s Restaurant. “We have 40 meals coming, as well as 75 egg rolls,” says Stacey. “Everyone can’t wait!”

“We are so grateful to our local communities for the support they have provided over the past few months,” adds Administrator, Susan Poirier. “This is another way we are saying thank you!”

School Vaccination Program to combat variant at return to class The Ontario government is working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to plan and host vaccination clinics in or nearby schools to continue to fight COVID-19. Clinics are expected to run before school starts and during the first few weeks of school.

The program is part of the province’s last mile strategy to target those who have yet to receive a first or second dose and will provide accessible and convenient access to vaccines for eligible students and their families, as well as educators and school staff who are returning to school this fall.

The education sector, and public health units, have played a critical role in getting youth vaccinated, and keeping students and families safe during this historic pandemic. As Ontario continues with its vaccination program and rollout, ensuring all eli-

gible Ontarians who wish to receive the vaccine can get one, will ensure schools remain open for in-person learning for the full school year.

“We have made tremendous progress getting students, staff and their families vaccinated – they are critical to protecting schools and keeping our communities safe,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “As part of the last mile campaign to reach as many students and staff as possible and to keep schools as safe as possible, we are requiring school boards and public health units to roll out clinics in or close to schools. By making vaccines more accessible, and with a cautious reopening in September following the expert advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we will further bolster our fight against COVID-19 and variants.”

As of August 15, more

than 69% of youth aged 12 to17 have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 56 per cent have received a second dose. School-focused vaccination clinics will support increased uptake for eligible students, as well as education staff, and a safer return to school in the fall.

“It is great news that our students are returning to school this fall, and that kids and youth will finally be together with their classmates to learn and get back to the activities they love,” said Dr. Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “This is crucially important for their mental, physical and social wellbeing.

Having vaccination clinics at our schools will make it more convenient for students to receive their vaccine in a familiar and comfortable environment and will help to ensure a safer and sustained reopening of our schools.”

With respect to consent

at school-focused clinics, COVID-19 vaccines will only be provided if informed consent is received from the individual, including eligible students, and as long as they have the capability to make this decision. Health care providers, the school, and families must respect a young person’s decision regarding vaccination. Parents and guardians are encouraged to discuss vaccination with their children prior to attending a school vaccination clinic.

All vaccines delivered as part of Ontario’s vaccine rollout provide high levels of effectiveness against hospitalization and death from COVID-19 and its variants, including the Delta variant.

During July 2021, unvaccinated individuals were approximately eight times more likely to get infected with COVID-19 compared to those who were fully vaccinated.

line, and who enforces the boundaries?

Sometimes, our health sets the lines quite stringently. A diabetic who ignores the sugar content of foods, and ignores regular eating routines, suffers the natural consequence.

Believing the law will not hold one accountable for infractions eventually discovers that it catches up to the perpetrator. Academically, the line is quite in-

stilled as failure to achieve versus pursuit of the goal.

Some lines change with times, while others are steadfast.

It is imperative you draw the line in your life in regard to matters relevant to yourself and your family. Accountability is in the eye of the beholder.

You are precious just because you are you! Always draw lines of safety around yourself!

Tid-bit Musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW Have you ever drawn a line, perhaps in the sand or somewhere, somehow more permanently? We think of love where a couple write their names in the sand on the beach, only to watch the waves slowly wash it away.

While parenting, we draw the line at three strikes and consequences will follow.

Infractions such as abuse need to have a very firm August 25, 2021

line drawn- a line of zero tolerance.

What defines your lines? Are you like a wave, continually erasing the line, resulting in tolerance of more and more behaviours? Is your forgiving nature a conduit to destruction? Are excuses a reason to change the line you drew? Is implementing a flexible line creating confusion for others? Who evaluates the creation of a

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Camps de pêche d'été de la CNS

continued from front page grâce à une pêche responsable et durable », explique Kelsey Smith, adjointe à l'intendance et à la sensibilisation de la CNS. Les jeunes pêcheurs ont attrapé quelques-unes des 72 espèces de poissons qui vivent dans la rivière Nation Sud, en jetant leur ligne dans l'aire de conservation du Pont Cass à Winchester, l'aire de conservation High Falls à Casselman et l'aire de conservation de Jessup's Falls à Plantagenet.

Des invités spéciaux des Water Rangers étaient également sur place pour apprendre aux jeunes comment vérifier la qualité de l'eau à l'aide de trousses d'analyse de science citoyenne, tandis que des membres de l'Ottawa Flyfishers Society ont enseigné aux participants les rudiments de la pêche à la mouche. « Ces camps ont beaucoup

de valeur, comme la promotion de l'écosanté », a précisé Kelsey Smith. « Les enfants ont la possibilité de pêcher toute la journée, de se faire de nouveaux amis, de découvrir et d'apprendre à connaître leur environnement local. » Les programmes de pêche récréative font la promotion de pratiques de pêche durables et encouragent les résidents à explorer les possibilités de pêche dans les aires de conservation de l'Ontario.

La CNS travaille en partenariat avec ses 16 municipalités membres pour faire profiter les gens d'espaces naturels et leur offrir des possibilités de loisirs sur terre et sur l'eau.

Pour en savoir plus sur les possibilités de pêche récréative : www.nation.on.ca/recreation/fishing.

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The North Dundas Times

Lions Club of Winchester gets first female President

Hospital workers fighting for their rights

by Brandon Mayer Staff from the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) took part in a midday rally on Tuesday, August 10 to protest what they are calling unfair concessions on wages and rights that are being proposed by Doug Ford’s Progressive-Conservative government.

Hospital staff and representatives from the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) local 3000 held union signs and provided a presentation to inform the public of the unwelcome changes to Ford’s policies in the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group is fighting against changes coming with Bill 124.

CUPE 3000 President, Jackie Imrie, spoke to the Times at the rally. “The hero days are gone,” she lamented, referring to the government’s support of health care workers during the pandemic. A CUPE leaflet distributed at the rally discussed the unfairness of

the government attempting to gain concessions during bargaining, considering that hospital staff faced challenges, such as poor access to N95 masks, during much of the pandemic. “We can’t accept that your reward is to go backwards,” read the leaflet, directed toward members of the union.

The key issue in the bargaining process between CUPE and the Ford government is a list of concessions that union members are being asked to accept. Louis Rodrigues, Vice-President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions of CUPE, sent a statement to the Times listing some of the union’s primary concerns. It outlines many policy changes, such as less emphasis on seniority, a removal of access to exit or retirement packages, and a wage increase cap of 1% per year for three years.

The statement, which was originally sent to union members, begins with a thank-you message for staff for the sac-

rifices they have made, such as weekends spent away from family, mandatory overtime, re-deployment to retirement homes during outbreaks, and cancelled vacations.

A central discussion at the rally was the 1% wage increase cap. The CUPE leaflet reads, “The Ford government has passed legislation to limit wage increases for 3 years to 1%. Inflation is 3.6%. This would mean a 2.6% cut to wages in the first year alone.”

However, the union is asserting that it will not budge.

“The union will not accept concessions in bargaining and will push Ford on wages,” the leaflet reads.

The rally took place from 11:30 am to 1 pm, with many hospital staff joining briefly on their own time during their lunch break.

As of August 20, the fight against Bill 124 was still in full swing, with parties expected to return to the bargaining table in early September.

by Brandon Mayer The Lions Club of Winchester announced on August 16 that it has a new President.

Tammy Sadler is taking over as President, and she is the first woman to fill the role.

Tammy replaces Lion Guy Belliveau, who will fill the official role of Past President.

The Lions Club of Winchester was founded in 1968 as part of the worldwide International Organization of Service Clubs. The latter organization began first as a small group of businessmen meeting for lunch periodically in 1917. What was, at first, a series of social gatherings quickly turned into an endeavor to form an organization to help the less fortunate, and with this, the International Organization of Service Clubs was born.

In the present, the Lions Club of Winchester holds formal meetings regularly, with members holding different roles, each with its own duties and functions. The President presides over meetings and appoints committees, among other duties, with a VicePresident ready to fill the role as a backup, if needed.

The 166th Spencerville Fair is on

The Spencerville Agricultural Society has been working tirelessly, around the clock, to organize this year’s fair. For those of you who don’t know, our annual fair takes a year of planning and organizing to put together.

But with the strict restrictions put in place by our Health Unit, this year’s fair will look and feel different, and that’s because it is. We are presenting to you the 166th Spencerville Fair – Hybrid Edition. This means that we will be bringing you a virtual and in-person event.

Like last year, you will be able to tune in and enjoy the fair from the comfort of your home. There, you will be able to experience fair favourites, including our Baby Show, Pet Show, Livestock Show, Talent Show, as well as all of our exhibit building competitions, virtually. Check out our 2021 Fair Book online for more details and make sure you enter before August 29, 2021. We have waived the exhibitor fee, so it is FREE to enter and you will still win August 25, 2021

PRIZE MONEY. This year, we will also be bringing back a ‘Paint with Christine’ session for those who would like to paint from home, a video provided by the Grenville Milk Producers, which will take you on a tour of the local Dairy Farms, Storytime with the Edwardsburg/Cardinal Library, as well as countless educational videos based on all thing’s agriculture.

For the first time ever, we are also excited to announce that this year’s Spencerville Fair will be hosting a Virtual Brewery Tour! We have partnered with a number of carefully selected, local breweries for this one-night event. During this virtual tour, we will be taking you behind closed doors of some of the up-and-coming breweries in the area. You will hear from the brew master themselves as they take you on a tour of their brew site, share their brewery’s history, and guide you through each sip of their original products. You will be able to experience the excitement of different beers and ciders, surrounded by members of your community, all without leaving your home.

Tickets for this event will go on sale soon. You will not want to miss this!

On the Saturday of the fair weekend, we will be

opening our grounds at 12 o’clock noon for a day of FREE events! That’s right, as a thank you to our faithful and loving community, admission to this year’s in-person fair will be completely free of charge. On this day, we are excited to bring to you a Stationary Parade, Vendor Show, Touch a Truck, Food Vendors, The Barn of Learning, Farmers Olympics, and Live Music featuring performances by Amanda Keeley, Urban Rodeo, The Posse, and Brea Lawrenson. All this and more are heading your way.

Bringing our Spencerville Fair back each year to our community is incredibly important to us. We sincerely appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience while we navigate through these difficult times. With your help and participation, we are confident that this year’s 166th Spencerville Fair will be nothing short of a success.

More announcements to follow as we work through all of the details. For updates regarding the fair, schedule, map, and COVID-19 restrictions, please visit our website at www.spencervillefair.ca, or find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Come Home – and Tune In – to Your Fair!

The Past President acts as a greeter, and welcomes new members. There is also a Secretary and a Treasurer who perform the typical duties of these positions.

Two positions that may seem more unusual to those unfamiliar with Lions Clubs are those of the Tailtwister and the Lion Tamer. The Tailtwister’s job, among other things, is to promote harmony and enthusiasm among the members. One way the Tailtwister can accomplish this is by imposing a fine on members who are disruptive or inattentive in meetings, up to a maximum of 50 cents.

The Lion Tamer acts as a Sergeant-at-Arms, who is also the keeper of the Club’s property and traditional paraphernalia, such as its flags and gavel. Finally, a Bulletin Editor is tasked with updating the bulletin to keep members up to speed on the business of the Club. The bulletin is very important, but also lighthearted, as it often uses humour.

The Lions Club of Winchester is always seeking new, community-minded members who can contribute their talents, ideas, and time.

The Club currently has 18

members, down from a peak membership of 49 members several years ago.

Bob Porteous – a charter member who joined the Club in 1968 – corresponded with the Times about the benefits of being a Lion.

He discussed how the Lions Club has helped better the Winchester community in many ways, including assisting people with illnesses, or those who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances.

For Bob, being a Lion means having a feeling of satisfaction from being part of the community.

“I don’t want to sound pompous, because I was only one little piece, and certainly no one special,” Bob told the Times. “Over the years, more than 250 residents have been members of the Club at different times, and each and every one of them contributed to their Club and community.”

Those interested in becoming a member of the Lions Club can speak to any member about joining, or can visit the Club Facebook page, called Winchester Lions Club A4.

Summer students return to support environmental projects with SNC South Nation Conservation (SNC) welcomed six students and recent graduates to its team this summer, thanks to funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments.

“We’re proud to secure investments that contribute to our local economy and give talented students an opportunity to work in their field of study,” says SNC’s Communications Lead, John Mesman. "We are grateful for the hard work and enthusiasm that our local youth bring to support our conservation authority work every summer.”

From working in the forest, to supporting natural hazard programs, or delivering environmental outreach programs such as the popular Youth Fish Camps, students become familiar with the innerworkings of a non-profit organization while getting 3

exposed to a variety of career opportunities and experiences.

“I’ve been working at SNC since 2018, and each summer is more rewarding than the last,” said student Alicia Howse, who recently graduated from the Environmental Science Program at the University of Ottawa, and will be studying law at McGill University, where she hopes to bridge knowledge between science and legislation to protect the natural environment. “My favourite part of working at SNC is connecting with residents and learning about the diverse ways we relate to the watershed and our natural environment,” she added.

Some of this year’s summer students were Alicia Howse, Gianmarco Maggiore, Tyler Brisson, Hope Boyle, Mary-Louise Sturman and Martin De

Langy. They are from different parts of Eastern Ontario, including Rockland, Orleans, Greely, Brockville, and Port Colborne.

“We look forward to hiring young and enthusiastic students every summer,” says John Mesman.

“They are our future generation of leaders, and will hopefully go on to become good environmental stewards.”

Send in your letters, stories, events to editor@ ndtimes.ca www.ndtimes.ca

Editorial

The North Dundas Times

The fool on the hill

by David Shanahan I understand we’re in a federal election campaign, yes? I may seem a little confused, but, to be honest, the whole election thing seems unreal and irrelevant for some reason. I suppose that, after a year and a half of pandemics, climate crises, wars and rumours of wars, etc., having to suddenly switch attention to some politicians making promises (yet again) and trying to take them seriously is a bit of a stretch.

Of course, this election is important: every election is important, at whatever level of government it takes place.

Don’t get me wrong: I am all for democratic involvement and giving people a chance to vote and make a change.

Maybe it’s just that the world we’ve lived in over the last eighteen months seems to have made your average, day-to-day style of politics a bit unreal. The issues and the challenges we’ve been facing give a new perspective to things.

Many have been asking why we’re having this election at this particular point in time. Well, it’s the same reason as always: the ruling party believe this is their best time to seek reelection.

There is really never any other consideration in picking these times. You believe your opponents are weaker than you, and you try and exploit that to your advantage. That’s party politics.

Justin Trudeau looks at the Conservatives and sees a relatively new leader, not really known to Canadians yet, and therefore running to catch up with more familiar faces. The NDP have a leader who is better known, and perhaps has a higher profile and reputation, but Trudeau doesn’t believe that the NDP have any chance of overtaking the Liberals in terms of seats in Parliament. He looks at the Greens and sees a party in disarray because of the actions of its putative leader, someone deeply divisive within the Green ranks. The Bloc Québécois will never

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Christine Dorothy’s curiously error-ridden “Climate change” letter of 11 August is adequately debunked by Graeme Waymark’s comment on the online posting of the letter. As someone who was paying attention to global climate change before the “looming Ice Age” alarm of the 1970s, I’d like to point out some aspects of the history of ideas about climate change.

The first thing is that, ever since Louis Agassiz noticed the retreat of Alpine glaciers in the mid-19th Century, it was taken for granted by everyone that the planet was warming. After the Swedish physical chemist, Svante August Arrhenius, worked out the greenhouse parameters for carbon dioxide in 1905, it was understood that this warming was in proportion to increased carbon dioxide.

This consensus came to an end in the 1970s, when there was a slight reduction in global temperatures, which is now understood to have been

due to reflection of sunlight by post-WWII particulate air pollution, which was amplified in some publicity to a “looming Ice Age.” The conflicting trends of growing use of fossil carbon and reduced air pollution, spurred by the 1960s environmental movement, resumed and accelerated the global warming, and we now have last month as the warmest ever recorded by meteorology, and carbon dioxide at levels last known from 14 million years ago, at the end of the Miocene Climatic Optimum, before there were ice sheets in Antarctica or Greenland.

The glacial retreats that began in the 1850s came at the end of the “Little Ice Age,” which is plausibly attributed to carbon uptake by reforestation after widespread human depopulation, first in Europe due to the Black Death, invasive Mongol slaughter from central Asia, and then in the Americas from European diseases and genocide. The lesson of this history is that

have anything close to majority in the House of Commons; but then, that’s not their goal.

Whether he’s accurate in his analysis of the political prospects of the various parties or not, Trudeau has chosen this time to try for a new term, possibly even a majority. To some extent, at least, that is up to us, the voters of Canada, in spite of the serious obstacles in our way. Obstacles such as the current electoral system.

First Past the Post favours the established parties, and makes it almost impossible for others to break through. This has resulted, consistently, in parties forming government even though they just about never gained a majority of votes cast. Some form of proportional Representation [PR] would be more democratic in practice, but it seems highly unlikely that either of the parties now benefitting so greatly from the current system would ever willingly give up that advantage. Trudeau promised to, and reneged.

Some believe that PR

would only lead to unstable coalitions, and often point to Italy as the worst case scenario. But there are varieties of PR systems, and other countries have enjoyed better outcomes from the system they chose. Of the 43 countries within Europe, 40 use some form of proportional representation to elect their MPs. These include Germany, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Another obstacle to a really democratic system are our rather homogenous political parties. Try looking up definitions of our main parties online: it is illuminating. They are described as being centre to centre-left, centre-right to right-wing; centre-left, and centre-left to left-wing. Try and guess which party is which. This is not necessarily a bad position for Canada to be in. It means that, whichever party is in power, there will not be a radical shift in any direction, depending, that is, on the individual leader and the team

he picks to govern with.

But back to our present campaign. It is a very short one this time. Too short to really allow voters to get acquainted with candidates and policies, without a good deal of individual research, something for which voters are not at all inclined. Canadians don’t vote in overwhelming numbers, and there will be no time for all-candidate meetings this time around.

Between the short campaign season and the restrictions still in place because of covid, the Times will not be holding our usual candidate meetings during this election. Not many people, not to mention the candidates themselves, would be willing to gather in a crowd to hear promises and accusations, even if it were permitted by pandemic regulations. I’ve no doubt that there will be those claiming that this is all part of the Great Covid Conspiracy to strip us of our democratic rights and freedoms. Who knows? This time, that may be at least partially the case. Lack of

opportunity to hear from, and question, our local candidates is a genuine democratic deficit, no matter which direction you come from politically.

All of which is why I find it hard to grasp the reality of this election. As of August 20, there are no confirmed candidates in this riding, though the Conservatives and Peoples Party have nominated representatives to run. This will probably change in the coming days.

Perception or not, this election is happening and it is another opportunity for each of us to have a say, no matter what we think of the system, the candidates, the timing, or the results in the past. That is how it works. We keep trying, thinking, reading, deciding, perhaps even taking a radical step and voting for a party we never did before, or one our family were not committed to in the past. Strange thought: make an independent decision based on the merits of the candidate, and not the colour of their signs.

global cooling has already been due to human activities, and that we now have the opportunity to repeat this by global co-operation, rather than the unpleasantness and death which caused the previous cooling.

Back in 1989, when climatologists first agreed that warming had resumed, we wrote “So let us, wimps and dreamers, undo Earth’s disrepair, Bind up your wounds with peat and flowers, Sequester carbon as the forest thrives, Living wood and leaf scour the skies, And orchids bloom where seething Sphagnum purifies the air.” - https:// carbonsequestrationwork. blogspot.com/ - but current talk about action against climate change is almost entirely about reducing emissions, not about matching this with sequestered carbon. We really need a total carbon budget model for Canada, that includes forests and permafrost and wetlands and agricultural soils and the processing of fossil fuels. Because of this lack of attention, Fragile Inheritance is going to resume work on the above blog/

workbook, and look forward to North Grenville being as much of a leader in climate action as it was in ParticipACTION. Sincerely, Fred Schueler, PhD. Reserch Curator Fragile Inheritance Natural History Bishops Mills.

for thinking that it isn’t happening; but the way in which the world is connected, you would have to be living in a cave not to see what is going on elsewhere. That you still won’t believe it after all the evidence that is being presented is unfathomable, but some people are more comfortable in their own world, and refuse to contemplate the changes needed to meet this crisis head on.

So, according to Ms. Dorothy, we supposedly have fewer fires, flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes, which ignore the unprecedented temperatures of 140F coupled with unprecedented forest fires and flooding in Europe, not to mention flooding and forest fires here in our own country and in the US. As for polar bears flourishing, it is well documented that polar bears are starving to death because the sea ice, on which they hunt, is disappearing.

Then we have the statement that carbon dioxide is our friend. Sure, if you happen to be a plant. Not so much if you happen to be human, or any other terrestrial being.

We breathe in oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide. Trees and plants do the opposite, which is why it is helpful to have them around. However, we are cutting down forests at an alarming rate, so that isn’t going to be helpful for future generations when all that carbon that they have been storing is released back into our atmosphere.

As for the part about governments blithely taking our money to fix this problem, the last time I looked, it wasn’t happening. Sure, we have a carbon tax, but the rebate that we get on our taxes mostly covers this. You can bet that Conservative governments won’t fix this, as they don’t believe in climate change, and Liberal governments say they believe in it, but then go and buy $10 billion pipelines.

As that is pretty much all that we have elected over the last millennia, that concern seems somewhat unfounded.

She is right on one thing, that climate doesn’t change in a decade or two. What she forgot to add was “unless we

Dear Editor, I must assume that your climate change denialist, Christine Dorothy, is getting her “facts” from the 1% of scientists, many in the pay of the oil and gas industry, who refute that climate change is happening, or, as it seems, as she said by simply looking out of her window. I guess that if it is not happening to her, then it’s not happening.

It is always interesting to know how other sides think.

In my mind, to deny that climate change is happening is to ignore all of the scientific proof that we have, and have had for more than 30 years.

If looking out of our own windows is the yardstick that climate change is measured by, then you may be forgiven

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The North Dundas Times

Op-Ed: Vaccine mandates prove the death of free choice

by Brandon Mayer Since when does the government have the right to make my medical decisions for me? That is the question nagging at me as I ponder the state of things with COVID-19. There are reports of people being fired from their jobs for coming to work unvaccinated. Students at public universities are being told that they cannot set foot on campus without first getting their two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. And now, most recently, a mandate dictates that all federal government em-

ployees must be vaccinated, even if they work from home.

This last mandate will soon extend to all federally regulated industries. Additionally, the province’s health care and education workers will now face similar mandates.

Before expressing my strong opinion that vaccine mandates are wrong, let me point out that I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

I am not an anti-vaxxer and, despite the short interval between the development of the various COVID-19 vaccines and their approval for use, I got my COVID-19

cine is, therefore, a choice, in the sense that no one is being dragged out of their homes in handcuffs to be driven to the nearest vaccination clinic.

However, the “choice” being given to those who are governed by the mandates is the choice between getting a free, virtually painless needle in a process that takes about 20 minutes, or losing a career, no matter one’s experience, devotion, or tenure, potentially without prospects to get a new one without first getting the aforementioned needle.

This is not much of a choice at all. Such a choice would be a joke of a question in the children’s game “Would You Rather?” It is like asking someone if they would rather be homeless, or get a light flick on the forehead.

But downplay it as we might, that flick in the forehead – or rather, that needle in the arm – is a medical decision.

Something odd to me is that I never had to sign a consent form for either of my COVID-19 shots. A consent form is something I remember being part of the process for regular flu shots in the past. Perhaps even worse is that no one at either

vaccines willingly, because I trust vaccine science. Why then, would I not want other people to be forced to get their vaccine and potentially end the pandemic more quickly?

The answer is choice, especially choice when it comes to my own medical procedures, and who I tell about those medical procedures.

Our legal “freedoms”, of course, only refer to freedom from prosecution. My charter rights might be violated if I was imprisoned for refusing to get vaccinated, but not if my employment is terminated for the same. Getting the vac-

Letter to the Editor cont'd help it along”. What is happening now was predicted over 30 years ago, and nothing substantive has ever been done, so we have created this crisis ourselves. Now it is going to take an effort similar to what Canada did in World War 2, but the difference is that there the enemy was obvious to everyone.

Lastly, there is an accusation that us climate change believers want to redistribute the wealth, and therein lays the crux of the problem with those who deny the existence of climate change. They are seeing fixing the problem as a threat to their way of life.

Of course wealth should be redistributed, because the current system is making a very few people fabulously wealthy, and able to afford to build spaceships simply to give them a thrill to be able to see Earth from space, while many of the rest of us struggle to make ends meet.

I have responded on several occasions to people who think that people like me want to increase the tax on anyone earning over six figures. Not so. The number is considerably higher than that. When even a 1% wealth tax will generate billions in revenue, you get a sense of the magnitude of the problem. We need a government that is willing to step up to the plate, and do what is necessary to secure the future of this planet and of future generations. Business as usual is what has got us to this point, and, pretty soon, you may well be able to see the consequences from your very own window. By that time, it will be far too late.

We are about to be thrust into another Federal election that many of us do not want or need, so how about trying August 25, 2021

something different than the same governments whose policies have got us into this mess. Governments are supposed to be for all of the people, not just the wealthy, many of whom have also profited handsomely from this pandemic, to the detriment of many of the rest of us. It is time for a change.

Colin Creasey, Kemptville Dear Editor, After reading Christine Dorothy’s letter, printed in last week’s paper (August 11, 2021), I have to say – Alarms save lives. And not just the human kind, either. To deny that anything is the matter may be a fatal position to take; we have a responsibility to respond to this environmental crisis or at least step aside and let those who understand what it is that is at stake take the lead.

Growing up in this rural and agricultural community I have witnessed first hand the climate change that has/is taking place – socially, politically AND environmentally.

And it is not all bad. There is a lot of good gowing on across SD&G. My fear is that enough won't realize what it is we have until it's gone.

I can see direct links between current agricultural practices and the changing local weather patterns. We’ve created deserts. Perhaps not intentionally, but those huge fields you see are devoid of life when the corn and beans come off - that is not a natural way of producing food – nor is it sustainable.

Have you, Christine, ever wondered why you never see people out in the middle of thousand acre soybean fields in July and August? Do you

see those fields from your window? It’s because it is hot as hell and the crops being grown have been bred to withstand extreme heat.

Without throwing blame – because I actually believe we can turn things around – it is safe to say that the current practices as employed by large industrial agriculture operations are desertifying our local ecosystems. It isn’t the first time humankind has recognized that practices need to change.

We have access to knowledge, seeds and seasoned farmers who are incredibly competent at producing high quality crops and food products. We also have a new generation of farmers who are taking a different approach, and succeeding.

Jaymie Thurler of Rutabaga Ranch is one of a new generation of producers stepping up to the plate. Other families like the Biemond’s of Upper Canada Creamery and Brian McIntosh of BriMac Farms are already doing the work, among many others, and it’s high-time they get the credit they are due.

I love this community – I’ve tried to live here my whole life. The reality I am facing is that I can’t afford to live here. I also can’t afford to let my experiences within this community fall to waste because I know I am not the only one who sees that some things need to change.

We are supposed to change – that’s called evolution. That’s called survival.

And it starts from the ground up.

Respectfully, Mannie Giles

5

clinic went over potential side effects with me. It is like all commonsense protocols have suddenly vanished.

Some readers may be wondering what the big deal is in the first place. Why not just shut up and get the needle? Why make a fuss on principle? My answer is that it is not just on principle. It is the fact that the COVID-19 vaccines – while well-researched and backed by science – are still so new that some of their side effects and potential complications are being discovered, not in clinical trials, but in members of the general public after receiving the shot. There are many reports of young men experiencing serious heart problems after getting the needle. At the time I got my first shot, this was not wellknown, and there was, therefore, an unknown risk to my health. What other potential side effects may develop over time? So far, everyone who got the COVID-19 vaccine did so willingly. What happens when a new side effect is discovered in someone who was compelled to get vaccinated?

Privacy is a whole other

issue. Not only will everyone be required to share their vaccination status, but those who cannot take vaccines due to allergies or preexisting health conditions may be required to share other medical information with their employers to be exempted. The longer the pandemic soldiers on, the thinner the line becomes between “choice” and “requirement”, and between “confidential” and “public”.

With highly polarizing vaccine debates in full swing, some people are asking if the willfully unvaccinated should be held accountable if they infect someone with COVID-19. Barring the obvious legal nightmare of proving that one person’s choice is directly linked to another person’s infection, one must turn this around and ask a simple question: Should the unwillingly vaccinated be able to sue when they become the unwilling test subject who discovers a new side effect?

We h a v e n o w b e e n through 17 months of the government being in our social lives and in our homes. It is time to tell them to stay the heck out of our bodies.

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94-year-old celebrates birthday with gift to North Dundas What would make your skin turn yellow?

A report from the Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the New England Journal of Medicine tells an interesting story. A 62-yearold man, over a two-month period, developed numbness, a “pins and needles” sensation in his hands, shortness of breath, trouble walking due to severe joint pain, and he began to turn yellow.

Anyone faced with all these problems would think the end is near and start planning to say goodbye to loved ones. In retrospect, his symptoms could have been even worse. He could also have faced paranoia, delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste, and more.

But this man had a pinch of good luck. Tests revealed he had a deficiency of vitamin B-12. He wasn’t going to die.

But how did he develop such acute deficiency, and how can you be sure you’re getting enough of this vitamin?

B-12 is an important vitamin. The adult human body needs 2.5 micrograms daily so red blood cells can carry oxygenated blood to the brain, nerves, and DNA. Since B-12 cannot be made by the body, it must be obtained from diet or supplements.

What causes a lack of vitamin B-12? Some people simply don’t get enough in their diet. Others, even if they consume sufficient B-12, fail to absorb it. This is why deficiency is especially common among the elderly. One person in five over age 60, and two in five over 80, fail to absorb B-12 from food and they require a supplement.

Another reason can be autoimmune disorders that make it difficult to absorb B-12.

As we age, the lining of the stomach gets thinner, which decreases the production of hydrochloric acid.

Vitamin B-12 is firmly attached to a protein. To pry it loose so it can be absorbed, it needs sufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid.

It’s also possible to be low in B-12 if you’re taking medication, such as, Prevacid, Losec, and Nexium, used to treat acid reflux or a stomach

Elva with dignitaries: from left, North Dundas Councillor Gary Annable, Elva Collingridge, Mayor Tony Fraser and MP Eric Duncan.

Elva Collingridge celebrated a major milestone with a selfless act. She turned 94-years-old last week and spent the afternoon honouring her late son, Gordon Collingridge, who was awarded the To The Top Canada Award in 2008. Elva donated Gordie’s award to the Township of North Dundas, which plans to put it on display at the Old Town Hall in Winchester.

“Gordie was a fixture in our community,” noted Mayor Tony Fraser, during the ceremony. “A week wouldn’t go by without me seeing Gordie on the street… a week wouldn’t go by without me having a chance to say hello to Gordie. He was a friend to all and he is truly missed.”

Gordie was nominated for the award by Thurland Brown, who couldn’t attend the event in person, but sent along a video explaining the background of the award.

He read a book by Chris Robertson – founder of the award – and, at the end, read-

ers were asked whether they knew anyone who made their community better, which in turn made Canada better.

“I immediately thought of Gordie,” said Thurland Brown. “In 2007, Gordie canvassed the entire town of Winchester for a wellknown national charity. He made Winchester a stronger community and, by making Winchester stronger, he made Canada stronger.”

“I called him the unofficial leader of the Winchester community watch,” joked MP Eric Duncan, who took part in the celebration. “There were not many days when I drove through Winchester – morning, afternoon, or evening – when Gordie wasn’t around town. Every time we got the chance to speak, he gave me the latest updates. Gordie was a positive influence, and this award is the perfect testament to that.”

“He helped anyone that he could,” noted Barbara Savary, who was instrumental in or-

Beware of fake social media accounts The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry would like to remind residents to beware of fake social media accounts that may attempt to use logos and posts associated with official SDG channels.

For example, SDG recently became aware of an account that attempts to pass itself off as the SDG Tourism Facebook Page.

Often these accounts can have malicious intentions, and residents should avoid August 25, 2021

engaging with any social media account that seems questionable.

The Counties have made attempts via Facebook to have the page removed.

“Communicating with our residents via social media is an important resource, but, unfortunately, all of us have seen or read of fake accounts being set up,” said Counties CAO, Timothy Simpson. “We will continue to monitor social media channels to

ganizing the event. “In 1990, we established our first food bank in North Dundas and he was there as many times during the week as you would have him.”

“Gordie was a friend to everyone here in the village,” said Wayne Burns. “He visited us every day at the pharmacy - we were on his route.

So I would say 300 days of the year we’d see Gordie; sometimes two or three times a day. It was so nice to see him get that award.”

Elva explained that it was Gordie’s wish to have the award given to some place in Winchester, so that people could see it and remember him. “So I, his mother, on his behalf, give it to the Old Town Hall for safekeeping,” said Elva. The Township of North Dundas presented Elva with a certificate and pink roses in recognition of her 94th birthday.

ensure accounts attempting to fraudulently use our logos and intellectual property are reported.”

If you see a social media account that includes SDG logos and information and seems suspect, please contact us at communications@sdgcounties.ca.

6

ulcer. Even less powerful drugs, like Pepcid, Tagamet, or Zantac, reduce the production of hydrochloric acid.

Intestinal problems, such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and excessive alcohol consumption, reduce B-12.

And, with more people using gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, B-12 intake can become be affected.

You can be young and develop a lack of B-12. Plants do not make B-12. So, among the growing numbers of young people striving for a strict vegetarian or vegan diet, there is a high risk of B-12 deficiency. Fortified grains can be a source of B-12. Blood work will show if additional B-12 supplementation is needed.

There are many reports lauding the use of B-12 to prevent heart disease, infertility, fatigue, eczema, and a long list of other chronic health problems. But, according to Harvard researchers, these reports are all based on faulty evidence.

Alzheimer’s disease is a good example. A deficiency

of B-12 can lead to symptoms of Alzheimer’s. But even high doses of 1000 micrograms have had no effect on this disease. One case of supposed Alzheimer’s disease was cured by B-12 supplementation, but it proved to be the wrong diagnosis. For this patient, memory deficiency problems were quickly cured

by B-12. As noted earlier, it’s good to be lucky.

Good sources of dietary B-12 intake include steak, fish, poultry products, and eggs.

Are you wondering why the patient had yellow skin?

Red blood cells become fragile with decreased amounts of B-12. Then they release bilirubin, produced by the liver, into circulation, resulting in jaundice. If your skin is getting yellow, see your doctor for blood work.

Visit www.docgiff.com for past articles. For comments, contact-us@docgiff. com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

Soucie, Marcel Joseph

Peacefully at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus on Friday, August 13, 2021, Marcel Joseph "Zeus" Soucie of Morrisburg passed away at the age of 81.

Marcel was predeceased by his parents Rita and Charles Soucie, Ethal Riddel and several sisters. He is survived by two sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by his family, Darren Robertson and Rose Froats, Matthew Osborne and family, Michael Osborne (Brittany) and family, Amanda Osborne (Jamie) and family and Chelsea Shaver.

A private service was held at the Winchester Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, Winchester, Ontario followed by interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery.

In Marcel's memory, donations may be made to the Ottawa Hospital - Civic Campus.

Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-774-1117

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FASD had a fun day outing

by Rob More On Saturday, August 14, 33 children and young adults with FASD and their families ages 3-25 from the counties of LeedsGrenville and Lanark gathered together at Morehaven Farm in Montague Township for a day of fun and relaxation. https:// youtu.be/Qga3shqakjE. Everyone enjoyed activities such as swimming, four-wheeling, playing on a trampoline and bocce ball and petting the chickens, cows and horses.

The day was also full of special events such as a Bemer demonstration on a horse, a cattle showing, face painting, nature hike, eating Mark’s Carnival Treats, road hockey, and a swimming contest. All the special events were delivered by the Rural FASD Youth who have been practicing for almost a year in preparation for this day.

Have Tents, Will Travel also graciously donated the usage of party tents for the demonstrations.

We were also honoured to be joined by Councillors Brian Dowdall of Beckwith Township and Reeve Bill Dopson of Montague Township who spent the day with us and Scott Reid, our local MP who sent the following greetings to the families.

“Hello everybody, I am sorry that a scheduling conflict makes it impossible for me to be at this dinner---no sane person would pass up an opportunity to sample the cooking

of Steph the Grilling Gourmet. But more importantly, this is a chance to say a few words in honour of the work that you are doing to help rural families that are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. This is such important work.

The effects of FASD last a lifetime, and they impact both the individual, and the family of which he or she is a member.

I know this from personal experience. Two members of my extended family suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effect, and in one of the two cases damage caused to the optical nerves by in-utero exposure to alcohol has led to a lifetime of being legally blind. Dealing with such disabilities means that life is always a little bit harder (or in some cases, dramatically harder) than it is for the rest of us, and that means that we all need to lend a helping hand---both to the affected individuals themselves, and to their families.

This is the work that you do, and for this you deserve everybody's thanks.

Thanks as well to Montague Township Council for helping with this event.

Scott Reid, MP LanarkFrontenac-Kingston.”

The day was made complete by a full demonstration and dinner

by TV Celebrity Chef Steph the Grilling Gourmet www.youtube.com/ watch?v=81bdAAArs64, of which everyone thoroughly agreed was the

through our lived experience lens, and work with service providers to help achieve positive life outcomes.

We thank Montague Township, the Municipality of North Grenville and Beckwith Township for continuing to be willing partners in helping us reach our mandate and enabling wonderful new connections to be made between families, friends, and service providers. We identified that 382 new social connections were made within the six hour event, and seven youth with FASD got to serve in leadership and mentoring roles.

If you, or someone you know, is living with FASD, please feel free to reach out to us at ruralfasd@gmail. com, or join our Facebook group @RuralFASDSupportNetwork. All services are free, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. We also meet the third Saturday of every month, starting at 10:30am in a physical and virtual format.

best smoked brisket and chicken they had ever eaten. Thank you also to John Jordan, who is currently running for the LFK PC nomination, for stopping by and introducing himself.

The Rural FASD Support Network is currently the largest non-profit peer support Ontario organization made up exclusively of people with lived experience of FASD. With FASD being the most prevalent lifetime neurodevelopmental disability, with 4% of the population living with this disability, our mandate is to provide positive, non-judgmental peer support, both physically and virtually, provide education and awareness

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Queen's Park Update

by MPP Jim McDonell As we progress through the pandemic, we continue to learn more about the COVID-19 virus, the new variants, and the effectiveness of vaccines. Countries around the world are sharing data, allowing medical experts to put forth the best available plan. Many countries are experiencing a fourth wave, as the Delta variant proves to be much more contagious and affecting younger age groups. Our relatively high vaccination rate is expected to mitigate the impact, but the recent drop in weekly vaccination rates has many concerned that our hospitals will become overwhelmed, requiring further restrictions.

As a result, our Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, recommended a pause at Step 3 of our reopening plan, issuing a directive mandating COVID-19 vaccination policies in high-risk settings, including hospitals, homes, and community care service providers and paramedics.

The Ministry of Education announced plans to intro-

duce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly funded school board employees and staff in private schools and licensed child care settings for the 2021-22 school year to support the return to school plan. Rapid antigen testing requirements will be required for eligible staff who are not immunized against COVID-19. Vaccination policies will also be implemented in other high-risk settings, including post-secondary institutions, licensed retirement homes, and congregate group homes and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

Ontario will also begin offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those at highest risk, providing them with an extra layer of protection. All children turning 12 years old before the end of 2021 will now be eligible to receive their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Our government is working with the Federal government to develop a vaccine document that can be used across the country and international travel. In the meantime, proof of vaccination documents issued by local health units will be utilized in Ontario.

The pandemic has been especially difficult for the most vulnerable sectors of our communities. Since the pandemic's beginning, the government has focused on improving the front-line response to those most at risk.

This week, it announced an additional $307 million to municipalities and indig-

enous partners to help address homelessness, rent in arrears, affordable housing, and contingency preparations. Locally, the City of Cornwall Social and Housing Services will be receiving $4,251,800 to help those in need in Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry.

The government has always prioritized quality health care for Ontarians, and this includes eye care. To this end, it has been negotiating with the Ontario Association of Optometrists for its members to continue providing services for Ontario seniors.

In recognition that previous governments have done little to compensate optometrists, Health Minister Christine Elliott has announced that 2,500 optometrists will share in a one-time payment of $39 million. We continue to work towards a fair contract and have asked the association to continue discussions with the assistance of a mediator.

Our government hosted over 400 virtual delegations this week at the annual Association of Municipalities on Ontario (AMO) conference.

I had the privilege of hosting over 20 delegations during the conference and attending several additional sessions. Affordable housing and homelessness were front and centre in most regions, and municipalities appreciated the $307 million of Social Service Relief funding mentioned above. The pandemic also highlighted the importance of high-speed internet

for businesses and families for work, education, and entertainment. Our recently released commitment to connecting 100 percent of Ontario's homes and businesses with a minimum of 50/10 Mbps internet service by 2025 received high praise. The plan is very ambitious and will place Ontario amongst the top connected jurisdictions in the world.

In closing, we need your immediate cooperation to help avoid a fourth wave and further lockdowns. Become fully vaccinated by attending one of our many vaccination centres listed at www.

EOHU.ca.

Regards, Jim McDonell MPP for Stormont-DundasSouth Glengarry

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Statement from MP Duncan on the passing of Frances Lauzon

Guy and Frances Lauzon Local Member of Parliament Eric Duncan released the following statement on the news of the passing of Frances Lauzon: "On behalf of my family and all residents of StormontDundas-South Glengarry, I am saddened to learn of the passing of Frances Lauzon. Frances was a wonderful woman who will be sorely missed. She was always a kind and effective confidant to her loving husband Guy Lauzon.

Whether it was her work as the well-loved Administrator at the Glen Stor Dun Lodge for years, or as a political spouse at community events, Frances' warmth and smile made her an instant friend to many people.

She will be missed dearly. She can rest well, knowing her life of community service will be remembered fondly by many for years to come. Our thoughts are with Guy and their family during this difficult time."

Books of condolence have been set-up at MP Duncan's Constituency Offices for those who wish to offer a note to the Lauzon family. The books are available to sign, MondayFriday from 8:30am-4:30pm, at the following three locations: North Dundas Municipal Office: 636 St. Lawrence Street, Winchester South Dundas Municipal Office: 34 Ottawa Street, Morrisburg Cornwall Constituency Office: 691C Brookdale Avenue, Cornwall Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Lauzon family in the coming days.

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Eastern Ontario Training Board finds new home Despite the hurdles of 2020, and 2021, the Eastern Ontario Training Board [EOTB] has continued to expand its footprint in our region by getting more people back to work, helping employers find skilled labour and now, creating a new home.

This summer EOTB moved into its spacious new campus right in the middle of Cornwall’s downtown.

EOTB facilitated a major renovation at 16 Second Street West, the home of the former Scotiabank. The 5,000 sq.-ft. facility now includes classroom space for training sessions, a large boardroom for conference meetings and additional office space. The facilities are even available for rent. The property and its amenities completely adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.

To celebrate its new home EOTB is hosting an open house August 26, from 1 to 3 pm. The event is open to the public.

COVID 19 health and safety guidelines will be observed; as such, a limited number of guests will be granted entry at one time. Some of the new space is already spoken for. EOTB has partnered with the Newcomer Employment Welcome Services Centre, as well as the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce and the CÉSOC (Conseil Économique et Social d’Ottawa Carleton)’s Settlement Program for Francophones - all of which is housed in one facility. Some of the projects that the EOTB facilitates include DZ drivers licence training, financial literacy programming, introduction to the trades, newcomer services and labour market information collection.

“This move will accommodate EOTB’s expanding footprint, as our organization continues to implement new programming to serve the community’s needs,” said Woods.

“A centralized location allows for greater contact with our community and the clients we serve.”

The EOTB was established in 1998 to guide workforce planning and development in support of government training programs and employment related services. This includes labour market research, identifying priorities for training; making recommendations on programs and services to ensure they are accessible, effective and responsive to local needs; and working with community partners to resolve labour market and socio-economic development issues.

The Making of a Province: Political refugees years at a stretch, as they were gradually forced back into posts in Montreal, Sorel, Niagara and other places. As the tide of war turned against their cause, around 30,000 were evacuated from New York in 1783, as the peace treaty, which would end their hopes of ever returning to their previous lives, was being negotiated in Rome.

The enlisted men spent many weary months housed in barracks, facing an uncertain future, but depending on the British Crown to care for them. Their wives and children faced far harsher times, as they initially faced the fury and disdain of their republican neighbours, and then were forced to trek through wild and dangerous territory over many weeks to reach their husbands and fathers in their place of exile. They were promised free grants of land to replace, if possible, all they had lost, as well as tools and supplies to rely on for three years after settling on new land.

The overwhelming majority of Loyalists chose to move to Nova Scotia, which was separated, as a result, into two provinces, with New Brunswick carved out of the older colony. Others stayed in the new province of Lower Canada, as it became after 1791, and only around 3,000 men, women and children chose to find new lives along the north shore of the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinté.

So it was that, in June, 1784, the St. Lawrence saw a sight that was new even to that great river, as thousands of refugees, men, women, and

by David Shanahan These days, people often think of the United Empire Loyalists as a rather elitist organisation, a throwback to a more Imperial and aristocratic time. And this concept of the Loyalists is one which they have largely forged for themselves over time. But the original Loyalists were far from being influential and aristocratic: they were, in fact, homeless political refugees, dependant on government for the basic necessities of life, having lost their property, professions, land, and wealth by choosing the wrong side in what was, essentially, a civil war.

When the Thirteen Colonies in British North America declared their independence from Great Britain, it is calculated that almost a quarter of the combined population of around two million sided with the British Crown. The majority of these people kept their heads down and went through the Revolution to the end, without loss or trauma.

But almost 60,000 either openly took sides against the rebels, or else were suspected of having loyalist sympathies, and more than a few of these were imprisoned, or forced to flee their homes and families.

In various districts, particularly Connecticut and New York, men formed militia companies to fight against the revolution, although many of these were relative newcomers of the Colonies, having been born in Britain and Ireland. These militia men were separated from their wives and children, sometimes for

New App supports Agronomic decision-making for Ontario Farmers The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) hosted the official launch of Resilient Fields on August 12. Resilient Fields is a free online tool to help farmers work through specific field challenges and find sustainable solutions for their farms.

Users can create a record of current field conditions and agronomic practices, then explore solutions to resolve specific challenges in four major areas: Soil management; Nutrient management; Growing season management; and August 25, 2021

Water management.

Resilient Fields offers access to over 150 up-to-date articles and videos from Ontario researchers and agronomists.

It also links to other digital tools, like the OMAFRA Agri-Suite system, 4R Nutrient Stewardship, the Ontario Corn Nitrogen Calculator and the Farmland Health Checkup.

CFFO began development of this project in 2019.

Resilient Fields is funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the CFFO and the OFA. “Technology is key to

helping Ontario’s agri-food sector thrive and grow, and I applaud CFFO efforts to provide farmers with the latest tools to manage their operations,” said Toby Barrett, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who attended the launch.

“Collaborations like these demonstrate how the agricultural sector, government, and the tech industry can work together to develop user-friendly resources that provide farmers with sciencebased knowledge.”

“Resilient Fields fills a

gap in Ontario agronomic tools,” said CFFO president Ed Scharringa. “It can be a challenge for farmers to find information that is geared specifically to Ontario farming and field conditions. This new tool will enable farmers, as well as their advisors, to access the latest science and resources, helping them make decisions with sustainability in mind.”

“Resilient Fields will be a valuable tool for Ontario farmers who are constantly seeking best management practices for their business,” said OFA president Peggy 9

children, slowly worked their way upriver in boats to New Johnstown, now Cornwall, where they drew lots to see where they would find their new property. Sight unseen, whether it be swamp, or dense timber-covered wilderness, their only consolation was that they were settled together according to the militia companies in which they had served during the war. One other slight advantage they had was that most of them had been farmers, well used to clearing and ploughing land.

But this land was uncleared, with trees as tall as 120 feet, and wider than a man.

Although separated by some miles at times, neighbours came together to build log cabins as homes. These are described in one old account: “The walls were formed of logs, roughly notched at the ends, and piled one above another to the height of seven or eight feet, while the spaces between the logs were chinked and carefully plastered within and without with clay mortar. Openings for a door and window were provided. Smooth, straight poles were laid lengthwise on the walls to serve as supports for the roof, which, at first, was thatched, but later was composed of strips of elm bark four or five feet in

length by two or three feet in width. These were placed in rows over-lapping one another and fastened to the poles by withs.”

Doors and windows were usually comprised of blankets, and conditions remained rough for some years. In 1788, known afterwards as “The Hungry Year”, severe shortage of crops led to malnutrition and death among the young and elderly. This was no comfortable and gentrified life for men and women who had once known something better.

The term “United Empire Loyalist” was granted to them by the Governor of the day, Lord Dorchester, a man who knew them and their history well, being the officer who had evacuated so many from New York. He, and his superiors, wished to bestow an honorific on these loyal people, all as part of a plan to raise up an aristocracy, a ruling class for the new province. Things did not turn out as planned.

But these political refugees became the foundation of the new province of Upper Canada, the ones who built Dundas and Grenville Counties, and whose children and grandchildren settled the lands in the new townships laid out to the north in later decades. They helped make a new province.

Services • • •

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613-316-7710 Brekveld. “This tool offers various resources to help our farmers work through issues in the field in any unique situation."

Resilient Fields can be explored at www.resilientfields.ca.

Resilient Fields does not store user data, so privacy is protected, and includes a classified section for agribusinesses offering services that support Resilient Field recommendations.

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) is an Accredited Farm Organization representing the

• • •

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www.ardron.ca interests of over 4,000 farm families in Ontario who are called to the vocation of farming. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming, advocating that farmers receive fair return for their production and stewardship efforts. For more information about the work of the CFFO, please visit www. christianfarmers.org.

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The North Dundas Times

CROSSWORD

SD&G OPP continue to crack down on impaired drivers

The SD&G OPP remains committed to delivering on its Provincial Traffic Safety Program, which incorporates high police visibility, measurable outcomes, professional traffic stops, and public education into their efforts to save lives on Ontario roads, trails, and waterways.

During the summer months, SD&G OPP officers continue to be vigilant towards the motoring public who choose to drink and drive. Over the summer months, from

June 1 - August 10, SD&G OPP have arrested 20 drivers for impaired operation of a motor vehicle - alcohol or drugs. Through various means, the SD&G OPP members have come into contact with these impaired drivers, through motor vehicle collisions (8), Ride programs (2), traffic stops(4), traffic complaints(4), and stunt driving (2).

While the OPP and its traffic safety partners remain committed to saving lives on our roads, drivers can significantly

Notice Ormond Protestant Cemetery

The Ormond Protestant Cemetery Board has submitted by-laws to the Registrar of the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002.

Any interested parties may contact Natalie Skuce at Tel: (613) 774-2444 for information, or to make copies. By-laws or amendments may be reviewed or copied, by appointment, at 12555 Ormond Road, Winchester.

These by-laws are subject to the approval of the Registrar, Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002.

Telephone: Bereavement Authority of Ontario 647-483-2645 or 1-844-493-6356

contribute to safe roads by avoiding risks, by choosing not to consume alcohol or drugs when operating a motor vehicle.

OPP are reminding the public that a 90-day automatic driver’s licence suspension, and a 7-day impoundment of your vehicle, accompanies any impaired driving charge.

The SD&G OPP remains committed to reducing impaired driving.

Your help is requested in assisting with keeping our roads safe. If you suspect a driver is impaired, call 911. You could be responsible for saving a life.

If you plan on consuming alcohol or drugs, make a plan for afterwards. Call a friend, a taxi, or stay the night, don't take the risk!!

Anyone having information on any other crime is asked to call SD&G OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Seaway Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), or you can submit a TIP online at www.seawayvalleycrimestoppers.ca.

ACROSS 1. Goads 6. Flat float 10. Frigid 14. Burdened 15. Always 16. Not under 17. Colonic 18. Quash 19. Rant 20. Undisciplined and unruly 22. Urgent request 23. Slowly, in music 24. Travelled by bus 25. Corporate image 29. Makes one's way by force 31. Supervise 33. Cookhouse 37. Goober

38. Luminous meteor 39. Angered 41. Advantage 42. Sailor 44. Seats oneself 45. A type of resin 48. A dish of tomatoes and greens 50. A soft sheepskin leather 51. Deaths 56. Essence 57. Death notice 58. "Odyssey" sorceress 59. Murres 60. Maguey 61. Decree 62. Peddle 63. Fix 64. Affirmatives

DOWN 1. Implored 2. Hindu princess 3. Poems 4. Audition tape 5. Tangle 6. Income 7. Turns away 8. Horse's hoof joint 9. "Iliad" city 10. Blood cells 11. Ellipses 12. Embankment 13. Great fear 21. Greek goddess of fertility 24. Wager (two words) 25. Easy gait 26. Baking appliance 27. Equipment 28. Decorative 30. Progressive 32. Sweetener 34. High fidelity 35. Modify 36. Catches 40. Incapacitate 41. Tardy 43. Country 45. A giant with 100 eyes (Greek mythology) 46. Wavelike design 47. Herbaceous plant 49. Chancy 51. Froth 52. It ebbs and flows 53. Colored part of an eye 54. Behold, in old Rome 55. Collections

Solutions to last week’s Sudoku

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Employment Opportunity at a warehouse located in Chesterville. Alstor International is hiring a day shift warehouse laborer. Must be hard-working, reliable and have some work experiences in carpentry. General warehouse work includes packing steel sheets and steel parts on skids/ crates, receiving, shipping, and building wood skids and crates (physical labor involved). Starting salary of $20/hr, wage depends upon experience. Apply within – contact David at 613-448-2277 for details.

Hard

10

Solution to last week’s Crossword

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Scouts Canada continues the Adventure this Fall Back to school has long signalled the return to extracurricular activities for Canadian families. As provincial restrictions ease, many parents are seeking programs that offer youth social connection, a sense of normalcy, and fun in an environment that puts safety first.

Scouts Canada’s programming has safely continued throughout the pandemic through a mix of virtual, outdoor, and indoor programming, with no reported transmissions of COVID-19 cases through Scouting activities.

To ensure the health of the Scouting community, Scouts Canada quickly adapted to implement a successful fivestage Return to Scouting Plan that scales activity levels in accordance with the current direction of governments and health agencies, regionally and provincially. It provides members and families with clear, easy to follow guidelines on group sizes and steps to follow for safe in-person adventures.

"Providing a safe environment for young people in Canada to connect with their peers and get outdoors is our number one priority," said Andrew Price, Executive Commissioner and CEO. "Since the onset of the pandemic, our safety standards have provided a space for thousands of youth to enjoy a fun and adventurous program at a time when they need it most."

Many Scout Groups across Canada are currently in modified Stage Four of

the plan that includes indoor gatherings up to 25 people and outdoor gatherings up to 50 people, cohorts (Patrols) of a maximum 8 youth, and overnight camping allowed in cohorts only, with tents or shelters preferred. Face coverings and physical distancing are required. Some provinces are in Stage Five, which lifts internal restrictions for Scouting activities, while deferring to all municipal and provincial public health restrictions.

All Scout Groups will abide by enhanced health and safety measures put in place by local public health units. For details of each stage, and to determine the current stage for a local Group, and to view Scouts Canada's Return to Scouting plan, go to www.

Scouts.ca/Covid19.

Outdoor play is a fundamental need for children.

Research shows outdoor play offers a multitude of physical, mental, and social benefits, contributing to building resilience, cognitive functioning, creativity, problem solving, social skills, and more.

“I just love being with my friends that I have made from Scouts,” said Anne Flockton, an Ottawa-based Scout. “I feel so much more energized than I normally would at home on my device. I just feel happier and more free.”

Scouts Canada introduced new programing and initiatives throughout 2020-21 in response to the pandemic.

This included a free Guide to Resilient Children, developed with resiliency expert, Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe,

North Dundas has a housing crisis

to help families navigate uncertainty and change. Additional new programming included: an eight-week outdoor survival challenge, hosted by TV’s Survivorman, Les Stroud; a fun-packed Scouting at Home program for youth to enjoy safe activities individually or with their family during the first week of the pandemic lockdown, and throughout summer of 2020; virtual summer camp in 2020; and resources to support interactive and engaging virtual meetings, so that Groups could continue Scouting and easily adapt to the changing landscape of local pandemic restrictions. Scouts Canada continues to roll out exciting new programming this fall.

“Our spring outdoor survival challenge with Survivorman, Les Stroud, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our members, and we’re excited to be rolling out a new challenge this fall,” said Siobhan Ward, Youth Program Specialist.

“By designing fun and engaging activities rooted in the global Sustainable Development Goals, our fall challenge empowers youth to express creativity, put their problem solving skills to the test, drive social impact, and have fun with their peers as they travel virtually to learn about some of our world’s most important issues.”

Registration for January to December, 2022 Scouting opens on September 1 for existing members, with registration for new members starting September 15 at Scouts.ca/

Join. New members who join before 2022 will benefit from free participation in Scouting for the remainder of 2021.

Scouts Canada is looking for volunteers to help fill a number of rewarding roles, including running Section meetings, as well as positions focusing on finance, administration, teaching first aid, and outdoor skills, leadership, communications, fundraising, or property management.

Volunteers receive training, personal and professional development opportunities, and support from a dynamic team; make a meaningful contribution to Canadian youth; and have as much fun on adventures as the youth they support. Registration to volunteer is open now at Scouts.ca/Volunteer.

For youth from families facing economic barriers, Scouts Canada has a program called No One Left Behind (NOLB) that subsidizes membership fees and related costs.

For more information, visit Scouts.ca; applications for NOLB must be submitted through the registration process, Scouts.ca/Join.

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Health Minister responds to Optometrists’ strike threat Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, issued the following statement regarding the upcoming job action by the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) on August 17: “Since day one, our government has been hard at work ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need, when they need it.

To that end, the Ministry of Health has held meaningful discussions with the OAO to support optometrists in delivering high-quality care, both now and into the future.

While we had hoped that these discussions would lead to a positive outcome, we are August 25, 2021

disappointed in the OAO’s approach to this process, particularly their continued threat to withdraw services that many vulnerable Ontarians rely on. Both parties agree that optometrists have been long neglected by previous governments. That is why our government intends to provide an immediate onetime payment of $39 million to the approximately 2,500 optometrists practicing in Ontario for retroactive increases over the past decade. At the same time, we have asked for bilateral discussions, with the continued support of a mediator, to review optometry operating costs and future fee increases.

The $39 million payment represents similar increases applied to other health care professionals, including physicians, since the OAO’s last agreement expired in 2011.

It is our sincere hope that this one-time payment will preserve access to care that patients, in particular seniors, rely on as these discussions continue.

Our government has always made clear that it is willing to sit down and talk to the OAO. We are ready to continue talking. We urge the OAO to commit to working with us to reach an agreement to ensure Ontarians can continue to access the care they need and deserve.”

Hayley Bedford Marketing Consultant

Phone: 343-777-2702

Email: hayley@ndtimes.ca

11

by Tina Ouellette We are in a housing crisis. Yes, it is as alarming as it sounds. Five years ago, this millennial was fortunate enough to cash out her savings to buy an affordable fixer-upper here in North Dundas. Fast forward five years, and this same opportunity has become impossible for those who walk in the same footsteps.

Today's skyrocketing housing market, coupled with the availability and price of building supplies, has whittled away opportunities for a place to call home.

There are few prospects the average family or worker can afford.

Wait lists for affordable housing and assisted living are staggeringly long. Many of us know someone at risk of homelessness who is barely treading water, an all-too familiar circumstance.

Property owners are renovating, selling, and evicting in order to take advantage of skyrocketing profits caused by pandemic-driven inflation. Starting an Airbnb, or selling your nest-egg, is lucrative compared to being a landlord regulated by tenant protection laws. Unless you are a corporation with the resources to invest, the trend has been to move away from offering affordable rentals, leaving people stuck in a very precarious situation.

If private citizens, governments, and businesses are not willing or able to provide housing, and the banks are becoming increasingly selective about offering mortgages that can compete in today's market, then who will? Right now, the answer is nobody.

Moving out of the community you grew up in, living with parents, or renting a room with a handful of strangers, is the new status quo. If the living wage jobs aren't here, and the housing isn't here, then what is? Another suburb for city dwellers to flock to? Industrial scale farming? Developer havens, fast food joints, and foreign investors? If alternate solutions are not devised ASAP, there will be little choice for future generations to remain in the community they grew up in, or to maintain our rural roots without becoming the next Kempt-haven.

We have an obligation to develop and implement outside-the-box initiatives that can solve this crisis.

Unique housing alternatives

like Morninglory Farm in Killaloe and Whole Village “eco-village” in Caledon are springing up across Ontario and abroad. The tiny home creators and folks who value a minimalist eco-friendly footprint have made home ownership and sustainable community-based initiatives a reality.

We too can be innovators!

Let’s dream bigger and invest in solutions that will see all of us succeed. Demand an end to systemic barriers preventing home-grown progress. Shift focus to property acquisition, zoning, land severances for community housing projects and multi-dwelling community owned lots, grants and loans for individuals to invest in unconventional housing and cooperatives, revitalize building code standards, the list goes on.

Current systems favour the rich and experienced, and disenfranchise the rest. Our governors need to be open to implementing construction standards that allow unique and sustainable dwellings, communities, small scale agriculture, and increased self-sufficiency.

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is that tightknit, self-sufficient communities are more vital than ever when disaster strikes.

Our society has much less autonomy over our own resources than we had before; we depend on governments to keep us safe, educate our children, and have the greater good at the core of its decision making.

The system we rely on should preserve and promote independence, not dependence, on outside resources.

It’s failed to spend our tax dollars so vulnerable, hardworking people can all lead an equitable life. Adrienne Clarkson has been quoted as saying: “When you get on the boat that’s saving you, don't pull up the ladder that’s behind you.” Canadian values are about making life better for all of us, despite what we had to go through to achieve our own success. We are not prepared for the consequences the next few decades will have on our communities. Whether we take to the streets, or fill the seats of council to incite change, I hope you will join me.

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Conservation Conservators undermined by Province servation authority in Ontario may, directly or indirectly, engage in political activities regarding development projects.” This is where things get fishy.

In July, 2020, the Township of South Glengarry posted notice of a proposed amendment to a zoning bylaw to allow for the development of a 25-lot campground on the land adjacent to Cooper Marsh. The CMC was, obviously, concerned about what the presence of such a campground would mean for the Marsh: the ecological disruption involved in such a dramatic increase of human activity would gravely threaten the already at-risk wildlife that have made their homes there. So, the CMC created a Facebook group to discuss the issue, wrote letters to council, and organized a petition requesting that council deny the zoning amendment request until further studies about the ecological impact were completed.

The CMC also stated that they sought “professional advice, analyses, and new environmental impact studies on Cooper Marsh, as a means of ascertaining whether the regulations, planning, and permits governing the proposed development were being met.” These activities

The wetlands of Cooper Marsh. [Photo by Chris Critoph]

by Rachel Everett-Fry In December of 2020, Doug Ford passed Bill 229, the “Protect, Support and Recover from Covid-19 Act”, that included changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Ontario Conservation Authorities identified several problems with the legislation, stating that their powers were being harshly limited, or even undermined.

At Cooper Marsh Conservation Area, located east of Cornwall in South Glengarry, the impact of the changes to the Act have already become

apparent, and forewarns of what may come to other conservation areas. Cooper Marsh is part of one of the most significant wetlands in Ontario and home to over 130 species of birds, wildlife, aquatic life, and endangered native plants.

Since 1997, the Cooper Marsh Conservators (CMC) have acted as stewards of the marsh: enhancing biodiversity, fundraising nearly three quarters of a million dollars since 2012, building boardwalks, and so on. The CMC did so without any formal

agreement with the Raisin River Conservation Authority (RRCA) until 2017. In the absence of a formal agreement, the CMC and RRCA operated on the basis of mutual respect and good faith. It was in this context the formal agreement was signed.

On July 16, RRCA ended their agreement with CMC. The RRCA stated their reason for doing so: “Over the past several months, CMC has been involved in political activities which are inconsistent with the RRCA’s statutory mandate. In general, no con-

were funded privately by CMC members, and they referred to these activities as the “Protect Cooper Marsh” campaign.

In May of this year, the RRCA told CMC that their activities through the “Protect Cooper Marsh” campaign were in violation of the agreement signed with the RRCA which prohibits the engagement in “political activities.”

The Facebook page was shut down. By July, the RRCA terminated the agreement with the CMC, stating that their reason for doing so was the CMC’s “recent change of focus.”

Members of the former CMC are left to wonder: what change of focus? The CMC’s own mandate is: “to preserve and protect flora and fauna by protecting and maintaining the Cooper Marsh Conservation Area.” The “Protect Cooper Marsh” campaign was in complete alignment with this mandate. What distinction can be made between a commitment to conservation, and political action? When the RRCA terminated their agreement with the CMC, the volunteers who have devoted years of service to the Marsh are permitted no greater involvement in the Marsh than the average citizen. As such, they are unable to abide by

their mandate to preserve and protect.

In a statement about the cessation of their agreement with the CMC, the RRCA stated that they “will continue to conserve, manage, and enhance the treasured local natural heritage and maintain the trail system for the community to explore.” How they think themselves capable of doing so without engaging in “political” action remains to be seen.

The CMC has been unfairly treated, and Cooper Marsh is under threat. The issue clearly raises a legal problem about the relationship between “politics” and environmental conservation.

Locals who have travelled to Cooper Marsh have been affected by this decision. The issue raises red flags about what is to come province-wide, as environmental concerns are increasingly cast aside in favour of development: a movement that has been facilitated

by Doug Ford’s changes to the Conservation Authorities Act. Stay tuned, dear reader.

There’s more to come.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policies mandatory for High-Risk Settings In response to evolving data around the transmissibility of the Delta variant and based on the recent experiences of other jurisdictions, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is taking action to mandate vaccination for high-risk sections of the population.

This includes making COVID-19 vaccination policies mandatory in high-risk settings, pausing the province’s exit from the Roadmap to Reopen, and providing third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to vulnerable populations. The government is also expanding eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine to children born in 2009 or earlier.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a directive mandating hospitals and home and community care service providers to have a COVID-19 vaccination policy for employees, staff, contractors, students and volunteers, and for ambulance services to have a COVID-19 vaccination August 25, 2021

policy for paramedics. The vaccination policy must be effective no later than September 7, 2021, and, at a minimum, will require these individuals to provide proof of one of three things: full vaccination against COVID-19; a medical reason for not being vaccinated against COVID-19; or completion of a COVID-19 vaccination educational session.

Individuals who do not provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will be required to undertake regular antigen testing. These settings will be required to track and report on the implementation of their policies to the provincial government. This is similar to the vaccination policy requirements currently in place for long-term care homes.

As part of the return to school plan, the Ministry of Education intends to introduce a vaccination disclosure policy for all publicly-funded school board employees and staff

in private schools, as well as for all staff in licensed child care settings for the 2021-22 school year, with rapid antigen testing requirements for staff who are not immunized against COVID-19. The government is also working with public health units and publicly funded school boards to run voluntary vaccination clinics in, or nearby, schools to make vaccines more convenient and accessible for eligible students, their families, educators and school staff returning to school this fall.

Vaccination policies will also be implemented in other higher-risk settings such as post-secondary institutions; licensed retirement homes; women’s shelters; and congregate group homes and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, children’s treatment centres, and other services for children with special needs, and licensed children’s residential settings.

As an additional measure, based on the recom-

mendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the province will begin offering third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those at highest-risk, providing them with an extra layer of protection against the Delta variant. This includes transplant recipients (including solid organ transplant and hematopoietic stem cell transplants); patients with hematological cancers (examples include lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia) on active treatment (chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy); recipients of an anti-CD20 agent (e.g. rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab); and residents of high-risk congregate settings, including long-term care homes, higher-risk licensed retirement homes and First Nations elder care lodges.

Locations and timing for third doses will vary by public health unit and highrisk population, based on local planning and consider12

ations, with some beginning as early as this week where opportunities exist.

Since August 18, all children turning 12 years old before the end of 2021 have been eligible to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and can book their appointment through the provincial booking system, through their public health unit, or pharmacies, or can walk-in to vaccination clinics across the province.

“Keeping a low rate of infection in our communities and protecting our most vulnerable is how we can keep our schools, our businesses and our social settings as safe as possible while minimizing disruption”, said Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “To provide the best protection to each individual while learning to live with the virus, we are taking action by requiring individuals who work in higher-risk settings to be fully vaccinated, by providing a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to

certain groups who have a decreased immune response, and by expanding the eligibility to the children born in 2009 or earlier.”

The province has reached more than 81% of Ontarians aged 12 and over with a first dose, and is expected to reach its target of 75% vaccinated with a second dose later this month. The government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, is pausing the exit from the Roadmap to Reopen. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts will continue to monitor the data to determine when it is safe to exit the Roadmap and lift the majority of public health and workplace safety measures currently in place.

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