August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
Next edition September 3
L’édition de cette semaine à l’intérieur...
Concern, confusion reign over COVID back-to-school plans By Fred Sherwin The Orléans Star
With only two weeks left to go before the start of the school year, many Orléans families are still unsure about whether or not they want to send their kids back to class. Their reasons range from concern over the possibility of their children contracting the coronavirus to confusion over the back-to-school protocols being put in place by the area’s four school boards. Social media is awash with posts written by concerned parents. One local parent who posted her concerns on Facebook said she intends to keep her fouryear-old son home from Junior Kindergarten until the Ministry of Education and the school board figures things out. “Hoping they figure things out, but until they do I don’t feel comfortable with my son
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in JK with 30 other kids and no one wearing masks. Just not comfy,” wrote A. Smith, who is a massage therapist. “(Plus) if one of my kids gets quarantined I can’t work.” It’s unclear how many parents will elect to keep their kids home, but judging by media reports and the number of posts on social media, it’s likely to be quite high, especially among elementary-age children. According to the provincial protocols, elementary-age students will remain with their classmates for the whole day including lunch and recess, but the average class size will remain at 30 students. The accepted social distancing requirement of two metres has been reduced to one metre. Even more concerning is the fact that face masks won’t be mandatory for students in JK to Grade 3 – they are, however, mandatory for students in Grade 4-8. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
COMMUNITY BRIEFS St. Peter duo raise over $5K for Ottawa’s homeless ORLÉANS – St. Peter High School grads Alexander Abdelnour and Bashar Qawas combined their love of running with a desire to help Ottawa’s homeless by completing a 100-km ultra-marathon and raising over $5,800 in the process. With Qawas having to sit in the sidelines with an ACL injury, Abdelnour started his run at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. Unfotunately, he could only complete 70 km before having to retire with a leg injury. Proceeds from the run will go entirely to the Shepherds of Good Hope. The pair’s motto is “To move forward we need to give back!”
Virtual Dapo Fun Day raises awareness of the power of life
ORLÉANS – It’s been 18 years since Dapo Agoro was stabbed to death while trying to break up a fight at an all ages dance club on Rideau Street on June 7, 2002. The Grade 12 Lester B. Pearson student was just a week away from his high school grad dance. Shortly after his death his family launched the Dapo Agoro Foundation for Peace and organized the very first Dapo Fun Day to raise awareness about the issue of youth violence. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s Dapo Fun Day had to be cancelled. In its place the Agoro family organized a virtual sympoDapo Agoro sium on Zoom featuring keynote speaker Alex Ihama, president and CEO of the School of Greatness. Messages of goodwill were presented by Orléans MP Marie-France Lalonde, MPP Stephen Blais and Innes Ward Coun. Laura Dudas, while entertainment was provided by King Kimbit, Tome among others. To learn more about the Dapo Agoro Foundation for Peace visit www.dapoagorofoundation.org.
OCDSB to stagger first day of school for many classes Continued from page 1 For parents of children in JK to Grade 3, having 30 kids in the same class without a requirement for face masks is totally unacceptable. “What are they thinking? There’s no way I’m sending my kids into a class with that many students. It’s a recipe for disaster,” L. MacDonald wrote on Facebook. Her sentiments were echoed by at least six people who shared their comments on the same post. “They’re using our kids as guinea pigs. Not a chance my daughter is going back to school,” wrote one respondent. In response to parent concerns, the provincial government announced on Aug. 14 that school boards could use reserve funds to reduce class sizes. What they didn’t say is how much class sizes should be reduced and how the schools can physically do it, let alone do it by the start of the school year. The announcement was also short on details such as how much money each individual school board would be getting. It’s the same for the $50 million the province has freed up to improve the HVAC systems in schools
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2 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
with poor ventilation. Which schools will get the money is anybody’s guess as is the answer to the question of how soon can the work be done? Certainly not by Sept. 3. Most school boards won’t need the funding, because their class sizes won’t be anywhere near 30 students due to the number of parents who be electing to keep their kids at home. In order to allay some of the concerns the Ottawa District School Board has decided to stagger the start of the school year for different grades. In schools with JK to Grade 8 students in Grade 1-3 will start on Sept. 3; students in Grade 4-6 will start on Sept 4; and students in Kindergarten and Grade 6-8 will start on Sept. 8. In schools with JK to Grade 6 students in Grade 1-2 will start on Sept. 3; students in Grade 3-4 will start on Sept 4; and students in Kindergarten and Grade 5-6 will start on Sept. 8. The situation is even more confusing for secondary school students who will be attending two days a week in class on a staggered schedule combined with in-home learning.
Cumberland Ward candidates respond to election survey In an effort to provide fair coverage of the municipal by-election in Cumberland Ward, the Orléans Star sent a series of questions to each of the eight candidates in the race. The answers to those questions are being published in the lead-up to the Oct. 5 vote. Candidate: Patrick Uguccioni Age: 55 Education: College diploma Occupation: Journalist # of Children: 2 (ages 10, 12) Bilingual: No Question #1. How will your past experience make you an effective city councillor? This fall, city council will be faced with its toughest budget challenge since amalgamation. It has had to raid reserves to fill a $200 million hole in 2020 and 2021 is not looking promising. Council will need to make some tough choices to protect core services. That can’t be left to a councillor with zero understanding of how city hall works. I will use my two decades of experience at city hall to find savings, starting with a bloated bureaucracy and cutting programs long past their best-before date. An effective city councillor is one who can work with others to find consensus and compromise. I have relationships with some council members dating back more than two decades to protect Cumberland’s interests. 2. Please list the extent of your volunteer activities. With a busy career and two young children, my volunteer efforts have been limited to helping coach my children’s sports teams and pitching in at school activities and outings.
3. What is your position on whether or not the rural part of the ward should be merged with Osgoode Ward? I am opposed to separating Cumberland from the greater Orléans area and joining it with the Osgoode ward.
Candidate: Denis Labrèche Age: 49 Education: College diploma Occupation: Multimedia Producer # of Children: 3 (ages 13, 15 and 19) Bilingual: Yes
4. Please list your top three priorities should you get elected; and B) Why is the first issue on your list your number one priority and what do you plan to do about it? Patrick Infrastructure Uguccioni will be a major focus for me. Years of underfunding need to be addressed in a geographically huge city and severe winters that have taken a heavy toll on roads and sidewalks. Continuing on the topic of roads, an update to the Transportation Master Plan is coming. The needs in Cumberland must be addressed. Outside of LRT, there are other improved connections needed for this growing community. I will ensure projects that are important to the ward are included in the near future. Empowering individuals and community associations in planning decisions affecting their neighbourhoods and backyards will also be a focus. Infrastructure is a priority because we all rely on it whether we are in a personal or commercial vehicle, public transit or two wheels. I will push for our fair share. It can’t be done alone, however. I will work closely with east end councillors to protect a costly public asset that residents rely on every day. If you have any questions for the candidate, you can contact him directly at patrick.uguccioni64@gmail.com.
Question #1. How will your past experience make you an effective city councillor? Since 2004, I have dealt with the City of Ottawa at every level for many reasons as a president of a community association. I have learned to understand the municipal system and how to solve many issues when dealing with the City of Ottawa. Most of the time, diplomacy is the solution. I have worked with many councillors representing the Cumberland Ward for the past 15 years, to represent our community and to identify solutions to issues. Along the way, I have helped our residents, homeowners and business owners with numerous inquiries and provided them with guidance, information and suggestions. I am very strong in communication and I find that communicating is an asset for many municipal inquiries. Back in 2007 I had identified a need to acquire a better, larger community centre in south-east rural Ottawa. I organized many consultations, community surveys and meetings to identify the interest, the justification and the need for a new modern facility in south-east rural Ottawa. I solicited all three levels of government to identify the funding (total of $3.2 million) required for the new Carlsbad Springs Community Centre which was built in 2011 and now provides sports and leisure activities to many residents, to our youth and our seniors. The facility also has a modern gym, a large multi-service room and kitchen. I really feel that my 15 years as a president of a community association has provided me with the experience to become an excellent
and effective city councillor. 3. What is your position on whether or not the rural part of the ward should be merged with Osgoode Ward? My recommendation would be to not include all of Osgoode with the rural parts of Cumberland Ward and split Osgoode in half and create four rural wards with approximately 30,000 residents each. I think it would be a better solution of having four rural councilDenis Labrèche lors and the other wards would be a mix of urban and suburban Councillors. Ottawa has such a large rural area that four councillors are certainly justified – we need the rural representation at City Hall for geographical reasons but to give a fair voice to rural residents. 4. Please list your top three priorities should you get elected; and B) Why is the first issue on your list your number one priority and what do you plan to do about it? 1- Communications. I find this is the bread of butter of a councillors’ office. Many times residents are frustrated with something because there is a lack of communication or slow communication. 2 - Restart the process of moving homeowners from Hydro One to Hydro Ottawa and find solutions for homeowners with poor Internet services. 3 - Roundabouts, more of them for rural and urban roads. They save lives, less accidents and make our roads safer! Together let’s build a Better City. For more information about the candidate visit Denis Labrèche’s website at www. denislabreche.ca.
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August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8 • 3
You, me, WE
I’ve been taking a bit of heat lately over the fact that I haven’t opined about Justin Trudeau and the great WE scandal. And the sheer fact of the fact of the matter is that I don’t care, or at least I don’t care enough to waste 500 words on it. As scandals go, it pales in comparison to Adscam or the Airbus Affair. I would rank it with Tunagate or the Robocall scandal of 2012. For those keeping count, this is the third scandal the Trudeau the Younger has been involved in. There was the Aga Khan scandal in which Trudeau was found to have broken multiple corruption laws for accepting a 2016 Christmas vacation on the Aga Khan’s private island. The ruling made Trudeau the first Prime Minister in Canadian history to break federal ethics law. Then there was the SNC-Lavalin scandal. Remember that one? And now the WE scandal. None of which are good, but Canadians will get their chance to pass judgement on Trudeau in the next federal election. But as far as I’m concerned, all three of them combined pale in comparison to the scandal over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada’s senior care facilities, specifically right here in Ontario. More than 80 per cent of the COVID-19-related deaths in Ontario have occurred in a senior care facility. Doug Ford has ordered an independent commission into the situation which will get underway in September, but here’s the kicker – the commission will be mandated to provide the provincial government with “guidance on how to improve the longterm care system and better protect residents and staff from any future outbreaks”. In other words, the commission will not be empowered to find out why so many seniors had to die from COVID-19 and who’s to blame when clearly the provincial government is to blame. The reason I place the blame on the current provincial government is because A) they had plenty of time to prepare for the pandemic; B) they knew that senior care facilities were potential hot spots given what happened at the Life Care Centre in King County, Washington, in early March and the Pinecrest Nursing Home in Bobcaygeon where 29 residents died between March 12 and April 9. Despite the obvious, the provincial government never bothered to change the protocol for infectious disease outbreaks at senior care facilities to reflect the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus on senior care residents. The existing protocol was developed to deal with influenza outbreaks, but COVID-19 is not the flu. During an influenza outbreak you may have two or three residents die at worse. During a COVID-19 outbreak, the number of deaths in some facilities can be counted in the dozens. The provincial government should have revised the protocol to isolate residents in a separate facility as soon as they started showing symptoms. They should have also used the weeks it took for the virus to take root in Canada to establish a wide-spread testing protocol for senior care facilities. They did neither and their neglect makes the WE scandal pale in comparison. – Fred Sherwin, editor
Fredrick C. Sherwin, Editor & Publisher fsherwin@orleansstar.ca The Orléans Star is a bi-weekly publication distributed to 44,000 residences in Blackburn Hamlet, Orléans and Navan. The newspaper is locally owned and operated by Sherwin Publishing Inc., 745 Farmbrook Cres., Orléans, ON. Inquiries and delivery issues should be sent to info@orleansstar.ca.
4 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
Local MP maintains busy schedule during ongoing COVID pandemic While the summer season is winding down, there challenges, such as climate change, social tensions is still time to enjoy and appreciate the final few and technological disruptions. weeks of sunshine and warm summer evenings with Speaking of technology, the government recently our friends, family, and loved released a nation-wide mobile ones. With parliament slated to app that I strongly encourage reopen in September, I am lookyou to install in order to iming forward to resuming the improve our collective safety. portant work of the House of This newly developed app, Commons, particularly with reCOVID Alert, notifies users spect to my roles on the Standwhen they’ve been in contact ing Committees on Veterans with someone who have tested Marie-France Lalonde Affairs and Official Languages. positive for COVID-19. While These past weeks, I have visOntario was the first province ited many of our local businesses to get a sense of to integrate their system through the app, it is rapidly how they are doing as our economy reopens. I was becoming available throughout the country. As the pleased to let them know that for those who still need number of active users increases, the more useful it the support as they recover, the government is ex- becomes in reducing instances of community transtending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy until mission. December 19, 2020. This will help Canadians find Orléans youth still have a couple of days before work, encourage employers to rehire previously laid the application period for the 2020-2021 Orléans off workers, and ensure that Canadians are able to get Youth Council ends. Youth between 15 and 25 years back to work as quickly as possible. old can apply online until August 22, 2020. In terms of my parliamentary responsibilities, I The 20 selected candidates will then meet virtualhave recently had the pleasure to join various par- ly throughout the year with MPP Stephen Blais and liamentary friendship groups, such as Canada-Korea, myself to discuss non-partisan issues and to work toCanada-Morocco and Canada-United States. I am wards making our community a better place for us also honoured to have been invited to join the Parlia- all to call home. mentarians for Peace program, a transborder collaboFor those interested in joining the Orléans Youth ration meant to bring under one roof politicians from Council or if you have any questions or concerns, all around the world to develop a coordinated plan to do not hesitate to reach out to my office at 613-834bring forward solutions to the world’s most pressing 1800 or Marie-France.Lalonde@parl.gc.ca.
Commons Corner
Lingering pandemic calls for patience, perseverance Can you believe Labour Day weekend is just three weeks away? Time once again to break out the long-sleeve dryfits for those early morning runs or reach for your favourite hoodie or sweater during late-August after dinner walks. As we move into fall and another six to nine months of everyday is Blursday, tough decisions must be made about work, school and our home and social lives. I don’t envy parents who must decide about sending their kids back to school (or not) and each family has a unique set of circumstances that make this difficult. Ditto for teachers and other school personnel who, along with the kids, are human guinea pigs in this grand experiment. Meanwhile, government and private sector entities alike are looking at returnto-office protocols. How often to clean and disinfect the premises, how many people in the office at a time, what signage and barriers do we still need to install, how to collaborate on- and off-site, do we use the communal kitchen or fridge… there are dozens of issues to consider.
Back on the home front, how do we retain some sort of social bubble as the weather turns colder and seasonal colds and influenza return to complicate our already COVID-disrupted lives? Will folks wear masks indoors when visiting friends? Will we return to Zoom and FaceTime after dinner drinks? Do we once again cocoon and truly finish Netflix? My drives through several neighbourhoods over the last month were often like an obstacle course dotted with pallets with interlock stone, mini mountains of gravel, pop-up construction zones of pylons, small tractors, backhoes and forklifts, along with massive pick-up trucks and trailers in tow. It’s clear that firms and businesses
directly or even remotely related to home and property improvements are doing extremely well with many of them having their best year in business… ever. Landscaping, gardening, painters, roofers, gutter and siding maintenance, driveways, new decks and patios, pools and hot tubs, along with a host of professional trades and other contractors have been doing work on literally every street in Orléans. Getting back to the question of socializing into the fall months, we can take some inspiration from restauranteurs in temperate climates like Vancouver or Victoria that operate patios year-round. Electric heaters, propane firepits, warm blankets, heated seats and benches and all-season awning or wind and moisture repellent vinyl tarps could be solid purchase options to keep you entertaining – safely within your social bubble – well into November. Other, and more extravagant, ideas include heated floors, purpose-built windbreaks of hedges, snow-melting concrete, winter patio tents, or a covered pergola.
Yours truly is already prepping for garage-door open gatherings with a few pints or bottle of wine as a safe compromise as the temperature drops, the sun sets earlier and the winds pick up. As for December into 2021, this self-styled sun and sand worshipper has already invested in snowshoes, a lightweight parka and a good flask (shhh!!!), all to keep me warm and active. In March, I counseled perspective as the pandemic overtook us, last month the watchword was patience and now as we move through the fall months toward our inevitable winter, preparation for the colder weather is key if we are to maintain some semblance of normalcy and social interaction with close friends and family. Two other p-words also come to mind: praise and perseverance. My praise goes out to all those businesses, front-line services, charities and their employees who have persevered to serve us, feed us, transport us, inform us and keep us healthy and safe over the past six months. Be well everyone.
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August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8 • 5
COVID-19 assessment site OPH provides mental health coming soon to the east end support during pandemic It’s been a long past few months, but east-end testing centres, we will all be sure to things are still looking up as we continue to share this information with our communities. move forward through this pandemic. I’m This will make a huge difference for all of proud to see many people us and add extra convencommitted to protecting ience for when we feel each other through wearwe need to be tested ing masks, physical diswithout committing to the tancing, hand washing commute. and protecting those As September fast loved ones in our bubbles. approaches, parents Beacon Hill-Cyrville Ward 11 I know this journey hasn’t are facing a tough been easy, but we will continue to be innova- decision on whether to send their kids back tive in how we run our daily lives and stay to school. We have been receiving many connected through these times. updates and changes in the past weeks and Recently, my eastern elected colleagues it can be overwhelming with the onslaught and I wrote a letter to the new CEO of the of information. There is no right or wrong Ottawa Hospital, Cameron Love, bringing answer here, but the best way to make attention to the need for an Eastern Ottawa your choice is to ensure you have all the testing centre. We were very pleased to receive information available and can make an a quick and informative response informing educated decision. All the school boards in us that we would see a temporary testing Ottawa (OCDSB, OCSB, CECCE, CEPEO) site coming soon near Coventry Road. Mr. have put extensive back to school plans Love also stated he was looking for a more on their websites, and many schools are permanent site for a testing centre and asked sending parents information through email us for recommendations of a location, which encouraging parents to make their own we were more than happy to share. As soon decisions so they can prepare for returning as we receive more information on these new and online students.
Tim Tierney
As back to school and work routines reach out when we need help. Ottawa Public ramp back up this fall, this can be a difficult Health is working to ensure that the mental time for many parents trying to juggle the health supports are in place for children demands of jobs and and families during this at-home schooling of difficult transition. children, combined with Ottawa Public Health’s the ongoing precautions website has a number of required for venturing resources available to help out in public during a individuals better deal pandemic. with the stress caused by Innes Ward 2 While the new school the pandemic. year may seem uncertain, Ottawa Public They are also in the process of creating Health (OPH) has been working with all four a web page dedicated for schools, colleges, of Ottawa’s school boards to review their and universities that will provide more plans and provide advice and support on how information on what to expect in the fall as to limit the spread of COVID-19 as much as children return to school. You can access possible. Ottawa Public Health’s supports and reThis pandemic has also put a strain on sources at ottawapublichealth.ca. many individual’s mental health particularly I have also provided information and on parents and children. Students have been activities for parents and children at www. at home since the beginning of March and lauradudas.ca. many parents have expressed concerns of During this difficult transition period, I the effect this will have for children’s social would also encourage parents to reach out and educational development, as well as their to the many great community resources we mental health. have in Orléans such as MIFO (mifo.ca) It is important during this pandemic that and the Orléans-Cumberland Community we pay attention to our mental health and Resource Centre (crcoc.ca).
Laura Dudas
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An Independent, Progressive Voice for Cumberland Ward 19 Last month, Yvette Ashiri officially announced her candidacy to replace Stephen Blais as the city councillor for Cumberland Ward 19. As a true progressive, Yvette puts the community’s needs (social, economic, and environmental) at the heart of her campaign. “Cumberland Ward is the community where my family and I have lived for over a decade. I understand the main issues constituents – both rural and suburban – face,” she says. A wife and mother of two, Yvette has dedicated her life to the improvement of the social, economic, and living conditions of others. She is actively involved in safety issues, economic development, youth education and leadership, health equity and expanding access to public and social services. Yvette chairs École élémentaire publique des Sentiers’ school council. She also sits on Montfort Hospital’s governance committee and Collège la Cité’s board of directors. In 2016, she produced the television show Identité Cultur’Elles. She is also the executive vice president for Junior Chamber
International Canada and has collaborated with numerous local organizations and community events. “My years of community work and my desire for a city where everyone can thrive is what led me to run for city councillor,” says Yvette. Yvette’s priorities of social equity, local economic development, and action on climate change, align with her true beliefs and the community’s needs. “It’s really unfortunate that people are complaining about issues already raised years ago. It’s more than time for real leadership and positive change in Cumberland ward.” she says. “I have been knocking on doors for a month now. I am listening to my neighbors; they’re telling me that they want a councillor who genuinely cares about them and addresses their concerns. They want someone who is not influenced by corporate developer influence and someone who is able to be an independent voice and push for their interests. I am that person.’’ Yvette wants to fight for issues that matter to her constituents like more reliable
6 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
transit, a fairer development process, services in both official languages, and a safe return to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need a strong economy; COVID-19 showed us that. We also need a strong and healthy community in a safe environment. Taking care of the most vulnerable like our youth, women, and our seniors will ensure that they contribute positively to the betterment of our community. This means investing more in social services like housing, mental health supports, childcare subsidies, public transit, and PPE like masks for all. For far too long, these essential services have suffered from funding cuts. Now, we must aim for more innovative human-centered ideas. I know that it will take work and effort,” says Yvette. “With your trust, help and support, I hope to be your voice for Cumberland as your city
Yvette Ashiri councillor. Together we can make City Hall a place for people.” For more information on Yvette Ashiri’s campaign you can visit her website at www. yvetteashiri.ca. You can also contact her by phone at 613-600-6702 or send an e-mail to info@yvetteashiri.ca.
Orléans gymnastics club offers instruction exclusively in French fall, the club will be offering day sessions for kids age five and up during PD days on Aug. 31, Sept. 2, Nov. 30, Jan. 29, June 4 and June 25. The day-long sessions are a great way to introduce your children to the sport of gymnastics which has benefits beyond the physical fitness component. It helps build self-esteem; enhances flexibility, posture and coordination; develops social skills; and best of all it’s fun. Gymnastics is also an excellent crosstraining activity especially when most team sports are in hiatus during the ongoing pandemic. Strength, coordination, and flexibility are all great things learned through gymnastics that will help a child in the other athletic sports. You can learn more about the club by visiting www.sittelles.ca.
FILE PHOTO
STAR STAFF – Established in 1980, the Les Sittelles Gymnastics Club is the only French-speaking gymnastics club in the region. An accredited member of the Ontario Gymnastics Federation (GO), the club offers recreational, pre-competitive and competitive artistic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling programs in French for kids four years old and up. Their dynamic team of coaches are GO and National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) certified. The club’s fall session begins on Sept. 12 with all the proper COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure a healthy and safe environment for its members. The equipment has been laid out to ensure appropriate physical distancing and it is cleaned after every session. With school scheduled to resume this
Offering in-studio, video learning, and virtual classes!
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August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8 • 7
STAR STAFF – A number of dance studios in Orléans have reopened their doors to their students using strict social distancing and hygiene protocols. DanceRStudio on Centrum Blvd. in the Orléans Town Centre offers instruction in a wide variety of dance disciplines such as Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Pointe, Lyrical and Contemporary. Classes are offered to students ages 20 months and up and include both recreational and competitive levels. They even have a Parent & Tot Class for parents and children age 20 months to 2.5 years. Whether dancing just for the fun of it, or training on the competitive team, they strive to help all of their students reach their goals and fulfill their potential. All of the teachers are professionally qualified to teach all different forms of dance and are carefully chosen by owner Miki White based on their positive attitude and their desire to pass on their
love of dance to their students. The Cumbrae School of Dance is located on St. Joseph Blvd. between Jeanne d’Arc. Blvd. and Youville Drive. Classes are offered in Ballet, Highland Dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Tap. In-studio classes will be running at half capacity to a maximum of nine and seven students respectively per studio and larger classes will be split into smaller groups. Students must already be wearing their dance attire along with their face mask when entering the studio and students with long hair must wear it in a bun. They must also bring their own plastic bin to hold their personal belongings such as their dance shoes, their cell phone etc. which must be kept nearby. To see their in-studio protocols visit www.cumbraedance.com. Both the DanceRStudio and the
Cumbrae School of Dance place a strong focus on technique and instilling a knowledge of grace, co-ordination, flexibility, endurance, good social skills and increased worth. Students are encouraged to meet their fullest potential, to discover the power within and to know who they are and what they can become. Dance is a great way to build confidence, coordination, memory skills, musicality, athletic agility and it’s a fun way to make friends that last a lifetime. DanceRStudio is located at 260 Centrum Blvd., next to the Taproom260 restaurant and across from St. Martha’s Brasserie. You can visit their website at www.dancerstudio.ca to get more information about the many programs
FILE PHOTO
Orléans blessed with a wealth of excellent dance schools
they offer at the studio. The Cumbrae School of Dance is located at 1803 St. Joseph Blvd. just east of Youville Drive. You can visit their website at www.cumbraedance.com.
The OCDSB looks forward to welcoming students
BACK TO SCHOOL STARTING
SEPTEMBER 3
RD
Help us make schools safe
by following public health guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn about the OCDSB
Return to School plan
Visit ocdsb.ca/backtoschool2020 8 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
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Lyse-Pascale Inamuco: A strong voice for Cumberland Ward 19
Lyse-Pascale Inamuco is one of eight candidates running to replace former Cumberland Ward councillor Stephen Blais. PHOTO SUPPLIED nomic recovery and development, investing in transit, and road safety are at the heart of my priorities. I also hope to present a motion for a second round of negotiation with the province for the amalgamation of Hydro One into Hydro Ottawa. I hope you will trust my
CLASSIC CAR SHOW JOIN US ON SUNDAY AUGUST 23RD •11am-3PM
competence, passion and desire to serve, and choose to vote for me on October 5. For more information on my campaign you can visit www.lysepascale.ca. You can also contact me by phone at 613-304-2176 or send an e-mail to info@lysepascale.ca.
Willowbend Presentation Centre Located at 1455 Trim Road in Orléans (At the corner of Trim & Antigonish)
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That said, my actions speak louder than words. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to take action and contribute however I could with what I had. I mobilized volunteers to help deliver food boxes to over 150 families, seniors, and people living with disabilities or unable to leave their homes. This was achieved by buying, preparing and delivering food to those in need. I funded this project from my own pocket, but I was also able to raise money and help this project move forward. I am also pleased to work with community members to tackle an issue important to us all: creating a women’s shelter in Orléans. I love serving my community and getting things done. I take initiatives and know how to build partnerships, defend community interests, and get results. I actively listen to help find solutions. I create intercultural bridges. I have been engaging with residents since November 2019 and I know what the most important issues are for them. I have built my entire platform based on what residents in the ward and city are saying. I have a vision for a ward that is stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant. Eco-
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I am a courageous and perseverant franco-Ontarian of Burundian origin. Cumberland is my home. A dynamic community member, I am ready to work for all residents as I do every day in all my community engagement activities. I am the Director of Community Service at the Rotary Club of Orléans, co-Chair of Women’s March Ottawa, and Director with 613-819 Black Hub Noir. I am also engaged with the Ottawa Board of Trade, Healthy Transportation Coalition, Horizon Ottawa, Le Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans (MIFO), and Association du patrimoine familial francophone de l’Ontario (APFFO). I am confident that I am the strong voice Ward 19 Cumberland needs during these challenging times. My advocacy work, community, and political work (the latter as a special assistant for former Minister and MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers) have provided me with the experience needed to collaborate with all three levels of government. This is why I am the candidate best positioned to represent Cumberland Ward residents at Ottawa City Hall.
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Opening September 2020 in Orléans Willowbend Retirement Community, by Riverstone, is the retirement community Orléans has been waiting for! Contact Liette today to arrange a virtual meeting or an appointment at our Presentation Centre located at 1455 Trim Road (corner of Trim & Antigonish).
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August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8 • 9
Ottawa Ward Boundary Review 2020 Have your say – online survey and virtual consultation sessions An independent consultant team is reviewing the City of Ottawa’s ward boundaries and has developed six options for a new ward boundary model for public discussion. Have your say and provide your feedback on the six options through the online survey or attend a virtual consultation session. The population in some Ottawa communities has grown dramatically since the last ward boundary review. Now, some wards have much higher populations than others – creating an equal representation imbalance.
Jonathan David is all smiles after being acquired by the Lille Olympic Soccer Club earlier this month. AFP PHOTO
Former Gloucester Hornet acquired by Tier 1 French club
Following this round of consultation, the consultant team will provide City Council with recommendations later this year for new ward boundaries that can be used in at least three municipal elections in 2022, 2026 and 2030 and possibly a fourth election in 2034.
STAR STAFF – Former Gloucester Hornet and Louis-Riel Rebelle Jonathan David is on the move again. The national team striker has been acquired by the French Ligue 1 club Lille, which paid the princely sum of 27 million Euros for his services which is the equivalent of $42 million. David, 20, has spent the last two seasons with KAA Gent in the Belgian first division where he scored 30 goals in 60 appearances, including a league leading 18 goals in 20192020. In January, David was named Canada’s soccer player of the year for 2019, beating out Alphonso Davies, 19, who is having an impressive campaign with Bayern Munich. Together the pair form a formidable onetwo punch on the Canadian senior men’s team. Lille has signed David through the 2025 season at $5 million per season. “This is a very good team with great
Online survey – Available August 19 to September 25 Give us your feedback on the six options online at ottawa.ca/wardboundary.
Virtual consultation sessions Participate online or by phone at one of the upcoming virtual consultation sessions on Zoom. Three of the sessions will invite comments from participants from all over the city, while another three sessions will focus on the urban, suburban and rural parts of the city. Register at ottawa.ca/wardboundary to receive an email with a passcode and login information. • Thursday, September 10, 2020, 7 to 9 pm (city-wide focus) • Saturday, September 12, 2020, 10 am to noon (city-wide focus) • Monday, September 14, 2020, 7 to 9 pm (suburban focus) • Saturday, September 19, 2020, 10 am to noon (city-wide focus) • Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 7 to 9 pm (urban focus) Simultaneous interpretation in both official languages will be available at the three city-wide sessions. Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. If you require accommodation, please make a request to the consultant team at wardboundary@ottawa.ca. We will require one week’s notice to arrange accommodations or supports.
10 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8
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• Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 7 to 9 pm (rural focus)
players,” David said in a statement following the signing on Aug. 12. “I want to play and to progress and I think that this is the perfect place. I’m a player who knows his place on the pitch. I love to play to my qualities — notably with speed and technique.” Born in Brooklyn, New York, David was three months old when his family moved to his native Haiti and six when the family moved to Orléans. David got a tryout with Gent in 2017 while he was still a student at Louis-Riel. He traveled to Belgium twice that year and saw part-time duty on the club’s second team. Despite his limited playing time, David managed to impress the team’s management enough to earn promotion to the first team in 2018 where he started out on the reserve squad before quickly earning promotion to the starting lineup, scoring 12 goals in his rookie season.
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Meatings BBQ restaurant and catering changes locations STAR STAFF – The popular Meatings BBQ has changed locations. Beginning on Monday, August 24, customers will be able to enjoy BBQ ribs, brisket and pulled pork at either their Canotek Park location at 5380 Canotek Rd., or their new Orléans location at the Broadhead Brewing Company, 106 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Meatings was launched by Mat Flosse in 2012 as a catering business. Fresh out of high school, Flosse sold his truck to purchase his first high-capacity smoker. Matt was soon joined by his younger brother Joey and the pair soon added a second smoker.
In 2017, the brothers joined forces with Carol Hunt to open a restaurant at 2807 St. Joseph Blvd. next to the St-Joseph Church. As the catering business continued to grow, they rented space on Youville Drive to set up a separate kitchen dedicated to that side of the business. Their continued growth is the reason they decided to seek a bigger space in the Canotek Business Park. The company has managed to weather the current COVID-19 pandemic by offering a take-out and delivery service. They also created Flo’s Garden on their father’s property on Dunning Road which can accommodate small weddings.
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August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8 • 11
KEEPING OUR DISTANCE IS BRINGING US TOGETHER
UPGRADE YOUR LIFE Every Tamarack Adult Lifestyle Community comes with an exclusive Community Activities Building. Discover the lifestyle benefits in Cardinal Creek Village today!
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S H O P, T O U R A N D B U Y O N L I N E 12 • August 20, 2020 • Volume 35, No. 8