JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
NEWS/POLITICS/BUSINESS/FOOD/ARTS/SPORTS/FASHION/LIFESTYLE $3.95
Running FOR A CAUSE
Rogers TV Ottawa’s Gavin Lumsden Laces Up To Help The Boys And Girls Club
SERIES
YUK YUK'S Is Cracking Up The Capital Why ISIS And Its Friends Must Be Opposed Operation Lifesaver Promotes Rail Safety For The Public
www.ottawalife.com
Buiding a Better Canada Series * Rail Series * Reason to Smile Series * Martinique * Disney Cruising
contents Run His Way
Rogers TV Ottawa’s Supervising Producer, Gavin Lumsden, laces up for his 50th marathon and a cause close to his heart.
21 Canada on Canvas
8
Artist Julia Veenstra paints beautiful pictures inspired by Canada. Galleries are taking notice. She shares her signature style and story.
Chalet Chic 11
Whether you are warming up in a cozy ski chalet or not, this winter season is all about sporting the best après-ski wear.
Improving Pipeline Safety
27
There is innovation, collaboration and action being taken on improving pipeline safety. Want to know how? We ask CEPA’s Pwresident and CEO.
Legal Wars of the Métis 30
The Métis search for rights with the Canadian government. Their story is a long one and far from over.
Sunny Getaways
37
Head south for a hit of warmth and beauty in Martinique or hop on a Disney cruise for a magical voyage.
37
PHOTO: COURTESY LA PAGERIE
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PHOTO: COURTESY NIPSSING UNIVERSITY
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 VOLUME 17 • NUMBER 1
columns & stories Publisher’s Message ..................... 4 Best Picks ..................................... 6 Savvy Selections ........................... 15 Homes ......................................... 17 John’s Reno Tips............................ 18 Yuk Yuk’s ..................................... 19 Book Review ............................... 22 Reason to Smile .......................... 25 Op-ed: Labour, Jobs, Employers ....33 Building a Better Canada: John Scott Cowan......................... 34 Building a Better Canada: Op-ed: Michael Coren................... 35 Kirkland Capital ............................ 36 Rail Series ....................................43 IBEW ........................................... 45.........
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publisher’s message by Dan Donovan
publisher/managing editor
Dan Donovan copy editor/features writer
Jennifer Hartley director of operations
Wrong
JANUARY 2013
Alessandra Gerebizza NEWS/POLITICS/FOOD/ARTS
/SPORTS/FASHION/LIFESTY
LE $3.95
In January 2013, Ottawa Life Magazine featured Kathleen Wynne on its cover with the headline A Few Good Women. Wynne was running for the provincial Liberal leadership which she would end THE up winning later that month. Today, she is Ontario’s Singer first female Premier and the first openly gay Premier THE Activist in Canadian history. Wynne has said many times that “I don’t believe the people of Ontario judge A FEW GOOD WO MEN THE their leaders on the basis of race, color or sexual Leader orientation,’ and that ‘I don’t believe they hold that prejudice in their hearts.” Back then we believed her. So how disheartening it is when Wynne and her political operatives show such callousness and toss aside a credible, professional and tested candidate as if he were that morning’s muffin wrapper. Andrew Olivier is talented, hardworking, smart and principled. He is also quadriplegic. He ran for the provincial Liberals in the June 2014 election losing by less than a thousand votes to the NDP’s Joe Cimino. That Olivier came so close to winning with all the challenges he faces with his disability is an exceptional achievement in and of itself. Cimino decided only 6 months into the job to quit the post leaving the riding in limbo and setting the date for a February 2015 by-election. Olivier was gearing up to run again for the Liberals when Wynne’s advisors and then Wynne herself told him she wants a different Liberal flag-bearer in the race to fill Cimino’s vacant seat.When Olivier balked, he was told the Liberal party would bypass the normal nomination process and appoint a candidate the party brass in Toronto wanted. That candidate is Glenn Thibeault, the NDP federal MP for Sudbury who resigned December 16 from the NDP Caucus in Ottawa to announce he was running as the provincial Liberal candidate in the February 5th by-election in Sudbury. www.ottawalife.com
DISPLAY UNTIL FEBRARY
28, 2013
Condo Cool
* Johnny Vegas * Arctic Inspiratio n Prize
* Protecting Prescription Drugs
for Canadians
If Ontario’s so-called progressive party and Premier will toss a credible, proven candidate with a serious disability in front of the bus so early in its term in office, all is lost. What is most disappointing is that the Premier’s own moral compass did not compel her to shut this down in its tracks. Instead, she opened the door and gave the push.What are we to think if the premier of this province has that in her. It makes all the stuff she says about watching out for the poor and for those struggling seem insincere and pious. Approximately 1.85 million people in Ontario have a disability.That’s one in seven people. Over the next 20 years as the population ages, the number will rise to one in five Ontarians. The Premier may wish to reflect on that and the people of Sudbury may wish to reflect on how they can right a wrong and send a message to a Premier early in her term that wrong is wrong no matter what her aides tell her. Ontario needs a person like Andrew Olivier in the Legislature to remind us all that integrity matters...every day. He is now running as an independent Liberal in the by-election.
OLM
As we go to print, we like many others around the globe are following the tragic events in Paris. The pen is always mightier than the sword and we stand in solidarity with our colleagues in France who died defending the very principles for which we all live n 4 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
art director Karen Temple web & graphics manager
Mariana Fernandez Magnou
web copy editor/features writer Marie Waine print & web coordinator Madelaine Manson cover photo
Jon Babulic, Natalie Mireault, Karen Temple photographers
Jon Babulic, Natalie Mireault, Ed Regan, Karen Temple, Jeff Tessier fashion Alexandra Gunn accounts Joe Colas C.G.A web developer Ben Chung art director Karen Temple contributing writers
Candis Amis, Chantal Beauvais, Brandelyn Cameron, Michael Coren, John Gordon, Alexandra Gunn, Manal Guirguis-Younger, Katie Hartai, Jennifer Hartley, Madelaine Manson, Paul Meinema, Don Mac:Lean Dr. Taylor McGuire, Karen Temple, Sandra Thiessen, Debbie Trenholm, John Scott Cowan, Lucie Screnci, Candice Vetter, Marie Waine corporate advisor J. Paul Harquail,
Charles Franklin corporate counsel Paul Champagne editor emeritus Harvey F. Chartrand student intern Katie Hartai advertising information
For information on advertising rates, visit www.ottawalife.com call (613) 688-LIFE (5433) or e-mail info@ottawalife.com Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement #1199056. Ottawa Life Magazine, 301 Metcalfe St. Lower Level, Ottawa. Ontario K2P 1R9 tel: (613) 688-5433 fax: (613) 688 -1994 e-mail: info@ottawalife.com Web site: www.ottawalife.com Follow us on Twitter @ottawalifers Like us at www.Facebook.com/OttawaLife Magazine Ottawa Life is listed in Canadian Advertising Rates & Data (CARD). Ottawa Life subscription rates: one year $30.00, includes postage, plus HST (six issues). Two years $50.00, includes postage, plus HST (12 issues). Add $20 per year for postage outside Canada. Subscriber service is 613-688-LIFE (5433) Ottawa Life Magazine is printed in Canada on recycled paper.
capital clip
Curtain Call
Enriching lives through the magic of theatre, Phoenix Players is a registered charity dedicated to bringing high-quality, affordable entertainment to Ottawa communities. It has been a long journey to success for Phoenix Players. In 2001, the initial founders were motivated by their passion for theatre and wanted to improve the quality and accessibility of community theatre in Ottawa. Fast forward to present day, Phoenix Players is a staple at the Gladstone Theatre in the heart of Little Italy. The theatre company performs a variety of comedies, mysteries and dramas. If you’ve always dreamed of being on the stage, they are always looking for new members. Regardless of experience, the group offers a fun, welcoming and supportive environment. It regularly holds workshops in stagecraft for members to improve their skills and explore techniques. Their upcoming production is Rexy!, a political satire following Canada’s most eccentric Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King. The play covers King’s exciting activities prior to and during WWII. Whether behind the scenes, on the stage or in the audience, Phoenix Players provide an unforgettable live theatre experience n
5 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
best picks
Sounds Like a Clutch Carryall takes on new meaning with the mini-clutch wireless speaker and speakerphone from Stellé Audio. Designed to be both lightweight and portable for any stylish occasion with premium sound. Wirelessly streams high-quality audio to any Bluetooth-enabled device including smartphones, tablets and computers. With many more high-tech features, this purse does it all. Stelleaudio.com
Commuting Comfort Nothing is more frustrating than being exhausted but too uncomfortable to fall asleep. The solution is NapAnywhere, a headsupporting device that allows the muscles in the neck to completely relax. You’ll be snoozing in no time. Napanywhere flattens to easily fit in your briefcase or carry-on. netshoppersdrugmart.ca
Cable Keeper The arch nemesis of the neat freak? Loose chargers. Discover CableKeeps; a game changer in the world of tech. This innovative design will keep your cables tangle free and organized when shoved in a bag, pocket, or purse. With a variety of designs specifically constructed for all of your favourite electronics, you’ll never again struggle to detangle a charger. nicebydesign.com
Life is Good Take advantage of instant connection on the go with the slim and sleek LG G3 cell phone featuring HD display, a top-quality camera with laser auto focus, and an intuitive smart keyboard for faster typing. Pair your LG G3 with the revolutionary Tone Ultra Wireless Stereo Headset. It offers a premium sound experience with ambient noise cancellation and a comfortable body-contoured fit. Equipped with Google Voice Actions, use voice commands to search on your synced smartphone. favientertainment.com
Umm... Chocolate! Hang On… Light Up The Blackfire camplight lantern is a one-of-a-kind, dual-action LED lantern that doubles as a flashlight and clamps onto virtually anything, illuminating all of your awesome adventures. blackfire-usa.com
6 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Iceberg’s Chocolate Mint IceFusion Vodka has a light, velvety, textured body and a wafting bouquet of dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla and fresh peppermint. Warm up with some of this quintessential winter flavour. Iceberg.ca
Truly Xqisit The LZ380 Bluetooth Stereo Headset from XQISIT combines outstanding audio quality, handsfree capability and a stylish look. Designed for portability, the LZ380 are foldable and fit easily into any bag. Available in various vibrant colours for a chic, eye-catching look. xqisit.com
Power To Go The Nova Blox is an ultra-lightweight, portable backup power pack specifically designed for smartphones and other portable electronics. Enclosed in a smooth finish and stylishly protective aluminium shell, this external battery has been manufactured with Juno Power's latest innovative design. junopower.com
Angelica Joy Jewelry Treat yourself, or your valentine, to a timeless piece from Angelica Joy Jewelry. Using luxury materials, these couture designs are elegant and refined. For a clean and classic look, you can’t go wrong with Angelica Joy’s subtle sparkle. angelicajoyjewelry.com
Big Sound The ultra-portable, Bluetooth speaker from 808 Audio provides big sound in a small package. Available in three vibrant colours, the mobile speaker connects to any Bluetooth enabled device for crisp, clear sound. The rechargeable internal battery means you can blast your favourite tunes for hours of uninterrupted jamming. 808audio.com
Out of Africa Made using the marula fruit, Amarula Cream is famous for its rich, exotic flavour and decadent caramel colour. Versatile and unique, Amarula can be enjoyed year-round whether sipping chilled over ice or indulging in a cocktail. amarula.com
Cyber Safety Vest Never worry about your personal belongings while travelling abroad again. The SCOTTeVEST RFID Travel Vest will protect all of your personal information. What makes this vest different than any other is its radio frequency identification blocking materials. Information from your cell phone, credit cards and more will stay safe and secure! scottevest.com
SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E Diminish visible signs of aging and strengthen the skins ability to fight sun damage. This antioxidant-enriched night concentrate is a miracle product for improving radiance and encouraging elasticity. SkinCeuticals.com
Clear Listening Let your true colours shine through with Moshi's Mythro earbuds. With six colours to choose from, Mythro offers crisp sound for ultra smooth listening. Moshi.com 7 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
gallery by Sandra Thiessen
CANADA ON CANVAS
Cadence, 36" x 60", Acrylic
PHOTO: JEFF TESSIER
T H E A RT O F J U L I A V E E N S T R A
Julia Veenstra in her Hamilton, Ontario studio. Sign up for a workshop and spend a day painting with her.
8 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Much Ado, 40" x 40", Acrylic
S
ince childhood, Julia Veenstra has been an artist to watch. Her mother would often be told about her daughter’s artistic talent. Veenstra took her calling and attended Sheridan College in Oakville where she studied illustration. She found her niche as a painter through a journey of experimenting along with the help of people’s response to her work. “Once I discovered my signature style, galleries started discovering it too,” Veenstra says. Her work is carried in eight galleries in southern Ontario. The work of Veenstra has a particular look and feel which she describes as “lively impressionism.” “I paint all the positive shapes, the foregrounds, first. Then, as I colour block, I consider the negative spaces, the background. I don’t paint from the back forward, I paint from the forward back. That creates a lot of energy around the positive shapes. It makes them look alive or moving.” It is this definitive style that makes Veenstra’s work recognizable. The way in which she paints echoes a strong Canadian influence. Veenstra says, “I find my work very Canadian in that I’m definitely influenced by the Group of Seven, Emily Carr, artists alive and past in Canada.” Veenstra say that, “Canadians have been raised with those artists so when they relate to my work, it is quite an honour. That people can recognize my work is really quite humbling as well. That there’s a part of me that meets a need in others is really quite fulfilling.” This ambitious artist is looking to take her work to newer and ever greater heights by expanding across the country. She hopes to have a gallery in the major cities of every province. Veenstra has five children, all living in different places across the country and says that “to have a gallery in the same place as all of my children would mean that they would actually see my work regularly.”
I Love Fall
Grande Verte The studio’s new facade
She is excited that her work and recognition in Canada is growing. “It’s incredible to be in eight local galleries in Southern Ontario but I haven’t even scratched the surface of Canada wide and that’s kind of where I want to go.” Veenstra also runs a fair-trade project called Wild Hope with artisans from Africa. When she lived in Africa, Veenstra started designing beaded ornaments and the women in the project would make the ornaments. Wild Hope began with eight women and has since grown to over 170 women. The ornaments are imported to Canada and are now sold in 11 stores. This is another project Veenstra is looking to expand.
If that was not enough, Veenstra is renovating and restoring old buildings with her husband. Her studio in Hamilton is one of their latest renovations. Veenstra also encourages others to find creative outlets. She offers workshops and hopes to grow this teaching and coaching practice. Between her own studio, the galleries that carry her work, Wild Hope and the renovations, Veenstra is undeniably an artist to watch. Her work is uniquely Canadian and her aspirations for continual growth speak to her determined attitude n View more works at juliaveenstra.com Learn more about Wild Hope at wildhope.ca 9 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
in search of style by Alexandra Gunn Follow Alex on Twitter: @AlexandraGunn Alexandra Gunn is the Lifestyle reporter for Sun News Network.
CHALET CHIC Aspen-Approved Attire
t Massimo Dutti
Wether you are a city slicker or an alpine enthusiast, the conditions are perfect for sporting the après-ski look. No longer reserved for high altitude, urbanites are encouraged to give their cold-weather wardrobes an Aspen-worthy makeover. However, if you’re headed to Camp Fortune, Mont Cascades, or planning a weekend getaway to Mont Tremblant, you’ll find our carefully-crafted collection of performance attire will complement any style. Get ready to suit up with the runway’s best chalet chic looks.
RUNWAY TO REAL WAY
Thick argyle sweaters (think the 70s) made a big return this season on the fall/winter runways, updated to suit both city-slicker style and mountain wear. Louis Vuitton paired the classic cult sweater with a sixties leather skirt and Tommy Hilfiger took the more laid-back approach with styles featuring fringe detailing, plaid separates and ski goggles to top off the mountain chic look. More of a snow bunny than a blue run skier? You can still play up some of the classic styles found at the newly-opened Sporting Life in Lansdowne Park, which carries an array of fashionable, yet functional, ski attire. The ‘Après’ zip-up is a fun way to signal that after a long day on the hill, it’s time to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate.
Tommy Hilfiger
u Tommy Hilfiger Plaid Shirt
Louis Vuitton
Tommy Hilfiger
Louis Vuitton
Tommy Hilfiger
t Spider Vamp Sweater
s Dale of Norway Gello Sweater 11 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
ALEX'S SKI TRIP FAVES
CELEBRITY INSPIRED
1
u Hunter Original Outer Space Jacket
Warm Winter Coat from Canada Goose.
2
Take a cue from supermodel Elle Macpherson who makes resort wear look stylish yet simple. Start with the basics: thick leggings, a touch of plaid and layer with a chunky knit. For black diamond-level style on or off the slopes, keep yourself trimmed in luxe fur, nordic knits and stylish sweat-wicking base layers to elevate traditional ski cabin garb. It’s easy to play up chalet style by simply adding a plaid vest or if you’d prefer to make a statement and stand out in the crowd, this silver Hunter jacket is a top pick. u J Crew Excursion Quilted Vest
s Tommy Hilfiger Snug
NEW DIGS Harry Rosen’s renovated 18,000 square foot flagship store at the Rideau Centre is a nod to the developing fashion market in Ottawa. With stores like Holt Renfrew closing their doors and new players, such as Nordstrom making an entrance, Harry Rosen features a fresh interior design concept with new in-store boutiques, an expanded selection of designer fashion brands for men and The Shoe Shop — the retailer's first stand alone shoe department. The leading menswear retailer has dominated the market for 60 years.With more than 40 per cent of the high-end menswear market in Canada and annual sales of $300 million, it understands exactly what men are looking for. Unlike department stores, Harry Rosen’s intimate and well-positioned layout makes it easy for shoppers to quickly find what they’re looking for. “We set out to build the best shopping experiences for men. Everything was designed with the delivery of our legendary customer service in mind” says Larry Rosen, CEO, Harry Rosen.
12 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
iPhone 6 to capture the day.
3
Frostbitebusting hand warmers for gloves and boots.
4
Snowboarding at Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta
Relaxing aprèsski at the Banff Hot Springs.
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13 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
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11/28/14 6:17:42 PM
savvy selections by Debbie Trenholm
Winter Cheer With Craft Beer 2015 is the year to Drink more locally-made beer. With more than 12 craft breweries where you can drop in and try their latest concoctions, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. You’ll find many more beers than at your local pub, on the shelves of the LCBO or even at The Beer Store. The best part is that you can grab an assorted six pack of cans or bomber bottles to share your new sudsy discoveries with friends on a wintery weekend. Here’s what is in store:
brewery co-owner and beermaker Shane Clark. “We are releasing a Scotch Ale aged in Bourbon barrel… it’s going to be the best beer we’ve made.” And there is a move to bigger digs too. The brewery will be opening its doors in March in the City Centre.
Kichesippi Beer Co. 866 Campbell Ave www.kbeer.ca
These are just three breweries in Ottawa’s west end. There are many more cropping up everywhere in and around the national capital.
New this year, the cool gang at Kichesippi is offering Kich Staff Picks, a series of limited edition beers brewed to styles selected by each of the brewery staff. The brewery’s driver, Derek Hill, has given it a personal touch by producing all of the illustrations. December kicked off the series with Phil’s London Porter, a traditional British porter chosen by long time employee Phil Ware who is always cracking English jokes around the brewery. In January, Brewmaster Don Harms is showcasing his German roots and beer schooling with Donny’s Dort, a traditional German Bavarian style beer. New beers will be tapped at the brewery every two months. Available only at the brewery in growlers ($17.50) or cans ($2.75). Whiprsnapr Brewing Company 14 Bexley Pl, Unit 106, Bells Corners whiprsnaprbrewingco.com
Opened three months ago, this brewery is growing quickly. With names of beers like Ok Lah! Ginger Cream Ale, Inukshuk Canadian IPA, Root of All Evil –a pre prohibition lager, F’n L British IPA and the January’s seasonal with its edgy name, Tell Your Relatives To Get the F Out, brewery owners Mike Feagan, Ian McMartin and Dave Howard are excited for 2015. “We
have even made beers with hops that our brewer Ian McMartin grew on the side of his house” shares Mike. Now how about that for being local. Beers range from $8 to $10 for a screamer bottle, plus deposit. Beyond the Pale Brewing Co 5 Hamilton Ave in Westboro www.beyondthepale.ca
The tasting bar at this brewery is tiny with a big team of 13 people working away making impressive beers. Pink Fuzz is a way to get your ‘daily dose’ of Vitamin C with bushels of pink grapefruits used in making this wheat beer. It is hands down a fan favorite. “January is going to be an amazing month for us,” excitedly reports
Getting cabin fever? Take a roadtrip! Head west to Ashton Pub and learn about the ABC (Ashton Brewing Company that is) beers. Onwards to Perth Brewing to create your own 2-4 of small-batch beers, with over 13 to choose from. Or follow the Ottawa River further to Whitewater Brewing Company in Forrester Falls. Head to Fiestibière d’Hiver Back again for the 4th year, the Gatineau Winter Beerfest will be held at the Canadian Museum of History on Friday January 30 and Saturday January 31. Part of the Winterlude activities, hundreds of beers from Québec and Ontario will be enjoyed along with live bands in the spectacular setting of the Museum’s Grand Hall. Stay put and beers will be delivered! Subscribe to our Savvy Hip Hops craft beer of the month club and you’ll always be well stocked with local brews from every corner of the province. In January, our subscribers will receive a Taste Case of beers from Beyond the Pale, then the February blahs will be melted away with a case of Beau’s All Natural FeBREWary specialty beers. It’s like having your birthday every month! With deliveries of hard-to-find beers arriving at your home or office, you are sure to get some winter cheer with craft beer n www.savvyhiphops.ca 15 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Solid Hardwood • Exotic Hardwood Flooring Engineered Flooring • Laminate• Tile • Vinyl • Cork Railing & Staircases • Recapping Staircase • Refacing Staircase
VISIT OUR SHOW ROOM TODAY 16 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
homes by Brandelyn Cameron
BEFORE
Cozy up
TO WINTER Choosing your new home finishings can be overwhelming but if you start with the end in mind you can save yourself time and unnecessary renovations down the road. In this case, the builder-included mantle was deleted from the original floor plan so that it would not have to be removed when creating the custom look. If the words ‘cultured stone’ frighten you, rest assured that the modern, manufactured, veneer stone looks so good that it is difficult to tell them from actual stone. Moreover, since manufactured stone is less expensive and lighter than the real thing, it’s a great choice for any stone veneer project. This Designer DIY was accomplished using a cultured stone in slate grey which was applied around the fireplace using a VOC free (volatile organic compound) adhesive. The mantle was constructed of reclaimed wood and stained a ‘barn board’ grey to achieve a weathered look. Finally, laminate plank flooring was installed horizontally from the mantle top up to the ceiling and adorned with a trendy floral canvas painting n
PHOTOS: NATALIE MIREAULT PHOTOGRAPHY 17 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
homes by John Gordon
John’s Reno Tips Pressed for time or low on money this winter? Here are some tips on how to freshen up some spaces in your home until you can you can make a renovation happen!
Q
After buying gifts and hosting parties during the holiday season, my husband and I are strapped for cash. We really want to redo our bathroom – there are a few issues with the plumbing and it’s really outdated. How can we take on a renovation without further straining our finances?
As people recover from overspending now that the holidays are over, it may seem wise to hold off on any big purchases right now. However, there is definitely a major advantage to renovating a room in your home at this time of year. The winter is low season for general contractors. That means they are more likely to negotiate better deals and drop their rates. You could potentially have your renovation completed at a fraction of the price it would be during high season. Another way to save, although labour-intensive, is to take on the demolition phase of the renovation on
your own. This means tearing down walls, removing tiles or scraping off wallpaper. Also, it’s fairly easy to prime and paint after construction work is done. Neither of these tasks needs to be done by a general contractor. Keep in mind that these examples are the only types of work I recommend carrying out on your own. Any other work, like electrical wiring, should always be done by professionals.
Another option to consider is a partial renovation; this means holding off on more costly aspects of a project. If a leaky faucet or old plumbing is the most urgent problem, then call in a plumber right away, but wait to replace the outdated tiling in your shower. Fix the issues that can’t be left alone and then a few months down the line, get to the major overhaul of flooring, fixtures and tiles.
There are other creative ways to save money. Consider having your renovation or remodeling financed. Reputable general contractors will offer financing deals and should be willing to work with you to figure out the best option for you financially. On this note, you should only pay for the services you receive, so be sure to continually keep track of the renovation’s progress.
Finally, as with any other item or service, shop around to get a sense of prices and the best deals. Doing so will ensure you land on the best contractor that fits your needs and budget. Home shows and expos take place from the winter to early spring, and they are a great opportunity to meet with multiple general contractors in one place. As there will be lots of competition, contractors will likely offer great rates in order to secure your business. It’s also a good way to see the latest trends and gain some new renovation ideas n
HERE ARE A COUPLE SIMPLE DÉCOR IDEAS. LIVING AREA: Replace blinds or shades with drapes or curtains. This minor change can make a big impact on the overall look of the room. BEFORE
AFTER
KITCHEN: Repaint cabinet and cupboard drawers and replace handles. This will give your kitchen a brand new look without investing a lot of money. 18 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
John Gordon, owner of Your Reno Guys, has been a renovations contractor for 19 years. He frequently speaks at home shows and events and was featured as one of the magazine’s ‘Top 25 People in the Capital’ last year. John will be speaking at The Home Renovation Show, taking place from January 23-25 at the EY Centre. Visit YourRenoGuys.com for more information about John and the services he offers.
around town by Lucy Screnci
Joking Around s r a e Y 0 3 r e v for O A
s a mainstay in the Canadian comedy scene, Yuk Yuk’s entertains audiences with laughter across the country. This past year marked the franchise’s 30th anniversary. A lot has happened in the last three decades. Formed with the intention of providing an outlet to local comics in Toronto, Yuk Yuk’s performances were held in the basement of a community centre where no liquor could be served. Its humble beginnings starkly contrast with the Yuk Yuk’s of today. There are clubs in 17 Canadian cities with stages that have featured the biggest names in comedy. Out of Yuk Yuk’s came Funny Business, a talent booking agency, which provides comics for corporate events and fundraisers. As part of the 30th anniversary celebrations, Yuk Yuk’s co-founder and general manager of the Ottawa Club, Howard Wagman, has an allstar roster of comics lined up. “We’re trying to bring back people who got their start with us,” says Wagman. Jeremy Hotz, whom Wagman recalls was the first comedian to perform on a Yuk Yuk’s stage in March 1984, will fittingly headline one of the first sets of shows. Hotz will appear at Yuk Yuk’s from February 26 to March 1 and he’s returning for the first time in 20 years. Hotz has starred in a number of comedy specials and sells out venues
like the National Arts Centre. Another huge player in the comedy scene, Gilbert Gottfried, will be performing at Yuk Yuk’s from March 19 to March 22. Gottfried is a Saturday Night Live alum, a veteran stand-up comic and a voice actor. Harland Williams, who got his start on Toronto’s Yuk Yuk’s stage, will be performing in the Ottawa Club from April 30 to May 2. Williams is currently a member of an ensemble cast on the sitcom Package Deal, and has a slew of movie and TV credits to his name. Wagman notes the magnitude of the return of these big names. “It’s a pretty big deal. In this day and age, most of these acts only A young Howard Wagman work large venues. They are doing this because it’s our anniversary.” Both longtime and amateur comics share the stage at Yuk Yuk’s. Wagman is thrilled to see the return of familiar faces at the Ottawa Club but has always been keen on bringing up new talent. He also notices that a lot more people want to do comedy these days. For these reasons, Wagman provides opportunities for amateurs to try out their material twice a week. Tuesday nights, newbies of the Launching Pad perform, while Wednesday nights are reserved for the New Talent Showcase. Aspiring comics perform six minutes
Yuk Yuk's entrance on Elgin Street in Ottawa
of material in front of an audience, with no prior auditions. In total, 20 up-and-comers perform every single week. The possibility of getting their big break at Yuk Yuk’s and eventually becoming a household name, as many comics have, is what makes the club a sought-out venue in the local comedy scene. Wagman says that the Wednesday night New Talent Showcase Facebook page has over 500 members. Generally, the amateurs are in their twenties or thirties, but Wagman says that people in their fifties, sixties and seventies perform too. It’s clear that comedy isn’t for a specific demographic, also demonstrated by the promos Yuk Yuk’s features. There are nights specifically for students, couples and those celebrating their upcoming nuptials. Wagman is very satisfied with the past 30 years. “We’re just very proud that we had people like Norm Macdonald, Jon Dore, Tom Green and Jeremy Hotz. This was all in Ottawa. Legendary people got to play the Club. It’s been a fabulous run.” Yuk Yuk’s will surely continue to be a hot spot for both new and old talent. It’s a fabulous run indeed, that’s far from over n 19 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
cover by Marie Waine
Walk Way
his
PHOTO: JON BABULIC
In 2015, Gavin Lumsden is training for his 50th marathon. While this in and of itself is remarkable, what makes it newsworthy is that he is lacing up his shoes for a worthy cause.
20 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Lumsden, the supervising producer at Rogers TV Ottawa, will be running this milestone marathon to raise $50,000 for the Boys and Girls Club. This money will initiate the rollout of the Walk This Way program, currently exclusive to the Ottawa Club, to Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada. Walk This Way began in 2007 with Lumsden’s effort to help local underprivileged, overweight youth get active. “I got more information about healthy active living and read in multiple places that among the most marginalized, the at-risk, young people are those that come from underprivileged families because they lack the resources to participate in high-end, physical activity,” Lumsden said. “I approached the Boys and Girls Club and have now been there for six or seven years. We’ve grown the program from five kids to 150.” Any member of the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa is invited to go on a trek through Ottawa and Gatineau. The group sets out on a walking tour to numerous points of interest, such as Rideau Hall and Gatineau Park. The program enables youth to get active and be tourists in their own city. The walk aims to provide an enriching, learning experience. It has been a huge success. “When I show up in the morning and the kids are ready to go, the questions are no longer, ‘how far are we going?’ or ‘how long will it take?’ They are, ‘where are we going?’ The destination has become the target. I feel that if the walking or the physical activity becomes incidental, then you’re on to a good thing.” But why does Lumsden believe running another marathon is the best way to start raising money to roll out the program? “If you’re going to be a wellness advocate, you kind of have to lead by example,” he said. “I will be turning 50 in 2015. My
goal is to try and run my fiftieth marathon before I turn 50 and, in the process, raise $50,000 of seed money. We want to create an endowment where different Boys and Girls Clubs across the country can apply for some funding to launch Walk This Way in their community.”
much or more. Climbing at altitude with a lung infection, where your lungs can’t process oxygen, is very, very serious.”
Lumsden is also asking for friends, family and even strangers to join his Fifty-50 Campaign as a sponsor, running buddy or cheer ambassador. Any and all are welcome to help promote the cause.
“It was a very sad event which moved me greatly. As a consequence, Dr. Egan’s words stuck with me,” said Lumsden. “When I got back to Canada, I realized I never noticed the weight challenges kids face. I looked around for a program, but I couldn’t really find anything.”
Lumsden took a major interest in healthy living when he had the opportunity to meet Dr. Sean Egan, 63, an associate professor at the Ottawa University. They embarked on a major expedition to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Lumsden was filming footage to chronicle Egan as the oldest Canadian to climb Mount Everest.
My goal is to try and run my fiftieth marathon before I turn 50 and, in the process, raise $50,000 of seed money so… Boys and Girls Clubs across the country can apply for some funding to launch Walk this Way in their community. Lumsden speaks of Egan as a man who was passionate about healthy living, particularly for young people. He constantly talked about obesity and the consequences of sedentary living in a time when these topics did not make headlines. Unfortunately, the climb took a turn for the worst when Egan fell ill with a lung infection. “You can imagine in climbing, you are exerting yourself quite heavily,” said Lumsden. “Climbing at altitude, where there’s less oxygen in the air, you’re exerting yourself twice as
Tragically, Egan passed away unexpectedly due to heart failure during the climb.
As Lumsden’s passion for an active lifestyle grew, he knew he had to share it with the Ottawa community. He initially volunteered at the YMCA for its since retired KidsFit program. Lumsden worked closely with overweight children to slowly provide a more active lifestyle for them. “These were a group of young people with multiple challenges. Many of them, because of their physical size, had never participated in different activities, especially physical ones,” said Lumsden. “If you’re so ashamed of your body that you don’t want to change in front of other people, you don’t take part in gym. So all these activities that we did as part of KidsFit, for many of the participants, was the first time they ever did them. In this environment, where everyone was the same, there was no peer pressure.” Lumsden wanted to continue to provide an environment where youth felt safe and comfortable becoming active when the KidsFit program ended. He began the Walk This Way program with the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, a partner with the Sens Sports and Leadership League. Oddly enough, Lumsden was not always the biggest fan of running. In fact, Lumsden said he only turned to the sport when he realized he needed to get rid of some bad habits. “It was Christmas time, and like a few guys, I left everything to the last
continued >> page 23 21 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
books by Don MacLean
Into the Blizzard: Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead By Michael Winter Published by Double Day Canada ISBN: 9780385677851
I
n October 1914, 537 young men from Newfoundland boarded the Florizel, the ship that would sail them across the Atlantic and towards the battle shores of
Europe. The Great War had started in August of that year and Newfoundland’s governor had offered England this small contingent of soldiers. As a British Dominion – Newfoundland was still decades away from joining Confederation– this sort of contribution was expected. After ten days at sea, the Newfoundland and Canadian regiments with whom they travelled would dock at Devenport, England. Other contingents of Newfoundland soldiers would eventually follow. Their first and for a time only experience of war was of the tediousness and often severe loneliness of training. That would change when they were called to fight in what would become some of the war’s great theatres of battle, Gallipoli, the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, among others. By the war’s end in 1918, approximately 1300 young Newfoundlanders would lose their lives in the fighting. That number would be unexpectedly, devastatingly high.
Indeed, as Michael Winter discovers in his moving book, Into the Blizzard: Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead, one of the most striking features of the Great War was the disconnect between everyone’s expectations and the war’s grim, horrific realities. Young men from Newfoundland enlisted seemingly in the spirit of fun and adventure and with every expectation that the whole enterprise would be short in duration. They would be home soon. No one had any inkling what lay in store for them. Parents of soldiers apparently thought no different. Families gathering at ports to see their sons off did so more in a mood of jubilation than foreboding. Only slowly did the horror of what was to come alter the community’s perception of war. Winter describes how one mother sent her son a parcel of socks, as though cold feet was the most dire hardship the young man would experience. When told that the son in question was dead, she asked 22 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
that the socks be then given to her other son in the army. The mother’s response had both naivety and stoicism in equal measure. Winter sets out to better understand the experience of Newfoundland’s young soldiers. He does so by flying to Europe and then traversing some of the same
territory in which Newfoundland’s Royal Regiment found themselves. He bicycles to Beaumont-Hamel, Auchonvillers and Les Galets. He attends ceremonies honouring the soldiers of the Great War. He seeks out cemeteries containing the fallen. The result is a book that’s hard to classify. It’s at once a sort of memorial to all the Newfoundland men and women who fought in the Great War and a meditation on war itself. It’s also something of a personal traveling memoir. There is a deep ambivalence running through Into the Blizzard. The ambivalence is expressed not so much in the questions Winter asks but in the thoughtful, searching answers he gives. How should those Newfoundlanders who enlisted and fought be remembered? How should they be memorialized? How should we understand the relationship between this chapter of Newfoundland’s past and the present? Tracing the territory Newfoundland soldiers traversed and the places where the fiercest battles were waged and the greatest losses of human life occurred is, of course, meant as an act of memorial. The decision to walk through former theatres of war is also what gives rise to the book’s chief strengths. Winter is most effective when he finds himself in say, Salisbury, and casts his mind back to 1916. He employs seemingly the most innocuous type of activities as portals to go back in time. Kicking a soccer ball on the fields of Salisbury reminds him that Newfoundland soldiers in training likely engaged in the same sort of fun. Writing postcards to his wife and kids allows him to picture soldiers doing precisely the same thing.
More importantly, it allows him to imagine the nightmare in which those young men just beginning their lives were thrust.The lush fields of Gallipoli in which Winter himself stood were fields of slaughter and unbearable suffering during the war. The juxtaposition is meant to be jarring. For here in 1916 is where soldiers were introduced to trench warfare and the many hazards it wrought. Trench foot, dysentery, flooding: all were experienced by the soldiers living and dying in the trenches. Here in Gallipoli and the places of subsequent battles–at the Somme, for example – is where soldiers were forced to walk into a ‘blizzard’ of bullets and artillery. Nearly entire regiments could be mowed down in a matter of minutes, as was the case in Beaumont-Hamel. Winter honours their courage but laments the obscene waste of so much life.
The connections between the past and the present is never far from mind for Winter. One problem, however, is that those connections are not always evident, particularly when Winter refers to his own experiences. In one instance he talks about his family’s purchase of their new home in Toronto and the decision to renovate. The reader is left scratching his head. For there is no connection between the author’s home improvements and the book’s larger theme. On the contrary, that sort of discussion is too far removed from the idea of tracing the steps of Newfoundland soldiers fighting in the Great War–and is perilously close to self indulgent. There are other such moments in the book. Into the Blizzard, for this reason, works beautifully as a meditation on Newfoundland’s experience in the Great War but not very well as a memoir.
The suffering soldiers endured, moreover, was not always inflicted by the Germans or the Turks. Winter tells the story of John Roberts, a 20-year-old soldier who in 1916 walked away from his regiment while stationed in France. When he was found a few months later he was charged with desertion. His punishment was to be blindfolded and then executed by a firing squad. Robert’s sorry end speaks to the tragic absurdity of the conditions into which all of these young men were unwittingly pushed and hopelessly unprepared. As Winter suggests, he was not simply afraid; Roberts was likely suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. But the army did not understand, let alone tolerate, any such afflictions. They were treated as signs of personal weakness that, left unchecked, would threaten the entire regiment and by extension the entire war effort. Winter uses Robert’s story as an important antidote to the sort of jingoism he takes pains to avoid. In honouring Newfoundland’s fallen, Winter is also insisting that war constitutes a type of madness that destroys and deforms the men sent to fight. Although hardly novel, this remains a vital insight in a world that remains so rife with conflict. Think Syria and Iraq.
All of the young Newfoundlanders who fought in the Great War are now gone. Hundreds were buried under the ground that a century later Winter himself walked on in preparation to write this book. So much of what he writes is meant to evoke their memory and shed light on their respective legacies. To great effect, he recalls individual soldiers’ particular stories. We learn of Alexander Parsons, a soldier who was sent to Quebec in 1916 after contracting pleurisy and then returned to Europe’s battlefields in 1917. He survived and, in 1921, returned to Newfoundland and opened a family cabinet-making business. Other legacies are perhaps harder to discern, but no less profound. Winter shares Cyril Gardner’s story, a soldier responsible for capturing seventy Germans, but who was later killed at the Battle of Arras in the spring of 1917. When the German prisoners were handed over to the British he made sure all their lives were spared. If any Germans were killed, he declared, those responsible would be killed themselves. The Germans awarded him the Iron Cross. Gardner’s legacy is the memory of his retaining his humanity amidst so much carnage. Like thousands of his fellows soldiers, he did Newfoundland proud n
Run This Way >> from page 21 minute,” said Lumsden. “I needed to mail a letter so I just ran to the mailbox down the street and back, a distance of maybe 50 yards each way.” That letter changed Lumsden’s life. “When I got back, I was so winded, completely doubled over and couldn’t catch my breath. That was my rock bottom moment,” said Lumsden. “In that moment I quit smoking and signed up to run a marathon at Running Room.” Lumsden can still be found, 49 marathons later, at the Running Room on Bank Street. When he is not leading the Walk This Way program, Lumsden is teaching the marathon running program at the store. “I just enjoy watching other people have success,” said Lumsden. “I know what it has meant to me and I will do whatever I can to help other people have that same experience.” During the day when he is not running or helping kids stay fit, he is behind the scenes at Rogers TV Ottawa. While he wanted to be an on-air television personality from an early age, now, he could not picture his life any other way. “I fell in love with the technical side and later on got into production and producing,” said Lumsden. “I discovered you can influence the way the story is told and in some ways, make it better from behind the camera.” He also says that he has stayed in community programming for 21 years because he enjoys being part of the community. “I like seeing the opportunities we provide people who would not otherwise receive exposure. I’ve seen what a difference that can make for smaller organizations to get their message out.” Keep running Gavin Lumsden n For more info or to donate visist, bgccan.com/walkthisway 23 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
24 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
reason to smile by Dr. Taylor McGuire, DDS, MSc, BSc, FRCD(C), Dip. ABOMS
Understanding Jaw Surgery
C
orrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) to correct a wide range of dentofacial deformities, including the misalignment of the face, jaws and teeth. This type of surgery affords patients functional improvements with chewing, speaking and breathing. At the same time, facial esthetics and overall appearance may be dramatically enhanced as a result of this surgery. Together, the functional and esthetic improvements lead to increased patient confidence and a significant subjective improvement in the overall quality of life. Following are some of the conditions that may indicate the need for corrective jaw surgery: • Difficulty chewing, or biting food • Difficulty swallowing • Chronic jaw or jaw joint (TMJ) pain and headache • Excessive wear of the teeth • Open bite (space between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed) • Unbalanced facial appearance from the front, or side • Facial injury • Birth defects • Receding lower jaw and chin • Protruding jaw • Inability to make the lips meet without straining • Chronic mouth breathing • Sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping, including snoring) Your dentist, orthodontist and OMS will work together to determine whether you are a candidate for corrective jaw, or orthognathic, surgery. The OMS determines which corrective jaw surgical procedure is appropriate and performs the actual surgery. It is important to understand that your treatment, which will probably include orthodontics before and after surgery, may take several months to a couple of years to complete. Your OMS and orthodontist understand that this is a long-term commitment for you and your family, and will try to realistically estimate the time required for your treatment. To the top right are pre- and post-operative photos of patient SF who underwent simultaneous maxillary (upper), mandibular (lower) and genioplasty (chin) surgery with Dr. McGuire of Argyle Associates n
BEFORE
AFTER
“I had always imagined myself with a more pronounced chin, a stronger profile that would make me proud. To have jaw surgery was a decision I made confidently after receiving two referrals, both recommending Dr. McGuire at Argyle Associates. I was initially overwhelmed at the thought of having to go through orthodontics again at the age of 28. My worries were put at ease after discussion with Dr. McGuire. He described what had to be done, and what the process would be like for my specific situation. I was also put in touch with a former patient who had a similar procedure to discuss his experience. It was going to be major surgery, but I was told to keep my eye on the prize, post-op. Surgery went extremely well with Dr. McGuire and his team. It’s always nice to see a smiling face and one that drops a joke or two before he reconstructs your face during a 3+ hour surgery. The level of care was beyond my expectations, especially while I was adapting to life after surgery. To see the happiness on Dr. McGuire’s face at my one week post-op appointment was priceless, especially after the difficult week I had living on clear liquids. He was so impressed with his work, which happened to be my new face. My recovery continues to progress (now 6 months post-op!) with continued support from Dr. McGuire. I don’t feel different at all, still the same old me, but with more confidence and swagger.” PATIENT SF 2014
The Orthodontics for patient SF were provided by Dr. Elie Saikely of Orleans and Centretown Orthodontics 25 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
pipelines people and progress by OLM staff
Improving safety
Pipelines are a safe and efficient means of transporting large quantities of energy sources and fuels. These liquids and gases need to be kept in controlled conditions to ensure they do not pose any risk to the public and the environment. That’s why safety is the top priority for the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) and its member companies. Brenda Kenny, president and CEO, CEPA speaks about how the transmission pipeline industry is driving collaboration, innovation and action on safety. Q: How is industry responding to increased public interest in pipelines? A A key response is through collaboration. When it comes to issues that are important to Canadians such as safety, collaboration is demonstrated by the belief that one member company's incident is everyone’s incident. Beyond emergency response, increased collaboration is also being seen in the adoption of new best practices and continued commitment to CEPA Integrity First® a program where CEPA member companies work together to define and implement collective best practices and leading-edge technology to advance safety and help the industry continue its progress along a sustainable path. We’re also responding by engaging Canadians, providing answers to questions and working to build enduring trust.
Q: Are there increasing opportunities to collaborate? A More than ever, our member companies are coming together to collaborate. In 2013, CEPA members signed a Mutual Emergency Assistance Agreement (MEAA) that formalizes an existing practice of companies lending critical resources to each other in an emergency. In September 2014, we put MEAA to the test in our first joint emergency management exercise. We also collaborate through CEPA Integrity First® which allows our members to jointly develop best industry practices in areas such as safety and the environment. CEPA Integrity First® currently focuses on pipeline integrity and emergency management.
Q: How are leaks and other structural issues monitored in this closed environment? A Pipelines are monitored 24/7 using highly sophisticated systems that detect the smallest
variation in line operation. Operators are dispatched to undertake repairs or shut down the line if required. Companies also conduct aerial surveillance, often flying over pipeline systems weekly. Additionally, internal line inspections, using instruments similar to CAT scans and MRIs, known as pipeline pigs, inspect pipelines from the inside to identify changes such as dents or wall thinning that could threaten the integrity of the pipeline.
Q: How do you respond to those who question the safety of pipelines? A Safety is our number one priority. Critical attention is always given to risk factors such as proximity of populations, environmentally sensitive areas and closeness to water bodies. Extra precautions are implemented in these cases such as strategic placement of mainline valves, automation of valves for quick shutdown, extra strength or thicker wall pipe, and more leak detection sensors. It’s important to note that Canada’s safety record is second to none in the world and that our standards are internationally recognized because they are extensive and part of provincial and federal regulations.
Q: In the unlikely event of a spill, what steps must pipeline operators take? A Before a pipeline is active, an emergency response plan appropriate to the operating environment must be in place. The plan identifies trained personnel and equipment along the entire route. Through MEAA, we respond to any incident collectively. The emergency plan is activated, the situation is monitored and evaluated, and prompt action is taken to contain, clean up and, if necessary, remediate the area. The operator is also fully responsible to resolve and pay for the entire cleanup of an incident. We fully support the
Brenda Kenny
federal government’s steps toward liability and a proposed pipeline safety act allowing them to step in should a company be unable to respond. However, that has never happened, and we don’t intend for it to happen.
Q: What role does technology play? A Technology plays an important role in reducing risk as the evolution of pipeline technology parallels advancements in pipeline safety and involves improvements to just about every aspect of pipelines, including; standards, materials, pipe making, pipe joining, corrosion control, maintenance, inspection and leak detection. For example, fibre optics are being tested to monitor pipeline rights-of-way 24/7. The goal is to receive early warnings when potentially dangerous activity, such as digging, is taking place in an area. Another technology, fitted to the underside of an airplane, is being tested to detect unexpected methane in the air that may indicate a small leak on a natural gas line. Our universities also have the highest proportion of pipeline researchers in the world and our industry works hard to support them. We also have a numerous innovators focused on accelerating safety solutions.
Q: Why are pipelines so important to Canada? A Pipelines are critical infrastructure that allow us to transport needed energy product domestically and internationally. Providing access to global markets can benefit all Canadians. It’s also about energy security and providing Eastern Canada a choice in where their energy is sourced. As we transition to a greener energy future, we have the opportunity to access the prosperity that will help get us there. It’s not an either/or proposition. We can reach this goal together n 27 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
PHOTO: COURSTESY CEPA
the mainstay of the pipeline industry
i belongatNipissingU.ca
aboriginalprograms@nipissingu.ca aboriginalprograms@nipissingu.ca 705-474-3450 705-474-3450 ext. ext. 4357 4357
N O R T H N O R T H
B AY B AY
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M U S K O K A M U S K O K A
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B R A N T F O R D B R A N T F O R D
aboriginal pathways by Candice Vetter
Aboriginal Initiatives at Nipissing University The purpose of the Aboriginal Initiatives Office at Nipissing University is to provide support to Aboriginal students, encouraging them to participate in and celebrate their culture and heritage. Mair Greenfield
Mair Greenfield started her career in the Corrections Worker program at Canadore College in North Bay, worked at a detention centre, and attended a bridging program at Nipissing University studying for an Honours Degree in Criminal Justice. Her Algonquin forebears came from Eagle Village-Kipawa First Nation in Quebec and she was raised in North Bay. Her father is a teacher at Canadore and her mother is the founder of the Nipissing Transition House women’s shelter. Greenfield’s interest in criminal justice was sparked
at an early age. She wanted to work in the Aboriginal Initiatives Office at Nipissing U, and took her degree there for that reason. Working in corrections she saw the disproportionate number of Aboriginal youth who were in jail. She sympathized with those youth who lost contact with their family and cultural connections. Many were from remote or Northern communities and were far from home. “With assimilation, many youth have lost so much cultural identity already,” Greenfield says. “More is lost in jail.” She says she didn’t know much about her own cultural identity until she was in post-secondary education, and at first that learning was academic. With Aboriginal Initiatives she and
other students and faculty get a more hands-on immersion into traditions and culture. “I’m more connected now to my heritage. We have circles, smudging ceremonies, pow wows and potlatches.” But more important she says, is the welcome, regardless of knowledge. “Here it’s okay not to know about First Nations’ heritage. I was embarrassed at first, but I realized a lot of people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, don’t know. We are raising awareness, but in a kind way.” Greenfield works with volunteer placement programs including Community Service Learning, which matches student volunteers to services. They work with after-school youth groups, elementary and secondary schools, the Children’s Aid Society and other groups n
Kerry Lynn Peltier choir and serves as an Aboriginal mentor to children and
grew up on the Wikwemikong First Nation on Manitoulin Island. Kerry Lynn Peltier Her path towards Nipissing U was more complex. She moved to Hamilton where she graduated, studied business at Cambrian College in Sudbury and Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, worked in the casino industry in Niagara Falls for 12 years, became an accredited practitioner of homeopathy and meditation, and moved to North Bay with her partner.
She is currently in her third year of the Nipissing U Social Welfare and Social Development program with a double minor in Gender and Social Justice and in Sociology. Her goal is to help people gain a sense of well-being through health and better relationships. She has used her time at Nipissing well. She has helped design the Aboriginal Student Council, she sings with the university’s community PHOTOS: ED REGAN
youth. She has also worked with Greenfield in volunteer placements.
Her varied background qualifies her for many fascinating life opportunities. In 2013, she was part of a Jamaican project where she advised on the business end of ecotourism. She worked with promotion of the Portland Rehabilitation Management project which focuses on homelessness and mental health. She was chosen to introduce Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who visited Nipissing University. “I like to build relationships,” she says. “And I like to improve health through homeopathy, encouraging individuals to take control of their own health. Health improves happiness and thinking.” With one year left in her program, she has taken on a special task in 2015. She has been asked to be Aboriginal Ambassador through the Council of Ontario Universities, where she will be promoting Aboriginal success stories n 29 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
métis series by Katie Hartai
Lingering
LEGAL WARS OF the Métis
W
hile Canada has made headway in addressing injustices of First Nation groups, it has largely overlooked the rights of Métis - another
significantly large Aboriginal population. The Métis have been tossed back and forth between federal and provincial governments, each disputing its jurisdictional responsibility to deal with them as a distinct Aboriginal people. It has been an ongoing battle in Canada to recognize and affirm the existence of the Métis people and their rights; an historic dispute that will not cease until justice is in hand. One of the earliest forms of the legal recognition of the Métis and their rights was the Manitoba Act of 1870. This legislation was enacted after the first Métis Provisional Government of Louis Riel had seized control of the Red River Valley in protest over Ottawa’s attempt to transfer the Hudson’s Bay Company territory to itself without consulting the large Métis majority in its most populous part, the Red River Settlement. Riel’s government had drafted a List of Rights that were taken to Ottawa and formed the basis of negotiations with the Macdonald government. Its primary demands were provincial status for the Settlement and its representation in the Canadian Parliament, official bilingualism and protection of the land rights of the Métis. On May 12, 1870 the Manitoba Act became law, creating Canada’s fifth Province, Manitoba, and its passage 30 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
seemed to meet most of the Métis demands. Section 31 provided for a land grant of 1,400,000 acres for the children of the Métis heads of families in Manitoba whose own land titles were to be confirmed in Section 32. The failure of the Macdonald
The Supreme Court of Canada referred to the history of scrip speculation as a “sorry chapter in our nation’s history”… the Harper government has yet to indicate willingness to negotiate a settlement despite the Supreme Court of Canada ruling.
government to fulfill these land guarantees, resulting in the displacement of many of the Métis from the province of their creation, would become the focus of an epic court case launched by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) in 1981. That case would culminate 32 years later in the ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada in March, 2013 that Ottawa failed to implement Section 31 in accordance with the Honour of the Crown. According to the Court, Ottawa knew or should have known that the ten-year delay in the distribution of lands to the Métis amidst an influx of hostile immigrants from Ontario would thwart the fulfillment of the land promises. Ottawa’s failed Métis land grant scheme was to repeat itself outside the original province of Manitoba. The Dominion Lands Act of 1879 provided for land grants for the Métis residents of the North-West but again the distribution was delayed, occurring only after the Métis in the Saskatchewan Valley rose up in resistance under the leadership of Riel and his second Métis Provisional Government. That resistance culminated in 1885 with the defeat of the Métis at the Battle of Batoche and the subsequent trial and execution of Riel.
Land grants under the Dominion Lands Act took the form of scrip, a coupon denominated in a fixed amount of acres or dollars that could be applied to the purchase of surveyed dominion lands opened for homesteading. Land scrip was non-transferable, but the process for redeeming it for land proved to be complicated and lengthy. The most common form of grant issued by Ottawa’s Half-Breed Commissions was transferable money scrip, which could be applied to the purchase of dominion lands or sold and assigned to land speculators, often lawyers and bankers, who were equipped to go through the onerous redemption process. Most Métis opted for money scrip and then sold it for a fraction of its value to scrip speculators. Ottawa’s collusion with speculators extended to every step of the scrip distribution and redemption process. Scrip speculators travelled with and, in effect, became an integral part of the Half-Breed Commissions. A century later, the scrip system came under legal challenge from the Métis Nation. A Statement of Claim was filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatoon in March 1994 on behalf of the Métis Nation—Saskatchewan, the Métis locals in northwestern Saskatchewan, and the Métis National Council. The plaintiffs sought declarations that scrip distribution had not extinguished Métis rights to land and resources, harvesting rights, and the inherent right of self-government. In its ruling on an unrelated case in 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada referred to the history of scrip speculation as a “sorry chapter in our nation’s history”. Like the MMF case, Morin v. Canada and Saskatchewan will span decades. In the case of the former, the Harper government has yet to indicate willingness to negotiate a settlement despite the Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of the MMF. The Constitution Act 1982 recognized and affirmed the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples who were identified as the Indian, Inuit, and Métis. This was
a major breakthrough in Métis recognition. A definitive ruling on what those rights were came in a ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada in 2003 in the Powley case, involving Steve and his son Rodney Powley who were members of the Sault. Ste. Marie Métis community. They had been charged with unlawfully hunting moose in breach of provincial legislation and had argued that as Métis, their harvesting rights were constitutionally protected. The Court ruled that the Métis were full-fledged rights bearing people with harvesting rights protected under the Constitution Act 1982.
In order to claim constitutionally-protected Métis rights, one would have to prove an ancestral connection to and acceptance by an historical Métis community… this aspect of the ruling was critical; the Court in effect was validating the National Definition of Métis adopted by the MNC General Assembly in 2002.
Moreover, the Court ruled that being of mixed ancestry in itself did not make one a Métis and that in order to claim constitutionally-protected Métis rights, one would have to prove an ancestral connection to and acceptance by an historical Métis community. For the Métis National Council and its five provincial affiliates, this aspect of the ruling was critical; the Court in effect was validating the National Definition of Métis adopted by the MNC General Assembly in 2002 that serves as the basis of membership in the Métis provincial associations.
Further to the Court decision, the federal government provided funding to the MNC’s affiliates to establish registries to identify their members and rights holders. Despite these legal victories, the Métis continue to experience a refusal of governments to deal with them as a rights-bearing people. In part, this stems from the refusal of Ottawa and the provinces to assume primary constitutional responsibility to deal with the Métis and their tendency to kick them back and forth like a political football. This impasse over jurisdiction became the focus of another major court battle brought forward nearly 16 years ago by the late Métis leader Harry Daniels. He argued that the federal government has jurisdiction to deal with the Métis under s. 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1867. In 2013, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lower court decision in favour of federal jurisdiction for the Métis and furthermore restricted the inclusion of Métis in s. 91(24) of the Constitution Act to those identified in earlier Supreme Court decisions such as Powley and MMF v Canada. For the MNC and its provincial affiliates, this is critical in placing the onus on Ottawa to deal with the historical Métis community they represent on a government to government basis. The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear the appeal of the Federal Court decision in Daniels v. Canada and its final decision may change the relationship between the Métis and the Canadian government. Compelling leaders have guided the strong-willed Métis Nation in its pursuit of legal recognition. Métis people have never been more legally acknowledged as a distinct Aboriginal people than they are today. Large gaps, however, remain in Canadian legislation and policies that fail to meet the nation’s standard. Until these discrepancies are resolved to embrace the collective history and identity of Métis people, the political struggle will continue n 31 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
32 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
labour, jobs, employers and fairness/building a better canada opinion by Paul Meinema
The 2015 Federal Election Is a Chance to Put the Disastrous Harper Era Behind Us
A
fter nine years of scandals and cynical policies from Stephen Harper's Conservative government, it is clear that Canadian voters have grown
weary of the Conservatives' ideological, secretive, and undemocratic approach to governance and are ready for change in Ottawa. From its attacks on workers, to its approval of the disastrous Canada-China free trade deal, to its utter contempt for our electoral rules and the conventions of Parliament, the Harper government has demonstrated that it is more concerned with implementing a dogmatic, right-wing agenda than addressing the needs and concerns of Canadians. A shining example of this divisive approach is the Conservative government's attack on workers and their unions, Bill C-377. The bill would force unions and other labour organizations to provide financial statements to the Canada Revenue Agency for publication on a public web site, even though these statements are already made available to union members. Experts say Bill C-377 would burden unions under mountains of paperwork, threaten the privacy of pensioners, and violate the Constitutional rights of union members. Nevertheless, the Harperites are trying to push this anti-worker, anti-union, and unconstitutional bill through the Senate with little to no debate. That a majority of Canadians hold favourable views of labour unions, and nearly one in three workers in Canada belongs to a union, does not matter to the Harper team. It is resolutely focused on using Bill C-377 to weaken unions regardless of any political implications. Another example of the Conservatives' intransigent and clandestine nature is their handling of the Canada-China
Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). As a long-standing advocate of free trade at any cost, the Harper government recently ratified the secretlynegotiated FIPA without any public or Parliamentary debate.
Nearly one in three workers in Canada belongs to a union… the Harper team… is resolutely focused on using Bill C-377 to weaken unions. FIPA is a free trade agreement that protects Chinese investment in Canada from laws and regulations passed by governments in Canada, and it allows Chinese investors to sue Canada for unlimited damages if our governments make decisions that put Canadian interests first. Critics point out that the deal overrides existing treaty obligations to Canada's
First Nations by enabling China to force the Canadian government to grant Chinese investors access to Aboriginal lands. And unlike with NAFTA, which allows parties to opt out with six months notice, Canada is locked into FIPA for 31 years and has to give 15 years notice to get out. How this will benefit Canada, we are not told. Finally, Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of and disturbed with the undemocratic methods that the Harper Conservatives have used – and continue to use – to pursue their agenda. Whether it is their proroguing of Parliament, the 2011 robo-call scandal, the lack of transparency surrounding the F-35 procurement process, or the use of massive omnibus bills to enact controversial legislation, the Harper government has shown an alarming contempt for democracy by running roughshod over Canada's electoral rules and Parliamentary conventions. Canadians deserve better than Stephen Harper's tired, vindictive, and scandal-plagued regime, and that is why it will be crucial for progressiveminded citizens to come together in the 2015 Federal Election to defeat the Conservatives. To that end, UFCW Canada will be working with our allies to elect a forward-thinking government that is committed to evidence-based policy making and transparency. In 2015, let's put the disastrous Harper era behind us n Paul R. Meinema is the National President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, which represents more than 250,000 workers in various industries across the country. 33 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
building a better canada by John Scott Cowan
Why ISIS And Its Friends Must Be Opposed
O
n the eve of the outbreak of the Second World War, and even for a while in its early stages, many in Canada were opposed to going to war. While amongst them there were a few proto-Nazis and Nazi sympathizers, the vast majority were merely isolationists, pacifists and some on the left who viewed the entire conflict as a collision of capitalist regimes, and unworthy of their attention. These folks wished Canada to avoid the great tragedy of another European war, and saw events an ocean away as beyond our concern. The reaction of the left had also been complicated by the Hitler-Stalin Pact, which for a time put the majority of the Canadian communists (but not all) in the anti-war camp, and some socialists followed suit. In the aftermath of the war and of the Holocaust, these early opponents of our involvement were routinely characterized as despicable and deeply venal. They carried the stigma of their implicit association with great evil for the rest of their lives, often resulting in family estrangement and social isolation. Most of these folk were not evil (though some were). Most were just wrong. In the banality of their analysis, they misjudged both the great resolve and the great evil of the opponent. The judgement of history lies harshly upon them, perhaps too harshly. Surely most of them would have wished to stop the Nazis early if they had been able to imagine what was to come. That was three quarters of a century ago, and almost all of those folks are gone now. But today a new generation of moral relativists, isolationists, pacifists and a sprinkling of other wellintentioned naïve folk are engaged in setting themselves up for the same 34 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
sort of disastrous misjudgement. But this time the analysis is even more difficult and the setting murkier, because of the breakdown of the Westphalian system and the rise of proto-states and broadly distributed non-state actors who nonetheless do share a common worldview, broadly defined. At this moment, the apex of this new great evil is the proto-state known variously as IS, ISIS or ISIL. Whilst it is the most brutal, active and visible local franchise of a transnational movement, there are plenty of other less flashy foci. That movement is an anti-democratic and totalitarian one, espousing ethnic cleansing and genocide, and which considers armed force to be the political tactic of choice, even (or especially) where voting is an alternative. Like the Nazis, it claims to be bringing into effect a natural destiny, but in this instance mounts a religious justification for its evil policies and programs, by aligning them with an extreme interpretation of Islamic law and belief.
(ISIL)is an antidemocratic and totalitarian one, espousing ethnic cleansing and genocide, and which considers armed force to be the political tactic of choice, even (or especially) where voting is an alternative. Furthermore, much of the Islamic world has, until recently, been of two minds about actively and vocally opposing such views, which can have at least minor resonance with their own history, traditions
and current practices. In Canada, our legitimate desire to be tolerant and inclusive, which has become a Canadian political touchstone (though of very recent origin), has given succor to the moral relativists who see all belief systems as notionally equal. They aren’t. Variants of belief systems which are anti-human will eventually fail, but they must be opposed. However, to do so requires first the acceptance of the idea that evil actually exists. Some have trouble with that idea. But most accept that, in this era of undeclared wars and near-wars, Canada is at war with IS (or whatever we call it) and its clones, analogues and enthusiasts. It is popular in some circles to be stylishly pessimistic about any action in the Middle East, and this stylish pessimism (“That area will never change”) is reinforced by a subtle racism which hints that the Kurds, or perhaps the Iraqi Yazidis, Christians, Shia and moderate Sunnis, are less worthy of our help in their fight against IS than were the French, Belgians, Dutch, British, Poles, etc, in their fight against the Nazis. So we are in a state of proto-war against a proto-state which fronts for a world-wide movement seeking to expunge democracy, pluralism, and any sane view of human rights. But that proto-war is acceptable to some of us only in so far as no Canadian is lost and it fits within a peacetime defence budget. Neville Chamberlain and the Cliveden set would be so proud. But it will soon become apparent that we must become more resolved, or later generations will view us as appeasers too n Re-published from On Track, the magazine of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute.
building a better canada op-ed by Michael Coren
Devastating Indifference A
ndrew White speaks slowly and deliberately, partly the result of his thoughtfulness but also due to the ravages of his multiple sclerosis. “The bounty on my head has gone up recently, to around $70 million”, he says. “I’ve thought of finding someone to carry it out, as long as he splits it with me down the middle.” A pause, and then we both laugh out loud. ‘The Vicar of Baghdad’, the most high-profile foreigner in Iraq, the man invited into the country by the Saddam Hussein regime who stayed to help the grotesquely besieged and persecuted Christians of a weeping, devastated nation. He has become an internationally known and respected figure and because of that one of the most hated men within jihadist circles. Now forbidden – by friends more than enemies – from returning to Iraq, he was obliged to travel with 35 heavily armed bodyguards when he traveled around Baghdad. “It was the strangest experience of parish visit imaginable. In front of me was a tank, behind me an armoured personnel carrier.” He was in Canada for a few days back in early December 2014, where he broke the story of four Iraqi Christian children who defied ISIS and refused to convert to Islam. “They told them to say the words that would make them Muslim”, he explains, his eyes moistening for the first time. “They refused, insisting that they loved Jesus, that Jesus was with them. So they cut off their heads. How, how can we respond, what should we do?” It’s not the first horror the man has seen and the systematic destruction of the Christian community has been one of the open wounds of the world’s body politic for some years now. Whatever Saddam Hussein may
have been, he was not intolerant of Christians and other minorities, partly as a divide and conquer policy but also because he was a secular nationalist, a Baathist leader just as is Basher al-Assad in Syria. In a confused, confusing attempt to make the Christians of the United States safe, George Bush’s war made the lives of Christians in Iraq virtually impossible. “I think if you ask any Christian in Iraq and now Syria, they will all tell you that they want to leave”, explains White. “The streets where they, where I, could walk entirely safely are now so dangerous that we would never dare go there.”
George Bush’s war made the lives of Christians in Iraq virtually impossible… The streets where they, where I, could walk entirely safely are now so dangerous that we would never dare go there. ANDREW WHITE
Whatever the arguments for or against the Iraq war, western governments seemed unaware of the acute vulnerability of the region’s ancient Christians. They pre-date Islam in Iraq by centuries and numbered more than 5 per cent of the population. Now, through death or exile, more
than two thirds have disappeared and the trend seems invincible. “I can’t return so I now I work from Jordan and Israel” says White. “But who knows how long Jordan will stand?” It was as if all of the toxins of a sick society were suddenly pumped into the Iraqi bloodstream and Christians, as almost everywhere in the Muslim and especially Arab world, possessed the least resistance. There is something poignantly appropriate about this deeply good, intelligent, empathetic man battling for such a mistreated people as he himself battles against a disease that shows no sympathy and no discrimination. His two assistants are both young Iraqis; one a Christian who is his adopted son, the other a hijab-wearing woman. Some people are surprised by this but they shouldn’t be. “All of us, Muslim and Christian, call those who would kill us ‘the bad guys’,” he says. “They claim to be Islamic but there are millions of witnesses – other Muslims - to their betrayal of the religion.” And then the Vicar of Baghdad prepares to leave and we all hope “the bad guys” don’t find a way to get to him, to silence him. He wants us to hear the message he has been speaking of for so long. The violence of the jihadists is obscene but the indifference of the world little better n Michael Coren is a television host, radio personality, syndicated columnist, author and speaker. michaelcoren.com 35 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
building a better canada by Marie Waine
Working From the Ground Up
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oads, bridges, electricity—we sometimes take for granted the generations of people who have worked to build Ottawa into the city it is today. The National Capital would have limited functionality without the infrastructure now in place.
and to benefit by the public-private partnership structures that deal with how to mitigate problems, minimize the cost and impact to the taxpayers and how to maximize the benefit to the general public,” says Kirkland.
Ellis Kirkland of Kirkland Capital Corporation says large-scale infrastructure projects are what create a working, functional city. However, development comes with a hefty price tag and residents are not always willing to pay up. The job then becomes two-fold: to find funding and to build infrastructure.
As project manager for the Hamilton, Ontario waterfront improvement project in the 1980s, Kirkland used public television, the internet and video conferencing to record the entire scope of the project. This was used as a resource for all—people could see, participate and be part of the discussion.
In the early 1900s, large-scale infrastructure projects were associated with nation building, says Kirkland. “They were large public works projects. They brought a lot of prosperity and they brought a lot of money. Each project provided a spectrum of jobs.” In the 1950s and 1960s, the nation learned to economize and belts tightened. “There was a greater demand for other public services, like health care and education,” says Kirkland. “When we wanted a road, we didn’t want to pay for the most expensive road, we wanted to take the money and spread it out over other things.” This meant finding new and creative ways to fund infrastructure development. Kirkland was the first to use the public-private partnership strategy for creating involvement between the community and proprietary technologies to generate a larger pool for funds and support. Taxpayers’ money would then be applied to areas where the dollars could be stretched. “It is a better use of taxpayers’ money to apply it to major priorities 36 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Kirkland was the first to use the public-private partnership strategy for creating involvement between the community and proprietary technologies to generate a larger pool for funds and support. Ellis Kirkland, Kirkland Capital Corporation
“There is a real cost involved in getting the participation of people, but there is a bigger cost which we pay when we don’t involve people,” says Kirkland. Today, Kirkland says the publicprivate partnership structure is more relevant than ever. Having opinions from all stakeholders creates the most reflective model of what is needed in a large-scale infrastructure project. Once again, this comes at a cost.
“We have to look at options in a project that may not work and you have to pay for those options,” says Kirkland. “Many options are expensive and require a lot of expertise and capability—and you may not even go down that route.” In order to remove the strain on the taxpayers’ pool of funds, the public decided big consortiums could bear the initial costs. Early stage project development includes a large amount of high-risk dollars Kirkland says the public is better off giving to larger corporations. Businesses come with specialized technologies, proprietary technologies and processes for which they have the right to confidentiality. This means the public must give up some right to transparency during the project. But, in the end, Kirkland says it is all worth it because there is a guaranteed risk taxpayers would not like to pay for. “There is very important global element to large-scale infrastructure today that we rely on to bring better proprietary technology than we have, more money than we have and better application of funds than we have,” she says. “If we make a partnership with that, then we benefit our whole public by taking away the risk issue from the development of these projects.” The amount of transparency given to the public during the initial stage of a project will continue to be an issue when dealing with large-scale infrastructure funding, says Kirkland. But cities will not develop without it n ellis@kirklandcapital.com
travel by Karen Temple
magnifique
MARTINIQUE artinique is the beautiful island that sits just north of M St. Lucia in the Caribbean Sea. The Dutch, English and Portuguese all wanted this tiny island, but it was the
French who prevailed. Consequently, French is spoken everywhere. Words do not fly off the tongue quite as quickly as they do in continental France, so the casual French speaker will have no problems. After a couple of ‘ti ponch’, a local rum drink, you might even understand Creole, which is also spoken locally. The people are beyond pleasant—don’t stop and ask for directions unless you want to be invited over for dinner. In keeping with French social standards, the infrastructure is great. The roads are narrow but they are superb. No worries if you get sick, the hospitals in Martinique are renowned in the Caribbean. Known as the ‘Paris of the Caribbean’, the city of St. Pierre was obliterated by a volcano in 1902. Of the 30,000 inhabitants, only one survived when Mount Pelée erupted. Ironically, the survivor was locked up in jail, sleeping off a night on the town when it happened. Traces of St. Pierre’s former glory can be seen in the theatre ruins and in street names like Avenue Victor Hugo. Every May 8, the island celebrates Eruption Day.
little battered fried fish), crawfish soup and fresh fish. His beach bar and restaurant are open daily and seem like quite the hip place to hang out. For 10 euros, you can rent a beach chair for the day that comes with a complimentary cocktail. While St. Pierre was the business capital, Fort de France was the maritime capital and remains home to 120 officers of the French Navy. The marines live in the fort for which the town is named. Access to the fort is obtained by visiting the tourism kiosk on Place de la Savane. From the hilly landscape to the sailboats moored in the bay, the view from the top is beautiful. You can imagine the cannons, which once graced the site, firing across the bay at approaching British ships. If you are visiting Fort de France on a Friday or Saturday, head to the ‘Big Market.’ Also known as the Spice Market, it’s the place to stock up on unique native spice blends, as well as other well-known spices. While you are there, pop to the back corner and lunch at Chez Carole. The loveliest lady, dressed in a flower print dress, an apron and sneakers, she dishes up cod fritters, conch, octopus, chicken columbo and the catch of the day with a ceaseless smile.
Every day seems like a celebration to chef Guy Ferdinand in Le Cabet. Also known as chef hot pants, Guy’s enthusiasm for Caribbean cuisine is infectious. Thrilled about his new state-of-the-art kitchen, Guy cooked us up a great meal of balaou (a small, RIGHT: (CLOCKWISE) View of Fort de France from the top of the fort. Habitation Clément is the birthplace of Martinique’s unique ‘rhum agricole’. Catch of the day at Chez Carole in Fort de France's Big Market. Chef Guy Ferdinand prepares fresh crawfish soup at his Le Cabet, beach-side restaurant, Petitbonum. In St. Pierre, the jungle is reclaiming the ruins of the jail cell where the only known survivor of the 1920’s volcano eruption was found. PHOTOS: KAREN TEMPLE
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W H E R E T O S TAY Accommodations vary. There is only one all-in-inclusive hotel on the island, but most hotels either offer a meal plan for an additional fee or have in-room facilities for preparing small meals. In St. Pierre, we stayed at the Hotel Villa St. Pierre. Located right on the beach, this quaint, nine-room hotel has a strong Euro feel. Owners Marise and André are lovely and introduced us to the art of ‘ti-ponch’. Sea view double room with breakfast during the high season* 145 euros www.hotel-villastpierre.fr In Point du Bout, we stayed at La Pagerie. Recently remodeled, it is a classy, larger hotel (96 rooms) with cool, local art. Visit the neighbouring trendy boutiques, bars, the beach or lounge by the central pool and swimup bar. Most rooms include kitchenettes. www.hotel-lapagerie.com In Le François, we stayed at Hotel Plein Soleil. Whether you choose a room or a duplex suite, this 16-room hill-top gem, housed in 5 villas, will wow you with its spectacular views and stylish décor. The duplexes include kitchenettes and their own plunge pool. There is also a main pool for all guests. If you go, make sure to book ahead for dinner. Rooms range from 200 euros for a guest room to 365 euros for a duplex suite, with breakfast during the high season** www.hotelpleinsoleil.fr For something a little different, book a night or two at Ilet Oscar. With a modern-day Robinson Crusoe feel, the island provides beautifully furnished guests rooms and laid back dinning all while respecting the environment. Rooms start at 150 euros with breakfast. iletoscar.com Located in Le François, Cap Est Lagoon Resort and Spa offers 50 suites in 18 beautiful villas. The grounds are magnificent and lush. This five-star resort includes a pool, beach, tennis courts, gym, kayaks and on-site kite surfing/windsurfing rentals. A variety of excursions can be arranged for guests including catamaran trips, sport fishing, scuba diving and helicopter rides. 595 euro for a junior suite to 945 euros for an executive suite, with breakfast during high season***. capest.com * High season runs from December 1 to May 31 ** High season runs from December 16 to May 10 *** High season runs from Jan 4, 2015 to March 21
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Columbus discovered Martinique, the French colonized it and the Dutch fleeing Brazil taught the French how to grow sugar cane. They also sold them their first slaves. At its height, all but 16 per cent of the population was African. With no instruction on the brutal history of slavery for school-age children, local Gilbert Larose took it upon himself to recreate a slave village, La Savane des Esclaves. Interpretive guides tell the history with the help of paintings, wooden sculptures and typical dwellings and their gardens. Island heritage includes a close relationship with nature and Gilbert can show you a plant to cure anything that ails you. With only one sugar-refining plant left on the island, the bulk of the cane production fuels rum production. Rum factories are ubiquitous.With European Union AOC designation, there are 23 areas designated for growing sugar cane for rum production. Strict rules are in place for the sustainable production of the sugar cane, as well as the production of the rum. This is not your basic coke-mixing or daiquirislurping rum. The varieties of rum would convert the staunchest of scotch drinkers. The original Clément distillery includes a museum explaining the unique process of making ‘rhum agricole’ from sugar cane juice. Open daily, Habitation Clément is for both aficionados and those interested in getting a glimpse into to the island’s Creole architecture and history. Tours de Yole Ronde is a boat race that runs counterclockwise around the island. Based on the design of ancient Arawak Indian fishing boats with no rudder, ballast or keel, the 34-foot-long round bottom boat with a square sail has to continually move or it flips. Highly-skilled teams race over the water while spectators follow on land and sea. The seven-day race includes daily stopovers and celebrations. If you are visiting the island between July 26-August 2, 2015, make sure to catch a leg of the tour. For a truly Caribbean experience, visit Ilet Oscar Guest House. A 15-minute boat ride from Le François, the island is home to a beautiful four-room Creole guest house that was the booty from a night of poker on a neighbouring island. Dismantled and floated across, it was reassembled in its new home in the mid-1930s. There is no beach, but being right on the water offers lots opportunities for water sports such as kayaking and snorkeling. With its rich history, wonderful food and people, it is so much more than a simple beach vacation. The infusion of French language mixed with the Creole culture gives the island a great Euro-Carib feel. It is a destination for those who love to explore. The island is void of American tourists and buffet suppers, which is unexpected for a southern destination. The whole experience is rather refreshing n
travel by Jennifer Hartley
Dreaming
Disney W
hen it comes to creating an extraordinary world of escape, there is nobody who does it better than Disney. Whether you are nine
or 90, it is impossible to come away from a Disney experience and not be amazed by it, even awestruck, and completely relaxed and renewed. Disney has created an environment, where no matter how stressed out you are, no matter your level of worry, you will be transported into its alternate reality, filled with all the stuff that dreams are made of.
Walt Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland Park in California or other members of the Disney theme park family around the globe are well known but since 1998, Disney has been taking its world of magic to sea. The Disney Cruise Line is made up of four ships (Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy) that travel to destinations including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, Hawaii, and Alaska. (New itineraries of varying lengths are always being added.) The shortest cruise is a three-night excursion from Port Canaveral, Florida to the Bahamas and back on board Disney Dream. From the minute you hear its horn signal as you depart, (the
first seven notes of When You Wish Upon a Star), the fairy-tale tone is set for your voyage. A first-time cruiser might fear feeling cramped or restricted onboard but this is a needless concern. These ships are like communities on the water. Dream, for example, is over 1,100 feet in length with 14 passenger decks. In comparison, it is longer than the height of either the Eiffel Tower or the Chrysler Building. The staterooms are also 25 per cent bigger than many other ships and larger than some hotel rooms in Europe. Just outside your cabin door, you will
find endless activities and adventures for everyone. First, for children and youth, Disney spares nothing to ensure a good time. For the younger set, there are costumed Disney characters with whom children can interact. Specific times and locations where the characters can be found are given to parents in the daily activity itinerary (a very useful tool that lists all ship activities) provided in the room. By day, kids can frolic in the water. There are two large pools and one smaller water-play area for smaller children. Above them all is a gigantic screen with endless Disney classics running all day long. Dream sports the first water coaster at sea, the AquaDuck, which stretches 765 feet in length, spans four decks in height, and zips over the edge of the ship, 150 feet above the water, much to the glee of every rider. There are also bottomless drink machines as well as an ice cream bar and other fast-food options open well into the night to keep your children’s (or your own) 39 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
sugar high going. For healthier food options, the Cabanas casual dining restaurant delivers. The buffets are amazing with lots of variety. In the evening, Disney created an innovative option for dinner. With its rotational dining concept, featuring three themed restaurants, guests dine in a different venue each night, accompanied by their same serving team. The Animator’s Palate is a fascinating restaurant that has screens everywhere with Disney characters popping up. The artwork on the walls is stunning with drawings and paintings of the animation process that brings the characters to life. It’s worth taking the time to look around and soak up the creativity. All parents need time without their kids. Disney understands. There is a nursery for wee ones, a teen club (Vibe), a tween club (Edge) and a club for other ages (Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab). They are drop-off centres with Disney Counselors who keep your kids busy. In fact, your kids have so much fun they don’t want to leave. There is a large interactive computer game on the floor where groups of children play together, guided by the Disney Counselor. A giant screen in front of them boasts Disney characters who appear and interact with the children. There are flight simulators, sailing simulators and other computer games. It is one sophisticated play area as you might imagine and probably expect.There are, of course, traditional arts and crafts, dancing, hula hoops and of course, movies. The Counselors are amazing and the Oceaneer Club and 40 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
Lab are open until midnight so take advantage of the long hours and enjoy some well-deserved free time. Hit the adults-only locations, for example. There is a whole variety of bars for every taste. Check out the spa, impressive fitness centre and adults-only pool. There are two kidfree gourmet restaurants to boot with incredible wine lists (with an extra cost). If you do want to hang out with the kids, there are endless organized activities. Every night, there are original and elaborate musicals offered in the Walt Disney Theatre. Themed deck parties are a lot of fun. There is an unbelievable fireworks display, the first of its kind at sea. (In fact, Disney, which is always looking
to provide that something extra, has many cruise industry firsts.) If you are a movie buff, you will be blown away with the full-sized movie theatre that offers movie premieres at sea on the same day a film debuts in theatres, including films in Disney Digital 3-D. Family dance parties, bingo, karaoke, animation lessons, family game shows are all on the agenda if you choose. The fact is there is always something going on. Be sure to experience the detective game with your children. You set off to find clues around the ship with a special paper that, when it comes in contact with enchanted artwork, provides the clues. If you want to just stay in your stateroom, each television has dozens of Disney movie choices as well. There is wifi available but truthfully, it
While you might think ships are environmental disasters, the fact is Disney takes its responsibilities seriously, showing business savvy and sophisticated forward thinking by taking steps to minimize environmental impact. There are many initiatives but here are a few. • Each ship has an on-board Environmental Officer to oversee all the recycling, waste minimalization efforts. • Disney reclaims natural occurring condensation from the air conditioning units, recycling it to supply onboard laundry facilities and using it to wash the decks. That step alone saves 30 million gallons of fresh water per year. • Each week, more than 1,000 gallons of used cooking oil are offloaded and recycled. One hundred per cent of that is recycled in ports of call. In Nassau, for example, cooking oil is recycled and converted into biodiesel fuel to power a local fleet of vehicles. • On the ship hulls, there is a coating that is non-toxic which reduces surface resistance in the water, allowing the ship to be more fuel efficient. • Organic cleaning products are used. • There are advanced wastewater purification systems on-board. • Disney Cruise Line clean up. So far, it has removed 31,000 pounds of trash and debris from beaches and waterways.
Be sure to experience the detective game with your children. You set off to find clues around the ship with a special paper that, when it comes in contact with enchanted artwork, provides the clues. is pretty expensive. It is a great excuse to leave the real world behind. While there are many Disney cruises with various ports of call, the threenight Bahamas excursion has one day stop on Disney’s own private island, Castaway Cay. Disney is the first cruise line to have a dock allowing guests to walk on and off the ship (thus eliminating the need for boats to bring them ashore). On Castaway Cay, there are the usual water activities you would normally expect from a traditional, beach resort experience. If you feel like moving around, there is an organized 5k run, but if running isn’t your thing, there are bicycles to check out the island. It is quite stunning. While immersed in fantasy and fun, the reality is Disney is one professional, slick, sophisticated, wellrun organization. Every logistical detail is perfect right down to the yellow-coloured lifeboats. Rather than the traditional regulation colour of orange, Disney was granted special
permission by the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, in order to keep with the special colour theming of the ships, the colours of Mickey Mouse himself. This may seem like an insignificant feature, but it points to the lengths Disney has gone to create the perfect environment. Another example of its supremely well-oiled organization is how well you are taken care of ashore. Whether you are heading to Orlando for another Disney experience or heading to the airport, Disney buses will get you there.There are Disney representatives to guide you every step of the way. Walt Disney World is a mere hour drive from Port Canaveral.That, of course, is worthy of its own trip. However, there are themed Disney hotels/resorts that are great places to either get you in the Disney mood before your cruise or to continue the magic after. They all have organized activities as well, including movie night on the beach with marshmallow roasting, but the real attraction is the theme park. That said, even if you don’t have time to visit the park, the hotels are fabulous places to stay. Another fascinating feature of all the different Disney branches is the diversity of the staff. The Disney Cruise Line alone has more than 86 different nationalities represented. All staff is, without exception, kind, warm and hospitable. Furthermore, all ages are represented, including seniors. It is strangely moving to see Mickey Mouse earrings in the mature ears of some of the Disney guides. It speaks
volumes to the fact that the wonders of Disney are for everyone. Disney Cruise Line is the recipient of many prestigious cruise industry awards and to experience its magic first-hand you fully understand why. This March Break, or for any break you and your family need, Disney will deliver in ways beyond your imagination n www.disneycruiseline.com
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railway and safe transit series by Candice Vetter
The Heroes of Rail
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ailways in Canada have a high safety record, but trains’ masses and the speeds they travel mean collisions have the potential to be deadly. Whether it’s a person on the tracks, a vehicle in the way, or a derailment, when an accident happens, the first responders at the scene are often the train crew. They are also often in danger themselves. The Transport Safety Board record of fatal accidents frequently lists crew members who have been hurt or killed. Sometimes they have risked their own lives to help others. In 2007, CP Rail engineer Lonnie Plasko died in a train hurtling down a grade towards Trail, B.C., after telling his co-workers to jump. It seems he stayed aboard the engine to try to control the train, which was hauling ammonium sulphate. The train narrowly missed crashing into the pipelines and power lines of the Teck Cominco smelter there. Co-workers and townspeople praised his actions, saying the accident could have been far worse had Plasko not sacrificed himself. Even if the railway worker is not in physical danger, playing the role of rescuer can come at great cost. In 2013, Chris McMillan was the conductor on a train in an accident with a minivan at a Belle River, Ontario crossing. As soon as the train stopped McMillan ran more than a kilometre back to the van and the occupants — three young children and a father, all with severe PHOTO:SHUTTERSTOCK
injuries. While the engineer remained in the engine to stay on the radio with Rail Traffic Control, ambulance and police, McMillan stabilized the driver, pulled the children from the van and began first aid and CPR.
Remember that a train might take two kilometres to stop, and it can't steer out of the way. If you are in front of a moving, train you… are in real danger. “I was by myself for about 20 to 25 minutes, trying to help a young father and his four young kids.” McMillan worked on the children he had extracted from the van, laying them side by side in the rescue position so he could perform CPR on all of them. The OPP and fire department and ambulance arrived. “They did an amazing job,” said McMillan, “and were able to get the infant and father out of the crushed car.” The two little girls had no pulse and died at the scene. A boy was critically injured and in hospital for two months. The father survived his injuries and the baby was not seriously hurt. Despite immediate post-trauma counseling, McMillan is still plagued with flashbacks and nightmares. “After this extreme tragedy, I was diagnosed
with PTSD, and off work for close to four months.” In his previous 18 years of railroading he had never been involved in a serious accident. Kirstin Campbell is a trainman and conductor in Smiths Falls, Ontario. She can’t count the number of times she has seen children playing on railroad tracks, and other incidents like a driver in a van full of children driving around closed crossing gates and children on bicycles playing chicken with the train. She’s part of the Operation Lifesaver program, which works with community organizations providing information to professional drivers, the general public, and also to first responders such as police, firefighters and paramedics. Campbell’s role is to travel to schools and talk to students about safety. Her message is simple. “I tell them, I don’t want to get hurt and I don’t want you to get hurt.” Many of the accidents involving vehicles or people on the tracks end in serious injury or death. Everyone working in rail advises the public to remember that a train might take two kilometres to stop, and it can’t steer out of the way. If you are in front of a moving train, you, and maybe the people on the train too, are in real danger. Says McMillan, “I have another 12 years to go before retirement. I hope I am not involved in any more accidents.” n 43 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
It’s not power lines that keep the lights on. It’s not cables that keep the communication flowing. It’s people. Hardworking highly skilled workers. We’re the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. IBEW for short. Today, we represent over 65,000 members from coast to coast to coast – in every province and territory. And we’ve come along way from our electricity focused origins. We now represent members in all kinds of industries, including utilities, manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, cablevision, radio and television, shipyards, railroads, pulp and paper mills, mining, and government. When disaster strikes. When blackouts happen. When everyday life gets interrupted. We’re there for you to get things back on track, safely and efficiently. IBEW has been there for Canada since 1899. And we always will be there. To find out more about what we’re doing out there, go to www.ibewcanada.ca. 44 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
railway and safe transit series profile by Candice Vetter
Don Ashley
He also brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of government relations. Over the last 25 years, he has been elected to legislative positions at the division, provincial executive and national levels where he advocated for members in the areas of Worker’s Compensation, Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and Health and Safety Tribunals. He also sat as a side person on the Board of Referees for Service Canada, sat on the board of directors for the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers and was involved with the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Canadian Labour Congress. “This has allowed me to make strong alliances in the labour movement,” Ashley says, which he anticipates will aid his tasks including helping rebuild solidarity throughout the TCRC.
PHOTO: COURTESY TCRC
Don Ashley is the new National Legislative Director for the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) and one of his primary concerns is safety for the members of his union and for the public. He has spent his life since college as a railway worker. He started as a trainman, progressed to conductor, then went on to become an engineer.
He plans to refocus on the goals and objectives of members but says his intent has not really changed since the beginning. “We have always wanted to improve members’ lives by making the job safer and addressing work-life balance,” he says. “We also need to protect rights and privacy,” which he anticipates could become an issue in future. Like many railroaders,he is concerned about fatigue.“It impairs the ability to react.” In the event of mechanical breakdown or any other potential accident scenario, employees, who are also at risk and may have to act as emergency first responders, need to be alert and not overtired. “We can improve equipment to make railways safer, but we always have to remember that people are the ones running the trains.” n
building a better canada by Marie Waine
REPRESENTING CANADIAN WORKERS
The IBEW and Kathy Choquette “
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knew I wanted to get into a trade,” says Kathy Choquette, an electrical foreman with Ziebarth Electrical Contractors Inc. (ZEC). Choquette is celebrating 10 years with the company and 21 years with the IBEW. It all started in 1989 when she took the Women in Trades and Technology course at Algonquin College. Choquette’s interest peaked and she soon found herself taking women in electric trade training, where she worked in a placement with an IBEW company. She was signed up with the union soon after.
to work together to get the job done,” says Choquette. While the camaraderie is great, Choquette says the job can be tough. However, she enjoys the challenges.
“I really like working on big job sites with a big crew and how everyone has
One of the major jobs she worked on with ZEC was Ottawa’s Ikea.
PHOTO: COURTESY IBEW
Once Choquette found what works for her, she found immediate gratification. Choquette says the fact she gets to be active and do something handson every single day makes the job satisfying. She can see the results of her work contributing to the community.
Choquette says it is exciting for her children to see what their mom helped create when driving down the highway. Choquette and her husband, who is also an electrician, have three children. Choquette likes to participate in IBEW events, such as conferences, seminars and social events. “I absolutely love every part of my work,” she says. “It’s a great community.” n 45 OTTAWALIFE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015
education by Chantal Beauvais and Manal Guirguis-Younger
Education is our strongest weapon
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he day of the fatal shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on at the National War Memorial brought immense sadness to us at Saint Paul University, and we remain heavy-hearted and concerned. There was grief and heartbreak. Over the years, Saint Paul University has, with great pride, provided training and residential accommodation to members of the military. Some of them have trained to serve on the Memorial Guard. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbol of freedom. It is a nonpolitical and unconditional tribute to those who have put themselves on the line and have lost everything, so that we can live in a democratic society where all voices can be heard and respected. We continue to be proud today of all of those who put their lives on the line for our protection, values, and way of life. It fills us with pride when we see the many examples of the heroes who live quietly among us, but in our hour of need, rise to the occasion to protect us with all their might, and lest we forget those who gave everything they had. And yet, we also grieve for those who fall prey to radicalization and lose hope in the future, thinking that violence is the solution of choice. These unfortunate events ultimately bring to us important questions regarding our role as an educational institution and what we can do to prevent such future tragedies. We
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strongly believe that education has a pivotal role to play in challenging and defeating radical ideas, whatever form these ideas might take. Radical positions, no matter what their nature (political, religious, identity-based), are skewed by a single unidimensional, and unexamined vision, preying on the incontrovertible human desire for meaning and the vulnerability to accept false promises of it packaged in violence and bloodshed.
The implementation of democratic ideals requires discerning minds, shrewd analytical skills, and‌a great respect for the voices of others. This respect stems out of the recognition that no one has the whole picture. This is where we must recognize the power of integrated education, an education that addresses the whole person and his or her place in the community and in the world. The power of critical thinking is the antidote to radical and unexamined ideas. As educators, we have the opportunity to give current and future generations the intellectual tools to examine social and political
Chantal Beauvais
Manal Guirguis-Younger
challenges of our times and to have the confidence to raise their voices asking for accountability, justice, and change. In a democracy, these voices are louder and more powerful than a gun. As educators, we believe it is our role to prepare our students for more than an occupation, but to become true citizens of their communities and their nation. Democracy is an act of mutual respect for the perspective of the other. Democracy is not just about individual freedom but it about freedom for all, and hence lies the complexity of how to participate in a true democratic process. The implementation of democratic ideals requires discerning minds, shrewd analytical skills, and, by no means to be forgotten, a great respect for the voices of others. This respect stems out of the recognition that no one has the whole picture. We come from a rich tradition of dialogue between faith and reason, where critical thinking, even as applied to our religious faith, includes an awareness that we don’t know everything, which should lead to civic humility. It is ultimately a framework where no one is silenced. We must educate those who will take hold of the future and create a sense of community, citizenship, and responsibility n Chantal Beauvais is Rector, Saint Paul University. Manal Guirguis-Younger is the Dean of the Faculties of Human Sciences and Philosophy.
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