RuPaul's Drag Race queens Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea, Vinegar Strokes and Peppermint reveal what you need to pack for Pride.
COVID-19 case counts are declining in Windsor-Essex, but there's still a long way to go, according to the local health unit. Dr. Wajid Ahmed of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit presented the latest epidemiological statistics in a briefing on Friday morning. "As much as I'd like to be happy about [declining cases] ... you know how quickly things can change. We did very well in September-October and then it quickly changed," said Ahmed, the region's medical officer of health. Windsor-Essex saw decreases in the weekly case rate, the presence of the virus in wastewater and test positivity, according to the newest weekly data. For the week ending on Jan. 16, the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests was 8.7 per cent. That's a significant drop from the previous week's percentage of 11.7. But Windsor-Essex remains one of the regions most deeply impacted by the virus in Ontario. The most recent weekly case rate of just below 300 people per 100,000 residents is about twice the provincial average. And the overall case rate is the second worst in the province, behind only Peel region in the Greater Toronto Area. The number of people who have died from COVID-19 is continuing to grow locally. The health unit announced the deaths of eight more residents on Friday, bringing the total number of lives lost to virus to 288. The health unit also announced 99 newly diagnosed cases of the virus. There are currently 1,990 cases of COVID-19 currently active throughout the region, a key figure that has fallen sharply in recent days. Just a week ago, there were more than 2,700 active cases. 1 new hospital outbreak Of the 99 new COVID-19 cases announced Friday, 11 are connected to outbreaks, 11 are close contacts of confirmed cases, one was community acquired while the rest remain under investigation. There are 50 active outbreaks spread across all sectors. A new outbreak was declared on a unit of Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, the second area of the hospital to become an affected by outbreak in the last week. According to the hospital, the outbreak is on 2S in the Dr. Y. Emara Centre for Healthy Aging and Mobility and two patients have tested positive. It has been linked to the other outbreak on 3N, which was declared on Jan. 18. Four other outbreaks are active at Windsor Regional Hospital's two campuses. Two community settings, both locations of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario, remain in outbreak. Outbreaks were active at 23 workplaces: Eight in Leamington's agricultural sector. Five in Kingsville's agricultural sector. Three in Windsor's health care and social assistance sector. One in Lakeshore's health care and social assistance sector. One in Kingsville's health care and social assistance sector. One in Windsor's manufacturing sector. One in a retail setting in Windsor One in a retail setting in Essex. One in a retail setting in Lakeshore One in a transportation and warehousing setting in Windsor There are 19 active outbreaks at long-term care and retirement facilities: Chartwell Leamington in Leamington with two resident cases and one staff case. Regency Park in Windsor with seven resident cases and five staff cases. Chartwell Royal Marquis, with one resident case and one staff case. Harrow Woods Retirement Home, with six resident cases and two staff cases. Seasons Retirement Home in Amherstburg, with three staff cases. Devonshire Retirement Residence in Windsor, with 37 resident cases and six staff cases. Chartwell Royal Oak in Kingsville, with two staff cases. Rosewood Erie Glen in Leamington, with 36 resident cases and six staff cases. Leamington Mennonite Home with one resident case and seven staff cases. Augustine Villas in Kingsville, with 65 resident and 17 staff cases. Sunrise Assisted Living of Windsor, with 13 resident cases and eight staff cases. Huron Lodge in Windsor, with 46 resident cases and 26 staff cases. Sun Parlor Home in Leamington with two resident cases and 12 staff cases. Banwell Gardens Care Centre in Windsor, with 115 resident cases and 62 staff cases. The Shoreview at Riverside in Windsor, with 29 resident cases and 16 staff cases. Extendicare Tecumseh, with 90 resident cases and 57 staff cases. Berkshire Care Centre in Windsor, with 99 resident and 61 staff cases. The Village at St. Clair in Windsor, with 163 resident cases and 133 staff cases. Village of Aspen Lake in Tecumseh, with 60 resident cases and 30 staff cases. COVID-19 in Chatham-Kent, Sarnia Sarnia-Lambton is reporting two new deaths on Frioday, along with six new cases of the virus. Thirty-five people in the region have died from COVID-19 and there have been 1,736 cases overall. Chatham-Kent saw 15 new cases, bringing its total to 1,061.
Calgary police have laid several charges against a former basketball coach after a male teenager came forward with accusations of sexual assault. The alleged victim — who was 14 years old when he joined Genesis Basketball in 2016 — reported to police in November 2020 that he had been sexually assaulted several times by the team's coach. The coach befriended the victim and would drive him to school, games and practices, police said Friday in a news release. The teen was also invited to the coach's home, where multiple assaults are alleged to have taken place. Sean Maheu, 38, was charged on Tuesday with sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and sexual exploitation. He is set to appear in court on March 11. "In this instance, it was what we would refer to as a historical report, where it was reported after the fact. So, the victim has come forward as an adult," said Staff Sgt. Michelle Doyle, who is with the Calgary Police Service's sex crimes unit. Maheu well-known in basketball community, Genesis says Genesis Basketball president Eddie Richardson said in an emailed statement on Friday that the organization is aware of the allegations against Maheu, who began coaching with the organization in 2015 and left in 2018. The basketball club said it has been co-operating with CPS, and will continue to do so. "[Maheu] was well-known in the basketball community and worked with other programs before coming to Genesis," the statement reads in part. "At the time of Mr. Maheu joining our club, he was employed with Hull Services, an organization that works with some of the city's most vulnerable youth and families." According to the statement, Genesis coaches are required to have a CPS police check that is no more than a year old. "We have always been proactive in leading our community in providing our athletes with a safe learning environment and will continue to improve going forward," Richardson said in the release. "With respect to the charges that have been laid, out of respect for the family and the young man involved, Genesis will have no further comment at this time." For more information, please visit the Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre website at www.calgarycac.ca.
A Nepean retirement home where 10 people have died from COVID-19 is the first in the city to begin vaccinating residents and staff against the illness, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) says. "As part of Phase 1 of the COVID vaccine rollout in Ottawa, Valley Stream Retirement Home was identified as a high-risk retirement home and the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was made available and administered to staff, essential caregivers and residents on Jan. 17," OPH confirmed Thursday. OPH finished administering the first vaccine doses to residents in long-term care homes in mid-January, but Valley Stream is the first high-risk retirement home to be offered the same opportunity. At a news conference on Wednesday, Ottawa's general manager of emergency and protective services Anthony Di Monte said that while second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would be delayed for some, one high-risk retirement home and one "congregate home with older adults" would still have a chance to receive first doses of the vaccine. In total, 51 of Valley Stream's 134 residents have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak began on Jan. 2. Thirteen of those cases are now considered resolved. Another 27 staff members have also tested positive, 10 of which are now resolved. Jennifer Rose's 80-year-old father Richard Currie lives at Valley Stream, but has tested negative so far. "I'm obviously grateful and thankful that they're getting vaccines, and [with] my dad still testing negative, I'm happy he's getting that protection," Rose said, adding she's sympathetic to families that haven't been so lucky. "I just find it's so hard for the families that did lose somebody to this," she said. "They were close to being able to get that vaccine. It's just heartbreaking that it was almost within their grasp." Cleaning protocols enhanced Revera, which owns numerous long-term care facilities in Ontario and across North America, said it's working closely with OPH to maintain proper protocols and limit the spread of the virus at Valley Stream. "We are doing enhanced cleaning at Valley Stream, frequently disinfecting high touch surfaces like handrails and doors, common areas and staff rooms," the company's chief medical officer, Dr. Rhonda Collins, wrote. Collins said all residents are being monitored and tested if they show symptoms, while staff are screened at the beginning and end of their shifts. Visits are restricted to essential caregivers, as well as essential visits for palliative residents. "We recognize how difficult these measures are for residents and their families, and we appreciate their patience and understanding as we put these precautions in place for the safety of our residents," Collins wrote. According to OPH, the recent delay of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine "did not impact the administration of vaccines at Valley Stream." Earl Brown, professor emeritus of virology at the University of Ottawa, said while it's important to administer the second dose within a specific period of time after the first shot, giving more vulnerable people a single dose may prove the best option — as long as that second dose isn't too far behind. "It really comes down to maximizing your benefit," Brown said. "So numbers-wise, it generally has tended to favour spreading out the first dose and getting the second dose in somewhat of a timely manner. " But while the two vaccines both report higher than 90 per cent effectiveness in stopping the virus, Brown said it's believed they're less effective for older people. "I think the unknowns loom larger with this group."
TORONTO — After a 10-month investigation, a task force commissioned by the Ontario government has issued a range of sweeping recommendations to reform the province's securities regulator. The Capital Markets Modernization Task Force's 70 recommendations include major governance changes to Ontario Securities Commission, such as establishing an adjudicative body within the OSC to rule on alleged securities act violations. The task force also recommends expanding the agency's mandate to augment its regulatory function, and changing its name to the Ontario Capital Markets Authority. The task force was commissioned in 2019 by Ontario's finance minister, with the goal of encouraging growth and competition in the province's capital markets. In the report, the task force decried the lack of new securities issuers in Ontario, which they warned could lead to fewer head offices and fewer investment growth opportunities in the province. Over the course of its investigation, the task force met with more than 110 different stakeholders as it was developing its recommendations. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021. The Canadian Press
HALIFAX — The public inquiry into the April mass shooting in Nova Scotia has announced the hiring of six experts who will help set a course for the investigation. Those joining the inquiry include Thomas Cromwell, a former Supreme Court of Canada justice who will serve as commission counsel. Cromwell previously served with the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal. As well, the inquiry has appointed Christine Hanson as executive director and chief administrative officer. Hanson is director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. She also worked as an international lawyer and diplomat in a variety of roles with Global Affairs Canada. The inquiry has also appointed a community liaison, a mental health expert, an investigations co-ordinator and an expert in charge of research. "We are pleased to have secured a group of experienced and dedicated individuals who are among the most highly regarded in the country in their respective fields," the commission said in a statement Thursday. "There are a lot of questions to be asked and evidence to be gathered by the commission in order to fulfil its mandate and we want the best people to help us in this process." The other team members include: — Research director Emma Cunliffe is a professor at the Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia and a visiting professor at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in Halifax. She is a scholar in complex criminal matters related to violence against women. — Investigations director Barbara McLean is deputy chief of the Toronto Police Service and is originally from Antigonish, N.S. — Mental health director Mary Pyche has worked as an addiction clinical therapist and has held leadership roles in the Nova Scotia Health Department regarding mental health and addiction. — Community liaison director Maureen Wheller co-chaired the first public advisory group that worked with Nova Scotia's mental health and addictions program. The independent federal-provincial inquiry, which has the authority to compel witnesses to testify and produce documents, is expected to produce an interim report by May 1, 2022 and a final report by Nov. 1, 2022. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2021. The Canadian Press
CORNWALL – COVID-19 infection numbers are continuing to slowly decline in the region as provincial lock-down and Stay-at-Home measures remain in place. Since Monday, the active case count has decreased by nearly 100 people. The province announced Wednesday that students in seven health units, including neighbouring Leeds, Grenville, and Lanark District Health Unit will return to in-person learning on January 25th. Students in this region will continue to learn remotely for now. Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, Medical Officer of Health for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit, said Thursday that keeping students in the region learning remotely for now was the right call. "I think it was the right call, looking at the numbers," he said adding that he thought schools could reopen soon. "Despite the fact that [the numbers] are going downwards, we're still pretty high in the Red Zone." According to the province's COVID-19 colour-coded restriction framework, the Red-Control zone is defined as a rolling seven-day average of 40 or more new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. Roumeliotis said he was encouraged the region is going in the right direction. The seven-day average for new cases peaked on January 9th with 152.2 per 100,000 people. As of January 21st, the average was 84.1 per 100,000 people. Roumeliotis said the determining factor in schools returning to in-person learning was that the region had to be clearly in the Orange-Restrict zone, or below 40 cases per 100,000 people. "If the trends continue, we can be there by the time [the province] re-evaluates," he said. The provincial Stay-at-Home order is in place until February 11th. As of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit's January 21st update, there are 544 active COVID-19 infections in the region. Locally, South Dundas has four active cases, and 24 cases overall. North Dundas has 12 active cases, 51 cases overall. The City of Cornwall continues to have a highest number of active cases with 226 people infected. The city's tally of overall cases stands at 597. In all, there have been 2,297 COVID-19 cases in the EOHU region since the pandemic began. Currently there are 15 facilities listed by the EOHU as having a COVID-19 related outbreak. None of those facilities are in Dundas County. Roumeliotis said that of those 15 facilities, most have been declared as being in an outbreak due to staff contracting the virus. Only three facilities have residents who tested positive. GlenStorDun Lodge in Cornwall and a Long-Term Care Home in Lancaster are two that have residents who tested positive. At the Lancaster LTC home, at least nine people have died from COVID-19 related illness. The region's death toll has increased to 48. More people have died in the second wave of the pandemic in the EOHU region than in the first. There are 23 people hospitalized, six are in intensive care. Nearly 1,600 people have been vaccinated so far in the EOHU, but due to production cuts by Pfizer, deliveries of the vaccine will stop for a week. The health unit plans on pausing its vaccination plans once its own supply has run out, and will restart once new shipments are received. Phillip Blancher, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Leader
County of Stettler council voted 5 - 2 in favour of sending a subdivision plan forward for the Hamlet of Erskine that includes alleys. The decision was made at the Jan. 13 regular meeting of council streamed via YouTube to meet pandemic rules. Councillors read a report submitted by Rick Green, director of operations, regarding lot layout options for the Erskine Phase 2 subdivision. He explained Phase 2 was complicated by the proximity of the former Erskine landfill. “Council motion 217.07.06.17 required the county development authority to submit a request to the Deputy Minister of the Environment to vary the setback for residential development near the closed Erskine landfill from 300 meters to 50 meters,” stated Green’s report. Essentially, Green stated councillors were being asked how they wanted the potential subdivision laid out, and whether or not they wanted alleys included. Green added that alleys take up space and also require a certain amount of maintenance. Council’s preferred layout would then be forwarded to the Municipal Planning Commission for a development permit. Coun. Les Stulberg stated he felt the county should get on this immediately and let people know the municipality wants to develop the area. Coun. Dave Grover asked if the ski hill was still at that location. Green responded that some of the material forming that hill was still there. Coun. James Nibourg stated he’s heard realtors on occasion state that buyers prefer alleys and if no alleys are included it may be a factor in how the lots sell. Green responded that in his opinion alleys aren’t a factor in how residential lots sell. Coun. Cheri Neitz stated that the public has told her that they don’t want a mobile home park in Erskine nor do they want the county to spend a lot of money on real estate. Reeve Larry Clark asked why the options didn’t allow for any basements. Green answered the proximity of the landfill required that detail. He stated the possibility of landfill gases settling in low spots could result in combustion, and basements would be considered low spots. Coun. Wayne Nixon pondered that no alleys also helps to reduce crime. Development Officer Jacinta Donovan stated that the subdivision plan will be publicly advertised so the public can comment on the proposal. Coun. Nibourg stated he felt more time should be spent on this decision than a few minutes at council and he also suggested the county gather input from local realtors to see what the market is demanding. Coun. Grover responded that pre-selling the lots might be a good idea and added that realtors might advise the county to sell the lots cheap just to get them moving. Coun. Nixon noted that the three options provided varied somewhat in lot numbers but there was room for alleys if desired. Neitz added that option number two fit better in the Erskine community. Coun. Nixon moved that council proceed with subdivision layout number two with alleys included and forward this to the MPC for their consideration. The motion passed with Neitz and Coun. Ernie Gendre opposed. Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, East Central Alberta Review
Le gouvernement Legault a manifesté son intention d’encadrer plus strictement les produits de vapotage. L’objectif est de réduire l’attrait de la cigarette électronique auprès des jeunes. Mais des usagers croient que la nouvelle réglementation sera trop sévère. Parmi les mesures envisagées par le gouvernement, il y a de limiter le taux de nicotine et la grosseur des fioles de liquide, et d’interdire les saveurs et les arômes autres que le tabac. Pour Natasha Carvalho, intervenante en dépendance jeunesse au Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) des Laurentides, il s’agit d’une bonne initiative. « La cigarette électronique est un produit d’initiation au tabagisme. On ne peut pas travailler auprès des jeunes et ne pas se rendre compte que c’est un phénomène grandissant. » Les adolescents qui vapotent ont trois fois plus de risques de fumer la cigarette plus tard. Les liquides utilisés pour vapoter sont offerts dans une kyrielle de saveurs et d’arômes au Canada, de la barbe à papa au chocolat, en passant par le melon d’eau et la mangue. La vapoteuse elle-même, ou cigarette électronique, a aussi son propre attrait. Les modèles vont du petit format élégant et facile à dissimuler, au « Hummer » imposant qui affiche cadrans et statistiques. « C’est un véritable objet technologique! » Il y a aussi les « wax pen », qui permettent de vapoter des concentrés d’huile de cannabis, par exemple. « C’est très répandu et populaire chez les jeunes. La vapoteuse ne dégage pas d’odeur identifiable. On peut donc consommer du cannabis, au vu et au su des adultes surveillants », explique Mme Carvalho. Le principal risque pour les jeunes, selon l’intervenante, c’est qu’ils développent une dépendance au geste, au rituel de vapoter, qui est le même pour la cigarette. Le taux de nicotine contenu dans une fiole de liquide peut aussi être beaucoup plus élevé que dans un paquet de cigarettes, accélérant la dépendance. Quant à l’impact sur la santé physique, c’est plus compliqué. Peu de recherche a encore été faite, comme le phénomène est récent. Mais déjà, les usagers peuvent faire de la haute pression, ressentir de l’essoufflement et sont plus à risque de maladies cardio-vasculaires. « Même si ce n’est pas de la combustion, le liquide est chauffé. Ça peut libérer des contaminants, comme le nickel, l’étain, l’aluminium, le formaldéhyde… » Sans compter que certains produits disponibles sur Internet proviennent d’ailleurs dans le monde, où la réglementation et les contrôles de qualité sont moindres. Selon Marlène-Lyane Richard, porte-parole de la Coalition des droits des vapoteurs du Québec (CDVQ), il ne faut pas oublier que la vapoteuse a également aidé bien des fumeurs à se sortir du tabagisme. Elle-même est parvenue à arrêter grâce à ça, alors qu’elle fumait depuis l’âge de 8 ans, en volant des cigarettes à ses parents. Elle a aujourd’hui 44 ans. « Avec la vape, ce n’est pas la même routine. La cigarette, quand elle est allumée, tu la fumes au complet. Avec la vapoteuse, tu peux prendre juste une ou deux poffs. On finit par délaisser le besoin d’inhaler. Ça va faire presque un an que j’ai arrêté. » Mme Richard est bien d’accord que les produits doivent être mieux encadrés et que les jeunes doivent être protégés. Mais elle croit que l’interdiction des saveurs et des arômes va trop loin. « 93 % des gens prennent de la saveur dans leur vapotage. C’est beaucoup! » Sa crainte, c’est que d’ex-fumeurs retombent dans la cigarette. « Il n’y a personne qui veut arrêter avec une saveur de tabac dans la bouche. » Bien que le vapotage représente des risques, Mme Richard soutient qu’ils sont moindres qu’avec la cigarette. « Dans les produits de vapotage, il y a 4 ingrédients, pas 60! Tous les produits nocifs de la cigarette ne sont pas là. C’est sûr que la toxicité est bien moindre avec le vapotage », affirme-t-elle. Certes, il existe d’autres solutions, comme la gomme et les patches, mais le vapotage offre une option de plus selon elle. Elle aimerait que ceux qui ont arrêté la cigarette grâce au vapotage, comme elle et d’autres, soient au moins entendus par le gouvernement avant que les nouvelles réglementations deviennent loi. « Il ne faut pas jeter le bébé avec l’eau du bain! »Simon Cordeau, Initiative de journalisme local, Journal Accès
Un gin biologique sera très bientôt produit directement à Val-des-Sources. L’entreprise Birster s’est installée dans le parc industriel et pourrait commencer la distribution dans quelques semaines à peine. « On est sur les derniers milles, assure Guillaume Birster, vice-président de l’entreprise qu’il dirige avec son frère. On fait des produits biologiques et le processus est plus long. Les bouteilles et les étiquettes s’en viennent. Il faut aussi attendre les analyses en laboratoire de la SAQ. Pour notre premier lot, ce sera en février et on pense plus au mois de mars avant qu’il se retrouve sur les tablettes. » La Distillerie Birster, nommée ainsi en l’honneur du père de Guillaume décédé il y a deux ans, proposera un gin avec une touche « florale ». « On parle d’un gin assez classique qui se mélange bien en cocktail, explique Guillaume Birster. On explore avec la racine de l’orpin rose. On travaille aussi avec la canneberge du Québec. » L’entreprise s’inscrit dans la volonté de la région de se diversifier au niveau économique. « Pour l’instant, notre plan est de rentrer dans les SAQ et ensuite ce sera à nous de vendre notre produit aux succursales, mentionne M. Birster. Éventuellement, c’est dans nos plans de vendre au lieu de production, mais la contrainte c’est qu’on doit le vendre au même prix que la SAQ. » Engouement Depuis une vingtaine d’années, la popularité du gin a explosé en raison notamment de son utilisation pour de nombreux cocktails. Plus de 90 gins sont produits au Québec aujourd’hui. « Il y a vraiment un engouement, confirme Guillaume Birster. La raison pour laquelle on fait beaucoup de gin au Québec, c’est parce que c’est un produit qu’on peut sortir rapidement. Pour le rhum, les lois canadiennes demandent une maturation d’au moins un an, donc il n’y a pas beaucoup de compagnies qui peuvent attendre un an avant de vendre une première bouteille. » C’est d’ailleurs dans les plans d’avenir de l’entreprise de Val-des-Sources de produire un rhum. « On veut développer un rhum de mélasse 100 % biologique, ajoute-t-il. On essaie de le travailler un peu comme les rhums jamaïcains avec des notes de bananes et d’ananas. On travaille là-dessus. » Simon Roberge, Initiative de journalisme local, La Tribune
Pendant que la neige tombait à gros flocons samedi dernier, j’ai déniché quelques trésors cachés sur le site web de l’Office national du film, onf.ca. Pour vous, j’ai fait une sélection des meilleurs courts-métrages mettant en vedette la neige, l’hiver et nos paysages nordiques. Idéal pour une soirée de couvre-feu, faute d’aller jouer dehors. Découvrez l’homme derrière la légende qui a sillonné les Laurentides pendant des décennies et qui en a tracé les plus importants sentiers. Ce portrait, réalisé pour le centenaire d’Herman Smith-Johannsen, révèle un explorateur infatigable, sa résilience et son humour. Le documentaire trace des parallèles entre sa Norvège natale et ses Laurentides d’adoption, et nous fait voyager dans le temps. Dans une scène, on le voit racontant ses souvenirs dans une voiture, cigare en bouche, pendant que des paysages enneigés défilent par la fenêtre. En noir et blanc, ce court-métrage offre un regard d’ensemble du ski au Canada, de Banff aux Laurentides. On y retrouve l’enthousiasme des premières neiges, la leçon de ski, le remonte-pente pour les « moins vaillants » (dit le narrateur), et la vue magnifique une fois arrivé au sommet. Somme toute, le sport a bien peu changé, 73 ans plus tard. Une journée à la patinoire, présentée par Gilles Carle, le célèbre cinéaste québécois dans ses débuts. La musique de Claude Léveillée anime même ce court-métrage sans paroles. En bottes ou en patins, on y découvre le simple plaisir de patiner, de glisser et de jouer sur la glace. Pourquoi ne pas jouer une amicale partie de hockey, avant de se déhancher sur la glace au rythme de la musique de l’heure : le rock ‘n’ roll! Suivez ces deux Inuits (appelés Esquimaux dans le film) alors qu’ils bâtissent un iglou pour la nuit, pendant que le narrateur vous explique comment faire. Vous n’aurez besoin que d’un couteau à neige… et de neige. Les Inuits peuvent prendre aussi peu que 40 minutes ou aussi longtemps que 2 jours pour construire leur iglou, selon leurs besoins. Mon préféré. Suivez l’artiste Alexander Young Jackson dans la création de ses paysages uniques. Jackson est membre du Groupe des sept, un rassemblement de paysagistes canadiens qui ont révolutionné l’art durant les années 1920. Pour faire ses ébauches, Jackson part en expédition dans la nature automnale de l’Ontario, au Lac Grace, puis dans les collines enneigées de Saint-Tite-des-Caps, juste au nord de l’Île d’Orléans. On le voit en canot, faire du portage et même escalader les parois rocheuses du bouclier canadien, tout pour trouver le parfait paysage.Simon Cordeau, Initiative de journalisme local, Journal Accès
Émilie Pelletier epelletier@ledroit.com Initiative de journalisme local Queen’s Park TORONTO — Dès ce week-end, de nombreux magasins à grande surface d’Ottawa recevront la visite d’inspecteurs qui distribueront des contraventions à ceux qui ne se conforment pas aux exigences en matière de santé et de sécurité liées à la COVID-19. Lorsqu’elle a déclaré l’état d’urgence sanitaire il y a deux semaines, la province a mis en place une campagne élargie d’inspections pour s’assurer que les entreprises essentielles fonctionnent en toute sécurité. Les établissements de vente au détail visés par cette campagne comprennent les magasins comme Walmart et Costco, les restaurants qui offrent des repas à emporter, les stations-service et les exploitations agricoles, notamment. «Les inspections des lieux de travail agroalimentaires font partie de nos efforts continus visant à sensibiliser les gens et à prévenir et limiter les éclosions de COVID-19 afin de protéger la santé et la sécurité des travailleurs et de maintenir notre approvisionnement alimentaire solide», a fait savoir le ministre de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et des Affaires rurales Ernie Hardeman. La fin de semaine dernière, une cinquantaine d’inspecteurs du Travail ont sillonné 240 magasins à grande surface de la région du Grand Toronto, accompagnés d’agents des règlements administratifs locaux et d’agents de police. En tout, ils ont donné 76 contraventions et constaté que plus de 30% de ces entreprises ne respectaient pas les exigences en matière de santé publique. Ce week-end, c’est au tour des entreprises ottaviennes de passer sous le peigne fin de ces inspecteurs, comme l’a annoncé au cours de la semaine le directeur général des Services de protection et d’urgence pour la Ville d’Ottawa, Anthony Di Monte. La prise de mesures adéquates de contrôle des foules et de distanciation physique aux caisses, l’utilisation adéquate des masques et les pratiques de nettoyage et de désinfection font partie des facteurs qui seront dans la mire des inspecteurs. Les contrevenants sont confrontés à des amendes se chiffrant à 750$ pour les employés et à 1 000$ pour les sociétés. Si une violation est plus grave, le tribunal peut aussi imposer des amendes allant jusqu’à 100 000$ pour les particuliers et jusqu’à 500 000$ pour les administrateurs et les dirigeants d’une société. Ces derniers peuvent aussi se voir imposer une peine d’emprisonnement d’une durée allant jusqu’à un an. L’amende maximale pour une société reconnue coupable d’une infraction est de 10 000 000$. La durée des campagnes de sécurité peut aller de quelques jours à plusieurs semaines, selon les circonstances locales.Émilie Pelletier, journaliste, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Droit
The Town of Strathmore has reinstated license fees for Strathmore-based businesses in 2021 after waiving them last year, but a rebate could be enacted later in the year if needed. Under the town’s business license bylaw, all businesses are required to hold a valid business license, costing a fee. But this fee was waived for Strathmore-based businesses by town council in February 2020 to attract new businesses to Strathmore and support existing ones. Whether the town should again waive fees for local businesses in 2021 was discussed by town council during the Jan. 13 committee of the whole meeting. Mayor Pat Fule said he brought the issue to the meeting after being contacted by multiple residents concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on businesses. The 2021 to 2023 operating budget council passed in November 2020 included about $100,000 in revenue from business fees in 2021. Therefore, if council was again to waive business license fees, the town would need to either raise property taxes or make a transfer from reserves to offset the revenue loss, said Mel Tiede, the town’s director of corporate services, during the meeting. Another consideration in the decision is that the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce (SWCC) is funded by licensing fees from SWCC-member businesses, noted Councillor Bob Sobol. The town has already billed more than $60,000 in business license fees this year, said Tiede. Approximately 80 businesses have already paid for licenses. Invoices for business fees are mailed out during the first two weeks of December, with fees due and payable by the last week in January of the current calendar year. Councillor Melanie Corbiell proposed extending the due date for business licensing fees. However, Doug Lagore, the town’s interim chief administrative officer, recommended council stay a decision for now. “If we find that the businesses have to remain shut down for a good portion of the year, we could look at a rebate program sometime during the year if there is a big impact,” he said. “But I think it’s premature at this time. Let’s see what the impact of COVID will be during the year, and deal with it at a later time.” Councillor Lorraine Bauer suggested businesses challenged by the licensing fees could be exempted on an individual basis. Council decided to keep licensing fees in place for now, and the presentation was accepted as information. Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times
ÉMILIE PELLETIER Initiative de journalisme local — Le Droit La province de l’Ontario déplore 87 décès causés par la COVID-19 survenus au cours de la dernière journée. En tout, 5701 Ontariens ont perdu leur combat contre le coronavirus. Par ailleurs, la santé publique a répertorié 2662 infections à la COVID-19, jeudi, portant le total à 250 226 cas depuis le début de la pandémie. La même journée, 1512 personnes atteintes du virus étaient hospitalisées, dont 383 aux soins intensifs. Parmi ces derniers, 291 avaient besoin d’un respirateur pour rester en vie. Foyers de soins de longue durée En foyers de soins de longue durée, 99 résidents et 64 membres du personnel ont reçu un diagnostic positif à la COVID-19 au cours des 24 dernières heures. Jusqu’à présent, 13 746 infections ont été répertoriées chez les résidents en FSLD, ainsi que 5494 cas chez les employés. On compte aussi 42 résidents de ces établissements qui ont perdu la vie au cours de la dernière journée à cause de la COVID-19. En tout, près de 3300 personnes habitant en FSLD sont décédées en raison du virus. Depuis le début de la pandémie, la COVID-19 a causé la mort de dix membres du personnel, dont deux ayant perdu la vie en 2021. Jeudi, 11 168 Ontariens ont roulé leur manche pour se faire vacciner contre la COVID-19. En tout, ce sont 49 292 personnes en province qui ont reçu les deux doses nécessaires pour être complètement vaccinées contre le virus. Cela représente 264 985 doses totales administrées depuis que le vaccin est disponible en Ontario. Le nombre de doses quotidiennes devrait diminuer au cours des prochains jours, en raison des problèmes d’approvisionnement des vaccins de la compagnie pharmaceutique Pfizer. Les données liées au coronavirus présentées dans ce texte ont été tirées du plus récent bilan de la COVID-19, présenté par le Système intégré d’information sur la santé publique (SIISP), vendredi à 10h30. À LIRE AUSSI: L’Ontario juge pouvoir réaliser son objectif de vaccinationÉmilie Pelletier, journaliste, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Droit
Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said on Friday he wanted it known that he had no plans to commit suicide in prison, as he issued a message of support to his followers on the eve of protests the authorities say are illegal. Navalny was detained on Sunday after flying home for the first time since being poisoned with what the West says was a military-grade nerve agent that Navalny says was applied to his underpants by state security agents. The 44-year-old lawyer, in a Moscow prison pending the outcome of four legal matters he describes as trumped up, accuses President Vladimir Putin of ordering his attempted murder.
THUNDER BAY — A Thunder Bay lawyer is facing charges of forcible confinement and assault related to an incident from August 2020. Court documents show Ronald Poirier, 70, and David Poirier, 36, each face charges stemming from an Aug. 28, 2020, incident. Ronald’s charges include forcible confinement and assault and David’s charges are assault, utter threats and breach of a release order. Ronald is a lawyer practicing in private in Thunder Bay. He is also retained as a federal crown agent through the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC). The federal agency confirmed this week they are aware of his charges currently before the courts. “The PPSC is aware of the situation and confirms that Mr. Poirier is one of its agents,” Nathalie Houle, a media relations advisor for the PPSC said in an email. “The PPSC has reassigned Mr. Poirier’s files at this time,” she said, adding the agency couldn’t comment any further on the case. There are currently no restrictions on his right to practice law, according to the Law Society of Ontario website. Both individuals are currently not in custody and are scheduled to appear in court next on March 8, according to court documents. Karen Edwards, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source
La pandémie et la pénurie de main-d’œuvre ont eu raison d’un autre commerce de la région. La quincaillerie Tremblay-Laroche, établie depuis plus de 25 ans à Saint-Gédéon, ne rouvrira après avoir fermé ses portes le printemps dernier, faute de personnel. Le bâtiment situé au 223, rue de Quen, a été mis en vente. Le personnel restant et l’inventaire ont été transférés à la succursale de Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix, qui elle aussi vit des heures difficiles en ce qui a trait au personnel. « Malheureusement, on est obligé de fermer la succursale. Deux employés sont partis pendant la première vague de COVID le printemps dernier pour d’autres magasins et on n’a pas été capable de les remplacer », explique le propriétaire, Marc Tremblay. Pénurie de main-d’œuvre Marc Tremblay s’explique mal le fait que malgré un taux de chômage élevé, il soit si difficile de combler des postes aux deux succursales. En deux ans, même les ouvertures de poste pour le magasin de Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix n’ont pas pris preneurs. « On a de la misère à combler malgré le fait qu’on dise qu’il y a beaucoup de personnes qui ne travaillent pas. Je ne comprends pas grand-chose là-dedans. Avec toutes les annonces qu’on a faites, on n’est pas capable de combler les besoins. On a essayé de toutes les manières. On a fait des parutions Facebook et ici au magasin et on ne réussit pas… », déplore-t-il Année mouvementée L’été dernier, les Québécois se sont adonnés aux travaux de rénovation. L’équipe de plus en plus restreinte du groupe Tremblay-Laroche a été mise à rude épreuve. « L’équipe a dû mettre les bouchées doubles. Avec deux personnes en moins, ça paraît. On a comblé le stock de Métabetchouan avec l’inventaire du magasin de Saint-Gédéon. Ça n’a pas été une année rose », ajoute Marc Tremblay. Questionné à savoir si une lueur d’espoir régnait toujours pour le magasin de Saint-Gédéon, le propriétaire a affirmé qu’il concentrait dorénavant ses efforts sur le magasin de Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix. « On ne se fait pas d’illusions. On a mis le bâtiment à vendre », souligne-t-il. En novembre 2019, le groupe Tremblay-Laroche, alors affilié à BMR, avait quitté cette bannière pour joindre le groupe Castle en raison de désaccords. « BMR nous imposait des choses qu’on ne voulait pas. On ne se sentait plus chef dans notre propre magasin. Ils nous laissent acheter et faire ce qu’on veut », avait expliqué à l’époque Marc Tremblay. Plus d’un an plus tard, il se dit « très satisfait » de ce changement.Julien B. Gauthier, Initiative de journalisme local, Le Lac St-Jean
HURON COUNTY – Huron County will host the annual Ontario West Coast Tourism Summit this year, virtually. The free, two-day event will concentrate on the tourism landscape pre- and post-COVID and rural tourism’s advantages. Tourism industry expert William Bakker of Destination Think will speak on Jan. 25 from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Destination Think works with the most innovative tourism boards in the world, according to their website. They create vision, solve business challenges, and “execute brilliant, integrated campaigns.” His presentation will include tourism market trends focusing on the tourism landscape, pre-COVID, and post-COVID. Attendees will hear about destinations that are “re-imagining themselves with a goal of re-building, with both the economy and environment in mind,” according to a press release from Huron County. A facilitated breakout session will follow, which will focus on how Huron County’s tourism sector can work together towards a successful recovery from COVID-19. The second day of the summit will be held on Jan. 26, from 9 – 11:30 a.m. Director and Master Experience Crafter Chris Hughes, from BC Hughes, a tourism, management, and marketing company will share the advantages of rural tourism and how operators can use this advantage to match shifting tourism trends. Hughes will discuss the key elements needed to develop effective touring routes. He will also share how operators can adjust their own tourism experiences to become part of a regionally themed touring route. “The County remains dedicated to working collaboratively and supporting our vibrant tourism sector,” Warden Glen McNeil said in the press release. “Specifically, I want to thank the industry for the resiliency and innovation they have shown over the past year. Huron County tourism, and all of those that support it, are essential to the vitality of our county.” Cory Bilyea, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Wingham Advance Times
CBC News gains access to a unique inoculation site in the U.K., where vulnerable groups are being prioritized.
Frontline health care workers in Strathmore had a bit of extra time following their long shifts last week thanks to an initiative to provide them with a free meal. The meals were provided by the Calgary Health Foundation, a charity that raises money for health care across the City of Calgary and surrounding communities. The initiative, called Feed the Frontline, started after the organization started to receive requests from the community for ways to show gratitude to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, explained Valerie Ball, director of marketing, communications and community engagement with the organization. “I think over the last couple of months, health care workers have been tirelessly putting everything that they have into providing care and fighting COVID-19 and ensuring that we are taken well care of,” said Ball. “So, people just really wanted a way to give back and give thanks.” The meals, from Sunterra Market in Calgary, were offered to staff members working in hospital and community health centres, in Calgary and 16 surrounding communities, said Ball. “It’s just to give them a night off, after everything they put into work every single day, whether it’s to fill their belly and rejuvenate or maybe spend some more time with their family.” Feed the Frontline provided health care workers in the region 21,000 meals in total, including 325 meals to health care workers living in Strathmore. The meals are a welcome relief, said Shayla Noel, a pre-triage screener at the Strathmore Hospital. “We do get pretty busy and it’s exhausting some days, so to be recognized is just touching,” said Noel. “I know everyone who is being recognized is very appreciative.” Work in the hospital has been busy, but everyone can still be seen, said Jarrett Fawdry, Strathmore Hospital site manager. “COVID is an old hat now – with our enhanced infection prevention and control measures, we’re very comfortable inside with what we’re doing to protect our patients in the community.” With meal prep and cooking out of the way for a night, Fawdry said he would spend some extra time with his kids, while Noel said she “might go to bed early.” Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times
Élu pour la première fois à 24 ans, Adam Rousseau en est à son troisième mandat comme conseiller municipal à Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton. Il investit en moyenne entre 10 et 15 heures par semaine dans ce rôle et touche quelque 7000 $ par année. Un petit calcul rapide permet de constater que, dans le meilleur des cas, le temps consacré à la politique municipale est payé un peu plus que le salaire minimum. S’il consacre plus de 10 heures par semaine, le taux horaire descend encore plus bas. Si à l’inverse un conseiller ne consacre que quelques heures par mois à la fonction, le salaire horaire sera beaucoup plus haut. Il n’y a pas de balises claires sur le nombre d’heures que doivent travailler les élus municipaux. « Je regarde le maire de Saint-François-Xavier-de-Brompton, qui n’est pas une énorme municipalité mais qui est en croissance, et il peut mettre en moyenne 30 heures par semaine, explique Adam Rousseau. Avec le contexte de méfiance, on est souvent embêté lorsqu’on fait une demande de remboursement et, souvent, on assume les frais. C’est une job 24/7 et 365 jours par année. Un élu actif devrait se payer. » Cette réalité fait en sorte selon lui que le rôle d’élus convient beaucoup plus à des gens qui n’ont pas d’obligations financières. « La job d’élu municipal dans les petites communautés, c’est pour les riches et les retraités, lance-t-il. Il ne faut pas se le cacher. Une personne à la préretraite ou indépendante de fortune n’aura pas d’enjeux à réduire ses heures de travail et être à 30 heures par semaine à son emploi principal. » Adam Rousseau pense à se présenter comme maire de sa municipalité en 2021 et pourrait justement faire campagne sur l’enjeu des salaires. « Je pense à faire ma campagne électorale avec comme objectif qu’à la fin de mon mandat le maire soit à temps plein, explique-t-il. Après cela, n’importe qui qui voudra se présenter n’aura plus les limites du temps partiel combiné à d’énormes responsabilités. » Les délais de mise en œuvre des projets, les rencontres en journée durant la semaine avec des ministères ou des firmes pour des projets et le manque de flexibilité de certains employeurs sont aussi des freins, selon lui, à l’implication de la jeunesse. Le rôle d’élu reste tout de même, malgré les désagréments, l’un des emplois les plus gratifiants, assure Adam Rousseau. « Il y a des défaites et des déceptions, mais aussi plein de victoires qui amènent un accomplissement professionnel qui vaut beaucoup d’argent, résume-t-il. On a réellement un impact. Il a toutefois encore beaucoup de choses à améliorer. »Simon Roberge, Initiative de journalisme local, La Tribune
