Catégorie : Reflet-News (Russell-Embrun-Casselman)

We’ve had confirmation of funding coming,” said Marc-André Périard, director for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell emergency services department (UCPR). “They (provincial officials) are just deciding on the amount.” 

The UCPR emergency services department’s regional ambulance program is one of several chosen for provincial support of a community paramedics program through the health ministry’s High Intensity Surge Fund (HISF). The goal of the HISF is to use local paramedics to provide some medical home-care services to residents recovering from major surgery or other treatments for disease or other medical conditions to reduce the length of their original hospital stay and also reduce the need for return visits to hospital for simple follow-up medical needs like blood-test monitoring or antibiotic renewals. 

The UCPR has had a community paramedic program for five years. When it started, local paramedics would provide on-site assessments of someone’s home-care medical needs and a referral to community hospitals or clinics or other home care services. Now the program provides a limited range of home-care medical aid, ranging from vaccinations for seniors and shut-ins to providing detailed evaluations to assist doctors with patient treatments. 

The UCPR received $175,000 in HSIF funding support for its community paramedic program until March 2021. The extended funding supports the program until March 2022. The department may also be eligible for further HSIF money if there is any surplus in the fund at the end of the provincial government’s fiscal year next March. 

 Meanwhile Périard is waiting for a response from the Ministry of Long-Term Care about the UCPR’s application to become part of Phase 2 funding for the ministry’s Community Paramedics Independent Support program. Five Ontario municipalities were chosen for Phase 1 of the program in 2020. Phase 2 will see 33 more municipal and regional ambulance services added to the funding support list. 

“That’s one program we have reached out for,” Périard said, adding that the UCPR sent a delegation to the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention to lobby ministry officials on the department’s application. 

“They (ministry) have told us to be ‘cautiously optimistic’,” said Périard, adding there is no indication yet when the ministry will announce the successful 33 applicants for Phase 2 funding. 

“What we are hoping is to have enough funding to have three full-time paramedics available seven days a week,” Périard said regarding how the funding could benefit the community paramedic program. 

If successful, the UCPR would have secured funding for its program until April 2024. Périard noted that the UCPR has been fortunate in the support received so far from senior government and the business sector for a program that proved its value last year during the pandemic for homebound residents with various medical needs. 

“I think that community paramedics will be taking a more high-end role in the future,” he said. 

Lors d’une cérémonie d’annonce le 17 septembre, les représentants du canton de Casselman ont annoncé qu’ils s’associeraient à deux entreprises québécoises pour construire un énorme centre industriel juste à côté de l’autoroute 417.  

Selon Mike Jager, cofondateur de Rosefellow, le partenariat a été attiré par Casselman en raison de sa proximité avec Ottawa et Montréal. L’emplacement sera utile à Ford Canada lorsqu’elle s’installera dans son nouveau centre de distribution, et le mode de vie «travailler, vivre, jouer» offrira une vie sociale active en dehors du travail aux employés qui y travailleront éventuellement. 

La première phase du projet verra la construction d’un centre de distribution de pièces automobiles de 531 000 pieds carrés, que Ford Canada a déjà revendiqué comme sien. Le centre créera environ 150 emplois et fait partie du plan de Ford visant à remplacer son unique centre de distribution au nord de Toronto, à Bramalea, par deux nouveaux centres. Cette phase coûtera un montant estimé à 95 000 000$ et devrait être achevée au début de 2023. 

Après cela, le partenariat prévoit d’acquérir un terrain supplémentaire de 1 500 000 pieds carrés pour accueillir deux autres bâtiments. Aucun locataire n’a encore signé pour les bâtiments de 130 000 et 400 000 pieds carrés, mais M. Jager a déclaré que le partenariat n’était pas inquiet à ce sujet. L’Est de l’Ontario devient rapidement une plaque tournante de la distribution du commerce électronique, et les locataires potentiels ne tarderont pas à s’en rendre compte. 

«Nous croyons fermement aux constructions spéciales, a déclaré M. Jager. Si vous le construisez, ils viendront. Nous pensons que le marché sera capable d’absorber (l’espace) rapidement.» 

During its September 8 regular meeting, Russell Township council looked at two proposals related to the maintenance and safety of roads in the county. The first was a proposal to offer a monetary incentive to landowners to keep hedgerows along the edges of their properties, and the second was to work with South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) to apply for funding for a roadside restoration plan. 

The first report was from the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), stating its recommendation to offer a hedgerow incentive. Hedgerows, which are rows of trees planted on the edges of a property abutting a road, help to reduce erosion and snow drifting on those roads, as well as provide potential habitation opportunities to local wildlife. Council received the report, and the item will be added to the budget consideration for the new year as there are no funds free for such an incentive at this time. 

The second report, also from the EAC, stated its recommendation that the administration strike a partnership with the SNC to apply for roadside restoration funding. In addition to restoring the condition of the roads, the funding would go towards getting rid of choking weeds and replacing them with plants to attract pollinators to the area. Councillor Cindy Saucier noted the milkweed lining some roads is the sole food source of the monarch butterfly, and wildflowers being used to beautify the hiking trail. This report was also received and deferred to the township’s business plan for next year. 

Last July, Jonathan Pitre and his mother Tina Boileau were nominated to receive Meritorious Service Decorations (MSD) for their work in promoting awareness of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). The presentation of the honours was deferred due to COVID, and the honours were finally conferred in an honouring ceremony at 2 p.m. on September 17 at Rideau Hall. 

Jonathan Pitre, known as the Butterfly Child to many around the world, is remembered for choosing to make a difference. EB is a genetic disorder that causes supersensitivity in the skin, like how a butterfly’s wing is fragile and easy to damage, and it wasn’t very well-known at the time. Jonathan became a leading spokesperson and campaigner for DEBRA Canada, a charity dedicated to researching EB, to help create greater public awareness about the condition. Since his passing, Pitre’s legacy lives on in his mother, who continues his work. 

He was named last July for a posthumous awarding of the Meritorious Service Cross. His mother was nominated for the Meritorius Service Medal, in recognition of « her dedication to her son’s work and in carrying on Jonathan Pitre’s legacy. » 

The citation attached to the honours, available on the Governor General of Canada’s website, reads: 

“Diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) as a newborn, Jonathan Pitre became known as the Butterfly Child and the public face of this rare, debilitating skin disorder when he bravely allowed his daily wound-care regimen to be recorded by local media. Committed to fighting the disease, he and his mother, Tina Boileau, helped raise awareness and significant funds for research, which has since led to greater support for other families affected by EB. Even though the disease eventually took Jonathan’s life, his story continues to serve as a source of inspiration to all. 

The decoration awarded to the late Mr. Pitre will be received by his mother, Tina Boileau.” 

The Meritorious Service Decorations were created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1984 to recognize exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country. Originally consisting of only the cross, and just for military actions, the medal was added in 1991 at the same time the Decorations were introduced for civilian commendation. 

Embrun and Russell’s Terry Fox Run took place on Sunday, September 19. The event was much scaled down due to COVID-19 and took place in a virtual setting, although people were still invited to walk about on their own and in small groups, but despite this it was still very successful. Donations were accepted both in-person and online, and the township collectively raised over $10,000 by Monday afternoon.

Residents had a great time getting out of the house to participate in the walk with each other. Social-distanced groups walked up and down the New York Fitness Trail, with bylaw biking alongside them to make sure everyone kept safe. The weather was warm but not scorching, perfect for a Terry Fox Run, and residents were invited to show up anytime throughout the day to join in.

“Yesterday was very successful, even though it was a scaled down version,” said Councillor Cindy Saucier, who has organized the event for the past 20+ years. “I want to thank Donald Lafrance and the Russell Fire Departments for helping. I also want to thank township bylaw who was on the trail on bikes making sure everybody was safe. That was very much appreciated.”

The Terry Fox Run is held every year to commemorate the Marathon of Hope, in which Terry Fox planned to run the length of Canada to raise money for cancer research. His goal had to be raised from an initial $1,000,000 that he easily surpassed, to $10,000,000 that was met with the aid of a national telethon. His goal eventually become $24,000,000, or as he put it, $1 for every person who lived in Canada.

Terry had to stop his run outside Thunder Bay as his cancer had spread to his lungs, and he died soon after. We remember his bravery and perseverance throughout our lives, starting with our first Terry Fox Run in school and continuing until we can’t run anymore.

Because cancer research can’t wait for COVID-19 to be over. Because Terry asked us to try.

Council received the semi-annual fire department activity report. The departments have been hard at work training their recruits and veterans alike and have made great strides in fire safety. 

Council received and approved a report to authorize the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) to hire a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan Coordinator. The incumbent coordinator will be tasked with implementing the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan as detailed, overseeing all efforts therein, and making regular reports to Council regarding their progress. A salary range has not yet been set. 

Council approved a provincially mandated amendment to the Noise Bylaw that states restrictions cannot be placed on the delivery of goods to certain locations. For example, trucks delivering produce to grocery stores will not be restricted to certain hours due to noise created by their brakes. This only relates to the delivery itself, and not the departure. 

Council approved an amendment to the bylaw prohibiting temporary signs, by adding a section to the bylaw for employment opportunities. Under the newly amended bylaw, temporary signs that advertise for employment opportunities will now be allowed. 

Council approved the motion to allow the administration to apply for the re-chlorination of the Marionville water system under the ICIP Green Infrastructure Stream 2021. After considering the guidelines, the administration concluded that the project was eligible for funding. 

Council approved a bid from EVB Engineering in Cornwall for the design of a wastewater aeration system. The system will keep ammonia levels within acceptable parameters and prevent water contamination. 

Council endorsed a grant from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) for the Canada Community Revitalization Fund Program. No decision was made at the time on the use for the $198,391 grant. 

Council considered the reconfiguration of council chambers in town hall. The priority was to make sure further retrofits to the building would not be required in the future. The possibility of a future increase in the number of councillors was discussed though it was not being considered right now. Council decided to leave things as they are and let the issue be discussed when more facilities will be needed in the future. 

Council received a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) to increase the size of the gymnasium inside the new Russell Recreation Complex. Several schools have said that the current plan does not offer enough room for tournaments, and a larger gym would offer support for pickleball, which is becoming more popular. Councillors concluded that by the time the Recreation Complex is finished and open to the public, COVID-19 restrictions that prohibit the use of free gymnasium facilities in schools would be rescinded, meaning nobody would pay to use the complex. The recommendation required no decision and was received into the record. 

Afin de promouvoir les arts francophones, la communauté est invitée à participer à l’initiative Le 25 septembre, j’achète un livre franco-ontarien.  Cette initiative a pour but de promouvoir et de faire découvrir les oeuvres franco-ontariennes et leurs auteurs.   

Pour proposer des livres à acheter, l’association des auteures et auteurs de l’Ontario français a préparé une rétrospective littéraire regroupée dans un document. Cette rétrospective souligne tous les livres écrits par des franco-ontariens, sortis en 2020-2021. Ceux-ci sont regroupés par thèmes et il est possible de trouver la liste à cette adresse : Rétrospective-2020-2021.pdf (aaof.ca)   

L’alliance culturelle de l’Ontario, quant à elle, encourage les gens à souligner le mois des arts et de la culture francophones de l’Ontario, en octobre, en affichant #ONmlesARTS sur les réseaux sociaux. Ceci permettra d’augmenter la visibilité de projets et de coups de cœur pour le travail d’un ou une artiste en particulier, d’un organisme ou d’une oeuvre spécifique. Cette initiative existe depuis 2019.