nationalobserver--2020-08-27--La Ronge council defeats downtown shelter bid

La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich manages the shelter in his capacity as executive director of the Kikinahk Friendship Centre .
The vote followed pressure from six local businesses that say the main drag is not the right place for social services .
La Ronge town council rejected a bid to rezone a new location for a homeless shelter downtown in a 4-1 vote Wednesday night .
Woytowich said this winter will be different because the building is in such disrepair that it can ’ t operate as a shelter .
A rezoning of the old SaskPower building nearby would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open .
The shelter is already on La Ronge Avenue , housed in a co-existent capacity with the Scattered Site outreach program , which provides support for mental health and addiction issues among the homeless during the winter .
“ I ’ m totally depressed right now .
We have to have a shelter in place by November 15th and we do not have a place to do it , ” Woytowich told Canada ’ s National Observer after learning the results .
The treatment facility , spearheaded by Lac La Ronge Indian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be complete in October 2021 .
But Woytowich told Canada 's National Observer that only 40 per cent of clients at the emergency shelter are from that community .
“ The new wellness centre that the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is building right now , a wing on there probably would be a perfect place , ” he said .
When asked for an alternate site , Pajunen recommended the nearby Cree reserve .
Pajunen said he would approve a location that isn ’ t on the main business street .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my backyard.
” “ We ’ re very limited in the amount of buildings we have here now .
I don ’ t feel that we should be using them for temporary shelters , ” Pajunen said .
“ It ’ s not the actual location that I ’ m opposed to .
It ’ s anywhere in the downtown core in the retail sector .
La Ronge Avenue in particular , ” Electric Waves owner Brent Pajunen told the council .
“ Who submitted all of these letters to the media ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It puts a lot of distrust in council , ” Pajunen said .
Documents obtained and first reported by Canada ’ s National Observer include six letters penned by members of the local business community requesting the motion to approve a shelter on La Ronge Avenue be rejected .
“ It does meet the requirements of your zoning bylaw , which we ’ ve identified in the report before council .
We ’ re recommending approval based solely on your bylaw , ” Yaremchuk said .
Councillor Jordan McPhail , the only member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that position , appealed to members to approve the shelter because of the coming winter .
“ Being this late in the year ... very , very rarely does a council get to see the opportunity to have a life and death situation before us .
This is one of those motions .
This is a motion where we are going to have the discussion over whether people might be staying out in the cold this winter or whether they will have safe , warm and dignified places to sleep , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised by local business owner Scott Robertson in a letter urging council not to approve a shelter over an “ image problem ” in downtown La Ronge .
“ La Ronge used to have an image problem and that was ( when ) we didn ’ t have a shelter for people and people froze out in the cold , ” McPhail said .
“ Somebody stepped up and provided that much-needed service in our community and we are now faced with a decision to allow them to continue or not.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town ’ s image , not hinder it .
“ All I can say is that if we vote this down … then the image of La Ronge is that we are willing to potentially put the homeless population out in the cold this winter , ” McPhail said .
McPhail said that council had previously approved shelters in the downtown core .
Councillor Matt Klassen said he ’ s all for having a shelter downtown , but not on the main business street .
“ I do think that a shelter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that these individuals that are less fortunate can access the services that they need , ” Klassen said .
“ That being said… I think main street should be reserved for the businesses .
For the shops and for retail and for restaurants , not for social services.
” He said La Ronge has a very real image problem that needs to be addressed .
“ It ’ s boarded-up buildings , it ’ s abandoned buildings , it ’ s vandalism and it ’ s garbage , ” Klassen said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely on the location of a shelter , not whether or not one is needed .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s the intention of council to throw anybody out into the cold , ” Watt said .
He said considering that six owners of businesses on La Ronge Avenue expressed concerns over the proposed location , council should take their opinions seriously .
Klassen agreed saying that while the town has previously allowed a shelter in the downtown core , there was no opposition to it .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listened to .
“ Those are the people that put us in these chairs.
” Councillor Dallas Everest , who according to his council profile moved to La Ronge when he bought the KFC franchise on La Ronge Avenue , declared conflict of interest and didn ’ t vote .
Everest confirmed to Canada ’ s National Observer after the meeting that he still owns the KFC building , but no longer owns the franchise .
“ There was a letter that was leaked before this council meeting so now it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain in this .
Which I don ’ t see how I would .
I don ’ t know if ( a shelter on La Ronge Avenue is ) going to increase or decrease the value of property , ” Everest said before stepping out during the vote .
“ I strongly feel that placing a shelter in a highly valued commercial and business district will potentially decrease property values , reduce sales for current businesses , and deter future development of retail space , ” Everest wrote in a joint letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commerce president Crystal Everest .
McPhail told Canada ’ s National Observer after the vote that he ’ s disappointed with the council ’ s decision and reminded residents that council elections are pending .
“ November 9 is coming up soon and I would hope that every person that runs for council or every person that wants to represent their community in the best interests of it is acutely aware that there ’ s more than six people that put us in those chairs , ” McPhail said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and every single one of those has an equal voice and an equal vote.
” Regular Meeting of Council - August 26 2020 .
Video provided by the Town of La Ronge .
Woytowich said clients at the shelter need to stay downtown .
He ’ s considering options to buy a motel as a solution to the problem .
“ Our clients are homeless , they don ’ t have vehicles .
They also have mental health and addictions problems that require treatment every day.
” He reiterated if a solution isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly results .
“ I know that every year before we ran the shelter , people froze to death in the winter .
When we opened nobody froze , ” Woytowich said .
If you have information that you would like to share you can reach out to [ email protected ] to make arrangements for a secure file transfer .

“I’m totally depressed right now. We have to have a shelter in place by November 15th and we do not have a place to do it,” Woytowich told Canada’s National Observer after learning the results.
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich manages the shelter in his capacity as executive director of the Kikinahk Friendship Centre.
The vote followed pressure from six local businesses that say the main drag is not the right place for social services.
La Ronge town council rejected a bid to approve a new location for a homeless shelter downtown in a 4-1 vote Wednesday night.
Woytowich said this winter will be different because the building is in such disrepair that it can’t operate as a shelter. Approval of the old SaskPower building nearby would have allowed the shelter to relocate and stay open.
The shelter is already on La Ronge Avenue, housed in a co-existent capacity with the Scattered Site outreach program, which provides support for mental health and addiction issues among the homeless during the winter.
When asked for an alternate site, Pajunen recommended the nearby Cree reserve.
Pajunen said he would approve a location that isn’t on the main business street. “You could literally put it in my backyard.”
“We’re very limited in the amount of buildings we have there now. I don’t feel that we should be using them for temporary shelters,” Pajunen said.
“It’s not the actual location that I’m opposed to. It’s anywhere in the downtown core in the retail sector. La Ronge Avenue in particular,” Electric Waves owner Brent Pajunen told the council.
The treatment facility, spearheaded by Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, is expected to be complete in October 2021.
But Woytowich told Canada's National Observer that only 40 per cent of clients at the emergency shelter are members of that community.
“The new wellness centre that the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is building right now, a wing on there probably would be a perfect place,” he said.
Architectural rendering of the new facility now under construction for next year. Graphic courtesy of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.
Documents obtained and first reported by Canada’s National Observer include six letters penned by members of the local business community requesting the motion to approve a shelter on La Ronge Avenue be rejected.
“Who submitted all of these letters to the media? It has to be mayor or council… It puts a lot of distrust in (the) council,” Pajunen said.
Chief administrative officer Dean Yaremchuk recommended the location be approved.
“It does meet the requirements of your zoning bylaw, which we’ve identified in the report before council. We’re recommending approval based solely on your bylaw,” Yaremchuk said.
Town council voted 4-1 against a motion that would have allowed for a new shelter in the community. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock
Councillor Jordan McPhail, the only member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in that position, appealed to members to approve the shelter because of the coming winter.
“Being this late in the year... very, very rarely does a council get to see the opportunity to have a life and death situation before us. This is one of those motions. This is a motion where we are going to have the discussion over whether people might be staying out in the cold this winter or whether they will have safe, warm and dignified places to sleep,” he said.
And he addressed concerns raised by local business owner Scott Robertson in a letter urging council not to approve a shelter over an “image problem” in downtown La Ronge.
Jordan McPhail was the only councillor to vote in favour of a motion to approve the old SaskPower building for use as a shelter. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock
“La Ronge used to have an image problem and that was (when) we didn’t have a shelter for people and people froze out in the cold,” McPhail said.
“Somebody stepped up and provided that much-needed service in our community and we are now faced with a decision to allow them to continue or not.”
He said that approving a shelter would help the town’s image, not hinder it.
“All I can say is that if we vote this down … then the image of La Ronge is that we are willing to potentially put the homeless population out in the cold this winter,” McPhail said.
McPhail said that council had previously approved shelters in the downtown core.
Councillor Matt Klassen said he’s all for having a shelter downtown, but not on the main business street.
“I do think that a shelter should be somewhere in the downtown core so that these individuals that are less fortunate can access the services that they need,” Klassen said.
The medical clinic on La Ronge Avenue. The downtown location was selected for the homeless to be close to medical services. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock
“That being said… I think main street should be reserved for the businesses. For the shops and for retail and for restaurants, not for social services.”
He said La Ronge has a very real image problem that needs to be addressed. “It’s boarded-up buildings, it’s abandoned buildings, it’s vandalism and it’s garbage,” Klassen said.
Councillor Hugh Watt stressed the vote was solely on the location of a shelter, not whether or not one is needed.
“I don’t think it’s the intention of council to throw anybody out into the cold,” Watt said.
He said considering that six owners of businesses on La Ronge Avenue expressed concerns over the proposed location, council should take their opinions seriously.
Flooding at the shelter in La Longe in March and a homeless person's items left outside. Photos by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
Klassen agreed saying that while the town has previously allowed a shelter in the downtown core, there was no opposition to it. He said residents and local property owners must be listened to.
“Those are the people that put us in these chairs.”
Councillor Dallas Everest, who according to his council profile moved to La Ronge when he bought the KFC franchise on La Ronge Avenue, declared conflict of interest and didn’t vote.
Everest confirmed to Canada’s National Observer after the meeting that he still owns the KFC building, but no longer owns the franchise.
“There was a letter that was leaked before this council meeting so now it’s perceived that I might have a financial gain in this. Which I don’t see how I would. I don’t know if (a shelter on La Ronge Avenue is) going to increase or decrease the value of property,” Everest said before stepping out during the vote.
“I strongly feel that placing a shelter in a highly valued commercial and business district will potentially decrease property values, reduce sales for current businesses, and deter future development of retail space,” Everest wrote in a joint letter to council with his wife, Chamber of Commerce president Crystal Everest.
A man and his dog panhandle for cash. File photo by Canadian Press.
McPhail told Canada’s National Observer after the vote that he’s disappointed with the council’s decision and reminded residents that council elections are pending.
“November 9 is coming up soon and I would hope that every person that runs for council or every person that wants to represent their community in the best interests of it is acutely aware that there’s more than six people that put us in those chairs,” McPhail said.
“We’re a community of almost 2,800 people and every single one of those has an equal voice and an equal vote.”
Video of Regular Meeting of Council - August 26 2020
Regular Meeting of Council - August 26 2020. Video provided by the Town of La Ronge.
Woytowich said clients at the shelter need to stay downtown. He’s considering options to buy a motel as a solution to the problem.
“Our clients are homeless, they don’t have vehicles. They also have mental health and addictions problems that require treatment every day.”
He reiterated if a solution isn’t found, that could have deadly results.
“I know that every year before we ran the shelter, people froze to death in the winter. When we opened nobody froze,” Woytowich said.
If you have information that you would like to share you can reach out to [email protected] to make arrangements for a secure file transfer.
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--Alberta to outline $20B-plus deficit in financial update

Albertans are to get a look at the province 's biggest deficit in history when the government releases its financial update today .
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has been warning that the deficit in the first quarter of the fiscal year will be `` well north of $ 20 billion '' and wo n't be improving any time soon .
He says the province has suffered a `` double whammy '' — a total collapse of energy prices that has `` clobbered '' the oil and gas industry and a global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the future we will , as a province , have to deal with that , '' Kenney said earlier this week .
`` There is a great fiscal reckoning on the horizon .
We are not going to allow that to get in the way of urgent action today to protect both lives and livelihoods . ''
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call it a tax • Trudeau confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and a chance to ditch TMX for good Alberta 's 2020-21 budget , released in February before the pandemic took off , had projected a deficit of $ 6.8 billion .
Debt was expected to rise to almost $ 77 billion by next spring and to almost $ 88 billion by 2023 .
The price of West Texas Intermediate oil was expected to average US $ 58 a barrel .
Kenney said fiscal revenues have dropped by more than $ 10 billion .
He acknowledges that other provinces are suffering as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alberta is .
`` Alberta is being hit especially hard .
The Conference Board of Canada projected that Alberta will have the most heavily hit economy in Canada this year , as we expected , '' Kenney said .
`` They 're expecting an 11 per cent contraction in Alberta 's economy , the most hard hit province in the federation . ''
Albertans are to get a look at the province 's biggest deficit in history when the government releases its financial update today , August 27 , 2020 .
This report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 27 , 2020

Albertans are to get a look at the province's biggest deficit in history when the government releases its financial update today.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has been warning that the deficit in the first quarter of the fiscal year will be "well north of $20 billion" and won't be improving any time soon.
He says the province has suffered a "double whammy" — a total collapse of energy prices that has "clobbered" the oil and gas industry and a global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Our debt will go up very significantly and in the future we will, as a province, have to deal with that," Kenney said earlier this week.
"There is a great fiscal reckoning on the horizon. We are not going to allow that to get in the way of urgent action today to protect both lives and livelihoods."


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--What happens when a wildfire meets a pandemic

This story was originally published by HuffPost and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , a dreaded question has hung heavy over Californians : What happens if a bad wildfire season hits and we ’ re still in the throes of COVID-19 ?
With about two dozen major fires burning across hundreds of thousands of acres on Thursday , forcing people to evacuate across Northern California , they ’ re about to find out .
On Wednesday , fire officials described a situation with little end in sight .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as new fires continue to ignite , ” Cal Fire public information officer Jeremy Rahn said of this week ’ s historic lightning siege , which set off more than 360 new fires across the state .
“ Unfortunately , several fires got away from us .
...
It expanded beyond our abilities , ” Cal Fire Unit Chief Shana Jones said .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NDP holds all the cards — and a chance to ditch TMX for good Fast-moving fires ripping through Sonoma , Napa and Solano counties are a painfully familiar site to residents of the fire-prone region , but the pandemic adds a new layer of danger .
Evacuating people is one of the more obvious challenges , said Dr. John Balmes , a physician at the University of California , San Francisco who also teaches and studies the health effects of air pollution at the University of California , Berkeley .
“ Now that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just put a lot of people in a high school gymnasium , which is often what ’ s done , ” said Balmes , a member of the California Air Resources Board , the state ’ s clean air agency .
The same concerns apply to firefighters ― many of whom are inmates ― who can ’ t easily bunk together or travel from other regions to battle the blaze .
But doctors are concerned about another , less visible threat : What happens to people ’ s pulmonary health when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to several adverse health conditions , descends into the lungs of people who already have COVID-19 ?
Given the novelty of the coronavirus , little is known for sure about how inhaling wildfire smoke may worsen someone ’ s COVID-19 symptoms .
“ There are a lot of the things that we still don ’ t understand , ” Dr. Stephanie Christenson , a pulmonologist and critical care doctor doing research at the University of California , San Francisco .
“ How is it going to make things worse for patients ?
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to get symptoms ?
If you ’ re recovering from the disease , how is this going to affect you ?
” Balmes said he ’ s been thinking about this for a while , and that there ’ s good reason to be worried .
“ We know that wildfire exposure to communities increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infection , ” such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia , Balmes said .
“ So there ’ s concern in the context of the pandemic that wildfire smoke exposure would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to more severe COVID-19.
” The potential dangers of smoke mingling with the coronavirus in people 's lungs have doctors worried .
How is it going to make things worse for patients ?
If you get the disease , are you more likely to get symptoms ?
If you ’ re recovering from the disease , how is this going to affect you ?
Dr. Stephanie Christenson , pulmonologist at the University of California , San Francisco It ’ s not just those close to the fires who are at risk .
Smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Area for days .
In many areas , the air quality index has been higher than 200 , which indicates that “ everyone may experience more serious health effects if they are exposed for 24 hours , ” according to the Environmental Protection Agency .
Wildfire smoke is “ kind of like tobacco smoke without the nicotine , ” Balmes said .
When someone inhales toxic particles from the smoke , their airways can become chemically injured , predisposing them to more severe infections , he said .
If their airways are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be in trouble .
Particulate matter from wildfire smoke may also build up on and damage the amoeba-like cells in a person ’ s lungs that serve as a first line of defense against viral infections , Balmes added .
What ’ s less clear is whether wildfire smoke increases the likelihood of catching COVID-19 .
A July study out of China found that even short-term exposure to air pollution ― as one experiences during a wildfire ― was linked to a higher rate of confirmed COVID-19 infections .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in highly polluted areas tend to have several other high-risk factors for disease , Christenson said , so the study might not say much about wildfire smoke in particular .
There is , however , one simple possibility : Wildfire smoke makes people cough , and coughing spreads disease .
Christenson doesn ’ t think that ’ s a small contributor .
“ That ’ s why the American Thoracic Society put out guidelines to not use tear gas [ on protesters ] , because it can make people cough more and salivate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the same thing happening with choirs , where infected people easily spread the coronavirus while singing , she added .
In one instance , it took just one infected person to get 52 others sick .

This story was originally published by HuffPost and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a dreaded question has hung heavy over Californians: What happens if a bad wildfire season hits and we’re still in the throes of COVID-19? With about two dozen major fires burning across hundreds of thousands of acres on Thursday, forcing people to evacuate across Northern California, they’re about to find out. On Wednesday, fire officials described a situation with little end in sight. “California’s firefighting resources are depleted as new fires continue to ignite,” Cal Fire public information officer Jeremy Rahn said of this week’s historic lightning siege, which set off more than 360 new fires across the state. “Unfortunately, several fires got away from us. ... It expanded beyond our abilities,” Cal Fire Unit Chief Shana Jones said.
Fast-moving fires ripping through Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties are a painfully familiar site to residents of the fire-prone region, but the pandemic adds a new layer of danger. Evacuating people is one of the more obvious challenges, said Dr. John Balmes, a physician at the University of California, San Francisco who also teaches and studies the health effects of air pollution at the University of California, Berkeley. “Now that we have this pandemic, we can’t just put a lot of people in a high school gymnasium, which is often what’s done,” said Balmes, a member of the California Air Resources Board, the state’s clean air agency. The same concerns apply to firefighters ― many of whom are inmates ― who can’t easily bunk together or travel from other regions to battle the blaze. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But doctors are concerned about another, less visible threat: What happens to people’s pulmonary health when wildfire smoke, a dangerous pollutant linked to several adverse health conditions, descends into the lungs of people who already have COVID-19? Given the novelty of the coronavirus, little is known for sure about how inhaling wildfire smoke may worsen someone’s COVID-19 symptoms.
“There are a lot of the things that we still don’t understand,” Dr. Stephanie Christenson, a pulmonologist and critical care doctor doing research at the University of California, San Francisco. “How is it going to make things worse for patients? If you get the disease, are you more likely to get symptoms? If you’re recovering from the disease, how is this going to affect you?” The potential dangers of smoke mingling with the coronavirus in people's lungs have doctors worried. Balmes said he’s been thinking about this for a while, and that there’s good reason to be worried. “We know that wildfire exposure to communities increases the risk of lower respiratory tract infection,” such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia, Balmes said. “So there’s concern in the context of the pandemic that wildfire smoke exposure would increase the risk of moving from mild to more severe COVID-19.” How is it going to make things worse for patients? If you get the disease, are you more likely to get symptoms? If you’re recovering from the disease, how is this going to affect you? Dr. Stephanie Christenson, pulmonologist at the University of California, San Francisco
It’s not just those close to the fires who are at risk. Smoke has spread across the entire San Francisco Bay Area for days. In many areas, the air quality index has been higher than 200, which indicates that “everyone may experience more serious health effects if they are exposed for 24 hours,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Wildfire smoke is “kind of like tobacco smoke without the nicotine,” Balmes said. When someone inhales toxic particles from the smoke, their airways can become chemically injured, predisposing them to more severe infections, he said. If their airways are also badly inflamed from COVID-19, they could be in trouble. Particulate matter from wildfire smoke may also build up on and damage the amoeba-like cells in a person’s lungs that serve as a first line of defense against viral infections, Balmes added.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--At least one in three northern women sexually harassed: survey

More than one-third of women in Canada 's three northern territories have been subjected to unwelcome sexual attention in a public place , says a survey from Statistics Canada .
`` Women are far more disproportionately targeted by these behaviours than men , '' said statistician Adam Cotter .
The survey , released Wednesday , looks at what it calls unwanted sexual behaviours .
That includes unwanted attention , sexual comments , close contact or online remarks .
That behaviour is n't criminal , but the survey says it stems from the same cause as more violent harassment .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structures and beliefs that are similar to those which underlie sexual assault , '' it says .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call it a tax • Trudeau confidence vote means NDP holds all the cards — and a chance to ditch TMX for good `` ( The unwelcome behaviours ) are still going to have considerable impact on whether or not you feel safe and comfortable in engaging in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going out in public , walking on the streets , using libraries , bars , restaurants , '' Cotter said .
The 2018 survey of 2,500 people in Yukon , the Northwest Territories and Nunavut found that 35 per cent of women and 16 per cent of men were on the receiving end of that behaviour in public spaces .
Roughly the same proportion had the same experience in their workplace , as did nearly one-quarter of women and 16 per cent of men online .
About seven per cent of women reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number three times higher than the figure for men .
Non-gender-conforming people reported even higher figures .
About 43 per cent of LGBTQ respondents said they 'd experienced inappropriate sexual behaviour .
More than 40 per cent of men and women who said they 'd been targeted more than once said they had changed their behaviour as a result .
The survey found 41 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men said they avoided certain people or situations .
Some said it damaged their mental health .
More than one-third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ territories have been subjected to unwelcome sexual attention in a public place , says a survey from Statistics Canada .
For both men and women , the most common perpetrator was a man acting alone .
`` The vast majority of perpetrators are strangers , '' said Cotter .
The study builds on earlier work done by Statistics Canada in the provinces .
The findings were similar , Cotter said .
`` We did n't find any significant differences between the provinces and territories . ''
Yukoners reported the highest rate of unwanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next , followed by Nunavummiut .
Nunavut 's relatively low rate seems to contradict the territory 's nation-leading rates of sexual assault .
Cotter suggested that 's because Nunavut has a lower percentage of people living in the capital .
While sexual assault is often committed by someone known to the victim , unwanted sexual attention is more often a product of the anonymity afforded by larger centres .
`` Part of it is the nature of these kinds of behaviours compared to other kinds of sexual victimization , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a broader attempt by the agency to understand what makes cities feel safe , `` making sure there 's data to support anecdotal evidence . ''

More than one-third of women in Canada's three northern territories have been subjected to unwelcome sexual attention in a public place, says a survey from Statistics Canada. "Women are far more disproportionately targeted by these behaviours than men," said statistician Adam Cotter. The survey, released Wednesday, looks at what it calls unwanted sexual behaviours. That includes unwanted attention, sexual comments, close contact or online remarks. That behaviour isn't criminal, but the survey says it stems from the same cause as more violent harassment. "These behaviours stem from social norms, structures and beliefs that are similar to those which underlie sexual assault," it says.
"(The unwelcome behaviours) are still going to have considerable impact on whether or not you feel safe and comfortable in engaging in various parts of everyday life — just going out in public, walking on the streets, using libraries, bars, restaurants," Cotter said. The 2018 survey of 2,500 people in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut found that 35 per cent of women and 16 per cent of men were on the receiving end of that behaviour in public spaces. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Roughly the same proportion had the same experience in their workplace, as did nearly one-quarter of women and 16 per cent of men online. About seven per cent of women reported harassment in all three places — a number three times higher than the figure for men.
Non-gender-conforming people reported even higher figures. About 43 per cent of LGBTQ respondents said they'd experienced inappropriate sexual behaviour. More than one-third of women in Canada's three northern territories have been subjected to unwelcome sexual attention in a public place, says a survey from Statistics Canada. More than 40 per cent of men and women who said they'd been targeted more than once said they had changed their behaviour as a result. The survey found 41 per cent of women and 42 per cent of men said they avoided certain people or situations. Some said it damaged their mental health. For both men and women, the most common perpetrator was a man acting alone. "The vast majority of perpetrators are strangers," said Cotter.
The study builds on earlier work done by Statistics Canada in the provinces. The findings were similar, Cotter said. "We didn't find any significant differences between the provinces and territories." Yukoners reported the highest rate of unwanted sexual attention. N.W.T. residents came next, followed by Nunavummiut.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--Tories call on speaking agency to release records on WE's payments to Trudeau family

The federal Conservatives are calling on a speaking agency through which WE Charity paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's family to hand over all documents about the arrangements .
The request is contained in a letter from Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett to Speakers ' Spotlight on Thursday that notes the agency was first asked by the House of Commons ethics committee to produce the documents last month .
The initial deadline was July 29 for all records pertaining to speaking appearances by Trudeau , his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau , mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different WE events dating back to October 2008 .
The agency subsequently asked for an extension and the committee agreed to a new date of Aug. 19 .
Trudeau prorogued Parliament one day before that new deadline , ending the committee investigations that were underway into the WE controversy .
Parliament is set to return Sept. 23 with a new speech from the throne .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote means NDP holds all the cards — and a chance to ditch TMX for good In his letter , Barrett said the committee agreed to the request for an extension `` in good faith , '' and that the decision to prorogue Parliament represented `` an attack on our democracy and the ethics committee 's duty to Canadians to pursue truth and justice . ''
Despite prorogation , however , Barrett said there was nothing to stop the agency from `` doing the right thing '' and delivering the documents .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not hinder your ability to make this information public in order to bring clarity and transparency to government , '' he wrote .
The federal ethics watchdog is investigating whether Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act for his role in the Liberal government 's decision to have WE administer a multimillion-dollar student-volunteer program .
WE backed out of the agreement in early July , citing the political controversy , and the program has been abandoned .
Trudeau has been a featured speaker at six WE Day events and his wife hosts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Trudeaus have said the couple was not paid for their work .
But WE has confirmed that Trudeau 's mother was paid about $ 250,000 for 28 speaking appearances at WE-related events between 2016 and 2020 and his brother has been paid $ 32,000 for eight events .
The federal Conservatives are calling on a speaking agency through which WE Charity paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's family to hand over all documents about the arrangements .
The organization has also said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses , while Gregoire Trudeau has participated in seven WE Days and received an average of $ 3,618 for each event , to cover her expenses .
That works out to $ 25,326 in total .
Trudeau has apologized for not recusing himself from cabinet 's discussions about the agreement to have WE run Canada Student Services Grant , but insisted it was public servants who recommended the organization .
Thousands of government documents released by Trudeau last week appeared to back up that assertion , but they also suggested bureaucrats may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their political masters .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27 , 2020 .

The federal Conservatives are calling on a speaking agency through which WE Charity paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family to hand over all documents about the arrangements. The request is contained in a letter from Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett to Speakers' Spotlight on Thursday that notes the agency was first asked by the House of Commons ethics committee to produce the documents last month. The initial deadline was July 29 for all records pertaining to speaking appearances by Trudeau, his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, mother Margaret Trudeau and brother Alexandre Trudeau at different WE events dating back to October 2008. The agency subsequently asked for an extension and the committee agreed to a new date of Aug. 19. Trudeau prorogued Parliament one day before that new deadline, ending the committee investigations that were underway into the WE controversy. Parliament is set to return Sept. 23 with a new speech from the throne.
In his letter, Barrett said the committee agreed to the request for an extension "in good faith," and that the decision to prorogue Parliament represented "an attack on our democracy and the ethics committee's duty to Canadians to pursue truth and justice." Despite prorogation, however, Barrett said there was nothing to stop the agency from "doing the right thing" and delivering the documents. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "The shuttering of the ethics committee does not hinder your ability to make this information public in order to bring clarity and transparency to government," he wrote.
The federal ethics watchdog is investigating whether Trudeau violated the Conflict of Interest Act for his role in the Liberal government's decision to have WE administer a multimillion-dollar student-volunteer program. WE backed out of the agreement in early July, citing the political controversy, and the program has been abandoned. The federal Conservatives are calling on a speaking agency through which WE Charity paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to members of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's family to hand over all documents about the arrangements. Trudeau has been a featured speaker at six WE Day events and his wife hosts a podcast for the group. Both WE and the Trudeaus have said the couple was not paid for their work. But WE has confirmed that Trudeau's mother was paid about $250,000 for 28 speaking appearances at WE-related events between 2016 and 2020 and his brother has been paid $32,000 for eight events. The organization has also said the two were reimbursed about $200,000 in expenses, while Gregoire Trudeau has participated in seven WE Days and received an average of $3,618 for each event, to cover her expenses. That works out to $25,326 in total. Trudeau has apologized for not recusing himself from cabinet's discussions about the agreement to have WE run Canada Student Services Grant, but insisted it was public servants who recommended the organization.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--NDP suggests how Liberals should reallocate $900 million in WE funds

The NDP 's party whip wants Ottawa to take the $ 900-million budget for WE Charity ’ s now infamous and defunct volunteer initiative and distribute it to another federal youth program .
It ’ s not too late to use the funds to employ youth and support businesses and community groups across the country that are struggling economically during the pandemic , said Rachel Blaney , MP for North Island-Powell River .
“ We are reminding ( the Liberals ) that they have avenues to do it if they really care about young people and communities across this country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Observer .
“ And we hope they will look at them.
” Blaney wants the federal government to funnel the shelved WE funds into the Canada Summer Jobs ( CSJ ) program , a wage subsidy plan for employers who hire youth and one that is already operational , Blaney said .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call it a tax • Trudeau confidence vote means NDP holds all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ditch TMX for good In her riding alone , she said there is a $ 530,000 allocation gap in unmet demand by employers whose CSJ applications didn ’ t get approved by Ottawa .
This represents good jobs for students that haven ’ t been created , Blaney stated in a letter to the federal ministers of finance , employment and youth on Aug. 21 .
Rachel Blaney , NDP party whip and North Island-Powell River MP , wants the $ 900-million WE Charity budget put into the Canada Summer Jobs program .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ laid waste to work opportunities for young people .
The student employment rate fell by 23.6 percentage points for youth aged 20 to 24 from February to April of this year , according to Statistics Canada data .
And more one-third ( 35 per cent ) of students surveyed reported that their work placements were cancelled or delayed due to the pandemic , said Statistics Canada , The lack of employment for students is likely compounding their debt loads or ability to repay loans , the federal agency added .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have avenues to do it if they really care about young people and communities across this country , ” MP Rachel Blaney calls on Ottawa to help students by pushing $ 900 WE budget to Canada Summer Jobs program .
Using the CSJ program is a practical solution to alleviate youth unemployment and support community businesses and organizations at the same time , Blaney said .
The infrastructure and applicants are already in place , so the federal government could get funds to the people who need them quickly , Blaney added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle of a pandemic , using ( programs ) that already work just makes sense , ” she said .
Blaney said she doesn ’ t fully understand why the federal government tried to set up a new youth engagement program when it had a publicly administered one already in place .
WE Charity , a Toronto-based organization , was slated to run the proposed multimillion-dollar Canada Student Service Grant ( CSSG ) program , which encouraged students to volunteer during the pandemic .
However , the project was cancelled and the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former finance minister Bill Morneau families ’ ties to the youth charity .
Blaney said CSJ funding would benefit students in her riding who aren ’ t returning to post-secondary education this fall and are looking for work .
The federal employment or finance ministries did not provide comment or clarify how the WE funds will be used in the future before the National Observer ’ s publication deadline .
To help alleviate COVID-19 ’ s disproportionate economic impacts on post-secondary students , Ottawa rolled out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It paid $ 1,250 a month to students who did not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ( CERB ) or employment insurance ( EI ) , and $ 2,000 a month to students with a disability or dependants .
However , last week the finance and employment ministries confirmed CESB will expire as planned at the end of August .
The ministries did not clarify if students could expect any further financial supports moving forward — despite extending CERB for four weeks before transitioning eligible workers to new EI schemes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The federal government had already modified and expanded the CSJ program in response to the pandemic .
Employers approved for CSJ funding were eligible for wage subsidies of up to 100 per cent of the minimum wage in their region , up from a 50 per cent wage subsidy in years prior .
They could also hire part-time employees as opposed to just offering full-time positions , as was required in the past .
And though the youth employment program typically covers the whole summer , this year , eligible employers could offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helen Hall , executive director of the Friends of Cortes Island Society ( FOCI ) , said the federal summer jobs program has been invaluable to the community organization .
“ We find ... having a person during the summer is really , really helpful to the organization , ” said Hall , adding the new and flexible measures offered by the federal government were a welcome bonus .
FOCI is a predominately volunteer-based charitable organization and has been active for more than 25 years on Cortes Island , B.C .
The small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island works to monitor and preserve the island ’ s ecosystems and provides educational programs to increase understanding of the natural environment .
“ Basically , the ( program ) enables us to do work we couldn ’ t otherwise do because we don ’ t have the resources , ” Hall said , adding program applicants must hire people aged 15 to 30 years old .
Autumn Barrett-Morgan was hired by FOCI through the CSJ program .
“ I 'm really grateful , ” said the 26-year-old ecosystem management technician .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island doing ( ecological ) work , but none with the funding to actually hire me.
” Barrett-Morgan is responsible for helping with FOCI ’ s conservation monitoring programs , scientific fieldwork and community engagement .
Her summer job helps her get valuable paid work experience that reflects her post-secondary training , Barrett-Morgan said , adding without the opportunity , she ’ d likely try to find work as a gardener or in the service industry .
The CSJ program also gives students an opportunity to try different jobs to see what might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learn more about a specific employer , she added .
“ People can dive a little bit deeper into some of the local organizations that they 're interested in , ” Barrett-Morgan said .
She said the program provided her with quality employment and allowed her to remain in her small island community .
“ I think it ’ s important to have a more tangible experience in my field , especially because it ’ s rooted in a place that I call home right now .
”

The NDP's party whip wants Ottawa to take the $900-million budget for WE Charity’s now infamous and defunct volunteer initiative and distribute it to another federal youth program. It’s not too late to use the funds to employ youth and support businesses and community groups across the country that are struggling economically during the pandemic, said Rachel Blaney, MP for North Island-Powell River. “We are reminding (the Liberals) that they have avenues to do it if they really care about young people and communities across this country,” Blaney told Canada’s National Observer. “And we hope they will look at them.” Blaney wants the federal government to funnel the shelved WE funds into the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, a wage subsidy plan for employers who hire youth and one that is already operational, Blaney said.
In her riding alone, she said there is a $530,000 allocation gap in unmet demand by employers whose CSJ applications didn’t get approved by Ottawa. This represents good jobs for students that haven’t been created, Blaney stated in a letter to the federal ministers of finance, employment and youth on Aug. 21. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Rachel Blaney, NDP party whip and North Island-Powell River MP, wants the $900-million WE Charity budget put into the Canada Summer Jobs program. Photo supplied by NDP
Student jobs hit harder during COVID-19 crisis The pandemic has laid waste to work opportunities for young people. “We are reminding (the Liberals) that they have avenues to do it if they really care about young people and communities across this country,” MP Rachel Blaney calls on Ottawa to help students by pushing $900 WE budget to Canada Summer Jobs program. The student employment rate fell by 23.6 percentage points for youth aged 20 to 24 from February to April of this year, according to Statistics Canada data. And more one-third (35 per cent) of students surveyed reported that their work placements were cancelled or delayed due to the pandemic, said Statistics Canada, The lack of employment for students is likely compounding their debt loads or ability to repay loans, the federal agency added. Using the CSJ program is a practical solution to alleviate youth unemployment and support community businesses and organizations at the same time, Blaney said.
The infrastructure and applicants are already in place, so the federal government could get funds to the people who need them quickly, Blaney added. “When you’re in the middle of a pandemic, using (programs) that already work just makes sense,” she said. Blaney said she doesn’t fully understand why the federal government tried to set up a new youth engagement program when it had a publicly administered one already in place.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--Canada says its international climate actions support women, but do they?

On May 20 , Cyclone Amphan made landfall in West Bengal , devastating crops , livestock , shelters and homes in parts of India and Bangladesh .
For state governments already struggling to manage COVID-19 lockdowns , and to provide basic services for thousands left unemployed and sent home by the pandemic , Amphan couldn ’ t have come at a worse time .
At US $ 13.4 billion , Amphan was the costliest cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean .
With just months to go , and needs higher than ever , current pledges put the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 billion short of that goal .
As countries prepare to announce ambition-raising climate actions for the 2020-2025 period , it is critical that Canada does its part to increase both the quantity and quality of its climate finance .
Experience from Canada ’ s last five-year commitment offers three key areas of improvement `` Canada must commit at least 50 per cent of its international climate finance towards adaptation projects aimed at addressing the needs of people and countries most at risk of suffering the direct impacts of climate change . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair share of the US $ 100 billion international climate finance goal .
International climate finance represents not only an act of climate justice , but also a measure of countries ’ commitments to the “ polluter pays ” and “ Common but Differentiated Responsibilities ” principles that underpin the Paris Agreement .
Currently ranking 14th among climate finance-contributing countries , but third in global per capita emissions , Canada can and should do better .
Based on its proportion of Gross National Income among the world ’ s wealthy economies , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least C $ 1.8 billion per year in bilateral climate finance — more than double its current commitment .
Second , Canada must commit at least 50 per cent of its international climate finance towards adaptation projects aimed at addressing the needs of people and countries most at risk of suffering the direct impacts of climate change .
Responsible for just three per cent of the global carbon footprint , the world ’ s poorest 1 billion people offer limited returns in global emissions reduction .
By contrast , developing countries bear up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of climate change through food insecurity , loss and damage , compromised livelihoods , and instability .
Without urgent scaling up of adaptation finance and strategies , these mounting costs will become unmanageable for resource-scarce countries .
Despite the clear need to increase funding for adaptation , global adaptation flows as a proportion of public climate finance continues to linger below 20 per cent , and make up just 28 per cent of Canada ’ s current portfolio .
The Canada-supported Global Commission on Adaptation estimates that investing US $ 1.8 trillion globally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 to 2030 could generate US $ 7.1 trillion in total net benefits .
Finally , Canada should commit 15 per cent of its international climate finance towards gender equality as a “ principal ” objective , and a minimum of 80 per cent as a “ significant ” objective , in line with its Feminist International Assistance Policy .
Gender inequalities affect the way people of different genders are able to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change .
At the same time , women play a central role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by developing creative solutions to build the resilience of their communities to climate shocks and stresses .
Although Canada leads its peers in terms of proportion of its climate finance that promotes gender equality as one of several objectives , virtually none of Canada ’ s international climate finance goes to gender-specific projects .
In CARE Canada ’ s experience , gender-specific financing in all areas of international assistance needs to be protected in policy .
Otherwise , it is too often diverted towards other objectives deemed more urgent or easier to achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as usual in all sectors and in every country around the world , it provides a disturbing preview of the sorts of systems-level destructions experts anticipate if global climate action is not urgently scaled up .
The pandemic response also demonstrates how quickly political will and vast resources can be shifted to respond to an imminent threat .
As world leaders prepare to announce new climate action plans in the coming months , the Government of Canada faces a historic opportunity to demonstrate what a truly feminist international climate finance package can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more inclusive recovery .

On May 20, Cyclone Amphan made landfall in West Bengal, devastating crops, livestock, shelters and homes in parts of India and Bangladesh. For state governments already struggling to manage COVID-19 lockdowns, and to provide basic services for thousands left unemployed and sent home by the pandemic, Amphan couldn’t have come at a worse time. At US$13.4 billion, Amphan was the costliest cyclone ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean. Based on current trends, it will not hold that title for long. Last year was the second warmest year in recorded history. As global temperatures continue to rise, the impacts of climate change are compounding many of the world’s most intractable challenges.
Without urgent action, climate change could push an additional 100 million people into extreme poverty by 2030, force up to 250 million people from their homes by 2050, and expose 3 billion people to Saharan heat levels by 2070. Just like COVID-19, climate change preys on those least able to recover and who have the fewest resources to help them cope in times of crisis. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In order to help developing countries bear this burden, in 2009, industrialized countries agreed to jointly mobilize US$100 billion per year in international climate finance by 2020.
With just months to go, and needs higher than ever, current pledges put the world on track to draw up US$37 billion short of that goal. "Canada must commit at least 50 per cent of its international climate finance towards adaptation projects aimed at addressing the needs of people and countries most at risk of suffering the direct impacts of climate change." As countries prepare to announce ambition-raising climate actions for the 2020-2025 period, it is critical that Canada does its part to increase both the quantity and quality of its climate finance. Experience from Canada’s last five-year commitment offers three key areas of improvement First, Canada needs to meet its fair share of the US$100 billion international climate finance goal. International climate finance represents not only an act of climate justice, but also a measure of countries’ commitments to the “polluter pays” and “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” principles that underpin the Paris Agreement.
Currently ranking 14th among climate finance-contributing countries, but third in global per capita emissions, Canada can and should do better. Based on its proportion of Gross National Income among the world’s wealthy economies, Canada’s fair share amounts to at least C$1.8 billion per year in bilateral climate finance — more than double its current commitment. Second, Canada must commit at least 50 per cent of its international climate finance towards adaptation projects aimed at addressing the needs of people and countries most at risk of suffering the direct impacts of climate change.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--Wet'suwet'en Matriarchs, sacred berries and MMIWG

Gracie Holland , 49 , of the Tsayu ( Beaver ) clan is Florence ’ s niece and sings in a Wet'suwet'en women ’ s drum group called Ewh Hiyah Hozdli .
Florence and Dolly are in the drum group too .
She is a mother to two adult daughters and a grandmother to a two-year-old boy .
At first , Gracie seemed leery of me , and I was unsure how to take her .
Was she suspicious of me because I 'm the media ?
Or was it just me jumping to conclusions ?
I felt instantly intrigued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her eyes focused on me , but were distant at the same time .
I made conversation and introduced her to Dani and we got to know each other a bit while Florence ran to pick up Dolly .
She lives in a log house built by her father — a sturdy , rustic and warm-smelling refuge with paper “ angels ” made from tracings of former house guests ' hands that dangle from the main floor ceiling .
It gets cold in winter , she said .
To stay warm , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wood fireplace doesn ’ t reach them .
Not surprisingly , Gracie is an Elvis fan , too , along with one of her daughter ’ s .
Taped on two entranceways are life-size cut-outs of the King .
Gracie said they ’ re leftover decorations from her daughter ’ s birthday a few years back that they never took down .
Gracie was raised in and out of foster care far away from her family and traditions , she said .
She kept running away to get back home to Wet'suwet'en @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be back with her family .
She tells me she ’ s survived two strokes and two brain aneurysms , so she forgets things sometimes .
There was also a car accident in 2011 , which left her “ mangled ” .
She had to learn to walk again .
She lost her parents in separate crashes on Highway 16 , a.ka .
the Highway of Tears .
That ’ s when she momentarily broke down .
So much pain there .
She ’ s fiercely proud when it comes to her culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I learned her spirit is gentle and gracious .
Like her name .
I felt my perceived tensions ease up and concluded Gracie is a resilient woman who 's been through the ringer and has still managed to retain a tender heart .
When Florence returned , I met Dolly .
She ’ s actually a doll .
She ’ s a Wet ’ suwet ’ en matriarch from the Tsayu Clan , a language teacher and a mother of one son .
She was wearing a handmade birch bark headband and brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crests of her mother clan .
The women were going to sing for Dani and me .
Gracie put on her regalia , a beautiful blanket-style cape she made in Wet ’ suwet ’ en black and white .
We went out to Gracie ’ s yard and the ladies stood proudly in front of a stunning mountain in the distance .
The sun was setting and its orange glow radiated around them .
They didn ’ t play their drums because a community member had recently passed away .
During a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suwet ’ en put away their sacred drums .
But the matriarchs held their drums to their chests as if they were shields or symbols of courage and tradition that provided spiritual significance .
The trio sang the Women 's Warrior Song .
It was one I knew .
We sing it up in Treaty 6 territories where I ’ m from .
It ’ s a song of strength , peace and unification .
I felt honoured to be there .
I noticed semis and other vehicles whisking by and thought about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ironic given the beauty and resilience of these Wet ’ suwet ’ en women singing .
They live so close to a road where their women and girls have been violently stalked .
Dolly led another song , a Beaver song , which was light and playful .
We all clapped along in celebration .
It was finally time for Indian ice cream .
We went inside and Florence took out a hand blender she 'd brought from home .
With some green soapberries in a plastic mixing bowl , she started whipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she offered me the chance to help make it .
The Niwus transformed into a bubbly substance and then into a white , fluffy form .
Florence told me it 's ready when the Niwus Indian ice cream sticks to the bowl when you turn it upside down .
A couple teaspoons of sugar were added to curb the bitter taste .
Then Gracie was the taste tester to determine if it was ready to eat .
Everyone was silent as they watched her dip her spoon in and take a bite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yes !
This is what I had been so curious about .
Everyone gathered around the table , and they watched as I took my first taste .
It was bitter .
Oh , it was bitter .
But it was heavenly .
Because it was an honour for me to be taking part in this special part of their culture .
“ It ’ s an acquired taste , ” they laughed as they watched me trying not to show my soured reaction .
It was soft and subtly sweet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this with them and with my daughter .
Immediately , I felt as if I belonged with this group of women from this small corner of the world .
Our conversations flowed as if we knew each other all along .
So many quirks and Indigenous cultural nuances between us made it easy .
Florence announced , “ You ’ re one of us now !
” because I had eaten Indian ice cream , and we all chuckled .
Not long after , our conversation turned serious again .

Gracie Holland, 49, of the Tsayu (Beaver) clan is Florence’s niece and sings in a Wet'suwet'en women’s drum group called Ewh Hiyah Hozdli. Florence and Dolly are in the drum group too. She is a mother to two adult daughters and a grandmother to a two-year-old boy.
At first, Gracie seemed leery of me, and I was unsure how to take her. Was she suspicious of me because I'm the media? Or was it just me jumping to conclusions?
I felt instantly intrigued by her. She was stoic. Her eyes focused on me, but were distant at the same time. I made conversation and introduced her to Dani and we got to know each other a bit while Florence ran to pick up Dolly.
She lives in a log house built by her father — a sturdy, rustic and warm-smelling refuge with paper “angels” made from tracings of former house guests' hands that dangle from the main floor ceiling. It gets cold in winter, she said. To stay warm, she places electric heaters in the rooms because the wood fireplace doesn’t reach them.
Not surprisingly, Gracie is an Elvis fan, too, along with one of her daughter’s. Taped on two entranceways are life-size cut-outs of the King. Gracie said they’re leftover decorations from her daughter’s birthday a few years back that they never took down.
Gracie was raised in and out of foster care far away from her family and traditions, she said. She kept running away to get back home to Wet'suwet'en country and never gave up fighting to be back with her family.
She tells me she’s survived two strokes and two brain aneurysms, so she forgets things sometimes. There was also a car accident in 2011, which left her “mangled”. She had to learn to walk again.
She lost her parents in separate crashes on Highway 16, a.ka. the Highway of Tears. That’s when she momentarily broke down. So much pain there. She’s fiercely proud when it comes to her culture, family and justice for MMIWG.
I learned her spirit is gentle and gracious. Like her name.
I felt my perceived tensions ease up and concluded Gracie is a resilient woman who's been through the ringer and has still managed to retain a tender heart.
When Florence returned, I met Dolly. She’s actually a doll. She’s a Wet’suwet’en matriarch from the Tsayu Clan, a language teacher and a mother of one son. She was wearing a handmade birch bark headband and brought her deer hide drum, painted with the crests of her mother clan. The women were going to sing for Dani and me.
Gracie put on her regalia, a beautiful blanket-style cape she made in Wet’suwet’en black and white.
We went out to Gracie’s yard and the ladies stood proudly in front of a stunning mountain in the distance. The sun was setting and its orange glow radiated around them.
They didn’t play their drums because a community member had recently passed away. During a time of mourning, the Wet’suwet’en put away their sacred drums. But the matriarchs held their drums to their chests as if they were shields or symbols of courage and tradition that provided spiritual significance.
The trio sang the Women's Warrior Song. It was one I knew. We sing it up in Treaty 6 territories where I’m from. It’s a song of strength, peace and unification. I felt honoured to be there.
I noticed semis and other vehicles whisking by and thought about the Highway of Tears. It was ironic given the beauty and resilience of these Wet’suwet’en women singing. They live so close to a road where their women and girls have been violently stalked. Dolly led another song, a Beaver song, which was light and playful. We all clapped along in celebration.
It was finally time for Indian ice cream.
We went inside and Florence took out a hand blender she'd brought from home. With some green soapberries in a plastic mixing bowl, she started whipping. I was so excited. Soon, she offered me the chance to help make it.
The Niwus transformed into a bubbly substance and then into a white, fluffy form.
Florence told me it's ready when the Niwus Indian ice cream sticks to the bowl when you turn it upside down. A couple teaspoons of sugar were added to curb the bitter taste. Then Gracie was the taste tester to determine if it was ready to eat. Everyone was silent as they watched her dip her spoon in and take a bite. She nodded her head in approval.
Yes! This is what I had been so curious about.
Everyone gathered around the table, and they watched as I took my first taste. It was bitter. Oh, it was bitter. But it was heavenly. Because it was an honour for me to be taking part in this special part of their culture.
“It’s an acquired taste,” they laughed as they watched me trying not to show my soured reaction.
It was soft and subtly sweet. It was a beautiful experience to eat this with them and with my daughter.
Immediately, I felt as if I belonged with this group of women from this small corner of the world. Our conversations flowed as if we knew each other all along. So many quirks and Indigenous cultural nuances between us made it easy.
Florence announced, “You’re one of us now!” because I had eaten Indian ice cream, and we all chuckled.
Not long after, our conversation turned serious again.


nationalobserver--2020-08-27--California reveals that the transition to renewable energy Isn’t so simple

This story was originally published by Slate and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration The recent “ heat storm ” in California has pushed grid operators to impose rolling blackouts for the first time since 2001 .
A combination of heavy air conditioning usage , the unplanned unavailability of some power plants , limited options for importing power from neighboring states , and insufficient solar and wind generation have led to an imbalance of electricity generation and consumption .
As Stephen Berberich , president of the California Independent System Operator , or CAISO , which oversees operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told Sammy Roth of the Los Angeles Times , “ We thought there would be adequate power to supply the demand .
… We were wrong.
” The blackouts are designed to affect customers for no more than an hour or two .
Some may find that little more than mildly inconvenient .
Others more prone to heat stress or in possession of medicines that require refrigeration might be more worried , with good reason .
The aggregate reaction could prove substantial , especially if we face more rounds of shortages in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last time this happened to us Californians , we altered long-held plans to partially deregulate electricity systems , recalled Gov .
Gray Davis , and pushed Enron , one of the energy services providers found guilty of gaming electricity markets , into bankruptcy .
This time , what we ’ re seeing should give renewable energy advocates pause .
For years , renewable energy enthusiasts have insisted that most of the problems of the electric grid were caused by outdated and inflexible coal , natural gas , and nuclear energy technologies .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turbines , smart meters , electricity storage , and payments for flexible demand would lower costs and improve reliability for everyone .
Some academic studies showed that renewables could easily supply 80 percent or more of an electric grid ’ s demands .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call it a tax • Trudeau confidence vote means NDP holds all the cards — and a chance to ditch TMX for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly solar and wind , generating about 30 percent of California ’ s electricity today , we are witnessing the types of obstacles and problems that these new technologies introduce .
Solar power , of course , is well matched with high demand for air conditioning in the middle of the day .
That advantage disappears when the sun goes down but the temperature doesn ’ t .
Distributed and centralized electricity storage technologies can shift some power generation toward later in the day .
But lithium-ion battery systems are usually designed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accommodate much of the daily swings in solar generation , but not the type of extreme surges in demand we ’ ve seen this week .
Storage technologies that last a few days would help , but truly high-renewables systems will likely require seasonal storage technologies that can shift consumption from the hot months to the cool months .
Beyond geographically constrained , pumped hydroelectric storage systems , those technologies are largely nonexistent .
Advocates emphasize that solar and wind complement each other ; the wind usually blows while the sun doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And even if a renewable resource is less available in one part of the country , long-distance power lines can transmit electricity from other regions .
These are features of a wind-and-solar-heavy system—until they ’ re bugs .
In California this week , the heat pushed power demand to near record highs , solar generation plummeted in the evening , the winds slowed faster than expected , and the same thing happened in Nevada , Arizona , and other states we usually import electricity from .
The result was predictable to anyone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition to renewable energy technologies .
Part of the problem here is how much solar generation drops as the sun goes down and how much flexible generation needs to fire up to compensate .
The amount of solar power has increased substantially in California over the last decade .
The required summer “ ramp-up ” of firm generation ( generators like natural gas plants that can be turned on and kept on ) between the middle of the day and the evening—when the sun sets and many people turn on lights and appliances—has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a large amount of solar during the day to a large amount of natural gas and imports during the evening , and the size of this shift is growing .
This puts stress on the rest of the electricity grid and increases the risk that disruptions in either in-state power generation or imports could lead to shortfalls .
About two-thirds of the generation ramp-up comes from natural gas plants in California , while the remaining third comes from imports from neighboring states .
In this case , blackouts resulted from a combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme demand associated with the heat wave—and a number of natural gas plants unexpectedly going offline .
More gas plants or battery storage can be added in the short term to hedge against future energy use spikes , but having resources that sit idle for the vast majority of the time increases the overall cost of generating electricity .
California ’ s challenges are exacerbated by the declining availability of reliable , always-on nuclear capacity in the state .
In 2012 , Southern California Edison closed the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grid in one fell swoop .
* The power once generated by SONGS was largely replaced by natural gas , causing a jump in carbon emissions and a squeeze in electric capacity reserve margins .
A similar fate now awaits the Diablo Canyon Power Plant , the last nuclear plant in the state .
In 2016 , Pacific Gas & Electric announced that it would not seek a license extension for Diablo Canyon .
Sometimes the features of a wind-and-solar system turn out to be bugs .
Replacing California ’ s nuclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a renewable energy future and building one .
The Natural Resources Defense Council , which pushed to close Diablo Canyon , argued at the time that the plant ’ s electricity would “ be replaced with gains in energy efficiency , renewable power , and pollution-free energy technologies.
” But an initial California Public Utility Commission replacement plan included substantial natural gas capacity .
( The NRDC called the plan “ deeply flawed.
” ) In 2018 , the state Legislature passed a law directing the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shuts down in 2025 .
How this will all unfold in practice remains to be seen .
Solar , wind , and battery storage technologies have gotten significantly cheaper over the last decade .
They are modular and have proven much easier to deploy and build than , say , new nuclear power plants , which have become expensive megaprojects ( and are actually illegal to build in California until federal lawmakers create a long-term solution for storing nuclear spent fuel ) .
And of course renewables do not emit air pollution or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the deployment of solar and wind are myriad and valid .
And the challenges we describe above , which states like California and countries like Germany are increasingly grappling with , are at least partially surmountable .
Future advances in long-duration electric storage capacity could allow grid operators to shift supply to meet demand .
“ Demand response ” arrangements , or payments to customers who temporarily reduce their consumption , could help smooth imbalances .
Continent-spanning transmission would help move electrons from where they ’ re more reliably generated to where they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s experience also underscores a growing consensus among energy scholars : that variable renewable energy technologies are unlikely to meet the grid ’ s power demand by themselves .
They will play an important role , but more firm generating sources , like next-generation nuclear reactors , natural gas plants with carbon capture technologies , enhanced geothermal , and others that can balance out variable renewables , will be required .
To be clear : Rising energy costs and the ongoing reliability crisis can not be blamed entirely on California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But this month ’ s challenges surface the complexities and difficulties of energy transitions , and the imperative of maintaining a flexible and diverse supply of energy technologies .
If this month ’ s blackouts continue , there is a risk California ’ s ratepayers will come to associate them with the state ’ s clean energy transition .
*Correction , Aug. 25 , 2020 : This article originally misstated that San Diego Gas & Electric closed the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station .
San Diego Gas & Electric is a minority owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California Edison .

This story was originally published by Slate and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration The recent “heat storm” in California has pushed grid operators to impose rolling blackouts for the first time since 2001. A combination of heavy air conditioning usage, the unplanned unavailability of some power plants, limited options for importing power from neighboring states, and insufficient solar and wind generation have led to an imbalance of electricity generation and consumption. As Stephen Berberich, president of the California Independent System Operator, or CAISO, which oversees operation of the state’s electric grid, told Sammy Roth of the Los Angeles Times, “We thought there would be adequate power to supply the demand. … We were wrong.” The blackouts are designed to affect customers for no more than an hour or two. Some may find that little more than mildly inconvenient. Others more prone to heat stress or in possession of medicines that require refrigeration might be more worried, with good reason. The aggregate reaction could prove substantial, especially if we face more rounds of shortages in the coming months and years. The last time this happened to us Californians, we altered long-held plans to partially deregulate electricity systems, recalled Gov. Gray Davis, and pushed Enron, one of the energy services providers found guilty of gaming electricity markets, into bankruptcy. This time, what we’re seeing should give renewable energy advocates pause. For years, renewable energy enthusiasts have insisted that most of the problems of the electric grid were caused by outdated and inflexible coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy technologies. A system built on solar panels and wind turbines, smart meters, electricity storage, and payments for flexible demand would lower costs and improve reliability for everyone. Some academic studies showed that renewables could easily supply 80 percent or more of an electric grid’s demands.
But with non-hydroelectric renewable technologies, mostly solar and wind, generating about 30 percent of California’s electricity today, we are witnessing the types of obstacles and problems that these new technologies introduce. Solar power, of course, is well matched with high demand for air conditioning in the middle of the day. That advantage disappears when the sun goes down but the temperature doesn’t. Distributed and centralized electricity storage technologies can shift some power generation toward later in the day. But lithium-ion battery systems are usually designed for only a few hours of storage—enough to accommodate much of the daily swings in solar generation, but not the type of extreme surges in demand we’ve seen this week. Storage technologies that last a few days would help, but truly high-renewables systems will likely require seasonal storage technologies that can shift consumption from the hot months to the cool months. Beyond geographically constrained, pumped hydroelectric storage systems, those technologies are largely nonexistent. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Advocates emphasize that solar and wind complement each other; the wind usually blows while the sun doesn’t shine, and vice versa. And even if a renewable resource is less available in one part of the country, long-distance power lines can transmit electricity from other regions. These are features of a wind-and-solar-heavy system—until they’re bugs. In California this week, the heat pushed power demand to near record highs, solar generation plummeted in the evening, the winds slowed faster than expected, and the same thing happened in Nevada, Arizona, and other states we usually import electricity from. The result was predictable to anyone who hasn’t been heralding a seamless transition to renewable energy technologies.
Part of the problem here is how much solar generation drops as the sun goes down and how much flexible generation needs to fire up to compensate. The amount of solar power has increased substantially in California over the last decade. The required summer “ramp-up” of firm generation (generators like natural gas plants that can be turned on and kept on) between the middle of the day and the evening—when the sun sets and many people turn on lights and appliances—has more than doubled. California shifts from using a large amount of solar during the day to a large amount of natural gas and imports during the evening, and the size of this shift is growing. This puts stress on the rest of the electricity grid and increases the risk that disruptions in either in-state power generation or imports could lead to shortfalls. About two-thirds of the generation ramp-up comes from natural gas plants in California, while the remaining third comes from imports from neighboring states. Sometimes the features of a wind-and-solar system turn out to be bugs. In this case, blackouts resulted from a combination of less available imports—neighboring states also had extreme demand associated with the heat wave—and a number of natural gas plants unexpectedly going offline. More gas plants or battery storage can be added in the short term to hedge against future energy use spikes, but having resources that sit idle for the vast majority of the time increases the overall cost of generating electricity. California’s challenges are exacerbated by the declining availability of reliable, always-on nuclear capacity in the state. In 2012, Southern California Edison closed the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, or SONGS, taking 2,200 megawatts off the grid in one fell swoop.* The power once generated by SONGS was largely replaced by natural gas, causing a jump in carbon emissions and a squeeze in electric capacity reserve margins. A similar fate now awaits the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the last nuclear plant in the state. In 2016, Pacific Gas & Electric announced that it would not seek a license extension for Diablo Canyon. Replacing California’s nuclear power plants reveals the difference between modeling a renewable energy future and building one. The Natural Resources Defense Council, which pushed to close Diablo Canyon, argued at the time that the plant’s electricity would “be replaced with gains in energy efficiency, renewable power, and pollution-free energy technologies.” But an initial California Public Utility Commission replacement plan included substantial natural gas capacity. (The NRDC called the plan “deeply flawed.”) In 2018, the state Legislature passed a law directing the California Public Utilities Commission to ensure that no greenhouse-emissions increase results after Diablo Canyon shuts down in 2025. How this will all unfold in practice remains to be seen. Solar, wind, and battery storage technologies have gotten significantly cheaper over the last decade. They are modular and have proven much easier to deploy and build than, say, new nuclear power plants, which have become expensive megaprojects (and are actually illegal to build in California until federal lawmakers create a long-term solution for storing nuclear spent fuel). And of course renewables do not emit air pollution or carbon dioxide. The reasons to support the deployment of solar and wind are myriad and valid.
And the challenges we describe above, which states like California and countries like Germany are increasingly grappling with, are at least partially surmountable. Future advances in long-duration electric storage capacity could allow grid operators to shift supply to meet demand. “Demand response” arrangements, or payments to customers who temporarily reduce their consumption, could help smooth imbalances. Continent-spanning transmission would help move electrons from where they’re more reliably generated to where they’re more reliably consumed. But California’s experience also underscores a growing consensus among energy scholars: that variable renewable energy technologies are unlikely to meet the grid’s power demand by themselves. They will play an important role, but more firm generating sources, like next-generation nuclear reactors, natural gas plants with carbon capture technologies, enhanced geothermal, and others that can balance out variable renewables, will be required. To be clear: Rising energy costs and the ongoing reliability crisis cannot be blamed entirely on California’s growing solar and wind sectors. But this month’s challenges surface the complexities and difficulties of energy transitions, and the imperative of maintaining a flexible and diverse supply of energy technologies. If this month’s blackouts continue, there is a risk California’s ratepayers will come to associate them with the state’s clean energy transition.


nationalobserver--2020-08-26--So COVID-19 has hit your school. Now what?

Ontario will not require a negative test result from students or education workers who contract COVID-19 before they are allowed to return to school , according to provincial guidelines released on Wednesday , but they must isolate for two weeks and be symptom-free .
When a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 , their cohort ( the group of students they are in direct contact with ) will be sent home and the relevant local public health unit will provide direction on returning to school , the guidance for school boards said .
“ Barriers to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes or proof of negative tests , should be avoided , ” it said .
The guidance also said that in the case of an outbreak , public health will help determine if entire cohorts should be sent home or the school closed entirely .
The government said parents would be promptly informed if their children had potentially been exposed to the virus .
• As back-to-school looms , what legal options do Ontario ’ s teachers have ?
• O'Toole 's climate plan has a carbon price — just do n't call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means NDP holds all the cards — and a chance to ditch TMX for good “ You will know very quickly if your child has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 , ” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said at a news conference at Queen ’ s Park following the release of the guidance .
An outbreak is defined in the document as two or more lab-confirmed cases in a school that are epidemiologically linked with a 14-day period .
A separate document laying out the responsibility of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a school if there is “ evidence of potential widespread transmission.
” The guidelines are a key update to the province ’ s back-to-school plan , which has been heavily criticized for not allocating enough resources to keep students and education workers safe .
“ We have the safest and the most cautious plan in the entire country , ” Premier Doug Ford said at the same news conference , where the government said it was appointing Dr. Dirk Huyer , the province ’ s chief coroner , to co-ordinate its response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as the health-care and agriculture sectors .
“ Clearly , education will be an area where there is a risk of outbreaks , ” Huyer said , adding that prevention was a major focus of the government ’ s efforts .
“ Everything would be better if nobody gets sick.
” Ontario unveiled its guidance for schools where students or staff members contract COVID-19 .
The plan does not enforce a negative test before staff or students are allowed to return Dr. Dirk Huyer , Ontario 's chief coroner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks in schools and other settings .
Screenshot of news conference livestream Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said parents had a right to be concerned that the protocols do not significantly increase testing in the school community .
“ It ’ s not enough for Doug Ford to have a protocol for when staff and students get sick , ” she said in a statement .
“ He needs to do much more to prevent them from getting sick .
The best way to do that is with physical distancing , which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Ford and Lecce said that some of the $ 381 million in federal funding also announced on Wednesday would allow for more public health nurses to be made available to answer questions from teachers and principals worried about students possibly exhibiting symptoms .
The province will use at least $ 70 million of that to hire more teachers , while school boards will share another $ 100 million of floating funding they can allocate where they identify the most pressing needs , the provincial government said .
That means “ if school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more educators , or more EAs ( education assistants ) for special education students , or more custodians , more cleaning staff are required , we ’ ve given them maximum latitude to use the $ 100 million for that , ” Lecce said .
The province ’ s own $ 309-million funding plan released in late July allocated just $ 30 million to hiring more teachers , while the Toronto District School Board had suggested it alone would need to spend almost $ 250 million to hire teachers in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 15 .
Students and staff who fall ill during school or school-related daycare should be isolated on site until pickup can be arranged , the guidance says .
Students will not be sent home on school transportation .
Those who had been in close contact with a suspected case will remain in their cohorts , and would typically not require testing or isolation unless a diagnosis of COVID-19 is confirmed .

Ontario will not require a negative test result from students or education workers who contract COVID-19 before they are allowed to return to school, according to provincial guidelines released on Wednesday, but they must isolate for two weeks and be symptom-free. When a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, their cohort (the group of students they are in direct contact with) will be sent home and the relevant local public health unit will provide direction on returning to school, the guidance for school boards said. “Barriers to return to school, such as requirement of medical notes or proof of negative tests, should be avoided,” it said. The guidance also said that in the case of an outbreak, public health will help determine if entire cohorts should be sent home or the school closed entirely. The government said parents would be promptly informed if their children had potentially been exposed to the virus.
“You will know very quickly if your child has come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said at a news conference at Queen’s Park following the release of the guidance. An outbreak is defined in the document as two or more lab-confirmed cases in a school that are epidemiologically linked with a 14-day period. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions A separate document laying out the responsibility of public health units said they should consider shutting down a school if there is “evidence of potential widespread transmission.”
The guidelines are a key update to the province’s back-to-school plan, which has been heavily criticized for not allocating enough resources to keep students and education workers safe. Ontario unveiled its guidance for schools where students or staff members contract COVID-19. The plan does not enforce a negative test before staff or students are allowed to return “We have the safest and the most cautious plan in the entire country,” Premier Doug Ford said at the same news conference, where the government said it was appointing Dr. Dirk Huyer, the province’s chief coroner, to co-ordinate its response to outbreaks in schools and daycare centres, as well as the health-care and agriculture sectors. “Clearly, education will be an area where there is a risk of outbreaks,” Huyer said, adding that prevention was a major focus of the government’s efforts. “Everything would be better if nobody gets sick.” Dr. Dirk Huyer, Ontario's chief coroner, will co-ordinate the province's response to outbreaks in schools and other settings. Screenshot of news conference livestream Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said parents had a right to be concerned that the protocols do not significantly increase testing in the school community.
“It’s not enough for Doug Ford to have a protocol for when staff and students get sick,” she said in a statement. “He needs to do much more to prevent them from getting sick. The best way to do that is with physical distancing, which can only happen if Ford caps class sizes.” Ford and Lecce said that some of the $381 million in federal funding also announced on Wednesday would allow for more public health nurses to be made available to answer questions from teachers and principals worried about students possibly exhibiting symptoms. The province will use at least $70 million of that to hire more teachers, while school boards will share another $100 million of floating funding they can allocate where they identify the most pressing needs, the provincial government said.