Simard disputes rejection
Amanda Simard disputes whether the Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Ontario Liberal Association board was unanimous in its rejection of her as the new Liberal MPP for the riding. Her reaction stems from an article we ran last week quoting an email stating that the GPR riding association board “unanimously rejected” her appointment “The executive couldn’t have unanimously stated anything as I am on the executive (ex-officio),” stated Simard in an email to our newsroom. Simard was elected as a Progressive Conservative and then spent the past year sitting as an Independent MPP before joining the Liberal caucus in January following a decision by senior Liberal officials.– Gregg Chamberlain
11% des enfants sont pauvres
Près de 1 350 000 enfants au Canada vivent une situation de pauvreté, selon un nouveau rapport de l’organisme Campagne2000. Prescott-Russell comprend 11% d’enfants pauvres et dans le besoin selon le même rapport. Ce sont surtout les enfants autochtones, les enfants issus de minorités visibles et d’immigrants ainsi que les enfants de familles monoparentales dirigées par une femme qui sont touchés de façon disproportionnée par ce phénomène. Le taux de pauvreté infantile à l’échelle nationale a diminué, mais sa cadence reste lente, passant de 22% à 18,6%. – Ayoub Jlila
Accessibility committee change
Russell Township council will have more representative advice now on accessibility issues. Council approved a membership revision for its accessibility advisory committee. In future the five-member committee will include three people with disabilities rather than just two, and one person, rather than two, from the community at large who does not have a disability. Either the mayor or a councilor will represent council on the committee.– Gregg Chamberlain
Trees for planting
The South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) has tree seedlings available at reduced cost, until March 1, for local landowners. Tree seedlings available include silver, black, and sugar maple, poplar, black willow, and red or white pine, all native to Ontario. Seedlings are available in lots of 100 minimum at a subsidized cost. The SNC’s seedling program aims to encourage more tree planting in the watershed region, to increase the forest cover. Contact the SNC at 1-877-984-2948, extension 295, for information. – Gregg Chamberlain
Trees in L’Orignal
Champlain Township and the South Nation Conservation Authority will partner on a tree-planting project on 2.35 acres of municipal property in L’Orignal. The township will have the property survey lines repined and then arrange for cleanup of the site before tree-planting takes place next year.– Gregg Chamberlain
Dr. Bourdeau honoured
The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) honours the memory of Dr. Jean-Robert Bourdeau, EOHU medical health officer for 22 years before retiring in March 2007. Dr. Bourdeau died January 15. During his time, Dr. Bourdeau restructured the regional health unit, with a multidisciplinary and population-based focus on public health protection and promotion. He was committed to reducing public use of tobacco and inspired Cornwall to become the first EOHU community to pass a public smoking ban. He was involved in the writing of a book on the history of the EOHU and public health safety.– Gregg Chamberlain
