Commissaire à l’intégrité
Jean-Jacques Lacombe, un avocat de Hawkesbury, a été reconfirmé comme commissaire à l’intégrité de la Ville de Hawkesbury lors de la séance du conseil du 14 décembre 2020. Le nouveau mandat de M. Lacombe a pris effet le 1er janvier 2021. – Gregg Chamberlain
Don à la Banque alimentaire

Les Chevaliers de Colomb, conseil 2183, ont récemment remis 3000 dollars à la Banque alimentaire centrale de Hawkesbury. Dans la photo, de gauche à droite, on reconnait André Chamaillard, Grand Chevalier, Stéphanie Bierema-Lauzon de la Banque alimentaire, et Robert Lacombe, trésorier des Chevaliers de Colomb, conseil 2183.
Political parity support
Hawkesbury council approved a resolution for a $1000 donation to the project, Towards Political Parity in Prescott-Russell. The non-partisan group seeks to promote leadership opportunities for women in local politics and to encourage more women to run for municipal office. Council also approved a recommendation to provide a link on the Hawkesbury municipal website to group’s own website to assist with public awareness of the group and its goal. – Gregg Chamberlain
Nouveau chef des pompiers
Daniel Gascon a reçu la confirmation officielle qu’il est le nouveau chef à temps plein du service des incendies de Hawkesbury. La confirmation de M. Gascon, à l’issue de sa période de probation intérimaire, a été l’un des derniers points à l’ordre du jour de la séance du conseil du 14 décembre 2020, avant les vacances de Noël. – Gregg Chamberlain
Modifications à la PPO
Le détachement de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario à Hawkesbury a un accès restreint pour empêcher la propagation de COVID-19. Les vérifications de routine du casier judiciaire et du secteur vulnérable, ainsi que la prise d’empreintes digitales, ont été limitées aux travailleurs essentiels et aux bénévoles. Toute personne qui devait se rendre au détachement devait d’abord prendre rendez-vous et porter un équipement de protection individuelle approprié. Les personnes ayant besoin d’un service du détachement sont invitées à composer le 613-632-2729. Les appels d’urgence continueront à être traités par le 911.
Development charges
Clarence-Rockland council approved a 2.9-per cent increase to all municipal development charges. The increase reflects the corresponding increase in the Construction Price Index. The increase takes effect January 1 2021. – Gregg Chamberlain
Rezoning tribunal hearing
The City of Clarence-Rockland will take part in a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearing February 2 on a zoning amendment bylaw dealing with the property at 808 Powers Street. In June 2020 city council approved a zoning change for the property from R1 to R2-29 that allows construction of a semi-detached building with an accessory apartment or apartments. In July 2020 the city received an appeal notice about the rezoning from an adjacent property owner. – Gregg Chamberlain
Strategic plan
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) has developed a new multi-year strategic plan for the period from 2020 to 2025. The covers long-term priorities and goals for the CDSBEO, including revisions resulting from adapting to the demands for enhanced e-learning opportunities for students because of the pandemic. – Gregg Chamberlain
UCPR staff salaries
As one of its last acts of 2020, the United Counties of Prescott-Russell council (UCPR) approved a two-per-cent increase in the salaries of all non-union UCPR employees. The wage increase took effect January 1 2021. – Gregg Chamberlain
Indigenous education plan
The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) is updating its Indigenous Education Action Plan. Indigenous students make up 3.1 per cent of the UCDSB and the action plan aims at providing programs on Indigenous culture, history and viewpoint, including Métis and Inuit, for all students to increase their knowledge of Canada’s cultural heritage. Plan updates include providing e-learning opportunities and virtual gatherings for events like iLeads Day for sharing stories, art, and experiences of Indigenous culture. – Gregg Chamberlain
CDSBEO enrolment
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CDSBEO) received its revised enrolment figures for the 2020-2021 school year. Total student enrolment is 13,022, which is a 0.8 per cent drop from the original projection. The number includes 2553 elementary and secondary students in the virtual learning programs, almost 20 per cent of the student population. – Gregg Chamberlain
Bill 172 support
The Upper Canada District School Board will send a letter of support to the Ministry of Education concerning Bill 172. The bill has passed second reading and could become legislation before the end of 2021. Bill 172 would require all school boards to develop strategies to support students who have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) and also all teacher colleges and Early Childhood Education programs to provide FASD training. – Gregg Chamberlain
CSCE Christmas auction
Employees with Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) held their annual auction fundraiser as a virtual event. The CSCE raised $13,650. The money will go towards purchase of gift cards for distribution among individuals and families in need within the Five Counties region. – Gregg Chamberlain
Planning fees
Hawkesbury developers will have new planning processing fees to work into their project calculations. Council approved changes to the municipal planning fees bylaw during its December 17 session before the Christmas break. The fee changes take effect January 2021. – Gregg Chamberlain
Virtual school report
The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) will not be setting up a virtual school system for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students. Trustees reviewed a 24-page education consultant’s report on the feasibility for a limited virtual school system during the pandemic. The report rejected the concept as unworkable. The report noted the lack of provincial support funding to set up a standalone virtual school and also potential problems with shifting staff and students over from the existing remote learning system to a separate virtual school system. – Gregg Chamberlain