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Chapleau Town Council's approved increased capital costs for water and wastewater pumps.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the request was considered during Monday's Council meeting.
The additional costs will be financed through the Township's reserve fund.
The House of Commons would look rather different if students had voted.
Student Vote Canada says results from nearly 1.2-million votes cast by almost 7900 schools across the country saw students vote 22.3% in favour of the Liberal Party - who would've won 110 seats - while the NDP would've received 99 seats with 24.8% of the popular vote, and - mirroring reality - the Conservatives would've led in the popular vote, with 25.1% though only 94 seats.
The results show the Greens would have won 28 seats and 18.2% of the popular vote, while the Bloc Québecois would only claim 9 seats - shy of official party status - with only 1.3% of the popular vote.
Locally - like in real life - New Democrat Carol Hughes would've won a fourth term representing Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, though with less than 37% support, while Green candidate Max Chapman would've come in second with more than 21%, followed by Liberal Heather Wilson with more than 16%, then Conservative Dave Williamson with less than 15%, over 6% for People's Party candidate Dave Delisle, and nearly 5% for the Rhinoceros Party's "Le Marquis de Marmalade".
Locally, incumbent New Democrat Carol Hughes continues to hold the Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing riding, winning her fourth straight term, with a wider margin - though a stronger showing from the Conservatives.
Preliminary results from Elections Canada show Hughes received over 41% of the vote, while Conservative Dave Williamson followed with about 26%, then closely trailed by Liberal Heather Wilson with more than 24%, then Green candidate Max Chapman with more than 5%, People's Party candidate Dave DeLisle with more than 2%, and Rhinoceros Party candidate "Le Marquis de Marmalade" claimed less than 1%.
Hughes thanks the volunteers who helped make her campaign possible, adding a message for voters who supported her.
Hughes says the NDP will "do [their] best" to work with the Liberal government - saying they've "always been able to achieve things under a minority government", though she does express relief it's a Liberal minority rather than Conservative, and suggests this proves the need for electoral reform.
As for her priorities in the new term, Hughes emphasizes health care - particularly dental care - as well as relief for students and young people, tackling the "environmental crisis", and addressing Indigenous issues.
Ontario is celebrating public libraries this week - and Wawa's library is marking the occasion.
Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the Wawa Public Library is celebrating Ontario Public Library Week with two week-long initiatives.
Jarrell notes the Library's also hosting a special "Coffee and Culture" event tonight.
The Coffee and Culture event will start with a "social" from 5 pm to 6 pm tonight, followed by the presentations from 6 pm to 7 pm.
There will also be an Early Literacy Event at 5 pm Wednesday night, and an event on essential oils Thursday night.
Chapleau Town Council is set to discuss a number of items in a regular meeting tonight.
Included on the agenda is a delegation from Newmont Goldcorp - which owns the nearby Borden Gold Mine - along with resolutions relating to a request from the Chapleau Public Utilities Corporation and additional capital costs for water and wastewater pumps to be financed by the reserve fund.
Council will also discuss a minor variance application and a proposed amendment to the zoning by-law.
There's also an "in-camera" item on the agenda, relating to "personal matters about an identifiable individual".
Aside from the "in-camera" portion, tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 in Civic Centre Council Chambers.
Local police are warning of "aggressive" fraudsters posing as police.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say they've recently responded to several complaints of calls from scammers posing as Canada Revenue Agency workers, who then try different methods to get personal information from whoever they called - they often claim they potential victim owes money to CRA and an arrest warrant could be issued if they don't pay, or that their bank accounts have been targeted for fraud and that OPP will follow up with them.
Potential victims then receive follow-up calls that appear on caller ID to be the public number of the Wawa OPP Detachment - 705-856-7460 - with the caller pretending to be an OPP officer following up for CRA, again attempting to get personal information.
Everyone's reminded that you are not obligated to divulge personal information over the phone - even if the caller becomes aggressive - and that officers won't become aggressive if you wish to make alternate arrangements to provide such information for an investigation.
Police also recommend checking the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.
A local Halloween tradition won't be scaring people this year.
Michipicoten First Nation says the annual Haunted Trail - or Halloween Trail - has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers.
It adds any questions can be directed to Nancy Andre at 705-914-0425.
As Ontario is preparing to celebrate public libraries, Wawa's library is inviting the community to enjoy some music.
Assistant Librarian Suzie Jarrell explains the Wawa Public Library is hosting "An Afternoon of Music" this weekend.
Jarrell notes this is something of a prelude to next week, which is Ontario Public Libraries Week - the local library will be celebrating that with multiple events, including a week-long book sale and a week-long "Food for Fines" campaign, offering a voucher to cover some late fees in exchange for a non-perishable food donation for the Wawa Food Bank.
Chapleau artisans will be showing off their work today and tomorrow.
The Chapleau Arts and Crafts Fall Fair is back for another year, touting "an array of new vendors and some returning favourites" - and a theme of "The 70s".
Held at the Chapleau Moore Arena Recreation Centre, the Arts and Crafts Fall Fair runs from 4 pm to 9 pm tonight, and 11 am to 3 pm tomorrow.
Registration for Wawa's curlers is continuing tonight.
As the season is set to begin the first week of November, a second registration event's being held for Wawa's Men's, Ladies, and Mixed Curling Leagues tonight - from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the Community Centre.
Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League, or Curling Organizer Diane Spencer.
Wawa Municipal Council's asked the fire chief to request new tenders for a new tanker fire apparatus.
The issue came up during last night's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, with CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill explaining that a request went out earlier this year and that multiple bids were received, but "a number" were rejected for not meeting the requirements set out by the tender - Fire Chief Kevin Sabourin's recommendation based on that was a tanker that would cost $715,000, though O'Neill recommended that Council opt against that and have another tender request put out, since the quoted amount is more than $300,000 above the $400,000 budget Council agreed upon.
Asked about putting out a new tender request, Chief Sabourin noted it would take a minimum of 30 days - about a week to prepare it and three weeks for submissions - but warned there's difficulty finding equipment that would fit the specifications, most notably a tanker that would have the capacity needed to properly address obligations along the highway - like covering vehicle fires - while still being small enough to fit within the current fire hall.
While it was noted that one bid that was rejected for not meeting the tender's specifications did come in around $550,000 - to which Council seemed more receptive - Sabourin warned that another tender request could still bring about tenders that don't meet the requirements for water capacity or vehicle size.
Sabourin further warned that the current tanker is in poor condition - suggesting it could cease to be "roadworthy" any day - but was unsure of options if that did happen, such as renting or leasing a tanker.
In the following regular meeting, Council approved a resolution accepting O'Neill's recommendation, directing Sabourin to put out a new tender request as soon as possible.
The Municipality of Wawa's considering a draft by-law covering the regulation, maintenance, and management of municipal water and wastewater supply and services.
Council were presented with the draft during last night's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, with some discussion about items included in the draft - CAO/Treasurer Maury O'Neill noted it was mostly a chance to introduce the by-law, which is expected to come back to Council in subsequent meetings and go to a vote at the December 10th meeting, particularly to allow for staff to prepare for a move to water-meter based billing for the services.
Though the by-law also covers details regarding distribution, a key component is water meter-based billing, though the exact rates were not discussed - O'Neill noted plans are to follow KPMG's recommendation that 75% of the costs for providing water services should be covered by a "flat rate" and the remaining 25% would be covered by usage-based billing, moving to a 50/50 division in a subsequent year.
Plans are to post the by-law on the municipal website for public viewing and comment.
Efforts to make Wawa's Legion Hall more accessible are progressing.
Ground appears to have been broken alongside the Legion Hall for installation of the lift - or elevator - intended to allow those with mobility issues to more easily move between the upper and lower floors of the building.
Legion Branch 429 recently announced it had awarded the contract for the work to Michael Moore Construction of Sault Ste. Marie, with the project to commence "when the permits are in place".
Registration for Wawa's curlers starts tonight.
With the local curling season coming the first week of November, the Wawa Curling Club is reminding teams and curlers can sign up for the Men's, Ladies, or Mixed Leagues in two events this week.
The first runs from 6:30 pm to 8 pm tonight, with the second from 6:30 pm to 8 pm Thursday night - both will be held at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Anyone looking for more information is encouraged to contact Tom Terris about the Mixed League, Danette Mathias for the Ladies League, Jim Hoffmann for the Men's League, or Curling Organizer Diane Spencer.
Local police are reminding drivers to be careful out on the roads, as snow has started to fall for the season.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police Constable Trevor Tremblay notes this season brings colder weather and related driving conditions.
While Constable Tremblay acknowledges winter tires aren't required by law, he urges drivers to use them, as we are entering conditions where all-season tires "are losing their effectiveness".
Another sign of the season has arrived: Wawa's indoor walking program.
Wawa Family Health Team Geriatric Program Coordinator Jolene Binda says the program - which lets residents get some exercise during the cold weather by walking the halls of Michipicoten High School - starts straight off the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Binda adds the program wouldn't be possible without the support of the Algoma District School Board, Lady Dunn Health Centre, and Wawa Family Health Team - and she particularly highlights the efforts of longtime organizer Shelley Duplessis-Skouris.
As the snow has arrived, Wawa residents are reminded the town's winter parking by-law is now in force.
Intended to help with snow clearing efforts, the by-law applies from October 15th to May 15th, prohibiting parking on any street between 1 am and 8 am - and the Municipality reminds it's also illegal to park on any boulevard.
The Municipality warns any vehicle, trailer, or vessel found breaking the rules will be removed, with the owner fined and charged for the removal cost and daily storage fees, which will need to be paid in full before the item's released.
Wawa Municipal Council has a busy night ahead, with back-to-back meetings.
First up is a Corporate Planning Commitee meeting, with items to be discussed including: a draft by-law to regulate, maintain, and manage municipal water and wastewater supply and services; a letter about the seasonal closure of the Tourist Information Centre; and an update on liquid natural gas.
That will be followed by a regular meeting of Council, with items including a by-law appointing Kevin Sabourin as the Chief Building Official and Property Standards Officer and a resolution to accept a regional strategic plan prepared by the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation.
Tonight's meetings are open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.
Dubreuilville's celebrating the completion of renovations to its arena by renaming the facility in honour of a local hero.
Mayor Beverly Nantel says the Township chose to recognize the community contributions and other efforts of Eddy Lefrancois, a Dubreuilville ALS activist who passed away earlier this year, with the dedication coming after work on the arena, supported by $150,000 from the Ontario Trillium Fund.
A release from the Township of Dubreuilville says the newly dubbed "Eddy K. Lefrancois Recreation Centre" is "ground zero for fostering an active lifestyle for young people growing up in a rural, isolated Francophone community".
Dubreuilville's celebrating the completion of renovations to its arena by renaming the facility in honour of a local hero.
Mayor Beverly Nantel says the Township's chosen to recognize the community contributions and other efforts of Eddy Lefrancois, a Dubreuilville ALS activist who passed away earlier this year.
The community's invited to the celebration, which will be attended by Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha and family, friends, and supporters of Lefrancois's "Let's Roll" campaign - those attending are encouraged to wear purple in honour of the campaign.
The ceremony starts at 3 o'clock this afternoon.
