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The search will continue for a new Chapleau representative on the local health unit board.
While the Township recently put out an "invitation" for a volunteer to sit on the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts - the former Sudbury and District Health Unit - Mayor Michael Levesque says that didn't work out.
It's unclear when the Township will put out the call for volunteers again.
Some new executives have been announced at the local French Catholic school board.
Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two major appointments have been made: Tammy Séguin as Superintendent of Education, and Tracy Rossini as Executive Director of Learning.
Séguin has been with the board since 2006, initially as a Sudbury-area teacher, then as a principal since 2015, while Rossini started as a teacher with the board in 1995, became a vice principal in 2004, then a principal in 2008, and has been Director of Special Education since 2013.
The two are set to start their new jobs on Monday, February 3rd.
Ontario's elementary teachers' union is threatening to escalate ongoing rotating strikes if a deal isn't reached by the weekend.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario says - if "central agreements" aren't reached by Friday - the rotating strikes will escalate, with the schedule of strikes covering all of the province's public boards over the five weekdays, including a one-day strike by all 83,000 ETFO members on Thursday, February 6th, and a strike by ETFO members with the Algoma District School Board on Friday, February 7th, which would likely mean a four-day weekend for the ADSB's elementary students.
This comes just days after ETFO announced plans for its rotating strikes to reach the ADSB this Thursday, January 30th - the local English public school board says it will close all of its elementary schools for the day, which will mean a four-day weekend, as this Friday is a PD Day.
Wawa Municipal Council's set to hold back-to-back-to-back meetings tonight.
That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting, to address a request from the Algoma District Services Administration Board, that property at 35 Algoma Street be split into three separate properties - one that includes the current building, another that would be the site of a planned ten-unit seniors building, and the last which would be vacant, but could be used for a similar building or another purpose in the future.
Also scheduled for tonight is a Corporate Planning Committee meeting, which is set to feature discussions about: an encroachment agreement on Magpie Avenue; fire cost recovery; property tax collection; last year's Northern Nationals Drag Race; and the emergency replacement of a condenser at the Community Centre.
Finally, Council will hold a regular meeting, with items on that agenda including several staff reports included in the Corporate Planning Committee agenda and by-laws: appointing an Integrity Commissioner for the Municipality; authorizing a "travel point agreement"; and adopting a policy on property tax collection.
There are also three "closed session" items: a legal issue relating to a freedom of information request; a legal issue relating to a legal review of the LNG shareholder agreement; and a personnel issue relating to staffing.
Aside from the "closed session" portion, the meetings are open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers.
Chapleau Town Council's starting the final week of the month with a meeting.
Included on the agenda are resolutions considering a proposed location for an electric vehicle charging station at 20 Pine Street and considering purchase orders for the rental of a tandem plow truck and for snow hauling.
Council will also discuss the vacancy on the local public health board, and a staff memo on the formal complaint policy.
Tonight's meeting is open to the public, starting at 6:30 pm in Civic Centre Council Chambers.
More local school closures are coming later this week.
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario has announced plans for its rotating strikes to include the Algoma District School Board this Thursday, with the local English public school board confirming it will close all of its elementary schools - and Adult Literacy and Basic Skills programs - for the day.
It also reminds that Friday, January 31st is a Professional Development Day, so elementary students will have a four-day weekend, returning to classes on Monday, February 3rd.
The board notes School Council meetings and school-based meetings, activities, and sports are cancelled, though community use of schools can continue as normal.
This comes as the AEFO - which represents French-language elementary and secondary teachers with public and Catholic school boards - is preparing to ramp up an ongoing job action campaign on Tuesday.
A call's being put out for local vendors who might want to show off their work next month.
Isabeau Allard explains the Wawa Goose Nest Committee is organizing a "Winter Market" as part of the upcoming Wawa Winter Carnival.
Allard encourages vendors to sign up through the EDC's Facebook page or by contacting the EDC directly - and suggests registering sooner rather than later.
The Winter Market will be held in the Community Centre from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, February 16th.
A Manitouwadge man's facing a pair of charges after a traffic stop near Wawa.
Superior East Ontario Provincial Police say officers stopped a pickup truck for speeding on Highway 17 around 5 pm Monday night, with investigation revealing the driver was suspended, leading to charges of operation while prohibited and speeding - 0 to 49 kilometres an hour over posted limit.
The 33-year-old accused was released from custody with a court date in February, while the vehicle was towed and will be impounded for 45 days.
The local English Catholic school board's assuring report cards will be issued - even if they're lacking some information.
Noting the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association's "administrative job action" campaign means members aren't entering comments on report cards, the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board says teachers will be providing marks and learning skills levels for report cards, so students can receive them as scheduled.
There will be a slight change for classes that don't usually have marks - like full-day kindergarten or specialized classes - as only a single sentence comment will be entered.
This assurance comes as other boards - particularly in the Toronto-area - have reported problems issuing report cards, due to ongoing job action by all of Ontario's teachers' unions - something Education Minister Stephen Lecce has pointed to as proof that the unions are "hurting our kids".
A Toronto-based mining company is touting an agreement over a proposed mine in the region.
Argonaut Gold says it has executed a community agreement with Michipicoten First Nation, issuing 505,237 common shares to the Indigenous community as part of the deal.
The company says it also has agreements in place with Missanabie Cree First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, the Métis Nation of Ontario, and the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation, claiming they've all expressed "overwhelming support" for the proposed Magino gold project.
This comes after a release from Garden River First Nation announced its opposition to the project near Dubreuilville - saying it's in their traditional territory and "an area of high value to [Garden River] for exercise of treaty and indigenous inherent rights, for culture, ceremony, and the overall responsibility of protectors of the land and water" - and claiming Argonaut's refused to accommodate Garden River "anywhere close to industry standard today, or what [Garden River knows to be adequate", though Argonaut says it has "consulted with the Garden River First Nation for multiple years with the aim of coming to a reasonable agreement".
Argonaut's already received approval from both the federal and provincial environmental assessment processes for Magino, with work continuing on the federal "Schedule 2" permitting process.
Meanwhile, Argonaut's reporting record production of nearly 187,000 ounces over 2019, though that's shy of its 200,000 ounce guidance, prompting a review of operations and delaying the release of Argonaut's 2020 guidance to next month.
Local English Catholic schools are closed today, amid a province-wide strike.
The Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association announced the one-day strike last week, just hours into an "administrative job action" campaign, which has members refraining from activities like preparing report cards, participating in EQAO-related activities, and attending or participating in Ministry of Education initiatives.
It's the first time in more than 20 years that OECTA's withdrawn services province-wide.
The local Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board says classes and transportation are cancelled for all of its schools, which are closed to students for the day, though schools are expected to reopen as normal - with transportation - tomorrow.
Chapleau's looking for a new representative on the local health unit board.
The Township's put out an "invitation" for a volunteer to sit on the board of Public Health Sudbury and Districts - the former Sudbury and District Health Unit - as Mayor Michael Levesque says the longtime representative has resigned.
According to the posting on the Township's website, those interested should submit a letter of intent - outlining interests and experience - by 12 noon this Thursday, January 23rd.
Some local communities will be getting a boost in support from a major provincial fund.
Premier Doug Ford and Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott have announced $200-million through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund, to help 424 small, rural, and northern communities "build and repair critical local infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure".
According to government figures, that includes $270,157 for Wawa - up from the $161,743 provided through OCIF last year - while Chapleau will get $138,091, up from $117,778 in 2019.
Dubreuilville will see only a slight bump - from $94,077 to $94,414 - while White River's getting an even smaller increase, rising from $131,812 to $131,969.
The amounts are based on a formula.
Ontario's Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing to make the spring black bear hunting season a regular, annual event.
Minister John Yakabuski says consultations are open on the proposed move, which builds upon the introduction of a spring black bear hunting season pilot in 2014, though he notes the plan is to still hold annual reviews.
The regular hunt would be similar to the pilot, keeping "all protections" for the black bear population, though it would reduce the season in the Bruce Peninsula area - to support the population's long-term sustainability - while eliminating special hunting opportunities for non-resident landowners and non-residents hunting with immediate relatives, and requiring people guiding resident bear hunters for commercial purposes to obtain a special licence.
Comments are being accepted through the Environmental Registry of Ontario until February 18th.
Chapleau Council's decided to clear snowbanks on Main Street on a regular basis.
Mayor Michael Levesque explains the decision stems from a request brought forward by a councillor, who wanted openings or "access points" created in snowbanks on Main Street.
Mayor Levesque says this option "made the most sense" based on the time and cost, but emphasizing that the snowbank is only "third priority", after clearing the roads and the laneways - that means it could still take "a day or two" for the snowbanks to be removed after a winter storm.
Main Street's sidewalks are cleared daily.
Time's almost up for early birds to register for a local ice fishing derby.
While the derby is nearly a month away, tomorrow is the early bird deadline for the 3rd Annual Dubreuilville Magpie Winter Pike Derby, which is touting a prize of $1000 for one lucky early bird.
Derby organizers also highlight a registration skill prize of $5000 and prizes for the top five fish caught.
The derby will be held February 15th.
Chapleau Town Council's still considering how to address short-term rentals, such as AirBnB rentals.
Mayor Michael Levesque says the Township's zoning consultant has presented a few options, including doing nothing or launching an education and enforcement campaign targeting operators of such rentals.
Mayor Levesque says the other option presented was implementing policy and zoning changes to address short-term rentals, such as restricting where it's allowed and requiring permits - though that might not happen immediately.
Levesque says an update to the Official Plan isn't expected for a few years.
Council is still considering its options.
Algoma Public Health's warning of an inspection scam in the region.
The local health unit says it has heard about individuals posing as Public Health Inspectors at restaurants, salons, spas, and at tattoo, body piercing, and other personal service businesses.
That includes a report of someone calling a restaurant, claiming the business received a complaint about the food and another inspection was needed - the caller then asked for a credit card number to charge a service fee.
APH emphasizes that its inspections are free and so inspectors would never ask for a credit card number - and they'd be able to present a valid badge and photo ID.
They also would not call ahead to schedule an appointment, as most inspections are unannounced.
Any businesses in doubt about an inspector are encouraged to call the health unit, and - if the inspector asks for a credit card - call police.
The proposed Magino Gold Mine is facing a major new obstacle.
A news release issued Tuesday says Garden River First Nation "objects to and will if necessary, challenge Prodigy's attempts to construct and operate a gold mine" in what Garden River describes as its traditional territory, near Dubreuilville, adding studies by the First Nation "reveal that this is an area of high value to [Garden River] for exercise of treaty and indigenous inherent rights, for culture, ceremony, and the overall responsibility of protectors of the land and water".
While Garden River notes Prodigy is working on Impact Benefit Agreements with other local Indigenous communities, it claims Prodigy has refused to accommodate Garden River through such an agreement "anywhere close to industry standard today, or what [Garden River knows to be adequate", with Chief Andy Rickard claiming the company "never really negotiated" and simply "waited until the end to tell us there was almost nothing left...for compensatory measures", such as "real revenue sharing".
Prodigy was bought by - and folded into - Toronto-based Argonaut Gold in late 2012 - it is proposing an open pit gold mine with onsite metal mill, a project that cleared its federal environmental assessment nearly a year ago, though it still requires other federal and provincial approvals.
Electric vehicle charging stations are being proposed for Chapleau.
Mayor Michael Levesque says Council's optimistic about a proposal from Ontario Power Generation and AmbuEnergy.
Emphasizing that there'd be no additional cost to the Township - as the proponents would install and maintain the charging stations - Mayor Levesque highlights potential benefits.
Levesque says it's unclear when a final decision will be made or the charging stations would be installed.
