Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Unable to Stop in Wawa, Will Video Conference

Wawa won't see Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre in person.

While Poilievre was supposed to attend a rally at 2:15 pm at the local Legion Hall, his plane was unable to land at the Wawa Municipal Airport due to fog.

Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon initially told JJAM FM News that Poilievre had instead landed at the Chapleau Airport and he'd drive to Wawa from Chapleau - expected to be about 1.5 hours behind schedule - but the Conservative Party's now issued a notice that "due to weather and travel issues...Poilievre will not be able to arrive in time to Wawa for the Axe the Tax Rally", and will instead have a special video conference set up for attendees at the Legion to hear from him directly.

It's unclear whether the remainder of his Northern Ontario tour remains on schedule: he was expected to visit a similar rally in Hearst this evening before continuing over the next few days to Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, and finally Elliot Lake on Friday.

It also comes just a week after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made a 3-day stop in Northern Ontario, visiting Timmins, Cochrane, and Kirkland Lake.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Delayed

Wawa will need to wait for Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre.

While Poilievre was supposed to attend a “Common Sense Rally” at 2:15 pm at 51 Broadway Avenue (the Legion Hall), Wawa Mayor Melanie Pilon’s informed JJAM FM News that Poilievre’s plane was unable to land at the Wawa Municipal Airport due to fog, instead landing at the Chapleau Airport - he’s now driving to Wawa from Chapleau.

That’s put him an estimated 1.5 hours behind schedule, which would suggest the rally will begin around 3:45 pm, though that’d currently up in the air.

This is part of a broader tour of Northern Ontario: Poilievre stopped in Fort Frances on Monday and is scheduled to visit Hearst this evening, before continuing over the next few days to Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, and finally Elliot Lake on Friday.

It also comes just a week after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh made a 3-day stop in Northern Ontario, visiting Timmins, Cochrane, and Kirkland Lake.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre Stopping in Wawa for Rally

Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre is visiting Wawa today.

The party's "events" page shows Poilievre will attend a "Common Sense Rally" at 51 Broadway Avenue (the Legion Hall) with doors opening at 2:15 pm.

It's part of a broader tour of Northern Ontario: Poilievre stopped in Fort Frances on Monday and will visit Hearst this evening, before continuing to Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, and Elliot Lake through Friday.

Foleyet Boil Water Advisory Lifted

Foleyet's no longer under a boil water advisory.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts says the advisory issued Sunday evening - after a loss of disinfectant in its drinking water system - has now been lifted, as tests have confirmed the water's safe for consumption.

The health unit does suggest residents run cold water faucets for five minutes or until the water runs clear, put water softeners through a regeneration cycle, drain and refill hot water heaters, and replace water filters used during the advisory.

PHSD's also lifted a drinking water advisory that was issued for Gore Bay the same evening, when its water distribution system was shut down for scheduled maintenance.

Municipality of Wawa Preparing Municipal Accommodation Tax By-Law

The Municipality of Wawa's moving toward a special tax on short-term accommodations.

In one of four meetings held Tuesday night, Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson delivered what he dubbed his "final" report on the proposed "Municipal Accommodation Tax", noting he'd held more consultations on it than any other topic in his career, with response essentially breaking down into four groups: motels on Highway 17 coming into town, who were "neutral" but not in favour of implementing a MAT at this time; motels in town that were simply against the MAT; other short-term accommodations, who were generally in favour; and local committees like the Municipality's Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee, which are in favour, seeing the potential benefits of a MAT.

In the end, Patterson recommended moving forward with the MAT - saying despite the negative feedback, it doesn't outweight the positives - but he did recommend delaying its implementation to the second quarter of 2025 (starting April 1st) with Council giving him direction to move forward on preparing the by-law, which could be brought to a vote later this year.

While most councillors spoke in favour of the MAT - Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledging it's a "very divisive issue", but adding she believes the benefits "speak loudly, and it is something that was a major goal of the Municipality's strategic plan - Councillor Joe Opato did raise questions about enforcement, with Patterson explaining there are some ways to determine whether short-term accommodations are following the rules and measures could be taken through by-law enforcement or collections, but there is obviously a reliance on good faith, which he noted should be bolstered by ensuring people understand the benefits of the funds.

Under provincial law, half of the funds would go to municipal coffers to support tourism, and the other to a third-party "tourism entity" - Patterson has proposed setting up a new entity that would include representation from Council or Municipal staff, accommodation operators, and the public.

Wawa Public Library Scavenger Hunt Ending, Reading Bingo Continues

Time's running out for families to submit pictures for the Wawa Public Library's "Family Photo Scavenger Hunt".

While the scavenger hunt officially ended Tuesday, the deadline for entries is 4 o'clock this afternoon - prizes will be awarded next Tuesday, July 30th.

Though that initiative's ending, Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell reminds the Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is still underway, to encourage literacy among the family.

Jarrell encourages families to do this together, with prizes for kids and for adults - and she notes there'll be other activities at the library through the rest of the summer, including an Escape Room planned for August 23rd to 25th.

CHADWIC Home Holding Sunset Yoga at Sandy Beach

Wawa's local women's shelter is inviting people to celebrate International Self Care Day with sunset yoga.

CHADWIC Home Public Awareness and Marketing Intern Morgandy Leadbetter explains tonight's free event.

While yoga is noted to "not only enhance self-care but also nurture your mind, body, and soul, making it a powerful tool for personal well-being", Leadbetter notes the event is partly about awareness.

As blankets are limited, participants are reminded to bring a yoga mat or blanket - plus a water bottle - to the free event led by Callie Paddock, running from 8 to 9 pm at Sandy Beach.

Wawa Public Library Family Photo Scavenger Hunt Ending

Time's running out for families to take pictures for the Wawa Public Library's "Family Photo Scavenger Hunt".

As the contest officially ends today, Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell empasizes the Family Photo Scavenger Hunt is meant to be fun for the whole family.

Jarrell reminds participants to check out the rules.

Jarrell notes entries must be submitted by 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon, but reminds other things are happening at the library through the summer, including the Summer Bingo Reading Challenge on until late August, and the "Crazy Davey's Fishing Hut" escape room coming August 23rd to 25th.

Wawa Council to Hold 4 Meetings In A Row

Wawa Municipal Council's holding a quartet of meetings tonight.

That includes a Committee of Adjustment meeting, which will see discussion on two applications for consent and another for a minor variance, then a public meeting under the Planning Act for Zoning By-Law amendments relating to the consent applications and a third proposed amendment.

Those'll be followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include monthly reports from department heads, the final report on the proposed Municipal Accommodation Tax, a draft policy on a Civic Achievement Award, results from requests for proposals for Municipal Refuse Collection and for a new transit van, and discussions about Cemetery Expansion and renovations at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

There will also be a regular Council meeting, which will follow up on those last items - there are also four "in-camera" items on the agenda: a personal issue relating to a request for relief from hydro fee; personnel issues about labour/contract negotiations and performance appraisal; and a legal issue regarding a request under the section of the Municipal Act relating to property taxes.

The meetings will be held back-to-back-to-back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Foleyet Remains Under Boil Water Advisory

Foleyet remains under a boil water advisory after a loss of disinfectant in its drinking water system.

Public Health Sudbury and Districts issued the advisory Sunday night, warning those who take their water from Foleyet's municipal system not to use it for human consumption - like drinking, cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth - unless it is first brought to a roiling boil for at least a minute prior to use - it could, however, be used for laundry or bathing without boiling first.

The advisory will remain in effect until testing confirms it's safe.

It was one of two water advisories issued by the health unit Sunday night, as a drinking water advisory was issued for Gore Bay due to scheduled maintenance that required the Town to shut down its water distribution system.

Former Wawa Resident Wins $2500 in Split the Pot Lottery While Supporting LDHC

Wawa's hospital foundation is congratulating a former resident who won big in a unique online lottery.

The Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation says longtime former Wawa resident Adele Aquino won $2500 through the province-wide "Split the Pot Lottery", noting she'd been participating in the lottery since it began last year, choosing to support the Lady Dunn Health Centre as she'd used its services for 36 years.

Another round of the lottery - which splits proceeds between several winners and participating hospitals, including the Lady Dunn Health Centre and Chapleau General Hospital foundations - is set to begin next month.

HSCDSB Expands Indigenous Summer Transition Program to Wawa Area

The local English Catholic school board's expanding its Indigenous Summer Transition Program.

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board says the program - which was previously limited to Sault Ste. Marie has been expanded across the district, offering Indigenous elementary school students assistance transitioning to secondary school and preparing for student life through Indigenous presentations, programming, and activities that incorporate cultural teachings, traditions, and practices while honouring and celebrating Indigenous heritage and providing culturally appropriate support services.

The students will also be provided transportation and meals.

For Wawa, White River, Chapleau, and Hornepayne, the program will be offered for all self-identified First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students in Grades 5 to 8 on August 13th in Wawa - those interested need to contact Indigenous Transitions Coach Cindy Cyr by emailing cindy.cyr@hscdsb.on.ca

Wawa Public Library Launches Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

The Wawa Public Library's encouraging families to take some photos in a special scavenger hunt.

Head Librarian and CEO Sue Jarrell explains the "summer reading fun" organized by the library includes the popular event kicking off today.

Jarrell reminds participants to check out the rules, available at the library.

Jarrell notes the hunt continues to Tuesday, July 23rd, though participants will have until 4 pm on Thursday, July 25th to submit their entries, with prizes to be awarded Tuesday, July 30th.

The library's Bingo Reading Summer Challenge is also underway - for children and for adults - along with other summer programming.

Local Students Awarded Scholarship

Some local students are being honoured with special scholarships.

The Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon says two students from each of its secondary schools have been awarded "Vision Scholarships" valued at $500, for reflecting the board vision of "thriving French-language Catholic students, proud and ready to take place in their society".

Local recipients are Mya Rilley and Ethan Austin from Ecole secondaire Saint-Joseph in Wawa and Chloé Fortin and Xander Jaworski from Chapleau's Ecole secondaire catholique Trillium.

CSC Nouvelon Honours Chapleau Teacher

A Chapleau teacher's being recognized for exceptional contributions.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon is touting École secondaire catholique Trillium's Rebecca Langelier as "an accessible role model for students and her peers", noting she's active in diocese activities, plays a leadership role at the school - organizing activities promoting Francophone culture, supporting the school's student radio and student parliament, and encouraging contributions to the food bank or singing for seniors - and promoting interactions with École Sacre-Coeur, as well as religious celebrations.

The board's also honouring Sudbury teacher Gilles Richer, saying they're "very lucky" to have the two "who give themselves, heart and soul, for our students and our schools".

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