Greg Newing

Greg Newing – Local Journalism Initiative

PONTIAC – The Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) and the Centre de services scolaire des Hauts-Bois-de-l’Outaouais (CSSHBO) cancelled all classes and daycare services scheduled for April 8 due to safety concerns surrounding a solar eclipse that day.

The decision was made to prevent students from inadvertently looking into the sun during the eclipse, which will take place in the afternoon while students are usually outside taking the bus, getting picked up, or walking home.

The day will be treated by both institutions as a PD day and will replace PD days originally scheduled by the CSSHBO for June 7 and by the WQSB for April 5. While adult and professional education classes will also be cancelled for schools under the WQSB, the CSSHBO announced these classes will continue as scheduled for all associated schools in the region.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, blocking the view of the sun for a small portion of the planet. The eclipse on April 8 will be partial, with about 90% of the sun obscured by the moon. It will be visible throughout the Pontiac from 2:11 p.m. to 4:33 p.m. with the maximum eclipse at 3:23 p.m.

While it’s possible for residents to view the eclipse, it’s important to take proper safety precautions. The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) warns about the impact of viewing a solar eclipse without proper protection; “Staring at the sun without protection may cause damage to one’s retina (the tissue at the back of your eye) called ‘solar retinopathy.’ This damage can occur without any sensation of pain. The injury can be temporary or permanent.”

According to the CAO, regular sunglasses – even those with high UV protection – are not sufficient for safely viewing a solar eclipse. It can only be safely viewed with special purpose solar glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, available for free from public libraries in the Pontiac. Contact your local library to confirm availability.

Further information on how to safely view a solar eclipse can be found at: https://opto.ca/eye-healthlibrary/ solar-eclipse-safety.

Image: (left to right) Iranian-Canadian Baha’i Jennifer Shiva Kasiri, MC and translator Chloé Côté Perreault, and Na-Cho Nyak Dun elder and storyteller Louise Profeit-LeBlanc at Maison du Citoyen, Gatineau, March 9 (GN). Photo: Greg Newing

By Greg Newing, Gatineau Bulletin LJI Reporter

Over 100 people gathered at the Maison du citoyen on March 9 for a commemorative event organized by the Baha’i community of Gatineau to honour the lives of 10 Baha’i women who were executed in Shiraz, Iran 40 years ago. The 10 women were killed for refusing to renounce their faith which has been outlawed by the Iranian government. One woman was 17 years old and most were in their 20s.

The commemoration, which marked International Women’s Day, also made ties with present- day injustices in Canada, taking the opportunity to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Algonquin elder Annie Smith Saint-Georges gave opening remarks and highlighted the common struggle faced by Indigenous women and those experiencing violence in other parts of the world, “We are human and come from all directions of the earth… We have to take care of each other, we need strength together and can march together to honour and uplift the status of women,” said Smith Saint-Georges.

Image: Algonquin artists Aki Stevens (second from left) and Doreen Stevens (third from left) performing the Strong Women’s Song with Indigenous elders Louise Profeit LeBlanc (left) and Annie Smith-Saint Georges (third from right) at Maison du citoyen, March 9 (GN). Photo: Greg Newing.

Saint-Georges’ remarks were followed by a performance of the “Strong Women’s Song” by Algonquin artists Doreen and Aki Stevens. Commenting on the song’s significance, Doreen Stevens described it as an intergenerational source of strength. Aki Stevens added that performing the song has supported those impacted by violence, “We personally know people who have gone missing … but even when things are going wrong in your life, it doesn’t mean that you can’t bring light to a situation. That’s empowerment,” she commented.

The performance was followed by a dramatized dialogue between second-generation Iranian Canadian Baha’i Jennifer Shiva Kasiri and Indigenous elder and storyteller from the Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation Louise Profeit-LeBlanc. The dialogue focused on the struggle to promote gender equality globally and highlighted commonalities across contexts, “The oppression of women occurs no matter where you are, no matter what class or ethnicity. It’s something that we unfortunately see all around the world,” said Kasiri. “I think these two stories are connected because they showed strength in difficult moments. When I hear the stories of residential school survivors, I see the same strength and resilience,” she continued. Profeit-LeBlanc responded, emphasising the need for more dialogue and mutual support across contexts, “When we really think about it, the hurt of one is the hurt of all and the honour of one is the honour of all,” said Profeit-LeBlanc.

As Iran’s largest non-Muslim religious minority, Baha’is continue to face state sponsored persecution and human rights abuses such as harassment, arbitrary imprisonment, the closure of businesses and are barred from higher education. One participant, Malihe Sowlati, who arrived in Canada as a refugee in 1983, said she was touched by the event and had been personally affected by the violence following the Iranian revolution, “Since the revolution in Iran, there have been many more remarkable Baha’i women who have been executed. Many Iranian women who are not Baha’i have also suffered. Especially in the last few years, there has been a significant rise in violence toward women,” said Sowlati.

The commemoration was part of the global #OurStoryIsOne campaign to honour the memory of the 10 women and to raise awareness about violence toward women from all backgrounds in Iran and around the world today. For more information on the campaign, visit: https://www.ourstoryisone.bic.org/.

To learn more about murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls in Canada, a report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls can be found at: mmiwg-ffada.ca.

Greg Newing

Local Journalism Initiative

OUTAOUAIS – Outaouais residents discussed the past, present and future of Local Community Service Centres (CLSCs) at a virtual panel discussion hosted by health rights advocacy organization Action-Santé Outaouais (ASO) on February 20.

The event, which attracted over 70 participants, featured speakers Dr. Anne Plourde, researcher at the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS), Dr. Isabelle Leblanc, assistant professor at McGill’s Department of Family Medicine, and Yves Destroismaisons, a Human Relations Officer with 20 years prior experience as a CLSC social worker in Petite-Nation.

In his introductory comments, ASO Director Mathieu Charbonneau said the idea for the event emerged from discussion workshops about access to healthcare in rural areas held across the Outaouais – including one in Bristol – in November 2023. “One of the main points that came up during these workshops was the role of CLSCs. Participants and representatives from local organizations noted a major decline in the function of rural CLSCs and a net decrease in service accessibility,” said Charbonneau.

The panel focused on the history and origins of CLSCs, the impact of increasing centralization and privatization of healthcare on them and the prospects of the CLSC model for promoting greater access to healthcare in Quebec.

Dr. Plourde spoke about how the model for CLSCs first emerged from grassroots social movements during the 1950s and 60s prior to becoming a government service in the 1970s. She explained that, at the time, health services were private and concentrated in wealthy urban neighbourhoods leaving those living in poor neighbourhoods and rural areas without adequate healthcare.

“In the 60s, local movements decided to take healthcare into their own hands and created community clinics in disadvantaged neighborhoods to respond to needs unmet by the private services,” said Plourde; “The CLSC model was largely based on these grassroots community clinics.”

Panelists noted that, although CLSCs were initially supposed to have a full multidisciplinary health team, offer a wide range of front-line health and social services, and be administered by local democratically elected boards, the vision of province-wide healthcare anchored in local communities was never fully realized.

“One of the big issues is CLSCs never lived up to what they were supposed to be. A great model was created, but it was never given the support it needed. There was chronic underfunding and CLSCs were never given the means to complete their mission,” said Dr. Leblanc.

Leblanc said resistance to the CLSC model over successive governments coupled with a push towards privatization among many doctors in the province eventually led to CLSCs becoming a parallel service to private clinics.

Destroismaisons spoke from his experience working in CLSCs for over 20 years. “Initially, there was a broad range of services offered and they had latitude because they were managed by a local board with a director on site. However, bit by bit, services have been distanced from rural CLSCs. Human contact has gradually been lost over time, and I find that extremely unfortunate,” said Destroismaisons.

“We need to start developing an alternative plan now. I’m not optimistic about the most recent healthcare reforms, but we’re capable of creating innovative models that can respond to the needs of the population in Quebec,” said Dr. Plourde when asked about the future of CLSCs.

“We can still be confident that the majority of actors on the ground in the healthcare system are still motivated by a desire that people get better. I think there’s still a glimmer of hope there. It becomes really difficult for healthcare workers to see how people are being treated and perhaps this is a ­­­­common point to bring people together and make improvements,” added Dr. Leblanc.

For more information and to learn about upcoming events and initiatives organized by ASO visit https://actionsanteoutaouais.org/ or email actionsanteoutaouais@gmail.com.

Heritage Hurricanes men’s basketball team with head coach Justin Edwards (right). Photo: Saīda Sambour, Heritage College.

By Greg Newing, The Aylmer Bulletin LJI Reporter

The Heritage Hurricanes men’s basketball team had a successful start to the 2023-2024 season, finishing 2^nd in the South West Division 2 league at the end of the Fall semester and climbing to 1^st after winning against Cegep André-Laurendeau on January 20 and Brébeuf College on Friday, January 26.

With a record of eight wins and two losses and lying ahead of Montreal’s Dawson College, the Hurricanes are optimistic about the second half of the season, “We’re really on a good path right now. We finished six and two at the end of the first semester and we’re going into the second semester strong,” said Franck Abraham, a small forward from Aylmer.

Players highlighted the supportive team spirit and encouragement from their new head coach, Justin Edwards, as reasons for their strong performance this season. “It’s an amazing team,” said guard-forward Joyce Dumbu. “Some of us have known each other for years and others are new this year, but we’re really like a family. We care about each other and we always push each other to improve.” Hans Biboum, who plays shooting guard and small forward, added, “Our coach really keeps us accountable. He tries to look for the best opportunities for us and really looks out for everyone. All of us are grateful to have him.”

Coach Justin Edwards said he expects the Hurricanes will make the provincial championships again this year after the team participated in the 2022-2023 championships last April. “I’m very optimistic about this season. Last year we finished 5th in the province and I think we’re going to be back in the mix again this year,” he said. “We have a competitive basketball program at Heritage, I think it has a lot to do with the culture. The quality of the student athletes has been getting better and better in recent years,” he said.

Edwards, who is serving his first year as Head Coach after nine years as lead assistant Coach, added that the team has not only been successful on the court, but has also excelled academically. “We’re proud that our student athletes continue to perform well in competition and in the classroom. Playing collegiate sports is a lifestyle; it’s not for everyone. It takes tremendous focus, effort and motivation to be an organized individual and balance all the competing responsibilities,” he said. He noted that an increased focus on academic performance in Heritage’s athletic programs meant that only a handful of the approximately 130 student athletes at Heritage ran into academic difficulties this year – a significant improvement compared to recent years.

The Hurricanes have four games coming up in February against Vanier, Édouard-Montpetit, Ahuntsic, and Dawson. If the Hurricanes maintain their high ranking, they will move on to the provincial championships in April.

Residents discussing the future of the Robert-Stewart pathway near des Cavaliers Elementary school, GN. Photo: Greg Newing.

By Greg Newing, The Aylmer Bulletin LJI Reporter

Aylmer residents discussed priorities for redeveloping the Robert-Stewart pathway on December 3. Organized by Councillor for the Mitigomijokan district Anik des Marais and the Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais (CREEDO), the consultation was an initial exploration of concerns and ideas before a final plan is presented to council in 2024.

The Robert-Stewart pathway runs from the corner of Chemin Robert-Stewart up to des Cavaliers Elementary school on rue Nancy-Elliot. The pathway has been closed to motor traffic since 2021 after residents mobilized against a new road linking rue du Jockey and rue Denise-Pelletier. According to Councillor des Marais, the pathway is an opportunity to promote a more pedestrian-centred approach to urban planning, “We need to give citizens a voice in both planning and implementation, even opening up the possibility of participating in financing,” said Councillor des Marais.

“People use this path all the time for biking and walking. It’s really a multi-use path and really important for us,” said local resident Jeanette Gervais. Residents Emma and Kevin Morgan noted that while they find the pathway to be very safe, the section of road on chemin Robert-Stewart between the entrance of the path and the end of the NCC bike trail is in urgent need of a sidewalk and lighting. Residents also suggested environmental initiatives, such as zones for wildlife protection and outdoor activity areas integrated with the natural surroundings.

Parents concerned about school zones

Families living in the neighbourhood adjacent to the Robert-Stewart pathway on rue Félix-Leclerc and rue Jean-Gascon have been voicing concerns to the city after a decision was made in October to change the neighbourhood’s school zone from des Cavaliers Elementary school to École des Rapides-Deschênes. While the Robert-Stewart pathway is regularly used by students for walking to and from school, it has not been officially recognized as a school corridor by the city – something that played a significant factor in the decision to change school zones.

“I think it’s one of the safest pathways in Quebec. We’ve never had a problem with safety and it’s easy for my son to go to school and come back home for lunch. The school is about 600 meters from our house, but since it’s not recognized as a school corridor, the city considers us to be 4 kilometers from des Cavaliers,” said Laurent Boisvert who participated in the consultation with his 4^th grade son Noé Boisvert. Parents also highlighted that the proposed school corridor on the section of chemin Robert-Stewart between the entrance of the trail and rue du Fauborg is on a road that is open to traffic, lacks a sidewalk and is adjacent to a ditch.

The Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais (CSSPO) decided to postpone the school-zone until January 2024 after parents’ groups mobilized. Councillor des Marais said that a safety-assessment for the pathway was recently conducted by the SPVG at the end of November with results likely available in January 2024.

A second community consultation about the Robert-Stewart trail will be held in spring 2024 before a final plan is adopted.

By Greg Newing, The Aylmer Bulletin LJI Reporter

City Council rejected plans for a mixed residential and commercial construction project at 390 Chemin McConnell at its meeting on November 14. The project involved a six-storey building with 91 units and commercial properties on the first floor. Construction would have removed a significant number of trees in a forested area on the site. Councillor Murray called for a vote on the project at the council meeting, arguing that it did not respect the city’s criteria to limit the number of trees cut down in a single project, especially trees of special environmental importance. She stated, “While the project does preserve some of the trees on the site, in my opinion it does not preserve a sufficient amount of woodland, nor do the proposed new trees to be planted sufficiently compensate for the existing ones.” The project was rejected with 12 votes against, seven in favour and one abstention.

Murray said that she is not opposed to the idea of a mixed construction project in the area, and highlighted the fact that many of the units were affordable and large enough to accommodate families. However, she said that any potential project would need higher environmental standards, “It is a sector that is expected to significantly grow in density. The project is in a woodland right next to a major ecological corridor, and I personally would like to see a proposal that better preserves the environment, given that it is a sensitive zone where many of the trees will likely disappear in a few years’ time,” said Councillor Murray during the council’s preparatory caucus.

Councillor Murray said that the developer offered to modify the project proposal to reduce its environmental impact following the council’s decision. While she did not yet have details about the modifications, she said that the developer offered to re-plant a higher number of trees than initially proposed. Murray said that the updated project will be on the council’s agenda at its next meeting on December 5.

The woodland at 390 Chemin McConnell is listed as woodland for protection and integration (Boisé de protection et d’integration). While this does not mean that construction cannot happen in this zone, the city’s by-laws state that projects must limit the number of trees that are cut down and avoid harming trees which are important for the surrounding landscape.

By Greg Newing, The Aylmer Bulletin LJI Reporter

The federal government’s 2023 Fall Economic Statement was made public on November 21. The statement provides an overview of Canada’s economic situation and introduces new measures geared towards supporting employment, housing and addressing rising costs of everyday living. We spoke with Pontiac MP Sophie Chatel about what impacts the new measures will have for those living in the Pontiac riding.

Affordable housing is one of the major priorities for 2023-2024 and the federal and provincial governments have both invested an additional $900 million in housing development in Quebec. Chatel said she has been speaking with developers and there is a growing interest to build in the Pontiac, “Now that the population is growing, there is a great opportunity to increase out housing stock and welcome new residents,” said Chatel. However, she added that infrastructure upgrades for drinking water, also electricity, wastewater, road and internet service are needed to accommodate new housing projects.

While new infrastructure funding was not included in the statement, it said it will be announced in the 2024 budget. As the chair of the Rural Liberal Caucus, Chatel said she has been advocating for increased infrastructure investment and is confident that the new budget will include the support needed for new development in the Pontiac when it is announced next spring.

Mortgage interest rates are forecast to start going down by mid-2024 and requirements and application processes for new mortgages will be streamlined and simplified. A new Canadian Mortgage Charter was also announced. While the charter is not law, it lists clear expectations and guidelines for how banks should treat borrowers struggling to pay their mortgage. New co-op rental housing developments will also no longer be charged GST.

To address the rising costs of daily living – especially food prices – Chatel said there will be major amendments to Canada’s competition laws, “The current situation has led to a system where grocery chains control the price of food and food inflation is completely passed on to consumers. We want to break this cycle by increasing competition and leaving room for small grocers to provide more affordable food.” She said the government will also continue to meet with big grocery chains to address inflation in food prices.

Chatel highlighted additional developments that she expects will be relevant for the Pontiac including removing barriers to labour mobility within Canada – particularly in construction, childcare and health care. The repayment deadline for Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loans, to qualify for partial loan forgiveness of up to $20 000, is extended to January 18, 2024, and four additional weeks of employment insurance benefits were announced for seasonal workers such as those in the tourism sector.

There will also be a 30% tax credit for biomass systems that produce electricity or heat from organic waste and a new program will provide households with up to $15 000 plus a $250 payment incentive to switch from oil to electric heat pumps.

While the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit program was expanded, Chatel said that the changes are unlikely to benefit smaller community newspapers and radio and has been advocating for new measures to support local media.

To view the 2023 Fall Economic Statement and read about other programs and measures visit www.budget.canada.ca/fes-eea/2023/home-accueil-en.html.