Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Winter overnight parking bylaw in effect as of Dec. 1
Well it’s that time of year again — the city’s overnight parking bylaw takes effect Dec. 1 and lasts until March 31, 2022. “During this time, parking is not permitted on any roadway, highway, laneway or side street within the city, between midnight and 7 a.m.,” the city stated in a news release. The parking restriction aims to make it easier for city crews to clear snow from roads and lanes. The city said the bylaw “will be strictly enforced, seven days a week.” “Motorists who do not adhere to the overnight parking by-law may be ticketed and the vehicle may be towed if it is impeding snow removal.” The bylaw does have an exception for the holiday season. That exemption is in place to permit on-street overnight parking on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26, as well as Jan. 1.
KPMG reappointed as Laurentian’s auditors during closed-door meeting in June
KPMG, the auditors of Laurentian University’s books for at least the past 15 years, continues as the university’s auditors, although more senior people with the company have taken charge of the file in the wake of Laurentian’s financial woes. Laurentian is still undergoing court-supervised restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) after declaring insolvency last winter. It is also currently undergoing a value-for-money audit by the Ontario Auditor General’s Office. The university had $321.8 million in liabilities as of April 20, 2020, and currently owes three Canadian banks $91 million. The auditors were reappointed during an in-camera portion of the June 18 Laurentian board of governors (BOG) meeting. Minutes from BOG meetings over the past six months, including motions passed in-camera at the June 18 meeting, were included as part of the package for the more recent Oct. 29 meeting.
Sudbury Wolves team activities suspended as 12 players test positive for COVID-19
The Sudbury Wolves have suspended all team activities after 12 players tested positive for COVID-19, said the Ontario Hockey League. All players affected are currently asymptomatic or exhibiting mild symptoms and the league and team will continue to monitor their well-being. The Ontario Hockey League had previously incorporated specific COVID-19 protocols including mandatory vaccination for all members of the OHL community including players, staff, officials and billets. The OHL is working in consultation with the league’s independent Chief Medical Officer while the Wolves continue to follow the guidance of Public Health Sudbury & Districts. As a result of the suspension of team activities for the Sudbury Wolves, the following OHL regular season games have been postponed, with additional games subject to further review: Dec. 1 – Sudbury Wolves at Soo Greyhounds; Dec. 3 – Barrie Colts at Sudbury Wolves, and; Dec. 4 – Sudbury Wolves at Barrie Colts
Ontario's top medical officer said effort underway to find a more 'appealing' COVID-19 treatment for unvaccinated
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health said Monday that efforts are underway to find a traditional vaccine or therapeutic treatment that would "appeal" to unvaccinated residents in a bid to reduce the impact on hospitals and to lessen the chance of those people becoming infected with COVID-19 and dying. Dr. Kieran Moore was speaking at an online news conference about Ontario's efforts to control the emergence of the newer Omicron Variant of the virus, which has caused significant concern in the public health community. Moore was responding to a question about how Ontario plans to deal with the 350,000-plus residents who have not yet had their first dose of the vaccine. Many Ontario residents who are vaccine hesitant have suggested that the mRNA Vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) and the viral vector vaccine (AstraZeneca) have not had a sufficient testing period. Moore responded that the Ministry of Health is "looking at additional therapeutics" that could be helpful for the individuals who are not vaccinated. He said this would include a new brand of vaccine.
Public Health pausing routine vaccinations, asking local docs to pick up the slack
The Sudbury health unit has put out a call for help from the medical community. In a statement issued Monday, Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) said it is seeking help from the primary healthcare community to help provide routine immunization services. PHSD said the additional demands of providing vaccines to children along with the pressures of managing the rising COVID-19 case counts means that some of the routine public health services are temporarily being suspended. This includes routine vaccination services, said PHSD ( Hepatitis B, Human papillomavirus (HPV), and Shingles). "At this time and until further notice, Public Health Sudbury & Districts is asking primary care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners) to create and provide opportunities for your patients to receive all of the publicly funded immunizations for which they are eligible," said PHSD. In addition to that, Public Health is looking for local primary health care providers who would be willing to assist in vaccinating persons beyond their rostered patients to help fill the gap that will be created by a reduction in public health vaccination services.
Laurentian objects ‘in the strongest possible terms’ to AG’s ‘culture of fear’ allegations
Lawyers for Laurentian University have responded to claims by the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario that LU has “created a culture of fear” among its staff to discourage them from talking to the auditor general’s office. The auditor general’s office is undertaking a value-for-money audit of Laurentian, which declared insolvency last winter, and is currently undergoing court-supervised restructuring. There is a dispute between Laurentian and the auditor general’s office. Laurentian contends it is not compelled under the Auditor General Act to provide the auditor general with privileged information, and has refused to do so. The auditor general’s office says it is entitled to this information under section 10 of the Act, and has sought a court ruling on the issue. A factum from Laurentian, filed with the courts Nov. 29, said the university objects “in the strongest possible terms” to the allegation in the auditor general’s Nov. 12 factum regarding the aforementioned “culture of fear.” “The auditor general’s allegation was incorrect,” said the Laurentian factum.
Another mild day in store, with a chance of rain
Expect the day to dawn with partially clear skies, but increasing cloudiness as the morning goes on. Periods of snow will begin in the early afternoon, with about two centimeters expected to fall. Wind will be 15 km/h with a -15 wind chill in the morning. The high is one degree. Tonight, the mercury is expected to climb rather than dip, with an overnight temperature of two degrees expected. Given the temperature, the overnight could bring rain or snow, Environment Canada forecasts.
