Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to get you started on this Thursday morning.
No great change to city tax policy expected in 2022: Jakubo
Although the City of Greater Sudbury’s 2022 budget deliberations capped last week with a 3.1-per-cent increase to the tax levy, the actual impacts on property owners is not yet determined. This will come sometime in April or May, when the city establishes its 2022 property tax policy. “The budget determines the size of the pie,” said Ward 7 Coun. Mike Jakubo, who also chairs the city’s finance and administration committee. “Tax policy determines which property types pay what size of slice of that pie.” The city’s 2021 property tax policy remained largely unchanged from the previous year, and Jakubo said it’s expected to remain as such into 2022. “Tax policy each year tries to keep the ratios as similar as possible to relay a consistent amount of taxes and tax increases proportionately across the different property tax classes,” he said.
Feds announced temporary expansion of worker lockdown program eligibility
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the federal government will be temporarily expanding eligibility for the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit and the Local Lockdown Program. Those impacted by capacity limiting restrictions will be eligible to apply, Trudeau said. "We're going to be there for the hard-hit regions, for specific sectors like art and culture, hospitality, and tourism." Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland explained that the federal government will temporarily expand the definition of 'lockdown' so wage and rent programs are available to support businesses and workers impacted by capacity restrictions of 50 per cent or more. The government defined a lockdown to be when a health authority orders non-essential businesses closed and non-essential workers to stay home. As a result, no part of the country was officially in lockdown, leaving those benefits out of reach for people even as businesses shut their doors and workers are sent home.
Former City of Sudbury councillor James Ilnitski has passed away
A former City of Sudbury municipal councillor for nine years passed away earlier this month at the age of 75. James Ilnitski died unexpectedly at Health Sciences North on Dec. 8. His obituary said he was “a big believer in giving back to the community and served on the City of Sudbury Council and Regional Council for nine years, representing Ward 4.” Ilnitski worked at Inco as a millwright and retired after 30 years of service. His obituary said he was heavily involved in the community beyond his time on city council. Ilnitski also served on several committees, including chairman of the Donovan Improvement Committee, where he worked on implementing improvements to the parks, playgrounds and walking trails, to mention a few of his accomplishments.
Education workers wonder why they weren’t offered rapid COVID tests alongside students
Unions representing teachers and other education workers in Ontario say their members should have received rapid COVID-19 tests to use over the holidays along with students. A joint statement on the matter was issued by Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) earlier this month. While school boards are providing students with rapid tests to use over the holidays, teachers and education workers have been excluded from this important preventative health and safety measure, said the statement. “By failing to provide these tests to educational staff, teachers and education workers have once again been pushed to the end of the line when it comes to safety precautions in their workplaces,” the statement said. It is known that the majority of COVID-19 infection spread is from asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic individuals, and proactive rapid testing is an effective method of detecting those cases, said the unions.
Adanac now open, but you must pre-book your visit
Adanac Ski Hill has opened for the season, but make sure you book your visit before you hit the slopes. The hill opened Dec. 20. You can find hours of operation, fees and up-to-date hill conditions are available at GreaterSudbury.ca/play/ski-hills. Skiers are asked to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms before visiting the hill, and to avoid the facility if experiencing symptoms. All visits to Adanac must be pre-booked and pre-paid. Day tickets and walk-in lessons are not available. To book your visit, go to GreaterSudbury.ca/Leisure.
Sudbury man charged with assault, uttering threats after family dispute
A 38-year-old Sudbury man is facing several charges, including for assault and uttering threats, after a family dispute in Cartier over the weekend. The OPP responded to the family dispute on South Bay Road in Cartier at 9:48 p.m. Dec. 18. Officers found that one family member had assaulted another family member while destroying personal property and uttering threats within the residence, said a press release. The victim was not injured and did not require medical attention. The 38-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with assault, mischief, uttering threats and possession of weapon for dangerous purpose. The accused was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury on Jan. 22.
A bit of sun today and some snow
Expect a high of -7 under mainly cloudy skies today. There is a 40-per-cent chance of flurries in the morning and early in the afternoon, with periods of snow beginning in the afternoon. The wind will be blowing at 15 km/h, bringing a wind chill of -25 in the morning and -14 in the afternoon. Tonight, expect snow and a low of -7.
