Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Thursday morning.
Building permits hold steady in Greater Sudbury, with last year’s total hitting $290.2M
The latest round of City of Greater Sudbury construction statistics point to a municipality maintaining a relatively steady pace of growth throughout the pandemic. Recently released building permit statistics reveal the city issued 1,839 building permits in 2021, which carried a total value of $290.2 million. Although this lags behind the five-year averages of 1,952 permits and $314.2-million annual total, building services director and chief building official Guido Mazza said there’s always fluctuation in these statistics, with one major project enough to throw things off. In 2020, this included the 256-bed Extendicare facility in Sudbury’s south end, which has a construction value estimated at $54 million. Further, a slew of HVAC-related permits that came as a result of COVID-related health measures also served to skew numbers. “I think we’re on an upswing,” Mazza said after looking at the nuances behind the figures. “The numbers are in line with the trends that we’re seeing. Building permits continue to contribute to housing opportunities for our growing population.”
Sudbury psychiatrist given 'advice' over medication dispute with patient
A Sudbury psychiatrist has been given professional advice over a complaint from a patient who claimed he developed an addiction to certain antidepressant drugs and said his doctor failed to advise of the addictive properties associated with the drugs. The issue came to light in April 2020 when the patient wrote to the CPSO expressing concern about Dr. Hanumantha Rayudu Koka of Sudbury, whose specialty is psychiatry. The hearing was told that in late July 2019, the patient attended the Emergency Department (ER) of Health Sciences North after feeling progressively more depressed, anxious and experiencing panic attacks and sleep disturbances following a change in his medications. He was referred to Koka, who saw the patient on Aug. 9 and Aug. 28, 2019, said the hearing transcript. During the Aug. 9 appointment, the complaint reads, the patient told Koka that he wanted to be better in time for his return to university studies, and so Koka prescribed the applicant a month’s supply of Prozac, Lorazepam (Ativan) and Temazepam (for short-term treatment of insomnia) and also provided the patient with repeat prescriptions for an additional period of five months, since the patient said he had to attend a university semester out of town. As a result of the initial hearing, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee issued "advice" to Koka "to be cautious in prescribing benzodiazepines, including considering alternatives, avoiding multiple types of benzodiazepines at once, and avoiding multiple prescription repeats for patients not being seen in follow-up." In October of 2020, the patient requested a review of the committee's decision, suggesting that the CPSO review was inadequate. A review was held in November 2021. The appeal review board disagreed with the patient.
City continues its reopening plan alongside loosened public health restrictions
Alongside the latest round of loosened provincial health measures, the City of Greater Sudbury has continued down its path toward reopening facilities. Although the city has followed the province’s lead in no longer requiring proof of vaccination, they caution that some permit holders or groups with leases may choose to maintain these requirements. “As we see public health measures easing, many of us feel like we are starting to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. This is the next step toward better days ahead,” Mayor Brian Bigger said in a media release issued by the city. “Remember that some people may be feeling a bit more nervous about this next phase, so let’s all do our best to be kind and patient with each other. Be respectful of businesses that may decide to keep vaccination requirements in place a while longer. Continue to wear your mask and follow other practical health measures to keep us going down the right path.”
Disciplinary hearings begin for GSPS officer charged for refusing to show vaccination proof
In a very quick proceeding, Greater Sudbury Police Const. Melisa Rancourt had her first appearance at a disciplinary hearing March 1. The charges stem from Rancourt’s arrest on Sept. 26, when she refused to provide proof of vaccination to attend her child’s hockey game at the Espanola Recreation Centre. Witness told Sudbury.com Rancourt yelled and screamed, called bystanders “nazis” and kicked a door while arguing with an OPP officer called by rec centre staff after the GSPS officer refused to show proof of vaccination. Rancourt was arrested and charged with resisting a peace officer, and two charges of entering a premises when entry has been prohibited, contrary to the Trespass to Property Act (TPA). Her partner, Dana Rancourt, was also charged with trespassing in regards to the same incidents. You can read more about that incident here. Rancourt has since completed the Direct Accountability Program through the John Howard Society, and because she has completed the program’s requirements, which include admitting to the crimes, two charges against Rancourt have now been officially withdrawn. A third charge, the remaining of the two trespassing charges, was dismissed upon payment of the fine by Rancourt. But while one count of discreditable conduct discussed at the March 1 hearing was specific to the Sept. 26 incident, another count included a wider date range.
‘Ever Falling Flight’ sees Sudbury playwright’s work on STC’s stage once again
For the second time, Sudbury playwright Matthew Heiti will see one of his plays staged by Sudbury Theatre Centre as part of its regular season. "Ever Falling Flight" runs at STC March 3-13. Inspired by the disappearance of pioneering 20th century pilot Amelia Earhart, this tale launches itself into a re-imagined captivating story with a new heroine. It is a dark, comic fantasy tale that follows Earhart and her navigator Fred as they dash through increasingly strange ports-of-call. The famous pilot races against the clock and the spectre of a demonic red plane. "Ever Falling Flight," directed by STC artistic director John McHenry, stars Sudbury’s Ruthie Nkut as AE along with Kevin Morris as Fred the navigator. A pay-what-you-can matinee is set for 2:30 p.m. March 6, and a relaxed performance at 2:30 p.m. March 12. Tickets cost $50 each and are available at SudburyTheatre.com or through STC’s box office at 705-674-8381, ext. 21. The TNO production of Aéroportée runs April 7-9 at Collége Boréal, including two performances with English subtitles. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a maximum price of $40 each. Visit TNO’s website for tickets.
Consultant zeroes in on poor financial management at insolvent Laurentian U.
Reports authored by outside consultants outlining recommendations to guide the transformation of insolvent Laurentian University in years to come were publicly released by the university Wednesday. You can read the reports on Laurentian’s operations and governance by the firm Nous Group here. Laurentian engaged the services of Nous Group to look into its operations and governance as it continues to undergo insolvency restructuring. Nous Group’s Rowe, who led the review under the direction of Laurentian’s chief redevelopment officer and the court-appointed monitor of LU’s restructuring, told those on the Zoom call that to be blunt, “these are tough findings.” Regarding the university’s finances, obviously LU is in a “significant financial situation,” and Rowe said there’s “a wholescale kind of a rethink that needs to be done around how you approach planning, planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, etc.” The report said that Laurentian’s “budget management, financial processes and reporting lack rigour," and have likely contributed to Laurentian’s insolvency.
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Not a bad daytime high but a bitter wind chill this morning
Expect a high of -11 today with a mix of sun and cloud. The wind will be out of the north at 20 km/h, becoming light in the morning. Anticipate a morning wind chill of -34 and -16 in the afternoon. There is a risk of frostbite. Tonight, the temperature will drop to -18 under clear skies.
