Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
Northern MPP, res. school survivor has message for Pope Francis
Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa is not only travelling to Alberta to meet with Pope Francis, but taking an important message with him. Written on a birch bark scroll, Mamakwa carried the words of residential school survivors, calling for the revocation of the so-called “Doctrine of Discovery.” The pope is visiting Canada as part of his “penitential pilgrimage” as he called it. On July 25, the pope visited the site of the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School in the community of Maskwacis, Alta., and will continue to Quebec City on Wednesday and Iqaluit on Friday. At the site, the pope expressed his “sorrow, indignation and shame.” He offered an apology to the children who attended the schools, those who were punished for speaking their languages and practising their culture, who were separated from their families and, in many cases, subjected to psychological, physical and sexual abuse. “I am deeply sorry,” said the pope, “I am sorry, and I ask forgiveness.”
Laurentian union leaders welcome Haché’s pending departure
The announcement last week that two senior leaders at Laurentian University will be retiring before the university exits insolvency proceedings is a “necessary step,” said the president of Laurentian’s staff union. These two senior leaders are the university’s president, Robert Haché, as well as its provost and vice-president, academic, Marie-Josée Berger. They are to depart prior to Laurentian’s emergence from insolvency restructuring under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), which is currently expected on Oct. 5. Laurentian continues to undergo court-supervised restructuring after declaring insolvency in February 2021, and filing for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (or CCAA). The university has now filed a proposed plan of arrangement. A plan of arrangement is a plan put forward by an insolvent organization to pay out its creditors, and it must be approved by these creditors. The departure of Haché and Berger is referred to in Laurentian’s proposed plan of arrangement, which states one of the “customary conditions to implementation of the plan” was “a renewal of certain senior management positions at LU.”
Read the full story on the Sudbury.com homepage.
Kerry Burke sentencing in murder case adjourned to October
The sentencing in a second-degree murder case for which the accused pleaded guilty has been adjourned due to an incomplete Gladue report. “My understanding is that the Gladue report had some delays in it due to lockdowns and other issues with it,” Justice Erin Cullen said during what was supposed to be a court appearance for Kerry Burke’s sentencing this morning. The court is working to ensure “all the necessary parties have been consulted by the report writers and they have had opportunity to provide information.” Gladue reports provide information about an Indigenous person’s background for the court’s consideration prior to sentencing, and can include suggestions about appropriate sentencing. They are typically 25 pages or longer and take between six to eight weeks to prepare. Burke’s Gladue report was ordered on May 10, which was almost 11 weeks ago. Defense lawyer Glenn Sandberg affirmed the Gladue report is important due to the seriousness of the charges, which Cullen agreed with.
Hospice butterfly release back Aug. 7 after nearly three years
The annual Maison McCulloch Hospice live butterfly release was not only a major fundraiser for Greater Sudbury’s only palliative care facility, but also a powerfully emotional event for the many people who participated year after year. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has meant that for nearly three years, the butterfly release has not been able to be held. This year, though, on Aug. 7, the poignant event returns to the grounds of Science North. “After nearly three years of mourning our loved ones alone, the Lougheed Foundation Live butterfly release is a great opportunity to bring families together to share stories and talk about those we love and miss, all while supporting the Hospice,” said Ashley Bertrand, director of the Sudbury Hospice Foundation. “Every butterfly sold brings the Foundation closer to raising the dollars needed to allow the Hospice to continue serving our community at no cost.” The Aug. 7 event will be held between 3-5 p.m. in front of the Rusty Blakey Monument on the grounds of Science North. You can pre-purchase your butterfly for $40 until July 29 by calling 705-674-9252 or by visiting Lougheed Flower Shop or Jackson Barnard Funeral Home.
Teen arrested for indecent acts on Junction Creek trail
Greater Sudbury Police have made an arrest in relation to several incidents of a person exposing himself to people walking the Junction Creek walking path. Back on July 13, GSPS asked the public for information related to a person exposing himself and inappropriately touching himself on two separate occasions to two individuals. The incidents occurred along the Junction Creek walking path between Martindale Road, Regent Street and Kelly Lake Road on July 2 and agains on July 12. Detectives of the Major Crime section conducted the investigation. On July 24, a 15-year-old Sudbury teen was arrested and charged with five counts of committing an indecent act and five counts of criminal harassment.
Ward 6 candidate pushes for Citizens on Patrol funding
With funding cut to the Citizens on Patrol program of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, a local man has started his own neighbourhood watch program in the Valley. “I’m out almost every night,” said Scott Seguin, who has enlisted a handful of volunteers to patrol their neighbourhoods in the Valley and keep an eye out for criminal activity. “We’re driving around with our windows down, listening for people in neighbourhods.” Seguin, who is running for the Ward 6 councillor position in this year’s municipal election, heads out at around midnight to help keep an eye on things. A self-proclaimed “night owl,” he said, “Instead of sitting around the house watching movies or TV, I’m doing something productive for people.” After approximately three weeks of these nightly patrols, Seguin said he has called police to investigate a few matters, including a naked person attempting to break into a chip stand in Hanmer, suspicious vehicles and other activities he believed warranted the attention of officers.
Clouds and a high of 27 today
Expect a sunny start to the day and a high of 27 for Tuesday. Increasing cloudiness is expected early in the afternoon. Wind will be from the west at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 before becoming light in the afternoon. The UV index today is eight, or very high. Tonight, expect cloudy periods and a low of 14.
