Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Tuesday morning.
What is CPTED and is Sudbury using it effectively?
The Greater Sudbury Police have been making headway into property crime rates in downtown Sudbury, and one method they credit with the decrease is called Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED, pronounced 'sep-ted'). But one of the originators of the concept, a former police officer who grew up in Sudbury, told Sudbury.com that if GSPS is only using the “first generation” of the tool, rather than the updated version meant to include the needs of vulnerable populations, the plans could be causing a vicious cycle, or displace the issues of the downtown to other parts of the city. Gregory Saville is co-founder of the International CPTED Association, inaugural chair and a long-time CPTED and crime prevention practitioner. He said the generational aspect is important because there is a distinction between crime opportunity and crime motive. Originally, CPTED was designed around the idea that by improving the physical environment, you can reduce the ‘opportunity’ for crime. It’s what Saville refers to as “first-generation CPTED.”
Sudbury Health Unit ready for a gradual roll-out of bivalent vax
Now that the Ontario government said it has the new COVID-19 bivalent vaccine booster dose available for citizens 18 years and older, the Sudbury Health Unit said it will follow the provincial directions once the vaccines are received. Ontario's Ministry of Health announced Monday that based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), Ontario is offering the bivalent booster to all Ontarians (18+) beginning with the most vulnerable populations. Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) said Friday it will follow provincial direction to implement a staged rollout whereby individuals who are at a higher risk of severe illness and outcomes from COVID-19 will be offered initial access. Subsequent access will then include everyone who is 18 years of age and older as per the authorization of the Moderna product.
North's health care emergency a clear message to Canada: Angus
The health emergency in James Bay is a clear message to Canada, says Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus. Due to an overall shortage of health professionals, services and infrastructure, Mushkegowuk Council declared a state of emergency for health-care services earlier this week. Mushkegowuk is looking for the full support of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and the Ministry of Health to allocate the needed resources for infrastructure. They want the investments to include supporting elements for a fully operational primary care model that includes access to equipment, information technology, systems and process, sustainability and staffing. As part of the emergency strategy, the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs is also exploring filing a human rights complaint. Angus said he is reaching out to the Mushkegowuk Grand Chief, the federal Minister of Health, and his provincial colleagues about the situation.
Youths' climate charter challenge set for Ontario court hearing
Ontario has set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets dangerously low and is therefore discriminating against young people, who will bear a disproportionate burden of climate change, seven youth activists argue in a lawsuit against the government. Their constitutional challenge, backed by Ecojustice environmental lawyers, is set to be heard Monday in Ontario Superior Court. Sudbury teen Sophia Mathur is one of the teens involved in the lawsuit. "Although climate change is global in scale, how decisions are made provincially and at every level is fundamentally important for addressing this issue that affects all of us," one of the youth, Shaelyn Wabegijig, said at a press conference Sunday. "We are here today to address the dire situation we find ourselves in and are able to tell our children that we did all we could, while we could, to change our trajectory."
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on a northern tour
To applause and cheers, federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the party is using its current power in parliament to help people. Fresh from a party retreat in the Maritimes, Singh is currently on a small tour of Northern Ontario. On Sunday night, he met with and spoke to supporters at Knowhere Public House on Elm Street. Earlier that day, he was on Manitoulin Island alongside Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carole Hughes visiting Canada’s first off-the-grid radio station (Great Lakes 103FM and Hits 100FM in Little Current) before sitting down with the United Chiefs and Council of Mnidoo Mnising. Today, Singh is visiting the Club d’Âge d’Or de la Vallée in the morning to meet with local seniors before making an afternoon visit to Collège Boréal. Singh met with and spoke to about 50 supporters at the Elm Street pub on Sunday night. He was joined by Hughes, as well as local NDP MPPs Jamie West (Sudbury) and France Gélinas (Nickel Belt). “When the NDP has had power, we have used it to help people,” Singh said.
Dozens hit the track for Parkinson Superwalk
Dozens of Sudburians gathered at Delki Dozzi Park in the city’s West End on Saturday morning for the first in-person Parkinson Superwalk since 2019. Claire Sheridan, one of the organizers, welcomed the crowd to the event. “It feels great to finally be back in person,” Sheridan said. “It shows a diagnosis doesn’t stop us from living.” Mayor Brian Bigger was also on hand. He said before the pandemic, the Superwalk was an event he always made a point of attending. “It’s always great to see such a turnout for the Superwalk,” Bigger said. “It has given me a much better appreciation for the struggles of people here and across Northern Ontario. Thank you for being here to support your family members and friends.” Wayne Arcand, president of the local chapter of Parkinson Canada, was also on hand to welcome the walkers. “We are fortunate to be able to gather together on a beautiful sunny day,” Arcand said. “It is a privilege for me to be part of the Superwalk for so many years.”
Showers and risk of thunderstorm today
Expect a mainly cloudy day with a 40-per-cent chance of showers in the morning and early in the afternoon. To top it off, more showers are expected over the afternoon, as well as a risk of thunderstorm. Upwards of five mm of rain is expected. The high today is 21 with a humidex value of 26. The UV index today is five, or moderate. Tonight, the mercury will dip to seven with cloudy periods and a 60-per-cent chance of showers.
