Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
City finalizes its list of voting stations
WIth the recent addition of Queen Elizabeth II Public School at 32 Dell St., the city has finalized its list of voting stations for the Oct. 24 civic election. This recent addition was important to the Flour Mill/Donovon/Cambrian Heights neighbourhood, said Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, who advocated for the voting station’s addition. Although reluctant to say the neighbourhoods are now well-served by voting stations, she said, “it has been improved upon.” “We have a more accessible location dealing with neighbourhoods that have been identified … as having residents with the least amount of cars,” she said. “We have a lot of pioneer families who still live in the neighbourhood … and hold to the tradition of voting by paper ballot on voting day, and this will honour that tradition.” By locating a voting station within a school, she said it might also serve as an educational tool for teachers to inform their students about the democratic process “and the role they can play.”
Debt plan approval marks ‘new chapter’ for Laurentian University
With creditors narrowly voting in favour of Laurentian University’s plan of arrangement Wednesday, the insolvent university cleared a major hurdle to finally being able to exit creditor protection. “It's positive, because for the past couple of years, Laurentian’s had a cloud over it,” said Laurentian board chair Jeff Bangs, reacting to the news of the Sept. 14 “yes” vote. “In some ways, we’ve had our hands tied behind our back, and now we have an opportunity to take back control and to demonstrate that we can implement this plan of arrangement that includes new systems and new people to take this university forward.” Laurentian has been undergoing court-supervised restructuring since declaring insolvency in February 2021, and filing for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (or CCAA). A plan of arrangement is essentially a plan put forward by an insolvent organization to pay out its creditors, and it must be approved by these creditors.
Gélinas: Ontario’s long-term care scheme ‘a cruel game’
Forcing frail elderly patients out of hospitals and into long-term care homes not of their choosing and up to 150 km from their homes is playing a “cruel game of musical chairs” with the lives of Ontario seniors and their families, Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas said in a statement issued this week. On Sept. 14, Premier Doug Ford’s government confirmed Bill 7 gives the province the power to force people into long-term care homes they didn’t choose or else face expensive daily charges to remain in hospital. Starting Sept 21, Health Minister Sylvia Jones and Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra said under the bill Southern Ontario patients can be moved up to 70 kilometres away from their home communities, while those in Northern Ontario may be moved up to 150 kilometres away. What’s more, starting Nov. 20 hospitals must begin charging patients who have been discharged by their doctor and refuse to be moved to a home not of their choice a daily fee of $400. Jones said discharge planners will have to have "very challenging" conversations with patients about going into a home that they do not want to go to.
New book celebrates 50 years of the Sudbury Wolves
If you’re a fan of the Sudbury Wolves, you may want to pick up a copy of Latitude 46’s latest release. The local publisher is coming out with a book by local author Scott Miller called “Leading the Pack: 50 Years of Sudbury Wolves History.” The book incorporates both historical documents and interviews with players, staff, and others closely involved with the franchise over the years. Miller completed his BA and MA in history at Laurentian University and has published articles on the history of Sudbury in the Canadian Historical Review, Ontario History, and the Canadian Military Journal. In 2019, Miller, along with co-author Mark Kuhlberg, received the Riddell Award from the Ontario Historical Society for the best article published on the subject of Ontario history in 2018.
‘Breathe deep, boys’: miners share stories of McIntyre Powder
It’s been more than 40 years since Roger Genoe first breathed in McIntyre Powder while working in Elliot Lake’s Quirke II Mine. But he remembers the feel of the aluminum dust like it was yesterday. As an apprentice electrician, Genoe started each day at the Rio Algom uranium mine getting his assignment sheet before heading to the dry where he swapped out his street clothes for the coveralls, boots and safety equipment he’d wear for the day. In that changeroom, he and his shiftmates would wait, shoulder to shoulder, on long benches while the shift supervisor sealed the room before spraying McIntyre Powder into the air. It entered their noses, their eyes, their mouths and, eventually, their lungs, coating everything in a fine, jet-black powder that lingered throughout the day. "The room was filled with dust, just a black powder,” Genoe recalled. “I called it graphite because it would get into the pores in your skin, on your hands, on your clothes.”
Don’t miss your chance to skate with the greats for Easter Seals
Held for the first time in the Nickel City, the Sudbury Celebrity Hockey Classic is your chance to get in the game for Easter Seals in support of kids with physical disabilities. On Oct. 20 and 21, participants will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play alongside NHL greats Wendel Clark, Rick Vaive, Al Iafrate, Mike Krushelnyski, and others, while supporting children with physical disabilities in our community and across Ontario. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 20 with a VIP experience for attendees who will enjoy an evening of cocktails, delicious dinner and wine, silent and live auctions, and an exciting celebrity draft all while mingling with their hockey heroes at the Steelworkers Hall. The hockey tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 21 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Arena. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of two games.
Cool, rainy day to end the work week
Expect a cool, rainy day to end the work week. A few showers will end in the late morning, then the day will be cloudy with a 40-per-cent chance of showers with the risk of a thunderstorm. Upwards of 5 mm is expected. The UV index today is two, or low. Tonight, the skies will stay cloudy with a 60-per-cent chance of showers. The overnight low is 13.
