Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Wednesday morning.
Hold them to account: Tallying up the new city council’s pledges
Much was said on the campaign trail leading up to the Oct. 24 civic election in Greater Sudbury. With the newly elected city council expected to be sworn in on Nov. 17, it’s soon time to make sure they follow through on what they pledged. Many of these pledges, however, will be impossible to evaluate. Campaign season was heavy in platitudes, with many candidates sharing the same highly subjective, broad points around using taxpayer money efficiently, employing “common sense” and “listening to taxpayers.” Various campaigns advocated for the same general things, such as economic development, but failed to clarify what they intended to do and lacked measurable targets. This article is intended to highlight candidates’ more concrete pledges.
Public health numbers reveal total of 10 COVID deaths for October
Public Health Sudbury & Districts revealed two more COVID-19-related deaths occurred on Friday, bringing the number of deaths during October to 10. There were no new deaths reported on Monday, but the daily summary showed 89 new cases for Monday and the weekend. This brings the cumulative total of COVID cases in Sudbury to 20,341 for the past two years and eight months. Most of those cases — 20,004 — have been resolved. The majority of those cases (6,675) have involved the 20 to 39 age group. The two most recent deaths reported on Friday were described as occurring in Greater Sudbury. In one case, COVID-19 was described as the underlying cause of death. In the other case, it was reported COVID contributed to, but was not the underlying cause of death. Since March 2020, there have been 185 COVID-related deaths assigned to the Sudbury public health jurisdiction. As we come to the end of October, there were 138 COVID related deaths so far this year. As of January 1, of 2022, there were only 47 deaths in Sudbury.
Final city council meeting dominated by members’ motions
Numerous members’ motions have been tabled for the outgoing city council’s final meeting together on Nov. 8. Although the meeting takes place after the Oct. 24 civic election, the 2018-2022 city council will head the meeting, after which the newly elected city council will be sworn in on Nov. 17. The Nov. 8 meeting includes a jam-packed agenda. Although the meeting largely serves to tie up loose ends and lacks major decisions, the current batch of elected officials have tabled seven members’ motions advocating for various actions. While Ward 4 Coun. Geoff McCausland (who did not get re-elected on Oct. 24) co-presents one of the motions, the balance of members’ motions are being presented by councillors who earned another four-year mandate.
CUPE to stage provincewide protest Friday in response to Ontario's ban on strike
A union representing approximately 55,000 Ontario education workers said Monday its members will walk off the job on Friday despite the government tabling legislation to impose contracts and ban a strike. Laura Walton, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employee's Ontario School Board Council of Unions, said whether workers continue to protest after Friday "will be left up to what happens." "I am so proud because our members have said, 'Enough is enough,'" Walton said. The Ontario government introduced legislation Monday to impose a contract on CUPE's education workers -- including librarians, custodians and early childhood educators -- and avert a strike that was set to start Friday. CUPE has said it will explore every avenue to fight the bill, but the government said it intends to use the notwithstanding clause to keep the eventual law in force despite any constitutional challenges. The clause allows the legislature to override portions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for a five-year term.
Court approves Laurentian loan agreement with province
A long-term borrowing agreement between Laurentian University and the provincial government to replace $35 million in bridge loans taken out by LU during its insolvency was approved by the courts Nov. 1. Those bridge loans are also known as debtor-in-possession loans, or DIP loans for short. They were initially taken out with a private lender, but were transferred to the province earlier this year. In early 2021, Laurentian declared insolvency and filed for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), making widespread cuts to its programs and employees in April of that year. The university hopes to exit the CCAA in November after creditors voted in favour of a debt plan. Also known as the plan of arrangement, the debt plan has several conditions for its implementation, including putting in place exit financing for the $35-million long-term loan with the province.
Unique comedy show happening at Caruso Club to support charity
Sudburians who need a good laugh might enjoy a comedy show coming to the city in the second week of November. A group of well-known Italian-American comedians will be performing at the Caruso Club in the “Wassa Matta Fa You” show, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer. The group is part of the WTF (Way Too Funny) Comedy Tour with their unique brand of comedy based on and story-telling based on everyday life growing up in an Italian family, said a news release from tour promoter Derek Young. “It’s finally time for some good, old-fashioned belly laughs. For many years, these Italian-American comedians have been making people laugh by sharing memories through their unique brand of comedy," Young said. He said the special evening will be held Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Caruso Club with a delicious Italian meal and a stellar lineup of comedians, all in support of the Northern Ontario families.
High of 13 and sunny today
Expect a sunny day for your Wednesday with fog patches dissipating over the morning. The wind will be from the southeast at 20 km/h before becoming light around the noon hour. Today’s high is 13. The UV index today is three, or moderate. Tonight, the skies will remain clear and the temperature will drop to six.
