Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Sudbury Catholic seeks applications to replace trustee
Following the resignation of a trustee last month, shortly after his re-election, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has opted to seek applications from individuals in the community interested in filling the role. Michael Bellmore, chair of the Sudbury Catholic board, said there were several options available to replace former trustee Alex Cimino, who represented what’s known as “Zone 5” for the school board. One of those options would have been to hold a byelection. However, he said that would have cost the Sudbury Catholic board an estimated $500,000 to $750,000. Anyone interested in applying for the trustee role can now do so online.
Resident criticizes lack of police at motor vehicle incidents
A lack of police presence at the scene of a motor vehicle incident during the weekend has left one Sudbury resident advocating for change. “There’s no more policing involved when it comes to an accident, I guess, and it’s really disturbing to me,” Chantelle Gorham said. On Dec. 10, Gorham said she drove up to the aftermath of what she considers a serious three-vehicle incident in Azilda and spoke with the occupants of one of the vehicles, whom she described as a disorientated elderly couple. The man complained of pacemaker issues and the woman expressed having a sore neck. She called 911 to explain the situation, and got the couple into her vehicle to stay warm while they waited for emergency personnel to arrive. Police never arrived, and a firefighter handed the couple a brochure on how to report the collision to the Azilda Collision Reporting Centre. As a former police officer who served with Greater Sudbury Police Service for approximately four years beginning in 1998, Gorham, who has been critical of GSPS in the past, said she was “gobsmacked” by the lack of police attendance.
Those facing incarceration may lose more than freedoms
There are many programs and supports available at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northeastern Ontario, but all of them are centred around one idea: walking alongside women and gender-diverse people as they move through the criminal justice system. Cory Roslyn, executive director, told Sudbury.com the agency focuses on providing one-to-one support for clients, as well as group programming. “We're helping people transition back to communities from the institution, going through the court process, attending programming to address whatever their personalized needs are,” she said. There are also hopes to have more programs than ever, with the newly renovated building that the agency has recently moved back into after a devastating fire ripped through the more than 100-year-old building.
Reopen the legislature to tackle health-care crisis, NDP says
NDP Interim Leader Peter Tabuns and Health critic and Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas say it’s a bad idea to pause the legislature until February while hundreds of children with respiratory illnesses are overwhelming emergency rooms in Ontario. They say Premier Doug Ford should recall the legislature and take “action to fix the health-care crisis.” The NDP said in a news release this week that data from Ornge, Ontario’s air ambulance and medical transport service, shows “a sharp rise” in the number of transportations of kids under 18. Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 2, Ornge numbers reported by the party show that 544 kids under 18 had to be transferred from one hospital to another to receive the care they need. “Doug Ford should not be closing down the legislature when critically ill children are being flown all over the province in search of an empty ICU bed,” said Tabuns in the news release.
City council expresses early support for backing new film studio
Throwing their support behind a new film studio, city council offered early indication this week they will offer financial support when Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) applies next year. “This should be a no-brainer,” Ward 11 Coun. Bill Leduc said during Tuesday’s meeting, citing an estimate the proposed Freshwater Productions Studios project would create 1,384 jobs by its fifth year and generate $60 million in new annual revenue for local businesses. Tuesday’s meeting included a motion by city administration for council to support the Freshwater Production Studios project as a candidate for the Employment Land Community Improvement Plan – a program the city plans on launching next year. In the event funds are granted, they will be provided in the form of a rebate on taxes paid once the film studio is operational. The proponents are seeking a total of $7 million from the city.
Thunder Bay high school class interviews actor Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds says he’s open to the idea of attending a future Wake the Giant Music Festival. The Canadian movie star, best known for his role as the title character in Dead Pool, not to mention being one of the highest grossing actors of all-time, on Wednesday virtually joined a media club at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, answering questions about his career — and even addressed rumours he’s interested in being part of the new ownership group with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. The 46-year-old Vancouver native, whose most recent works include Pokemon: Detective Pikachu and Free Guy, was intrigued about the annual festival, an event designed to welcome Indigenous students from remote northern communities who study in Thunder Bay. “Do I have to know how to play a musical instrument or something?” Reynolds deadpanned.
High of 0 and a bit more snow in the forecast
Expect flurries today and a high of 0. Local blowing snow is expected this morning as well. About 2 cm of snow is possible. The wind will be southeasterly at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 before becoming light in the morning. Before it lightens, plan for a wind chill of around -7. For tonight, expect more flurries and a low of -6.\
