Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are stories to start your day on this Friday morning.
Cecil Facer Youth Centre to close in two years, union says
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says the closure of the Cecil Facer Youth Centre (CFYC) in Sudbury will pave the way for a detention centre for adult women to be built on the same property. OPSEU also said the closure of the 16-bed facility for northern male young offenders means young people in custody will be even farther from their families, and is devastating for the centre’s staff. "This is yet another short-sighted closure of a facility for youth who need specialized help in their own communities," said Peter Harding, OPSEU/SEFPO co-chair of the Youth Justice Ministry Employee Relations Committee and a Youth Services Officer. "It's not too late to reverse this bad decision." The union said it was informed by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that the grounds of Cecil Facer will be the location of a new 50-bed institution for adult women. Staff displaced by the closure of CFYC will be provided with employment options, the union said. "Now our members have to decide whether to relocate hours away to keep working with youth, or to change careers and work with adults," said Harding in the news release. "It's an agonizing decision, and so unnecessary. You don't have to move young people in custody or the staff who work with them hours away from their communities."
Harassment charge withdrawn in case involving former mayor
A man charged with criminal harassment following an incident at the home of then-Mayor Brian Bigger on Nov. 16, 2021, has been released on a peace bond. A peace bond is awarded when the defendant “appears likely to commit a criminal offence, but there are no reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has actually been committed,” according to a Department of Justice description. A Sudbury Courthouse representative told Sudbury.com that Andrew Oullette agreed to a peace bond on Jan. 24 that includes conditions he not contact Bigger or his family, keep at least 100 metres away from the former mayor, not attend the residence of any other public officials, and not possess a firearm. The conditions stand for a year until Jan. 24, 2024. “We move forward,” Bigger told Sudbury.com of the charges being dropped, adding that he’s satisfied the whole process has sent a message. “I’m happy if people don’t think it’s open season on public figures,” he said. “Yes, we represent the citizens, however, many of these issues are more complex than people in the public recognize.” The incident took place on Nov. 16, 2021, at approximately 2 p.m., when Oullette banged on the front door of Bigger’s home, yelling and videotaping him, according to Greater Sudbury police.
Miners for Cancer donates $50K to children with cancer
At their annual Allan Epps Memorial Hockey Challenge presented by Sandvik, Members of Miners for Cancer announced a $10,000 donation towards Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC). This was in addition to the $40,000 donated to the group at the Miners for Cancer Holiday Gala in December, in which Sandvik was also the title sponsor. “Cancer is one of the leading causes of death by disease for children in Canada,” said Wayne Tonelli, president, Miners for Cancer. “If we can help even just one child from our community’s chances of survival with our fundraising efforts, all the hard work behind our events is worth it.” The combined $50,000 donation will support Northern Ontario families caring for a child with cancer. “Words cannot express our gratitude to the Miners for Cancer team. It is truly remarkable to receive donations of this magnitude.” said Andrea Fortin, program & office co-ordinator for the NOFCC. “Childhood cancer is not only emotionally devastating, but also financially difficult. When a child in the North is diagnosed with cancer, their family is forced to travel and spend extended periods away from home for treatment. It is estimated that costs incurred will reach one third of a family’s after-tax income.”
‘Red tape’ targeted in city partnership with Chamber of Commerce
Complaints about so-called municipal ‘red tape’ make the rounds every election cycle, with last year’s civic election no exception. Political newcomer Mike Parent took notice. During Tuesday’s city council meeting, the Ward 5 councillor introduced a successful motion for the city to look at its regulations in hopes of finding efficiencies for the business community. The intent, Parent explained to his colleagues, is for the city to signal it’s “open for business.” The concept of extra bureaucracy, or “red tape,” was a prevalent complaint throughout last year’s election season, Parent said, adding that while he doesn’t believe it’s unique to Sudbury, it certainly came up a lot. “This was a very common theme, where very few if any businesses didn’t have something to say about a negative experience surrounding business,” he said, adding these complaints were a combination of legacy and recent.
Sudbury hearing will decide compensation for broken treaties
Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz was in a Sudbury courtroom this week, explaining why First Nations in northern Ontario may have been stiffed more than $100 billion under a pair of treaties signed more than 170 years ago. Testimony from one of the world’s leading economists is just the latest twist in a long and complex legal dispute where First Nations under the 1850 Robinson treaties are fighting Canada and Ontario for an increase in “annuities,” or annual treaty payments — an assertion the courts have already agreed with — because of a treaty clause promising the Anishinabek increases as the government’s revenue from resource development grew. Anishinaabe treaty beneficiaries have not seen a payment increase since 1874, when it was bumped up to $4 a year. The court cases involving the Robinson Huron Treaty and Robinson Superior Treaty are separate, with both being heard simultaneously by Ontario Superior Court Justice Patricia Hennessy during court proceedings at the University of Sudbury's Canisius Hall. Robinson Huron Treaty representatives have been engaged in confidential settlement talks with the province since mid-January. The Robinson Superior Treaty annuities case, meanwhile, is still being heard in court.
Opinion: Mayor explains his goal to get more houses built
All levels of government acknowledge the importance of access to housing. Yet right now, many regions across the country are facing housing challenges, due in part to factors like rising inflation rates, changing demographics and ongoing supply chain issues. Greater Sudbury is not immune to these pressures. But there are deliberate steps we can take to minimize and overcome some of these difficulties. I believe that now is the time to proactively address the spectrum of our community’s housing needs, from emergency shelter spaces to multi-unit buildings and single-detached bungalows. As a mayoral candidate last fall, I heard from residents who had concerns about the local housing market. Young people wanting to grow their careers and families here in Greater Sudbury told me they feel the squeeze of rising interest rates and worry that homeownership is out of their reach. Retirees and others on fixed incomes report challenges finding suitable accommodations. Regardless of age, income or ability, affordable and accessible rentals are urgently needed to meet the needs of our citizens. So now, as mayor, I am taking action.
Read the full opinion piece by Mayor Paul Lefebvre here.
More snow in the forecast today
Expect a cloudy day with periods of snow bringing around two more centimetres on top of what was forecasted to fall overnight. A snowfall warning was issued yesterday for the Greater Sudbury area. Environment Canada said that the snow will be at times heavy, with total accumulations of 15 to 20 centimetres. Peak snowfall rates will be one to three centimetres per hour. Snow will taper in intensity this morning the forecast states. The wind will be northwesterly at 20 km/h, gusting to 40. Today’s high is expected to hit -4, but the temperature is expected to fall to -8 this afternoon. There is a -9 wind chill this morning and a -16 wind chill this afternoon. The UV index today is one, or low. Tonight, the skies will clear and the temperature will fall to around -16.
