Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day on this Saturday morning.
Automated speed traps delayed until December/January
The city’s six automated speed enforcement cameras won’t begin snapping photos of speeding motorists’ licence plates until December or January. City acting director of Linear Infrastructure Services Joe Rocca provided the city’s elected officials with an updated timeline earlier this week, at which time he described a launch by January as “likely ... based on where we are currently.” The city has entered into agreements with the City of Toronto to use its processing centre to analyze the information the cameras capture to issue tickets, and Redflex to supply the cameras. They’re currently waiting on the Province of Ontario to allow them access to licence plate information. Signs for the first six affected locations have already been up for several weeks, as provincial legislation requires the municipality to install signs alerting motorists’ to speed trap location at least 90 days prior to enforcement.
GSPS cleared for man’s broken ankle following arrest
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cleared Greater Sudbury Police Services for a July arrest during which a man’s ankle was broken. In a report from SIU director Joseph Martino, the unit determined there were no reasonable grounds to consider the arrest was anything other than above board and the file was closed. As was his legal right, the officer did not agree an interview or the release of his notes. The investigation concerned an arrest that occurred during the evening of July 18. That evening, police were called to a residence in the area of Sunrise Ridge Drive and Mont Adam Street regarding a complaint about a disturbance between the complainant, who had a number of outstanding arrest warrants, and his mother.
Health unit board approves new strategic plan, budget
On Nov. 16, the area board of health approved a new strategic plan and budget for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. The 2024 operating budget amounts to $30,073,079, an increase of $1,396,294 over the 2023 budget. “The budget includes minimal costs associated with a significantly downsized COVID-19 program that now must be funded within the cost-shared base budget, and otherwise includes only fixed cost increases and incorporates operational reductions in addition to unfunded budget pressures,” the board of health said in a news release. René Lapierre, the city councillor for Ward 6 and the chair of the board of health, said the new 2024-28 strategic plan anticipates expected “transformative” changes contained in the new Ontario Strengthening Public Health plan unveiled in August. Public Health Sudbury called the provnicial plan “sweeping” and said among its provisions are plans to merge some existing public health units and review local public health roles and responsibilities by 2025, while making funding changes by 2026.
Edgar Burton food drive is now underway
The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive kicked off today in Vale Base Metals’ Sudbury Operations with an open invitation to the community to participate and contribute to this important campaign in support of the Sudbury Food Bank. Local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate, either by collecting food donations or through online financial donations. “We are very excited to, once again, support the Sudbury Food Bank through the annual Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive,” said Vale campaign co-chair Rachel Meehan, in a press release. “As a first time co-chair of this campaign, I’m looking forward to seeing the community come together to help those in need, now more than ever, during the holiday season.” “Over the years, it seems the Sudbury Food Bank has become a necessity for more and more families,” said United Steelworkers campaign co-chair Owen Marcotte, who has held this role for eight years now.
City has spent $667K fighting Ontario Ministry of Labour
The City of Greater Sudbury has spent approximately $667,000 in legal costs to date on a case in which the Ontario Ministry of Labour charged them in the death of a pedestrian in 2015. The legal battle went all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada, which concluded last week that the city had “breached its duties as an employer,” and was liable in the death. The contractor behind the 2015 water main improvement project where Cecile Paquette was run over by a graeder driving in reverse was Interpaving. They were found guilty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in 2019, and fined $195,000. Parallel to this, Paquette’s family filed a $2-million lawsuit against the City of Greater Sudbury, Interpaving, and the grader’s driver. Interpaving settled in 2020 and paid $350,000 to the family.
Gélinas raises vaccine rollout issues in question period
Nickel Belt MPP and NDP Health Critic France Gélinas is questioning the Ford government decision to have Shoppers Drug Mart function as a vaccine distributor in Ontario. Gélinas cited several media reports about problems with the rollout of flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall. Two Toronto Pharmasave pharmacies ended their vaccine programs after receiving shipments of empty boxes or inadequate supplies, following the province’s decision to award Loblaws’-owned Shoppers Drug Mart a distribution contract. "Last week, two Toronto pharmacies declared publicly that they are no longer administering vaccines due to major problems with the province’s new vaccine distributor,” Gélinas said. “Who is the new distributor, Speaker? Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws’ chain of pharmacies. The pharmacists in question reported receiving only 10 per cent of their orders, having to cancel days of prebooked appointments, a real headache.” She also questioned the wisdom of having a private business be responsible for distributing products to its competitors.
