Video: Walden Winter Carnival ‘good, honest’ fun for everyone
With more than 100 activities across five carnival sites, it was hard to take in everything at the 51st annual Walden Winter Carnival, which took place in Lively this weekend, from Feb. 8-11. It would be equally hard to list all of the activities in this article, but here’s just a few: a bonfire, fireworks, comedy evening, pancake breakfast, figure skating show, carnival train, maple taffy, kids zone, classic snowmobile show, cardboard box sliding competition, face painting, climbing wall, martial arts exhibit and a pickleball tournament. “There are activities for people of all ages - on the ice, outside, inside, entertainment, bounce castles, little kids, older kids, adults, everyone,” said organizer Richard Eberhardt. He said the carnival is a gathering place for the community, and has been for the past 51 years. “You’re going to see your friends here, you’re going to see your family here, you’re going to run into people that you haven’t run into since the last carnival the year before,” he said. “It's an opportunity for everyone to gather and have really good, honest fun. It's a great time for everybody, and you will come away feeling energized for the rest of the winter to come that we hope we’re going to have.
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Out-of-town landlords with 78 rental units in Sudbury insolvent
A group of companies with 405 residential properties has filed for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) process after finding themselves insolvent. From legal documents, it appears rising interest rates and companies overextending themselves were to blame. Their 405 residential properties include 51 Greater Sudbury addresses listed in court documents, which also clarify the companies’ Greater Sudbury properties include 78 units. The companies include Balboa Inc., DSPLN Inc., Happy Gilmore Inc., Interlude Inc., Multiville Inc., The Pink Flamingo Inc., Hometown Housing Inc., The Mulligan Inc., Horses in the Back Inc., Neat Nests Inc. and Joint Captain. They are all affiliated with SIDRWC Inc., which operates as SID Developments, SID Management Inc. and 2707793 Ontario Inc., which operates as SID Renos. KSV Restructuring Inc. has been installed as the monitor, whose responsibilities include assisting the companies with their restructuring and reporting to the court.
DSI Underground in Sudbury lays off 11 workers
The Mine Mill and Smelter Workers' Union, Unifor Local 598, said 11 members of DSI Underground in Sudbury have been given permanent layoffs as that company shuts down its Sudbury operations. DSI Underground Canada Ltd is an international mining supply company that provides goods and services to the mining industry. In Sudbury, the plant provided ground-support supplies such as rock bolts, ground support rebar and resins. "This decision has left a profound impact on the workforce, as the majority of affected members have proudly served the company for over 20 years," said a news release from the union, signed by Local 598 president Eric Boulay. "Members were informed by the employer at the end of shift on Thursday Feb 1, 2024 that effective immediately, their employment with DSI was terminated," the release continued. "The affected members, whose commitment and loyalty have been the backbone of DSI Underground, are now facing an unexpected and challenging transition. Unifor is deeply concerned about the toll these layoffs will take on the affected individuals and their families, especially considering the wealth of experience and expertise they brought to the workplace," said Boulay. "This is a difficult time for our members at DSI Underground and their families. These dedicated workers have been the cornerstone of the company for over two decades, contributing significantly to its success," Boulay added.
Mining suppliers selected for Hall of Fame honours
MineConnect will induct two new people to its Hall of Fame on Feb. 8. Sudbury's Alistair Ross and John Mason, formerly of Thunder Bay, will be recognized by the organization, which represents the mining service and supply sector of Northern Ontario. Sudbury-based Ross has more than 30 years’ experience in the sector, including as president-CEO of Rockcliff Metals, director of mining operations for Vale (2017-2019), and director and vice-president at Technica Group. He now operates his own consulting firm. Mason recently retired as the project manager for mining services with the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, a job he held for more than a decade, after spending the earlier years of his early career with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. A geologist by training, he now offers geological consulting services through his private company, John Mason and Associates. A tradition dating back to 2007, the MineConnect Hall of Fame recognizes those who have made important, lasting contributions to the North’s mining supply and service sector. With the addition of Ross and Mason, the Hall of Fame now has 29 members hailing from across Northern Ontario. This year’s ceremony will take place at Place des Arts in downtown Sudbury during the MineConnect annual general meeting.
'Do you need more money?' Ford promises action on emergency department waits
Doug Ford said Friday he wants wait times in emergency rooms to go down to one hour and promised to commit the funding necessary to make it happen. The premier made the comments alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a press conference announcing the signing of a bilateral health agreement that will see more than $3 billion flow to Ontario over three years for the province to use to expand team-based health care, increase spots in medical education programs, improve mental health care and sign onto a health data sharing regime, among other priorities. Ford was responding to a question from The Trillium about data that show one in ten Ontario patients who are admitted to hospitals from emergency departments are waiting more than two days for a bed, leaving emergency departments packed with patients on stretchers waiting for the care they need. The same data show that one in ten patients who aren't admitted spends six to eight hours, or more, in the emergency department, depending on the severity of their need. "We need the co-operation from everyone to make sure that, if you go in there, rather than four hours, or six hours, or eight hours waiting — because I'm getting calls every day — let's talk it down to an hour," said Ford. He also said he would talk to the Ontario Medical Association about getting more doctors into emergency departments.
