Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
City acted in bad faith and was not transparent argues Tom Fortin's lawyer:
Day one of the Superior Court hearing of Sudbury businessman Tom Fortin vs the City of Greater Sudbury wrapped up Monday with Fortin's lawyer, Gordon Petch stating that the city displayed a pattern of bad faith and was not transparent in their decision to approve the Kingsway Entertainment District. Petch stated his case over roughly four hours on Monday, June 29, unpacking transcripts of the June 27, 2017 council meeting when the KED was approved, pointing to instances of intimidation and smear campaigns by members of council against the Sudbury BIA, in-camera meetings and more that added up to the city not adhering to a robust democratic objective. Justice Gregory Ellies listened as Petch pored through numerous documents, including the Municipal Act, the Planning Act and the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, indicating that the city had taken a path of the least resistence by minimizing the risk of appeals against the Kingsway Entertainment District. Get the full story here. Day two of the Superior Court hearing gets underway at 10 a.m. today.
Project NOW: Architecture firm has a new vision for Sudbury Community Arena:
A local architecture firm has taken advantage of the downtime from the COVID-19 pandemic to create a new vision for the Sudbury Community Arena. 3rdLine.Studio said in a press release it has focused much of its attention on how the arena could be revitalized as both an investment for the future and a salute to the past. It’s all part of what they have deemed Project NOW — a multi-pronged plan targeting strategic projects throughout the city, using the existing borrowed capital of $200 million as leverage, to make many projects happen simultaneously: roads, infrastructure, community facility renewal and new builds. The firm said renovating and expanding the existing arena would be 40 per cent cheaper than building a new arena on The Kingsway. The leftover capital can be used for other projects, such as a twin pad arena in Valley East, an aquatic centre in Azilda, a rebuild of Lorne Street, or a motorsports park. The renovation would support many businesses in the community, said the firm in a news release. It would take about three years and would not interrupt the Sudbury Wolves or Sudbury Five schedules. Full story here.
Mayor reminds Sudburians to stay safe this Canada Day:
As the Canada Day holiday approaches, Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger is reminding residents to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Canada Day will be celebrated a bit differently this year, but with the same sense of pride,” Mayor Bigger said in a press release. “We are very fortunate to live in a country that safeguards its people and rallies to overcome any obstacle." "I encourage residents to take part in the virtual celebrations organized by our local partners and volunteers to come together as a community, while safely remaining apart. I wish you and your families a very happy Canada Day.” Check out this year's virtual Canada Day celebrations here.
Reminder: You can't set off fireworks in Sudbury this Canada Day:
Back in May, Greater Sudbury city council voted unanimously in favour of amending the city's fireworks bylaw, cancelling fireworks celebrations on Victoria Day weekend or Canada Day for the year 2020. This also includes residential fireworks. The public is not to use fireworks during COVID-19. he City of Greater Sudbury said the decision to ban fireworks will help discourage the potential for large social gatherings, in line with provincial orders to limit gatherings of 10 people or more.
OPP say they found pot and cocaine on passenger after Hwy. 69 speeding stop:
A Chatham man who was the passenger in a vehicle stopped for speeding by the OPP on Highway 69 in the Sudbury area is now facing drug charges. The Nipssing West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped the vehicle for speeding at around 9:20 a.m. June 24. The OPP says as a result of an investigation, officers seized a quantity of drugs suspected to be cocaine and cannabis. The street value of the drugs is approximately $70. The vehicle’s passenger, a 33-year-old Chatham man, was charged with Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance - Cocaine, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The accused was released on an appearance notice and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice Aug. 19 in Sudbury. The 27-year-old driver, also from Chatham, was charged with: Drive motor vehicle - no licence, contrary to section 32(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA); Speeding 1-49 km/h over posted limit, contrary to section 128 of the HTA; and Drive Vehicle or Boat with Cannabis Readily Available, contrary to section 12(1) of the Cannabis Control Act, 2017.
OSSTF, Rainbow board ink deal, several other teachers’ unions reach tentative deals:
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) District 3 members have ratified a deal with the Rainbow District School Board. The teachers voted 96.9 per cent in favour of the deal. This comes on the heels of the central deal which was ratified in mid-May. “We are pleased to have come to an agreement that was ultimately supported by the membership today through this very important vote”, said Teacher Bargaining Unit President Eric Laberge, in a press release. “I would like to thank all the teacher members who have been behind us since this process began last November. We can now turn the page and move forward, focusing on meeting the needs of our students.” OSSTF District 3’s Teacher Bargaining Unit represents 365 full-time permanent teachers in Espanola, Manitoulin, and Sudbury. As well, several more tentative agreements have been reached between Sudbury school boards and teachers’ union locals. Rainbow District School Board and the union representing more than 600 permanent elementary teachers in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island have reached a tentative agreement at the local level. Details of the agreement will be released once ratified by members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (Rainbow Local) and approved by Rainbow District School Board Trustees. The new deal, if ratified and approved, will be in effect from Sept. 1, 2019 to August 31, 2022, aligning with the provincial settlement at the central bargaining table.
Sudbury lawyer Normand Forest passes away at age 82:
A Sudbury lawyer who served as chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors from 1984 to 1987 has passed away. Normand Forest, who co-founded local law firm Lacroix-Forest, died June 27 at the age of 82. His daughter, Senator Josée Forest-Niesing, announced her father’s death on her Facebook page over the weekend. Forest is credited with Laurentian University's official adoption of bilingualism. He was also involved with the creation of Collége Boreal as its lawyer, and was also a school board trustee for many years. Health Sciences North CEO and former Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux paid tribute to Forest on Twitter.
Tuesday Weather:
Another beautiful summer day in the forecast for Tuedsay. Mainly sunny today with temperatures soaring up to 29, feeling like 34 with the Humidex. Clear skies into the evening. Overnight low will be sitting at around 18. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
