Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Samaritan Centre director says it too was excluded for mayor’s downtown task team:
Nothing about us, without us: the idea that no policy should be decided, by any representative, without the full and direct participation of those affected by that policy. It’s the main issue that Lisa Long has with the Downtown Task Team, a group hand-picked by Mayor Brian Bigger to tackle the myriad social challenges, from drugs and crime to homelessness, facing the city’s downtown core. The task team has been criticized by some social services organizations for excluding groups that actually work with the homeless. “I believe representation from our vulnerable populations should also be made available,” said Long. “The ‘Nothing About Us, Without Us’ philosophy that emphasizes people, our vulnerable population, being valued as integral and essential contributors. “It seems fitting, as the (Downtown) BIA has a seat.” If there is representation on the mayor’s team from the business community, Long wonders why the same courtesy hasn’t been extended to organizations that actually work with vulnerable and marginalized downtown populations. Long is the executive director of The Samaritan Centre and, together with partner agencies the Blue Door Soup Kitchen and the Elgin Street Mission, works with individuals facing multiple social barriers including homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, mental health and addictions, in downtown Sudbury. She, like other downtown community service groups, were not invited to be a part of the mayor’s task team. More on this story here.
Greater Sudbury area's opioid death rate is three times the national average, stats show:
Statistics from Public Health Ontario (PHO) show the opioid-related death rates in many parts of Northern Ontario are significantly higher than the numbers being reported by Toronto Public Health and some other southern Ontario locations. For comparison purposes, statistics were compiled in quarterly segments from the end of March 2019, through to the end March of 2020, which was the one-year time period with the latest available information on Emergency Room visits, hospitalizations and opioid-related deaths. In the first quarter of this year, just in the Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD) jurisdiction, the rate of opioid deaths was listed at 41.9 per 100,000 population, an increase of 16.7 per cent from the previous year. This was based on a population of 200,424 within the jurisdiction of the Sudbury health unit, which includes the City of Greater Sudbury and several surrounding smaller communities, such as Espanola, Chapleau and on Manitoulin Island. Public Health Ontario said this accounts for 21 deaths in the first three months of this year for the PHSD service area. The Sudbury health unit's own opioid surveillance program reports that from January 2020 to June 2020, opioids have claimed 44 lives. The Sudbury health unit jurisdiction, in the first three months of this year, also had an opioid death rate more than three times higher than the national rate in Canada, which is 12.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. Find the full story here.
Explosive devices found at site of Gore Bay shooting that claimed officer's life:
Improvised explosive devices have been found at the scene where Ontario Provincial Police Const. Marc Hovingh was shot and killed near Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island on Nov. 19. Greater Sudbury Police, which has been called in to assist in the investigation, said the explosive disposal unit is working to ensure the scene is safe after explosive devices were found. “Members of our EDU are taking the necessary precautions to ensure officer safety and community safety,” said Kaitlyn Dunn, a spokesperson for GSPS. There is no information on how many explosives have been located, however, they were rendered safe on scene by explosive technicians. “Our explosive technicians used the bomb suit, bomb robot and bomb hopper to transport the devices to a safe area for examination and destruction,” said Dunn in an email statement. “The SIU investigation is still ongoing which means that specific details related to the criminal investigation cannot be released at this time.” More on this story here.
Two more cases of COVID-19 reported in Greater Sudbury:
Public Health Sudbury & Districts reported two more cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 1. One of the cases has been linked to close contact with a confirmed case and the second is still pending information at this time. Two cases were resolved as of Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. bringing the city's total number of active cases to nine. In total, there have been 232 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Greater Sudbury, Sudbury District and Manitoulin.
Ontario doctors comment on public rallies and protests against lockdowns:
Ontario physicians are speaking up against public rallies where some people are protesting pandemic restrictions, lockdowns and the wearing of face masks. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) issued a public statement on the weekend to say there is good evidence that wearing a mask is indeed an effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. The OMA further stated that In addition to spreading misinformation, the rallies have exceeded government guidelines ?on the size of outdoor gatherings and few of the participants have worn masks. “My mask protects you and your mask protects me,” said OMA president Dr. Samantha Hill. “The scientific evidence is clear. Wearing a mask is one of the easiest and most effective things every single one of us can and should do to reduce the risk of spreading and catching COVID-19.” Full story here.
Wiikwemkoong man, 47, drowns following Friday boating accident:
A Wiikwemkoong man lost his life in a drowning on Nov. 27. Manitoulin OPP reported they received a call for service at 1:47 p.m. on Nov. 27 about a possible drowning in Georgian Bay off Wiikwemkoong First Nation. The OPP responded alongside with Wiikwemkoong Tribal Police, Wiikwemkoong Fire Services and Sudbury-Manitoulin Emergency Medical Services on the Georgian Bay North Shore off of Wikwemikong First Nation. “Investigation revealed two persons were heading out to go fishing, when both fell overboard into the water and started swimming to shore. Only one made it to shore,” OPP reported. The victim was transported to hospital via Ornge Air Ambulance, where he was pronounced dead. The deceased has been identified as Donald Maiagowi, 47, from Wiikwemkoong First Nation. A post-mortem examination has been ordered for Dec. 9 at Health Sciences North. The investigation is ongoing under the direction of the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service (OCC-OFPS).
Man wanted on Canada-wide arrest warrant known to frequent Sudbury:
The OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad is requesting the public's assistance in locating federal offender Jordan Welch, who is wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant as a result of his breach of statutory release. Welch is known to frequent the Sudbury, Parry Sound, Orillia, Midland, Barrie and Toronto areas. The man is described as Indigenous, 32 years old, 5'7" (170 cm), 160 lbs (73 kgs), with brown hair and brown eyes. He has several tattoos, including a symbol, star and red lips on the right side of his neck, a red "VOID" on the back of his neck, Ben Franklin on the left side of his neck, a woman's face and a rose on his right arm, a dollar sign on his right hand, a dragon on his left upper arm, "WELCH" on his upper back and a tear drop under his left eye, to name a few. He is currently serving a two-year and one day sentence for break and enter with intent, two counts of theft and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime. Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.
Wednesday Weather:
Sunny skies in the forecast for Wednesday. Mainly sunny throughout the day with the temperature hovering near the freezing mark. Daytime high will be -1 feeling like -6 with the wind chill. A few clouds this evening with the temperature dipping to -7. Overnight low will be feeling like -13 with the wind. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
