Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Despite opposition, Project Now group to present plans at Oct. 6 meeting:
The group behind Project Now will present their idea to city council on Oct. 6, despite an attempt to postpone the presentation until the New Year. 3rd Line Studio released plans to renovate and expand the Sudbury Community Arena at a cost 40-per-cent cheaper than building a new arena on The Kingsway. Ward 4 Coun. Geoff McCausland and Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti tabled a motion on Tuesday night to have 3rd Line attend the Oct. 6 city council meeting as a community delegation to explain their project in greater detail. They also wanted the city’s large projects management team to evaluate the plan and report back to council while focusing on three questions: Will the Project Now Plan result in a multi-function event centre suitable to the city’s needs as prescribed in the 2017 PWC report? Are the timelines associated with the Project Now plan feasible? Is the cost structure of the Project Now plan reasonable and accurate based on current information? Find more on this story here.
Feds outline foundation for the future in latest throne speech:
The Liberal government laid out the details of its plan to support Canadians in the face of COVID-19 during a new speech from the throne, delivered on Sept. 23. Governor General Julie Payette delivered the speech on Wednesday, explaining that the realities of everyday life have changed and so too must the Liberal government's approach in order to close the fundamental gaps that exist in society. Payette outlined the four foundations that will steer the federal government's priorities. The foundations are: Fight the pandemic and save lives; Support people and businesses; Build back better and strengthen the middle class; Stand up for who we are as Canadians - defend Canadian values. Speaking about fighting the pandemic, Payette said that the federal government needs to do more in order to fight the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The Liberals have vowed to support provinces to increase their testing capacities and reduce wait times for tests. A federal testing assistance response team will be created to meet surging testing needs, including providing tests in remote and isolated communities. The federal government also vowed that all Canadians will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available. Get the full story here.
Getting to net zero: Council backs plan to cut city’s greenhouse gas emissions to zero:
City council has approved the Community Energy and Emissions Plan (CEEP) and has directed staff to move on with next steps. Jennifer Babin-Fenske, co-ordinator of EarthCare Sudbury Initiatives for the City of Greater Sudbury, provided an update for councillors on Tuesday night. She said the CEEP has five goals: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy use, lower costs, mitigate risk, and improve quality of life. In June 2017, the city was directed to develop a CEEP with the goal of becoming a net-zero emissions community by 2050. But it’s a lofty goal. In 2016, the city generated 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The CEEP made it abundantly clear that space heating and transportation are the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). As such, the biggest impact Sudburians can have is to alter their modes of transportation and increase the energy efficiency of buildings, especially residential buildings, Babin-Fenske said. “Electrifying vehicles and energy efficient home retrofits are some of the actions that can help achieve a net-zero community by 2050, but there are dozens of recommendations within the CEEP that can be used for guiding the community toward that goal,” she said. “It’s a diverse plan, and we can all play a role in some way.” More on this story here.
David Popescu found guilty of hate speech - again:
Perennial fringe candidate David Popescu has been found guilty, for the second time, of willfully promoting hatred of an identifiable group - homesexuals. Provincial court Justice Heather-Ann Mendes delivered her verdict Wednesday afternoon. A presentence report has been ordered, and the matter will return to court Nov. 13 for sentencing submissions. Crown attorney Leonard Kim said following the verdict his office is contemplating seeking a term of custody, meaning Popescu faces possible jail time. “I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the homemade election materials compiled on DVDs and cover jackets are designed to promote hatred,” Mendes said. “I have no doubt Mr. Popescu’s statements were made with the clear intention of targeting an identifiable group in an attempt to promote hatred against members of the LGBTQ community under the guise of politics and religion.” She said the statements contained within the DVD and its cover jacket could be extremely dangerous, inviting people to action against homosexuals. Popescue was charged in 2018 after someone complained to Greater Sudbury Police about DVDs they found in their apartment complex. Court heard that Popescu had distributed the DVDs, which contained homophobic material. More on this story here.
Councillors could have better prepared themselves for Black Lives Matter presentation, group says:
With a researched and annotated slideshow in hand, the board behind Black Lives Matter Sudbury (BLMS) assembled on Sept. 22 to livestream their presentation to council — offering their demands, views and hopes to local elected representatives. It was what many at their viewing party saw as a wonderful presentation, with a not-so-helpful reaction from council. The viewers and volunteers who gathered at Sudbury Theatre Centre for the event called Black Lives Matter Sudbury Takes On City Council were patient and quiet throughout the initial presentation to council from Vale, and then through the technical difficulties – and the mayor forgetting to unmute – then applauded uproariously at the finish of Black Lives Matter Sudbury’s list of demands and reasonings. Mayor Brian Bigger opened by thanking BLMS for attending, and saying he was “happy that the local representatives (of Black Lives Matter) are joining us here tonight.” He also spoke of his open-mindedness and willingness to listen, and encouraged BLMS members to become politically engaged, to run for office, regardless of the opposition they may face. Further, Bigger said he wants to “work together to make sure Greater Sudbury is a better city tomorrow than it is today.” At the end of the presentation, the mayor again offered his thanks, but did not make further comments on the presentation or the demands for change BLMS made. Full story can be found here.
Ontario confirms 335 new COVID cases Wednesday:
Public Health Ontario has confirmed 335 new COVID-19 cases in the province Wednesday, with nearly one-third of those coming from Toronto. For the second day in a row, the province also confirmed three more COVID-related deaths. The most recent fatalities include one person between 60 and 79 years old and two people over the age of 80. In the breakdown of Wednesday's cases by health units, the province noted there were seven cases previously reported that were removed from the list, meaning there were actually 342 new cases of COVID confirmed Wednesday. Of the 342 new cases, 102 were from Toronto, 79 were from Peel, 30 were from York Region, and 65 were from Ottawa. The province also confirmed 42 new school-related cases, including 21 students and five staff. The remaining 16 cases are unidentified. There are now 180 school-related cases spread across 153 schools in Ontario. Two schools have closed.
Thursday Weather:
Mainly cloudy today with a few sunny spots poking through. Cooler temperatures compared to early in the week with the high only getting up to 17. THere's a 30 per cent chance of some afternoon showers. Overcast into the evening with chances of rain. Overnight low will be sitting at around 10. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
