The July 4 edition of Northern Life highlights many significant ways the Sudbury area reflects the times we are living in.
Consider the articles featuring the Sudbury Transit overhaul and the design of the Paris-Notre Dame bikeways. Together, these changes encourage environmentally conscious transportation choices, a must as we adapt to climate change and try to lower our carbon footprint.
The residents’ heightened awareness of the importance of action on these fronts were also featured in two letters to the editor, one of which reminded us that, recently, two climate emergency declarations were made by West Nipissing Ouest and the City of Greater Sudbury, thereby, joining the now close to 400 Canadian municipalities that have done so since fall 2018. It would not surprise me if this number blew past 400 before year’s end.
Canadians are simply expressing their understanding of the situation we are in, including the importance of pricing pollution with an appealing twist, that is by being given money upfront before they even start making climate friendly choices such as riding their bicycles or the bus.
And then there are those two cheery articles on casually raising the Franco-Ontarian flag at Tom Davies and the astounding renovations of Killarney Mountain Lodge, where my husband and I spent our honeymoon. It’s a sign of our progress as a society that we recognize and honour the presence and contribution of the French community and prize Canadian and local natural resources and Indigenous artwork when renovating a beautiful landmark. I can’t wait to see the lodge again.
All told, this edition of Northern Life mirrors some of Sudbury area residents’ beautiful colours: their healthy respect for history and their wisdom in facing new realities. Thank you, Northern Life writers, for this insightful edition.
Carole Lavallée
Sudbury