Niagara At Large

“Even during the difficult pandemic recovery, we should prioritize environmental protection. …

“This Earth Day give Mother Earth the gift of individual commitment and urge your public officials to provide necessary funds to protect her. Maybe if we apply the lessons learned from the pandemic, we can save our children’s future — and countless lives of the species we share Earth.”   – Fred Koontz, a retired conservation scientist living in the U.S. State of Washington

This Article was written and shared by Fred Koontz, a Retired wildlife conservation scientist from the State of Washington, U.S.A.

Posted April 28^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large –

The 50^th anniversary, on April 22th, 2020, may have come and gone, but in the spirit of one wise adage; ‘Let’s make every day Earth Day,” Niagara At Large is posting this great article by a veteran conservation scientist on how we can come out of the terrible times this pandemic makes for by reshaping priorities in government, in community life and in our personal lives for a healthy and for the health of all who live on it.

So please give this article a read.  The messages Fred Koontz shares in it are as valuable to Canadians as they are to  people in his country.)

Now here is the Article from veteran conservationist Fred Koontz –

As we celebrate Earth Day, one positive outcome of the pandemic is that it might inspire some states to modernize their fish and wildlife departments, including in Washington State where I live.

Torres del Paine National Park, Chile (Photo: Fred Koontz, 2019

However, more likely is that by rushing to recover the economy, the pandemic will delay improvements. We have an opportunity to transform our state natural resource agencies’ historic environmental focus on recreation and the consumptive use of nature to a timelier goal that prioritizes protecting environmental integrity to sustain our economy, security, health and well-being.

Even during the difficult pandemic recovery, we should prioritize environmental protection. Continue reading →

“On this Day of Mourning (for fallen workers), I’m launching the fight to ensure that all workers during this pandemic have presumptive WSIB (workplace safety insurance) coverage for COVID-19.”

A Message from NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted April 28^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

“Today (ths April 28^th), I stand in Solidarity with workers across Ontario and Canada in marking and especially solemn and painful National Day of Mourning.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have essential workers in our hearts, including health care workers and public health staff, first responders, pharmacy and grocery store staff, farmers, truckers and supply chain workers. We are filled with sorrow for people who have been infected at work, and we mourn the loss of workers who have died from this terrible virus. Continue reading →

“Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution will rise sharply in the future – due in part to a return to business as usual post-COVID-19. …  If we stick with Doug Ford’s plan, Ontario will not reach its 2030 climate target.”                                                                                            – Ontario Clean Air Alliance

A Call-Out from the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, a not-for-profit citizens group advocating for clean air and clean energy solutions

Posted April 28^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution will rise sharply in the future – due in part to a return to business as usual post-COVID-19, but also because the Ford government plans to ramp up the use of polluting gas plants by more than 400% to replace the Pickering

If we stick with Doug Ford’s plan, Ontario will not reach its 2030 climate target and electricity costs for Ontario consumers will continue to rise as costly nuclear rebuild projects proceed.

Fortunately, our new report, Phasing-Out Ontario’s Gas-Fired Power Plants, outlines a better solution – an integrated combination of clean waterpower imports from Quebec, with strong energy efficiency efforts in Ontario and the development of cost-effective wind power in both provinces.

This combination can supply more than enough energy to keep our lights on while also allowing us to phase out the use of gas-fired electricity. Continue reading →

Premier and Ministers Commit to New Phased Approach for a Safe Restart and Recovery

A COVID-19 News Update from the Office of Ontario’s Premier

Posted April 28^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — This April 27th, the Ontario government released A Framework for Reopening our Province, which outlines the criteria Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and health experts will use to advise the government on the loosening of emergency measures, as well as guiding principles for the safe, gradual reopening of businesses, services and public spaces.

The framework also provides details of an outreach strategy, led by the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee, to help inform the restart of the provincial economy. Continue reading →

Out of this Pandemic, Let’s Build a ‘New Normal’ that is Better for Our Lives and the Planet

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher           Doug Draper

Posted April 27^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

This Sunday, April 26 was the last day of Earth Week in Canada – a very special one that included the 50^th anniversary of the very first Earth Day engaged in by tens of millions of people around the planet.

And I heard so many people say how depressing it is – thanks to this awful pandemic that has us shut in our homes – that we could not go out and participate in any rallies or marches, or tree-plantings or trash cleanups in observance of this milestone Earth Day,  and in recognition of all the urgent environmental challenges we continue to face.

I have also heard many lament how much the crisis we are facing with COVID-19 has taken most or all the attention away from the climate emergency that was just beginning to receive the attention it deserves, thanks mostly to younger people like now 17-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

For many environmentalists, the year 2020 began on a high note with young climate activist Greta Thunberg on the cover of Time as the magazine’s Person of the Year

It wasn’t all that long ago, back in the final week of December, 2019, that Greta Thunberg and the great fight she and so many others are waging against climate-ravaging carbon pollution, made the cover of Time Magazine, as she was named ‘Person of the Year’. And yet, somehow, no thanks to this killer virus, it now seems so very long ago.

I have also heard many people say, even as they despair over the attention the virus has taken away from the climate fight, that they hope things will soon “go back to normal.” Some say they fear things will never go back to normal.

In some respects, I share these feelings. I wouldn’t mind enough normal coming back tore- open the doors of my favourite book and record stores, or to make it safe enough to open the border so I can go visit my friends on Cape Cod,  Massachusetts. Continue reading →

Government Recognizes the Dedication and Sacrifice of Province’s Frontline Workers

A COVID-19 News Release from he Office of Ontario’s Premier

Posted April 27^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Grocery store employees are among many still working at businesses considered essential by government. They risk their health serving the rest of us and deserve to be paid fairly for it. And how about tonting to pay them fairly when the worst of this pandemic is hopefully behind us?

(A Brief Foreword Note from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large – This news release came shortly after Niagara At Large posted a commentary this April 25^th, praising curbside waste collectors and other frontline workers out there who are providing “essential services,” in some cases for compensation that is at or only slightly higher than a minimum wage that was capped not so long ago by the Ford government.

In our commentary, we argued that if these workers are providing services that are so essential to our lives, they should be treated more generously in the wage and benefit department for all time – and not just “temporarily” as the Ford government is planning to do here.)

Now here is the Ford government’s News Release –

TORONTO — In recognition of the dedication, long hours and increased risk of working to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, the Ontario government is providing frontline staff with a temporary pandemic payment.

This increase will provide four dollars per hour worked on top of existing hourly wages, regardless of the qualified employee’s hourly wage. In addition, employees working over 100 hours per month would receive lump sum payments of $250 per month for each of the next four months. Continue reading →

Ford Government Extends Closure of Schools to Keep Students, Staff and Families Safe

Government Insists Students Will Still Be Able to Complete School Year

A COVID-19 Update from Ontario’s Government and Education Minister

Posted April 26^th on Niagara At Large

TORONTO, Ontario — Today (April 26th), Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced that all publicly-funded schools will remain closed until at least May 31, 2020, as part of an effort to keep students, staff and families safe from COVID-19.

The extension was based on expert advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and health officials on the COVID-19 Command Table and is part of the government’s ongoing effort to stop the spread of the virus.

The advice was to extend school closures for an additional period of time to permit updated modelling and data to inform next steps, given the government’s absolute commitment to safety. Continue reading →

In the Face of Global Challenges, Let’s  All Make A Pledge Together to Remain as Committed as Ever

If You Missed this Wonderful Event, Or You Wish to Experience it Again, Click on the Screen Below

News  from the Earth Network, organizers of this year’s virtual 50^th anniversary digital celebration of our planet – Earth Day Live

Posted April 26^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

The 50th anniversary was an Earth Day like no other.

Though we couldn’t physically take to the streets, millions of people still took action for the first digital Earth Day. From adopting plant-based diets to participating in citizen science to pledging to vote, millions spoke up for the planet with 24 hours of action.

We also, spent the day as the #1 trending hashtag on Twitter.  The  global digital surge on all our social media platforms was a resounding success, and we couldn’t have done that without the power of your grassroots voices.

The Earth Day Live livestream drew millions of viewers from around the world. Over the 12-hour event, we heard from so many diverse voices and perspectives.

(To watch this global event, streamed live for the first time this April 22nd on the 50th Anniversary of the first Earth Day, click on the screen immediately below.)

We can’t cover them all here, but standouts included Reverend Yearwood of Hip Hop Caucus, Bill Nye, Sylvia Earle, Al Gore, Elizabeth Warren, Ziggy Marley and Ricky Kej. Speakers touched topics like voting, science, climate justice, policy, conservation and education. These voices, among so many others, helped educate and entertain us throughout Earth Day. Continue reading →

Some ‘Good News’ from Craig Cantin, Green Party of Ontario

With an Afterword by Doug Draper at Niagara At Large on the ‘What Gives’ with ordering Community Gardens Shut Down while keeping Certain Other Places Open.

Posted April 26th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

From Craig Cantin for the Ontario Green Party – 

I have exciting news for you.

The Ontario Government Has Declared Community Gardens To Be An Essential Service.

Even during these uncertain times, victories are possible with people powered change.

This Is Because So Many Of You Choose To Take Action.

As a small-scale farmer, I know how important this decision is for tens of thousands of ontarians who rely on this source of food. Continue reading →

On this Earth Week, a Special Salute to Those Who Collect Our Waste at Curbside

A Brief Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted April 25^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Before we get too far away from this 50^th anniversary of Earth Day and this Earth Week in Canada, I want to say just a little about one group of front-line workers who I’m not sure are among the first to come to mind while we have been offering tributes to front-line workers in general through this terrible pandemic crisis.

The group of front-line workers I’m taking about makes up the people who man the trucks that roll up and down our roads every week – even while most of us stay safe in our homes – picking up our waste materials at curbside.

Even in the wake of COVID-19, they are rolling up my street in Niagara, doing a very essential job, every week. How much are they worth? Probably far more than what they are currently receiving in pay and benefits. Photos by Doug Draper

I was thinking about them again this week, during Earth Day, because we forget what an important role they play in protecting our environment by making sure our waste gets to the proper destinations, including to those who can recycle as much of it as possible. Continue reading →

“It was shocking to see that, instead of backing the nurses, the Ford government took on intervenor status in this case to throw cold water on the nurses’ quest to have access to the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment ).”                                                          – Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

A Statement from Andrea Horwath on ONA court victory on PPE and safety

Posted April 24th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

“The Attorney General agrees, of course, that the CMOH’s (Chief Medical Officer of Health) Directives are applicable to LTC (long-term care) homes across the province and must be adhered to. That said, the Attorney General views the Applicants as overreaching to the extent that the relief that they seek requires LTC (long-term care) facilities to provide them, on demand, with whatever PPE (personal protection equipment) they, in their sole discretion, deem necessary.”

— from the decision of the Superior Court of Justice for Ontario

QUEEN’S PARK —NDP Leader Andrea Horwath issued the following statement concerning the court ruling in favour of the Ontario Nurses Association, compelling long-term care homes to immediately fix health and safety issues for health care workers and residents during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“I want to thank Ontario nurses for taking on this fight for their own safety and the safety of patients. It’s shocking that in the midst of this crisis nurses have to go to court to protect patients and themselves.

Why should these people, who are now being recognized as front-line, essential service HEROES, have to fight Ontario’s Ford government and the private corporation sharks that own far too many long-term care facilities in Ontario, in the courts to get proper health and safety resources for these places where our seniors need their care?

The court ruling paints a picture of long-term care homes in which seniors are forced to share rooms with patients with COVID-positive residents, and front-line health workers have to fight daily to get the protective equipment they need to protect themselves and their patients. Continue reading →

A Brief One from Doug Draper

Posted April 24th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

We Canadians have often watched on Cable news networks or read about mass shootings in the United States and have found ourselves and others among us saying; “Thank God that rarely ever happens in Canada.”

For what at least one newspaper headline called “a chilling 12 hours” on the second to last weekend of this April, it did happen in and around some normally peaceful neighbourhoods and communities in Nova Scotia, and the results could not have been more tragic for the many victims, their families and friends, and for a whole country already going through so much in the middle of the COVID-19 disaster.

It’s another one of those tragic moments in our country’s history that few of us will ever forget.

And the Prime Minister is right. Let’s remember the victims and their families, and let us not do anything, in any way, to lend infamy to the name of the shooter.

You can attend a virtual vigil this Friday, April 24th from Nova Scotia at 6 p.m Eastern Time or 7 p.m. Atlantic time by clicking on the screen below at the time the vigil is taking place live, or likely later to watch some other time –

Let us all hope that terrible tragedies like this remain rare in Canada or better still, never happen in our country again.

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post, along with your name (not a pseudonym), in the space immediately below the Bernie Sanders quote.

 “A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

The Self-Described “Stable Genius” (aka Snake Oil Salesman) in the White House says it might just be the miracle cure we’re all waiting for

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher           Doug Draper

Posted April 24th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

I want start with a little apology to all of you Niagara At Large readers out there.

I was going to post this commentary earlier but I got up feeling a little bit dizzy and feverish this morning. And no, it’s not what you might think. It isn’t COVID-19 – the dreaded Coronavirus.

As soon as I stopped seeing double and felt strong enough this morning to get up and phone my doctor – you may have heard of him, Hugo Z. Hackenbush – he told me that the symptoms were probably caused by my swallowing a pen light and washing it down with a couple of glasses of Lysol before I went to bed last night.

I feel kind of stupid admitting this, but I decided to do that on a leap of faith after watching Donald Trump do his daily White House briefing this April 23^rd and shocking the world with news of a possible breakthrough cure for this horrific pandemic we are suffering through.

Reminding us how “very smart” he is, Trump went on to announce to the world that he has reason to believe that a combination of putting some “light inside the body,” along with injecting or ingesting “disinfectant” may be the ticket that “knocks (the Coronavirus) out in a minute.”

I’m usually at least a little reluctant to take the Donald seriously, but let’s face, we’ve all been praying for news of a cure, so I went right for my closet full of household disinfectants – Windex, Vim, Mr. Clean, and I finally settled on a bottle of Lysol with a nice lemon scent. I thought the lemon-scented solution might mix well in a cocktail.

Wow, it looks like Dr. Trump tried some of his own medicine!

And let’s face, Trump sure sounded convincing when he was talking about this during his briefing, didn’t he? At least I and more than half the populations of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida believed him. Continue reading →

A Public Service Announcement from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted April 23^rd, 2020 on Niaara At Large

Thank you to our more than 850 volunteers at Niagara Health.

Their smiles and thoughtful gestures are missed, and we know that Niagara Health’s volunteers are with us in spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During National Volunteer Week from April 19 to 25, Niagara Health is sending its virtual gratitude to its more than 850 volunteers for their dedication to providing patients and families with extraordinary care. As part of the organizational COVID-19 response, there are currently no volunteers at NH. Continue reading →

“We are facing a wave of Conservative politicians who don’t seem to care about the planet they will be leaving for their children and grandchildren.”

Three of Canada’s leading laggards – all Conservatives – from left, federal Tory leader Andrew Scheer, Ontario’s Doug Ford and Alberta’s Jason Kenney

“They either don’t take climate change seriously enough or believe that it’s an outright hoax. If you add that to their belief that protecting our green spaces and endangered species is a barrier to business and development then we have a real environmental disaster brewing.”

An Earth Day (April 22^nd) and Earth Week (April 28^th-26^th) Message from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Posted April 23^rd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Earth Day has been celebrated for nearly 50 years and while it is always an important occasion to acknowledge, this year Earth Day comes with a greater sense of urgency.

We are facing a wave of Conservative politicians who don’t seem to care about the planet they will be leaving for their children and grandchildren. They only care about themselves and padding the pockets of their rich cronies.

They either don’t take climate change seriously enough or believe that it’s an outright hoax. If you add that to their belief that protecting our green spaces and endangered species is a barrier to business and development then we have a real environmental disaster brewing. Continue reading →

There Very Well May Be A Silver Lining For Our Planet Coming Out Of This Pandemic. Let’s Embrace It!

A Commentary by Doug Draper, Niagara At Large publisher and former St. Catharines Standard environment reporter

Posted April 22, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Yes, that’s me – the one in the front, wearing the gas mask and waving the sign that reads; ‘If You Aren’t Part of the Solution, You Are Part of the Pollution.’

It was 50 years ago – April 22, 1970 – a day I will always remember where I was, as I imagine countless millions of others around the world still do who participated in the very first Earth Day or ‘Environmental Teach-In’ as some chose to call it.

As the old Bob Dylan song goes, I was so much younger then, as the men working in the air-polluting plant behind me and my classmates were quick to remind us. They hurled taunt after taunt while we were out there from; “Go back to school,” to; “What are you trying to do? Put us out of work?” Continue reading →

“While this is some good news during this challenging time, we will continue to be vigilant and maintain best practices in infection control to keep our patients, staff and physicians safe and protected.”                      – Derek McNally, Niagara Health’s Executive Vice President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive

A COVID-19 Update from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted April 22^nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – An outbreak of COVID-19 on inpatient unit 3A at our St. Catharines Site is over.

Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Hospital site

Our Infection Prevention and Control Team declared the outbreak over after 14 days of enhanced monitoring of patients and staff showed there had been no evidence of further transmission and no new additional COVID-19 cases on the unit.

The outbreak was declared after one of our healthcare workers tested positive for the virus. Continue reading →

“Climate change continues to present a long-term threat to our health and economy. …We remain committed to our climate plan, which includes ambitious actions to reduce emissions, promote clean technology and jobs, and put a price on pollution.”                                                                         – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

An Earth Day Statement by Canada’s Prime Minister, followed by an Earth Day Footnote from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted April 22nd, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during an Earth Week event in 2017, urging young school students in Niagara-on-the-Lake to get engaged in the environment movement because “it is your future.” With him to the left is then federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna. File photo by Doug Draper

Ottawa, Ontario – The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Earth Day:

“Today, we join the international community to observe Earth Day

“As Canadians, we are fortunate to be surrounded by an abundance of nature. With this privilege comes a shared responsibility to safeguard our environment and the natural treasures we have inherited.

“We want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy our majestic forests, breathe clean air, and play by our beautiful oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams. That is why the Government of Canada has taken important steps to protect our environment, while growing the economy and making life more affordable for families across the country.

“This year, families are going to observe Earth Day in a different way, because our parks are closed and Canadians have to stay home. This does not mean we cannot all still appreciate and continue to share a resolve to protect our natural beauty and our environment. Continue reading →

“We are all seeing the devastating impacts of COVID-19 in long-term care and retirement homes across the country, and here in our region. It is increasingly important that we direct additional resources and efforts to protect this vulnerable population.”                            – Derek McNally, Executive Vice President & Chief Nursing Executive, Niagara Health

A News Release from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals and related health care facilities

Posted April, 21st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Niagara Health (NH) is providing reinforcements in a number of ways to help protect our most vulnerable citizens from the spread of COVID-19 and support those working in long-term care and retirement homes in our region to safely manage positive cases of the virus in their facilities.

NH is working with our partners on an urgent basis, as follows:

Continue reading →

Earth Day celebrates 50 years this Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

Ending Enforcement Threatens Clean Air and Clean Water for Us All

A News Release from the Buffalo, New York Office of U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins

Posted April 21^st, 2020 on Niagara At Large

(A Brief Foreword Note by Doug Draper at NAL –

We Canadians and Americans share these Great Lakes, and the health and welfare of our communities depend on people and governments in both countries working together to protect them.

As residents on the Niagara, Ontario side of the border  read U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins’ warning, and/or perhaps wonder why a Niagara, Ontario media outlet is posting it, keep in mind that to the extent that all of us – Canadians and Americans in the Great Lakes region – share and rely upon the same water and air for our health and welfare, the stripping away of programs and rules to protect the environment by the current Trump administration, threatens us all.

Unfortunately, very few politicians on the Ontario side of the border – municipal, provincial or federal – have raised their voice with Higgins to fight against it.)

Now here is the Buffalo Congressman’s News Release –

Buffalo, New York area Congressman Brian Higgins

Buffalo, N.Y. – As the United States prepares to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is deeply concerned that the Environmental Protection Agency’s lax policies are a threat to the incredible progress made to improve Western New York’s air and water quality.

On March 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memo reporting it is ceasing all enforcement actions during the coronavirus pandemic.  This is just the latest in nearly 100 environmental rule rollbacks by the current Administration.

In a letter to the EPA Administrator, Higgins writes – 

“As a representative of a constituency which had experienced more than its share of the negative impacts of historically unchecked industrial pollution, including environmental, economic and public health impacts, it is outrageous to me that the administration would attempt to use one international public health emergency to pursue a dangerous, unwarranted and unlawful policy that, if sustained, could ultimately result in a cascade of new, local public health crises all across the nation.” Continue reading →

Region’s Accommodation and Food Services, Tourism Sector Hit Especially Hard, Local Agricultural Sector Beginning to feel the Economic Squeeze

From Updates released by the Niagara Workforce Planning Board, a not-for-profit body serving Niagara’s regional government and local municipalities

Posted by Doug Draper, April 21, 2020 on Niagara At Large

The Covid-19 outbreak has caused most things to do with the economy, globally and here in the Niagara area, to take a nose dive, with no recovery expected overnight.,

“The COVID-19 pandemic is creating economic and employment disruption in ways that are not familiar to the vast majority of us in Niagara,” reads a statement the Niagara Workforce Planning Board (NWPB) circulated this April 20th with its latest workforce data for the Niagara region.

“As we move forward in these uncertain times,” the statement continues, “NWPB staff is collecting economic and employment information, aggregating facts and figures, and sharing them with our partners in the community.”

NWPB remains committed to offering our economic and employment insight at this challenging time.” Continue reading →

Niagara Health & St. Joseph’s Health System launch new pilot surveillance project to provide protection for the most vulnerable in our health system

A News Release from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals and related health care facilities, and from St. Joseph’s Health System in Hamilton

Posted April 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – COVID-19 has had a devastating effect within many congregate care facilities caring for vulnerable elderly residents, prompting the Ontario government to call for greater testing in long-term care and retirement homes.

With that in mind, St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and Niagara Health are taking the vital step in testing all asymptomatic patients, residents and select staff within its long-term care, retirement home and congregate settings as part of a pilot surveillance project. Continue reading →

‘Please stay home unless you absolutely must go out. Keep your distance. Save a life. Maybe your own.’

A Message from one of our regular readers, Gary Screaton Page, a resident of Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario

Posted April 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

This Ad, from the late-1950s Asian Flu pandemic era, promotes a pain-relieving ointment parents could spread on their children’s chests for coughs, congestion and other symptoms related to the flu.

Unless you were born before 1952 you are not likely to remember the pandemic of 1957. I was 15 and in Grade 10 at the time.

The population in Canada then was only 16,561,263. Today. it is over 37 million: roughly double.

That year, the Asian Flu (aka “Oriental Flu”), thought to have originated in northern China in February, had by Fall arrived in Canada. As I went to school each day, I entered classrooms with only four or five other students in them. Over half the teachers in my high school were ill. Classes were combined because supply teachers were ill, too. Continue reading →

Pundits Have Wrongly Predicted His Demise Before. But This Virus May Finally Bring Him Down

A Brief Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted April 20^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Way back in late February – what seems like a decade ago now – when the known cases of COVID-19 in Ontario and New York State were still very few, and yet when anyone who was paying attention knew that a pandemic that would spell serious suffering was coming was rapidly coming our way, a friend of mine in Buffalo, N.Y. said this –

“It is terrible to think that it might take a disaster like this to get rid of this monster.”

The “disaster” my friend in Buffalo was talking about was the coming of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, and “the monster” was, and still very much is Donald Trump.

In pockets of the United States, Trump supporters continue to protest protective restrictions governors and mayors have ordered to slow the spread of COVID-19

Sad to report (and it certainly doesn’t say very much for literally millions of Americans who have been okay with marching to the gates of hell with Trump over the past four or five years since he announced his reality show run for the presidency), it appears that my friend may be right.

Trump could lie up a storm about anything he wanted, say just about any degrading or disgusting thing he wanted about women, minority groups, the news media, political critics or just about any other individual group, praise autocrats and tyrants, abroad, insult and alienate long-time allies like Canada and France, tear children away from their moms and put them in cages, and on and on.

On his way way to another one of his daily live-for-TV daily campaign rallies/coronavirus briefings.

And yet, even with all of that, the the same hard-core tens-of-millions of Americans would continue to pack his rallies and cheer him on.

But this virus may finally have awakened enough Americans to the realization that Trump’s reality TV remake of Dante’s Inferno is not what you want for leadership when everything you ever worked for, including your life and those of your loved ones, is on the line.

That leads inevitably to a brand new campaign ad from the presumptive Democratic Party presidential candidate Joe Biden, and one of probably many others like it to come.

You can click on the screen immediately below to watch it –

If Joe Biden remains healthy and can just go on being a good, steady, sound-minded, plain-taking Joe, and enough Americans, including all of the Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders supports out there, get behind him and vote, he might very well rid his country and the world of this highly dangerous clown.

And to harken back to what my friend in Buffalo said, what a terrible shame that it takes something as destructive and deadly as a global pandemic to – most hopefully – finally do his reign of terror in.

For the sake of the whole world, the November U.S. federal elections cannot come soon enough.

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post in the space following the Bernie Sanders quote below.

 “A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

FACT CHECK: Before COVID-19 Outbreak, Ford cut    $25 million from the Health System Research Fund

A News Release from Ontario’s NDP Official Opposition Party

Posted April 19^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

QUEEN’S P ARK, Ontario– The Ford government’s announcement of $20 million for health research to look for a COVID-19 vaccine follows Doug Ford’s $25 million cut to the Health System Research Fund one year ago.

That $25-million cut to the Health System Research Fund was part of the $51-million slash to Health Policy and Research, overall. Continue reading →

“People are training as crisis responders for the Kids Help Phone, writing letters to isolated seniors, and spending hours in food banks to pack hampers with essential items for families in need. Let’s continue these acts of service because Canadians need to stick together during these tough times.”                                             – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

A Statement from the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister

Posted April 19^th, 2020

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on National Volunteer Week:

“Today is the first day of National Volunteer Week , when we recognize the Canadians who devote their time and skills to making our country a better place.

“This year’s theme, ‘It’s time to applaud this country’s volunteers’, underscores how volunteers work tirelessly and often behind the scenes. It highlights how our charities and non-profit organizations depend on their support to provide services to Canadians who need them most.

“Across Canada, countless volunteers look beyond their circumstances to be there for others. And that hasn’t changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these difficult times, Canadians are still taking care of each other. Continue reading →

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

“Canada and the United States have agreed to extend by another 30 days the border measures that are currently in place. …This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe.”                                     – Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

A Brief News Commentary by Doug Draper

Posted April 18^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

In his daily COVID-19 briefing this April 18^th, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the closing of Canada-U.S. border crossings to all but essential travel will be extended another 30 days, through at least the third week in May.

Except for transport trucks full of commercial goods and those crossing the border to perform services considered “essential,” the Peace Bridge and other border crossings between Canada and the U.S. will remain closed to the rest of us, for at least through to the last week of May.

That offers at least some relief since, as I stated in a commentary on NAL this April 17^th, and I know other Canadians have said it, there is reason to be concerned about opening border crossings wide up at a time when Trump and so many of his supporters continue to pooh-pooh the need to continue taking protective measures to tamp down such a highly infections and deadly virus that has been ravaging our lives.

Frankly, the idea of the Peace Bridge and other crossings in Niagara, and border crossings in other regions of Canada and the United States opening to regular traffic this April 21^st, which was the original end date set for this crossing restrictions in March, is troubling. Continue reading →

If the Trumpies Want to Play Chicken with this Killer Virus, Let Them Do It In Their Own Country. We Don’t Need Them Bringing That Dangerous Game Across the Border to Canada

We can’t let Trump export his Coronavirus cases to Canada

A Commentary by Doug Draper of Niagara At Large, followed by a demand to keep the Canada-U.S. border closed, issued in a news release from Niagara Falls, Ontario MPP Wayne Gates

Posted April 17^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

The Peace Bridge, a major Canada-U.S. border crossing at Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo, New York. If Trump wants to continue playing a game of chicken with COVID-19, then keep the border crossings closed, please

Before Niagara Falls NDP MPP Wayne Gates circulated the following news release this April 17th, urging Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford to pressure Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, to keep the Canada-U.S. border closed, I was preparing to post a commentary on this matter on Niagara At Large.

And before my commentary gets started, let me be up front about this.

What I have to say is probably going to come across a lot less diplomatically than the way the Niagara Falls MPP is putting it in his news release, and Wayne Gates should certainly not be blamed in any way for my remarks.

I think it is good of Wayne Gates to say what he has, as diplomatically as he has, about the need to continue keeping the Canada-U.S. border crossings closed to everyone and everything but absolutely essential traffic. Continue reading →

Ontario’s Official Opposition NDP Party Does A Little Fact Checking On A Ford Government  Coronavirus Testing Pledge

A  News Release form Ontario’s NDP Official Opposition Party

Posted April 16^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Fact Check: COVID-19 testing is less than half of Premier Ford’s promised 20,000.

QUEEN’S PARK –  Premier Ford said his government had completed 9,000 COVID-19 tests yesterday, but that is less than half of the 20,000 tests he promised by mid-April.

The above slide, dated April 3rd, was produced for and released by Ontario’s Ford Government at the beginning of this April

Moving the goalpost to imply that the government has contained this virus misleads the public and puts lives at risk. Instead of making up numbers, the government must be transparent with Ontarians about the current testing capacity and why Ontario is still not yet testing 20,000 people per day.

Background:

March 27: Minister Elliott tweeted: “We’re increasing capacity every day and plan to be able to run 20,000 #COVID19 tests a day by mid-April.” – (https://twitter.com/celliottability/status/1243575725074141192)

April 3: Premier Ford tweeted: “Cleared the backlog of COVID-19 tests as Ontario increases testing capacity every day with 20,000 tests a day expected by mid-April” – (https://twitter.com/fordnation/status/1246206312289050628)

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post, along with your name (not a pseudonym), in the space immediately below the Bernie Sanders quote.

 “A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

Ford government must match rhetoric with stronger, concrete measures to protect residents and staff

“We are inundated with calls and emails from families with loved ones in long-term care and staff in the homes, crying, afraid, furious about the lack of testing, even in homes with outbreaks.” – Natalie Mehra, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition

‘Since the Ford government was elected, annual unannounced inspections of long-term care homes have ceased. The Coalition is calling for the government to reinstate annual unannounced inspections.’

A Call-Out from the Ontario Health Coalition, a citizens group advocating for quality public health care

Posted April 16th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Natalie Mehre, Executive Director, Ontario Health Coalition

Toronto – The Ford government’s Action Plan to address COVID-19 outbreaks in Ontario’s long-term care homes is still less than what is needed stop the spread of the virus and stabilize the workforce, warned the Ontario Health Coalition today (this April 16th), and is inconsistent with the “iron ring” rhetoric and promises for widespread testing from the Premier.

“We are increasingly frustrated with the disconnect between the statements of the Premier and what is actually being put into the regulations, directives and guidance issued by his own government,” said Natalie Mehra, executive director.

“Yesterday’s announcement was mostly a rehash of measures already announced, many of them less than what has been stated in daily press conferences by the Premier. More importantly, the measures that are being taken are too little and too slow, and the Ontario government appears to be relying too much upon isolation to contain the spread of the virus, which is not practically possible in many long-term care homes.” Continue reading →

Province Needs a Plan to Manage Residential Care Homes in Dire Situations

A News Release from the Ontario New Democratic Party

Posted April 16^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

QUEEN’S PARK – After weeks of COVID-19 sweeping through vulnerable group living facilities, the Ford government is choosing to build dangerous gaps into its new protective orders, leaving seniors and adults with disabilities at greater risk.

Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition New Democrats, wants those problems fixed today – alongside a plan to take over management of facilities where residents aren’t protected. Continue reading →

Regulatory Changes Open the Door for Auto Insurance Rebates

“My message to insurance companies has been clear: they should provide relief that reflects the financial hardships their dedicated customers are facing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.”                                          – Ontario Finance Minister Rod Phillips

News from Ontario’s Ministry of Finance

Posted April 16^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — The Ontario government is enabling auto insurance companies to provide temporary insurance premium rebates to drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The province has amended a regulation under the Insurance Act to help ease the financial pressure on working people and families during this public health crisis.

By amending this regulation insurance companies would be able to provide auto insurance premium rebates to consumers for up to 12 months after the declared emergency has ended. Continue reading →

University President Salutes All Brock Alumni Now Working On the Front Lines in this Pandemic

A Message from Brock University in St. Catharines, Niagara

Posted April 15th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – We hope you are keeping well during these difficult days.

While many of us may feel uncertainty at this time, we also find comfort in one unaltered truth: Our alumni community is strong. We encourage you to (virtually) lean on one another for support and friendship.

We have heard many stories about alumni making differences in their communities, and for every story that we hear we know there are countless others that go untold.

Today, our President, Gervan Fearon, has a message to share. Click on the screen below to listen to it here –

To all of our alumni serving in the health care system, working as first responders and those keeping our essential services running, we thank you. Thank you for your dedication, your empathy, your commitment and the sacrifices you make each day.

We are incredibly proud of you, Badgers.

Continue reading →

All sectors in Niagara have been negatively affected, …. However the arts, entertainment, recreation; accommodation and food service; and retail trade sectors have seen a more pronounced effect.

“These preliminary results illustrate the gravity of the situation Niagara is facing. … They also provide crucial insights that will allow Niagara to be nimble and responsive in supporting our businesses throughout this crisis.”                                              – Valerie Kuhns, Acting Director, Niagara Economic Development for Niagara, Ontario’s Regional government

News from Niagara’s Regional Government and 12 Local Municipalities

Posted April 15^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Economic Rapid Response Team completes first survey of Niagara businesses

Niagara, Ontario –This April 14^th, Niagara’s Economic Rapid Response Team (ERRT) released the results of a region-wide survey of Niagara businesses that gives an early picture of the local impact of COVID-19 on Niagara’s business community.

This almost empty parking lot at the normally busy Pen Centre shopping mall in St. Catharines just about says it all. Stores and other businesses closed for weeks and countless people now out of work here, and across the Niagara region.

Over 2,600 businesses from all of Niagara’s municipalities completed the online survey, administered between March 20 and 30. The results represent over 66,000 employees from all sectors of Niagara’s economy, and provides a snapshot of the immediate effects of the first few weeks of the pandemic. Continue reading →

Province’s NDP Leader says Commitment Needs to Come with Better Job Conditions, Wage Boost

A Statement by Ontario NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

Another hearse leaves a nursing home in Bobcaygeon, Ontario where more than 25 senior residents have reportedly died from COVID-19 related complications

NDP Leader’s Statement followed by an Afterword by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper, and a disturbing CBC News report on the lack of government oversight of long-term care homes in Ontario

Posted April 15th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Ontario’s NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has been speaking out for better conditions in the province’s long-term care homes for years.

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath released the following statement in response to the government’s announcement about long-term care staffing:

“The NDP has been calling for an end to the practice of staff working in multiple long-term care homes for some time, so we are relieved to see the government finally take this step. It shouldn’t have taken weeks to put a stop to something that put vulnerable seniors in the crosshairs of COVID-19, and I am heartbroken knowing that this announcement is simply too late for some families.

We look forward to seeing the order to ensure there are no exceptions, because the stakes are too high to get this wrong. And it won’t be enough for the government to simply say staff can’t work in multiple long-term care homes – we need to address the reasons why they had to do this in the first place. Continue reading →

Sustained Measures Necessary to Stop the Spread and Protect Public Health

Ontario government decides to extend ‘state of emergency’

“During these unprecedented times, we cannot let our guard down. The actions being taken by everyone to stay home and practice physical distancing are making a difference, but we are not out of the woods yet.”                                                                         – Ontario Premier Doug Ford

A COVID-19 Update from the Office of Ontario’s Premier

Posted April 15^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO ― On the advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and with the approval of the Ontario legislature, the Ontario government is extending the Declaration of Emergency under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act for a further 28 days.

This will allow the government to continue to use every tool at its disposal to protect the health and safety of the people of Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passed during a special sitting of the Ontario legislature and with the full cooperation of all parties, the Declaration of Emergency has been extended until May 12. Continue reading →

Another Niagara, Ontario Healthcare worker tests positive for COVID-19

“The unit in question will continue to admit patients with COVID-19 and has a number of enhanced safety measures already in place.” – Derek McNally, Vice President Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive for Niagara Health

A COVID-19 Update from from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals

Posted April 14th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Hospital site where a second COVID-19 outbreak has been declared within a matter of days of the first.

Niagara, Ontario – (This Tuesday, April 14th) Niagara Health has declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on inpatient Unit 4A at the St. Catharines Site after one of our healthcare workers tested positive for the virus.

The outbreak, which is on the unit that is dedicated to caring for COVID-19 patients, was declared because our investigation determined the case was healthcare-associated. The staff member is at home and self-isolating. Continue reading →

‘Record-breaking levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River … have taken a toll on homeowners, businesses and shoreline communities, demonstrating the need for governments to take a proactive approach to potential future flooding.’

A Report from Chrissy Chiasson, a policy analyst for the Canadian section of the Canada/U.S. International Joint Commission

Posted April 14, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Record-breaking levels on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in 2017 and 2019 have taken a toll on homeowners, businesses and shoreline communities, demonstrating the need for governments to take a proactive approach to potential future flooding.

Lake Ontario from space, with the east end of Lake Erie in lower left corner

In March, Quebec released its 2020-2021 budget which included several details about the province’s proposed strategy to reduce its flood risk.

The strategy includes CDN$473 million (from the Quebeci government) to implement solutions, in collaboration with municipalities and the scientific community, to mitigate the impact of flooding on communities.

Recently, Quebec also launched a new website which allows users to view updated floodplain data for more than 730 municipalities in Quebec, including many in greater Montreal. Continue reading →

‘The program provides up to 14 days of boarding at the Lincoln Country Humane Society or fostering by Fido Niagara, depending on the animal’s circumstances and program space availability. … Pets may include dogs, cats, birds, or other domestic animals.’

A News Release from the Lincoln Country Humane Society

Posted April 14^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Pet Emergency Temporary Shelter (PETS) is a newly-established humanitarian companion animal shelter program in support of an expected influx of hospitalized pet owners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Niagara Region. 

Fido Niagara founder Jessica Cohen with a friend

The program was organized by the non-profit Fido Niagara and is a collaborative effort among the Lincoln County Humane Society, Niagara Health and Niagara EMS. The program’s purpose is to remove barriers for pet owners in accessing healthcare, and also prevent animal neglect while a pet owner is hospitalized or unable to provide care for their pet at home.

“We recognize the importance of pets in people’s lives and we don’t want pet care to be a barrier to receiving personal care” said Jessica Cohen, founder of Fido Niagara.

The program provides up to 14 days of boarding at LCHS or fostering by Fido Niagara, depending on the animal’s circumstances and program space availability. Pets may include dogs, cats, birds, or other domestic animals. Continue reading →

Brock University Professor Rebecca Raby

“Clearly, there are children in a lot of stress out there. … I suspect we’re going to learn a lot about personal coping, family dynamics and online peer friendships, providing us with a sense of how children are dealing with this difficult situation.”                             – Rebecca Raby, Professor of Child and Youth Studies at Brock University

News from Brock University in Niagara, Ontario

Posted April 14^th, 2020 on Niagara At :Large

Niagara, Ontario – It was a news report on the dramatic rise in calls to Kids Help Phone that moved Rebecca Raby to action.

In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Kids Help Phone in Niagara has experience a dramatic rise in call from young people

As a researcher with a long history of working with children and youth, the Brock University Professor of Child and Youth Studies was concerned, and curious, about how young people are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raby and her research team of six graduate students have now launched their online study of children’s and young people’s experiences at home during the pandemic.

“Clearly, there are children in a lot of stress out there,” says Raby. “But I suspect we’re also going to hear stories about really cool, compelling things that kids have started to initiate at home with parents, siblings, on their own or online.” Continue reading →

Ontario NDP and Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

“We do need to do everything possible to protect seniors in long-term care. From the beginning of this pandemic, we should have restricted workers to one long-term care or group living facility each, and mandated higher wages and scheduling practices that would allow them to do that.”                                                                 – Ontario NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

From the Office of NDP Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted April 13^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

QUEEN’S PARK — NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says the province can save lives with a directive to have long-term care workers each work in one home only, and pay them enough to be able to do that.

“We do need to do everything possible to protect seniors in long-term care. From the beginning of this pandemic, we should have restricted workers to one long-term care or group living facility each, and mandated higher wages and scheduling practices that would allow them to do that. Continue reading →

Here is One Retired Nurse in Niagara Who Says ‘Yes’

A Comment by Linda McKellar, a retired emergency care nurse and resident of the Town of Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario

Posted April 13^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Numbers of deaths due to COVID-19 and related information, such as age and general location in the Niagara region should be made public. That does not intrude on anyone’s grief or privacy. but gives vital information that people should know.

Names need not be given except by family request. In fact, some families may want the information known, both to give their loved ones respect and to make us aware that there are faces and real people behind the impersonal numbers we see.

Every number represents a REAL human: a brother, a sister, a mother, a father, a child, a friend or other loved one. Continue reading →

All the Changes Outlined Below Are Effective       Monday, April 13,  2020

A COVID-19 Update from Niagara, Ontario’s Regional Government

Posted April 13^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara, Ontario – Niagara Region is making further changes to curbside waste collection this week to allow collection staff from Emterra and Canadian Waste Management to continue to focus on core services.

The changes are to prioritize the weekly collection of garbage, recycling and organics and to help our collection staff who are working hard to maintain this essential service for the community.

Effective Monday, April 13, 2020, only three (3) bags/cans of yard waste will be collected per collection day, per eligible residential property (i.e. single dwelling homes and apartments with six units or less). There is also restrictions on leaf and yard waste at the landfill and drop-off depots. Continue reading →

Niagara Health Declares “Outbreak” of  COVID-19 on Inpatient Unit at St. Catharines Site

News from Niagara Health, Niagara, Ontario’s amalgamated system of hospitals and related health care facilities Posted April 11^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Niagara Health’s St. Catharines Hospital site in Niagara, Ontario

St. Catharines, Ontario – Niagara Health today (this April 11^th) declared an outbreak of COVID-19 on an inpatient unit at the St. Catharines Site after one of our healthcare workers tested positive for the virus.

Our Infection Prevention and Control team has taken immediate action to protect our staff, physicians and patients.

“The health, safety and well-being of everyone is our top priority,” says Derek McNally, Niagara Health’s Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive.

“Our Infection Prevention and Control experts, working closely with Niagara Region Public Health and the NH Occupational Health and Safety team, will monitor the situation closely and will adjust measures as needed to respond to this outbreak.”

Enhanced safety measures now in place include temporarily closing the unit in question to all admissions and transfers, and following up with patients, staff and physicians who may have had direct contact with the healthcare worker as a precaution. NH Occupational Health and Safety provides members of the hospital team with support on an ongoing basis.

(A Brief Footnote from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large –

This man, standing in downtown St. Catharines/Niagara a few weeks ago, said it all with this sign. Drivers honked their horns and waved as they passed

I am sure our many readers join me in wishing this healthcare worker a full recovery, as we continue to salute the brave efforts of all of our frontline healthcare workers, and the many other frontline workers, from grocery clerks to maintenance workers, and on and on, to keep our communities functioning as best they can through these perilous times.

We have have further updates on this latest news and related news on this ongoing health crisis later.)

NIAGARA AT LARGE encourages you to join the conversation by sharing your views on this post, along with your name (not a pseudonym), in the space immediately below the Bernie Sanders quote.

 “A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders

Stay Strong and Remember What They’re Saying. The More We Stay Apart Now, the Sooner We’ll Get Back Together!

An Easter Weekend Message from Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted Saturday, April 11^th, 2020 

I’m sure that most of us who were not privy to the kind of ‘intelligence information’ that certain ‘leader’ on the American side of the border failed to read or take seriously, never imagined last New Year’s Day that this Easter Holiday weekend would be like this.

I can drive down the Niagara Escarpment from my home in Thorold this Easter weekend and see enough empty space in the parking lots of the Pen Centre shopping mall to land a whole fleet of helicopters from the last Middle East war.

At any rate, Easter weekend is here and Tigger, one of my favourite cats – a real celebrity of a feline in Niagara, who normally lives at the Pet Valu store at the Pine Plaza on Pine Street in Thorold – is apparently now home, doing his part to keep a safe distance, with some of the good people who share the store with him.

Here is a photo of Tigger with the Easter Bunny, taken by one of his Pet Valu colleagues, Joe Krawchuk, from a Tigger calendar the store puts out every year as a fundraiser for  animal assistance.

I was originally planning to end this Easter message with the photo of Tigger but being who I am, I can’t help but use the occasion to talk a little bit about politics, and social and cultural insanity. So here I go. Continue reading →

  “At a time when government transparency and communication is more essential than ever, Premier Ford has moved to gut public participation under Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights. … It certainly appears that the Ontario government is exploiting this moment (the COVID-19 crisis) to further erode Ontario’s environmental laws and limit the public’s role in environmental policy.”                                                                  – Robert Wright, Ecojustice lawyer

A News Release from Ecojustice, a Canada-wide group of lawyers advocating for environmental justice, with a brief Foreword from Niagara At Large reporter Doug Draper

Posted April 10^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

A Foreword by Doug Draper –

With Trump using the COVID-19 disaster as cover to do even more cutting and gutting to air and water pollution regulations, it should probably come as no great surprise that the Ford government in Ontario, with an environmental record that is almost equally as bad, might pull the same stunt here.

In a recent story published in the National Observer on the Ford government’s move, a spokesperson for Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek is quoted saying that “this will ensure our government is able to quickly respond to time-sensitive needs that arise as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.”

It is hard to image what environmental protection measures in Ontario might get in the way of taking steps that would protect us from this virus. Continue reading →

Enhanced testing strategy will help stop the spread of the virus

“By significantly increasing the number of tests each day, we will identify cases early, contain them and prevent putting more people at risk.”                                                                                             – Christine Elliott, Ontario Deputy Premier and Health Minister

News from the Ontario Government

Posted April 10th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

TORONTO — To stop the spread of COVID-19, the Ontario government is implementing the next phase of its strategy to significantly expand and enhance testing.

In addition to the ongoing testing of the general public at any of the 100 assessment centres now established across the province, Ontario will be proactively testing several priority groups, including:

1. Hospital inpatients;
2. Residents of long-term care and retirement homes;
3. Health care workers, caregivers, care providers, paramedics, and first responders, including police and firefighters;aa
4. Remote, isolated, rural and Indigenous communities;
5. Other congregate living centres, including homeless shelters, prisons and group homes;
6. Specific vulnerable populations, including patients undergoing chemotherapy or hemodialysis and requiring transplants, as well as pregnant persons, newborns and cross-border workers; and
7. Other essential workers, as defined by provincial orders.

Continue reading →

Dr. Courtney Howard, Canadian physician and environmental activist

“The fossil fuel industry is counting on Canadians being too occupied coping with an ongoing health crisis to register that our country is considering a massive transfer of public funds to support the very industry most likely to cause the next health crisis.”                                   – Dr. Courtney Howard, Board President of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

A News Release from Environmental Defence, a Canadian advocacy group for our environment

Posted April 10^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

No more of our tax money should go to this. Let’s use it to help the workers transition to 21st century jobs. Jason Kenney and his tar sand bosses have done enough damage to Alberta’s economy and the planet..

Ottawa—A large collection of health, faith, environmental, labour and social justice groups, representing one million three hundred thousand Canadians, have sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau and his cabinet asking that in the federal bailout to the oil and gas industry, no more money be given to companies, only to workers.

“The fossil fuel industry is counting on Canadians being too occupied coping with an ongoing health crisis to register that our country is considering a massive transfer of public funds to support the very industry most likely to cause the next health crisis,” says Dr. Courtney Howard, Board President of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Continue reading →

‘Stimulus money should offer immediate relief directly to workers and provide opportunities for training, education and employment in existing and emerging low-carbon sectors.’

By Dylan Penner, Council of Canadians

Posted April 10^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Millions of people across the country are facing dual crises: trying to stay healthy during the public health emergency of COVID-19 and trying to pay rent and keep food on the table while more and more people get laid off.

These crises are exacerbated by inequality, racism, the climate crisis and governments bailing out corporations before meeting the needs of communities.

That’s why the Council of Canadians, together with social justice allies, sent this letter calling on the federal government to act now. You might recall that the federal government recently committed to a Just Transition Act. Now, we’re asking them to turn that promise into relief for communities. Continue reading →

On Both Sides of the Canada/U.S. Border, Trump Has Done Immeasurable Damage to Our Economies, to Our Shared Environment and to Our Lives

“Months after he could’ve acted, he sits there today refusing to send the full help that’s needed. … Trump, through stupidity or design, is out to kill us.”                                                                                     – Journalist and Academy Award-winning documentary film producer Michael Moore

“In the case of coronavirus, the Trump administration shelved the war plan, or pandemic “playbook,” prepared by the Obama administration. It disbanded the National Security Council office established to provide early warning and ensure preparedness, and disregarded the intelligence community’s warnings that a global pandemic was likely.

Former UN ambassador for the U.S. Obama administration, Susan Rice

Worse, the Trump team wasted two critical months, as the virus swept to our shores, before starting to send forces into battle. Its failure to act quickly, upon receiving warning in early January of a novel coronavirus, to create and distribute enough functional tests to track the disease, or to help states add hospital beds, procure critical equipment and recruit health care workers, ensured we started the fight trapped behind enemy lines.”                                                   – Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to the United States during the Obama administration

A Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher           Doug Draper

Posted April 9th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

No thanks to what U.S. journalist and documentary film-maker Michael Moore rightfully calls that “ignorant, arrogant murdering bastard” now in the White House, our Canadian front-line health workers finally have the shipment of protective respirator masks from the 3M company that Trump and his fellow swamp creatures attempted to ban from coming here.

Shipments for 3M protective masks finally make it to Canada for our frontline health care workers after attempt by Trump to try to stop them.

These were masks that Canadian parties properly ordered from the 3M company by the way, and masks manufactured with raw material that came from Canada in the first place.

And yes, this April 8^th, shipments of the masks were finally allowed to cross the border but only after several days of senior representatives in Canada, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Premier of Ontario, getting on the phones to counterparts in the Trump administration and apparently, all but getting down on their hands and knees begging them to let them through.

All of this precious time taken away from our leaders focusing on other life-and-death issues around what this killer virus is doing to peoples’ lives, just so that the “ignorant, arrogant murdering bastard” in the White House could do his tough-guy, put America first” act for the millions of angry, hate-filled xenophobic nitwits who continue to support him, even though their health and welfare is also now hanging in the balance. Continue reading →

Community Food Gardens Should Not Be Ordered Closed Due to COVID-19

A Call-Out from the Green Party of Ontario

Posted April 9^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

We think the government made a mistake by issuing a mandatory closure of all community gardens in Ontario due to COVID-19

It’s an oversight they can quickly correct.

The province classified community gardens as a recreational activity, like ice rinks and swimming pools, instead of an essential food service like grocery stores. Continue reading →

Does the Public have a “Right to Know” this Information? What Do You Think?

“This information provides critical insights about infection rates and locations — details people need to be aware of so they can take the steps necessary to protect themselves and prevent further spread of the disease.”                                                                – Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner  Brian Beamish

A News Commentary by Niagara At Large reporter and publisher Doug Draper

Posted April 9th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

A story posted this April 6th by CBC News reports that “Niagara Region Public Health (the public health department that is part of Niagara, Ontario’s regional government) is refusing to release the number of local COVID-19 deaths, saying that victims’ privacy trumps the public’s right to know how the pandemic is affecting the community.”

The CBC story goes on to say that “Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner doesn’t understand why NRPH is shielding the numbers and wants them released “as soon as possible.”

“This information provides critical insights about infection rates and locations — details people need to be aware of so they can take the steps necessary to protect themselves and prevent further spread of the disease,” commissioner Brian Beamish told CBC News.’

Over the past month or so, and even before Niagara Public health circulated a news release, reporting the first confirmed case of a Niagara resident testing positive with COVID-19 (coronavirus) on March 12th, Niagara At Large, as have other media outlets, been snowed over with news releases, public advisories, updates and the like on this outbreak, coming from one body or another in the private sector and all levels of government. Continue reading →

Less Driving And Fewer Accidents Should Benefit Drivers, Not Just Insurance Companies

(A Note from Niagara At Large – In a report NAL is including directly below this NDP News Release, Canadian insurers are already planning to lower costs to drivers during the Coronavirus shutdown.)

A News Release from the Office of NDP Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath

Posted April 8th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

With the roads and highways of Ontario so empty of traffic, and so many people with their vehicles parked at home during this COVID-19 crisis, should drivers not get a break on their auto insurance?

QUEEN’S PARK – The NDP Official Opposition is calling on the Ford government to give all Ontario drivers a 50 per cent break on auto insurance payments for three months, and let people who have lost a job or income defer payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As Ontarians listen to public health experts and stay home as much as possible, there’s little driving and few accidents happening in the province,” said NDP Auto Insurance critic Tom Rakocevic. Continue reading →

“The Government of Canada has made changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program, so that we can help employers help their communities through good quality, safe job placements for youth.”                                                                                                          – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

An Update on COVID-19 Assistance from the Office of Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Posted April 8^th, 2020 on Niagara At Large

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

The Government of Canada is taking unprecedented action to support workers, businesses, and all Canadians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, young people are facing serious challenges finding work.

To build the foundations of strong communities, we need a strong workforce that includes good job opportunities for youth. That is why the government is working to help employers adapt to the realities of COVID-19, and supporting young Canadians as they begin to look for summer employment.  

This April 8th , the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program that will help employers hire summer staff and provide young Canadians access to the jobs they need during this unprecedented time. This program will help create up to 70,000 jobs for youth between 15 and 30 years of age. Continue reading →