Page 22 - IssueNo100a

22 Issue #100 May 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Notes from Our Federal and Provincial Representatives

Stormont-Dundas-South Stormont-Dundas-South

Glengarry MP Glengarry MPP

Interview Interview

with with

MP Eric Duncan MPP Jim MacDonell

he arrival of a third wave, fueled by new, more contagious variants, has
Protecting Free Speech Tforced the government to re-introduce a stay-at-home order with stricter

on the Internet restrictions, including the return of online learning for our students. Some
of the measures, including the closure of many recreational amenities, are
a hard pill to swallow but are necessary to protect our hospitals and hard-
he Liberals are introducing legislation that will stifle free speech on the working healthcare workers. We are into our fourth week of the lockdown,
Tinternet and allow the government to decide what you can and cannot say. and we see a flattening of active cases across the province. Unfortunately,
This may seem like quite a statement, but sadly, this is a scary fact. the impact on hospital and ICU admissions continues to be high, as patients
In what began as a mediocre attempt to level the playing field between require more extended periods of care before they are discharged, leaving
internet streaming giants and Canadian broadcasters, the Minister of Heritage very few open beds for new cases. Locally, we have been more successful,
assured Canadians that Bill C-10 would never infringe on Canadian’s reducing our active case numbers by over 40% from their high point early
fundamental rights and freedoms. last week. This success was no small feat, as the more contagious variants
Instead, they tabled this bill that gives sweeping powers to the Canadian are now over 90% of all cases in the province. Of the 34 health units in
Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to regulate Ontario, we are one of only fourteen that has reduced the per capita weekly
cases since April 12.
the internet, including individual users, with no clear guidelines for how that
Over the month, our local vaccination efforts continued to get shots in
power will be used.
the arms of our residents, reaching approximately 60,000 people with their
Despite providing real, common sense solutions that Canadians have
first dose. Our program puts our health unit area ahead of the provincial
called for, the Liberals rejected our compromise to protect individual users
per capita number, which administered 3 million doses in April, recently
and smaller players in the market by exempting streaming services and social
surpassing the 5 million dose milestone. The EOHU vaccination team is
media users with lower revenues. accepting appointments from residents born in 1966 and earlier. Throughout
Furthermore, I was deeply concerned to learn that they rejected an exemption May, the Minister of Health, Christine Elliott, announced that the province
to individual users who upload videos to social media sites and went further will be reducing the age of eligibility each week to finally include all adults
by promising to introduce a new amendment to regulate apps. 18 years old and older by the final week. Our Medical Officer of Health,
To add, even the former commissioner of the CRTC, Peter Menzies said, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, has plans to distribute May’s forecasted allotment
“It’s difficult to contemplate the levels of moral hubris, incompetence, or both of close to 60,000 doses. He is cautiously optimistic that we may receive
that would lead people to believe such an infringement of rights is justifiable”. additional supplies and that his team is ready to scale up to distribute any
Conservatives will continue to stand up for the freedoms of Canadians who extra doses.
post their content online. I will oppose C-10 at every stage of the legislative Dr. Paul’s team is making provisions to vaccinate additional at-risk
process unless serious amendments are tabled that won’t infringe on our populations and essential workers, including childcare workers and teachers,
over the next couple of weeks. Please consult their website at www.eohu.ca
fundamental rights and freedoms.
for details and current eligibility. You can book your appointment through
If you want to add your voice to the many who share my concerns, I have
the www.ontario.ca/bookvaccine portal or by calling 1-888-999-6488 if
created an online petition at www.ericduncan.ca/c10, where you can add your
you have a red and white OHIP card or need assistance. He also reported
name.
that there are 57 local pharmacies approved to participate in the local
program and ready to be included in our program when more supplies of
Match Your Area Knowledge the AstraZeneca vaccine are available.

Play Thom’s Trivia This past week, Tara Kirkpatrick of the county’s economic development
department, hosted a virtual business meeting. We welcomed the Minister
Question 1 of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture, Lisa MacLeod, to discuss
1 - Who hit two triples at the King George Park on the recently passed budget and the support programs being finalized for
June 18,1951 in a wild St. Lawrence Club 10-8 win release soon. Our government is working to ensure businesses and not-
over the North End Socials? for-profit organizations receive the support they need to rebound from this
pandemic. We are also finalizing negotiations with the Federal Government
Question 2 to supplement the Federal Sick Leave Plan with provincial funds to cover
2 - Name the local school that captured the Primary
the initial three days that were previously not covered on their plan. Details
School Track Meet in May 1966? are being finalized and will be released soon.
Question 3 During the pandemic, the Provincial Legislature has continued to operate
3 - May 18, 1942, which member of the Cornwall with modifications to address the province’s needs. Our teams were split
Senior Lacrosse Club scored six goals against the into cohorts to lessen the opportunity for spread. Unfortunately, this week, I
Montreal Shamrocks? received a positive test for COVID-19 and am now following the necessary
Turn to page 26 for Answers Continued on page 28