Page 13 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 108
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www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #108 January 2022 13
Notes from Our Federal and Provincial Representatives
Stormont-Dundas-South Stormont-Dundas-South
Glengarry MP Glengarry MPP
Interview 2021 Year
with in Review with
MP Eric Duncan MPP Jim MacDonell
L et’s Try For a Better Year Next Year – Again Aour Government continues to sift through the ever-evolving
fter almost two years of navigating through this pandemic,
For last year’s Christmas and New Year’s message, we all
believed that 2021 would be a better and brighter year. To say that COVID-19 data to develop next steps. The new variants of concern
we are all disappointed in the reality would be an understatement. have created new challenges, resulting in waves of infections that
have tested our resolve. We must be thankful for those who have
Canada is facing many tough challenges, and patience with the brought us this far; our frontline health practitioners, truck drivers,
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is wearing thin. As your Member grocery workers, and the many teams of people who ensured we
of Parliament, I have the challenge of being your voice and had the essential goods and services we needed.
pressing the government to address the major issues facing our Surges in the virus mid-winter and mid-spring forced us to
country today.
curtail business and leisure activities temporarily. However,
My Conservative colleagues and I have serious disagreements lessons from the previous year and the development of successful
with the federal government’s approaches on several issues. Not vaccines allowed us to fight back, allowing for a better summer.
enough rapid tests have been ordered nationally to keep up with Under the local direction of Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, our local health
the surge in demand. Structural deficits and 30-year high inflation unit, pharmacies, primary caregivers, paramedics, and volunteers
are major financial challenges to our economic recovery. Housing mounted a successful vaccination program, contributing to a
affordability and skyrocketing rents continue to hit every single per capita rate higher than the rest of our G7 nations well above
region in Canada as not enough supply is being built to keep up the industrialized world’s average. Our success was also tied to
with demand. the extremely high numbers of Canadians who showed up to be
Yet, with all the challenges we face, I have also had the pleasure vaccinated. Again, we showed our determination and compassion
to help others in need by doggedly following public health
of seeing firsthand the wonderful support networks we are blessed
with in our community. In recent weeks, local services clubs and guidelines. Every time the virus was on our doorsteps threatening
volunteers have stepped up to support numerous families who to overtake our ability to keep people safe, we responded admirably
are struggling through Christmas with food baskets and making to beat it back.
sure every family or person has a few gifts under their Christmas As the year winds down, we are again dealing with another wave
tree. of infections as the new Omicron variant circulates throughout
Canada and the world. While medical experts are still reviewing
It has been truly remarkable to witness, especially with the
the early data, we know that this variant is more contagious but
support of numerous local businesses, many which have faced
that the vaccine significantly reduces your chances of requiring
obstacles themselves this past year as well.
hospitalization if contracted. Evidence also revealed earlier the
Despite these setbacks, we must always remember the need for a booster shot for specific groups, and since then we
strong foundation upon which our country has been built and have authorized boosters for all adults 18 years of age and over
strengthened over the past 150+ years. We have been through who received their second dose at least 84 days ago. Those 50 and
tough times before - and we will get through these tough times over who got a booster appointment previously can rebook for an
again. earlier date. You can find eligibility information, as well as book
On behalf of my family and staff, I wish you hope for a any of your vaccine doses at www.Ontario.ca/book-vaccine or by
brighter, more prosperous country in 2022. calling 1-888-999-6488. Please work with our health unit staff,
pharmacists, and health practitioners as they organize and staff
local clinics for your convenience and protection.
1916 Pitt Street N., Unit 1A (Heritage Business Centre)
CORNWALL • 613-933-1200 September saw the return of students to school. Returning
to in-class learning is a top priority for our Government, since
we know it is vital in providing our youth with the education
and tools they need for a prosperous career. An additional $1.6
billion was made available to our school boards to deal with the
Registered Massage Therapist Sheryl Calvank-Rodriguez, RMT pandemic, including hiring extra teachers and staff, and improving
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