Buried budget item will make provincial government less accountable
A proposed new law buried within the Ontario government’s recent budget would increase the legal threshold necessary to bring claims against the government. According to a CBC report, it would considerably limit the instances in which the government would be required to pay financial compensation to plaintiffs. “What the government is trying to do is place itself beyond the reach of the Courts and make it difficult, and in many cases, impossible to sue the government – even when it acts in bad faith or breaches the duties of office,” said Amir Attaran, a law professor at the University of Ottawa. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has said that it will challenge the legislation if it receives Royal Assent.
Siberia Road clean-up nets butterball turkey
Volunteers from the Carson, Trout, Lepine and Greenan Lakes Association (CTLG Lakes) conducted their spring clean on May 4 removing litter beside Siberia Road as part of their Adopt-A-Road agreement with the County of Renfrew. Although the group’s last clean-up was only six months ago, they were disappointed to discover that the number of beverage and pop cans had increased 304 percent. Beer cans and bottles increased 28 percent this time. Among the litter collected were three tires, several motors and a butterball turkey still in its wrapper. (Photo shows Wendy Wolak of CTLG Lakes with bird – submitted)
Phoenix Centre guidance on supporting youth with depression
Greg Lubimiv, Executive Director, Phoenix Centre, is presenting a free session, From darkness to light, on Tuesday May 7 at Madawaska Valley District High School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The presentation aims to support parents/caregivers with knowledge, skills and strategies to recognize and respond to youth 14 – 21 years experiencing depressive symptoms. Please register at Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ca
MV Hospice Palliative Care offers free Grief Support Group
If you have experienced the death of a special person, MV Hospice Palliative Care offers this free six-week Grief Support Group which will meet weekly starting Wednesday May 16. The group will provide a safe, confidential and non-judgmental place to talk about your loss experience, share memories of your special person who has died and discuss grief related concerns. Meetings will take place at the Ash Grove Inn Fireside Room from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. May 16 through June 19. For information and to register, call MV Hospice Palliative Care on (613) 756-3045 Ext. 350 or email mvhospice@sfmhosp.com
Grade 4-8 students at St. John Bosco School in Barry’s Bay will host a Seniors Community tea on May 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Library. This event was planned as part of the school’s almsgiving initiative for lent.
Drake smashes more records
Toronto recording artist Drake shattered all the records at last Wednesday’s Billboard Music Awards by taking home twelve wins that night alone, including Top Artist and Top Song. His overall total now comes to 27 Billboard Music Awards.
This follows his achievement in breaking records set by the Beatles and Michael Jackson. Last July, his album Scorpion posted seven simultaneous singles on Billboard’s Top 10, topping the Beatles’ five singles. He also surpassed Michael Jackson as the artist with the most Hot 100 Top 10s in his career among male artists. Drake now has a total of 31 to Jackson’s 30.
