Lindsay Advocate — News. Community. Wellness.

From the ashes, a new beginning

Published on October 19, 2019 in Community/Environment by Jamie Morris

Last month the Advocate reported on the loss of the 13 trees in Lindsay’s tiny Peace Park, located just north of Central Senior Public School on Albert Street. All were ash, all were infested by emerald ash borers. It was, on a small scale, a foretaste of what is happening across the City; experts say all of our 24,000 ash trees will succumb.

For Peace Park, the loss was particularly poignant: A plaque mounted near the stumps let visitors know the trees had represented not only our ten provinces and three territories, but “hope for the future.”

Keep Reading

Family health teams a positive change, say majority, although health care cuts a worry

Published on October 18, 2019 in Health by Lindsay Advocate

Vast majority say family health teams a positive change to health care

The results are in from the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team’s most recent survey of patients across the local area. The data revealed some interesting findings on how local residents feel about their local care, the family health team approach, the health care system in general and the main challenges to be addressed.

While the vast majority of respondents indicated they found their health care provider to be caring, friendly and easy-to-talk-to and reported overwhelmingly that their providers are caring, good listeners and thorough, the broader answers were also encouraging.

Keep Reading

Powerless guards mired in poor working conditions at Lindsay’s Super Jail

Published on October 17, 2019 in Community/Health by Trevor Hutchinson

For the past couple months the Lindsay Advocate has been speaking to employees and former employees of Lindsay’s Central East Correctional Centre. Citing concern for their jobs (and privacy issues) all interviewees requested anonymity. We also spoke on the record to representatives of the union and to Ontario’s Solicitor General.

“We call them broken toys.”

“They are broken. Mentally broken. Some are suicidal, from a career in corrections,” says one retired correctional officer (CO), describing some of his former co-workers.

As an outsider with no experience with the prison system, I had of course expected stories from COs involving mental health. But I thought I would hear stories of trauma that come with having a job that involves providing custody and control for criminals (or those suspected of criminality): the ‘crazy stories’ of fights, drugs, rape and murder. What shocked me was that the more I spoke to COs (current and retired) the more I learned that the stress these people described was more often about policy, procedure and management then it was about the salacious things I had imagined.

Keep Reading

Employee retention challenges? This event is for you

Published on October 17, 2019 in Business by Lindsay Advocate

Local business peers are coming together to discuss the challenges employers face in the hiring and retention of an employee, a must-attend event for local employers.

Hosted by Kawartha Lakes Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre and Strike Point Bowling in Lindsay, the event will be held at Strike Point and feature a panel discussion, speakers, good food and a fun break.

Keep Reading

Parking enforcement: Wayne English has his eye on Lindsay’s downtown core

Published on October 14, 2019 in Community by Jamie Morris

It’s a Monday, a few minutes before 10 am, and I’m standing outside the Bylaw Enforcement Office, where I’m to meet and then tag along with Wayne English.

As the church bells peal, Wayne, who’s been chatting with Bulk Food store-owner Dan Burns across the street, approaches, hand outstretched.

He’s hard to miss: his red golf shirt and baseball cap are emblazoned with “Parking Control” and “LDBIA Community Liaison,” and a chunky electronic device is strapped to his waist. Sunglasses, black shorts, and dusty and well-worn-in walking shoes complete his outfit.

Keep Reading

How I’ll be voting in this federal election

Published on October 13, 2019 in Opinion by Roderick Benns

Like millions of other Canadians this month, I’ll be voting for a local candidate to represent my interests in Parliament.

If I lived in 1950s or 1960s Canada, my choice might be different than it will be this month. Back then, the business world worked closely with governments to help co-construct a society worth living in for each of us. ‘Open for business’ back then actually meant something because big business was a reliable partner that paid a living wage to its employees.

Keep Reading

Feed Ontario, Food Source, say loss of research about basic income is costly

Published on October 4, 2019 in Poverty Reduction by Lindsay Advocate

Poverty costs Ontario somewhere between $27.1 – $33 billion each year. Feed Ontario’s most recent report, The Cost of Poverty in Ontario, offers an explanation as to why and how “poverty reduction is not only possible – it pays off.”

While governments estimate the cost of poverty by calculating dollars spent on programs and services for the poor, this report locates the cost of poverty in the increased health and justice system expenses incurred, and loss of tax revenue and by maintaining people in a state of poverty. Those living on low income experience poorer health for a host of reasons, including inadequate housing, less access to medicine, and less access to quality food. The result? An estimated cost of $3.9 billion to our health care system.

Keep Reading

Federal election Q & A with Jamie Schmale of the Conservative Party of Canada

Published on October 3, 2019 in Federal by Roderick Benns

Roderick Benns recently interviewed the PPC, Conservative, Liberal, Green, and NDP candidates for Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Brock riding to help voters make an informed decision leading up to the election in October. In our fifth and final installment is Jamie Schmale of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Benns: Can you highlight a policy of your party that will lead to increased employment and increased average income in our riding?

Schmale: The cost of living is top of mind to many voters in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and across this country. Two thirds of Canadians feel that they either can’t pay their bills – or feel that they have nothing left over at the end of the month. Almost half of all Canadian households report being less than $200 a month away from insolvency at month’s end. Fuel, food, home heating, and debt – everything keeps getting more expensive.

Keep Reading

Advocate hosts all-candidates debate in Lindsay with help of 3 community sponsors

Published on September 30, 2019 in Federal by Roderick Benns

There’s an important federal election coming up and the Advocate wants to help you make an informed choice on Oct. 21.

That’s why we’ve organized, and will host, an all-candidates debate on social policy on Oct. 6 from 2-4 pm, with the help of three community sponsor organizations – the Food Security Working Group of the Kawartha Lakes Food Coalition, Kawartha Citizens United, and Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition.

Keep Reading

Cassie Noble releases new album, supported by southern Ontario and Quebec tour

Published on September 29, 2019 in Around Town/Community by Jonah Grignon

It’s in between bursts of rain and sunshine when I meet with local tattoo-artist-by-day-musician-by night Cassie Noble at Lindsay’s Boiling Over’s Coffee Vault, a place familiar to the 28-year-old singer-songwriter.

Noble, who has toured with her band, The Do Good Badlies all across the country, is now putting considerable time and energy into the pursuit of a solo career. She was quick to express her gratitude for Boiling Over’s impact on local music, having played there herself with her band on numerous occasions, and noting the welcoming, all-ages feel of the coffee-shop. It’s a spot which serves as a starting point for many up-and coming local musical talents.

Keep Reading