Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

It is with great pleasure, that we can confirm that our local legion is once again open for business!  It is only a result of its great volunteers that the legion was able to stay alive during this great pandemic.  Check back her for future updates and notices of events!  Let's get out and support our Legion!

 THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! 

On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion Br.194, I would like to thank Bonnie and Jim Claveau Home Hardware for their very generous donation of $2,000.00.  Your continued support to keep our legion open and your commitment to our community is truly appreciated.

As president of the legion I realize that all our small businesses are struggling during this time as well. This gesture during these times shows me the strength in our little community!! Please Shop Local!!! It’s important that we support each other!! 

Again,my heartfelt thanks to Bonnie and Jim!!  

Albena Liebigt,President 

Studio 6 Gets Closer to Reality in Hornepayne

At a Facebook Live event, hosted by Cheryl Fort on Monday evening, the community was able to hear more detail about the proposed hotel to be built in Hornepayne.

Cheryl met with and interviewed Ben Cohen, the lead investor on the project. Ben outlined the details behind the 50 room hotel, as well as ancillary plans for a restaurant on site.

The project will be built on the land that contains the R.W. Anderson Park, and tennis courts, with the courts and park staying in place, but the baseball diamond having to be moved to accommodate the hotel. The hotel will feature suite style rooms that will be good for overnight trips, as well as longer stays, for business and industrial clients, who may be in town for various longer term projects.

As Mr. Cohen indicated, the hotel will become an anchor structure in town, which will promote further economic growth and allow for other business opportunities. Not only will it provide accommodations for fly in fishing and hunting guests, it will also provide accommodations for snowmobile clientele in the winter months. 

While COVID has delayed some of the processes involved, Mr. Cohen expects construction to begin within 6 months, and take about a year to complete. The hotel will also provide a small number of jobs in the hospitality sector, once fully operational.

For more information on the company spearheading this development, Rideout Bay Develoments, Inc, please check out their website: https://rideoutbay.com/developments

It is funny how Hornepayne, despite being a small town, leaves such an impression on those who have lived here, or in many cases, just visited. While we have a great deal of natural beauty to behold, at the end of the day, this comes down to the people who live here, and the environment we create. Yes, there are limitations and challenges, as there are anywhere, but there is something endearing about Hornepayne.

This belief is often expressed by people who have been here and left, as absence often makes the heart grow fonder, and it is often manifested in memories and thoughts from those who may no longer be here in person, but are always here in heart. Each person’s thoughts and feelings are often expressed in different ways, and today, we bring you coverage of an ex-resident, Neil Trochumchuk, as he embarks upon a career in writing. His first book, published by Amazon, is called…..wait for it: “Welcome to Wicksteed: Chronicles of Horror”. Sound familiar?  Any of you old enough, will realize of course, that Wicksteed is the former name of our current township, so in his first book, Neil has chosen a setting and a title that is clearly connected to Hornepayne and his time here. 

I last spoke to Neil in August of 2019, at the famous “Anniversary of the last party…….version, I don’t know, 10???” and we caught up. While we grew up in different times, Neil and I knew each other, in part due to our connection with Second Government, as our families have been camp neighbours for several generations. Neil, is Gary Trochumchuk’s son, and currently resides in Nova Scotia.

While not a traditional interview, per se, I was able to connect with Neil and ask him a few questions about his writing, as I wanted to take the time to use the platform to let people know of his writing career, and connect it to our good old Hornepayne! So, here we go, our first interview with Neil Trochumchuk, as he embarks upon a brave course of fiction writing.

1. Neil, thanks for giving www.hornepayne.com the opportunity to speak to you today and learn a bit about your writing career. Most of our readers, will of course, recognize your Trochymchuk last name, but as you have not lived in Hornepayne for a long while can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Thank you for the interest. I think that it’s great for Hornepayne to have it’s own site. There are so many colourful people in this little town of ours.

As for me, my nick name, Tasmanian Devil, suits since I would spin in and out of existence, unceremoniously dropping in on my poor Nan in the wee hours of the night.

The train was the only constant in my life as I travelled all over the eastern seaboard.

Hornepayne was always my home since I felt that I had the deepest roots there, going back to the Eastons and the Goodfellows, and of course, the Trochymchuks.

2.  So, you have just self-published your first work, with of course references to Horneapayne. Tell us a bit about how this came to pass.

I have always dreamed of having my work published. I have been writing since my preteens. I enjoy writing poetry and short, weird little stories. I have laboured at sending queries, submitting articles, and writing enticing words to describe my works. It is so much easier now to simply self publish, and let your work do the talking, as opposed to the work and hope of receiving an advance from a large publishing house.

The whole industry has been uprooted by the leaps and bounds of technology, and I believe that I am taking advantage of a new way of performing an old trick. Hope has been replaced by work. The harder you work at it, the better the results. Self publishing is a learning process, but one that we are all in together. Some wish to monetize their insights, but as for me, I just like to share.

I chose a town like Hornepayne as my model, because the town is so unique. I never saw a place like it. I wanted to write about it so that it’s quirky little story wouldn’t be lost in time. 

3.  Your chosen genre is horror. Can you reflect on why this is a genre you chose?

Why I chose horror? It is part of who I am. Being an October baby, Halloween was always at the forefront of my birthdays. I was also an avid follower of The Hilarious House of Frightenstein, which was a kids show here in Canada. I have always been fascinated by monsters and cursed objects. Even to this day, I collect odd and unusual ornaments.

Horror doesn’t have a huge fan base, but I believe that we have the most fun. I find Horror has an interesting relationship with comedy, sci fi, fantasy and more. There is a philosophy behind horror that it’s fans appreciate. It is the knowledge that there is always the possibility of having a Bad Day.

4.  What are some of your favourites, from this genre, or others?

The whole reason why I had so desperately wanted to know how to read, was Frankenstein. It is by far my favourite story. The monster, as I believed, had a lot in common with me in my childhood. I, too, felt very alone while I grew up. I wasn’t raised the same as my friends and felt like an outcast, an oddity. I didn’t think of that when I was just a kid, but I sure liked the story. And I still do.

5.  What have you learned through this process?

I have learned a lot over the years. I’m still learning how to articulate my thoughts and how to properly express my emotions. I am also learning how to self promote without sounding arrogant. I have trouble with this. I am confident in my work, but I try to remain humbly open to constructive criticism. The world is chaos and it’s up to the writer to put it in an orderly, entertaining way.

6. What are your next plans for writing? Are you considering more works of horror, or launching into another genre of writing?

Ahaha! What comes next? Well, I am currently working on the next book of Wicksteed. I also have a story, the same format as Wicksteed that is eerily similar to the town where I live now, Sackville. I prefer horror, but may venture into the realms of sci-fi and fantasy.

7.  What have you learned from this process?

I have learned that I have a warped sense of humour. Ahaha!

8.  Have you any advice for budding writers, from the writing process, to editing, to publishing?

My advice to budding authors is to dare to be bold. We all have stories that are as unique as we are. The world is an insatiable reader and loves a good story. Whether for a career, or just a touch of therapy, we will always have a want for writers. Who are you as an author? And what do you have to offer?

9.  Can you reflect a bit on publishing a work of fiction, in this new media world?

As stated before, the whole industry has been uprooted. I followed the path of the cheapest and easiest way. What I count on, is the quality of my work, and to keep pace with that, reviews are essential to knowing whether I’m successful or not. Editing is the other importance. I am lucky to have come from a reading family and have a few editors for my work. It is the one thing that is worth investing in. Everyone can write, but we all need an editor.

10.  And finally, how can people get your book?

My book and some short stories are available through Amazon under my name, G.N. Trochymchuk. There are a couple poems as well as a short bio describing my struggle with schizophrenia. Welcome to Wicksteed is my first full length book.

Thanks so much, Neil, for your time, and www.horneapayne.com wishes you the best in your future endeavours, and please keep us posted on your work and where it brings you, physically and of course, imaginatively! We look forward to your future successes and of course, more Hornepayne! 

All good things must come to an end, said one wise person, many years ago!  

Late last week, emotions were  on full display, as the old station, on CN property, came down.  Abandoned, for many years, it was not only an eye sore for the community, but also a hazard from a health and safety point of view.

Through Social Media, many discussions ensued, about the event and its meaning and historical significance.  For many, the station brings back wonderful memories of a time gone by, however, the dilapidated state of the building, required its removal.  Many citizens, current and past, expressed regret that somehow, someway, the building could have been saved, which in a perfect world, of course, would have been wonderful, however, it was not to be.  Just as the last of the buildings from the 40's and 50's on Front street gave way to newer buildings in the 80's, this too, had to go.

However, anytime something iconic and such a part of our history fades away, it can hurt.  However, something that is not gone, are the memories and sense of community that it helped foster, in a different time!

Continue to follow www.hornepayne.com for updates about our community as we move forward and look to the future, while fondly remembering the past.

*photo courtesy of Cindy Furlong Craig via social media.

In the last few days, among the COVID-19 pandemic, an information piece has come to our attention that requires our citizens to respond.

In the Nagagami Forest management plan, which lays out the rules and regulations for cutting the forest for the next few years, large parts of the area that encompass the Buttercup Trails, are in areas to be cut.

We know, at hornepayne.com, that we do not need to explain to anyone, the value that these trails provide to the residents of Hornepayne, not to mention the volunteers who currently, and have in the past, kept these trails in wonderful condition, entirely of their own volition.

Please see a link below, to a PDF form that can be printed out.  There are email addresses at the end of the form.  Please send to all email addresses.

As well, we urge you to contact our local councillors and Mayor, to ensure they are aware of this, and that they lend their voices to the plan.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.efmp.lrc.gov.on.ca%2FeFMP%2Ffile%3FextFile%3D%252Fmwdata%252Fwebsphere%252Fsus%252Fapps%252Fcell07%252Fapps%252Fefmpmount%252FInformation%2520Centre%2520Materials%2520-%2520Review%2520of%2520Proposed%2520Operations%252FNagagami_2021_Review_Of_Proposed_Operations_ExpiryDate_06_06_2020%252FStage3_Comment_Form_NagF_English.pdf%26fbclid%3DIwAR3wHZVk4L4v-TlqtFCf102dKa3XUF2CCBDnZMA7--wkO7qtL7KoOtJN1J4&h=AT3RE1sVAo3JuE6rwzrrsPt0ZU0pPVXkZMuq0yPxgUHUs9ocsdAy_xVR4kosfDIZqAI1zZZA9Mj4a20UYrD8wMOqLDfeHaW_3wbSiWHnaa3_CFMPS4D5M7wzMdPkpqMVGg&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3MojYskwh8H8joacooN2rD3xtHRVb4GDH6udDk16cJW9UJwybBtGgT3cJYph-_A4jkT0v2VyKTgJnzoON1N3xAy45BaVNv_-faloOwOHf6s-wv-3mvn_dILOpDGKrHl3vrhdOogBIsOjf3PVY2FZKAaqutaIz0VGsnRgMiOPNm2XHKy1qa7Pw

****Canada Post update****

As of March 31st, Post Office hours will be reduced to 10 AM to 4 PM.  The same limits as listed below remain in effect.

Canada Post is limiting customers in the building:

1.  Only one person at the counter at a time

2.  Only one person in the mailbox area at a time.

Please respect these safety measure, to keep Canada Post employees as well as customers safe.  Canada Post is a crucial service to keeping our county going during these difficult times.  

 ****Please see the update from McKinnon's Fresh Mart, below.  

McKinnon's freshmart- Effective March 25, 2020.  

Dear Valued Customers:

We will only be allowing 10 customers in the store at a time to allow for proper social distancing and encouraging only 1 family member to do shopping-please let's not expose the children if we don't have to! 

All bulks foods will be prepackaged and be minimal on the shelves to limit unnecessary handling, if there is something you require and do not see it on the shelf, PLEASE ask!

Hours will be as follows:
Tuesday:       8AM - 6PM,
Wednesday:   8AM - 9AM Seniors only; 9AM - 6PM regular hours,
Thursday:       8AM - 6PM,
Friday:           8AM - 9AM Seniors only; 9AM - 8PM regular hours,
Saturday:       8AM - 5:30PM until further notice.

We are doing the best, we can at trying to keep our community and those around us safe, so we ask that everyone adheres to these changes. 

Keeping yourselves, your families, and our staff safe should be everyone’s priority. Thank you for your continuous support, and we are look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

*******Update to the story originally published.  Please see information about the Northern Credit Union's Services********************** 

Update on Northern Credit Union

Northern Credit Union is currently operating under reduced hours and screening and and landmarks for social distancing are in place.

On Friday March 27, we are expecting an influx of members as pensions are deposited.  As a result, we will be limiting the number of people that will be allowed in the building at one time as we deem necessary, to protect the employees.

We are currently operating on very limited staff and appreciate everyone's patience. We are available by phone,on line banking and ATM.

If you are not signed for these services, please call us for assistance.  If no one answers please leave a message as the the call volume is extremely high and we will get back to you.

Citizens of Ontario, yesterday, were greeted by the news that Ontario was closing more non-essential facilities and many citizens were left wondering what was to be closed and what was to be open.  The province left everyone hanging, indicating they would announce the list today, however by the late evening, they had released the list.

In terms of Hornepayne, due to our limited retail sector, the community will see little change with this newest set of restrictions, however there may be some changes. 

To date, some retail outlets have adjusted their hours.  The LCO store at Cindy's is open 12-6.  Home Hardware is also limited in hours, open from 11-5.  The Post Office, which operates under  Federal  jurisdiction, is open regular hours.

As you go to the Freshmart, you will notice they have installed reminders to keep social distance in the form of lines on the floor, and reminders in text on the floor, to social distance.  This is a key move by our new Freshmart owners, Jeff and Sherri McKinnon!  A great way to keep their service open, while helping us to keep healthy and safe. 

Hornepayne.com is committed to helping our community see its way through this crisis.  Please respect the guidelines released by health professionals, especially the social distancing.  Just because you have not felt any symptoms, does not mean you have not contracted it, and you can easily spread it.  Social distancing is so important.  While we are not confined to our homes, let's keep our distance, even from family and friends.  Walks should still feature the 2 metre spacing....even with children.  We have such a small community and while our hospital staff is phenomenally professional, an outbreak in Hornepayne would be devastating, so let's all do, all we can to prevent the spread of the virus!  

As the world continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hornepayne has of course, not been spared.  Currently, as of Sunday morning, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our community, which is great.  We strongly encourage all citizens to follow all established protocols for reducing the spread of the pandemic.  In particular, two very important actions to follow:

1.  Social distancing.  Keep 2 m away from others.  Do not congregate in large groups.  Keep visitors to homes infrequent and to limited numbers.  If you have any symptoms, contact your local health unit.

2.  Self-isolation. If you have traveled, self-isolate for 14 days.

Furthermore, hand washing is the enemy of all viri and bacteria.  Special soap is not necessary, but wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds and use alcohol based hand sanitizer.  

In terms of social distancing and slowing the spread of the pandemic, there have been several changes to the way in which people in Hornepayne are going about their business.  Below is a summary of some of the changes we are under, to help "flatten the curve" of the pandemic.

1.  Municipal services are closed to the public.  Municipal workers continue to work to provide services, working remotely.  Please see the township site for more information:   https://www.townshipofhornepayne.ca/news/what_s_new/coronavirus_facts 

2.  Schools have been closed, by provincial order, until April 6th.  Ontario has announced a stage 1 Learn at Home program and it can be found here:  https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-at-home?_ga=2.195142309.824841652.1584883149-1794619379.1584883149,  The ministry has stated that if the Province decides to extend the school closure, past the April 6th timeline, they will announce Stage 2 of the Learn at Home Program.

3. Hornepayne Community Hospital is of course not operating as usual.  The hospital is operating under entirely different protocols than normal, and you can see the details on their website here:  http://www.hornepaynecommunityhospital.ca/ 

4.  Private Business:  One of the great concerns during a Pandemic is access to essentials.  As such, businesses that provide either essentials, such as grocery stores and corner stores, and restaurants, are under great pressure to remain open, yet operate under conditions that do not exacerbate the Pandemic.  As of publishing this morning, our local grocery store continues to operate normal hours.  The federal and provincial governments have ensured that supply chains continue to operate, so while there may be shortages of some products, there is no need to stockpile anything and we must all be patient.  Restaurants in Hornepayne, due to the Ontario emergency declaration are no longer providing eat in options, but take-out food is still available.  As of earlier this week, Home Hardware continues to operate, however under modified hours.  Home Hardware will be closed on Sundays and Mondays during the the Pandemic, and then will be open from 11 AM to 5 PM, Tuesday to Saturday, inclusive.

As conditions change, www.hornepayne.com will continue to update the local situation.  For now, the best we can all do, is to do our part and practice social distancing and if necessary, self-isolation.  A few weeks is a small sacrifice to help stop the spread of this disease.  

As we wind our way towards the March Break, we are witnessing a bit of a lull in school strike action. All education unions are in the middle of various work to rule initiatives, but actual strike action has been weaning, as we approach the week off.  Hornepayne.com presents a summary below, of known strike protocol for the remaining week, by union.

ETFO (public elementary schools) today had a news conference, within which they were ready to announce rotating strikes after March break, however a last minute call from the mediator, asking them to the table on Wednesday, this week, has allowed them to consider holding off.  ETFO has announced, they will negotiate in good faith, however, if an agreement is not reached by March 23rd, rotating strikes will resume after March break.

OSSTF (public high school teachers) had previously increased their work to rule sanctions (which affect school administration, not students) and a pause in strike action until late March, if there is no deal reached.  In their press release, they said:

"The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) will pause all full withdrawal of service job actions beginning next week. The pause in rotating strikes will continue through to March 27."

OECTA (representing English Catholic teachers) have no further strikes planned, having most recently been on the picket line, on March 6th.  OECTA is also going back to the bargaining table this week.

AEFO (representing all Francophone teachers in the province) had to call off their last strike due to impending weather, and have now secured bargaining dates with the government on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  They too, have not announced any further strikes, before the March break.

So, it appears as if, for the remainder of the week, Hornepayne schools will not have to deal with any strike action, as tentative discussions have left at least a glimmer of hope.  

Hornepayne.com would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe March break, and safe travels for anyone who is leaving our town!  

After a quiet week, in regards to strike action, the week of March 2nd will once again see strike activities that will effect students and parents in Hornepayne.  On Thursday, March 5th, both OECTA and AEFO, representing English Catholic Teachers and Francophone teachers, respectively, will be on strike.  

The result for students in Hornepayne, is both Ecole Saint Nom de Jesus and Holy Name of Jesus, will be closed to students on Thursday, March 5th.

For parents of students in both Hornepayne Public School and Hornepayne High School, there are no strikes planned for this week.  ETFO, which represents elementary teachers, will move to phase 7 of their strike action, on Monday, March 9th, if a deal is not reached by Friday, March 6th.  

OSSTF, which represents public High School Teachers, has continued rotating strikes.  Next week's strikes, do not affect ADSB, however, it is possible that there will be an OSSTF strike affecting Hornepayne High School, the last week before March Break.  Of significance for parents of elementary students at Hornepayne Public School, a strike by OSSTF also closes the elementary school.

Please continue to monitor www.hornepayne.com, as well as the school boards that have schools in Hornepayne!  

Algoma District School Board (Hornepayne Public School and Hornepayne High School

Huron Superior (Holy Name of Jesus)

Nouvelon (Ecole Saint Nom de Jesus)

As we enter the last week of January, 2020, there are several updates that may be of interest to citizens of Hornepayne, as well as our many readers outside of Hornepayne.

First and foremost, school labour updates.  ETFO has given notice to ADSB that they will stage a one-day strike on Thursday, January 30th.  All elementary schools in the Algoma District School Board will be closed.  This means that there is no school for student who attend Hornepayne Public School.  As well, please remember that Friday, January 31st is a PD day, so students will not return to school until Monday, February 3rd.  For more details, please check out www.adsb.on.ca  As of publication, there is no further information on strike action by any of the other 3 unions, however as information comes available, we will publish it here!

In further education related news it is Junior Kindergarten registration time.  If you have a child born in 2016, he or she is eligible to attend JK.  For further details, there are some advertisements on the landing page, and parents can get contact information for each school in the Schools section.  

In municipal news, Hornepayne Town Council will hold its Wednesday meeting  at Hornepayne Elementary and Secondary School.  Included on the agenda, is a discussion about possible sites for a hotel  development, as well as the regular agenda.   You can view the agenda here.

To close out tonight's update, a reminder for all football fans, and fans of fun, in general, that the Legion is hosting their annual Superbowl party, on Sunday, February 2nd, starting at 2:00 PM.  There more details on the community events page!  

The new year has continued to bring to the education sector, continued labour struggles.  We have summarized some of the details below.

ETFO:  Representing teachers in public, English Elementary schools, ETFO launched rotating strikes last week, with new strikes ocurring somewhere in the province, everyday.  So far, ADSB schools have not been affected, however there will most certainly be a one day strike, at some point in the near future.

OECTA:  Representing all teachers in the English Catholic system, OECTA launched a one day strike this week, and continue their administrative work to rule.  OECTA has not yet announced their next action.

OSSTF:  Representing English High School teachers, as well as Educational Assistants as well as office staff, in English, Catholic and French boards, OSSTF has suspended its action during exams, promising no strike action next week. When the semester starts anew, on February 3rd, you can expect further strike action, in some form, whether it is rotating strikes, or another one day general strike.

AEFO:  Representing teachers in the Francophone system, both Public and Separate, they are only in administrative sanctions at this point, but if there is no deal soon, you can expect strikes soon.  

So, in summary, for Hornepayne Schools, parents of children at Hornepayne Public School, can likely expect a strike in the coming days.  Students at Hornepayne High School will have no strike action next week, but after that, it is unknown.  Students at Holy Name of Jesus, there are no scheduled dates, but that could change.  Students at Ecole Saint Nom de Jesus, have yet to face a strike situation with their own staff, however, OSSTF has members in both these school systems, so if OSSTF goes out, it will possibly affect these schools.

As a new year, is about to dawn upon our community, we continue to be affected by LCBO's decision to close the store in Hornepayne, and have a local business run an agency outlet.

The new agency is up and running and meeting the needs of the local population, however one of the unknown fallouts from the decision, will severally affect the Legion, Hornepayne's only bar, and only meeting hall.

Unbeknownst, it seems, to everyone, the new agency store is not allowed to sell to commercial clients, meaning the Legion, which is run almost exclusively by volunteers, no longer has a local source to purchase its alcohol, meaning either Hearst at 140 KM away, or White River, at 100, are the closest places for the Legion to order its alcohol supply.

As many of us know, the Legion is run by a dedicated group of volunteers, however to expect them to make regular runs to either Hearst or White River is not acceptable, nor is the prospect of the Legion having to arrange and pay for transportation on a weekly basis.

The bottom line, is LCBO management either did not know this fact when they made this decision, or they very clearly kept it from the community and its leadership.  

It is now up to our municipal leadership to continue to press the LCBO.  As well, residents must continue to bring their concerns to our elected representatives.  Please, continue to keep Michael Mantha and Carol Hughes aware of our continued concerns.  Email addresses are below, as well as the Premier's email address.  The more messages there are in his inbox, the better chance someone will revisit this terrible decision.  

Michael Mantha:   mmantha-qp@ndp.on.ca 

Carol Hughes' email address:   

carol.hughes@parl.gc.ca.

Premier Ford's Email address:   doug.fordco@pc.ola.org 

Following on the heals of a one-day, full provincial strike, by all OSSTF staff, the labour action continues this week.

On Wednesday, December 11th, OSSTF members in select school boards will be staging another one day strike.  The following boards will be affected:

• Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
• Grand Erie District School Board
• Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board
• Near North District School Board
• Rainy River District School Board
• Simcoe County District School Board
• Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
• Toronto District School Board
• Trillium Lakelands District School Board

All three boards represented in Hornepayne are not affected by the strike at this stage, however, if the next wave of job action does not have an effect on bargaining, it is a fair guess to suggest, thee will be further labour disruptions moving forward.  Furthermore, the other three teacher unions are in various stages of work to rule and are each edging closer to strike action.

Stay tuned to www.hornepayne.com for more details in the coming days.  

As the morning dawns in Ontario, schools across the province are shut down today, as a result of a one-day strike by education workers represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.  Striking workers include high school teachers, Educational Assistants, Lunch Room aids and Office Administration staff.  Because OSSTF represents workers in elementary schools, as well as both Catholic and French schools, many have had to close due to the strike. 

OSSTF members, along with all other unionized education workers, have been without a contract since August 31st.  Bargaining has occurred throughout the fall, with no success.  

The main issues at hand are class size in secondary schools, support services for special education students and the ministry's intention to mandate elearning courses for high school students.  OSSTF is asking for inflation protection for wages, but wages do not form a large part of the issues.

Several other education unions are either in, or will be in a strike position soon.  The Elemenatary Teachers' Federation of Ontario are already in a strike position and have been on work to rule.  OECTA, which represents Catholic teachers, has had a strike vote, has requested a non-board report and will be in a strike position soon.  AEFO, which represents French Language teachers, will have a strike vote later in December and could be in a strike position in the new year.

Bargaining issues for all of the unions centre around funding in education, and much less on benefits and salaries.  The provincial government, citing large deficits left by the previous government, are pursuing a strategy of trying to reduce costs, and as such have tabled proposals that would cut funding to education, in order to reduce the provincial deficit.

For direct links to each of the Federations and the ministry, click on the links below:

ETFO

OSSTF

OECTA

AEFO

Ministry of Education

Ontario Public School Boards' Association

Local School board links:

Algoma District School Board

Huron Superior Catholic District School Board

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon 

As reported earlier, the NWMO has ruled out Hornepayne as a potential site for a Deep Geological Repository.  While not entirely surprising, many are still disappointed, and of course, many are rejoicing.  While more information will come out in the coming days, below you will find the most important paragraph from the report within which the reduction in sites was announced.  

" In both the community of Hornepayne and in the surrounding area, the general alignment of the project with local aspirations and vision is strong among some in the community and less so among others. Groups within the community and area tend to view the project in different ways and level of interest, and support for the project varies. People in the area appear to hold a range of perspectives on how the area should achieve growth and advance well-being, and the extent to which they are comfortable with achieving this through a nuclear-related project. Reasons that tend to be cited include concern about safety, potential effects on relationships with Indigenous groups in the area – some of which have stated opposition to the project – and potential changes in community character with the introduction of a large project and population growth. Some of these concerns might be addressed over time through awareness building and learning activities; however, some appear to be related to fundamental values (e.g., views about the nuclear industry) that are unlikely to change during the NWMO’s planning period."

So, in a nutshell, Hornepayne was removed, as a result of the social environment and the uneven support of the project and the nuclear industry in general.  Those who were opposed to the project, were successful in making their points loudly enough, to lead the NWMO to believe that in the short three years between now and final selection (2023), that it would be hard, or unlikely for enough of these divisions to be bridged.  

Please stay tuned for an update after tomorrow evening's public meeting.

Mid morning on Tuesday, November 26th, the citizens of Hornepayne began to learn that we had been removed from the NWMO process.  Initial responses, primarily on social media, seem to have followed the pattern of support for the project in particular.  Some are pleased, as they opposed the project.  Others, who supported the project are equally disappointed.  

The announcement from NWMO (which can be found here) is brief on details, however the NWMO has always said it is searching for a site that not only has scientifically appropriate geology, but is also deemed to be a "willing host".  While this is not a clearly defined term, one can only surmise that the NWMO does not feel that conditions in Hornepayne were either conducive to, or could be conducive to the project.  As of yet, due to MNRF delay, there has not even been borehole drilling, so a technical argument cannot be definitely made.

However, it is the belief of many citizens that while the NWMO has the right to make this decision, that the community deserves a more detailed answer as to what conditions lead to our removal.  Www.hornepayne.com will endeavour to get those answers from the NWMO, as it wraps its presence up in our region.  

In keeping with NWMO's policy of being a good corporate citizen, they surely will be willing to explain the decision to the community who openly welcomed it into its midst.