Brunelle says Tiny council shouldn’t be ‘human billboard for social justice
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca
Sep 25, 2024 – A returning request for National Breastfeeding Week to be recognized across North Simcoe turned into a statement from Tiny Township Coun. Dave Brunelle on why flag-raisings and t-shirts should be disallowed in municipal capacity, including for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The letter from the North Simcoe Breastfeeding Coalition reached out to Tiny council as well as Penetanguishene during recent council meetings, asking that the week of October 1 through 7 be recognized as National Breastfeeding Week. It was a request which had been granted in 2018 and 2019 throughout local municipalities, as provided by photos of various councils holding the flag in front of municipal offices of Tay Township, Tiny Township, Midland, and Penetanguishene.
In Penetanguishene, the request was approved and a 2024 proclamation was made. However, the recent Tiny council meeting was a different affair. Council and attending staff wore orange for National Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day on September 30, to recognize and commemorate those affected by the residential school system across Canada, established in 2021. All, except for Coun. Dave Brunelle who wore a white jacket over a dark shirt. “Obviously, I’m not wearing a t-shirt tonight that was asked for myself to wear and the rest of the people in the council chambers here,” said Brunelle as he retrieved a prepared statement on flag raising and t-shirts.
“I would be in favour of a proclamation (for National Breastfeeding Week), but I’ll read the statement; it’ll be pretty obvious where I stand on it.” Brunelle’s statement noted the township’s flag-raising request policy initiated in 2019 for events, organizations or community groups of significance, but “cautioned the slippery slope of endorsing one movement or promoting one set of beliefs and ideologies over another.” The request policy requires successful flag raising and proclamation requests within five previous years to be forwarded to the Mayor or clerk for approval, while others be placed on the agenda for consideration.
Brunelle continued to read that neutrality “must be adhered to and upheld by elected officials,” with attention to any one group being “divisive and unlawful”; flags and t-shirts in council meetings created confusion, counter-productivity, conflict and controversy. The statement added that the federal, provincial, and municipal flags represented inclusivity, but a mandate of council was not to be “a human billboard for social justice”.
Following the statement, Brunelle stated his opposition to the request for National Breastfeeding Week. “We can do a proclamation, we can say it in our announcements at the beginning of the meeting, but I’m not in favour of raising the flag,” said Brunelle. As chair of the committee of the whole meeting, Brunelle asked other council members for their vote for or against the request; the vote was split and the request defeated (as Coun. Steffen Walma was absent during the discussion).
Mayor Dave Evans expressed he would be in favour of the request and considered it “a worthy cause”, but raised a previous discussion from May 2023 when he and Brunelle opposed a flag raising request for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, with similar reasons from then. “I was speaking with some peers in Simcoe County,” said Evans, “and some of them have said ‘we won’t do any flag raising, we’ll just have the regular three flags that are the requirement and that’s it’. Innisfil is one that got out of that process.”
The National Breastfeeding Week flag raising and proclamation request letter, including photos of North Simcoe municipalities from 2018 and 2019, can be viewed on the agenda page on the Township of Tiny website.
Archives of council meetings are available to view on the township’s YouTube channel.
Midland ‘not untouched’ in Truth and Reconciliation impact
By: Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: MidlandToday.ca
Sep 26, 2024 – Various Truth and Reconciliation Day events happening around Midland over the next few days prompted Mayor Bill Gordon to speak during the announcements section of last night’s council meeting. “I am wearing my Every Child Matters shirt tonight,” said Gordon. “Every year on September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and honours the children that never returned home and survivors of these schools as well as their families and their communities. “Midland is not untouched. Our very own past Deputy Mayor (Jack Contin) was a Sixties Scoop survivor, and was still authoring his book at the time of his passing.”
To mark the event, all town facilities including municipal offices at 575 Dominion Avenue will be lowering flags to half-mast. “There are many community events around: at Chigamik, Waypoint Health Hub, the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, Métis office at the Georgian Bay Métis Council,” Gordon added. “I encourage you, if you have the time during that day to attend and participate, and learn. Those are the most achievable Truth and Reconciliation (goals) that anybody can make, and that’s just to be part, to listen and learn.
Gordon and other members of council wore shirts signifying Orange Shirt Day, noting that he “proudly put the Bill in billboard” as a response to a previous MidlandToday article involving Tiny Township councillor Dave Brunelle stating opposition to wearing shirts as a “human billboard for social justice”. Speaking with MidlandToday after the meeting, Gordon addressed the statement made by Brunelle as well as his own opinion on wearing t-shirts, proclamations, and flag raising in Midland. “It really is a personal choice,” said Gordon. “There’s only a couple that I know of that we wear shirts for: That’s usually Terry Fox Day and Orange Shirt Day.”
Gordon said that typically other organizations such as the National Breastfeeding Week (October 1 through 7) did not give out t-shirts to wear for their awareness efforts. He added that Brunelle’s statement had “sparked his interest” because “a stance was taken that politicians should stay completely agnostic to showing support for anything. I take exception to that because this is a national day. “This isn’t just ‘support your local carrot farmer’ or something; this is a big deal and it has national impact. And I think showing solidarity and inclusion with marginalized communities, especially when it’s the Indigenous community, it’s a duty,” Gordon said. For those interested in flag raising or proclamations, Gordon pointed to the town’s policy on those requests. “Whether you choose to wear a shirt or whether you choose to simply go into these events on your own – they’re mutually exclusive – but it’s a simple, passive way of showing that you stand with a cause and therefore showing that, I think, is completely appropriate.”
Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53 when available, or through the livestream on the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
Update From Doug Shipley, MP
Submitted by Office of Doug Shipley
Oct. 4, 2024 – Thanksgiving is traditionally an autumn celebration to show appreciation for the season’s harvest. These days, it’s a time to gather with friends and family, a time to be grateful for the people in our lives, our loved ones, and to count our blessings. It also usually means that fall has well and truly arrived and that I should be raking leaves. Let’s welcome the fall season by enjoying the changing colour of the trees, cozy sweaters, and local produce. I encourage you to stop at a local roadside stand to pick out a few pumpkins, some fresh apples, and seasonal veggies to support our local farms. We are surrounded by farmland and there are many producers to choose from within a short distance.
This time of year also sees many fall fairs. I was happy to meet and have conversations with constituents at the Oro World’s Fair, Midhurst Autumnfest, and the Anten Mills Artisan Crafts and Food Fair in September. My family and I had a great time checking out all the handmade products created by talented local vendors. Coming this weekend is the Elmvale Fall Fair. I’m looking forward to the excitement and the energy of the school parade, meeting constituents, and enjoying a butter tart.
I hope you make the most of this fall season by getting outdoors and enjoying all that Springwater and the surrounding areas have to offer – hiking trails, waterfronts, and parks. I hope you enjoy the season, and I hope your Thanksgiving weekend is filled with the comfort and warmth of good friends, close family, and great food.
As always, my staff and I are available to discuss any federal matters that may be of concern to you and your family. Please do not hesitate to get in touch by phone at 705-728-2596 or email at Doug.Shipley@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely, Doug Shipley
Member of Parliament – Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte.
Ontario Building Critical Infrastructure in Oro-Medonte, Springwater and Simcoe County
Funding will help create jobs and support economic growth
Submitted by Office of Doug Downey MPP
October 2, 2024 – BARRIE — The Ontario government is investing $5,310,128 to help renew and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in Oro-Medonte, Springwater and Simcoe County. The funding will be delivered in 2025 through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) and is part of the government’s $190 billion capital plan to build and expand more homes, highways, hospitals, transit and high-speed internet across the province.
The funding includes – $533,147 for the Township of Oro-Medonte – $1,003,086 for the Township of Springwater and, – $3,773,895 for the County of Simcoe
“This funding is vital to ensuring our small and rural communities are able to invest in infrastructure to address the growing population needs of our region,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “Partnering with local municipalities on infrastructure projects ensures that funding goes towards address the unique needs of each community in a way that makes sense.”
In 2025, Ontario will allocate $400 million in OCIF funding to help 423 small, rural and northern communities build roads, bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure. Communities may accumulate funding for up to five years to address larger infrastructure projects.
“Small, rural and northern communities are essential to the growth and prosperity of Ontario,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure. “By providing direct and stable funding to these communities, our government is helping create local jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger, more resilient communities for generations to come.”
The OCIF provides funding for local infrastructure projects in municipalities with populations under 100,000, rural and northern municipalities, as well as for Local Services Boards that own water or wastewater systems. Funding allocations are based on.
Increase to $17.20 an hour brings Ontario’s minimum wage to among the highest in Canada
Oct. 1, 2024 – TORONTO — David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, issued the follow-ng statement on increasing the province’s minimum wage:
“Today, the general minimum wage in Ontario in-creases from $16.55 per hour to $17.20, helping nearly one million workers earn more money for themselves and their families.
Ontario’s minimum wage is one of the highest in the country. This 3.9 per cent in-crease is tied to the Consumer Price Index, meaning that a worker making the general minimum wage over a 40-hour work week will have up to $1,355 more in their pockets every year. Our fair and balanced approach makes things predictable for both workers and businesses.
Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is committed to working for workers and supporting them as we continue to build a strong Ontario with a resilient economy. Submitted by Gov. of Ontario
Ontario Driving Economic Growth in Simcoe North Province investing over $189,000 to help boost local economy
Submitted by Office of MPP Jill Dunlop
Sep 26, 2024 – Today, Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, announced that three municipalities will be receiving a combined total of up to $189,880.00 in funding through the latest intake of the Rural Economic Development (RED) program. The RED program supports projects that diversify and grow local economies, build community capacity and address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges.
In Simcoe North, the funding will help the Town of Midland, and Townships of Ramara and Severn through individual projects. For Midland this means creating and restoring murals in the downtown, for Ramara, funding will help revitalize two cultural buildings, and for Severn, funding will go to its Wayfinding Signage Project.
Through the most recent intake of the RED program, the Ontario government is investing more than $5.7 million in 85 projects throughout the province. These projects are helping create jobs and boost economic development in rural communities in Ontario. The intake for these approved projects closed on February 21, 2024.
“I am thrilled to see Rural Economic Development Funding empowering our municipalities to revitalize their communities. These investments not only enhance the experiences of residents but also attract visitors, driving economic growth and strengthening our local identity. Together, we are building a future where our rural areas thrive, fostering vibrant welcoming spaces for everyone” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North
“Our government recognizes the importance of rural economic development, and this program provides municipalities, Indigenous communities, and not-for-profits with the funding they need for projects that contribute to local economic vitality,” said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “The Rural Economic Development program is another example of how our government is ensuring small towns and rural communities across Ontario continue to share in the province’s growth and economic prosperity.”
The RED program provides cost-share funding support towards activities that create strong rural communities. This includes funding assistance to build local capacity and improve job prospects. The Rural Economic Advisory Panel provides recommendations to the minister on applications for funding. The RED program aligns with the government’s priorities of removing barriers to investment, opening doors to rural economic development, and creating good jobs across the province.