Is affordable housing ‘really’ the developer’s responsibility?

Whose responsibility is it to create affordable housing? Is it something for the public or private sector to deal with? According to Elaine Della-Mattia’s Nov. 10 article in the Sault Star: “Resident opposes two planned projects,” and the city’s Official Plan, it is currently a developer’s responsibility. Two projects were being debated recently as the city had waived the affordable housing …

Firearms Bill C-21 a shot in the dark

On Oct. 21, 2022, a national freeze on the sale, purchase, or transfer of handguns came into effect in Canada. There’s been a lot of confusion since May 30 when Bill C-21 was announced, from gun enthusiasts and gun control advocates. Is C-21 a shot in the dark? I’ll start off by saying that I have my restricted gun licence. I …

Truth, Reconciliation, and Harmony at Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig

How will you mark this year’s National Day of Truth and Reconciliation? The country has set routines for Remembrance Day, but given how new the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is, many of us simply aren’t sure how to acknowledge it properly. Learning anything about Indigenous history or culture is a start. This year, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG) has …

Digital reminder to renew licence plate will steer you right

Ontario drivers don’t have to pay licence plate renewal fees, nor put on those colourful little stickers anymore, but did you know that police can pull you over if you haven’t renewed your plate? I knew that the fees for licence plate renewals were scrubbed this year, but was surprised to learn that they have also stopped mailing people notices …

Let’s talk about birds, bees, and bylaws

Biodiversity ‘critical’ to health of all species, and bylaws must protect pollinators. Earlier this month, the Sault Star’s Elaine Della-Mattia reported that city council passed a resolution for the building and legal departments to suggest amendments to bylaws regarding yard maintenance, with a focus on long grass on vacant properties. Hopefully as they update bylaws they will factor in best practices …

Shrinkflation a growing cause for concern

As I’m watching the Bank of Canada rate increase, noting that the prices of gas and meat have never been higher, there’s a lot of talk about inflation and greedflation, but I’m surprised more people aren’t talking about shrinkflation as part of both. Reaching back to Economics 101, inflation is an increase in prices, when the purchasing power of money …

April showers bring May weeds?

April showers typically bring May flowers. This year, along with the rain, the pre-election money is indeed flowing. Sadly, I don’t think that it is sowing the seeds we’d like to have in our gardens. That said, my vocabulary is becoming as colourful as May flowers every time that I hear about a new announcement. I’d much rather see politicians …

There’s lots to agree on during pandemic

In times of divisiveness, we win when we find common ground. So, what do we agree on? Canada is an amazing country. Our right to protest is important. The pandemic is unprecedented in our time. In hindsight, not everything that has been done throughout the pandemic was the right move. Many of us are suffering from the pandemic; whether it …

More ‘productive’ parliamentary days, please

Let’s talk about how we earn our salaries. Most of us have to do work to get paid, and for a lot of us that also means having to go to a workplace, even out of town. What about our elected officials? Tasha Kheiriddin wrote an opinion column about our Parliament’s sitting days and why we should care. She wrote …

Old adage ‘every vote matters’ surely rings true in Sault

In this federal election, there were a half dozen ridings that were too close to call by the end of Monday night, including Sault Ste. Marie. This holds important wisdom for us as voters and for the candidates themselves. In a nutshell, every voter and vote matters; and every day’s work matters for candidates and elected officials. Here in Sault …