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CP Scoop Archive

CP Scoop - April 4th, 2024

CP Scoop - April 4th, 2024

MUNICIPAL NEWS

Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings

The Town of Carleton Place Council will hold its Council and Committee of the Whole meetings in-person at the Carleton Place Town Hall (175 Bridge Street) and via live stream, on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. The agenda and associated documents for the meetings are available on the Town’s website. Members of the public can view the meeting online via Zoom or a live stream on the Town Hall Facebook page.

Employment Opportunity - RECE Teacher (Maternity Leave Contract)

The Town of Carleton Place is seeking individuals for the position of RECE Teacher (Maternity Leave Contract) with our Childcare Services Department.

Summary: The position of RECE Childcare Teacher specializes in creating safe inclusive learning environments and experiences for the children in the program while working within specific guidelines and requirements regulated by the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), local Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, and the Town of Carleton Place. Early Childhood Educators observe, plan, organize and introduce programs for children based on their interests between the ages of infancy to 12 years.

Qualification/Experience:

Completed Early Childhood Education Diploma (provincially recognized by the Ministry of Education, and College of ECE)
Early Childhood Education experience preferred and/or equivalent child-related experience.
Must be willing to obtain and maintain CPR-C/AED and standard first aid training.
Be willing to obtain and maintain Anaphylaxis training, and
Vulnerable Sector check (valid to 6 months of employment).

The 2024 pay grid for the position is $25.02 - $32.13 per hour.

A detailed job description for this position can be accessed on the Employment Opportunities page on the Town’s website.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a detailed cover letter and CV outlining your credentials relevant to the position using PDF or docx format. Please be advised that the Town reserves the right to post its employment opportunities as open until filled. Resume reviews may begin immediately and continue until the posted position is filled and any position can be filled prior to the closing date. Applications must be received no later than 12 noon, Thursday, April 18th, 2024, quoting “Childcare RECE Maternity Contract” by mail: Town of Carleton Place, Attn Human Resources, 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, ON, K7C 2V8 or by email at hr@carletonplace.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. The Town of Carleton Place is an equal opportunity employer following the rules and regulations set out by the Human Rights Code. Personal information submitted will be used for the purposes of determining suitability for this competition only and in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) upon request.

Employment Opportunity – RECE Teacher

The Town of Carleton Place is seeking individuals for the position of RECE Teacher with our Childcare Services Department.

Qualification/Experience:

Completed Early Childhood Education Diploma (provincially recognized by the Ministry of Education, and College of ECE).
Early Childhood Education experience preferred and/or equivalent child-related experience.
Must be willing to obtain and maintain CPR-C/AED and standard first aid training.
Must be willing to obtain and maintain Anaphylaxis training, and
Vulnerable Sector check (valid to 6 months of employment).

The 2024 pay grid for the position is $25.02 - $32.13 per hour based on a 35-hour work week. In addition, a comprehensive benefit package with 100% employer-paid premiums for health, dental, life, short/long term disability is provided plus a pension plan with matching employer contribution.

A detailed job description for this position can be accessed on the Employment Opportunities page on the Town’s website.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a detailed cover letter and CV outlining your credentials relevant to the position, using PDF or docx format. Please be advised that the Town reserves the right to post its employment opportunities as open until filled. Resume reviews may begin immediately and continue until the posted position is filled and any position can be filled prior to the closing date. Applications must be received no later than 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, quoting “RECE Teacher” by mail: Town of Carleton Place, Attn Human Resources, 175 Bridge Street, Carleton Place, ON, K7C 2V8 or by email at hr@carletonplace.ca

Bare Root Tree Program banner image

Bare Root Tree Planting Program

To ensure the Town of Carleton Place’s tree population is maintained and enhanced for years to come, we are making trees available to Town of Carleton Place residents at a subsidized rate. For $25.00 (taxes included) a tree of 25mm in thickness and 5' to 8' in height will be made available.

Species available:

Large Trees
Autumn Blaze Maple
Sugar Maple
Red Oak
Bur Oak
Hackberry

Smaller Trees
Serviceberry (Tree Form)
Honey Locust
Showy Mountain Ash
McIntosh Apple
Cortland Apple

Prior to selecting your tree, please consider the proposed location for the tree. Residents need to ensure it will have sufficient space and consider its size for the location in years to come. There are a limited number of trees available. Trees will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and there is a limit of two (2) trees per household. Trees must be planted within Town limits.

Public Works will announce in CP Scoop when the trees are ready for pickup. Residents must collect their tree before Monday, May 20th. No refunds will be granted for uncollected trees.

Residents must obtain locates from Ontario One Call (www.ontarioonecall.ca) in advance of planting the trees. There is no fee for acquiring locates and obtaining locates can take two (2) to three (3) weeks to acquire all the necessary clearances prior to digging.

This year’s tree planting information session will be held virtually. Participants must register prior to the event. The virtual information session is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m.

Because these trees are subsidized, anyone who has their name on a tree list must attend (or have previously attended) the information session to be eligible for a tree voucher.

Residents must call prior to the session in order to be placed on a list for a tree. Call 613-257-2253 to have your name placed on the list or leave a message providing your name, address, telephone number and tree desired. Residents must pay for their trees at the Carleton Place Town Hall prior to May 17th, 2024.

Paddling Puppeteers Banner Image

Join the Recreation & Culture Department as We Proudly Present The Paddling Puppeteers as Part of Earthfest 2024!

Join us for this free show starting at 10:30 a.m. at All Nations Church.

- Pluggin into Nature –

Edward loves his video games and indoor time. One (1) day he goes outside and discovers the natural world. He meets a chickadee, butterfly and frog who guide Edward on a path of outdoor fun and wellness. At the end of the show, Edward helps to “plant up” the “neighbourwood.” Edward still loves his screen time but he also loves getting outside.

For more information, please contact Jessica Hansen: jhansen@carletonplace.ca 613-257-1704

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Ontario More Than Doubling Funding to Build New Schools - Historic investment will accelerate, build and expand more schools across the province

The Ontario government is investing a historic $1.3 billion to support the construction and expansion of 60 schools across the province. For the first time in the province’s history, the government is more than doubling the funding commitment to build more schools and expansions, which will create 27,093 new student spaces and 1,759 child care spaces.

OTHER NEWS

March Madness Image

Carleton Place Tourism - Last Day to Vote Carleton Place as Best Small Town

As of this morning, Ottawa radio station Chez 106 confirmed that the vote margin between Carleton Place and Almonte is very close!

If all the CP Scoop subscribers, yes, that means you reading this right now, voted for Carleton Place, then we would undoubtedly win!

Carleton Place Tourism wants to share that this contest isn't just about the party, trophy, and bragging rights. Hopefully, a win will draw more folks from neighbouring small towns to shop and dine in Carleton Place, supporting our local small businesses!

REMEMBER, even if you voted in past brackets, you can still vote in this final bracket, so make sure you double-check that you've voted already. Thank you all for your support during this contest, we're in the home stretch!!!

Vote now, vote here: https://contests.chez106.com/p/973666

Downtown Carleton Place – Art Expedition

We are very excited to announce a new placemaking project, bringing regional artwork to Downtown Carleton Place with a banner display on the lamp standards from June through to the Fall of 2024.

Visitors and residents are invited to follow along with a digital mini-guide as they stroll through this open-air art exhibition. This exciting new project will connect regional artists to the community and visitors to downtown Carleton Place.

We are inviting regional artists to apply to be a part of this new initiative to add their unique aesthetic and perspective to our community. Approximately 50 banners will be installed. That means we need 50 artists! The fee for each artist is $75 plus HST, which will help cover the costs for the production and installation of the banners and booklet. At the end of the project, each banner will be given to the respective artist.

Art Expedition is a collaboration between Downtown Carleton Place BIA, Carleton Place Tourism, Carleton Place Gallery, and the Town of Carleton Place.

If you are a regional artist, interested in learning more about Art Expedition - follow the link to the application form: https://forms.gle/QE79S7K7jakTuJBt8

Image of a lamp post with sample banner, town hall in the background

Reminder - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Reminds Public of Safety During the April 8th Solar Eclipse

On April 8th, 2024, parts of Leeds and Grenville Counties will be within the path of totality of the solar eclipse. This makes for great viewing but there is cause for a public health concern.

Although the Moon will be covering most of the Sun, it's still dangerous to look directly at the Sun from approximately 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. when the solar eclipse is happening. Viewing the sun with your naked eye during the eclipse can burn your retina, damaging the images your brain can view.

This phenomenon, known as “eclipse blindness,” can cause temporary or permanent vision impairment, and in worst-case scenarios can lead to legal blindness, which entails significant loss of vision.

“There are no pain sensors in your retinas to indicate that your eyes are being damaged by looking at the sun”, says Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. “Symptoms can take 12 to 48 hours to appear and can include retinal burns, permanent or temporary visual loss, and blurred vision. Once symptoms begin, it's usually too late to reverse any damage. This is why prevention and protection for your eyes is very important.”

It is very dangerous to look directly at the sun at any time, but during an eclipse, the temptation to have a quick glance can be very strong. Of course, staying inside and avoiding temptation is the best way to prevent harm to your eyes, but there are protection methods available.

To avoid damaging your retinas when viewing the solar eclipse:

Do not view the eclipse at all or use a proper method of blocking the sun's dangerous rays while viewing
Use a filter that blocks all dangerous light - ISO-certified eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor that meets the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. The manufacturer's name and address must be printed on the product.
Do not use any viewer if it has scratched or wrinkled lenses
Be careful of anyone trying to offer viewing devices that are not certified
Do not use:
- ordinary sunglasses or multiple pairs of sunglasses
- Neutral density or polarizing filters, such as those made for camera lenses
- Smoked glass
- Photographic or X-ray film (unexposed, exposed or developed)
- Binoculars or telescope – even with certified glasses
- There are some promoted household items and homemade filters but this is not the time to experiment with internet fads

Some communities are having mass gathering events to view the eclipse. There may be glasses available at these events or you can go online and order glasses ahead of time.

There will also be a virtual viewing through the Canadian Space Agency’s website for those who do not want to chance being outside. The Health Unit has links on their website to activities for kids such as making a pinhole camera (also called a pinhole projector) that can be used to safely observe an eclipse. Light is allowed through a small, punched hole, which then projects the incoming light onto the opposite end of the box.

For more information about eye safety and proper viewing devices during the eclipse, visit Total Solar Eclipse 2024 - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. If you require medical assistance because of a risk of exposure, call Ontario811 or visit a virtual care clinic.

Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority – Where to Recycle Map

Do you have used batteries in a drawer at home and you’re not sure how or where to recycle them? What about old paint cans?

Resource Productivity & Recovery Authority’s (RPRA) new Where to Recycle map displays locations across Ontario where you can drop off used materials to be recycled, such as batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste (e.g., paint, antifreeze, pesticides), lighting and tires, for free.

With more than 20,000 publicly accessible recycling locations across Ontario, the Where to Recycle map makes it easy for you to find one nearby. Filter by your location, the distance you’re willing to travel, and/or the material you want to recycle to find your best option.

In Ontario, the businesses that produce or supply batteries, electronics, household hazardous waste, lighting and tires are legally required to provide locations for the public to drop off used materials. They are also required to reuse, refurbish, recycle, or properly dispose of those materials to help keep them out of landfill, recover valuable resources and protect our environment.

RPRA is responsible for ensuring those businesses are properly collecting and recycling their materials across the province.

New Program in Eastern Ontario Addresses Wait Times, Brings Surgeries Closer to Home for Children and Youth

A new regional pediatric surgical program has been launched to address the waitlist for surgeries for children and youth in eastern Ontario and bring care closer to families across the region. The initiative, led by the Kids Come First health team and supported by historic funding from the Ontario government last year, brings the CHEO day surgery program to two (2) sites: Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) and Brockville General Hospital.

“Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital is proud to be part of this initiative. Working better together ensures the very best care for, and in, our local community. Delayed surgeries can harm the development of local children and youth. This collaboration gives them access to the day surgery they need without further delay and close to home. We are pleased to welcome these new patients and their families to CPDMH,” said Mary Wilson Trider, Integrated President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA).

“Additional sites give surgeons more space to help us finally tackle these longstanding waitlists,” says Sabine Mersmann, President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group, a sub-committee of the Kids Come First Health Team.

“This program means children can access care faster and closer to home. Being able to address their health issues quickly is important in the life of a child as they grow quickly,” says Dr. Jean-Philippe Vaccani, Chief of the Department of Surgery at CHEO, and co-chair of the Kids Come First Regional Pediatric Surgical Working Group.

“The launch of this regional pediatric surgical program is another example of the innovation through partnerships happening across the health care system that is helping connect children and their families to the surgeries they need, in their community,” sums up Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “This program builds on our government’s historic investment of an additional $330 million each year into pediatric care that is improving capacity, while reducing wait lists so children and youth can connect to the care they need, close to home, for years to come.”

The regional pediatric surgical program is the latest Kids Come First program to bring care closer to home, completing procedures such as an appendectomy, tonsillectomy, removing a hernia, and orthopedic surgeries. CHEO has been working with medical teams in Carleton Place and Brockville including their expert clinicians, while providing on-site training and collecting supplies.

Surgeries have begun at each hospital. The goal is to complete 300 procedures by 2025 and expand to more surgeries at more hospitals in eastern Ontario.

The Kids Come First (KCF) Health Team is a collaborative that features more than 60 organizations, youth and family partners and nearly 1,100 physicians that connects high-quality care for children and youth in the region to simplify their healthcare journey.

“By combining funding, space and a team of clinical experts from CHEO, Brockville and Carleton Place, we have a winning formula. We can meet children’s needs quicker and as a bonus, we’re building capacity across the region,” said Alex Munter, President and CEO of CHEO.

Lanark County - What is the By-Name List All About?

The following is part of a series about homelessness in Lanark County.

There’s a man, let’s call him Joe, who is working full-time at a minimum wage job. His marriage ended a year ago and he and his four (4) children have been staying with his sister. He doesn’t earn enough to pay rent on housing that would accommodate a family of five (5). He’d like a three (3) bedroom place but says he would make two (2) bedrooms work.

Then, there’s the single mother of two (2) special needs children, let’s call her Ann, who is also a caregiver for her disabled brother and aging mother. They were evicted from a rented house because the landlord is taking it over for personal use.

Then, there’s the 66-year-old woman, let’s call her Jane, whose husband has addictions and works away from the home during the week. When he returns on weekends, he is so abusive that Jane sleeps in her car. She has only Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan and is trying to find affordable housing.

Then, there’s the Ontario Disability Support Program recipient, let’s call him Pete, who lived with his mother. When she died, he had to leave the apartment because he wasn’t on the lease.

Joe, Ann, Jane, and Pete are all real people experiencing homelessness in Lanark County. They consented to be on the by-name list (BNL), which is a real-time list of all people experiencing homelessness in the community. It includes a robust set of data that supports coordinating access and prioritization at a household level. “This real-time, actionable data helps us to triage services and provide system performance evaluation and advocacy,” explains Director of Social Services Emily Hollington.

A BNL committee made up of community stakeholders meets monthly to allocate services and supports, discuss complex high-acuity cases, and provide encampment response and system improvements. “The group creates goals around the BNL to reduce homelessness and works to coordinate access to services for BNL clients,” Hollington said. “It provides collaboration and improved communication around community need, processes and procedures and improvement.”

Members of the committee include Lanark County Interval House, Cornerstone Landing, Lanark County Social Services, Lanark County Victim Services, Lanark County Mental Health (including a Housing Based Case Manager to support mental health and addictions) and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health.

As of the end of February, there were 62 people on the BNL, up from 54 in January, including 17 families. The bulk of homelessness is occurring in Smiths Falls, Carleton Place and Perth. Five (5) people were over the age of 65. Most were couch surfing or temporarily housed in hotels/motels.

The county has been encouraging agencies working with homeless individuals to make referrals – with consent – to the BNL. “The referrals help in many ways. They can connect homeless individuals or families with additional funds to support a housing plan or prioritize access to addiction supportive housing or mental health supports, for example,” Hollington explained. “There are rent subsidies available and priority access to rental units through partnerships with landlords. We can create emergency housing plans.”

The BNL helps the team to identify how many people are experiencing homelessness and to identify gaps in service. “It gives us an even better understanding of homelessness in Lanark County and ensures no one gets forgotten and has equal access to the supports and services that are available,” Hollington said.

To learn more about housing supports in Lanark County, see https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/family-and-social-services/housing.aspx. If you are experiencing homelessness, call the Lanark County Homeless Response Team at 613-267-4200, extension 2140, or 1-888-952-6275, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or after hours at 613-206-1486.

What does homelessness look like in Lanark County?

What is Housing First and how does it work?

Please Note: This email is not regularly monitored. Email: acharania@carletonplace.ca. Federal, Provincial, and Other news items are provided impartially, as a convenience and as a means of sharing information from higher levels of government and partner organizations.