CENTRE WELLINGTON – Homeowners in Centre Wellington are likely facing a 3.49 per cent increase in township taxes after council approved the recommendation at its committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 3.

The 2025 budget still has to be formally voted on at the Dec. 16 council meeting, but with no items in the budget pulled out and no objections raised on Dec. 3, it is very likely the recommendation will pass as written.

That will add $50 to the township portion of the tax bill for a home assessed at $393,972, which is the average assessed value in Centre Wellington.

Wellington County has not passed its budget yet but is contemplating a 4.1% increase.

So the blended increase – county, township and education – is anticipated to be 3.4%.

Council gave direction to staff in June to increase the general levy by no more than 4.5%.

At that time assessment growth was estimated at 1.38%, and the termite management program would add another 0.41% to the levy, bringing the projected tax increase to 6.28%.

“Staff did a lot of work to get to this level,” CAO Dan Wilson told council as he introduced the draft budget on Dec. 3.

“In my opinion it is a huge success.”

What’s changed since June is that assessment growth came in at 6.69%, a figure Wilson called “unprecedented,” which adds $1.38 million to the revenue side of the ledger.

“To be honest, it’s something we were hoping for,” Wilson said. “This is MPAC catching up.”

The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has not reassessed property values in the province since 2016, a situation that has hamstrung municipalities that have experienced growth while assessment hasn’t kept pace.

Township policy is to take the growth allocation and apply 50% for staffing, 25% for asset investment, and 25% for operating costs. In this way growth pays for growth.

But for 2025, only 36% of the allocation will go toward staffing, 25% to asset investments and 39% to operating impacts, all of which has reduced the impact on the levy, Wilson said.

“Growth continues to be a huge pressure on the budget,” he added.

“Any further reduction would impact the level of service. We’re as low as we can go.”

The 2025 budget allows the township to maintain service levels, contribute to the asset management plan, add staff positions, and implement the new termite management plan – even in the face of reduced provincial grants, specifically the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), “which is a prime source of asset management funding,” treasurer Adam McNabb explained.

Water, wastewater and other fees will increase by 2.5%, which essentially keeps pace with inflation.

The budget includes $56.7 million in operating expenses and $48.8 million in capital projects, the biggest of which will be the new operations centre that will eat up about 30% of the capital budget, McNabb said.

The township will take on new debt for the operations centre, the purchase of land next to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus and the water supply master plan.

Debt payment for the operations centre will be made from development charges and not taxation, he said.

The budget includes 8.25 new full-time positions plus four assistants, which is a new staffing category for the township.

“Assistant” positions would be full-time hours for four- or eight-month terms in jobs ideal for co-op students or people just starting their careers.

It’s a way to alleviate workload in departments with special projects or seasonal workflow pressures without making a permanent hire.

“We’re going to try this and see if it can help,” Wilson said.

The proposed assistant positions are:

• in the IT department;
• for the newly-formed diversity, inclusion and equity advisory committee;
• to liaise with festivals, events and other community development initiatives; and
• to help the planning/heritage department achieve more heritage designations before legislated deadlines.

The permanent positions include:

• bylaw clerk and licensing officer;
• GIS technician;
• engineering technologist – transportation;
• winter operator/utility locator;
• parks and roads operation;
• customer service rep;
• capital project manager; and
• landscape architect planner.

There are also two temporary parks maintenance crew members on the list of new hires.

If council doesn’t pass a bylaw regarding short-term rentals – a hotly contested topic in the community expected to return to council on Dec. 16 – the bylaw clerk position would not be needed and that would impact the budget.

Mark Bradey, manager of finance, walked council through the operating budget during the seven-plus hour meeting.

He pointed out the rise in costs for things like sand, salt and asphalt because of inflation and the larger roads and sidewalk networks in the township.

Hydro and insurance costs continue to rise, which also impacts the bottom line.

Along with the budget, staff presented the 2025 business plan, which includes work not connected to operations or capital projects.

This includes things like investigating garbage solutions for downtown Fergus and Elora, supporting doctor recruitment at Groves Memorial Community Hospital, and organizing the mayor’s golf tournament.

Councillor Kim Jefferson had to leave before the meeting ended, but the rest of council voted unanimously in favour of the 2025 budget, fees and charges bylaw, staffing strategy and business plan.

They return to council to be ratified on Dec. 16.

The post Centre Wellington looking at 3.5% tax increase in 2025 appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

It’s time — Whether your holiday greeting is bah humbug, merry Christmas or seasons greetings, there is no escaping festive music in December. For many, December marks the start of when it is socially acceptable to listen to Christmas carols and other holiday music. But what’s on the Christmas playlists of students at Laurier? 

Love or hate her, it is undeniable that Mariah Carey has had a large impact on festive music. “She’s got the number one Christmas song in my opinion,” said Nick, a music student at Laurier.  

It was common for Carey’s peers and other artists in the 90s and early 2000s to release holiday themed albums. If you’re looking for a few standards to play over the season, try Michael Bublé’s Let it Snow (2003) and Christmas (2011), Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful Christmas (1997), Johnny Cash’s Christmas with Johnny Cash (2003) and Enya’s And Winter Came… (2008). 

The popularization of holiday music started in the 1930s, but it is the holiday pop of the 1950s to 1970s that laid the blueprint for artists like Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. Many notable artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, John Lenon and Elvis have all released Christmas albums. Elvis’s Christmas Album (1957) holds the record for the best-selling Christmas album of all time with over two hundred million copies sold worldwide. Many of Elvis’ Christmas originals have been covered by an astonishing range of artists. Whether you’re a fan of the king of rock and roll or not, no Christmas playlist is complete without an Elvis original or cover. 

As more contemporary artists rose to top the charts, a new generation of holiday pop has emerged. Contemporary pop icons like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Justin Beiber have all released their versions of holiday pop albums.  

Taylor Swift’s The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection was released in 2007 and contains six tracks — four of which are covers. Christmases When You Were Mine and Christmas Must Be Something More were both penned by a young Taylor Swift.  

Ariana Grande, like the queen of Christmas pop, is another whistle-note aficionado intent on making her mark in the Christmas genre. Grande released her first Christmas EP, Christmas Kisses in 2013, followed by Christmas and Chill in 2015. Grande’s holiday pop is perfect for creating a cheery holiday vibe.  

Justin Beiber’s Under the Mistletoe is a collection of Christmas covers including a collaboration with the queen of Christmas pop, Mariah Carey. Their take on “All I Want for Christmas” is iconic and a hit for a reason. The well-known lyrics with a modern update are sure to have you singing along.  

Newly minted pop princess Sabrina Carpenter released a Christmas EP in 2023 titled fruitcake. The six-track EP starts off with A Nonsense Christmas where Carpenter puts a fun spin on her hit Nonsense from album Emails I Can’t Send (2022). The track is fun, a little bit moody, and authentically infused with Carpenter’s whimsical charm. Throughout the album, the tone gets a little heavier with songs like cindy lou who and santa doesn’t know you like I do. The EP closes out with a cover of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Carpenter expertly delivers exactly what her listeners want: A festive and moody but most importantly fun spin on holiday pop.  

“I appreciate some new holiday Christmas songs. That’s why I like fruitcake so much,” said Elizabeth, a third-year health science student when talking about fruitcake, which is her favourite holiday album.  

Another rising star to stream this holiday season is Laufey – more specifically, her holiday EP, A Very Laufey Holiday. Four out of five tracks are covers – The original track is called Love to Keep Me Warm and it is in collaboration with dodie. This album is perfect for listeners of modern jazz.  

Whether or not you’re a fan of holiday pop music, consider diving into the genre this holiday season and listen to old and contemporary artists to expand your musical palette.

While some university students choose to enjoy their lectures in sweats and slides, there are some who hold fashion and style to utmost importance. Almost all clubs at Laurier hold creativity and self-expression as a value, and the Laurier Fashion Society (LFS) is no exception.  

Upon discovering LFS, I had been under the assumption that Laurier had some secret fashion program, and this was just their student society. However, after scrolling through their aesthetically impressive Instagram page, I realized that LFS is more than just a club. — it is a melting pot of majors who have a shared love for fashion or any creative expression.  

“Right when I accepted my Laurier offer, I followed a bunch of Instagram accounts, and one of them reposted an LFS story, saying, ‘Hey, we’re hiring directors.’ I clicked on that right away, because in my high school, we had a fashion show, and I was a part of it,” said first-year BBA student Alina Khawaja, the director of models for LFS. Ghamra Salman, a third-year political science student explained that she got involved with LFS after having “dabbled in it a very tiny bit [fashion] — but this year, I want to take the experience to another level, which I did by applying to become VP of models with LFS.” 

While Khawaja is a first-year student, she still has a good understanding of LFS’s role as a place for those who wish to express their creativity through the medium of fashion before joining. “To be able to work as a team to recreate the process of photoshoots and fashion related events but with a twist such as guaranteed uniqueness and acceptance that society seems to still struggle with today [is the purpose of the club],” she said. Salman discussed how she wants people to “leave our events feeling inspired and empowered, whether it’s through the creativity of our designs, the energy of our models or the stories we tell through our shows and photo shoots.” 

This year, the club has done monthly photoshoots which will be continued throughout the rest of the year as well as their ‘a blind date with a fit’ series. Where students receive a surprise fashion bag containing a curated outfit. Next semester may see the return of a LFS fashion show.    

“It has been super fun [being a part of the club]. Especially when meeting the team in person, you realize how welcoming a community they are and how much experience you can learn from them,” Khawaja said.  

Khawaja’s favorite designers are Christian Dior, Versace and Christian Louboutin. She hopes to own her own pair of red bottoms one day. Salman said one of her favourite designers is Zuhair Murad, specifically wedding coutoure.  

She goes on to explain that LFS is “a platform where students can come together, express themselves, build confidence, and connect with other like minded individuals, while also gaining hands on experience in the fashion industry. I know a lot of people don’t have previous experience in this industry, but would like to get involved, and I believe that we are the perfect place for that.”  

Whether it is due to the cold weather or the upcoming exam season, this time of year can be rough. Feeling drained and burnt out is completely normal, but there is something you can do about it.  

I started making this recipe last year, and it has remained a staple of my morning routine ever since. These detox shots are the perfect way to start your day, providing an amazing energy boost that will wake up your body and mind. The natural ingredients used in this recipe are a source of major health benefits, including improved digestion, cognitive function and gut health. 

This is what you’ll need to beat the winter blues: A cutting board, a bowl, a blender, a knife, shot glasses, a small ginger root, three lemons, one orange, one fourth teaspoon of turmeric powder, one tablespoon of honey and one eighth teaspoon of cayenne. 

Start by washing your ginger root and roughly chopping it with the peel on. Set this aside and cut your lemons in half, juicing them into a separate bowl and adding the juice to a blender with your ginger. 

Use the back of your knife to slide the orange off your cutting board and into the blender, along with any additional juice. Finally, add a spoonful of honey and spices. Turn your blender on medium speed for 30 seconds or until smooth. Distribute the juice mixture evenly amongst your shot glasses and store in the fridge.  

Personally, I ordered a four-pack of juice shot bottles from Amazon for $15. It’s a great investment if you plan on making these regularly, since they have leak-proof lids which will maximize freshness. Plus, they offer a convenient means of storage and portion control.  

As an alternative, you can use regular shot glasses and seal them with plastic wrap or store the liquid in a resealable cup that can be used to pour individual servings. I recommend taking your juice shot first thing in the morning with a glass of water, to improve mental performance and cleanse your gut.  

If you continue taking these shots, you’ll  begin to notice  benefits over time, such as reduced bloating, brighter skin, increased energy levels and improved immunity.  

If you’re feeling under the weather, looking for a way to spice up your mornings, or otherwise exhausted this recipe is calling your name.  

Channel your inner Spice Girl and let’s get making. 

Laurier students, University of Waterloo students, families, friends and anyone who cares to listen — run, do not walk to this month’s reviewed restaurant, BBQ Village located just down the street from the Frank Peters Building at 140 University Ave. W.  

We kid you not, this restaurant has it all, except for a live band.  This  restaurant opened recently and has become quite the topic of conversation — and for good reason. 

The variety of BBQ Village’s menu is unmatched. They have a plethora of options ranging from Korean staples to sandwiches and 17 mouth-watering flavours of their signature fried chicken.  

As soon as we sat down, we noticed the delicious drinks sitting at nearby tables calling our name. Considering it was dinner time, and we were both feeling coffee, your trusty duo decided to have a shared glass of their homemade iced coffee. We can’t promise you the same as it may have been a slight oversight by our kind wait staff, but this delectable drink was waived from our bill.  

To start, we ordered the bulgogi fries, which were highly recommended to us. The dish had a flavour profile unlike anything we had ever eaten before, combining the natural saltiness of the meat and fries with an almost overpoweringly sweet sauce. Lizzie unfortunately wasn’t a fan of the chosen sweet-like sauce and expected a far more savoury accompaniment.  

Andrew, now on his fourth straight review of eating fried chicken, got the honey garlic fried chicken as his entree. Words cannot describe how good it was. The chicken was crunchy and moist, and the sauce was tangy and rich — making for a food coma-inducing basket of food. In fact, Andrew couldn’t finish a majority of it, a testament to the to-die for flavours it packs, overwhelming your small-stomached reviewer.  

Lizzie decided to opt for the bibimbap, a Korean home food classic made up of assorted vegetables such as  sliced carrot, bean sprouts, sauteed spinach and beef over steamed rice. This is all topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg (for our new readers, Andrew for some stupid reason hates eggs). This dish gets an A+ in Lizzie’s book, as the mix of vegetables and tender meat made for an excellent dish as each bite granted an abundance of rich flavours and textures.  

In addition to the menagerie of amazing food, we were served complimentary strawberry ice cream. The surprise end-of-meal treat had an interesting consistency ,similar to gelato, and served as the perfect cap to this extraordinary (and might we say hardy) meal. 

For this special 10th edition of “LizzDrew Take On The ‘Loo”, we wanted something truly special and we got it. Normally we leave it up to the reader to decide to stop by the places we review, but today we are telling you to go. When you do, tell them LizzDrew sent you. 

Ratings:

Ambiance: 9 out of 10

Drinks: 9 out of 10

Food: 10 out of 10

Affordability: 9 out of 10  

Photos by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

(Pictured left to right) The logo for Kacaba Vineyards & Winery on a gift box in Vineland, Ont., with Charles Gervais holding a bottle of wine from a signature 2022 collection inside the entrance of the winery, on Nov. 15, 2024.

For all 6,994 days of my life, I have not been a fan of wine. 

Whenever I would have sips of it growing up, the bitter taste shot through my body like a volt of electricity. It did not matter what type of wine either; it all tasted the same to me.

I always told myself I would give it a proper shot when I was old enough. Now that I was 19, I figured the best way to see if I liked wine was to go to a winery. 

The memory of the bitter taste slowly returned to my mouth just as I made my way through the gates of the winery entrance. I was startled when my passenger broke the silence.

“Why are you making that face… are you chewing something… why are you doing that,” my passenger asked. 

The passenger in question was my grandmother (Grandma), Deane Fisler. She had been to many renowned wineries around the world, especially in places around southern France like Bordeaux and Provence. 

This was not Bordeaux though, or so we thought. This was Vineland, Ontario. More specifically, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery. 

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Kacaba Vineyards & Winery (pictured) is located in Vineland, Ont., which happens to be home to dozens of wineries. The unique weather and landscape are big factors into what makes this area so special in terms of winemaking.

The bitter taste still lingered as we jumped out of the car, and I still had some uncertainties about the situation. 

“Is this typically what a winery looks like? It seems somewhat small,” I inquired.

“Stop asking questions, all that matters is the taste, nothing else,” Grandma ranted.

Okay. Quality is king. As we walked up to the entrance, a man with blue-rimmed glasses, neat hair and a black jacket greeted us. 

Charles Gervais is the Founder’s Club Liaison at the winery. 

Before we even had time to think, he sprung into action, and started explaining various factors about the wine.

“Our prices are approachable… we’re not trying to squeeze every nickel out of our customers. We’re into providing a really good wine and something that is still reachable and applicable to all our customers,” Gervais said.

“The grapes you’re growing here are going to be very different from the grapes you’re going to be growing on the sandy soil on the old lakebed or the clay soil on top of the Niagara Escarpment,” Gervais continued.

Wow! So much information at once. Although I was overwhelmed, much like Grandma seemed as well, it was really interesting knowledge that I never would’ve known if it wasn’t for Gervais’ wealth of insight on wine.

“These soils are almost identical to the soils in Bordeaux, France,” Gervais said.

My jaw dropped and so did Grandma’s. 

“We were just talking about that on the way in… isn’t that something… I would’ve never thought about this region being similar to Bordeaux,” Grandma said.

It’s like he could hear us talking on our drive in. 

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Charles Gervais (pictured) explains the fermentation portion of the winemaking process at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

As we continued through the venue, Gervais eventually led us to the wine tasting section, where we began sampling a multitude of choices they had in their wine selection.

He explained how Kacaba focused almost exclusively on red wines, while still producing a few different white wines. 

We started with Effervescence Sparkling. Since I hadn’t ever really drank wine, I downed the wine with one gulp. Big mistake. 

My Grandma had mentioned previously that although she had experience drinking wine, she had fallen out of love with it. This wine, however, had her captivated. 

“Wow, this is quite good. This is something I could drink like every day,” Grandma raved. 

I agreed. It was a welcoming wine; it almost tasted like juice. I liked it. Wow. I liked it. 

Gervais continued moving up in the intensity of wine, which I liked a lot. Everything Gervais did was incredibly calculated and with reason. 

He compared the Proprietor’s Block Syrah and the Terraced Vineyard Syrah as the drinker and the thinker. 

It was just one of the many times while I tasted each sample where I understood completely what he meant. 

Whether it was the texture, the taste, the overall experience of the wine swishing around before you swallow it, it was just spot on every time. It was uncanny. 

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

One of the many barrels which is used for the aging segment of the winemaking process found at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

After our taste tour, we ventured onto other parts of the winery. 

Gervais led us to the cellar, where a boatload of barrels could be found. These barrels contained all the different varieties of wine Kacaba sells. 

I was stunned by the sheer volume of barrels; Grandma informed me that this was quite normal. My bad, still my first game in the big leagues.

We were then led to a room with these huge cylinders, which is where the magic happens in the winemaking process. This is where the grapes went after being pressed, so all the other key ingredients needed to make wine could be added, beginning the fermentation stage. 

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Fermentation tanks were one of the crucial pieces of equipment used in the winemaking process at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery in Vineland, Ont., on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Growing up, I always heard through the grapevine that winemaking was an art. I never fully understood that until I experienced all that Kacaba had to offer. 

Every small detail mattered in this process. Gervais and so many others dedicated their life practically year in and year out to get every little part of the process right. 

There is something admirable about being able to provide a consistent product. The process is like a dance routine. They have practised over and over what each person needs to do and what the overall process and product will be like; and they’ve mastered it.

Photo by Rowen Fisler/Spoke Online

Vines weave past a fencepost weeks after the grape harvesting at Kacaba Vineyards & Winery that took place on Nov. 4, 2024.

After the tour concluded, Grandma was convinced. She had fallen in love with wine again.

“Rowen, don’t let me buy too many bottles… I need to save some so me and Grandpa can come back and get more,” Grandma said.

I promised her I would not. She ended up buying a few different bottles, and then we were on our way. 

I was mesmerized. An opinion that lasted my whole life had disappeared into thin air. This was definitely something I could get used to. 

“Grandma, I think I love wine too,” I said.

We often forget that we are part of a natural cycle where things end or rest every year—our gardens, our seasonal activities, and even our energy levels. Winter’s short days and cold nights can inspire introspection and, in some cases, rumination. As Mars retrogrades through Leo and Cancer this year, that isolative energy will only deepen—though not without some frustration.  

From Earth, when a planet goes retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky. While this is an optical illusion, astrologically, the energy of the planet in retrograde becomes more internalized. Retrogrades ask us to slow down, revisit and reevaluate certain areas of life. They will often bring up unresolved issues, urging us to approach them with patience and mindfulness rather than force.  

Mars, the planet of action, conflict and desire, goes retrograde approximately once every two years and turns its fiery passion inwards. The myth of Ares, the Hellenistic counterpart of Mars, can paint a vivid picture of how this period may unfold for us. In one myth in particular, the war god is captured by twin giants Otus and Ephialtes and imprisoned in a bronze jar. His loud impassioned cries for help could be heard on Mount Olympus, home to the gods. He remained trapped until Hermes rescued him.   

The image of this suppressed warrior is indicative of the feelings that may erupt during this retrograde. The myth can teach us that brute strength and impulsiveness are not always the answer. The twins’ eventual downfall, brought about by their own recklessness, can remind us that unhealthy ambition can lead to self-destruction.   

While we may be feeling stuck, in our own version of bronze bottles, it can often be a sign to reevaluate our approach and lean into patience, strategy and gaining perspective.  

During this retrograde period, from Dec. 6 to Feb. 23, Mars will begin in Leo, a sign with creativity, self-expression, and pride, before retreating into Cancer, which rules the home, emotions, and security. We can expect inner tensions that reflect how we feel about our ability to assert ourselves both publicly and privately.   

While in Leo (Dec. 6 to Jan. 6), Mars will challenge our sense of confidence and the ways we seek recognition. As the fire of Mars moves into the emotional waters of Cancer (Jan. 6 to Feb. 23), we can expect some conflicts. However, it is also a perfect time to channel our energy into learning how to best nurture ourselves and others, as well as how we confront emotional conflicts. While this retrograde can feel frustrating—our motivation and momentum may feel clunky and progress can feel slow—it is an opportunity to realign with what truly motivates us and resolve lingering issues.  

This winter’s Mars retrograde invites us to embrace the natural cycle of rest and reflection. While tensions may be high this winter and things may feel like they’re slowing down, consider it a necessary moment to tune into your deeper needs.  

Just as the Earth restores itself every winter, we can use the abundantly powerful energy of Mars to recharge our inner fires. Trust the process—sometimes the most profound growth happens in the dark.   

To help you navigate these tumultuous waters where egos and tensions may be high, here are some words of wisdom based on your sun and rising signs. And, online, you will find a cosmic mixtape of songs released the last time Mars retrograded through Cancer and Leo.   

AQUARIUS 

Expect some health issues to resurface or a disruption to your routine. This is a good time to revisit your daily habits and address burnout. Focus on self-care and avoid pushing too hard. 

CANCER 

You may feel frustrated by stalled personal projects and experience some internal conflicts. Use this time to revisit your goals and heal any old wounds. Just rest and recharge and wait for the waters to clear. 

LEO 

Expect hidden frustrations or old wounds to surface. It is a profound time for spiritual healing and self-reflection. Rest and avoid overextending yourself—insights will come when you slow down. 

VIRGO 

Community projects or friendships might hit some roadblocks. Reflect on your role within your friendships and avoid conflicts in social settings. Focus this time on meaningful connections. 

PISCES 

Creative blocks or frustrations in romantic relationships will create tensions for you. This is a good time to reconnect with your passions and reflect on what brings you joy. 

LIBRA 

You may find your career progress slowing down this month, or you could face frustration at work. Reflect on some long-term ambitions and ensure they align with your core values. 

SCORPIO 

Expect delays and challenges in your travels. This month might challenge your beliefs and offer a time for inner exploration and revisiting educational pursuits. 

SAGITTARIUS 

Issues surrounding shared resources or deep emotional connections might arise this month. This is a powerful time for you to experience inner transformation. Reflect on what you need to release or heal. 

CAPRICORN 

You might experience some tensions in partnerships to flare up. Avoid confrontations and use the time to reflect on your needs and boundaries. Patience and honesty are key. 

ARIES 

Tensions might surface at home or with family this month. This is a time to confront unresolved issues. It is time to make the necessary changes to find peace at home. Avoid starting major home projects now. 

TAURUS 

Expect some challenges in communication and some misunderstandings. Reassess how you express yourself and avoid hasty decisions in conversations. Use this time to revisit unfinished projects.   

GEMINI 

Your financial matters might face delays or unexpected challenges. This is a good time to reflect on what you invest your energy into and your relationship with money. Avoid impulsive purchases and focus on stability.   

GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is seeking feedback on two policies. 

The board has made updates to a policy on naming schools and facilities and has created a new policy about holding celebrations and commemorations, including flying flags. 

UGDSB  Policy 303 – Naming of Schools and Board Facilities was last updated in 2020, so is due for its regular review, which includes evaluating the naming process and criteria the board uses to name schools, facilities and designated areas of schools and facilities. 

Prior to the proposed updates, the naming policy included naming schools and facilities after people who have made significant contributions locally and internationally. 

The updated policy prohibits naming schools, facilities or designated areas after people or corporations. 

An introduction to the policy updates lists possible problems with naming buildings after people, including: 

• legacy and controversy: someone’s actions or beliefs may later be uncovered as controversial or inconsistent with present-day values;
• representation: certain names may reinforce underrepresentation of marginalized groups;
• memorialization versus recognition: naming can blur the line between honouring a legacy and acknowledging achievements; and
• public opinion: students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and community members may hold different views on who deserves recognition. 

Instead of names of individuals or corporations, the policy suggests names that:

• reflect that place’s unique programs or focus;
• reference local environment, landscapes, ecosystems or environmental sustainability;
• reflect Indigenous Peoples or the traditional lands on which the building is located;
• highlight the areas historical significance; or
• refer to a near-by street, village, town, subdivision or community.  

Updates to the policy also include stating the board’s commitment to using an “equitable and inclusive approach to ensure names are reflective of the communities served, which involves consultation with students, staff, parents/guardians/caregivers,” states a Nov. 26 report from the board’s policy and priorities committee. 

“The goal of this policy is to ensure that names selected align with the board’s strategic priorities related to equity, inclusivity and human rights and are reflective of the communities served,” it continues. 

Promoting and protecting “Indigenous rights, human rights, and equity is at the forefront when selecting names,” the report states.

“The UGDSB acknowledges that many existing names of our schools and facilities are rooted in historical legacies that may not align with our present-day values,” states an introduction to the updated policy.

UGDSB schools and facilities named prior to the policy update will retain their names, unless individual requests for renaming are supported by the board of trustees.  

The process outlined in the updated naming policy will be used to name the new  elementary school in Centre Wellington and the new high school in Guelph. 

Celebrations, commemorations

Policy 323 – Celebrations and Commemorations is a new policy that “outlines how persons, groups, events and causes of significance are recognized, celebrated and/or commemorated,” according to the Nov. 26 report from the board’s policy and priorities committee. 

It includes guidelines around flying flags at schools and other board sites, including mandating that every UGDSB building fly the Canadian flag on a flagpole outside, and flags for all other countries be banned from exterior flagpoles. 

It also mandates that both the Canadian flag and the Ontario flag be displayed inside every school. 

“Schools and other board sites may be approved to display on an exterior flagpole for a specified period, secondary flags that have a clear connection to the board’s purpose, values and multi-year plan, and are not connected to a political party or religious group,” the proposed policy states.

“During the month of June, all UGDSB schools and board sites shall fly the Pride flag in support and celebration of the  2SLGBTQIA+ community,” it continues.

The Canadian flag must always be displayed in a position of prominence over secondary flags, with no other flag larger or higher than the national flag. 

Principals are responsible for informing their school communities about these secondary flags. 

The policy also outlines when flags shall be flown at half mast, including after the death of a member of the Royal Family, a past or present Canadian governor general or prime minister, or various past and present Ontario officials.

They will also be flown at half mast on April 28, June 23, Nov. 11 and Dec. 6 to observe annual days of remembrance or mourning. 

Flags may be lowered at other times, at the discretion of the director of education, superintendents, principals and families effected by a death. 

The policy specifies that “celebrations, events and days of recognition should be planned and organized in a way that reflects the board’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and staff, regardless of their diverse identities and beliefs.” 

It notes that permanent commemorations will not be permitted on UGDSB property. 

To read and complete a survey regarding the updates to each policy, visit ugdsb.ca. 

The UGDSB will collect feedback for both policies until Dec. 26 at 4pm.  

After public consultation, the policies will be considered by the policy and priorities committee on Jan. 7 and the board of trustees on Jan. 14 or Feb. 25.  

The post UGDSB updating policies on celebrations, naming schools appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

One year ago, Noah Vella planned a queer dance party for their friends in celebration of their birthday. As the idea took hold, they were inspired by the disco era and what it represented in queer history—thus One Big Gay Disco (OBGD) was born.  

The first disco was a resounding success and now, one year later, they are celebrating their anniversary on Dec. 14, 2024. 

Initially, the Dancember Disco was only supposed to happen once, as an afterparty for one of the Drag Open Stage events at AOK. The event was sold out with the marketing help of Ashley Barry from the @kwgaysandtheys Instagram account,  Vella’s friend and event organizer Alex Hannides.  

Following the first event, it was clear to the OBGD team that the community wanted another disco. The second iteration of the disco, Inferno, happened in April 2024.  

“It was the moment when we were about to open the doors and there was a line around the block… That was the point where [we realised] we need to keep doing this, but we need to take it bigger,” Vella said. 

Inferno was also the first disco that Vella DJ’d at in their drag persona as Mary Poppers. Poppers had previously made appearances at the Open Stage, but Vella saw further growth for their drag persona.  

“I DJ in drag specifically so that people know that the person running this event is dressing however the hell they want to and gender bending the house down, [and attendees] can do that too,” Vella said.  

“As a DJ and an event host, you’re in a really unique spot, as DJs are tastemakers throughout queer history. It’s an honour to have the place that I do because I feel like I’m taking people along for the ride,” they said. 

Throughout the night, there is a space created for drag performers to inspire the crowd to dance with numbers halfway between a drag performance and go-go dancing. Vella believes that drag is powerful because it inspires freedom and joy for everyone who witnesses it.  

“If you don’t have anybody in drag, how free do people truly feel? Drag performers are beacons of light in terms of expression,” Vella said. 

The subsequent disco’s Pride in Paradise and Revival took inspiration from famous discotheques in history: the Paradise Garage and Studio 54. The production of each event takes design elements from these famous discotheques and translates them into modern contexts, using lighting, graphic design, props and mood board outfit inspirations to create the ambiance. 

The upcoming disco, Love Saves the Day, takes inspiration from David Mancuso’s private invitation to underground dance parties of the same name.

These were held at his home, which he called the Loft. Mancuso’s parties catered to racialized as well as queer and trans individuals, creating a safe space for folks to dance together without fear of violence or harassment by police.  

“I believe that queer dance spaces are truly sacred. We try and keep that very central, so that’s why everything is branded as it’s a celebration of love’s unstoppable groove throughout history,” Vella said. 

As the 1970s progressed, discotheques, including Studio 54, became places where cisgender heterosexual people mingled with queer and gender-diverse people and many folks felt safe in society, often for the first time.  

However, in 1979, the end of disco began with Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in Chicago, which ended in a riot. Disco records were not the only target; it was also Black records and records written by anybody that was considered queer.  

“I think that what we’re seeing today is almost like a direct parallel—we hit a breaking point where everything was pink wash all of a sudden. And then all of these companies are capitalizing off of the [queer liberation] movement, and then as soon as it starts to not be profitable for them anymore, they turn their backs,” Vella said. 

This world is something that Vella was intimately familiar with as they recount their personal coming out journey. Watching Milk, a movie about queer politician Harvey Milk, prompted deep introspection in terms of the cultural intersection they found themself in as a conservative Christian who is queer.  

“I realized that I was actually betraying my own people by not allowing myself to embrace my identity and keeping other people in the closet as well,” Vella said.  

At the time of this realization, Vella worked in a youth ministry and saw many queer kids come through their doors looking for guidance. 

In 2025, Vella hopes to continue bringing joy and light to the queer community through their discos because people need now more than ever. The core of the OBGD community is in Kitchener-Waterloo (KW), but they hope to bring elements of the disco out to other cities like Cambridge.  

“As somebody who grew up [in Cambridge], it’s surrounded by a lot of churches, and I think we sometimes forget, but we’re kind of situated in an Ontario Bible Belt in KW. There’s a lot of people that probably need that space in Cambridge,” Vella said.  

Many folks have come up to Vella to share that they are appreciative of the discos because they feel safe and free to be themselves, some even expressing that they had the peak of their queer experience thus far at the disco.  

Overall, the experience of running OGBD has been rewarding for their team. The group will continue to be as loud and proud as they can be with the time they have.

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Grassroots Response, based in Waterloo Region, has opened a new guest house just outside of Elora. 

A not-for-profit organization that supports displaced Ukrainians coming to Ontario, Grassroots Response was founded in Waterloo in 2022.

The program has since expanded to keep up with demand. 

“We help displaced Ukrainians with anything from transitional housing to building a social connection, settlement support and employment support,” said Grassroots director and founder Stephanie Goertz.

The program’s most recent expansion came just last week, with its first guest house in Centre Wellington.

The property, just five minutes from Elora, features six to seven bedrooms, a large kitchen, and multiple living rooms.

“We met the owner last week, we had a discussion and they’ve been kind of following what we’ve been doing for the last six months or so, and their property was available, so we decided to turn into a guest house,” said Goertz.

“And we tend to move quickly, so there’s no there’s no downtime; we already actually have a new family, mother and a daughter and a dog that just moved in.”

Grassroots works with landlords and property owners to obtain housing for newcomers.

After negotiating a price and a time frame of use, Grassroots places an individual or family into the space. 

“We collect donations, and we have some program fees that we use to cover the cost of renting the house and utilities, because it allows Ukrainians then to have a safe place to live, be it families or single people,” said Goertz.

“We create wraparound support, so we work very closely with local volunteers, churches and service groups to offer support to people in the homes, providing pantry food items, all the furniture that they need, as well as household items, as well as collecting donations of clothing or other necessities that they might need.” 

Volunteers also help provide essential transportation to doctor’s appointments, business meetings and job interviews. 

“There’s typically anywhere between 20 and 30 volunteers that help out and assist the newcomers in a guest house, creating a large social network,” Goertz told the Advertiser.

The program’s mission is to get newcomers on their feet and in a place of financial security.

“We work on trying to find them employment so that they can start earning enough money. And the goal is to get them on their feet and moving out when they’re capable and have enough savings,” said Goertz. 

“We’ve seen a huge success rate with the Ukrainians that are entering our programs, versus the Ukrainians that come into Canada and are pretty much left on their own.”

The program is currently seeking local volunteers, and Goertz says there is a job for everyone. 

“If you’ve never thought about volunteering, or … you’re not a volunteer type of person, that’s perfectly okay,” said Goertz.

“Many of our volunteers are not volunteer type people … we allow volunteers to volunteer in a way that works for them and so just reach out to us, we’ll chat with you and figure out how you want to help.”

As well as volunteers, the program is looking to partner with local charities and organizations. 

“We are currently looking at finding charities to work with in Elora and Wellington or across Ontario,” said Goertz. 

“We know we constantly need to look for more partnerships in order to stay open.”

For more information, to donate, or to volunteer visit wrgrassrootsresponse.ca.

The post Grassroots Response opens guest house outside of Elora appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

The holiday season is often painted in hues of joy and festivity—bright lights wrapped around houses, families gathered around tables overflowing with delicious food and the warmth of togetherness filling the air. For many, it’s a time surrounded by family while embracing the blessings of the past year. However, for others, the holidays are a stark reminder of what is missing—warmth, love, and a place to call home.  

While the rest of the world spins in a swirl of holiday cheer, there are countless individuals who slip through the cracks, hidden in plain sight. These are the individuals who sadly don’t have the luxury of safety, comfort or a hot meal. This is why, more than ever, the act of giving back becomes not just a gesture of goodwill but a lifeline.  

One such place of compassion is Tiny Home Takeout at 56 Duke St. W. in Kitchener. The organization collaborates with St. Mary Our Lady of The Seven Sorrows Church, a sanctuary where the hungry are fed and the isolated discover a sense of belonging. Every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tiny Home Takeout serves freshly made hot dinners—free of charge—to anyone who needs it. The food is made from food donations given to the church or food that Tiny Home buys with monetary donations.  This act in itself is infused with a powerful effort to bring a semblance of normalcy to lives ravaged by poverty, homelessness, and hardship, — offering nourishment to the body and soul. 

I had the immense privilege of meeting with Todd, a regular guest of Tiny Home Takeout while outside serving food. Last year, Todd lived in a home that frequently donated to Tiny Home Takeout and would offer a kind word to those in need while passing through. But that was then —Today, Todd’s life has been upended in a way he could have never imagined. He sleeps under a bush, with no certainty about tomorrow.  

For Todd, the cold, bitter reality of homelessness didn’t arrive as a gradual descent—it hit suddenly and without warning. He found himself on the street, relying on the very services he once supported. The one thing that anchors him now is the hot meals he receives from Tiny Home Takeout every night, a brief but essential moment of comfort in his otherwise uncertain world.  

“I look forward to coming here every day, but it’s not only that, it’s the people.” Todd said, his voice laced with appreciativeness and hope. “There’s a lot of people in my situation, and the resources that Tiny Home provides are really great, and if we had more places like this, it would be wonderful.” 

Todd’s story is a painful reminder that life can change in an instant. What seems stable today may vanish tomorrow, and we all must recognize the fragile thread that connects us to our stability. This is why we should never take our lives for granted nor judge anyone else for theirs. Before Todd became homeless, he didn’t have much, yet he still found the compassion to donate as often as he could. Now, Todd is in an unimaginable predicament and relies on the compassion of others.  

Michelle Lanting, a worker at Tiny Home Takeout, echoes this sentiment when asked why she is so dedicated to the organization’s cause. “I’m motivated to work here because I know what it means to be able to help people—to serve people from all walks of life, but especially those who are struggling. It’s about treating them with dignity and respect and seeing them respond in such a positive way.” she said.  

Volunteers like Lanting are the backbone of this initiative. She points out that while the need for help is great year-round, the holidays bring even more urgency to their work. As the months get colder and the rest of the world is engulfed in the warm embrace of their family, many struggle. According to a Maru Public Opinion poll, one in three Canadians experience loneliness during the holiday season due to the immense commercialization of the holidays, creating the expectation of nonstop joy. We need to combat that isolation by creating a place where people can feel like they belong.  

“We’re creating a community here,” Lanting said. “We give people shelter; we give them food; but most of all, we give them dignity. That’s something that everyone deserves, no matter where they are in life.”  

Many of the guests to Tiny Home Takeout, although appreciative of receiving a hot meal, go to feel a sense of connection. They go to see others who may be struggling as well as a reminder that they are not alone. Tiny Home Takeout is not simply a place to receive hot meals, but rather to receive a sense of belonging and importance. People of all ages, those with disabilities and single parents, all come together. As we reflect on the meaning of the holidays, it is essential to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Whether it’s donating your time and your resources or simply offering a kind word, there are countless ways to give back. The need is especially urgent during the winter months, when cold and isolation threaten to take away even the smallest glimmer of hope. Volunteering with Tiny Home is just one of the many Waterloo based organizations to give back at this holiday season, others include St. John’s kitchen, Kitchen Helper at Ray of Hope and The Salvation Army, 

During the holiday season, think of people like Todd, who are surviving on the kindness of strangers, and of volunteers such as Lanting, whose work brings light to the darkest corners of our communities. 

The holidays are represented with gift giving; however, it is crucial to remember that gift giving is not just about material presents to those you know. It’s about offering hope, comfort, and  connecting with those who feel forgotten. Whether it’s through the work of organizations like Tiny Home Takeout or in our own small acts of kindness, we all have the power to make a difference. After all, the true meaning of the holidays is found not in what we receive but in what we give.  

This holiday season, make sure to take a step toward those who need you most. Their journey may be difficult, but with your help, it doesn’t have to be walked alone.  

While driving, many drivers silently curse somebody riding a bike on the road. Through no fault of their own, bike riders often disturb drivers by being too close to cars or causing congestion as traffic veers around them.  

It is important to note that these faultless cyclists are not to be confused with those who blatantly ignore stop signs, yield signals and traffic lights.  

Nevertheless, one of the only things that has repeatedly reduced driver’s frustration and ensured biker safety is the installation of proper bike lanes.  

On Nov. 5, Kitchener-Waterloo regional councillors shared their plans to improve bike lanes in the region and design separated cycle lanes in six areas including King St. between University Ave  and Weber St. N. While the Waterloo Region currently has a detailed plan that considers how all users would be impacted by these changes, the province recently passed a bill that may halt the process.  

The government of Ontario has claimed that bike lanes contribute to gridlock. Bill 212 or the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act requires municipalities to get provincial approval to install cycle lanes if a lane of traffic has to be removed.  

As with any decision impacting a significant population, there are advantages and disadvantages. 

In 2020, the Waterloo Region saw 72,400 post-secondary students enrolled in full-time programs. Of that number, it is likely that many students use bikes to get around and would therefore benefit from improved cycle lanes. Those who must commute to work or those who attend elementary or secondary school in the region could also benefit from increased accessibility. 

Conversely, the construction of new bike lanes would undoubtedly cause traffic in the region during the duration of the build.  

Data services lead at Eco-Counter, a company that collects pedestrian and cycle traffic data,  David Beitel, explained in an interview with CBC that while the addition of traffic lanes improves congestion for a short period of time, within a year or two traffic returns to being as bad or worse than it was before.  

Additionally, in an evidence review on transport and travel in Europe, the term “induced demand” is used to debunk the claim that more traffic lanes reduce traffic. The term means that the more lanes of traffic that are available to drivers causes them to want to drive more rather than explore other options. This leads to more cars on the road.  

Regardless of which side you take on this bike debacle, I am for the construction of separated bike lanes in the region. However, further discourse stems from this debate regarding the role of the province in municipal jurisdiction.  

Bill 212 directly asserts the government of Ontario’s presence in municipal decision making as each city must get any cycle lane and traffic reconstruction plans approved before moving forward. The stipulations outlined in the bill are surprising as Doug Ford’s government has previously been described in an opinion article by David Moscrop for TVO as hands-off, with each municipal government, for the most part, operating without significant provincial interference.  

As I see it, nobody knows what will benefit a municipality more than the municipality itself. Each population voted in the mayor they believed would do the best for the community and they now trust that their city’s government will make decisions with their specific needs in mind.  

Only time will tell, but Bill 212 could be a relatively small contribution to a larger future role of the province in municipal government.  

All in all, I say build the cycle lanes and leave the municipal governments alone. Most importantly, obey the rules of the road even if you are on a bike.  

According to a study done by Time2Play in 2023, 1,000 Canadians were surveyed and 48 per cent of respondents lacked the motivation to keep their New Years resolutions throughout the year. 

If I had taken part in the study, I would have answered the same. As we gear up for the new year and enjoy the last month of 2024, many of us will like the time to reassess our priorities as we move into a fresh year. Do you plan to start a new workout routine, take up a new hobby or make time for self-care? The opportunities are endless.  

Before you get started on your list of resolutions, I encourage you to pause and take some time to reflect on what you have accomplished in 2024 — the big successes and the small ones.  

This year was one that I feel I will reflect on fondly as the years go on — at the beginning of 2023, I was in a far less positive place. While I had recently graduated, I felt unstable in my personal life and it reflected on the time I took for self-care — isolating myself. Now, going into 2025, I have hope for my future and feel thankful for the community I’ve found myself in.  

If you’re going into your last term at Laurier in the new year, you might feel anxious about what could be coming next. You might be wondering whether you want to study more or take a break to work for a bit. If there’s any piece of advice I can give you, it’s this — don’t feel pressured to make a choice right now. Rely on the community you have around you and remember that there’s more to life than school and work — having meaningful connections with others is critical to success in every area of our lives.  

It might feel tempting to make one of your new year’s resolutions “figure out what I’m doing with my life”, but you’d be surprised at what you can fall into naturally without giving it too much thought. Is there a hobby you’ve put aside or a passion that you don’t make enough time for? Give it more time in the new year and you could be surprised by the fruits of your labour.  

For me, the hobby I wasn’t practicing was writing. I know this sounds funny, given my role at The Cord. However, after finishing my undergraduate program at Laurier last year, I felt burnt out when it came to writing creatively. I was so used to writing academic papers (and articles) that I had entirely forgotten how to write for pleasure. Then, this year, I happened to fall in love with writing poems after spending far too much time on Pinterest.  

The form of self-expression I discovered by writing poetry, entirely separate from both my academic work and my job, has given me great joy. By experimenting with my poetry, I have become a stronger writer and discovered parts about myself that I wasn’t aware of before. While I’ve tried journalling to get my thoughts out on paper, I have found that writing poetry has a similar impact (but I’m better at doing it consistently). I haven’t shared my work publicly, but I have let some trusted friends read it. However, there are still some I have written entirely for myself that no one will ever see.  

You might not be a writer, but I’m sure that there’s a hobby you have been neglecting in favour of keeping up with your schoolwork. This year, try out a new year’s resolution that helps you become more consistent with it. The most important thing is to set time aside for it — don’t get bogged down by thinking you have to become an “expert”.  

As the snow flies and January blows in, don’t disregard your new year’s resolutions — just make sure they are ones that you are motivated to keep.  

On Nov. 20, the third annual Increasing Teacher Diversity event was held on the Waterloo campus. Organized by Laurier’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization coalition (EDI&I), the event brings together high school students from across Waterloo with aims to inspire future educators from equity-deserving groups.  

“We ask the students who come to our event, how many of you have teachers that look like you or have had teachers that look like you, there are very few,” said Jennifer Straub, professor in the faculty of education and co-chair of the EDI&I coalition.  

Students arrived at 9 a.m. and had a full day of events. On the schedule was an Indigenous Circle Opening, a Q&A panel of current teacher candidates, campus tours and a human library where students could interact with racialized teaching candidates and faculty at various stations. Lunch, a photo booth and networking opportunities were also available for students.  

Straub said that there have been some improvements since the EDI&I’s first teacher diversity event. In 2022, the event saw 50 students whereas this year and last around 100 students were in attendance. “This year we had so much more interest from school boards and now we plan to do another teacher diversity event in Brantford in the spring,” she said.  

Grade 11 student Isabella Figueiredo and grade 12 student Angelina Anello, from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, attended the event for the first time. “It’s been nice to network and make connections with people and just ask some questions that research alone can’t answer,” Figueiredo said.   

 “I really like hearing other people’s experiences too. This university seems like a good environment,” Anello said.  

There is a considerable teacher diversity gap in Ontario. As of 2014, only ten per cent of secondary school teachers and nine per cent of elementary and kindergarten teachers were from racialized groups.   

“Diversity is one of the foundational building blocks to create more inclusive environments. In this context, we’re focusing on schools, but we know schools are part of a larger ecosystem that correlate with faculties of education, the non-profit organizations, the families they serve,” said Ardavan Eizadirad, assistant professor in the faculty of education and EDI&I co-chair. “We are planting some seeds here around people and being intentional, letting them know we see you, we’re here to support you.” 

Having students from different secondary schools interact is another powerful component of the event, Straub said.  

“They come to the event, they’re a little shy at first. At the end of the day, they’re exchanging Instagram and they’re making those connections so that hopefully when they do come to campus, there are a few friendly faces that they recognize,” Straub said. Eizadirad concluded by noting that the event ultimately aims to support students entering the next phase of their life.  

“We’re trying to make the decisions easier and let folks know there’s a network of caring adults in different roles they can tap into to identify what their future goals are. We’re encouraging them to go into teaching, but success can look like many different pathways and we’re okay with that,” he said. 

On Nov. 6, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) released a new digital tool, The Human Rights Impact Assessment Tool (HRIA), to help developers and organizations assess their AI systems for human rights compliance. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool that can help with decision-making, reduce human error by analysing reliable data and information, and increase productivity in the workplace. 

“It has great potential to benefit society and advance social and economic prosperity,” said the OHRC. HRIA is used to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of human rights impacts, provide practical guidance on human rights impacts, and identify practical mitigation strategies and remedies to address bias and discrimination from AI systems. 

Nye Thomas, the Executive Director of the Law Commission of Ontario, said AI systems could contain bias due to the data they possess. However, AI systems still need legal obligations to comply with provincial and federal human rights legislation.  

“The missing piece to meet these obligations is a tool, some instrument to help developers assess human rights and evaluate human rights compliance in their AI systems,” Thomas said.  

“HRIA is for people who don’t have human rights law backgrounds. It was a challenge to turn complicated legal concepts into a step-by-step guide,” said Thomas. 

The HRIA has two parts: Part A is an AI system assessment for human rights implications. In this section, organizations asked questions about the purpose of AI, the system’s significance, and the treatment of individual Canadians and communities. Part B is about mitigation. After the AI system gets categorized, Part B provides a series of questions to assist organizations in minimizing identified human rights issues in the given AI system. 

“The whole purpose is to ensure that the AI system an organization uses runs smoothly before they publicly access it,” Thomas said. He also said the HRIA will help organizations continually think about promoting and protecting human rights in their AI systems. 

Thomas said the OHRC and LCO are trying to give the AI community, developers, entrepreneurs, startups and large organizations a tool to help them meet their legal obligations and avoid human rights issues witnessed in the past. “The purpose of the HRIA is to be preventive, so it’s to help encourage organizations to comply with thinking about AI and human rights and to give them a step-by-step guide for how to achieve human rights compliance.” 

 “It is essential that the opportunities, benefits, and protections associated with the use of AI be available to all Ontarians without discrimination,” said the OHRC.  

The use of AI in public sectors around the world caused harm to individuals and communities, including algorithmic discrimination based on race, gender, and other personal attributes. AI systems have a potentially high risk of human rights violations where they produce results based on characteristics protected under human rights legislation, such as race, sex, age, or disability. It could lead to flawed, inaccurate, and unintended discriminatory actions by employers, service providers or other organizations to the public. 

Before releasing the tool, Thomas said the OHRC and LCO spoke to various individuals beforehand, including those from the public and private sectors within the provincial and federal government. These sectors were interested in the new technology because they saw the need for a tool that helps identify human rights regulations while using artificial intelligence in the workplace. 

“The HRIA launched on Nov. 6 and initial responses from stakeholders in the AI sector have been positive. Given its recent launch, the OHRC is unaware of any organizations that have used the HRIA,” said the OHRC. 

Thomas and the OHRC hope organizations and government sectors can reduce human rights violations caused by AI systems in different workplace settings through HRIA. 

“Not all AI issues are black and white. It’s our job to recognize mistakes made by AI and address them accordingly,” Thomas said. 

“It is essential that the opportunities, benefits, and protections associated with the use of AI be available to all Ontarians without discrimination,” the OHRC said. 

Human Rights Day, celebrated on Dec. 10, is an annual day honouring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on Dec. 10, 1948.  

The UDHR is a document that enshrines fundamental human rights that are unable to be taken away and apply to everyone regardless of status including race, colour or religion. It is also a blueprint for laws and policies at the international, national and local levels. 

Canada celebrates this day by recognizing and learning about the UDHR and honouring the number of conventions and declarations adopted through the UN system that cover a spectrum of different human rights. Canadians are encouraged to take the day to recognize and honour various human rights that impact our daily lives and empower us to speak up for our own rights and the rights of others.  

“It’s being creative in how you use the day. I sometimes see it as a conversation topic around your dinner table,” said Joan Broughton, an information officer for the United Nations Association in Canada. 

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) said their interpretation of Human Rights Day is to promote and enforce human rights, engage in relationships embodying principles of dignity and respect, and create a culture of human rights compliance and accountability. They do this by engaging in various educational activities and collaborative initiatives, such as public awareness campaigns, presentations, workshops, and conferences. They also participate in intergovernmental task forces and receive delegations across the globe. 

“We have the opportunity to change perceptions by speaking against hate speech, correcting misinformation, and countering disinformation,” said the OHRC in a press release. 

Regional school boards, such as the Waterloo District School Board (WRDSB), celebrate this annual day by bringing guest speakers or holding symposiums for primary and secondary students. They even formed a Human Rights Branch in 2020 to create and implement human rights-related policies and procedures. 

“Human Rights Day is a day that we focus on and think about what human rights means to us as a school board specifically,” said Deepa Ahluwalia, a human rights and equity advisor at the Waterloo Region District School Board. “It helps us to put some attention on and focus on what we’re doing as a school board to build a human rights culture at the Waterloo Region District School Board.” 

Deepa also explains that Human Rights Day helps create a working and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment by hosting workshops in schools and providing services from the Waterloo Regional District School Board’s Human Rights Branch. 

Last year, the United Nations used the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” to celebrate the day and is planning to reuse last year’s theme this year. Though the UN website posts different “themes“ to celebrate this annual day each year, Broughton said the themes used in organizational websites only celebrate certain parts of human rights. “The United Nations theme will always be broad because they leave it up to the organizations and the members of the states to say within this framework, these are our priorities, or this is the focus we want to put on it,” said Broughton. 

She explains that Human Rights Day originated as a day to celebrate specific themes related to human rights. It’s a day when the UN focused on human rights as a particular issue in the human agenda.  

“There is a long list of international days declared by the UN that cover a wide variety of topics,” said Broughton. “You define the agenda that you want to focus on that day that fits within the parameters of your focus related to human rights.” 

Photo used with permission from JRS photography.

In April, Madison Green, a project and research assistant at RFS energy consulting and a participant in the ImaGENation Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, started a new Electric Vehicle (EV) project called Teionkwayenawà:kon (pronounced day-ohn-gway-ahn-ah-wah-gohn), to provide transportation and help Indigenous communities connect.  

The project is still in its initial planning stages. Green started this project through the ImaGENation Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, a program supporting Indigenous youth-led clean energy projects.  

Her main objective with this project is to increase cultural connection. Green said her project addresses many aspects, such as connecting Indigenous communities, providing eco-friendly transportation services, breaking down transportation barriers, and decreasing emissions while inspiring other Indigenous youth to pursue their passions and projects.  

Green’s project received support from various organizations, such as The Willow River Centre. 

However, due to working on the project as an individual and not as an organization, Green is not eligible for many funding opportunities. The project funding she will receive from ImaGENation will end in September 2025. She says that transportation is a barrier to Indigenous wellness, and this inspired her to develop an electric shuttle so that Indigenous community members can connect with each other. With the help of a partnership, Green will be able to secure funding and further support that can bring Teionkwayenawà:ko to life.   

Green will also host an awareness event for the urban Indigenous community to hear from industry experts and plans to share a final report outlining the steps of the project and address the challenges she faced. 

“When we lose our sense of community, we often isolate ourselves and experience declines in mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness,” Green said, explaining how it is important for Indigenous communities to stay connected through traditions and culture.  

When she moved to Kitchener, Green felt disconnected and lost from her traditions. “I lost language, I lost my connection to land and tradition. Without connection, our people are here, but our spirits are lost,” Green said.  

As Green became more established and could afford public transportation, she was able to reconnect with her community later in life. She hopes Indigenous youths will use her report to implement her project in their communities. “The City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo sit directly on the Haldimand Tract, and I feel that their support of my project would be an amazing opportunity to address various calls to action regarding the wellness of Indigenous people and to work toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities, as well as individuals that displaced from their home reserves,” she said.  

“Willow River Center is literally sort of following alongside that ideology that we must be able to come together to gather for free, without a barrier on our lands,” said Amy Smoke, one of the co-founders of the Willow River Centre. Willow River Center is an open community space for Indigenous and Racialized Indigenous youth and grassroots members.  

Smoke said Green’s project would benefit the centre by helping local Indigenous groups travel to Willow River when hosting ceremonies, such as moon ceremonies.   

“One of the issues we have when bringing Indigenous communities together is transportation, funding, and access to space, especially for surrounding First Nations like Six Nations of the Grand River,” Smoke said.   

Smoke said they like that the EV project uses sustainable resources that don’t support pipeline industries such as Shell, Encore and Suncor. According to Green, Teionkwayenawà:kon primarily focuses on shuttles, which are affordable and efficient and can help Indigenous groups travel to faraway destinations without financial problems. 

 “Currently, many Tri-Cities people have to pay $20+ each way to the ceremony, so even for a group of 10 people would mean $400 collectively spent to get to a ceremony and back home,” she said.  

So far, Green hasn’t had any problems running her program thanks to the staff at ImaGENation. The organization is also helping her identify any mistakes in her project. “I would say that my biggest problem is receiving funding to purchase the vehicle,” Green said. 

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Compass Community Services is marking one year of providing people in the community and across the country access to life-saving support through three easy-to-remember numbers: 9-8-8.

Since its launch on Nov. 30, 2023, trained 9-8-8 responders at Compass have had thousands of life-changing conversations with people locally and across Canada who are thinking about suicide or worried about someone they know.

Nationally, 9-8-8 responders have answered more than 300,000 calls and texts to the help line – that’s an average of around 1,000 per day.

At Compass, 9-8-8 responders have answered over 10,500 of those calls and texts since the service launched.

How it works: 9-8-8 provides urgent, live support by phone and text in English and French, 24/7, 365 days a year.

When you call or text 9-8-8, you will be connected to a trained responder at a local, provincial, or national crisis line, whoever is available first.

These responders are trained in suicide prevention and trained to listen with compassion and empathy.

They give callers and texters space to share what they’re going through without being judged, offering culturally appropriate, lifesaving supports to people in their most challenging moments.

Compass officials say they are proud to be one of 14 partner agencies in Ontario whose responders answer 9-8-8 calls and texts.

Compass added the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline to its three other daily telephone support lines – Distress Line (519-821-3760), Seniors Offering Support (519-821-3760 ext. 2), and TeleConnect Line (519-821-3760) – which answered an additional 36,753 calls and texts this past year.

“It is a privilege to be here to listen on the other end of the phone, helping people get the support they need” said Compass executive director Joanne Young Evans.

“We’re so proud of our incredible team of 9-8-8 responders, and all the lives they have saved and individuals they have supported in the last year. These calls and texts are never easy, but we are committed to being part of this life-saving service in the year to come.”

Since launching, 9-8-8 has received many heartwarming messages from people glad they took that step to call or text for help.

One caller, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, “I called in distress. I spoke with a woman who was so kind, compassionate and attentive to me while I was speaking.

“I felt so much more stable afterwards because [she] was such a good listener.”

Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds. An average of 4,500 people across Canada die by suicide each year – approximately 12 people per day.

“Talking about suicide can be hard – but with three simple digits, 9-8-8 is making it easier to reach out for support,” said Dr. Allison Crawford, chief medical officer of 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

“In our second year, we want even more people to know about 9-8-8, so they can get the help they need. 

“We’re asking everyone to play a part, by sharing those three simple numbers – 9-8-8 – wherever and with whoever they can.”

The post Suicide crisis line enters its second year in service locally appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

KENILWORTH – Increasing service at the Mount Forest Cemetery to allow for Saturday burials could mean a slight tax rate increase in 2025 for Wellington North residents.

On Dec. 2, treasurer Jeremiah Idialu presented an updated draft budget to council that would see residents paying 3.05 per cent more in 2025 for the township portion of their tax bill.

But in response to a request from council, Idialu also provided options that showed the impact to taxpayers if cemetery improvements and an increased level of service were included in the budget.

“This would lead to an increased cost of $20,500,” Idialu said.

Broken down, that cost would involve paying two staff members for seven hours each Saturday from May to November.

According to Idialu’s presentation, the cost per Saturday would be $661, which was multiplied by a total of 31 Saturdays to reach the approximate cost estimate.

“Also, staff have approved two capital budget requests for council’s deliberation,” Idialu told council.

Those requests include a survey and “title clearance” for the cemetery at a cost of $30,000, and fence repairs at the cemetery at a cost of $9,900.

Adding these two capital projects to the budget would bring the tax rate increase up to 3.47%, and adding those projects while also increasing cemetery hours would bring the increase to 3.68%, Idialu told council.

The presentation prompted councillor Steve McCabe to question the cemetery survey project request.

“What does that actually involve?” he asked.

Township clerk Karren Wallace explained the township had acquired the cemetery property in three separate transfers, the oldest of which dates back to the late 1800s, and the boundaries of the property are not entirely clear.

“We’re looking to establish exactly what we own,” Wallace said. “It’s a big project.”

But council seemed to have little appetite for taking on that project.

Instead, councillor Sherry Burke asked “what an option four would look like.”

She wanted to know the impact to taxpayers if the two cemetery capital projects were left out of the budget, but the Saturday staffing was included.

“That brings us to a 3.27% tax [rate] increase,” Idialu said.

Councillor Penny Renken expressed her support for this option.

“This way it puts the people’s priorities first,” she said.

As council was asked to provide its direction regarding the tax rate increase, McCabe said he also didn’t mind option four.

“The budget gets us to where we need to be comfortably and projects what we need to get done this coming year,” McCabe said.

“The extended operational hours for the cemetery probably goes a long way with our residents as well.”

Councillor Lisa Hern said she also likes option four, calling it “a great suggestion” by Burke.

• Mount Forest cemetery fees increasing; entrance repairs expected this summer
• Wellington North council eyes 3.5% tax rate increase in 2025 budget

Mayor Andy Lennox was the lone council member who didn’t approve of raising taxes to support an increased level of service at the cemetery.

“I think we need to be doing more to make the cemetery a user-pay service,” Lennox said, noting the township has been working on increasing fees to recover a greater portion of operating costs.

“If we’re going to enhance the service, I’d really like to see us make sure that those fees keep pace with that.”

Lennox noted he is in favour of the 3.05% increase, but acknowledged other members of council supported the 3.27% increase, so that was the direction given to staff.

Members of the public were also given the opportunity to weigh in on the budget, but none were present, either online or in person.

The meeting was council’s second look at the proposed 2025 budget.

An earlier version, presented on Nov. 4, had proposed a 4.5% tax rate increase, but council asked staff to return with an increase between 3 and 3.5%.

In his Dec. 2 presentation, Idialu said there had been “very few changes to the operating budget” from the version that was presented in November.

On the capital side, he said “there are minimal changes by department since that last presentation.”

One change he noted was under “general government,” where the amount budgeted for workstation replacements was reduced from $40,000 to $25,000.

The 12 capital “asks” for that department total $621,960, with the largest project being the renovation of the Arthur and Area Community Centre’s upper hall.

The “infrastructure and transportation” department accounts for the greatest portion of the capital requests, with 24 projects totalling more than $8.6 million.

“Since the last budget meeting, we’ve trimmed down the fleet request from two pickup trucks to one pickup truck,” Idialu pointed out to council.

At a cost of $70,000, the truck is far from the most expensive item on the list.

A road construction project for Draper Street and Anderson Avenue in Arthur is listed at more than $2.4 million, and reconstruction of John Street between Waterloo and Queen streets in Mount Forest is pegged at $1.9 million.

“In total, the capital program asks for $12,670,820,” said Idialu, noting it is higher than the previous year by about $3 million.

“This increase aligns with the recommendations of the completed 2024 Asset Management Plan, which identified a need for an $18.9 million annual capital investment to close the gap in the township’s capital program,” stated the treasurer’s report included in the meeting agenda package.

“While the township is still some ways from the $18.9 million target, this increase represents a positive step toward addressing the township’s long-term infrastructure investment needs.”

According to Idialu’s presentation, the proposed budget will see the tax levy increase from roughly $9.65 million to $10.7 million or 10.94%.

An estimated 7.89% growth in the township brings the impact to existing taxpayer down to a 3.05% increase – plus the cemetery service increase for a total of 3.27%.

For what Idialu called “a typical residential family dwelling” assessed at $271,636, that would mean the township’s portion of annual taxes would increase by about $48, from $1,468 to $1,516.

The next meeting scheduled to address Wellington North’s budget will take place on Dec. 16 at 7pm in a hybrid format.

The post Council supports raising taxes to increase service at Mount Forest Cemetery appeared first on Wellington Advertiser.

Heaven is truly beautiful, just you wait and see!

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Cheryl on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 in Conestogo at the age of 68. Beloved wife of Steve Allgeier for 44 years. Cherished and loving mother of Carrie and Mike (Cori) Allgeier. We are so blessed to have had her as our mother. Caring Nana to Haley and James Allgeier. Dear brother of John (Linda) Cress and Lloyd Cress.  Predeceased by her parents Wilbert (1978) and Ruth (Hourie) Cress (2009). Daughter-in-law to Jack (1995) and Pat Allgeier. Cheryl will be remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Cheryl worked at Home Hardware in St. Jacobs and retired after 40 years of service. Cheryl was a very special woman that everyone looked up to. Her big hugs that you felt to your toes and her smile that lit up a room were contagious. At Cheryl’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation or funeral service. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. The Allgeier family would like to thank her PSWs and all care providers who helped Cheryl over the years. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the ALS Society and the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated, and may be made through the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com