Provincial supports should be top of mind when heading to the polls

There’s a saying that municipalities are creatures of the province, relying on funding and legislative guidance. Under the leadership of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Ottawa has recently gotten louder about fighting for its fair share from all levels of government—especially when it comes to transit, transportation infrastructure, and public health dollars.

As candidates come to your door in this provincial election, remind them that in South Orléans, we’ve been waiting far too long for the transportation infrastructure necessary to support our growing communities.

The upcoming update to the City’s Transportation Master Plan will lay out priorities for much-needed road capacity projects – many of these projects are expensive, and Ottawa cannot fund them alone.

We all know health care is another critical priority in this election. We’re in the middle of a primary care crisis, with too many residents unable to access a family doctor.

As Chair of Ottawa Public Health (OPH), I’ve been advocating for an improved funding formula to better reflect Ottawa’s needs. Public health helps to prevent disease outbreaks, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries, drug overdoses and poor mental health, and prepare and respond to emergencies.

Since 2010, Ottawa’s population has grown by 25 per cent, while OPH’s staff capacity has increased by only 1.2 per cent.

Ottawa’s geography is vast, with 80 per cent rural land and a growing newcomer population, which requires unique strategies to deliver services effectively.

As the province reviews future public health funding, we need a commitment to maintaining a 75 per cent provincial contri-bution to cost-shared mandatory programs. There must also be annual increases to base funding to account for cost-of-living and inflation.

Investments in transit, transportation infra-structure and public health save money in the long run and protect our community’s well-being. I hope all candidates are taking note.

 

Dialogue, negotiatons could prevent possible tariff war

It's been heartening over the last few weeks to see Premiers, the Prime Minister, leaders of the Opposition, Canadian businesses and everyday Canadians standing up for Canada in the face of tariff threats from our largest trading partner and closest ally.

Seeing leaders from disparate political ideologies find common ground like this reminds us that we are not so disparate after all. We have not seen the cheap barbs, the sucker punches or the soaring rhetoric we have become accustomed to. And while I may not agree with the proclivities or approach of many of our political leaders, its truly a wonderful thing to see everyone united and standing up for our country.

It is times like these that remind us that we are Canadians first and that the rest is just noise.

Are some of the complaints we are hearing from the elephant to our south, as another PM was apt to describe the US, valid? Certainly. However, we mustn’t seek to punish or exert revenge on friends for sleights, real or imagined.

These issues can be resolved through productive dialogue and a renewed commitment to border security and defence spending. Both will be good for us and have been needed for some time. I’m reminded of the Aesop fable of “The Wind and the Sun”. Gentle persuasion among friends is always a better approach than force.

Regardless, we should enjoy this renewed sense of patriotism. Let’s get back to supporting local, use this as an opportunity to drop interior trade barriers, and come together as a more united and freer economy.

We’ve all heard this record before. We know the songs that will be played, and we know all the moves. While it plays, we should take the opportunity to deal with the real concerns being raised and not get too fussed about the bluster. The harder the wind blows, the tighter we will hold fast to our jacket.

 

Under the threat of tariffs, it’s important to shop local

As of the time I’m writing this article, I do not yet know if tariffs are being applied to Canada by President Trump.

Much has been written about the catastrophic damage these tariffs would have on nearly all sectors of Canada’s economy, which is sadly, entirely the point of them.

As a city councillor, I am not involved in those negotiations, but I wish my colleagues in the upper levels of government every success in fighting for our country’s best interests.

These tariffs will, however, impact all of us one way or another and it is important that we, as Canadians, are united.

In the face of economic tariffs, our strength is our wallets.

As shoppers, we always try to be conscious of what we are buying, and whenever possi-ble, prioritize local options. Now, more than ever before, is the time to pointedly purchase Canadian products first, or find Canadian alternatives.

Canadian businesses started hurting when the threat of the US tariffs first began, and with small changes in our spending, we can remind them who we stand with.

I am sure many of us remember in 2014, when a certain Ketchup brand was boycotted for shuttering its Canadian production (although they are eager to remind Canadians, they have returned).

Regardless, the back-lash and damage to their bottom line was severe. Perhaps that should be a warning to other American companies, or American Presidents. We are the world’s ninth largest economy, and America’s largest trading partner, with nearly $4 billion of goods and services crisscrossing the border every day.

There are now many websites, and resources to help us support Canadian businesses, and to more easily “Buy Canadian”.

Websites like MadeinCA.ca are a great place to start. While choosing one product over another may feel like a drop in the bucket, it does matter and sends a strong message that Canadians will not take bullying laying down. We are far tougher than that.

 

Winter fun, safe and sound: my helmet safety tips for you

As winter settles in and we all head outdoors to enjoy the snow and cold weather, it’s a good time to think about safety. Activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and tobogganing are a lot of fun, but they do come with some risks.

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself while enjoying these winter activities is by wearing a helmet. Head injuries, unfortunately, can happen during falls or accidents, and wearing a helmet can make all the difference in preventing a serious injury.

Whether it’s a concussion or a fracture, a head injury can have long-lasting effects, so it’s important to be proactive and wear the right gear.

Different activities require different types of helmets, and using the proper one is key. For example, ski helmets are designed to protect against the types of impacts you might experience while skiing downhill at high speeds.

On the other hand, hockey helmets are great for ice skating and sledding because they offer protection for those falls on hard ice. It’s important to choose the right helmet for the activity you’re doing to make sure you’re fully protected.

Just as important as picking the right helmet is making sure it fits properly. A helmet that’s too tight or too loose won’t do its job effectively. When trying on a helmet, it should fit snugly and stay in place when you shake your head. For kids, be sure to buy a helmet that fits now, not one they’ll “grow into.” A helmet that’s too big could slip off or move during a fall, which could compromise safety.

Finally, helmets need to be replaced from time to time. If you’ve been in a crash or had a hard fall, it’s time for a new helmet, even if there’s no visible damage.

Also, most helmets should be replaced every few years, as the materials can degrade over time. By making sure your helmet fits well, is the right type for your activity, and is in good condition, you can enjoy everything winter has to offer with peace of mind. Stay safe out there, and let’s all make safety a priority this winter season.