Holiday Train stopping in C-K, fashion show, public health reform

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, October 19, 2017

Today – Mainly sunny. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. High 21. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight – Clear. Wind west 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low 7.

Photos of the day – CP Holiday Train stopping in Chatham

Beginning in Montreal, Quebec, on November 25 and 26, 2017 respectively, two trains will make the festive journey, travelling through both the U.S. and Canada to bring holiday cheer to 182 communities along CP’s network.

Each event is completely free, with CP encouraging every attendee to open their cupboards or wallets to ease hunger needs in their community. Local food banks will be accepting donations at each stop to ensure those less fortunate can access adequate food this holiday season and year-round.

“The Holiday Train program is all about local food banks and food shelves and the critical role they play in our communities,” stated Keith Creel, CP’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in a press release.

“People come for the beautifully-lit train and stay for the incredible show – all in the name of community. The holiday season is the best time of the year, and we look forward to bringing together thousands of Canadians and Americans this season for this incredibly important cause and a great time.”

The 2017 edition of the Holiday Train also concludes CP’s Canada 150 celebrations and the Canadian train will feature the Spirit of Tomorrow car, which was part of the Canada 150 Train this past summer.

This year, the train is set to stop in Chatham on November 30:

Jim Cuddy, the front man for Blue Rodeo, is set to perform during the stop, which will be from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

More details are available at: www.cpr.ca/holiday-train/canada

Museum Fashion Show

The annual Fashion Show, in support of the Wallaceburg and District Museum, is taking place today (Thursday, October 19) at The Clubhouse at Baldoon. The event will be an elegant evening of fashion, wine and hors d’oeuvres. Advanced tickets are required, the cost is $25, and they can be purchased at the Museum. More details available, here:

Public hospital reform meeting in Wallaceburg

The Wallaceburg-Walpole Island First Nation Health Coalition is inviting the public to a consultation meeting on public hospital reform. The meeting is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 18 in Wallaceburg on Thursday, October 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more on this story, click here. Even more details, here:

Women Helping Women meeting

The Women Helping Women group is holding a meeting and dinner tonight (October 19) at Country View Golf Course. The group is made up of local women who come together to learn about, advocate for and support women and girls in developing countries. For more information contact Gert at 519-358-5374.

Chess Club launched

Play chess at home and need a new challenge? Willing to teach someone who is new to chess? Or just looking for something different to do? Chatham-Kent Public Library is starting a Chess Club.

CKPL Chess Club will meet Tuesday nights starting November 7 until January 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the CKPL Community Living Cafe. Players are welcome to bring their own board and pieces or borrow a set from the library. This is a drop-in program, no registration is required, and is open to all ages and all skill levels.

To find out more about CKPL Chess Club at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.

Statement by the PM on the death of Gord Downie

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement yesterday on the death of Gord Downie:

“For almost five decades, Gord Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. He was the frontman of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country.

“The Tragically Hip’s music invited us to explore places we had never been – from Mistaken Point to Churchill – and helped us understand each other, while capturing the complexity and vastness of the place we call home.

“Gord’s command of language was profound. He painted landscapes with his words, elevating Canadian geography, historical figures, and myths. When he spoke, he gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be Canadian. Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest – like Gord himself.

“In the wake of his diagnosis, Gord only fought harder for what he believed in: social justice, environmentalism, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Before passing, he shined his light on the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school. For his work raising awareness of Indigenous issues, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017.

“Gord did not rest from working for the issues he cared about, and his commitment and passion will continue to motivate Canadians for years to come.

“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to Gord’s family, friends, bandmates and crew members, and his many, many fans. He will be sorely missed.”

Ontario seeking input on employment and labour law rules

Ontario is seeking public input to help make workplaces fairer for workers in industries that currently have exemptions, special rules or exclusions.

Starting yesterday, people across the province can have their say on important decisions related to employment standards such as wages, hours of work and public holidays. The first phase of consultations focuses on eight occupations currently exempt from minimum employment standards:

– Architects

– Domestic Workers

– Homemakers

– IT Professionals

– Managerial and Supervisory Employees

– Pharmacists

– Residential Building Superintendents, Janitors and Caretakers

– Residential Care Workers

“This review is part of our overall commitment to address the realities of the modern workplace and create a fair society,” stated Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, in a press release.

“Fairness and decency must be the values that define our workplaces. This consultation will help ensure this remains a reality in Ontario.”

Ontario is also reviewing rights under the Labour Relations Act for domestic workers.

This public consultation forms part of the Ministry of Labour’s broader review of Employment Standards Act (ESA) special rules and exemptions, as well as Labour Relations Act (LRA) exclusions.

It is part of Ontario’s plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs, which includes raising the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws

To share your ideas on how to make workplaces fairer, go online by December 1, 2017.

More details:

– Currently, there are approximately 85 special rules and exemptions under the Employment Standards Act, a provincial law that provides minimum standards for wages, hours of work and other working conditions in employment.

– This announcement responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review, conducted by Special Advisors C. Michael Mitchell and John C. Murray, over the course of two years. It is the first-ever independent review of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995.

– In May 2017 the Special Advisors released a 419-page Final Report, which proposed a review of ESA exemptions and contained comments on exclusions under the LRA.