Wallaceburg Retirement Residence – Morning Coffee

Weather forecast for Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Today – Showers ending this morning then mainly cloudy. Risk of a thunderstorm this morning. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h this afternoon. High 21. Humidex 25. UV index 7 or high.

Tonight – Clearing this evening. Low 8.

Elgin Street reconstruction underway in Wallaceburg

The reconstruction of Elgin Street in Wallaceburg got underway on Monday.

Chatham-Kent staff are encouraging “local traffic only” along Elgin, which will be closed between Forhan Street and Gordon Street for the duration of the project.

Staff says the works is expected to last until Friday, September 28.

Back in March, Chatham-Kent council awarded a $4.9M tender to Clarke Construction Inc. for the project.

A staff report indicates the Municipality was experiencing operational and condition issues with the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, watermain and the paved road surface.

For more background information, click here.

Ontario passes legislation to transform adult correctional system

Ontario is taking action to transform the adult correctional system and produce better outcomes for individuals in custody and upon their release.

The Correctional Services and Reintegration Act, 2018 was passed earlier this month and will result in improved conditions, increased transparency, and will apply a consistent and evidence-based approach to rehabilitation and reintegration to better prepare those in custody for a successful and well-supported return to their communities.

The new act will transform Ontario’s adult correctional system by:

– Setting rules and clearly defining segregation by aligning with international standards and phasing in time limits and prohibitions on segregation for vulnerable inmates – including pregnant inmates and those with mental illness.

– Improving conditions of confinement by defining minimum standards for living conditions that would apply to all adults in custody. This will help achieve better outcomes and ensure greater consistency across Ontario’s correctional system.

– Increasing transparency and accountability by establishing an inspector general to enforce compliance with the new legislation and all policies. Independent panels will review segregation cases to confirm inmates are held in the least restrictive conditions possible. To enhance the safety of inmates and staff, disciplinary hearings officers will make decisions about sanctions for serious acts of misconduct by inmates.

– Ensuring incarcerated individuals have access to appropriate health care services, including treatment of disease or injury, health promotion, disease prevention, dental care, vision care,hearing care, mental health and addictions care, and traditional First Nation, Inuit, or Métis healing and medicines.

– Better supporting rehabilitation and reintegration through individualized assessments completed for every admission. As part of an evidence-based approach to incarceration, case management plans will be tailored to address the unique needs of inmates to guide their rehabilitation. Enhanced culturally-responsive programming will be implemented to meet the diverse and unique needs of Indigenous individuals and other over-represented groups to achieve successful reintegration.

“This new legislation is the foundation we need for a modern and compassionate correctional system,” stated Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, in a media release.

“We are shifting to a consistent and client-centered approach that will help rehabilitate and reintegrate all those in our custody and care. Our dedicated correctional employees and partners played an integral role in making our shared vision for a better correctional system a reality. We will continue to work together as we implement our plan.”

Provincial officials say as part of its ongoing transformation of correctional services, Ontario will be working with experts to improve the provision of health care services for individuals in custody.

This important work will be guided by the findings and advice of an independent advisory committee of experts representing health care professionals, individuals with lived experience, community health care organizations, and over-represented groups in correctional facilities, including marginalized and racialized community advocate groups.

Extensive consultations about the implementation of the new act will be held with frontline staff, including nurses, physicians, and correctional officers, in addition to Indigenous partners, incarcerated individuals and their families, health care organizations, and justice sector groups.

More details:

– There are currently 25 provincially run adult correctional facilities in Ontario. The average number of adults in custody across the province for fiscal year 2017-18 was 7,474.

– The courts are responsible for the sentencing of offenders, and for remanding individuals into custody before trial. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has a legal responsibility to uphold court orders in addition to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of those in its custody.

– In Ontario, provincially run adult correctional facilities house inmates 18 years of age or older who are sentenced to terms of imprisonment up to two years less a day.

– The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has jurisdiction over adults serving terms of probation of up to three years, conditional sentences of up to two years less a day, those under parole supervision, adults on remand awaiting trial or sentencing, and adults held for an immigration hearing or deportation.

– The Correctional Services and Reintegration Act, 2018 replaces the Ministry of Correctional Services Act.

– The new legislation is part of the government’s commitment to the long-term transformation of the adult correctional system in Ontario.

Canada announces humanitarian assistance in response to crisis in Venezuela

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, has announced humanitarian assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean, including to people affected by the crisis in Venezuela.

“The crisis in Venezuela is having severe consequences on the entire region, with thousands of Venezuelans fleeing their homes seeking refuge from dire circumstances,” Freeland said in a media release.

“They deserve better. Canada stands with the people of Venezuela and the region as they face the magnitude of this difficult crisis.”

Federal officials say due to the deepening economic, political and humanitarian crisis being fuelled by the Maduro regime, growing numbers of Venezuelans are fleeing to neighbouring countries, such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the Southern Caribbean.

As a result, there is urgent need for access to shelter, health care and other essential services.

On Monday, Canada announced they are contributing $1.3 million to the World Food Programme and Action Against Hunger in Colombia for food security, access to clean water and sanitation.

Additionally, Canada is providing $4 million in funding for regional humanitarian assistance channelled through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“Venezuelans live in increasingly difficult conditions, with many fleeing the country,” Bibeau stated.

“Canada’s support will help experienced partner organizations respond to the growing humanitarian needs in the region. It will provide much-needed relief for those affected by the crisis and help alleviate some of their suffering.”

More details:

– Since 2017, Canada has provided $910,000 in humanitarian assistance funding to directly help meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations affected by the crisis, both in Venezuela and for those who have fled to Colombia. With the additional $1.3 million in humanitarian assistance funding, Canada’s contribution to the humanitarian needs resulting from the Venezuela crisis amounts to $2.21 million.

– The Lima Group was established on August 8, 2017, to coordinate participating countries’ efforts and apply international pressure on Venezuela.

– Canada hosted the third ministerial meeting of the Lima Group in Toronto, Ontario, on October 26, 2017. The sixth meeting of the Lima Group was held in Mexico City on May 14, 2018.

– Canada has imposed two rounds of sanctions on members of the Maduro regime.

– The Lima Group is committed to applying pressure on Venezuela’s government until the full restoration of democracy in the country is achieved.