National exposure for ‘Chevy Cruise’, OHIP+, ‘Blessing of the Ground’

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Today – Mainly sunny. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this afternoon. Temperature steady near minus 1.

Tonight – Partly cloudy. 30 percent chance of flurries this evening. Low minus 6.

National exposure for Wallaceburg’s ‘Chevy Cruise’

The town of Wallaceburg received some national exposure after the ‘Chevy Christmas Cruise – A Million Clicks for Cans’ event.

Chevrolet Canada featured Jerry (Jayce) Trembley’s 1997 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck in a promotional video, posted online on by the company this weekend.

The video was created to celebrate Trembley’s truck eclipsing the 1 million kilometre mark back in June.

Watch the video, here:

Check out our coverage, here:

– Letter: 1-million thank-you’s

– ‘Million Clicks for Cans’ Chevy Cruise held in Wallaceburg

– Chevy cruise & food drive celebrating ‘1 million clicks’

Free digital resources from the Chatham-Kent Public Library

Get the most out of your new device by using your Chatham-Kent Public Library card to access free ebooks, audiobooks, comics and magazines from anywhere you have Internet access.

Watch movies and listen to music too.

Don’t have a card yet? Come in and get one for free if you live, attend school or own property in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. All you need to do is visit any CKPL branch and provide one piece of identification showing your name and current address.

If visiting the library doesn’t fit in your schedule you can also sign up for a virtual card from the comfort of your own home. Virtual cards give you can access to thousands of ebooks, movies, magazines and more from Chatham-Kent Public Library’s digital library.

CKPL is also offering special ‘TechConnect’ classes this January and February to help get patrons connected with CKPL digital resources. Call 519-354-2940 to make a free one-on-one 45 minute appointment with one of our tech experts.

To find out more about digital resources available at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.

Blessing of the Ground ceremony at new Chatham school site

Students, staff and parents will gather at the site of the new north Chatham Catholic elementary school early in January for a Blessing of the Ground ceremony.

The celebration will be the first of many to mark milestones along the way in the process leading up to the opening of the new school.

“It is fitting that as a Catholic community we begin this journey by asking God’s blessing of the ground,” stated Deb Crawford, Director of Education Designate, in a press release.

“This will be a very special celebration.”

Student and staff representatives of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Agnes and St. Vincent Catholic school communities will be attending, along with parents, parish members and local dignitaries. Following a brief ceremony at the site, we will move to the warmth of the St. Clair College campus for a reception with hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cake!

In the meantime, work continues to secure a location for the south Chatham elementary school. An announcement is expected early in the New Year.

The blessing ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the site of the new school, 801 McNaughton Avenue, W., Chatham.

OHIP+ providing free prescription medications

Ontario is helping families afford the care they need to stay healthy by making prescription medications free for everyone age 24 and under.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, met with young mothers at Massey Centre in Toronto this week, where he launched OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare. In just under two weeks, children and youth will be able to get their medications at no cost by simply showing their Ontario health card number and a prescription at a pharmacy. Coverage will be automatic, with no upfront costs.

“We believe all families in Ontario deserve the same access to medication they need to protect the health and lives of their children,” Hoskins stated in a press release.

“By making over 4,400 medications available to Ontarians 24 and under at no cost, we are helping all children and youth, regardless of income, get the care they need.”

Government officials say providing medication at no cost for children and youth will make a difference in the lives of Ontario families, including many vulnerable groups such as low-income families, large families, single parents with children, students, young people in the workforce, and unemployed and underemployed young people.

Starting January 1, more than 4,400 medications will be covered, such as asthma inhalers, drugs to treat depression, anxiety, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antibiotics, EpiPens (epinephrine auto-injectors), insulin, diabetes test strips, oral contraceptives, medications to treat some childhood cancers and other rare conditions, and many others.

Ontario is the first province to provide prescription medication coverage at no cost for children and youth age 24 years and under, which will make a real difference in the lives of people across the province.

“No families in Ontario should have to choose between paying for rent or affording their child’s medication,” stated Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services.

“By covering the cost of more than 4,400 prescriptions, Ontario is allowing families to focus on what matters most — letting kids be kids, and helping young people reach their full potential.”

More details:

– According to a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, the number of people in Ontario who are not currently eligible for drug coverage under a public or private insurance plan will drop from 13.2 per cent to four per cent when OHIP+ becomes available on January 1st – which means an estimated 1.2 million people without coverage will benefit.

– Ontario’s public drug programs are already one of the country’s most generous, helping to pay for needed prescription medications for seniors, people with high drug costs and other vulnerable populations.

– OHIP+ will give young people access to more than 4,400 drug products reimbursed under the Ontario Drug Benefit program, including some of the most commonly used medications and those available through the Exceptional Access Program, if an individual qualifies, at no cost.

Ontario expanding early years programming in First Nation Communities

Ontario is expanding culturally relevant child and family programs for more than 1,800 children and their families in over 40 First Nation communities across the province.

As part of The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the province is enhancing existing and supporting the development of new child and family programs in over 40 First Nations.

“First Nation child and family programs are important hubs for quality early years services,” stated Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care.

“This expansion gives families better access to early learning programs for kids. It also provides First Nation communities with culturally-relevant support and services that help to build strong families and strong communities.”

Child and family programs located in First Nation communities provide culturally relevant support, advice, personal connections, as well as a network of resources and play- and inquiry-based programs for young children and families.

Creating more opportunity for young children and their families is one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government’s commitment to work with Indigenous partners and create a better future for everyone in the province.

“Expanding early years programs in First Nation communities will help to ensure programs meet local community and children’s needs,” stated David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

“These investments are a step toward a broader child care and early years strategy for Indigenous communities in Ontario and are connected to the government’s vision where children and families are supported by a system of responsive, high-quality, accessible and increasingly integrated programs and services.”

More details:

– Ontario is supporting First Nations children and their families by investing up to $23.5 million over the next two years in child and family programs, which are designed and delivered by First Nation communities. This includes ongoing funding to help increase access to culturally relevant child and family programs on-reserve.

– As part of this commitment, Ontario is making an initial investment of $7.5M to support the expansion and enhancement of child and family programs in over 40 First Nation communities. Research shows that there are positive relationships between quality early learning, child development outcomes, and a parent’s ability to work.