The North Bay Battalion play their final pre-season game on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Owen Sound then open the OHL campaign on the road in Barrie on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The Troops' home opener is Friday, Sept. 29 versus the Colts.

Episode 4 of the 2023 Battalion Marching Orders, an online video series of interviews with Battalion players and personnel, features rookie forward Iggy Pazii, who is from Ukraine.

https://youtu.be/oIFBqr9pkp8

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The North Bay Battalion continue to prepare for the upcoming season.

During the summer, the Troops selected two players in the CHL Import draft, including defenceman Alex Čajkovič, who is from Slovakia.

He's featured in this week's episode of Battalion Marching Orders, an online video series of interviews with key personnel and players with the OHL club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iaApVazCuA

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The North Bay Battalion are preparing for the upcoming season.

Training camp begins Aug. 28 with nearly 60 players taking part.

‘Battalion Marching Orders’ is an online video series of interviews with key personnel and players with the OHL club.

Episode I for the 2023/24 season features Adam Dennis, General Manager of the North Bay Battalion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeXzslHAXss

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Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Jim Chirico responds to the media at an update on the local COVID-19 situation, Tuesday.

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"We brought together our health care and community leaders to speak directly to our community. We recognize the stress and the concern this has on you and your family. We ask our citizens to remain calm, stay informed, and follow the advice of our health care professionals." - Mayor Al McDonald

-City Hall will be closed to the public (including DNSSAB)
-City of North Bay facilities, including the Public Works and Parks office, the wastewater plant and water treatment facility will be available to the public by appointment only

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the public health risk linked to COVID-19 is low for the general population in Canada. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians: aged 65 and over; with compromised immune systems; and, with underlying medical conditions.

When to Call the Health Unit

If you develop a fever, cough and/or have difficulty breathing AND within 14 days have travelled to an impacted area OR, had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, OR close contact with a person with acute respiratory illness who has been to an impacted area - isolate yourself from others immediately and call the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext. 5229.

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The Public Health Agency of Canada has shared the following video from the World Health Organization on how COVID-19 is spread and how to protect yourself and your family.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, the public health risk linked to COVID-19 is low for the general population in Canada. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians: aged 65 and over; with compromised immune systems; and, with underlying medical conditions.

For national and international implications of COVID-19, click here for more information.

For local best practices from the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, click here.

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Glen Hodgson, President of District 4 OSSTF Teachers and Occasional Teachers speaks to union members at a strike action in front of Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli's office, Friday morning.

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The OPP and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) joint effort known as the “Red Ribbon Campaign” kicked off Friday.

One of the items on display at their booth at Northgate Shopping Centre featured a poster of pictures of people who have lost their lives to impaired driving.

“It’s hard for me to look at that poster every time we put it up, but it motivates us to keep going,” Erin Celebre, the President of MADD Nipissing said. “Our committee in North Bay has a very strong support system for each other, but also for anyone who comes forward that needs support or wants to take part.”

“We see lots of pictures here, but multiply that by 1,000. It’s not just husbands and wives or children of the people who have been killed or suffering life long sentences whether it is physical or whatever has happened. Everyone is affected," Celebre explains.

Allstate Insurance was also on hand to present a $1,000 donation to the Nipissing Chapter of MADD. Part of the launch was also a video game display where people could start off as sober drivers, before putting on googles to simulate being impaired with driving. Players would end up swerving across the roadway, and collide with other vehicles on the road.

“When people get behind the wheel, whether it is a car, ski-doo, boat, they feel invincible and no one is invincible,” Celebre stated. “One drink can affect us quite gravely. Despite how many drinks you have in your system if it is even one you shouldn’t get behind the wheel because you are not invincible and that is the bottom line.”

In 2019, impaired charges have been up in the North Bay area. 2018 featured 49 impaired charges, to the 55 this year with just over a month left.

“The numbers are going up which is the exact opposite of what we want,” Celebre said. “Despite our best efforts to get out there and educate people, raise awareness, and what that tells me is the message is not getting through. We will continue to advocate for all those who have been affected.”

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The leader of the upstart People's Party of Canada maintains growth through immigration is possible under his party's policies, if done properly.

Maxime Bernier, who formed the PPC following a split from the Conservative Party of Canada said he sees three avenues to address the lack of skilled workforce, citing increased productivity, the use of automation, and increased salaries for skilled workers to help fill some of the gaps.

"Only 26 per cent of the immigrants coming to Canada are economic immigrants [and] are coming here because we need them. We need to increase that, up to 50 per cent, that way if we allowed 150,000 immigrants per year instead of 350,000 it would be the about the same number [of economic immigrants]."

[caption id="attachment_48324" align="aligncenter" width="609"] PPC Leader Maxime Bernier. (Stu Campaigne, MyNorthBayNow.com staff)[/caption]

The PPC's platform literature includes a call for a reduction of immigration to prior levels, with a priority on "those who meet our economic needs," as well as ending illegal migration while promoting "the integration and the adoption of Canadian values."

Bernier maintained his plan for a flat tax on businesses of 10 per cent, with no capital gains taxation, and fewer regulations would allow business owners to invest more in their workers.

"They will have more money to give salary increases to their employees," but this goes together with increased investment in automation and economic immigration, as well, added Bernier.

Mark King, the PPC candidate for Nipissing-Timiskaming said, "The question is, do we have too many people, in the province, coming in too quickly and we can't provide the necessary services?"

"I really do support the policy of the People's Party on immigration...When I think about hallway healthcare, the problems inside the health care system, I think about southern Ontario. That is a serious issue the province is facing. There is no question there is a total disconnect right now between the federal and provincial governments."

King said after the rally at the Davedi Club on Saturday evening he and his team were pleased with the turnout, estimated at over 200 people.

When asked how the PPC policy on immigration fits in with the City of North Bay's steadfast support of immigration in the quest for growth, King responded, "Can we actually support people who live here now that are used to particular services? And, can we support all these new proposed Canadians coming in from other countries? That's a real question."

The candidates in the October 21 federal election for Nipissing-Timiskaming are the NDP’s Rob Boulet, the Conservatives’ Jordy Carr, Alex Gomm of the Green Party, the PPC’s Mark King and Liberal Anthony Rota.

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North Bay Regional Health Centre President and CEO Paul Heinrich said without funding from the Government of Ontario, the future of a transition unit for patients waiting for long-term care beds would be precarious.

Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced that the government is providing additional funding for expanded home and community care in Nipissing.

The government is investing $2.04 million in Cedar Lodge, the existing integrated care model at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

[caption id="attachment_48221" align="aligncenter" width="850"] (Stu Campaigne, MyNorthBayNow.com staff)[/caption]

The funding will help to continue the operation of the 14-bed transition unit to support patient flow and relieve health system pressures following the closure of Lady Isabella Nursing Home in the region.

“Home and community care play a critical role to end hallway health care in Nipissing,” said Fedeli. “By making these significant investments and supporting partnerships between home and community care providers and busy hospitals, patients will experience quicker transitions between care providers with the appropriate support they need to properly recover, while also making sure hospital beds are available for those who need them.”

Ontario says it is investing an additional $155 million this year to expand home and community care services across the province, including $45 million for new targeted innovative integrated care models in high-need areas, and $63 million in funding for existing integrated care models in communities across Ontario.

This funding, which will help patients receive more care at home so that they can leave the hospital sooner, is cited as a critical component of the government’s plan to end hallway health care.

By investing in more frontline patient care across Ontario, the province can provide:

• 1.8 million more hours of personal support services
• 490,000 more nursing visits and 100,000 more therapy visits
• Services in the community like homemaking, meals, transportation and caregiver supports
• Additional direct community services for patients with acquired brain injury and people living in supportive housing

“By investing in targeted partnerships between hospitals and home and community care providers, we can tackle the challenge of hallway health care head on to ensure patients are receiving the high-quality care they expect and deserve,” added Fedeli.

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Labour and social activists congregated on the sidewalk in front of MPP Vic Fedeli's Main Street East office on Thursday.

There, union supporters gave speeches, cheered and chanted on the subject of the June 5 introduction of Bill 124 (the Protecting a Sustainable Public Sector for Future Generations Act, 2019) by the provincial government.

“Communities and social infrastructures have been allocated massive funding cuts. This bill does nothing to Protect Public Services. Bill 124 strips workers of their Charter-protected right to free collective bargaining and forces front-line public sector workers to accept contracts below inflation," said Amanda Farrow-Giroux, CUPE National Regional Vice President.

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli countered with, "This is just more fearmongering from the usual sources.

“Our government is protecting services that matter most to people and helping to ensure future generations are not left to deal with the burden of past financial mismanagement."

In a statement, Fedeli added: "Specific to Bill 124, the Province’s net debt has grown to more than one-third of a trillion dollars. In 2019-20, the government is forecasting $13.3 billion in interest payments to service that debt, which is $1.5 million of interest paid every hour of every day, before a single dollar can be spent on schools, hospitals or transportation.

"It must be noted existing collective agreements would not be revised based on the proposed legislation, and it would not impede the collective bargaining process. And the proposed legislation would not impose wage freezes, wage rollbacks or public sector job losses.

"Public sector employees would still be able to progress through salary ranges, be eligible for compensation increases, and be able to negotiate terms and conditions, including compensation.”

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Clean Green Beautiful lead Hariett Madigan gave a status report on the community-driven clean-up group.

"Every little bit helps and we can all be part of that solution," said Madigan outside the Lakeshore Caisse Alliance. The Caisse says it is proud to partner in the initiative and is sponsoring the purchase of 100 per cent biodegradable garbage bags. The new white bags were made possible by supporting sponsors Carry-All Builders, GetTrainedWorkers, and Birchwood Village. Both the Caisse Lakeshore and Cassells locations will be pick up locations for bags.

Madigan says Clean Green Beautiful has "brought together well over 300 projects with over 1,500 volunteers here in North Bay."

For more on Clean Green Beautiful events, click here.

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[caption id="attachment_47341" align="aligncenter" width="600"] HAZ MAT team members inspect the substance. (Stu Campaigne, MyNorthBayNow.com staff)[/caption]

NBFES responded to a HAZ MAT alarm at around 11:30am in a loading dock at the rear of the Canada Post outlet at 101 Worthington Street East after a black powder was discovered in a bin containing packages.

No official word but the preliminary identification of the substance is from printer toner or an ink cartridge, meaning it is harmless.

The building was also shut down in May after a white powder was discovered by an employee.

[caption id="attachment_47342" align="aligncenter" width="850"] NBPS officers also responded to the HAZ MAT call. (Stu Campaigne, MyNorthBayNow.com staff)[/caption]

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The splash pad dream is so close to becoming a reality, Rotary members can almost feel the spray.

Work began this morning on pouring the concrete for North Bay’s Family of Rotary Splash Pad. This work will be completed by the end of the day.

All that remains before the pad will be open to the public is the installation of the centre feature, commissioning of the site and the inspection by the Health Unit.

Phase II will commence later this fall and work will continue early next spring with the installation of sun shelters, picnic tables, additional benches and the completion of the landscaping.

A further update will be provided this week regarding the proposed soft launch. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place early next summer.

The Rotary clubs wish to thank all the businesses, organizations and individuals who have generously donated to help make this project a reality. The clubs are now in sight of reaching their overall
fundraising goal. For donation information, click here.

Since 2007, the Splash Pad project has been on the planning agendas for the Rotary clubs of North Bay and North Bay-Nipissing. The desire from the outset has been to create a legacy for the community and to provide a catalyst for development in the downtown-waterfront area. This fully accessible splash pad will be for “Kids from 2 to 102.”

For more information click here.

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The provincial government is committing to a further $3.5 million in support for municipalities by investing in additional transit infrastructure projects in North Bay, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced.

That means priority projects from the City of North Bay worth more than $11.4 million in total are being nominated under the Public Transit stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). The projects are contingent on federal approval.

“We’re excited to get shovels in the ground; these initiatives promise to make a real difference in people’s lives by helping them spend less time commuting and more time doing things they love with those they care most about,” said Fedeli.

The provincial contribution to the additional projects includes:

• $2,965,981 for construction of sidewalks
• $211,185 for facility improvements to the fleet garage and bus barn
• $146,985 for new bus shelters, concrete pads and digital signage at bus stops
• $87,491 for Transit On-Demand
• $53,194 for purchase of an additional trackless unit
• $40,252 for fleet garage and bus barn facility rehabilitation

The projects are now with the federal government for final funding decisions as they are reviewed for eligibility under the ICIP program.

Ontario also committed $300,000 last month for transit terminal rehabilitation and improvements, improvements to specialized transit buses including installation of automated vehicle location systems and security cameras, and for bicycle racks and related storage areas.

The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Ontario’s share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent or about $10.2 billion spread across four streams:

1. Rural and Northern
2. Public Transit
3. Green
4. Community, Culture and Recreation

Funding is allocated to transit systems based on a municipality’s or municipalities’ share of total transit ridership in Ontario as per the 2015 Canadian Urban Transit Association Fact Book. This allocations-based funding model was set by the federal government.

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It's being billed as an innovative partnership between local social services agencies and community partners, the Healthy Community Ambassador Program will provide outreach services to vulnerable people in the downtown area and support to business owners and patrons.

The Healthy Community Ambassador Program is the result of an innovative partnership between local social service agencies and community partners, including Nipissing Mental Health Housing and Support Services, North Bay Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic-Downtown, North Bay Recovery Home, City of North Bay, North Bay Police Service, AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area, downtown property owners, the Gateway Hub, North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce and Downtown North Bay.

Beginning today, the Healthy Community Ambassador Program will see outreach workers, or “Ambassadors,” walk the downtown and engage with vulnerable individuals, ensuring they are connected with available services. These Ambassadors will assist downtown business owners and patrons by providing education and responding to situations that do not require police. They will be working in pairs and will be recognizable by the program T-shirts they will wear.

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Community partners announce the Ambassador Outreach Program will begin tomorrow, with an aim of making downtown North Bay "more welcoming, more safe, and more inclusive for all."

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Nipissing–Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota announced FedNor funding of $150,000 to support the splash pad project by the Family of Rotary Clubs in North Bay and area.

Many Rotarians were on hand for the announcement and thanked MP Rota and the federal government for the support. Construction of the Rotary Splash Pad is underway and the downtown attraction is expected to open next month. The FedNor funding will go toward phase two of the project, which includes the installation of sun shelters, picnic tables, additional benches, and the completion of the initial landscaping remaining from this summer's ongoing first phase. This work will be undertaken in the fall.

[caption id="attachment_46254" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Work continues on phase one of the splash pad project. (Stu Campaigne, MyNorthBayNow.com staff)[/caption]

The federal investment is being made through the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), which supports Canadian businesses and organizations seeking to create, improve or enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences. This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

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John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, was joined by Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Nipissing, to announce a $6 million investment to replace the Tilden Lake Dam.

Fedeli said, not only is the province investing in critical infrastructure to improve public safety, the contractors are staying in local hotels, eating at local restaurants, and the material for the dam comes from North Bay, so it has a "big economic impact for Nipissing this year."

"The safety of the public and the protection of our communities is our number one priority," said Yakabuski. "We are taking immediate action to address aging waterway infrastructure, allowing the province to maintain safe water levels to lower risks to Ontarians, their property, and the natural environment."

The Tilden Lake Dam, built in 1961, is a ministry-owned and operated dam in the area of North Bay, which maintains water levels in Tilden Lake. Yakabuski revealed the revitalization project will see the construction of a new concrete dam that will help ensure proper functioning of the infrastructure.

"This investment is an example of how we are putting people first by taking care of aging infrastructure and protecting what matters most," said Fedeli. "We're investing in infrastructure that has real benefits for the people of Northern Ontario."

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