SaltToday

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

When millions of foreign criminals flock to Canada to rip it and its people off, you know it’s a failed justice system. It has become a shockingly weak pier of Canadian democracy.

- Carleton

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

Stealing, no matter what the value or item, is disgusting. Cops don’t want you to intervene, but when they finally do show up nothing gets done because our justice system is a revolving door without any penalties and these goons know it.

- Derick.Lehmann

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

I said it before, I'll say it again, whoever is in charge with supervision of the plowing and maintenance of this city's streets, should be fired! Terrible terrible plowing and sidewalk maintenance in Orillia, obviously there is inadequate supervision, all you need to do is drive around and see messy sidewalks, lanes taken up with snowbanks and sloppy roads with buildups of slush.

- John Me2

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

Im just going to state what the majority are thinking. Shoplifting and property crimes have increased since the Lighthouse expanded.

- Susan B23

Students disappointed by cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift

The concept of ordinary taxpayers paying for everything from nuts to bolts is no longer feasible, perhaps people who can’t afford to pay for their own education should take a deep breath, get a job and start taking online classes instead of complaining about how hard done by they are, hard working taxpayers and also hard done by sometimes but they understand that they have to keep going, otherwise they wind up on welfare, just like the students who want EVERYTHING handed to them.

- Grouchy

Students disappointed by cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift

Students aren't asking for everything to be handed to them. They're being asked not to be saddled with excessive debt before they have even started a career, family, or bought a home. A majority of people aged 24-64 in Canada have post-secondary degrees or diplomas. Post-Secondary is essentially mandatory in today's working environment. 40% of students going to school work, while 70% of part-time learners work. Individuals in this age group face the highest rates of unemployment in Canada. Over 20% for 15-19 and almost 12% for 20-24% more than double the current unemployment rate overall. A 4-year degree can saddle someone with $30-50,000 in debt that takes 10 years (on avg) to pay off. We are asking 18/19 year olds to enter into adulthood with more debt than they will make in gross income for years. Total government spending (Canada-wide) was $23.5 billion in post-secondary. It was $88.9 billion for Old Age; I dont see education as the place to look first for savings.

- AwayfromTbay

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

huh? I think the criminals are homegrown. How many would you guess are Ukranian, Syrian, Haitian?

- EW

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

Since there was no snow last night, the plows didn’t come out. It would have been a great opportunity to clean up the side streets. They are disgraceful.

- Dennis Woodman

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

I think the police (and justice system) can correct this behavior very easily. Just enforce the laws and most of this activity will stop on its own. Right now the criminals know they won't have any consequences so they just about it.

- JDR55

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

We live in Orillia. We pay for snow removal. It's not being done in a timely manner. Accountability looks good on our town fathers!

- ssludwig

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

And the City currently has a walkability survey on its website. I encourage everyone to fill it in. And then again when the snow is gone. The downtown BIA had to purchase its own little sidewalk plow this year and some businesses abide by the by-law that states downtown business owners are responsible for the sidewalk in front of their business. And some realize that people have to get to the sidewalk from their car so they also clear a little path to the road through the snow bank. Thank you to those businesses. Outside the downtown - walking is an Olympic sport. And I think you got a gold Mark!

- Victrola

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

This city needs to change their snow clearing policy especially in relation to sidewalks. It is not accessible for people to walk in the winter, especially for those who have mobility issues. As the city grows with high density housing, many peeled don’t have cars and have to walk. City council needs to make this a priority.

- ChrisM3#

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

You live in Canada. We get snow. Life isn’t perfect.

- Jaybird2356

Students disappointed by cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift

My daughter is one of those who would not have been able to attend University without generous (and well earned based on academic performance) grants as well as OSAP loans. We are a low income family and she is the first generation to attend post secondary. I’m grateful she is graduating this year and will avoid these changes but I feel really sad for other families who may now not get this opportunity for generational advancement. The Ford government doesn’t care about students and it shows. Our future depends on education, there is idiocy creeping into every facet of life it seems and I fear that will only get worse.

- CandiceC

Staff rejects free holiday parking, but downtown rates may decrease

I’m not paying to park downtown orillia sorry I’ll go elsewhere.

- Justinn Timee

Damaged Orillia Transit shelter removed, leaving riders out in the cold

If you want to see how not to do something, come to Orillia. The transit in this city is a joke.

- retired optimist

'Disheartening': Retailers in Orillia facing bold, frequent thefts

Maybe we should start preaching to children again in schools, clubs and other institutions that stealing is bad. The police can not correct wide spread misbehavior. It has to be a cultural shift.

- konrad

COLUMN: Why are Orillia’s sidewalks impassable days after snowfall?

Absolutely deplorable . . . Especially for an over-80 dependent on a walker & the bus!

- Wayne Parks

Students disappointed by cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift

@away from a bay,,I’ll keep this short, number One, seniors fully paid for everything that they get,,With all of your numbers, nowhere do you mention the percentage of people who NEVER pay back loans and continue living in their parents basement waiting for another handout.

- Grouchy

Damaged Orillia Transit shelter removed, leaving riders out in the cold

To Charlie Adams...yes I do use the transit. Our so called "terminal"...waiting outside with no shelter except one tiny one in front of the Opera House. Getting off of bus from Laclie route which terminates at the Georgian terminal stop, then having to try & navigate thru sloppy sidewalks plus a traffic light to get to the bus leaving for Walmart...almost impossible to make it, then have to wait outside another 30 minutes. Buses which are late getting to the terminal resulting in additional 30 minute wait times. Buses which do not having an operational ramp for wheelchairs. Yesterday I was on a bus & driver said he could not down the ramp because it would not come back up. One bus was using a bag of salt to hold the ramp down inside the bus. Rear doors that don't always work. And let's not forget having to stand on the road because your bus stop is buried in snow, All totally ridiculous.

- retired optimist