CasualObserver
7930 
BREAKING: City declares another significant weather event
OrilliaMatters
8London, Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa are just a few of the municipalities in Ontario that have ordinances requiring homeowners to clear the sidewalk in front of their property. In London, Ontario, homeowners have until 10 am each day to clear ice and snow from their sidewalks or face fines. That might be an alternative solution for the council to consider, allowing them to better focus on roadways. I believe Orillia had this ordinance at one time.
13- CasualObserver
Poll: Home ownership becoming only for the rich, 4 of 5 readers fear
17Our house has doubled in price as well. I am wondering when MPAC will adjust the value of homes to justify tax increases. I wonder how many people will have to dump their homes because they can't afford the taxes.
- CasualObserver
'Significant changes': Lauer sounds alarm about future of church properties, pre-zoning issues
OrilliaMatters 4Canadians used to think what Stalin did in the Soviet Union was wrong. Canadians also used to object to what happened in Nazi Germany.“If approved, fourplexes, triplexes, townhouses, long-term care homes, and retirement homes will be permitted without recourse on any church property located in a stable neighbourhood – Jamieson, Skyline, Fittons, Douglas at Nottawasaga, Regent at James, Westmount, Coldwater Road are just some of the affected areas,” Lauer said.
7- CasualObserver
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Seasonal parking permit program recommended for west Orillia
OrilliaMatters 10Don't blame the builders because they are building homes for families. In the fall when I am out walking and I talk to International Students living in West Ridge, I am often asked if I have a room to rent because they house they are living in have ten or more students living in them. I would love to see MPAC do a door to door, as well as code enforcement.
- CasualObserver
New Orillia doctor opens walk-in clinic days after arriving in Canada
OrilliaMatters 4While I welcome any new doctor to the area because of the great need, this article does not mention that Dr Khaliq has verified his UK credentials with the Medical Council of Canada, which I think would be a crucial fact to report. However, I would expect that doctors in Orillia would raise the alarm if he is not yet licensed to practice in Canada.
6- CasualObserver
'Vindictive' ban by 'woke' local library follows book club remark
OrilliaMatters 7Interestingly, Psychology Today wrote in 2013 that "It is estimated that about 10 per cent of students [in the United States] will experience educator sexual misconduct by the time they graduate high school." The New York Post in 2022 wote, "Nearly 270 public educators were arrested on child sex-related crimes in the US in the first nine months of this year, ranging from grooming to raping underage students."There seems to be a need for these conversations, even at a library-hosted book club. Because library boards in Ontario are independent of the municipality and make their own policies, only funded and influenced by the municipality. If the library is only accountable to itself, as it seems, that is a problem the Province needs to correct fast.
2- CasualObserver
BREAKING: City declares another significant weather event
OrilliaMatters 7I was born in Orillia and have lived in the area most of my life. I remember one winter in the early 70s when I stood on a snowbank that was higher than the stop sign. When we lived just outside Orillia in Oro, our road went unplowed for 5 days because of the deep snow. The plow would get bogged down, back up and ram into the snow to get going again. I was annoyed that they had the road cleared so that we had to go to school. When we lived in town, we did not take the bus. We were taught to walk as close to the side of the road facing oncoming traffic and to cross the road if a plow was approaching. In the early 80s, I remember having to shovel a snow bank at the end of the driveway that was about 5 feet tall after one storm.
- CasualObserver
'Throwing us over the edge': Orillia agency faces $15K deficit, needs support
OrilliaMatters 7The Orillia Pregnancy Resource Centre opened in December 1988. There is still a need in the community. Is the issue a matter of PR, or do people in the community have no appetite for opportunities to give back?
- CasualObserver
Council worried planned music fest won't hit the right notes
OrilliaMatters 4Burl's Creek sits on what used to be Barrie Raceway. Good road access, decades old parking and roadways on property. Sits between two police jurisdictions, Orillia and Barrie.There are two major concerns:1: Roadway to the field from townline road , “It’s barely a car width wide” Think emergency vehicle access such as ambulance or fire. (With planning, approvals, and money, that can be dealt with).3: Policing, "I sit on the police board, we know we don’t have any extra OPP officers”
1- CasualObserver
COLUMN: Goal is not to 'make homelessness more comfortable'
OrilliaMatters 2In walking the area trails, I have seen abandoned tents, sleeping bags, and clothing. I doubt the decision to abandon such things was a decision taken lightly. While I didn't pickup what was abandoned, it was obvious that repairs were in order and the most likely reason for abandonment.The Lighthouse Orillia does have a shower and laundry program, and this is from their website. I don't know the size of their laundry equipement, but sleeping bags can be washed and dried in the larger machines at laundromats. Laundering can help restore the insulating properties of the bag.The Lighthouse has one community shower and laundry roomcombined (with one small washer/dryer). A towel, hygiene productsand laundry soap is available if needed. Our laundry machines areoften in use, appointments are encouraged.Drop-in Mon- Fri, 9:00a - 12:00p
1- CasualObserver
New Orillia doctor opens walk-in clinic days after arriving in Canada
OrilliaMatters 2My initial post was directed at the reporter, not the doctor. The reporter could have proactively addressed the potential concerns of citizens who understand the Canadian Immigration system.Those who are playing the racist card probably don't understand that Canada has set high standards for areas of healthcare and engineering. The CBC article titled "I wanted to make Canada my home. Then I realized my degree was worthless here" (March 18, 2023) highlights this problem. Doctors, dentists, and engineers are the three professions I am aware of where there are requirements the average person does not have to worry about."Working as a doctor in Canada" (bma.org) details the complexities doctors in the UK face when considering moving to and practising in Canada. Quebec has a similar but separate immigration procedure. I would expect Dr. Khaliq went through the process to be hired by his current employer.
- CasualObserver
Growing encampments prompt Ontario mayors to call for forced treatment
OrilliaMatters 2International studies show that short term rehab treatment programs have low success rates (around 30%) , but one year rehab treatment programs tend to have a very high success rate (> 90%). It is one thing to go through drug rehab, it is another to receive education and training to be able to go on to live a productive life.The problem with the successful one year treatment centers are the waiting lists, and the need for increased public funding. There are inefficiencies when governments become involved.
- CasualObserver
'Worst times': Single dad fighting cancer becomes homeless
OrilliaMatters 2Dennis, While many frauds are preventable, not all frauds can be prevented. I know of an individual who was careful of their credit card use, but could not detect a skimmer at a brick and mortar store or gas station. Consider the statistics on identity theft and fraud. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission estimates it can take up to six months and 200 hours of work to recover. In Canada, the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization warns it can take over a year to recover from this fraud or identity theft. According Inside Halton News, "The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said it processed 62,365 cases of fraud last year, and more than $554 million in reported losses."While it is up to the individual to put their financial life back into order, how does a single father put in 200 hours of running around and making phone calls during banking hours while working full time, and in this case, being treated for cancer?
- CasualObserver
New Orillia doctor opens walk-in clinic days after arriving in Canada
OrilliaMatters 1The only barrier for UK physicians to legally practice in Ontario is the following requirements common to most provinces in Canada. - Verify their medical degree- Submit their credentials- If the doctor is applying to the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), they must take the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE).- obtaining a work permit or permanent residency status varies by province- doctors practising in Ontario must be licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)Because of the difficulties Canadian doctors face if they want to move their practice from one province to another, the Canadian Medical Association is calling on governments to implement Pan-Canadian licensure.
- CasualObserver
Toronto poised to fund first city-sanctioned tiny home community
OrilliaMatters 1One man started the 12 Neighbours project in Fredericton, NB. It is expanding into St. John, NB. Three pillars:1: Housing first, tiny homes (99 built) (built between 2021-2024)2: Recovery & Development3: Purposeful employment, on-site. They have a lovely cafe. Construction on site to build tiny homes and overnight emergency shelters for those living rough on the street.Staffed by those living on site. Visit their site 12neighbours.com, look for "Amelia’s Journey" for one story.
- CasualObserver
Aquatic invasive plant species 'water soldier' found in Lake Simcoe
OrilliaMatters 1Grouchy. Not a bad guess... Europe and northwest Asia.
- CasualObserver
COLUMN: Intrepid reporter bids heartfelt adieu to Orillia
OrilliaMattersBest wishes in your next adventure. Thank you for all your hard work for the benefit of your readers.
- CasualObserver
New legislation 'opens door' for landlords to kick out tenants
OrilliaMattersR. Baxter, Agreed. The following section of Bill 60 addresses your legitimate concerns. The Green Party is not concerned about ensuring that the law is fair for new homeowners who can't evict squatters from their homes, and for landlords who can't evict people who refuse to pay rent. Unfortunately, Bill 60 does not address squatters.SCHEDULE 12RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT, 2006 3. New subsection 58 (1.1) of the Act provides that persistent failure to pay rent on the date it becomes due and payable is to be determined in accordance with the regulations, if any. Similar changes are made to section 94.2 of the Act with respect to persistent failure to pay regular monthly housing charges on the date they become due and payable.
- CasualObserver
