Timmins city hall said Friday that somebody is spreading false information on the Internet about the cost of the proposed new recreation facility.

The city issued a news release Friday afternoon saying that a false document outlining cost estimates for the proposed new multi-use recreation centre is being shared on online social media forums in the city.

“The City of Timmins confirms that this document never originated from the City and the figures it quotes are inaccurate,” said the news release.

“The document and circulation of it have been provided to the Timmins Police Service,” the news release revealed.

“Should anyone encounter documents being circulated online with no signing authority or contact information, and have questions regarding their accuracy, they are asked to directly contact City of Timmins CAO Dave Landers or Corporate Communications Coordinator Heather Duhn,” the release continued.

A request by The Daily Press for more specific information and why the Timmins Police Service was brought into the issue was not answered by closing time at city hall.

A search of online forums of Twitter and Facebook revealed there was considerable discussion on a Facebook page called The Real Timmins, where several members discussed the details in the alleged false document and shared photographed copies of it.

Workers in Ontario will tell Premier Doug Ford ‘hands off our rights’ this Labour Day.

This follows the adoption of Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017. It received royal assent in November 2017.

“As the Timmins and District Labour Council, we’re focused on the fact that it’s about fair workplaces and that’s what we want to protect,” said J.P. Desilets, president of the Timmins and District Labour Council.

“It represented a significant achievement for the labour movement.”

Festivities will be held at Gillies Lake from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will begin with a parade led by Karl Habla. Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins and James Bay will be in attendance along with organizations, workers and families among many others.

A notable highlight of the bill has the current minimum wage of $14 an hour going up to $15 an hour in Jan. 1 2019.

Ford previously suggested he’d keep the minimum wage at $14 per hour for now with no plans to raise it. Workers are concerned he may also alter their rights through the recently passed bill.

Desilets said changes to vacation time and pay is important.

“That’s reflective of what’s in a lot of collective agreements that after five years of service with an employer, regardless if you stay with them forever and you’re not covered by a collective agreement, you’re going to three weeks, so upping it from 4% to 5% vacation pay,” said Desilets.

Desilets said other noteworthy changes include family medical leave (from 8 weeks to 27 week), parental leave (from up to 37 weeks to up to 63 weeks), critical illness leave (of up to 37 weeks to provide support to a critically ill minor who is a family member and up to 17 weeks to provide support to a critically ill adult who is a family member), pregnancy leave (from 6 weeks to 12 weeks) and more.

“One’s that really tend to get buried are crime related child disappearance leave and child death leave. The focus of Bill 148 is to say that in such a hectic society these days, maybe we need to actually legislate that family comes first,” said Desilets.

HEARST — Nicholas Dicks turned aside all 40 shots he faced as the Timmins Rock closed out their exhibition season with a 5-0 win over the Lumberjacks at the Claude Larose Arena Friday night.

The victory gave the Rock, who earned a 5-3 victory Thursday night in Iroquois Falls, a sweep of their home-and-home series with the Lumberjacks.

A pair of late first period goals, allowed the Rock to carry a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

Maxime Charbonneau got the puck rolling for the Rock when he beat Hearst goalie Nicholas Tallarico with 2:23 remaining in the opening frame.

Then, with just 17 seconds remaining on the clock, Riley Brousseau put the visitors in front by a pair of goals.

The Rock continued to roll in the second period, as they scored three unanswered goals.

It took Mahingan Decontie just 49 seconds to make it a 3-0 hockey game.

Decontie then netted his second goal of the contest, a shorthanded marker, with 5:52 remaining in the frame to increase the Rock advantage to four goals.

Just 24 seconds later, Linden Spencer scored to put the Rock up 5-0 after two periods of play.

That is the same advantage the Rock enjoyed after 40 minutes of play Thursday night before they surrendered three third-period goals, but there would be no Lumberjacks’ rally on this night.

Even though the home side outshot the Rock 16-5 in the final 20 minutes, they could not get the puck past Dicks.

His 40-save effort earned him his second-straight preseason victory and his first shutout of the exhibition campaign.

Tallarico also went the distance in goal for the Lumberjacks, blocking 22 of the 27 shots the Rock fired his way while getting tagged with the loss.

NOJHL NOTES — The three stars of the game were Dicks, Decontie and Charbonneau … Official attendance at the Claude Larose Arena was 403 … The Rock did not dress defenceman Owen Shier (OHL camp), James Redmond (upper-body injury), forward Josh Dickson (lower-body injury), forward Maxime Piquette (upper-body injury), forward Derek Seguin (healthy scratch) and forward Keegan McMullin (healthy scratch) … Friday’s other exhibition action saw the Crunch tie the GOJHL’s Pellham Panthers 4-4 and the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners dump the French River Rapids 6-1 at the Polar Bear Classic in Cochrane and the Soo Eagles blank the Soo Thunderbirds 4-0 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

COCHRANE — Bennen Martel’s goal midway through the third period lifted the Timmins Majors to a 3-3 tie with the Rouyn-Noranda Citadelles in Midget Division action during Day 2 of the 2018 Polar Bear Classic at the Tim Horton Event Centre Saturday afternoon.

The Majors (0-1-1) and the Citadelles (0-1-1) — who were beaten by the Kapuskasing Flyers Saturday night — will meet in Sunday morning’s Midget Division semi-final, with the winner to meet the Flyers later in the day.

Despite being outshot by the Citadelles 45-18 in Saturday afternoon’s contest, the Majors were twice able to establish leads in the game.

The Majors netted the first period’s lone goal, with Carson Cavaleri beating Citadelles goalie Thomas Desilets at the 5:35 mark to give Timmins a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.

Rouyn-Noranda tied things up at 1-1 on a Charles Etienne-Danis power-play goal at the 6:02 mark of the second period.

Less than two minutes later the Majors regained their one-goal lead, however, as Pierre Racicot beat Desilets to make it a 2-1 hockey game.

Once again the Citadelles battled back to tie things up at 2-2 with 2:26 remaining in the second period, as Anthony Turcotte beat Majors goalie Mattias Chaloux for the first of his two goals in the contest.

The Citadelles took their lone lead in the contest when Turcotte netted his second goal of the game, a power-play marker, early in the third period.

The 3-2 advantage held up for just under five minutes, until Martel netted his game-tying marker.

Chaloux turned aside 42 of the 45 shots he faced for the Majors, while Desilets blocked 15 of the 18 shots fired his way for the Citadelles.

Flyers 2

Majors 0

The Majors were unable to generate any offence against the Flyers during their opening game of the Polar Bear Classic Friday night.

Following a scoreless first period, the Flyers got what would prove to be the game-winning goal when Brendan Aubertin scored a shorthanded marker at the 6:16 mark of the middle frame.

Kapuskasing nursed that 1-0 lead until late in the third period when they were able to add a little insurance.

Kobe Barrette, an Iroquois Falls native who played for the Majors in 2017-18, struck for a power-play goal with just 3:52 remaining on the clock.

Carson Boutin, who went the distance in net for the Flyers, picked up the win and the shutout, stopping all 10 shots he faced in the contest.

Majors goalie Connor Johnson, who stopped 32 of the 34 shots directed his way, was tagged with the loss.

A new fundraising initiative has been launched by the Rotary Club of Timmins-Porcupine.

The Rotary Gold Mine Weekly 50/50 Toonie Draw gives you the chance to win a weekly cash prize of $2,500 just for playing a toonie.

“It’s a great way for us to raise awareness of what Rotary is all about,” said June Woodburn of the Rotary Club of Timmins Porcupine. “What we are all about is helping people. Whether it’s providing financial resources to people or implementing service projects at different places in town. We give back a lot of money locally to our community and we give back our service.”

“Part of our motto at Rotary is service above self. We’re all volunteers who spend quite a bit of time just giving back to the community.”

To participate, you must register by purchasing a $2 ticket from a Rotarian, from a non-profit organization or from one of the participating retailers once the weekly draw begins. Rotarians will be selling tickets at Welcome to Timmins Night on Wednesday, Sept. 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the McIntyre Community Centre in Schumacher from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The ticket is your entry into the early bird draw which takes place on Monday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. The winner will be notified and their name will be published in the Daily Press on Wednesday, Sept 19.

The weekly non-profit beneficiary’s name will also be published once the regular weekly draw begin on Monday, Sept. 24.

When you purchase your ticket, you will receive a number. This number is yours to place on your Toonie each and every week. You will keep the number for the duration of the Rotary Gold Mine fundraiser or until you decide to cancel it.

The winner will take home 50% and Rotary will take home 50% at the early bird draw, to help start up the fundraiser at the early bird draw on Monday, Sept. 17.

The regular weekly charitable draws begin on Monday, Sept. 24, where the winner will take home 50%, the weekly charity will receive 25% and Rotary will obtain 25%.

“We decided if we chose some charities to help, it would be a great way to give back to the community and that’s really what Rotary is all about,” said,” said Woodburn.  “We’re a service club and we do service projects in town, we donate lots to money to different non-profit organizations.”

“Through this specific fundraiser we’re giving back. Every week we’re giving back 25% of the money that we raised to one of those 11 charities.”

Non-profit beneficiaries that will receive money through the draw are Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins, St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, Timmins Atom and Novice Falcons Girls’ Hockey Program, Project Love, TH&VS Girls’ Volleyball Program, Timmins Family Counselling Centre, Seizure & Brain Injury Centre, Cochrane Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre, St. Matthew’s Anglican Cathedral, YMCA of Timmins and the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation’s Oncology Department.

If you purchase a ticket at a retailer, you must write your number on the provided yellow rotary sticker, place the sticker on the toonie and then deposit it in Rotary Gold Mine Toonie box located at customer service.

You must play your toonie number once every week. If you don’t play it, or forget to play it, you are not eligible to be the winner that week. Your number can still be drawn from the raffle drum. If you don’t play and your number is drawn, your winnings roll over to the next week and your name is published as a non-winner in Wednesday’s Daily Press.

You do not need to play your number more than once. There is no advantage.

Tickets can be purchased at Timmins Square Lottery Booth, 101 Mall Lottery Both, Alfie’s Cigar Store, Pick of the Crop, Food Basics, Levi’s Foodland, Metro at Porcupine Mall, Lyne’s Variety, Dailey’s Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart on Algonquin West and Mom’s Fries and Variety.

Woodburn had the idea to launch the fundraiser after visiting another Rotary Club in Sackville, N.B.

“It was a very successful fundraiser actually two other rotary clubs in the Maritime,” she said. They were small communities. I thought if it could work in a small community of 5,000 or 10,000 people, it should be able to work in a community like Timmins which is 45,000.”

COCHRANE — The Crunch rallied from a three-goal deficit to score a 4-3 win over the GOJHL’s Pelham Panthers and capture the 2018 Polar Bear Classic Junior Division championship Sunday night at the Tim Horton Event Centre.

With the victory, the Crunch — who open their 2018-19 NOJHL regular season campaign on home ice against the French River Rapids Friday night — wrapped up their preseason schedule with a record of 6-0-1.

“It was pretty exciting, for sure,” said Crunch coach and general manager Ryan Leonard.

“This is the first time in three years we have been able to win the tournament.”

The Panthers pounced on the Crunch in the first period, with Noah Caperchione scoring the first of his two goals in the contest midway through the frame.

Matt Ruigrok’s goal early in the second period allowed Pelham to expand its lead to 2-0.

Then, just under five minutes later, Caperchione struck for a shorthanded marker to expand the Panthers’ advantage to three goals.

That seemed to serve as a wake-up call for the Crunch, as Tristan Taillefer finally got the home side on the scoreboard and gave the fans at the Tim Horton Event Centre something to cheer about.

Zach Hayes added a power-play marker for the Crunch late in the second period to pull the Crunch to within one goal of their opponents.

Then, midway through the third period, Steven Cope scored an unassisted goal to get the Crunch back on even terms.

It looked like overtime might be needed to decide the contest between the two teams that battled to a 4-4 tie during round-robin play, but Hunter Buzzi’s goal with 1:52 remaining in regulation ensured that would not be necessary.

“We tied them the first time we played them, 4-4, but today (Sunday) was a different story,” Leonard said.

“Our days started off with the semi-final against French River and we had to battle back in that game. That gave us a bit of momentum, but we weren’t sure if we blew all of our gas in that game.

“Then, tonight, it was 3-0 for Pelham halfway through the second period but we were able to come back with four-straight unanswered goals.

“We had lots of opportunities and shots. We almost doubled them in shots, but they had a really solid goaltender. He made a lot of big saves, but we just kept with it. We found a way to win like we did all weekend. We were down four goals in three out of the five games we played.”

The Crunch’s first goal in the championship game proved to be the turning point.

“We kind of built momentum from there,” Leonard said.

“We had so many chances prior to that goal and we just couldn’t score. Once that first one went in, we took over the play from then on in.”

A number of Crunch players impressed their coach with their effort in Sunday’s championship game and throughout the tournament.

“Young Trevor Mayappo played really well for us today on defence,” Leonard said.

“We were happy with him and we were happy with Tristan Taillefer, as well. He had a great game.

“Steven Cope had a solid game tonight and Zach Hayes and Caleb Dolman were solid all weekend for us.

“We had a lot of guys who played some really good games, but another guy who really stood out for us was our AP (affiliate player) goalie, Carson Boutin, who we put in Saturday against French River when we were down 4-0. He shut the door and we scored eight-straight goals to allow us to come back and win 8-4.

“We rode him all the way through pretty much the rest of the weekend. We didn’t play him in the semi-final, but we played him again tonight in the final.”

Crunch 7 Rapids 6 OT

The Crunch advanced to the championship game after getting past the French River Rapids in overtime in a wild shootout in the first of two semi-final contests.

Taillefer, whose goal late in the third period had forced overtime, netted the game-winner with 18 seconds remaining in the first overtime period.

Cochrane also got goals from Alex Morawski, Ryan Mooney, Hayes, Matthew McDermitt and Jacob Stos in the contest.

Meanwhile, French River got goals from six different players — Alex Paul, Will Frustaglio, Levi Siau, Ryan Gallant, Philippe Daoust and Ryan Smith.

Panthers 3 Gold Miners 2 OT

Overtime was also required to settle the tournament’s other semi-final, with the Panthers edging the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 3-2 at the Jus Jordan Arena in Iroquois Falls.

Caperchione’s goal with 1:14 remaining in the first overtime period lifted Pelham to the victory.

Ruigrok had a goal and two assists for the Panthers in the victory, while Lyall Shaw also found the back of the net for the victors.

The Gold Miners got power-play tallies from Hunter Foreshew and Spencer Jones in the contest.

Round-robin play saw the Crunch (2-0-1) finish first, the Panthers (2-0-1) second, the Gold Miners (1-2-0) third and the Rapids (0-3-0) fourth.

Kevin Nadeau, Marc Barrette and Mark Pothier teamed up to capture the Jules Bergeron Memorial Trophy at the Hollinger Golf Club on Sunday.

Their two-round total of 118 (60 Saturday, 58 Sunday) was good enough to earn them top spot in the Championship Flight of the 2018 Maslack 3-Man Challege — four strokes ahead of the teams of Marcus Richard, Kevin Legault and Andrew Bragagnolo (59 Saturday, 63 Sunday); and David MacInnis, Gary Sullivan and Bob Chasse (60 Saturday, 62 Sunday).

During the tournament, the three-man teams played a scramble format which for those who don’t follow the sport religiously means the golfers play the best ball following each shot.

Nadeau, captain of the threesome, has been a frequent entrant in the tournament, but it was the first time for both Barrette and Pothier, a transplanted Nova Scotian.

“Our round on Sunday started off slow,” said Nadeau, whose team was one-stroke off the lead after the opening round on Saturday.

“We were a little worried. After the front nine, we were only five-under par. So, we thought we would really have to step it up on the back nine.

“We were kind of hoping to shoot nine-under par on the back nine and that’s actually what we did shoot on the back nine.

“It was awesome. We got three eagles, so it was great.”

Nadeau had a simple explanation for why his squad didn’t do quite as well on the front nine Sunday.

“Sometimes, the shots just don’t go in,” he said.

“It is what it is. Mark Pothier hit a couple of bombs that definitely helped us. He hits the ball really long, which takes the edge off. On the front nine, his driver was really terrible, but on the back nine, he was awesome.”

Pothier described the final 18 holes of the tournament as a weird round.

“The front round, we were just ham and egg all the time,” he said.

“One of us would hit it good, the others wouldn’t. One guy would be putting good, but the other guys would be putting good.

“On the back nine, honestly I don’t know what happened. Our drivers got really hot, we were putting it close to the hole and the first guy would make the putt. That makes it a lot easier, especially in a three-man scramble. The guy who makes the putt takes the edge off everyone else.”

Weather conditions for Saturday’s opening round were less than ideal, especially for the golfers in the morning draw, but the champions did not feel there was much difference between the two days.

“It was still tough today (Sunday), with the wind,” Pothier said.

“Saturday, it was raining, but it wasn’t as windy. Today was just muggy and windy.”

As well as the trio played, there were a few holes that gave them a little bit of trouble both days.

Barrette said: “No. 6, which is a par-five gave us some trouble. Usually on a par-five, you are looking for an easy birdie, but we had to settle for par.

“After that hole, something just kicked in and we tore it up from there. We started on a birdie streak and never stopped.”

While the threesome trailed by one stroke heading into Sunday’s final round, they did not do a lot of scoreboard watching.

Pothier said, “I play a lot of tournament golf and I have never focused on the scoreboard. As a group today, we had a number in mind and going into the back nine, we knew what we had to do out there.

“Luckily, we were able to bring it home and do what we wanted to do, which is not normally the case in golf, but sometimes it happens and when it happens, it is the best feeling ever.”

Barrette felt the trio had a pretty good feeling about their chances of success by the time they hit No. 14.

“Mark drove the green on a 364-yard par-four and put the ball about 12 feet away from the pin,” he said.

“We made the putt and I think that was really the turning point. Kevin and I just fed off of it and picked up our games.

“We just finished so strong.”

The 2018 Maslack 3-Man Challege is the first tournament the trio have played together, but if Nadeau has his way it won’t be their last.

“Absolutely, 1,000% I want to play with these guys again,” he said.

Pothier, who has lived in Timmins for a year now, echoed the comments of Nadeau.

“I would even come all the way from Nova Scotia to play with these guys,” he said.

His teammates noted they would even cover his plane ticket if the necessity arose in the future.

The remainder of the Championship Flight was made up of Jamie Lamothe, Cleo Labreche and Mike Boudreau, 127 (64 Saturday, 63 Sunday); Paulo Merenda, Joey Merenda and Joe Torlone ; Steve O’Donnell, Andrew Paquet and Mitchel Cote, 128 (65 Saturday, 63 Sunday); Joel Arsenault, Mark Verreault and John D’Alessandri, 130 (65 Saturday, 65 Sunday); Devin Rousseau, Pat Noel and Mike Noel, 130 (64 Saturday, 66 Sunday); David Banks, Matt Cecchini and Stephan Banks, 131 (64 Saturday, 67 Sunday); and Cory Columbus, Mike Bilodeau and Mike Columbus, 131 (62 Saturday, 69 Sunday).

Corey Bechard, one of the tournament’s organizers, noted things couldn’t have gone much better on the weekend.

“We had 60 teams, or 180 players,” he said.

“That is the maximum number of teams we could accommodate for this tournament. We had even considered cutting it down to 54, because of daylight.”

Saturday’s weather conditions did have a slight impact on the tournament.

“At about 8:30 a.m., a big storm came through,” Bechard said.

“We were hoping to not have to delay play, but we had to because there was lightning in the area and when there is lightning in the area, you are forced to delay things. There is no choice.

“The delay lasted somewhere between 20 minutes and about a half an hour.

“We tried to keep things moving as quickly as possible after that. With September golf, it is hard to play past 8 p.m.”

The rain, of course, was welcome from the perspective of grounds keepers, home owners and those battling forest fires in Northeastern Ontario.

“Our greens were really fast before the tournament, but on the weekend they were really sticking,” Bechard said.

“When people hit onto the greens, the balls were really staying there a lot, so I think it actually helped the golfers. It might have slowed down the greens for putting, but I think it may have actually improved some scores.”

Top spot in the First Flight went to the trio of Jason Batise, Rob Manila and Brady Facette, 127 (65 Saturday, 62 Sunday); followed by Pat Millette, Guy Audet and Jason Ouimette, 130 (66 Saturday, 64 Sunday); and Devin Couvrette, Marc Desjardins and Matt Maisonneuve, 130 (65 Saturday, 65 Sunday).

The trio of Ellard Beaven, Danny Del Bel and Shawn Dubeau teamed up to take top spot in the tournament’s Second Flight, with a two-day total of 130 (68 Saturday, 62 Sunday).

They were followed by Ralph Berlingeri, Lorne Jacques and Jim Martin, 134 (70 Saturday, 64 Sunday); and David Bertrand, Marty Nadeau and Jean Belliveau, 135 (68 Saturday, 67 Sunday).

Third Flight action saw Josh Towsley, Brian Derby and Kurtis Camirand team up to finish first, with a 36-hole total of 137 (70 Saturday, 67 Sunday).

They were followed by Daniel Roy, Chris Simard and Rick Gaudreau, 138 (72 Saturday, 66 Sunday); and Mitch Godin, Jim Mangan and Gordon Nesrallah, 140 (71 Saturday, 69 Sunday).

In the Fourth Flight, top spot went to the trio of John Pilon, Dino Martin and Jason Martin, 139 (72 Saturday, 67 Sunday); followed by Mario Roy, Guy Joseph and Denis Crotteau, 142 (72 Saturday, 70 Sunday); and Bill Monahan, Mike Sabourin and Cy Desjardins, 143 (73 Saturday, 70 Sunday).

Jim Howie, Dale Martin and Travis Branch teamed up to win the Fifth Flight with a 36-hole total of 145 (76 Saturday, 69 Sunday).

They were followed by Paul Gasparetto, Scott Foster and Matt Trudel, 147 (76 Saturday, 71 Sunday); and Lee McLeod, Ryan Roy and Nathan Latourelle, 150 (77 Saturday, 73 Sunday).

Workers and their families joined together to defend their rights on Labour Day Monday.
Dignitaries, guests, and residents marched with fellow workers as they made their way around Gillies Lake.

“Labour Day is focused on how we got to where we are. With the five day work week, with the eight hour shifts, with pensions, benefits, all of the things that we take for granted now,” said Ken Steinbrunner of the Timmins and District Labour Council and Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).

“Moreover what Labour Day is, is a reminder. It’s not just a three-day weekend. It’s a reminder to everybody that what we have, did not come quickly and did not come easily. It’s something to be celebrated and we need to remember so we can never repeat it.”

Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay was one of the politicians in attendance voicing his support.

“Labour Day is to take stock of where we’ve been in terms of fighting for worker’s rights and improving the nature of our society. It’s also how we recommit to where we need to go,” said Angus. “I see right now, the role of labour is going to be increasingly important with the uncertainty that the young generation is facing economically. This whole so called gig economy where people are on short term contracts, where people don’t have access to pensions and where people are facing massive levels of student debt, that has to change.”

“We have to commit to making sure that the economy works across the board for everyone because that’s how we build the Canada that we have.”

The Timmins and District Labour Council developed a petition to have residents support them in telling Premier Doug Ford ‘hands off our rights’. They’re concerned Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act would be changed by Ford.

Ford previously suggested he’d leave the minimum wage at $14 per hour for now with no plans to raise it later on.

“We see the gains that we made over the years being eroded in the change of the government, specifically Mr. Ford and the Conservatives. There’s talk of repealing the improvements that we made,” said Steinbrunner. “There’s excellent evidence out there showing that the increase in minimum wage did not cause massive layoffs and employment. The economy has never been more prosperous.”

“The petition is to make sure they don’t claw back the improvements in Bill 148. Scheduling improvements where you have to provide a minimum of three hours, cutting back on split shifts, precarious work. Precarious work is where someone works for a little bit and then they’re laid off and come back to work.”

Steinbrunner said nobody should work 40 hours a week and go to a food bank because they don’t have enough money to afford rent, food and heat. He said they just want fair wages.

Charlie Angus, Gilles Bisson, NDP MPP for Timmins and Mayor Steven Black were the few politicians who signed the petition.

“Doug Ford ran on being the champion of the little guy. The little guy and the little gal need a living wage and we have a commitment to get to $15 an hour,” Angus said. “I know many people who are working sometimes at three jobs just to try to pay their bills and $15 an hour is the bare minimum of what you need right now to survive.”

“Labour (councils are) telling Doug Ford to not roll back on these rights that have been committed to and promised because workers need to be able to pay their bills.”

The labour council said changes to vacation time and pay are also important. Other noteworthy changes that they don’t want amended include family medical leave (from 8 weeks to 27 week), parental leave (from up to 37 weeks to up to 63 weeks), critical illness leave (of up to 37 weeks to provide support to a critically ill minor who is a family member and up to 17 weeks to provide support to a critically ill adult who is a family member), pregnancy leave (from 6 weeks to 12 weeks) and many more.

The Timmins and District Labour Council is a grassroots organization part of the Canadian Labour Congress and Ontario Federation of Labour. Unions come together to form a collective voice on strategies and efforts.

Firefighters from Whitney, South Porcupine and Timmins rushed to the Finnish Kulta-Koti seniors home in South Porcupine Tuesday when the fire alarm sounded during the noon hour.  There was a bit of smoke in the building.

It was a bird’s fault.

It turns out there was a minor fire in the mechanical room of the building apparently caused by a minor surge of electricity.

That’s what happened when a raven came into contact with one of the breaker arms at the top of a utility pole just outside the front door of the home. Firefighters noticed that one of the breakers connected to a transformer on the pole had been tripped. A neighbour living nearby said she heard a very loud bang as the breaker was tripped.

At the bottom of the pole, lying in the grass, was one dead raven.

Firefighters cleared the smoke from the building and ensured there was no further danger to the residents. No injuries were reported.

Timmins Police Seeking Assistance

Timmins Police Service is asking for your help in finding a missing person.

Kristen Chartrand, 17, is described as a Caucasian female, 5’3”, weighing about 110 lbs. She has a thick build, brown eyes and long dark brown hair that may be dyed black.

Chartrand was last seen by her friends on Sunday, Sept. 2 but has not been in contact with her family since Saturday, Sept. 1 through text.

She usually carries a black and beige back pack with brown strap.

Anyone with relevant information regarding this matter is asked to contact the Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201.

Timmins Police Service charge man with theft

Timmins Police Service officers attended a call of a robbery of products from a grocery store Sunday afternoon.

The theft fled the store but was located moments later.

Justin Lavoie, 26 has been arrested with theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

He was released from police custody on a promise to attend Timmins provincial court on Tuesday, Oct. 16 to answer charges against him.

Timmins Police Service report to dispute

Timmins Police Service officers reported to a dispute at a residential complex in the city’s south end on Friday, Aug. 31.

Officers found out that two men, who reside in the same apartment, were in a violent altercation that escalated.

They located a suspect who was involved in the event but fled the scene shortly.

The victim was located at the Timmins and District Hospital receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the assault.  The victim had allegedly committed an assault during the altercation.

Joseph Dupras, 22, has been arrested with assault with a weapon. He was released from police custody on a promise to attend Timmins Provincial Court on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Brandon Popovich, 21 was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon and three counts of possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose. He remained in police custody while awaiting a bail hearing Tuesday morning.

Timmins Police Service charge man with assault

Timmins Police Service officers reported to a dispute at a residence in Porcupine over the weekend.

Officers found out an alleged assault on a man stemmed from a verbal argument. His injuries were deemed to be minor and did not required immediate medical attention.

The suspected was located and taken into custody.

Luke Etherington, 22 has been charged with common assault.

He was released from custody on the promise to appear at Timmins provincial court on Monday, Oct. 22 to respond to the charges against him.

Northern College welcomed a number of new and returning students to its post-secondary intuition Tuesday morning.

The Northern College Student Association (NCSA) held a number of games and activities on campus. They also worked to help students obtain the services they need such as lockers, housing and tuition information among many other things.

“We had some orientation activities. We supplied free beaver tails to the students, we call them moose ears,” said Taylor Purdy, president of the Northern College Student Association. “We did some minute to win it games at the college so students were encouraged to go around all the different departments, and see what kind of stuff we offer to the students at our college in a fun way that was engaging to them.”

“They were going to the library, and there was an activity there.  They’re going to gym and there’s an activity there. They’re coming to our office where we have an activity. There’s an activities everywhere so students are not all cooped up in the cafeteria all the time. They were out exploring their college.”

Activities include a Giant game of musical chairs, a barbecue, an appreciation draw, lucky ball drop and a bubblezuits game.

Laser Tag will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a trip to the Welcome to Timmins night on Wednesday. The trip will feature a complementary shuttle taking students directly to the McIntyre Community Centre. A Make S’More Friends bonfire will be held at the residence at 8:30 p.m.

Northern College Alumni will be hosting the 7/11 Game at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Therapy dogs will visit the campus on Friday and a Rock and Bowl event at the Timmins Midtown Bowl will be held in the evening at 9 p.m. from 11:30 p.m. A shuttle is provided from the campus at a price of $3.75 per student.

Mackenzie Knowles is a first year student enrolled in the personal support worker (PSW) program.

“It was closest to me and I was told it was a very good school, said Knowles. “There are not too many kids and you have time to focus. There are resources available for you if you need extra help.”

She said she spent the summer as a PSW. She can see herself in that career.

Knowles said she took two years off before pursing collegiate studies. She said it was difficult for her to attend school again.

“it’s pretty new to me but I’m excited to start the year and get things going,” said Knowles. “I’m hoping to go above and beyond with school work.

Purdy said the NCSA had the departments and services go directly to the students. This year, they had the students participate in activities that brought them directly to the department itself, making it more engaging.

This also helps the international students who may be new to the college and not know much about the school, let alone the city.

“We try to do a lot of activities that engage the student so that they’re busy, having fun, they’re meeting new people, they’re getting to know their surroundings. We’re offering all different kinds of mentorships programs,” said Purdy.

“We’re reaching out to them to support them. Moving to a new country is something that’s really hard and it’s an adjustment for them as well as an adjustment to us because we’re not used to have that cultural diversity in Timmins, Ontario.”

Two Timmins drivers have each had their vehicles impounded for a seven days because they were caught racing on Highway 101.

Police said an officer was able to observe a pickup truck and a passenger vehicle racing each other at a high rate of speed on the highway near the Schumacher area on the evening of Monday September 3.

The drivers were stopped by the officer and interviewed regarding their driving behaviors, said police.

As a result both drivers were charged with stunt driving, contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. Their driver’s licences were suspended for seven days and their vehicles were towed away.

Police said Dominic Flaminio, 46, of Timmins along with Jason  Vallee, 23, of Timmins,  were each given a provincial offences summons ordering them to appear in court in October to answer to the charges.

The Timmins Police Service reminds all motorists that enhanced traffic safety is an achievable

goal as a shared responsibility between law enforcement personnel and the motoring public.

The Timmins Police Service officers actively conduct patrols to locate and identify drivers who

indulge in unsafe driving behavior.

Simply put, Stunt Driving places the individual driver at risk as well as other motorists he or she

will encounter. Swift and appropriate enforcement action is called for in these instances and dutifully applied by the Timmins Police Service, said the police news release.

It sure pays to read, especially for those city youngsters who took part in the TD Summer Reading Club through the Timmins Public Library. As an incentive to get young people to read more often, the Library and the Timmins Misiway Healthy Kids Community Challenge offered a ballot for each hour of reading. The ballots were gathered and a draw was held for the winners of new bicycles. Taking part in the presentation of the new bicycles were eight-year-old Keenan Delcambre, left, Francine Denis representing the Timmins Public Library, Madison Mizzau representing the Misiway Health Kids Challenge and twelve-year-old Tanaeya Kring. It was revealed that both youngsters amassed literally thousands of minutes of reading over the summer.

The Timmins Police Service experience a spike in calls for service last month compared to the number of calls received in August 2017.

A portion of that increase is attributed to a hike in reports of nuisance bears.

Last month, TPS responded to 2,734 calls for service — a 17% increase compared to August 2017 when the Timmins Police responded to 2,337 calls for service.

Among the calls received in August 2018, officers with the Timmins Police responded to 63 requests for service in relation to nuisance bears, in comparison to four such calls for service in August 2017.

Last month, officers with the Timmins Police laid charges in connection with 475 matters.

They included one sexual assault, one arson investigation, three break-and-enters and 25 common assaults.

Charges were also laid in connection with:

• 33 bail violations;

• 431 traffic violations;

• three drug-related investigations;

• five shoplifting complaints;

• nine mischief to property occurrences;

• four frauds;

• two impaired driving occurrences;

• three disturb the peace calls; and

• 32 other Criminal Code offences.

These are comprised of incidents called into the police for investigation and crimes in progress discovered by Timmins Police officers while completing their assigned zone patrols.

The 475 matters that resulted in charges being laid is up significantly from the total of 321 matters that resulted in charges being laid in August 2017. This reflects a 48% increase.

While calls for service related to nuisance bears increased dramatically last month, the Timmins Police Service, in its release reporting the statistics for August, offered a reminder to the public “that a mere bear sighting does not always merit a police response.”

With Hollinger Park is undergoing a major facelift, the city has taken it upon itself to provide regular updates as work progresses.

During the week of Sept. 10 to 14, the following work is scheduled:

• More fill will be stockpiled and spread. The clean fill is being transported from Pump Station 4. The material was tested last year and will be tested again by a third party in order to practice an abundance of caution;

• The tender for the splash pad will go to council for approval;

• The electrical contract will go to council for approval;

• Work on the grandstand is under way;

• A detailed lot grading and drainage plan has been completed. Based on this plan it has been determined that the vast majority of existing trees do not have to be removed in the park. In addition, 100 new trees will be planted this fall;

• Some brush cutting will occur on the north side near the band shell.

This work is being done in the wake of an analysis identifying mining contaminants stemming from the fact the park was the site of a tailings pond in during the early 1900s.

As a result, it was recommended significant fill be added to the park. This reality provided an opportunity for the redesign of the open-space area, leading to a five-year phased plan being developed.

A conceptual design was prepared by Dillon Consulting in 2018 and the city has also secured the services of an engineering firm to complete a detailed lot grading and drainage plan to accommodate the soil that is to be added to the site.

“Additional improvements planned in the short-term include a central plaza/meeting place, a permanent stage to host music and entertainment and the addition of a new maintenance shed to also accommodate electrical upgrades,” according to a release that was issued by the city on Thursday as part of its update.

The multi-million question before the taxpayers of Timmins is simple yet remains a dynamite bundle inside the city’s economic structure:

When is an estimate not an estimate?

The company being paid $1.26 million to design the monstrosity known as the Black-Doody-Marks-Rinaldo-Farrell-Wawrzaszek-Bamford Recreation Centre informed city council at its last meeting that the estimated cost was now $48 million.

However, the design firm’s spokesperson went on to say the estimates provided by contractors were good for only about three months.

At the end of that period, the factors in any estimate were likely to increase as the cost of material and labour change constantly. Therefore new cost opinions would have to be obtained.

He added that since no funds have been raised as yet for the project, the real estimate won’t be known until all the funding is in place, probably sometime in 2019.

The mayor has said at least twice that “informal” talks have been held with provincial ministers but the reply was always that the new government was not prepared to discuss such projects at the moment.

No talks have been held with the federal government. So we are headed into the municipal election with no clear idea as to the percentage of the eventual cost will be on the shoulders of the taxpayers.

A very comprehensive presentation by the design firm took my breath away.

The plan has some very costly add-ons since the discussion on a new indoor swimming pool began many months ago.

Barbara and I once toured that Palace of Versailles and grounds in France. They gave new meaning to the word “extravagant.” Until I saw the design plan, it deserves a new descriptive word for money pit.

Of course, King Louis XV1 and Queen Marie-Antoinette (she of the suggestion “let them eat cake” when told the peasants were starving) paid with a trip to the guillotine.

The royals lost their heads but we don’t wish that on the uncaring seven, just that they lose their seats.

A department head admitted “no needs” study was done before council embarked on its latest folly (our word). He did say operation costs for similar complexes were being sought from other municipalities (really, there are other pie-in-the-sky palaces elsewhere in Ontario?).

The design plan as submitted is only 95% finished. The last 5% will be completed once council decides on any future add-ons, or not.

We still urge council to put the recreation complex idea on the voters’ ballot Oct. 22.

Gregory Reynolds,

Timmins

Tailgating is more closely associated with the sport of football, but Timmins Rock fans will have an opportunity to experience the pregame ritual prior to Saturday’s home opener at the McIntyre Arena on Saturday.

The Rock will open their 2018-19 NOJHL campaign against the French River Rapids, in a contest scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., but all of the pregame activities will get underway at 3 p.m.

“Our board of directors have been kind of talking about the idea for the past couple of years,” said Rock president Ted Gooch.

“We were trying to figure out a way to start the season off in style and get the fans excited.

“We think this will help pack the Mac, help welcome the new players to Timmins and show them the type of atmosphere the team plays in during the season.”

The Rock got an early start on planning the event and everything has come together quite nicely.

“We were able to pull all the pieces together and we are excited to have an outdoor party that’s totally free for the fans,” Gooch said.

“They will be able to enjoy some food and good live music before they come into the rink for the game.”

The portion of McIntyre Road in front of the arena will be blocked off for the event, the same as it was when Timmins hosted Rogers Hometown Hockey, although there will still be access to all of the parking lots.

“We will have a stage set up with some live music (Patrick Lauzon, Rosedale and Kyle Cote),” Gooch said.

“NEO Laser Tag is providing some bounce houses for the kids and we will have some road hockey games. There will also be a nine-hole mini-putt courtesy of Mini-Putt and sponsored by the Hollinger Golf Course and Martin’s Transmission.

“We will have some Rock players — the healthy scratches for Saturday’s game — walking around in their jerseys, as well.”

With 25 players currently on the roster and only 20 being able to dress for games, that should ensure five players will be on hand to interact with the fans.

There will also be a food truck and a dunk tank on site for the tailgate party.

“Our players are certainly getting use to their roles in the community and doing some public outings,” Gooch said.

While the tailgating experience is only targeted for the home opener, the president notes if it proves successful the team might look at doing it again at some point in the future.

“We would absolutely love to see this grow,” Gooch said.

The addition of a tailgate party for the home opener is just one of a number of improvements the Rock have made for the 2018-19 NOJHL campaign.

“Every year we try to take a few steps forward,” Gooch said.

“This year, we have added higher-quality home and away jerseys and we have also added white helmets that will be worn with our white road jerseys. Our home fans will get the chance to see them during the second half of the season when we wear our white jerseys at home.”

The Rock focused this off season on adding skill and size to their lineup and they are icing a larger roster, as well.

“Our roster (25 players) to start the season is larger, for sure,” Gooch said.

“There may still be some changes as our general manager (Kevin Peever) and our coaches (Corey Beer, Marc Bisson and James Daschuk) evaluate things.”

This will mark the Rock’s fourth season back in Timmins and the organization is continuing to establish its footprint.

“We are committed to continuing to grow the program,” Gooch said.

“We want to show the people of Timmins we are here to stay and we are determined to be successful.

“Hopefully, one day — sooner rather than later — we will be able to bring a championship to Timmins and raise the banner at the McIntyre Arena.”