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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-12-04, Page 3() Wednesday, December 4, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 3 CO detectors to be mandatory in all Ontario homes QM! Agency For two families, the passing of the Ilawklns-Gignac Act Wednesday will hopefully bring some closure to a tragic event that occurred in Woodstock five years ago. The private member's bill, which called for mandatory carbon monoxide detectors in all Ontario homes, was first introduced five years ago by Oxford MPP Ernie llarde- nman in honour of Laurie (nee Gig- nac), Richard Hawkins and their two children, Cas- sandra and Jordan, who were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in their Woodstock home iii 2008. Lambton Shores council member Martin Underwood has been fighting is cause since he came into power. "It fs good to see the carbon monoxide detector law being passed by the Prov- ince and under the Provincial Fire Act. Local Municipal By-laws, while a good stop gap measure, can never replace the Provincial Fire Code and the Fire Service responsible to enforce fire safety. While fire safety is everyone's responsibility, it needs to be enforced by trained fire officials:' "Both the Gignac family and the l lawkins family were in the audience ,.. 1 would say 20 to 25 family members sat in the gallery (for the third reading)," l Iardeman told the Sentinel -Review on Wednesday night. Reintroduced four tithes by I (arde- man in the past few years, the bill's final vote received unanimous support lit Queen's Park. The bill is expected to receive royal assent and become law by the end of the week. "They have been involved with the tragedy and the process of the hill being passed all this time, so now it is time for thein to be able to finally see closure and get on.with the rest of their lives." t lawkins, an OPP constable, her hus- band and their children were found in their Chippewa Avenue home on Dec. 1, 2000, after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Richard, Cas- sandra and Jordan i lawkins died that day and Laurie (lawkins died later on that week. A plugged exhaust vent in a gas fireplace in the basement was later determined to be the cause of the deaths and the family did not have a CO detector iii their home. "It is a very sweet feeling after five years to actually he able to get the bill passed," I lardeinan said. "('Ise families) too have been fighting this battle for five years and it, as I said in my presentation, was more of a cele- bration for their perseverance than mine." Ilardeman said that John Gignac, Laurie's uncle and the coexecutive director of the I lawkins- Gignac Foun- dation for CO Education, plans to keep pushing for mandatory detectors across Canada. "Ile has really taken the whole proc- ess to heart," I Iardeman said. 'There are a few administrative details to work out before the bill is complete, but I Iardeman said he hopes that will all be finished and official by the end of December. Detectors have previously only been Ai We should encourage everybody to get out and make sure they have operating carbon monoxide detectors in their homes." • a requirement for homes built after Aug. 6, 2001, and this act now gives government the authority to (Hake CO detectors mandatory in all Ontario homes through the Fire (:ode, as is the case for smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide, which is colourless and odourless, is a leading cause of accidental poi- soning deaths in North America. "It is very important to recog- nize that the hill has been passed and it will he the law of the land," I tardenlan said. "We should encourage every- body to get out and make sure they have operating carbon monoxide detectors in their homes," (0(11. l ui l sn►r (,)s u f m ('rl i(d. r(( 6%'ith files from Lunde( llill- man-fl q.'lev This Month In Lambton Warden's Citizen of the Month The 1 ambton Shores Communities in Bloom Committee is hong recognized u the Wardens Cltiron of the Month for November for As wok In dee recent Communities in Illoom national competition The committee worked hard to promote community involvement and helped guide the Municipality of Lomblon Shores to '5 Bloom' designation and the prestrgbus 'Class of Champ ons' award County el t ambton Warden lodd Case presented committee Co Chairs Catherine Mtnielty and Grace Dekker with a plaque at a recent Lambton Shores Council meeting at the Thodford Legacy Centro 1 he creatron and expansion of con nurnlyy gardens in Oland Bond. Arkona, 1 hedford. Fort 1 ranks and! west was mentioned by fudges as a key component of 1,ii bion Shores Communities in flk ern entry Successful Water Forum Tho County of 1 Quartos) is closing the books on a successful public forum which addressed Ore future of Outtakes water levels Nearly 100 people attended the daylong session at the Holiday Inn in Point rdwnrd Tuesday. November 5 Attendees heard from Gordon Walker. Canadian Commissioner International Joint Commission (IJC) regarding the IJC s recommendations dated April 15, 2013 Additional views were presented by Patrick Donnelly. Coastal Resource Manager. Lake Huron Coastal Conservation Centre. Dick Hibma. Chair. Conservation Ontario. and Or Dean Jacobs. V elpole Island rest Nation Desired outcomes, potential areas of focus and next steps were among the items discussed in the afternoon public foedbeck session The forum was facilitated by Bryan Boyle of Bryan Boyle & Associates A summary of the sesaron Is now available on I u CUUrtly s website. WWW IaWTrbt011001110 Ca SbategIc Plan for Lambton Public Health The County of Lambton Community Health Services Department and Child Health & Dental Sarveces Department announced details of its 2014. 2019 Sbeteg c Plan end its new identity as Lambton Public Health Strategic priorilres were developed after extensive consultation with internal staff and external partners - business, awn-prnllt and governmental leaders and rifler examining community needs The process Identified six priority areas for public health focus over the next Ave years The hal 2014-2019 Strategic Plan report can be accessed online at www lamblonhealth on ca For more information cell 519-3818331, toll free 1 800 607.1839 211 • The Number to CslI for Information During Emergencies 211 Ontario has served Lambton residents tooting for Information about local social grid community services since 2011, and now arrangements have been made for 211 to handle telephone Inquiries from the public during mayor emergencies For example, 211 provided assistance to local communnlres during the Ooderich tcrnedo In 2011 and the Thurxlar Ray flooding in 2012 Please contest the County of Lambton for more information. or go to www ternbtonorilure ca Treasured Memories Auction Raises Over $0,000 Over $8.000 has been rinsed et the County of (ambton Adult Fnnchrnent Centro Advisory Committee's Treasured Mmnories Oslo Fundraising Auction Premeds horn the biannual avant support needs klontihod at the County's two Adult hnrichmonl Centre sees at Lonibton Memdowv ow VAIs in Petrotla and Marshall Oowlsnd Manor in Sarnia 1 urds this year will t>e directed towards n replacement therapeutic lub and IrIl for the bathing program at Marshall Oowlard Manor Over 75 people attended this year's even( Saturday, November 10 at t nmbton Mnndowview VAIs Donations are still being accepted Cheques can be made out to the 'Althnenor Adult 1: nr chmenl Advisory Committee' and sent to Attn Carolyn Catlersot Adult Enrichment Centre 1 arnbton Mearlowview Villa 3958 Petrol's Llne. RR4 Petrolra, ON NON 1110 Christmas Long Ago The Cil Museum of Canada Is presenting Christmas 1 ong Awn, rimmng until December 18 Participate in old fashusie d Christmas activities preparations and crafts Rogistretion is required in advance Program is for group bookings F or more information Of to book your *easier) call 519 834 2840 or email orlmuseum staff®county lamblop on ca OFFICE OF THE COUNTY WARDEN il,til tarW COUNTY 0? t AMRTCNV 789 (headway Street, Box 3000 Wyoming, (JN NON 110 Telephone 519 845 0801 Toll F=ree 1.800.324 6912 fas 519845.3100 WWW k1111btodnline ca (any < crewel& o lanamirer