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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2016-12-28, Page 22 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, December 28, 2016 the Troy Patterson/Editor Those putting together the Point Clark Community Centre Ice Rink inadvertently became artists by leaving the fire hose used to flood the rink running in sub -zero temperatures on Dec. 20, 2016. The flow from the hose created an icy work of art in the nearby trees, which was truly a sight to see. Over 6,400 people sign online petition in support of Bruce Power More than 6,400 people from across Ontario have signed an online petition to show their support for the future of Bruce Power, dur- ing the Ministry of Energy's Long -Term Energy Plan Review. The online petition was launched by the Bruce Power Pensioners Associa- tion, Canadian Nuclear Workers' Council, the Grey Bruce Labour Council, North American Young Generation Nuclear (NA- YGN), the Power Workers' Union, The Society of Energy Professionals, and the Bruce Chapter of Women in Nuclear -Canada, with the goal of showing the provincial government there is deep grassroots support for the continued operation of Bruce Power as an eight -unit site. "It can be difficult to have your individual voice heard during a large-scale consultation such as the Long -Term Energy Plan Review, so we thank every- one who took the time to sign the petition," said Dave Shier, President of the Cana- dian Nuclear Workers' Council. "By coming together, we have shown the Ministry of Energy that thousands of people continue to put their faith in Bruce Power to provide low- cost, reliable, carbon -free and safe energy for a third of the province. 'We have now submitted the petition to the Ministry of Energy and expect it will suffi- ciently show the large amount Tony McQuail asks Santa to help make votes count Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is our Votes to Count. If our electoral system were a bank machine we would have replaced it years ago. Imagine if you had a bank machine that refused to give over half the customer's access to their money and instead transferred their deposits to the Bank Man- ager. How many studies would it take to change the machine?? Our electoral system, "First Past the Post; results in over half the ballots cast in each election earning NO representation. Worse yet - it regularly results in parties which got a minority of the votes (often less than 40% of the votes) getting a majority of the seats in Parliament and effectively 100% control of the legislative agenda for Canada. This is the minority that ends up managing the "bank" for the majority of Canadians who did not vote for them. They control the Bank of Canada and they decide how our tax dollars will be spent. The recent Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform is the 14th time a study or citizen's assembly has come in with a recom- mendation that we change our electoral process to some form of Proportional Representation. But guess what - the bank manager has control over whether the bank machine will be replaced and he doesn't want to change it despite having promised in the last election that he and his party would "make every vote count." SHAME!! Go to www.mycanadian of support in the area, and across Ontario, for the Life - Extension Program at Bruce Power and the operation of the site's eight units through 2064:' The Ministry of Energy wrapped up its Long -Term Energy Plan Review public consultation period on Dec. 16. democracy.ca to learn how to tell the Government you want your vote, and every- one's vote, to count every time in every election! When I was a kid I thought that was how democracy was sup- posed to work - I still think it should work that way. Yours Hopefully Santa, Tony McQuail Regional area seeking businesses to complete EmployerONE Survey The third annual Employ- erOne Survey opens to employers in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties on Jan. 1, 2017. Employers have until Jan. 31 to complete the anonymous survey which gives the Four County Labour Market Planning Board (Planning Board) a better understanding of local labour market challenges. The 2105 and 2016 EmployerOne surveys pro- vided the Planning Board key insights into current workforce issues experi- enced by employers. Information obtained in the survey showed busi- nesses found the availabil- ity of qualified workers was fair or poor and that soft skills (including motiva- tion, attitude and interper- sonal abilities) remain major concerns across all occupations. The well-being of a community and its resi- dents depends on access to quality jobs. Prior EmployerOne surveys indicated businesses are facing hiring challenges, with a majority of employ- ers admitting they have hard to fill positions in a wide range of occupations. "The good thing about this information is that we have been able to respond, in a timely way, to work- force priorities in the region," said Gemma Men- dez -Smith, executive direc- tor in a media release. "Local partners are using this information to develop programming like the Soft Skills 6 -week program offered by Saugeen Eco- nomic Development Corpo- ration and the Mobile Learning Lab sessions offered in partnership with the Hanover Chamber of Commerce and the Plan- ning Board." By participating in the sur- vey, employers can help the Planning Board determine, develop and implement pro- cesses and strategies to address their labour market needs. Survey results are incorporated into the Plan- ning Board to plan local activities and initiatives to meet the challenges of a changing local economy and help minimize labour issues. The survey findings will be presented to local stakehold- ers and through publications that are being used as career development tools. Employers can complete the survey during the period January 1-31, 2017 by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/ FCLMPB2017. For further information on the survey please call the Planning Board at 519-881- 2725 or email sarah@plan- ningboard.ca