News
Copy by Craig Foster
The Committee of the Whole received an annual report yesterday from Irene Harris Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee highlighting the many accessibility accomplishments of 2024 but also the work needed to comply with the AODA requirements. Shire Hall was on the list for suggested improvement of accessibility given the current ramp is not code and the elevator is designated for service not people. It was agreed that the municipality will continue to pursue accessibility improvements.
Council dealt with a report suggesting the termination of the Picton Marina sublease agreement… Brenda Little has more in the audio clip below.
The investigation continues into a collision which left a Lennox and Addington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer seriously injured. On January 29, 2025, just before 7:00 a.m. the officer was struck by a passing vehicle while at the scene of an earlier collision on the westbound lanes of Highway 401 near Newburgh Road. The officer was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is continuing to recover from those injuries.
Progressive Conservative incumbent Tyler Allsopp, Liberal newcomer Dave O’Neil and returning candidates Lori Borthwick (Green Party) and Amanda Robertson (NDP) had the opportunity to provide remarks on their party platforms and answer several submitted questions on key issues facing Ontarians. A question that is looming large on everybody’s minds is the threat of American-imposed tariffs on Canada. Robertson touted the provincial NDP plan set forth by leader Marit Stiles to ‘tariff-proof’ the province by coordinating with businesses, labour members and municipal leaders and directed Ontario-government funded agencies to procure locally and secure new supply chains. Allsopp said the Conservatives have created a response plan to provide $10 billion in cashflow support for Ontario businesses, $3 billion in payroll tax and premium relief and around $40 million for a trade impactor community program for the Quinte region, among other efforts.
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O’Neil said it is important to shop local and buy Canadian-made products now more than ever and said his party plans to establish a ‘fight tariffs’ fund. He sdai This will provide businesses with access to cheaper interest rates for operational costs with capital investments to help them hire and retain new workers. Borthwick said she hopes to see small businesses that she felt were left behind during pandemic supported during these times. She also said she would hope to start an all-party taskforce to provide relief to these businesses.
Sports
Liam Boyer made 26 saves and the visiting Frankford Huskies beat the Picton Pirates 4-0 on Thursday night.
Matthew Tkachuk scored twice and added an assist to go along with Brady’s two-goal performance as the United States thumped Finland 6-1 in the countries’ 4 Nations Face-Off opener Thursday
Things have come to a head between Toronto FC and Lorenzo Insigne. Insigne, whose salary of US$15.4 million last season was second only to Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer, has been told that he does not fit in Toronto’s style of play under new coach Robin Fraser. Toronto presented the 33-year-old Italian with transfer offers from Italy (Venezia), Spain (Real Valladolid) and Turkey (Sivasspor). Insigne, whose contract with Toronto runs through June 2026, rejected the moves. That has prompted Toronto to turn up the heat. Insigne was not part of first-team lineups in the club’s two pre-season games to date and the former Napoli captain is facing a choice — either accept a move or mutual termination of his contract or sit for the duration of the deal.
