Niagara’s post-secondary institutions move to online for start of winter term
To accommodate ever-shifting restrictions and the recent rise in COVID-19 case numbers, Brock University and Niagara College announced that the schools will both start the winter term online.
Should a reassessment of the situation in a few weeks’ time prove favourable, Brock hopes to return to in-person learning Jan. 30, while Niagara College plans to shift back to on-campus instruction Jan. 28.
“The University’s top priority is to provide a safe learning and working environment for students, faculty and staff,” said interim president of Brock Lynn Wells. “As we have done throughout the pandemic, we continue to monitor the public health situation and work with government and colleagues in the sector to ensure the health and well-being of the Brock community.”
While course delivery will be virtual to start the new term, each school intends to keep their respective campuses open to students and staff.
Former longtime artistic director of Shaw Fest passes away
Christopher Newton, who served as artistic director at the Shaw Festival for 23 seasons from 1979 to 2002, passed away peacefully Monday at the age of 85.
“It is no exaggeration to say that, without Christopher Newton, there would be no Shaw Festival today,” said current artistic director Tim Carroll. “He set a very high standard in everything he did, and long after his retirement as artistic director in 2002 he continued to be a passionate supporter of the festival and the arts. He was an inspiring mentor to young artists and an unfailingly generous source of advice and encouragement to me. I will miss him.”
Born and educated in the U.K., later earning an MA from the University of Illinois, Newton moved to Canada in 1961. He started his career as an actor, eventually founding Theatre Calgary in 1968 and taking over as artistic director of the Vancouver Playhouse in 1971. He established the Playhouse Acting School four years later. He was appointed artistic director of the Shaw in 1979.
“Christopher’s first season at The Shaw saw my parents bring me to my first show here,” reminisced executive director Tim Jennings. “Seeing his programs over the years ignited my own interest in a career in the theatre. I thank him for that and will miss his presence and visits.”
Protestors target home of Niagara’s acting medical officer of health
Around 7:30pm Tuesday night, a small group of about a dozen allegedly “anti-vaxx” protestors targeted the private residence of Niagara’s acting medical officer of health Dr. Mustafa Hirji.
Participants flashed lights at the house, deployed sirens, and shouted. Niagara Regional Police were on scene and did not have to intervene. Protestors dispersed after about an hour.
“I want to be exceptionally clear: there is no room for the actions that occurred this evening, and I know I stand with the vast majority of Niagara residents when I say that demonstrations at an individual’s private residence are completely unacceptable and reprehensible,” said Regional Chair Jim Bradley in a statement. “This type of behaviour contributes nothing to our public discourse and serve only as an embarrassment.”
The demonstration follows similar, larger protests at the homes of Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Health Christine Elliott by people frustrated with the provincial government’s handling of the pandemic.
Ontario launches new supports for businesses affected by enhanced restrictions
Following a joint letter penned by the CFIB and Restaurants Canada asking for greater support from the province, the Ford government announced new measures to help businesses affected by the latest restrictions put in place in response to the Omicron variant.
These supports include a new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program and a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes.
Through the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program, eligible businesses will receive rebate payments equivalent to 50 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to the current capacity limits. This will provide support to businesses that are expected to be most impacted financially by the requirement to reduce capacity to 50 per cent. Examples of businesses that will be eligible for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program include restaurants, smaller retail stores and gyms. A full list of eligible business types will be made available through a program guide in mid-January 2022.
Online applications for this program will open in mid-January 2022, with payments to eligible businesses provided retroactive to Dec. 19, 2021.
The province is also providing additional support to help improve cash flows for Ontario businesses by providing a six-month interest- and penalty-free period to make payments for most provincially administered taxes. The six-month period will begin Jan. 1, 2022 and end Jul. 1, 2022.
Federal government reinstates PCR test requirement for short trips to U.S.
Three weeks after waiving molecular testing requirements for Canadians travelling to the U.S. for less than 72 hours, the Government of Canada is once again requiring returning travellers to take a pre-arrival PCR test.
“Now is not the time to travel,” said Canada’s Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos.
“The requirement for pre-arrival testing will therefore be in place again for all trips of all durations. It is important to note that this pre-arrival test will need to be taken in a country other than Canada. I know that we are all sick of this pandemic. I know that this is psychologically and mentally difficult. We’ve gone this far now is not the time to give up.”
The U.S. reopened its land ports of entry to fully vaccinated Canadians on Nov. 8, 2021. Despite the reinstatement of testing requirements for returning travellers, the border remains open.
On a positive note, for those still planning to make a trip over to the U.S. for the holidays, there will be no tolls on Christmas Day at the Peace Bridge.
NHL players out of upcoming Olympics
Earlier this week, the NHL announced that the league’s players will not be permitted to participate in the 2022 Beijing Olympics this upcoming February.
According to the NHL, the decision was made because its regular-season schedule has been disrupted as a result of increasing COVID-19 cases and a rising number of postponed games.
“The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL Players to represent their countries and participate in a ‘best on best’ tournament,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
“Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our Players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Unfortunately, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events – 50 games already have been postponed through Dec. 23 – Olympic participation is no longer feasible.”
The 2022 winter games were supposed to mark the first time since 2014 that NHL players were once again allowed to participate in the Olympics.
This Weekend Around the Region
Seasky International Light Show
This outdoor lantern and light festival allows guests to explore over 30 magical LED light displays around a 1.2 km illuminated trail in a safe, socially distanced atmosphere.
Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
Limited parking is available on site on a first come first serve basis. There is also offsite parking a short drive away, with free shuttle service every half-hour.
When: Friday-Sunday, Dec. 24-26, 5:00-11:00pm (9:00pm last entry)
Where: Arpad Park, Niagara Falls
To preview the displays and purchase tickets click here.
Self-Guided Christmas Lights Tour
Sponsored by Niagara Peninsula Energy, this self-guided tour takes you across Pelham to view spectacular lights displays set up by members of the local community.
Fun for the whole family. Grab some Tim’s, crank the Christmas tunes, and enjoy a short cruise through town using the route map provided here.
When: Friday-Saturday, Dec. 24-25
Where: Pelham
