Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Issues with low water pressure and an "outdated' water supply in the hemodialysis unit at the Chisasibi hospital have forced the relocation of several Cree patients from northern Quebec to Montreal for much of summer. Displaced since mid-July, some of those affected say they are frustrated by delays and say the hemodialysis facility in Chisasibi has long been too small, inadequate and has had an issue with mould.
He said this is the wettest start to the summer he's ever seen, which has stopped crews from getting into the fields to pick the produce. The rain is also washing away pesticides that protect tree crops. "Every time we've gone into the orchards to mow or spray or do anything, it's rotted it up or just everything's gotten washed off, so it's definitely been challenging," he said. Spurr said he expects that could create quality issues with their harvest this year. Jordan Eyamie, the manager at Webster Farms, is facing the same problems. Her farm grows strawberries and raspberries. She said her farm has been struggling to protect the strawberries — which are ready to harvest — from something called Botrytis rot brought on by cool and wet conditions. "It's like a grey mould and that can be a season-ender if you can't get it under control," she said.
A recent national survey of Canadians by First Onsite Property Restoration — a property restoration company — found that when it came to property damage, flooding and mould are their top fears. In Ontario, 58% have fears of rising waters and 74% of Ontarians are worried about mould. Flooding is in the news of in Ontario. Whether it’s flooding on Toronto streets or several Ontario conservation authorities issuing flood warnings, spring has arrived. Climate change is making only making weather-related events worse. In the latest federal budget, the government announced new initiatives to address gaps in natural disaster protection.
First Onsite Property Restoration, Canada’s leading property restoration company, marks the end of winter and first day of spring (next week, March 20) with the release of The Spring Melt, a survey that examines Canadians’ concerns, perceptions, and property readiness amid ever-changing weather patterns. Commissioned by First Onsite, the survey of more than 1500 Canadian adults found that three-in-five people are worried about the damage caused by severe rains and flooding (58%).
Darryle Sinclair is one of many evacuees from Peguis First Nation who could be stuck without homes for years while plans for future home builds and flood mitigation efforts continue. "We have to move and relocate," Sinclair said. "For a replacement home, we have to wait until everything's ready and gets back to normal. It's tough." But as of now, he doesn't know when that will be.
Students returning to class this week at schools in the Thames Valley District School Board will notice a change in protocol: Hand washing at classroom sinks is now a no-no. The new rule is a result of water damage board staff noticed in December on the cabinetry that surrounds classroom sinks. Last fall, students were washing their hands frequently as part of protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19. Students were using the classroom sinks so much, the wood cabinetry was being stained and discoloured due to water damage.
In October, more than 250 members of the Neskantaga First Nation were evacuated to Thunder Bay after an oily sheen was found on their reservoir. The discovery left the community, located in northern Ontario, without access to running water. The evacuation drew attention to the federal government’s 2015 commitment to end all on reserve long-term drinking water advisories (in place for more than one year) by March 31, 2021. Neskantaga has been living under a boil-water advisory for 26 years.
Dozens of people in the Township of Whitewater Region have been forced from their homes as water levels on the Ottawa River peaked this weekend. The Renfrew County, Ont., township is about 140 kilometres northwest of downtown Ottawa, and includes nearly 90 kilometres of shoreline. About 100 homes have been affected by flooding, Mayor Michael Moore said Sunday.
