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Or sign-in if you have an account A patient or patients who were later diagnosed with measles spent hours in the emergency department at Renfrew Victoria Hospital on April 15 potentially exposing others to the infectious disease and prompting a warning from local public health officials to those who might have been exposed Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Ottawa Public Health confirmed two cases of measles — the first since 2019 in the city — in an adult and a child from the same family The infections are believed to be the result of international travel OPH is asking people who might have been exposed to check their vaccination records and monitor for symptoms potential exposures were at Costco near Blair Road between 6 p.m on April 23 and at Food Basics at 1021 Cyrville Road on April 21 between 5 p.m By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of The Evening Citizen will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? 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Outaouais public health officials have also warned of a possible exposure by the Ottawa patients at Éco des champs farm located at 482 Eardley Road for those who are not protected by vaccination or previous infection Measles is highly infectious and can remain in the air for up to two hours after a person who is contagious has left the room Renfrew and County Public Health confirmed the two cases in the Renfrew County area and said the public may have been exposed at two locations — Renfrew Victoria Hospital and No Frills on O’Brien Road in Renfrew The hospital exposures were on April 15 at two locations inside the hospital — the emergency department between 1 p.m The No Frills exposures were later on April 15 between 8:30 p.m Two doses of measles-containing vaccines are required for immunity but people born before 1970 are generally considered protected because they likely had measles as a child People who are not protected are being asked to contact the health unit and to stay home Even those whose vaccinations are up to date are being asked to monitor for symptoms and to contact their caregiver before going if symptoms appear Those who have an infant under 12 months who is not vaccinated who are themselves not fully vaccinated or who are severely immunocompromised are asked to contact local public health (613-732-3629 or 1-800-267-1097) immediately The ongoing measles outbreak in Ontario has been largely centred in southwestern Ontario but is continuing to spread to other parts of the province These are the first reported cases in Ottawa or Renfrew Ottawa public health officials confirmed that regions of southwestern Ontario are now considered high risk for travel — similar to international travel — and people going there should take additional steps to protect themselves and their families That includes getting infants vaccinated ahead of the usual vaccination schedule — at six months instead of 12 for a first dose and as soon as 18 months instead of four or five for a second dose Measles was considered eliminated in Canada in 1998 but cases have begun to increase in Canada and around the world in part because of waning vaccination levels Ottawa’s interim Medical Officer of Health Dr Trevor Arnason has said the risk to the general public in Ottawa remains low and vaccination levels are generally high in the city Complications from measles can include pneumonia and swelling of the brain in rare cases as well as immune dysfunction for a period after the infection transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account Voters in Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke elected Conservative Cheryl Gallant to a ninth term in Parliament Monday night but she remains a member of the opposition We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentNationally the Conservatives picked up several more seats from their 2021 results but still finished second The federal Liberal Party managed to pull a victory out of what only a few months ago looked to be the jaws of sure defeat erasing the Conservative’s 24-point advantage in the polls at the beginning of the year with 261 out of 262 polls in Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke reporting in followed by Liberal candidate Cyndi Mills with 24,839 NDP representative Eileen Jones-Whyte with 2,430 Randy Briand of the United Party of Canada with 897 Danilo Velasquez of the Green Party with 599 and independent candidates Seth Malina and Stefan Klietsch with 223 and 121 respectively Arriving about 10:45 p.m. at Fresco’s Tap and Grill where she held her election night celebration, Gallant greeted her supporters and campaign workers.  “It’s been a long, hard race and a lot of door knocking but all the work pays off, just like in life,” Gallant said. “When you work hard you have a great life and a wonderful house in a good neighborhood on safe streets, and that’s what we’re working for all Canadians to have.”  While the national vote did not go the way Gallant wanted it to, she summed up her local ninth-straight electoral win in one word – “exhilarating.”  “Of course, we were hoping for a majority so that we can get Canada back on its feet and start our hundred-day plan to cut taxes, make life more affordable for people; stop the crime, build the houses and fix the budget so that everyone can have a great life in Canada.  “We really had high hopes so in terms of nationally, I’m a bit disappointed and in terms of this election [locally], well, I would like to have seen the margins a little wider; I’d like to be further ahead than I am, but that means I have to work harder this term,” she said.  The MP elect added she was truly humbled by being elected to represent the riding for a ninth term.  This fall, Gallant will mark her 25th anniversary as the riding’s member of Parliament. Reflecting back on those years, she talked about some of the things of which she was most proud in her career, two of those being during her first term.  Out on the campaign trail, Gallant said what she heard most from voters was the concern about affordability. According to the long-serving MP, people told her that prices are getting out of control and they were having trouble affording groceries, forcing them to make difficult choices.   Looking to the upcoming term, Gallant said she will continue her fight to keep taxes low.  According to Elections Canada, there was a 70.87 per cent voter turnout Monday in Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke. That translated into 65,564 of 92,517 registered electors casting ballots across the riding.  This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy L to R) Elijah McEown on behalf of the City of Pembroke for the Tourism Marketing Award Jill McLellan on behalf of Hell or High Water for the Event of the Year Award Jason O'Brien with Lioutsia O'Brien in front of him from Whitewater O'Brien Winery for the New Tourism Product Award Richard McNish from Dog House Brewing Company for the Sustainability Champion Award L to R) Lana Cole and Scott Fawcett from Ottawa Valley Air Paddle for Business of the Year Award Meghan James of Somewhere Inn Calabogie for Tourism Champion Award ON – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards This year’s celebration followed the OVTA’s Annual General Meeting held on April 29 at the Neat Coffee Shop in Burnstown where local community partners and industry champions gathered in support of the region’s growing visitor economy and events that are helping to shape the region into a must-visit destination through creativity The 2025 award recipients represent the very best of what the Valley has to offer: Tourism Champion Award Presented in honour of Marilyn Alexander a passionate advocate for collaboration in tourism this award recognizes an OVTA member who leads by example and continually champions the Ottawa Valley General Manager of Somewhere Inn Calabogie A dedicated OVTA board member and Vice Chair Meghan plays an instrumental role in key initiatives including the Tourism Awards and Ontario’s Highlands Travel Trade Program and passion for the region have made a lasting impact Business / Organization of the Year Award This award recognizes a tourism business or organization that demonstrates exceptional innovation and contribution to the local tourism sector Ottawa Valley Air Paddle (OVAP) is the 2025 recipient for its approach to outdoor adventure tourism and events like PaddleFest and Light at Night Kayaking Their Demo Centre offers a unique entry point for new paddlers and contributes to a thriving year-round tourism economy Event of the Year Award Awarded to a festival or event that demonstrates best practices and serves as a model of excellence this year’s honour goes to Hell or High Water in Petawawa This volunteer-driven whitewater festival celebrates river culture by bringing paddlers of all kinds together the event has raised nearly $50,000 for local causes while nurturing a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship Sustainability Champion Award This award honours a member that demonstrates leadership in responsible tourism and sustainability Dog House Brewing stood out in 2025 for its thoughtful approach to environmental responsibility—from sourcing local ingredients to implementing innovative water recycling systems The brewery’s commitment extends beyond its product serving as a welcoming space for both visitors and locals New Tourism Product Award Awarded to a new business or organization offering an innovative tourism experience this year’s recipient is Whitewater O’Brien Winery Fusing a passion for winemaking with strong community connections the winery has grown into a destination in its own right it offers guests an authentic taste of the Valley’s emerging wine culture Tourism Marketing Award Recognizing excellence in promotional strategy and execution the City of Pembroke earned this year’s award for its refreshed Visit Pembroke brand helped drive page views from 2,500 to over 37,000 Combined with targeted digital campaigns and updated print materials the city significantly elevated its profile as a tourism destination “It’s always amazing to see the passion and hard work that goes into making the Ottawa Valley a great place to visit,” said Joel Kowalski “This year’s winners truly go above and beyond and we’re proud to celebrate everything they bring to our communities.” The OVTA extends sincere thanks to everyone who submitted nominations and helped shine a light on the individuals and organizations shaping the future of tourism in the Ottawa Valley Congratulations to all of this year’s winners The OVTA is the destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents over 250 tourism businesses municipalities and community organizations The OVTA is supported by the County of Renfrew Renfrew County municipalities and the City of Pembroke Tourism Industry Relations & Digital Marketing Coordinator                        © 2020 County of Renfrew, 9 International Drive, Pembroke ON K8A 6W5, Phone: 1-800-273-0183, Fax: 613-735-2081 | Staff Login | Staff Email You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke 2025 federal election live results. Browse live results for all 343 ridings 262 of 262 polls are reporting as of 4:20 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election 262 of 262 polls are reporting as of 4:20 p.m. Follow our full coverage of the 2025 federal election is projected to be re-elected in Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke Gallant has 37,370 of 67,052 votes (55.73%) is in second place with 25,338 votes (37.79%) and Eileen Jones-Whyte Gallant has represented the riding since 2000 Algonquin—Renfrew—Pembroke used to be named Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke The riding’s boundaries were updated for the 2025 federal election 23,035 voters cast ballots at advance polls Looking for another riding? Here are the full results for the 2025 federal election. The Liberals have 169 races called in their favour They have 8,535,128 votes and 43.69 per cent of the popular vote The Conservatives have 144 races called in their favour They have 8,059,938 votes and 41.26 per cent of the popular vote The Bloc Québécois have 22 races called in their favour They have 1,232,095 votes and 6.31 per cent of the popular vote The New Democrats have seven races called in their favour They have 1,231,198 votes and 6.3 per cent of the popular vote The Greens have one race called in their favour They have 243,471 votes and 1.25 per cent of the popular vote There were three independents and four vacancies in the 338-seat Commons the Commons has grown by five ridings starting with this election This article was automatically generated using data provided by Canadian Press and will update as riding results become available Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account The Algonquin Trail and K&P Trail open to motorize users on May 1 Please note permits are required through provincial federations for riders of all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles The County of Renfrew has signed an agreement with a provincial federation which will allow off-road motorcycle riders to access Recreational Trails in Renfrew County The County has executed a License Agreement with the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders (OFTR) the provincial body representing off-road motorcycle riders to allow permit holding members of their organization to use of the Algonquin Trail and the K&P Recreational Trail.  The License Agreement with OFTR is similar to an existing agreement in place with the Renfrew County ATV Club (RCATV) requiring that riders have a licence and insurance and hold a valid permit from the Licensing Agency (OFTR or RCATV) Permits can be purchased from either organization at the links below:       OFTR:       https://rideoftr.vercel.app/join/choosePlan       RCATV:    https://permits2.ofatv.org/register/step-1 A permit from either organization provides riders with full access to their respective trail networks across the province Off-road motorcycles and ATVs are permitted on the trails as of May 1.  We do ask that all trail users respect the multi-use nature of the trails and show courtesy to one another while enjoying the natural beauty of the County Recreational Trails Taylor Hanrath                    Manager of Capital Works                                   613-735-7288 Tina Peplinskie                    Media Relations Coordinator                             613-735-7288 Our riding may have a new name in Algonquin –Renfrew-Pembroke (A-R-P) but its borders remain the same – what will be decided today by its residents is who will represent it We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentHere’s a rundown for voters heading out to the polls today and are seeking information about voting and the candidates roughly 25.5 per cent of electors in the riding already cast their vote in the advance polls Poll staff members can assist with any other needs They’ll be listed on your ballot in alphabetical order and are listed below in the same order While Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke remained blue during Monday night’s federal election Liberal fortunes appear to be on the rise in the riding We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentVeteran journalist Cyndi Mills finished her second campaign bolstered by a far better result than 2021 securing second place behind Conservative incumbent Cheryl Gallant with 25,338 votes Mills ended in third place with 11,335 ballots narrowly getting edged out by the NDP As the advanced poll results were being released early in the evening supporters gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Pembroke were hopeful that Mills might finally break Gallant’s 25-year hold on the riding Mills had indeed defeated the Tory in Deep River Arnprior and some polls in Pembroke and Renfrew party faithful were elated to see the networks call the election for Prime Minister Mark Carney and another minority government “The most important thing is Mark Carney won,” Mills told the room “It was such an honour to be part of that team and to run under him We have the leader who will stand up to Trump right now.”  “This is an incredible ‘E’ Day,” she said. “It’s the best team and the best performance we’ve had in many years. I’m so completely grateful. It was worth it. We are all stronger for this journey.”  Crossing the finish line with 37.8 per cent of the vote, the Liberals here enjoyed their best result since the 2000 election when former MP Hec Clouthier took 39 per cent. For campaign manager Meredith Caplan Jamieson this was evidence that the Liberals are making a comeback in a riding once represented for decades by Len Hopkins in Ottawa and Sean Conway at Queen’s Park.  “We’ve turned the narrative that this is a deeply blue Conservative riding,” she said. “People felt emboldened that they could be proud to be Liberals here again.”  During the 35-day campaign, the party’s contingent of volunteers made 13,000 phone calls, knocked on 1,500 doors and distributed 2,000 signs. Jamieson also felt Mills, now an experienced candidate, was the difference.  “Cyndi just resonates with people,” she added. “She’s hardworking, she showed up everywhere and she’s so likeable. Our positive campaign is a contrast to what people have been feeling.”  OttawaNewsRenfrew County officials closely monitoring after 1st case of measles since 1991 confirmedBy Jack RichardsonPublished: April 28, 2025 at 6:29PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved Conservative Cheryl Gallant won her seat in the Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke riding with Liberal Cyndi Mills coming in second with 37.8 per cent The Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke riding includes the City of Pembroke and Renfrew County Along with Scott Reid representing Lanark-Frontenac Gallant is the longest-serving Conservative Member of Parliament She claimed her first victory in 2000 when she beat Liberal Hec Clouthier Gallant has held her seat in the riding ever since with an overriding message of protecting rural and individual rights Other candidates in the Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke riding included Liberal Cyndi Mills independents Stefan Klietsch and Seth Malina as well as Randy Briand of the United Party of Canada Conservative Scott Reid retained his seat in Lanark-Frontenac on Monday night winning the seat he’s held for 25 years with 50.1 per cent of the vote followed by Liberal candidate Michelle Foxton with 45.6 per cent Reid added that he sees affordability as a top concern for his constituents and this will be his main priority when he returns to Parliament “I should be trying to do what I can to make sure that I faithfully represent what the voters feel on that subject,” he said “This is an area where the average person isn’t terribly wealthy … The priorities of the Liberal government for the past few years have been priorities that’ve sidelined these folks Previously known as Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston the riding includes the towns of Carleton Place Along with Cheryl Gallant representing Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke Reid is the longest-serving Conservative Member of Parliament This is Reid’s ninth consecutive federal election win He first took victory in 2000 from Liberal incumbent Ian Murray After the results were called in his favour Reid said he looks forward to continuing to represent the area he’s held for 25 years Other candidates in the Lanark-Frontenac riding include NDP Danielle Rae and the Green Party’s Jesse Pauley There will be a new Liberal face representing a riding just outside Ottawa as Giovanna Mingarelli has been elected to Prescott-Russell-Cumberland this is a dream come true,” Mingarelli told the Citizen in a phone call after her riding was called “I’m deeply honoured for the opportunity to represent the people of Prescott-Russell-Cumberland and also extremely proud to be the first woman Member of Parliament in this riding.” followed by Conservative candidate and Hawkesbury town councillor Julie Séguin with 40.4 per cent a tech entrepreneur raised in Rockland who served on the Clarence-Rockland Chamber of Commerce sought the Liberal candidacy after Liberal Francis Drouin did not run for re-election Drouin stepped away from the Standing Committee on Official Languages after swearing at a pair of witnesses during a committee meeting the riding is bordered on the north by the Ottawa River and runs east to the Quebec border Alfred and Plantagenet and Clarence-Rockland and has gained some territory from both the Carleton and Orleans ridings since the 2021 election Other candidates in the riding include NDP Ryder Finlay People’s Party of Canada candidate Deborah Perrier and independent Jason St-Louis No candidates in the riding were seeking re-election After celebrating election night results with friends and family at Broadway Bar and Grill in Rockland Mingarelli said her first priorities will be protecting the economy from United States tariffs supporting local farmers and ensuring the French language and francophone culture is protected at the federal level Mingarelli’s final promise to her riding is to represent her constituents with “dignity respect and kindness,” something she says she will bring from her background promoting women advancement in politics and youth engagement Sign In Subscribe Now Not everyone can wake up looking a million dollars after a power nap and the same can be said for B.C.’s black bears emerging from their winter hibernation One bear in particular was caught looking all the worse for wear in Port Renfrew by Jennifer Heinrichs who was stopped in her tracks on April 12 when she spotted the animal devoid of fur around the eyes and snout “I didn't really pay attention to the missing fur on the face initially I was just enamoured with the animal and watching what it was doing and getting decent shots of it,” said Heinrichs it looked like it was wearing a mask like the Phantom of the Opera Wanting to get to the bottom of what was causing the bear’s hair loss Heinrichs shared her snap in the Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island Facebook group a burn injury and frostbite, through to allegations of Heinrichs faking the image using AI technology The allegations were quickly dismissed by the group’s moderator Laura Briggs who ensures all posts are checked and approved before publishing “A more conscientious moderator doesn't exist,” said Heinrichs Heinrichs also reached out to wildlife experts for help including Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers who suggested the bare-faced bear could be suffering from “classic demodex ursi,” a skin mite unique to black bears Residing in the hair follicles of black bears the mites can cause a condition called demodicosis which can lead to hair loss and other skin irritations hair will grow back,” said a representative from Northern Lights Wildlife Society in an email to Heinrichs Founder of Vancouver Island’s North Island Wildlife Recovery Association Robin Campbell also feels there is no cause for concern there's a lot of things that can be going on but it could be just part of the spring coat blowout which our bears get sometimes … they grow in beautifully,” he told Sooke News Mirror in an email but bears are very strong and will do fine.” Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines The County of Renfrew approved the 2025 budget during the Budget Workshop on February 6 Warden Peter Emon reviewed the budget package with Corporate Services Committee Chair Councillor Jennifer Murphy (left) and Vice-Chair Councillor David Mayville who led the discussions during the workshop.  The County of Renfrew approved the 2025 budget with a total of $236 million in expenditures Councillors Jennifer Murphy and David Mayville Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the County’s Corporate Services Committee of the Whole led County Council through the budget workshop on February 6 Through the new Committee of the Whole structure all members of County Council had already reviewed and discussed department budgets and Chair Murphy thanked her colleagues for their engagement in the process The County of Renfrew remains focused on today and the future the County of Renfrew will continue to deliver existing programs and services and will also fund several key service enhancements: The approved County levy for 2025 will rise by 5.5% This corresponds to a $22.87 rise in residential property taxes for every $100,000 in assessed value Given that Renfrew County's median residential property value is currently $216,000 the average homeowner would spend $940 in 2025 for the County portion of their taxes the County of Renfrew will be able to maintain its provision of high-quality services “This process has shown us our budget is becoming increasingly complex This budget represents an investment in our community investment in people and investments with our partners,” said Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon “Our community depends on us to project stability and strategic awareness as we guide community development and invest in our local economy This budget will allow us to remain both responsive and responsible as we balance fiscal prudence with the needs of our most vulnerable residents – because in tough times some services become even more essential.” Chair Murphy acknowledged the challenges presented during this budget cycle and striking the delicate balance between needs and wants between immediate pressures and long-term sustainability the importance of striking a delicate balance in terms of providing services to ratepayers while maintaining fiscal responsibility “I believe this budget that reflects both our vision and our responsibility to the residents we serve,” she added The 2025 budget was adopted as a by-law immediately following the budget presentation and discussion on Thursday Craig Kelley                          Chief Administrative Officer                              613-735-7288 Daniel Burke                        Treasurer                                                                 613-735-7288 Property taxes account for approximately one-quarter of the County revenues with other sources of revenue shown in the chart below: This graphic shows how tax dollars are distributed by department: The dates and locations for the 2025 and 2026 Taste of the Valley events have been announced Local farmer and long-time Taste of the Valley vendor Marshall Buchanan (seen here in 2021) is looking forward to the upcoming market season The County of Renfrew is pleased to announce the host municipalities locations and dates for Taste of the Valley events in 2025 and 2026 With a variety of excellent proposals to choose from The 2025 Taste of the Valley Host Communities are: The 2026 Taste of the Valley Host Communities will be: All Taste of the Valley events will be hosted on Saturdays from 10 a.m Taste of the Valley events have become increasingly popular for both residents and visitors to Renfrew County Originally developed to promote and support local food producers in the Ottawa Valley Taste of the Valley has evolved to encourage an expanded focus on the notion of “taste” with the celebration of local produce Local vendors have always looked forward to and enjoyed the Taste of the Valley events which take the concept of local farmers markets and artisan shows to a higher level and attract a larger number of vendors and much larger crowds “Taste of the Valley markets are a lot of fun lots of friends and great sales,” says local farmer and long-time Taste of the Valley vendor Marshall Buchanan of Ottawa Valley Farm to Fork followed by the first Taste of the Valley ever to be held at the Alice and Fraser Recreation Centre in Laurentian Valley on August 23 then in Calabogie at the Calabogie Community Rink and Hall on September 20 and the season caps off with what is traditionally the largest Taste of the Valley event on Saturday Vendor applications are expected to launch at the beginning of May. To learn more and find the vendor guidelines, please visit the Taste of the Valley website at:  www.totv.ca Scott Hamilton        Economic Development Coordinator               613-735-7288 ext First-time federal candidate Randy Briand has entered the election race representing the relatively new United Party of Canada in his home riding of Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke These days he’s back in the Ottawa Valley, where as a certified organic farmer, he is the owner/operator of Chateaubriand Organic Farm with his wife Mary. The couple has three children, Shawna, Linnaea, and Mitchel. Briand said it was after meeting United Party of Canada leader Grant Abraham and learning what the party stood for, that he realized for the first time, he could truly align with a party that supported his belief system, without him having to compromise. Heading into his first federal campaign, Briand said this election is a crucial one if Canadians are to stop what he believes is the downward spiral of the nation. “I recognized that Canadians are clearly in the battle for the soul of our nation,” Briand said. “I was constantly looking for a choice or an option [to vote for] and I was always telling myself I have to compromise by choosing the lesser of the evils. I just, at one point, realized that our country was broken, the system is broken and that our party system, as it is, is not representing people and it’s not working.” In the United Party he discovered a federal party that aligned with Canadian culture as he remembered it from his youth, along with his morals, and his belief system. Briand said his priorities are defending Canadian sovereignty from globalists like the World Economic Forum, World Health Organization, and United Nations; securing Canada’s borders with responsible immigration; protecting children by banning gender ideology and repealing Bill C-4; and ending ‘death culture’, specifically abortion and medical assistance in dying (MAiD). He said he doesn’t recognize Canada as it currently is and believes the politicians of the traditional parties have sent the main pillars of Canadian society into a spiral. According to Briand, the sense of accountability he grew up with and experienced as a teacher and a member of the military, is not present in our current federal system. Briand said rule of law means everyone is accountable and is a system that is equitable for everyone. “And yet we see scandal after scandal. I’m talking now specifically about government overreach during the [Truckers’] Convoy. We saw there were bank accounts seized and then an unsubstantiated invoking of the Emergencies Act, which we know was not justified. The Liberals are appealing it again, but it’s already been proven it was unjustified. Briand said he wants to see the Canadian Forces prioritized and supported so its members are once again inspired and able to ensure that Canadians have safety, security and success. He also wants a clear plan for elderly Canadians, who he feels are currently not being respected as they should and not properly supported. As a first-time candidate with a new party in a riding that has voted Conservative for 25 years, he faces an uphill battle. He argues that people shouldn’t use a fear of ‘splitting the vote’ as a reason to not vote for the United Party. The United Party of Canada candidate said Canada is on a very tight timeline to reverse direction and so change is needed now. “Not only do I feel that change is critical, I know that come April 28th, voting the United Party to hold the main parties accountable and to speak for the Canadian people, can ignite a new Canadian hope. And I know that if we spark it here in the Valley, it will ignite nationally,” he said. MPP John Yakabuski (centre) was at the County of Renfrew Administration Building January 28 to announce the County’s successful HART Hub application in partnership with the Pembroke Regional Hospital Following the announcement he was joined by (from left) Councillor Michael Donohue Chair of the County’s Health Committee; Mesa Paramedic Joe Hamilton; Sabine Mersmann President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital; Commander Steph Rose County of Renfrew Paramedic Service; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon; Mesa Paramedic Basil Gardiner and Councillor Anne Giardini Chair of the County’s Community Services Committee.  The County of Renfrew is proud to announce its selection by the Province of Ontario as a host for a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub This initiative underscores the County's dedication to enhancing community safety and providing comprehensive support services to residents in need HART Hubs are designed to offer integrated services tailored to local community needs focusing on individuals with complex service requirements The announcement includes $6.3 million in annual funding with $1.3 million earmarked specifically for Mental Health and Addictions Supportive Housing beginning in 2025-26 (to 2027-28) “We are honoured that the Province has entrusted the collaborative network of partners in Renfrew County with establishing a HART Hub complete with the all-important wrap-around services,” said Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon “This initiative will significantly bolster the efforts of all of the agencies engaged on the Mesa initiative to provide essential services to our most vulnerable populations fostering a safer and more supportive community environment The Mesa HART Hub is not a shiny toy adding to services in our community; it is a necessary driver of compassionate and planned care for our residents.” The Warden added the community owes a great deal of gratitude to MPP John Yakabuski for his support for this application as he recognized the need and was relentless in his advocacy “I am pleased our government recognizes the need to establish HART Hubs in rural Ontario especially Having access to these services will have a positive impact on the lives of many in our community,” said MPP John Yakabuski who made the official funding announcement at the County Administration Building in Pembroke on January 28 “Congratulations to the County of Renfrew and the PRH for pursing funding for this much-needed Hub.” The County's successful proposal was a collaborative effort involving key partners such as the Pembroke Regional Hospital Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre (OATC) – Pembroke Pathways Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services Upper Ottawa Valley detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police “We are committed to co-lead this initiative with the County of Renfrew,” stated Sabine Mersmann President and CEO of Pembroke Regional Hospital “The Mesa HART Hub will address housing stability and provide much needed increased capacity for mental health and substance use services All key partners in this initiative have one focus – to increase community wellness by addressing both health and social determinants that affect our community members.” The Renfrew County Mesa HART Hub will provide a range of services These services aim to meet immediate needs and support long-term recovery and stability for individuals facing overlapping challenges “This achievement is a testament to the strong partnerships within our community,” remarked Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley we are poised to deliver comprehensive services that address the multifaceted needs of our residents.” The establishment of the Mesa HART Hub aligns with Ontario's broader strategy to prioritize community safety and focus on treatment and recovery services The County of Renfrew and other partners have been lobbying the Province for such a facility Through the work with the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team and the Renfrew County and District Drug Strategy the community partners have proven the success of such a model with the ongoing efforts of Mesa the region’s collaborative approach to compassionate care Efforts already underway include bridge housing at the Carefor complex in Pembroke The steering committee is set to meet in the coming days to discuss the details of the funding and the phasing of the rollout of the Mesa HART hub Craig Kelley               Chief Administrative Officer                                613-735-7288 Tina Peplinskie         Media Relations Coordinator                              613-735-7288 R. Bruce McIntyre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Renfrew – Most people attending a meeting last week concerning a proposed 15.71 percent tax increase told Renfrew council they do not want the McDougall Mill Museum closed as part of any cost-cutting measures. Last Tuesday night’s meeting was to give ratepayers an opportunity to express their opinions on the local levy increase, but all of the attention was focused on the future of the museum and the potential it could be closed. With the backdrop of the $18 million Ma-te-Way Expansion Project debt looming over their heads, council members, especially Councillor Kyle Cybulski, who some have nicknamed “line-by-line” for his promise to go through the budget line-by-line until an eight percent levy high is achieved, were ready to explain they were examining everything to avoid a potential double-figure increase. However, it was a Notice of Motion introduced by Councillor Clint McWhirter during budget talks that brought most residents out last week when he suggested they consider closing the museum for two years to save money and reduce the financial burden on the ratepayers. His motion called for an overall analysis of the museum, ranging from reduced hours, to renting out part of the facility for other uses, to a potential closure of two years, or maintaining the status quo. It was that motion that brought together members of the museum board, a member of the chamber of commerce, two former mayors and a last-minute appearance by a local businessman who had just heard the news a few hours earlier and was determined to speak to the issue. Prior to opening up the floor to speakers, Mayor Tom Sidney sent a message to those in the gallery he would repeat on at least four more occasions. “I would like to invite any members of the public who would like to speak about the budget, and I would like to remind everyone that it is about the budget,” he said. Laurie Wichers-Schreur, president of the Renfrew and Area Chamber of Commerce, explained the importance of tourist attractions like the museum to local businesses. “Our chamber is a little different how other chambers operate in that we take on the responsibility for promoting tourism which is the lifeblood of our town,” she said. “The changes that the town is currently proposing breaks an agreement that was reached with the chamber in 1998.” She said if the town closes the museum, it would result in the chamber losing $6,500 it receives from the town that is used for the museum, and several other programs the chamber offers. The loss of the museum would leave a huge gap in terms of promoting tourism for all Renfrew businesses, she said.She submitted 21 letters supporting the museum from local business owners. Margaret Dubeau, a 20-year volunteer and also president of The Renfrew & District Historical & Museum Society Inc., covered a wide area of topics including summer jobs for students, accessibility, funding formulas and items of misinformation she wanted to clarify. She also told council the M. J. Murray and the M. J. O’Brien Company Limited, owners of the mill and surrounding lands, sold the property to the town in 1963 for $1 with the intent the town operate the museum and that “this land shall be used for, and in connection with a museum or similar community enterprise.” “The descendants of the McDougall, O’Brien and Murray families would be upset to hear of the town’s intentions to cease operations as a museum as stated in the original indenture,” she said. She addressed a rumour that the volunteers walked away from caring for the artifacts in the museum and said the volunteers are still active, but the number is decreasing because many of them are seniors or struggle with mobility and other health issues. She added the numbers may be declining, but they still produce results. “In 2024, the museum board donated $24,000 towards the building…and last year our volunteers donated more than 2,400 volunteer hours and we employed two summer students and all together that is about $57,500 we save the town,” she said. She reminded council the museum and the town entered a partnership last year which states the board will continue care and maintenance of the 10,000 artifacts and the town will maintain daily operations of the site. “A formal agreement remains outstanding between the two parties,” she said. When she spoke about the 20-year failure of this and all previous councils to address the province’s building requirements under the Ontarians With Disabilities Act, she said the board brought that legislation to the town in 2005. She said the town is mandated to complete an annual compliance report identifying physical and non-physical barriers and what steps are being taken to address those concerns before the province begins enforcing compliance. She did not say when the last report was completed by town staff and the legislation comes into effect later this year. As she concluded her address, she left council with one final thought. “Once something is closed … it rarely ever re-opens,” she said. Also speaking to the issue were former mayors Sandi Heins (1998-2010) and Don Eady (2014-2022). They spoke of the spirit and dedication of volunteers like the museum board and how these partnerships are vital for a town to be successful. Debbie Hill, Sara Boyer and Kathy Lindsay recalled their experiences with the museum. Ms. Hill challenged the councillors to find a solution or their legacy may not be what they envisioned. “Do you really want to be known as the town council that has killed the museum operation?” she asked. “Do you really want to be the ones who slaughtered Renfrew’s history and do you want this as your legacy?” She also told council the museum cannot be closed for accessibility issues. She looked at all of council when she said the 20-year failure to provide annual accessibility reports falls squarely on the town. “The museum is not going to be closed by the province because of accessibility issues,” she said. “It is the responsibility of the town to submit the annual compliance report in five accessibility areas and the report provides guidelines on how to fix these problems.” Norm Bujold, a business owner and land developer, pointed to the monitors around the chamber used for a PowerPoint presentation and reminded council about their role as elected officials. “I had no idea I would be here this evening as it was only this afternoon I heard about your budget and the fate of the mill,” he motioned council to look up at the screens. “We are talking about this mill…look at the pictures of the town … it has the Swinging Bridge, a beautiful park and the mill and I just can’t see a sign on that building saying condemned or for sale.” He referred to an earlier speaker who told the town the entire budget for the mill and all operations works out to be 0.58 percent of the entire budget. “That little bit of the budget is what keeps that mill going and you have to keep that mill open,” he said. “That mill is our legacy and if we let that go, then what is next? We have to find a way to make it work. I know this is very short notice, but let’s do it and let’s save the mill.” Town staff are in the process of preparing a report for council concerning the operations of the mill. A second draft of the budget will be reviewed at the April 22 meeting. Council wants the budget passed by May 13. CBC LiteSectionsNews • Canada • OttawaAlgonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke re-elects Cheryl GallantCANADA VOTES 2025 | CBC News | Posted: April 29, 2025 2:35 AM | Last Updated: April 29 The Conservative candidate has won every federal election this century Image | Cheryl Gallant renfrew nipissing pembroke 2022 Caption: Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant rises during question period in the House of Commons June 10, 2022. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press) Caption: Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke's boundaries are unchanged from previous federal elections, a rarity for the region in 2025. (Elections Canada) .embed_embed__gX4nW button { display: none; }More Stories Like ThisThe related links below are generated automatically based on the story you’ve just read 2024 the County of Renfrew announced details about the Renfrew County 2023 Ontario Winter Games Legacy Fund which sees $375,000 entrusted to the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation Taking part in the cheque presentation (from left) were County Councillor Jennifer Murphy Finance and Administration Committee Chair; Games Organizing Committee members Shannon Fraser Games Administration Committee; Cindy Burwell Foundation Board Chair and Amy Ramos Chang sports clubs and major infrastructure projects In collaboration with the County of Renfrew the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation (OVCF) previously known as the Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation is excited to announce a new funding stream to support youth sport across Renfrew County The remarkably successful 2023 Ontario Winter Games produced a surplus of legacy funds intended to foster youth sport The Sport 4 All funds of $375,000 will be distributed over the next three years “We selected the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation to distribute these funds to young people sports clubs and municipal sports facilities across Renfrew County based on their long and successful track record of supporting residents community groups and charities,” states Peter Emon and Chair of the Ontario Winter Games Organizing Committee There are three streams of Sport 4 All funding The Individual Youth Sports stream supports challenged youth up to 21 years of age to assist with equipment purchase The Sports Club Stream will support club improvements and equipment repairs and purchase to a maximum of $5,000 The Major Sports Infrastructure stream will support new construction and infrastructure improvements to existing municipal sports facilities that will enhance accessibility and create new options for sports activities The maximum contribution for this stream is $10,000 the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation will be granting at least $20,000 from its General and Bereavement Funds The General Grant is used to support needs in the community and the Bereavement Grant is used in connection with the community’s bereavement initiatives “We are excited once again this year to provide grants to meet the community’s greatest needs," says Matt Bradley Chair of the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation These grants are made possible through the investment of funds which earn interest throughout the year The principal of these funds is not touched so that every year they can continue to generate grants for the community Individuals who have endowment funds with the Foundation also have the opportunity to direct their funds to assist with specific community causes General Fund and the Bereavement fund applications will open on Monday and the deadline for applications is Friday Successful applicants will be notified beginning Monday This round of Sport 4 All funds will support sports activities and investments in the 2025/2026 season “This is an exciting opportunity for the Ottawa Valley Community Foundation In collaboration with all the municipalities of Renfrew County we will serve a broader and more diverse segment of our community enhancing youth participation in sports The Ottawa Valley Community Foundation is a public foundation which benefits the community by providing funds to charities local groups and organizations that are also registered under the Income Tax Act It is one of more than 191 Community Foundations in Canada The Foundation was established in 2008 and has a mandate to invest and manage charitable funds for projects Proceeds are distributed to meet the community’s greatest needs.  Sport 4 All Fund Application Form: OWG Legacy Fund Application Form 1.pdf General Fund Application Form: OVCF General Fund Application(3).pdf Bereavement Fund Application Form: OVCF Bereavement Fund Application(1).pdf Email: foundation@givingthatgrows.com The County of Renfrew Department of Public Works and Engineering will provide monthly updates on construction projects within the County. Please share this notice publicly to keep residents, businesses, and stakeholders informed of any potential upcoming traffic interruptions due to construction projects. For up-to-date information on active projects and their traffic impacts, please visit Municipal511 at https://www.municipal511.ca/ Please contact our office should you have any questions or concerns about a County construction project or our general operations To sign up for notifications for our monthly construction updates or review details of the County of Renfrew 2025 Construction Plans including a list of all road and bridge projects as well as a map illustrating the project locations https://renfrew-county.civilspace.io/en/projects/2025-county-transportation-infrastructure-projects County Road 71 (Matawatchan Road) – Township of Greater Madawaska Rock removal and widening of the causeway is ongoing in support of the rehabilitation of County Road 71 (Matawatchan Road) Rock removal and placement is occurring approximately 8.2km south of Highway 41 Rock removal and placement is anticipated to be completed April 18 during this time the road at this location will be reduced to a single lane with temporary short-term closures occurring during off-peak hours The overall rehabilitation of Matawatchan Road from Civic Address 4882 to County Road 65 (Centennial Lake Road) is anticipated to commence May 26 and be completed by mid-June County Structure B145 (Combermere Bridge) – Township of Madawaska Valley The rehabilitation of County Structure B145 (Combermere Bridge) located on County Road 62 (Combermere Road) approximately 0.5km south of County Road 515 (Palmer Road) 2025 and is anticipated to be completed mid-November the bridge will be limited to a single lane of traffic with temporary signals in place and Mill Street will be closed at Combermere Road with detour in place Pedestrian access across the bridge will be maintained during the project County Structure C201 (Broomes Creek Culvert & Dam) – Township of Whitewater Region The rehabilitation of County Structure C201 (Broomes Creek Culvert & Dam) located on County Road 7 (Foresters Falls Road) approximately 0.1km east of Foresters Falls the road at this location will be closed to all traffic with a signed detour using Kohlsmith Road and Queens Line in place The will be not pedestrian access during the project please use extra caution when travelling through construction zones president of the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced her decision to run again as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for the riding of Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke in the upcoming 45th Canadian general election We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe announcement follows new Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Sunday March 23 visit to the Governor General to request Parliament be dissolved and an election called Mills previously ran in then riding Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke as the Liberal candidate in the 2021 federal election and is seeking to secure a seat for the party once again an entrepreneur and publisher of Canadian Military Family Magazine has been an advocate for small and medium-sized businesses in the Upper Ottawa Valley “I am thrilled to be the Team Carney candidate,” Mills said in a press release “This election is about who can stand up to Donald Trump and build an economy that works for everyone Mark has the experience and leadership to deliver for Canadians These are serious times that require serious leaders.” former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England assumed leadership of the Liberal Party two weeks ago Carney had been an advisor to Justin Trudeau and the Liberals on the economy Carney has introduced several new policy measures that seem to take the party in a different direction These include repealing the consumer carbon tax eliminating the GST on homes under $1 million for first-time home buyers and adjusting Employment Insurance policies to expedite support for workers which he claims will save families up to $825 annually Critics of Carney including Pierre Poilievre have said Carney is copying Conservative policies Mills pointed to economic challenges in the newly renamed Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke riding and emphasized the need for strong leadership “In our newly named electoral district of Algonquin-Renfrew-Pembroke people have a clear opportunity to vote for a voice in Ottawa that will champion our local economic and social interests She argued that the region has not fully leveraged its economic potential and expressed a commitment to advocating for its growth “For too long our area has lagged behind the country economically missing the chance to capitalize on our geographic advantage,” she said She has noted strong support for the Liberal Party under Carney’s leadership “I’m hearing from so many people who are excited to vote Liberal under the leadership of Mark Carney They know that the Liberal Party is the local choice for change I’m really excited to get to all parts of our riding to listen and connect with residents on what matters to them,” she said in the release Mills and her campaign team have invited supporters to visit their website to participate in the election effort by volunteering The deadline for parties to nominate candidates or for Independent candidates to put their names forward is April 7 Voters will be able to look up the complete list of candidates by Wednesday The 2024 Taste of the Valley Holiday Market will be held at the Renfrew Armouries December 14 from 10 a.m It will feature more than 80 vendors both inside and out This is the final event in the 2024 Taste of the Valley series.  The Taste of the Valley Holiday Edition – the final event in the 2024 series – is taking place on Saturday Organized by the County of Renfrew’s Economic Development Division the Taste of the Valley event series highlights all things grown While the original concept for the Taste of the Valley was to promote and support local food producers in the Ottawa Valley over the years the events have evolved to encourage an expanded focus on the notion of “taste” with the celebration of local food The Renfrew Holiday Edition will feature more than 80 vendors set up inside and outside the Renfrew Armouries and will include fresh local produce alongside unique handcrafted products from talented artists and artisans jams and preserves from bakers and food producers across Renfrew County "Renfrew is thrilled to host this year’s Holiday Taste of the Valley a vibrant celebration of our community’s creativity and talent With over 80 unique vendors offering handcrafted treasures this is the perfect opportunity to find those one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local businesses We invite everyone to join us for a festive day of shopping Acting Director Community and Recreation Services for the Town of Renfrew Taste of the Valley events in 2024 were held in partnership with host municipalities in Madawaska Valley; Killaloe drawing thousands of visitors from the Ottawa Valley The 2024 Holiday edition is hosted in partnership with the Town of Renfrew “Renfrew has a long history of hosting Taste of the Valley events and we are excited to see the Town’s offering with this Holiday Market It will surely provide an opportunity for shoppers to purchase unique local products for themselves or as gifts this holiday season,” says Scott Hamilton Economic Development Coordinator with the County of Renfrew’s Economic Development Division For more information about Taste of the Valley, visit www.TOTV.ca or follow on social media at @TasteoftheValleyRC Scott Hamilton                    Economic Development Coordinator               613-735-7288 Tina Peplinskie                    Media Relations Coordinator                               613-735-7288 The Renfrew County Senior Summer Games are back this May offering residents aged 55 and older a chance to compete Organized under the umbrella of the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) the local games — designated as District 5 — feature 19 engaging events scheduled throughout Renfrew County Article contentThis year’s lineup includes classic games like cribbage along with a variety of physical activities such as bowling and several “prediction” events in walking The OSGA’s mission is to promote active living through both physical and mental challenges for older adults across Ontario Participants will not only enjoy friendly local competition but also have the chance to qualify for the Provincial Summer Games in Sudbury top performers may advance to national-level events with a District event fee of $3 per activity Some events carry additional costs: golf at Whitetail Golf Course in Eganville is $50 per person and bowling at the Opeongo Bowldrome in Renfrew is $15 per person For more information, contact Georges Martin at gsamartin@sympatico.ca or Val Hinsperger at valhinsperger@gmail.com. Deputy Premier and Ontario Minister of Health presents Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon with a certificate of achievement to mark the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) Minister Jones was in Renfrew on March 27 to celebrate the milestone and tour the Clinical Assessment Centre and Paramedic Base on O’Brien Road A made-in-Renfrew-County solution to address health-care needs in response to COVID-19 launched mere days after the declaration of the global pandemic has marked its fifth anniversary as it continues to evolve to provide impactful service for residents who do not have access to primary care The Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) and the Renfrew County and District Health Unit The goal was to reduce demands on local Emergency Departments and provide Renfrew County residents who did not have a family physician or could not access their family physician with the appropriate level of care to address health-care concerns was in Renfrew to tour the Clinical Assessment Centre and Paramedic Base on March 27 RC VTAC staff and other distinguished guests for the formal remarks in the atrium of Renfrew County Place “On behalf of Premier Ford and our entire government I want to congratulate the world-class team at the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre on a successful five years,” said Minister Jones “The innovative model of RC VTAC and the services you provide are a critical piece of our government’s work to connect more people to the care they need She presented Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon with a certificate of achievement to mark the RC VTAC anniversary and recognized Paramedic Chief Michael Nolan for his quick actions in response to the plane crash at Toronto Pearson Airport in February Chief Nolan presented Minister Jones with a helmet and epaulettes to bestow the distinction of Honorary Paramedic Chief.  was bestowed the distinction of Honorary Paramedic Chief by County of Renfrew Paramedic Chief Michael Nolan who presented the Minister with her own helmet and epaulettes during a visit to Renfrew on March 27 to mark the fifth anniversary of the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre MPP Denault was excited to welcome Minister Jones to Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke to celebrate the innovative and local asset of RC VTAC “RC VTAC’s five years of service to our community marks a milestone that is befitting of an asset so important to provide care to those who need it,” he said “It is a testament to our government’s commitment to provide access to quality care that we have achieved this together in partnership with the County of Renfrew and the Province of Ontario.” RC VTAC continues to expand through collaborative efforts to meet the needs of the community with approximately 30,000 people in Renfrew County still without a family doctor RC VTAC received nearly 74,000 calls and continually helps to divert 1,000 Emergency Room visits per month Physicians and Paramedics assess and manage health concerns in multiple ways depending on the needs of individual callers Callers may also be directed to in-person Clinical Assessment Centres in Pembroke and Eganville where they can be examined by Paramedics who work collaboratively with Physicians to make diagnoses Options to further expand clinic locations are always being explored to best serve the residents of Renfrew County Another integral part of RC VTAC is Integrated Virtual Care (IVC) which provides comprehensive care to patients who do not have access to a family physician or a Family Health Team Petawawa Centennial Family Health Centre (PCFHC) is the lead organization with two satellite locations – the West Champlain Family Health Team in Pembroke and the North Renfrew Family Health Team in Deep River The IVC family physicians are embedded into the Petawawa Centennial Family Health Team (FHT) fully supported by the FHT's local interdisciplinary health-care providers (Dietitian IVC patients access in-person care at home and virtually depending on their individual needs and preferences nearly 7,000 patients have been attached to a named family physician and there have been more than 30,000 physician appointments Permanent funding for RC VTAC was announced in March 2023 with a $3.2 million annual investment by the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health “RC VTAC continues to play a crucial role in providing accessible health-care services to residents across Renfrew County RC VTAC helps bridge the gap in health-care access ensuring that residents receive timely medical advice and support without needing to travel long distances,” said Warden Emon RC VTAC has emerged as a trusted and essential component of the local health-care system ensuring that residents receive the care they need while alleviating pressure on traditional health-care facilities.” the County of Renfrew was honoured with the Peter J Marshall Innovation Award by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and RC VTAC received the Community Impact Award from the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards Gala IVC received the Bright Lights Award from the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario Recent feedback reveals high satisfaction rates among patients utilizing RC VTAC with 86% of respondents reporting satisfaction or high satisfaction with their experience Satisfaction was notably high across all service modalities: 89% for virtual appointments and an impressive 98% for in-person paramedic appointments "RC VTAC enhances timely access to integrated health-care services for all residents addressing any non-emergency medical concerns they may have,” noted Chief Nolan “It has served tens of thousands of residents leading to fewer 911 calls and emergency department visits thereby preserving these critical resources for those experiencing life-threatening emergencies." Learn more at www.rcvtac.ca or call 1-844-727-6404 Craig Kelley              Chief Administrative Officer                               613-735-7288 Tina Peplinskie        Media Relations Coordinator                             613-735-7288      Members of Renfrew County Council attended the fifth anniversary celebration for the Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre in Renfrew on March 27 Joining the Honourable Sylvia Jones (centre) were (from left) Councillors Gary Serviss and Lori Hoddinott CalgaryNewsHousefire burns lower suite of home in RenfrewBy Stephen HuntPublished: April 13, 2025 at 5:48PM EDT one-bedroom apartment in downtown Renfrew less than one year removed from living in a pitched tent near some railway tracks “I don’t have to worry about surviving no more,” he announces spent two years in a tent on the margins of Pembroke pushing his belongings around in a shopping cart for fear of being robbed he slept inside a bank machine kiosk or in a protected doorway His best friend froze to death beside him in his tent He saw others succumb to fentanyl overdoses Wilson found it hard to imagine a different life He needed medical attention for a persistent leg infection he finally decided to visit a drop-in centre where he was looked at by a couple of paramedics The story of how Wilson overcame his homelessness is part of a larger narrative about Renfrew County and how its paramedic service spearheaded a broad-based effort to address the twin crises of homelessness and drug abuse in the Ottawa Valley and it’s a success story in a field of endeavour starved for them Renfrew County’s chief paramedic and director of emergency services was confronted with some troubling statistics in 2023 Renfrew County lost 41 people to suspected drug overdoses the county had one of the highest per capita overdose death rates in Ontario where a makeshift tent city had taken shape It was estimated that about 80 people were homeless at any one time in Renfrew County Nolan had taken over Renfrew’s service in 2004 He quickly established himself as an innovator a system that uses paramedics to identify and assist people who frequently end up in emergency departments because of chronic illness or infirmity By making regular house calls to the county’s sickest patients and by monitoring their health status remotely the program significantly reduced 911 call volumes Renfrew County residents can reach a medical receptionist who arranges appointments with the most appropriate health-care provider Patients can be referred to a virtual assessment with a family doctor a hybrid assessment with a paramedic and a virtual physician an assessment by a paramedic in a clinic or home or an in-person appointment with a family doctor VTAC offers anyone without a family doctor a doorway into the health-care system and has helped reduce the pressure on the region’s hospitals Nolan’s track record meant local officials were ready to listen when he began to discuss the need for a new approach to the region’s homelessness He consulted a wide range of experts looking for a model to emulate but couldn’t find the right fit for Renfrew County “People were addressing issues of homelessness people were addressing issues of mental health “but we didn’t really have a best practice in terms of who brought those three elements together and had a plan to address all three simultaneously That’s really what the Mesa program represents.” Mesa is an “escalator model” designed to transition homeless people off the streets where their mental health problems can be better addressed Mesa — it draws inspiration from the Spanish word for “table” — brings together Renfrew County’s paramedic service its community services department and its development and property department along with outside agencies such as Mackay Manor Paramedics are on the frontline of the Mesa program shepherding the homeless and other vulnerable people toward its services If paramedics respond to an overdose resuscitation at a homeless encampment they’ll arrange a follow-up visit by the Mesa team Two dedicated Mesa teams operate 12 hours a day Each team is made up of a community paramedic a community mental health professional from Pembroke Regional Hospital and an addictions specialist from Renfrew Victoria Hospital or MacKay Manor Eight paramedics are committed members of the program Mesa teams address patients’ immediate health needs seek to understand their situations and arrange for follow-up visits The idea is to build enough trust that Mesa team members can then discuss addiction treatment and housing options with their patients they need to trust you more than they trust their drug dealer,” Nolan says “The goal is to get them stabilized as quickly as possible and then get them into supportive housing and into treatment.” Bill Wilson moved to the Greater Toronto Area where he worked in a car factory and launched a small painting business but managed them until his mother fell ill with cancer his mental health deteriorated and he medicated them with marijuana and cocaine He spent his days pushing his tent and other belongings around town in a shopping cart a drop-in centre and community kitchen in Pembroke talked to him about his housing situation and arranged for a follow-up visit Wilson gave the paramedics his cell phone number He was one of the few people in the homeless community with a working phone and he became a key contact when paramedics wanted to warn people about a bad batch of drugs or to find a client who needed follow-up Wilson sometimes asked the paramedics to check on people he was worried about They even helped him find some dog food when he was left looking after a friend’s animal a contaminated supply of purple fentanyl hit Pembroke streets The drugs deepened the chaos in the homeless community and led to a spike in overdoses and violence Wilson decided he couldn’t take it anymore: He phoned the Mesa team and asked for help He said he wanted to get off the street and to rebuild his life Wilson signed a social contract with Mesa and took the next step: He moved into a motel where the county had booked 10 rooms He was connected to mental health and addiction services received dental care and treatment for a heart issue Those who work with street-involved people will tell you this is where the rubber meets the road Many programs aimed at addressing homelessness and addiction fail because they can’t offer addiction treatment when an individual is ready Others fail because they can’t offer supportive housing to someone who successfully completes addiction treatment (Many will relapse if forced to again confront homelessness.) Renfrew County officials overcame those pitfalls by working together to build access to residential addiction-treatment beds along with short- and long-term housing options the county receives money from the province under something called the Homelessness Prevention Program; it was used to rent motel rooms on an ad hoc basis to address emergency situations experienced by homeless individuals By blocking out 10 rooms year-round at the same motel county officials cut the nightly rate in half while doubling the number of nights available for short-term housing It was one of many bureaucratic victories that resulted in more housing options year-round Mesa warming centre in Pembroke opened in December to serve the homeless community the province announced Pembroke would be the site of a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery (HART) hub that will offer health care addiction treatment beds and more transitional housing agreed to fast-track treatment for homeless people who enter the Mesa program The facility has 17 local residential treatment beds for men “We really kind of threw out the old rule book and created a system that works with our clients where they’re at and gets them to where they need to be,” says MacKay Manor executive director Liana Sullivan Each person who enters the Mesa program signs a “social contract” to obey the law and not to negatively affect others in the program in return for addiction treatment Nolan says a Mesa team “will literally give a person a ride to an addictions treatment program” if that’s what it takes for them to succeed which can in turn compound mental-health issues that one problem can’t be treated in isolation from the others “You have to hit on all three to have success,” he insists “It’s rare that you have an addiction issue without an underlying mental health issue if that mental health is driving your addiction So how do you pull someone out of that spiral “You have to find the path of least resistance.” The success of the Mesa program has not escaped the attention of Michael Tibollo Ontario’s former associate minister of mental health and addictions Tibollo pointed to the program as one that could be emulated across Ontario as the province closes safe consumption sites and opens HART hubs as part of an emphasis on “exit strategies” for those trapped on the carousel of homelessness and addiction “I’d love to have that model (Mesa) everywhere,” he said similar programs have been established in other regions of Ontario those programs rely on paramedics teamed with crisis-response workers to engage homeless people to treat their immediate health needs and to lead them toward off-ramps that include addiction treatment has many benefits: It replaces the policing model for homelessness with one emphasizing compassionate care alleviating pressure on emergency rooms and offering long-term returns for government “When you look at all the costs that are being saved by helping that individual get back on track,” Tibollo said “the savings far outweigh the expense of helping someone get through that.” The Mesa program costs Renfrew County taxpayers $1.6 million a year the Mesa program put in place care plans for 980 people during its first nine months Almost all of them were enrolled in the community paramedics program The Mesa teams concentrated their focus on 160 clients with complex mental-health and addiction problems That cohort had 3,320 encounters with Mesa team members More than 100 Mesa clients entered residential treatment programs during the program’s first nine months and 46 formerly homeless people now live independently with ongoing support from the Mesa team Another 50 people are in short-term accommodations “We’ve been able to eliminate homelessness in Renfrew County,” Nolan says “Everybody has a roof over their head right now.” Only about six people on average — people who are experiencing episodic bouts of homelessness — use the regional warming centre The number of overdose deaths also fell to 27 in 2024 Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon says the Mesa program has been successful because it’s both nimble and responsive to an individual’s needs “It certainly has had a very positive impact,” Emon says “I think we have eliminated homelessness in our community at this point … It is a very remarkable accomplishment and I think it could translate well to other rural municipalities across Ontario.” former president and CEO of the Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa says the key to Mesa’s success is its ability to offer people the right housing at the right time Replicating that experience in Ottawa would be difficult because there are simply not enough available housing options The housing problem in Ottawa is compounded by the fact that the capital attracts homeless people from surrounding communities and provinces “People come here and then they don’t go back,” she says “because they might get greater support here than in a smaller community is Mesa’s commitment to building relationships and trust with homeless people and its collaborative approach to the problems of homelessness and addiction Says Freiheit: “What I think is so brilliant about Mesa is that it’s a whole-of-community solution.” Bill Wilson moved into an apartment in downtown Renfrew with furniture donated by the county’s politicians comes from his Ontario Disability Support Program payments and a housing subsidy provided through Mackay Manor It leaves him with $450 a month to pay for his phone groceries and the cost of renting his fridge and stove The Mesa team helped find him a bicycle and a baby carrier so he can transport his groceries Wilson says he could not have conceived a year ago that such a life was possible He didn’t know then how to take the first step out of his predicament Conservative Billy Denault cruised to an easy victory in the rural riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke by more than 14,000 votes with 95 per cent of the polls reported Denault had received more than 55 per cent of all votes cast in the longtime Tory stronghold Marshall Buchanan of the New Democratic Party placed third Voter turnout topped 48 per cent in the riding of nearly 90,000 voters Voters in the huge northeaster Ontario riding were guaranteed to have a new representative at Queen’s Park John Yakabuski had held the riding for the provincial Conservatives since 2003 but announced in November that he was not running for re-election Not that that meant the race was wide open The one-time Liberal bastion has voted Conservative since the turn of the Millennium a lifelong Ottawa Valley resident and municipal councillor in Arnprior was named the Conservative candidate in January municipal professional and former councillor Oliver Jacob returned as the Liberal party candidate after finishing third in the riding in 2022 with 3,928 votes Jacob served as one of the youngest municipal councillors in the history of the Township of McNab/Braeside Marshall Buchanan ran for the NDP and Anna Dolan for the Green party Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke is one of the largest ridings in all of Canada It sprawls northwest of the National Capital Region with the Ottawa River as its northeastern boundary from Arnprior north to Deep River The western boundary extends to Algonquin Provincial Park The region is defined by its dense wilderness and tracts of farmland dotted with small historic towns with well-traversed cottage country along the many lakes and rivers and the picturesque Madawaska and Bonnechere valleys a former logging centre settled nearly 200 years ago and whose population has remained stable for decades at around 14,000 residents The name is different but the party the same as 24-year-old PC candidate Billy Denault of Arnprior cruised to victory in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentShortly after polls closed at 9 p.m. on election day, Feb. 27, results began to come in and cheers erupted from Denault’s supporters who had gathered at the Clarion Hotel in Pembroke for the PC Party election night festivities.   With all 96 polls reporting in, Denault easily carried the riding with 24,297 votes or 54.83 per cent of the vote.  Former Township of McNab/Braeside Councillor Oliver Jacob, representing the Liberal Party, followed in second place with 9,804 votes or 22.13 per cent. NDP candidate Marshall Buchanan was third with 6,607 votes or 14.91 per cent. Rounding out the results, Ontario Party candidate Kevin Holm tallied 1,587 votes, Green Party candidate Anna Dolan garnered 1,123 votes and Mark Dickson of the New Blue Party received 893 votes.  Addressing the crowd of supporters, PC Party faithful, and family and friends, Denault said he was grateful to receive the endorsement of the electorate.  “It feels amazing; I’m in a lot of ways speechless, but you know what? I’m ready to get to work,” Denault said. “I’m ready to get started and get going and hit the ground running and start working for the people of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke.”  Denault shared a story from the campaign trail about a woman from Killaloe who said that she liked him going by “Billy” more than William because it sounded like Billy the Kid.  “And, well, tonight I’m going to tell you, Billy the Kid is in town and I’m ready to be Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke’s gunslinger at Queens Park,” Denault said.  He recognized his campaign team and his supporters from across the riding. He said without their hard work and dedication, the result achieved would not have been possible.  “We ran a positive campaign, one that brought us to almost every part of the riding, from door knocking to events, meeting people where they are face to face. It’s a campaign that we can all be proud of and tonight’s results clearly show that the people of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke certainly agree,” he said.  He also acknowledged long-serving MPP John Yakabuski who he said he has looked up to for most of his life.  “His tireless dedication to our community has left a lasting impact that cannot be overstated. And while we’ve only grown to close in recent years, I’ve greatly admired and been inspired by his work for a long time. To me, he always embodied what it meant to be a true public servant. His endorsement and support are high praise, and his mentorship during this transition has been invaluable,” Denault said.  “I knew Billy somewhat over the last few years with him being elected to [Arnprior] council and that, but the more I got to know Billy, the more comfortable I got with the idea that this guy is going to be not only the next MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke but one helluva MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. He ran a great campaign and went at it every day,” Yakabuski said.  Out on the campaign trail, Denault said there were three main issues of concern shared by many constituents, namely infrastructure, especially in regards to the four-laning of Highway 17; how Ontario will manage through the currently strained Canada and United States relations; and health care.  “It wasn’t that hard to tell people at the doors about what the Ontario PCs are offering because our platform touched on all three of those issues,” Denault said.  He also acknowledged his opponents in the campaign, noting he had received a concession call from Jacob.  “I want to say running for office takes courage and dedication and I deeply respect anyone who puts their name forward. Their participation is the backbone of our democracy, and we are all grateful for their contribution to the democratic process,” he said.  Denault said the election win wasn’t the end, it was merely the beginning.  Despite the electoral loss, Liberal candidate Oliver Jacob said there are some positive takeaways.  “So it certainly wasn’t the result I was hoping for. However, at the same time, 9,500 people decided to vote Liberal in this election and I think after, I would say a busy but also a very short campaign, that is a pretty significant milestone for us,” Jacob said. “We haven’t hit that number since the 2007 election, so it is a significant jump.”  “I talked with thousands of people across the riding and I think that really showed up in the results, but at the same time it’s a great foundation for us as a party and for us to build on in the next election. We know that Doug Ford, to be honest, is failing our riding and if that does continue, I think it’ll be easier to convince the residents about how voting Liberal would be beneficial for our riding,” he said.  Dez Bair-Patel, president of the Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke NDP Riding Association, said the election results were not what they were expecting but they were proud they had fought a good fight.  “Politics is the long game so our work is not done. We’re always building because it’s a grassroots game and so over the next four years, we’ll be working as a riding association with Marshall [Buchanan] to continue to build this community, continue this growth so that in the next election we’ll be armed and ready to attack it again,” he said.  According to Elections Ontario, voter turnout in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke for this provincial election was 49.58 per cent.  the County of Renfrew’s chief administrative officer is the county’s top earner from 2024 County of Renfrew Paramedic Service deputy chief Petawawa Centennial Family Health Team executive director Various staff for the County of Renfrew made the list At the County of Renfrew, 54 staff made more than $100,000 in 2024. This number grows to 155 when paramedics, nurse practitioners and other medical staff are included through the Ambulance Act Ontario’s public sector salary disclosure for 2024 The County of Renfrew has purchased the property at 330 Boundary Road East in Pembroke to be used as a future Paramedic Base for the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service It is anticipated construction will be completed in late 2026 The County of Renfrew is moving forward with a new Paramedic Base to help enhance 911 response to the City of Pembroke and the surrounding municipalities of Laurentian Valley The County has purchased 330 Boundary Road East The new location will replace the current base near the Pembroke Regional Hospital which has housed the Paramedic Service for more than 30 years which will be administered by the County’s Real Estate Division will redevelop and redesign the existing 10,500 square foot building on the property into a new innovative space for the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service with construction to commence in early 2025 and anticipated completion in late 2026 The new location will also create an opportunity to increase the ability for the Paramedic Service to provide programs such as Mesa a Renfrew County Virtual Triage and Assessment Centre (RC VTAC) clinic specialized response for remote access incidents in these areas and support operations across Renfrew County The close proximity to the County Administration Building made the purchase of this property appealing and offers greater collaboration with other departments are delighted to hear about the new purpose for the building and the lasting impact it will have on the community They are excited to see how this transformation will benefit the area for many years to come This project will be similar to the new Paramedic Base in Eganville the County purchased the former O’Grady Brothers Limited Garage at the corner of Highway 41 and County Road 512 (Foymount Road) and converted it into a functional space which boasts 2,500 square feet of office space and includes shower and changing facilities quiet quarters and meeting space in addition to a 4,000 square-foot four-bay garage to house Paramedic Service vehicles Jason Davis                          Director Development and Property              613-735-7288 BusinessNewsWhy Simons and Holt Renfrew are unlikely to want all of Hudson’s Bay’s real estateBy The Canadian PressPublished: April 10, 2025 at 6:39AM EDT