‘Full Bellies. Happy Hearts.' returns
Kitchener Watch
A campaign for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region has returned to ensure all kids have enough to eat through the summer months.
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CBC
24 minutes ago
- CBC
Workers' compensation costs for City of Winnipeg employees doubled over last 5 years
Workers' compensation costs for emergency responders and bus drivers with the City of Winnipeg have soared in recent years, with more than half of claims made last year related to psychological stress. Over the last five years, workers' compensation costs for the city have more than doubled from $11.8 million in 2020 to $25.5 million in 2024. That year, those costs rose by $6.1 million — a 31 per cent jump, according to a new report to be presented at the executive policy committee meeting next Tuesday. "What the Workers Compensation Board claims really reflect is the health of our city staff," Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters at an unrelated media event on Wednesday. The city is working with the compensation board, Winnipeg Transit and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service to bring down those costs, he said. "There has to be this balance between making sure we're doing all we can to get our city staff healthy, rehabilitated where possible, and back into the workforce as quickly as possible," Gillingham said. The same report noted there were 914 accepted time-loss claims in 2024, an increase of four per cent, while psychological injury claims rose 14 per cent, accounting for 54 per cent of all time lost. Fire-paramedics and Winnipeg Transit drivers made up the bulk of that increase. Union leaders representing City of Winnipeg workers called the compensation numbers concerning but unsurprising. The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union conducted a survey of 205 paramedics and dispatchers from April 2 to 9. If found 93 per cent had experienced violence on the job, and 71 per cent have considered leaving their job in the last year. The head of the Winnipeg Transit union says it conducted an assessment in December and found 44 drivers were off for mental health injuries. "And those 44 people alone … resulted in the city losing over 19,000 days of work productivity, and that I think has raised an alarm bell with the city," said Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg president Nick Kasper says staffing ratios haven't kept up with the demand for service. From 2019 to 2023, structure fires increased by 87 per cent, medical calls went up 23 per cent, and vacant structure fires rose by 244 per cent, Kasper said. "Simply put, our population has grown, our call volume has skyrocketed," he said. "The men and women that are riding our fire trucks are being exposed to unsustainable volumes of calls during their shift." Public works committee chair Coun. Janice Lukes says the nature of the jobs has changed. "It's just a really strange world out there right now," she said, adding that the change is related to drugs and drug-related psychosis. A report on reducing workers' compensation costs is expected to be delivered to council later this year. Replenishing rainy day fund Workers' compensation claims have been blamed for draining the city's fiscal stabilization fund, also known as the rainy day fund, in recent years. In a new report, also on the agenda for the executive policy committee meeting next week, the city says it has found money to begin replenishing it, thanks to operational surpluses of $5.4 million from Winnipeg Transit, $1.8 million from animal services, and $3.7 million in leftover capital funding from the provincial government for the Southwest Rapid Transitway and Pembina Highway underpass payment reserve. The city now expects to have $36.4 million in the fund by the end of the year, nearly double the $18.6 the city had expected earlier this year. Although Gillingham says the city is still well below the target balance of $85.1 million in the fiscal stabilization reserve, the added funds "moves us significantly in the right direction." Compensation costs for City of Winnipeg workers more than doubled in last 5 years 1 hour ago Duration 1:44 Fire-paramedics and bus drivers are among the City of Winnipeg workers who experience some of the highest rates of workplace injuries. The cost of those claims is weighing heavily on the city's finances, according to a new city report.
CTV News
26 minutes ago
- CTV News
Firefighters extinguish brush fire in Dowling
Sudbury fire and Ministry of Natural Resources crews were called to a brush fire off Pilon Crescent in the Dowling area Tuesday night. Sudbury fire and Ministry of Natural Resources crews were called to a brush fire off Pilon Crescent in the Dowling area Tuesday night. A Dowling resident who was burning brush piles without a permit Tuesday night got a surprise visit from city firefighters. Crews responded to the fire around 10:30 p.m., deputy fire chief Jess Oshell said Wednesday. 'Unauthorized burn was occurring,' Oshell said in a text message. Burning brush piles 'In this instance, brush piles were being burnt without a permit … With the assistance from the property owner, the fire was extinguished.' Oshell said the incident was a good reminder for residents to check the city's outdoor burning bylaw for regulations regarding all outdoor burning 'and to identify when a burn permit is required.'
CTV News
32 minutes ago
- CTV News
Latest potential measles exposure sites in Stratford include grocery store, pharmacy and school fundraiser
Huron Perth Public Health has announced a new batch of potential measles exposure sites in Stratford and Mitchell. The latest areas of concern include: Foodland, 581 Downie Street in Stratford – June 3 from 7 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Long & McQuade, 145 Erie Street in Stratford – June 3 from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart, 211 Ontario Street in Stratford – June 4 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. North Easthope Public School's Food Truck Night Playground Fundraiser, 4672 Road 108 in Stratford – June 5 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart, 211 Ontario Street in Stratford – June 5 from 5:55 p.m. until 8 p.m. On Stage Dance Studio, 172 Ontario Street in Stratford – June 5 from 5:50 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. Shell Station, 5878 Line 34 in Mitchell – June 6 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to the virus can go the Huron Perth Public Health's website to fill out a Measles Exposure Self-Assessment Tool to get some guidance on next steps. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the illness is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent measles from spreading to other patients.
