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Hamilton Spectator
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hardeman celebrates 30 years in provincial politics
The longest-serving current member of the Ontario Legislature recently reached three decades of public service. 'It's been quite an experience,' said Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman. 'Looking ahead, 30 years seems like a long time, but looking back, it seems like just the other day.' Hardeman was first elected in June of 1995, defeating NDP incumbent Kim Sutherland. He has since been re-elected nine more times, most recently earning 55 per cent of the vote in last year's provincial election. 'It had its ups and downs. I spent the first eight years in government and the next 15 years in the opposition and now back in government. What's most rewarding about it, it doesn't really matter if you are on the government side or the opposition, it's working with your local people that makes the job worthwhile.' Hardeman's longevity has earned him the official title of Dean of the Legislative Assembly and he explained being a sitting MPP has never felt like a job. 'It's always been something that I just do. If you enjoy what you're doing, it's never work, and for me, that's definitely true with politics. I guess that's what keeps me going, even when people suggested maybe I shouldn't do it anymore. I just can't think of a better way to spend my time.' Before the legislature shuttered for its summer break, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott delivered an address praising Hardeman to non-partisan applause. 'This Sunday, June 8, marks his 30th anniversary as MPP for Oxford. 90 seconds just isn't enough time to list all his accomplishments, but I would like to highlight a few.' Hardeman spearheaded a private members' bill called the Hawkins-Gignac Act, which was passed in 2013. Officially called the Carbon Monoxide Safety Act, it is a groundbreaking Ontario law that mandates carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in all homes equipped with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. It amends the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to include carbon monoxide safety, enabling enforcement through Ontario's Fire Code and proclaims the first week in November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week each year. The bill, which was first tabled in 2008, was inspired by the tragic 2008 death of OPP Const. Laurie Hawkins, her husband Richard, and their children Cassandra (14) and Jordan (12). A blocked chimney vent caused deadly carbon monoxide to seep into their Woodstock home, which had no CO detectors 'He had to introduce it five times but he got it passed and it has been saving lives in Ontario ever since,' proclaimed Scott. Hardeman said he is proud of passing the legislation and the fact it has made a difference. 'It is the one thing I can say, I did that at Queen's Park, I did that when I was a member and it wasn't just about supporting the government or the opposition. That was something we did that happened and we can actually measure when it saves lives.' The 77-year-old former owner and operator of Hardeman Feed Limited from 1966 to 1995 pointed to several other improvements in the riding during his tenure. 'Almost all schools have been rebuilt or replaced, we have a new hospital in Woodstock and almost a new hospital in Tillsonburg with all the additions and repairs. Oxford has been good to me and I think the government has been good for Oxford.' Hardeman also served as the associate Minister of Rural Municipal Affairs, where he launched the Rural Economic Development Program. 'It continues to this day and is responsible for thousands of jobs across rural Ontario. He served as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs twice. He introduced protections for farmers and animals by preventing trespassing. He introduced legislation to support farmers through the mental health challenges that a career in agriculture can present,' added Scott. Hardeman said the kind words from his fellow elected official were a pleasant surprise. 'I wasn't expecting that. She's been a great friend and if someone was going to do it, I wasn't surprised she did. At the same time, I wasn't expecting anybody to do it.' Scott is the second-longest-serving provincial politician among current MPPs in the province. Hardeman hosted a reception at Sally Creek on June 8 and invited his supporters, including those who were in his camp 30 long years ago. 'That was the best thing about having our little get-together, being able to thank all the people. Not the ones that helped the last time, but the people who were there the first time. I had the privilege of recognizing my first campaign manager from 1995.' Dennis Vollmerhausen was the campaign manager who Hardeman said was instrumental in his first election victory. As for whether Hardeman will participate in his tenth provincial election next time around, that remains to be seen. 'I always insisted that I didn't want to decide on how I should be judged on my performance for this term until we get near the end of it. The next election is always a report card on your last one.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Province
02-07-2025
- General
- The Province
Condo Smarts: Strata overwhelmed by strict fire code responsibilities
The regulations are intended to impose 100 per cent of the obligation and liability on the property owners Tony Gioventu advises strata owners on how to handle B.C. Fire Code responsibilities. Photo by arselozgurdal / Getty Images/iStockphoto Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Dear Tony: We have a notice from our fire-service provider regarding the Fire Code. Are we to understand correctly that the volunteers on our strata council and owners are the ones who have to conduct routine testing and verify our fire safety system is operating correctly? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors To begin with, everyone is retired, we polled our owners and no one has any technical experience to determine if the system is operating correctly, and no one is willing to assume the personal or corporate liability for an error or omission that may occur as a result of managing our system. Here is a direct quote from the handbook we received and the quote from the regulations. 'Ensuring that fire- protection systems are inspected, maintained, and serviced in accordance with the plan and the fire code, and where an inspection, maintenance, or testing procedure is beyond in-house capabilities, it is their (the property owner) responsibility to have qualified personnel complete the procedure.' We also have the obligation to document: Fire incidents, false alarms, fire drills, discharge or operation of fire equipment, training periods, name, location, and persons requiring assistance and their volunteer assistants (specify assistance required), and minutes of fire safety meetings, which we have never conducted. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This is overwhelming for our community and residents are concerned and stressed because they believe we are not complying with the law. Help! — Margery W., Victoria Dear Margery: I agree it is overwhelming. The regulations are intended to impose 100 per cent of the obligation and liability on the property owners to ensure the fire safety systems are operational and tested; however, the regulation does provide a window to ease the responsibility. If the procedures are beyond the capabilities of the owners, it is their responsibility to have qualified personnel complete the procedures, therefore, we contract out a number of services. While the fire testing and maintenance of a property owner's systems can be contracted to a service provider, your community has an obligation to conduct routine operations for fire safety. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. To fulfil your in-house obligations, look to the actions only your strata corporation manages. Conduct and report in your strata council minutes when you have any fire-related incidents, testing, drills, false alarms, any type of training for council members and most important a documented list of any person(s) requiring assistance in the event of a fire and evacuation. It provides an ongoing history of your fire safety operations and confirms your activity. A ready list should be available to provide to emergency responders. Insurance policies require property owners maintain their fire-safety systems as operational and meet the regulations. Discuss the scope of obligations with your service provider and contact your insurance broker to confirm your strata corporation is meeting its obligations for the safety of your residents, and your obligations under the B.C. Fire Code. There are also consultants in our industry who provide support and assistance to make this process much easier. Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association. Email tony@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News News
Vancouver Sun
02-07-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Condo Smarts: Strata overwhelmed by strict fire code responsibilities
Dear Tony: We have a notice from our fire-service provider regarding the Fire Code. Are we to understand correctly that the volunteers on our strata council and owners are the ones who have to conduct routine testing and verify our fire safety system is operating correctly? To begin with, everyone is retired, we polled our owners and no one has any technical experience to determine if the system is operating correctly, and no one is willing to assume the personal or corporate liability for an error or omission that may occur as a result of managing our system. Here is a direct quote from the handbook we received and the quote from the regulations. 'Ensuring that fire- protection systems are inspected, maintained, and serviced in accordance with the plan and the fire code, and where an inspection, maintenance, or testing procedure is beyond in-house capabilities, it is their (the property owner) responsibility to have qualified personnel complete the procedure.' Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. We also have the obligation to document: Fire incidents, false alarms, fire drills, discharge or operation of fire equipment, training periods, name, location, and persons requiring assistance and their volunteer assistants (specify assistance required), and minutes of fire safety meetings, which we have never conducted. This is overwhelming for our community and residents are concerned and stressed because they believe we are not complying with the law. Help! — Margery W., Victoria Dear Margery: I agree it is overwhelming. The regulations are intended to impose 100 per cent of the obligation and liability on the property owners to ensure the fire safety systems are operational and tested; however, the regulation does provide a window to ease the responsibility. If the procedures are beyond the capabilities of the owners, it is their responsibility to have qualified personnel complete the procedures, therefore, we contract out a number of services. While the fire testing and maintenance of a property owner's systems can be contracted to a service provider, your community has an obligation to conduct routine operations for fire safety. To fulfil your in-house obligations, look to the actions only your strata corporation manages. Conduct and report in your strata council minutes when you have any fire-related incidents, testing, drills, false alarms, any type of training for council members and most important a documented list of any person(s) requiring assistance in the event of a fire and evacuation. It provides an ongoing history of your fire safety operations and confirms your activity. A ready list should be available to provide to emergency responders. Insurance policies require property owners maintain their fire-safety systems as operational and meet the regulations. Discuss the scope of obligations with your service provider and contact your insurance broker to confirm your strata corporation is meeting its obligations for the safety of your residents, and your obligations under the B.C. Fire Code. There are also consultants in our industry who provide support and assistance to make this process much easier. Tony Gioventu is executive director of the Condominium Home Owners Association . Email tony@ .
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- GMA Network
Jonvic Remulla relieves Makati fire execs over cars blocking fire trucks
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday relieved from their posts officials of the Makati City Fire Station, whose parked vehicles blocked the fire truck driveway when he conducted a surprise inspection of the facility. Obstructing the fire truck bay is a violation of the Fire Code and its implementing rules. Remulla, during his inspection, saw the parked vehicles of the concerned personnel blocking the ingress and egress of fire trucks and emergency response ambulances. He said such obstruction will cause a huge delay in responding to fires and other public safety emergencies where lives and property are on the line. Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2018 and the 2019 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) provide that there should be no obstructions in the ingress and egress of fire trucks and emergency response vehicles nor should there be any prevention, interference or obstruction of any operation of the fire service. Officials found violating the said provisions may be held administratively liable for willful impropriety or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duty under Section 11 of the Fire Code. The DILG called on fire station chiefs to prohibit any parking in front of or near fire trucks and order the immediate removal of all unauthorized parked vehicles blocking fire response units. –NB, GMA Integrated News
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Matunuck Oyster Bar, damaged in fire, did not have sprinklers
Fire officials said The investigation remains ongoing. 'There is significant damage to the building,' South Kingstown Fire Chief Steven Pinch said. 'It's still standing, but between the water, fire and smoke damage, the structural problems are significant.' Advertisement These new details come more than two decades after the state's push to create a tougher fire code in the wake of the The The building the Matunuck Oyster Bar was located in was originally constructed in 1946. Since owner Perry Raso purchased the property - previously a rundown restaurant - to open his oyster bar in 2009, Advertisement The state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system in places of assembly that hold 300 people or more. Matunuck had an occupancy of 222 people. Despite additions made over the years, Bernier explained the oyster bar's square footage and occupancy rate were below the thresholds at which the state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system. Related : Several other restaurants and hotels in Rhode Island have suffered damaging fires in recent years. The historic Earlier this month, Matunuck Oyster Bar was last inspected by local fire officials in September 2024, when they found about 20 minor violations. Each was corrected within the required 30-day timeline. While no one was injured in the blaze, the fire comes as a devastating blow to Advertisement two regular diners, Dan Smalley and David Stine, aimed at helping employees and the rebuilding effort, has already raised more than $140,000. The Rhode Island Hospitality Association Several building permits were recently pulled for future work to be done at the restaurant. Laurent Fortin Jr., a master pipefitter with Buckley Heating and Cooling, pulled a mechanical permit on May 13 to replace two water heaters and work on gas piping that ran from an existing propane tank to the water heaters, according to documents filed with the town obtained by the Globe. The job would cost nearly $25,000, according to the permit. The work wasn't expected to be performed until June 14, according to a representative with F&S Electric Inc., the electric company that was supposed to install the project's wiring. Anthony Santurri, an East Greenwich-based electrician, pulled an electric permit on May 20, the day of the fire. He did not return calls from the Globe seeking comment. 'Based on information collected to date by inspectors, several possible causes have been ruled out including commercial cooking equipment being a direct cause of the fire,' Matthew Touchette, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's office, wrote in an update on Thursday. Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
