Latest news with #HildaMacDonald
CTV News
18-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Homelessness Hub in Leamington expanding to offer overnight services
The Essex County Homeless Hub in Leamington, Ont. is seen in this undated image. (Source: County of Essex) The County of Essex is expanding overnight services at the Essex County Homelessness Hub (ECH2). The facility is located at 215 Talbot Street East in Leamington. Operated by Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE), the ECH2 will offer a safe place for people to attend every night from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week, starting July 21, 2025, and running through to March 2026. 'The overnight program is an essential resource for rural residents experiencing homelessness, offering not only immediate shelter but also a compassionate connection to support. At FSWE, we're committed to supporting individuals as they navigate services and build pathways toward stable housing and improved overall well-being,' said Bryan Rock, community programs manager at FSWE. This initiative builds on the previous warming centre model, which offered a similar service starting in December of 2024 and ending in March of 2025. The overnight program will be operational seven days week until at least March of 2026, providing greater safety, stability, and access to supports for County residents experiencing homelessness. 'Homelessness is no longer just a big city problem and the Essex County Homelessness Hub is an important pillar of the County's response to homelessness in the region,' said Warden Hilda MacDonald, who is also the Mayor of Leamington. 'This expansion reflects Essex County Council's ongoing commitment to services and community partnerships that prioritize the health and well-being of some of the County's most vulnerable residents. The need is great and growing and we are committed to meeting that needm,' she said. From December 2024 through the end of March, the ECH2 overnight service recorded 918 visits, with a peak of 37 unique individuals in a single week in February 2025. During the same period, daytime services at the ECH2 supported 245 unique individuals and logged 4,715 visits. 'The overnight program is an essential resource for rural residents experiencing homelessness, offering not only immediate shelter but also a compassionate connection to support. At FSWE, we're committed to supporting individuals as they navigate services and build pathways toward stable housing and improved overall well-being,' said Bryan Rock, Community Programs Manager at FSWE. The ECH2 will continue to operate daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, offering a range of wraparound supports including housing navigation, replacing identification, assistance accessing income support programs, harm reduction resources, eviction prevention, and access to food, clothing, and hygiene items. For more information about the Essex County Homelessness Hub and available services, visit or call 519-326-8629 ext. 395.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
'A bitter pill': Leamington council moves ahead with $640K chimney swift habitat, but questions priorities
Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it's not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that's been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town's former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can't come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It's the law, and council knows it, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. 'You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'And here we are building a place for birds?' Leamington chimney Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they're not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren't taken to protect them. 'Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,' ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school's existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. 'When you're weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,' said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. 'It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we're dealing with a human crisis,' she said. 'We're not against the environment. We're not against taking care of endangered birds. It's just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.' 'We have to do it,' she added. 'We're plugging our noses… before we do it.' Local residents are also expressing frustration. 'That's a lot of money just to preserve the birds,' said Delvin Maxwell. 'Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.' 'It's a waste of money,' added Joe Testani. 'We're having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we're spending it on a bunch of birds?' 'That's crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,' he said. 'It's better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.' Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
'A bitter pill': Leamington council moves ahead with $640K chimney swift habitat, but questions priorities
Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it's not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that's been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town's former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can't come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It's the law, and council knows it, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. 'You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'And here we are building a place for birds?' Leamington chimney Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they're not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren't taken to protect them. 'Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,' ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school's existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. 'When you're weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,' said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. 'It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we're dealing with a human crisis,' she said. 'We're not against the environment. We're not against taking care of endangered birds. It's just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.' 'We have to do it,' she added. 'We're plugging our noses… before we do it.' Local residents are also expressing frustration. 'That's a lot of money just to preserve the birds,' said Delvin Maxwell. 'Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.' 'It's a waste of money,' added Joe Testani. 'We're having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we're spending it on a bunch of birds?' 'That's crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,' he said. 'It's better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.' Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Swarm of fish flies returns to Leamington, signalling a healthy lake — and a seasonal headache
Residents of Leamington are once again swatting, sweeping and sighing as fish flies make their annual appearance along the Lake Erie shoreline. The delicate, short-lived insects — also known as mayflies — emerge in large numbers every June, coating cars, sidewalks, and windows across the southern Ontario town. 'If it's good for the environment, I'm happy to see them, but they are kind of a pain in the neck,' said Daphne Steer, a Canada Post letter carrier. 'You just use the mail and swat around you as you're walking.' Fish flies in Leamington, Ont. 2025 Fish flies swarm Leamington, Ont., seen on June 25, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) While their presence can be overwhelming, scientists and local officials say the arrival of fish flies is actually a positive sign. 'When mayflies are thriving and hatching, that's telling you that you have a lot of oxygen in the water,' said Ken Drouillard, director of the School of the Environment at the University of Windsor. 'And it basically suggests that things are getting pretty good.' Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald agrees. 'This is just what happens. It's a sign the lakes are healthy, and we just get used to it,' she said. 'We turn off the outside lights at night. We hose off our cars. They're not particularly creepy. They're just kind of annoying. And they're on your windows and all of that. It's a regular season, I can't say there's more. The one big thing is they smell bad when they're dead. They smell like fish.' Fish flies in Leamington, Ont. 2025 Fish flies swarm Leamington, Ont., seen on June 25, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The smell, the mess, and the sheer volume are what many residents are dealing with this week. 'We get thousands of them,' said Connie Nelson, who has lived in Leamington for five years. 'The good thing is they're only here for a couple of weeks, and we know they're going to come every June. So, we just deal with it and know that July's coming soon.' Alan Antoniuk, who lives near Seacliff Park, said the latest wave hit hard overnight. He placed a 'Free fish flies' sign on his front yard. 'The fish flies hit hard last night again. About four to six inches in spots,' he said. 'The town's been fabulous cleaning it up. We haven't had any accidents. Some years, it makes such a grease slick that the cars go to stop, and they go right into the fence down here at Seacliff Park. But for the most part, it's been okay.' He added that they're feeding the environment, and they're needed, but they cause a big mess. 'Free fish flies. Bring your own buckets. Bring your own truck. Truckloads at a time. I'll give you the shovels if you want, you can clean them up on your own first thing in the morning,' Antoniuk said. Drivers are among those most frustrated, with cars and windshields often coated by the insects, especially if they sat under a light overnight. 'There's a lot of them,' exclaimed Tim Hergott as he washed his car. 'I don't know why they use my car as a target, but they do.' Hergott said he's been washing his vehicle more often since the insects arrived. Fish flies in Leamington, Ont. 2025 Fish flies swarm Leamington, Ont., seen on June 25, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) 'I'd rather they move on, but they're only here for, like, two or three weeks, and then they're gone,' he explained. 'You'd never know they were here.' Others are simply avoiding cleanup until the bugs are gone. 'I don't like it. They smell and there's no sense in trying to clean it off until they're all done coming here,' said Susan Bondy. 'It's crazy.' While short-lived, the mayflies serve a vital role in the ecosystem. 'It's remarkable how many other things in the environment are just waiting for that mayfly emergence to happen,' Drouillard said. 'So, first of all, even when those mayflies are sitting in sediments, they're a prominent component of fish food. Our walleye and yellow perch are consuming these at various stages of their life stages. And then when they emerge and they come out into the air, all kinds of birds and frogs and snakes, you name it. I've even seen skunks having a feeding frenzy on these mayflies.' As Leamington residents brace for another week or two of buzzing, crunching and sweeping, many are trying to keep their cool — and their sense of humour. 'Free fish flies,' Antoniuk said. 'Truckloads.'
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Leamington to install AI-powered security cameras as part of waterfront safety strategy
The Municipality of Leamington is moving ahead with new surveillance infrastructure aimed at curbing disruptive behaviour and improving safety in the community's waterfront and marina areas. A report going before council Tuesday recommends awarding a $115,000 contract to Empire Communications of Oldcastle, Ont., for the purchase and installation of a new AI-enabled security camera system. The project will be funded through a combination of previously approved capital funds and a draw from the municipality's IT reserve fund. The move is part of a broader effort to address community concerns about noise, loitering and unsafe activity along the waterfront. According to a municipal media release issued Monday, the measures follow the creation of a Waterfront Committee in May 2024, which includes residents, municipal officials and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) representatives. 'Leamington's waterfront is a treasured community space,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'Through the collaborative work of our Waterfront Committee and the support of our partners at the OPP, we're taking proactive steps to protect this area and promote respectful use of our public amenities.' Leamington marina cameras Leamington marina seen in Leamington, Ont. on June 24, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The waterfront district has since been designated a Community Safety Zone, increasing penalties for traffic violations, while the nearly completed Robson Road reconstruction project includes traffic calming features. The marina parking lot has also been redesigned to improve traffic flow, accessibility and boat launch staging. To support these changes, surveillance cameras will be installed not only at the marina and Seacliff Park Concession but also at the Seacliff Park Amphitheatre and Performer Room, Mersea Park, the nearby rainbow crosswalk, OPP station and the municipal building's employee parking lot. A report from David DelCiancio, the municipality's Manager of Information Technology, describes the cameras as a 'modern security camera solution' that transforms surveillance from passive recording into a proactive system. Using artificial intelligence, users can quickly search footage for specific people, vehicles or behaviours without needing to manually review hours of video. The total project cost is $115,000 plus HST. Although only $50,000 was included in the 2025 capital budget, a review of municipal facilities identified several sites where surveillance equipment was either outdated or non-existent. The project variance will be covered through the IT Reserve Fund, if council approves the recommendation. Leamington marina cameras A no loitering sign seen in Leamington, Ont. on June 24, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Additional safety enhancements include upgraded lighting, new signage restricting parking to between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., and prohibitions against loitering, excessive noise and engine revving. The signage also notes enforcement under the Trespass to Property Act. The OPP will increase their presence in the area to help enforce these regulations and support what the municipality calls 'a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience for everyone.'
