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Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
London-area conservation officials warn: Don't get burned by giant hogweed
With summer around the corner and more people heading outdoors, London-area conservation officials are warning the public to be wary of an invasive plant that poses serious health risks. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is urging residents to stay vigilant as it ramps up efforts to manage giant hogweed, a toxic plant commonly found along waterways, roadsides and ditches. In a public notice, the agency called it 'one of Ontario's most dangerous invasive species.' Native to southwest Asia and introduced as a garden ornamental, giant hogweed can grow up to five metres tall and is becoming more common across southern and central Ontario. Its caustic sap can cause severe, long-lasting, and sometimes irreversible harm. 'All parts of the plant – stem, roots, leaves, even flowers – hold phototoxic sap,' said Brandon Williamson, the conservation authority's land management coordinator. Severe burns can occur when sap on the skin is exposed to sunlight as UV rays activate harmful compounds. 'If you're one of the unlucky ones who has a severe reaction to hogweed sap . . . you can get extremely severe burns (and) blistering. You can get heavy purple blotching on your skin that can last for years,' Williamson added. Symptoms typically appear within 48 hours and may result in long-term sensitivity to sunlight. Williamson said giant hogweed's clear, watery sap can even cause 'temporary and even permanent blindness' if it comes into contact with the eyes. As of May 20, conservation staff had already logged more than 120 hours treating about 47 hectares of conservation authority-owned property along the Thames River, according to the public notice. The work also helps protect native species, which giant hogweed can easily outcompete. Although the plant is more prevalent in some places – such as in the northern part of the watershed – Williamson said it's hard to say whether the problem is growing. In the Killaly area of northeast London, for example, the presence of hogweed has remained steady over the past 15 years. However, Williamson noted giant hogweed's ability to spread and 'move around' if it isn't managed. 'Because of how giant hogweed distributes its seeds and pops up across the watershed, if one landowner does a lot of work on their property and gets ahead of it, but the adjacent landowners upstream do not, then those seeds will go downstream and start to germinate and populate that area,' he said. The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority stated that appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn while managing giant hogweed. bwilliams@ 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 .
Hamilton Spectator
03-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Elgin-Oxford measles cases surge for second straight week
A London-area public health office at the epicentre of a provincewide measles outbreak is reporting its largest weekly surge in cases of the highly infectious disease since it began recording weekly statistics. Southwestern Public Health, the health unit that oversees Oxford and Elgin Counties and St. Thomas, is reporting 65 news measles cases since April 24 as of Thursday. The 65 cases is the largest seven-day increase since the health unit's epidemiology team began tracking weekly case counts on Feb. 27, health officials said. As of Feb. 27, the health unit had recorded 85 measles cases dating back to October 2024 when the outbreak began. During a virtual news conference on Thursday, Ninh Tran, medical officer for Southwestern Public Health, said the past week's measles case count was 'certainly a noticeable rise,' and attributed the cases to a cluster of unvaccinated individuals. 'This sharp rise in cases may be concerning to the community,' Tran said. 'However, the majority of these cases are part of a group of cases we are investigating that are linked to one another.' Tran continued: 'This is good example of how quickly measles can spread in groups where there are unvaccinated individuals. It is not uncommon to have increased number of cases reported after exposures in large households between siblings and other family members.' The increase in measles cases marks the second straight week the disease has spiked after a drop in cases. The health unit had recorded its lowest seven-day count with 15 cases between April 10 and April 17, followed by 28 cases between April 17 and April 24. Southwestern Public Health has updated its recorded measles case count from seven to 15 cases between April 10 and April 17. However, 15 cases remains the lowest seven-day case count since the health unit began tracking weekly figures in February. Thursday's report brings the total measles cases recorded by Southwestern Public Health to 451, accounting for about 35 per cent of the province's 1,243 cases Public Health Ontario was reporting as of April 29. There's a slight discrepancy between Public Health Ontario and Southwestern Public Health because the provincial agency records its data a day earlier. Southwestern Public Health's rate of cases per 100,000 people is 181 while the overall rate in Ontario is 7.9 cases per 100,000 people, Public Health Ontario said in its updated epidemiological report released on Thursday. The province's numbers jumped by 223 cases between April 23 and April 29, Public Health Ontario said in its report. 'The increase in the number of outbreak cases and the geographic spread in recent weeks is due to continued exposures and transmission among individuals who have not been immunized,' the report said. Southwestern, Grand Erie (Brant, Norfolk and Haldimand), Huron Perth and Chatham-Kent account for 71 per cent of Ontario's cases. As of Thursday, Middlesex-London Health Unit has reported 28 cases, officials from the public health office stated, noting most of the cases were 'clusters among unvaccinated individuals.' Tran said about 7.8 per cent of the cases reported by Southwest Public Health have resulted in hospitalization. 'I do want to highlight that measles can result in complications . . . including hospitalizations,' Tran said. Measles symptoms include a red rash, fever, cough, runny nose, upper respiratory symptoms, red eyes and fatigue. Serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness and death are possible.
CBC
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Shock, surprise: London voters react to election results
Social Sharing London-area voters of all political stripes are reacting to federal election results. CBC News spoke with local voters on Tuesday, hours after Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to its fourth straight election win, and after the second-place Conservatives scored a major political upset in London—Fanshawe, a longtime NDP stronghold. The riding, orange for nearly 20 years, was flipped blue on Monday as voters elected Kurt Holman to be the riding's first-ever Conservative MP. Elsewhere, Liberals managed to hold on to London Centre and London West, re-electing Peter Fragiskatos and Arielle Kayabaga. Several voters said they were pleased by the Liberal Party's performance nationally at the ballot box, while others expressed disappointment, saying a change in the governing party was needed. "I thought after 10 years of the Liberals that Canadians were looking for a change," said Ryan Braden, who supported Andrew Lawton, the newly-elected Conservative MP in Elgin—St. Thomas—London South. "Unfortunately, it didn't go the way I voted, but that's fine. Everybody deserves their opinion and their right to vote," Braden said, adding that he hopes Carney will keep his word to build more housing and lower the cost of living. While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre boosted the Tory vote-share to a generational high, he failed to keep the Liberals from government and from his own seat. "I was pleased with the results," said Tracey Bolzon, who voted for Fragiskatos in London Centre. "I think Mark Carney is the perfect person that we need right now to deal with the issues we have across the border." London—Fanshawe voters react to Mathyssen loss Pete Desando, an NDP supporter in London—Fanshawe, was hoping for different results. "Personally, I think the Liberals have had enough time to do something and look at the mess that we're in," he said. Desando was surprised Lindsay Mathyssen, his riding's two-term NDP incumbent, placed third behind Holman and the Liberal's Najam Naqvi, he said. Mathyssen was elected in 2019, succeeding her mother, Irene, who was elected in 2006. "I was hoping NDP, at least, would still be there to prop us up — the common guy sort of deal." Another NDP supporter in London—Fanshawe, Daniel White, described the NDP's loss there as "a shocker" and speculated it was "payback for Singh getting tight with Trudeau." "I voted NDP because of my riding, I knew the Liberals were going to win, but it was a lot closer than I thought." Mathyssen was among at least a dozen NDP incumbents who lost their seats as the party shed support to the Liberals, losing official party status, and leader Jagmeet Singh, who announced early Tuesday that he would step down. In London—Fanshawe, some polls had suggested a possible close race between Mathyssen and Naqvi. Mathyssen told Radio-Canada annexation and tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump caused some supporters to vote strategically for Naqvi instead, allowing the Conservatives to "come up the middle." Rosa Poladian was among those who cast a strategic ballot, saying that she would normally support the NDP, citing the party's work on pharmacare, and Mathyssen and her mother's "excellent" work. She blames a split "progressive vote" for the Conservative win.
Hamilton Spectator
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Elgin-St. Thomas-London South: Ex-radio host Andrew Lawton wins
ST. THOMAS – Controversial Conservative candidate Andrew Lawton was elected MP Tuesday night in a redrawn London-area party stronghold. Polls reported slowly Monday evening, but Lawton never lost his lead over his three opponents in Elgin-St. Thomas-London South – a riding slightly recast and renamed from the former Elgin-Middlesex-London – including Liberal rival David Goodwin. At around 11:10 p.m., applause erupted among about 75 people gathered at an election party at the Columbus Club in St. Thomas amid news the riding had been called for Lawton, a former radio host. Cheers erupted again about five minutes later when Lawton arrived with his wife, a London Free Press employee. Lawton greeted supporters before making his way to the front of the room. 'The people have spoken,' Lawton said. 'This is the honour of a lifetime to be able to serve our riding, to serve our community and to serve our country in the next parliament.' In his speech, Lawton lamented the evening as 'bittersweet,' noting the projected Conservative second-place finish nationwide. Postmedia's decision desk projected Mark Carney's Liberals would form the next government. Lawton commended his opponents, lauding New Democrat Paul Pighin for his advocacy of marginalized communities, People's Party candidate Stephen Campbell for having the 'courage to put his name on a ballot' and Liberal Goodwin for stressing the importance of 'local and community representation in politics.' Goodwin, the only candidate with a real shot to beat Lawton, thanked his volunteers and supporters, acknowledging it was a difficult riding for a Liberal to win. 'I'm very proud of the campaign we ran, and am grateful to our volunteers and supporters,' Goodwin said by email . 'We knew it was an uphill battle, this being a conservative stronghold. It was a great experience.' Lawton continues a legacy of Conservative representation in the area. Before Elgin-St. Thomas-London South was created, Elgin-Middlesex-London was held by Joe Preston, now St. Thomas' mayor, from 2004; Karen Vecchio succeeded Preston in 2015 and retired after a decade in politics.. 'I will fight for this country and you will always have an advocate for freedom as long as I am your member of Parliament,' Lawton told supporters Monday night. Lawton overcame controversy from his past comments to claim victory. It comes seven years after an unsuccessful 2018 for Ontario's Progressive Conservatives in London West. bwilliams@
Toronto Sun
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Liberal candidate defends campaign worker amid middle-finger photo fallout
'I strongly condemn the harassment that a small group of toxic ideologues has inflicted on Matt (Janes)." A Liberal supporter, Matt Janes from St. Thomas, gives two middle fingers to the camera outside an election rally in Brantford on Friday, April 19, 2025. Journalist and lawyer Caryma Sa'd posted the image to social media that has been edited to obscure the gesture. Sa'd said the photo was taken in an interaction between Janes and her videographer. The online backlash against a London-area Liberal campaign volunteer who was photographed making an obscene gesture outside a Mark Carney rally is unacceptable, the federal candidate for whom he's working says. 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. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. 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 Don't have an account? Create Account David Goodwin is running for the Liberals in Elgin-St. Thomas-London South and in a statement sent to The Free Press defended the volunteer, Matt Janes, who has been pilloried on social media over the picture of him giving a photographer two middle fingers. 'I strongly condemn the harassment that a small group of toxic ideologues has inflicted on Matt, his family, and the residents, business owners and community organizations of Elgin-St. Thomas-London South,' Goodwin said, noting Janes has faced 'threatening calls and emails.' Goodwin attributed the backlash to 'far-right idealogues.' The photo, published by journalist/lawyer Caryma D'sa, has framed Janes as emblematic of what critics call the Liberal party's indifference to the struggles of young people. He's been dubbed the 'Brantford boomer' in reference to the rally's location and his age in the Baby Boom generation. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. 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. Railway City Brewing Co., a St. Thomas brewery that formerly included Janes as a partner, issued a statement this week distancing itself from him. Goodwin said a yarn shop Janes formerly ran was also targeted along with community groups where Janes and his wife volunteered. In a statement to The Free Press earlier this week, Janes said he was in line at the Carney rally in Brantford when he and other supporters encountered what he called a 'vulgar F*** Carney crowd' that was 'harassing and shouting obscenities' including calling the Liberal supporters 'pedophiles.' His reaction was captured in the photo, which then ricocheted across social media. In his Friday statement, Goodwin didn't condone Janes' response but said: 'In the face of this sustained harassment, Matt ultimately gave 'the double bird' to his harassers.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Goodwin added:'(Janes) has been a wonderful volunteer for my election campaign, mostly by delivering pamphlets to residents' mailboxes.' He called on Conservative opponent Andrew Lawton to 'strongly disavow the far-right ideologues in this scenario, and their despicable behaviour against the decent, hardworking people of Elgin-St. Thomas-London South.' Goodwin continued: '(Lawton) says he's denounced his well-documented habit of insulting multiple groups on podcasts, on air and online. But Mr. Lawton has been largely absent throughout this campaign, avoiding protesters, most public events and opportunities to be accountable to the people he wants to represent.' In an email response to Free Press questions, Lawton said he and his team 'have knocked on tens of thousands of doors' and counting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We have run a positive campaign focused on ideas and the need for change in this country,' Lawton said. 'Any assertion otherwise is false. My opponent understandably wants to talk about anything other than his Liberal government's disastrous record.' Lawton is married to a Free Press employee. Elgin-St. Thomas-London South is a vacant seat, with longtime Conservative MP Karen Vecchio opting to not seek re-election. In addition to Goodwin and Lawton, the ballot includes Paul Pighin (NDP) and Stephen Campbell (People's Party). bwilliams@ @BrianWatLFPress The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada Read More Ontario Toronto Maple Leafs Canada Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs
