Leeds, Grenville & Lanark
District Health Unit
MEDIA RELEASE
February 2, 2023

The Leeds Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit (LGLDHU) would like to advise everyone to take appropriate precautions over the next few days as temperatures are expected to be extremely cold. Environment Canada is anticipating that a strong cold front will produce wind chills value of minus 40C to minus 45C.

Cold weather can cause very serious health conditions and even death. Unprotected skin can freeze in as little as 10–30 minutes, and the risk of developing hypothermia is high. During very cold weather, everyone is at risk; however people experiencing homelessness, the elderly, infants and children, people taking certain prescription medications, people with certain pre-existing health conditions, outdoor workers, winter activity enthusiasts, and people living in homes that are poorly insulated (without heat or power) are in greater danger. During these cold temperatures, the Health Unit strongly encourages the public to check on family members, neighbours, or friends who may be isolated, disabled, living alone, or without sufficient shelter. During cold weather everyone should take the following precautions:

• Wear layers of warm dry clothing including a hat and mitts, to block the wind.
• Drink warm, non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages.
• Cover exposed skin surfaces when outdoors.
• Maintain a heated environment of around 20°C/68°F.
• Check for local warming centres or shelters in your community.
• Be aware of how your medications or health conditions may increase your risk.
• Be aware of the early signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Be aware of the dangers of using an oven or space heater as a heating device.
• Keep a winter driving survival kit in your vehicle and be sure to check the weather and road conditions before you travel.

For more information on how to protect yourself during extreme cold please see the Health Canada Wind Chill Index webpage, our Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures webpage and our Cold Weather Injuries factsheet.

Connect with us on Facebook and follow @LGLHealthUnit on Twitter for important public health updates. You can also call 1-800-660-5853 with any questions.

For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Katie Lamb

Multimedia Specialist – Social Media

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

613-345-5685 x 2285 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Find us on social @LGLHealthunit

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023:

Second-Hand Truck Purchase
Council approved the purchase of a 2002 Ford F-150 XLD 4x4 from the  Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Department for $2,500 and approved the expense of $3,500 to pass the required safety inspection. The vehicle will be used as a spare vehicle for road patrolling and building inspections.

In-Kind Contribution
Council agreed to compensate Councillor Paul Kehoe $60 per hour for the use of his tractor as an in-kind contribution for his work in bush hogging the proposed Drummond/North Elmsley Trail.

Committee of the Whole Meeting January 24, 2023

Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital CEO Michael Cohen attended the meeting to give Council an overview of the hospitals’ activities. Staffing shortages and supply chain difficulties are continuing to be significant challenges though overall operations are
stable. The catchment area for the hospitals contain the highest concentration of older adults which will require an increase in the number of beds to 215 by 2050, up from the current 88.4 beds (2019/2020).

Mr. Cohen highlighted the four priorities of the hospitals’ strategic plan:
1. Provide an excellent experience for the people we serve, every time,
2. Meet the changing needs of our community
3. Support and empower our people
4. Ensure our future sustainability

The hospital started a $6M fundraising campaign for a new MRI machine. The MRI machine requires $2M in hospital renovations that will protect people’s safety.

The PSFDH initiated a core capital program 4 years ago to help address capital funding gap and partnered with many area municipalities. Annually, their assets depreciate by $4.6M against an investment of $2.4M in asset renewal. They are not keeping up with their assets. He mentioned that the funds from the program are directed to the clinical transformation project that was designed to improve patient safety, quality of care and leverage information to better manage the hospital and create innovations of care.

Upcoming Meetings
• Special Committee of the Whole - Council Priorities 2022-2026: February 8, 2023
at 1:00 p.m.
• Council Meeting: February 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: February 14, 2023 following the Council meeting

Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit MEDIA RELEASE 
Jan 13, 2023

Quitting smoking or vaping can be one of the most difficult things to do. It can take a few tries before you succeed. Each time you try to quit, you increase your chances of being smoke free for good. Making the decision to quit is a personal choice. Preparation and planning can increase the chances for a successful quit attempt.

Here are some tips to help you prepare to quit

• Think about how you want to quit, cold turkey, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, prescription medications.  Using quit aids like NRT/medication along with behavioural change can double your chances of a successful quit attempt.
• Make a list of all the reasons why you want to quit
• Monitor your smoking and find out what your triggers are
• Find healthier substitutes for smoking- once you identify your triggers, you can make other choices instead of having a cigarette
• Change your environment and routine – For example, start by making your home and car smoke free
• Talk with someone – tell others you are trying to quit; better yet, quit with a buddy
• Set a quit date.
• If your attempt wasn’t successful use the experience as an opportunity to reflect about what happened and why. Remember, when you start over, this time you are stronger and wiser!

Once you have made the decision to quit, you can explore some the various quit smoking strategies and tools available. The Health Unit can help you find the resources that are right for you:

• Consultation and support over the phone at 1-800-660-5853 or online at healthunit.org
• Stop smoking medications can help to control cravings and nicotine withdrawal. To find out how to get free nicotine replacement therapy, visit our website Ready to Quit Page
• There’s a free app also! Visit QUASH to make a quit plan that’s right for you.
• In-person help is now available from the Health Unit – contact us for an appointment with a quit coach who can walk you through the options for quitting and help you make a plan for success. Appointments can be made after regular office hours in Brockville or Smiths Falls offices; check the website for more details.

Many people find it difficult to quit because they feel that smoking/vaping helps them to relax. This is one of the biggest myths, in fact, it does the opposite to your body.  Smoking makes your heart beat faster, your breathing quickens and your blood pressure rises.  Stopping what you are doing to smoke/vape gives you a break from work or something causing you stress and takes your mind off your worries.  You can accomplish the same results without smoking or vaping.

Another quitting strategy is to try vaping instead of smoking. While quitting altogether is better, we recognize reducing your consumption may be an option for some people. Here are some tips if you think switching or reducing is your best option:

• Switch completely to vaping (use of both cigarettes and vaping increases risk),
• choose low nicotine content products,
• reduce use & manage cravings, and
• consider an approved quit product like nicotine patches or gum. 
• If you don’t smoke, don’t start vaping. 

Any attempt to quit smoking or vaping is a good decision for your health.  For more information, visit our Ready to Quit page on our website. You can also follow LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter or @lglhealthunit.z on Instagram for important public health updates.

For media interviews, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023:

By-laws:
2023 Budget Estimates
Council passed the 2023 Budget Estimates Bylaw to raise a tax levy of $4,909,964 and a capital budget of $1,164,500.

Road Allowance Closure and Sale
Council stopped up, closed up and is selling a small portion of a unopened road allowance on Concession 11, between lots 15 and 16 to Temple’s Sugar Bush Ltd and Cummings.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: January 24, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: January 24, 2023 following the Council meeting

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

2023 Salary Cost of Living Increase
Pre-budget approval was given for a 2% cost-of-living increase for salaries effective January 1st.

Purchase of a Plow Truck
Council gave approval for the purchase of an International Plow Truck in the amount of$357,000 plus HST.

Delegation of Authority for Liquor Sales
Council amended the Delegation of Authority to Staff By-law to approve the sale of liquor on New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday statutory holidays at the local Township LCBO retail locations when requested.

Interim Tax Rate
Council passed the 2023 Interim Tax Rate Bylaw to collect municipal taxes. The Interim Tax Rate is based on 50% of the previous years tax levy. Interim tax payments are due on February 28 and April 28.

Council Remuneration
Council approved a 2% increase on their remuneration effective January 1, 2023.
Reeve                                                              $31,472.73 per year
Deputy-Reeve                                             $22,231.06 per year
Councillor                                                    $19,030.56 per year

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: January 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: January 10, 2023 following the Council meeting

Free and Low Cost meals are available in both Perth and Smiths Falls please see the schedules below. 

Food Calendar Perth

Food Calendar Smiths Falls

Household food insecurity means not having enough money for nutritious food. Economic solutions to food insecurity take time but in the mean time we believe that everyone has the right to access healthy and safe food. Look at the community meal calendar for your area if you or someone you know needs help getting food. for more information visit,http://www.foodcorelgl.ca/inventories.html#Help

A winter storm warning has been issued for our area and is expected to hit Thursday night through Saturday. The Municipal Office will be closed on Friday but staff will be responding to calls and emails up to 12:00 pm (noon). You can reach staff by calling 613 267 6500 and entering the extension for the staff member you are trying to reach and leaving a voicemail. If you do not know the extension you are trying to reach leave a detailed voicemail in the general mail box and your voicemail will be returned. The Municipal Office will remain closed during the holiday season from noon December 23 until January 3rd at 8:30 am.

The Roads Emergency Number is 613 267 6500 ext. 255 and will be monitored throughout the winter storm and the holiday season. For Trees that are on hydro lines please call Hydro One directly at 1-800-434-1235.

The Code Road Landfill will be remaining open on Friday December 23. The hours will be 10:00 am to 5:00pm please monitor the website for updates as the landfill may close earlier due to road conditions. For the Code Road Landfill Holiday schedule is available here 

There are no changes to your curbside collection schedule during this holiday season. Please note Christmas Trees cannot be picked up through curbside and must be brought directly to the Code Road Landfill for disposal.

Municipal Office
The Municipal Office will be closed on Friday December 23 at 12:00pm and will not reopen until Tuesday January 3 at 8:30 am. To report a livestock kill during this time call 613-200-0769 for a roads emergency call 613-267-6500 and then wait for the prompt to dial 255, no inspections will be done during this time. 

Code Road Landfill

Please note that the landfill is still closed every Wedensday, Thursday and Sunday as per their regular hours.  Also the ReUse Centre will be closed until spring. 

There are NO changes to curbside collection this year due to the holidays. IMPORTANT Christmas Trees are not picked up at curb they must be directly brought to the Code Road Landfill.

Here are the highlights from the Township of Drummond/North Elmsley Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

2023 Council and Committee of the Whole Meeting Calendar
Council approved the 2023 meeting schedule. Council meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. There are some exceptions that accommodate the Council vacation in the month of July and the Christmas Holidays where the meetings will occur on December 12 and 19.

By-laws:
Chain of Command Bylaw: The head of council has the authority to declare and terminate emergencies under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. Other powers include taking such action and issuing orders as he or she considers necessary and are not contrary to law to implement the emergency plan of the municipality and to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the emergency area. It is crucial to have a command structure in place to deal with emergencies. In the event of absence by the Reeve or Deputy Reeve, the Chain of Command bylaw sets out the order of command for the Members of Council in an emergency.

Committees and Boards Appointments Bylaw:
• D/NE Trail Committee: Reeve Steve Fournier, Councillor John Matheson, Councillor Ray Scissons, Councillor Paul Kehoe, Nox McKimm, Alex Clark and Carson Thompson
• Economic Development Committee: Reeve Steve Fournier, Councillor Ray Scissons, Councillor Paul Kehoe, and James Healey
• Committee of Adjustment: Councillor Paul Kehoe, Sean Kennedy, and Karl Grenke
• Rideau Valley Conservation Authority: Reeve Steve Fournier
• Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority: Councillor Paul Kehoe
• Drug Strategy Committee: Reeve Steve Fournier
• Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Rescue Board: Councillor John Matheson, Councillor Paul Coutts, Councillor Ray Scissons.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw: 2549 Tennyson Road to permit a garden suite.

Upcoming Meetings
• Council Meeting: December 20, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole: December 20, 2022 following the Council meeting

A Council/Committe of the Whole meeting will be held in the Council Chambers at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022.

Links
Council Agenda
CoW Agenda

For further information contact:
Cathy Ryder, Clerk
613-267-6500
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