News

In local news, as reported this morning, the Southeast Public Health website continues to be temporarily offline while critical software updates are being made. These updates will address any vulnerabilities in the site’s software, which have been identified.

This is a precautionary measure, and Southeast Public Health wants to assure the public that there has been no unauthorized access to the website.

Public health enquiries can still be made by calling 613-966-5500 or 1-800-267-2803

MAPLE SYRUP

The head of Quebec’s maple syrup producers’ association says the province’s strategic syrup reserve has run dry amid high demand for the product. The producers’ association has established a strategic reserve to ensure prices and supply remain relatively stable. Last year, U.S. commercial customers stocked up, fearing that President Donald Trump would carry out his threat to impose tariffs.

Canada produces about 75% of the world’s supply of maple syrup. 90% of that $1.2 billion comes from Quebec. Ontario supplies 3.7%

Like many other Canadian industries, maple syrup producers have been diversifying their export market. Twenty years ago, 80% of exports went to the United States. This year that has dropped to 65%. As well, with the dwindling of reserves, price increases are inevitable. The Producers’ Association are seeking provincial government assistance to stem that increase and help maintain global market share for maple syrup.

NATIONAL PARKS

Parks Canada expects to eliminate the equivalent of 500 full-time jobs across the country as part of a “workforce adjustment due to decreases in federal funding. Nearly 3,000 Parks Canada staff were notified this week that their jobs are at risk.

There are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves that protect over 343,000 square kilometres of lands in Canada.

Thousand Island National Park is the closest one to Prince Edward County. Kingston Fortifications National Historic Sites, like Fort Henry, are privately operated and should not be impacted. The closest park to Prince Edward County is Thousand Island National Park.

And finally, the haunting call of Canada’s common loon, that is synonymous with nightfall in the summer, is becoming less common amid widespread declines.

New research suggests substantial North American declines, with Prairie and Atlantic populations suffering among the steepest losses.

“The most alarming thing is the extent of this decline,” said Matthew Fuirst, an ecologist with Birds Canada and one of the authors of a study published yesterday.

Canada is home to 94 per cent of the global common loon population, with an estimated 254,000 breeding couples (half a million individuals) that migrate north to make the next generation every spring.

The iconic species, a minted representation of which many Canadians routinely carry around in their pockets and purses, has faced threats before from DDT, lead based fishing tackle and mercury poisoning. Now, the latest team of nearly two dozen collaborators from Canada and the U.S. cite climate change among a list of possible drivers for declines in loon chicks.

Sports

HOCKEY

The second place Wellington Dukes had another busy stretch ahead of them. They got a bit of a reprieved as their game last night was postponed. Tonight they are in Markham at 8 PM to battle the first place Royals. On Monday night they will be in Toronto facing off against the Warriors.

In the Northern Premier Hockey League, The County Royals are off to Stone Mills tomorrow night to take on the Tamsworth Sabres at 6:35.

CFL

In the CFL, it is the final week of the regular season. Three teams and vying for two playoff spots. The Saskatchewan Roughriders have clinched a playoff spot but don’t know where they’re going to finish. They face the West Leading Edmonton Elks tomorrow afternoon.

It is win and you are in for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who face the playoff bound BC Lions tonight. Lose and the Calgary Stampeders are in.

One of those three teams will finish third in the West Division and visit the BC Lions in the Western Semi-Final on October 31. One will finish fourth, clinch a crossover playoff spot, and take on the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final that same day. And either Winnipeg or Calgary will not qualify for the postseason.

F1

Fi racing is back this weekend. This time the site is Austin, Texas for the United States Grand Prix. Practice sessions start this afternoon and wrap up tomorrow at 1:30. The qualifying session starts at 5:00 tomorrow afternoon with the main race going Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Kimi Antonelli, with a win this weekend or at least finish higher than his teammate George Russell, could claim the Drivers’ Championship. He would be the youngest driver to do so in the history of F1 Grand Prix racing.