Ontario extends COVID-19 emergency orders to July 29

July 16, 2020

The province has extended its emergency orders to July 29 in the continued effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Ford government has legislation ready to make some of the powers in the orders more permanent, but it has yet to be passed by the Legislature. The extension of the orders, according to a government news release, allows time for Bill 195 to be passed.

The emergency orders which have been extended include suspending collective agreements to allow health care workers to be redeployed where needed particularly in nursing homes and long term care, pandemic pay for health care workers, the regulations around the first and second stage of reopening, and the delivery of cannabis to your door as well all the rules around expanded patios for restaurants.

The province declared a state of emergency March 17 and the last emergency orders were in effect until July 24.

New Petrolia plaza now likely in 2021

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The Independent among top newspapers in Canada

September 18, 2024

The Independent The Independent of Petrolia and Central Lambton has won four national awards at the Canadian Community Newspaper Awards. Newspapers of similar circulation size compete against each other and are judged by a panel of industry experts in 27 categories. There were nearly 800 entries this year. The Independent placed second in its division in the prestigious Best All-Around

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‘Opportunity to make some money’ now says wind developer

September 18, 2024

Wind project generate $500,000 a year for Brooke-Alvinston Heather Wright/The Independent Peter Budd says the crunch is on for new power sources and municipal governments have a chance to make some cash. The representative of Venfor Inc – a team of developers and entrepreneurs with decades of experience in the Ontario electricity and natural gas sectors according to a filing

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Petrolia for cash in second round of housing funding

September 16, 2024

Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia is hoping the second time will be a charm. The town will again apply for the federal government’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The federal program was announced early in 2024 and early this summer Petrolia and Plympton-Wyoming and Warwick were shut out of funding which would have allowed the municipalities to attract more affordable housing investment in

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Town may recognize Petrolia White Rose Band with plaque

September 16, 2024

Heather Wright/The Independent Norm Sutherland wants Petrolia to honour its musical history. He’s written a letter to town council asking if it will consider erecting a plaque at the new bandshell, built as a legacy project during the town’s 150th anniversary. “Mr. Percie Cox, musical director of the Petrolia White Rose Band and teacher of almost all of the youngsters