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Sarnia-Lambton chamber asks feds to end postal strike

December 5, 2024

The Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce is asking the local MP to advocate for an end to the Canada Post strike.

Members of CUP-W walked off the job three weeks ago, just as the Christmas season started. The main issues in the dispute with the crown corporation is wages and the long-term viability of the post office. The two sides aren’t meeting right now, although they have exchanged proposals on next steps in the dispute which started Nov. 15.

In a letter to Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, Chamber CEO Carrie McEachren urged the MP to “immediately intervene and do everything necessary to end the strike.

“This is yet another blow to our supply chains, with a disproportionate impact on entrepreneurs and small business engaged in e-commerce,” McEachren wrote.

With labour disputes disrupting shipping and rail networks, McEachren says “there has simply been no predictable movement of goods or stability in prices.”

And she asks Gladu to get involved saying “we cannot continue to pay the price of inaction.”

The federal government has appointed a mediator to work with Canada Post and CUP-W. Wednesday, the labour minister called on the two sides to roll up their sleeves to solve the issues. So far, the feds have refused to introduce back to work legislation.

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Enniskillen councillor resigns citing ‘horrific’ communication in the township

December 10, 2024

Heather Wright/The Independent Enniskillen Councillor Mary-Lynne McCallum is resigning from township council at the end of the month, frustrated with a pending agreement which exempts a local greenhouse from new cannabis regulations. McCallum officially tendered her resignation Dec. 9, saying she would serve until the end of the month.  The 14-year veteran of council says she was there to serve

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Petrolia councillors turn down suggested tax break

December 10, 2024

Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia residents will be paying three per cent more for their municipal taxes, despite the efforts of one municipal councillor to give them a break. Town council completed budget talks Nov. 26. It included that three per cent tax increase – about $97 more for the average home assessed at $194,000.  One of the big drivers of

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A familiar voice at Watford fire retires after 57 years

December 10, 2024

Township also honours long time Captain for his volunteerism Heather Wright/The Independent For over 50 years, when Watford firefighters called back to the hall, Terry Smith answered. But that’s changed as Smith, the radio operator for the department, retired after 57 years of service. He and Capt. Don Hart, who joined the Watford department around the same time, were honoured

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Enniskillen, greenhouse owners reach a cannabis deal

December 10, 2024

Heather Wright/The Independent Enniskillen Produce’s greenhouse on Lasalle Line won’t be subject to new rules for cannabis operations.Lawyers for Enniskillen Township and the local produce company announced their agreement during an Ontario Land Tribunal video hearing. Enniskillen Produce appealed to the tribunal after the municipality passed new zoning rules for cannabis operations. The greenhouse had housed a cannabis operation since

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