News

 

Glenna Schaillee, special programs officer for St. Lawrence College’s Centre for Training and Business Development attended the April 3rd South Dundas council meeting where chief administrative officer Stephen McDonald recommended that council approve township support for a Morrisburg Blossoms program.

The program, expected to run from May 29th to August 17th, was originally introduced to township staff when, in March, Schaillee approached them about the 12-week employment program designed for people aged 15 to 30 who need to gain work experience and training.

“St. Lawrence College, through the Centre for Training and Business Development, has been successful in obtaining funding for an employment preparation and training program,” reported McDonald.

“Participants will graduate with well rounded knowledge, practical skills and certifications in WHMIS, First Aid/CPR/AED, and safety training.”

There will be six weeks of in-class training and six weeks of placement in the “work world.” Participants will be paid $10.25 per hour for the 12 weeks.

In addition, Schaillee reported that the 12 people chosen will also receive work boots and tool kits, free of charge.

Participants will be expected to commit to 30 hours per week for the 12 weeks. South Dundas township is currently creating a list of work projects for participants to complete during the work portion of the program.

Some items from the list presented to council include:

• “Iroquois Marina – repair cement walkway east of boathouses

• Morrisburg outdoor rink

• Paint and install shelves at Iroquois visitor centre

• Earl Baker Park – general gardening, edging, pruning, painting picnic tables”

McDonald told council that “we would basically provide the projects, budgets for materials and supervision by our own staff.”

Deputy-mayor Jim Locke supported the program saying, “it’s an opportunity to get some beautification projects done that might not otherwise happen.”

“I agree,” said councillor Evonne Delegarde, “it’s a great project.”

Councillor Archie Mellan added, “it’s a great opportunity for people to get some experience and training.”

With unanimous support from council, mayor Steven Byvelds concluded the discussion saying, “we do appreciate the opportunity to participate. It will not only provide opportunity to get some stuff done in South Dundas, but also provide opportunity for employment.”

To apply for the program, interested people must first pass an eligibility test by phoning Lauralee Barkley, a St. Lawrence College representative, at 613-933-6080, extension 3176. For starters, the program is set up for people who are “out of school, out of work, and not receiving EI.”

During the phone consultation, Barkley will ask for some personal information, including name, contact information and social insurance number. 

According to Schaillee, the information collected will  then be “sent into Service Canada to see if they’re eligible.”

For those who are eligible, there will be a one-page application to fill out. The successful applicants will then go for an interview following which, if chosen, they will meet with Job Zone to complete the process.

True to its name, the Morrisburg Blossoms program training will take place in Morrisburg, while, as McDonald pointed out, the work portion “will be in Iroquois and Morrisburg.”

The program, however, has “no geographical boundaries” in terms of who can apply. 

In addition, Schaillee reported that there may be options available for those people who need extra assistance with transportation or daycare costs.

Organizers will continue to take applications until May 18th or until all twelve spaces are filled. With limited spaces, Schaillee reminded that this is a first come, first serve situation.

The Blossoms program has previously run in the Sharbot Lake area as well as in the Winchester and Chesterville areas. In each situation, the program met with great success.

[…]

 

From April 6th to the 9th, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), East Region Traffic Teams and participating detachments conducted a highly visible traffic safety enforcement initiative along Highway 401 that was simultaneously mirrored by the New York State Police(NYSP) and the Sûreté du Québec to emphasize the shared goal of safe roadways. 

OPP Detachments included Grenville County, Leeds County, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (SDG) and the OPP East Region Highway Enforcement Team (HET).

Officers concentrated on the offences that result in the greatest contribution to serious and sometimes fatal collisions, with particular attention to impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving and improper seat belt use. Officers also focussed on violators who do not move over for emergency vehicles that have their lights flashing.  

OPP officers in East Region stopped 2,634 vehicles with the following results:

• 682 provincial offence notices issued

• 648 speeding charges

• 23 seatbelt charges

• 2 distracted driving charges

• 1 impaired driving charge

• 7 suspended driver charges

• 15 commercial motor vehicle charges

• 108 move over charges

Section 159 of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) was created to keep emergency workers safe while stopped on our roadways. OPP officers issued 108 tickets to those drivers that failed to do so.

This is unacceptable. Emergency services workers need your help in providing a safe environment to respond to emergencies. Slow down and move away from the emergency services vehicles with its light flashing. We are here to help you… please help us!

[…]

 

With the Spring Home and Trade Show just days away, the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce is busy firming up last minute details.

The weekend event will take place at the Morrisburg Arena from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 20th and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 21st.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Friday night at 6 p.m. along with the traditional Friday night chicken barbecue provided by the Morrisburg and District Lions Club.

Following the Friday night barbecue, there will be a Saturday morning pancake breakfast complete with maple syrup donated by the Basket Case Café and Gallery.

In addition to free admission, visitors have the opportunity to win prizes from the Chamber as well as from several of the vendors. According to Chamber manager, Geraldine Fitzsimmons, “there are probably about 50 (vendors) doing draws.”

The Country Touch Landscaping Services owned by Chris Roach and Rachel Hewetson is just one of the vendors taking part in the give-away fun. They will be hosting a draw for an outdoor fire pit worth approximately $2,000.

The South Dundas Chamber of Commerce will be giving away ten $100 prizes. The ‘gift certificates’ will be good for use at any one of the companies participating in this year’s event.

There are over 80 companies and organizations signed up for this weekend’s event. “I would say that this is the biggest ever,” said Fitzsimmons. There are, she confirmed, exhibitors from at least four counties.

Some of the organizations participating include South Nation Conservation Authority, Community Living Dundas and the Williamsburg Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

 In addition to companies and shops, there will also be a few radio stations broadcasting from the arena throughout the weekend.

Fitzsimmons revealed that Ed Kingsley, past-president of the Chamber, will be on hand to emcee the event.

“We’re hoping people come out to see what South Dundas has to offer,” said Fitzsimmons earlier this month.

[…]

 

Media Release

On April 13th, Mayor Steven Byvelds announced that the Township of South Dundas has submitted an offer to purchase the former St. Cecilia’s School in Iroquois to provide the new location of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic in Iroquois.  

The St. Lawrence Medical Clinic has noted that it is their aim to provide modern facilities for growth and their current property does not meet this goal. 

The intent is to provide renovated, accessible space to the clinic, on a long-term lease basis, in the former St. Cecilia’s School, subject to acceptance of the offer by the Diocese. 

Byvelds welcomed the long term commitment of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic to the Village of Iroquois and the Township of South Dundas. 

“The St. Lawrence Medical Clinic has been and continues to be an essential part of this community,” he said. 

“I am pleased to announce this expanded partnership with the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic which will put in place a community owned medical facility that will aid in attracting new physicians, provide greater efficiency and accommodate growth for the next twenty years. ”

[…]

 

 Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry, along with Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds and Grenville, hosted an Industrial Wind Turbine Projects Meeting on April 10th at the DC Community Centre in Dixon’s Corners.

In addition to McDonell and Clark, the panel included Sandra Mancini and Geoff Owens from the South Nation Conservation Authority, realtor/appraiser Norris Wilson, president of Wind Concerns Ontario Jane Wilson, and Dan Scharff, a risk management consultant.

The politicians also invited representatives from Prowind Canada, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources, all of whom, declined to come, said McDonell.

“It’s disappointing that they didn’t take that opportunity,” said Clark.

Locally, South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds and South Dundas councillor Jim Graham were in attendance. Close to 100 people attended the meeting from South Dundas, North Dundas and Leeds and Grenville.

During his opening talk, Clark, who is also the PC party’s municipal affairs critic, pointed out a number of flaws he sees associated with Ontario’s Green Energy Act. 

He admitted that the issue “really came home to roost for me” after accepting an invitation from Lisa Thompson to attend an meeting in her riding of Huron-Bruce where municipal officials and the public came together to discuss the impact of wind turbines on their communities.

Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce, tabled a motion on December 8, 2011 calling for a moratorium on all further industrial wind turbine development until a third party health and environmental study could be completed.

On March 8th, she used her private members ballot to debate the motion. It was defeated when Liberals and NDP banded together to vote against it.

Thompson was quoted in a recent press release from her office, dated February 21st: “The health and well-being of the people of Ontario should be first priority when developing renewable energy projects.” 

“The McGuinty Liberals have failed to listen to rural Ontario, and have forged ahead placing industrial wind turbines in communities that are not willing hosts, without knowing the health and environmental implications,” she added.

Included in Thompson’s invitation to Clark was the opportunity to see the “hundreds and hundreds of turbines.” 

Remarking on his visit to Chesley, Ontario, Clark said that seeing turbines “from one end to the other,” wasn’t what shocked him the most. “What surprised me was the numbers and, at night, the red lights going off and on.”

He told the audience that the turbines were “very close to the road. There was a sign… ‘watch for falling ice and don’t come within 300 meters of turbine’… but they were less than 100 from the road!”

Referring to the February 9th Huron-Bruce meeting, Clark said, “I was there for about two hours listening to the frustrations and I pledged that night that I was going to join them.” He was referring to joining the massive walk-out planned for Premier Dalton McGuinty’s speech during the ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association) conference. 

He told the DC Community Centre audience that he’d heard people say it would be disrespectful to walkout on the premier during his speech and his response to that: “it is more disrespectful how the government is dealing with rural Ontario on this issue.”

Clark followed through on his pledge and he was one of many who walked out on McGuinty’s ROMA conference speech.

“Even with some setbacks, I believe you still have to be very vocal,” said Clark. “Jim’s been a very strong advocate for this riding.”

Looking out toward the audience, he continued: “I appreciate the frustration… there were people here years ago who aren’t here tonight because they felt there was very little hope.”

At this point, McDonell informed audience members that he’d brought along a petition for people to sign. He said, this issue is “tearing rural municipalities apart, pitting neighbour against neighbour. It really splits up and divides communities.”

When asked what was next in terms of strategy, McDonell said, “getting information out. In the auditor general’s report, he commits over a hundred pages to the green energy act. I want people to see the real numbers.”

Clark chimed in, reporting that “I’ve already had a major employer come to me (who said) he can save $8,000 a month going across the border.”

“More and more you’re going to see it as a job creation issue.”

“A lot of MPPs are looking at the options open to us. We’re going to use all the tools open to us to keep driving home the message that things have to change.”

“It’s a top priority for our economic viability in this province. Not a day goes by when I don’t get a call about hydro costs.”

According to Jane Wilson, “wind developers make $500,000 per year per turbine, sometimes more. That’s your money that’s being paid to them in subsidies.”

As for the proposed South Branch Wind Farm, Wilson stated that the turbines are expected to be 626 feet, “so they’ll be more expensive.”

McDonell turned the discussion back to the instability of wind power and the inability to store excess power, saying, “we’re taking on record levels of power.”

“It’s bankrupting the province. It’s not talked about by the government so people still think this is a good thing. We already have the highest property taxes in the country.” 

“The excess power flowing to the grid… the system will fail,” said McDonell.

Moving away from the issue of excess and volatile power, realtor Norris Wilson brought the topic around to decreased property values for those homes situated near wind turbines.

“The wind companies will tell you they don’t devalue your property,” said Norris Wilson. “It’s just common sense that if you put these moving machines around peoples property, they’re going to devalue them.”

He went on to say that properties near these wind turbines have gone down in value anywhere from approximately 25 per cent to 40 per cent.

He reported that there are wind companies that have purchased properties from people and then resold those properties for anywhere  between 40 to 60 per cent less than their original value.

“It scares the crap out of me,” he said.

Moving from the issue of property value, McDonell brought the discussion around to the Green Energy Act’s ability to preempt people’s and municipalities’ rights to have a say in what goes on in their communities.

“There’s no input required or allowed from local municipalities,” said McDonell. “It’s basically ‘this is the way it is.’”

“But for change,” he continued, “it takes the public as a whole.”

Clark, agreeing with McDonell, added that “you’ve got 80 municipalities that have passed resolutions but… municipalities need to have a bigger role in government.”

He said that municipal politicians “need to speak up for their municipalities.”

“Local mayors need to ask their government to represent them.”

“OFA, the Christian Farmers… passed resolutions. I think that’s the only reason they moved it a little bit…. it got their attention,” said Clark, referring to the recent changes to the Green Energy Act.

He further stated that “municipalities have got to start putting their names on the line and start asking their own associations to represent them.”

McDonell chimed in, saying that “people need  to speak up. That’s why we’re trying to get the message out.”

Scharff agreed, saying that “this fight is going to be won in cities. The people whose minds have to change are in the cities. Most of these people don’t even know about this.”

“Urban areas still see this as a great idea,” said McDonell.

Scharff talked about the issue of the ‘brand’: “‘If it’s green, it’s good.’ This has been indoctrinated… that this is the right thing to do.”

“It’s not an issue in the cities. You have to make it an issue in the cities,” he told the audience.

Adding to the point, Clark said, “what we’re facing is a game of numbers. When the Liberals and NDP vote together, they can vote us down every time.”

As for the people who have to live and deal with these turbines on a daily basis around their homes and in their communities, Jane Wilson reported that “calls to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) are getting nowhere. 100 calls… no one visited from MOE in over a year. She was told ‘there’s nothing we can do.’”

Wilson also suggested that industrial wind turbines are “just about the worst thing you could do to children with autism.”

In the end, audience members were left with commitments from both MPPs to continue pursuing the issue at Queen’s Park. 

For now, the South Branch Wind Farm is still moving forward. 

Prowind Canada submitted their final report to MOE just last week. Once MOE has declared the report complete, people will have 30 days to submit comments.

[…]

 

On March 20th, South Dundas council declared 397.31 acres of land as surplus. The decision has opened the door for the land on County Road 8 to be sold.

There are, however, those in South Dundas who strongly oppose the sale of the public land they call the ‘400.’

A passionate ‘letter to the editor’ was published in the April 11th issue of The Leader pleading the case for keeping the ‘400’ in public hands. Tyler Mills, author of the letter, asked for support from fellow township residents to save the land.

In that same edition of The Leader, it was reported that council, at the April 3rd meeting, approved a recommendation to hire Bowfin Environmental Consulting to complete a species at risk study, moving the land closer to sale.

On April 13th, Jim Mills, father to Tyler, contacted The Leader. As of that moment, he reported that he had attained 800 taxpayer signatures on a petition to stop the sale of the land.

“I received a call from the mayor (Steven Byvelds) yesterday,” he informed. “He said that my petition was useless without a letter with each with their concerns on why the land should be kept.”

Upset by the mayor’s message, Mills said, “we’re flooding the council meeting on Tuesday (April 17th). I expect to have 100 people there.”

“We have constitutional rights,” he continued. “I think a lot of decisions this current council’s making are one-sided and not in the best interest of the general public.”

The land, he said, “belongs to the taxpayers of South Dundas. It doesn’t cost anything to maintain.”

His message followed that of his son Tyler’s ‘letter to the editor’: “This land is virtually maintenance free to this townhsip. The road that runs through it is unmaintained, it is overgrown, and tore up from years of riding and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Also, in his letter, Tyler informed that the ‘400’ “is a playground of a different kind, a playground without monkey bars, swings, or slides, but a playground none the less.”

“This property has provided recreation of a different variety to many outdoorsmen. ATV, dirt bike, skidoo riders, cross-country skiers, nature enthusiasts, and families from in and out of this township who prefer the serenity, seclusion, and natural beauty of this property to the other public parks and recreation areas in the township,” he continued. 

“The impact on the folks who use this public property could be potentially devastating, for it is truly the last large piece of bush that exists in this township, as the satellite imagery will confirm.”

According to Jim Mills, he is asking that residents of South Dundas come together on this issue and “support me because I’m supporting you.”

The April 17th South Dundas council meeting took place following The Leader’s press deadline. Look for coverage of the meeting’s events in next week’s paper, April 25th.

[…]

 

On April 1st, Palm Sunday, Harmony Community Church began their “satellite” services in Williamsburg at Timothy Christian School. 

In addition to providing closer access to those congregants who live in South Dundas, the move is also an invitation to those who might be interested in experiencing Harmony Community Church first hand. 

According to their website, Harmony was first built during the years 1884 and 1885 by neighbours of different faiths, including Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics. Baptist Alexander Wood donated the land for the church.

While Harmony started out as Harmony Methodist Church, it became Harmony United Church in 1925 and then Harmony Community Church in 1976. Today the church, still named Harmony Community Church, is affiliated with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada.

According to Harmony’s pastor, D. Bruce North, Harmony Community Church “is more of a non-denominational church” in terms of the church’s “flavour” or “focus and style” of worship. “Our style is a mix; Pentecostal would be what people identified us with.”

 North explained that as an affiliate of the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, Harmony Community Church is not independent. 

He pointed to the merits of being an affiliate, saying “we’re part of a group that has a national voice and missions overseas.” In addition, “they’re not intrusive.”

He also said that Harmony “still values being accountable. I have a bishop that I have to report to. It’s good to have accountability.”

As for the church itself, the ‘old’ church is now “the lobby of the new church.” According to North, Harmony has a congregation of about 110 to 120 people. The church’s actual capacity is 150.

Harmony Community Church’s history of being very welcoming and inclusive is being borne out here in South Dundas with “satellite” services at Timothy Christian School.

According to North, the prevalence of South Dundas families in the church’s congregation led to the idea for the “satellite” services.

Having a service in Williamsburg makes things easier for those congregants who faithfully and loyally travel the distance to Winchester each Sunday, explained North. It will also give those who are unable to travel to Harmony the opportunity to experience Harmony’s worship close to home.

And, “we’re always doing neat stuff,” added North.

The “satellite” services give assistant pastor Daniel Wallace “an opportunity to preach without the senior pastor hovering.”

Wallace “is leaving this summer to take on his own church in Toronto,” said North. 

Wallace conducted services at the Harmony Community Church location in Winchester on April 1st and will do so for the remainder of the “satellite” services.

Considering that the Timothy Christian School location is “the outreach oriented” service, North felt it was important that he be there in Williamsburg for each of the Sunday “satellite” services. 

As for the “satellite” location, Timothy Christian School, North said it’s “a good partnership with them as well. Through us, it does publicize that they exist. We are an evangelical group of Christians who tend to think more about home schooling and Christian schooling.”

In addition, “the facility is sitting there, they have a sound system, and they’re being very fair.”

As for whether “satellite” services might turn into an ongoing thing, North said, “it certainly is a test. The elders of the church will look at it. There’s certainly a possibility of resuming in the fall.”

North emphasized that there are “no plans to form a new church in South Dundas. We don’t plan on starting a new church; we want to use resources better.”

“This is a different way of getting personal with people.” Instead of two services at one church, there are two separate services in two separate locations, making for smaller pastor to congregant ratio.

“Rural folk,” said North, “we like to see each other, connect with our neighbours and friends who have a common experience.”

“Our people are rural. There are very few families we get from north of the church,” he said. “We go all the way to Iroquois.”

There are two more planned spring “satellite” services to be held at Timothy Christian School in Williamsburg. The 10:30 a.m. services will take place on the first Sunday in May and the first Sunday in June.

[…]

 

Sears Catalogue Store (the Iroquois branch recently received recognition from Sears for customer service) and River Rat Treasures jointly sponsored and hosted a fund raising fashion show held at the Iroquois Legion on Sunday, April 15. 

Wearing a sparkling mixture of modern and exciting styles from Sears and some styles that would have made great-great-grandma swoon a century and a half ago, 12 models of all ages delighted a crowd numbering over 80. The funds raised from the event, $870, will all be donated to the Iroquois and District Celebration Festival Committee.

“We included a segment of period costumes to create some excitement for our upcoming festival,” said Candace Menges of River Rat Treasures and Candy’s Hair Salon, organizer for the show. “Our theme for the September festival is “Dundas Militia…A Call to Arms…War of 1812,” so it all fit.”

Evonne Delegarde served as commentator for the fashion show. Guests enjoyed tasty treats,  took advantage of several door prizes and explored some very unique shopping opportunities over the evening.

Nancy Horton, a cancer survivor and author of the book, Hope in the Midst of Darkness, and the children’s book, The Big Fat Head (illustrated by her son, Carter) was also on hand at the fashion show. Diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Horton supports efforts, through her books, to help people cope with the disease, and with loved ones going through treatments.

“Think positive, reach out to God in times of trouble,” she said, “and don’t lose hope. The word cancer is not a death sentence.”

[…]

 

Playhouse favourite Leisa Way and her fabulous Wayward Wind Band have wowed audiences with their live tributes to Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. Their upcoming country concert, Country Jukebox, running May 2-13 at Upper Canada Playhouse, promises to give audiences more than their money’s worth by performing hit songs from no less than 25 famous country stars.

It will be like the Grand Ole Opry.

Way and her talented band of musicians and singers will perform the greatest hits from one of the biggest line-ups of country stars you’ll ever find in one show. 

“I think this will be their best concert yet. There’s so much in it,” said artistic director Donnie Bowes.  “Folks really liked the Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton shows, but this time the show is packed with fabulous music from everyone’s favourite singers. There’s such a variety of hit songs, that it’s hard to know where to start.”

Among others, the concert will feature renditions of famous duos and hits from the likes of Roy Orbison, k.d. lang, Shania Twain, Bryan White, Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Brooks & Dunn, Everly Brothers, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and George Jones.

In addition to all these great classics, Leisa and the Band will perform the world premier of a new Ray Mercey song from the Mercey Brothers written just for this concert. 

Star Leisa Way’s career has taken her to theatres across North America and in 50 other nations. She toured the Charlottetown Festival’s Anne of Green Gables as Anne, in performances which included the British Royal Family.Her Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton concerts have played in countless theatres since appearing here at Upper Canada Playhouse. She is an extraordinary talent.

Like Way, the members of her band are all stellar musicians and singers. 

Musical director and pianist Bruce Ley, was with the Tommy Hunter and the Ronnie Prophet shows. He has worked with such greats as Don Everly, Chet Atkins and Brenda Lee. He is also the composer of music for television including Polka Dot Door and Sesame Street.

Drummer Dave Wilson has performed in some of Toronto’s biggest musicals, from Miss Saigon to Mama Mia, Les Mierables to Beauty and the Beast. He has also written music for Ellen DeGeneres and the Tyra Banks show.

Kim Ratcliffe, guitarist, has worked with artists like Colm Wilkinson, David Clayton Thomas and Sharon, Lois and Bram. He has also performed with top dance bands and in Dirty Dancing, Chicago and Hairspray.

Randall Kempf on bass, has a 30 year association with Sylvia Tyson, and has also performed with such greats as Buffy St. Marie, George Streit, Johnny Paycheck and Emmylou Harris. He’s worked in rock and roll, rhythm and blues, folk and country and is well known in radio and t.v.

Aaron Solomon, who played Johnny Cash in last year’s hit concert, Johnny and June, will also be joining Leisa Way for Country Jukebox. An accomplished fiddler, banjo and guitar player, Solomon has worked with such diverse artists as Shania Twain, Jeff Healy, George Hamilton IV and in over 300 recording sessions.

It’s safe to say that the Playhouse has something mighty special in store with this incredible line-up of talent coming to the stage May 2. “It’s amazing the combined total of experience and talent that’s represented in these concerts,” Bowes said. “Having these talented artists join us each May to kick off our summer season has been a real thrill.”

If you’re a country music fan or just a plain music fan, there will be something for everyone at this blockbuster run of Country Jukebox, starring Leisa Way.

Audiences are advised to book early at 613-543-3713, 1-877-550-3650 or uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

[…]

 

Principal Terry Gardiner, of Seaway District High School, has a lot to smile about these days: the school’s solid performance in the recent rankings, an intermediate  science team heading for the Ontario Science Fair Finals in Charlottetown, and the very successful addition of agriculture as a specialist high skills major at Seaway. 

“Our first group of students will graduate this fall with the specialist high skills major in agriculture on their diplomas. This has proved a very valuable program at Seaway, although it has only been in place for a short time. I would call it a perfect example of the way the education system is partnering with the economic sectors and moving with the times,” principal Gardiner said, during a recent interview. 

The Ministry of Education has established specialized programs in the province which now allow students to focus their knowledge and skills towards a specific economic sector. In June, 2010, Seaway District High School was approved by the Ministry to offer students a diploma in agriculture.

“When we made the decision at Seaway to go after a high skills program, we took a long look at our community partners, and we realized that in this area there is a lot of opportunity in agriculture. The program seemed a really good fit for South Dundas,” Gardiner explained. 

When Seaway was given the go ahead to set up the program, the school also received a $20,000 grant to establish it. 

“We used the funds to purchase welding equipment, a smart board,  and computer technology. During this month of April, we are constructing a green house at the southwest corner of the school.” 

The program does not rely on an “agriculture” teacher. Instead  agricultural components are built into units of study within a student’s prescribed classes at Seaway, under  CLA, or Contextual Learning Activities.

For example, a math class unit could focus on farm budgeting, seeding and equipment costs. An environmental studies unit might look into soil studies and soil nutrients. 

In biology, students might examine animal structure or study the relationship between genetics and crop science to improve yields. 

Seaway Co-op teachers Robert Knapp and Tanya Crosbie co-ordinate the specialist program.

There are specific skills within the program that require specialized instructors. 

Instruction in such things as handling chain saws, pesticide use, chemical safety, equipment maintenance and WHMS regulations, are taught by certified instructors brought to the school.

“There are several parts to the program,” Gardiner explained. “Students earn six industry recognized certificates, two experiential learning activities (attending plowing matches, agriculture museums, farm tours) and two co-op placements in related fields.”

Students enter the specialized skills program in grade 11. Seaway will see its first six students graduate in October with the “red seal” on their certificates. Some colleges and universities give special consideration to students with these qualifications. Kemptville College in particular is involved in a dual credit arrangement with Seaway.

“This specialist high skills program in agriculture is another way Seaway is able to offer a wider choice of pathways to students into different fields of work,” Gardiner said. “Our object is to make this a real and relevant experience. The more students we engage and interest, the more we hope to see graduate.”

[…]