Seems the PM just can’t get enough of St. Thomas.
For the second time in just over a month, Justin Trudeau dropped into the city Thursday afternoon for a quick lunch at Legends Tavern and then a stop at The Atrium for a sit-down session with local small business entrepreneurs before a quick jaunt over to Streamliner’s to greet customers.
Of course, Trudeau was on hand at the Elgin County Railway Museum at the end of April for the announcement Volkswagen, through its subsidiary PowerCo, had chosen St. Thomas as the home of its first EV battery gigaplant in North America.
Ostensibly this trip to the Railway City was to play up the economic benefits to small business owners after the massive battery facility opens in 2027.
Mayor Joe Preston joined Trudeau for the short walk from Legends to The Atrium and both appeared in high spirits with shirt sleeves rolled up the PM’s trademark down-to-business look.

At The Atrium, Trudeau spoke of the value of partnering with municipalities, “like here in St. Thomas to bring in investment, obviously the Volkswagen (plant) is on everyone’s mind, but more than that, to try an rebuild some of the community strength in manufacturing hubs and a destination for families and economic opportunities.
“Not just in the big cities, but right across the country and in great little communities like St. Thomas with long histories of contributing massively to the Canadian economy.”
With troublesome concerns like climate change and the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, the PM conceded Canadians have every right to be worried.
However, Trudeau added there is reason for optimism.
“There are a lot of reasons to be worried about the future but, at the same time, when I look at a round table like this and look around at communities like this and talk with Canadians, I see a lot of reasons to be optimistic about where we are and what we are going to be able to build together.
“And, what we’re going to be able to continue to create in terms of opportunities for everyone.”
On his April visit for the VW announcement, Trudeau referred to St. Thomas as the place to build the future together.
He talked about the importance of hearing from the business community.
“Hearing from all of you on the challenges you are facing and the opportunities you are seeing on some of the things I should know about, that municipal leaders like Joe (Preston) should know about, to make sure that you’re building the success that we need, not just for you, your employees and families, but for the entire community that you are part of.”

I WANT TO GO HOME WITHOUT WAR

Yegor is, without a doubt, one of the most confident, well-spoken and knowledgeable young persons I have met in quite some time.
Well beyond his 11 years of age.
Or has he pointed out, he will be 12 in a matter of days. In the photo below he is seen with fellow Ukrainian student Demi and Patricia Maki who provides newcomer support in St. Thomas and Elgin county.
I met him about a month ago and we have spent some time since then engaged in conversation.
He speaks his mind, turns philosophical in a heartbeat and is not afraid to defend his point of view.
No doubt, that is why you can’t help but take a shine to the kid.
He’s in Grade 6 at John Wise Public School and favours basketball, soccer and swimming.
But the road to that classroom at John Wise Public School has been fraught with danger.
He and his mother had to leave their homeland in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
His father and grandparents remain behind.
Without any prompting, he recalls last summer when he and some friends were playing outdoors and the air strikes started.
“And I running home, don’t just run, I was rushing home . . . because it was scary.”
His recounting of the terrible toll inflicted on his homeland by Russia is riveting.
He would have been 10 at the time and no child should ever have to experience that terror.
His journey to Canada was via Poland and the Czech Republic and then to St. Thomas.
Again unprompted he confides, “I want to go home, without war.”
Below is my conversation from last Monday (May 22) in the myFM studio with this remarkable youngster.

Put aside 20 minutes this weekend to listen to Yegor’s story.
Take time to reflect on it and then give a listen to Demi’s story.
He is a 17-year-old student in Grade 11 at St. Joseph’s High School although he is due to graduate in June from his high school in Kyiv.
He landed in Montreal in September via Poland and France.
From there he and his mother have found a new, albeit temporary home in St. Thomas.
You see, his career path will lead him into the engineering field.
For a very specific reason.
“There is quite a bit of destruction in Ukraine. I remember when the Russians blew up a bridge near my village.
“Bakhmut and Mariupol are completely destroyed. And someone has to rebuild that.”
He plans to be one of those civil engineers.
My conversation with Demi is below.

The stories Yegor and Demi tell afford residents here a front-row seat to witness 15 months of total devastation and displacement.
Both will be in attendance at March with Ukraine, a benefit to be hosted at the CASO station from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. tomorrow (May 28).
Both have a message for the residents of St. Thomas and Elgin.
“The war is not over,” reminds Demi. “It is not the time to forget. We are very pleased that Canadian people support us.”
Yegor meantime proclaims, “Glory to Ukraine. Never give up.”

SCHOOL BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT

It would appear to be a classic example of robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Or in this case, redirecting students out of Elgin county to help even out the student population in London area schools.
The Thames Valley District School Board is undertaking a London Area Attendance Review (LAAR). It includes all high schools in London along with both Lord Dorchester Secondary School (LDSS) and East Elgin Secondary School (EESS).
Under the proposal, all students now attending South Dorchester Public School and the new Belmont elementary school when it opens would attend LDSS when they graduate instead of EESS.
This new boundary would come down to Ron McNeil Line to the south, Belmont Rd. to the west and Imperial Rd.
to the east. Currently, the LDSS boundary is Avon Drive.
This information was contained in an email from area resident Heidi Weninger to Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckyut and members of town council.
The current population at EESS is in the range of 1,155 students. Under the proposal, this would drop to 988 by 2024/25 and to 881 by 2028/29.
Or 76 per cent of capacity.
A dangerously low level for any school.

“Overall this proposal demonstrates a poor understanding of our community and Elgin county in general.”

In a letter from Mayor Couckyut to Elgin County Warden Ed Ketchabaw and members of council, he warns, “This proposal will have a serious impact on EESS students and their communities within its catchment area.”
Couckyut continues, “the EESS review is consolidated within a report that is primarily focussed upon urban schools within the City of London, incorrect information has been provided on the board webpage and very limited rationale has been provided to justify the proposed changes.
“Overall this proposal demonstrates a poor understanding of our community and Elgin county in general.”
At its meeting this past Tuesday, Elgin county council formally objected to the proposal and agreed to send correspondence to each TVDSB trustee asking that the plan be withdrawn.
The TVDSB proposal can be found here https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/our-board/london-secondary-panel-attendance-area-review.aspx

FOR THE CALENDAR

The war in Ukraine has dragged on for 15 months and the fear is the suffering experienced by those remaining in the country will drop off the radar of many Canadians.
It’s being cast as the largest refugee crisis of the 21st century. More than eight million refugees, mostly women and children, have fled their homes in Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.
St. Thomas and Elgin are aiding the cause by providing support to newcomers forced to flee the country.
Support in the form of housing assistance, host families, employment, English as a second language, mentoring and emotional support.
A fundraiser is being held tomorrow (May 28) at the CASO station.
The goal is to raise money while sharing a Ukrainian cultural experience. It’s an opportunity to explore the sights, sounds, crafts and arts of Ukraine.
Activities include a film showing, musical performers, vendors, activities for kids indoors and outside, a photo booth and a silent auction.
A portion of the proceeds from March with Ukraine will go toward settling newcomers in St. Thomas and Elgin with close to 50 Ukrainian family members now living in the area.
And a portion will support a second humanitarian mission to Ukraine in June by St. Thomas resident Jack Groot.
He has coordinated donations and has already delivered essential goods, medical supplies, equipment, food products and aid to the frontline.
The event runs from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and tickets will be available at the door.

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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.