Bill C-14 proposes reforms to Canada’s bail and sentencing laws, including changes to reverse-onus provisions, bail conditions, sentencing factors, and restrictions on house arrest, to increase public safety.
Elgin-St. Thomas-London South MP Andrew Lawton, who sits on the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, has put forth an amendment that will strengthen our criminal justice system by ensuring that criminals cannot vouch for people who have been criminally charged to be released on bail.
Lawton’s amendment was adopted this past week by the committee and bars anyone convicted of an indictable offence in the last 10 years from acting as a surety for another accused.
Moving forward with the Ryan Davies Project: ‘Significantly reducing the risk of water-related tragedies’ in St. Thomas
On May 12 of last year, members of city council voted 5-3 to support a motion to draft a personal flotation device bylaw and place ring buoys on the shore around Lake Margaret.
By doing so, those councillors chose to override a recommendation from Jeff Bray, then Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, that the city not proceed with the development of such a bylaw or the installation of the ring buoys due to potential liability issues.
The undertaking became known as the Ryan Davies Project, prompted by the death of 26-year-old Ryan Davies (pictured below) on Labour Day, 2024, when a canoe he and two friends were in tipped over, and he drowned in Lake Margaret.
Share this:
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan: ‘Working to keep the residents of St. Thomas in St. Thomas and playing in St. Thomas’
The early feedback on the city’s draft of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the Community and Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study appears positive, based on the steady stream of residents who attended the drop-in open house this past Thursday (Jan. 22).
Held in the lower level of the Joe Thornton Community Centre, it was an opportunity to read through and ask questions about the two documents that will help guide future decisions related to parks, recreation facilities, and services across the community.
A considerable amount of attention was directed toward the aquatic centre, an ambitious undertaking that is likely eight or ten years down the road.
Share this:
Bill C-9: Does it represent an attack on religious freedom, or is the reaction in some corners an example of Maple MAGA?
It appears that issues related to housing, food prices, energy nationalism, and tariffs have been supplanted – if only temporarily – by a group of Conservative MPs, including Elgin-St. Thomas-London South MP, Andrew Lawton.
The hot-button issue of late appears to be religious freedom, and Lawton has been busy appearing at and hosting town hall meetings across the country, including an event this week in Saskatoon.
Some MPs, particularly in Ontario and BC, are pushing back against Bill C-9, an Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places.)
Some religious leaders believe the bill could remove a key legal protection for people of faith. Bill C-9 has been amended to remove religious defence under the Criminal Code. See the item below from David Goodwin.
Share this:
The future of the Elgin County Railway Museum: ‘At the end of the day, it’s really about stewardship and responsibility’
In the past, the facility has pared back on operations and events over the winter. However, on Wednesday (Jan. 7), the Elgin County Railway Museum announced, in a letter to the community, that it was indefinitely suspending operations.The letter noted, “The temporary closure is due to building-related issues located outside of public areas of the facility.”
The museum administration assured that these issues did not impact public safety during recent operations or events.
To delve further into the suspension, we contacted Scott Sleightholm, President of Railworks Coalition, who advised that the museum is also closed to members and volunteers.
Share this:
Numerous attempts to bury the problem now leave the St. Thomas Cemetery Company staring down a financial crisis
For the second time in a decade, the St. Thomas Cemetery Company has begun the process of abandoning St. Thomas Cemetery (West Avenue) and South Park Cemetery, south of the city.
In 2015, the board of directors had served notice that it would seek to abandon the two burying grounds if the long-standing city grant wasn’t reinstated.
And in October of that year, city council voted to extend the cemetery board of directors a financial lifeline of sorts by way of a $20,000 operating grant. Combined with the first instalment in April of $30,000, it left them $9,000 short of the amount requested during 2015’s budget deliberations.
Share this:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
“Sometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you’ve already got.” – Cathy Guisewite
And always remember that you have no idea how one conversation, one word of encouragement or one expression of love might change someone’s life.
Sincere wishes for a happy and healthy 2026.
City Scope will return on Jan. 3 of the new year.
Share this:
‘We must reflect the city’s positive working relationship’ with the Doug Ford government and certainly not appear to be critical – The watering down of support for the region’s conservation authorities
It was clearly evident that half of the members of city council are loath to ruffle the feathers of upper-tier government officials.
This relates to a matter discussed during Monday’s (Dec. 15) council meeting, dealing with the province’s move to consolidate Ontario’s 37 conservation authorities into seven regional authorities.
Under the consolidation, much of southwestern Ontario would fall into the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (see map below), which would cover southwestern Ontario watersheds draining into Lake Erie, including the Thames, Grand, and Sydenham systems, supporting agriculture, industry, and shoreline communities.
Share this:
Joy Dawdy’s swimming lessons earn a reprieve; however, some conditions will apply
The days of treading water for the owner of 21 Philip Street are over, at least for the time being.At Monday’s meeting of city council (Dec. 8), members unanimously agreed to direct staff to design a temporary bylaw, allowing Dawdy to continue offering swimming lessons in her backyard pool, likely for a period of three years.
Something she has done for more than three decades.
Staff were not recommending Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments in a report to council from Michelle Knieriem, Manager of Planning Services.
She concluded, “Staff understand and appreciate that the swimming lessons provided by the applicant are valued by many members of the community. While this value is noted, staff recommend refusal of the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment applications due to issues of compatibility.
