The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is pleased to announce that delivery and administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to older adults will start Wednesday, March 3, 2021, in Thunder Bay. The Ontario’s vaccination plan includes adults 80 years of age and older as one of the priority groups in the first phase. TBDHU will begin this week with vaccinating those aged 85 and older, and will move to include those 80-84 years of age in the coming weeks.  To read more, click on TBDHU Media Release - COVID Vaccine 85 plus.

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) is actively rolling-out the COVID-19 vaccination program in the TBDHU area. This has been in partnership with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and many other health care, Indigenous and community partners both in Thunder Bay and District communities. As per provincial direction, the full roll-out will take place in three phases over the coming months and through to the fall. During this time, everybody who wants the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to receive it.  To read more, please click on the TBDHU Media Release - Vaccine Rollout.

The Government of Ontario announced that the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) will be moving into the “Grey - Lockdown” zone of the provincial COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open.  Additional public health measures will further help control the spread of COVID-19 in the TBDHU area.  This move comes into effect on Monday, March 1, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. To read more, click on the TBDHU Media Release - Provincial Framework - Grey Zone.

Ontario Court of Justice

At the request of the Attorney General and in accordance with the Justices of the Peace Act, the Justices of the Peace Appointments Advisory Committee invites applications for vacant Justice of the Peace positions in the Province of Ontario.  A Justice of the Peace is an independent judicial officer who presides in court over various proceedings under federal and provincial statutes. This is a full-time appointment remunerated at $148,962 per annum with travel within the province required.  For full details on this position, please click on the link below.

Justice of the Peace Job Advertisement

Online Application Process and Form

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Rural and Northern Stream

 The Township of O’Connor was fortunate this year to receive funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure

Program (ICIP): Rural and Northern Stream. The funding will be used to replace the culverts on Sitch Road at Beaver Dam Creek in the Township of O’Connor.

The funding contributions are as follows: the Federal government will contribute 60% of the total costs, the Provincial government covering 33.33%, and the Township of O’Connor contributing 6.67%. The Township of O’Connor will be using funds from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) to cover our share.

Survey seeks data on Thunder Bay regional business’ unique struggles with COVID-19 to inform government interventions and supports

To ensure the unique circumstances of Thunder Bay District businesses are considered in government planning, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce is working together with the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, the Thunder Bay CEDC and Northern Policy Institute to conduct a monthly business impact survey that will assess the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on businesses operating in the region until September 2020.

The 5-minute survey will be repeated each month through September in communities across the region. We strongly encourage respondents to participate in the survey each month. Participants returning regularly will allow for information to show how the effects of COVID-19 evolve over time for businesses.

The information gathered will inform advocacy work that helps shape federal, provincial and municipal government policies, ensuring Thunder Bay’s needs are identified and considered. It may also be used by community partners as a way of identifying workforce and business needs and developing supports unique to the region.

“We need to know what our businesses need – now, and as time progresses,” said Charla Robinson, President of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. “In our role as business advocates we want to help the government develop supports that make sense for our region’s specific needs. To be effective, we need businesses of all sizes to tell us what those needs are as they are evolving.”

Madge Richardson, Executive Director of the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, says their interest is in preparing the workforce to meet the ‘new normal’. “The information we collect through this survey will help develop programs that bridge gaps between the emerging needs of employers and the existing workforce,” she said. “We’re looking to employers to help us anticipate their labour requirements and be ready to meet them.”
The survey is open to businesses of all sizes and can be found at: https://bit.ly/2VQTD5d

New electricity pricing for TOU customers begins June 1, 2020
To support families, small businesses and farms while Ontario plans for the safe and gradual reopening of the province, the Government of Ontario has introduced a new fixed electricity price of 12.8 ¢/kWh for customers that are on time-of-use (TOU) prices. Starting June 1, 2020, that price applies to electricity used at all hours of the day, seven days a week. Having the same price apply at all hours of the day is a more predictable way to pay for power at a time when Ontarians continue to work and learn from home.
For more information, visit the Ontario Energy Board website.

The "Blessing Box" is a community pantry operated by Giant Hearts. In tough times such as these, what better way to show your community that you care than by donating an item or two to the blessing box. The Blessing Box needs your donations more than ever now. The blessing box is being filled at least once a week, but could really use everyone’s help in keeping it stocked. If you are able to donate, please contact Shelley at 629-2851. It would really help our neighbours that are truly in need of getting food. We are looking for non-perishable foods to supply the box (canned veggies and fruit, peanut butter and cereals). Please take items if you are unable to get to the grocery store, but also try to give back when you’re able. We’re all in this situation together. Everyone is welcome to donate supplies and take items as needed. The Blessing Box can be found outside of the O’Connor Community Centre at 330 Highway 595.

THANK YOU! Thank you to the O'Connor Free Methodist Church for their generous donation towards the Blessing Box.  Their generous donation of funds will help to purchase supplies to support the residents of the O'Connor community.

PLEASE NOTE: As this is a community pantry, it is being used by many others. Please take full precautions as you would anywhere else. Wipe down and sanitize items as you take them. Sanitize your hands before and after using the box and wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.

With the reopening of some retail and thrift stores across the country, we hope to resume some clothing collection operations in the coming weeks. Our opening plans will coincide with the plans of our thrift partner, Value Village, and their requirements. The net proceeds generated through the sale of donated items to our partner are directed to Diabetes Canada for critical research to help End diabetes.
We will continue to follow provincial health and safety guidelines and we're working diligently on our safety and social distancing procedures to ensure the safety of our staff and donors.
We appreciate your patience and continued support during this unprecedented time. We kindly ask that you hold on to the clothing or small household items that you intend to donate until we resume operations. Thank you for choosing Diabetes Canada.
As we re-open we will notify our generous partners and donors, so please stay tuned and check back at declutter.diabetes.ca/

Ashlee Burton of Giant Hearts Thunder Bay with fellow volunteers, Eric Klages and Darcy Penasie, came out on November 4th to install their 15th blessing box at the O’Connor Community Centre.

The "Blessing Box" is a community pantry.  It is open for anyone struggling with food insecurity and everyone is welcome to donate supplies. Giant Hearts are looking for non-perishable foods, hygiene products and baby items as supplies for the box.

Thank you to Shelley Thorne, O’Connor resident, for arranging the placement of O’Connor’s Blessing Box.