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Home My WebLink AboutNA2023_03_30THURSDAY MARCH 30, 2023 50th AnniversAry tent sAle Come C e l e b r a t e 385 Bloor St.W., Oshawa HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm.; Sat 9am-8pm.; Sun 10am-6pm. 905.725.5798 • For more details visit www.gagnonsports.com MARCH 30 to APRIL 2 Customer AppreCiAtion Saturday April 1 11am-3pm *Stuttering John’s Food Truck *Meet Facts of Fishing Dave Mercer and Bassmaster Elite Angler Cooper Gallant Lots of Prizes, Draws & Give-aways! RedwIng TACkLe Door Crasher Sat. and Sun. ONLY BOgO FRee g. LOOMIs gLX ROds DoorCrasher ThursDay Instore only. While supplies last. 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CheSt & hip WaderS 50% OFF FOrce 13’ FlOat rOd 50% OFF extreme FlOat reelS 50% OFF a400 max 5 reCeive a $300 GiFt card with purChaSe all regular priCed rodS and reelS 20% OFF all iCe FiShinG rOdS & CoMboS 50% OFF SxP Shot gun and receive a $100 GiFt card & aCCeSSorieS Up to 50% OFF huge SeleCtionSeleCt 50% OFF 50% OFF all 2022 extreme rainSuit 50% OFF hoodieS, lureS reelS THURSDAY MARCH 30, 2023 The York Durham Heritage Railway is facing a firestorm of social media criticism. The heritage railway, whosepopular Christmas-themedtrains and other events have long been a major tourist draw in Ux- bridge, recently found itself in the crosshairs on social media af-ter young actors hired to performon their North Pole Light Up Ex- press holiday trains were not paid on time. YDHR staff pointed to issueswith a third-party producer hired SOCIAL MEDIA STORM HIGHLIGHTS FINANCIAL PRESSURE FACING YDHR See 'WE NEEDED’, page 22 MOYA DILLON mdillon@durhamregion.com John Perks at the YDHR railyard. Moya Dillon/Metroland SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AND THE NEWS YOU NEED ARRIVES IN YOUR INBOX BY 7 A.M. START YOUR DAY WITH A MORNING NEWS FIX DURHAMREGION.COM/NEWSLETTERS Metroland Media Group Ltd., 211 Pritchard Road, Unit 4, Hamilton ON L8J 0G5 BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR DRAGONBOATTEAM Actively Recruiting Paddlers, practices held on Frenchman’s Bay Tues 6pm to 7pm - no experience necessary For more details, please contact pinksensationsdragonboat@gmail.com dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 4 April 1st 10am - 4pm *Gift certificate drawings,*Wine selection giveaways, and so much more 905-837-WINE (9463) mala@luvwine.ca www.luvwine.ca *for on-premises wine making only YOU DON’T WANTTO MISS THIS! VISIT US AT 623 KINGSTON ROAD, PICKERING G R A N D RE-OPENING!G R A N D R E-OPENING! Pickering Follow us Winexpert Pickering 623 Kingston Road, Pickering, ON. L1V 3N7 5 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m April 21-23 McKinney Centre, 222 McKinney Drive, Whitby Air Conditioning & Heating - Appliances Arborists - BBQs - Basement Renos - Bathrooms Blinds & Drapery - Cabinets - Carpeting - Curbing Decks - Driveways - Duct & Carpet Cleaning Eavestrough - Garage Doors - Hardwood Floors Home Security - Hot Tubs - Interlock - Kitchens Kitchen Gadgets - Landscaping - Lawn Maintenance Maid Services - Patio Furniture - Painters Reno Specialists - Roofing - Sheds - Shelving - Stairs Storage & Closets - Sunrooms - Swimming Pools Vacuum Systems - Water Systems Window Cleaning - Windows & Doors AND MORE EE ADMiSSiON See Everything For Your Home Inside & Outside.For 2 with this coupon Show Hours: Fri 1pm-8pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm FREE ADMISSION www.DurhamHomeShow.com 2023 FrEE ADM Fraud charges have been laid against a Whit-by woman accused ofplacing false ads for aroom for rent. Investigators say theyhave found 16 separate in- cidents involving the al-leged scam, which in-volved a person using the name Tracy Dewolfe plac-ing ads on Facebook andKijiji, advertising a roomfor rent in a house on Tel- ford Street in Ajax."After potential ten- ants viewed the room, shewould accept first andlast month's rent but then never allow anyone tomove in," Durham policesaid. Colleen Hull, 46, of Whitby faces more than30 charges, includingfraud, false pretences and breach of a court order.An investigation con-tinues. Call police at 905-579-1520, extension 2529 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. FRAUD CHARGES FOR WOMAN ACCUSED OF RENTAL SCAM JEFF MITCHELL NEWS INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY HAVEFOUND 16 SEPARATE INCIDENTSINVOLVING THE ALLEGED SCAM A STRONGER VOICE We recognize that diversity is the strength of our communities and we are inviting you to share your voice in our publications. DURHAMREGION.COM/COMMUNITYDIVERSITY dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 6 ABOUT USThis newspaper, published everyThursday, is a division of the Met-roland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corpora-tion. The Metroland family of news-papers is comprised of more than 70community publications acrossOntario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Com- plainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National News Media Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@durhamregion.com facebook.com/newsdurham @newsdurham WHO WE ARE Publisher and Chief Executive Officer Neil Oliver Vice President, Content, Community and Operations Dana Robbins Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Managing Editor Mike Lacey Director of Advertising Tanya Pacheco Director Distribution Jason Christie Director Creative Services Paul Gostlin Durham Advisory Council Dan Carter; Esther Enyolu; Jake Farr; Dr. Vidal Chavannes; Cynthia Davis; Elaine Popp/Don Lovisa; John Henry; Steve Yamada; Kelly LaRocca; Peter Bethlenfalvy; Dr. Steven Murphy; Norah Marsh; Tracy Paterson; Chris Darling CONTACT US Ajax/Pickering News Advertiser Phone: 905- 579-4407 Newsroom: 905-215-0462 Sales: 905-215-0424 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-579-2238 Web: www.durhamregion.com Letters to the editorAll letters must be fewer than 320words and include your name andtelephone number for verificationpurposes. We reserve the right toedit, condense or reject letters.Published letters will appear in printand/or online at durhamregion.com DeliveryFor all delivery inquiries, please call905-683-5117. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT DURHAMREGION.COM LETTERS & COMMENTARY I'm convinced of it — songbirds migrating hometo nest bring spring with them and wake up the natu- ral world with their glad, insistent singing. Witheach new arrival, the cho- rus becomes fuller and richer. Robins, cardinals and song sparrows may be lead vocalists, but many others add unique notes and trills that keep thesound mix interesting. Take blackbirds, a fami- ly so diverse in voice and lifestyle it's surprising they're related at all. Most of these pointy-beaked birds — there are 103 black-bird species — live in the American tropics year- round. A handful fly to Can- ada to take advantage of allon offer for nesting here. Male red winged have been back a month already,fighting over territories with their loud, gurgled "konk-a-reee!" in every wet- land and roadside ditch.Hollering at each other and fluffing up their scarlet shoulder patches pays off.The more habitat one of these polygamists defends, the more females will de- cide to nest there and havehim father their offspring. Common grackles come back next, our largest and glossiest blackbirds, the males' neck gleaming pur- ple-blue in the sunshine. But their song? A short,split, rasping gulp that fe- males obviously find much more attractive than hu-mans do, as the species is monogamous. Grackles of- ten breed in colonies, in co- nifers, so males don't have to defend anything but the nest. These tidy birds are the ones that drop their nes-tlings' fecal sacs in swim- ming pools. All a male brown-headed cowbird has to do with hissqueaky "glug-glug-geleek" is catch the attention of a fe- male. The species evolvedfollowing wandering bison, feasting on insects the herds stirred up. So, it was clever of them to adoptbrood parasitism for breed- ing — leaving their eggs be- hind in other birds' nests.The huge buffalo herds are long gone, but cowbirds do well without them, tricking some 40 other songbirds in-to raising their big, de- manding babies. When the melodic pip- ing whistles of Baltimore orioles finally join the cho- rus, spring is well under- way. Yes, these bright or-ange beauties are black- birds, too, and different again. A male defends a rel- atively large territory, sing- ing his repertoire of melod- ic phrases as he flashes about the treetops, whilehis mate weaves her hang- ing-basket nest from an out- er limb of a tall deciduous tree. Visiting nectar feed-ers and devouring many in- sects and caterpillars, col- ourful orioles are alwayswelcome in yards and gar- dens. Meadowlarks and bobo- links of rural grasslandsare blackbirds, too, but sad- ly in decline. So, if you hear the far-carrying, four-note whistle of the former, or the joyous bubbling songs of the latter, be sure to pause and relish the moment. Nature queries: mcar- ney1490@gmail.com or 905- 725-2116. Metroland columnistMargaret Carney finds so much to discover and mar-vel at when exploring thegreat outdoors. RETURNING SONGBIRDS MARGARET CARNEYNOTES A FEW OF THEMANY BLACKBIRDSPECIES THAT MAKETHE TRIP TO CANADA MARGARET CARNEY Column Columnist Margaret Carney notes the Baltimore oriole is one of the few blackbird species to fly to Canada to nest and raise young. "A male defends a relatively large territory, singing his repertoire of melodic phrases as he flashes about the treetops," she says. Mike McEvoy photo BALTIMORE ORIOLE LIGHTING TALK NOT WORTH IT To the editor: Re: Nuisance lighting.I cannot help but ex-press my opinion on the re- cent passing of this bylaw. Ifind it absolutely absurdthat 10 complaints over atwo-year period would be considered a reason for thetime, effort and paying ofcouncillors to even discuss this. Now we can add thesalary of the bylaw officers. Do we know if any ofthese complaints are from the same person? Here's a quick solution— how about the complain- ants invest in a blackoutcurtain or blind? I'm disap-pointed that our electedpeople would waste their time on something so trivi-al.CATHIE ROUSSEAUBOWMANVILLE CASINO DOLLARS SHOULD FUND TAX FREEZE To the editor: Taxes are very high inPickering, on the higher side in Canada on a proper-ty value to property tax ra-tio. For decades I have beentold by city hall that it is be-cause homeowners mustbear most of the load be- cause they are the mainsource of revenue. Now that we have the ca- sino monies, more than $20million so far and coun-ting, the major portion ofthis new revenue should be used to keep our taxes incheck, most preferably tofreeze them for a time. In-stead, the monies are al- ready earmarked to bespent on new initiativesthat will benefit far fewer people than would a taxfreeze. I do not buy the argu-ment from city hall that the casino monies are helpingto keep taxes down, basi- cally that they get to spendall these new monies onthings that would have re- quired them to raise taxesquite a bit. Instead, I say hold taxesat the current level using casino monies and usewhatever is left on otherinitiatives that city hall has in the pipe. City hall has been send-ing out surveys to residentson various topics, which I find useful. Send out a survey andask residents if they wantcasino monies used, along with budget cuts, if neces-sary, to hold taxes at thecurrent level during this time of high inflation anduncertainty.DAVID SIMPICKERING WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR TODAY! 7 | Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m A lot of little things can add up to big things. Never miss a deal with your shopping list on Save.ca. Selected items are sorted by store, making your day- to-day shopping experience a real money saver. Shopping locally is the best way to support our communities. And saving locally makes it even better! Find big deals close to home with save.ca. :HPDGHLWHDVLHUWKDQHYHUWRȴQGWKHGHDOV\RXȇUH ORRNLQJIRU6DYHFDȇVERXQWLIXOVHDUFKUHVXOWVOHW\RX comparison shop to get the best buy. It all adds up. 7KDWȇVWKHWKLQNLQJEHKLQGWKHnew save.ca. Start saving today at: dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 8 @cityofpickering Weekly Community Page March 30 pickering.ca Date Meeting/Location Time Apr3 ExecutiveCommitteeMeeting Forlocationandmeetingdetailscheck: calendar.pickering.ca/council 7:00pm Apr3 Planning&Development CommitteeMeeting Forlocationandmeetingdetailscheck: calendar.pickering.ca/council 7:00pm Upcoming Public Meetings Meetingdetailsaresubjecttochange.PleasevisittheCitywebsite orcall905.683.7575fordetails. ForServicedisruptionnotificationcall: 1.866.278.9993(CouncilandCommitteeMeetings) Additional Dwelling Units in Pickering TheProvinceofOntariohasmadechangestothePlanningAct toincreasehousingwithinexistingneighbourhoods.Uptotwo additionaldwellingunits(ADUs)willnowbepermittedonmost residentialproperties. JoinusforanOpenHousetolearnmoreabouthowADUswillbe regulatedandshareyourthoughts: Tuesday,April4from6:00-8:00pm(drop-inanytime) CityHalllobby|OneTheEsplanade,Pickering FeedbackreceivedwillhelpinformtheCity’snewADUregulations whichwillbepresentedtoCouncilinspring,2023. Formoreinformation,pleasevisit pickering.ca/ADU orcontact PaulWirch,PrincipalPlanner,at pwirch@pickering.ca or 905.420.4660extension2140. Notice of Public Meeting 2023 Budget TheCounciloftheCityofPickeringwillholda HybridElectronic Public MeetingoftheExecutiveCommitteetoconsiderthe2023Currentand CapitalBudgeton: Thursday,April13,2023at9:00am Friday,April14,2023at9:00am(ifnecessary) PickeringCivicComplex,MainCommitteeRoom OneTheEsplanade,Pickering The2023DraftCurrentandDraftCapitalBudgetswillbeavailableonthe City’swebsiteonTuesday,April4,2023. Membersofthepublicwhowishtoprovideadelegationeither in-personorvirtuallyviaaudioconnection,attheApril13Executive CommitteeMeeting,mustregisterby12:00pmonApril12,2023.Please ensureyouprovidethephonenumberthatyouwishtobecontactedon ifyouwishtodelegatevirtually. The2023CurrentandCapitalBudgetswillbeformallyadoptedata HybridElectronic MeetingofCounciltobeheldon: Monday,April24,2023at7:00pm PickeringCivicComplex,CouncilChambers OneTheEsplanade,Pickering Membersofthepublicwhowishtoprovideadelegationvirtuallyvia audioconnectionattheApril24CouncilMeeting,mustregisterby 12:00pmonApril21,2023.Pleaseensureyouprovidethephone numberthatyouwishtobecontactedon. Membersofthepublicwhowishtoprovideadelegationin-personat theApril24CouncilMeeting,mustregisterby12:00pmonApril24, 2023. To registerasadelegateforeithermeeting,visitpickering.ca/delegation, andcompletetheonlinedelegationformoremailclerks@pickering.ca. AmemberoftheClerk’sOfficewillfollow-uptoconfirmyourdelegation andprovideinstructionsonhowyouwillbeconnectedtothemeetingif yourequireanaudioconnection. Duringthemeeting,theChairwillinviteeachregistereddelegate,one byone,tojointhemeetingeitherin-personorviaaudioconnection. Membersofthepublicmayobservetheabovemeetingproceedingsby viewingthelivestreamontheCity’sYouTubepage(youtube.com/user/ SustainablePickering). Arecordingofthemeetingswillalsobeavailable ontheCity’swebsitefollowingeachmeeting. Residentsareencouragedtovisitpickering.ca/budgettogainabetter understandingoftheCity’sbudget. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorneed additionalinformation,pleaseemailusatbudget@pickering.ca. Datedthis23rd dayofMarch,2023 SusanCassel,CityClerk StanKarwowski,Director,Finance&Treasurer Easter Holiday Hours of Operation Subject to change. Please call 905.683.7575 for the latest updates. Facility Closed CivicComplex(CityHall) 905.683.7575 April7&April10 CHDRecreationComplex 905.683.6582 April7&April10 PickeringAnimalShelter 905.683.7575 April7,April9 &April10 DonBeerArena 905.831.1035 April7&April10 DunbartonIndoorPool 905.831.1260 April7,April9 &April10 EastShoreCommunityCentre 905.420.6588 April7,April9 &April10 GeorgeAsheCommunityCentre 905.420.2370 April7,April9 &April10 PickeringMuseumVillage 905.683.8401 April7&April10 PickeringPublicLibraries 905.831.6265 April7,April9 &April10 Bill 23 and Pickering’s Growth TheProvinceofOntariointroducedBill23inaneffortto getmorehomesbuiltfaster. Butdidyouknow,thatthroughthisprocess,theyareshifting someofthecostofthisgrowthfromdeveloperstomunicipalities? Overall,theCity’sestimatedlossofDevelopmentChargesrevenue isapproximately$22.8millionoverfouryears. Learnmoreandviewthefinancialsummaryatpickering.ca/Bill23 Discover Creativity in your City TheCityofPickeringishometonumeroussculptures,murals,and othercreativeplacemakingprojectsforyoutoexplore! , 2022alnne and Maud MurImage: Meegan Lim, A pickering.ca/publicart 9 | Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Customer Care Centre 905.683.7575 (24-hour line) customercare@pickering.ca Pickering Museum Village Register now for Spring Programs pickeringmuseumvillage.ca Ice Cream Social | Escape the Forest Garden Gnomes & Fairy Homes Bootlegger’s Escape | Mother’s Day Tea Izzy’s Mystery Adventure ShapetheCityofPickering’s futureasamodern,accessible, andconnectedgovernment! We’re developing a Digital Strategy and want to hear from you! This exciting journey will set the foundation for future service delivery and outline a roadmap for how technology can improve the way we deliver services to the community. Visit LetsTalkPickering.ca/Digital to begin. Ticketsarenowonsale! SundayAfternoonBigBand adult55+ Sunday,April16 2:00pmto4:00pmatCHDRecreationComplex Enjoyanafternoonofliveentertainmentwiththe GeorgeLakeBigBandforyourlistening&dancingpleasure. TicketsareavailableforpurchaseatEastShoreCC, CHDRecreationComplex,andGeorgeAsheLCC. Costis$7.00each. Purchasebydebit&creditonly,nocashisaccepted. pickering.ca/adults55plus 905.420.6588 APR 8 TheRoyalCanadianLegionBranch660presentsthe pickering.ca/festivalsandevents Paradestartsat10:00am FollowtheparadebacktotheLegionforafree lunch(sponsoredbyTripleProperties)andfree familyfunactivities! paradeparade AgingWellTogether Adults55+ HaveyoursayontheCity’sAgeFriendlyinitiatives.Weare currentlycollectingfeedbackthroughparticipationinour AgeFriendlySurvey. ThesurveycanbeaccessedviathisQRcode, atletstalkpickering.ca,oratEastShoreCCand GeorgeAsheCCandopenuntilApril17,2023. MakeaDifference TheCity’sAgeFriendlyVolunteerSteeringCommitteeis currentlyseekingcommunitymindedindividualstofill membervacancies.TheroleofthisCommitteeistoassiststaff inidentifyingstrategicdirectionsforprograms,servicesand supportaspartofanAgeFriendlyCommunityPlanthataims toenableallresidentstoactivelyageinplace. ApplicationswillbeaccepteduntilFriday,June30at4:30pm. CompletedetailsandinformationonbothoftheseAge Friendlyinitiativesisonlineatletstalkpickering.ca/recreation SpotlightSeries:Free6weeksessions ThisAprilwewillfeatureaseriesoflive,onlinepresentations hostedbyHomeandCommunityCareSupportServices. LivingaLifewithDiabetes Wed Apr26-May31 9:30am-12:00pm Participantswilllearnskillsandtoolstobettermanagetheir diabetesorpre-diabetes. Registeronlineatpickering.ca/activewithcode:43596 PowerfulToolsforCaregivers Mon Apr24-Jun5 9:00am-10:30am Participantswilldevelopawealthofself-caretoolstohelp staywellwhiletakingonthe(sometimesoverwhelming)role ascaregiver. Registeronlineatpickering.ca/activewithcode:43996 Registrationisrequiredtoreserveyourspot. TheseseminarswillbepresentedliveonlineviaZoom. pickering.ca/adults55plus | 905.420.6588 pickering.ca/summerconcerts dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Pic k e r i n g N e w s A d v e r t i s e r | P | T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 10 The following is a col- umn by Durham RegionalPolice Service's Media Re-lations Officer, Sgt. JoanneBortoluss. The column pro- vides context to the Ser-vice's decision to use only first names of missing per- sons in media releases incases where they have aphoto or there are extenuat-ing circumstances that would require a full name.In my career as a policeofficer, I have had the op-portunity to meet a lot ofpeople in different stagesof their life. Some mayhave run away from home, tried to escape an abusiverelationship or were over-whelmed by the stresses oflife. What causes a person to leave behind their fami-ly, their loved ones or their life can be unique to each and not easily known bythose around them.I vividly remember reg-ular interactions with a bright and personable 15-year-old girl. We sat downand spoke many times as she was struggling inschool, and I was con-cerned she was at risk oftravelling down a path into Human Trafficking. Eachtime we spoke she said thesame thing; "the world ofthe unknown is betterthan the world I am innow." Running away wasalways on her mind. She didn't think her mom orfamily cared, she felt shehad no other option.Fast forward a few months later and she didrun away. Where? I didn't know. Did the Human Trafficking world finallyswallow her or did she justtake off for a bit of a respitefrom those things that made her yearn for a dif-ferent life? I didn't know.Her mom didn't know ei- ther, but we all had con-cerns for her safety andwell-being. So out went a missing person media release. Herfull name, her picture, andher last known where-abouts. Not only did weknow about her situation,but now the whole worldknew. She returned home on her own but not withoutstruggles. Her hair waspurple, her nose waspierced, and she was scarred both mentally andphysically. The media re-lease containing her full name was removed fromthe police website, but weknew it would forever re-main on the internet. As much as the police tooksteps to remove her postfrom their website, they can't control the thou-sands of times that it had been shared. I stayed in touch withher and her mom for a fewyears after. She isn't thescared, 15-year-old girl anymore. She's a woman,who I hope as I write this,has a bright future. I wor- ry that her social footprintmay be a barrier as shecontinues to move forwardand lead a happy life. One quick Web search canshow anyone that she hadatroubled past.Should her life be de- fined by her decisionswhen she was 15? What ifshe was 30 with the same struggles? No one wants tobe defined by their worstmoment.The hands of the police are tied when it comes tofinding someone who is inneed of help. They need to appeal to the public for as-sistance because it works.It is a balance for police inaworld that wants every little detail. There are of-ten investigative reasons,privacy legislation and a host of other things thatmust be weighed and con- sidered when we release public information.However, in the case ofmissing persons, the ques- tion that should be askedis, what does someoneneed to know to help findsomeone? Is their last name relevant? If youknow my first name andwhat I look like, will my last name make a differ-ence if you see me walkingdown the street? Probablynot. When someone runsaway to an unknown life,they are often struggling. Does the world have theright to know that forever?We don't think so. If youconducted a Web or social media search on your fullname you might find a lotof things you might wishweren't out there for the world to see; things youwouldn't by searchingyour first name alone. We can't always givepeople the help they needor the life they want but wecan give the opportunity for those who have com-mitted no crime to have ajudgment-free future. A minor detail such as re-moving a missing personslast name will give themthis. Sgt. Joanne Bortolussis media relations officer with the Durham Region-al Police Service. WHY DURHAM POLICE NO LONGER PROVIDE FULL NAMES OF MISSING PEOPLE OPINION POLICE BELIEVE THEY HAVE FOUND BALANCE BY ONLY USING FIRST NAMES OF MISSING PEOPLE JOANNE BORTOLUSS Column Durham police are try-ing to identify a suspect inafraudulent snow removal scam.An unknown man wentto three homes in Picker- ing and Ajax in December2022 and January 2023,Durham Regional Police said.The suspect said he didsnow removal under a company names Snow Ge-nie Inc., police added.He collected down pay- ments from victims, butthe victims were unable tocontact the suspect or any- body associated with the company after their depos-it was collected, police not-ed.The suspect is de- scribed being of Middle-Eastern descent, about 25to 30 years of age and hesaid his name was AmirAhmed.Anyone with informa-tion is asked to contact Det. Smith of the West DivisionCriminal InvestigationsBureau at 1-888-579-1520,ext. 5281. Anonymous informa-tion can be sent to DurhamRegional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) oronline at www.durhamre-gionalcrimestoppers.ca. CRIME POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN SNOW REMOVAL FRAUD Cut out paying more Your only destination for more coupons, more flyers, more savings. #SavingWithSave Save $2.00 on NESCAFÉ GOLD ®Iced Cappuccino or Iced Salted Caramel Latte Coffee Mix, one (1) package of 7 sachets save.ca/couponsScan to get coupons 11 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Book your personalized tour! Chartwell.com It’s freedom, plus convenience and peace of mind Chartwell offers 5 residences in Durham, find your nearest today. CHARTWELL PICKERING CITY CENTRE 1801 Valley Farm Road, Pickering 289-631-1944 Chartwell Pickering City Centre is an established residence offering a flexible, worry-free lifestyle to individuals and couples seeking an active and fulfilling retirement. Explore our personalized services, great amenities and friendly atmosphere! BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY MEAL WITH US! Whitby Mayor Eliza-beth Roy has expressed dis-appointment that Ontario's 2023 budget does not in-clude a planning grant for anew Whitby hospital. "This is completely un-acceptable," said Roy."More than a year haspassed since Lakeridge Health announced an inde-pendent, expert panel hadselected a site in Whitby asthe preferred location for aproposed hospital in Dur-ham. Since then, progresshas stalled." Prior to the budget, Roysaid there were red flagsand concerns that the plan-ning grant wouldn't be in the budget."If there's no planninggrant at all for any kind of health care support, I thinkas a community as a wholewe need to be quite upset,"she said. The proposed hospitallands in Whitby are ownedby the Ministry of Trans- portation south of High-way 407, west of Highway412, east of Lakeridge andnorth of Highway 7. Whitby is planning to purchase thelands from the ministryand making it part of the community contributionto the new hospital.Roy added that the plan-ning grant of $3 million is needed for communityfundraising efforts for thenew hospital to begin.But Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe is still pushingfor a Pickering locationand is still raising the issue in discussions with Picker-ing-Uxbridge MPP and On-tario finance minister Pe-ter Bethlenfalvy. "We've long advocatedthat Pickering was a bettersite and we have concerns about the fundamental fair-ness of the process, itchanged at the 11th hour, it made some assumptions that we don't think are cor-rect," said Ashe. "We do sup-port having a hospital in Durham, we do supporthaving a planning grant assoon as possible from theprovince but we have the availability of 50 acres offree land where the taxpay-ers of the Town of Whitby will have to pay for a hospi-tal site which is only 2.5 kilo-metres away from our site."Ashe said the lands Pickering is proposing areowned by a group of devel-opers who are willing to do- nate the lands in the SalemRoad and Highway 7 area.But Roy said she be-lieves Lakeridge's selec- tion process should be sup-ported."I would not disagree we need a hospital for our com-munity as a whole but whatwe need to be looking backat is the whole process which is the best site thatsuits the delivery of servicesfor the whole communityand (the expert panel) chose Whitby's site," said Roy.Bethlenfalvy did not re-spond to a request for com- ment, instead a spokes-person for health ministerSylvia Jones provided astatement. "Lakeridge Health sub-mitted a master plan pro-posal that included a mix of renovation/expansion/con-solidation at existing sites(Bowmanville, Oshawa, Ajax-Pickering, Whitby and Port Perry) as well as a pro-posed new greenfield site,"said Hannah Jensen, press secretary for the minister ofhealth. "Lakeridge Health'sproposal for a new hospitalis currently under review. The ministry of health willcontinue to work closelywith Lakeridge Health and Ontario Health to refine theproject scope and determinehow short-term and long-term program and service needs can be met in align-ment with capital planningneeds." Further, in the statementreleased the day before thebudget, Jensen said theprovince is implementing "the most ambitious plan forhospital expansion in Onta-rio's history"."Since 2018, we have in-creased the health carebudget by over $14 billion,we have invested over $182 million this year throughthe Hospital Infrastruc-ture Renewal Fund (HIRF)and Community Infra- structure Renewal Fund(CIRF) to support criticalupgrade and repairs at 131 hospitals and 65 communi-ty health care facilities andwe are investing $27 billionover the next 10 years in health infrastructure pro-jects, which will lead to $40billion in capital invest- ments that will create 3,500new hospital beds acrossOntario." NO PLANNING GRANT FOR NEW WHITBY HOSPITAL IN BUDGET A new hospital for Durham was slated to be built in Whitby, but Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe is still pushing for a Pickering location and raising the issue in discussions with Pickering-Uxbridge MPP and Ontario finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. Ryan Pfeiffer/Metroland NEWS REKA SZEKELY rszekely@ durhamregion.com dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 12 Who should vote? DO YOU CARE? Email us your thoughts at THEDEMOCRACYPROJECT@metroland.com If you prefer to leave us a voice message, call our toll free number to share your thoughts. Respectful comments only, please. 855-415-8237 13 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m For more information, please visit durham.ca/waste If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 311 or 1-800-372-1102. Holiday Closure Waste Management Facilities will be closed Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8. •Oshawa Waste Management Facility, 1640 Ritson Road North, Oshawa •Scugog Waste Management Facility, 1623 Reach Street, Port Perry •Brock Waste Management Facility, C22480 Brock Sideroad 17, Cannington •Clarington Household Special Waste Depot, 1998 Bowmanville Avenue, Bowmanville Regular operations will resume Tuesday, April 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Naturally smoked over a blend of alder and maple hardwoods for a distinctly sweet flavour, Farm Boy ™ Smoked Bone-in Ham is easy to carve and ready to serve. 349 /lb 7.69/ k g SMOKIN’ GOOD HAM FARM BOY™ SMOKED BONE-IN HAM Hop Into IN FOR A CHARGE Barbara Pidcock plugged her electric vehicle in for its first charge at the charging station installed at the condominiums at 45 Cumberland Ln. in Ajax. Enabling residents in the underground parking garage to charge their vehicles, it is one of the first sites in Durham to offer such a service. Jason Liebregts/Metroland WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU SUBMIT YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR TODAY! dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 14 Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover Thank You for Doing Your Part! Katherine Ross, Waste Management Technician for the Region of Durham talks everything Waste. Send your waste related questions or comments to waste@durham.ca If you require this information in an accessible format, please call 1-800-372-1102 •durham.ca/waste In June 2022, Durham Regional Council made the decision to delay the implementation of a Regional Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility, by cancelling the Mixed Waste Pre-sort and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility procurement process. This decision was guided by a recommendation from staff due to the rapid rise in material, shipping, and labour costs in the marketplace. The cancellation does not change the Region’s need for a sustainable organics (green bin) management plan. Ontario’s Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement requires municipalities to achieve: • 70 per cent waste reduction and resource recovery of food and organic waste generated by single-family homes by 2023; and • 50 per cent waste reduction and resource recovery of food and organic waste generated at multi-residential properties by 2025. The next steps to move the Region’s organics management plan forward over the short-term and long-term. In the short-term, we will work with an existing AD facility to ensure the Region has organics processing capacity. The long-term arrangement is focused on the future development of the Region’s AD project. The Region’s AD project remains the preferred long-term solution for Durham due to its many benefits, including renewable natural gas (RNG) and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, complying with anticipated regulations banning organics from landfill; increased diversion rates; and deferring the need to expand the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC) which processes Durham’s residual waste. AD will allow Durham Region to enhance its Green Bin program for other waste including diapers, personal sanitary products, incontinence products, pet waste and pet litter as early as mid-2024. An enhanced Green Bin program will also provide a significant service level improvement for residents, allowing the odorous items in the garbage to be collected weekly in the green bin instead of bi-weekly in the garbage. More details on these program changes will be coming in early 2024. Over the next several years, Durham Region will also start organics collection programs for any new units being developed and for multi-residential properties who currently have their waste collected by the Region. The enhanced Green Bin and multi-residential green bin program will help decrease the amount of waste being processed at the DYEC. We may need to expand the DYEC eventually because of our population growth but the Region continues to look for opportunities to reduce the waste going into garbage bags so we can delay any future expansion projects. Together, with our residents, we will reduce the amount of waste we create and manage what we do generate as a resource. We will continue building an innovative integrated waste management system, balancing financial needs and environmental sustainability. For more information on the Region’s waste management programs, visit durham.ca/waste. 15 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS REGARDING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CHARGES On April 12,2023, Durham Regonal Council will hold three public meetings, pursuant to Section 12 of the Development Charges Act, 1997. These meetings were originally scheduled for March 29 but have now been rescheduled for April 12. The first public meeting will be held to present a new by-law to replace Regional Development Charge By-law No.28-2018. The second public meeting will be held to present the proposed amendments to Regional Transit Development Charge By-law No. 39-2022. The third public meeting will be held to present the proposed amendments to GO Transit Development Charge By-law No. 86-2001. These meetings will be held to present the proposed underlying background studies and obtain public input on these proposed by-laws and studies. The public meetings are to be held on: Wednesday, April 12,2023 9:30 a.m. The Regional Municipality of Durham Headquarters Council Chambers 605 Rossland Road East Whitby, Ontario To ensure sufficient information is made available to the public, copies of the proposed by-laws and background studies will be made available as of Tuesday, March 28,upon request. The documents will also be posted on the Regional website, at durham.ca, on March 28. To submit written correspondence to Regional Council, contact Legislative Services by email at clerks@durham.ca,or mail your comments to the Regional Clerk, Regional Municipality of Durham, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5. If you wish to make a delegation before Regional Council at the public meeting, submit your request in writing to delegations@durham.ca by noon on Tuesday,April 11. Members of the public who register in advance of the meeting will be provided with the details to delegate electronically. Please note that this meeting will be held in a hybrid meeting format with electronic and in-person participation. Members of the public are strongly encouraged to view the meeting via live streaming at www.calendar.durham.ca/meetings as an alternative to attending the meeting in person. Information you provide or present during the public meeting, including your name, are subject to the requirements of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This will form part of the public record and may be made available to the public. All submissions received in writing, as well as those opinions expressed at the Public Meeting, will be considered prior to Council’s decision. Council’s decision is anticipated during a special Regional Council meeting on Wednesday, June 14. Further information may be obtained by contacting Mary Simpson, Director of Risk Management, Economic Studies and Procurement, Regional Finance Department at 905-668-4113 (ext. 2301) or mary.simpson@durham.ca. Alexander Harras Director of Legislative Services / Regional Clerk A STRONGER VOICE We recognize that diversity is the strength of our communities and we are inviting you to share your voice in our publications. DURHAMREGION.COM/COMMUNITYDIVERSITY A protest of Durham District SchoolBoard (DDSB) policies surroundinggender and identity was engulfed by acountering LBGTQ+ celebration. Durham Region Freedom Fighters(DRFF), which has protested at Dur-ham District School Board (DDSB) meetings for the last three months inopposition to school board policies theybelieve sexualize children, partneredwith Action4Canada to host a protest ahead of the board's March 20 boardmeeting in the wake of the cancellationof an earlier event that would have fea-tured Trustee Linda Stone as a speaker. In response, ETFO Durham paired upwith community groups includingPFLAG to host a counter rally in support of the trans and LGBTQ+ community."We think it's important that all stu-dents and staff feel safe and included inour classrooms," said Mary Fowler, pres- ident of Durham ETFO. "We were madeaware of a protest with deep homophobicand transphobic underlines to it, and we needed to ensure our queer memberswho are employees of the board, and ourqueer students, know that their schoolsystem is safe for them. We wanted to have a peaceful showing of love."Mandy Dalton, a member of DRFF'sadmin team who identifies as queer, de- nied that the protest was transphobic."We just want appropriate materialfor children," said Dalton, emphasizingthat the group does not consider itself to be anti-trans or transphobic, and theirmembership also includes many mem-bers of the queer community. "For some reason, this has beenblown out of proportion," she contin-ued. "We've been sent screenshots say-ing we're transphobic and that's what this is about, but it couldn't be fartherfrom the truth."She pointed to a recent survey thatasked students to specify their gender and sexual identities as an example ofpolicies that the group oppose."It's sexualizing children; it's forcing them to think of sexualized issues," shesaid. "What Grade 5 student should bethinking about what type of person orwhat type of sex they should be having with someone. There should be zerosexualization of children, but it's every-where, and people are accepting it as OK."Cory Wilkins, communicationsmanager for the DDSB, confirmed a student survey did go out but that ques- tions relating to sexual orientationwere only included for students fromGrades 7 through 12.Dalton brought the concerns to the meeting's public question period, ask-ing why the board would have studentsidentify those elements. "Why are you focused on the differ-ences between students instead of spot-lighting the fact that no one should bebullied regardless?" she asked. Superintendent Mohamed Hamidnoted that the question reflects a com-mon misunderstanding when it comes to recognizing and affirming diversity."Simply teaching human decency asa blanket element is not enough; wemust go beyond this and work to dis- mantle systemic discrimination and bi-as that exists," he explained. "This ap-proach is not about focusing on differ- ences but acknowledging and valuingthe diversity of all individuals to createa safe and welcoming learning environ-ment for all students." Barry Bedford, an executive mem-ber of PFLAG Durham, also took to themic during question period to ask aboutexisting programs and supports for queer students and to praise the boardfor the work they are doing."If our children, if gay and trans chil- dren, don't feel safe at school, they won'tsucceed," Bedford said, noting this is anespecially crucial time to show supportgiven the recent uptick in transphobic sentiment across the U.S. and at home. DDSB director of education CamilleWilliams Taylor also took a moment during the meeting to recognize the up-coming International Day of Transgen-der Visibility on March 31. LGBTQ+ SUPPORTERS RALLY AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Durham Region Freedom Fighters protested support for transgender students while a counter-rally in support of LGBTQ students was organized by the ETFO at the Durham District School Board on March 20. Jason Liebregts/Metroland NEWS MOYA DILLON mdillon@durhamregion.com dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 16 EAST **Certain Conditions may apply. Not intended to solicit persons under contract. ReMax West Realty Inc. does not guarantee the sale of your home. Exclusively offered by Frank Leo.Copyright©2009 Frank Leo SEE MORE PHOTOS & PROPERTIES at www.GetLeo.com CaLL TOday 416-917-LION (5466) aNd STaRT PaCkING! MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money. • Find out about the newest homes on the market that meet your needs • Get more inFormed about the specific areas and how to get the best price • Find out how to get the best mortGaGe rates and saving programs, plus much more -Call today!! * FOR UNITS OF LISTINGS SOLD ACCORDING TO A STUDY OF MLS DATA PREPARED BY AN INDEPNDANT AUDITOR FOR REAL ESTATE STATISTICS FOR 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. WEST REALTY INC.,Brokerage Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated FRANk LeO & AssOcIATes TI-MILLION DOLLAR FREECONFIDENTIAL HOME EVALUATIONS free service professional buyer Guaranteed Home Selling System Broker Children’ & Canadian Cancer #1 RE/MAX TEAM iN THe GTA * #1 TEAM In ToRonTo (Central, east, and West Combined) by Units of listings sold for all brokers and sales representatives for all Companies* Sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network & Canadian Cancer Foundation We Live And Work In Your Area! 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Add A Boat And Have A Cottage $49,80 0 DEVELOPMENT LAND 9.5 Acres 30 Min From Downtown FOR SALE R4 ZONED Ready For Redevelopment. Perfect For Multi Family Home $700,0 0 0 3 STOREY TOWN 3 Years Old With Modern Open Concept And Walkout Basement $749,9 9 9 CUSTOM BUNGALOW ON 99 ACRES Endless Potential. Hobby Farm With 70k In Yearly Income $4,300 , 0 0 0 ATLANTIS NIAGARA Incredible Turn-key Opportunity! 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Must See! $750,0 0 0 PENTHOUSE CONDO 2+1 Bedrooms With Fantastic Views Of The City $650,0 0 0 HALF ACRE DOWNTOWN BARRIE Great Opportunity for Developers and Investors $1,800 , 0 0 0 OLD SCUGOG MASTERPIECE Luxury Finishes on Private 0.91 Acres With Inground Pool, Fire Pit and Pond $1,849 , 8 0 0 COMPLETELY RENOVATED ON 50FT LOT Contemporary design with luxurious finishes and finished basement apartment! $1,495 , 0 0 0 BUNGALOW ON OVER 13 ACRES 3 Car Garage, 3 Separate Entrances, Barn & Pond $1,799 , 0 0 0 STUNNING BUNGALOW TOWN SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD INVESTORS DREAM Great Opportunity Close To University $379,9 9 9 WE’RE HIRING! WE ARE LOOkING FOR LICENSED AGENTS TO JOIN OUR TEAM! GO TO GETLEO.COM TO SkYROCkET YOUR CAREER! COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL Live and Work Opportunity With Personal Elevator $899,9 9 9 CHARMING CUSTOMBUILT HOME SOLD FOR 100% OF ASkING!! SOLD BROOkHILL COMMUNITY SOLD FOR 81k OVER ASkING!! SOLD AMAZING OPPORTUNITYSOLD FOR 70k OVERASkING!! SOLD OVER 1200 SqFT SOLD FOR 100% OF ASkING!! SOLD LIVE/WORk OPPORTUNITY SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD SEMI IN VAUGHAN SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD $999 , 9 9 9 STUNNING PIECE OF HISTORY Gothic Revival Historical Palmer Voss House on Huge 104 X 144ft Lot Facing Ravine $1,15 0 , 0 0 0 COUNTRY LIVING ON 7 ACRES Bungalow With In Law Suite 20 min To Hwy 407 LARGE BUNGALOW ON RAVINE LOT SOLD FOR 30k OVER ASkING!! SOLD ExECUTIVE HOME SOLD FOR 52k OVER ASkING!! SOLD TWO SELF CONTAINED UNITS SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD FAMILY HOME SOLD FOR 91k OVER ASkING!! SOLD STEPS TO WATERFRONT TRAIL 3 Bed Semi With Inground Pool & Spacious Yard $600,0 0 0 17 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 16 EAST **Certain Conditions may apply. Not intended to solicit persons under contract. ReMax West Realty Inc. does not guarantee the sale of your home. Exclusively offered by Frank Leo.Copyright©2009 Frank Leo SEE MORE PHOTOS & PROPERTIES at www.GetLeo.com CaLL TOday 416-917-LION (5466) aNd STaRT PaCkING! MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR Sell Your Home Faster and For More Money. • Find out about the newest homes on the market that meet your needs • Get more inFormed about the specific areas and how to get the best price • Find out how to get the best mortGaGe rates and saving programs, plus much more -Call today!! * FOR UNITS OF LISTINGS SOLD ACCORDING TO A STUDY OF MLS DATA PREPARED BY AN INDEPNDANT AUDITOR FOR REAL ESTATE STATISTICS FOR 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. WEST REALTY INC.,Brokerage Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated FRANk LeO & AssOcIATes TI-MILLION DOLLAR FREECONFIDENTIAL HOME EVALUATIONS free service professional buyer Guaranteed Home Selling System Broker Children’ & Canadian Cancer #1 RE/MAX TEAM iN THe GTA * #1 TEAM In ToRonTo (Central, east, and West Combined) by Units of listings sold for all brokers and sales representatives for all Companies* Sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network & Canadian Cancer Foundation We Live And Work In Your Area! GET MORE FOR YOUR PROPERTY! Let Us Show You How! Broker • Your home advertised 24 hours a day until sold • 360 Degree marketing massive print, internet, tv, radio + billboard strategy reaching millions • Learn the secrets of selling without ineffective open houses • Our team of professionals for the same price as hiring a single broker • Get up to $10,000 no interest for 60 days** • Total service guarantee in writing • Your home sold guaranteed, or i’ll buy it** • Competitive rates, exceptional service • In depth neighborhood report for each property we sell • Planning to move soon free consultation • Database of Thousands of Qualified Buyers $1,55 0 , 0 0 0 MODERN SHOWPIECE Redesigned Family Home With High End Finishes Throughout $1,49 9 , 9 0 0 LARGE DETACHED HOME 4 Bedrooms With Upgrades In Amazing Location PICkERING WATERFRONT Dock-O-Minium on Lake Ontario! Add A Boat And Have A Cottage $49,80 0 DEVELOPMENT LAND 9.5 Acres 30 Min From Downtown FORSALE R4 ZONED Ready For Redevelopment. Perfect For Multi Family Home $700,0 0 0 3 STOREY TOWN 3 Years Old With Modern Open Concept And Walkout Basement $749,9 9 9 CUSTOM BUNGALOW ON 99 ACRES Endless Potential. Hobby Farm With 70k In Yearly Income $4,300 , 0 0 0 ATLANTIS NIAGARA Incredible Turn-key Opportunity! Winery & Cannabis Greenhouses in the Heart Of Wine Country. $11,00 0 , 0 0 0 WATERFRONT LIFESTYLE Stunning Unit With Views Of The Lake and Marina $589,9 9 9 DESIGNER DREAM HOME Renovated Bungalow in The Heart Of Toronto With Backyard and Parking $985,0 0 0 INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY Renovated Top To Bottom With Modern Designer Taste $1,350 , 0 0 0 WATERFRONT LOT ON 10 ACRES Build Your Dream Home Or Winery In The Heart Of Ontario’s Beautiful And Serene Wine Country $3,500 , 0 0 0 BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME 10 Acres Prime Vacant Land With Views Of Lake Ontario On A Cul-De-Sac! $3,000 , 0 0 0 SALE OF BUSINESS WITH PROPERTY Turnkey Operation In High Demand Queen St with Luxury Apartment $2,600 , 0 0 0 INDOOR POOL North York 5 Bedroom Oasis! $2,150 , 0 0 0 1 YEAR OLD BUILDING 2 Beds, 2 Baths Minutes from Subway. Must See! $750,0 0 0 PENTHOUSE CONDO 2+1 Bedrooms With Fantastic Views Of The City $650,0 0 0 HALF ACRE DOWNTOWN BARRIE Great Opportunity for Developers and Investors $1,800 , 0 0 0 OLD SCUGOG MASTERPIECE Luxury Finishes on Private 0.91 Acres With Inground Pool, Fire Pit and Pond $1,849 , 8 0 0 COMPLETELY RENOVATED ON 50FT LOT Contemporary design with luxurious finishes and finished basement apartment! $1,495 , 0 0 0 BUNGALOW ON OVER 13 ACRES 3 Car Garage, 3 Separate Entrances, Barn & Pond $1,799 , 0 0 0 STUNNING BUNGALOW TOWN SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD INVESTORS DREAM Great Opportunity Close To University $379,9 9 9 WE’RE HIRING! WE ARE LOOkING FOR LICENSED AGENTS TO JOIN OUR TEAM! GO TO GETLEO.COM TO SkYROCkET YOUR CAREER! COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL Live and Work Opportunity With Personal Elevator $899,9 9 9 CHARMING CUSTOMBUILT HOME SOLD FOR 100% OF ASkING!! SOLD BROOkHILL COMMUNITY SOLD FOR 81k OVER ASkING!! SOLD AMAZING OPPORTUNITYSOLD FOR 70k OVERASkING!! SOLD OVER 1200 SqFT SOLD FOR 100% OF ASkING!! SOLD LIVE/WORk OPPORTUNITY SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD SEMI IN VAUGHAN SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD $999 , 9 9 9 STUNNING PIECE OF HISTORY Gothic Revival Historical Palmer Voss House on Huge 104 X 144ft Lot Facing Ravine $1,15 0 , 0 0 0 COUNTRY LIVING ON 7 ACRES Bungalow With In Law Suite 20 min To Hwy 407 LARGE BUNGALOW ON RAVINE LOT SOLD FOR 30k OVER ASkING!! SOLD ExECUTIVE HOME SOLD FOR 52k OVER ASkING!! SOLD TWO SELF CONTAINED UNITS SOLD FOR TOP $$$!! SOLD FAMILY HOME SOLD FOR 91k OVER ASkING!! SOLD STEPS TO WATERFRONT TRAIL 3 Bed Semi With Inground Pool & Spacious Yard $600,0 0 0 17 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 18 If you require this information in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102. Never miss another garbage day View your garbage and recycling schedule Set weekly pick-up reminders Know Before You Throw search tool Locate waste management facilities Download the free Durham Region Waste App Each year, the region processes more than onemillion customer trans-actions: over 700,000 cus- tomer calls (via morethan 60 phone numbersand 28 call centres); thou-sands of social media questions; numerous in-person inquiries at 80public front counters; andquestions directed to 28business divisions.That's a lot of options.Some people had to tell their story several times,to several different peo-ple, across several region-al divisions. We aimed to change that through themyDurham 311 project. As customers, we al-ways remember that one agent who put us first,helping to make our expe-rience a positive one. Thisis the lens we applied to our 311 service: easier tofind information, smoothinteractions, and the abil-ity to work with one per-son to access several dif-ferent services. Because it's all about the customer experience. The myDurham 311 ser-vice — available withinour borders — allows peo- ple to call one number toaccess information about regional services: wasteand recycling; roads andtraffic; transit, water and sewer; and more. Outsideof Durham, continue tocall 905-668-7711 or toll- free at 1-800-372-1102.Designed with the cus-tomer journey in mind,this personalized experi- ence begins with a clearpoint of contact — onechosen by the customer. They can interact in-per-son, via the web, throughemails, by phone, throughsocial media and more. As part of this officiallaunch, there's also a cus-tomer self-serve portalthat allows residents to access support via ourwebsite. Need to reportmissed waste collection, need help planning atransit trip or have ques-tions about regional ser-vices? Want to submit ser- vice requests or com-plaints? Some of the live servicerequests include waste-diversion kits, bag tag ex- emption form, generalwaste inquiries, report-ing water issues, pedestri- an safety and a generaltraffic inquiry. There's also anotherway to find answers — just ask Google or Alexa.The myDurham 311 SmartHome Device Voice Ser- vice supports a broadrange of functions, in-cluding regional councilinformation, transit schedules, garbage pick-up dates and informationon public facilities. Dur-ham was the first regional municipality in Canada tooffer this service! Not sure if your ques- tion is something the re-gion provides, or if it re-lates to your local city ortown? That's OK — we know people aren't alwayssure. Main roads, munici- pal water and sewer, recy-cling, long-term care, children's services andmore are all regional mat-ters. On-street parking, rec- reational activities, localparks, snow removal onresidential streets, ani-mal control and other im- portant services are from your local municipality.But rest assured, calls re- lated to local programs orservices will be seamless-ly transferred. Visit myDurham311.ca to learn more. John Henry is DurhamRegion's chair and chief executive officer. DURHAM REGION LAUNCHES MYDURHAM 311OPINION REGIONAL CHAIR JOHN HENRY SAYS 'IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE' JOHN HENRY Column As part of this official launch, there's also a customer self-serve portal that allows residents to access support via our website. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM 19 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Book your personalized tour! Chartwell.com Embrace the benefits of life in a friendly community Chartwell offers 5 residences in Durham, find your nearest today. CHARTWELL HARWOOD 240 Old Harwood Avenue, Ajax •289-608-8364 Chartwell Harwood Retirement Residence is set amid elegantly landscaped grounds in a peaceful Ajax neighbourhood. Explore our vibrant and social lifestyle, convenient location, and variety of worry- free services designed to make life better! BOOK A COMPLIMENTARY MEAL WITH US! 905-427-2116 NEW ROOF, R E - R O O F & R E P AIR SPECIALISTS We f i x o ther r o o f e r ’ s mistakes! aJaxroofing.com a Proud recipient of the Readers’ Choice Awards for the Past 12 Years! It's about trust. Our rela-tionship with our readers is built on transparency, hon-esty and integrity. As such,we have launched a trust initiative to tell you who weare and how and why we dowhat we do. This article ispart of that project. With inflation and theincreased overall cost ofliving, many people are curbing their spending andrethinking how they spendtheir hard-earned money,including how much they can donate to the charity oftheir choice. Ontario residents are feeling the pinch and so arenot-for-profit organiza-tions. Local charities dedicat-ed to supporting the com- munity are working hardto meet an increase in de-mand despite declining do-nations. Non-profits need sup-port.It's an issue we hear time and again as editorialleaders continue to meetwith members of Torstar'sadvisory councils across Ontario. And it's a concernwe are keen on tacklingand did so with the launchof the Torstar Gives Backprogram, which providedlocal charities and non-profits with free advertis- ing in 2022.Our commitment tosupporting local charitiesand not-for-profits is unwa- vering.This spring, the TorstarGives Back program will be rebranded as MetrolandGives Back. The revampedprogram aims to providenon-profits with $1 million in free advertising. Theprogram is intended tobuild strong communities and provides organiza-tions with limited market-ing or advertising budgetsan opportunity to promote their services or initia-tives. This means morefunding to support their work in the community,where it's most impactful.Starting April 1, non- profit organizations, chari- ty groups and communityorganizations can apply toreceive free advertisingthrough the MetrolandGives Back program byemailing MetrolandGives-Back@metroland.com. When a selected organi-zation has been approved,they'll be allotted a budgetand work directly with one of Metroland's media spe-cialists on their advertising.We're excited about this initiative and committed todoing our part to give backto the community. Howev-er, what's most rewarding is knowing that this pro-gram will continue to allownon-profits to expand their reach to serve residents inneed. Catherine O'Hara is deputy director of contentfor Metroland. We welcomeyour questions and valueyour comments. Email ourtrust committee attrust@metroland.com. METROLAND GIVES BACK PROGRAM DOES JUST THAT OPINION REBRANDEDPROGRAM OFFERS $1 MILLION IN FREEADVERTISING TOCHARITIES, WRITESCATHERINE O'HARA CATHERINE O’HARA Column Our commitment to supporting local charities and not-for-profits is unwavering. dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 20 Buy it. Eat it. Don‘t waste it. Proper food storage means less waste. durham.ca/BuyItEatIt If you require this information in an accessible format, please contact 1-800-372-1102. Durham Region istrashing most print copiesof its paper waste collec- tion calendars.The move is to lessen en-vironmental impacts,while encouraging resi- dents to download and usethe Durham Region WasteApp or to get information at durham.ca/waste.Durham collects wastein all communities, exceptWhitby and Oshawa. Paper waste collectioncalendars have historicallybeen sent annually to every household with curbsidecollection. Eliminating thedistribution of printed cal-endars is more cost-effec- tive while also reducing theregion's carbon footprint,the region noted. The move to end thepaper copies is part of theregion's Long-term WasteManagement Plan. While working on the plan, resi-dents said the Durham Re-gion Waste App was their preferred choice for gettinginformation on waste man-agement programs, includ-ing waste collection sched- ules.The Durham RegionWaste App is available on Google Play or in the AppStore; it's free to downloadand provides residentswith customized collection schedules, reminders about collection days, theKnow Before You Throwsearch tool and service alerts.Waste management in-formation is also availablethrough smart home devic- es by asking Google Homeor Amazon Alexa for my-Durham 311 Smart Home Device Service and askingabout the collection sched-ule.A limited number of paper calendars will beavailable upon request inOctober. To request a copy, email waste@dur-ham.ca or call 311 (withinregional limits) or toll-freeat 1-800-372-1102. DURHAM ENDING PRINTED WASTE COLLECTION CALENDARS NEWS Durham Region is trashing most print copies of its paper waste collection calendars. The move is to lessen environmental impacts, while encouraging residents to download and use the Durham Region Waste App or to get information at durham.ca/waste. Metroland file photo 21 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Lowe’s knows warranties. And we know you care about those warranties. Heck, why wouldn’t you? They’re WARRANTIES after all. So, we want you to know that any and all warranties issued by Lowe’s will be honoured. Yes, even after we change our name to RONA. Same goes for your gift cards – good as gold. And all the brands you love are here to stay, too. Lowe’s knows we owe everything to our customers. So we owe you this guarantee: we got you. LOWES.CA/CHANGE Lowe’s knows what matters to you dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 22 Easy is always on hand. Open your freezer to many easy meals made especially for seniors,delivered for free*. *Some conditions may apply. Locally Owned by Neil & Emily Ogilvie Get your FREE Menu 1-844-479-2255 HeartToHomeMeals.ca Adorn your Home with Quality Windows and Doors 119ConsumersDrive,Whitby AdornHome.ca Made in Our Whitby Factory! • Window • Doors • Custom Glass Call us Today! 905-665-9565 for the event, as well as a December derailment thatresulted in the cancellationof the event's last two weeks, as factors in the is-sue.In January, Brooklinparent Peter Bocking took to social media wonderingwhy his daughter hadn'tyet been paid for her per-formances on the holidaytrain."We let it go for a while,but recognizing that a 12 or 13 year old doesn't neces-sarily have the capacity tostand up to a grown-up,eventually my wife and I decided we needed to stepin," said Bocking of his 12- year-old daughter.Bocking said he spentnearly a month going back and forth with YDHR rep-resentatives about hisdaughter's unpaid hours, going so far as to try to con-tact YDHR CEO John Perksby calling him at his otherbusiness. When the issue re-mained unresolved, Bock-ing took the situation to so-cial media, posting a nega-tive Google review and anexplanation of the issue onFacebook. "I felt like I had no otherrecourse," he said. "It was only days afterthat I got a direct call from John."While his daughter was eventually paid by etransf- er on Feb. 15, Bockinglearned after posting anupdate that there were oth- er performers in the samesituation."It was an onslaught,"Bocking said of the re- sponse his second post re-ceived, not only from the parents of other perform- ers but also vendors, andpast and present employ-ees of both YDHR and other businesses Perks is in-volved with."My heart goes out toYDHR, looking at the tor- nado and then the derail-ment, it's a horrible thing for them to have to deal with, but it shouldn't be upto the employees to bank-roll you," Bocking said. "You can't just not pay youremployees."Perks said the paymentissue stemmed from a lack of communication betweenYDHR and a third-party production company that was hired to source the tal-ent. He said multiple re-quests for personal infor- mation for the performerswas ignored, which pre-vented the railway from be-ing able to enter them into NEWS Continued from page 3 'WE NEEDED TO STEP IN' See YDHR,page 23 The YDHR station building was badly damaged in the May 2022 tornado that swept through downtown Uxbridge. Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland file photo 23 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m their payment system. "They were all fantastic; they all worked hard,"Perks said of the perform-ers, noting the railway didpay the students one pay- check early on by enteringjust first and last names intheir system and handing them out in person."We said we'll issuethese cheques in a gestureof good faith and will then need to collect the rest ofthe personal information."The issue was furtherexacerbated by a Dec. 9 de-railment that ended upcanceling the rest of theevent run, and the rail- way's annual January holi-day closure, which meantstaff weren't on site to re-spond to concerns. Grade 9 student Savan-nah Clouter, 14, who wasone of the performers, said she didn't question the lackof pay for a few weeks be-cause of the derailment,but grew concerned when she got an email from thethird-party producer noti-fying performers his con- tract with YDHR had end-ed, and including contactsto notify if they hadn't re-ceived payment. "We got the email andthen he just left us, he saidhe would update us, but I never heard from himagain," she said. Clouter reached out atthe end of December but wasn't getting a responseso her mother stepped inand reached out as well.She eventually received a payment mid-February af-ter the social media outcrykicked up, but said she's still owed for some of thehours.Clouter said she andother performers were un- der the impression theywere working for YDHR be-cause they signed a con- tract that listed the railwayas the second party, butPerks claims no one at YDHR was aware of or had reviewed the contractsigned by the performers.The Times-Journal sent a message to the third-par-ty producer via an emailprovided by one of the per-formers but received no re- sponse."I do babysit so I kind ofknow what it's like to be working, and it just seemedlike a bad environment,"Clouter said. "Overall, wereally didn't know what we were supposed to be doingand people would yell at us.Our contract said we wouldbe provided with one meal every day we performedbut if we went to get food,they yelled at us for taking food. It wasn't a great expe-rience."Perks said the incidenthas prompted the YDHR Board to take correctivemeasures, including pro-hibiting the use of third- party producers on futureproductions and hiring anin-house director to handleperformers. "This will allow us tohave control over the showand actors and ensure they're treated in a waythat holds to our values,"Perks said of the move."Certainly, we've made mistakes, but we are learn-ing from this, and we've al-ready taken measures tomake sure it doesn't hap-pen again."Debra Stratton reporteda similar experience after working for the railwayone weekend in December. "I kind of did anythingand everything, there wasn't a lot of structure,"Stratton said of her shortexperience there, helping with odd jobs for the NorthPole Light Up Express. Although staff werekeen to put her event plan- ning experience to gooduse, Stratton said shequickly decided not to con- tinue with the position andnotified her supervisor ofher decision after her first weekend worked. "It just wasn't a good fit;it wasn't well managed,"she said. "I have manage- ment experience so I knowhow you should talk to andtreat employees, as anadult I felt respected but I don't think a lot of youngeremployees would feel thesame way."Stratton contacted hersupervisor regarding pay-ment about a week laterbut was told it would be handled by another staffmember. By early Febru-ary, and following severalmore inquiries, Stratton informed them she wouldbe taking the issue to socialmedia if she wasn't paid, and followed through.Shortly after postingabout the nonpayment in aGoogle review, she was contacted and subsequent-ly sent payment viaetransfer. "I was contacted andasked for my hours workedand sent etransfer almostimmediately," Stratton said. "They did later sendan email to confirm thetransfer and asked me to delete or at least update myGoogle review now that thesituation was resolved. Iwas paid, but I think it's larger issue."Perks said he hopeschanges made in the wakeof the outcry mean pay-ment will not be an issuemoving forward."We learned many valu- able lessons, first, no one isgoing to walk onto theproperty as an employee ora contractor again without first having given us the in-formation required forpayment," Perks said. "We're in a position wherecash flow has been severelydamaged, we've just comeout of a horrendous three- year period. Our board hasfrozen all spending, butwhen we went to them with this situation they didn'thesitate, they just said'make sure they're paid.'" NEWS Continued from page 22 YDHR HAS 'TAKEN MEASURES TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN' dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 24 DOUBLE TROUBLECOMMUNITY Two Ajax Pickering Ringette Association teams, featuring players and coaches from across Durham, are off to the Canadian Ringette Championships in Regina next month. Both the U16AA and U19AA squads are Ontario champs and will become Team Ontario in their respective divisions. These young women are looking for help as flights, hotels etc. add up. To support one or both teams, see the links in apringette.com/article/82839. Ajax Pickering Ringette photos 25 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m Have a question about Durham Region Transit (DRT) service? Join us at an upcoming Public Information Centre!Meet with our service design team and learn about the future of public transit service in Durham: *Additional dates coming for the City of Oshawa and Municipality of Clarington. Township of Uxbridge Uxbridge Farmers’Market in the UxbridgeArena 291 Brock StreetWest,Uxbridge April 2,2023 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. How to get there: Route 905 and On Demand Town of Ajax Ajax Public Library 55 HarwoodAvenue South,Ajax April 5,2023 5 to 8 p.m. How to get there: Routes 216,224,222,917 Town of Whitby Brooklin Community Centre and Library 8Vipond Road,Whitby April 12,2023 5 to 8 p.m. How to get there: Route 302 Township of Brock Fisher’sYour Independent Grocer Beaverton B-30 BeaverAvenue,Beaverton April 13,2023 5 to 8 p.m. How to get there: On Demand City of Pickering Pickering Public Library 1The Esplanade South,Pickering April 19,2023 5 to 8 p.m. How to get there: Routes 101,211,917,103,110, 112,900,916 Township of Scugog North Durham Family Health Building 462 Paxton Street,Port Perry April 20,2023 10 a.m.to 1 p.m. How to get there: Route 905 Durham District SchoolBoard trustees are askingstaff to explore diversify-ing the school calendar for next year.At a meeting on March 20student trustee Ben Camer- on suggested a motion tomove a planned PA Day forApril 19, 2024 to April 10 togive students a day off on Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holi-day that marks the end ofthe month-long, dawn tosunset fasting of Ramadan."Muslim people makeup the second-largest reli-gious demographic inside the DDSB for students,"said Cameron. "We talk alot about making sure ourcurriculum and our teach- ing staff and administra-tion reflect our students,but I think our holidays should as well."Cameron noted that hol-idays are given for Chris-tian holidays such as Christmas and Easter, butno other faith holidays arerecognized under the pro- posed 2023/2024 calendar."We should advocate forthe change we want to see,and this is one way we can do that," Cameron contin-ued. "If we want to see thishappen we can't wait on the Ministry."Associate director of eq-uitable education Jim Mar-kovski cautioned trustees that the move would not beso straightforward sincethe proposed calendar wascreated with input from many stakeholders, and inco-ordination with theDurham Catholic District School Board."Any time we change aPA day where it's not alignedwith the DCDSB we're looking at about $175,000 inadditional transportationcosts," he explained, noting there were many "layers" toconsider with the change."The challenge here is that when you look at vari-ous faith groups and datesof significance there are numerous days through-out the calendar that mayrequire attention," he con-tinued. "I don't know how realistic it would be ... tocreate a structure thatwould allow for the flexibil- ity of every date of signifi-cance in the school year.That being said, there arestructures in place at the school level so if it's staffwe're dealing with, or if in-dividuals do need accom- modations based on faith,we can support themthrough those means."Trustee Shailene Pany- lo praised Cameron for theidea, offering to move hissuggested motion of re- scheduling the April 19 PADay."I would agree it mightseem difficult or daunting or maybe not as flexible, but Iwould argue that that's be-cause we've never really tried," she said of accommo-dating other religions inschool holidays. "Whenwe're intentional in who we're trying to create spacethat requires us looking atthings with a whole differ-ent lens than we typically would. That's just the natureof us addressing very signif-icant structural changes that, although they meanmuch to certain groups ofpeople, really haven't beendone in many jurisdictions." Trustee Emma Cun-ningham, who is Jewish,also supported the motion as seconder."As someone who has tosign my children out for major Jewish holidays sowe can attend synagogue, Ido understand how frus- trating it can be for fami-lies to miss educationaltime for a faith that doesn'tnecessarily follow what we consider to be the majori-ty," said Cunningham. "We have a lot of students from a lot of different faiths,and I would love to see themmore tightly linked to thecalendar to show our diver- sity. Even if it means pullingback some of the holidayswe're used to seeing on the calendar, I would love to seethat diversified."Director of EducationCamille Williams-Taylor cautioned trustees againstthe change, suggesting thatthey perhaps instruct staff to look at options for the2024/2025 school year in-stead, to allow time to en-gage with the public. "This is certainly a veryvaluable conversation,"she said, noting switchingthe scheduled PA Day is al-so difficult since the date ofEID in 2024 is not knownfor certain yet, as it relates to lunar cycles."My concern is aboutmaking a decision at this ta-ble without going through a round of consultation," sheexplained. "Should we nowmake an essentially unilat- eral decision here at the ta-ble, I do have some ques-tions about how that wouldbe received by the system." Trustees voted to deferthe motion to a specialboard meeting on April 3 to give staff more time to lookat the feasibility of achange. DDSB DEBATES ADDING ALTERNATE FAITH HOLIDAYS TO CALENDAR MOYA DILLON mdillon@durhamregion.com The Durham District School Board is looking at adding alternate faith holidays to its school calendar. Metroland file photo NEWS dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 26 Cheques payable to: SickKids Foundation, c/o Toronto Star 8 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5V 0S8 MAYA PATIENT AMBASSADOR 2DAYSLEFT! HELPUSRAISE$100,000FORSICKKIDS Our community is raising $100,000, and there are just two days left to reach our goal!Until March 31, every donation will be triple-matched. You can help build a world-class new hospital to help kids like Maya get the care they need. A snapshot of the cur-rent real estate marketgives an indication that thedownward trend of priceshas reversed, jumping upover the past three weeks.Detached homes in Whitby have increased to an aver-age of $1,133,000, an in-crease of $96,000 sinceMarch 1, 2023. Bidding con- tests are returning, withOshawa homes selling for full price or over asking in65 per cent of the sales. In-ventory is at mid-pandem-ic lows. These trends allgive the indication that bythe end of summer priceswill have climbed dramati- cally. Durham Region cur-rently has a total of 778homes for sale and as of March 20 there have been500 properties sold. If we look back at February 2020,pre-pandemic, there were 1,036 homes for sale and bymonth end 890 homes sold.It is easy to see that in 2020there were more homessold, however we had athird more homes for sale.With inventory being as low as it is currently, buy-ers who feel that priceshave no where to go but upare scrambling to get into a home. What causes buyers and sellers to sit on the side-lines when markets go through a shift? They tendto come to their decisionsto wait based on separatereasons. Sellers, havingseen values much higherthan they are today, arehesitant to sell, knowing last year the prices wouldnet them a windfall notpossible today. Buyers,knowing that prices have fallen, have reservationsbased on higher carrying costs, more challenging qualifications for mortgag-es and the sense of dreadthat if they buy today, val- ues may be lower in amonth or two. The result issellers choose to hold offand the buyers who are in the market end up chasingthe same pool of homes. We know by what we have learned over the pastyear that Inflation is "toomany dollars chasing toofew goods." This rule ap- plies in real estate as well.When buyers chase too fewhomes for sale, bidding contests happen and pricesspike upward. Chatting with some col-leagues about current buy- er challenges, I was toldthat one buyer had bid onseveral homes with a mini-mum of six offers on each property. Another co-worker just received 22 of-fers on a property he had for sale. These are storiesthat illustrate the challeng-es a low inventory marketcreates. Buyers tend to chat witheach other about the best locations. Agents look for areas where value for theirbuyers goes the furthest.Areas that have the lowest prices see buyers comingfrom all over the GTA.When you do a radiusaround downtown Toron- to, and compare how farOshawa is to the east, Bur-lington sits the same dis- tance to the west. The aver-age prices are $500,000higher than those in Osha-wa, and to the north, New- market prices are $440,000higher. These are some ofthe reasons buyers are flocking to Durham Re-gion. Low inventory, pricesand a one-hour commute to downtown Toronto arecausing Durham prices tospike. If you are a buyerlooking to buy, trends show waiting may cost thou-sands. Lindsay Smith is withKeller Williams Energyand has been a DurhamReal Estate Broker for 37 years. He can be reached atlindsay@buyselllove.ca REAL ESTATE MARKET CHANGING LIKE THE SEASON OPINION LINDSAY SMITH SAYSFACTORS SUCH ASLOW INVENTORY'ARE CAUSINGDURHAM PRICES TOSPIKE'LINDSAY SMITH Column If you are a buyer looking to buy, trends show waiting may cost thousands. 27 | Ne w s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m LOCKETT, Robert W. February 21, 1948 - March 17, 2023 ------------------ Robert was the eldest son of Joan Wright Lockett and William Lockett, husband of Moira Hair Lockett, brother of Peter (Nina) and Michael (Elizabeth) Lockett and brother-in-law of Laura Desveaux (Gerald). Uncle to, Tracey, Andrea and Gary Gould, Kyle Lockett and Allison Desveaux. Robert passed away peacefully at the Ajax Lakeridge Hospital, after an extended illness. The family wish to extend an invitation to a 'Celebration of Life' to be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 322, 111 Huntly St. Ajax on Sunday April 23, 2023, 1 - 5pm. For verse suggestions or more information, Email classifieds@metroland.com or call 1-800-263-6480 RememberingYouatRememberingYou atEaster We will be publishing a special Easter In Memoriam section on Thursday, April 6, 2023 Tributes for this section must be received Thursday, March 30th at 5 p.m. 25% discount with a coupon code INMEM2023 when placing your ad online at yourclassifieds.ca Every life deserves to be remembered. Let US help YOU, to tell THEIR story on our High Quality Granite. Call or visit our showroom in Ajax now, to learn about your options. Proudly servicing ALL cemeteries with 8 showroom locations to serve you. 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You were too pure for this cold earth, too beautiful to stay, and so God’s holy angel bore our darling one away. Create a keepsake your babywill treasure one day. Find adventure, romance, paradise 1-800-263-6480 classifieds@metroland.comCLASSIFIEDSOBITUARIES | ANNOUNCEMENTS | JOBS | MARKETPLACE CELEBRATION OF LIFE IN MEMORIAM SPECIAL OCCASIONS GENERAL HELP TECHNICAL/ SKILLED TRADES REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT MERCHANDISE ARTICLES FOR SALE/WANTED dur h a m r e g i o n . c o m New s A d v e r t i s e r | Th u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 0 , 2 0 2 3 | 28 SUMMER RENOVATIONS 647-287-7168 (Free Estimates) Build/Repair Fences Build/Repair Decks BIG OR SMALL, GIVE US A CALL! MOVING HELP Need small moving help, pickups, or moving your entire home? Need assistance with an appliance or furniture? Let our full service student run moving company help you today! Call The Moving Consultants at (647) 771-3624 AMAZING PAINTERS At Discounted Prices! 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