Editorials

In today’s media climate, where we’re so conditioned to expect to know every detail of a story, our readers are sometimes curious why we choose to omit the names of the accused in police reports. 

With summer here, social media posts showing perfectly risen bread have given way blossoming gardens, busy bees and fresh produce. Whether it’s COVID-inspired worries, or an over abundance of time at home, our food supply is in sharp focus.

Canada is turning 153 years old tomorrow, but it’s never had a birthday bash like this before. This Canada Day won’t be like any other - no fireworks, or family events at the Point. It’s true it will look different, but all our favourite things will be there for us next year.

Letters to the editor have been a venue of civil discourse for hundreds of years. They’re the precursor of internet chat rooms and comments sections, and an important part of the service newspapers provide.

Passionate. Flexible. Self-motivated. Focussed.

These are just a few of the adjectives that describe the entrepreneurs in our District. But the one that seems the most accurate and timely right now is “risk-taking.”

Shocking images of police violence, protests and counter-protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death, at the hands of Minneapolis police, have left many Canadians shaken and appalled. We can soothe our nerves by calling it an American made problem. That Canada knows better. But statistics say otherwise.

Today at noon, a Pride flag was raised at Fort Frances town hall, joining thousands of others flying across the globe.

June is internationally recognized as Pride Month - a peaceful rally for the equality and acceptance of all people, regardless of who they love and how they express their identity.

Last week, our region was left reeling. After weeks of relative calm, and community pride in keeping our case load of COVID-19 low, four new cases emerged. And not just typical cases - it’s now clear there are people out there who don’t know they’re sick. People who may well be out in our shared communities. Touching shared surfaces. Breathing shared air.

History textbooks are filled with civil rights demonstrations. Women rallying for the vote. Blacks marching in the streets. Rosa Parks refusing to surrender her seat. We admire these acts of defiance, because we know they were right. But defiance in pursuit of human rights isn’t all ancient history - at least not yet. Today’s activists dress in drag and wave rainbow flags.

Few things have been left untouched by COVID-19. Mother's Day is about to be the next casualty. There will be no craft projects made alongside classmates at school. No secret shopping trips with Dad. No Mother's Day teas, craft sales, lunches or get-togethers at restaurants. But moms know the best gifts can't be bought at a store or made by a chef.