Sir John A. – Schools

Premier Kathleen Wynne has rejected a teachers’ union call to remove Sir John A. Macdonald’s name from public elementary schools in the province.

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario has passed a motion saying schools named after Sir John A. Macdonald should be renamed because he was the “architect of genocide against Indigenous Peoples.”

Wynne acknowledges Macdonald was far from perfect but says the motion misses the mark.

She says it’s more important to understand all parts of the country’s history, and work toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities.

Military Pride

Canada’s chief of defence staff is hoping people from the LGBTQ community will be encouraged to enlist in the military. General Jonathan Vance will become the first chief of defence staff to march in a Pride parade, on Sunday when he takes part in the parade in Ottawa.

Vance said he wants to show members of the LGBTQ community already serving in uniform that he and the rest of the top brass support them…and says the armed forces wants to recruit people from as diverse a segment of society as they can.

Kingston Man – Fatal Injury

The Ministry of Labour is investigating after a man from Kingston died of injuries when he fell about 10 metres from a catwalk at a quarry in the Woodstock area.

47 year old Walter Nuvoloni died in hospital after suffering critical injuries in the fall on Wednesday morning at the Lafarge quarry in Beachville.

Nuvoloni had been an area purchasing manager for Lafarge.

Smoker – Punch

An 18-year-old from Lindsay has been charged by Kingston Police with punching a girl in the face after she refused to have a smoke with him.

Police say the teen from Lindsay had approached two girls walking along Bath Road Wednesday night.

One of the girls was punched in the face. They say the man was highly intoxicated and was found passed out face down on a nearby sidewalk.

He’s been charged with assault, assaulting police and resisting arrest.

Driver Service

A service that provides someone to drive you to your destination in your own vehicles kicks off in the Kingston area in September.

Driverseat can be used as a designated driver program for people or a personal chauffeur service.

The franchise is being launched by area residents Donna Nelham and Paul Tremlett.

They say there is a market for the service that uses the customer’s vehicle to get them to their destination.

Sophie’s BBQ

Kingston and the Islands MPP Sophie Kiwala is holding a community barbecue this weekend.

The free barbecue will take place on Saturday from 2-4p.m. in Shannon Park on Wilson Street.

Community organizations will be at the event promoting their programs and services.

Limestone City Blues

The Limestone City Blues Festival officially got underway last night in Confederation Park with a concert by a Toronto group called Blackburn.

Tonight – two Canadian women take to the Princess Street Stage.

Montreal native Dawn Tyler Watson won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis this spring.  She’ll be joined by Angelique Francis from Ottawa.  The opening act is Adam Karch and his band from Montreal.

Concerts also continue in Confederation Park during the afternoon and in downtown clubs at night.

 

http://www.downtownkingston.ca/enjoy/2017/limestone-city-blues-festival

 

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