CHEX - Thursday, May 23, 2024 - 06:00 a.m. (ET) - Segment #5

I hosted another group of students there from junior achievement, and I think these were holy cross kids. And basically they were going to different places in the community looking at businesses, looking at jobs they never thought existed. So when the kids came in here, you know, I asked them, you know, how many of you have ever heard about audiology before? And not unsurprisingly, none of them had. And it's interesting to me that, you know, in 2024, there are still those that eat, don't even know about the profession of audiology or being an audiologist. So it was really great for me to be able to sit down with them and tell them about my profession, what you can do with it, all the different possibilities that can range from private practice to hospitals to industrial to intraoperative monitoring. So many different possibilities. And so as I was talking, I could see their eyes widen a little bit, going, oh, that sounds interesting. And that sounds interesting. And then of course, they wanted the big question was, well, how much will I make? Which is a valid question, right? I mean, but that was their bottom line. Well, is this a profession where I can make good money in. Right. Well, there's definitely a need for audiologists in in ontario there's a shortage. Most of my colleagues that are trying to hire audiologists do have a hard time. You know, finding those to hire. So while it's a little known profession, it also adds to the fact that there's not as many people in the profession. So if you're looking for a profession to maybe get into, audiology is a good one. Those kids that were here, they had a great time and we were able to share with them what they might do in order to become an audiologist. Just till next time, I'll talk to you all about hearing. >> All about hearing is brought to you by the ear company on lansdowne street. The ear company, your best choice for better hearing. >> We have more local news just ahead right here on "global" news morning. Peterborough. Music Hi I'm Chase Curtis from Alf Curtis Home Improvements We're locally owned and operated building materials supply from builder/contractor to home renovator do it yourselfer everything through your renovation, addition or a new build. Let our knowledgeable staff help you with your next project big or small Music Did you know the most car accident claims for pain and suffering have a deductible of over $44,000. Even if it wasn't your fault. -What? -It's true. That's why you need to call Preszler Law now. Thunder Claps Thinking of listing? Call brian schofield brocker owner of realty guys 37 years experience with family team chantelle and kristy the toronto connection peterborough and toronto office locations with 3.75 full mls commision incredible marketing plans saving you money for a free market analysis call brian schofield 705 749 4444 not intended to solicite properties aready under contract thunder Huge jackpots are back at Delta Bingo Online, with even more chances to win! With 20 thousand dollars in prizes starting April 20th, and one-hundred-thousand dollars in prizes on May 25th, Saturdays are for yelling bingo. Play at Online.DeltaBingo.com Hear ye, hear ye please welcome the Mattress King of the Kawarthas Are you tired of sleeping on your old mattress? Enter my kingdom of comfort today. Why shop at big box stores when you can save money and shop at Peterborough Mattress outlet and I will give you a free shirt.Incredible prices on pocket coil, memory foam and eurotop mattresses. You will sleep like the kings and queens that you are. Sire... snoring... ah the sweet dreams of royalty ALL:Let's see your voice! I'm very good at solving murder cases. >> From global peterborough. This is "global news" morning. >> Good morning, and thank you for joining us. I'm keri ferguson. Teresa kaszuba is off today. One of ontario's largest trade unions is lobbying the provincial government for more support in the public service. Ofsaa held its first of three rallies planned for our region this week outside mpp dave

smith's office, robert lothian reports. We're we're done. >> We're ready to say enough is enough. Government needs to step up. >> Dozens of public service workers line a busy chemong road. Their goal to send a message to the ford government that current social services funding levels fall short, services are underfunded and that, in our case, children are at risk. >> And I know that for myself and my coworkers, we are not prepared to walk away from a child in need to balance an inadequate budget. >> On wednesday, union members representing the kawartha haliburton children's aid society delivering a letter to mpp dave smith's office. >> We want to just be able to drop our letter off asking for support in what they call a chronically underfunded system. Children can't stay in their homes and then when they need to be removed from their homes, they can't stay in their community and they end up being hours out of the area. >> We're either addressing it through funding, children's aid societies and children's mental health, or we're addressing it in emergency room departments, or we're addressing it in shelters. So at some point we are going to have to fund it. >> A spokesperson for smith's office says the mpp was not in the riding on wednesday or available for an interview before a deadline. And while children's services took the focus of wednesday's rally, representation came from several unions. The concern, labelle says, is a growing theme of funding shortfalls impacting many public services. >> Clean water agency you know, the cuts to public health labs, like all of those things, are going to impact people in peterborough, and they should care about those issues, because if they don't have access to those services in their community, where are they going to get them? >> Ups will continue to hold rallies on thursday at mpp david piccini office in port hope, and on friday at lindsay at mpp laurie scott's office. The goal is to maintain pressure while these elected officials are at home. Robert lothian "global news" >> The city of kawartha lakes council is calling on the provincial and federal governments to step in to address program cuts at fleming college. At its meeting tuesday, council voted in favor of a recommendation that the municipality encourage both levels of government to invest in and provide support legislation that promotes colleges specifically fleming's frost campus, which is heavily impacted by the cuts. Last month, the college announced it would cut 29 programs due to low projected domestic enrollment, as well as the federal cap on international students in ontario. The ford government is now facing calls to reverse a pandemic policy that critics say gives suspected drunk drivers a slap on the wrist. As we first told you tuesday, ontario prosecutors are allowed to downgrade non drinking and driving charges as a way to reduce the backlog in the court system. Queen's park bureau chief colin d'mello has the latest on this "global news" exclusive. >> It's a government directive designed to loosen up a logjammed court system, alleged drunk drivers in less serious cases could be offered the chance to plead guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving, sparing them a criminal record. The policy has been in effect since 2021, but during all of those years, the ford government never kept track of how many drivers received the plea bargain. Critics say that makes it problematic. >> Yes, we know it probably reduces time. How much time you actually reducing? They can't say how often are people re-offending. Government can't say so I so I can't say none of us can say is it effective. >> Well the ford government never kept track. "global news" has learned that the option to downgrade charges was used so often that crown prosecutors even had a pre-prepared script to read aloud in court that this was a time limited measure, intended only to reduce the court backlog. How often would you say you heard that? >> Pretty much every time a plea bargain was done after for a little while, there wasn't as fulsome, an explanation and perhaps not a script, but ultimately every every, every prosecutor was essentially saying that to the court. >> The attorney general claims the policy remains in effect in order to clear courtrooms for more serious cases like sexual assault and gun crimes. But critics are casting doubt. The ndp recently uncovered 1300 sexual assault cases that were tossed out of court in 2022 as a result of backlogs. >> So by reducing criminal charges when it comes to impaired driving and claiming that this is because they want the system to run efficiently, well, it hasn't happened. >> Now, some are calling on the government to eliminate the option altogether. >> The policy should be revoked because it was introduced during a covid pandemic time. Clearly we are we are not in that time anymore, the attorney general says. >> For now, his office is not reconsidering the policy at

queen's park, colin d'mello "global news" food insecurity continues to be a growing issue in the region. >> The haliburton, kawartha, pine ridge district health unit has released a new report detailing the impact locally, as many families fall short of making ends meet. Tricia mason has the story. >> Haliburton. Kawartha. Pine ridge district health unit is reporting that 12.9% of households in the county of haliburton. 10.2% in the city of kawartha lakes and 8.7% in northumberland county are now considered low income. >> Food banks would love to go out of business, and that is not a trend that we are headed towards at this moment. >> As a result, northumberland fair share food bank says the increase in need has become more prevalent throughout the region as time goes on. So in 2023, at our services, we had 668 new food bank users, people that have never used a food bank before, whereas in 2022 was 271. This year already in 2024, we've seen more than 400. >> The hkpr district health unit estimates a family of four, two adults and two children would have spent an average of $1,184 per month towards eating healthy in 2023. And this household income scenario within the report, if the family earns minimum wage, they would have spent 28% of their income on food that meets canada's food guide after paying for rent that would leave them with merely a few hundred dollars to pay for other basic living expenses. >> The trends that we're seeing now don't tend to be going away. So we've had unprecedented years, year over year. So even our costs have risen as well. The costs of transportation has risen. Gas, housing, obviously. >> The report also found only 20% of households experiencing food insecurity are using food banks. Lindell, crediting that to people being overwhelmed with their new reality and the whole reason that we're here and that we're community supported is to be there for the people that are facing food insecurity and are making these really difficult decisions. She goes to on say luckilly local donations have not gone down. "global news" reached out to the health unit multiple times, but did not receive a reply by deadline. According to the report itself, the living wage in the health unit's jurisdiction is $20.60 per hour, but the current minimum wage in ontario is 1655. And while it's set to increase to 1720 an hour in october, officials say that still falls short. Tricia mason "global news" >> Good morning. What was an active day yesterday? Some strong storms, especially north of peterborough, moving across lake simcoe towards the east. And this is the evidence right here. Very large hail, this is from kevin smith. And yeah, there was some well obviously some lightning, some heavy downpours too. Even some tornado warned storms. A quieter day today. There has been the passage of a cold front. You'll feel that when it comes to the humidex values, although it still is a relatively warm start and we've still got a few residual showers, especially kingston up through ottawa and portions of eastern ontario. But that should start to clear as we move through this morning and taking a look at the winds. They are still out of the west. Southwest will be a little breezy at times. I know it was breezy yesterday and you can see temperatures are still holding on to the low to mid teens depending on where you are more towards the mid teens, even 20s as you head farther east. But again, it's not going to be quite as, as warm and humid today. Not the high 20s where we've been of late, but more towards the mid 20s around peterborough. There will be some sunny breaks and we'll see that develop as well around kingston. After some morning showers. Let's take a look at your future cast. You can see plenty of sunshine today. Pretty quiet weather conditions that will be the case once again on friday. More comfortable sleeping weather as well. And then we are looking out for the chance of some showers and the risk of thunderstorms on saturday afternoon and then we should dry out by saturday evening and sunday. So 21 a little cooler tomorrow. That chance of some afternoon late morning afternoon showers on saturday. It could be a thunderstorm back to the mid 20s on sunday with a sun cloud mix and some wet weather into early next week. And that's a look at your forecast. >> Thank you ross, your national and international headlines are next. Start the clock.(Howling) (School bell ringing) (Clapping)It's a masterpiece. Announcer: Abbott Elementary, season finale tonightat 7:30 et on Global. We're ready. Let's go, let's go! (Sirens blaring) ANNOUNCER:9-1-1,all new tonight at 8 Easternon Global. Music Expand your view and lower your maintenance with innovative exterior railings from monaghan lumber durable safe affordable systems with easy installations from century alluminum traditional steel posts and rails built to last from fortress maximize visibility without sacrificing strength or

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