Water main break - Drummond St and Church St - detours in place, please avoid the area if possible, crews are on site

Province recognizing outstanding achievement in the agriculture and food sector

June 18, 2024
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

TORONTO – The Ontario government is opening nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Agriculture Awards, which recognize the outstanding efforts driving the agriculture and food industry forward. These awards celebrate farmers, processors, industry organizations, people and businesses who demonstrate excellence in their field and are paving the way towards a more sustainable and profitable industry.

“The Excellence in Agriculture Awards honour those who set a high standard and lead by example to ensure Ontario’s agriculture and food industry can continue to grow and prosper,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Our province is full of devoted and forward-thinking farmers, businesses and organizations working to grow the industry, and I look forward to celebrating their successes.”

This year, the province will recognize agricultural excellence in 12 categories:

• Youth Excellence
• Food Processing Excellence
• Research and Innovation Excellence
• Northern Business Excellence
• Workforce Excellence
• Women’s Excellence
• Education Excellence
• Supply Chain Excellence
• Indigenous, Metis or Inuit-Owned Business or Community Excellence
• Promotional Excellence
• Farm Family Excellence
• Urban Agriculture Excellence

Through this initiative, the province is encouraging the pursuit of excellence across the broader agriculture and food industry, which will be key in realizing the goals set out in the Grow Ontario Strategy.

Quick Facts

Nominations are being accepted until July 22, 2024. You can submit a self-nomination or nominate another person or a business.

Additional Resources

Excellence in Agriculture Guidebook

Excellence in Agriculture Application

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

June 17, 2024

Take precautions this week during the hot and humid weather

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning to last throughout this week. These high temperatures and humidity may affect your health. Becoming over heated can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and in some cases death. Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause health problems.

If you experience the following symptoms after exposure to extreme heat seek medical attention immediately:

• Nausea, dizziness, blurred vision
• Difficulty or rapid breathing
• Severe headache or confusion
• Convulsion
• Fever

Everyone is at risk; however the following people are in greater danger of being affected:

• Elderly
• People with chronic illness or who take certain medications
• Infants and preschool children
• People who have challenges with housing and shelter
• People who participate in physical activity or are involved in strenuous outdoor work for prolonged period

Dr. Linna Li, Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, advises to keep cool and hydrated this week and to take the following precautions:

• Do not leave children, adults or pets in parked cars or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
• Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the side effects of your medications.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Remember to take sips often and not to guzzle your drink. Learn more about hydration at unlockfood.ca.
• Eat foods that have high water content such as watermelon, grapes and oranges.
• Limit caffeinated beverages such as coffee and cola.
• Don’t skip meals, instead eat smaller amounts more often. Use Canada’s New Food Guide. Check out the snacks on this page. If you can, eat a variety of foods that can be prepared safely without using the oven.
• Avoid going out in the blazing sun or heat. If you must go outside, stay in the shade as much as possible.
• Wear loose fitting, light clothing and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
• Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; avoid using oil-based paints and glues, pesticides and gas-powered small engines.
• Whenever possible go to an air-conditioned room or building.

For those who don’t have air conditioning and are looking to find a way to stay cool:

• There are a few cooling centres being set up in the LGL area. We will be posting those sites on our website as we learn about them. www.healthunit.org
• In your house, keep electric lights off or turned down low.
• Keep window shades or drapes drawn and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home.
• Use fans to draw cool air at night, but do not rely on a fan as a main cooling device during long periods of high heat and humidity.
• To keep yourself cool:
  • Take a cool bath or shower periodically or cool down with cool, wet towels.
  • Visit a local splash pad.
  • The local beaches are not starting bacteria testing until later this month.

Environment Canada and Climate Change issues warnings when the:  

• Daytime temperature of 31ºC or higher and nighttime temperature not cooler than 20ºC for at least two days, or
• Humidex of 40ºC for at least two days

For more information on how to protect your health during extreme heat, visit our Exposure to Hot/Cold Temperatures page. For specific health heat-related questions call 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter @LGLHealthUnit or Instagram @lglhealthunit.z for important public health updates.

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Please be advised that there will be a Special Meeting of Council on Monday, July 8th at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of hosting a Public Meeting to receive public comments on the proposed heritage designation of McGuigan Cemetery.

Written comments may be submitted prior to the distribution of the agenda for this meeting. Written comments to be included in the open agenda package may be submitted to the Clerk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28th. Any comments received after this deadline will be noted within the Public Meeting portion of the Special Meeting.

This meeting is scheduled prior to the Regular Meeting of Council on July 8th starting at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will be open to the public and held in Council Chambers at 317 Brock St. W., Merrickville. 

Province expanding popular Learn to Fish program

June 13, 2024
Ministry of Natural Resources

At the June 10^th Council meeting, By-law 36-2024 was passed, being a by-law to declare property surplus to municipal needs. As per the sale of property policy within By-law 08-10, this is the official public notice of intention to sell property.

To view the full notice, please view here: Notice of Intention to Sell Property