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5 | This Week | Thursday,February3,2022 durham region.com What happensWhen your brain doesn't get enough sound? Your ears collect sound, but it's your brain that actually understands it. With hearing loss, there isn't enough sound information coming to your brain from your ears, or the quality of that information is too low. This makes it much harder for the brain to orient itself in your surroundings, and focus on what's important. That's why good hearing helps your brain stay fit throughout your life. Call today to book your no charge hearing assessment to learn about your hearing ability. *receive an in-office demo of oticon's BrainhearingtM technology. *Clinician to determine candidacy. We offer oticon's BrainhearingtM technology, which helps you to: Orient better in the full sound scene Focus more clearly on what you choose Improve your understanding of speech Reduce the effort it takes you to listen Improve your memory 1031 simcoe street north, oshawa, on. L1g 4W3 Funding Ministry of Health Assistive Devices Program, GM Green Shield, VAC,WSIB, ODSP, and MCSS funding available. receive up to $2500 off a pair of oticon's BrainhearingtM technology for a limited time. Call clinic today for details. 905-240-5055 www.deeganhearingclinic.com Proudly Family owned, local mattersPROUDLY FAMILY OWNED.LOCAL MATTERS Durham Regional police officers were among the many law enforcement officers who took to the streets of Ottawa over the weekend in response to a large gathering of demonstrators protesting pandemic restrictions and vaccination mandates. The Durham officers were among a number of police from municipal forces who responded to the event, which saw large gatherings on Parliament Hill and in other locations, according to Ottawa police. The role of officers was largely to "keep the peace," Ottawa police said in a series of media releases over the weekend. "The police response includes officers from RCMP, Toronto, Durham, London, York police service as well as the OPP. Police resources are in place and will remain throughout the demonstration," Ottawa police said. Durham's media officer, Acting Sgt. George Tudos, confirmed that "we have sent DRPS officers to assist Ottawa Police Service." Tudos wouldn't comment on how many Durham officers travelled to Ottawa, or the duration of their assignment there. The so-called "freedom convoy" began as an act of protest by truckers opposed to vaccine mandates for drivers crossing the Canada-U. S. border, and enforced testing and quarantines for unvaccinated drivers. Truckers from across the country converged on Ottawa, passing through Durham Region on Thursday, Jan. 27. Hundreds of Durham residents lined bridges over Highway 401 to cheer on the convoy. Delores Beavan of Ajax said, "We're here to stop the government from taking our freedoms, to support the freedom fighter truck drivers and all the other people driving for us." Duane MacLeod said, "I'm here because I lost my job of 32 years because I wouldn't take an experimental drug. They made me work through this for two years with no issues and no problems." He had worked with the City of Toronto, but was let go when the city fired workers who weren't vaccinated or didn't reveal their vaccination status. Police are investigating possible offences related to the conduct of some attendees in Ottawa. "Throughout the weekend, the Ottawa Police Service and its partners have been actively and patiently managing a well-funded, major demonstration in the downtown core. We have seen multiple cases of disruptive, inappropriate and threatening behaviour from demonstrators," Ottawa police said in a media release on Sunday evening, Jan. 30. "Along with the safety issues, costs to businesses and social costs, the Ottawa Police continues to tally the financial costs of the policing costs, which are estimated at more than $800,000 a day." Ottawa police said they were working to "facilitate the safe departure of individuals and vehicles," but acknowledged the stated intent of some protesters to remain in the city. Also on Monday, Durham police refused to comment further on an investigation into an officer who last week posted a video on social media, praising the truckers as "heroes" and vowing to speak at the Ottawa rally. "I think what you guys are doing is incredible. You're fighting for our rights and freedoms," Const. Erin Howard said in the video, which surfaced on Jan. 24. "Right now, it feels we're a little bit at war and those rights and freedoms are at stake." Durham police said last week that an investigation into the video had begun. "The personal opinions in that video do not reflect the views and the opinions of the Durham Regional Police Service," police spokesperson Chris Bovie said at the time. On Monday, Tudos declined to comment on the progress of the investigation: "This is still ongoing and we have nothing further to say on (the) matter." Coming to Howard's defence was a website run by the organization Police On Guard For Thee, cited during her original video. "Police on Guard is so proud of Constable Erin Howard in her brave stand for her oath, the Charter, and our truckers who believe in the same," a post dated to Jan. 25 says. DURHAM OFFICERS AMONG POLICE PRESENCE AT PROTEST IN OTTAWA JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@ durhamregion.com NEWS Truckers and other demonstrators were in Ottawa for a protest against vaccination mandates and pandemic restrictions over the weekend. Durham officers attended to assist Ottawa police. Rick Madonik photo