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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 13 ,2 01 8 | 14 While progress has been made over the years to reduce impaired driving, it continues to be a deadly problem on Can- ada's roads. Every year, hun- dreds of people are killed and tens of thousands are injured in crashes involving alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs. My stepson Nicholas was one of those victims. On a beautiful August morning in 2013, I got a phone call saying that Nicholas had been in a crash while riding his motorcycle to work. He died in hospital several hours later. The driver of the pick-up truck that hit Nicholas had been drinking the night before and the morning of the crash. That driver could have called a cab. He could have called a friend. He could have stayed where he was. But he didn't. He chose to get behind the wheel of his truck. And Nicholas is dead because of it. As we head into the holiday season, it really is a mixture of happiness and sadness for my family and for so many others affected by this terrible crime. My family comes together to celebrate, to share and to laugh with one another. We al- so struggle with our grief that Nicholas is not here to join in the celebration. That same struggle is expe- rienced by so other victims and survivors who have lost loved ones or suffered injuries in alcohol and drug-related crashes that were completely, 100%, preventable. Everyone has a role to play in keeping our roads safe from impaired driving this holiday season. If you are going to be drink- ing, consuming cannabis or any other substance that im- pairs your ability to drive, plan ahead for a sober ride option. Call an Uber, take a cab, take public transportation or plan to stay over. Urge your family and friends to do the same. If you see a driver you sus- pect is impaired, call 911 and alert police. The call you make could save a life. Those messages are being shared this holiday season through MADD Canada's Pro- ject Red Ribbon awareness campaign. With the support of the pub- lic, our law enforcement part- ners, and Allstate Canada and other sponsors, MADD Cana- da Chapters and community leaders are spreading the so- ber driving message. They are distributing red ribbons and red ribbon car decals for the public to display as a symbol of their commitment to always drive sober. The ribbons also serve as a powerful tribute to the Cana- dians killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and/or drugs each year. My holiday wish for all Ca- nadians is that no other fami- lies have to face the grief of an impaired driving crash. Working together, we can prevent these tragedies. Make your commitment to safe and sober driving today. Anyone who wishes to get a red ribbon can contact their lo- cal MADD Canada Chapter or community leader, visit the MADD Canada website at madd.ca, or email in- fo@madd.ca. Patricia Hynes-Coates is the National President of MADD Canada OPINION EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN KEEPING ROADS SAFE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IMPAIRED DRIVING STILL A MAJOR PROBLEM IN CANADA, WRITES HYNES-COATES PATRICIA HYNES-COATES Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA CORRECTION NOTICE In the circular beginning Friday, November 30, 2018, we incorrectly stated Christmas Packaging is Clearance - it is not Clearance. The B1G1 50% off Bernat Yarn offer also excludes Everyday Value program. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Madison will be turning Sweet 16 on December 18, 2018 Happy Birthday, Love Grandma Pellart Happy 16tH BirtHDay Separation & Divorce mediation accredited mediators georgetown, brampton, bolton, mississauga, orangeville flexible hourswww.pccs.ca 905-567-8858 1-866-506-pccs (7227) reduce cost & conflict divorce with dignitY and Keep Your moneY in Your pocKet! Find local professionals here every Thursday! For advertising information please call 905-234-1018 or email kkosonic@theifp.ca Professionals Ask the Zachary Fiddes B.ENG., O.L.S. President Q: What is an easement and how do they affectmy property? 16 Mountainview Rd. S. Suite 101 Halton Hills ON L7G 4K1 info@fiddesclipsham.com 905-877-2211 a: An easement is a right that another person or companyhas over your land. For example, your neighbour could have an easement over a portion of your property to gain access to their property, like a shared driveway, or a utility company could have an easement over your property to build and maintain utilities that cross your backyard. An easement often restricts your ability to build any structure on the land over the easement area since that will likely impede on the rights of whoever owns the easement. For example, you would not be able to build a pool if the cable company has an easement to install buried wires along half of your backyard, nor could you build a fence across a shared driveway if it impedes on your neighbours' ability to access their house. The rights and obligations described in any easements registered on a property are usually transferred to the new owners when the property is sold so when buying a new property it's a good idea to obtain an up to date survey that will show the location of any existing easements on the property. A licensed Ontario Land Surveyor can describe what you own by preparing a survey of your property and can even stake out the limits of any easements on the ground if necessary. As a licensed Ontario Land Surveyor I will be happy to discuss your particular situation with you and help you determine if a survey of your property is recommended for your needs. This is the season for holiday parties. Alcohol flows freely and everyone is dressed to the nines! Lots of fun and laughter happens but so does a lot of flirting. Is flirting harmless? My husband says an innocent kiss, or even sexting, doesn't mean anything. I'm not so sure. While flirting may not be dangerous, many an affair begins at the office Christmas or NewYear's party. One innocent holiday kiss mixed with alcohol is often enough to signal danger. So how does this become an affair? Flirting is often the first step down the slippery slope. It may seem innocent enough. It is fun, exciting and builds your confidence. Flirting implies an intimacy and a level of trust that is really not there. Flirting can include sexual talk, body language such as leaning in and hair flipping, and casual touching. Sexting is just on-line flirting. The sharing of personal problems with a person of the opposite gender is another common mistake. The person sharing feels understood and the listener interprets the sharing as an invitation to more intimacy. Sharing with the opposite gender takes many forms. Spending time alone, even if it is just for coffee or a casual meeting can be asking for trouble. Speaking negatively about your partner is another kind of confiding that leads to trouble. If you have problems at home, deal with them properly with a skilled therapist."We both have bad marriages" is not a good common ground on which to build a future with a new partner. Sexting, texting, emailing or messaging, are all forms of flirting, and another dangerous route to infidelity. If you would not be proud to have your family members, children or partner reading what you have written, don't do it. Again, it may seem innocent enough but not only does it lead to dangerous behaviours, it also is a disrespectful, betrayal of your spouse. If you are not happy in your marriage, get counselling and learn to fix it, or learn to leave it, but don't think that cheating will help it. It won't. Lastly, anything that draws your attention and love away from your spouse is potentially a threat to your marriage.Whether it is continuously putting others first, refusing sexual intimacy, substance abuse, or spending too many hours at work, you are putting a wedge between yourself and your partner. Nurture your marriage and do not treat it casually. Flirting is often a warning sign. Counselling to learn how to communicate better with your spouse so as to truly nurture your relationship is a much more gratifying approach than letting a casual kiss ruin your marriage. This is the season of love and caring. It is not the time to let a poorly thought out, hasty decision, alter your life. I wish you happiness, health, smart choices and joy. a: Q: