The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 13 ,2 02 0 | 2 Morrison-Wedgewood Diversion Channel Floodplain Mapping Public Information Centre #2 on March 5, 2020 Conservation Halton (CH) has undertaken a study to update floodplain modelling for the Morrison-Wedgewood Diversion Channel, which is critical flood control infrastructure owned and maintained by CH. Models and mapping generated by this project may be used by Conservation Halton, and municipal partners, for:  flood forecasting and warning,  emergency planning and response,  prioritization of flood mitigation works,  community planning and land use decision making, and  infrastructure renewal. Draft floodplain mapping will be shared at a drop-in style Open House. Conservation Halton staff, municipal staff and our project consultant will be available to answer questions on the study, and what this means for you and your property. Morrison-Wedgewood Diversion Channel Floodplain Mapping Public Information Centre #2: Thursday March 5, 2020 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. Halton Regional Centre Glenorchy & Dakota Rooms 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. Can't make the meeting? Draft mapping will be available for viewing at Conservation Halton's Administrative Office between March 6 and March 20. Additional study information available online at: conservationhalton.ca/floodplainmapping Additional questions? To share your feedback or request additional information, please contact Amy Mayes, P.Eng., Coordinator, Floodplain Mapping, Conservation Halton 905.336.1158 x 2302 or amayes@hrca.on.ca result of the unions attempting to increase compensation and achieve more generous benefit plans at the expense of students. On the other side, union repre- sentatives have said the impasse is about not accepting cuts that will hurt students. Both have la- belled the other side as inflexible. Regardless, the result has been closed schools on a number of days already with the likelihood of more days without school in the future. Carla Faneli, who has two chil- dren in south Halton Catholic schools, said it's been an inconve- nience, but they are working on options. "You do what you have to do," said Faneli. "My husband and I have needed to take some time from work, but we can only dofrom work, but we can only dof that so many times. We'll proba- bly end up having to ask my par- ents for some help. It is what it is." The Government of Ontario has offered a credit of up to $60 a day to support families when schools are closed. Those inter- ested can apply on the govern- ment website. Elisa Viliani, a mother with two elementary children in the Catholic board, said the impact on her family hasn't been enor- mous so far as she has the ability to work from home. "As a parent, I feel a bit blind and helpless in a way. I don't think we have the full story or un- derstand fully how the system works. I believe the teachers are fighting for the best interests offighting for the best interests off the children, but what is lacking is how parents can also support this cause," said Viliani. Unlike elementary schools in the public board, Catholic schools in Halton currently do not have further one-day strikes planned.further one-day strikes planned.f Their union, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, instead announced on Feb. 5 they would be enhancing their admin- istrative job action. That means that while teachers will continue to participate in extracurricular activities, they will not work be- yond their scheduled teaching and supervision duties during the day. Pat Daly, Director of Educa- tion with the Halton Catholic Dis- trict School Board, said the deci- sions they have made have all been about ensuring students are safe. "We are hopeful that a new central provincial agreement will soon be reached with (the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Asso- ciation). In the meantime, our ac- tions during this period of job sanctions are focused on the safe- ty and well-being of our stu- dents," said Daly. At press time, there are no signs a deal is imminent with any of the major boards. Social media comments on the dispute appear split with some supportive of the governments stance and others supportive of the educators. Keith Boyd, President of the Halton Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, said they acknowledge the hardships the strikes cause but this is important for the Ontario students. for the Ontario students. f "We go from site to site telling our teachers this is a fight worth picking. The government wants to say it's all about money and our teachers know otherwise. It's about student learning environ- ment, it's about class sizes," said Boyd. For more information on the current status of Halton Catholic schools labour position visit www.hcdsb.org. STORY BEHIND THE STO- RY: The latest chapter in educa- tion workers disagreements with the provincial government has begun with rolling strikes and work-to-rule campaigns. We've been following the war of words at marches, government events and numerous press releases from the involved parties. We decided to learn more about what this has meant for local parents. NEWS Continued from page 1 'FEEL A BIT BLIND AND HELPLESS', SAYS PARENT Catholic teachers protest outside MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos' office last week. Nikki Wesley/Torstar