7 durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday,February 3, 2022 *Call for details, offers cannot be combined, O.A.C. AIR CONDITIONER & FURNACE SALE FREE Aprilaire 600M Humidifier with purchase of Furnace & Air Conditioner "Your Heating & Cooling Specialists" FROM $39 AMONTH* RENTAL OR FINANCING PROTECTION PLANs FROM $9.95/MTH* * sERvICE CALLs FR OM $79* Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa (905) 576-7600 1910 Dundas St E Unit 117, Whitby all for details, offers c Four of the most expensive cities for auto insurance are in Durham Region. According to data from RATESDOTCA, Ajax had the second highest auto insurance rates in Ontario in 2021, while Pickering was sixth, Oshawa eighth and Whitby ninth. Auto insurance premiums in Ajax totalled $2,104, which is a 1.7 per cent decrease over 2020. In Pickering, the premiums were $1,959, a drop of 0.1 per cent from 2020. The Oshawa premium was $1,833, a 12.1 per cent increase, while the Whitby premium was $1,792, a 0.9 per cent increase. Vaughan had the highest premiums at $2,179. Others in the top 10 were Richmond Hill, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Nobleton, Schomberg, Orangeville and King City. The average Ontario estimated auto insurance premium in 2021 was $1,555, a 3.8-per cent decrease from 2020, when the average was $1,616. The cheapest rates were in the Cornwall, Elizabethtown, Amherstview, Gananoque, Martintown, Iroquois, Brockville and Kingston areas, at $1,132. In a statement, Tanisha Kishan, a RATESDOTCA expert and chartered insurance professional, said, "In insurance, the losses of the few are absorbed by the many. "Over the past two years, many Ontarians have been driving much less than they used to, due to pandemic-induced lifestyle changes such as remote work. There has been a corresponding drop in accidents and claims, which means fewer losses to be absorbed. This could contribute to the continued decrease in premiums we are seeing now. But it won't last forever. When Ontarians begin driving more, it is likely we could see a corresponding rise in rates," Kishan added. FOUR DURHAM COMMUNITIES HAVE HIGH INSURANCE RATES NEWS SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM Durham's Black History Month Celebration is about to turn 15. In recognition, a virtual event, presented by Cultural Expressions Art Gallery Inc., will take place Feb. 5 and 6. "Each year we strive to grow by bringing excellence and knowledge to our audience and February 2022 will be no exception," said Esther Forde, Durham Black History Month chair, in a news release. "For the first time in our history we are planning an outstanding two-day event. Day 1: Focusing on celebrating the past 15 years and our present. Day 2: "Knowledge is power" with a focus on education. "We want everyone to join us in celebration, enjoy the performances, discover something new or maybe deepen their knowledge of what they may have already known. Although we are apart, our history unites us together." The free event features a keynote address from Canadian author and business owner Itah Sadu. There will be performances by Kunle and Juno- nominated artist Julian Taylor. And viewers can expect "riveting spoken word performances by Black Star Spoken Word Team, along with some electric dance and African drumming performances by Afiwi Groove," according to the press release. A key moment of the event is the presentation by Elexicon of the prestigious 2022 Madiba award to Patrice Barnes, the Durham District School Board's Ajax Wards 1 and 2 trustee. "The award honours a leader of African ancestry in Durham Region whose experience embodies Nelson Mandela's values, vision, and a commitment to overcome barriers in his long fight for freedom and equality," states the press release, adding, "In honour of the 15th anniversary a Lifetime Achievement award will also be presented." The event begins at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 and resumes on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. To get a ticket visit durhambhm2022.eventbrite.ca. DURHAM'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION A TWO-DAY VIRTUAL EVENT WHAT'S ON WEEKEND AFFAIR FEATURES PERFORMANCES