Not coincidentally the title of this posting is identical to the one in the K-W Record's Letters To The Editor today. That Letter is written by John Waylett on behalf of the Property Taxpayers Alliance. While Mr. Waylett takes umbrage with MPP Aislinn Clancy's recent article criticizing Premier Doug Ford's environmental missteps, I feel that there is room to agree with both of them.  Yes Doug and the provincial Conservative government have behaved towards the environment exactly as is to be expected by a Conservative government. In other words badly. 

At the same time clearly our regional government have been leading us down the garden path for many decades as they blithely swallowed the Federal and Provincial Growth mantra without conditions or proper preparation.  Did we learn nothing from the 30,000-40,000 influx of Indian students attending Conestoga College? The Region did not have enough housing, jobs, food banks, healthcare, sewage treatment or drinking water facilities to keep up to the demand. 

Mr. Waylett is also correct in that the Region need to disclose to taxpayers how we got into this latest crisis involving water supply. Remember this is after the influx of students has been dramatically reduced. Does anyone really believe the Grand River, as a depository of our many sewage treatment plants, is ever going  to be the same after we hit 1,000,000 people living and working here? I for one do not.

My last point is this. Ultimately regional senior planners and water managers will do as they are told by a multitude of uneducated and woefully ignorant "professional" politicians. The word "professional" does not refer to their academic or technical qualifications it refers to their abilities to fib, gild the lily and weasel out of accountability and responsibility. When in trouble they will hire more credentialed staff (to hide behind and ignore) and form more committees (citizens' preferably) to insulate themselves from crises and blame of their own making.

Family Services York Region (FSYR) is a not-for-profit mental health agency providing counselling and outreach support services to individuals, couples, families, groups and communities across York Region. FSYR is accredited through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation and is committed to being an inclusive and equitable organization. Through our diverse staff group, FSYR offers culturally sensitive services in over ten different languages. FSYR is the host agency for the Rainbow Network and is 2SLGBTQ+ positive. FSYR acknowledges that we are located on the lands of our closest First Nations neighbor the Chippewas of Georgina Island and we are committed to work together with our partners and communities to continue to educate ourselves and contribute in any way possible to supporting our First Nations neighbours and communities.

Family Services York Region (FSYR) is seeking a highly engaged Treasurer to provide hands-on financial leadership during a period of stabilization and renewal. This role is designed for an experienced financial professional who will strengthen financial governance, improve budgeting and forecasting, build internal capacity, and help position the organization for long-term sustainability while remaining grounded in FSYR’s mission of serving vulnerable populations.

FSYR is seeking a Treasurer who will go beyond traditional fiduciary oversight to actively support financial strengthening and organizational resilience. Working closely with the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and to-be-organized Finance Committee, the Treasurer will help address current financial challenges, enhance financial policies and controls, and embed forward-looking financial planning practices.

• Fulfill statutory responsibilities of Treasurer and uphold fiduciary duties of the Board.
• Present clear, accurate, and timely financial reports to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with charitable, regulatory, and reporting requirements.

• Assess current financial challenges, risks, and capacity gaps.
• Strengthen budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow management practices.
• Support development of multi-year financial projections and scenario planning.
• Help shift financial management from reactive to proactive decision-making.

• Lead or support review and development of core financial policies (reserves, spending authority, procurement).
• Strengthen internal controls and financial risk management.
• Act as a key liaison with external auditors and support audit readiness.

• Improve financial literacy and confidence at the Board level.
• Serve as a mentor and thought partner to senior staff.
• Align financial decision-making with mission impact and community trust.

• CPA designation (CA, CGA, CMA) strongly preferred, or equivalent senior financial expertise.
• Experience in nonprofit, charitable, public-sector, or mission-driven organizations.
• Strong understanding of fund accounting, restricted funds, and grant reporting.
• Demonstrated turnaround or stabilization experience.
• Strategic financial planning and analytical capability.
• Clear communicator with a collaborative leadership style.
• Strong alignment with FSYR’s mission and values.

• Approximately 4 hours per month
• Includes preparation for and attendance at quarterly Board meetings, chairing or active participation in the monthly Finance Committee meetings, attendance at the Annual General Meeting and additional engagement during the stabilization period as required.

• Review current financial statements, budgets, and cash-flow position.
• Identify immediate financial risks and mitigation strategies.
• Assess adequacy of financial policies and internal controls.
• Work with leadership to establish clear forecasting and reporting rhythms.
• Provide the Board with a clear financial health assessment and recommended priorities.

The ideal Treasurer is a seasoned financial professional who brings discipline, empathy, and practical leadership. They are comfortable operating in periods of transition, committed to ethical stewardship, and motivated by strengthening an organization that serves newcomers, youth at risk, and vulnerable community members.

To apply, please email your resume to Sarah Simms, Manager of Human Resources at ssimms@fsyr.ca. The deadline to apply is March 13, 2026.

The post Family Services York Region (FSYR) appeared first on Capacity Canada.

“This place saved my life!”- former grateful youth

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of youth in your community? If so, we invite you to join us in supporting vulnerable youth in Peel Region.

Our Place Peel is a non-profit charitable organization that provides shelter, support and hope for homeless and at-risk youth in the Region of Peel.

Founded in 1985, Our Place Peel is a registered charity, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and actively serves Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon youth. Through our emergency shelters, transitional program, and community outreach services, we empower youth to take control of their lives, break harmful patterns and make a healthy new start.

Joining the Board of Our Place Peel lets you make a real, life-changing impact on vulnerable youth in Peel Region. You’ll contribute your expertise in governance, finance, or community engagement while collaborating with a mission-driven team to shape the organization’s future. With a flexible commitment of just a few hours per month, you can help empower youth to take control of their lives and build a brighter future

The Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm eight times per year, both virtually and select in-person meetings. Directors can be elected to the Board for a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms. This voluntary commitment involves:

• Attending and actively participating in an informed manner at Board, Committee, and Annual meetings. Board meetings are ideally in-person.
• Chairing or sitting on one of the two committees of the board.
• Committing to 3 – 4 hours per month, board members should expect 8 board meetings per year plus committee meetings.
• Actively support Our Place Peel through time, talent or treasure.

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience serving on an NPO Board of Directors. Ideally, you bring a specific background in one or more of the following areas: Finance/Financial Literacy (CPA), Board Governance and/or Government Relations. Is it also preferred that you you live or work in the Region of Peel.

If you are ready to take on a rewarding and challenging role, we invite you to apply to join our Board of Directors. We are seeking energetic, committed and collaborative individuals who reflect the community we live and/or work in.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume to Carolyn Bryan, Executive Assistant at cbryan@ourplacepeel.org by March 31, 2026.

Our Place Peel is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodation for disabilities will be provided to support participation in all aspects of the process upon request. We are also dedicated to providing an atmosphere free from barriers in order to promote equity, inclusivity and diversity.

The post Our Peel Place appeared first on Capacity Canada.

The Barrie South‑Innisfil Liberal EDA is seeking a strategic Fundraising Chair to join our volunteer Board of Directors. This leadership role oversees fundraising strategy, donor outreach, and events to support community development and ensure the financial sustainability of the riding association.

The Fundraising Chair provides leadership and oversight for all fundraising activities, including events, donor outreach, and grassroots initiatives. Working collaboratively with board members and volunteers, this role develops and implements fundraising strategies that support the EDA’s long‑term financial sustainability and growth. As a board member, the Fundraising Chair also contributes to governance, strategic planning, and initiatives related to advocacy, communications, and community engagement.

• Experience or interest in fundraising, donor relations, or strategic planning
• Ability to build relationships and mobilize volunteers
• Comfort with goal‑setting and follow‑through

Transferable skills are welcome. Experience in marketing, communications, sales, policy, government, advocacy, or other goal‑oriented roles often translates well into nonprofit fundraising and community leadership. Prior political or nonprofit fundraising experience is an asset but not required.

Time Commitment Flexible volunteer board role. Most work can be done remotely, with the ability to attend regular monthly meetings and occasional events.

If you are interested in exploring this volunteer opportunity, we would love to hear from you. Please apply to our board of directors by submitting your interest to info.bsiliberal@gmail.com by end of day on Friday March 13, 2026.

The post Barrie South-Innisfil Liberal Electoral District Association (EDA) (Ontario) appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Imagine being told you’re a top performer, yet not seen as someone with potential.

That’s exactly what researchers Alan Benson, Danielle Li, and Kelly Shue found in their study “Potential” and the Gender Promotion Gap, published in the latest edition of the American Economic Review. After analyzing 30,000 workers on a management track at a large retail company, they discovered a troubling pattern: Supervisors consistently rated women higher on performance but lower on potential than men.

In other words, the company persistently underestimated the potential of its women employees.

One reason this happens? Potential is often assessed subjectively, making it especially vulnerable to bias, stereotypes, and “gut feel.”

So what’s the alternative?

Psychologists Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic and Seymour Adler, along with Robert B. Kaiser, point to three research-backed indicators of high potential in an article for Harvard Business Review:

• Ability. Is the candidate capable of doing the job in question? Is the candidate clearly able to learn and master the requisite knowledge and skills needed to perform this job?
• Social skills. Does the candidate excel at teamwork and collaboration? Can the candidate manage both themselves and others?
• Drive. Is the candidate willing to work hard, achieve, and do whatever it takes to get the job done?

Consider how your organization assesses potential. Are expectations clearly defined? Or left open to interpretation?

Share this action on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube.

A year ago, the Trump administration removed references to transgender and queer people from the Stonewall National Monument website. This act, as reported by BBC News, is particularly noteworthy given the historical importance of the Stonewall Inn bar in New York. The 1969 police raid at this bar led to riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. Now, the first national monument in the U.S. dedicated to LGBTQ+ history bears the scars of erasure.

And this week, the National Park Service stopped flying the monument’s rainbow flag, which is an emblem of LGBTQ+ rights.

It’s easy to see erasure when it’s reported in global news outlets.

It’s harder, but just as important, to recognize it when it happens in a conference room, a Slack thread, or a project recap.

For example, when someone claims credit for a project without mentioning contributors. Or ignores suggestions people make in meetings and shared documents. Or doesn’t invite someone to an important meeting.

Let’s look out for erasure and actively counteract it. Acknowledge contributors who are being overlooked. Point out if someone is missing from a conversation. Ask why some identities were erased from a website.

The holy month of Ramadan begins on February 17th this year.

I appreciated reading Understanding Ramadan and Supporting Your Muslim Colleagues by Yusuf Zakir, chief talent and inclusion officer at Davis Wright Tremaine. He explains that during Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to dusk (including not drinking water), are more dedicated to prayer, increase their charitable giving and community service, and spend more time with family and members of the community at their place of worship.

Here’s Zakir’s advice for supporting coworkers during this time:

• Acknowledge the month’s significance by wishing them Ramadan Mubarak (have a happy Ramadan) or Ramadan Kareem (have a blessed Ramadan).
• Understand how busy they may be, working their regular hours while fasting and then participating in prayers and festivities in the evening.
• Be empathetic of the stress and uncertainty many are feeling, given humanitarian crises and political rhetoric targeting Muslim and other minority communities.
• Encourage them to take off Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the 30 days of Ramadan and is commonly considered the most widely celebrated holiday for Muslims worldwide. You can also wish them Eid Mubarak (have a happy Eid).

Late last week, President Trump posted a racist depiction of the Obamas on social media. It was a dehumanizing video clip showing the Obamas’ faces on apes. After public backlash, the White House blamed a staffer and deleted the post. And Trump refused to apologize, saying, “I didn’t make a mistake.”

This kind of Teflon leadership — where problems never stick — is deeply frustrating to me. And it’s not just a political issue. We see versions of it at work, too.

A leader makes a hurtful comment. A manager overlooks someone. A teammate causes harm. And instead of acknowledging the impact, they deflect, minimize, or blame someone else.

In Why “I’m Sorry” Are Two of the Strongest Words for Leaders, Kellogg professor Harry M. Kraemer explains why this happens:

“Too often, a ‘never-apologize mindset’ permeates the culture of a team or an organization. When someone refuses to apologize, they often want to appear strong and in charge. However, … the root cause of their behavior is usually a lack of true self-confidence.”

Real leadership (and allyship) looks different. It sounds like: I got this wrong. I see the harm. I’m committed to doing better.

This week’s spotlight on an ally action from the Better Allies community is about the halftime show at last week’s Super Bowl. A subscriber wrote,

“I don’t speak Spanish, and I’m not familiar with Bad Bunny’s music. But I couldn’t wait for the halftime show. I was curious to learn about this new (to me) artist.”

They added, “I was mesmerized. It was a fantastic performance.”

I hope we all embrace this kind of curiosity about people, cultures, and situations that we’ve never encountered before.

And that we keep in mind the closing message on the JumboTron: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

Now it’s your turn. If you’ve taken a step towards being a better ally, please reply to this email and tell me about it. And let me know if I can quote you by name or credit you anonymously in an upcoming newsletter.

That’s all for this week. I’m glad you’re on this journey with me,

Karen Catlin (she/her), Author of the Better Allies® book series
pronounced KAIR-en KAT-lin, click to hear my name

Copyright © 2026 Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

Being an ally is a journey. Want to join us?

• Say thanks to Karen and buy her a coffee (Need a receipt for educational reimbursement? Send us an email, and we’ll take care of it.)
• Follow @BetterAllies on Instagram, Medium, or YouTube. Or follow Karen Catlin on LinkedIn
• This content originally appeared in our newsletter. Subscribe to “5 Ally Actions” to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday
• Read the Better Allies books
• Form a Better Allies book club
• Tell someone about these resources

Together, we can — and will — make a difference with the Better Allies® approach.

Debias Potential, and Other Actions for Allies was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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Well I'd sure be keeping an eye on Barry Vrbanovic as well as all the other regional councillors who voted to ignore their own third party report which stated "..in 2023, 2024 and 2025, unsustainable levels of water was pumped from the Waterloo Moraine, lowering aquifer water levels faster than they can be replenished.." . This quote was read to them by Kevin Thomason vice-chair of the Grand River Environmental Network (GREN). Despite this regional council decided to earmark 50% of new water capacity to support future development.

Today's K-W Record carries the following article by Bill Jackson titled "Up to half of new water capacity to support future development".  Some interesting (for me)other points in the article include the name Amy Shaw. Oh boy unless I'm losing it that would be Amy Shaw former Ministry of Environment employee for many years. I can't say much bad about her other than her choice of employer although the name does not give me any confidence but maybe she got out of the M.O.E. for a solid reason such as they are all talk, hot air and deception. Kudos to Geoff Moroz of the Region (staff) who confirmed that the region has been producing (i.e. pumping) more water than it can sustainably take. 

Clearly both his and Kevin Thomason's words and knowledge were given little weight by our clearly pro growth, pro development regional council. Remember that folks when you turn on the tap at home and get nothing but a big "Truck You" echoing down the pipe.

Worried about losing everything if you file for bankruptcy in Ontario? You’re not alone. Many people fear that bankruptcy means surrendering all their assets. In reality, Ontario’s “bankruptcy exemptions” protect certain essentials. Understanding what assets you can keep in bankruptcy can give you peace of mind as you explore debt relief options.

Below, we’ll cover:

• Ontario bankruptcy exemptions at a glance
• What happens to your house, car, and RRSP
• Frequently asked questions (e.g., “Will they take my tax refund?”)
• How a consumer proposal lets you keep everything

In Ontario, provincial law (the Execution Act) sets specific limits for what you can keep in a bankruptcy. Federal law also protects certain assets like portions of RRSPs. Here’s an at-a-glance list of major Ontario bankruptcy exemptions:

1. Clothing – Unlimited value (for you and your dependants)
2. Household Furnishings & Appliances – Up to $17,091
3. Tools of the Trade – Up to $17,362
4. One Motor Vehicle – Up to $8,578 in value (net of any loan)
5. Home Equity – If that equity is under $12,997
6. RRSP / RRIF – Fully exempt except contributions made in the last 12 months

Note: The prescribed limits set out by Ontario law are based on resale value on an as-is basis.

Even though personal bankruptcy is governed by federal law (the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act), the type and amount of property you can keep is heavily influenced by Ontario’s exemptions. Non-exempt assets (anything above these limits or not specifically protected) become part of your bankruptcy estate. Your Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT) may sell those assets or ask you to “buy back” the portion above the exemption limit if you want to keep them.

• Extra Vehicles or vehicles worth more than $8,578
• High-Value Collections (coins, art, jewelry)
• TFSAs, RESPs, and Other Investments that aren’t protected
• Second Property or principal residence with equity exceeding $12,997

If you have assets above these exemptions, you can still keep them by paying the difference into your bankruptcy estate, or by filing a consumer proposal.

This is often the #1 concern if you’re a homeowner. Ontario’s home equity exemption is $12,997. That means if your equity (home value minus what you owe) is less than $10,783, your home is considered exempt.

If you have a lot of home equity you don’t want to risk you can:

• pay the difference or “buy back” the non-exempt portion to keep the home
• look at a consumer proposal to protect your property altogether

If you are missing mortgage payments your lender may still foreclose, so it’s essential to stay current on your mortgage.

In Ontario, you can keep one vehicle worth up to $8,578 (based on its as-is resale value).

• If it’s worth more, you can pay the difference or surrender the car to the trustee.
• Leased or financed vehicles are treated differently. If you’re current on payments, you can typically keep the lease or loan.

You keep all registered pension p RRSP, RRIF and DPSP (Deferred Profit Sharing Plan) savings except contributions made in the 12 months before your bankruptcy. RESP, TFSA and other investment savings are not exempt.  Read more about this asset in our post: RRSP and bankruptcy law in Canada

• 1. Will they take my tax refunds?

  Yes, tax refunds for the year you file (and any outstanding prior-year refunds) generally go to the trustee. But you keep your HST payments and Child Tax Benefits.

• 2. Do I keep my bank account?

  You should open a new account at a different bank before filing. That way, if you owe money to your old bank, they can’t seize the funds. You can keep a reasonable amount for essential living expenses.

• 3. Can I keep valuable possessions over the limit?

  Yes—either by buying back the amount over the exemption or using a consumer proposal to avoid surrendering assets.

• 4. What if I receive an inheritance or lottery winnings?

  Inheritances or windfalls during bankruptcy generally go to the trustee. If you’re concerned about this, consider a proposal.

• 5. Do I keep my wages?

  Wages are not seized by the trustee, but if your monthly income is above a government-set limit, you may pay a portion to your creditors (this is called “surplus income”). You will be required to submit proof of income and expenses monthly to your trustee to determine f your income exceeds this government set threshold limit.

  If your wages are being garnisheed, bankruptcy will stop most garnishments.

If you have assets above Ontario’s bankruptcy exemptions or simply want to avoid surrendering anything, a consumer proposal is a powerful alternative to bankruptcy. Here’s why:

• No Asset Surrender: You keep your home, car(s), investments—everything.
• Lower Debt Repayment: You repay only a portion of your total debt, often interest-free.
• Creditors Vote: If majority agree, all unsecured creditors are bound by the proposal.
• No Surplus Income: You don’t worry about monthly income thresholds.

Proposals are legally binding, stop collection calls, and can protect your assets in a way bankruptcy may not.

Every situation is different, and it’s crucial to get personalized advice. A Licensed Insolvency Trustee will review your assets, explain exactly what’s exempt, and recommend solutions based on your unique financial situation —whether that’s bankruptcy or a consumer proposal.

Ready to get started?

At Hoyes Michalos, we help Canadians find genuine relief from debt since 1999. If you have questions about bankruptcy, consumer proposals, or other debt relief options, speak with one of our experienced Licensed Insolvency Trustees so you can make an informed decision.

Take control of your finances and start fresh

Book a FREE consultation today

The post Ontario Bankruptcy Exemptions: What Can They Take and What Assets You Keep appeared first on Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc..

Filing for bankruptcy is a big decision. It has both positive and negative financial consequences that impact you and your family. Before you make such a big decision it’s important to weigh your options and understand the ramifications of filing for bankruptcy in Ontario, both in the short and long term.

A word of caution: Filing for bankruptcy can be a complicated process that can’t be fully understood by skimming through a few articles. We strongly suggest that you take your time and do your research to determine which debt management options are best for your unique situation. Ontario bankruptcy trustees are the best place to go when seeking detailed information about bankruptcy. At Hoyes Michalos we offer you a free initial consultation, which is great because it means that you can test the waters prior to making any commitments.

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Read Transcript

There is a financial cost to bankruptcy, and it’s different for every person who goes bankrupt. That’s because the government has decided that the more you earn and the more you own, the more you have to pay to your creditors. First let’s look at the cost based on your income. The government knows you need income to live on, so they allow you to keep a portion of your income for living expenses. The amount you get to keep is based on your family size, the bigger your family the more you get to keep. Earn income over this threshold and you have to pay half of this surplus income to your creditors. The second cost of bankruptcy is based on the assets you own. In a bankruptcy you don’t lose everything, just like with your income, the government created rules of what you can keep and what your creditors can have. The rules differ by province, but in Ontario you can keep most personal possessions and household furnishings, tools you need for work, 1 motor vehicle depending on its value, most pension and RRSP savings except recent contributions to an RRSP. There are dollar limits on the value of assets you keep, but in most cases, people find the limits high enough to protect their basic belongings. Your creditors are entitled to any equity in your home, investments and other assets, RRSP contributions you have made in the last year, tax refunds you might be entitled to up to the year you go bankrupt. If you have a lot of assets or a high income you should talk to your trustee about a consumer proposal. You can negotiate a plan to settle your debts and keep your assets. If you don’t have any assets and don’t earn any income, you might not even have to file bankruptcy. But if you do, you will need to make payments to cover the cost of administering your bankruptcy. Your situation is unique, to get an estimate of what your bankruptcy might cost, please call or email us to arrange a no charge initial consultation with a Hoyes Michalos professional.

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The cost of bankruptcy includes fees that need to be paid when declaring bankruptcy such as government filing fees, court fees, and other administrative fees. The average bankruptcy will require a minimum payment of around $250 per month to cover these costs.

You will also be required to pay something called surplus income. Under the rules of the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act, you are required to remit to your trustee 50% of your net income over a set minimum threshold. This calculation can become quite complicated and can increase the cost of your bankruptcy so you should always take to your trustee about the possibility of having to make surplus payments.

Another important point to mention is that if you file for bankruptcy you’ll be losing any assets that are non-exempt. You either surrender these assets to the trustee or can make additional payments to pay the trustee their fair market value if you want to keep those assets.

Not all assets are forfeit. Exempt assets in Ontario are covered in the Ontario Execution Act and the Bankruptcy & Insolvency Act. Some of the exemptions  (updated for 2015 limits) include:

• unlimited clothing;
• $8,578 of vehicles;
• $17,091 of furnishings & appliances;
• $17,362 of equipment that you use for your career (tools of the trade)
• RRSPs and similar pension funds except contributions made within the last year.

Particular kinds of life insurance are also exempt.

Another complicated area in bankruptcy is tax refunds and HST credits. If you file for bankruptcy you won’t be eligible for some tax refunds or HST credits. You’ll also lose any windfalls during your bankruptcy. Windfalls include money that you’ve inherited from a family member or the lottery. The moment you’re aware of these, you must tell your trustee immediately.

Since secured loans, child support and alimony and some other debts cannot be included in a bankruptcy, you will still need to make your regular payments on these obligations even if you declare bankruptcy.

If your income is high enough to trigger surplus income, or you have assets like equity in your home or investments that you would like to keep, talk to your trustee about a consumer proposal. A consumer proposal is an offer to your creditors as an alternative to bankruptcy.  The amount you offer will still be based on what bankruptcy might cost as this is the minimum your creditors will expect. However, with a consumer proposal, you can spread this cost over five years, making the monthly payment much more affordable.

In order to understand how much you’ll repay once you’re bankrupt, your trustee will talk to you about your income, the size of your family and your assets as well as other considerations.

If you would like a personalized assessment of how much bankruptcy might cost for you, call us at 1-866-747-0660 for a free consultation with an Ontario bankruptcy trustee.

The post What Does it Cost to File for Bankruptcy in Ontario? appeared first on Hoyes, Michalos & Associates Inc..

The market has slowed and become more balanced, with buyers taking more time to make decisions. Prices have softened across all housing types, improving affordability compared to this time last year. Inventory remains relatively controlled, which is helping support values despite fewer overall sales.

Detached homes continue to be the most resilient segment, while townhomes and condos are currently more favourable for buyers.

As we move through Q1 2026, the local market continues to adjust after several years of rapid price growth and highly competitive conditions.

January’s data confirms what many buyers and sellers are already experiencing on the ground. The market is slower, more balanced and noticeably more price-sensitive. Both sides are taking longer to commit, and negotiations are becoming more thoughtful and data-based.

Nationally, Canadian home sales declined in January and Waterloo Region followed a similar pattern. Sales eased from December into January, new listings pulled back and days on market increased. This slowdown does not reflect a lack of interest in home ownership. Instead, it reflects a market recalibrating to affordability pressures, steady borrowing costs and more cautious buyer behaviour.

In practical terms, buyers now have more choice and more time. Sellers are seeing the strongest results when pricing and presentation clearly match today’s conditions, not last year’s expectations.

January detached home statistics

• Sales: 161 sales, down 15.3% year over year and lower than December
• New listings: Down 16.6% year over year
• Median sale price: $750,000, down 8.3% year over year and slightly below December
• Average sale price: $854,266, down 3.2% year over year
• Days on market: 41 days, up 28.1% year over year and slightly lower than December
• Inventory: Up 13.0% year over year
• Months of supply: 1.8 months
• Sale-to-list price ratio: Approximately 100%

Detached homes remain the most resilient segment in the Waterloo Region market, particularly in established and in-demand neighbourhoods.

However, pricing accuracy matters more than it has in years. Sellers who anchor their expectations to peak market conditions are seeing longer days on market and more negotiation. Homes that are positioned realistically from the start continue to attract serious buyers and sell with far less friction.

• Sales: 99 sales, down 31.3% year over year and lower than December
• New listings: Down 21.3% year over year
• Median sale price: $525,000, down 10.3% year over year and below December
• Average sale price: $530,282, down 9.6% year over year
• Days on market: 51 days, up 37.8% year over year and higher than December
• Inventory: Down 4.6% year over year
• Months of supply: 3.6 months
• Sale-to-list price ratio: Below 100%

The townhouse and condo segment is currently more buyer-friendly. With longer marketing times and more available options, buyers have greater leverage and are negotiating more confidently. Sellers who are pricing aggressively or relying on last year’s benchmarks are finding it harder to secure firm offers.

The strongest results in this segment are coming from homes that are clearly positioned on value and prepared properly before hitting the market.

January 2026 market statistics across all property types

• Total sales: 260 sales, down 22.2% year over year and lower than December
• Median sale price: $662,500, down 8.0% year over year
• Average sale price: $730,903, down 3.2% year over year
• Days on market: 45 days, up 32.4% year over year
• Inventory: Up 2.4% year over year
• Months of supply: 2.5 months
• Affordability index: Up 15.8% year over year
  

Source: Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®

Waterloo Region is firmly in a balanced and transitional market. Sales activity is lower, but inventory is not surging. Instead, the market is being driven by strategy, pricing discipline and product quality rather than urgency or fear of missing out.

Buyers are more selective. Sellers are being rewarded when their homes are well prepared, competitively priced and professionally positioned from the outset.

One of the most important trends emerging right now is improving affordability combined with relatively controlled inventory. As prices have softened and borrowing conditions have stabilized, more buyers are starting to re-enter the market, especially those who delayed decisions over the past year. This sets the stage for a more active spring market, but only for homes that are prepared and positioned correctly from day one.

Today’s market rewards preparation, pricing precision, strong presentation and thoughtful promotion. Sellers who are realistic, data-driven and proactive are seeing far better outcomes than those testing the market without a clear plan.

Buyers who remain patient, but are ready to act decisively when the right opportunity appears, are gaining real negotiating power.

The right time to buy or sell is never determined by headlines or seasonality alone. It comes down to your personal goals, your financial comfort and your longer-term plan. Market data provides context, but clarity comes from understanding how these trends apply specifically to your situation in the Waterloo Region market.

The post Waterloo Region Real Estate Market Update January 2026 | Local Market Report appeared first on Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Agent - The Deutschmann Team.

Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) is proud of its deep roots and nearly 100 years of service. A 38-bed community hospital located in the Town of New Tecumseth, SMH is a valued and essential part of the fabric of the region through the care and treatment it provides to patients from New Tecumseth, Adjala-Tosorontio, CFB Borden & Essa Township.

On the cusp of a major redevelopment, Stevenson Memorial Hospital is undertaking an exciting renewal of its governance and is seeking exceptional community leaders to join an entirely new, skills-based Board of Directors. Desired skills span typical subject matter areas such as accounting/audit, legal, IT, HR/LR, government relations, strategic planning, and risk management as well as specific clinical, quality and patient safety and health care expertise.

Directors play a vital governance role in supporting the Hospital’s mission and ensuring excellence in accountability, oversight, and strategic leadership. As a Board Director, you will be expected to act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of Stevenson Memorial Hospital, exercising the care, diligence, respect and skill of a practical and prudent individual. Directors contribute to strong governance through active participation, informed decision-making, and collaborative engagement with fellow board members and senior leadership.

Board members are also expected to complete orientation and ongoing education, comply with governance policies such as the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy, and represent the Hospital within the community when appropriate.

This role requires a meaningful time commitment, including preparation for meetings, attendance at approximately six board meetings per year, and service on at least one standing committee of the board. Directors should expect to devote approximately 15 hours per month.

Directors are elected for a three-year term, with the opportunity to serve up to nine years based on performance and ongoing contribution.

If you are passionate about supporting quality healthcare governance and making a positive impact in your community, we welcome your interest.

While skills remain the most important consideration for board appointment, it is the goal of Stevenson Memorial Hospital that its board reflects a diversity of identities, age, colour, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, perspectives and experiences that are representative of the communities it serves.

To apply for this exciting opportunity, please visit: boyden.thriveapp.ly/job/3152. For more information, please contact Andrew Dumont and Collin Ritch of Boyden at critch@boyden.com and state the title of the position in the subject line of your e-mail.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those under consideration for the role will be contacted. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be used in the evaluating or assessing of candidates. This is a current existing vacancy.

The post Stevenson Memorial Hospital appeared first on Capacity Canada.

You know I have far more respect for the Ruby Weber's of the world with their right wing, pro business positions and opinions then I do for the local, former, psuedo environmentalist Elmira residents who have cut and run. This is because I think that Ruby is a true believer whereas the others are simply opportunists looking out for number one and if that means switching sides mid stream then so be it.. Ruby was a Woolwich Council member for many years and very sympathetic to Uniroyal Chemical. She never forgot that they provided local jobs and tax revenue despite the mess they've made environmentally. In fact if she were still involved herself with TRAC and the former TAG I expect that she would have expressed her horror at how Uniroyal's promises have turned out to be nothing but wind. I also got to know her through a couple of other local issues and was pleased with her common sense as well as of her ethics of fair play. Quite possibly her, what I view as right wing, pro business attitudes, may very well have been due to her husband Amsey who I understood to be a self-made man. A self-made man who was an astute businessman who did well for himself and family.  

It is that lack of ethics, decency and fair play which have appalled me in regards to Sylvia Berg, Susan Bryant and Pat Mclean. Their modus operandi is not to declare war on someone they view as a threat or a risk to their plans but to claim friendship and collegiality along with common interests. They do not want their intended victim to even see coming their assault of lies and deceptions all intended to lower that individual's status, standing and positions be they environmental or otherwise. It is my opinion based upon personal experience that there is no room in their lives to treat others as well as they've been treated. Their incredibly self-centered approach is to slowly undermine while pretending the opposite. It does not matter that the intended victim doesn't even know that they are in the cross- hairs of their sights. The victim does not have to be intentionally undermining goals and plans that he/she are totally unaware of. In fact if asked they would likely, honestly respond oh no those self-centred goals can not be their's. 

Further thoughts have come to mind. Susan Bryant did not like Bill Strauss at all. She claimed to me that his speaking and education were an embarrassment to Woolwich Township. On the other hand both Pat McLean and Sandy Shantz liked Bill Strauss because as mayor he worked with them on Council or perhaps Pat thought she was manipulating him as she attempted with others. At first Pat made her dislike of Sandy clear based on losing her council seat to her. Later they were best buddies as both Susan and Pat worked on Sandy's election campaigns. In the scheme of lying manipulators I would rate Susan as number one, Sylvia as number 2 and Pat as number three.  

It has been specific Woolwich Council members working mostly through Susan and Pat that have enabled Uniroyal and successors, in harmony with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, to give Woolwich residents a totally inadequate and unsuccessful cleanup of their groundwater, surface water and soils and sediments.

When: Saturday May 2nd, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Meeting Point: M.R. Good Family Trailway parking lot (650 Otterbein Road)

Walk Leader: Scott Clark

Take a stroll with Scott Clark of John MacDonald Architect on an approximately 3 km loop starting and finishing at the M.R. Good Family Trailway parking lot. Along the way, we’ll explore the local network of trails, as well as look at the area’s history and infrastructure, including the planned Ottawa St extension over the Grand River to Breslau. Hiking shoes or boots are recommended, as the route will include a meander through the single track trails of Natchez Woods. Unfortunately, the route is not accessible.

Advocating for our members and the broader local business community is one of the Chamber’s highest priorities. Ensuring Waterloo Region remains both sustainable and economically competitive requires thoughtful, informed advocacy. One of the most important ways the Chamber supports our members is by bringing forward their perspectives directly to decision-makers on issues that impact business confidence, investment, and long-term prosperity. Over the past several weeks, we have engaged extensively with members across sectors regarding the Region’s water servicing pause. The following letter was submitted to Regional Council this week. It reflects that collective feedback and outlines a constructive path forward – one that balances infrastructure renewal with economic momentum and reinforces that Waterloo Region is open for business.

Dear Chair Redman and Regional Council,

This letter reflects the feedback of the Chamber and the many members that have reached out over the last 6+ weeks to share their views, concerns and ideas on how to navigate this issue.

Many of these discussions underscore what the Chamber’s review of the reports and presentations are telling us. Namely, that the current water supply issue is an infrastructure capacity challenge rather than a water shortage crisis.

As we work together toward solutions it will be important to find the balance between the need for infrastructure renewal, improved efficiency, improving the resiliency of the system with appropriate surplus capacity and ensuring that the development applications process is re-opened immediately. And by that we do not mean approvals of development permit applications but with holding provisions put in place. Our members are looking for the certainty that building permits will be issued and the construction that drives our local economy will continue uninterrupted.

In the calculations of the current water usage, the number includes development applications approved but not yet built. These approved applications will take at least several years to come on stream and therefore create an artificially high actual usage rate. This should be a factor heavily in favour of immediately opening up the development application process across the Region.

The current situation has been worsened because of poor messaging and unclear explanations on why we are where we are, what is being considered to remediate the problem and how and when the development freeze will be lifted.

Moving forward, clear and accurate communication on these issues will be essential to maintaining confidence with the community.

A significant item we want to highlight for Council is that the current pause on new servicing agreements is already having tangible impacts on business confidence and investment decisions.

At our Chamber Titans committee meeting this week, an example was highlighted of an international employer considering investing to build an advanced manufacturing facility (involving investment of hundreds of millions of dollars) here but that has since eliminated Waterloo Region from consideration because the Region is seen as “too risky” given the current uncertainty surrounding water.

Another issue of concern that was also noted was that attracting institutional investment for both employment developments and housing developments is often the result of years of sustained relationship-building with financial investors and capital markets. The certainty that the financial investors and capital markets require, is approve development applications without any holding provisions.

Eroding the confidence of Waterloo Region as a good place to do business will have long-lasting damaging impacts on investment attraction, job creation, and prosperity for us all.

With this in mind, it is critical to have a balanced approach that reflects prudent risk management while helping to maintain the Region’s ability to attract housing and employment projects.

A suggestion that has come up through our discussions is for Council to appoint an independent outside expert to assist in evaluating the actual extent of the problem and the practical, short-term solutions available. This individual can give full and complete attention to all of the issues at play. They can act as an advisor directly to Council and coordinate the gathering the information from staff, getting external expert advice, review the data received and recommend options for Council. Most importantly, they can monitor progress, keep on top of the evolving nature of the issue and ensure clear and frequent communication with the community at large.

Finally, we recommend establishing clear, transparent metrics that spell out when the ban on development applications will be lifted.

The indefinite nature of the development freeze in place today must end.

For example, where new water supply is brought online from any infrastructure renewal project undertaken or conservation programs result in reduced usage there should be an even split between approving new development applications and increasing resiliency level of the system as a whole.

We appreciate the complexity of the decisions before you and the responsibility you carry for the region’s long-term sustainability.

As always, the Chamber and our members are committed to being a constructive partner in finding solutions that ensure Waterloo Region remains competitive while continuing to be a responsible steward of its resources.

The Chamber believes it is not only possible but essential to chart a path forward that balances community concern, environmental accountability but also reinforces that our Region is indeed open for business.

Sincerely,

Ian McLean President & CEO

Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce

The post Water System Renewal and Being Open For Business: Why Waterloo Region Can Do Both appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

The Youth Impact Project (YIP) is a collaboration between the Children and Youth Planning Table of Waterloo Region (CYPT) and Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab (SWRIL). The Youth Impact Project looks to fund youth who are addressing local challenges which are identified through the 2023 Youth Impact Survey results. The funded projects include a focus on supporting youth mental and physical health, increasing feelings of belonging, and responding to climate change and food insecurity.

In 2024, over 100 youth from 15 local organisations pitched their ideas to a panel of nine youth. The Youth Decision-Making Panel (“The Dragons”) decided which projects would receive funding to make their idea a reality. In 2025, CYPT and SWRIL accepted youth applications online, and a team of three youth decided which projects received funding.

MechMania was started to foster promising minds and ideas, focused on solving problems that are prominent in the community. The project aims to increase high school student access to robotics, by offering a free robotics competition in Waterloo Region. MechMania will offer information sessions, demos and tutorials, and upgraded kits to interested students free of charge, to facilitate their participation in the competition. This year’s theme: Save the Earth.

Applications for the 2025 Youth Impact Project are now closed and 17 youth projects across Waterloo Region received funding. We have now announced all of the projects!

Last but not least, we are grateful to our funders United Way Waterloo Region Communities and Region of Waterloo for making the Youth Impact Project possible.

Learn more about the Youth Impact Project here.

The post 2025 Youth Impact Project Showcase: MechMania appeared first on Children and Youth Planning Table.

Last year, I had a fantastic experience teaching React at work. I got a chance to show how to learn it from scratch. It wasn’t easy; creating a study plan was exciting and overwhelming at the same time, but the results were worth it.

In the process, I saw what new React programmers needed help with, and one of the stumbling blocks was JavaScript. Why?

Components are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about React. However, digging deeper, you will find that functional components are just JS functions, but JSX syntax is an extension that lets us use HTML elements with JavaScript expressions.

Like it or not, it is not easy to learn the ropes of React without JavaScript knowledge.

Let’s look at 7 JS terms you need to make learning React more comfortable.

Of course, understanding different data types is essential for making coding more comfortable, but in React, it is also crucial for managing the component’s state correctly.

Why? Because there is a difference in how to work with an array and a simple string in the state. Inaccurate usage can lead to incorrect data representation.

Let’s look at how re-renders occur when the state is updated:

• We pass a new value through the setter function.
• React calculates the difference between renders.
• React makes only necessary changes to the DOM.
• The screen is repainted, and we see the changes.

React only changes the DOM nodes if there’s a difference between renders.

But if the changes do not appear? It means something went wrong, and React thinks no changes were made. It is a common problem working with arrays or objects in state.

Let’s start with the basics. There are 8 data types in JavaScript, and only the primitive ones are immutable. That in React is extremely important.

Primitive data types are: String, Number, BigInt, Boolean, Symbol, undefined and null. The Object type holds different data types: Arrays, Objects, Maps, Sets….

Let’s look at the documentation to find out more about mutability.

In JavaScript, objects and arrays are mutable by default — their properties and elements can be changed without creating a new object or array. By contrast, primitive values are immutable — once a primitive value is created, it cannot be changed, although the variable that holds it may be reassigned another value.

What does it mean for us?

It changes the way we must manage these types in the state. To correctly update the UI, React must detect changes, which is why all values must be treated as immutable.

In simpler terms, you shouldn’t modify arrays or objects in React state directly because React detects changes by comparing references. Objects and arrays are stored in memory by reference, so mutating them doesn’t create a new reference.

If the reference stays the same, React assumes the state hasn’t changed and won’t update the DOM. To ensure React notices the change, always create a new array or object rather than mutating the existing one.

const arrayDefaultValues = ["1", "2"];

const [arrayData, setArrayData] = useState<string[]>(arrayDefaultValues);
const [user, setUser] = useState<{ name: string; age: number }>({
  name: "Alice",
  age: 25,
});

/**
 * For mutable data types (arrays, objects), always create
 * a new copy before updating. This ensures React sees a new
 * reference and triggers a re-render.
 */

// Updating an array by creating a new copy
const newArray = [...arrayData, "3"];
setArrayData(newArray);

//Incorrect wayt is to mutate the array
arrayData.push("newValue");


// Updating an object by creating a new copy
const updatedUser = { ...user, age: 26 };
setUser(updatedUser);

To do that correctly, we must understand the spread syntax and different array methods.

Destructuring lets you extract values from objects or arrays into variables with simple, intuitive syntax, and you can also define default values. In React, you often see this approach in using props and state.

const PersonInfo = (props: IUserInfo) => {
  const {name, login, isAbsent = true} = props;
}

With spread syntax, we can expand an array or object into its individual elements or properties. It’s an easy way to copy, merge, or extend data structures without mutating them.

const clonedUser = { ...user };
const updatedUser = { ...user, age: 26 };

React state must be treated as immutable. That means you shouldn’t modify arrays or objects directly. Spread syntax makes it easy to create new copies with updated values, which ensures React sees a new reference and triggers a re-render.

The only nuance is that we must be careful with nested state. Let’s look at the official documentation.

When updating nested state, you need to create copies from the point where you want to update, and all the way up to the top level.

In React, a component’s props are represented as an object, which is why we often use syntax like: props. [object key]. Also, a component’s state is often described as an object; useReducer, for example, only operates with objects.

Objects are collections of key-value pairs, where each key (known as property names) has a value.

interface IListItem 
{
  id: number;
  name: string;
  desription: string[];
}

const ListItem = (props: IListItem) => {
  return(
  <div>
    {props.name}
  </div>
  );
}

Because objects are mutable, updating them requires creating a new object rather than modifying the existing one. And here, spread syntax can help.

The best place to find all information on the correct usage of objects in the state is the official React documentation.

When we want to show a user a list of objects, we use arrays. Methods like map, filter and reduce are essential in React because they transform data into UI.

Since arrays are mutable, updates must be done by creating new arrays rather than modifying them directly. To better understand how to do it, you need to read the official documentation.

There are a lot of different operations that can be managed with arrays, but it is important to learn which of them mutate the array and which don’t. That is essential for managing the state.

Functions encapsulate reusable logic, but in the React world, components and hooks are functions too. The difference is in the names and what these functions return.

• The functional component’s name starts with a capital letter.
• Hooks start with the “use”.

The ternary operator is a simplified way of writing an if…else statement. With JSX syntax, you can’t use if statements; that’s why the ternary operator is handy. Of course, you can use it without JSX syntax, for example, for calculating the values of the variable.

In React, you can conditionally render JSX using JavaScript syntax like if statements, &&, and ? : operators.

return (
<div className="item">
    {isOpened ? "opened": "closed"}
  </div>
);

Template literals use backticks `` to create strings that can include variables and expressions. They’re especially useful in React for building dynamic class names, messages, and inline styles. Conditions can be included.

const name = "Anna";
const variable = `string with variable ${name}`;
const withCondition= `string with condition ${isActive : "on" : "off"}`;

Learning React takes time, but it is impossible without a strong knowledge of JavaScript and HTML. Of course, you will need more, but these JS essentials are the bare minimum needed to feel more comfortable.

React. Learn. Easy. was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

♦

♦YEP Social March Break Sessions
Fierce N’ Fit Boxing – Tuesday, March 17
THEMUSEUM – Wednesday, March 18
Skyzone Trampoline Park – Thursday, March 19
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
KW Habilitation – 99 Ottawa St. S, Kitchener

Spend your March Break enjoying boxing, exploring the Museum or jumping around with friends. On the Tuesday, Youth Exploring Possibilities (YEP) is heading to Fit N’ Fierce gym for some boxing fitness and fun. On the Wednesday, YEP will be exploring a world of colour, light, and endless possibilities at the THEMUSEUM’s Kaleidoscope exhibit. On Thursday, YEP is defying gravity while they jump around at Skyzone’s trampoline park.

Don’t spend your March Break cooped up at home. Sign up for one or all of these fun activities.

Click here to register

♦♦ ♦

♦Pom Pom Love Bugs
Sunday, February 22
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
FREE
Homer Watson House & Gallery – 1754 Old Mill Rd. Kitchener

Join us on the last Sunday of the month for some art-making fun! In this drop-in program, we will explore painting, textiles, sculpture, printmaking, and more. Learn new skills and explore your creativity. There will be a new activity each month. Materials are provided.

Click here for more info

♦Pancake Day Community Celebration
Monday, February 16
12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
$15
Ukrainian Catholic Centre – 15 Michael St. Kitchener

Celebrating Pancake Day, Maslyana and Family Day Together. This year, Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in Canada falls on February 17, 2026 — a time when many Canadians enjoy fluffy pancakes before the start of Lent. In Ukraine, there is a very similar and beloved tradition called Maslyana (Масляна) on February 16. Since February 16 is Family Day in Canada, we thought — why not bring families together to share in these traditions and have fun? Pre-order your tickets online (recommended) or pay cash at the door.

Click here for more info

♦Free Community Skate
Sunday, February 22
4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
FREE
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex -101 Father David Bauer Dr. Waterloo

The Uptown Waterloo Neighbourhood Association invites you to lace up your skates and join us for a FREE Community Skate! Bring your family, friends, and neighbours for an afternoon of fun on the ice. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Let’s kick off the new year together with some winter joy. Feel free to share this post with other neighbors who might be interested! Thank you, City of Waterloo for sponsoring & Uptown Waterloo neighbourhoods for organizing.

Click here for more info

♦

♦Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card! You can borrow so much more than just books and movies these days. They have Waterloo Region Museum passes, Grand River Parks passes, trekking poles and wildlife kits for the adventurers out there.  There’s also roller skates, ice skates, pickleball equipment, bocce ball sets and more for your sporty side. You can borrow computers, musical instruments, board games, record players or a Nintendo Switch Lite if you’re looking for some indoor fun. You can even get a carbon monoxide monitor so you can test the air quality, if that’s what you’re into.

Call or go online to put items on hold for pickup at the library location that is closest to you. Don’t have a library card? If you live anywhere in the Region of Waterloo, you can head to your nearest library with a piece of ID like an Ontario Photo Card and get yourself a Kitchener Public Library card for absolutely free. Check out all the cool things you can get from your Kitchener Public Library!

Click here for more info

The post February 11, 2026: What’s Happening in Your Neighbourhood? appeared first on KW Habilitation.

The post Family Day Hours appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

The post Family Day Hours appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

Autoload Config for PostCSS

JavaScript 665 Updated Dec 10, 2025

✂️ Find unused files, dependencies and exports in your JavaScript and TypeScript projects. Knip it before you ship it!

TypeScript 10.2k Updated Feb 13

Join us this summer for an unforgettable baseball experience and learn from the pros! Our Summer camp is designed for players ages 8-14 of all skill levels - from beginners learning the fundamentals to experienced players looking to sharpen their game

What to Expect:

✔ Professional Coaching: Learn from current Kitchener Panthers players and coaches

✔ Skill Development: Improve hitting, fielding, throwing, catching and base-running with

structured drills and hands-on instruction.

✔ Game Play & Teamwork: Apply new skills in fun scrimmages while learning the importance

of teamwork and sportsmanship.

✔ Inclusive & Engaging: Open to players of all skill levels—whether you are new to baseball or

looking to sharpen your game

✔ Camp Schedule: Runs 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, at The Yard Training Facility. The camp will be both indoor and outdoor

✔ Price: $325 plus HST.

✔ Panthers tickets and t shirt included!

Whether your child is new to baseball or dreaming of the next level, this camp offers professional instruction, positive mentorship, and a true behind the scenes look at how a professional team approaches the game in a fun atmosphere. 

Come train with the pros and have fun doing it!

Session 1: July 13-17

Session 2: July 20-24

Fast, light, simple Docker containers & Linux machines

Shell 8k Updated Aug 15, 2025

Some politicians might even admit quietly that lying to the public is an art form. They might suggest that every lie requires a fallback position. That fallback position might be new information that the public generally don't have. It might be scapegoating another political party for "obstructing" your legislative agenda. It might be blaming a higher tier of government such as the provinces blaming Ottawa and the Federal government for environmental failures. When in great trouble relying on "acts of God",  weather emergencies, outside influences, immigrants, the radical left whatever is the hot button issue of the day helps. Unions and labour unrest used to be a great scapegoat for corporations and businesses to blame when their outdated  products or technologies were no longer competitive. All in all accepting responsibility and taking blame for mistakes and failures is not the preferred option.

So according to today's K-W Record the Region of Waterloo are planning on using another $15 million dollars of taxpayers money to bring in a type of "workaround" technology.  This technology is referred to as container filtration systems.  A quick on-line check shows that several companies sell prefabricated water treatment systems generally for smaller applications including mining camps, isolated small locations involving using surface water (creeks & rivers) versus wells and even industrial plants. Yes they do claim that they can properly treat river water which in the case of the Grand River includes high turbidity (murkiness), pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, heavy metals, industrial discharges (legal or otherwise), parasites from cattle including cryptosporidium and less than perfect treatment of human wastes.  Lets not forget nice things like dead fish and animals that end up in the river not to mention the odd human body found immersed.

These new units apparently can produce 25 litres per second of clean water hence you would need at least eight of them to up our water supply by a whole 200 litres per second.  Boy that's not very much and certainly tells me that this is simply a workaround or maybe even a bandaid approach. Now I did the math on a couple of commercial units and they claim a somewhat higher volume of water produced than 25 l/sec but maybe the Region are simply being conservative in their estimates. Regardless based upon this one article and half an hour of research I am a little underwhelmed. 

But then again our local developers and builders want results yesterday and maybe that's exactly what they are going to get. Remember no problem is so serious and so bad that rushed, panicked decision making can not make it worse. Are our regional politicians up to the challenge? Hey we all elected the buggars so we get what we deserve.  

Partington, D., Brunner, P., Simmons, C. T., Therrien, R., Werner, A. D., Dandy, G. C., & Maier, H. R. (2011). A hydraulic mixing-cell method to quantify the groundwater component of streamflow within spatially distributed fully integrated surface water–groundwater flow models. Environmental Modelling & Software, 26(7), 886–898. doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2011.02.007

“The nodal flow check tolerance in HGS, which is derived in McLaren et al. (2000), was utilised to ensure the nodal volumetric balances calculated in the HMC method were sufficient in preventing large cumulative errors.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.

Fig. 1. Conceptual diagram of a surface water-groundwater catchment (left hand side) featuring different flow regimes (as illustrated in the right part of the figure). The white sections of the catchment adjacent to the stream represent the groundwater discharge upslope of the stream (return flow). The dashed lines on the right part of the figure represent the water table. The flow direction is towards the reader.

This research highlight co-authored by D. Partington, P. Brunner, C.T. Simmons, René Therrien, A.D. Werner, G.C. Dandy, and H.R. Maier, introduces a hydraulic mixing-cell (HMC) method to accurately quantify the groundwater component of streamflow within fully integrated surface–subsurface hydrologic models. This study leverages HydroGeoSphere (HGS) to address long-standing challenges in decomposing streamflow generation mechanisms without relying on tracer transport simulations or simplifying assumptions about groundwater discharge.

Traditional approaches for estimating groundwater contributions to streamflow often rely on summed exfiltration along stream reaches or tracer-based hydrograph separation. While commonly used, these methods fail to account for travel time delays, stream losses, and changing gaining–losing conditions, frequently leading to significant overestimation of groundwater contributions. By contrast, the HMC method uses only hydraulic information produced by fully integrated models like HGS, enabling direct extraction of groundwater contributions at any point along a stream network.

Fig 4. Test case 1: “two-region” model grid, and HMCs for HGS nodes in “two-region” model grid. In the right part of the figure the two nodes at y=0 belong to HMC 1, the two nodes at y=1 belong to HMC 2 and the nodes at y=2 belong to HMC 3.

The study developed and tested the HMC method using HydroGeoSphere simulations across two numerical experiments. The first test case verified mass conservation and numerical stability under controlled conditions, while the second applied the method to a highly transient catchment featuring rainfall events, groundwater pumping, and dynamically shifting gaining and losing stream sections. Results showed that the HMC method accurately tracked groundwater and rainfall contributions through time and space, revealing substantial discrepancies between true groundwater contributions and those estimated using summed exfiltration.

Key findings demonstrated that summed exfiltration can significantly overestimate the groundwater component of streamflow, particularly in catchments with long stream networks, internal losses, or strong temporal variability. In contrast, the HMC method correctly accounted for channel storage, streamflow travel times, and alternating flow regimes, providing a physically consistent decomposition of streamflow components directly from the hydraulic solution.

HydroGeoSphere proved essential in enabling this work due to its ability to simulate fully coupled surface and subsurface flow and to report spatially distributed exchange fluxes between domains. By integrating the HMC method directly into the HGS simulation framework, the study demonstrated how integrated hydrologic models can move beyond total streamflow prediction to provide mechanistic insight into streamflow generation processes.

This research provides critical insights for catchment hydrology and water resources management, showing that advanced, physics-based modelling approaches like HydroGeoSphere are essential for accurately quantifying groundwater contributions to streamflow. By overcoming the limitations of traditional separation techniques, the HMC method paves the way for more reliable interpretation of streamflow dynamics in complex and transient hydrologic systems.

Abstract:

The complexity of available hydrological models continues to increase, with fully integrated surface water–groundwater flow and transport models now available. Nevertheless, an accurate quantification of streamflow generation mechanisms within these models is not yet possible. For example, such models do not report the groundwater component of streamflow at a particular point along the stream. Instead, the groundwater component of streamflow is approximated either from tracer transport simulations or by the sum of exchange fluxes between the surface and the subsurface along the river. In this study, a hydraulic mixing-cell (HMC) method is developed and tested that allows to accurately determine the groundwater component of streamflow by using only the flow solution from fully integrated surface water–groundwater flow models. By using the HMC method, the groundwater component of streamflow can be extracted accurately at any point along a stream provided the subsurface/surface exchanges along the stream are calculated by the model. A key advantage of the HMC method is that only hydraulic information is used, thus the simulation of tracer transport is not required. Two numerical experiments are presented, the first to test the HMC method and the second to demonstrate that it quantifies the groundwater component of streamflow accurately.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.

They say love is a mystery. I believe love is just an algorithm in a dataset full of too many outliers.

Welcome to the corner of the internet where we don’t just “trust the process,” we work on it. I am Ms.DataByte, and I am on a mission to find Real Love (If there exists one).

Dating in 2025 isn’t about serendipity or meeting someone at a coffee shop (does anyone actually go to those anymore?). It is about optimization. It is about beating the algorithm before it beats you.

Dating apps have become new modes for socializing. Its all about how you present yourself and how the other person perceives you to be. Cause, lets be real… You can post your super exciting “lavish” life on social media, but in real life, you can hardly afford your college fees.

So, I got my hands on a dataset of 50,000 dating app users. Because I didn’t want “dating advice” from a lifestyle guru. I’m an impatient girl. I wanted hard evidence. I wanted to know exactly why people are getting ghosted, why things aren’t working out, and why dating is more difficult than coding.

So, I fired up my Python notebook, cleaned the messy CSVs, and ran the numbers.

⚠️ Quick Disclaimer: This analysis explores dating trends through real statistics. Any observations regarding gender, age, or behavior are based on dataset averages and are intended for educational (and entertainment) purposes only. No feelings were harmed in the making of this Python script.

So is it true? Urban for fun, Suburban for the long run. Being in the city, I have seen a number of relationships shatter because of the difference in location. So, I analyzed Location Type vs. Match Outcome. The bar chart reveals a fascinating split.

Geography is destiny. Urban Users have 40% more successful relationships, but their “Catfished” rate is double. The paradox of choice is real in the city. Suburban Users get fewer matches, but a significantly higher conversion rate to “Date Happened.” They are bored enough to actually show up and meet.

The “Dating Puddle” phenomenon is a condition in small towns and remote areas. Your match rate is low, but your “I Already Know Their Cousin” rate is 85%. This must be the reason why One-sided Like is also high. According to the data, relationships are mostly formed in the urban and metropolitan cities; this must be because of the hope of a safe future.

Ms. DataByte’s Advice:

• If you want a reliable partner, swipe in the city, but get ready to face the horrors of love.
• If you want to explore your chances at love, go to the suburbs, have fun with the flow.
• If you live in a small town, expand your radius to 50 miles or prepare to date your neighbor.

But whatever be the case, your location will determine only if you will meet a good candidate… consistent efforts depends on you. Just You.

I created a little metric I like to call the Swipe Score. It calculates a user’s Swipe Right Ratio against their Match Outcome. This will tell if the swiping culture really means if you’re carefully chosen or a random pick.

There is a direct, negative correlation between how much you swipe and how successful you are in securing your partner.

The “Optimistic” Swipers with Right-swiping >60% are statistically doomed. The algorithm smells your fear. You are using the app as a dopamine diet.

The “Picky” Swipers with Right-swiping <25% get more matches. Seems like you really invest in knowing and understanding the other person.

Ms. DataByte’s Advice: Stop treating the app like it’s a game of Fruit Ninja. The data says that desperate swiping is a cologne, and the algorithm can smell it. Dating apps are for you to meet new people and try out love life scenarios. You have to make this work for yourself, not doom the other person’s life.

I analyzed App Usage Time vs. Likes Received. This was my favorite chart because it hurts the most.

The graph is full of bubbles of tragedy (bursting with Extreme users).

This data demonstrates a “plateau effect,” where increased time spent on the app does not correlate with a higher volume of likes received. Statistically, this suggests that the algorithm prioritizes profile quality or “pickiness” over raw time investment.

Spending 300 minutes a day on the app yields zero statistically significant increase in matches compared to someone who spends 30 minutes.

Thus, swiping does not equal more love. It just equals more thumb cramps.

I understand this conflict, so I ran a heatmap of Swipe Time of Day vs Match Outcome.

The Heatmap may seem a bit confused, cause so am I. Most swipes that happen after midnight end up being “one-sided likes” and ghosted. On the other hand, swipes that happen around 8 am end up being blocked. Thus, The Golden Window is set from 6 PM to 9 PM. This seems just a bit weird, actually. I trust data, but don’t always agree with it.

Ms. DataByte’s Advice: Even I may get swayed a bit, but this is what the data suggests. Never Trust a Swipe Before Breakfast, people might just feel lonely. And “nothing good happens after 2 am” by Ted Mosby (HIMYM). Such wise words. Truly.

Everyone is terrible, but in different ways. NO one should point fingers at each other. But just to resolve the mystery, I broke down the Chat Ignored statistic by Gender. And the truth is out.

Statistics hurt, don’t they? As a female, I know people always feel that we happen to get the perfect date, the perfect relationship, the perfect partner. But that’s not always true. Some of us are hiding the scars of so many failed dates. With more data exploration, I found out,

• Men are statistically more likely to ghost after the first date.
• Women are statistically more likely to ghost during the chatting phase.

Ms. DataByte’s Advice: Don’t take it personally. The data shows that ghosting is less about you and more about the other person’s inability to type “No thanks.” How you carry yourself out of it and give another chance at life, that’s the game. And I really hope you master it!

We often think the algorithm is working against us, but this chart shows it’s actually working for the community. The developers have a difficult job; they have to turn human chemistry into binary code.

This data shows the “punishment” for over-swiping is just their way of maintaining balance. It encourages users to be thoughtful rather than mechanical.

In a world of infinite choice, the algorithm is just trying to force us to pause and actually look at the person behind the pixel.

I didn’t just want to analyze the past, I wanted to predict the future. So, I built a Logistic Regression Machine Learning Model to calculate a “Compatibility Score” between any two users.

I didn’t use star signs or “eye color.” I used only the three features that scientifically determine if you will survive a dinner date (by dating apps data).

I boiled compatibility down to three non-negotiable variables:

• Swipe Behavior
• App Usage
• Interests.

The logic is simple; if you use the “shotgun approach” (swiping on everyone) while your match is a “sniper” (swiping on almost no one), or if you respond instantly while they check the app weekly, you are mathematically incompatible.

Finally, I used a Jaccard Similarity index to verify if you actually both like hiking, or if one of you is just lying for the aesthetic.

The Model’s Verdict: I now know how dating profiles find you the one. Dating apps use models with your data to help you find your most compatible partner. When I tried to do it, I got an accuracy of 99.15%. I imagine myself to be the Date-Lyfe Advisor now.

Why do these models work? Having “The Office” in common doesn’t help you when you have different personalities.

Behavior trumps interests.

The algorithm knows that shared habits create relationships; shared interests just create first dates.

We spent this entire post analyzing swipe ratios, response rates, and compatibility algorithms. But the most important data point I found wasn’t in the CSV files. It was the fact that despite the bugs, the ghosting, and the algorithmic chaos, we kept trying.

The data proves that Effort ≠ Results on dating apps. You cannot code your way into chemistry, and you cannot “optimize” a human connection. My logistic regression model can predict if you’re compatible on paper, but it can’t predict if you’ll laugh at the same jokes.

Love might be a mystery, but the data is crystal clear. So, here is your new strategy:

1. Be Picky: The algorithm rewards standards. Swipe someone whom you actually would like to meet.
2. Be Brief: Your bio is a movie trailer, not the full script. Keep it short. Keep it Original. Keep it all about you.
3. Be Offline: The best matches happen when you are efficient enough to close the app and leave the house.
4. Be Consistent: Try to engage with the other person. Don’t just text, meet, and have fun.
5. Most Present: Things may go wrong, and you may get hurt. But try to be present with the process. Escaping may seem like the best way, but maybe we just need faith. “The universe has a plan, and the plan is always in motion”, Ted Mosby (HIMYM).

Stop trying to “hack” the system with pickup lines and fake personality. The only way to win the game is to play it efficiently enough that you can finally delete the app. Meet someone, go on the date, and let the chaos happen. Because the best parts of love are the outliers that no algorithm can predict.

Happy swiping (but mostly, happy living), Ms. DataByte

I analyzed 50,000 Dating Profiles to Decipher the Myths of Love in Algorithm was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When: Sunday May 3rd, 10:30 am

Meeting Point: 39 Grand Avenue South, Barnacle Bill’s parking lot, Cambridge

Walk Leader: Judy Welsh

Discover how a neglected vacant plot in downtown Galt becomes a vibrant sculpture garden along the River.

In case you’ve missed things, Ontario is experiencing one of the slowest markets in decades. We’re facing plenty of headwinds after years of very robust growth. Prices are falling, inventories are up. And for now, the situation for buyers is looking great. Here are the January numbers from my board for the Region.

So should we be worried about housing shortages in Waterloo Region too? Surprisingly enough, yes, when we look at things on a slightly longer time scale, given the Region of Waterloo is now facing an unprecedented water capacity crisis that will be years to fix.

Development has now been frozen across much of the region due to shortages in the Mannheim service area. All of Waterloo and most of Kitchener are affected as well as a lot of the smaller communities in rural areas. While the freeze won’t affect units currently under construction, new permits are not currently being issued.

Waterloo Region staff came up with a preliminary rough estimate of 81 million dollars to fix our water supply crisis but Regional Chair Karen Redman has already bumped that figure, citing $90 million a few days back. A short term solution decided on by the Region on February 6th won’t be completed until 2027 and the timeline for a more permanent solution is unknown.

The Region is advising municipalities that “the region does not support approval for development applications at this time,” which obviously begs the question, when will new developments resume? Local builders, needless to say, are a little dismayed.

If you’re a buyer looking for a home to live in you’ll likely prefer freehold. According to CMHC, for December 2025, only 6% of the 6679 units currently under construction is either semi, town or detached. The bulk of housing currently being built is either purpose built rental apartment or apartment style condo.

The resale market is equally constrained in these exact segments. I’ve been saying for a while now that the downturn is somewhat investor driven and the data backs that up. Inventories for freehold properties while higher than before, are still in seller territory for semis and barely into neutral for detached and townhouses. Tightness in these sectors will provide freehold owners with a bit of a buffer in a down market like we have been seeing.

Conversely, the condo market will see increased downward pressure on prices as new rental properties come online. Developers will eventually curtail future builds if they are unable to sell the existing stock they have underway right now, regardless of the water issues I’d mentioned earlier.

Nevertheless, if you’re a buyer, things are good here in Waterloo Region. We have seen year over year reductions in every segment except semis. Buyers have choice. Conditions are a thing again! And if you can’t afford freehold or really hate cutting the grass, condos are still an option.

How long will this last though is a matter of debate. The water crisis is a real problem for new builds. Shortages in the more desirable segments of our market are likely. And at some point, the market will turn. “When?” is the million dollar question.

The post Waterloo Region Housing Shortages? appeared first on Andrew Shackleton.

Job Title: Volunteer Board Director Opportunities Available with CTN
Location: Simcoe County, York Region & Toronto
Remote Position: Hybrid, Onsite
Job Type: Volunteer

Children’s Treatment Network (CTN) is currently recruiting volunteer Board Directors. CTN is seeking individuals with strategic leadership experience in the areas of accounting/financial management (CPA designation), information technology, service quality and performance and/or leadership experience in children’s and community services, health, public or non-profit sectors. If this sounds like you and you’re passionate about the well-being of kids and youth, we invite you to apply today!

CTN’s Board plays an important role in helping to achieve our vision of a vibrant community where all kids, youth and families belong. Together with our service partners in the health, education and community service sectors, CTN is a dynamic network that supports approximately 39,000 kids and youth with disabilities and developmental needs in York and Simcoe[KE1]  and school-based rehabilitation services in Central and West Toronto.

Volunteering with the CTN Board is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference by guiding the organization’s strategic direction, ensuring accountability and upholding our mission, vision and values. Board service supports the delivery of high-quality, equitable and family-centred services. Our work is collaborative and grounded in equity, inclusion and accessibility in everything we do.

CTN is committed to continuing to build a Board that reflects the families and communities we serve. We encourage applications from people with disabilities, individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized individuals, members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, family members/caregivers of individuals with disabilities or developmental needs, individuals from other equity-owed communities and anyone who wants to achieve our vision.

• A three-year term of office
• Volunteer approximately 11-15 hours per quarter
• Participation on one Board committee

• Interest or experience in governance
• Knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion practices
• 18 years of age or older
• Not employed by, contracted with, or closely related to a CTN employee
• Not currently serving on the Board of a CTN contracted service partner organization

The deadline to apply is March 6, 2026.

Board Directors will be elected at CTN’s Annual Meeting in June 2026.

We are happy to provide accommodations at any stage of the application process and invite you to let us know how we can best support you. Please contact Marisha Holmberg, Lead, Strategic Operations at mholmberg@ctnsy.ca.

Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, CTN is a children’s treatment centre delivering services through a network model of service delivery with partners in the health, education and community service sectors. Together with our partners, we work towards making our vision of a vibrant community where all kids, youth and families belong a reality. Services include intake, service navigation, coordinated service planning, diagnostic assessments, autism services and rehabilitation services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech language therapy. CTN also delivers school-based rehabilitation services in Central and West Toronto.

We serve clients who have a variety of diagnoses including developmental, neurological and physical disabilities. CTN’s commitment to providing family-centred care is anchored by a shared client record that is accessed across partner organizations and provides the foundation for integrated plans of care and services.

Application Email or URL:  www.surveymonkey.com/r/CTNBOD2026app

The post Children’s Treatment Network (CTN) appeared first on Capacity Canada.

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♦KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are proud to announce the signing of speedy outfielder Jamie Cabral.

 Cabral is going into his second full season with the Panthers. 

His first year, he was mainly used in a pinch running role, where he utilized his speed to snag 11 stolen bases, including three on Canada Day in Guelph. He went 11-for-12 on stolen bags in 2025.

At the plate, he went 10-for-51 with a double and two triples.

Cabral is also a former Toronto Maple Leaf and a TMU Bold graduate. 

"Jamie's game changing speed can wreak havoc on the base paths, and put a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers," said general manager Shanif Hirani.

"I'm excited to see him build on his rookie year and impact the game with his legs on both sides of the ball."

============

JAMIE CABRAL

• Bats/Pitches: R/R
• Hometown: Vaughan, ON
• Birthdate: August 22, 2002
• Pronunciation: Jay-me CAB-rawl

February 9, 2026 – KITCHENER – Capacity Canada is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Community Sector Council Newfoundland & Labrador (CSCNL) to champion greater equity in nonprofit leadership.

Together, we’re launching the Open Hearth project in Newfoundland & Labrador — a bold initiative designed to increase the presence of underrepresented women and non‑binary individuals in leadership and decision‑making roles across the nonprofit sector.

Through this partnership, CSCNL will lead the delivery of two transformative initiatives in their region:

• A mentorship network uplifting underrepresented women
• A culture‑change framework supporting nonprofits committed to building workplaces where belonging and inclusion truly thrive

“We’re honoured to partner with our wonderful colleagues at Community Sector Council Newfoundland & Labrador (CSCNL) to bring Open Hearth to St. John’s and communities across Newfoundland & Labrador. This work is rooted in community wisdom — supporting underrepresented women and non‑binary people who have long carried leadership in our sector, often without equitable access to decision‑making spaces. Together, we’re building a mentorship network and a culture‑change approach that strengthens belonging, connection, and the conditions for more people to lead — right here at home.” – Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada

“We are excited to be partnering with Capacity Canada to bring the Open Hearth mentorship project to Newfoundland and Labrador. In our province, approximately 70%   community sector is staffed by women and gender diverse individuals. Meanwhile, our research suggests this group holds just 62% of executive positions and earn approximately 23% less than their male counterparts. We need to work together to close the gap by uplifting sector voices, rebalance statistics with lived experiences, and co-create the conditions for a thriving, equitable community sector.” – Colin Corcoran, CEO, CSCNL

Open Hearth is a 33‑month project running from July 2024 to March 2027. It builds on two concepts co‑created with women from underrepresented communities during the 2023 Makeover Project — ensuring the work is grounded in lived experience, community insight, and real sector needs.

After a successful pilot in Waterloo Region, Open Hearth will also expand to Calgary, Alberta in Spring 2026, extending its impact across the country.

Join us on February 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. NST / 11:30 a.m. EST for a 45‑minute virtual session highlighting the benefits of both initiatives and launching the mentorship application process in Newfoundland & Labrador.

To register for the February 17, 2026 information session, please click here.

For more information, contact:

• Christine Snow, Open Hearth Local Program Manager, CSCNL
• Fableeha Choudhury, fableeha@capacitycanada.ca , Open Hearth Project Manager, Capacity Canada

Learn more: capacitycanada.ca/open-hearth/

The post Building Belonging: CSCNL and Capacity Canada Launch Open Hearth in Newfoundland & Labrador appeared first on Capacity Canada.