Editorials - Aug. 15, 2025
The winds of change
As this paper is readying for press, all of southern Ontario (and much of the northern part of the province) is under some degree of wildfire danger. Parts of this region were categorized as “extreme”, which Natural Resources Canada defined as, “Fast-spreading, high-intensity crown fire. Very difficult to control. Suppression actions limited to flanks, with only indirect actions possible against the fire’s head.”
Fire bans have been put in place in much of the province, with forest fires now breaking out south of Algonquin Park in the Kawartha Lakes region. When we think of wildfire season, we think of “out west” or “up north”, not forest fires happening in southern Ontario.
On top of the record-setting high temperatures, Ontario is dealing with one of the driest summers in memory. Pockets of our region are experiencing moderate drought, experienced every five to 10 years, and that’s after we had a heavy snow cover and wet spring.
With climate change becoming harder to deny, folks in regions previously thought to be relatively safe will need to learn how to prepare for evacuation orders for all types of extreme weather events. – DS
The absentee landlord
As a newspaper that has, since it was founded nearly 40 years ago, been a staunch advocate for local representation, involvement and control, it should come as no surprise that its Editorial Board has seen its brain as a result of rolling its eyes so far up into its skull at the prospect of Pierre Poilievre, MP for Battle River-Crowfoot.
Born and raised in Calgary - a three-hour drive from Battle River - Poilievre hasn’t been an Alberta resident since his early twenties. Now, as has been highly publicized, he has been parachuted into a riding considered a “sure thing” for the Conservatives to get what’s his; what’s his being a riding won with over 80 per cent of the vote by Damien Kurek who, you know, lives there and earned his seat. But no, the party leader needs a seat (and a job), so his cushy chair awaits.
On Aug. 18, the voters will decide. And yet, if they elect Poilievre, they will not be choosing a representative, but rather, an opportunist. Some pundits have pointed out that Poilievre lost his Nepean-Carleton riding because he was never there; he was racking up Taylor Swift-like frequent-flyer miles on his campaign to “Bring it Home”, and ignored his riding and its constituents.
This feels like that, but on steroids. Poilievre will be too busy with his Mark Carney pincushion in Ottawa to bring greetings at local events, honour local volunteers, be part of local parades or host baseball camps for local children. The people of Battle River-Crowfoot, who have shown themselves to be supporters of the federal Conservative Party, will be robbed of local representation.
So, while Poilievre’s values may match those of the Battle River-Crowfoot voters, they are unlikely to get, in Poilievre, a representative of their local issues, a sympathetic ear to their community-specific concerns or, most importantly, a voice for them in Ottawa. – SL
A time for celebration
Lucknow came alive over the weekend with the revving of engines and a kaleidoscope of farm-fresh colours that seemed to ripple through the air. A grand procession featuring at least 119 tractors transformed the village’s thoroughfares into a vivid, slow-rolling celebration of rural heritage and agricultural pride. Each tractor brought its own distinct personality, donning hues from rich reds and classic greens to bold blues and bright yellows.
The parade wound its way not only along the bustling main street, but also through typically quiet corners of the village. Viewers spilled out from homes and shops, while others found their vantage points under the leafy canopies lining the route. Neighbours stood shoulder to shoulder, exchanging greetings and laughter, united by the shared thrill of the spectacle and the swell of pride it kindled in those who call this place home.
This gathering was far more than a showcase of well-kept machinery. It symbolized the deep-rooted connection between farm and field, between generations that have tilled the soil and those embracing new ways forward. Many operators acknowledged the crowd with waves, nods, or the occasional playful toot of a horn, each gesture reinforcing that sense of connection and belonging.
The parade also marked the beginning of a joyful stretch of agricultural festivities that will carry the community through the late summer and into early autumn. The Huron County Plowing Match is currently in progress, offering a vibrant display of skill, tradition and the art of soil stewardship. Looking ahead, the much-anticipated Thresher Reunion promises to keep the celebration going, providing a gathering place where stories of ingenuity, harvest and hard work are not only told, but passed on with pride to future generations. Then come the fall fairs.
May we look forward to many, many more years of rolling tractors, warm smiles and the enduring joy of rural celebration. – SBS