Editorials - Aug. 22, 2025
Up in the air
After a roller coaster week for Air Canada and its unionized employees, cooler heads have finally prevailed and, as of this writing, a tentative deal has been reached.
Many Canadians were shocked to find out that flight attendants’ biggest complaint was unpaid work. Most passengers likely were unaware that the attendants checking them in and helping them get settled in for their flights were not “on the clock”.
Apparently, Air Canada and most other airlines only pay for hours in the air. Pre-flight and post-flight work, although necessary for the smooth operation of the airlines, is not compensated, resulting in many unpaid hours. Attendants are also not paid for working through cancellations and delays.
With thousands of stranded passengers, the federal government was quick to order the Canada Industrial Relations Board to use binding arbitration to come up with a contract and to shut down the strike. The independent board ordered the flight attendants to return to work at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, causing the union to just as quickly announce that they would be defying the back-to-work order.
If the government can order the employees of a private company back to work after only 12 hours of strike action, why have a union? – DS
We’ll take it from here
As Ontario Premier Doug Ford has led the charge against overreach and threats from our neighbours to the south, he has been exercising his own J.V. version of Donald Trump-like overreach and direction here in Ontario, taking reins he has no business taking and attempting to apply a one-size-fits-all approach to a province that couldn’t be more diverse.
Earlier this week, at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference - with many of our local leaders in attendance - Ford encouraged municipalities to end remote work for municipal employees. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown has done just that, but, where that may work for Brampton, will it work for Huron East or North Huron? Ford has no idea. How could he? He knows as much about the goings-on of municipal offices in Huron County as you, dear reader, know about the goings-on of Queen’s Park. Huron East, for example, has revamped its employee attraction and retention strategy to make the municipality more accommodating and understanding in an effort to attract top-of-the-line talent and retain those it already has. That strategy, devised by staff and approved by council, is what will work in Seaforth. Ford knows nothing about this, nor will he ever.
Meanwhile, there is the strange case of Grey Bruce Public Health Unit. Minister of Health Dr. Kieran Moore’s provincial government has seized control over the body after citing “serious concerns” regarding governance, leadership, financial management and human resources. Unit Chair Nicholas Saunders has gone on the offensive, releasing directives from Moore that asked Saunders to remove the board’s seven municipal representatives, showing that he acted as directed. And now, as the province has moved in, Saunders is calling it bullying, accusing Moore of discrediting him, suggesting he acted alone.
There are threats and concerns from outside of our borders, it’s true, meanwhile, what’s happening within them should be concerning to all Ontarians, as accountability is shirked and power is seized. – SL
A fitting tribute
Last week’s Huron County Plowing Match, graciously hosted by Paul and Kathy Dodds at their family’s historic farm near Seaforth, was nothing short of outstanding. From the earliest planning meetings, right through to the final furrow, it was a talented team of volunteers who brought everything together with care and dedication.
The competition itself was of the highest calibre. Junior plowers showed impressive precision and poise, while the more seasoned competitors navigated the fields with confidence and skill. The Princess and Queen of the Furrow contests added charm, and the candidates themselves embodied the best of this rural community.
The Dodds family brought a well of heritage to the match. This was their first time hosting the event, yet their roots in the association run deep. Don’s seven decades of volunteerism with the group and Paul’s background as a world-level competitor lent prestige and continuity to the tradition. There was a tribute to the beloved Maja Dodds, who passed away in 2023. Her enthusiasm and presence at past matches were fondly remembered, and her spirit was felt in the fields she once walked.
Perhaps most striking of all was the comradery that filled the grounds. Neighbours, families and friends gathered to share food, heartfelt conversations and the spirit of friendly competition. It felt as though the county itself spoke in unison, voicing pride in its agricultural heritage and confidence in its future. All told, this year’s match was a triumph. Hot and dry weather, exceptional competitors, devoted volunteers, elegant pageantry and a host family steeped in history combined to deliver an event destined to be warmly remembered. – SBS