Changes this year to 'Welcome to Timmins Night' will allow it to happen in-person
Organizers of the annual 'Welcome to Timmins Night' have found a way to host the event in-person this year. For 26 years, it was held in the McIntyre Curling Club and last year it was a virtual experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the Porcupine Health Unit's approval, the Welcome to Timmins Night committee said its event will take place earlier than usual and in the open air in downtown Timmins.
“There’ll be hand sanitizer everywhere and it’s up to people at some point to also observe their own physical safety and physical distancing, but we will have markers out to help people be safe," said Cindy Campbell, executive director for Downtown Timmins.
The information session will showcase approximately 40 booths representing a wide range of organizations and services. It's scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 6-8 p.m.
Kirkland Lake Gold, a mining company, is pitching in for prizes.
“A lot of our employees live in Timmins and it’s important that we support initiatives in the communities where our people live and work," said Stephanie LaBelle, communications manager for Kirkland Lake Gold.
Organizers are inviting all new and long-time residents to attend the free session. Timmins Transit and Timmins police are just a couple of the groups that will be represented.
"So if they have any questions regarding their safety or what they can do or what they cannot do in the community, they can have a chat with them," said Shashanka Rangi, the coordinator of the Timmins Local Immigration Partnership with the Timmins and District Multicultural Centre.
"And post-secondary students and school boards will be here, too, so for families who move to Timmins, if they have any questions regarding enrolling their kids in the schools, they can have a chat about it, too."
Those who work with people who've immigrated to Timmins said in the past 18 months, dozens of new families from outside the country have made Timmins home.
“We have 90 people that currently have gone through the (Rural Northern Immigration Program), so that’s 90 people that have moved here and with their families, so that doesn’t include the numbers of the family (members)," said Noella Rinaldo, director of community economic development with the Timmins Economic Development Corporation.
A recent survey conducted by the Timmins and District Multicultural Centre found newcomers are feeling safe living in the city and overall said Timmins is a welcoming community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.