8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The largest fraud case to ever take place in Sudbury has been opened again, with the jury getting back to work on Monday after some time off. The break in the trial came as the prosecution and defense took time to ready their final submissions.
Through the trial, the Crown prosecution has tried to prove that Dirk Plate and Paul Caron defrauded Atlas Copco (Canada’s CMT division of the Swedish industrial company) of nearly $24 million. The two parties (Caron opted to defend himself) have been preparing their final submissions and are now before the jury this week.
Plate (who denies any part of the fraud) and Caron are accused of inflating the cost of benefit claims for employees, with Caron the named insurance broker in charge of the claims. The two are thought to have conspired with David Hillier, CMT finance controller, and Atlas Copco’s Canadian human resources manager, Leo Caron. The scheme was set up to get the company to overpay for benefit claims.
The fraud has been ongoing since 1996, as confirmed by Leo Caron last month. He pointed out that the bill should have been $4.5 million, but Paul Caron invoiced the company for $9 million. Leo Caron has already been tried and was found guilty, sentenced to five years in April with minus time served.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Oil prices continue to be very low, but gas prices are not necessarily matching the price and the good times are very much over.
Throughout 2015 we saw prices continuously fall, even if it was not quite as rapid as declining oil prices, but still motorists across Sudbury and Ontario were enjoying low prices at the pumps. However, gas stations in the Greater Sudbury area are creeping back up and slowly getting back to normal prices before oil started to decline.
Gas has routinely been below the dollar over the last few months, but for the most part pumps are starting to higher the price. For example Sudbury residents are paying around $1.08, which is above recent rates. Luckily there are still some areas where prices are lower, such as Espanola for 90 cents at several locations and places in Massey for 96.9.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The job situation in Sudbury is concerning as the city has lost some 4,000 employment positions since March 2015, a rate that makes the Greater Sudbury Area the second worst in Canada. The NDP is laying the blame at the doorstep of the liberal Kathleen Wynne Ontario government, according to Nickel Belt MPP.
“Despite seeing the upward trend of unemployment in Sudbury, the Wynne Liberals sat on their hands as Sudbury mines closed and family supporting jobs disappeared,” Nickel Belt MPP said in a press release.
“Instead of investing in job creation, the Wynne Liberals pressed ahead with its fire sale of Hydro One despite increasing hydro costs that will put more burden on families and businesses, and hamper job creation.”
Statistics Canada released numbers yesterday that revealed poor Sudbury unemployment rates that increased to 8.6 per cent through the last month. Compared to the previous month the rate represented a 0.3 per cent increase from 8.3 per cent, both of which are the highest in Ontario. Indeed, the only municipality in Canada with a worse jobless rate is Quebec town Saguenay with a 9.1 per cent unemployment rate.
“The Wynne government needs to act now on job-creating projects for the city like (widening) Highway 69, the development of the Ring of Fire, and other infrastructure. This government has run out of excuses for doing nothing,” Gelinas said.
Sudbury’s mining industry has taken a hit in recent years thanks to declining metal prices, the industry is hugely important to the local economy. However, there is a little more nuance to the facts as despite increasing employment rates, job numbers in Sudbury actually increased month on month. There are 80,200 people employed in Sudbury during March, which was 700 more than through February.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Sudbury, like other areas of Ontario is an area that has frequent flood problems and homeowners should make sure they are adequately insurance. However, in most cases customers do not properly understand what home insurance is and how they can get it.
Here at Sudbury Insurance Brokers, we are specialists in home insurance and have a wealth of experience in the industry. We can offer advice and find you the best home insurance policy for you, and at the best price for you.
However, before making any lasting decisions, it is always best to know exactly what you are doing and how you can get the best deal. Our back to basic home insurance guide arms you will everything you need to know before you start shopping for coverage.
Types of Home Insurance
Home insurance is typically split into two types of policy, which differ in how much they actually protect your property.
All-perils – This home insurance is the most common type of policy as it covers everything, all of your possessions and the house itself. Because a house is almost always the most valuable thing a person owns, making sure it is all covered is a wise choice.
Named-perils – This type of coverage is rare and allows the customer to select specific named items that will be covered by the policy. In the event of damage or theft to the entire property, only the items named will be claimable.
For valuable household items some consumers may choose to take out a named peril policy alongside all-perils coverage. However, for goods of extreme value (fine art for example), more dedicated individual specialist insurance is needed and providers will not cover those items in a home insurance policy.
Flood coverage – While flood protection insurance is hot home insurance per se, it is associated as it protect the home from damage. Most insurance providers offer sewer back-up coverage and there is a grey area about whether this includes overland flooding (it doesn’t in the policy, but companies pay out claims frequently).
Providers are now starting to offer specific overland flooding coverage, but only a select few companies (Aviva, RSA, and The Co-Operators) currently have products.
Getting the Best Deal
Getting the best deal will depend on your circumstance, but in most cases it means getting the best policy you can for what you can afford. There are ways you can ensure value for money, and luckily the tips are very easy.
Shop around – Simply put, if you shop around extensively you are going to learn a lot. You will know what a policy offers and what price you can expect to pay to meet your needs. Looking at as many providers as possible will also mean you can find the best deal.
Sudbury Insurance Brokers are experts in finding clients the best deal with the absolute best policy they can get for their money. Our online quote engine will give you near instant results from the leading insurance companies in Ontario.
Ask for a discount – Is it cheek? You bet, but you never know until you try.
Bundle policies – Bundled policies can result in savings of up to 15%, and the most common bundle is a home insurance combined with auto insurance, something that is offered by most major insurers in Canada.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in Sudbury is continuing to warn drivers about operating their vehicles distracted, in a bid to cut escalating rates of accidents resulting from distracted driving. The police force is concerned about the levels of incidents in the city and is educating drivers about the risks and ramifications.
The March Break between March 14, 2016 to March 20, 2016, will be when the Sudbury OPP will double down on its Distracted Driving Campaign. Distracted driving is one of the chief causes of traffic collisions in Canada, with cellular phone use a primary cause of concern despite using a mobile device while driving has been illegal for over a decade in Ontario.
During 2015, some 299 people died on Ontarian roads, with distracted driving being the chief cause of death, above speeding, impaired driving, or other factors.
Driver inattention-related deaths: 69
Speed-related deaths: 61
Lack of seat belt use: 51
Impaired-related deaths: 45
Law enforcement is even discouraging the use of hands free systems for using cellular devices, as even these have been shown to cause enough distraction to cause accidents. The OPP says drivers should only use their hands free kits in the following circumstances:
The vehicle is off the roadway or lawfully parked
Must not be in motion
Is not impeding traffic
Emergency calls to police, fire or emergency medical services (if possible drivers should pull off the road)
Most common types of distracted driving:
Visual — taking your eyes off the road
Manual — taking your hands of the wheel
Cognitive — taking your mind off what you’re doing
If a driver is caught using a mobile products and other devices, there is a $490.00 fine and three demerit points on a license. Continued infractions of careless driving can lead to fines as high as $2,000 a revoked license and guaranteed higher auto insurance premiums.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Sudbury Police are urging the public to be vigilant of a phone scam sweeping Ontario, which involves fraudulent calls from people pretending to be the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
These calls are fake says the police, and usually involves the caller pretending to be working for the CRA, seeking to get identity knowledge and financial data from individuals. The scam is looking for people to give this information and the result is typically identity theft and stolen money and bank details. People are saying those who are unclear on CRA operations are the most vulnerable.
The scam typically sees a caller pretend to be a CRA operative who says the individual risks going to jail, having bank accounts closed, or having a house seized. To stop this the scammer says the individual can make an instant credit card transaction to avoid the bogus CRA fine.
If you get such a call, hang up immediately and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by telephone at 1-888-495-8501 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time) or through their online reporting tool at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/reportincident-signalerincident/index-eng.htm
If you suspect you or a family member may be a victim of fraud or have been tricked into giving personal or financial information, contact police.
The Canada Revenue Agency:
•never requests prepaid credit cards;
•never asks for information about your passport, health card, or driver’s licence;
•never shares your taxpayer information with another person, unless you have provided the appropriate authorization; and
•never leaves personal information on your answering machine or asks you to leave a message containing your personal information on an answering machine.
For more information on the Canada Revenue Agency and this telephone scam, visit http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/security
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Since starting a new year-long program to reduce pedestrian related collisions, Greater Sudbury Police announced it has already fined 60 drivers for disobeying traffic rules at intersections.
The year-long initiative by the police will raise awareness for pedestrians and aim to make Sudbury’s roads safer, including what is being described as a January blitz. The blitz will see the police force clamp down on dangerous behavior from drivers and pedestrians alike, and the city has also identified problem intersections that will be subject to extra policing.
Speaking to CBC News, Sudbury deputy police chief Al Lekun said the fines and tickets were issued for myriad minor traffic infractions such as running red lights, not giving pedestrians right of way, and skimming road lines. It is not just drivers getting fined, with five pedestrians were charged with jaywalking, although those who crossed at proper sections were issued Tim Hortons gift cards.
The five jaywalkers were those who were crossing in situations that were putting themselves at considerable risk, said Lekun.
“For the most part, pedestrians that we’ve observed have been observing the rules of the road by virtue of the fact that we’ve given out more awareness and gift cards than we have tickets. So it seems to be working.”
With weather now reaching peak winter conditions, Sudbury’s roads are more dangerous, even at busy and well-worn intersections. Driving safely and obeying traffic laws can help to keep you safe in your car and protect pedestrians on the sidewalks. Auto insurance in Sudbury will mean your vehicle is also protected against any collisions, and our brokers are on hand to find the best deal for you.
Our quick quote system can show you results from over 25 insurance providers in Sudbury, giving you the best deal for you.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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A proposed $80 million extension to Maley Drive continues to have opposition in some quarters in Greater Sudbury, with two city groups reiterating their worries about the project.
The idea of a Maley Drive extension is not new and it is a project that has a 30 year history, and now would cost $80 million to complete. The idea of the road is to create a semi ring around North Sudbury and add an east-west route to The Kingsway and Lasalle Boulevard, linking Frood Road and College Boreal to Falconbridge Highway.
The Sudbury chapter of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and Friendly to Seniors – Sudbury both insist that the project should not be eligible for federal infrastructure funding. The groups voiced their concerns in a joint press release, saying:
“Available information indicates that the project is not now, or never was, a prudent and responsible use of city and other government funds for the greater benefit of the city,” the groups said.
“Concerned about the future and well-being of our community, the groups have asked all locally elected representatives to seriously consider the implications of the project and that the city conducts a full and transparent public review.”
“There are only limited benefits for those in the north end of the city and none for the south or other areas. The consulting firm (AECOM, which presented a report to council in November) that used city staff supplied material to endorse the project had previously done design work for the new roadway, indicating a conflict of interest.
“Financing of the project plus operating and replacement costs will have to come out of present and future taxation levies. There has been no business case analysis with respect to what other projects would be of more value to the city including repair and maintenance of present infrastructure.”
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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Uber’s rise in Canada caught governing and regulatory bodies off guard and there has been a scramble to sort out the mess. Greater Sudbury is being urged to avoid such confusion by preparing in advance for the UberX service to arrive in the city.
Ward 9 councilor Deb McIntosh thinks the situation seen in other jurisdictions can be avoided and is pressing Greater Sudbury to prepare now. She has tabled a motion that would see the city’s current taxi bylaws assessed to gauge how the arrival of Uber in the Sudbury area could affect the city. She has called for the city staff to report back in spring with their findings.
Over the last year Uber has risen in Canada’s major cities, most of the time receiving a less than warm welcome when doing so. Regulators were caught off guard and the result sees Uber Canada operating without any regulatory license, its drivers effectively operating illegally and without sufficient auto insurance.
While the country is slowly moving towards accepting Uber, it is clear that when the ride-sharing service enters a new market it brings plenty of discord with it. McIntosh thinks this could be avoided in Great Sudbury.
“I’m hoping to avoid what’s happening in other cities,” McIntosh told the Sudbury Star. “That was the instigation for me to put this motion forward, to prevent conflict. I wanted us to be proactive rather than reactive and just waiting until it gets here.”
Uber’s expansion in Canada has been rapid and the service is currently available in 12 cities around the country, with a focus in Ontario. The U.S. based company said there are no plans to expand to Sudbury, but it seems covering the entire province is a logical goal.
“While we don’t have specific launch plans for Sudbury at the moment, I can tell you that Uber aims to expand to communities across Canada and we’re always looking at what’s next,” said Susie Heath, an Uber representative.
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8 years ago
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sudbury ·
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The cost of parking in hospitals can be prohibitive, with many simply unable to afford the high costs, especially if spending a lot of time at a health center or hospital. The Ministry of Health is now collaborating with Long-Term Care in a bid to relieve the financial burden of high cost parking when visiting someone in hospital or needing the health services themselves.
The MoH says that it will be discounting as much as 50 per cent from the cost of parking at hospitals that charge more than $10 per day to leave a vehicle. Many hospitals have metered parking that charges an hourly rate, but also has a higher flat rate limit. For example, some locations charge $1 per hour or $12 flat for a 24-hour period.
Health Sciences North attendees for example will likely miss out on any discounts as at the moment the hospitals under the banner now charge $6 per day. That then could be considered a normal rate, with those locations that charge more being deemed overly expensive. It is these expensive locations that are the focus of the new collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Spokesman Dan Lessard said HSN administers will look into parking costs and will review the system in view of this new initiative.
“But it’s too early to say at this point what impact this will have on our parking fees as our rates tend to come under the threshold,” said Lessard.
Health Minister, Eric Hoskins, announced on Monday that parking rates at hospitals will be discounted, but those discounts will not be in place until Oct. 1, 2016. As part of the mandated reductions coming later in the year, those locations charging more than $10 per day will also have to offer day passes for 5, 10, and 30 days.
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